The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1780-10-17 00:00:00, page 2

% the CITIZENS of P^NN^V^VANTA.
IT his been my fate, and" it has been the, fate of
greater and better characters than mine, to fuffer
unmerited reproach. To pass over such treatment in
fhnee is often mod eligible: Put when greundkfs
ir iin nations and charges are^gain and again repeated;
when they are repeated on (ulje^s, t: are ceeply
interesting to the community•,and in a #nfon of dan
grr, while.the feelings of the people are trembling y
alive; it becomes the duty of the citizen, who is in
iured'by them, to lay before the public a true nar
r live of faffs ; it become s his diry more particularly,
if any important trufl has been reposed in him by his
fellow citizens; and if strokes ^re levelled again* his
conduct in the discharge of that tru'd-
These are the reasons why I now beg leave to ^d
drefs yob. Without the lead cauf or provo ation
given on my, part, I have, for some years p:ft, been
pursued in the News papers with almost unintermit
fo invective, to its authors I have never made any
anf/°r. and i mean hot now to answer them: J.t to
.the. Citizens of fonfylvawa I mill to appear in that
light in which my conduH entitle me to appear. To
them every information refpeaing my charter, as a
citizen, is due...
Before the controversy with Great Britain, my in
clination, and the Rudy .of my profeffion, on liberal
and enlarged principles, led me to an attentive investi
gation of the rights of America, anl of the claims tend
ing to destroy them. When that controversy com
menced I took an early and an a&ive part in it; I
fooke, and wrote, and published my sentiments with a
freedom which was then thought, by many, to be too
doing.
I was chosen a Member of the firft Convention of
Pennsylvania. That body, far from deeming me *n
dnemy to my country, recommended me (and I think
unanimoufy) to the assembly, to be appointed one of
t'e Delegates for Fennfylvania, in the firft Congress.
Through the influence and it- ogees of Mr- Galloway
th p recommendation of the Convention Was disregarded.
My country, however, did not entertain a worf?
cnin ; on of me on that account; and I wab chosen I
Member of the second Convention, which met in Jan
uary, 1775. The contest with Greif-Britain began
row to assume a more furious afpe&, and it became
jretry obvious that its decision mud be by arms. Un
der this persuasion, infiead of shrinking from the cause,
I was one of thole who thought that Fennfylvania
fhculd immediately be put id a date of defence; the
men urrcould not, however, be carried at that time.
'On hearing of the battle of Lexington I was one of
the firft in arms; and in the beginning of May, 1775,
way eleded Captain of a company of volunteers. The
voice of my country soon called me into another line;
I was appointed one of your Delegates in Congress ; and
continued in that character from May, 1775, to Sep
tember, 1777, though, if any little disgust could have
influenced my conduct I had occasion enough given me ;
as I was oftner thin once left out of the delegation, and
in a few days re-appointed.
ft is impossible for me to give you an account of
every particular part of my conduct in thafthigh trust.
For its general tenor I can, with confidence, appeal to
those with whom I had the honour to deliberate and to
a& ; I can appeal to them, whether I did not deserve
the ch,rafter of an honefl Representative ; and whether
i was not aa uniform and steady promoter of the most
vigorous measures for carrying on the war from firft to
] a ff. For many parts of my epndud I can appeal to
publications, under the authority of Congress, at the
most difirefling period of the war. At that time, when,
in the apprehension of many, those who were active in
defence of their country were wearing halters around
their necks; I neither retired nor resigned ; I aßed tie
part neither of a difgaifed enemy nor a luke-warm
friend.
It has been alledg i dthat I was an enemy to the In
dependence of the United State's; the charge has no
foundation. I early forefaw this event to be the pro
bable, though not the irren ed rfult of the contest.
Indeed the conjecture required no great fegacity, for if
we continued Ready to our rights, and Great-Britain
obftinatein her oppression, wnat else but a final sepa
ration could ensue?
