The New York packet, and the American advertiser — New York [N.Y.], 1776-03-28 00:00:00, page 1

To the People of NORTH-A MERICA
On the different Kinds of Government.
g^^*/s^<§ BEG leave to lay before
t^^'* 0300 & you such obje&s, as, if pro
% I ^^^ Iperly attended to, will enable
ft ' I you to secure that to your
l ^eceo^ I y offspring, for which you at
'^^fo^l' present contend, and put it
*'^^ ^ %!^'*' out of the power of any set
of men, however cunning and ambitious, to
rife into power and importance at your expence.
The fubje& which I propose to diicufs, howe
ver ill qualified, is of very great consequence to
America; it being impossible to make the belt
of our present advantages, vnieis old prejudices
are effectually r moved.
I wifli it to be examined with care, and re
viewed with impartiality ; as truth is my ob^
jed, and the happiness of mankind, without re
gard to sea, party, province, or diftri&, the end
of my labour.
Purp monarchy is that form of government
which is framed for the exaltation of the Prince
alone, and his interest and grandeur are of pri
mary consideration ; the people arc onlyot con
fequenee so far as their welfare is involved in
his. The grand monarch is the only being
known to the constitution, who, like the Divi
nity, pardon the comparison, derives every pow
er from himfelf, from whom the other members
of the community derive every privilege th. y
poflefs, and on whole will they depend tortheir
continuance. Aristocracy divides all the priw
k^-o£ die state, among th^grandees of the na
tion, and constituting them the Tor^egntators
and executors, lodges all power in their hands.
Oligarchy di^ributes the powers of government
into a few hands, who re generally the lead
ers es so many factions which exist in the state.
In all these forms the p ople are but of finall, if
of any consideration, 'And the farther they di
verge from pure monarchy, the more intolerable
they become. Popular government, fometrne^
termed democracy, republic or commonwealth,
is that plan of civil foeiety, wherein the com
munity at large,takes the care of its own wel
fare, and manages its Concerns by representa
tives, elected by the people out of their own bo
dy.
Seeing the happiness of the people is the true
end of government, and it appears by the defi
nition, that the popular form is th: only one
which has this for its objedf^ it may be worth
enquiring into the causes which have prevent
ed its success in the world. In this enquiry it
would ill become us to tit down contended with
the accounts given by royal Embaffadors, or
men of ambition who can never arrive to the
height they aspire to in a republic. With such
men, it is impoffi'de, for a common-wealth to
confer happiness on its members. Were they
honestly to investigate the Subject, perhaps they
would alter their opinions. The necellity of
mutual defence ti ft gave rife to social connexi
ons, which were consequently of the military
kind. Thus very great distinctions between
the members of the fame community, were in
corporated into the very constitution of the Rate,
and formed an infu?erable obstacle to a perfect:
republic. Every nation which has hitherto at
tempted to set up a republic, entered on the
measure too late. Th y were the convulsed
remains of some government erected upon mili
tary principles, and finding it hard to content
those with the simple rights of freemen, who
were once poffefled of all power, they too easily
gave way to claims of a Superior nature, where
by they admitted an interest separate and diftin&
from, and incontinent with the general welfare
of the people: This interest for ever clashing
with that of the community, produced continu
al confufions, until the people wearied out with
the Struggle, gave up to the ariftocratical party,
or blindly following some popular leader, in
confidence of his attachment to their,inr est,
gave all power into his hands, which generally
ended in tyranny.
The inexperience of mankind was another
cause of the decay of popular governments :
being unacquainted with legislative representa
tion, eftabliflied on the principles of a free, un
influenced, and general election, they met in
Lrge, and consequently tumultuous ahembhes ;
AWheaten Loaf of the finest FLOUR, to
weigh i ib. If 1-2 oz. for 4 Coppers.
Publifcd March :8, 1776.
ASSIZE of BREAD. Flour at 175% per Ct.
V 0 L. I. ."NUMB
rax,WilliW4B V II <l^
A ND THE
A M E R I C A NA DVERTISEf.
