The Pennsylvania journal, or, Weekly advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-02-07 00:00:00, page 2

arose the Persian Empire, which grew to equal, if not superior
height and iniquity. T too was deftroyrd by the Macedoni
ans, a people of no political lignification, a few years before
they were called by divine providence to effect this great work.
The next great empire we read of was the Roman, which,
having arrived,to the height of luxury, pride and arbitrari
ness, fell by the hands of savages, who to this day have scarce
ly an historical cxi't nee. The Turks and the Saracens, of
all people at that day he least in the opinions of mankind,
divided the east rn and weftero empire between them. Thus,
mult if not all of the great empires in the world have succes
sively been overthrown by nations, which, in their time, were
of no political cons quence. And there are fewit any examples
of one great empire being employed in the overthrow of ano
ther. The contest between R >me and Carthage was that of
two great cities aiming at universal dominion, neither having
at that time arisen into empire. Thus dials the divide pro
vidence, always taking steps which appear Grange and won
der ui, that hi whole may bear the evident marks of his hand.
T, apply ths to our present circumstances and receive in
ftruaion thereby, let us take a view of the present state of
Gnat-Britain and the conduct of Divine Providence towards
this country, and it will enable us to difeover the designs of
Fr>vidnc and what meafurcs we ought to pursue, that we
might effectually co-operate with the divine intend ns.
It must re allowed by every one who has the least know
ledge ot the Eiglifh nation, that there is no degree of vice,
:o y or corruption now wanting, to fill up any measure es
iniquity necessary for the downfall of a ft.te. From the King
on he throne, to the meanest freeman in the nation, all is cor
rupt^ The crown, far ft m regarding its duty in the political
wo Id, only uses the public money to bribe the public officer.
The legislator giants the money of the people with a degree
of cheerfulo<fs proportioned to the profpea he has of hand
ling t through the fingers of corruption. Ihe freeman fells
the importance he potfeffes in the date, for the good of him
fot and his neighb urs for a belly full of purer, and gives
his voe to the man, who by the largcfi he off- rs, (hews Ie is
the most unfit p. rfon in the noan to be possessed of the iruft.
Thus men guilty otthe word of vices possess the places of
power and trust, which ought to be filled by none but those
of the greatest integrity and virtue. And the consequence is,
that the national ruled with a rod of iron, and there is no p^t
of the empire free from oppieffion. Her princes art corrupt,
her noble- degenerate, and the representatives of the people
arc bought and fol. ! . The government moves on he fpri gs
of iniquity, and the measure of tueir conduct is directed alone
bv their power of ex cation, and not by julbce 0 equity; so
tha it is perhaps inpoffible in all hist ry, to product a more
cmpleat state of corruption in government. Omnia funt ve
nalia Romae, is nothing 10 this, for bribery is defeended 0 he
Io weft dregs of the nation, and noth ng is free from the touch
of is poluion. The omnipotence of the Almighty is arro
oa ed by men. whoiule with the tyranny of the Devil. This
is Great Britain's tug, but melancholy condition. The eye
#1 partial affection may call a veil over it ; but ingenuity and
pointing proper persons on the spot to give pardons, as men.
tioned i the speech: Theft were the only methods he said,
which could, in his opinion, restore matters to thlt desired
footing; and when that period (hould arrive, he did not
doubt hut his conciliatory plan would give permanency to the
recmicTiation, b\ our accepting a quantum annually, in lien
of axes He declared himleit against the motion, as it would
ground a precedent forfuture abuses; he said, the case of the
Caribbs was very different from the present; in that the mi
nifhr was accufid of fending too many men to an unwholcfome
climate; id, besides, there was no great danger of the Ca
gibbs reading our accounts.
