Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1774-05-30 00:00:00, page 5

/bRTFF REVIEW of th rife and progff,
services and fuferings, of New-England, efee
"fial'y th' province of Massachuset’s-Fay.
Humbly Submitted to the cwfideraion of both Houses
ofParliament. [Lately published in England in a
small pamphlet.]
ADVERT I SEMEN T, by the
Englhh Editor.
/Th far from being the defgn of this pamphlet to
calumniate private characters, or to ingame thepaf
fions of the reader, by any bitter, perfmil inveGivef.
The author intends nothing more, than to ay before the
guGica fair and impartialfate offaßs ; and submits
the propriety of the conchtfons demon from those faßs,
to the cool determination of every unbiased underfland
ing. The editor inofl heartily concurs with the author,
in 'wiring that a due attention to the several confdera
tions herein fuggefled, may serve to convince the unpre
judiced, that the opposition of the colonics to certain
measures, did not owe its rife to any difafeßion to the
mother country, or difoyolty to their Sovereign —that it
may afo prevent the undue influence of misrepresentation
—and prove, in feme degree, the happy occafon of tem
pering the decifom of the British Parliament, with an
equitable refpeß to the claims of past services a
candid regard to the jea 'oufei and resentments, natural
to a people who are defended from British anceflors,
who have fruggledfo hard, fought ft gloriously, and
bled so freely, to procure and defend their civil and re
ligious liberties. That so the honour of his Majeftfs
crown may be mos efcßnallyfcured, h : s name endear
ed to his American febjeßs, and the union, mutual af
feßion, and profoerity of Great-Britain, and the colo
nies, be happily refored, and efablilbed upon the mos
honourable bass.
r°~ >A '^,''°' MEßlC A, New-England ir. parti
rf ^^^ > cular, was firft fettled by a pious
^ A ^> people from England, who were not
^ l^> allowed to worship their Maker, ac
^^> cording to his institutions, in their
'*'+ yr Y/W native country, without the mixture
of human inventions. Animated therefore by the
bet of principles, they were Ipirited to attempt a
fettlenient at a distance from Britain, that so they
might enjoy a worship purely scriptural, and leave
the fame to their posterity. They accordingly pro
vided all things necessary for their removal, at their
own expence, and failed for an unknown country.
Their firftarrival was at Cape Cod, which is situated
in the Mafachuffs Pay; and they fat down at a
place they call New Plymouth, utterly unknown, and
in the advance of winter. Wherever they turned
their eyes, the utmost distress surrounded them: fa
tigued with their boisterous voyage, disappointed of
their expe&cd country Virginia; without any prof
pea of human fuccour, without the help or favour
of England, without a parent, without a promise of
their religious liberties, without convenient shelter
from the weather, and their hardships almost beyond
the power of language to defc'ribe. Clambs, oysters,
and lobsters were their daily food; their eloathing
soon became rags and ficins of beasts; their profpeds
on the sea were extensive, but afforded no relief; on
the land their views were limited to a few rods, by a
wilderness altogether in the dress of uncultivated na
ture. Their only neighbours, the most savage, cru
el, and blood-thirsty of all the human race, over
numbered them a thousand to one, and were united
to destroy them while few and weak. These are a
few of the numberless fufferings which attended their
firft settlement; so that, in less than five months after
their arrival, above half the company died; vet the
survivors bore all their misfortunes with a chriftian
fortitude and patience, as extraordinary as their trials.
“ Brown bread and the gospel is good fare," they
nfed th fay to one another, for their mutual encou
ragement to patience and endurance. Thus they
were carried on, and soon began to increase in num
bers; so that when the French at Port Royal, in Nova
Scotia, disturbed them, they raised an army in 1690,
under Sir William Phipps, and took that fort,
and therewith the whole country of fleadie, which
was afterwards ceded to the French, at the treaty
of Rvfwich.
The fame year the New-Englander raised three
thousand .men, to make an attempt upon Canada, but
failed of success; after having fufhined the lots of a
thonfand lives, and the expence of fifteen thousand
pounds.
About 18 years after they made another attempt
against Port Roval, but had not the former success.
Near the fame time, Queen Anne fignified her
royal intention to reduce Canada; and making the
fame known to the New-Englanders, they acceded
to every measure with great alacrity; but the Par
liament did not proceed on the design.
The next year, New England raised an army, and
took Port-Royal, with the assistance of only five hun
dred British troops; since which time the Mafochufet's
province, by the vigilance of their late Governor
Shirley, in fending provincial troops to their time
ly afliftance, has saved that fort two or three times
from falling into the enemy's hand; and it is owing
to their aid that it is now in the hands of the English,
together with the whole country of Nova Scotia.
