Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-05-13 00:00:00, page 4

As the fuljeß is ' of feme importance, efyeSally at
this time, I man take the liberty of Rating the objecti
ons I have againff the practice as above d^cribed, leav
ing you to Rape your future course as you think pro
per, arl determining to use my prerogative of taking
er giving up your paper as it seems todeferve. In the
foft p'a e, if you admit piece's into your paper for pay,
I prefurre fcm the nature of all mankind, that these
who pay best will have the preference. Then fha!l we
have a new standard of literary merit, and a man who
is able and willing to refuse pernicious principles, or to
detect the falfhood of impudent assertions, may yet be
too poor to obtain a place where only it can be done to
any good purport The monrent it is in the power of
perlons unknown to cond^^f or lift the public channels
of intelligence, both the people in general and particu
lar performs mac be deceived and abused in the grossest
manner. It is fcaice worth while when things of so
much greater moment are to be added, yet I will ju't
mention that you force nonsense upos us which could
not make its appearance in any other mode of publica
tion. Pray,' Sir, how much copy money would you
have given for a pamphlet in which you had found that
ridiculous pun open M # pnt Seir which is to be been in
one of Cato's letters, and the wrenched parody upon
Hamlet's fJiloquy? Parody in general is one of tie
lowed kincs of writing that has yet found a name, and
that poor speech has been repeated, imitated and man
gled Io often that it mud excite di'gud in every person
who has any acquaintance with news papersand pam
phlets to fee it again. I could e.afily mention twenty
different ways in which I have seen that speech paro
died. To speak hr not to speak, that is the queftion —
To fight or not to fight, that is the que^ion —To wed
or pot to wed, that is the queffion—To drink or not
to drink, that is thequeftion, &c. &c. Is this a time
for filling the news-papers with such egregious trifling.
But this is not all: I could mention a case that hap
pened a few years ago in New-York. A gentleman had
published a (mall piece by itfelf and put his own name
and designation on the rile page He was immediacy
attacked in the mod virulent and unmannerly flile by
Anonymous writmsdn the news-papers, an 1 it was with
the titmoft difficulty that even for pay irfelf Ids friends
could ge r a few words inferred by way of reply. This
practice indeed is liable to the higheftdegree of corrup
tion. Whether are ye to hippofe that it was pay or
profanenes that introduced into the paper printed by
the infamous Rivington pieces containing the grofTed
obfeenity, and which ought to have been punished by
the Magistrates of the place as a public nuisance ? It is
also very generally believed of that Printer, that he
encouraged or hired worthless perlons to public afper
110ns upon a gentleman in the„neighbonihood of good
estate but of no great judgment, that he might fqweeze
money out of him' for the liberty of contradicting them.
1 do not fay things are come this length with you,
but tire practice leads to it, and therefore ought to be
vigorously opposed.
For the above reasons caution is to be used in admit
ting essays into the news-papers at any rare, or Suffer
ing a controversy in which people are greatly interested
to be agitated there at al l . The writers a r e very apt
to become personal and abusive, and to forget the fub
jeC lby refuting or exposing every thing that has been
thrown out by their antagonists. Certainly, however,
they ought to confine themselves to the pieces that have
been originally published in the news-papers, and are
fuppo'ed to have been read by the lame perfoos who
read the aniwers. To answer a whole book by a ferits
of letters io the news papers is like attacking a man
behind his back, and (peaking to h § prejudice before
parsons who never saw or heard of him, nor are ever
likely so to do. Common Sense has been read by ma
ny, yet the news papers are read by many more, and
therefore I affirm that permitting his adversaries to at
tack him there is giving them an unfair advantage over
him, and laying he Public at the mercy of thole who
will not flick to assert any thing whatever in Support of
a bad cause.
