sent war with Great Britain, at the discretion of province of Pennsylvania will follow their example the judge or judges. in a few weeks. Our militia will amount to not less than 60,000 men. Nothing but a total repeal of the acts of parliament of which we complain, can prevent a civil war in America. Our opposi tion has now risen to desperation. It would be as And be it further ordained and declared, That in all convictions for high treason, the judge or judges, before whom the trial is had, may, out of the estate forfeited by virtue of this act, make such provision for the wife or children, if any, of the criminal, as he or they, in his or their discretion may deem necessary. easy to allay a storm in the ocean, by a single word, as to subdue the free spirit of Americans, without a total redress of their grievances. May a spirit of wisdom descend at last upon our ministry, and rescue the British empire from destruction! We tremble at the thoughts of a separation from Great Britain. All our glory and happiness have been derived from you. But we are in danger of being shipwrecked upon your rocks. To avoid these, And be it farther ordained and declared, That this ordinance shall be in force, till the end of the first session of the first assembly that shall meet under the new constitution of this state, and no longer. Passed in convention, September 5, 1776, and we are willing to be tossed, without a compass or signed by their order. ATTEST. B. FRANKLIN, President. JOHN MORRIS, Jun. See. guide, for a while, upon an ocean of blood. "Wishing you success in your disinterested labours to promote the happiness of this country, I am, sir, with much esteem for your firmness, your most obedient humble servant." [Aimon's Remembrancer, MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES. FROM VARIOUS SOURCES. PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 24, 1774. The following letters from a gentleman in America, to a member of the British parliament, may be depended upon as authentic: JANUARY 21, 1775. A letter from a gentleman in the province of Massachusetts, to his friend in London. "You have, no doubt, long before this time, heard the particulars of the general congress, and that the court and the country have digested their thoughts upon them, if not adopted their conse quent plans of conduct. God grant that the nation and parliament may think favorably of them, and grant the prayer of our petition to the king.— "The proclamation forbidding the exportation of gunpowder and fire arms to America, seems intended to take away from the colonies the power of defending themselves by force. I think it my duty to inform you, that the said proclamation will Britain and America are made to be friends; and be rendered ineffectual by a manufactory of gunit is the most unnatural, detestabie quarrel bepowder, which has lately been set on foot in this tween them that ever happened in the world. province, the materials of which may be procured Britons and Americans may write or say what they in great perfection among ourselves, and at an will, but this quarrel never will, and never can be easier rate than they can be imported from Great made up, but by restoring us to the state we were Britain. There are moreover gun-smiths enough in this province, to make one hundred thousand in, in 1763. It is as certain as that London or Boston stand of arms in one year, at 28 s. sterling a-piece, exist, that no other plan or scheme of policy that ever can be invented, will keep the two countries if they should be wanted. It may not be amiss to make this intelligence as public as possible, that together, but that which nature dictated, and which our rulers may see the impossibility of enforcing experience found useful for 150 years. It is in the late acts of parliament by arms. Such is the vain, it is delirium, it is frenzy to think of dragooning three millions of English people out of their liberties, at the distance of 3000 miles. It is still more extravagantly wild for a nation to think of doing it, when itself is sinking down into a bottomless gulph of debt, in order to make the conquered lift her out of it. wonderful martial spirit which is enkindled among us, that we begin to think the whole force of Bri tain could not subdue us. We trust no less to the natural advantages of our country than to our num. bers, and military preparations, in the confidence and security of which we boast. The four New England colonies, together with Virginia and Mary- "The congress have drawn a line by the banks land, are completely armed and disciplined. The of the ocean. They have claimed their own exclu sive jurisdiction in all interior concerns, and in all "There is a spirit prevailing here, such as I necases of taxation. They have left to Great Britain ver saw before. I remember the conquest of Louthe exclusive sovereignty of the ocean, and over isburg in 1745; I remember the spirit here when their trade. They have placed both upon consti- the duke d'Anville's squadron was upon this coast, tutional principles; and if Britons are not content when forty thousand men marched down to Boswith all we have but our liberty, we say as the cor- ton, and were mustered and numbered upon the poration of London said to the king in 1770, "We common, complete in arms, from this province on. call God and men to witness, that as we do not ly in three weeks; but I remember nothing like owe our liberty to those nice and subtle distinc- what I have seen these six months past." tions which pensions and lucrative employments have invented, so neither will we be deprived of it by them; but as it was gained by the stern virtue of our ancestors, by the virtue of their descendants it shall be preserved." [Almon's Remembrancer. Anecdote of general Putnam.