Soon after, they raised more than their quota, in
the unfortunate expedition against Canada, under
General Hill; and sustained a great loss of men,
together with an heavy expence.
In 1703, Jamaica being threatned with an inva
sion, applied to Mafochufet's Bay for help; the inha
bitants of that province raised two companies, and
sent them under the command of Colonel Walton
and Captain Laramore; which timely aid arrived
fife to the island, but very few of them ever return
ed to their own country.
In 1740, they raised many hundred men, and
made an attempt upon the island of Cuba; but fail
ing of success, most of those men were unhappily
buried on that island.
In 1745, the New-England provinces set on foot
an expedition against Cape-Breton, under General
Pepperell; and raised 3500 men, who were em
barked on board a Efficient number of transports,
With provisions, artillery, and every necessary for a
campaign, guarded by a number of armed ships. In
this important business they were fuccefsful. Great-
Britaintnew nothing of this attempt, neither did any
other colony afford any afliftance; nor was there
any, except from Admiral Warren, who came from
the Best-Indies with four ships of war, and joined the
POSTSCRIPT to the Pewfyvanid Packet. No. 136.
fleet before Louifourg, when the con,eft was half
compleated; so that be did not fire a gun at any of
the strong fortreffes of the enemy; and the city of
Louifourg, together with the islands of Cape Breton,
and St John's, farrendered to the New England for
ces. And although the land and sea forces went
forth as equal adventurers (according to a previous
agreement at Boflon) yet when a great treasure, viz.
a French ship from the Couth-Seas, two French ships
from the Eaf-Indies, and several other ships of im
mense value (which put into Louifoourg to recruit in
their way home) fell into our hands by means of this
capture ; the admiral ordered tl em to England for
condemnation, and the propertv was all divided
among the King's ships, and not one farthing of it
was ever enjoyed by the Netv England troops; ex
cept a small sum which Captain Fletcher received
after near as much expended in his application to
obtain it. 1 hus, by means of this undertaking of
New England, double, if not treble the cash was
brought into England, that ever England paid for this
important piece of service; and the conquest itfelf
was very soon after given up to the French, to buy a
peace for the Dutch. New England was indeed paid
the expence of this expedition by the Crown ; but at
such a low rate, that many were ruined in their for
tunes. The benefit of all these conquers accrued
to this nation, and New England was obliged to let
down where it began, with this difference only, that
they loft nineteen hundred of their best men.
In 174.6, Great-Britain set on foot an expedition
against Canada. New England was desired to raise
its quota of men, and a great expence was incurred
for that purpose ; bt/wetterly (some fay, F h)
winds blew so hard, and so long, on the British ports,
that the fleet destined for that service did not get out
of the harbours, and this expedition came to no
thing. Here it may be mentioned, that near the
fame time, the Duke D'Anville, with about 20 fail
of French fliips of the line, was fuffered to approach
the coast of New England, undisturbed ; though he
came to revenge the taking of Cape Breton, and the
redu&ion of Louifbourg by the New Englanders.
Divine Providence was pleased to interfere; the
fleet was scattered, and only a few ships returned to
France, having done New England no damage, ex
cept putting them to considerable expence in watch
ing their motions, and preparing, to give them a pro
per reception ; and making captures of a number of
the tithing vefl'els.
During the lad war, New England at every call,
raised its quota of men, and joined the British troops.
The numbers raised, and the chearfulnefs with which
they were raised, will hardly find creditin the annals
of history. And although at the beginning of the
war, through a mistake in measures, the nation met
with great difeouragement, and was almost ready to
fall a prey into the enemy's hand ; yet no sooner
was that great minister (yet living) advanced to the
helm of national affairs, and the best and most faith
ful officers appointed to command the troops, but it
set New England in triumph. Every measure prs
pofed, was adopted; and, as one instance, the Maffa
chufet's province raised seven thousand men to serve
in one campaign, and paid and cloatbed them ; be
sides three thousand more which were, at the fame
time, in pay on their own more immediate service.
All these together amounted to near a fourth part, of
all the men in the whole province, capable of bearing
arms. In this fpiijted manner they proceeded, until
the war was finifhed ; which swept away a large
proportion of their fighting men, and involved the
province in a debt, which will not be paid in fifty
years.
