The Pennsylvania gazette — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-05-22 00:00:00, page 3

Provincial Conference, in order to determine upon the
number of which the Convention for framing a new
government ihall be composed, and the manner in which
they shall be elected.
„A Protest being produced and read, the fame was uria
nimoufly approved.
The P ROTEST of divers of the inhabitants of this
province, in behalf of themselves and others.
To the Honourable the Representatives of the pro
vince of Pennsylvania.
Gentlemen,
WE, the inhabitants of the City and Liberties of
Philadelphia, in behalf of ourselves and others,
the inhabitants of Pennsylvania, conceive it our duty to
represent unto this House as followeth:
That whereas the Hon. Continental Congress hath by
a resolve, bearing date the 15th instant, recommended
the taking up and establishing new governments through
out all the United Colonies, under the " AUTHORITY
of the PEOPLE ;" and as the chartered power of this
House is derived from our mortal enemy the King of
Great-Britain, and the members thereof were elected by
such persons only as were either in real or supposed alle
giance to the said King, to the exclusion of many worthy
inhabitants, whom the aforefaid resolve of Congress hath
now rendered electors; and as this House, in its present
Rate, is in immediate intercourse with a Governor bearing
the said King's commission, and who is his sworn repre
f^ntative, holding, and by oath obliged to hold official
correspondence with the Ministers of the said King, and
is not within the reach of any aft of ours to be absolved
therefrom —We therefore, in this solemn manner, in be
half of ourselves and others, do hereby renounce and
protest against the authority and qualification of this
House for framing a new government.
As we mean not to enter into any altercation with
this House, we shall forbear enumerating the particular
inconsistencies of its former conduct, and content our
selves with declaring that, as a body of men bound by
oaths of allegiance to our enemy, and influenced, as
many of its members are, either by connections with,
or pecuniary employments under the Proprietary of this
province, who is likewise the said King's representative,
it is to all good intents and purposes disqualified to
take into consideration the late Resolve of Congress;
and as an House is not within the description mentioned
in the said Resolve, as an “ Assembly under the autho
rity of the peop'e" only, and because likewise that we
have very alarming apprehensions that a new government,
modelled by persons so inconsistently circumstanced,
would be the means of fubjeding ourselves and our po
sterity to greater grievances than any we have hitherto
experienced.
In thus protesting against the authority of this House
for framing a new government, we mean not to obje&
against its exercising the proper powers it has hitherto
been accustomed to nfe, for the fafety and convenience
of the province, until such time as a new constitution
originating from, and founded on, “ the authority of the
people" shall be finally fettled by a Provincial Convention
to be elected for that purpose, and until the proper offi
cers and representatives of the people shall be chosen
agreeable thereto, and qualified to succeed this House—
For which purpose an application will be made to the
Committee of Infpedtion and Observation of the City
and Liberties (whose services on all occasions hath been
applied to the support of the rights of the people) for
calling a conference of Committees of the several coun
ties of this province, agreeable to the powers it is already
invested with for that purpose, which said conference of
Committees (hall issue out summonses for electing, by bal
lot, a Provincial Convention, confining of at least 100
members, for the purpose of carrying the said resolve of
Congress into execution—As we are fully convinced that
our fafety and happiness, next to the immediate provi
dence of God, depend on our complying with, and flip
porting, firmly, the said resolve of Congress. that thereby
th^ union of the colonies may be preserved inviolate.
Refolded unanimoufy, That the Chairman be directed to
lien and present the said Protest to the Hon. House of
Atrembly.
Refolded unanimously, That we will support the mea
sures now adopted at all hazards, be the consequences
what they may.
The following remonstrance to the Honourable the House of
Afembly, which was yeflerda^ agreed to at a meeting
of a reftehtable number of the inhabitants of this city
and liberties, and is now signing by them, is earneftl, re
commended to the inhabitants of the different counties of
the province, that in this, or some similar manner, they
may express their sentiments upon the protest referred to.
Mav 22, 1776.
To the Hon. the Representatives of the Freemen of
the province of Pennsylvania, in Assembly met.
The Address and Remonstrance of the Subscribers,
Inhabitants of the City and Liberties 'of Philadelphia.
