The Pennsylvania gazette — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-10-16 00:00:00, page 1

Williamiburg, October 5, 1776.
By Virtue of a Decree of the Hon. Cour t of Admiralty of
this Stare, ^ill be SOLD, at PUBLIC VENDUE, for ready
. Money, on Monday, the 21st Infant, at the House of Mre. Wattt,
on Chincoteague,
HE Ship Caroline, of London, lately made a prize by the
Harlequin Privateer, Capt. Wootfey, of Baltimore, with her
^ih, rigging and materials, being about 200 tons burthen, Plan
tation built, about fix years old, but, having, been stranded on
the coast of England, has been since rebuilt, and her keel, stern,
flora post, many of her futtocks and floor-timbers, of Erghjh
dak, she is supposed to be equal, if not superior, to a new Ame
rican built vessel. An inventory of her fails, rigging and mate
rials, may be fees at the fubfefriber's, or on board said Ship.—At
the fame time will be fold part of her cargoe. confining of choice
MUSCOVADO SUGARS and RUM, Dipped on board said ship
from famaica for the London market. And on the following day
will commence the sale of the residue of the cargoe, consisting of
4,00 hoarheads of SUGAR, and 117 puncheons of RUM, at
Pitt's landing, on Pocomoke river, in Chesapeake bay, which lies
Convenient fo r transportation to any Part of Virginia, Maryland
or Philadelphia Market, and will continue until the whole is dis
posed of. (iw, BEN. POWELL, Marlhal.
Philadelphia, October 16, J 776.
To be SOLD by public VENDUE, at the
Coffee-Houle, at Five o' Clock this Afternoon,
A COMMODIOUS LOT of GROUND, situate on
the North fide of Mulberry or Arch-street, between the
Fourth and Fifth-ftreets from Delaware, in the city of Phila
delphia, nearly opposite the Church Burying-ground, containing
in breadth on the said Mulberry or Arch-street 37 feet, and in
length 140 feet, to a large Alley called Apple-tree Alley, ex
tending from Fourth to Fifth-ftreet. There are on the said Lot
some old buildings, which now lett for £ 42, : 10, per annum ;
the Lot is clear of grtundrent. Any person desirous of viewing
the premises before the sale, is desired to apply to the owner,
living in Third-Street. JOSEPH WATKINS.
THE CONTRIBUTORS for promoting the Culture
of SILK are desired to meet, at the House of Benja
min Davids, on Friday, the firft Day of November next, at
three o' Clock, in the Afternoon, to choose twelve Managers
and a Treasurer for the ensuing Year.
Philadelphia., September 28, 1776.
THE Committee appointed by the Assembly to fettle
the Accounts of the Commanding Officers in the
different Battalions of Associators in Pennsylvania, for
the Wages of Adjutants, Serjeant-Majors, Fife-Majors,
Drum-Majors, Fifers and Drummers, agreeable to the
late Resolution of Assembly, will attend on that Service
(to adjust the laid Accounts and draw Orders on the Pro
vincial Treasurer for Payment) at the State-House in the
City of Philadelphia, the 21st Day of October next, and
will continue from Day to Day (Sunday excepted) until
the 2d Day of November inclulive. Those who have such
Demands against the Public, are desired to attend within
the Time limited as aforefaid.
T'o be SOLD by the fubferiber, living in Benfalem
^ownfhip, Bucks county, about 3 miles from Nethaminy ferry,
A LIKELY, strong, healthy NEC ROE MAN, about
21 years of age, this country born, has had the small-pox
and measles, has been bred to farming, which he understands
well, but rather inclines to take care of horses, and wait on a
gentleman, or to drive a team. JOHN SWIFT.