It may now be inquired, how New-England be
haved under all the fufferings and services before
mentioned? Did they despair? No. War was al
most their continual employment, when/the mother
country was at peace, as well as when it was at war.
From their firft arrival to the end of the last war,
scarce a village was fettled, but what was broken up
once, or oftener by the savages. Men, women, apd
children, whole families, villages, and towns, were
murthered, fcalpt, and captivated, and their whole
substance committed to the flames. It may be said
with truth, that most of the inland towns were once,
or twice, soaked with the blood of their inhabitants.
Did they murmur at being thus oppressed, while
wholly neglected by the nation? No. Did they grow
difaffe&ed to the national interest? The contrary to
all this was manifeft. They loved and revered the
nation to a degree of excels and enthusiasm. New
glory to the crown, new acquisitions of territorv,
happiness, and wealth to England, were ever as mucli
a source of joy to New-England, as to the nation
itfelf: and every misfortune that befel the parent
country, asdeeply affected the New-England colonies.
However strange this may seem, it is an undoubted
truth. If the nation prospered, they fought with
reiterated vigour, and bore hnrdfhips with patience
and fortitude; nay, such was their sincerity, and the
strength of their affections and regard for the mother
country, that the news of any dark cloud gathering
over England, would most visibly fink their spirits,
and diftil in tears. On such occasions, the adverse
afped of affairs was the melancholy topic of their
consultations at the general court; and whether any
thingcould be done by them to prevent the approach
ing danger, became the principal object of their at
tention. Ifyouwent intotheir churches, they would
be often found praying, fafting, and weeping, that
the impending evil might beaverted; and the fame
was observable in private families.
Thus they went on, from year to year, and from
a ge toa ge, with an invincibleattachment to a country,
to which, besides love, they owed nothing but a
dear-bought charter, and the birth of a few of their
fore-fathers.
It may now he considered, of what advantage Nro-
England is to the mother country, more especially
above the IVef-India islands, considering the charge
the nation has b en put to, to secure and defend them
separately. At firft glance, the difference is nearly,
as something is to nothing; at least, till the com
mencement ofthe last war. What numerous fleers
and armies have, at alltimes, been employed in the
IVeft-India islands, both in peace and war? Who
can tell the millions sterling, those islands have cost
the nation, to secure, proted, and defend them?
Even in a time of general peace, an expedition rnnfl:
be set on f@or, to suppress a few Caribbs (of late) at
St. Vincent's; the very thought of which creates a
bluf.l. New-England has, for all that time, been
intirely left to its own fate. In common there was
not so much sea force, as would amount to an armed
long boat, provided at the cost of the crown; not
a single officer, or private man in pay of the crown
(till since the last peace) though the war was ever so
hot, and danger ever so threatening, God alone
appeared to be the guardian of New England, and
carried the inhabitants through the many difficulties
which attended their struggle, under the auspices of
his gracious providence—a struggle, which has raised,
as it were, an empire to the Britifo crown, and a
vast fund of wealth and glory to the nation.—Rivers
of blood were laid in this foundation, at the sole
expence of the inhabitants of New England.
Great numbers of Nro England men are trained
up to the sea, in fifhing vefl'els, and on other voyages;
so that it is a good nursery for the royal navy. The
refufe of their fifh, together with all kinds of provi
sions, horfer, and lumber, they carry to the Weft-
Indies, without which the islanders could not make
sugar, &c. so cheap as they'now do. And should
Neou England stop the trade to the islands, a plan
tation there would hardly be worth acceptance, if
the islanders must be supplied with provisions from
Europe.
The best fort of fifh is sent to Spain, Portugal,
and the Straits; the neat proceeds of which, are re
mitted to England in cash. Oil, bone, mails for
the royal navy, timber of all kinds (which is now
sent home in rafts) ships of every kind, pot-ash,
furrs, &c. &c. (many of which England was obliged
to other nations for, before New England was known)
are the immediate exports to Great Britain. In re
turn for all, they receive the manufactories of Eng
land, and thereby give bread to thousands of Britfo
ftibjeOs. Thus all their labour centers in England,
excepting their daily food-
It is manifest, that some of the mol northern co
lonies, (efpeci>My Mafochufet's-Bay,) while the na
tional debt has been contracting, have been at almost
an infinite expence of blood and treasure, to defend
themselves; and, in a number of infiances, to carry
their arms into the enemies country, by which his
Majesty’s service has been greatly promoted for a
century past, until the commencement of the fall
war. With a very little help from Connecticut and
Nerv Hawp/hire colonies only, they have been the
grand barrierof many of his Majesty's other colonies,
on the continent ; at least so much, that it may be
affirmed, had they not exerted themselves, more than
all the other colonies together, with the nation's
assistance, the laying duties on the colonies had been
a needless business seventy years ago. Louis the
14th of France, who firft projected the conquest of
✓dwer/ra, might have accompli bed his designs, if
Mapachufet's Bay had not effectually covered the
whole country. — NewTork and New Hampfoire (both
of them royal governments) were by their situation
somewhat exposed. As to the former, their trade
and intercourse with the French, and Indians, gave
them great advantage, in turning the heat of the war,
from their own doors, to those of Maffachufet's-Bav.
