USA > Pennsylvania > The history of Pennsylvania : from its discovery by Europeans, to the Declaration of Independence in 1776 > Part 44
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
The house concurred unanimously in the propriety of this measure, and appointed Joseph Galloway, (their speaker) Samuel Rhoads, Thomas Mifflin, Charles Humphries, George Ross, and Edward Biddle, deputies on the part of Pennsyl- vania to the congress, and at a subsequent meeting John Dick- enson was added to the number. The delegates were in- structed "to meet in congress the committees of the several British colonies, at such time and place as should be gene- rally agreed upon, to consult together upon the 'critical and alarming state of the colonies, and with them to exert their utmost endeavours to form and adopt a plan which should afford the best prospect of obtaining redress of American grievances, ascertaining American rights, and establishing that union and harmony which is most essential to the wel- fare and happiness of both countries." But, in seeking these desirable objects, they were strictly charged to avoid every thing indecent or disrespectful to the mother state.
* 21st July.
497 1774] HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
The delegates from eleven provinces assembled at Phila- delphia on the fourth of September; those from North Caro- lina did not appear until the fourteenth .* On the fifth, Peyton Randolph of Virginia was unanimously chosen President, and Charles Thompson elected secretary. As the congress was composed of men who gave tone to the sentiments of the pro- vinces which they respectively represented, it was in course, that the prominent acts of the colonies should be supported and enforced with the ability and dignity pertaining to their joint endeavours. Still there was a chivalrous disregard of self in the prompt and energetic approbation of the highest measures of Massachusetts, which history rarely discloses among a temperate and calculating people, even amid the excitements of political revolution ; and which leads us to believe, that even at this time, independence of Great Britain was a foregone conclusion in the bosoms of most members of the congress, which yet they scarce dared acknowledge to themselves, still less breathe to others.
Whilst expressing " their sympathy in the sufferings of their countrymen of Massachusetts, under the late unjust, eruel, and oppressive acts of the British parliament," con- gress approved of the resolve of the county of Suffolk, in which Boston lies, "that no obedience was due from that province to such acts, but that they should be rejected as the attempts of a wicked administration." They resolved, that contributions from all the colonies, for supplying the neces- sities, and alleviating the distresses, of their brethren at Bog- ton, ought to be continued in such manner, and so long, as their occasions might require. They requested the mer- chants of the several colonies to refuse new orders for goods from Great Britain, and to suspend the execution of such as had been sent, until the sense of congress, on the means to be adopted for the preservation of the liberties of America, should be made public. And soon after, they adopted reso- lutions prohibiting the importation, the purchase, or use, of goods from Great Britain, or Ireland, or their dependencies,
* Congress held their sessions in Carpenters' Hall.
63
498
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
[1774
after the first day of the succeeding December; and directing that all exports to Great Britain and the West Indies should cease on the tenth of September, 1775, unless American grievances should be sooner redressed. An association, cor- responding with these resolutions, was then framed, and signed by every member present. "Never," says Mr. Marshall, " were laws more faithfully observed, than were the resolves of congress at this period, and their association was of con- sequence universally adopted."(1)
The better to enforce these resolutions, congress recom- mended the appointment of committees in the several coun- ties and towns, who, soon after their appointment, under the · names of committees of superintendence and correspondence, assumed no inconsiderable portion of the executive power and duties in the several colonies, and became efficient instru- ments in aiding the progress of the revolution.
In the city and county of Philadelphia, the committee of correspondence appointed at the town meeting on the eigh- teenth of June, voluntarily resigned their appointments, and two others were chosen, by the citizens entitled to vote for members of the legislature, by ballot; the one for the city and liberties, the other for the agricultural part of the county .*
(1) See Note 2 S, Appendix, for manner by which these resolves were enforced.