THURSDAY, M^l^i^Jli^
Printed by SAMUEL LOUDON, in Water-Street, between the Coffee-House and the Old Slip.
Thursday, 29 Min. after 4I
Friday, 14 Min. after rs
Saturday, 1 Min after 6
Sunday, 44 Min. after 6/
I this gave ambitious and defigningmen, to whom
such a form of government is always unfavour
able, great opportunities of breeding disturb
ance, and,creating factions, which generally ter
minated in its ditiblution. Besides this manner
of conducting public affairs, not suiting exten
sive dominion, the privileges of the society were
continually confined to the precin&s of the ca
pital, and as soon as their territories extended
beyond these bounds, llavery took places which
inducing the meceffity of Handing armies, laid a
foundation for overturning itfeif. The feuds
and ahimofities attendant on this mode of ma
naging public affairs, gave great opportunities
to those whole ambitious deligns were incom
patible with the good of the focietv, to bring it
into dislike and contempt. Far from trying to
remedy any defers in the system, or to put an
end to factions and disturbances, they used their
utmost abilities and cunning, to heighten the
old or excite new, until the minds of the peo
ple were so torn to pieces and worn out by feuds
and confufions, that they were ready to fubmic
to any thing, which could relieve them from
their unhappy situation ; then artfully changing
the troubles themselves had occasioned, to the
fault of the constitution, they ealily obtained
such a change in its form as was more favour
able to their designs.
Political writers either miflakirg the true
causes of the uneafinefles which are found in an
cient popular governments, or willing to make
court to princes, have greatly contributed to
bring the republican forms of government into'
dilcredit: This has been carried to such a
length With many, that rhe mentionihgadvraa>
cracy constantly excites in them the idea of a
narchy; and few, except such as have emancipat
ed themselves from the shackles of political bi
gotry and prejudice, can talk of it with patience
and hearken to any thing ottered in its defence.
One or all of the foregoing causes have, atone
time or other, contributed to the deftruftion of
republics; but of ali others the firft has done
most. W here two or more separate interests
exist in a government, there contention will re
main until one becomes mailer. A nation must
corwiß of all kings, all nobles, or all simple free
men to prevent such confufions and preserve its
privileges. Every attentive reader of history
must perceive this. The history of the Roman
common-wealth, abating for its foreign wars, is
little else bur a relation of feuds, faaions, and
animosities, occasioned by the exigence of a rank
of nobles, whole interest was unconnected with
the pl. beians ; they formed Ichemes and adopt
ed plans to balance the powers and reconcile the
interests of these two ranks ; but all to no pur
pose; tyranny at last deHroyed them both. The
irreconcilea 4enefs or these two interests did
more to prevent the formation of a republic in
Great-Britaim, than all the ambition ofa Crom
well ; and if I mistake not, Ludlow in his me
moirs charges its failure to this cause alone.
Whe e no king is, that body must enjoy his
power, or be annihilated: they must and will
hang together. To a man of reflection this will
readily appear, and fully expluii the reasons
why a parliament that dethroned a king, voted
a house of Lords useless. They will be an ever
lading plague to the society which has not a
king, tor they will always be aiming at kingly
authority; and where there is a kingtheir dignity
and consequence will flow from him, and they
will be bis tools, if he makes no attack on their
peculiar privileges.
Two or more diflin& interests can never ex
ist in society, without finally destroying the li
berties 6f the people. The bed plans will fail
in accomplishing this until mankind Shall have
learned to do to others as they would be done
unto. The whole wisdom of the British nation,
at a time when its virtue and wisdom was at the
highest,, exerted its utmost efforts to form a per
fect plan of political freedom, and to preserve
and secure the rights of the three distinct claries
of King, Lords and Commons, and it was
thought they had effected it; bur latter expe
rience has proved the contrary. The crown of
Great-Britaia is now as absolute in legislature
as the crown ot France, and were it not for the
habeas corpus aft, and trial by jury, the conse
quences ot offending it would lie full as fatal.
Kings and nobles are artificial beings, for
HIGH WATER at N EW-YORK.
