The Pennsylvania evening post — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-05-21 00:00:00, page 2

PHILADELPHIA, May 20.
AT a meeting, at the Statehouse, of a very large number
of the inhabitants of the city and liberties of Philadel
phia, upon due notification, Major John Bayard, as Chair
man of the Committee of Inspection and Observation of this
city and liberties, &c. informed the people that the meeting
was called at the request of a considerable number of respec
table citizens, whereupon Col. Daniel Roberdeau was ap
pointed to, and seated in the chair—And it was moved, That
the Resolve of Congress. of the 15th instant be read—
Whereupon it was read in the following words:
In CO NGRES S, May 15, 1776.
" Whereas his Britannic Majesty, in conjunction with.the
Lords and Commons of Great-Britain, has, by a late Ad of
Parliament, excluded the inhabitants of these United Colo
nies from the protection of his crown—And whereas no an
fiver whatever to the humble petitions of the Colonies for re
dress of grievances and reconciliation with Great. Britain,
has been, or is likely to be given, but the whole force of that
kingdom, aided by foreign mercenaries, is to be exerted for
the deftruftion of the good people of these Colonies—And
whereas it appears absolutely irreconcjleable to reason and
good confeience, for the people of these Colonies NOW
to take the oaths and affirmations neceflary for the support of
any government under the crown of Great-Britain ; and it is
necessary that theexercife of any kind of authority under the.
said crown should be totally suppressed, and al! the powers of
government exerted under the authority of the people of the
Colonies for the preservation of internal peace, virtue, and
good order, as well as for the defence of their lives, liberties
and properties, against the heftile invasions and cruel depre
dations of their enemies—. Therefore
" Resolved, That it be recommended to the respective Af
fembkes, and Conventions, of the United Colonies, where no
government fuffiti^ to the exigencies of their affairs has
courage the production and manufacture of, either by increased
bounties, or erecting public works, as shall be judged most
effectual to that end.
" Several resolutions of Congress, and letters from our
Delegates on these and other fubjeds, I am directed by the
Committee of Safety to lay before you, together with several
petitions they have received, on which it is not in their
powers to determine.
" In the discussion of these and all other fubjeds which
may come under our consideration, permit me to recommend
calmness, unanimity and diligence, as the most likely means
of bringing them to a happy and prosperous issue."
There is advice from North-Carolina, that eight or ten
transports have arrived at Cape Fear from Ireland, being
part of a fleet which failed from that kingdom with four thou
sand troops on board. The rest were looked for daily.
Col. John Willoughby, of Norfolk county, with his son,
and between sixty and seventy Negroes, have gone on board
Lord Dunmore's.fleet. This old.gentleman, some few months
ago, acted as Lieutenant of his county under a commission
from Lord Dunmore ; but pleaded in his justification, that he
had been compelled to receive it, and to take the oath pre
scribed by h's Lordship, but some witnesses appearing in the
old man's favor, the last Convention were pleased to restore
him to the former good opinion ofhis countrymen ; and now,
in requital for such kindness, has voluntarily, and without any
compulsion, gone over to our enemies, thereby marking him
felf a vile opoftate, and black traitor.
His Majesty's sloop Nautilus, of eighteen guns, is arrived
in Hampton road.
254
been , hitherto eftabliffied, to adopt such government as fhall,\
in th^ opinion of the Representatives of the people, best con
duce to the happiness and fafety of their conitituents in partis
cular, and America in general.'
By order of Congress,
JOHN HANCOCK, President.”
The people, in teflimony of their warmest approbation,
gave three cheers.
Moved, That the inftrudions given by the House of As
sembly to their Delegates in Congress be read —And the fame
were read accordingly as follow:
“ Gentlemen, The trust reposed in you is of such a na
ture, and the modes,,of executing it may be so diverfified in
the course of your deliberations, that it is scarcely possible to
give you particular inftru&ions refpe&ing it.
“ We therefore, in general, direct that you, or any four
of you, meet in Congress the Delegates of the, several colo
nies now assembled in this city, and any such Delegates as
may meetat Congress nextyear ; that you consult together on
the present critical and alarming state of public affairs ; that
you exert your utmost endeavors to agree.upon, and recom
mend, such m'eafures as you shall judge to afford the best
profpeft of obtaining redress of American grievances, and re
storing that union and harmony between Great-Britain and
the Colonies so essential to the welfare and happiness of both
countries.
" Though the oppressive measures of the Britilh Parlia
ment and Administration have compelled us to Tefift their
violence by force of arms, yet we ftridly enjoin you, that you,
in behalf of this colony, dissent from, and utterly rejed, any
proportions, Should such be made, that may cause, or lead to,
a Separation from our mother country, or a change of the form
of this government.
" You are directed to make report of your proceedings to
this House. Signed by order of the House.
Nov. 9, 1775. JOHN MORTON, Speaker."
Col. Thoraas M'Kean informed that the Committee of the
city and liberties, apprehending the dangerous tendency of the.
said inftrudions, had presented a memorial to the Honorable
House of Assembly, praying that they might be refeinded,
and that the House, taking the said memorial into their con
sideration, did, as the last ad of that body in their lad ses
sions, determine not to alter the said infractions —Upon
motion resolved unanimouflyy That it is the opinion of this
meeting that the said inftruftions have a dangerous tendency
to withdraw this province from that bappy union with the other
colonies, whichwe confider both as our glory and protection.
On motion resolved udanimoufly. That the present House
of Assembly was not elected for the purpofc of forming a new
government.
On nation resolved (with one diflenting voice only) That,
the prelent House of Assembly, not having the authority of
the people for that purpose, cannot proceed thereon without,
assuming arbitrary poivet.
Resolved unanimously, That a protest be immediately en
tered, by the people of this city and liberties, againd the
powers of the said House to carry the laid Resolve cf Cen
grefs into.execution.
A protest being produced and read, the fame was unani
mously approval..
It being moved, and the queffion thereupon put, Whether
the present government is competent to the exigencies of our
affairs? The fame was carried in the negative unanimously;
Resolved unanimously, That a Provincial Convention
ought to be chosen, by tbe people, for the express purpole of
carrying the said Rtfoive of Congress into execution.