Colonel ^re concluded the debate by observing, that .the
conduct or the miniller in withholding every proper informa
tion tr on the House, put him in mind of a King who perceiv
ing one end of a Lutheran Chuich exceedingly ruinous and all
th left of it very good and elegant, proposed to rebuild that
part for them; which he did in a very magnificent manner;
bur when they came to affcmble there, they found that he
had taken away all th light; upon which they waited on his
Majeftv, thanking him for his favours, and also acquainting
h ; m with their mist rtunc, in not being able tw fee at church;
upon which his Mijefty replied that it was perfectly right
ft; for it was written in the scriptures, " Buffed are they
that believe and d> not fee." The question was then put,
when the numbers were, for the motion 63, against it 170
The Hmfe then went into a Committee of Supply, Sir
Cha les Writworth in the chair
#ifo^OoQO^^^OO*)^C^^^*^^ *^bfo
To the PEOPLES GENERA L.
Humanum est errare.
Men may be mistaken.
WHEN the Prophet Samuel was sent to Bethlehem to an
noint a King out of the house of Jesse, and had the
elded fom of the family brought before him, his lofty ftatnre
and goodly appearance mad the prophetcry out, “ furry the
Lord's annoined is before him" But be received this gentle
reproof from his divine conductor, " Look not on his counte
nance, nor on the height of his stature, hecaufe I have refufed
him : For the Lord feeth not as man feeth, for man looketh
on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the
hear."
Were man to set about the deftrudion or defolution of a
great empire, he would begin witli making choice of one of
the mightiest powers upon ear hto rffe& it. Then vast war
like preparations would succeed ; nor would he enter up n the
grand defigi until his armies were so numerous, and his in
ftrumeno of war so errible and deftruiftive, that they might
well be ft ed the invincible. All would now begin to move,
and the whole world would tremble at his approach; but a
few months would convince him that without God he could
do nothing. On the other hand, he who fits up and pulls
d wn confines or extends empires at his p eafure, generally, if
not always, carries on his great work wih instruments appa
rently unfit for the great purpose, but which in his hands are
always eff dual. By this means the part he takes appears vi
sible, and the glory of success is given to whom i is due.
It a wavs gives me sensible delight, when I fee public cala
mities affect mankind with a fnfe of religion, and earnest de
fire of reformation; and I most heartily concur in sentiment
with the representatives of a certain people " that our minds
ought to be affe&ed with the most awful consideration of the
dispensations of divine providence to mankind in general in
former ages" that we may know how to conduct ourselves in
like circumftanccs, and avoid as much as possible the appear
ance or retiring the Divine Will, as publicly declared in his
providential proceedings, left we should be found to fight
againtt God.
The Assyrian, one of the firft and greatest empires recorded
in antiquity, arose to fueh an height as nearly to command the
then inhabited world, the consequence was that her rulers be
came corrupt and arbitrary, and forgetting the divine designs
in appointing them, they forfook the paths of justice and equi
ty and looked upon their people as made for their pleasure.
This brought down the divine vengeance upon her, which
was executed by the Medes and Perfiins, two nations at that
time of Imall eonfideration. On the ruins of the Assyrian
candour will acknowledge the facts. Tell me then ye devo
tees of religion, the intentions of God to a nation like this^ and
point cut th© advantages of being reconciled to such a govern
ment.
Suffice this for the present on the part of the state of Great-
Britain. Now let us return to the conduct of Providence to
wards these colonies.
Shortly before the present contest began, the divine council
and wisdom permitted Great Britain and France to carry on a
long and bloody war in this country, whereby the whole was
reduced under the power of Great-B itain, many of us were
trained to arms, and all familiarized to a war at our doors,
and taught to view without dread or dismay the banners of
hostility waving in the air.
Through the course of this war, we gave such inconteftible
proofs of our loyalty and affection as drew trom Groat-Bri
tain the most unequivocal acknowledgments of the fame, and
having performed more than could be real inabiy cxpe&cd of
us, flic returned large films which flie then thought we had
expended beyond our just proportion. In this Situation of
affairs, we had reason to expe& hat we sh m'd meet with no
thing,, but the warmest return of gratitude for our services.
But they, who wafted that time and treasure in folly and d^-
Jipation, which ought to have been expended in a&s of grati
tude and praise for the unmerited favours ot Heaven in the
success of the war, would scarcely remember what they owed
to their fellow-fubjeds. Accordingly our imbs were fcarceiy
reded from the toils we endured in her service, u til we were
calmed upon to exert ourfelvcs against her ppreffions. And
for mure than twelve years we have laboured by prayers in
trea ics, non-impertations and every other peacable mode of
opposition to prevent her enslaving us; but all to no puipufe.