I Monday, 2$ Min. after 7
ITuefday, 6 Min. after 8
Wednesday, 48 Min, after 8
Full Moon 3d April.
Mankind never fuffered so much du ing the
exigence of a republic, as they have fuffered in
the Short reigns of many kings. A Harry VIII.
did more mifehief to his fubjefts than any re
public ever did to its members, notwithstanding
that they were so ill constituted. But the true
principles of republicanism are at present so
well underwood, and the mede of conducting
such a government so simple and eafy,and Ame
rica so fit for its reception, that a tiozen of wife
hettchrnd honest hearts might in one day form
a g'a for the United Colonies, which would as
mu& excel any one now exiting, as the British
confutation does th.it of Caffreria.
When I furiously chrifider this, and take a
survey of the date of civil government through
out the World, the modes whereby they acquir
ed their present forms, and the causes wnich
gave rife to them, I cannot help cherishing a
secret hope that God has destined America to
form the last and best plan that can poflibly ex
ist, and that he will gradually carry those who
have long been under the galling yoke of tyran
ny in every other quarter of the globe, into the
bosom of perfect liberty and freedom in America,
Were the great men, of the present day, and ail
those who choose to interfere in public affairs,
only to set before them the godlike pleasure ot
conferring the mod lasting and complete Hate
of happiness human nature is capable of, in a
state ofcivil fociety,on millions yet unborn, and
the eternal reward which must attend the doing
so much good, I cannot help thinking but con
trasted views, partial interest, and party factions
would fink under, and yield to considerations
of so greatly superior a nature.
Few opportunities have ever been offered to
mankind of framing an entire constitution of go
vernment, upon equitable principles. All mo
dern authors on this fubjeft agree, that mankind
are entitled to freedom by birth, and that they
are independent of, and on a level with each 0-
ther, when they enter into society. This be
ing the case, it is evident that where great dif
tin&ions exist in a community before its con
stitution is formed, its members do not enter on
equally advantageous terms, and it will be dif
ficult if not impossible to frame an equitable
plan. Rome had her Patres, and Patres Con
feripti, before she attempted it, and the conse
quence was an eternal flashing of interests which
kept their constitution so fluctuating, that they
never could be said to have any thing perma
nent, but their hatred to kings, and this was
the only (table principle which preserved the
common-wealth as long as it lasted.
Whenever any rank in society is invefled with
more than an equal Share of the privileges and
powers of that society, it must be at theexpence
of the other ranks. Men, naturally on a level,
ought to remain so by the constitution of the
society, it they will secure the libertv and wel
fare ot the community, and every civil and ne
cessary diftinftion, as that of legislator and ma
gistrate, and the other civil officers Should be so
fettled as neverto remain long in on^ family,
otherwise it will end in the enslaving of that
people. All natural distinctions, such as weak
and Strong, wife and tooliih, and every acci
dental er adventitious one ; such as learned
whole emolument civil society was never intend
ed, and notwithstanding they have had the good
fortune to cfcape general censure from rhe world,
yet I will boldly affirm that nine tenths of all
the public calamities which ever befel mankind
were brought on by th^ir means. The protest
whichthe Almighty entered against kings,when
the Jews demanded one; Hews in what eftima
tion they are held by the divinity. Point me.
out the king that does not verify the defcript ; on
and I will begin to, fiiip & the divinity of the
sible. Wicked kings and governors m ike^up
the history or the Old Tedume T, and the chief
pact of the labour of the prophets was to keep
them within bounds. It is thought to be vainly
in favour of kings that we are commanded to
pray for tljfem; but if the nature or design of
prayer were attended to, it would certainly make
against them. If the wickedest of men Hand
most in need of prayers; it is mo wonder that
so many clergymen are continually Sending up
petitions tor kings; 1~-ut it is certainly much
against them that all thele prayers do them so
little good.
I Wheat per Bulhel, ss. gd.l
IFlour, - - -16 s. od.
IBrown Bread, -14 s. od%
^Welt-India Rum, 6s. od.l
[New-England so. 4s. odq
PRICE-CURRENT, in AEW - YORK.