* Names of the committee of correspondence elected for the city and county of Philadelphia, to continue in office until two weeks after the close of the session of congress to be holden in May, 1775: John Dickenson, Thomas Mifflin, Charles Thompson, John Cadwallader, Robert Morris, Samuel How- ell, George Clymer, Joseph Reed, Samuel Meredith, John Allen, William Rush, James Mease, John Nixon, John Cox, John Bayard, Christopher Lud- wig, Thomas Barclay, George Schlosser, Jonathan B. Smith, Francis Wade, Benjamin Marshall, Lambert Cadwallader, Reynold Keen, Richard Bache, John Benezet, Henry Keppele, jr., Jacob Winey, Jacob Rush, Joseph Fal- coner, William Bradford, John Shee, Owen Biddle, William Heysham, James Milligan, John Wilcocks, Sharp Delany, Francis Gurney, John Pur- viance, Robert Knox, Francis Hassencleaver, Thomas Cuthbert, Sen., Wil- liam Jackson, Isaac Melchoir, Samuel Penrose, Isaac Coates, William Coates, Blathwaite Jones, Thomas Pryor, Samuel Massey, Robert Towers, Henry Jones, Joseph Wetherill, Joseph Copperthwaite, Joseph Dean, Benjamin
499
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
1774]
Congress also adopted a declaration of rights, embracing the principles contained in the instructions of the Pennsyl- vania convention to the assembly, an address to the people of Great Britain, a memorial to the inhabitants of British Ame- rica, and a loyal address to his majesty. They addressed letters to the people of Canada, and to those of the colonies of St. Johns, Nova Scotia, Georgia, and the Floridas, inviting them to unite in the cause of British America.
After a session of near eight weeks, the congress dissolved itself, recommending that another should be holden on the tenth of May next ensuing, at Philadelphia, unless redress for their grievances should be previously obtained. Their re- commendations were deemed by the people more sacred than laws enacted by constitutional authority, and received the formal sanction of the assemblies of the several provinces, that of New York excepted.
The assembly of Pennsylvania was the first provincial legislature to which report of the congressional proceedings was made .* By this body, composed of a large proportion of Friends, they were unanimously approved, and recom- mended to the inviolable observance of the people; and Messrs. Biddle, Dickenson, Mifflin, Galloway, Humphries, Morton, and Ross, were appointed delegates to the next con- gress, Mr. Rhoads being omitted, his office of mayor of the city engrossing all his attention. Upon the return of Dr. Franklin from London, (fourteenth of May, 1775,) he was immediately added to the congressional delegation, together with Messrs. James Wilson and Thomas Willing. Mr. Gal- loway having repeatedly requested to be excused from serving as a deputy, was then permitted to withdraw. This gentle- man became affrighted at the length to which the opposition of the parent state was carried. He drew the instructions given to the Pennsylvania delegates for the past and next congress, and refused to serve unless they were framed to his
Harbeson, James Ash, Benjamin Loxly, W. Robinson, joiner, Riclof Al- bertson, James Irvine. Southwark; Elias Boys, Joseph Turner, Abraham Jones, Thomas Robinson. Kensington; Emanuel Eyres, Jacob Miller.
* December 8.
500
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. [1775
wishes: He opposed the resolution approving the proceedings of the county of Suffolk, and perplexed the deliberations of congress on the declaration of rights, delaying its adoption for near two weeks; and when congress refused to him, and Mr. Duane, of New York, permission to enter their protest against this measure on their minutes, they gave to each other certi- ficates of their opposition to it, under the conviction that it was pregnant with treason .*
Hitherto governor Penn had looked upon the proceedings of the assembly without attempting to direct or control them. He was supposed to favour the efforts made in support of American principles; but now a semblance of regard to the instructions of the crown induced him to remonstrate in mild terms against the continental system of petition and remon- strance.t " On the present occasion," he said, " it is con- ceived, that any grievances which his majesty's subjects in America apprehend they have reason to complain of, should be humbly represented to his majesty by the several assem- blies, as the only proper and constitutional mode of obtaining redress; and I have the best reason to believe that a proper attention will be paid to such representations, and to any propositions that may be made through that channel on the present state of American affairs." The assembly, however, was not disposed to pursue any other course of reconciliation than that adopted by the united colonies. They replied to the governor's message, "that since the year 1763 a system of colonial administration had been pursued, destructive of the rights and liberties of his majesty's most faithful subjects in America; and that they had heretofore adopted such mea- . sures as they thought most likely to restore affection and harmony between the parent state and the colonies: That a most humble, dutiful, and affecting petition from the dele- gates of all the colonies from Nova Scotia to Georgia, was now at the foot of the throne, and they trusted in the pater- nal affection and justice of their sovereign, that he would
1
* Votes. Pamphlets. Ramsey. + February 21.