WHEREAS to our great affliction we find that a
paper has been preferred to the House, filled
" The Protest of divers inhabitants of this province,"
said to be “ in behalf of themselves and others," the
purport of which is to subvert and change the constitu
tion of this government, upon sundry allegations which
we cannot conceive to be well founded ; and whereas we
thinly it an indifpenfible duty to ourselves and our poste
rity, to claim and support our birthright in the charter
and wife laws of Pennsylvania, either consented to by
ourselves, or delivered down to us by our ancestors, as
far as may be possible, without injury to the public cause
of America, during the present distressed situation of our
affairs: We do therefore remonstrate against the said
protest, for the following reasons:
rft. Because it holds up the Resolve of the Congress,
of the 15th' instant, as @n absolute injunction for the
" taking up and establishing new governments through
out all the united colonies, under the authority of the
people." Whereas the said resolve is only a conditional
-The thanks of the City and Liberties being presented
(by an unanimous vote) to Col. Rokerdeau for his imparti
ality and faithful difeharge of his trust as Chairman, he
was pleased to reply—That he acknowledged the honour
done him, and that he esteemed it more than if conferred
by a Prince.
The thanks of the City and Liberties were also pre
sented (by an unanimous vote) to their Committee of In
fpedion and Observation for their zeal, fidelity and steady
attention to the duties of their important station.—And
Col. Thomas M'Kean, as Chairman of that Committee,
accepted and politely acknowledged the fame.
The meeting was conduced with the utmost decorum
and harmony. Daniel Roberdeau, Chairman.
The protest, agreeable to the resolve, was the fame
day presented to the Speaker of the Hon. House of As
sembly.
recommendation^' to the refpe&ive A ffemblies and Con
v'n p,i& of the United Colonies, where no government
fefficient to the exigencies of their affairs has been edublffb
ed, to adopt such governments an shall, in the opinion of
the Representatives of the People, belt conduce to foe
happiness and fafety of their conflituents in particular,
and America in general." And here it is obvious to re
mark, that in this and every other Resolve of Congress,
where " Assemblies and Conventions" are referred to, it
must be intended (and the practice has been accordingly)
that wherever Afcmblies exist, and can meet as the an
cient conftitutidnal bodies in their refpedive colonies,
the public business is to be carried on by them, and by
Conventions, only in those urgent cases where arbitrary
Governors, by prorogations and dissolutions, prevent
the Representatives of the People from fitting, to deli
berate on their own affairs, or have subverted the con
stitutions, by abdicating their offices, and levying war
against these colonies. That the assembly of this pro
vince cannot be prorogued or dissolved; that they have
been exceeded by no province in their noble exertions in
the common cause of liberty ; that by the Resolve of
Congress, who have never interfered in the domestic po
lice of the colonies, the Representatives of the People
are left as the foie judges, whether their governments be
" fufficient for the exigencies of their affairs" or not;
that our courts of law are open, justice has been admi
mftered with a due attention to our circumstances, and
large sums of money issued, the credit of which might
be ffiaken, and numberleG confufions ensue, from in
novations hastily or unnecessarily made.
2d. We remonstrate against the said Protest, as setting
on foot a measure which tends to disunion, and mult
damp the zeal of multitudes of the good people of Penn
fylyania in the common cause, who, having a high vene
ration for their civil and religious rights, as secured by
our charter, never conceived, when they engaged, among
other things, for the support of the charter rights of
another colony, that they would be called upon to make
a facrifice of their own charter. Nor can we now fee
anything in our situation which requires such an unequal
facrifice, while other colonies, particularly Connecticut
and Rhode-Ifland, the authority of whose Assemblies is
the fame way derived by charter as ours, continue their
ancient forms of government by these bodies, without
Conventions.
That whatever temporary alteration in forms the ur
gency of affairs, or the authority of the people, can be
conceived to juftify or render expedient, that authority
is fully veiled in our Representatives in Assembly freely
and annually chosen.
Six parts in seven of your body are, by our inestimable
charter, veiled with the power of determining in this
matter.---We look to you, as entrusted with the conser
vation of our rights, and are firmly of opinion, that your
constituents in general will chearfully be governed by
whatever your wisdom may ordain in the present exigen
cy,---humbly recommending it to you always to keep in
mind, that in times of confufion every change should be
cautiously adopted, and only such made as are absolute
ly neceffary:---In which particulars the province of
South-Carolina (when impelled by neceflity) has set a
laudable example, regulating themselves with a view to
wards, and only until, “ an accommodation of the un
happy differences between Great-Britain and America can
be obtained, an event which," though traduced and
treated as rebels, they still profcfs earnestly to desire.
Extrafl of a letter to the CONG RESS, dated Montreal,
May 10, 1776.
“ By Col. Campbell, who arrived here early this morn
ing from Quebec, we are informed that two men of war,
two frigates and one tender, arrived there early on Mon
day the 6th instant. About 11 o'clock the enemy sallied
cut, to the number, as is supposed, of one thousand
men. Our forces were so dispersed at different parts,
that not more than two hundred could be collected to
gether at Head-quarters. This small force could not re
fill the enemy. All our cannon, five hundred muskets,
and about two hundred sick, unable to come off, have
fallen into their hands. The retreat was made with the
utmost precipitation and confufion. However, Col.
