3. General Washington, and victory to the Ame

The UNION FLAG of the American states waved upon the capitol during the whole of this ceremony, which being ended, the soldiers partook of the refreshment prepared for them by the affection of their countrymen, and the evening concluded with illuminations, and other demonstrations of joy; every one seeming pleased that the domination of Great Britain was now at an end, so wickedly and tyrannically exercised for these twelve or thirteen years past, notwithstanding our repeated prayers and remonstrances for redress.

in provincial conference, at Philadelphia, June 24, 1776.

pira ical and savage war against us, tempting our slaves, by every artifice, to resort to him, and tram-rican arms. ing and employing them against their masters. I this state of extreme danger, we have no alternative left but an abject submission to the will of those overbearing tyrants, or a total separation from the crown and government of Great Britain, uniting and exerting the strength of all America for de fence, and forming alliances with foreign powers for commerce and aid in war: Wherefore, appealing to the Searcher of hearts for the sincerity of former declarations, expressing our desire to pre serve the connexion with that nation, and that we are driven from that inclination by their wicked councils, and the e'ernal laws of self-preservation. The declaration of the deputies of Pennsylvania, met RESOLVED, UNAN. That the delegates appointed to represent this colony in general congress be instructed to propose to that respectable body to Whereas George the third, king of Great Brideclare the United Colonies free and independent states, ain, &c. in violation of the principles of the British absolved from all allegiance to, or dependence up-constitution, and of the laws of justice and huon, the crown or parliament of Great Britain; and manity, hath, by an accumulation of oppressions, that they give the assent of this colony to such unparalleled in history, excluded the inhabitants declaration, and to whatever measures may be of this, with the other American colonies, from his thought proper and necessary by the congress for protection; and whereas he hath paid no regard to forming foreign alliances, and A CONFEDERAany of our numerous and dutiful petitions for redress TION OF THE COLONIES, at such time, and in of our complicated grievances, but hath lately the manner, as to them shall seem best. Provided, purchased foreign troops to assist in enslaving us, that the power of forming government for, and the and hath excited the savages of this country to regulations of the internal concerns of each colony, carry on a war against us, as also the negroes, to be left to the respective colonial legislatures. embrue their hands in the blood of their masters, RESOLVED, UNAN. That a committee be appointed in a manner unpractised by civilized nations; and to prepare A DECLARATION OF RIGHTS, and moreover hath lately insulted our calamities by such plan of government as will be most likely declaring, that he will shew us no mercy, until he to maintain peace and order in this colony, and has subdued us; and whereas, the obligations of secure substantial and equal liberty to the people. allegiance (being reciprocal between a king and EDMUND PENDLETON, president. his subjects) are now dissolved, on the side of the

(A COPY) JOHN TAZEWELL, clerk of the convention.

colonists, by the despotism and declaration of the said king, insomuch that it appears that loyalty to In consequence of the above resolution, universal him is treason against the good people of this ly regarded as the only door which will lead to country; and whereas not only the parliament, but safety and prosperity, some gentlemen made a there is reason to believe, too many of the peohandsome collection for the purpose of treating the ple of Great Britain, have concurred in the aforesoldiery, who next day were paraded in Waller's said arbitrary and unjust proceedings against us; grove, before brigadier general Lewis, attended by and whereas the public virtue of this colony (so the gentlemen of the committee of safety, the mem-essential to its liberty and happiness) must be bers of the general convention, the inhabitants of endangered by a future political union with, or this city, &c. &c. The resolution being read aloud dependence upon a crown and nation, so lost to to the army, the following toasts were given, each justice, patriotism, and magnanimity: We, the of them accompanied by a discharge of the artillery deputies of the people of Pennsylvania, assembled and small arms, and the acclamations of all pre-in full provincial conference, for forming a plan for executing the resolve of congress of the 15th of May last, for suppressing all authority in this pro2. The grand congress of the United States, and vince, derived from the crown of Great Britain, and their respective legislatures. for establishing a government upon the authority

sent:

1. The American independent states.

courage, and animate to the greatest feats in arms the most supine and indolent.—Surely then, while America, the asylum of happiness and freedom, is

of the people only, do, in this public manner, inf and whose aim is to trample upon all the rights of behalf of ourselves, and with the approbation, con- humanity, would be sufficient to give the coward sent, and authority of our constitutents, unanimously declare our willingness to concur in a vote of the congress, declaring the United Colonies free and independent states; provided, the forming the go-infested with a foe, whose sole aim is to rifle her vernment and the regulation of the internal police sons of every enjoyment that can render life desira of this colony, be always reserved to the people of ble, you will be ready in arms to defend your counthe said colony. And we do further call upon the try, your liberty, your wives, your children and nations of Europe, and appeal to the Great Arbiter possessions, from rapine, abuse and destruction. and governor of the empires of the world, to witFrom this grand and noble purpose, so worthy ness for us, that this declaration did not originate of the virtuous and brave, and we humbly trust, so in ambition, or in an impatience of lawful authority, pleasing to Almighty God, you have had your delegates assembled in council for several years past. For this, in April 1775, you arrayed yourselves in arms, defeated and put to flight that band of Britons, who, uninjured and unoffended, like robbers and murderers, dared to assault your peaceful mansions; and for this, we trust, you will be at all times ready to spend your blood and treasure. In addressing you upon the important subject of your own defence, should we attempt a narration

but that we were driven to it in obedience to the first principles of nature, by the oppressions and cruelties of the aforesaid king and parliament of Great Britain, as the only possible measure that was left us to preserve and establish our liberties, and to transmit them inviolate to posterity.

Signed, by order of the conference,

THOMAS M'KEAN, president.

STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.

In the house of representatives, January 26, 1777. of the causes of your danger; the many petitions Ordered, That the following address be printed, and a copy thereof sent to each minister of the gospel within this state, to whom it is recommend. ed to read the same the next Lord's day after he shall receive it, to his people, immediately after the religious exercises of the day are over. And also that a copy thereof be sent to the commanding officer of each company of the militia while they are under arms, for the purpose of recruiting the army.

you have presented, praying but for peace, liberty and safety, and to avoid the necessity of shedding the blood of your fellow men, and the unexampled indignity and contempt with which those petitions were treated, it would be undeservedly to impeach you of inattention to your own safety.

TO THE PEOPLE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.

Friends and countrymen-When a people, within reach of the highest temporal happiness human nature is capable of, are in danger of having it wrested from them by an enemy whose paths are marked with blood, and an insupportable load of misery, which succeeding generations must bear through painful centuries of time, is offered instead of it, to rouse the brave, invite the generous, quicken the slow, and awaken all to a sense of their danger, is a measure as friendly as it is important.

Let it suffice then to say, That when every other method taken by you was productive of nothing but insults; and that flames in your houses, murders on your persons, and robberies upon your property, were returned in answer to your peaceable, humble and dutiful petitions.

When the force of Britain, with that of her allies, was collected and drawn into exertion, to reduce you from ease and affluence to slavery and vassalage, the congress of the United States, despairing otherwise to establish your safety upon principles which would render it durable, made that declaration by which you became independent of Great Britain, and in which character alone you can be secure and happy.

But as the increasing power and opulence of the The danger of having your towns, your families, United States are now the dread and envy of those your fruitful fields, and all the riches and blessings whose avaricious and ambitious minds had laid a derived from the industry and wisdom of your plan for the monopoly and enjoyment of them, a venerable ancestors, who may justly be ranked large army is necessary for your defence; and the among the most virtuous and brave men that the congress have therefore determined upon eightyworld ever produced, ravished from you, and eight battalions, of which fifteen are to be raised possessed by a banditti whom no laws can controul, by this state.-The militia who have been marched

to aid the ray under the conduct of that man determined as to the justice of those acts, and whose fortitude, virtue and patience, is perhaps must have seen them founded on despotism, and without example (and who hourly, without any replete with slavery; but they do not tell you that reward but the approbation of his own mind) is their sovereign has the least intention to repeal any risquing his all in your cause, will soon be on their one of those acts; surely then a revision of them return; the enemy, angry at the chastisement justly can never restore your freedom, or in the least given them for, their unprovoked cruelties to our alleviate your burdens. brethren in the Jersies, are watching an opportunity to return the blow.

But those commissioners, although they offer themselves as the ambassadors of peace, and invite

A farther draft from the militia would so much you to what they call the mild and gentle govern. burthen the people of this state, that this court ment of Britain, mark their footsteps with blood, cannot think of it without pain and anxiety. We rapine, and the most unexampled barbarities, dishave therefore, being sensible that you need no other tributing their dreadful and savage severity as well stimulous to your duty than having the line of it drawn to the submissive as the obstinate, while neither for you, directed that a number of men, amount-rank, sex or age, exempts any from the effects of ing to one seventh part of all the male persons, of their brutal passions. sixteen and upwards, should be immediately engaged| in the continental army, upon the encouragement Should America be overcome by, or submit to Britain, the needy and almost perishing tenant in given by government-this encouragement we conIreland, disarmed and having but little property in ceive to be greater than any ever yet given, even to the greatest mercenaries-surely then a people the production of his toil and labor, selling the called to fight, not to support crowns and princi- bread for which his tender infants are suffering, palities, but for their own freedom and happiness, to pay the haughty landlord's rent or insulting col. lector's tax, would be but a faint resemblance of your calamity.

will readily engage.

