The Pennsylvania evening post — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-03-26 00:00:00, page 6

For the PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST.
THERE is a conduct observed by some of the present
political writers which I can no more account for than
for the spots in the fun, fay they beware of the Commissioners,
seize the Commissioners, don't treat with the Commissioners,
you are undone if you once admit them into your councils
—there is no time to be loft—this winter is worth an age—let
not a moment more escape you.—ln the name of all that's
just or prudent or politic what would these men be at—We
are not to lose any time, fay they—l grant it.—We ought not
to lose any time—we don't lose any time—surely, gentlemen ~
you don't conceive there is fomethjng magic in the word In
dependance, and that the moment. Great-Britain hears the
found, her heart will fink into the bottom of the ocean, and
all her forces be blown up into the air—that all Europe will
run mad with joy upon the occasion, and toss about their assist
ance as madmen toss about their, straws —J beg, gentlemen,,
you will becool, and not precipitate matters into a. Rate from
whence you can't recal them—l contend that it is the soundest
policy, as well as the honestest, to hear what the Commis
sioners have got to fay—We have no reasons to fear the evils
of protractions—We alone can be the gainers by that measure
—ls England has any advantage over us, it is because we are
not quite so ready to defend as she is to attack, then treat with
her fays common policy, not Common Sense. If they appear
to cfe art in the. negotiation,, let us use it too, let us spin out.
the treaty as long as we can, for a suspension ofhoftilities will
doubtless take place whilst the Commissioners are on this bu
siness—in the mean time—our fpldiers are training—our ar
tificers are providing arms —our merchants are importing
ammunition, and our manufactures are increasing—in short
svery day of the treaty will add strength to America.
Why then are these men so mad for the important NOW
—do they mean to frighten England with a phantom, or to
wait till they can oppose the substance. Where is the General
who would rifque an engagement, the event of which was un
certain, when recruits were daily.flocking to his army—would
he not rather march and counter march—wheel and retreat,
and play off a thousand manoeuvres till his complement was.
finished;—But no, fay these politicians—delays are dangerous
—these. all-dreadful Commissioners will bring with them more;
dreadful guineas ; and, alas for America, her rulers will fall
prostrate before them, and fell their country for a bribe.—.
You are really daring writers thus to insult those men whom rf
we have honored with the trust of all we hold sacred and .
dear—What, think you there is no virtue in America but
whu gold can purchase ?—I spurn at the baseness of the
thought!— When Independance becomes necessary, when a
reunion with Great-Britain cannot take place with advantage
to America, then will 1 hold up my hand most earnestly for
Independance—Let us hear her proposals, and treat them as
they dtfovfc
T, ## L..
exceptions therefrom as stall seem fit and reasonable, by pro
clamation in his Majesty's name, to declare any colony or
province, colonies or provinces, or any county, town, port,
diftrid, or place, in any colony or province, to be at the
peace of hit Majesty ; and from and after the issuing of any
fiich proclamation in any of the aforefaid colonies or pro
vinces, or if his Majesty (hall be gracioully pleased to figni
fy the fame by his royal proclamation, then, from and after
the issuing of such proclamation, this aft, with relpeft to
such colony or province, colonies or provinces, county,
town, port, or place, Ihall cease, determine, and be utterly
void."
156
THERE has been much speculation concerning the
powers of Commissioners,. who are said to have been
appointed to treat with the Colonies. It is thought to be
easily determined what their powers are, if we look into the
King's speech and the late aft of Parliament, which, at one
stroke, has put Thirteen Colonies out of his protection, and
consequently laid prostrate all government and authority .in.
those Colonies under him.
That clause in the aft of Parliament passed on the nine
teenth of December last, which afeertains the powers of the
Commissioners, is in these words..
" Provided, that in order, to encourage al! well affeded
" persons, in any of the said Colonies to exert themselves in
" suppressing the rebellion therein,, and to afford a speedy
" protection to those who are disposed to return to their
" duty, it shall and may be lawful to and.for any person or
" persons appointed and authorifed by his Majesty, to grant
" a pardon or pardons to any number or description of per
" sons, with such exceptions therefrom as shall seem fit and
" reasonable, by proclamation in his Majefly's name, .to de
" clare any Colony or province, Colonies or provinces or any
" county, town, port, diftrid or place, in any Colony or
"province to be at the peace of his Majesty ; and from and
" after the issuing of any such proclamation, in any of the
" aforefaid Colonies or provinces, or if his Majesty shall be
" gracioully pleased to fignify the fame by.his royal proclama
" tion, then,.from and after the issuing of such proclamation,
“ this aft, with refpedt to such Colony, or province, Colo
" nies or provinces, county, town, port, diftrift or place,,
" shall cease,. determine, and be utterly void ; and if any
" captures shall be made after the date and issuing of such.
" proclamations, of any ships or vessels and their cargoes,,
" belonging to the inhabitants of any such Colony or pro
" vince, Colonies or provinces, county, town, port, diftri&
" or place, or of any ships trading to or from such Colony
" or province^ Colonies or provinces refpedively, the fame
" shall be restored to the owners of such ships or vessels,,
" upon claim being entered and due proof made of their.
“ property therein, and the captors shall not be liable to any.
" actions for fcizing or detaining the said ships or veffels,^or
" their cargoes, without proof being made that they had :
" actual notice of such proclamation having been issued."
Thus we fee the whole power of these boasted Commiffi^
oners is to tempt towns,, counties and Colonies, into a defec
tion from, the American union, by the bribes of trade and,
pardon. Lead us not into temptation!
But mark well, ye towns, counties, ports, .diftrifts, places,,
and Colonies !—FIREand SWORD is the portion of the.
firft of ye, which takes the bribe.
Brethren, Countrymen, and Fellow Freemen,
REMEMBER the words of your illustrious and difin ?
terefted advocate, that great citizen of the world, the
Bishop of St. Afaph.
" The endeavors to separate the ihtereft of th^Colonies
from that of Great-Britain ihould be received with the indig
nation that is due to the artifices of factious men, who wish
to grow eminent by the misfortunes of their country. —Even
in that future Rate of independancy, which feme, among them ig
norantly wish for, but which for their true interest can never be
too long delayed ; the old and prudent will often look back on
their present happiness with regret, and confider the peace
and security, the Rate of visible improvement, and brotherly
equality, which they^njoyed under their mother country,^
the true golden age of America,"
PEOPLE OF AMERICA,