The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1783-01-09 00:00:00, page 1

TAm much obliged to the honorable Mr. Reed, for
' gi uing me an early opportunity of rectifying a mifake
TeJpeCling him in your Paper of the 31// ult. that gentle
man having fence adjured me, " that he newer highly dis
approved the Constitution, nor prefded or spoke at any
public meetings againjt it." ^ Dickinson.
TIE third charge brought against me is, That I de
serted my battalion when it went into the field in
L cember 1776, and the American cause, till the Treaty
with France, or, as some fay, till the Convention of Sa
ratoga.
Ims ch^ge I totally deny.
When the aflociated mililia of Pennsylvania was form
ed, for the defence of the liberties of America, it was
agreed, that the battalions Should be numbered and ars
ranged in a particular manner, and this arrangement wa
approved by * the General dfembly. I had the honor of
being elected Colonel of the tirlt battalion, and thereby
the undisputed honor of commanding the whole militia.
Though fufficiently employed in the civil line, I cheer
fully accepted this Italian of dignity and danger, and va
lued it at its high worth.
How 1 valued it, this fad will prove. The Journals of
Congress contain these Minutes:
“ Monday, February 12, 1776.
66 A letter from General Lee, dated the 9th inst. be
ing received, was read, wherein he informs, that a trans
port with troops was arrived at New-York, that more
might be expetted, and therefore that a farther reinforce
ment wa, necelfary to secure and defend that place;
whereupon,
" Rejoined, That it be recommended to the Conven
tion or Committee of Safety of New-Jersey, immediately
to fend detachments of their minute-men equal to a bat
talion, under proper officers, to New-York, there to be
under the command of Major General Lee.
" fnat it be also recommended to the Committee of
Safety for Pennsylvania, immediately to fend detachments
of the four battalions of associators in Philadelphia to
New-York, there to put themselves under the command
of Generel Lee."
" Tuesday, February 13, 1776.
“ Refolded, That the detachments marching from Phi
ladelphia to New York, under the command of Colonel
Dickinson, be allowed for fublifence while on their march
the fu n of one dollar and one third of a dollar per week,
for each of the privates and non-commissioned officers;
and that the commissioned officers be allowed in propor
tion according to the rations allotted to them, and that
they receive the fame pay as the four Pennsylvania batta
lions, from the time they begin their march.
" That a Committee of three be appointed to confider
the belt method of fubfilting the troops in New-York;
and what sum of money it will be necessary to fend thi
ther, and also what sum ought to be advanced to Colonel
Dickinson.
" The members chosen, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Duane
and Mr. Wilson."
" Thursday, February 15, 1776.
" Information being received that General Clinton was
gone from New- York, the Congress came to the following
Resolution:
" The Congress have a proper sense of the spirit and
patriotism of the associators of the city and liberties of
Philadelphia, in cheerfully offering and preparing to march,
in order to assist in the defence of New-York; but as the
danger, which occalioned an application for their feryice,
is at present over, Refolded, That their march to New-
York be suspended."
On this occalion, I had it in my choice, as the sirs officer,
to go to New-York. I would not upon any consideration
wave it, though it was only a command of detachments.
I was at that time a Member of Congress, and also of The
General Assembly, which last Body was f then meeting
upon business of great importance; and i was follicited
in the most pressing manner by many Gentlemen of the
Committee of Safety, to decline going with the detach
ments, as they were pleased to think it 'would be more
proper I fhbiild be in the Assembly when it met. Then
repeated applications could not prevail upon me to alter
the resolution I had taken. I appeal to the Members of
the Committee, and particularly to Mr. Robert Morris,
who was present, and earned that I fhpuld attend the
Assembly, for the truth of what I now fay.
I well remember what the brave, venerable Conqueror
of Kittanning said to me at the Indian-^een, for having
Continuation of President DICKIN-
* April sth, 1776. Votes of the Assembly, Vol. VI. page
706, &c.
f It was adjourned to the 12th of February, and a Quorum
met on the 4th of that month. Votes of the Assembly, Vol.
VI, page 662.
THURSDAY,
VOL. XIA Published EVERY TUESDAY, -THURSDAY and SAT URDAY.—Price Six-Pence.
I^B^^l
OR, THE
GENERAL ADVERTISER.
SON's Address.
thus used my right " on the approach of danger. —Bu
the expressions were so favorable, that I would chu g
they should be repeated by him, rather than by me.