When the measure began to be an object of contemp
lation in Congress, the Delegates of Pennfylvama were
expressly reftriHed from confentirg to it ; my uniform
language in Coogrefs was, that I never would vote for
it contrary to my infiruaions: I went farther, and de
clared, that I never would vote for it without your
authority: And was I.to be blamed? Should this ad
have been the ad of four or five individuals? Or should
it have been your's? it would have been the bigheft pre
fum'ption ; .it would have been something more than
prefurnption in your Delegates to have taken a Rep of
•such immenle importance without your fanOion.
When your authority was communicated by a con
ference ol Committees from the fever 4 counties of the
State, I then Rood on very different ground; I declared
so in Congress : I spoke and voted for the measure;
and my vote was not useless; for it so happened that
it was ne<effary th determine the vote of the State.
But had I voted otherwise, ought that to rife in judg
ment against me now ? Some who could hot accede to
the declaration of independence, when it was made,
have ever free .Rione in the number of its most deter
mined and most illoßriou< supporters.
It bps been asserted that I have countenanced toryifm
and tories. Let a single inßance be produced in sup
port of the affection.; My connexions are formed in a
very different line; and 1 have the honour to cent
among my acquaintance and my friends, many of the
most distinguished whig characters in the United States.
I have .indeed been council for many persons who
were tried on indiXments for trtafon ; and I have been
council also for criminals of every other denomination:
But have I, therefore, countenanced thefr crimes ? The
aff'flance of council, learned in the law, is thought ne
ceftbry on the part of the Conimon wealth. Is it less
necehary for toe prisoner? It is provided by your De
claration of Rights, “ that in all prosecutions for cri
-4< mind offences, a man hath a right to be heard by
“ himfelf and his council." Those who are acquaint
ed with legal history know what dreadful engines of
tyranny prosecutions have been, when the arenf d have
not been allowed council to inftruX and assist them in
their defence: I hope the citizens of Pennfylvanja will
never be deprived of this right. When persons, who
are tried for capital crimes, are not of ability to retain
c< uufel, copnfel is alwaysaligned to them by the court.
The trial of crimi sis is neither the most p ofoble
VOL the most agreeable part of a Lawyer's profeilion.
To be intruded with the defence of a man's life pro
duces, in adetlihg temper, a degree of uneafinef. and
anxiety, not easily conceived by those who h.-.e not
experienced it-
But it is urged that,! have opposed government. I
never appioved of the Cchßiiut:on ; and I never dissem
bled my sentiments upon , the fubjeX. ~I have always
whiled for an amendment of it; and have joined in
meafure* for that purpose. But has any thing (editi
ons appeared in my conduX or attempts f Have I en
deavoured to attain my ends by violence? My only
aim has been to accomplish them by the consent and
auinority ot the citizens of the State.
While in Congress I thought niy duty to ' flipport
the dignity of Pennsylvania,' whatever my Sentiments
were with, regard to the constitution. My language
was, that the division, in our government could not
be known -in Congress ; and that it was Sufficient that
the whole whig intefeß of the State was represented
there. Indeed, it has beeha rule of my conduct to
give affinance to every merf^re of government which
J thought necefiary for the public good; though the
neafute had an immediate and direX tendency to
eft^blilh the Constitution. I took the oath of alle
giance to the State ; though not obliged by law to do
to; being then a Delegate in Congress. I advised
others to do the fame, both by words and by writihg:
For I thought it was become necessary to draw a
known ^ne between those who were determined to Sup
port tie independence of the State, and those who
were not. I have engaged to receive the money I rely
emitted by this State a^ gold an t silver ; and have
punXually oblerved my engagement.
From what causes the attacks against me have ar isen
I mesh not to enquire; fur< I am they have not been
deferred. My whole conduit has discovered a sincere,
a warm, and an uniform attachment to the cause of
America. I have Served my country in A public cha
raßer: I have Served her its a private citizen. All
ti at 1 possess is deeply engaged as Security for the
Bank of Pennsylvania. I am, at this moment, put
ting myfelf to re d inconveniences, in order to make
up the sums which I have promised to advance for car
rying on the purposes of that institution.