Reflecting the latter, near a fourth part of Mafa
chufet's province, was added to New Hampfoire,
and after this addition of territory, which was so
much exposed to the enemy, and which New Hamp
shire was unable to defend; th? province of Maffa
chufet's-Bay, at a very great expence, defended it
for them; New Hampshire has not yet paid one far
thing ofthe expence, although application was made
to England for that purpose, and restitution was
promised, or else that the territory fhou Id be returned ;
neither of which promises hath ever been performed.
.Let us now inquire, whether New-England hath
not a just right to expeCl some peculiar advantages,
as the fruit of their fufferings, services, &c.
First, have they not reason to exped, and an un
questionable right to claim, a national confidence in
their future attachment to the British interest? This
is a queflion of great importance; because if they had
good reason and clear right to expert this opinion
from the English, then every oppressive measure is
unjust, arbitrary and cruel. And ifit be considered,
how unnatural any oppreflion of our fellow fubjeds
must be, who have given such unparalleled evidence,
of their adherence to the national good; and how
likely to introduce diffraction, and beget distrust and
difaffeaion, surely, common prudence will direct a
British Minister to avoid or repeal such impolitic, ru
inous, and oppressive measures.
Again, have they not both reason and right to ex
pert some peculiar advantages, particularly such, as
were not balanced, much less over-balanced, by any
pecuniary advantages? doth not the loss of fourteen
or fifteen thousand men (which they sustained during
the last war) besides a heavy debt yet remaining, af
ter twelve years taxes, to the amount of at least
four (hillings in the pound, deserve some compensa
tion, at least such, as will place them on an equita
ble adjustment with the other American provinces?
.Again, have they not good reason to exped, as
all their labour centers in England, that it should
excuse them from bying taxed, to pay the national
debt? especially, while they support a government
of their own. And that all taxes should be laid
consistently with British liberty, and be void of all
partiality, no just men can possibly deny. Ought not
the Englijh nation to rest fatisfied, and content, with
the fame kind of services from them, as from his
Majesty's other fubje^s? This is certain, they have
done as much for the national glory, and have exulted
in it. Why then, should they not ihare in the fame
immunities? At least be exempt from the fame op
pressions? And why submit to taxes, unless by their
own representatives?
Let us nowinquire, into the neceflity of taking or
imposing duties, on the colonies; or whether there
was any authority for such a step, while there char
ters continued in force? The question shall not be,
about the necessity die nation was under, of aflift
ance from the colonies. No doubt, it Hands in need
of help from them; but such help should be in pro
portion to the ability of the refpedive colonies, and
to the expence the nation hath been put to, in pro
tecting, securing, and defending them severally.
But the true inquiry seems to be, what was the ne
cessity of railing this money by authority of Par
liament.
To fay that this measure, so extremely alarming
to the colonies, was necessary, in order to obtain their
help, is very strange. The reason is, that the co-
heard among the inhabitants. Supposing this method
had failed, the steps which have been taken, might
have had some seeming appearance of neceflity.
It may now be enquired, whether the crown has
received any benefit from these duties or not?
Here then let it be considered, what vast films of
money are firft paid to the officers, and others who
receive their salaries out of this revenue (and the un
limited power the board of commissioners have, of
increasing the number of officers under them), which
are so many, that there were but about eighty-fee
pounds paid into the exchequer, the last year. Far
ther, what numbers of men of war, and swarms of
armed vessels, and armed boats, and how many regi
ments of British troops are also employed, under
pretence of protesting the officers of this revenue,
whose pay conies from another quarter? This must
neceflarily leave a large balance against the nation.
Did not the people of New-England undergo such
hardships and fufferings as have been slated, in the
firft settlement ofthe country? Did they not make
a conqueftof Nova-Scotia, once and again ? Did they
not always exert themselves for the national interest,
by complying with every requisition for that purpose ?