Let nobody fay I am writing againd the f r eedom of
the press; [defre that it Should be perfectly free from
an, biafs, but I would have all writings of consequence
upon such a cause as this published by themselves, that
they might Stand or fall by their own merit and the
judgment of the Public. How do you think, Sir, you
could fell the letter of the Common Man, published in
your paper feme time ago, if lengthened out a little
and printed as a pamphlet? Under a thin and filly pre*,
tence of impartiality, he takes upon him to tell us what
a number of things mud be all previously fettled before
we proceed to fix upon a regular plan of government,
such as what price we mud expert for our produce at
this and the other nation and port, &c. &c.&c. Shall
we call this realigning ? Are our understandings to be
1o insulted ? It all or any such things mud be previ
ously fettled, any man of common invention may enu
merate 50,000 perfectly Similar, which will never be
fettled by previous computation to the end ofthe world,
but will speedily fettle thern'elves by common interest
whenever trade is open, and the Common Man Shall
never know any thing of the matter.
But what I chiefly complain of is the tedious, trifling,
PHILADELPHIA: Printed by JOHN DUNLAP, at the Ne^eft Printing-Office in Market-flreet, where
Subscriptions at Ten Shillings per Annam, Advertisements, &c. are thankfully received for this Paper.
indecent altercation occasioned by handling this fubjeCt
in the news papers. It certainly requires a Speedy de™
chon as well as mature deliberation, yet mud we wait
till Cato and other authors have eXhaufted their inven
tion in the news papers from week to week, guessed at
one another's persons, and triumphantly expressed their
dddain of each other's sentiments or stile. If Cato's
letters had been a pamphlet, I could have read all that
he has laid in an hour and all the reasoning part by it
lelf in the fourth part of the time; yet after eight let
ters mud we wait some weeks more, far it would be
indecent to proceed to action before he has done Ipeak
ing. But after all, the word of it is, that in this way
of letter and answer we never come to the argument at
all. If I mistake not, the points to be difeuffed are
very pldin and not numerous, and yet wholly untoucl -
ed, at lead by Cato, though he has been repeatedly
called upon by his adversaries. Far example, is there
a probable profpe& of reconciliation on constitutional
principles? What are these constitutional principles?
Will any body Shew that Great- Britain can be Suffici
ently sure of our dependence and yet we sure of our
liberties? A treatise upon this last fubjedtwould be
highly agreeable to me, and if well executed ufelul to
all. I Shall add but one question mo r e: Will the coun
try be as orderly and happy and our efforts for refiftanee
as effectual by the present loose and temporary proceed
ings, as when the whole are united by a firm confederacy
and their exertions concentrated like the strength of a
Single date? I am greatly mistaken if these points ought
not to be the hinge of the controversy, and yet if they
have been examined felly or the greatest part of them
even touched by Cato or his coadjutors, I have read
their works with very little attention. Now, Sir, this
paper goes to you, that if you please you may insert
it, but neither money nor promile of good deed to make
way for it, so that its fa e is wholly uncertain.
I remain, Sir, yours, &c.
ARISTIDE S.
^^ee^^^-fofo,-^^ ^q^^.^^s
WILLIA MSBURGH, (Kirgizia,) April 26.
LAST Saturday his Excellency the General, with
his two Aids-de Camp and Secretary, Col. Bullit,
&c. Set out for Suffolk ; Since which, we learn, that his
Excellency has marched from that place, at the head of a
large body of ti oops, upon some Secret expedition,
Last Monday evening rg runaway negroes, and a cou
ple of tories, were brought up from Suffolk, and lodg
ed in the public jail ; and there is advice that Lieutenant
Colonel Eppeshas taken 14. soldiers of the Black Fufleers,
and killed two grenadiers of the 14th regiment. .
By an express just arrived from South-Carolina, we
have authentic information, that the General Assembly
of that province have resolved not to enter into any trea
ty or correspondence with the Court of Great-Britain, or
any perform under their authority, but through the me
(hum of the Hon. Continental Congrels.
April 27. Captain John Dixon, in a vessel from Glou
cester, bound to the Welt Indies, who was lately taken
by a man of war, and carried into Antigua, has return
from St. Euftatia, and landed a cargo in this colony con
filtiog of four thousand pounds sterling worth of linens,
fail duck, &c. The Captain informs, that the Argo
(loop of war had chafed a vessel among the islands, but
was prevented from taking her by a French frigate, who
exchanged a few (hot with the Argo, took the vessel un
der convoy, and carried her Safe into a French island.
