The Pennsylvania evening post — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-01-16 00:00:00, page 1

Resolved, That as we are well convinced of the despotic
intentions of ministry, we will endeavor to defeat their at
tempts to exercise an improper jurisdiction over the Preis.
Should any effort be made to revive the office cf a LICEN
SER, we will oppose it as unwarrantable; and should any
Resolved, That any attempt totally to destroy, or partially
to infringe, the liberty of the Preis, is to fruftrate the blessings
we, as Protefthnts, enjoy from the Reformation ; and to vio
late those privileges we, as Englilhmen, inherit from the
laws and constitution of our country.
Resolved, That EX OFFICIO INFORMATIONS, filed
by the ATTORNEY GENERAL, are unconstitutional
Stretches of arbitrary power, tending as effectually to destroy
the liberty of the Press, as the molt arbitrary process that ever
issued from the Star Chamber during the reigns of the de
testable Stuarts.
Globe-Tavern, Fleet-street, October 4, 1775.
LONDON ASSOCIATION.
LIBERTY of the PRESS.
AS, on the part of Adminiffration, some wanton exer
tions of despotic power have justly spread an alarm
throughout the kingdom, the people cannot with
too much vigilance protect their few remaining
rights from violation.
The LIBERTY OF THE PRESS hath ever been esteemed
as cne of the choicest blessings a free people can enjoy. Yet
we have seen the deftrudion of that liberty but too fuccefsfully
attempted by the instrument of despotism. Frofecutions have
been commenced by the officers of the crown, apparently for
no other purpose than that of silencing the Press, by denounc
ing ruin to such printers as ihall discharge their duty to the
public with the becoming spirit of Englilhmen. Nor is this
all. In the very mode of prosecution an eye hath been had
to STAR CHAMBER TYRANNY. The printers of our
news-papers have not been presented on the OATHS of
jurors, but on the bare SUGGESTION of an officer of the
crown, who, by filing INFORMATIONS, ex officio, against
his Majesty's innocent fubjefts (to whom no crime whatever
hath been imputed, by their peers) thereby supersedes the
utility of GRAND JURIES in direst VIOLATION of
MAGNA CHARTA— and to the total overthrow of the
great bulwark of English Liberties.
Conceiving an opposition to such oppressive measures to
be a duty incumbent on the people at large —desirous, as well
of rescuing the Press fr,m the Cackles of ministerial slavery,
as of affording some protection to those printers who may
otherwise fuffer in the cause of liberty, the members of the
LONDON ASSOCIATION have determined to support the
freedom of the Press upon true constitutional grounds, and
they have therefore agreed to the following RESOLUTIONS.
„ Resolved, That the FREEDOM OF THE PRESS iseffen
tial to the exigence of a free government.
Resolved, That by a judicious exercise of the freedom of
the Press, the minds of men are enlightened; knowledge,
both civil and religious, is diffufed ; and the people are
taught to prize, as inestimable, those political rights secured
by the REVOLUTION.
The PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST.
Vol. ll.]
Price only Pico Coppers. Published every Puefday, PhurJ'day, and Saturday Evenings.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1776.
27
expounder of the laws (for JUDGES are no more) SPORT
with the SACRED CHARTER OF OUR LIBERTIES and
TAMPER WITH JURIES, on questions relative to the
freedom of the Pref, we will never cease our druggies until
a criminal of such magnitude is made amenable to parliamen
tary justice.
Resolved, That at the fame time as we wish to cherish the
liberty, we would entirely discountenance the l.centioufnefs
of the Press. Publications, therefore, which have a tendency
to depreciate the Revolution, whether they assume the titles of
“ Memoirs," " Histories," or “ State Compilations," are
equally to be reprobated, as so many atrocious libels on
that happy establishment, secured to us by the accession of the
ILLUSTRIOUS HOUSE OF HANOVER.
Resolved, That if those printers, who have shewn thern
felves favorable to the rights of Britith fubje&s fhali be bar
raffed by expensive prosecutions (nominally at the fait of the
Crown, but virtually and fubttantially at the inftigatfon of the
Ministry, and certainly at the expence of the people) we will
patronize such printers, that the freedom of the Press may not
be wounded through their tides.
-Resolved, That this Association will appropriate the sum
of ONE HUNDRED POUNDS out of their fund, to be ex
pended as occasion may require, in the defence of the printers
of such papers as Ihall appear tohave thejufteft claim to pub
lic protection.
Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to every friend
of civil and religious liberty thoughout the kingdom, to assist
in an undertaking, the utility of which is felf-evident; for,
as to the REVIVAL OF LETTERS, we owe our deliverance
from Monkilh superstition, so to the FREEDOM OF THE
PRESS ALONE Ihall we be indebted, if the liberties of our
country survives—the wishes of Administration.
Signed by order of the ASSOCIATION.
THOMAS JOEL, Secretary.
A GOOD COOK wanted in a small family. Any person
applying must be recommended particularly for having
a quiet temper. Good wages will be given. Inquire of the
printer,
WANTED immediately, a V OMAN of good character,
who has a good bread' of milk. Inquire of the
Printer. *
Philadelphia, January 9, 1776.
THIS day was published, and is now felling by Robert
Bell, in Third-street (price two Shillings) COMMON
SENSE addressed to the inhabitants of America, on
the following interesting SUBJEC FS.
I. Of the origin and design of government in general,
with concise remarks on the English constitution.
11. Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession.
111. Thoughts on the present date of American affairs.
IV. Of the present ability of America, with some mifcefo
laneous reflections.
Man knows no master save creating Heaven,
Or thole whom choice and common good ordain.
Thomson.
[Num. 154. •