Society, where no man is bound by other laws than those to which he gives his own consent, is the greatest ornament, and tends most of all things

which can never be given up by a people without their being exceedingly guilty before Him, who is the bestower of every good and perfect gift.

That the encouragement given might fully answer the designs of government and the expectation of the soldiery, this court have settled the price of every necessary and convenient article of life produced in this country, and also the price of foreign to the felicity of human nature, and is a privilege goods in a just proportion to their prices in the place from which they are imported, considering the risque of importation. And nothing is now wanting to give value to the soldier's wages, and We, therefore, for the sake of that religion, for stability to our currency, but the vigorous and the enjoyment whereof your ancestors filed to this punctual execution and observance of that act, which we hope to see speedily effected by the pub-country, for the sake of your laws and future lic virtue and zeal of this people in the cause of felicity, entreat and urge you to act vigorously and their country.

firmly in this critical situation of your country.— And we doubt not but that your noble exertions, But lest some of you should be deceived by the under the smiles of Heaven, will ensure you that misrepresentations of designing men, we must re-success and freedom due to the wise man and the

patriot.

mind you that all the pretensions to peace and re conciliation, so pompously dealt out in the insidious proclamations of the commissioners of the king of Above all, we earnestly exhort you to contribute Great Britain, amount to nothing more than an in all within your power to the encouragement of vitation to give up your country, and submit un. those virtues, for which the Supreme Being has conditionally to the government of the British par declared that he will bestow his blessings upon a liament. They tell you that their king is graciously nation, and to the discouragement of those vices disposed to revise all acts which he shall deem in- for which he overturns kingdoms in his wrath; and compatible with your safety. But your good sense that at all proper times and seasons you seek to will lead you to determine, that if he is a prince Him, by prayer and supplication, for deliverance worthy to reign over a free people, and a friend to from the calamities of war, duly considering that the rights, of mankind, he would long ago have without his powerful aid, and gracious interposi.

tion, all your endeavors must prove abortive and out the unanimous consent of which jury, he can

not be found guilty.-Nor can he be compelled to give evidence against himself; 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 them.

TO THE PRESIDENT AND COUNCIL OF PENNSYLVANIA. selves, their houses, papers and possessions, free The remonstrance of the subscribers, freemen, a d from search or seizure, and therefore warrants inhabitants of the city of Philadelphia, now confined in the Free Mason's Lodge.

SHEWETH-That the subscribers have been, by virtue of a warrant, signed in council by George Bryan, vice president, arrested in our houses, and on our lawful occasions, and conducted to this place, where we have been kept in close confinement, under a strong military guard, two or more days-that although divers of us demanded of the messengers, who arrested us, and insisted on hav.

without oaths or affirmations first made, affording a sufficient foundation for them, and whereby any officer or messenger may be commanded or required to search suspected 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."

How far these principles have been adhered to, in the course of this business, we shall go on to shew.

ing copies of the said warrant, yet we were not Upon the examination of the said warrant, we find able to procure the same, till this present time, it is, in all respects, inadequate to these descripbut have remained here unaccused and unheard. tions, altogether unprecedented in this or any free We now take the earliest opportunity of laying country, both in its substance, and the latitude given our grievances before your body, from whom we to the messengers who were to execute it, and apprehend they proceed, and of claiming to our selves the liberties and privileges to which we are entitled by the fundamental rul ́s of justice, by our birthright and inheritance, the laws of the land; and by the express provision of the present constitution, under which your board derive their

power.

We apprehend, that no man can lawfully be de. prived of his liberty, without a warrant from some persons having competent authority, specifying an offence against the laws of the land, supported by oath or affirmation of the accuser, and limiting the time of his imprisonment, until he is heard, or legally discharged, unless the party be found in the actual perpetration of a crime. Natural justice, equally with law, declares that the party accused

should know what he is to answer to, and have an

opportunity of shewing his innocence. These principles are strongly enforced in the ninth and tenth sections of the declaration of rights, which form a fundamental and inviolable part of the constitution, from which you derive your power, wherein it is declared:

IX. "That, in all prosecutions for criminal offences, a man hath a right to be heard by himself

wholly subversive of the very constitution you profess to support.-The only charge on which it is founded, is a recommendation of congress to apprehend and secure all persons who, in their general conduct and conversation, have evidenced a disposition inimical to the cause of America, and particularly naming some of us-but not suggesting the least offence to have been committed by us. It authorises the messengers to search all papers belonging to us, upon a bare possibility, that something political may be found, but without the least ground for a suspicion of the kind.

