Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1775-07-10 00:00:00, page 3

A DECLARATION ^ the REPRE
SENTATI VE S of the United Colonies of
North- riinerica, novo met in General Con
gress at Philadelphia, setting forth the Causes
and Necefty of their taking up AR MS.
V F it was possible 'or men, who exercise their
L reason to believe, that the Divine Author of
our exigence intended a part of the human race to
hold an abfohue property in, and an unbounded
power over others, marked out by his infinite
go>dnefs and wisdom, as tire objects of a legal do
mination, never rightfully refrftible, however se
vere and oppressive, the Inhabitants of these Co
lonies might at least require from the Parliament
pf Great-Britain, some evidence, that this dread
ful authority over them has been granted to that
body. But a reverence for our great Creator,
principles of humanity, and the dilates of com
mon sense, must convince all those who refle& up
on the fubjeft, that government was instituted to
promote the welfare of mankind, and ought to be
administered for the attainment of that end. The
legislature of Great Britain, however stimulated
by an inordinate passion for a power not only un
juftifiable, but which they know to be peculiarly
reprobated by the very constitution of that king
dom, and defpera:e of success in any mode of
contest, where regard Should be had to truth, law,
or right, have at length, deferring those, attempt
ed to.effed their cruel and impolitic purpose of
enslaving these Colonies by violence, and have
thereby rendered it necessary for us to close with
their lad appeal from Reason to Arms.—Yet,
however blinded that assembly may be, by their
intemperate rage for unlimited rule, so to flight
justice and the opinion of mankind, ave esteem
ourselves bound by obligations of relpe& to the
red of the world, to make known the justice of
our cause.
Our forefathers, inhabitants of the island of
Great-Britain, left their native land, to seek on
these Ihores a residence for civil and religious free
dom. At the expence of their blood, at the hazard
of their fortunes, without the lead charge to the
country from which they removed, by unceasing
labor and an unconquerable spirit, they effected
settlements in the distant and inhospitable wilds
of America, then filled with numerous and war
like nations of barbarians. —Societies or govern
ments, vested with perfect legislatures, were form
ed under charters from the crown, and an harmo
nious intercourse was eifablifhed between the co
lonies and the kingdom from which they derived
their origin. The mutual benefits of this union
became in a short time so extraordinary, as to
excite aftoniihment. It is universally confeffed,
that the amazing increase of the wealth, strength
and navigation of the realm, arose from this Source;
and the minister who so wifely and fuccefsfully di
re^ed the measures of Great-Britain in the late
war, publicly declared, that these colonies ena
bled her to triumph over her enemies.—Towards
the conclusion of that war, it pleased our sovereign
to make a change in his counsels.—From that fa
tal moment, the affairs of the Britilh empire be
gan to fall into confufian, and gradually Sliding
fiom the Summit of glorious prosperity to which
they had been advanced by the virtues and abili
ties of one man, are at length didrafted by the
convulsions, that now Shake it to its deepest foun
dations—The new ministry finding the brave foes
of Britain, though frequently defeated, vet still
contending, took up the unfortunate idea of grant
i ig them a hasty peace, and of then subduing her
faithful friends.
These devoted colonies were judged to be in
fich a state, as to present victories without blood
shed, and all the easy emoluments of ftatuteable
depredation The uninterrupted tenor of their
peaceable and refpe^ful behaviour from the be
ginning of colonization, their dutiful, zealous and
ufeful Services during the war, though so recently
and amply acknowledged in the most honorable
manner by his Majesty, by the late Kiag, and by
Parliament, could not save them from the medi
tated innovations.—Parliament was influenced to
adopt the pernicious project, and assuming a new
power over them, have in the course of eleven
years given Such decisive specimens of the fp ; rit
and consequences attending this power, as to leave
no doubt concerning the effects of acquiescence
tinder it. They have undertaken to give and grant
eur moody without our consent, though we have
ever exercised an exclusive right to dispose of our
own property; Statutes have been passed for ex
tending the jurisdiction of courts of Admiralty and
Vice Admiralty beyond their ancient limits : for
depriving us of the accustomed and jneftimable
privilege of trial by jury in cases affe&ing both life
and property; for Suspending the legislature of one
of the colonies ; for interdicting ail commerce of
another; and for altering fundamentally the form
of government eftabiifhed by charter, and Secured
by ads of its own legislature Solemnly confirmed
by the crown; for exempting the “ murderers" of
colonists from legal trial, and in effed, from pun
iShment; for erecting in a neighbouring province,
acquired by the joint arms of Great Britain and
America, a despotism dangerous to our very ex
igence; and for quartering so diers upon the co
lonists in time of profound peace. It has also
been resolved in Parliament, that colonists charged
with committing certain offences, Shall be trans
ported to England to be tried.