Our petitions frora assemblies and congresses, from towns and
provinces, and from separate and united bodies of men were
all ot no avail. The King despised and rejected them, the
Parliament treated them with contempt, and he people dis
regarding the justice of them moved not in our b half. I hus
after affectionately assisting Great-Britain, though a very
bloody, dangerous and expensive war, and after a twelve
year's un'uccefsful endeavou to remain reconciled to her on
principles of right, equity, liberty, and confanguinny we are
at last reduced to the seceffity ot becoming independent and
entering into a war wit;- her to preserve °u privileges.
The American quit rents can do little as vet, bu s in a few
years they alone would provide the King with a fund fufficient
toiaife and support any army neceflary to er Gave us, ic us
th nbe united to Britain on what principles we pieale We
are at present such a numer u , sober, hardy and industrious
people, as in all ages hav been the abieft to contend with,
and most fucccfsful in opposing tyranny gnd oppreffi >ll. How
long we may remain so is only known to the Dei y. All
parties, even the ministry ufelf, agrees that we mult one day
become independent, and to become independent without a
ftrugde for it is absurd to imagine. We have now gone
through the firft year ot the war, which may forever put a pe
riod to he contention. When ws seriously confider the fore
going chain of events and our present happy union, it is im
possible to imagine a cor juncture more favourable to the inde
pendence of this country. Ltfs than divine wifd m coud
scarcely have fixed on a fitter occasion; m,d I may defy any
person to point out one link of the foregoing chain, which can
well be wanted at the time an independency is to take place.
Any one who confiders thele things attentively, and recollects
how many opportunities she has hd of setting every thing
right at no greater expence than hea kningtooui prayers, and
repealing a few obnoxious a&s, mud believe, that the designs
of Providence in this affair are not trivial. God, it is general
ly acknowledged fends no extraordinary messenger on an oidi
nary errand. ° We may therefore fafely believe, that all this
is not for the breaking up of a junto, or gratifying the ambi
tion of a prince. No brethren, it cannot be so You will fay
it is a judgment of God upon us for our fins. Be it so, It
is like all his other judgments sent upon a people, which has
not yet been incorrigible. It is a judgment in mercy, which
will leave us infinitely better than it found us, if we remain
not invincibly attached to a people from whom we receive lit
tle besides the contagion of vice and folly, not to fay slavery
and oppression..
The peace, happiness and prosperity we once enjoyed in
connection with her, is as small a proof of any obligation we
are under to seek a reconciliation, as an old friendship and
correspondence would be, that we ought to seek a cell in Bed
lam with an ancient acquaintance. Her own madness and
folly have driven us from her, and God has mercifully secured
our retreat. It would be rendering ourselves unworthy of his
future prote&ion to throw ourselves back upon her. She is
not now, what she was in those happy days of former con
neaion nor can we remain the happy people we then were,
if we seek a reconciliation. Circumftaucvs are materially al
tered. It need not be alked, are we able to support the mea
sures which will secure independency ? The aufwer is plain
and easy. Though all the world may think we arc not. yet
God, it appears, thinks otherwise. Ifay, God thinks other
wise, because every part of his providential proceedings jufti
fits the thought. Wemay then know what part we ought to
take God does the work ; but not without instruments,
and they who are employed are denominated his servants, no
king nor kingdom was ever destroyed by a miracle which ef
feaually excluded the agency of second causes. Even Herod
himfelf was devoured by vermin. We may affect humility
in refuting to be made the instruments of divine vengeance,
but the good servant will execute the will of his matter. Sa
muel will flay Agag; Moses. Aaron and Hur will pray in the
mountain, and fofliua will defeat the Canaanites.
A Religious POLITICIAN.
£&&&&& & & & ± I
%
NEWBURY- POR T, Jan 19.