501
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
1775]
interpose for the relief of his greatly distressed and ever faithful subjects in America."
In England, the proceedings of the Americans were view- ed with great indignation by the king and his ministry, His majesty, in his opening speech* to a parliament newly elected, informed them, before intelligence had been received of the course of the congress, " that a most daring spirit of resistance and disobedience to the laws unhappily prevailed in the province of Massachusetts, and had broken forth in fresh violences of a very criminal nature; and that these pro- ceedings had been countenanced and encouraged in his other colonies; that unwarrantable attempts had been made to ob- struct the commerce of his kingdoms by unlawful combina- tions; and that he had taken such measures, and given such orders as he judged most proper and effectual for carrying into execution the laws, which were passed in the last session of the late parliament relative to the province of Massachu- setts; an address, echoing the royal speech, was carried by large majorities in both houses of parliament, but not without a spirited protest from some few lords of the minority. t
The reception in London of the proceedings of congress appeared to have a momentary beneficial effect upon their cause. The administration were staggered, and the opposi- tion triumphed in the truth of their predictions, that the measures pursued by the ministry would unite all the colo- nies in resistance. The petition of congress to the king was declared by the secretary of state, after a day's perusal, to be decent and proper, and was received graciously by his ma- jesty, who promised to lay it before his two houses of par- liament. But the ministry had resolved to compel the obedience of the Americans. Hence every representation from America, coming through channels, other than minis- terial partisans, was unwillingly received, and denied all credit. The remonstrances of the representatives of three
* October 30.
t Richmond, Portland, Rockingham, Stamford, Stanhope, Torrington, Ponsonby, Wycombe, and Camden.
502
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
[1775
millions of men, made under the most awful and affecting circumstances, and the most sacred responsibilities, were treated, perhaps believed, as the clamours of an unruly mul- titude. In vain did the merchants of London, Bristol, Glas- gow, Norwich, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, and other places, by petition, portray the evils which must result from such determination, and predict the dangers to the com- mercial interest of the kingdom: In vain did the planters of the sugar colonies, resident in Great Britain, represent, that the profits on British property in the West India Islands, amounting to many millions, which ultimately centred in Great Britain, would be deranged and endangered by the continuance of the American troubles: In vain did the vene- rable earl of Chatham, roused from a long retirement, by the danger of losing these colonies, which his own measures had protected, and seemingly assured to the parent state, apply his comprehensive mind and matchless eloquence to arrest the fatal course of the administration: In vain, from a pro- phetic view of events, did he demonstrate the impossibility of subjugating the colonies; and urge the immediate removal of the troops collected by general Gage at Boston, as a mea- sure indispensably necessary to open the way for an adjust- ment of the differences with the provinces: In vain, when undiscouraged by the rejection of this motion, did he propose a bill for settling the troubles in America. The period of American emancipation had approached, and the power which might have delayed it, was providentially stultified.
Both houses of parliament joined in an address to the king, declaring " that they find a rebellion actually exists in the province of Massachusetts." This was followed by an act for restraining the trade and commerce of the New England provinces, and prohibiting them from carrying on the fishe- ries on the banks of Newfoundland, which was subsequently extended to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, and the counties on the Delaware.