To be SOLD by public VENDUE, on the
Eighth Day of November next,
A VALUABLE plantation in the township of Gofhen and
county of Chester, containing 140 acres of excellent good
LAND, both for grain and pasture, with about 70 acres thereof
cleared, the remainder exceedingly well timbered, with 10 acres
of good meadow, p-rt thereof watered, and the rest may be
watered, and a good thriving orchard, with a good log dwelling
houfe and barn, and other out-houses; also a stream of water
palling through the fame, with a fufficient fall for I&pe advan
tageous mill works. The whole in good repair, and the title
indisputable. Any person, who has a mind to purchase, may
view the premises, by applying to the fubferibers, on the foot,
% John Johnson, and Joseph Johnson.
To be SOLD by public VENDUE, on the
premiles, the third day of December next,
fl GOOD plantation or tra& of LAND, containing 203
macres, Situate in Coventry township, Chester county, about
two miles from Pottfgrove, with a good large flone-dwelling
houfe, and a good cellar under the fame, and a gnod large stone
barn and Tables, faring and spring- house, and other out-houses ;
about one half of the land is well timbered, and the other is
good corn land : about 15 acres of the best watered meadow ; a
good orchard, with good apple-trees, and about 30 acres of wheat
and rye in toe ground; allin good fence and repair. The sale
to begin tire fame day, on the premises, between the hours of
twelve and one of the clock.. The conditions to be seen at the
time and place of sale, by JohNßou gh, and Pe t eR
Cr umbackek, Executors. ' || 6 W,
O SOL D;
A PLAN TA I'l ON, containing 100 and odd acres of
J^i L AN D, near 50 acres cleared, the remainder well wood
ed; there are fix acres of meadow and more may be made; great
part of the plowland has bem limed; on which are erected a
dweliing-houfe, a barn, a milk-house, over a cenftant spring of
water, and a well ot good water, having a pump in it, near the
door, a voun orchard, &c. also a grist and merchant-mill, with
two pAr A times, one pair of good French burrs, 3 boulting
cloths, and hetft jack, all which go by water ; situate in Abing
ton townlhi?, 13 miles from Philadelphia. Any person inclining
to view or treat for the premises may apply to
R OBERTPAU L.
N. B. The indentures of a Dutch Servant Man, who has near
five y^r* to serve, to be disposed of. Enquire as above.
A NEGROE WOMAN, 26 years of age; she can do
T 1 At 'hits of out door work, and can spin and knit, and is
very handy in kitchen work. For further particulars and con
dui ms, enquire of George Hinkle, in Hinkle-town, Lail
township, Lahcafter county.§
The Pennsylvania
Containing the Frefoeft Ad-
October 16, 1776.
The CONSTITUTION of the Commonwealth of
PENNSYLVANIA, as eftablifeed b, the GENE-
R AL CONVENTION, elected for that purpose, and
held at Philadelphia, July 15, 1776, and continued by
adjournments to September 28, 1776.
WHERE AS all government ought to be institut
ed and Supported for the security and protection
of the community as such, and to enable the individuals
who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and the
other blessings which the author of existence has bestow
ed upon man ; and whenever these great ends of govern
ment are not obtained, the people have a right', by com
mon consent, to change it, and take such measures as to
them may appear necessary to promote their fafety and
happiness. And Whereas the inhabitants of this Com
monwealth have, in consideration of protection only,
heretofore acknowledged allegiance to the King of Great
Britain, and the said King has not only withdrawn that
protection, but commenced and till continues to carry
on, with unabated vengeance, a mog cruel and unjust
war against them, employing therein not only the troops
of Great Britain, but foreign mercenaries, savages, and
Paves, for the avowed purpose of reducing them to a
total and abject submission to the despotic domination of
the British Parliament, with many other ads of tyranny
(more fully set forth in the declaration of Congrefs)-
whereby all allegiance and fealty to the said King and his
successors are diffolyed and at an end, and all power and
authority derived from ,Idm chafed in these colonies.—
And whereas it is absolutely necessary for the welfare
and fafety of the inhabitants of said colonies, that they
be henceforth free and independent States, and that just,
permanent and proper forms of government exist in every
part of them, derived from, and founded on the autho
rity of, the people only, agreeable to the directions of
the Honourable American Congress. WE, the repre
sentatives of the Freemen of Pennsylvania, in General
Convention met, for the express purpose of framing such
a government, confeffing the goodness of the great Go
vernor of the Universe (who alone knows to what de
gree of earthly happiness mankind may attain by per
fecting the arts of government) in permitting the people
of this State, by common consent, and without violence,
deliberately to form for themselves such just rules as
they shall think best for governing their future society;
and being fully cenviom. that it is our indifpenfible
duty to eftablifb such original principles of government
as will best promote the general happiness of the people
of this State and their posterity, and provide for future
improvements, without partiality for, or prejudice against
any particular class, fe&, or denomination of men what
ever, DO, by virtue of the authority vested in us by our
constituents, ordain, declare, and establish the following
Declaration of Rights and Frame of Government, to be
THE CONSTITUTION of this Commonwealth, and
to remain in force therein forever, unaltered, except in
such articles as Sliall hereafter on experience be found to
require improvements, and which shall by the fame au
thority of the people, fairly delegated as this frame of go
vernment directs, be amended or improved, for the more
effectual obtaining and securing THE GREAT END
AND DESIGN OF ALL GOVERNMENT, herein be
fore mentioned.
