The Pennsylvania gazette — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-04-03 00:00:00, page 4

Let it not be said, that I am here drawing a horrMe
tiflufe to frighten this country into an ablohite fub
miiEan to Great-Vritain. No. I persevere in my belief,
that on our pfefent plan of refinance Britain can never
force us cither intofubmiffion or reconciliation, but upon
Inch terms as the united wifflom of the colonies ihall
deem fafe and honourable. But upon the other plan, it
is much to be feared, that fubmiffiori as well as ruin
might be our lot; and were I disposed to give bad names
to any persons, who may perhaps be liorieftly enquiring
after our true interest in this contest, they who advise
fetch a plan, and not Cato, might be called inimical to
tbefe colonies. Nor let it be said, tint the wished for
assistance is not that of armies, but of fleets for trade,
and commercial prote<stion. Even supposing that to be
the case, will the fleets of any power, who can look
those of Britain in the face, be content just to take A
peep at our fruitful fhore§, give us their protection when
called upon, and then return quietly home? But the
author of Common Sense (and 'tis him I am now anfwer
ihg) makes no such diftin&ion; and freaks of the “ abid
ance 'of France and Spain" generally—and that for the
purnofes of a total separation from Great-Britain —His
Words are these—
“ Society, fays he, is produced by our wants, and
" government by our wickedness; the former promotes
" our happiness positively, by uniting our affections; the
" latter negatively, by refraining our vices—Govern
“ merit, like dress, is the badge of loft innocence ; the
" palaces of Kings are built on the ruins of the bowers
" of Paradise."
If the author meant only by this to tell us, that if all
men were perfectly virtuous, arid followed the pure dic
tates of right reason, human governments would have
been unneceffiry ; then I could fubferibe to his doctrine,
and might have paid him a compliment for eloathing an
old truth in a spruce metaphor. But if he meant to prove
that monarchies were any more founded on the ruins of
paradise than Republic's, he ought, in confiflency with
himicif, to have Ihewn us —that, after Adam was ex
p'llcd from Paradise, lie. and bis defeendents, as soon as
they were " four or fr/t" m,ig, and “ able to raise a
" tolerable dwelling in the wildernef,"=- were found
erecting some fort of palace for him as their king; and
that, after this example, all future governments were
kitgly, i" the firft ages. But our author ibews us no such
th : ng. On the contrary, when he speaks of the manner
of ' peopling the world," and frames a government out
of the hate of nature, the firft idea he prefects us with is
that of a pure Republic,—
" Borne convenient tree, fays he, affords a State-Hmfe,
" under the branches of which the whole colony may
" alienable to deliberate on public matters." —They pro
ceed, as their numbers increase. to improve this consti
tution; and devise checks, that “ the elected may not
" form to themfeives an interest separate from the eh#-
" It is unreasonable to fuppofc that France or Spain
" will give us any kind of afltilance, if we mean only to
" make life of that affidance for the purpose of repairing
'' •the breach, and strengthening the connection, between
" Britain and America," —That the assistance here meant
is not confined to mere naval afflilauce in the idea of some,
Who are great advocates for this author's pamphlet,
might have bhen easily gathered from their expressions,
tyhen we received the late accounts of the arrival of tinu
fu d numbers of tfoops in the neighbouring French Weft-
Indies.— =
But this only alarmed others the more ; and I am well
persuaded that this writer's idea is not yet adopted by
many persons of much consideration in this country,
much less by any Public Bodies. I confider it only as
thrown out to collect the sentiments of America upon it,
Although I cannot but think it a dangerous as well as un
feafsnable cueftion at this time, and could have been con
tent that it had not been brought before the public. But
since it hath been made a question, it ought now to be
fairly difeuffed, for whatever we have left, worthy of
our attention as freemen, is all involved in this flake;
and when important questions are put upon the footing,
that if they are not answered they are to be taken for
granted,it becomes absolutely necessary to examine them.