Pending the consideration of this bill, lord North intro- duced what he termed a conciliatory proposition. It provided that when any colony should propose to make provision, ac-
503
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA,
1775]
1
R
cording to its circumstances, for contributing its proportion to the common defence, (such proportion to be raised under the authority of the general assembly of such colony, and disposable by parliament,) and should engage to make provi- sion also for the support of the civil government, and the ad- ministration of justice in such colony, it would be proper, if such proposal were approved by his majesty and parliament, and for so long as such provision should be made, to forbear to levy any duty or tax except such duties as were expedient for the regulation of commerce, the net produce of the last mentioned duties to be carried to the account of such colony. This proposition was opposed by the friends of the minister, as an admission of the correctness of the American views as to taxation by parliament, and as a concession to armed rebels, until it was explained that the resolution was designed to enforce the essential part of taxation by compelling the Americans to raise, not only what they, but what parliament should think reasonable. The minister declared " that he did not expect the proposition would be acceptable to the Ame- ricans, but that if it had no beneficial effect in the colonies, it would unite the people of England by holding out to them a distinct object of revenue. That, as it tended to unite Eng- land, it would produce disunion in America; for, if one colony accepted it, their confederacy, which made them for- midable, would be broken."
This avowal of the character and tendency of the resolu- tion was not requisite to enlighten the colonists. On its transmission to the provinces, it was unanimously rejected. A specimen of the manner in which it was attempted to be supported is found in the address of governor Penn to the assembly of Pennsylvania. He presented the resolution to the house as an indication of the strong disposition of parlia- ment to remove the causes of American discontents; urged them to consider this plan of reconciliation offered by the parent state to her children with that temper, calmness, and deliberation, which the importance of the subject and the present critical situation of affairs demanded; observed, that the colonies, amid the complaints occasioned by jealousy of
d
1 · 1
504
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. [1775
their liberties, had never denied the justice of contributing towards the burthens of the mother country, to whose protec- tion and care they owed not only their present opulence, but even their existence. On the contrary, every statement of their supposed grievances avowed the propriety of such a measure, and their willingness to comply with it. The dis- pute was therefore narrowed to this point, whether the redress of colonial grievances should precede or follow the settlement of that just proportion which America should bear towards the common support and defence of the whole British em- pire. In the resolution of the house of commons, which he was authorized to say was entirely approved by his majesty, they had a solemn declaration, that' an exemption from any duty would be the consequence of a compliance with the terms of such resolution. For the performance of this engagement, he presumed no greater security would be required than the resolution itself approbated by his majesty. And as they were the first assembly to whom this resolution had been communicated, much depended upon their conduct, and they would deservedly be revered by the latest posterity, if by any possible means they could be instrumental in restoring the public tranquillity, and rescuing both countries from the horrors of a civil war." .
The assembly lost no time in replying to this message. " They regretted," they said, " that they could not think the offered terms afforded just and reasonable grounds for a final accommodation between Great Britain and the colonies: They admitted the justice of contribution in case of the burthens of the mother country, but they claimed it as their indisputa- ble right that all aids from them should be free and voluntary, not taken by force, nor extorted by fear; and they chose rather to leave the character of the proposed plan to be deter- mined by the governor's good sense, than to expose it by reference to notorious facts, or the repetition of obvious rea- sons. But, if the plan proposed were unexceptionable, they would esteem it dishonourable to adopt it without the advice and consent of their sister colonies, who, united by just mo- tives and mutual faith, were guided by general counsels.
1775]
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
505
They assured him that they could form no projects of per- manent advantage for Pennsylvania which were not in com- mon with the other colonies; and should a prospect of exclusive advantage be opened to them, they had too great regard for their engagements to accept benefits for themselves only, which were due to all, and which, by a generous rejec-" tion for the present, might be finally secured to all."
