The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1782-09-03 00:00:00, page 2

duty to offer their advice to this honourable house, as
so what answer it shall give to our petition, they ought
to confider this case. But we Should deem ourfclves
highly criminal, if we entertained the most distant
thought, that this honourable house would adopt so
utijufl a Sentence. ~ :
We have frirherto forborne to urge this, matter upon
this honourable house, intereflingas it L to us, beanie
of the onufual weight of business which has pressed up
on the house: but we Should be wanting in due refpecl,
if we permitted the s ubj fl to remain in its prefect
bate so as to leave an impreifion of doubt upon the
minds of any, whether this house wonid -extend to the
petitioners that protection, to which they are of right
so clearly entitled.
But if those fads dated in the petition, and conc p 1
cd in 'he ad irefs and memorial, are not deemed amply
Sufficient to induce the house to grant the prayer of
the petition, we ar ready to prove every fa& all Hg'd
by us: and fth fe are not deemed Sufficient, we fug
ged,the following, which will place the condud of the
leaders of the society of the people called Quakers, at
tached to t e cause est our enemies, in its true point of
view : we fay, of (he leaders, because it is a well known
fad, that a great number of the independent part of
that people, have under peculiar difficulties arising from
their fixation and connexions, done nonor to teem
selves by the mod Spirited effects in the cause of their
country.
Cadwallader Dickinson, of Philadelphia, was difo^n
ed for fitting as a juryman on the trial of John Ro
berts and Abraham Carlifle, on a charge of high (rea
son, of which they were convicted, and for which they
foffered death, although' he was requeued to Serve on
that duty, by a relation of one of those men. On the
other hmi, the perlons so charged, found guilty and
executed, or one of them, were expreflly acknowledged
to be members of the fuel society, and were not dis
owned for their treason.
We are ready to offer to this honourable house, the
testimony of a mon of established good reputation, in
support of tee following sass, viz.
) A teflimony, as they term it, prepared for disown
ing a* member for bearing of arms, and read in a meet
ing of bofinefs of Philadelphia, was so expressed, as to
Censure the joining of the American army : it was re
marked by one prefeht, that the bearing of arms was
a fud.cbnt cause of'difownir/g, but, that the joining of
either fide in the conted need not make any part of the
charge. To this was replied, that the perfob charged,
bad, by joining the American army, added to the fault
of bearing arms, the crimes of treason and rebellion.
Whereupon another perform expressed great concern,that
fucna Sentiment Should be delivered in the meeting, and
at the fame time declaring, that he considered the go
vernment of the Bate to be fp far e ftablifhed, as to
claim his refpefl and acknowledgment: whereupon, an
eminent Speaker in that society declared, " That he
'' hoped, there was not another man in that meeting,
“ who entertained a like Sentiment; that he (the per
" son who had expressed that sentiment) put him in
" mind of the vicar of Bray ;" here the debate ended,
and the words censuring the joining of the American
army, were continued, as expressing the' sentiments of
that people! We have forborne to give the names of
the persons concerned in this tranfaßion, because we
do not wish to alledge them as charges against indivi
duals; but we are ready to give them, whenever we
shall be required so to do.
The public testimonies ofthofe people, publish'd at
different times, are known to all, and need not be Inre
recited ; but it is perhaps not known to many, that those
people in their meetings for business quarterly, half
yearly and yearly, put the following query in efFed;
are friends careful not to defraud the king of his dues?
And we believe this query is Bill continued ! And it is
worthy of remark, that, even in the address and me
morial to this honourable house, they avoid any ac
knowledgment of the right of government, and Speak
of them as men " who are in the exercise of the powers
of government:" and yet, notwithstanding fucn Strong
and full evidences, these people have the assurance pub
licly to declare, that " no just cause of offence will be
found against them in general;" appear before this ho
nourable house, and not only claim its proteaion,
while they withhold their allegiance and disclaim the re
volution and government : but also claim a right of pu
nishing those who yield allegiance, by depriving them
of'their rights defending from their ancestors.