Some have been pleased to represent me as at the
head of party : To exhibit me inthis view i^ doing me
too much honour. It is well known that I have not
been Single in my Sentiments of the Constitution: But
those who have entertained the fame Sentiments have
thought and acted for theffifelves. Their judgments
are too found, and their dispositions are too independ
ent to be Swayed or milled by any one.
But what good purpose cap it Serve to attempt to re
new divisions which have been long laid aside? or to
hold up in the News- papers the idea of divisions that
do not exist ? Can this make us more formidable tothe
enemy? Is it calculated to produce harmony among
ourselves ? No endeavours have been lately made to
change the Constitution :. Nothing of that kind, that I
know, is now intended.
I have now laid a plain and candid ftateof facts be
fore you- Whst judgment ought to be formed upon
them, you, my Fellow-Citizens, will determine.
JAMFS WILSON.
*** If any of the pieces against me have appeared
in the News papers of other States; I hope the Prin
ters of them wiil be kind and just enough to me to
publilh this Address.
We have just received the following Address, pub
lished in New-Tork by the infamous Traitor Arnold,
in which he has the effrontery to avow, and attempt
b, flimsy arguments to juftify, his perfidious Treachery.
To the INHABITANTS of AMERICA.
TSHOU LD forfeit even in my own opinion, the
place I have so long held in yours, if I could be
indifferent to .your approbation, and lilenton the mo
tives which have induced me to join the King's arms.
A very few words however (hall fuffice- upon .a ful>
jed so personal, for to the thousands who fiiffer under
the Tyranny of the Ufarpers in the revolted provinces
as we'l as to the great multitude, who have long wish
ed for its subversion, this inßance of my conduit can
want no vindication, and as,,to that class of men who
are criminally protracting the war from finjßer views
at the expence of the public interest, I prefer their
enmity to their, applause. I am therefore only con
cerned in this address to expain myfeif to such of my
countrymen, as want abilities or opportunities to de
left the artifices by which they are duped.
Having fought by your fide when the Tove of our
country animated our arms, I shall expert from your
ju slice and qandor, what your deceivers with mere art
and lffs houefy, will find',it inconsistent with their
own views to admit.
When I quitted domestic happiness for the perils of
the field, I conceived the rights of my country in dan
ger, and that duty and honour called me to her de
fence., A redress of grievances, was my only object
and aim, however I aecquiefed in a Rep which I thought
precipitate, the declaration /)! independence: to jufli
fy this measure many plausible reasons were urged^
which could no longer exist, when Great-Britain with
the open arms of a parent offered to embrace us as
children, and grant the wilhed for redress.
#nd now that her worst enemies are in her own bo
som I should change my principles, if I conspired with
tlieir designs: yourselves being judges, was the war
the less just, hecaufe fellow fubjeXs were considered
as our foes? You have felt the torture in which we
railed our arms against a brother, God incline the
guilty protraflors of these unnatural diffentions, to re
sign their ambition, and cease from their delusions, in
cpmpaffion to kindred blood.
I anticipate your quefiion, was rot the war a defen
five one until the French joined in the combination ? I
enfwer, thaf I thcu-bt so.- You Will add was it not
afterwards necessary, tili the reparation of the British
empire was cornpleat ? By no means, in contending for
the welfare of my country I am free to declare my
opinion, that this end attained, all firife should have
ceded.
I lamented therefore the impolicy, tyranny and in
justice, which with a sovereign contempt of the people
of America, fludiowfly neglected to take their collective
sentiments of the Britißi proposals of peace, and to nc
gi ciate under a fufperfion of arms, for an adjuflment
of differences, as a dangerous facrifice of the great in
terefis of this country to the partial views of a proud,
antient and crafty foe. I had my suspicious of some
imper e.^ion in our councils, on proposals prior to the
Parliamentary Commission of 177°: bht having thera
less to do in the cabinet than the field, (I will not pro
nounce peremptorily as some may, and perhaps just-,
ly, that Congress have veiled them from the public
eye:) I continued to be guided in the negligent con
fidence of a fiddier. But the whole world saw; and aIF
America conteffed that the overtures of the second
committed exceeded our wifhe's and expectations, and
if there was any suspicion of the national liberality,
it arbfe from its excels. . •
Do any believe we were at that time really entangled
by an alliance with France, unfortunate deception!