It requires papers, relative to the sufferings of the people called Quakers, to be seized, without limiting the search to any house, or number of

houses; under color of which, every house in this

city, might be broke open.

To the persons whom the congress have thought proper to select, the warrant adds a number of the inhabitants of the city, of whom some of us are part; without the least insinuation, that they are within the description given by the congress, in their recommendation.

It directs all these matters to be executed (tho' and his council, to demand the cause and nature of of the highest importance to the liberties of the bis accusation, to be confronted with the witnesses, people) at the discretion of a set of men, who are to call for evidence in his favor, and a speedy pub-under no qualification for the due execution of the lic trial by an impartial jury of the county; with- office, and are unaccustomed to the forms of execut

ing civil process; from whence, probably, have pro- with your THEN professions, or your repeated de ceeded the excesses and irregularities committed clarations in favor of general liberty.

by some of them, in divers instances, by refusing to give copies of the process to the parties arrested, by denying to some of us, a reasonable time to consider of answers, and prepare for confinement. In the absence of others, by breaking our desks, and other private repositories-and by ransacking and carrying off domestic papers, printed books, and other matters not within the terms of the

In the name, therefore, of the whole body of the freemen of Pennsylvania, whose liberties are radically struck at in this arbitrary imprisonment of us, their unoffending fellow-citizens-we demand an audience, that so our innocence may appear, and persecution give place to justice.--But if, regardless of every sacred obligation by which men are bound to each other in society, and of that constitution by which you profess to govern, which It limits no time for the duration of our im- you have so loudly magnified for the free spirit it prisonment, nor points at any hearing, which is an breathes, you are still determined to proceed, be absolute requisite to make a legal warrant; but the appeal to the Righteous Judge of all the earth confounds in one warrant, the power to apprehend, for the integrity of our hearts, and the unparalleled and the authority to commit, without interposing tyranny of your measures.

warrant.

a judicial officer between the parties and the mes. senger.

Upon the whole, we conceive this warrant, and the proceedings thereupon, to be far more danger. ous in its tendency, and a more flagrant violation of every right which is dear to freemen, than any that can be found in the records of the English constitution.

But when we consider the use to which this ge. neral warrant has been applied, and the persons upon whom it has been executed, (who challenge the world to charge them with offence) it becomes of too great magnitude to be considered as the cause of a few.-It is the cause of every inhabitant, and may, if permitted to pass into a precedent, establish a system of arbitrary power unknown but in the inquisition, or the despotic courts of the East.

James Pemberton,

Thomas Wharton,
Thomas Coombe,
Edward Pennington,

Henry Drinker,
Phineas Bond,
Thomas Gilpin,

John Pemberton,
Thomas Pike,
Owen Jones, jun.
Thomas Affleck,
Charles Jervis,

William Smith, broker,
William Drewet Smith,
Thomas Fisher,
Miers Fisher,
Charles Eddy,
Israel Pemberton,

John Hunt,
Samuel Pleasants.

What adds further to this alarming stretch of power is, that we are informed the vice president Mason's Lodge, Philadelphia, Sept. 4th, 1777.

of the council, has declared to one of the magistrates of the city, who called on him to enquire into the cause of our confinement, that we were to be sent to Virginia UNHEARD.

Scarcely could we believe such a declaration could have been made by a person who fills the second place in the government, till we were this day confirmed in the melancholy truth by three of the subscribers, whom you absolutely refused to hear in person, or by council.—We would remind you of the complaints urged by numbers of your. selves against the parliament of Great Britain, for condemning the town of Boston UNHEARD, and we call upon you to reconcile your PRESENT conduct

N. B. The three last subscribers, were first attended by some of those, who executed the general warrant; but after their remonstrance to the president and council, were arrested by Laws NICOLA, and conducted to the Lodge, by a special order to him.

The foregoing remonstrance was delivered to Thomas Wharton, jun. president, &c. last evening, who promised to lay it before council, and send an answer to one of the gentlemen, who delivered it to him this morning; but no answer bas yet been received.

September 5th half past two o'clock, P. M.