The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1782-12-31 00:00:00, page 4

xn^point attained; but perlons of reflexion would per
naps think it abfoiutcly necebary, that Congress should
institute some mode for preserving them from the misfor
tunes of future discords.,
The confederation ought to be fettled, before toe de
claration of independencerf Foreigners would think it
fnoft regular— The weaker 'cites w uld not be in to much
danger of having disadvantageous terms imposed "P°"
them by the Wronger --Ifthe declaration was firft made,!
political necelhties might urge on the acceptance ^f con
ditions, that were highly disagreeable to parts cf the union.
The prefect comparative circumstances of the ||Rates
were now tolerably well uhderdood; but some Rates had
very extraordinary claims to territory, that if admitted
in a future confederation, as they rhight be, the terms of
it not being yet adjured, all idea of toe present compari
son between them would be confounded-- ihole Rates,
whose boundaries were acknowledged, would find them
selves link in proportion to the elevation ot their neigh
bours. Betides, the unlocated lands, not comprehend
ed within acknowledged boundaries, were deemed a
fund fufficicient to defray a vast part, if not the whole, m
toe expeuces of the war. T^efe ought to be considered as
the property of all the States, acquired by the arms of all.
For these reasons, the boundaries of the St 'tes ought to
Of 6 - e d before the dec! nation, and their refpeAive rights
r+wat'y guarantied; -and the unseated lands ought aifo,
* ei ; ^ uofaration, to be fob moly appropriated
.a the-h^c J of r, th States: For it might be extremely
.difficult, if not impracticable,' to obtain these decisions
• awards. (Writhe w; or . T her things fbonld be thus
je^b^/O 'cobbed ?-/ ./. home, and favourable a
h^ad, she" 'e: ri MERIC?
^/^d, . Lwwb'Fh^.lM, et FATA nepotumf
advance ^'> OCT! ic 'rep% aWflume her Ration among
the sovereigns of me wotiT
Thus to have thought, and thus to have spoke. was
myeffence, Gentlemen, or the fubjed of independence.
Do you condemn me for tinnking as I did? or for fpeak
rg i s J thought? Could the former be a crime? and
& nc fr the latter a duty? What title of infamy w u!d
? •b< ;i adequate to my gu : lt, if, entertaining the ftn
•„,.] entrusted as I was, any consideration
„ - ., v riled upon me to suppress those fentimgrtf s
. - f -• of fa c h eventful moment to my country?
^ ^ r 'w^ in Congress, to re-echo the words
\ <*?;": or to e^ercife my judgment, and obey my
c nfcicrcc, : a lending upon the common welfare?
A powerful Mmfideration as not wanting, to tempt
me into a swerving from the rule ever prescribed to my
fed —that of regarding the general good with singleness
of heart.
it was my misfortune to have acquired some share of
imputation ; for the injuries done to my country had oc
. Toned it. Her love I valued as I ougt, but not as
auch as I valued herfclf. I knew, and told Congress, that
I was a&ing an unpopular part in the debate upon the
decia^tion; and I desired that illustrious Assembly to
witness the integrity, if not the policy, of my condud.
What other motive can you fufpeA that I had for this
beharicut ? Compare it with my preceding and following
adD^c. Tho' I spoke my sentiments freely, as an honest
~.?o ought to do, yet, when a determination was made
^n the question against my opinion, I received that de
termination as the sacred voice of my country, as a voice
that proclaimed her destiny, in which, by every impulse
of my foul, I was resolved to (hare, and to stand or fall
with her in that plan of freedom which (he had chosen.
From that moment, it became my determination ; and
( cheerfully contributed my endeavours for its perpetual
^ftablilhmcnt.
Have vou fi got, gentlemen, this remarkable circum
'rince that within a few days, to the best of my remem
•banc- within a week, after the Declaration oflnde^J
&,,,, I was the only Member of Congress that marched with
- nr fc^ment to Elizabeth Town against our enemies, then
-^t A the State of N.wYork, and continued in actual
ferries kiere, daily in light of them, every moment ex
poled, ^d frequently expecting upon intelligence receiv
rid to be attacked, during the whole tour of duly per
forrud by the militia of tin's city and neighbourhood?
