The Pennsylvania gazette — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-02-28 00:00:00, page 3

I know not the author, nor am I anxious to learn his
name or character ; for the book, and not the writer of it,
is to be the subject of my animadversions.
'Tis the glory of a free country to enjoy a free press,
and of this, that the sentiments and opinions of the mean
est, equally with thole of the greatest, are brought to
view; for we know by frequent instances, that the rich
and high-born are not the monopolizers of wisdom and
virtue. —On the contrary, these qualities are oftener to
be found among the middling class in every country,
who, being less dissipated and debauched than those who
are ufuaily called their betters, apply themfeives with
more industry to the culture of their understandings, and
in reality become better acquainted with the true interests
of the society in which they live.
But to my great grief I have too often seen instances of
persons in every class of life, whose publications, at the
fame time they have reflected honour on the parts and
genius of the authors, have been so fhamefully wanting
in candour as to attempt, by the cadence of words, and
force of stile, a total perverfton of the understanding.
The pamphlet in question seems to be plainly calculated
to induce a belief of three things.
ift. That the English form of government has no wis
dom irTtr,'aiid that it is by no means so conftrudted as to
produce the happiness of the people, which is the end of
all good government.
ad. That monarchy is a form of government inconfift
cnt with the will of God.
3d. That now is the time to break off all connexion
with Great-Britain, and to declare an independance of
the Colonies.
It must be obvious to every impartial eye, that the au
thor reasons from the abuses of, against the benefits de
rived from, the English constitution ; and after reciting
these abuses concludes, very unfairly, that “ it is in
capable to produce what it seems to promise."
For if an argument of this fort is to be received, it will
prove perhaps rather more than the author would chufe —
it would even prove that the Jewish theocracy,was quite
as improper, and as incapable to produce what it aimed
at, as the reprobated English government. —The records
of sacred history inform us, that the law was given to
the people from God, and that the Great Jehovah him
felf condefeended to call them his cbofen people. He sig
nally interposed in their behalf in bringing them out of
bondage, in preserving them from the rage of Pharoah's
army, and feating them in a land flowing with milk and
honey, under his immediate government and laws,
" written with his own finger."
" And he will love thee, and bleft thee, and multiply
thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb and the
fruit of thy land, thy corn and thy wine, and thy oil;
the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in
the land which he iware unto thy fathers to give thee."
Beut. vii. 13.
" Thou (halt be blessed above all people, there shall
not be male or female barren among you, or among your
cattle." Deut. vii 14.
But what effects did all these extraordinary favours and
promises of the Deity himfelf produce upon that wicked,
perverse, ftiff-necked people? Moses tells them,
" From the day that thou didst depart out of the land
of Egypt until ye came unto this place, ye have been re
bellious against the Lord." Deut. ix. 7.
“ You have been rebellious, against the Lord from the
day that I knew you." Dent. ix. 24.
Profane as well as sacred history informs us of the in
effeduality of the belt governments and the wisest laws
among a corrupt, degenerate people. It does not regu
larly follow, that if the people are not happy under an
excellent form of civil polity, that the fault is in the go
vernment, it may be owing to the corruption of the peo
ple, and this I take to be the case in Great-Britain at this
day. When the British Parliament is properly balanced,
ana each branch of the legislature faithfully executes its
duty, I think I am fafe in affirming there was never yet
a form of government so the world so well calculated for
the happiness of a free people as this, and yet we are told
by the author of the pamphlet, that the " prejudice of
Englishmen in favour of King, Lords and Commons,
arises as much or more from national pride than reason."
The world has already seen numberless instances of fine
fpun political theories, which, like the quackeries of
mountebank Doctors, are to cure all the political evils to
which human nature is liable.—But when the experiment
is made, they become astonished at the ill success of their
boasted fehemes—they find a thousand little passions and
interests continually interfering with their designs, and at
length retire again to their elofets, chagrined they had'
not thought it necessary to Rudy the great volume of
human nature, before they ventured to fay what was the
belt for mankind.