CHAPTER I.
A DECLARATION of the Rights of the Inhabitants
of the State of PENNSYLVANIA.
I. nr HAT all men are born equally free and independ-
I ent, and have certain natural, inherent and un
alienable rights, amongst which are the enjoying and de
fending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protect
ing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and
fafety.
11. That all men have a natural and unalienable right
to worlhip Almighty God, according to the dictates of
their own consciences and understanding: And that no
man ought or of right can be compelled to attend any
religious worship, or erect or support any place of wor
ship, or maintain any ministry, contrary to, or against,
his own free will and consent: Nor. can any man, who
acknowledges the being of a God, be justly deprived or
abridged of any civil right as a citizen, on account of
his religious sentiments or peculiar mode of religious
worship : And that no authority can or ought to be vested
in, or affirmed by, any power whatever, that shall in
any case interfere with, or in any manner controul, the
right of conscience in the free exercise of religious wor
ship.
111. That the people of this State have the sole, exclu
sive and inherent right of governing and regulating the
internal police cf the fame.
IV. That all power being originally inherent in, and
consequently derived fro^, the people; therefore all of
ficers of government, whether legislative or executive,
lire their truftecs and servants, and at all times account
able to them.
VII. That all eleCtionsought tobe free; and that all free
men, having a Sufficient evident common interest with,
V. That government is, or ought to be, instituted for
the common benefit, protection and security of the peo
ple, nation or community; and not for the particular
emolument or advantage of any Single man, family or sett
of men, who arc a part only of that community: And
that the community hath an indubitable, unalienable and
indefeasible right to reform, alter or abolish government,
in such a manner as shall be by that community judged
molt conducive to the public weal.
VI. That those who are employed in the legislative and
executive business of the State may be retrained from
oppression, the people have a right, at such periods as
they may think proper, to reduce their public officers to a
private Nation, and supply the vacancies by certain and
regular elections.
owl
G^ZETTE.
vices, Foreign and Domestic.
XI. That in all controversies refpe&ing property, and
in suits between man and man, the parties have a right to
trial by jury, which ought to be held sacred.
XII. That the people have a right to freedom of Speech,
and of writing and publishing their sentiments ; therefore
the freedom of the press ought not to be retrained.
XIII. That the people have a right to bear arms for-'
the defence of themselves and the State; and as Standing
armies, in the time of peace, are dangerous to liberty,
they ought not to be kept up: And that the military
Should be kept under Strict subordination to, and govern
ed by, the civil power.
XIV. That a frequent recurrence to fundamental
principles, and a firm adherence to justice, moderation,
temperance, industry and frugality, are absolutely neces
sary to preserve the blessings of liberty, and keep a go
vernment free : The people ought therefore to pay parti
cular attention to these points in the choice of officers
and representatives, and have a right to exa& a due and
constant regard to them, from their legislators and ma
gistrates in the making and executing such laws as are
necessary for the good government of the State.