Campbell informs us that he imagines we have loft very
few men, except the sick abovementioned.
“ General Thomas was last Thursday evening at De
chambeau. At a council of war it was determined to
retreat to the mouth of the Sorel.. This day Gen. Ar
nold goes down there, and if he can get information of
the enemy's real strength, and it should be found incon
siderable, perhaps a council of war, on reconlideration,
may think proper to march the army back to Decham
beau, which is now .Rrengthen®d by Col. Gratton's,
Burrel's, and Sinclair's regiments. Besides the above
losses, one batteau loaded with powder, supposed to con
tain thirty barrels, and an armed vessel, which the crew
were obliged to abandon, were intercepted by one of the
enemy's frigates. Published by order of Congress
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
The Ilon. Continental Congress have promoted Horatio
Gates, Esq; late Adjutant-General, to the rank of Ma
jor-General, and Thomas Mifflin, Ffq; late Quarter-
Master-General, to that of a Brigadier-General.'
Yesterday Major-General GATES arrived in this
city from New-York.
Extract of a Letter from Great Egg-Harbour, May 14.
“ Yesterday Capt. Broadhurft, in the schooner Fidelity,
from Martinico for Brunswick, was chafed in here by a
large white-bottomed sloop, with a square-sail and Hand
ing top-fail, supposed to be a tender, as (he appeared to
be full of men ; she followed the schooner on to the bar,
till it was thought she struck; —being low water, and
the bar rough, she wore round and flood out, and has
been beating off and on ever since."
In COMMIT TEE of Infoe&ion and Observation, Phi
ladelphia, May 18, 1776.
WHEREAS a quantity of Salt, supposed to be
about four thousand bushels, belonging to fofoua Fi/ber
and Sons, imported in December 1774, contrary to the
Continental Association, was then stored under the care
of the Committee of Jnfpe&ion and Observation for the
City and Liberties of Philadelphia, and now remains un
fold: The said fofoua FiJber and Sons having refufed to
fell it, according to the recommendations of Congress,
and still continue contumaci©ufly so to do. —And the said
fofoua Lifter and Sons, by their letter dated the Sth of
this month, directed to this Committee, an 1 received the
irth of the fame, have proposed, that if the fame be de
livered to them without any conditions whatsoever, they
will retail it in small quantities to the consumer at
Three Shillings per bushel. This Committee being
well informed that the aforefaid proposal was spread
through the country before it was made to the Com
mittee; was calculated to involve them in difficulties,
and has a tendency to induce the people to believe, that
the Committee have some sinister views in 'detaining the
Silt in their pofleihon.—The Committee think it their
duty to remind the public, that Thomas fy;er and Samuel
Ifber, or the houic of foJhuci Ffher and Sons, have been
aojuogbd and advertised as enemies to their country, and
incapable of all trade and intercourse \vith the people of
these colonies; and therefore, that the Salt cannot be
delivered to them, nor, if it were in their pofleffion,
could it be phrehafed of them by any friend to American
liberty.—The Committee at the fame time assure the
public, that they have under their consideration a mode
of disposing of the said Salt, so as tb serve the public in
the mod effectual manner, without doing the least in
justice to the said fofbua Fisher and Sons.
Published bv order of Commltfce,
SAMUEL C. MORRIS, Secretary.
In COMMITTEE of S AFETY,
Philadelphia, May 16, 1776.
• Committee having already made known to the
inhabitants of this city the pressing occasion there is for
a large quantity of LEAD, to be employed in the de
fence of this country, and requested them to spare, for
the public use, the various foecies of leaden weights in
their refpedtive families.—The Committee, as the molt
ealy and expeditious method of procuring such LEAD,
have appointed Thomas\ Nevell, Frazer Kinney, Wil
liam Colliday, and John Darcy, to go round the citv
and receive it at the several houies, they paying at the
rate of Six-pence per pound, as formerly fpecified, it
being underflood that clock-weights are not at present
comprehended among them, as the iron weights 'to re
place them are not yet made.
It is expected that every virtuous citizen will immedi
ately and chearfully comply with this requisition • but if
any persons should be so loft to all sense of the' public
goon as to refufe, a lift of their names is directed to be
returned to this Committee.
Extract from the Minuter,
WILLIAM GOVETT. Secretary.
In COMMITTEE of SAFET Y,
May 21, 1776.