For my part, the more I cohfider the matter (and I
have long considered it impartially) the more I am per
foaded that our political salvation can only be worked
out by our own united virtue, arid upon our own foun
dation. When it shall clearly appear that we can no
longer &nd upon this ground; when we shall be gene
rally convinced, by better arguments than declamation,
and the abide of things venerable and antient, that fu
ture connection with Great-Britain is neither possible nor
fare ; then we ftiall be fully united and prepared, at every
risk, to pursue whatever measures the sense of the com
munity, fairly collected, shall tliink neceflary to adopt.
But even then, before we launch forth, many domestic.
Concerns are to be adjusted.
Under what form of government are we to confede
rate? How much of our ancient constitutions is to be
preferred ? Who is to fettle our clashing territorial claims?
In what cases are the jurifdidtion and expences of'thefe
Colonies to be joint or fepafate ? On what terms are we
to engage foreign alliances, and yet to secure our liber
ties in connexion with them ? Are the colonies to vote
equally in determining these grand concerns ; or is a new
Yeprefentation to be formed, in proportion to numbers
and consequence?
I might propose more questions of this kind; and when
the necessity comes, they will rife thick enough upon us,
.and we thuft then encounter them all, for the fake of
American Liberty, which I would never desert, but
with my fife. But lam fore that the author of Common
Sense, who labours to prove that the necessity is already
come, offers nothing on this head that can give much fa
tisfadion to the public in general. Trusting, however,
that in the preceding part of his work he has levelled the
English constitution to the dust, together with all dur
American constitutions, which are formed on similar mo
dels, and that he has thereby led us pafl the Rubicon, he
may flatter himfelf that we will the more readily follow
his future direction, and adopt what plans he may offer.
But I choose to examine for myfelf, and having difpatch
€d his main argument for Independence, which he founds
on the necessity of foreign assistance, I proceed to confi
der some other parts of his work.
His fird fedions on the origin of government and mo
narchy appear to be the strangest medley of inconsisten
cies and contradictions, which were perhaps ever offered
to the Common Sense of any people, and calculated only
to mislead those fuperficial readers, who are content to
believe as they go, without comparing one part of a
writer's doctrine with another.
PHILADELPHIA: Printed by HALL and SELLERS, at the New Printing-
Office, near the Market.
“ ors." —On these checks (“ nit on the unmeaning name
" King) depends the Jlrengtb,f government and bappi
" nefs of the governed."
How can this be reconciled to what follows? The
author has told us that all government “ being at belt
but+ hneceflary evil, promotes happiness only negatively,
by refraining (viz. checking) our vices;" and in erecting
his e^rly Republic, he contrives his checks accordingly ;
but ( rifum teneatis !) directly forgets himfelf, and fays
that ho " power which neeas checking can be from God."
Thus, by his own argan % nt, God has as little to do
with the powers of government in the Republican as mixt
forms. But further, left his readers should also forget
themselves, and be carried away by bis firft assertion —
that '' the palaces of Kings were built on the ruins of
Paradise," he takes care to tell us, and backs it with the
authority of " scripture Chronology; that in /the early
a^s of the world there were no Kings ;" that the Devil
himfelf, in those ancient titles, was but a dull fellow;
and that, although " government by Kings was his most
profperons invention for the promotion of idolatry," he
was a long while in hammering it out ; which is but a
poor compliment to Satan s cunning! For being a King
himfelf from the beginning, he might have hit upon it
fooricr. But I leave our author to make his own apology
to his infefnal Majeffy, if he be of his councils ; for I
have no business to interfere between thoria.
The bounds prescribed for this letter will not fuffer
me, at present, to point out his misrepresentations, and
to (hew how he sets himfelf up, not only against the plain
letter of scripture, but the universal sense of w ; fe and
holy men of every age. It is not consistent with my
principles to fay one word in favour of the divine right of
Kings ; nor do I believe a word of what others have said
in its favour. As little do I believe what has been said
concerning the divine right of republics, or any other
human forms of government. But the question is", whe
ther God hath particularly reprobated any of'them ?