On Monday last a brigantine from Ireland, burthen about
go tons, Engs, master owned b, Lewis Gray,( an enemy
to the rights of America, laden with provifi ns for the uie of
the minifterlal army at Boston, was taken and brought into
this port, the particulars of her cargo are as follow :—a,
tierces, 18 barrels and ,1 half bariels ot best beef ; 64 fir
kins r barrel and to half barrels of tongues; to puncheons
of clare' wine ; one tierce, it barrels and 9 halt barrels of
best pork; 8 puncheons of oats, two firkins of lard, 19 kegs
of tripe, tw> calk of peas, and tog hampers of potatoes.
Likewise, on the fame evening, a ship from London, bur
then about 200 tons, Bowie, master, owned at London,
outra week , with the following articles on board, intended
for the fime use as the brig's cargo, viz, gochald'ons of loals,
86 bu ts and 30 hogfhe ads of porter, xo hogsheads of vine
gar, 16 hogsheads of four grout, and 43 live h gs.
In the above brig came pafi.ngers, Mr. John G r ay, son to
Harrison Gray, Esq; of fofton, and a regular officer, who,
together with the Captain, were yeflerday sent to Cambridge.
CAMBRIDGE, January „.
Last Saturday a vessel, filled with our distressed brethren of
Boston, put off from that place, and landed her passengers
at Cheifea, among whom were Captain Andrew Symmes,
and Captain John Dean.—lt is said a considerable number
more were soon to follow.
PHILADELPHIA.
Lxtraft of a letter from Cambridge, January 23.
“ I have been informed by a gentleman who left Boston
last Saturday, that general Clinton is gone on board a 20
gun ship, and is bound with a number of transports, having
on ooard two regiments (about 600 raen) to some distant
pi.ee, where he experts to meet five or fix other regiments
from Europe; some suppose he is going to Virginia.^
43 foi ship ot war arrived there last week; she left England
the 27th of November. Nothing has transpired, but tha
general Gage arrived 13 days before the failed,"
Extract of a letter from Xe-w-York, Feb. 5. 1776.
Yest rday abit the fame time both gen. Lee and gen
C imon arrived—The Committee of Safety met immedia cly
ano we xpvCt d something like a commencement of hoftib
ties to-d , — 1 he mayor went on board—The gov and gen
both assured him not a loan was to t>c landed here—a 20 gm
ih p, laid to be the Mercury, and a transport came into the
harbour yelterday — Clinton came in the frigate, he is going
to the fouthwaid; 1 believe Virginia—A doctor Gillfon ha
been tameu into, custody at New-Port, and sent to Head
Quarters for treasonable practices at Rhode Island."
We aie told that there ire 14. or 1500 troops arrived a
New-York last week from Connecticut, who are under the
command ot general Lee.
On Monday lad, a number of the Tories taken at Long
Illand were brought to h.s coy.
Extract of a lelte from Cambridge, January aB, 1776.
" Last Thursday capt. Mniy took two (lore Blips loader
witli provifi ,ns, potatoes, coal, &c. which he carried into
Plymouth, n'otwuhltanding he was attacked by a cutter
which he couid have t. ken bad he not been afraid of lootin'
his prizes. It is said that cap ain Waters in the course c
last week took a (hip and ing, but the success of Water:
wants confirmation It would now be no news to acquaint
you with the burning the houses at Charleftown, or rathe
at the toot of Bunker's-Hill, but the circumstances being ode
and humorous, (hall give them to you; when about 200 0
our people (colonel Mifflin in the number) were performing
the bulioefs, the reguia s were a&ing a play, called the Bui
Body, tha # being fioithed, the fee es were hoisted to perform
a farce (wrote by the officers) called the Blockade of Boston
general Washington, with a iarg wig and a long rusty fwor
had just appeared on the flagc. together with his orderly fa
jeant, who had a tufty gun of seven feet long on his shoulder
ar that instant one of the regular ferjeants came tannin,
(almost out of breath) on the stage, on, which he threw in
bay nt, and hallowed out, Boston is on fire and attacked in 5-
Places, those who were unacquainted with the farce, though
this part of it, but general Howe cryed out, officers to ,^
alarm pojts, which changed the act to (hreiking, crying,
fainting, &c. and indeed the troops on Bunker-Hill were no
much cfs frighted than they were in Boston, for notwith
standing the officers ordered the men to preserve their fire
they kept a continued blaze all round the bib. Colone
Nefbit, who commanded, was tried for not (allying out or
our men, but have not yet heard hrs fate.