But why Should we enumerate our injuries in
detail ? By one Statute it is declared, that Parlia
ment can “ of right make laws to bind us in all
cases whatsoever." What is to defend us
againit so enormous, so unlimited a power? Not
a Single man of those who assume it, is chosen by
us; or is Subject to our controul or influence: But
on the contrary, they are all of them exempt from
the operation of filch laws, and an American re
venue, if nut diverted from the eftenfible purp^fs
lor which it is raised, would actually lighten
their own burdens in proportion, as they increase
ours. We saw the mitery to which Such defpotTm
would reduce us. We for ten years inceflantly and
ineffe^ually besieged the throne as Supplicants ; we
reaffirmed, we remonstrated with Parliament in the
most mild and decent language. But Administration
legible that we Should regard these oppressive mea
fures as freemen ought to do, sent over fleets and
armies to enforce them. The indignation of the
.Americans was roused it is true; but it was the in
dignation of a virtuous, loyal, and affectionate peo
ple. A Cpngrefs of Delegates from the united colo
nies was assembled at Philadelphia, on the fifth day
of last September. We resolved again to offer an
humble and dutiful petition to the King, and also
addressed ourfellow Subjects of Great Britain. We
have putfued ever^ temperate, every relpectful
measure, We have even proceeded to break off our
commercial intercouife with our fellow fubjeds,
as the last peaceable admonition, that our attach
ment to no nation ^p-m earth Should Supplant our
attachment to liberty.—This, we flattered our
selves, was the ultimate step of the controversy :
But fiibfequent events have Shewn, how vain was
this hope offinding moderation in our enemies.
Several threatening expreflions against the co
lonies were inferred in his Majesty's Speech; our
petition, though we Were told it was a decent one,
that his Majesty had been pleased to receive it gra
ciously, and to promise laying it before his Parlia
ment, was huddled into both Houses amongst a
bundle of American papers, and there neglected.
The Lords and Commonsin their address, in the
month of February, said, that " a rebellion at
that time actually existed within the province of
Massachusetts-Bay, and that those concerned in it
had been countenanced and encouraged by unlaw
ful combinations and engagements, entered intoby
his Majerty's Subjects in Several of the other co
lonics; and therefore they beSought his Majesty,
that he would take the most effe^uAl measures to
enforce due obedience to the laws and authority of
the supreme legiflature."—Soon after the com
mercial intercourse of whole colonies, with foreign
countries and with each other, was cut off by an
affof Parliament; by another, several of them
were intirely prohibited from the fisheries in the
Seas near their coasts, on which they always de
pended for their sustenance; and large re-inforce
ments of Ships and troops were immediately sent
over to General Gage.
Fruitless were all the intreaties, arguments and
eloquence of an illustrious band of rhe most dis
tinguished Peers and Commoners, who nobly and
strenuously averted the justice of our cause, to stay
or even to mitigate the heedless fury with which
these accumulated and unexampled outrages were
hurried on.—Equally fruitlefs was the interference
ofthe city of London, of Bristol, and many other
refpeAabJe towns in our favour. Parliament
adopted an infiduous manoeuvre calculated to di
vide us, to establish a perpetual auction of taxa
tions where colony Should bid against colony, all
of them uninformed what ransom would redeem
their lives, and thus to extort from us at the
point of the bayonet, the unknown sums that
Should be fufficient to gratify, if possible to gra
tify, ministerial rapacity, with the miserable in
dulgence left to us of raising in our own mode
the prelcribed tribute. What terms more rigid
and humiliating could have been dilated by re
morseless vigors to conquered enemies? In our
circumstances to accept them would be to deserve
them.