At this period, and for a long time before, you know
Gentlemen, that I was honored with the esteem and
confidence of Pennsylvania, in a very extraordinary man
ner. But, soon afterwards, some men, moved either
through the warmth of their zeal, provoked by perforia
disputes which had happened in the course of affairs, or
persuaded that my ruins might afford some advantage in
railing themselves, began to sow suspicions concerning me,
as averse to Independence, and never gave me the lead cre
dit for THAT FIRM BUT TEMPERATE PLAN OF CONDUCT,
that had been absolutely necessary for bringing Pennsylva
nia, under her singular circumstances, undivided into the
opposition against Great-Britain, and that was fill ex
pedient for bringing her, without the appearance of di
vifton, into ulterior measures. What tbaf plan was, and
what my share in forming and executing it, Mr. Chafes
Thomson, the worthy Secretary of Congress, can fully
declare.
By whatever motives my adversaries were influenced,
they were indefatigable and fuccefsful. A new mode was
found out for degrading me from the command of the
Militia of Pennsylvania. A meeting of officers and pri
vates was held in July at Lancafler; and while I was con
futing with a Committee of Congress, the Committee of
Safety and some officers, and forming plans for the public
defence, two Brigadiers General were put over my head.
You have seen, Gentlemen, how I valued this post,
while possessed of it ; and do you imagine I could be thus
deprived of it, without feeling some pangs? I had indu
bitably manifefted my readiness to meet the danger an
nexed to it. Why, then, was the honor annexed to it,
and unsullied by me, to be torn from me? As to fuffici
ency I was learning, and willing to learn, bow to
acquit myfelf in the office with advantage to my country.
Here I wi(h to be perfectly understood. lam not con
tending for the meed of military merit. Enough it is
for me, if, when anting in tlfat line, I have done my duty 1
as I ought to have done.
I felt the stroke, as, I believe, it was designed I should.
Immediately afterwards, upon a field day, I took the op
portunity of speaking to my battalion on the situation of
public affairs ; and in my address mentioned the undeferv-,
ed indignity that had been offered me, and,y sense of
it---But added, that, as we were soon to go into service,
my affection for them, and my attachment to the com
mon cause, should prevail over other sentiments, and 1
would perform with them the expected tour of duty.
The call into service was made on the day of the De
daration of Independence, in the following manner
“ In CONGRESS, Thursday, fulv 4, i7?6.
" Refolded, That the Delegates of New-York, New-
Jersey and Pennsylvania, b^ a Committee to confer with
the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania, and the Com
mittee of Infpeaion and Observation for the city and
liberties of Philadelphia, and the field officers of the
battalions of the said city and liberties, on the best
means of defending the Colonies of New-Jersey and
Pennsylvania; and that they be impowered to fend ex
presses, where necessary:"
I attended on this important cccafion, the State of New-
York being then invaded, and that of New-ferfe, ex
pedting to be invaded; and I appeal to the members of
Congress, the officers and other gentlemen, who met in
the conference held in the State-house, if I did not urge
the prudence and necessity of making the call GENERAL---
So ready was I, tho' treated in the manner that has been
mentioned, to meet danger in support of Independence.
The idea of a general call was adopted, and the Com
mittee of Congress made the following rep rt:
“ In CONGRESS, Friday, July 5, 1776.
" The Committee of Congress appointed to confer
with the Committe of Safety of Pennsylvania, the Com
mittee of Infpedion and Observation fr the city and
liberties of Philadelphia, and the field officers of the five
battalions of the said city, reported, that they have had
a meeting with the Committees and Officers aforefaid,
and have ' agreed to the following resolutions, viz.
“ That all the associated militia of Pennsylvania (ex
cepting the counties of Weftmoreland, Bedford and Nor
thumberland) who can be furnifhed with arms and ac
coutrements, be forthwith requeued to march, with the
utmost expedition, to Trenton, (except the militia of
Northampton county, who are to march dirraly for
New-Brunswick) in New-Jersey; and that the Did militia
continue in service, until the flying camp of ten thousand
men can be collected to relieve them, unless they Ilia'll be
sooner difeharged by Congress," &c.
The militia immediately prepared themfelvcs and be
gan their march, some, and among the rest my battal on,
for Elizabeth-Town.
^ It was considered as a point of vast importance, at that cri
tical period, to avoid the appearance of drofi ns in Pemfylvania ;
as furli a circumstance would greatly encourage out enemies to
persist in their oppressive measures.