For my part, as the author has set me the example of
examining scripture on this head, I cannot find any mo
dern Kings particularly rejected by Heaven, but Moun
sier the King of France. It is in the 35th chapter of
Ezekiel; and I am sure cur author, who is so deeply
versed in scripture, coulfnot have overlooked it, if it
had not been for the tre .y he proposes with this King.
The reader will readily allow that the application is much
more natural than that which the author has made of
the Bth chapter of theist book of Samuel.
Son of Man, set thy face against Mountseir (Heb.
Mounseir, or Monseur) and prophecy against it (Heb.
Him) and fay unto him, thus faith the Lord God : Behold,
O Mountfeir or Mounfier, lam against thee —because thou
bast had a perpetual hatred, and haft fed the blood of the
children of Israel [that is, the French Protefants] by the
force of the favord —Therefore, as I live, faith the Lord
God, I will prepare 4hee unto blood, and blood shall pursue
thee —Sith thou haft not hated blood, even blood Jhall pursue
thee. —Thus twill I male Mountseir, or Monsieur, mofi
defolate —because thou haft said these two nations, and these
two countries [here Britain and America are clearly
pointed ontjfhall be mine, and we willpoflefs it—whereas
the Lord was there — as fnuch as to fay, [you faall not
have these two countries Monfeur! the Lord intends
them for his own use—they shall be free Proteflant coun
tries.]';
The reader may peruse and apply the remainder of the
chapter, which he may do as well as the author of Com
mon Sense; and, some may fay, perhaps as well as
C A T O.
TO BE SOLD,
AP LANTA rI ON, containing about 63 acres of
land, fitnate in Springfield township, Burlington county,
26 miles from Philadelphia, 12 from Burlington, and 7 from
Mount-Holly, in a Village called Julies Town; there are on
said premises a handsome two story dweliing-houfe, neatly paint
ed and very pleafantfy situated, in a healthy part of the country,
with good Cables and a large hay-loft, waggon-houfe, smoke
house, &c. a good well of water, with a pump, at the kitchen
door, a large garden, with a variety of fruit trees, neatly paled,
a large orchard, containing 180 apple trees, about 45 acres of
cleared land, 12 acres of meadow arid 6 of woodland; there are
also on said traA three small dwelling-houses that will rent for
Twelve Pounds yearly. The above place would suit a person
who chooses to retire from the city. Any person inclining to
view said plantation, and know the terms, may apply to Wil
liam Hewlings, Esq; 'in Burlington, er to the fubferiber,
on the premises. JAMES SMITH.
N. B. There is also to be fold a House and Lot of Land,
in Burlington, containing four acres, fronting York-street, and
bounding on Aflifkurik creek. Fer terms, enquire as above. «[
TWENTY DOLLARS Reward.
PC '' AWAT from the fubferiber, living in tie Borough of
l Lancafler, on the lytb of February last, an indented servant
man, named Jchn Robinson, be is about 22 years of age, 5 feet 4
inches high, a fart chunk, man, dark complexion, with black Fair,
but ver, Jbort and a little f,retp to it ; bad on, and took with him,
a pair of white breeches and a pair of tow trowfers, an &so coloured
jacket, and a blue friped lince, jacket, with jleevs, an eld wool hat,
4 f air of fet.es, with brass buckles ;be also took with him a large
black Dog, wiL a fl) rt tail. Whoever takes up said servant, and
secures bun, so that be may be bad again, fall have the above re
ward, and all reasonable charges, paid by John Creinzr,
Brefs-Founder,^
It is fufficierit to ihew Chat use he makes of his Com
mod Sense, at the very outlet' ,in refuting his own firft
doctrine, and proving to hemonttration that, inft.cad of
Palaces for Kiogs, State Floufes for whole Colonies
were built on the ffiins, of Paradise ; nay more, that
theie ruins, in the ca^ ts the Jews, were near three
thcufand years tossed up -%d down into various forms,
before they were convert d into Royal Edifices ! That I
have not miffeprefented ^Ur author in this argument, his
own word's will shew. “ Near three thousand years
passed away, from the Mosaic account of the creation,
till the Jews, under a national delusion, requested a King.