Last Friday General Clinton, with 2 considerable number
of grenadiers, and light infantry failed from Bullon, and
were supposed to be bound to Virginia.
We hear that the enemy, the evening on which our troops
bunt the houses at Charleftown, were entertaining thcmfelves
at the exhibition of a play, which they, called the Blockade of
Beflon; in the midst of which a person appeared before the
audience, and, with gteat earnestness, declared, that the
Yankees were attacking Bunker' s-Hill. The deluded
wretches, at firft, took this to be merely farcical, and intend
ed as part of their diversion: But soon convinced that the act
or meant to represent a solemn reality, the whole assembly left
the house in confufion, and feimpered off with great precipi
tation.
Since our last we have had several deserters. One of them,
Rationed at Charleftown mills, pitched his companion over
the dam, and then run for Cobble-Hill.
Lift Thursday one of our cruisers, commanded by Capri
Mafcoll, earned into Cape Aon a ship of about 250 tons. She
was from Lynn-Haven, in England, bound to Button, and
had on board, besides other valuable articles, i§oo blankets,
too bo is of oznabrugs, 100 calks of oat meal, a large num
ber of shoes, and a qoauti y of coal.
NEWPOR T, January 29.
A small fl op loaded with pork, salted in bulk, some beef
in quarters, bread, &c. from New-Yo k, bound into Boston,
was lately taken by a small privateer, and carried into Ply
mouth.
The Hon. the General Assembly of tin's colony, at their
last session, ordered another regiment of troops to be railed
for the dele ce of this colony. They adjourned to the third
Monday in February next, hen to meet at East Greenwiclr.
Last Tuesday night a priz brig, an armed schooner, and a
small tender belonging to the fleet in this harbour, failed for
B bion.
Yeflerday arrived in town, from Boston, several perform
who failed from this place last fall in four whaling brigs, and
inform that laid vessels, with a Hoop from Dartmouth, were
taUel a Fayal, by some of the fllips of war lately arrived at
B '0,., and tent to England; these men were brought to Bos
ton in one of the men of war, and made their efeape in a
0 4.d iand.d at Dorcheffer point. They fay the (hips
tha took them were but miserably m nned, and that many
I t t offi r s and men very greatly disliked th: huhnefs they
were f n. upon.
NEW LONDON, January 26, 1776.
We hear, that on t|ie eport of ur untuccefsful attempt
up m Quebec, about 5,000 men from the back parrs of
Maffachufett' Biv, Connecticut, and New York, imme
diately marched off, determined to force their way into
Quebec, and drag out the infamous Carleton apd his Banditti,
or nobly perith it he attempt.
N E W- Y O R K, February 5.
Thursday last Pihp Livingftou, John Alsop, John Jay,
and Alexander M'D ug^ll Esq r s; were hnanimouuy eie&ed
members fr the city • d county of New-York, to serve in
the ne^t Gen ral Af^mbly.
WILLIAMSBUR G H, (Virginia) Jan. a 7.
An xirefi arrived here on Tuesday with advices, that lift
Sunday morning near an hundred of the enemy landed at Nor
folk, ftp > the men of war, under a he#vy tiring of cannon,
which continu d when the express came away. They had set
three houses on fire, but were soon forced to retire; the loss
they fultained was then uncertain. Three of our men were
ki ed by cannon (hot, two of whom it is said belonged tc
Capt. Bleuford's company of minute-men.
One Wotten, in a canoe from Hampton a few days ago,
was chafed by a tender as far as Sowel's point. The old man
hauled his canoe on shore, and ran into the woods, but wa^
puilneu by some men from the tender; they were soon dis
covered by our guard Rationed there, who tired upon them,
and the consequence of their attempt to catch one was, that
they loft three, killed upon the spot.
Tins week a grenadier of the 14th regiment (tired of the
service) came up from Norfolk to fee his fellow soldiers, now
prifoneis here upon parole.