-During the late war, when general Amherst was marching across the country to Canada, the army coming to one of the lakes, which they were obliged to pass, found "The congress consisted of the representatives the French had an armed vessel of twelve guns of twelve colonies. Three millions of free white people were there represented. Many of the memBers were gentlemen of ample fortunes and eminent abilities. Neither corruption nor intrigue had any share, I believe, in their elections to this ser vice, and in their proceedings you may see the sense, the temper and principles of America, and which she will support and defend, even by force of arms, if no other means will do. upon it. He was in great distress; his boats were no match for her; and she alone was capable of sinking his whole army in that situation. While he was pondering what should be done, Putnam comes to him, and says, "general, that ship must be taken." Aye, says Amherst, I would give the world she was taken. "I'll take her," says Putnam.— Amherst smiled, and asked how? "Give me some wedges, a beetle, (a large wooden hammer, or maul, used for driving wedges) and a few men of my own choice." Amherst could not conceive how an armed vessel was to be taken by four or five "The state of this province is a great curiosity: I wish the pen of some able historian may transmit it to posterity. Four hundred thousand people are in a state of nature, and yet as still and men, a beetle, and wedges. However, he granted peaceable at present as ever they were when government was in full vigor. We have neither legislators nor magistrates, nor executive officers. We have no officers but military ones. Of these, we have a multitude, chosen by the people, and exercising them with more authority and spirit than ever any did who had commissions from a gov. ernor. Putnam's request. When night came, Putnam, with his materials and men, went in a boat under the vessel's stern, and in an instant drove in the wedges behind the rudder, in a little cavity between the rudder and ship, and left her. In the morning, the sails were seen fluttering about: she was adrift in the middle of the lake; and being presently blown ashore, was easily taken. The Rev. Mr. Payson, of Chelsea, near Boston, a gentleman of the mildest manners, soundest learning, and most amiable character, who has ever been so warm on the side of government, that parson Treadwell, and others, on the side of the peo "The town of Boston is a spectacle worthy of the attention of a deity, suffering amazing distress, yet determined to endure as much as human na. ture can, rather than betray America and posterity. General Gage's army is sickly, and extremely addicted to desertion. What would they be, if things ple, have repeatedly refused to let him preach in their pulpits; being at Lexington, and with his own were brought to extremities? Do you think such an army would march through our woods and thick. eyes seeing that the king's troops had fired first, ets, and country villages, to cut the throats of honest people contending for liberty? and committed murder—and, being himself a witness of other of their barbarities, could not endure the sight without taking vengeance; he therefore "The neighboring colonies of New-Hampshire, put himself at the head of a party, and with his Rhode Island, and Connecticut, are arming and musket, led them on to the attack-engaged, and training themselves with great spirit, and if they killed, or wounded, and took prisoners, the whole must be driven to the last appeal, devoutly pray-party mentioned in one of the accounts, as going ing for the protection of heaven. lup with provisions and ammunition for the main body. What will government say to this desertion rannical acts of the ministry and parliament of Briof one among many of their warmest friends?-Ittain, hath diffused itself so universally throughout seems as if the cause was such, that no honest man this province, that the people, even to its most excould appear in it. From the New-York Journal. NEWPORT, May 22, 1775. The people of New Jersey have taken possession of the treasury of that province, in which was the amount of between twenty and thirty thousand pounds; which money is to be appropriated to the payment of the troops now raised in that province, for the defence of the liberties of America. WORCESTER, May 17. tended frontiers, are indefatigable in training themselves to military discipline. The aged, as well as the young, daily march out under the banners of liberty, and discover a determined resolution to maintain her cause even until death. In the town of Reading, in Berks county, there had been some time past three companies formed, and very forward in their exercise; since, however, we are well informed, a fourth company have associated under the name of the Old Man's company. It consists of about eighty Germans, of the age of forty and upwards. Many of them have been in the military A great number of governor Hutchinson's let-service in Germany. The person who, at their first ters have lately fallen into the hands of our people. assembling, led them to the field, is 97 years of A correspondent at Roxbury has favored us with age, has been 40 years in the regular service, and the following extract from one of them to general in 17 pitched battles, and the drummer is 84. In Gage, then at New York, dated at Boston, July 20, lieu of a cockade, they wear in their hats a black 1770. "It appears to me to be a matter of great crape, as expressive of their sorrow for the mourn importance to his majesty's general service, and to ful events which have occasioned them, at their the real interest of the colonies, that the discord late time of life, to take arms against our brethren, beginning between New York and us should be en-in order to preserve that liberty which they left couraged: I wrote some time ago to Mr. Ctheir native country to enjoy. upon this subject, but he rather declined concern. ing himself in it; he certainly has a strange aver. sion, which nothing but the confederacy against In the assembly of Pennsylvania, June 29, 1775.