The Pennsylvania evening post — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-01-09 00:00:00, page 2

motion on a ground not quite so Scriptural; he said, "it
wcuid be making rail aie chains of tyranny," Mr. Rutfun
echoed the denunciation of a PRO TEST.
'1 he letter however was read, and the motion, " that it be
addrefled to the Freeholders of Great-Britain," palled by an
immenle majority. The letter is verbatim as follows :
A LETTER from the FREEHOLDERS of MIDDLESEX,
to the FREEHOLDERS ot GREAI-3RILAIN.
“ The perilous Situation of public affairs, and the cala
mities which threaten the whole empire are the reasons, and
We hope will be a fufficient apology for addrefiing you.
" 'lhe vote of the late Houle of Commons, by which a
representative was forced upon us, to the immediate violation
of our rights, and the eventual injury of those of all the elec
tors in the kingdom, remains yet on record. It remains as
a precedent against the most sacred and fundamental franchife
of the people, to authorife the fame violence by ministers as
ARBITRARY, and representatives as CORRUPT.
" We trust. Gentlemen, that you will not cease to co-ope
rate with us, till that dangerous and Shameful record be con
demned and done away, in the moll Solemn and effectual
manner.
" The present state of America is such as ought to give the
deepest alarm and concern to every man, who regards the rights
of human nature, the liberties of Englishmen, and the happi
ness and fafetyof the whole empire. The arbitrary and inhuman
conduct of the present Adminifiration has driven our most af
fectionate American fellow fubjedls into despair and refinance.
Seven years Supplication for a redress of their grievances has
been answered by AN ARMY to enforce them. Their peti
tion lad year to the King implored peace, liberty, and Safety.
In return they received a&s of the most inhuman reftrainfs ;
and open hostilities, in the deiblation of their country, and
the conflagration of their towns. They have again besought
his Majehy, in a late humble petition, “ to flop the farther
eftufion of blood ; and to direct some mode by which he would
be plcafed to receive the united proofs of their devotion, as
molt dutiful fubjeds, and molt affectionate colonies." They
declare their most ardent desire that the former harmony be
tween them and the parent state may be established upon the
molt lading foundation. They expressly declare, they do not
" requrft inch a reconciliation as may be in any manner in
confident with the DIGNITY or WELFARE of this coun
try." We cannot conceive what can be offered fairer or ful
ler on their part.
" But the ministry, it seems, have advised his Majesty to give
this petition no aniwer; and thereby to deprive the petitioners
of every hope of redress and reconciliation. They are farther
making the most open and extensive preparations for war.
Even Roman Catholics are allured and excited to take up
arms againff our Protestant fellow subjects. Thus we fee these
most pernicious measures prosecuted by the worst aad most
dangerous means.
“ The immediate injury of such a war to our commerce,
and manufactures, the consequence of that to the produce of
the land, the additional taxes necessary for such dillant and
expensive operations, must fink this unhappy country, already
overburthened with the enormity of her debt, into unavoida
ble ruin. Upon the LAND must the whole expence ulti
mately fall. Upon the LANDHOLDERS then it is offi
cially incumbent to use their utomit influence in flopping the
course of this unnatural and fatal war.
“ The Americans have repeatedly appealed to the justice and
humanity of their fellow fubje&s in G.ear-Britain. We hope
such an appeal will never be made in v tin. We lament the
fate of thole brave Britain Soldiers, who have been Sacrificed
14
in so inglorious and hateful a contest, We are nerfuaded our
follow Au b, c^rn America are c. n.euuiug in the cause of li
berty, aim are ciueiy oppressed. We will never willing y
aid in urging the oppreEon or trampling upon the rights f
any part or the dominions. We cannot fee any problem
con Sequence from the prosecution of this ministerial war but
mhery, Shame, and ruin to the whole empire.
" Upon these principles we have milrutted our reprefenta
tivcsia Parliament. Upon these principles, gentlemen, we wist
for your co-operation in establishing Liberty, peace, and har
mony, through all his Majeity's dominions."
T ne following Resolutions weie then passed, and carried
with loud plaudits of approbation.
" That the thanks of the freeholders assembled be given to
the Right Hon. the EARL of EFFINGHAM, the Soldier aid
citizen, tor having refuted to draw his sword agairitt the ma
jesty of the people, and the rights of his fellow Subjects, in
acting up to the principles which he profeffed."
" that the thanks of this meeting be given to the Sheriffs,
for their reading's in calling the meeting."
The meeting was then adjourned. .
It appeared by actual computation, that there were at one
time present one thousand and sixty-sour freeholders.
Oft ber ^B. Yesterday about noon his Majesty went
from the Queen's palace to St. James's, attended only by
two footmen behind his coach. About ten minutes btf>ic
two his Majelty got into the state coach, attended by
the Duke ot Ancafter and Lord Bruce, and proceeded to
the House of Peers, where, being Rated on the throne, and a
melfage having been lent to the Com'mons requiring their.nt
tendance, his Majesty opened the present feflion of Taflla
ment with the following Speech :
" My Lords and Gentlemen,
" The prelent situation of America, and my constant de
sire to have your advice, concurrence, and affiffance on every
important occasion, have determined me to call you thus
early together.
" Those who have long too fuccefsfully laboured to inflame
my people in America by gross misrepresentations, and to in
fule into their minds a System of opinions repugnant to the
true constitution of the colonies, and to their Subordinate re
lation to Great-Britain, now openly avow their revolt, hosti
lity, and rebellion. They have railed troops, and are col
lecting a naval force; they have seized the public revenue,
and affirmed to themselves legislative, executive, and judi-'
cial powers, which they already exercise in the most arbitrary
manner, over the persons arid properties of their fellow fub
jeds. And although many of these unhappy people may still
retain their loyalty, and may be too wife not to fee the fatal
consequence of this usurpation, and wish to refill it, yet the
torrent of violence has been Strong enough to compel their
acquiescence till a fufficient force ffiall appear to Support them.
" The authors and prompters of this desperate conspiracy
have, in the conduct of it, derived great advantage from the
difference of our intentions and theirs. They meant only to
amuse by vague expressions of ' attachment to the parent state,
and the strongest protestations of loyalty to me, whilst they
were preparing for a general revolt. On our part, though it
was declared in your Tall session that a rebellion existed within
the province oftheMuffachufetts-Bay, yet even that province we
wished rather to reclaim than to subdue. The resolutions of
Parliament breathed a Spirit of moderation and forbearance;
conciliatory propositions accompanied the measures taken to
enforce authority ; and the coercive ads were adapted to cases
of criminal combinations amongst Subjects not then in arms, I
have acted with the Same temper; anxious to prevent, if it had