Mufeovado Sugar, 60s. o-d.
Single refin'd do. is. 3 1.
Molafles, - - - 3s. bh
Beet, per Barrel, 60s. od.
Pork, - - - 6;s. od.
In PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
New-roi*, Marib 16, 1776.
WIT REAS the Ministry of Gre t-Bri
tain, are not ctly depriving us of the
means of defence, but have arbitr^'ilv ordered
their Ships of war, in a piratical manner to ruiiL
our commerce, and deprive us of Some of the
necefla ^s or life, which renders it the incum
bent duty of the Representatives or the people
of this colony, to provide for the comfortable
fubhhence of their constituents.
Refotved, That this Congress will lend to any
person, for the term of two years, from the date
hereof, a sum not exceedingtwo hundred pounds,
for the purpose of erecting works, without de
lay, for the making of SAL T, out of tea-wa
ter, in this colony, upon his giving to Peter'
Van B ugh Living fton, Eq; as Treafmer of
this Congress, or to the Treasurer ofthe.Congrefs
tor the time being, good and ludicienc Security
tor the payment 0! the fame; aud in default of
ere&iug such woks, to' be heyft to the re-pay,
ment of the principal, and.of Seven per cent,
interest, on the sum lo borrowed, and rhe fur
ther penalty of L. 30.
RefolveJ; That any perfen who Shall, on or
before the firft of December next, make the
greatest quantity of good merchantable Salt, in
this colony, not less than twelve hundred bush
els, Shall be entitled to one hundred pounds pre
mium.
Refolded, That any person who Shall, on or
before the said tirft day of December, make th:
second greatest quantity of fait, of the quality
aforefaid, in this colony, not less than nine hun
dred bushels, Shall be entitled to feventy-five
pounds premium.
Refolded, That any person, who Shall, on or
before the said firft of December, make the third
greatest quantity offalt, of the quality aforefrid,
in this colony, not less than fix hundred buShels,
Shall be entitled to fifty pounds premium. Pro
vided, that any person who Shall claim any of the
above premiums, for having manufactured fair
as aforefaid, Shall produce a certificate thereof,
Signed by thre of the principal freeholders of
the neighbourhood where the said works Shall
be erected, and an affidavit of the perfen who
Shall have made, and of some other person who
Shall have measured the said salt, in order to en
title him to any of the premiums above-menti
oned.
Refold, That the Committee ofSafety be,
and they are hereby directed, to collect diflermri
ons upon the making of Salt,without delay, and
that they cause five hundred of the said dilleit -
tions to be printed, in order that the inhabitants
of this colony be informed of the process used
in the making of frit. And that thw said Commit
tee be also directed to publish, with the utmost
dispatch, two hundred copies of theferefolutions,
and the other resolutions of this Congress, for
encouraging theereCting of POWDER MILLS
within this colony.
Extract from toe Minutes.
ROBERT BENSON, Secry.
or unlearned, rich and poor; may fat . cxift
in th: community, without interrupting its
peace and felicity ; but every family distincti
on which a society creates, will finally prove
deftrucEve to that focietv. Princes of tire
blood, princes of the empire, and Peers of
the r ealm, ever have been, are now, and ever
will be, rhe convenient and neceflary tools df
royal tyrants, Scattered up and down the corir
munitr, for t,he more r<,dy accomplishing bis
will who created them. All political dbfinrh^
ons ought to be the gift ot the free peop'lc : at
large, and continually to revert to them at the
end of the political year, to be renewed or
otherwise, as they Shall think proper.
Almost every civil constitution now cxifting
in the world is partly the Spurious oh-pring
of 10'me former very defective one. Perhaps
America is the only country in rhe worid,
wholly free from all political impedimcirs at rile
very time they are under the nec<ffty of fram
ing a civil constitution. H ring no rank above
that of treemen, She has but one in ^ek to
consult, and that int refy briefed be God hr
it, is the true and only interest of mt nas mem-,
bers of society. SaLUS POPULL
Fine Srt, - - - None.
Course Salt, \ - - 3 # . yd
Indian Corn, per Buffi. 3; od.