and thus they have been duped, by a virtuous credu
lity in the incoutious moments of intemperate pafßon
to give up their felicity to serve a nation wanting both
the will and the power to proted us, and aiming at
the dellruaion both of the mother country and the
provinces. In the plaintiffs of common sense, for E
pretend to no cafuißry, did the pretended treaty with
rhe Court of Versailles, amount to more than a over
ture to America ? Certainly not, because no authority
had been given by the people to conclude it, nor to
this very hour have they authorized its ratification.
T e Articles of Confederation remain fldl unsigned.
In the firm perfnafion therefore, that the private
judgement of any individual citizen of this country is
as free from all conventional restraints, since as before
the insidious offers of France, I preferred those from
Great-Eritai", thinking it infinitely wiser and fafer,
to caR my confidence upon her justice and generosity,
than to iruft a monarchy too feeble to establish your
independency, so perilous to her diflant dominions;
the enemy of the Protestant Faith, and fraudulently
avowing an affeßion for the liberties of mankind, while
file holds her native sons in vlflaiage and chains.
I affeft no disguise, and therefore frankly declare thq.t
in their principles, I had determined to retain my arms'
and command for an opportunity to surrender them to
Great Britain, and in concerting the measures for at
purpose in my opinion, as grateful as it would have
been beneficial to my country : I was only folicitiouff
to accomplish an event of decisive importance, and to
prevent as much as possible in the execution of it, the:
effufion of blood.
With the. highest fatisfaHion I bear testimony to
my old fellow soldiers, and citizens, that I find
solid ground to rely upon the clemency of our sove
reign, and abundant conviction that it is the generous
intention of Great Britain, not only to leave the rights
and privileges of the colonies unimpaired, together
with their perpetual exemption from taxation, but t@
fuperadd such further benefits as may consist with the
common profperrty of the empire. In short, I fought
for much less than the parent country is as willing to
to grant to her colonies as they can be to receive cite
enjoy.
Some may think I continued' in the flruggle of these
unhappy days too long, and others that 1 quitted it
too soon--To the firft I reply, that I did not fee with,
their eyes, nor perhaps had so favourable a situation
to look from, and that to our common master I am
willing to hand or fall In behalf of the candid among
the litter, some of whom I believe serve blindly but
honeßly in the bands I have left, I pray God to
give them all the lights require totheirown fafety be
fore it is too late, and witn refoect to that herd of cen
surers, whose enmity to me originates in their hatred
to the principles, by which I am now led to devote my
life to the reunion of the Eritifh empire, as the best,
and only means to dry up the fireams of misery that
have deluged this country, they may be allured that
confeious ofthe rectitude of my intentions I shall treat
their malice and calumnies with contempt and neglect.
B. ARNOLD.
New-York, October 7, „80.
A correspondent observes, That, confiflent with truth,
the Addiefs ought to have been in the words following:-
To the INHABITANTS of AMERICA.
I SHOULD forfeit, even in my own opini
on, the place 1 have so long h^d in your's, if
I could be blent on the motives which have in
duced me to join the King's army. A very few
words, however, shall fuflice upon this fubjetfi ;
for to those who are acquainte<l with my past
life this inflance of niy conduct needs ho expla
n'at'on. I am, therefore, only concerned, in
this Address, to explain myfelf to such of my
countrymen as want abilities or opportunities to
detect the governing principle of my conduct in
this as well as in every other part of my life.
It was my misfortune not to be born in afflu
ent circumhances. My ruling passion is, and
ever has been, vanity and a love of money. This
1 evinced at my firft out-set in life. For having
obtained credit for a quantity of drugs, which [
fold to good advantage, I pretended to be bank
rupt, and availing myfelf of the easiness and
credulity of my creditor, obliged him to com
pound with me for half 'be debt. By this means
1 gained a considerable sum, part of which I laid
out in building myfelf a spacious house, and
with the remainder purchased a veifel and com
menced trader. Those with whom I had any