Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1819-09-07
sMITHFIELp MEETING.

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I. Resolved, therefore, that every per-
son born in Great Britain and Ireland is,
by inherent right, Free.
2. That for the protection OF the life,
the liberty, and the property OF every
member 10 a free state, it is expedient aud
essential that a code Of laws should be
established, and an executive administra
ton thereof provided.
I 8. That as life, liberty, and property,
are equally dear TO every man, whatever
may be bis rank, condition, on attainment,
it follows Of necessity, that every man in
free state, is equally entitled TO voice
in the enactments of such laws, and their
provisional administration.
A. That to support the just expenses
attendant upon due administration OF the
law, fair proportioued contribution from
every member Of the community ought to
be equiiably levied.
5. That the rights Of all being equal,
no freeman iii GTea; Bsisai.. or Ireland
ough. to be taxed without his previous ad.
mission to participation OF universal
right.
6. That this universal right may be ex-
ercised in the choice Of representatives.
to be fairly and freely nominated or cho-
sen by the voices or votes OF the largest
proportion Of the members of the state.
'. That the persons who at present
compose the British House Of Commons
have got been fairly and freely nominated,
or chosen, by the voices or votes OF the
largest proportion Of the whole members
of the state.
s. Therefore, that any laws which may
hereafter be enacted, or any taxes which
may be imposed by the present British
House Of Commons, ought not, in equity,
to be considered obligatory upon those who
are unjustly excluded from giving their
voices or votes in the choice of Repre-
sentatives.
9. That from and after the first day OF
January, l820,we cannot, conscientiously-
consider ourselves as being bound in equi
ty by any future enactments which may
be made by any persons styling themselves
our representatives, other than those who
shall be fully, freely and fairly chosen
by the voices or votes OF the largest pro-
portion of the members of the state.
10. That, with view to accelerate the
choice Of legal and just representatives OF
the whole people, we will cause books TO
be forthwith opened in the different par
isles Of this metropolis, for the enrolment
OF the names and residence of every man
Of mature age and sound mind resident
therein, so as to enable him to give his
vote when legally required so to do.
IL. That All humble address be presents
ed 10 the PRICE Regent, requesting he
viii be eracisnsiy pleased TO issue ms
writs to the SherifFs ard other returnins
officers Of the different counties and cities
Of this empire, to cause representatives to
be chosen agreeably to the foregoing reso-
lntions, and to assemble 10 Parliament in
January next.
IL. Tha, il is the right Of every indi-
vidual to retain and express bis religious
opinions, without being answerable to any
human tribunal and that it is wicked, in
tolerant, and unjust to impose civil disa-
biIities on account of any difference in
religious profession.
l3. That this meeting has witnessed
with the deepest sympathy and regret the
sufferings Of our fellow countrymen OF Ire
land, protesting the Catholic faith, who, by
the unjust, arbitrary, and cruel laws OF a
selfelected Legislature have been long
subjected to the severest miseries which
one body of men can iuilict upon another.
IA. That the applications for Catholic
emancipation, often repeated, and almost
barbarously refused, prove beyond all
doubts, that the only means by which the
Catholics can hope for the removal Of
their disabilities, is by uniting with the
people of England and Scotland, and de.
manding radical reform, which, by re-
storing to all men equal rights, will secure
to our Catholic conntrymen the free en-
joyment of all that they ask.
Is. That an Address, expressing these
our sentiments, be prepared by the Com-
mittee, sigued by the Chairman and Sec
rotary, and transmitted, to the leading
members Of the Catholic Body 10 ireland,
for the purpose Of general circulation.
10. That this meeting hereby solemnly
proclaim their sincere desire for an union
of all sincere Reformers, and they now
offer the olive branch Of peace and good
will to those whom the imperious calls of
domestic, private, or public affairs, CON-
pei TO remain passive weIl-wishers to the
cause Of their brother sufferers /; and above
all to the British soldier, that he may moi
be driven by the fear Of starvation, the
horror Of a lacerated back, or the loss of
life by drum-head court-martial, to
deeds ia defence Of the system which bis
soul abhors.
II. That this meeting solemnly dis
IL Al 4 r.