They have even made it a condition, of persons hav
ing taken allegiance to the slate, marrying among
them, that that allegiance Should be renounced and
the certificate thereof returned. Of which Grange fad,
we are ready to give full proof. These men, we fay,
come before this honourable house, claim the right of
disfranchising hundreds of the freemen of the Rate, for
having faithfully discharged, in the time of her diffrefs,
the great duties which they owed to their country,
and withhold from, them property peculiarly valued by
all men, and appropriating that property to their own
sole use : and when appeal is made to the legislature cf
the state, and protection aiked, in terms the most decent
and refpe&ful, these men take upon them to recom
mend as a. “ proper" and " expedient" answer, that
we Should be" driven from before" you unheard. And
if possible, to add to the insult, while they withhold
our just rights, calmly recommend us to observe the
command, which forbids to “ covet that which is our
neighbours."
What people of any age or country, have ever yet
been found, who would fuffer their houses of worship,
and the bones of their ancestors to be violated and
torn from them, without the most desperate refinance ?
We know of none; nor do we know what we have
done or omitted to do, that Should induce any to
think that we Should, on the prefect occasion, be more
tame and submissive than the most abj ft of mankind.
In order to Shew our real Situation, we beg leave to re
cite a recent fad : A minister of the gospel, long in high
estimation among the people called Quakers, was dis
owned by that people, in the state of Maffachufets Bay,
for no other cause than for having published, as his
opinion, that that people, confident with their religi
ons profeffion, may pay their taxes for the Support o.
government, came to this Slate on a religious visit to
those who have been disowned here, and having appoint
ed a meeting for worship, to be held in the meeting
house at Meriori, the key was obtained from the keep
er and the hrufe opened for that purpose, when two of
the leading members of that meeting, came about the
time appointed for holding the meeting, locked up the
house, took away the key, and prevented the meeting
from being there held : yet so late as to the years 1777
and 1778, all tae meeting houses in tye state were open
toa preacher from England, then ffie, although it is
generally understood, that he considered, and on all oc
casions, public and private, Spoke of the present revo
lution as a rebellion.
If indeed your memorialists are mistaken in their
claim of right to protection, in the enjoyment of the
meeting houses and burial-grounds, obtained by their
ancestors; and, that those of the people called Quakers,
who ha.e discountenanced the present revolution, have
a divine right, or any 'other right to Supercede the
law of the land and to punilh those who pay obedi
ence to it, by depriving them of any of their rights and
privileges, I t it be so said. But your memorialises
think it tieir duty to reiterate the prayer of their
former petition.
" We pray this honourable house, in whole juft : ce
" and wisdom iv e confide, will grant leave to bring in
'' a bill for recognizing the right of persons disowned
" by the people called Quakers, to hold, in common
" with others of that Society, the mceting-houfes,
" school-houses burying-grounds, lots of land, and o
" ther the eflates held by that people as a religious
" society, and to recognize their right to Search, ex
" amine, and take copies of the records, books and pa
'' pars of the said society, from time to time, for the
''purpofe of ascertaining such eftates,proving marriages
" ascertaining defeents, and Securing their rights, and
" and other purposes, as they may have occasion ; and
" to enable those so disowned, to purchase and hold
" Such estates as other religious Societies are by law
" entitled to hold and enjoy.",
And Whatever may be the determination of this ho
nourable house in other rtfpeas, they further pray,
that this memorial and remonstrance may he entered
upon the journals of the house, ia order that, here
after, we may have recourse to authentic records for
proof of our having, thus early, made a claim of right,
and done every thing in our power to, do, confident,
with the peace of civil society, for obtaining a declara
tion of that right by law : that from authentic record,
the people of Pennfylvauia, and the Kates in union
the literati of Europe, and posterity may judge of our
Situation, and be enabled jufliy to decide upon Such
further measures as may, hereafter, become necessary
to obtain those rights, which we can never Consent to
have coercively taken away, or withheld from us.
An aft for incorporating the Dutch reformed church,
in the townfllips of Northampton and Southampton,
in the county of Bucks, was read the second time, and
debated by paragraphs, ordered to be tranferibed for
a third reading, and in the mean time printed for pub
lic confederation.