The author, after venting his spleen against the English
form of government, comes next to confider the fubjedt
of monarchy and hereditary succession ; in treating which
he plainly discovers the utmost prepossession in favour of
a republic. I shall not follow him through his scripture
quotations, which he has so carefully garbled to answer
his purpose, but beg leave to oppofc some authorities to it.
The celebrated Trenchard, in No. 60, of Cato's Let
ters, fays, " There is no government now upon earth,
which owes its formation or beginning to the immediate
revelation of God, or can derive its exigence from such
revelation : It is certain, on the contrary, that the rife
and institution, or variation of government, from time to
time, is within the memory of men or of histories; and
that every government, which we know at this day in the
world, was established by the wisdom and force of mere
men, and by the concurrence of causes evidently human."
" Nor has God by any revelation nominated magi
strates, shewed the nature or extent of their powers, or
given a plan of civil polity for mankind. (Hutch. Mor.
Philof. p. 272.)
" There being no natural or divine lasv for an, form of
government, or that one person rather than another should
have the Sovereign administration of affairs, or have power
over many thousand different families, who arc by nature
all equal, being of the fame rank, promiscuously born to
the fame advantages of nature, and to the use of the fame
common faculties, therefore mankind is at libert, to choose
whatfirm of government the, like."
MforsHA LL and SELLERS.
By inserting the following in yonr impartial paper, you
will oblige a Friend and Customer.
“ The Republican Spirit is indeed at Bottom as ambi
" tious as the Monarchical. Voltaire.
THE Town has b°eu lately amused with a new po
litical Pamphlet, intituled Common Sense.
This piece, though it has taken a popular name, and
, implies that the contents are obvious, and adapted to the
understandings of the bulk of the people, is so far from
meriting the title it has affirmed, that in my opinion it
holds principles equally inconfifteht with learned and
common Settle.
When the tons of Samuel were judges over Israel,
they took bribes and perverted judgment, therefore the
elders of Israel desired Samuel to make them a king; and
though the elders are only mentioned to have aSked a
king of Samuel, they seem to have been deputed from the
whole congregation ; for God said unto Samuel, “ Heark
en to the voice of the people i* all that the, fay unto thee."
I Sam. vin. 4, 7 .
" And Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom,
and -wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the Lord. 1 Sam.
X; 25. Tis plain the manner of the kingdom fignifies
the constitution of the government, by which was meant
the conditions on which Saul was to be king, and they
his lubjects; for though God had given him the crovm,
it was to rule the people according to justice and laws."
After the battle between Saul and the Ammonites,
Samuel laid to the people, Come, let us go to Gilgal; and
there the, made Saul king before the Lord. 1 Sam. xi. 1,5,
6,7, 14, I - Nona therefore behold the king, whom,e have
chojen; and oehold the Lord kathfet a king over you." Sam.
chap. xii. 13.
These latter quotations are taken from the great Lord
Somers's book, called “ the Judgment of whole King
doms and Nations, concerning the Rights of Kings and
the People. This nobleman was Lord High Chancellor
of England in King William's reign, and was remarkable
for his revolution-principles, great learning and unshaken
integrity, in public and private life.
It does therefore from the foregoing testimonies appear,
that monarchy (especially a limited one, such as that of
England) is not inconfiltent with the Holy Scriptures, as
is set forth in said pamphlet, but that it is as pleating to .
the Almighty, if agreeable to the people, as any other
form of government, even the author's beloved republic.
I he writer next proceeds to inform his readers of the
numerous wars and scenes of blood atted in England un
der their kings, and asserts that " Monarch, and succession
have laid the world in blood and afoes. 'Tis a form of go
vernment which the word of God bears tejhmon, against,
and flood will attend it. —Here are bold assertions indeed.
—To the latter part I have already endeavoured to make
some reply, so far as he asserts it is contrary to the word
of God; but will the author's candour permit him to in
form his reader of the infinite diftradtions and mifehiefs
which have happened in the ancient and modern repub
"9 s .'Under this form there are always two parties, which
divide the whole body of the people, and an eternal war
fare lubfifts between them for power. —The Contest is
dreadful enough, but which soever party prevails, there
is no rod heavy enough, no sword fufficiently sharp, to
punish those whom they have fubdued.—lt then becomes
a many headed monster, a tyranny of many.
