The Pennsylvania journal, or, Weekly advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-03-20 00:00:00, page 1

Y N times of impending calamity aad di^refs, when
t the liberties of America are imminent y endangered
by the secret machinations and open atiau.es of an in
sidious and vindictive ad einiftration, it Incomes the in
difpenfible duty of these hitherto free and happy colo
nies, with true penitence of heart, and the molt re
verent devotion, publicly t> acknowledge the over
ruling providence of God; to confefs and deplore our
offences against him; and to supplicate his inrerpofition
for averting the threatened danger and profperiog our
strenuous efforts in the cauie of Freedom, Virtue
and Posterity.
The Congress therefore, considering the warlike
preparations of the British Ministry to subvert our in
valuable rights and privileges, and to reduce us, by
fire and sword, by the savages of the wilderness and
our own domestics, to rhe mod abje& and ignominious
bondage: desirous, at the fame time, to have people
of all ranks and degrees, duly impressed with a solemn
sense of God's superintending providence, and of their
duty devoutly to rely in all their lawful enterprizes on
his aid and direction —do earnestly recommend that
Friday the feventeeuth day of May next be observed by
the said Colonies as a day of Humiliatton, Fasting,
and Prayer; that we may with united hearts confefs
and bewail our manifold fins and transgressions, and
by a iincere repentance and amendment of life appease
his righteous displeasure, and through the merits and
mediation of Jesus Chriit, obtain his pardon and for
givenefs. Humbly imploring his assistance to frustrate
the cruel purposes of our unnatural enemies; and by
inclining their hearts to justice and benevolence, pre
vent the further effufion of kindred blood. But if con
tinuing deaf to the voice of reason and humanity, and
inflexibly bent on desolation and war, they constrain us
to repel their hostile invasions by open remittance, that
it may please the Lord of Hefts, the God 0/ Armies, to
animate our officers and ibldiers with invincible forti
tude, to guard and protest them in the day of battle,
and to crown the Continental arms by sea ano land
with victory and success: earnestly beseeching him to
bless our civil rulers and the representatives ot the peo
ple in their several assemblies and conventions; to pre
serve and Strengthen their union; to inspire them with
an ardent disinterested love of their country; to give
wisdom and liability to their councils; and direct them
to the molt efficacious measures for establishing the
rights of America on the molt honorable and perma
nent basis—that he would be graciously pleased to bless
all the people in these colonies with health and plenty,
and grant that a spirit of incorruptible patriotism and of
pure undefiled religion may universally prevail; and
this Continent be speedily restored to the blessings of
peace and liberty, and enabled to tranimit them invio
late to the latelt posterity. And it is recoin ended to
Christians of all denominations to aflemble tor public
worship, and abstain from fei vile labor on the said day.
By order of Congress,
JOHN HANCOCK, president.
Attest. Charles Thomson, Secretary.
ty tote goo,qoq QQOO OOCT COCO 0003 COCO QOO3OOOO COO3OOOO 0000 WOO ^OCOCCOO GOTO OCOOCTOC 0000 COCO
Sentimentalist on Quakers refujing the Continental Moneys
IHAVE long entertained an opinion that it was impolfible
to form a system ot religion which would not in a num
ber of years break into different fedts, or degenerate into an
engine of date policy. The Quakers, I confefs, set out on
a plan which might have refuted the lentiment, and baffled
all the wiles of the Serpent to turn them from purity of heart
and simplicity of manners. Immediate and divine inspira
tion is fitch a foundation to build practical piety upon, that
it muff pinch Satan himfelf to overturn it. Every one, you
know, is fond of his own opinion, and rejoices in every
new argument to support it; this I assure you was my cale
when Tread the fevera! publications of their representatives,
and of acknowledged members, scrupling the Continental
money. Now, said I, my opinion is undeniable, for the
former must proceed from fate policy, and the latter from a
schism in their church. Oqe or other of the following con
ftquences mutt follow from this conduct; either the rcpie
feDtatives are not Quakers, or die ancient Quakers were not
rightly direct ; either a atw tea of religioaifts is starting
Fine Flour at Seventeen s^itknr ao " Nme Pence per Ct.