Till then, their form of government (except in extraor
dinary cases, where the Almighty interposed) was adtind
of Republic, &€."
He proceeds, in the next place, to persuade us that he
is as well acquainted with the secrets of Heaven as the
devices of Hell, concerning the origin of Kingly govern
ment; and that the Almighty consented at last to this
" most prefperous invention of Satan," in mere wrath
and vengeance against the Jews, as a greater punishment
for their ingratitude, than could have been inflicted upon
them by any other human form of government. There
never was a greater perversion of Scripture than our au
thor has been guilty of in his endeavours to establish this
part of his argument, as every man of common under-
Banding, who has his bible in his hand, may easily per
ceive..
To be SOLD b, the Subscriber, living in Eafl-Mottinabar.
near the Brick Meeting- House,
A VALUABLE Plantation, and Tra& of Land, lying
in Weft-Bradford, Chester county ; the title ißdifputaPle:
it contains 350 acres, is well watered and timbered, about one
half cleared ; there are on the premises a good florae dweliing
houfe two ffories high, and stone kitchen adjoining, a good
well of water near the door, also a good spring and stone fpring
houfe, a good log barn and.ftables, with a stone cow shed ail
in good repair ; there are on the said premises two bearing orch
ards, 30 acres of meadow made, mostly watered, and mode may
be made. Any person inclining to purchase, by applying to fohn
Jordan, living thereon, may view the fame, and for terms of
sale to German Davis, or Ceorge Leggit. +
TWENTY SHILLINGS REWARD.
STRAYED away from the fubferiber, living in Conefto
goe township, Lancaster county, the 13th of March, 1776
A brown MARE Colt, two years old, she is a natural pacer,'
branded I. M. has one bald eye, and has been lately docked
Whoever takes up said Colt and secures it, so that the owner
may have it again, shall have the above reward, and reafonabl
charges, paid by JOHN MUSSER.
The Subferiber has purchased that elegant English Coach-Horse
P L U T U S,
Rising four years old,
in excellent order, and will
^==", cover mares this season, till
J'^t "' ' r " °' August next, at tha
^° ufeof f^iam Eldridge, Inn
keeper, living on Salem ruad, about
ft, a mile below Mantua Creek Bridge,
fGhucefar county, Weft New-Jer
< R ^' ej ' " For V h^lngs the season
F I 4 G ^'h, or Forty-five Shillings if ere*
d ^ tl]l the hrrt °f OBober next.
Plutos is a dark bay, full 17
hands high, well marked, powerful, lengthy, and neat made in
•proportion to his height, and moves with great spirits. gaiety Lid
ease to his rider. Mote might be said in his favour, but shall
omit, as I expert the necessity of enlarging the breed' of herfes
in this province will be a fufficiem inducement to the public to
make choice of him, for their own advantage and the pood of
the country. Good pasture, and attendance, will be n+ovj/ed bv
$ DAVID henry."
Reading, March i776i
BY virtue of a Writ to me directed, will be expored to fag
at public vendue, on Tuesday, the 16th day of April next;
at z o'clock in the afternoon, at the house of Konrad Minich,
Inn-keeper, in Brunswick town, a certain meffuage,. and- 'tra^
of land, situated on the Westerly Branch of Schuylkill, in
Brunswick township, Berks county, containing 300 acres of
land, be the fame more or less, the main road running through
the fame that leads to Shamokin, about 7 miles above; lato
Elias Hughes's place ; a good square log-house, convenient for
a public-house, and a public-house kept atppreset; late the
estate of Sebastian Maidura, deceased, seized and taken in exe
cution, and to be fold by
_l[ Henry Vanderst ice, Sheriff.
Reading, March 22, 1776.