Soon after the inteTge.ee of these proceedings
arrived on this continent, General Gage, who, in
the course of the last year, had taken possession of
the town of Boston in the province of Maffachu
fett's-Bay, and Bill occupied it as a garrifoA, on
the 19th day of April, sent out from that place a
large detachment of his army, who made an un
provoked assault on the inhabitants ofthe said pro
vince, at the town of Lexington, as appears by
the affidavits of a great number of persons, some
of whom were officers and soldiers of that detach
ment, murdered eight of the inhabitants, and
wounded many others. From thence the troops,
proceeded in warlike array to the town of Concord,
where they Set upon another party of the inhabi
tants of the fame province, killing Several and
wounding more, until compelled to retreat by the
country people Suddenly assembled to repel this
cruel aggression. Hostilities thus commenced by
the British troops, have been Since prosecuted by
them without regard to faith or reputation.—The
inhabitants of Boston being confined within that
town by the General their Governor, and having
in order to procure their difmiffion entered into a
treaty with him, it was Stipulated that the said in
habitants having deposited their arms with their
own Magistrates, Should have liberty to depart,
taking with them their other effects. They ac
cordingly delivered up their arms, but in open
violation of honour, in defiance of the obligation of
treaties, which even Savage nations etleem fecred,
the Governor ordered the arms deposited as afore
faid, that they might be preserved for their own
ers, to be Seized by a body of Soldiers; detained
the greater part of the inhabitants in the town,
and compelled the few who were permitted to re
tire, to leave their most valuable effects behind.
ffy this perfidy, wives are Separated from their
husbands, children from their parents, the aged
and the Sick from their relations and friends,who
wiSh to attend and comfort them; and those who
have been used to live in plenty, and even ele
gance, are reduced to deplorable distress.
The General further emulating his ministerial
masters, by a proclamation bearing date on the
12th day of June, after venting the groSTeft falf
hoods and calumnies against the good people of
these colonies, proceeds to " declare them all ei
“ ther by name or description to be rebels and
“ traitors, to supersede the course of the common
“ law, and instead thereof to publish and order
“ the use and exercise ofthe law martial."—His
troops have butchered our countrymen ; have wan
tonly burnt Charleftown, besides a considerable
number of houses in other places; our fllips and
vessels are Seized; the neceflary Supplies of pro
visions are intercepted, and he is exerting his ut
most power to Spread defb u&ion and devastation
around him.
We have received certain intelligence, that Ge
neral Carleton, theGovernor of Canada, is insti
gating the people of that province and the Indians
to fall upon us ; and we have but too much rea
son to apprehend, that Schemes have been formed
toexcite domeilic enemies against us. In brief a
part of these Colonies now feels, and ail of them
are Sure of feeling, as far as the vengeance of ad
ministration can inflid them, the complicated ca
lamities of fire, (word, and famine We are re
duced to the alternative of chuting an uncondi
tional fubnvffion to the tyranny of irritated miriif
ters, or refinance by force—The latter is our
choice.—We have counted the cost of this con
test, and find nothing so dreadful as voluntary
Slavery.—Honor, justice, and humanity forbid us
tamely to Surrender that freedom which we re
ceived from our gallant ancestors, and which our
innocent posterity have a right to receive from
us. We cannot endure the infamy and guilt of
resigning succeeding generations to that wretch
edness which inevitably awaits them, if we basely
entail hereditary bondage upon them.