Be pleased to decide, what was my motive for this cou
daa. Be pleafcd also to confider what is the reason, why
Tune of your writer's, in the multitude of their publica
tions against me, have ever mentioned, or even given the
least hint of this fad. Don't you really believe, that, if
it was th >ught by them only a trifling circumstance in my
favor, they would have taken some notice of it, and,
with one of their witty turns, have consigned it over to
contempt? Don't you really believe it was thought by
them a strong proof of my devotion to the independence
of America, when once it became the resolution of Ameri
ea-.-a proof which they with never to be remembered in
Pennfylvanta---and a clear demonstration that all my ar
guments, concerning the time of making the declaration,
were in invjudgment and conference done away,and were
of no more life, after it was made, than the rubbish
caused in erecting a palace? Reasons, that were proper in
2 debate, were useless after a decifon; and the nature of
these evinces that they opposed only the time of the decla
ration, and not independence itfelf.
The event has proved, that the national Council was
right; and may others learn, by my instance, to venerate
the wisdom collected in that body as they ought
to do. There is a light in that confteilation, fufficient
o direct the vessel freighted with the fortunes of America,
through the tempeßnous ocean upon which Rie now fails,
fife into ts c will'd for port —if the people will but be
guided by it.
Is it an incredible thing with you, gentlemen, that a
man might desire the declaration to be deferred, and yet
heartily maintain it after it was made ! If so, what do
you think of these men, who opposed the declaration in
Congress as earnestly as J did, and now hold the highest
, This has been finer proved, by France urging, as the has
line, the completion of the Confederation.
I This has since actually happened.
fl The word " States" is used here as met familiar, tho' not
afed in the debate.
P^adelpbia; Printed and Sold b, D AWID C. C L 1 TPOO LE, in Market-Street.
THE second charge brought against me is, that I high
j ly disapproved the conflitution of this Rate. °°
I d'd; for I thought it unnecessarily expensive, and n°t as
well calculated as it might have beep, for permanently fe
curin, and advancing the happinefsof the people. I con
fefs my anxiety was extreme, that such a constitution
should be framed as would be most likely thus to secure
and advance that happiness The observations that have
been made to Ihew that I was bound by obligations of
honefly and love of country, to speak my real sentiments
on the declaration of independence, are applicable here
also; —for this was a bnfinefs too of vast importance to
Pennsylvania. Would you, gentlemen, hare advised me
to observe a timid contemptible lilence, or a base, treach
erous advocation of the opinions of others, while the af
fair was open to deliberation, difcnffion and dispute?
Would vou have had me to disgrace the uniform ten^r of
a life employed in opp bug, without dihin&ion, under
the vidorF us banners of truth and freedom, the meft for
rricable parties that this country ever beheld, whether
headed by factious leaders in assembly, by proprietaries
or by kings-—when in my judgment their measures tend
ed to the detriment of the public? No. Men of sense,
candor and integrity, would not have required so humi
liating a proftitutiom On this account I thank my ac
cusers for this charge. I thank them for it on another
account. Don't you perceive that this charge is utterly
inconsistent w^h the foregoing one—< fmy not being a
true friend to the independence of America ? If I was an
enemy to our independence, as my accusers represent me,
why my great concern about a constitution for Pennfvroa
nia ? If I was the enemy to independence I have been de
scribed, my views and thoughts must have been engaged,
and my hopes extended to a totally different purpose, that
is, the subversion of independence. The constitution of
Pennsylvania would, in that case, have been an object of
no confeqnence with me. If I had been under the infa
tuation my accusers impute to me, I must have flattered
myfelf that the constitution, let it be what it might, would
be of short duration, and therefore of little moment —
and of course, that I need not trouble myfelf about it.
On the contrary, no man gave plainer proofs than I
did, that I looked upere the framing a constitution, as a
work of perpetuit,, and therefore of prodigious moment.
No man gave plainer proofs than I did, that I considered
the happiness of myfelf and my posterity, as involved in
the happiness of Pennsylvania, and the whole deeply in
terested in the conftituti< n that was then to be formed.
Yet these proofs of these sentiments are thundered in the
ears of Pennsylvania as crimes, against her affectionate,
faithful and dutiful son, citizen and fervent. How shall
I defend myfelf against adrerfaries, the magic of whose
malice thus converts th< fe actions, which I hope and
humbly trust, Heaven itfelf approves, into tranfgreffons?
