The Pennsylvania evening post — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-05-21 00:00:00, page 1

The PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST.
WILLIAMSBURG, May io.
Ata meeting of the Committee of Charlotte county April
2 3, !77 6 -,
Present the Chairman and fifteen members.
RESOLVED, That in this truly alarming and important
crisis of our public affairs, it is expedient that the
Delegates, lately chosen for this county, should know
the sentiments of their constituents, and be intruded
what part it is desired and expected they will aft in the ensu
ing Convention.
To PAUL CARRINGTON, and THOMAS READ, Efqrs.
Gentlemen,
WHEN we confider the despotic plan adopted by the
King, Minift y and Parliament of Great-Britain, in
sidiously pursued for these twelve years past to enslave Ame
rica ; when we confider that they have turned a deaf ear to
the repeated petitions and remonstrances of this and our filler
colonies, and that they have been equally inattentive to the
rights of freemen and the British constitution ; and when we
confider that they have for some time been endeavoring to en
force their arbitrary mandates by fire and sword, and like
wise encouraging, by every means in their power, our savage
neighbours, and our more savage domestics, to spill the blood
of our wives and children; and, to crown the whole, they
have added insult to their injustice and cruelty, by repeatedly
pretending to hold out the olive branch of peace in such a way
as teacheth us that they are determined to persist in their
hellish designs, and that nothing is intended for us but the
most abject Slavery. Of this we can no longer doubt, since we
have been made acquainted with a late letter from the Secre
tary of State to Governor Eden, and the late act of Parlia
ment for seizing and confifcating all our Ships and property
that may fall into their hands.
Therefore, despairing of any redress of our grievances
from the King and Parliament of Great-Britain, and all
hopes of a reconciliation between her and the United Colo
nies being now at an end, and being conicious that their
treatment has been such as loyal fubjedts did not deserve, and
to which, as freemen, we are determined not to Submit, by
the unanimous approbation and direction of the whole free
holders, and all the other inhabitants of this county, we ad
vifeand inftrud you cheerfully to concur and give your best
assistance in our Convention to push to the utmost a wafl-fen
five and defenfive, until you are certified that such proposals
of peace are made to our GENERAL CONGRESS as Shall by
them be judged just and friendly. And because the advanta
ges of a trade will better enable us to pay the taxes, and pro
cure the necessaries for carrying on a war, and in our present
circumstances this cannot be had without a declaration of in
dependance, therefore if no such proposals of peace Shall be
made, we judge it to be a dilate of the firft law of nature to
continue to oppose every attempt on our lives and properties ;
and we give it you in charge, to use your best endeavors that
the Delegates which are lent to the General Congress be in
ftruded immediately to caft-cff the British yoke, and to enter
int^a commercial alliance with any nation, or nations, friendly
to our cause. And as King George 111. of Great-Britain, &c.
&$ manifefted deliberate enmity towards us ; and, under the
Vol. ILJ
Price only Pico Coffers. Published every Puej'day, Pburfday, and Saturday Evenings.
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1^76.
253
character of a parent, persists in behaving as a tyrant, that
they, in our behalf, renounce allegiance to him for ever ;
and that, taking the GOD of HEAVEN to be our King, and
depending upon his protection and assistance, they plan out
that form of government which may the most effectually Secure
to us the enjoyment of our civil and religious rights and pri
vileges, to the latest posterity.(
In all other things, gentlemen, that may come before' you
in Convention, we rely upon your known fidelity and zeal;
resolving and giving you our faith, that we will, at the risk
of our lives and fortunes, to the utmost of our abilities, fupporc
and defend you, our country, and our sister colonies, in the
glorious cause in which we are now engaged.
Ordered, That the above resolves be published in the Vir
ginia Gazette. -By order,
WILLIAM JAMESON, Clerk.
Last Monday forty-five members of the House of Burgesses
met at the Capitol, pursuant to their last adjournment ; but
it being their opinion, that the people could not now be le
gally represented according to the ancient constitution, which
has been subverted by the King, Lords, and Commons of
Great-Britain, and consequently dissolved, they unanimously
diflblved themselves accordingly.
The fame day the General Convention of Delgates from
the counties and corporations in this colony met at the Capi
tol, when the Hon. Edmund Pendleton, Esq; being elected
Prhfident, addressed himfelf to the Convention in the follow
ing manner:
" Gentlemen,
'" Be pleased to accept my sincere thanks for the honor
done me in your election to this high and important office,
which I esteem the more, as it affords a public testimony that
my former endeavors for the proper discharge of that trufthave
not been unacceptable to my country. 1 beg leave to assure
you of my unremitted attention to the arduous duties of my
appointment, which I will endeavor to execute with the ut
most impartiality ; and, confeious of my want of abilities, I
shall rely with confidence on your candor to make the most
favorable interpretation of all my actions.
" We are now met in General Convention according to
the ordinance for our election, at a time truly critical, when
fubjetls of the moll important and interesting nature require
our serious attention.
“ The administration ofjuftice, and almost all the powers
of government, have now been suspended for near two years.
It will become us to reflect whether we can longer sustain .the
great Struggle we are making in this situation ; and the case
of criminals confined and not tried, and others who may
be apprehended pursuant to our laws, deserves particular
notice.
“ Our military and naval arrangements, as well as the
funds supporting them, will call for our revision ; and the
ordinance prescribing a mode of punishment for the enemies
of America in this colony being very defective, will require
amendment.
" There are some articles more immediately nec; ? '
our people, particularly fait, "which it may be wile .-
[Num. 208.