BY virtue of a writ to me directed, will, be exposed to sale
at public vendue, on Tuesday, the 16th of April next, at
4 o'clock in the afternoon, at the house of Conrad Minich^
Inn-keeper, in Brunswick township, a certain meffuage, and.
trad of land, situated in Brunswick township, Berks county,
adjoining the land of Peter Markel and Michael Humel, con
taining 100 acres, be the fame more or less ; late the estate cf
Jacob Komby ; seized and taken in execution, and to be fold by
f Henry Vanderslice, Sheriff.
Lancafler County, March 16, 1776.
TO BE SOL D,
The following Trails of LAND, by private SA L E, vi%.
ON E tra&, containing 300 acres, lying in Coriegocheague,
adjoining lands of Colonel Chambers, John Campbell,
Hamilton's claims and others.
Another traT, in Coneg cheague, containing about 150 acres,
adjoining lands of William Marshall, Mr. Ripley, and others ;
both places have large improvements.
Six trails, every.tra& containing 300 acres, and allowance,
lying in Morrison's cove.
Another tradf, situate in the fame place, containing vSo acres,
and allowance, with a very good mill-feat ; the last mentioned
seven tracts are very good limestone land, with very good walnut
and all forts of the best of timber, very good to raise hemp,
and great part of it will make excellent meadow, beirtg very well
watered; all the last mentioned lands lie about 7 miles from
water carriage to Middletown ; the above lands are well fettled.
Another tia&, on Shawna branch, in Bedford county, con
taining geo acres arid allowance, with a very good mill-feat, ad
joining James Anderson, Parson Steel, Baynton and Wharton;
lies about 11 miles to the Weft of Bedford, on the main road
leading to Fort-Pitt, has a great quantity of meadow-ground
well watered with one of the largest firings in the province.
Another trad, about two miles from the last mentioned, con
taining about 300 acres, sixty whereof are good meadow, ad
joining lands of Baynton and Wharton, Colonel Calender, and
John Poak.
J-ikewife another tra&, containing 300 acres, and allowance,
adjoining the last mentioned trad, and lands of Col. Calender,
with an improvement.
Also another traft, in Cumberland valley, about 21 miles
from Bedford, on the main road which leads to Fort-Cumber
land, containing 300 acres, with allowance, adjoining lands of
Captain Barret, and others; is conveniently situated for a
Tavern, well timbered and watered, with a good improvement.
Likewise another tra&, on Thomfom's run, adjoining Bri
gadier-General Thomson. John Harry, and others.
Another tra&, on Wills creek, containing 180 acres, and
allowance; is very good walnut land, and fine hemp ground,
well watered and timbered, between 4 and 5 miles from a very
good mill, adjoining to lands of Brigadier-General Thomson,
and others.
Also a trad, in Weftmoreland, containing 300 acres, and
allowance, with a very large improvement of a good dweliing
houfe, barn, spring-house, and a large meadow cleared on it,
adjoins to lands of Brigadier-General Thontfon, Joihua Mick,
Mr. Bay, and others.
The terms of sale, of the above-mentioned. tra&s of land,
will be very reasonable, and no money asked before the purchaftr
is furniffied with a ^ood right and title for the fame, out of
Israel Pemberton, Efquiie's office, at the corner of Third and
Cheftnut-flreets, in Philadelphia. The above lands have been
purchased eleven years ago.
Any gentlemen inclining to purchase any of the before
mentioned tracts of land, may meet with the owner thereof at
Mr. Chriftoph'er Reigard's, Tavern-keeper, in Qjeen-ftreet,
where he will Attend from the Bth to the loth day of April,
and those who cannot attend at that time, may meet him at the
fame place, on theist and 2d days of May next. The owner
intends to set off to go to the land the 4th da, of May next.
Any persons inclining to purchase any of the above trails of
land, may have it shewn to them by the owner himfelf, who
will attend at Mr. Pemberton's, in Philadelphia, the iQth day
of June next. MARTIN M<DONALD.
N.B. All the above trafts of land are secured in the Land-
Office % jos.