Let any man read with an unprejudiced eye the ac
counts which historians give us of the famous Grecian
Commonwealths, and I will venture to speak for him,
that he will not bellow great commendations on them. —
I he Athenians, a wife and polished people, very often
bandhed their best citizens, from an apprehension of
their power—a glorious reward for a virtuous citizen,
who, as was the case in more instances than one, had pre
served his country from destruction. In the latter times
of the Carthagenian and Roman republics, what constant
scenes of blood and devastation does history present to
y s ° —The multitude in a perpetual ferment like the ocean
in a Rorm—in a storm did I fay—like the waters of the
sea, agitated by a dreadful whirlwind, nothing but the fury
of one party encountering the rage of another. —Every
trace of humanity being thus loft, men change their na
tures and become as fierce and savage as wolves and tygers.
But let us descend nearer to modern times—let us look
for happiness and security in the republic of Holland, so
often mentioned, and so little known—let us recollect
the fate of the two brothers, Cornelius and John de Wit,
Batch ministers, who were massacred by the people in the
year 1672. Holland itfelf, from being a republic, is become
a downright aristocracy. Liberty did not continue long in
that country, notwithstanding the blood and treasure
that were expended to acquire it. The people, so far
from being free, have had no voice for many years past in
the election of persons to represent them in the States-
General, nor have they any thing to do in the forming of
laws by which they are to be governed. Whenever one
of them dies, the vacancy is filled up without any inter
ference of the people, and this important change was
made in the Rate, because of the intolerable feuds and
animosities which attended the elections of representa
tives. Had they been to have chosen a king, what dan
gerous and deftrudive tumults muR it have produced.
Founded on the woeful experience of ages, it is now be
come a general fixed opinion, that hereditary is preferable
to elective monarchy, on account of the terrible disorders,
outrages and confufion which ufuaily attend the election
of a king; a pregnant inßance of which, in our times,
is the kingdom of Poland.
In cur own history, we fee what was the effed of the
much-wished for Commonwealth after the death of the
tyrant Charles—it did not produce liberty—it presently
ended in arbitrary power. The moment almost after the
reins of government fell from Charles's hands, Cromwell
took them up, and governed the nation with absolute sway.
I cannot agree with the author of the pamphlet in opi
nion, that this is the time to declare an Independance of
the Colonies. 1 his ought to be the dernier resort of Ame
rica. Let us not yet lose light of the primary object of
the dispute, namely, a fafe, honourable and lasting re
conciliation with Great Britain, until we are under a ne
cessity of doing it. If an advantageous accommodation
can be had, and a free constitution for this country be
established on mutual agreement and compact, 'twill be
better and happier for us. But if justice is Rill denied us,
and we are to contend for liberty by arms, we will meet
them in the field, and try our manhood against them,
even to spilling the blood of every brave man we have.
Should the ministry have recourse to foreign aid, we may
possibly follow their example; and, if it be essential then
to our fafety to declare an Independance, I would wil
lingly embrace the neceflity. RATIONALIS.
SEVERAL Sums of MONEY to be lett at interest, on
good real security, by J OHNOR D, Notary-Public and
Conveyancer, in Front-street, between Market and Cheftnut
ftreets. PbilaL Feb. 19, 1776.
" God's, providence or permission fuffered his own pe
culiar people the Jews to be under divers governments at
divers times; as firft under patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob, &c. then under judges, Othniel, Ehud and
Gideon; then under high priests, Eli and Samuel; then
under kings, Saul, David and the rest ; then under cap
tains and high-priests again, “ as Zerobabel, Judas, Mac
cabeus, and his brethren ; and the government was lastly
taken from them, and they brought under the power of
Rome. And that God permits such magistrate or magi
strates as the community thinks lit to approve, is plainly
the testimony of Holy Scriptures; when God said to So
lomon, “ By me kings rule, even all the judges of the
earth.' Prov. viii. 16.