— Great Britain could have conquered: this has too The house taking into consideration, that many of much the appearance of Machiavelian policy; but the good people of this province are conscientious. it is justifiable, as it has the most obvious tenden-ly scrupulous of bearing arms, do hereby earnestly cy to save the colonies ruining themselves, as well recommend to the associators for the defence of as preventing them destroying the mother country, their country, and others, that they bear a tender If Pennsylvania could be brought to take part with New York, I think the business would be done. I must beg the favor of you not to let this letter come under any other than your own observation." PHILADELPHIA, June 9, 1775. The following paragraphs are taken from the Pennsylvania Mercury: and brotherly regard towards this class of their fellow subjects and countrymen; and to these conscientious people it is also recommended, that they cheerfully assist, in proportion to their abilities, such persons as cannot spend both time and substance in the service of their country without great injury to themselves and families. Extract of a letter from Philadelphia, dated July 10, The ladies in Bristol township have evidenced a 1775, from a gentleman of consideration and fortune. laudable regard to the interest of their country. "Travel through whatever part of this country At their own expense, they have furnished the regiment of that county with a suit of colours and you will, you see the inhabitants training, making firelocks, casting mortars, shells and shot, and drums, and are now making a collection to supply muskets to such of the men as are not able to sup-mills at work during the next autumn and winter. making saltpetre, in order to keep the gunpowder ply themselves. We hear the lady, who was ap pointed to present the colors to the regiment, gave in charge to the soldiers, never to desert the colors of the ladies, if they ever wished that the ladies should list under their banners. Nothing, indeed, is attended to but preparing to make a defence that will astonish the whole world, and hurl destruction on those who, to preserve themselves in office, have advised measures so fa tal both to Britain and America. At least two hunThe spirit of opposition to the arbitrary and ty- 'dred thousand men are now in arms, and well train ed, ready to march whenever wanted for the sup The king is too just and too generous not to beport of American freedom and property. In short, lieve, that the votes I have given in parliament a spirit of enthusias for war is gone forth, that have been given according to the dictates of my has driven away the fear of death; and magazi es conscience. Whether I have erred or not, the of provisions and ammunition, by order of the states general of America, (or the twelve United Colones are directed to be made in all proper places, against the next campaign." course of future events must determine. In the mean time, if I were capable of such duplicity, as to be any way concerned in enforcing those measures of which I have so publicly and solemnly ex. pressed my disapprobation, I should ill deserve what I am most ambitious of obtaining, the esteem and favorable opinion of my sovereign. The Synod of New York and Philadelphia, pub lished a pastoral letter, which was read in the churches under their care on Thursday, June 29, My request therefore to your lordship is this, 1775, being the day of the general fast. This let-that after having laid those circumstances before ter begins with intreating all ranks of people to the king, you will assure his majesty, that he has acknowledge their sins, and turn from the error not a subject who is more ready than I am with of their ways; and "as the whole continent, with the utmost cheerfulness to sacrifice his life and hardly any exception, seem determined to defend fortune in support of the safety, honor, and dignitheir rights by force of arms, it becomes the pecuty of his majesty's crown and person. But the liar duty of those who profess a willingness to very same principles which bave inspired me with hazard their lives in the cause of liberty, to be these unalterable sentiments of duty and affection prepared for death, which to many must be a cer- to his majesty, will not suffer me to be instrumentain, and to every one is a possible or probable tal in depriving any part of his people of those lievent. It is well known to you, (otherwise it would berties which form the best security for their fi be imprudent thus publicly to profess) that we delity and obedience to his government. As I canhave not been instrumental in inflaming the minds of not, without reproach from my own conscience, the people, or urging them to acts of violence and consent to bear arms against my fellow subjects in disorder. Perhaps no instance can be given on so America, in what, to my weak discernment, is not interesting a subject, in which political sentiments a clear cause; and as it seems now to be finally rehave been so long and so fully kept from the pul-solved, that the 22d regiment is to go upon Amepit, and even malice itself has not charged us with rican service, I desire your lordship to lay me in laboring for the press; but things are now come the most dutiful manner at his majesty's feet, and to such a height, that we do not wish to conceal humbly beg that I may be permitted to retire. our opinions as men. Suffer us therefore to exhort you, by assuring you, that there is no army so formidable as those who are superior to the seat of death. Let therefore every one who, from ge nerosity of spirit, or benevolence