Middlings at Fifteen 3billw„ per Ct.
RY e at Ten SbiM%s per Ct.
White Bread, lb 3
rd. loaf is 0 7
2d. ditto, a 15^
4d. ditto, , 14I;
8d ditto, 313 I
tad. ditto, § rtf
^„, /_ <,:<,#,%•<. \. rct^r'a^ . .^
THE
March 20, 1776. ^^ fa ' ft Numb. 1737,
PENNSYLVANIA /&,^^%<MJOURNAL;
WEEKLY fW^^^^OfyADVERTISER.
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GSS3^3^W3^SSSOSS 'Wll^^^ii^^^^^^^£
PHILADELPHI A.
In CONGRESS, Saturday, March 16, 1775.
The ASSIZE of BREAD
Mtiddl. do. lb 3
rd. leaf is o 8}
xd. ditto, I 4
4d. ditto, x 2%
I Bd, ditto, 4 5
Irid. ditto, 6 7^
Ryc d% lb 3
rd. loaf is 0 It
rd ditto, 1 6^
4d. ditto, 2 ii|
Bd. dtto, § 9
'nd. ditto, 8 5^
out of the fociery, or the men whom they acknowledge for
their ancestors in religion were not guided by the holy spirit
of inspiration. Ancient Friends, as well as the Prophets of
old, gave forth their testimonies against wicked Kings and
their adherents; but the modern representatives in favour of
them. George Fox Francis Howgill, Robert Barclay, &c.
&c. men unquestionably as holy, and as truly iulpitid as
any that Succeeded them, lived in a time when, and in a
country where, money was (truck for the very fame end with
the continental currency, viz. lor the defending the rights of
the peop e against the encroachments ot the King and his Mi
nutry; he ptau. of the city ot London bring taken for the
purpefe ; yet no testimony remains of, any Quakers fetupc
ing said currency, nor account of their fuffi ring for refuting
it, though thry loffe cd at that time on account of every prin
ciple which they he • and b< cOeMimony.agaiuft every th ng
which appeared to them Sinful. Now, if kruphpg noucf
on any such account is lilial, it is plain that the ancient
Friends were nt truly guided by the divine and unerring
spirit, and in that case the religious sentiments and opinions
which they taught may not be the dictates of tru,h ; or if it
is nor finful, then t h c prefect feupirrs are no: Quakers, but
a new fed springing out of the corruption of the old. I
am poneof your men who dr^w hasty conclusions horn pie
miles, though ever so evident; I can suspend my judgment
until I hear more of the matter: At po-fen 1 behold the re
prefen drives as turning a pure, fimplc, and holy religion,
into an engine of date policy, and the fcrupirs as forming
a new fed of Quakers op an entire new plan; for Barclay I
am furt will never acknowledge them. I a m, nevcfthelefs,
desirous of being let right, it under millake, I therefore
prel.nt my mofr r^fp &ful compliments to their licences of
the press, and requett them 10 pe mil any nc of the society
who can clear up the matter to m, fanfadbon, to write
freely, as I fioccrely wilh to lnow in what c'afs to fix these
candidates tor re ign,us ynd ipmeita! time.
Four bubliJbPg the foregoing -will much oblige the
ENQUIRER.
@o^o^*oM°^^^^4^^ ^V'% ofcofc ofo
To the BRETHREN of AMERICA.
I UNDERTAKE here b.ufl, u, lay fetore you the original
of, the Switzers noble liberty ; the g vernors and other of
ficers forced and oppressed them to lively! Bu it pleased Al
mighty God so, that one William Tell feuinto disgrace, by
the then imperial Governor, and was therefore condemned to
be fold as a Have; and whereas this tyrant of a Governor had
a great number of fubjeJts confined in prison. And whereas
this tyrant of a Governor made such diabolical oppressions
among the fubjedts, that the whole country groaned undo the
unsupportable burthen of bis internal guilt. F pleased A
mighty God to move this Wiliam Tell with his good spirit,
to consider upon measures how to revenge the wrongs he and
his fellow prisoners fufhined by this monster in iniquity, and
entered thereupon into such a binding oath and wih such a
privacy, that him who embarked in it, could not withdraw,
nor was be able considering h:s oath to difeover it, in as much
that they would Hand by each other to the iaft breah of life.