The MEMBERS of the
St. A NDRE W'sSOCIETY
requeued to attend their Quarterly Meeting, at the
Indian Queen tavern, To-morrow Evening, at 6 o'Clock,
. * 2 > '775- Aneas Urquhart, Secretary.
A lew Hogsheads of JAATAI GA SUGAR
and FLORENCE OIL, by the Chef, '
IO BE SOLD BY
SAMUEL roU NG
10 be fold, lett, or exchanged for Houles or lots in
th " °" y ' and may b °"""" ° n any timeafter the
MERCHANT-MILL and SA W- MIL L .adjoining,
f 1 m good repair, together with zoo acres of i and , lituate i^
Lie county of Chester and township of Kennet, distant from
Chester 20, and from Wilmington 10 miles ; at the latter place
the four may be readily difpefed of, as there is a smart tr je
carried on from thence to the W^ft-India Ifi^ds; the county of
Lancader ies about 25 miles back of said mills, where they
„ weekly be fupph^d with f u ffici ent quantities of wheat';
the mniomufe is built of fione and brick, about 4@ by ^ feet•
a stone addruon adjoining, 30 by 25 feet; there are in said
mih two pair of mill-Rones, one of French burrs, the other
Cologne, 3 nou t,ng reels and hoisting works go by water, a two
story stone dwelling-house, 3 rooms on a floor, a stone kitchen
and a pump of good water in the yard, the barn is one story of
hone and a frame upon it, with tabling underneath ; there are
about 10 acres of very good meadow that are watered out of the
T e l a "^ tW / a ^ le °" h " dsi th ~ P lace has always beta
deemed a health, fixation, and in a good neighbourhood. Any
perlon inclining to purchase, or barter for the above premises
and mills, or to take them on a l ea s e f or 7 years , m & v , cw
them at any time, and be more fully informed, by applying to
'™ s " A p V u E i livi ^ near the " m$ or to lhe owner
" Phil^lphia, who has a large assortment of
Boulting.Cloths, which he will All low for cash or ihort credit.
February 26, 1776. ELLIS LEWIS.
WANT E D immediately,
7 ''" Thousand of b c ft full si ze d
' '/? 'A VE S, for which the full Value will
De given. Apply to ROBERT KNOX. ^
t Lhdadelpbia, February 2.1. 1776
TWENTY-ONE DOLLARS Reward
capt / JOSEPH
rir '"' d ,, h ° n of Pennf,lranians, commanded by
Col. John Shek, the following Recruits, ^ % bn ^
Lngntbman, a Jeweller by trade, 26 years of age, and about c
feet 4 inches hrgh ; he lately lived with Major Cunningham, in
Lancaster county, sy n Pfr, of German defeat, a b o J
?'',, 5,„t 6 inches high, and has dark hair ;he lately
livec in Warwick township, Lancaster county. Michael
J °? m , j aCoppeifmith by trade, 30 fears of age, about
{ . * ’"''' and ° f a swarth y complexion ;he lately
hved in Winder township, York county. Q,^ Pat^, 21
a %nd about 5 f eet 9 inches high ;he dived with his
father, near Wright s-ferry, on Safquehanna, and was lately seen
m t ^ arh " e> with " me of his relations. George
an Irishman, about 2I years of age, and 5 feet 5 inches
y ed at Capt# ° Ws F ° r ^ in Lancaster county.
—I Wfo 30 years of a g e , and 6 feet high ; late of Mount
joy town/hip Lancaster county. Peter M^Curd, an Liftman
and about 5 feet 4 or 5 inches high ; he lately lived at Safque
" ^ ht hehas * f ° r ^ d P afs i he cam e as far as
Ir. Miller s tavern, on the Lancaster road, at which place he
"w^° ca "' e , d °" f ° me artlcles belonging to the company.