of heart, offers himself as a champion in his country's cause, be persuaded to reverence the Lord of Hosts, and walk in the fear of the Prince of the kings of the earth, and then he may, with the most unshaken firmness, expect the issue even in death or victory." LORD EFFINGHAM, The following is a copy of lord Effingham's resigna- Your lordship is no stranger to the conduct which I have observed in the unhappy disputes with our American colonies. Your lordship will also be so obliging to entreat, that as I wave what the custom of the service would entitle me to the right of selling what I bought, I may be allowed to retain my rank in the army, that whenever the envy or ambition of foreign powers should require it, I may be enabled to serve his majesty and my country in that way, in which alone I can expect to serve them with any degree of effect. Your lordship will easily conceive the regret and mortification I feel at being necessiated to quit the military profession, which has been that of my an. cestors for many generations, to which I have been bred almost from my infancy, to which I have devoted the study of my life; and to perfect myself in which, I have sought instruction and service in whatever part of the world they were to be found. I have delayed this to the last moment, lest any wrong construction should be given to a conduct which is influenced only by the purest motives. I complain of nothing; I love my profession, and mon hall assembled, with the most unfeigned res should think it highly blameable to quit any course pect, beg leave to offer to your lordship the just of life, in which I might be useful to the public, so tribute of our thanks for your noble and spirited, long as my constitutional principles, and my no-though hitherto ineffectual exertions in the cause tions of honor, permitted me to continue in it. of liberty and of your country, fully evinced in your opposition to the oppressive and unconstitutional proceedings of a corrupt administration. I have the honor to be, with great respect, your Lordship's most obedient, and most humble servant, Adelphi Buildings, April 12, 1775. EFFINGHAM. "With equal grief and indignation, we have for years beheld repeated innovations on the free constitution of these realms, and daily invasions of the dearest rights and immunities of the subject. We have seen with astonishment popery established by law in one, and encouraged in every part of the empire, in the reign of a Protestant prince; and despotism and arbitrary power promoted by every insidious machination and open violence, by the DUBLIN, August 25, 1775. At Guildhall, Dublin, the 17th of July, 1775, being quarter-day of the Guild of merchants of the said city, the following resolutions were agreed to: “Resolved, unanimously, That the sincere thanks of this Guild be presented to the right honorable servants of the crown, in the reign of a monarch the earl of EFFINGHAM, in testimony of our appro who, from the throne, declared he glorified in being bation of his public conduct, particularly exempli-a Briton born; and whose family was called to the fied in his refusing to draw that sword which had throne of these kingdoms to protect the Protestant been employed to the honor of his country, against religion, and preserve that constitution inviolate the lives and liberties of his fellow subjects in America; and honestly and spiritedly resigning a commission which he could no longer hold consistent with the principles of a true Englishman, or of a real friend to the interest of Britain." for which our ancestors so freely bled, and for the invading of which, a tyrant was expelled the throne. "But while we contemplate with horror the uni versal ruin and devastation in which the empire is nearly involved by the wicked devices of evil men, "Resolved, That the sincere thanks of this Guild we with pleasure survey the steady, incorruptible, be presented to the right honorable JOHN WILKES, and patriotic virtues which adorn you and shield lord mayor of the city of London, for the essential us; while we boast of such a noble band of patriservices which he has rendered his king and counots, while we see united in the cause of freedom try, by his strenuous efforts in the cause of free- such a number of the true hereditary guardians of dom; and for his able, spirited, and judicious de- liberty, and of the principles of the glorious revo fence of the right of the people to petition the 'throne." There was to the last resolution a single negative given by a Stotchman, who has an employment in our stamp office. lution, we cannot, we will not despair of seeing once more the valuable constitution of these coun tries restored to its primitive purity. "Permit us therefore, to offer your lordship our warmest, our most grateful acknowledgements as "Resolved unanimously, That an address of thanks Protestants, for your steady opposition to the es from the Guild be presented to the several peers, tablishment of popery and slavery in Canada; as who (in support of our constitution, and in opposi.freemen, for your manly and spirited opposition tion to a weak and wicked administration) protest the several restraining bills; and your noble efforts ed against the American, restraining bills."-And the following gentlemen were appointed, with the masters and wardens, a committee to prepare the in the support of American liberty, and in the cause of our suffering and much oppressed brethren and fellow subjects there; and we have the fullest reliance on your steady perseverance in the same prin ciples which have so strongly endeared you, not only to us, but to every real friend of the British empire and its constituents." In testimony whereof, we have caused the seal of our corporation to be hereunto affixed, this 17th day of July, in the year of our Lord, 1775. (Seal.) |