A second provincial convention was holden at Philadel- phia,* of which Joseph Reed was chosen president, Jonathan B. Smith, John Benezet, and Francis Johnston, secretaries, designed to enforce the measures recommended by congress, and to devise means for supplying the wants which adhe- rence to those measures left without the ordinary modes of gratification. The convention declared its approbation of the proceedings of congress, and its resolution to maintain the association recommended by them; and pledged the counties generally, that should the trade of the city and liber- ties be suspended in consequence of the present struggle, exertions should be made to relieve its inhabitants. It re- solved, that the committees of superintendence of the several counties should aid each other in case of resistance to their efforts to enforce the principle of the association: That the convention earnestly desired to see harmony restored between Great Britain and the colonies, and would exert their utmost endeavours to attain this object: That the com- mercial opposition resolved on by the continental congress, if faithfully sustained, would be the means of rescuing the country from the evils meditated against it; but should the humble and loyal petition of congress to his majesty be dis- regarded, and the British ministry, instead of redressing their grievances, determine by force to effect submission to the late arbitrary acts of parliament, they deemed it their indis- pensable duty to resist such force, and at every hazard to de- fend the rights and liberties of America."
To provide against the inconveniences arising from non- importation, the convention recommended that no sheep
* January 23 to 28.
64
+
-
506
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
[1775
under four years old should be killed for the shambles; that various branches of manufactures in wool, iron, copper, tin, paper, glass, &c. should be established ; that attention should be paid to the growing of dye stuffs, flax and hemp, and to the making of salt, saltpetre, and gunpowder; and the latter article especially, in large quantities, inasmuch as there ex- isted a great necessity for it, particularly in the Indian trade; that the manufactures of the colonies should be ex- clusively used, and that associations should be formed for promoting these objects. Public exposure, as an enemy of the country, was denounced, as the penalty on the wretch, who, taking advantage of the times, should be sordid enough to charge an extravagant profit upon his wares. The com- mittee of correspondence of the city and county of Philadel- phia was empowered by the convention to act as a standing committee of correspondence for the province, and to convene a provincial convention when they should deem it expedient.
This committee assumed to themselves powers widely dif- ferent from those indicated by their title. The crisis to which the convention looked forward, when framing their late re- solves, had arrived. The battle of Lexington was fought, and submission to the arbitrary acts of parliament was at- tempted to be enforced by the bayonet. An unquenchable blaze of indignation pervaded the continent. At Philadel- phia, under the direction of the committee, a meeting of the people, consisting of many thousands, resolved to form a mi- litary association for the protection of their property, their liberties, and their lives .* The association extended through every county of the province; its members cheerfully fur- nishing themselves with the necessary arms, and devoting themselves to acquire skill in their use. At the instance of the committee of correspondence, the assembly approved the association, and engaged to provide for the pay and suste- nance of such of the members as should be called into actual service, and appropriated the sum of seven thousand pounds for the defence of the city. t
* April 24. + May.' June.
507
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
1775]
Congress at their session in May having resolved to raise a continental army, of which the Pennsylvania portion amount- ed to four thousand three hundred men, the assembly re- commended to the commissioners of the several counties, as they regarded the freedom, welfare, and safety of their coun- try, to provide arms and accoutrements for this force: they also. directed the officers of the military association to select a number of minute men, equal to the number of arms which could be procured, who should hold themselves in readiness to march at the shortest notice to any quarter, in case of emer- gency; they made further appropriations for the defence of the city against attacks by vessels of war, and directed the pur- chase of all the saltpetre that should be manufactured within the next six months at a premium price. The house adopted also a most important and effective measure, in the appoint- ment of a committee of public safety, with power to call the associated troops into service, to pay and support them, and generally to provide for the defence of the province against invasion and insurrection; issuing for these purposes bills of credit for thirty-five thousand pounds, redeemable by a tax on real and personal estate .* Of this sum, and others, after- wards voted by the house, Michael Hillegas was appointed treasurer. The committee at once assumed the chief executive powers in the province.
Amid these warlike preparations, the assembly was not unmindful of those inhabitants who were conscientiously scru- pulous of bearing arms. They earnestly recommended to the associators to bear a tender and fraternal regard towards
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.