Have they not behaved themselves dutifully, and
ever loyal to the crown of England? And have their
services and fufferings been attended with the expence
of so much blood and treasure, that they have even
raised an empire to the crown of Great- Britain, and
are they allowed to have and maintain a government
of themselves, by a charter under the crown of
England, and all this at the foie expence of the in
habitants? If so, then every measure already taken,
or which maybe about to be taken by the parent
country, that is grievous to them, is but an unkind
return; it is not treating them as every father is wont
to treat his children, and if such treatment should be
continued, it will, perhaps, end in the utter ruin of
the whole family.
If the foregoing representation of New-Enfand
be true, (as all unprejudiced men, who have know
ledges! the history, will witnels,) the following re
marks may be made.
First. Can it be for the interest of the nation, to
continue the duties on the colonies, when the expence
of collecting them, is double, if not treble, the
amount of the whole duties collected ?
Secondly. Can it be for the interest of the nation,
to loose the affections of four or five millions ofbrave,
loyal and loving fubjeds, always inured to manly
freedom, who have never thought it too much to
venture their lives and fortunes, and every thing dear
and valuable to them, if by any means they could
add to the glory, wealth, and opulence of the nation?
This they have done, at all times, when there was
the least probability of success.
finally, Can it be for the interest ofthe nation
to keep up an armed force in Nru England, especi
ally in time of peace? How vague is the pretence,
for thus affronting, and even murthering some ofthe
inhabitants, corrupting their morals by debauchery,
drunkennefs,prophanenefs, &c.! Sins but little known
among them, until troops were quartered upon them.
Surely such a torrent of evils, as has rushed in upon
them by means of the measures taken by the mother
country, is a far greater punishment, than .all the
hardships and difficulties they endured, from their
firft settlement, to the end of the last war. In all
those hardships and fufferings, there was no general
complaint or murmurings. But how far this is from
being the case at present, is manifeft to the world;
and there is no doubt, but they would rather have
continued to have fought Canada to the knees in blood,
with their charter rights in full possession, than to be
freed even from so dreadful a calamity, and have the
evils beforementioned heaped upon them. Let me
add, that all men of fobiiety, who have the national
interest at heart, tremble to think, what the end of
these proceedings will be.
Upon the whole, notwithflanding the hard treat
ment the colonies have met with of late years, viz.
In having duties or taxes imposed upon them, by
the British parliament, quartering troops in the ca
pital town, wresting Castle IVilliam * out ofthe hands
of Mafachufet's-bay, which built, furnished and
maintained it, at their sole expence; without cither
paying the province forthe fort and its artillery, or
so much as promising that the crown of England
would pay for it ; besides the numerous other dread
ful evils which have attended these measures.—Not
withstanding these things the colonies do not wholly
despair, but continue to be loyal and loving fubjechs
to his prelent Majesty, hoping that the inilu nee of
individuals will be of short continuance. They ne
ver have doubted, that if the nation should feriouiiy
and dispassionately once attend to the services which
the colonies have done it, of what importance they
must ever be to its interests, and that all their pad
services have been effected in the enjoyment of their
civil and religious rights and privileges, the nation
would grant them the full poffeilion thereof for the
timeto come . In this hope, under God, they have
hitherto perfevtred; nay, so well grounded do they
suppose this hope to be, that however strange it may
seem, though the measures which have so much ag
grieved them, were adopted by the reprefeotative
body of the empire, they do not yet give it up; al
though it is like hoping against hope.
* A fo-trefi built on an island, three milesfrom p o 4 „,
commanding alt Jhips that enter the ha,hour ; it so.; ^9.
nuards of 100 large cannon, a number of mortars, and
e^er, necefcrj JuitaGe jor a JorttficarioH.
lonies were never afted, if they would raise a sum
themselves, on a requisition from England. This
method was taken in time of war, in railing men;
and when it is considered, how chearfully they com
plied with every request, although heavy, and bur
thenfome to the last degree, and, with what an entire
confidence in his Majesty’s wisdom, this was done;
it must needs create some wonder, that this method
for railing money, to difeharge the national debt,
never was proposed to them. There was the greatest
probability from longexperience, as well as from the
good disposition the colonies then manifefted, that
it would have been complied with, and the money
paid into the exchequer, without half the distress on
the people; and with three parts in four of more clear1
revenue to the crown, than by the present duty, or
tax in the way since adopted. There would have
been no infringementon charter rights, no difaffe&ibn
from the parent country; and no regret, that they
had fought and bled for chains, would have been