XV. That all men have a natural inherent right to
emigrate from one State to another that will receive
them, or to form a new State in vacant countries, or in
such countries as they can purchase, whenever they think:
that thereby they may promote their own happiness.
XVI . That the people have a right to assemble together,
So consult for their common good, to inftrud their repre
-1 natives, and to apply to the legislature for redress of
gr. Fauces, by address, petition or remonstrance.
and attachment to the community, have a right to elect
officers, or to be elected into office.
VIII. That every member of society hath a right to be
protested in the enjoyment of life, liberty and property,
and therefore is bound to contribute his proportion to
wards the expence of that protection, and yield his per-
Sonal service, when necessary, or an equivalent thereto;
But no part of a man's property can be justly taken from
him, or applied to public uses, without his own consent,
or sha' of his legal representatives : Nor can any man, who
is conicientioufly Scrupulous of bearing arms, be justly
compelled thereto, if he will pay such equivalent: Nor
are the people bound by any laws', but such as they have
in like manner assented to, for their common good.
IX. 1 hat in all professions for criminal offences, a
man hath a right to be heard by hirafelf and his council,
to demand the cause and nature of his accusation, to be
confronted with the witnesses, to call for evidence in his
favour, and a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of
the country, without the unanimous cffifent of which
jury he cannot be found guilty: Nor can he be compelled
to give evidence against himfelf: Nor can any man be
justly deprived of his liberty, except by the laws of the
land or the judgment of his peers.
X. That the people have a right to hold themselves,
their houses, papers and possessions, free from search and
Seizure ; and therefore warrants without oaths or affirma
tions firft made, affording a fufficient foundation for them,
and whereby any officer or messenger may be commanded
or required to search fufpeded places, or to seize any
person or persons, his or their property, not particularly
described, are contrary to that right, and ought not to
be granted.
CHAPTER 11.
PLAN or FRAME ^GOVERNMENT.
Sell. i. r rH E Commonwealth or State of Pennsylvania
I Shall be governed hereafter by an Assembly
of the Representatives of the Freemen of the fame, and
a President and Council, in manner and form following—
Sect. 2. The supreme legislative power Shall be vested
in a House of Representatives of the Freemen of the
Commonwealth or State of Pennsylvania.
Se&. 3. The supreme executive power Shall be vested in
a President and Council.
Sell. 4. Courts of Justice Shall be eftabliflied in the city
of Philadelphia, and in every county of this State.
Sect. 5. The Freemen of this Commonwealth and
their sons shall be trained and armed for its defence,
under such regulations, reftri&ions and exceptions, as the
General Assembly shall by law direct, preserving always
tothe people the right of choosing their'Colonel and all
commissioned officers under that rank in such manner and
as often as by the said laws shall be directed.
Seß. 6. Every Freeman of the full age of twenty-one
years, having resided in this State for the Space of one
whole year next before the day of election for Represen
tatives, and paid public taxes during that time, Shall en
joy the right of an elector; Provided always, that sons
of freeholders of the age of twenty-one years Shall be
entitled to vote, although they have not paid taxes.
Sect.;. The House of Representatives of the Freemen
of this Commonwealth shall consist of persons most
noted- for wisdom and virtue, to be chosen by the Free
men of every city and county of this Commonwealth
respectively. And no person Shall be elected, unless he
has resided in the city or county for which he shall be
chosen two years immediately before the laid election ;
nor Shall any member, while he continues such, hold any
other office except in the militia.
Sell. 8. No person Shall be capable of being elected a
member to serve in the House of Representatives of the
Freemen of this Commonwealth more than four years in
seven.
Sect. 9. The members of the House of Representatives
shall be chosen annually by ballot- by the freemen of the
Commonwealth, on the Second Tuesday in October for
ever (except this present year) and Shall meet on the
4th Monday of the fame month, and shall be stiled, THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPRESENTA
TIVES OF THE FREEMEN OF PENNSYLVANIA,
[Turn to the fourth Pgge.]
Numb. 1495.