^"^ ^ ab ° ve Defe ^ rs ? °r any of so and
lecmes help, so that they may be delivered to the above Bat
anT' ; h % cce r IHREE DOLLARS reward for each,
and reasonable charges, paid by JOSEPH HUBLEY
^ e Third Battalion of Pernfylvafo. \\ fl 6 .'
* Ihofe of the above Deserters who will return to their
% the
rriends and Fellow-Citizens,
B f E ß n ^ my Name infected ^tb others, as a Mem her for
Vf„e Committee of Infeeawn in this City, I take this Method of
ts,, L „g „, 6% ^ your Refeeti ; but as I ftioufly reefed to be
o^ted andexfo, 1 mus further inform you, that I cannot attend
tb^reon, and am. Your Friend, Isaac Hewrn.
htrawberry-alley, Philadelphia, February -bft^f"
TO BE RENTED,
A ^^T±°". the 2 5th Of March next,
A PLANI A I lONin the township of Bleckley, miles
I C ° urt#hlufc > containing 90 acres ,about 70
are cleared about 12 acres of meadow, and much mere may
be made ; there are on the premises, a flone hoMe, two florid
high, an excellent spring-house .two stories high, a large flone
an'^r^rf ° f ca " le ' * garden confaini ^ a bo u t
€ ground, all palled in, a young orchard ot about 500
/X °' h °r frult ' The subscriber ^ll treat with any person
that can produce a good charader, of industry, sobriety and abi-
N ;°%r er need appl y-Thomas Harrison.
L. A merman would be preferred.^
7 °t be o' °7 D ,^^^ ND UE-^e \3 t b ~d^f
the luid-Month (called March) next, at the bouje of Jacob
Coleman, in Germantown, at 3 o' clock in the afternoon
A COMMODIOUS two story st one house, w ' ith a pi azza ,
and two stores adjoining, with the lot of ground
thereunto belonging, a well of excellent water near the kitchen,
and a cartway leading into the yard; it is a pleasant situation,
and a good stand for business, lying on Germantown main-street,
next to Friends Meeting-house. Any person desirous of viewing
the premises before the day of file, may apply to Thomas
Kose, in Germantown, who will shew the fame.
Second-Month 26, 1776. || Abraham Grifftth.
John stana L an d, s^e-cutte^
of Roxbury township, Philadelphia county,
PURPOSES felling his plantation and Soap stone quarry,
I about 10 miles from the city, consisting of 4s acres of
land, between 3 and 4 acres of which are meadow, and a good
orchard ; also a good hoafe, kitchen, barn, smith's ffiop, and
sp r ing house, all built of stone, tote fold together, or the land
and improvements without the stone quarry, as may best suit the
purchaser. Enquke_ojijhe premises. Feb. 28, 1776. fl[
FIVE DOLLARS Reward.
RUN AWAY from the Fubfcriber, living in Fas-Notting
ham, near the Brick Meeting boufe, on the i 9 tb of February,
an Irijb fervent lad, named John Kennedy, about t 6 years of age, 5
feet 4 inches high, brown bair, pitted wat othe fall-pox, the joints
of bis great toes large, where thy join bis feet ; bis cl.tbes about
balj-w^rn, a Ruftajheeting Jbirt, brownyarn flockings, and foots
tied with firings. Whoever takes up said servant and sauces bin,
so as bis mafcr may have him aga ln , fall have the above reward,
and reasonable charges, if brought borne, paid by
William Rogers, q
NOTICE is hereby given to the Creditors of WilliavAßo^,
and John Ballentine, confined fir Debt in the Goal of Bur
lington, that they be and appear before Daniel Ellis, and Thomas
Rodman, Liquids, two of the fudges of the Inferior Court" of
Common Pleas for the Count, aftrfoid, at the House of fofebb
Haigbt, in Burlington, on Wednesday, the 12+b Dy of March %
to Jbew Cauje, if any they have, why thefid PrifoNrs foould not Is
discharged, agreeable to an Ahl of the Legislature, intituled, An AE+
for the Relief of Insolvent Debtors." Feb. 16, 1776.,
l Advertisements omitted this we.k „rll be infertea in ewr next'