Poor is my char ce indeed ! if, as they insultingly suppose,
the people of Pennsylvania are grown such wildenthufiafts
as to receive their Al coran for the gospel of truth. Dif
ficult to be Imre must be my contest with combatants who,
n<' -Ry like Proteus " ethers and yet the fame" attack
me ir a variety of forms, but with faperior dexterity fhift
my character too, as they please. One week they declare
my life to be blameless. The next, even an expression of
reverence for religi m becomes reproachful. One day
they generously adoi n ~e with a brilbant duster of vir
tues. The next, they irngally; roQ< the liberal donati
on: and as their powerful pens preterite, my reputation
is alternately—to ffiine or fade. Let their inconliftencies
be farther examined.
I have been charged with speaking against the sense of
America, on the fubjeCt of independence. Now lam
charged with /peaking the sense of America. For — Ifpoke
the sense of America, refpePFng constitutions of government,
when I disapproved the constitution of this" Rate. Com
pare this with the confutations formed by the other
Rates, and with the sentiments delivered by congress in
their address to the inhabitants of the province of Quebec,
and you cannot fail to observe theremarkable diftin&ons.
Another inconsistency in the proceedings of my accu
sers is this —That though they treat the difapproh^ ion
I expressed of the constitution, as an inexpiable offence
in me, yet other gentlemen who have committed the
fame offence, have not only been forgiven, but ha^ been
thought worthy of the bigheft offices in the Rate, and
now possess your entire confidence. The honourable
messieurs M'Kean, Read and Bayard, will, I am persuad
ed, excuse my using their names on this occasion. They
all highly d ; fapproved the constitution of this Rate, and
prefixed or spoke against it, at public meetings held for
the purpose of obtaining alterations in it. If that im
pairs not your favour towards them, let it rot impair
your favour towards me. Be assured, that if I cannot
serve you as well as they have done, I will with the Rridl
eft fidelity, try to serve you as well: and your kind ac
ceptance of my actions, as it will be a valuable reward,
so it will be a great encouragement to the utmost ex
ertions I can possibly bear, for promoting your welfare.
Let us revere our common parent, Pennsylvania, whose
name has gone forth with distinguished honors into the
world —Honors which it is our duty t n maintain. T,et us
abhor to disturb her peace by notes of difeord, or to vio
late her fame by a war of reproaches. Let us forbear to
wound one another; and brethren as we are, let us pour
all bur combined refeutments, where justice and policy
so plainly point them —upon the heads of our common
foes. Let our harmony be their confufion, and our wif
d@m prove their folly.
Let us return to our old good humour, and benevo
lent intercourse of social offices among ourselves. Let us
comply with the spirit as well as, with the letter of the
constitution; and not brand each other with opprobrious
epithets, for thinking differently on forms of government,
any more than we do for thinking differently on forms of
TORS under ThUnited States, or fome^f them, are pos
sessed of their utmost confidence, and . discharge their
refpeftive duties with diftinguifhtd honor to themselves,
and advantage to America ? What do you think of num
bers n' brave officers in our army, who wished the de
claration to be deferred, and yet, from the instant it was
made, and ever since, have, under a load of difficulties,
traversed different regions of this continent, freely to
proffer their blood for its support?
religion. Let there be no diftinftion among us, but be
tween tbofe, on the one hand, who generously contend for
the freedom, independence and prosperity of cur coun
try, and such on the other, as weakly with or wickedly
seek for a dangerous and dilhonorable connexion with,
or submission to the enemies of America, and the sacred
rights of humanity.
Upon the whole, I beg leave to conclude this point
with observing, that the present constitution is now uni
versally agreed to. If any alterations are ever made in it,
there can be no doubt but they will be made in a consti
tutional way; and I hope they will be only such as will
be agreeable to all parties. Whether any are made or
not, it is unquestionably the interest of all the citizens of
Pennsylvania, that the business should be tranfaded in a
calm, prudent manner. This is my wish; and if I live
to have any concern in it, shall be my endeavour: for I
am perfectly convinced, it will contribute more to our
happiness, to join cordially together in Supporting the
present constitution, and deriving all the advantages from
it which it can afford, than to be involved in civil diffen
tions, by attempts to obtain another, though the wisest
men in the world should pronounce it to be a better.
[ To be continued in our Paper of Tuesday. ]
Southwark Au&ior.