THE
Soon after I arrived at Elizabeth-Lown, the command
at that post devolved upon me, which I retained during
all the time I was there, General, then Colonel, Small
wood politely declining to accept it when he came, as he
expefted to remain only a little while with ns. Except
during his Ihort stay, I had only militia and some riflemen,
with me. Part of the Britifo army, | |compofed of regu
lar veteran regiments, was then in force on Staten-Island,
dire&ly opposite to the place where we lay.
My persecutors in Philadelphia remembered me at Eli
zabeth-Fawn Point. I had not been but about ten days in
camp, * when I was turned by them out of Congress, in
to which I had been brought at the beginning of the con
test, § October the 17th, 1774, in opposition to the ef
forts of those men, who, then and always my foes, have
face avowed their enmity to America. So much alike
do Traytors to their Country, and some fort of Patriots,
think of me.
At the fame time, they would with to make known, that, influ
enced by the obligations of civil and of social duty, they can
not but express, as they very sensibly feel, the most pointed,
abhorrence and deteflation of all such defamatory publications,
as have a tendency wantonly to expose public characters to
censure or contempt, —or private ones to abuse and obloquy ; —
thereby fomenting difeord and division in the State, to the
great prejudice of the inte<efls of the community, as well aa
the peace and happiness of individuals.
To the Chief Justice and Judges of the Court of Oyer and
Terminer.
The Memorial and Remonstrance of the Grand Jury for the City
and C)unty of Philadelphia,
Respectfully sheweth,
THAT the Grand jury, having, in discharge of their duty,
and on their solemn oaths and affirmations, deliberated and.
decided on two several indiXments preferred against Eleazer Os
wald (each for a libel) and, under the fanXion of such high ob
ligations, having delivered their last return into Court, (on
Friday, the 3d inftant)---cannot but remember, with peculiar
sensibility and concern, that they incurred the severe displeasure
of the bench, and received very reproachful language for theic
conduct.
I marched with them, though in such a weak state of
health, that when I reached Trenton I was obliged to
rest there a day, and then get a carriage to finifh the
j urney, being unable to travel further on borfe-back.
My brother, and Colonel Jacob Morgan who accompanied
me, are witnesses to these circumstances.
Yes! while I was exposing my person to every hazard,
and lodging every night within half a mile of hostile
troops^ that the Members of the Convention at Philadel
phia might slumber and vote in quiet and fafety, they
ignominiously voted me, as unworthy of my feat, out of
the national Senate.
Virtue! Thou art not but a name —For thou wert
mv comforter in that severe season of private and public
afflictions, when my country, re-wounding a bleeding
heart, frowned on my humbly-faithful love, —and spurn
ed me into the dust. One dreadful kindness, I'rovidence
was pleased to mingle with my distresses. The best, —
the tendered of parents, did not live
to behold her dishonored son.
Mr. CLAYPOOLE.
The Grand Inquest of the city and county of Philadelphia pi<-
fented the following Memorial and Remonstrance to rhe Chie'
Justice, and Judges of the Court of Oyer and Terminer, in
support of their public rights and private characters, attacked'
by the doftrine and reflexions of the Court.---It being refufed a
public reading, they are compelled to have recourse to the press,
for a vindication of their conduX.
This Ihock I also bore—and “ faultered not on the ap
proach of danger" to face my " foreign enemies," for
the protection of----my " domestic enemies.".
So fatisfied was I with this duty, that,! took un
common PAINS, and MADE STRENUOUS EXERTIONS,
that I might continue in immediate danger.
* July 20th, 1776.
§ I had been unr imoufly recommended by the Committee that
met at Carpenfers-HAH, for Pernfylvanii, to The General Uffmbly,
to be by them appointed a Deputy in Congress; but had been
kept out, BY THE INFLUENCE ABOVE MENTIONED, from
its meeting on the sth of September, till OR ber, when the
demands of thk people prevailed over all further oppofi
tiora.
& The temper of my mind, at this period, may perhaps ap
pear from a letter written to me by the Secretary of Congress, in
answer to one from me. In his letter, now before me, dated
August 16, 1776, and addressed to me, at Eiizabetb-T^on, are
these expressions :--- “ I know the reaitnde of your heart, and
the h r.efy and oprightnefs of your intentions ; and may that
Divine Providence, which has hitherto so signally appeared in
favour of our cause, and in which I know you place your confi
dence, prote&: and preserve you from danger, and restore you, not
to your “ books and fields," but to your country, and to the honors
of your country, to correct the errors which I fear," &c.
[ To be continued. ]
||The rest of their army and their fleet lay, I believe, about
twelve or fourteen miles further off.'
JANUARY g, i^
[NUMB. 987.