Our cause is jufl. Our union is perfect. Our
internal resources are gieat 6 and if necessary, fo
reign assistance is undoubtedly attainable.—We
gratefully acknowledge, as Signal instances of the
Divine favour towards us, that his Providence
would not permit us to be called into this severe
controversy, UQtil we were grown up to our pre
fenc strength, had been previously exercised in war
like operations, and poffefTed of the means of de
fending ourselves—With hearts fortified with
these animating reflections, we most solemnly, be
fore God and the world dec! ire, that, exerting
the utmost energy of those powers, which our be
neficent Creator hath graciously bellowed upon
us, the arms we have b:en compelled by our ene
mies to afiume, we will, in defiance of every ha
zard, with unabating firmnefs and perseverance,
employ for the preservation of our liberties, be
ing with one mind resolved, to die Free-meu ra
ther than to live Slaves.
Least this declaration Should disquiet the minds
of our friends and fellow fubje&s in any part of
the empire, we allure them, that we mean not to
dissolve that union which has so long and so hap
pily subsided between us, and which we Sincerely
wish to fee restored.—Necessity has not yet driven
us into that desperate meafare, or induced us to
excite any other nation to war against them. —We
have not railed armies with ambitious designs of
Lpaiating from Great-Britain, and eftabiilhing
independent dates.—We fight not for glory or for
conquest. We exhibit to mankind the remarka
ble fpe&acle of a people attacked by unprovoked
enemies, without any imputation, or even suspici
on of offence. They boast of their privileges and
civilization, and yet proffer no milder conditions
than servitude or death.—
In our own nativeland, in defence of the free
dom that is our birthright, and which we ever
enjoyed till the late violation of it—for the prb
teCtion of our property, acquired solely by the
honed industry of our fore fathers and ourselves,
against violence actually offered, we have taken up
arms. We Shall lay them down when hostilities
Shall cease on the part of the aggressors, and all
danger of their being renewed Shall be removed,
and not before.
With an humble confidence in the mercies of the
supreme and impartial Ju Ige and Ruler of the
universe, we most devoutly implore his divine
goodness to conduct us happily through this great
conflid, to dispose our adversaries to reconciliation
on reasonable terms, and thereby to relieve the
empire from the calamities of civil war.
B„ Order of Congress,
JOHN HANCOCK, Prefer,
/htftd, Charles Thomson, Secretary.
PbiWe'pbia, jufy 6th, 1775.
The Committee for the City and Liberties
of Philadelphia will meet this afternoon, at Six
o'clock, at the Philosophical Society's Hall.
In CONGRES S, %/y 4 , 1775.
RESOLVED, That the two aEls sassed in the
firfifeffon of the present Parliament, tbe one entitled,
" an act to refrain tbe trade and commerce of tbe
province of Mafeebufet's-Bay and Nem-Hrnpfoire,
and colonies of Connecticut and Rbode-Ifland and Pro
vidence Plantations in North- America, to Great-Bri
tain, Ireland and tbe BritiJb islands in the Wef-lndics ;
and to prohibit fueb provinces and colonies from carry
ing on any ffery on the banks of Newfoundland, or
other p'aces therein mentioned, under certain conditions
and limitations ;" the other entiled, " an aft to re-
Jtrain tbe trade and commerce of the ebonies of Nenu-
Jer^y, Ptnnfylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and South
Carolina, to Great-Britain, Ireland and rhe Britijb
iflavds in tbe Weft-Indies, under certain conditions and
limitations," are unronflitutional, opferefive, and cru
el, aid that tbe commercial oftfoon oj these Colonies,
to certain acts enumerated in tbe affociatton of tbe last
Congress, ought to be made against these until they are
repealed. A true Copy from the Minutes,
CHARLES THOMSON, See.
CUSTOM-HOUSE, PHILADELPHIA.
Inward Entries.
Sloop Sally, J. Alberfon, New-York.
Sch. Rebecca, J. Holden, Virginia.
Sloop Cedar, C. Rothery, Ditto.
Ship Sally, J. Adams, Jamaica.
Brig Dolphin, J. Hunn, Ditto.
