The Pennsylvania evening post — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-08-15 00:00:00, page 1

The PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST.
SAVANNAH (Georgia) June 20.
Our Provincial Congress met here on the sixth inst.
when his Excellency Archibald Bullock, Enquire,
President and Commander in Chief of the province of
Georgia, delivered the following SPEECH:
Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the Congress,
^-^ — "{HE Rate of the province at your last meeting,
made it absolutely necessary to adopt some tempo
fl rary regulations for the preservation of the public
= ~peace and fafety; and your appointment of me,
to carry thcfe regulations into execution, at a time so critical
and important to the welfare of this country, requires an ex
ertion of the greatest prudence and abilities.
At a time when our rights and privileges are invaded,
when the fundamental principles of the constitution are sub
verted, and those men whose duty should teach them to pro
tect add defend us, are become our betrayers and murderers,
it calls aloud on every virtuous member of the community to
stand forth, and stem the prevailing torrent of corruption
and laWlefs power.
The many and frequent instances of your attachment to
wards me, and an ardent desire to promote the welfare of my
country, have induced me to accept of this weighty and im
portant trust. For your interest only I desire to aft; and, re
lying on your aid and assistance in every difficulty, I shall
always molt confidently expert it.
Some venal difaffe&ed men may endeavour to persuade
the people to submit to the oppressive mandates of despotism,
but surely every freemen would confider the nature, and in
fpeft the designs and execution of that government under
which he may be called 10 live. The people of this province,
in opposing the designs of a cruel and corrupt ministry, have
surmounted what appeared insuperable difficulties ; and,
notwithstanding the artifice and address that for a long time
were employed to divert their attention from the common
cause, they at length, by imperceptible degrees, succeeded,
and declared their refolation to assert their liberties, and to
maintain them, at all events, in concurrence with the other
associated colonies. For my part, I most candidly declare,
that from the origin of these unhappy disputes, I heartily ap
proved the condu& of the Americans. My approbation was
not the result of prejudice or partiality, but proceeded from
a firm persuasion of their having aided agreeable to constitu
tional principles, and the dictates of an upright disinterested
conscience.
We must all acknowledge our great obligations to our an
cestors for the invaluable liberties we enjoy ; it is our indis
pensable duty to transmit them inviolate to posterity ; and to
be negligent in an affair of such moment, would be an inde
lible stain of infamy on the present sera. Animated with
this principle, I Ihall think myfelf amply rewarded if I can
be so fortunate as to render any service to the cause of freedom
and posterity.
Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the Congress,
Being sensible that many matters of great importance will
claim your attention at this meeting, 1 will not take up too
@uch of your time from the public business. Some farther
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 1776.
403
regulations refpe&ing the courts of justice, the Rate of the
Continental battalion, and the better ordering of the militia
•f this province, will necessarily be the fubjed of your dil
quifitions.,
You must be convinced of the many difficulties we labour
under, arising from the number that dill remain among us,
under the shelter of an affected neutrality. The arguments
alledged for their conduct appear too weak to merit a re.sta
tion : This is no time to talk of moderation; in the present
instance it ceases to be a virtue. An appeal, an awful ap
peal is made to heaven, and thousands of lives are in jeopardy
every hour. Our northern brethren point to their wounds,
and call for our most vigorous exertions; and God forbid
that so noble a contest should end in an infamous conciufion.
You will not therefore be biaffed by any suggestions from
these enemies of American liberty, or regard any censure
they may bestow on the forwardnefs and zeal of this infant
colony. You must evidently perceive the necessity of malting
some farther laws refpe&ing these Non-Associates; and,
though there may be some who appear at present forward
to sign the Association, yet it becomes us to keep a watchful
eye on the motives and conduct of these men, left the pub
lic good be endangered through their perfidy and pretended
friendship.
By the resolves of the General Congress, the inhabitants of
the United Colonies are permitted to trade to any part cf the
world except the dominions of the King of Great Britain ;
and, in consequence of which, it will be necessary to fix on
feme mode of proceeding for the clearance of vessels, and
other matters relative thereto; and perhaps you may think it
farther requisite to appoint proper officers to defpatch this be
finefs, that the adventurers in trade may meet with as little
obitruftion as possible. And I would, at the fame time, re
commend to your consideration the exorbitant prices of
goods, and other necessaries of life, in the town @f Savannah,
and in every part of the province. This certainly requires
some immediate regulations, as the poor must be greatly dis
tressed by such alarming and unheard of extortions.
With refpeft to Indian affairs, I hoped to have had the
pleasure of assuring you, from the Rate of the proceedings
of the Commissioners, that they were in every refpeft friend
ly, and warmly attached to our interest, and that there was
the greatest reason to expect a continuance of the fame friendly
disposition ; but I have received some accounts since rather
unfavorable. As this is of the highest consequence to the
peace and welfare of the colony, I would here iuggeft, whe
ther it would not be necessary to enter into some resolves, in
order to prevent any future misunderstanding between them
and our back settlers. And to this I think 1 may add, that
the putting the province in the best posture of defence would
be an objed very requisite at this juncture.
The Continental Congress having always been solicitous
to promote the increase and improvement of ufeful know
ledge, and with the highest fatisfaffion contemplating the
rapid progress of the arts and sciences in America, have
thought proper to recommend the encouraging the manufac
tory of Saltpetre, Sulphur, and Gunpowder. The process
is extremely easy, and I ihall be very glad to fee any of the
[Num. 245.