No sooner was this fettled, William Tell boldly killed the
Governor. The rest of his fellow prisoners fell upon the Go
vernor's house, killed every one, and every officer established
by that bloodihiUly villain, was oblidged to fly or fall a vic
tim te their so juhly refecting fwoid. Whereupon William
Tell was chofeo General and Commander in Chis; the arti
cles of war then proposed among them were thus, viz. He
that would draw back, and not defend himicif, and fight for
the country and liberty, 01 was found treacherous to the arti
cles prescribed thould bfc his life : There was nei her father,
brother, nor son excepted, but the firft who round the other
treacherous in chafe articles, has a right to find a bullet
through him. Upon this revolution, alt the young able bodi
ed men were colleaed and divided into regiments for rhe de
fence of liberty and the country, and such officers chosen to
command as were adjudged necessary; provisions were gather
ed, by the means of tenths (or the ten'll part of every fort of
grain the farmers raise) which in an instant enabled them to
erea such large Hore hmfes with provisions, that they wearied
and tired out the imperial army, however numerous they
were, so that they at last were forced to yield to the conquer
ing and victorious Switzers, their liberty and acknowledge
them a free and independant people ; this fame was also ac
knowledged by all the other foreign powers that Switzer
land was°a free republic. Nex; they appointed representa
tives who represented every county in the province in coun
cil; who eftabtifhed and opened a free commerce with all fo
reign powers, and upon this footing that all commodities
whatsoever imported into the country to be duy tree, but
thofc exported to pay a duty or tenth part, in as much that
the Merchant as well as the Farmer contributes toward he
upholding of government. In the next place they coined
their own money, and that such a quantity as would defray
the expences of the war and uphold the maoufaamies. In
every province were 300 Aldermen or Councillors chosen,
which were compiled ot all manner of mechanics, rich or
poor, without diftinaion, out of this number were afterwards
chosen for every county one man, to govern the fame for the
(pace of five years, did he condua himfelf well during his
time with honor and integrity, he was sure to have the
chance of being promoted into a higher department of Admi
nistration ; but was his condua called into question for Mal
admuiiliration, he was deposed, tried and condemned to such
punishment as the merits of treipafs committed, deserved ;
next there were the Council of War, which confuted of twenty
four men, the firft General is President, their department is 10
fee the country in a dqfenfive state, by keeping always a well
disciplined army and military store houses, fuinifhed with
all necessary instruments of war, and also magazines for pro
vifons ft maintain an amny. Next and lastly is the grand or
All processes, controveifi.es, quarrels, &c. among the fub
jfas, that cannot be adjulled in the inferior cou is, are
finally determined in this high court; and the plaintiff is per
mitted to make his complaint against the trefpaffcr pet finally,
without r tearing to an attorney or lawyer, as these gentlemen
are looked upon as a pest to society, who live only upon the
means ot such unwary people, at are filly enough to employ
them;, has rhe prtiu^ff a ju 1 cause, the defendant is ordered
to make immediate latniaaton to the injured; and moreover
the uanfgrcifor is liable to such further pecuniary punifh
ihents, the menu ot the catifc derives, the money arising
from inch fines is applied towards employing of people to
make it their chief butincf>; in watching narrowly the actions
of wicked doers, and evil difpoted persons, in order to fup
prels as much as possible vice, and to maintain truth and
jultice; ah offences and trespasses they fi^d, hey give notice
of co the proper officers app >iaced for that purpose, and then
they are dealt with according to their crimes.
In order to uphold religious worship, and to maintain
churches and schools, minitiers and fch'olmafters. the half of
the renth of all grain so railed by the hnlbmdmen, and what
is ai ding from the duties ot exportation by merchants, is ap
plied to main:an the minister and fchoolmafrr, in so much
that the poorelt fort of people may fend their children as
well to fcho.4 to be educated as the rich ones, and such poor
widows or orphans as are objtls of charity are maintained in
the fame manner But then the hulbaudinah pays no quite
rent nor levies whatsoever.
chief council chosen which governs the whole province, this
high Court of judicature is composed of twelve min, whereof
one is president, this council is empowered to call all.inferior
councillors or courts of justice to an account for unjust pro
ceedings.