On THURSDAY the second of January
next, precifti, at half past TWELVE o'Clock,
Will be Sold at Southwark Auction,
A valuable Tra& of LAND;
Containing 450 acres, situated on the north fide of the
famous river Santee, in Craven county, South Caroli
na. The Land is inferior to non* in that country ;
abounding with hickory, oak, cypreft and tupaloe, and
is about 40 mileidiftant from Charleftown. The only
region tor its being fold ip, to procure a present Sup
port for a Southern Exi'e and bi# numerous helpless
Family. Tae Decdt, an I a Plan of the said Land, may
hr seen at the Store ; and an indifputahle Title will be
given. WILLIAM BROWN, Av &ioneer.
Philadelphia, Dec. 23, 1781.
BY virtue of a Writ of Venditioni Exponas to me
directed will be exposed to Public Sale at the Cof
fee H>nfe on Saturday the 4th of January next, at 12
o'clo k at noon, the 'choking Six Hjufes and Lots of
G o^nd adjoining each other, viz.
No. I. A two flor, Brick House, Kitchen and Lot
of Ground, situate '1 the nertheaft corner of Spruce
at d Laurel Stf#, between Second and Third Streets
in the city of Philadelphia, containing in breadth on
Spruce Street, 3% se t, and in length or depth on Laurel
Street, 51 feet.
No. 2. A two story Brick House and Lot of Ground,
situate on the north fide of Spruce Street, and adjoining
No. I. containing in breadth or Spruce Sire t, 14 feet,
and in depth, 51 fret.
No. 3. A two story Brick IIu Q , Krchrn and Lot
of Ground, situate as aforesaid, and adj ining No. 2.
con aining in breadth 14 feet, and in length or depth So
feet.
No. 4. At^o story Erick House Kitchen and Lot of
Ground, situate as aforesaid, and adjoining No. , con
taining in breadth 14 Let, and in length or depth 8a
feet
No. 5. A two story Brirk House and T - & n ' Ground,
fi uate on the e-ft fide of Laurel Street 2nd , _
No. 1. contwining in breadth 14 f ee/ anc
in depth f eet.'., „ ,
». <. n roc nory Brick House and Leto Greun
fituute on the east tide of Lture! Street, and ^ ;,.
No. 5. rontainsg n b-eedtb 14 feet and fl^in,
in length or depth 52 feet. The rJerd 1 rirwifrs
Lots, fubj+a to a ground rent of twenty poo<o ,r
payable to the him and affi,n# of J cob Lewis ce
forever: Serzedhtid t^kerii <xecution, as L- 1
tare of Joseph Mufgrave the elder, deceased, by
WILLIAM WILL- S t . ft.
Phils leipbin, D 23. 732
BY virtue of a Writ of Venditioni Evonne re m=
directed rdl.be expos'd to public Die, at the Cof
fee Honft on Wednesday vhe Bth of fen :ry nex , ^?:
o'clock nt noon.
A three story Brick House, nnd Lot of Gr<.f^
the n^rth fide ofScor-,ftreet, between Third and Fourth,
in the city of Philadelphia, containing twenty -one feet
in breadth, and in depth eighty.two feet 1 4 fix in^
ches, bounded by fairi street by ground of William
Van Poole, and others, fubje& to a row 1 r of fix
Pounds a d fix (hilbng^ per annum : tri a h executi
on as the efface or Peter Merlins, bv
WILLIAM WILL, Sher
To be fold by Public Vendue,
At the ho ? fe o f Th m mzs Cample U $ in Dowr\t& wnfhip,
Cumberland county. N^-frf.y, on Saturday tne
4th o' January next, at two o'clock in the afternoon,
(the mor yto e paid at the sale,) A
Brass fix pound CANNO N,
Found in said township ; aft Anyuff, and fold by
her? D A ri N L O R B,
„ Few Bales of Koyal Laval Linens and
/ % Fronde t Sb+np to be fol', by Chriftopber, inn.
.and Charges Marfhfll, ^t their Drug and Colour Kot#,
in Chefnut street, P'hlatriphia. Dec. 23.
TO BE SO L D,
A Heal hy, likely, strong,
Negroc WEN CH,
About twenty two rears of ^e, is sober and hoa«& &
For farther particulars enquire of the Printer. Dec >&<