Thirty right fail ofthe men of war and transports des
tined for North-Carolina, from England, are Said to be
arrived at Cape-Fear, and that they took on the pagage
a large French ship with arms and ammunition.
N E W-P O R T, (Rhode Inland) April 29.
Lalt ThurSday night, the Continental ships Alfred
and Columbus, and toe brig , arrived in our
bay, and anchored n<.ar Hope, a ftatibn occupied by Bri
tito pirates a considerable part of the winter.
N EW - YO R K, May 6.
The inhabitants ofthe island of Montserrat, to en
courage the importation of provisions, have resolved to
give the following premiums for three months from the
20th of March, viz. For every barrel of flour, bread,
beef, pork, herring or pickled 6fh, 3s, For every tierce
of rice, 53. For every bushel of corn, peafe or beans, 6d.
and for everv firkin of butter, is-
Friday left failed from Sandy-Hook, and supposed for
Halifax, his Majesty's sloop of war the Nautilus, with the
Flip Lady Gage, 4 blips and 2 sloops, The Phoenix and
Dutchekef Gordon are at the Hoek, and the Asia lies
between the banks, about 8 miles from the Narrows.
A letter from Edinburgh, dated Dec. 25, to a gentle
man of this city, fays, " Business of every kind is quite
at a stand here; and to add to our ml fortune, a p.ftden
tial distemper rages with great violence among us, which
has carried off g eat numbers, and has thrown the coun
try in general into great consternation."
PHILADELPHIA, May 33.
Extras of a letter from St. Euflatia, April 12, 1776.
“ The 6th ult. there were 23 rranfpoits went part ih ; s
place under convoy of the Experiment, a 40 gun (hip,
bound for Button, but there were no vessels in the fleet
cf any force, except a French built Ship of 8 guns and a
Bermuda sloop, fitted but of Antigua, of 8 guns, but 2
out of the 8 happen to be wood. They have likewise a
brig fitted out of Dominica to cruise, but I hope we shall
be up with them as for n ?s the Congrefsgrants commiffibn'.
" 1 here is a great opportunity of making a fortune at
this time if the commiffi ns were granted : As for the
Antiguans, they are the tnoft cruel and unjust wretches
exiting, far they condemn every vessel if She has only the
name of being once in America."
Extras of a letter from an officer at Montreal, April 6.
"By a gentleman from Quebec, we have the follow
ing advices, which may be depended on + : A member of
Canadians at the instigation of their prietts, arose, with
a^efign to cut off the guards at Point Levy. A party
order Major Dubois, attacked their advance 'giurd,
killed seven, wounded five, and took about fifty prison
ers ; twenty-five of which arrived here last evening. Ge
neral Woolier arrived before Quebec on Monday last :
The battery opened at Point Levy on Tuesday morning,
one of Captain Lamb's company made his escape from
Quebec, and informs, that the soldiers and prisoners are
at an allowance of three ounces of pork per day. A Ca
nadian who brought letters from Carleton to the inhabi
tants is made prisoner, and fays, (which he offers to
swear to) that the inhabitant o , as well as soldiers, have
risen in a body and gone to Carleton, and that hepromi
fed, if he did not get assistance in i+days, to deliver up
the town."
Extract of a letter from an officer at Fort George, April 2®.
“ We came here two days ago, and found the Lake
still closed with ice ; yesterday it all vanifned, when
Do&or Franklin and the other Delegates immediately'
embarked in batteaus and eroded the Lake. Our regi
ment with sundry other troops from New-England and
the Jerseys set out at day break to-morrow morning. The
whole of the troops that are now on the Lake and here,
will amount to upwards of 1500 men ; so that I think we
Shall make a very refpe&able figure before Quebec, when
we all a rive : And I hope we Shall net lay long there,
but endeavour immediately to fee what the inside is made
of."
In COMMITTEE of S AFETY,
Philadelphia, May 7, 1776.