Col. Cadwalader having introduced the report of the
several gent emen appointed by this Board, to examine
the musket cartridges made up by the Commjffary.—Or
dered, that the fame be published in the different news^
papers. Extract from the Minutes,
WILLIAM GOVETT, Secretary.
We the fubferibers, appointed by the Board of Officers
of the Affohiators of the City and' Liberties of Philadel
phia, for the purpose of examining the cartridges deli^
'° r '" the Commissary to the said Associators, have
carefully examined the fame, and find the weight cf
powder therein contained is two fifth parts of the weight
of the ball. It appears clearly, from experiment, that
cn '^"."^ r ' s ver y good, that the above proportion is
tudy Sufficient, and that more would be useless if not dan-
& er ° uj - T. Matlack, Col. Rifle Bat.
Philadelphia, ' R - Wade, Capt. 2d Bat.
>4,20, 177 6. Gurney, Capt. 3 d Bat.
- Wm. Will, Capt. ift Bat.
In COMMITTEE of Inspection and Observation
of Chester County, May 11, 1776.
Refolded, I hat the inhabitants of each township in this
""" h"" ° ot already appointed persons to col
lect the arms from the non-aifociators, as enjoined by the
Kelolves of the Honourable H, use of Assembly of the
I rovince of Pennsylvania, be requested, and they are
hereby requested to meet at the most convenient place in
t len refpe&ive townfh ps, on the 25th day of this instant,
to choose furtable persons for that purpose, and proceed
as enjoined by the aforefaid Refclves.
WILLIAM EVANS, Chairman.
To be SOLD, by private S A LE,
A Valuable LOT of LAND, situate on the old York
road, about 17 miles from Philadelphia, containing 25
acres, a good stone dwelling-house, two stories high, with two
rooms on a floor, a large weaver's shop, convenient for a trades
man, a stone kitchen, with a never-failing well of water therein,
a good barn and other out-houses, about 4 acres of good bearing
orchard, about 5 acres cf good meadow, 5 acres of well timbered
land, all in good repair; it is a fuitabie place for either store or
tavern. Any person inclining to purchase the premises, may
know the terms, by applying to
qj Jacob Rush, on said premises.
STRAYED away from the fubferiber, living in Chelten
ham township, Philadelphia county, on the 9th day of
May instant, a bright bay MARE, about 141 hands high,
with a blaze down her face, her hind feet are white above the
fetlocks, paces and trots, has a switch tail, part of the left fide
of her mane has oeen trimmed half along the neck, never has
been shod, 3 years old this fpririg. Whoever takes up the said
mare, so that the owner may have her again, shall have Three
Dollars reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
IF JACOB LEE C H.
Philadelphia d?p>il 17. T 776.
FOUR DOLLARS Reward.
RU N away this day, from the fubferiber, a servant man,
named William Attwood, about 5 feet 4 inches
high, round shouldered, with black hair, about 35 years of age,
by trade a Brass Founder ; had on. when he went away, a half
worn caftor hat, brown coat, red jacket, black locking breeches
grey yarn stockings, calf-fkin shoes, and pewter buckles. Who
ever secures the said servant, so as his master may have him
again, shall have, if taken in this province, Twenty Shillings,
if out of' the province, Thirty Shillings reward, beiides rea
sonable charges, if brought home. It is supposed he is gone
towards New-York. ^ Samuel Parker.
ALL Persons having PROVINCIAL ARMS not fit
for Service, are desired to bring them forthwith to t^e
GUN-LOCK FACTOR Y, in Cherry-Alley, to be
put in good Order.
TO-MORRO W, at One 0 ck^
At Footman and Jeyes's Vendue-ftore,
Will begin the S ALE' of
A GENERAL Assortment OF SHOP GOODS,
Amongst which are the following valuable Articles,
(CALICOES, chintz and cottons; variety of silks, such
as peelings, fattins, mantuas, ducapes, luteftrings, &c.
thread, cotton and silk flockings; Holland tape and bobbins;
buckrams; cambricks and lawns; damafeufes; home made
linens; checks; calimancoes; duiants and tammies; Saloons ;
rattinets; velverets; plain and figured gauzes; kenting hand
kerchiefs ; ozenbrigs, &c. Also Glass Ware, Houfhold Furni
ture, Wearing Apparel, &c. &c. %IW.
TO BE SOLD, for CASH, BY'
ANDREW CALDWEL L,
A FEW Barrels of excellent COFFEE; also a few Pieces
of fine striped Russia LINEN, fit for Gentlemens
Jackets and Breeches. May 21, 1776.
TO BE DISPOSED O F,
THE Time of ? Dutch SERVANT LAD, who has be
tween five and fix years to serve. Enquire of the Keeper
of the Work-house.