The Pennsylvania evening post — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-05-16 00:00:00, page 2

A. If the legislative be so constituted as never to be able to.
form an.intereft of its own separate from the interest of the
community atyarge ; if its branches are independant of and
balance each other, and all dependant on the people,
and if it has the power of calling the executive and
judicial branches to account for mal-adminiftration, it might
do ; but I ihould propose the addition of a Committee of
Inquiry to be chosen every third year, whose authority should
extend to the examination of all laws passed within that space
of time, to fee if any infringed upon the Social Compaq, to in
quire into the application of the public money, and the con.-
d.ud of all officers whether legislative, executive or judicial.;
particularly to fee that no branch of the legislature exceed the
bounds prescribed to it in the Charier of Delegation. ; to fit in
judgment on the delinquent, and they, whom the Committee
condemned, should be declared incapable of holding any
office of power and trull in ihe society. This Committee
should exist only for fix months at mod, and should have
power to recommend any alteration or amendment of any ar*
ticle in the Chapter cf Delegation,. which, by experience,
Ihould be found defective or dangerous ; which alteration or
amendment should be made by a body of men delegated for,
the purpose, in the fame manner as the Original Compand
N. B. One article ig the original compact should be, that all
virtuous # men,who believe in a God, should be equally capable
of holding any office, for which he was qualified, upon the
choice of the people. Nothing but Atheism orppea immor^
ality to exclude any man.
Q Granting the, foregoing pl^n to be juftand right, how
may it be obtained ?
A. By theyirtue and unanimity of the people, particularly
those who have arms in their hands.
A. Will they be unanimous in establishing a perfectly
free government ?
A. The people themselves can best answer this question.
They began the contest for the fake of freedom, and it is
both their duty, and interest.. Men of sinister views and de
signs will endeavour to sow divisions. They will lay hold on
the bigotry of some, the religious prejudices of others, and
the ignorance of a third fort. A few families will endeavor
to get all power into their hands, and form an oligarchy or
aristocracy. Mqft nations, who have shaken off royal tyranny,
have been enslaved by an aristocracy or oligarchy, which is
much worse, purely by leaving the business of framing a con
ftituliqn to the officers of the old government.. They, setting
up an interest of their own in oppofitjon to that of the people'
formed an aristocracy. For my part I Ihould think it a good
precaution to exclude all Thofe.who frame the .constitution.
from ever holding any office under it. This should be esteem
ed so high and sacred a trust, that the man who was thought
worthy to frame it, Ihould be forbid ever to degrade himfelf
by holding any office whatever. These things, next to the
falyation of our fouls, should engage our attention. The ,
firft settlers of this province formed a compact with William .
Penn nearly of this kind, but he artfully got them to give it
up. Their will and ftcady oppofitiog to his encroachments-,
cannot be Efficiently commended^ I should expert much
from the virtue of their defcenda,ts, if they.could be per=
fuaded to lay aside groundless fears and jealousies, .and hear
tily to join in correcting and reforming a constitution against
the defeds of which they have, long contended. They have
now the only opportunity which, perhaps, will ever be of
fered them.
N? B. As the above concerns all, the several printers are
intreated to give it a place in their papers as soon as possible,
that all may hgve an opportunity of answering the questions for
themselves.
246
TH R EE DOLL A.ILS Rewards
STOLEN, out-of the fubferiber's house on the south fide
of Market-street, near Fourth-street, between the nth
and 14th instant, a small SILVER TWO HANDLED CUP
that would hold better than half a pint; the handles half
way natched, was fluted from the lower parts of the handles
to the bottom, the inside washed with gold, made in London,
and had the sterling marks on. Any person who will bring
it home fnall have the above reward, and if offered for fafe,
it is requeued to be fIopped...WALTER HALL.
N. B. Choice Greenffea, and afew hogsheads of old Ja
maica, and Barbadocs Spirits, to be fold as, above.
Philadelphia, May 16, 1776.
ABOUT four hundred pounds value (prime
cost) of DRY GOODS, weif assorted, to be fold for
cafo b y JOSEPH CARSON.
" ' T 1 ^ :— 1 — ,
FOR• the accommodation of passengers going^up and
down to the FORT, a STAGE BOAT, well provided
for that purpose, which will set oft from Joseph Price's wharfs
oppoftte the sign of St. Patrick, Southwark, three times a
week, viz.
, Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, between eight and nine
o clock. Each person paying one (hilling and sixpence for
going and coming the fame day, or not returning one fhil-
Img. *6 JAMES SLOAN, and JOHN DONNAL.
— ~T— —-— , — — _ —
DESERTED from the Bull Dog armed boat, Alexander
Henderson, .Esq; commander, fix men,, viz. JOHN
PARKER, mariner, about five feet fix inches high, well
made, light coloured short hair, and about twenty-two years,
°f a g e ; had on, when he went away, a white cloth jacket
and breeches of the fame, and is a native of New-England.
JOHN SAYER, trade unknown, about five feet three in
ches high,, a little stooped shouldered, about twenty years
°f age, wears generally a blue body coat and red waiilcoar.
short brown hair, and ris a native of. England. JOHN
STEWART, labourer, near -five feet ' fix inches high, about
twenty-four years of age, has short light coloured hair, and.
very swarthy complexion ; had on, when he deserted, a rag- ’
ged white coat, and can vas^ trousers, walks a little lame,
and is a native, of Pennsylvania. JAMES WELSH, about
five feet fix inches high, swarthy complexion, aboettwentv
two years of age, a little marked with the smallpox ; had .
on, when he deserted, a coarse grey jacket, and breeches of
the fame, and was born in Pehnfylvania. .SAMUEL M'COR
MACK, a broadfet man, about five feet five inches high,
swarthy complexion, ,ffiort black hair, about forty.five years
of age. Had on; when he deserted, a brown cloth jacket
and leather breeches, and is a native of Ireland.
Whoever takes up and secures any of them, so that they may
be-brought to the said boat, fliall have FOUR DOLLARS
for^ach, ALEXANDER HENDERSON.
Philadelphia^ April 30, 1776.
THE copartnerfhip of MASON and PATON being dis
solved, all those who are indebted to them by bond,
note, or book debt, are desired to make immediate payment
to PHINEAS BOND, Esq; who is properly authorifed to re*
ceive and fettle the fame; and all those wlx )have any demands
against the said partnership, are requested to apply as above.
And public notice is hereby given, to all those indebted to the
laid partnership, that unless they discharge their refpedive
debts, as above, on or before the 20th day of May next, they
willlyswedbe ithout refpe& to persons..