Snip Friendship, T. Jann, Leith.
Brig Mount-Holly, G. Carr, London:
Sloop Ottley, J. Young, Montserrat.
Outwards.
Brig Dove, W. Timmons, Ter^era.
Brig Dolphin, J. Scott, Jamaica.
Brig John, J. Blythe, Liverpool.
Sch. Hannah, J. Neill, Cork.
Snow Charlotte, J. Gaffney, Waterford.
Cleared.
Brig King George, G. Giddis, Hispaniola.
Seb. Fair Lady, S. Nuttle, Gibraltar.
T>iig Polly, W. M Fadon, Tortola.
Ship Barbados Packet, W. Kennedy, Bristol.
Ship Commerce, W. Price, Ditto.
Sch. Sally, P. Cooke, D rtmouth, N. England.
Brig Kingston, S. Conyngham, Antigua.
Snow Penn, J. Magee, Catiz.
Sloop Sally, J Borves, Antigua.
Brig Rachel, L. Simmons, Ldbon.
Brig Hetty, J. Lett, Barcelona.
Brig Dolphin, J. S<ott, Jamaica.
Sloop Defiance, S. Hatch, North Crolina.
Ship Prolperity, J. Clifton, Biittol.
Brig Thomas, J. Baxter, Ditto.
<X'^*^ ~^°+*+^**'"**^
MAREDANT's DROPS,
To be SOLD at Twelve Shillings a bottle, by
JOHN A IR E Y,
In Market-street, Philadelphia.
BY virtue of a writ to me dirtied, will ba fold
by public vendue, on Wednesday, the 19th
day of July infant, at three o'clock in the after
noon, at the house of Anthony Fo tune, in Soutli
wark, a certain lot or piece of ground, 'fituate on
the north fide of Shippen Htett, in the difhia of
Southwark afore Lid, containing in fropt about 20
feet, and in depth about 100 feet, bounded by
ground of Anthony Fortune and others, fubjebt
to a ground-rent of 41. is. currency per annum ;
late the estate of Jotiah Sharruld ; seized and taken
in execution by ,
WILLIAM DEWEtS, Sheriff..
BY virtue or a writ to me directed, wiL be ibid
by public vendue, on Wednesday, the igtli
day of July inflant, at five o'clock in the after
noon, on the ptemifes; a certain meffuage or te
nement, and lot or piece of ground, situate on the
north fide of Lombard ftree't, between Second and
Third-lfreets, containing in frobt 20 feet, and in
depth 77 feet, bounded by ground of Joseph Ship
pen and others ; late the estate of John Moyes ;
ieized and taken in execution by
WILLIAM DEWEES, Sheriff..
BY virtue of a writ to me directed, will be fold
by public vendue, on Wedhefday, the 19th
day of July instant, at seven o'clock in the evening,
at the house of Jacob Bidleman, in Kepfington,
two frame melluages or tenements, and lot or piece
of ground thereunto belonging, situate on the south
fide of Cherry-street and weft fide of West-street,
in Kensington, in the Northern Liberties, contain
ing in front on Cherry -street aforefaid 2,7 feet,
and in front on Weft street aforefaid 180 feet,
bounded by Cherry and West-streets aforefaid, and
by ground of Christian Kreeps and others; subject
to a ground-rent ot ul. currency pef annum ; late
the estate of Conrad Staiger; seized and taken in
execution by WILLIAM DEWEES, Sheriff.
BY virtue of a writ to me directed, will be fold
'by public vendue, on Saturday, the zzd dar
of July instant, at four o'clock in the afternoon, ac
the house of John Wentz, in Whitpain Townihip,
all the estate, right and interest of Michael Conner,
being the term of his and wife's joint lives, of and
in a certain tra& or piece of land, lituate in the
Townfllip of Whitpain aforefaid, containing 35
acres and 103 perches, bounded by land of Abra
ham Wentz and others ; late the property ot the
said Conner ; seized and taken in execution by‘
WILLIAM DEWEES, Sheriff.