Extraß from the minutes,
PETER Z. LLOY D, clerk
to the general assembly.
An aa for incorporating the Dutch reformed church'
in the townships of Northampton and Southampton,
in the bounty of Bucks :
WHEREAS the minister, elders, deacons, and
members of the Dutch profeftant reformed
church, in the townfllips of Northampton and South
ampton, in the county of Bucks, have prayed, that
some persons amongst them may be incorporated as
trustees for thecommunity, that they may receive arid
hod grants of lands and chattels, thereby to enable
the petitioners to ereft and repair public buildings for
the worship of God, and for building fchoobhoufes,
and for rhe maintenance of the ministry ; and that
the fame trustees may plead and be impleaded, in any
suit touching the premises, and have perpetual succes
sion.
And whereas it is just and right, and also agreeable
to the true spirit of the constitution, that the prayer
of their said petition be granted.
Seaion 1. Be it therefore enaaed, and it is hereby
enaaed, by the representatives of the freemen of the
commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in general assembly
met, and by the authority of the fame, that the reve
rend Matthew Light, minified; Henry Kroefen, Gilliam
Cornell, Henry Wynkoop, elders; William Benter,
Aart Lefferts and Daniel Hogeland, deacons, of the
Dutch reformed congregation abovenamed, in the
county aforefaid, and their successors duly eleaed and
nominated in their place and flead, be, and they are
hereby made and cenftituted a corporation and body
politic in law and in fad, to have continuance forever,
by the name, stile and title of the truflees of the
Dutch reformed church, in Northampton and South
ampton, in the county of Bucks.
Se€t. 2. And be it further enaaed by the authority
aforefaid, that the said corporation and their successors,
by the name, flile and title aforefaid, Iball forever,
hereafter, be personable and capable in law, to pur
chase, take hold or enjoy any meffuages, houses, build
ings, lands, rents, tenements, annuities, or any other
hereditaments in fee simple and forever, or for term of
life dr lives, or in any other manner, so as the fame
ex eed not at any time in the clear yearly value or in
come, the sum of pounds, lawful
money of the state of Pennsylvania, over and above all
charges and reprizes: and further, that the said corpo
ration may take and receive any sum or fams of mo
ney, and any manner or portion of goods and chattels
that Shall be given or bequeathed to them by any per
son or persons, bodies politic or corporate, capable to
make a bequest or gift thereof ; and also that said cor
ISAAC HOWELL,
WHITE MATLACK.
The foregoing was read in general assembly on the
23d of August, 1782, and ordered to be entered on
the minutes.
In GENERAL ASSEMBLY, Auguflzg, 1782.
poration and their successors, shall and may give, gr^n^
demise or otherwise dispose of all, or any of the mef
fuages, houses, buildings, lands, rents, tenements,
annuities or any other hereditaments, as to them shall
seem meet.
Sed. 3. Provided always, and be it further enact
ed by the authority aforefaid, that in the making sale
or thlpohtion of any part or parcel, of the real estate
of the said corporation, the consent and concurrence
of the major part cf the regular members, who shall
have been enrolled as Rated worshipers with the said
church, for not lets than the space of one year, and
who shall have paid an annual sum of money, not less
than seven Shillings and fix pence, for the support of
the pastor or pastors, and other officers of the said
church, their houses and lots of public worship, and
other lots and tenements belonging to the said church
and corporation, and towards the other necessary
expences of the said church, and who shall not at any
time of voting, be more than ope half year behind or
in arrears for the fame, shall be had and obtained.
Sect. 4. And be it further enacted by the authority
aforefaid, that all and every such lands, tenements, he
reditam tits, money, goods and chattels, which at any
time before or after the passing of this aQ, have been
or shall be deviled, given or granted to the church above
named, in the said county of Bucks, or to any person
or persons in truQ for them, shall be and remain, and
they are hereby declared to be vested in, and fhal lre
main in the peaceable and quiet pofleffion of the corpo
ration, according to the true intent or meaning of such
devise or devises, gift or gifts, grant or grants.