Resolved, That all recruiting officers who may happen
to enlist appren ices op indented Servants, not knowing
them to be such, Shall be entitled to receive the reasona
ble expences attending their enlistment.
There being a very pressing necessity fora large quanti
ty of lead, for the public use in the defence now formed
for the Security of the liberties of this country, it is most
earnestly recommended to all the inhabitants of the city
and libertiesof Philadelphia, to fend in to Robert Tow
ers, Commissary, for this purpose, all such lead as they
may have in use in their families and about their honfes,
such as draught weights, window weights, and .dock
weights.—And it is hoped that this requisition will be
chearfully complied with, when every individual confi
ded that he thereby does essential Service to his country,
and that ir®n weights may be procured to Supply his pri
vate convenience. The liberal price of Six-Pence per
pound will be allowed.
Extract from the Minutes,
WILLIAM GOVETT, Secretary.
§«s++-++ +-++44++#s
BY virtue of a writ to me direßed, will be fold by pub
lic vendue, on Thursday, the 16th day of May inst.
on the premises, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, a certain
three story brick meffuage or tenement, and lot or piece
of ground thereunto belonging, with the appurtenances,
Situate on the north fide of Vine-street, between Front and
Second Streets, in the Northern Liberties, containing in
front 17 feet 5 inches, and in depth about 90 feet ; bound
ed by ground of Charles Weft, and others ; Subject to a
ground-rent of Nine Pounds currency per annum ; late
the estate of Peter Ridge; Seized and taken in execution
by WILLIAM DEWEES, Sheriff.
P Y virtue of a writ to me dire&ed, will be fold by pub
" lie vendue, on Friday, the 17th day of My inst. at
the house of George Bakeoven, in Kensington, at four
o'clock in the afternoon, a certain vacant lot or pie r e of
ground, Situate in KenGngton aforefaid, and on the north
or north-easterly Side of Hanover-street, containing in
front 60 feet, and in depth 200 feet; hounded with grouhd
late of Anthony Palmer, Esq; and by ground of Edward
Morris and Wife, and others; fubjebt t® a ground or
quit rent of currency per annum ; late the estate
of Jonathan Biles, decea fed; fe : zed and taken in execu
tion by WILLIAM DEWEES, Sheriff.
pY virtue of a writ to me directed, will be fold bytyub
" lie vendue, on Saturday, the 1 Bth day of May ini. at
fouro'clock in the afternoon, on the premises, a cMtain
meffuage or tenement, and two tracts or pieces of land
thereunto belonging, situate on the fide of the King's
Highway, leading from Philadelphia thro' Germantown
to Cheftout-Hill, about ten miles from the citv of Phila
delphia aforefaid, and next adjoining Mr. Wigard Mil
lar's plantation, containing in the whole about ten acres
and 56 perches, part whereof is woodland ; late the estate
of Simon George ; seized and taken in execution by
'WILLIAM DEWEES, Sheriff.
BY virtue of sundry writs to me directed, will be fold
by public vendue, on Thwfday, the 23d day.of
May instant, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, at the house
of Henry During, junior, at Steny-Batter, on the Potts
grove road, a certain m< ffuage or tenement, and traft
or piece cf land, Situate in the township of New-Hano
ver, containing about 180 acres; also a certain water
corn or /lift mill, and tract of about 60 acres of land,
situate as aforefaid; the whole late the estate of a certain
Michael Feadiey, commonly called Michael Feadley the
younger; Seized and taken in execution by
WILLIAM DEWEES, Sherif.
Wilmington, Neiucafle, March 19, 1776.
WAS offered for sale at the (hop of the
fub'eriber, in Wlmington, about three weeks
ago, a Small Silver WAT CH; it appeared to have
had a China face which has been broken off by some vio
lence : ft is luppofed to have been Stolen, and accord
ingly bopped. The owner is desired to call, prove his
property, and take it away.
JOHN STOIV.
N. B. He li'kewife informs the Public, that he makes
all kinds of silver Counted Small swords and cutteaus, in
the nearest manner and en the moit reasonable terms, §