It a foreign power enters with an intent to invade any of
the 13 United Cantons, the whole council of war affemoles
from db the Cantoris and tqhfult to raise forces in support of
such Cantonasdreads the irivalija,iri order tooppofe the enemy.
Wherca. his Majesty the King of Great-Britain, promtied
tin out tint iett mg here to grant us trill liberty, but we at the
fame, have not as yet received the least benefit from that pro
mifc but on the c utrary, instead of liber.y, loaden with op
pteffioß; in particular the poorer fort of the people, if the
quit rent or, levy is nor pad forthwith the Sheriff seizes the
cow or horse, etp les it for sale under value, the poor man
d^re not open his mouth against such oppressive proceedings,
arid that is done by the King's officer, who promised liberty.
Therefore, my brethren, rouse from your lethargic slumber,
fee hw the Switzers fuccefsfully triumphed over their op
pressive enemies, and creacd the noble standard of liberty
among them, which will c.mrinue among them, by their wife
form ?f government, till time is no more. You fee my
brethren, the country of Switzerland is but 13 small cantons
or provinces. We are it united colonies, by far more power
ful : as those people, imitate their principles, bind yourfelvcs
man by man by the llrongeft ties to support each other in all
dangers whatsoever, cl'tatoliih their form of government, adopt
their system of laws, introduce that police, coin your own
money, we have gold aid über mines, let Us work them to
fuppor our war in defence ot noble liberty, assume the cou
rage of those noble Switzers, be undismayed; remember, it is
far bet er to be killed in the glorious cause of liberty, than to
die by inches in Slavery, Every one ot sou, who is a trrie
friend to liberty, cannot rejea the fubjefts I have here so ne
ceffarby pointed out to you, not d' übting that with the help
ot Almighty God, every one of you will ft ive to the utmost
of his power to put so wholcfome a work into execution a<
fpe<dy as pcffiile, to p eferve your country and liberties,
from the impending dangers of so dreadful and diabolical ene
mies as the Britilh Minritiv. Sh wto your enemies that you
put more c ntidence in tne alfuLnce of the Almighty God,
than they can boast ot their mighty armed hosts. I hope all
true trends to the true cauie ot American liberty can't have
the lead icruplc to take the fame Oath, with which the noble
Switzers conquered and pi c&ed their antient liberty, via.
'' 1 _ swear by the Almighty God to b;
" true to the N^tn American Empire, aud its Liberties, to
" fight for the country and liberty as long as breath remains
" within me; all the enemies to this freedom I will, to the
'• utmost o' my power, endeavour to destroy and confute; I
“ will have no part in the Book f Life; neither fhail the
“ m 41 gracious Jesus ihew any mercy .0 me if I behave my
“ felf treacherous in any of these prescribed articles: So help
f'me God, and his Holy Word AMEN.
CASPER GUTTENBERG,
JOHN WILLIAM LEO.
RAN-AWAY on Tuesday last, the rath instant, a Negro
man, named ALLI, about 30 years old, five feet fix
inches high, thin visaged, rather more of a yellowish colour
than black : Had on when he away, a white flannel under
jacket, with black spots, one short striped liafey jacket, a
blue furtout, bound with red, a pair of buckskin breeches,
almost new, light blue milled yarn flockings, and new Shoes.
Whoever apprehends the said negroe and brings him to the
subscriber, living in Front-street, between Arch and Race
ftreets, in Philadelphia, or secures him in any of his Ma
jesty's gaols, so that his matter may get him again, fhail have
EIGHT DOLLARS reward, and all teafonable charges,
paid by JOHN FRANKS.fow.
RUN-AWAY from the naval fetvice of this province,
BENJAMIN BLACK, about five feet four inches high
an Irishman born, fair complexion, light coloured hair ; Had
on when he went away, a white cloth jacket, light coloured
cloth breeches, a pair of white yarn flockings. Whoever will
take up the fame, fhail have FOUR DOLLARS REWARD,
paid by ' ‘ JAMS MONTGOMERY.