Philadelphia, July 8, 1775.
For L O NDO N,
^--.. ; _— ^ The SHIP
h^M^ MI N E R V A,
«^^{ ARTHUR HILL, Master
XT7ILL fail in eight davs.
Tf^^ VV Forpafige apply to Jo.
SEP HCarson in Markct-ilreet,
u'^'fffr^ ° r "' 'fafter 011 board at Jamis
an g Drinker's wharf.
Philadelphia, July 10, 1775.
JUSI ARRIV E D,
In the fliip Friendship, Thomas lann, malter. front
Leith in Scotland, and now lying off the Draw
bridge,
A NUMBER of young, likely, healthy
SLR VAN TS, Men, Womien, Beys and
Girls, whose honetty and Sobriety are well attested ;
among which are Formers, Gardeners, Shoemakers,
Naylors, Silversmiths, Joiners, Barkers and Cleikr.
I lie Women are chiefly bred to house and country
Woik, tewing, knitting and Spinning. Their in
dentures are to be disposed of by James §tuart
and Samuel j'ackson, in Frontrttreet.
NATHANIEL BARRETT,
From B O S T O N,
Ilas to SELL, at the Store in Secdnl.ftreet, near
Arch-street, lately improved by Mrs. Bayard,
AN afTortment of plain and changeable Man
tuas, ducapes and padualbys; plain and fi
gured fattins and peelongs ; rich white and black
fatrins; green, light and dark, blue, cloth, and
mixed fuperfine cloths ; middling and fine ditto ;
calicoes and chintzes ; di to for bed furniture ;
3-4, 7-8 and yard,wide Irish linens; lawns and
carnbricks; long lawn'; Iprigged and striped muf
fins; flowered lawns a^d aprons; patent and Pa
ris nett; kenting handkerchiefs; gauzes and cat
gut; linen and silk ditto; ribbands ; Dimafcus
and lorettos; giizZetts, Bioglios and Calcutta^;
Denmark lucres and taborets ; fine table clothe
and clouting diaperq; cunblets, plain and striped ;
tammies and durants ; silk mitts and gloves ; fer
rits ; quality and (hoe bindings ; a g®od afTortmenc
of looking glades ; with many other articles, all
which will be fold cheap for cash.
W. P. G bB B
ATTORNEY at LAW, from London,
DU LY admitted in the Courts of Chancery
and King's Bench, prepares Alignments,
Bonds, Contrasts, Indentures, Leales, Mort
gages, Settlements, Wills, and all other DEEDS
and WRI TINGS; abilra&s and advises on Titles ;
and tranfofts all other business of an Attorney and.
Conveyancer, with fidelity and expedition, and on
the molt reasonable terms ; at Mrs. S WOR D's,
in Chefnut-ftreet, between Second and Third
ftreets, Philadelphia^
CAM E to the plantation of the sub
scriber, living in St. George's, New-Cabie
County, on the 26th of May last, a BAY HORSE,
about fifteen hands high, having no brand or ma'k
excepting some saddle marks and a brown foot < 1
his left hip; about eleven or twelve years ole.
Whoever has loft said horse is defined to come,
prove his property, pay charges and take him away.
"MARY ROBINSON."
Chafer, July 7th, 1775.
The Committee of Cheder County are requeued
to meet at the House of Richard Cheney, at Dawn
ing's Town, on Friday the 21st instant at to o'clock.
A. M. on urgent business.
ANTUONY WAYNE, Chairman.
The Board of Commiffi mers and Aficliors, as al
so the Military Officers ut Chtfter County, are re
qutlTd to attend at the time and place aforeCdd,
when n a ters of th firft cunfequerc yin which th y
are imnitdiately concerned, will ne laid befoieth<w.
T O BE SO L D,
A HEALTHY Servant LA D, has al 0 t
fl three years to serve; is (old for want of em
ployment.—Enquire of the Printer.
CA RTRI D GE-pTpEE
By the Ream or Quire, to be SOLD by
JOHN D U NLA P.