Se&. 5. And be it further enaaed by the authority
aforefaid, that the said corporation and their successors,
by the name of the tru flees of the dutch reformed church
in the townfllips of Northampton and Southampton, in
the county of Bucks, shall be able and capable in law,
to sue or be sued, plead and beimpleaded in any court
or courts, before any judge or judges, justice or justi
ces, in all and all manner of suits, complaints, causes,
matters and demands, of whatfotver kind, nature or
form they may be, and all and every matter or thing
therein, in as full and effectual a manner as any other
perlon or persons, bodies politic and corporate, in this
commonwealth may or can do.
Seft. 6. And be it further enabled by the authority
aforefaid, that the said corporation and their successors,
shall have full power and authority to make, have and
use one common seal, with such device or devices and
infeription, as they shall think proper, and the fame
to break, alter and renew at their pleasure.
Sed. 7. And be it further enaded by the authority
aforefaid, that the said trustees and their successors,
or a majority of them met from time to t me, be autho
rifed and empowered, and they are hereby authorifed
and impowered, to make rules, bye laws and ordinances
and to do every thing needful for the good government
and support of the secular affairs of said church; pro
vided always, that the said rules, bye laws and' ordi
nances, or any of them, be confanant to the usages and
customs of said church, and not repugnant to the laws
oft his commonwealths
Sea: 8. And be it further enaaed by the authority
afor f id, that the said reverend Matthew Light, minis
ter; Henry Kroefen, Gilliam Cornell, Henry Wynkoop,
elders; William Bennet, Aart Lefferts, Daniel Hoge
land, deacons; the firft and pre ent trustees here by in
corporated, shall be and continue trustees cf the Dutch
reformed church, in the county aforefaid, until others
shall be duly ele&ed and confirmed according to the
manner, custom and method now in use in the said
church, for electing the elders and deacons, the minis
ter for the time being remaining a trustee; which per
sons, so elected and confirmed as aforefaid, shall have
all the power and authorities of the abovenamed trus
tees, and all and every such person or persons, so newly
eleded and confirmed as aforefaid, shall remain until
other fit persons in like manner be elected and confirmed
in their refpe^ive rooms and places, and so on forever.
Se&. 9. And be it further enabled by the authority
aforefaid, that in case of the death or removal of a
miniver of the said congregation, and until another
minister shall be duly appointed and approved for the
said congregation, agreeable to former method and
usage, they, the said elders and deacons, shall have the
fame power and authorities, as are herein before veiled
in the whole corporation.
ScR. 10. And be it further enabled by the authority
aforefaid, that the said trustees and their successors,
be authorifed and impowered, and they are hereby
authorifed and impowered to meet at such time or
times, place or places, as to them or the major part of
them tfcall seem meer and convenient, and then and
there by plurality of votes, to eltß and appoint
from among themselves, a president, and also to
eleft and appoint a treasurer and secretary, which
president, so eleßed, shall have the custody of the seal
or seals of said corporation, and all bocks, charters,
deeds and writings, any way relating to the said cor
poration, and shall have power from time to time, and
at all times hereafter as occasion shall require, to call
a meeting of the said trustees, at such place as he shall
think convenient for the execution of all or any of the
powers hereby given, and in case of sickness, removal or
death of the president, all the powers hereby given to
the president, Shall remain in the Senior or elder upon
record, until the recovery of the president, or until a
new president be elected as aforefaid.
Self. 11. And be it further enaaed by the authority
aforefaid, that every a& and order of the major part
of the said trufiees, consented or agreed to at such meet
ing as aforefaid, Shall be good, valid and effeßual to
all intents and purposes, as if the whole number of the
said trustees had conferred and agreed thereto; also
that all the proceedings of the said trustees or any of
them, Shall from time to time be fairly entered in a
book or books to be kept for the purpose by the president
of the trustees for tee time being: which book or books,
together .with the seal of the said corporation, and all
charteis, deeds and writings whatsoever, any way be
longing to the said corporation, shall be delivered over
by the former president, to the president of the said
trustees newly elected, as such presidents Shall hereafter
successively from time to time be eleded.