USA > Virginia > Exiles in Virginia : with observations on the conduct of the Society of Friends during the revolutionary war ; comprising the official papers of the government relating to that period. 1777-1778 > Part 1
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Gc 974.802 P53g 1157694
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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02221 0592
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EXILES IN VIRGINIA :
WITH OBSERVATIONS
ON THE CONDUCT OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS
DURING
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR,
COMPRISING
THE OFFICIAL PAPERS OF THE GOVERNMENT
RELATING TO THAT PERIOD.
1777-1778.
Thomas Gripin
PHILADELPHIA: PUBLISHED FOR THE SUBSCRIBERS. 1848.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1848, C 1 BY THOMAS GILPIN, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
C. SHERMAN, PRINTER, 19 St. James Street.
ADVERTISEMENT.
1157694
THE Introduction to the Journal of the Exiles gives a brief narrative of the banishment of several citizens of Philadelphia, who were sent to Virginia, at the beginning of the war of the American Revolution, and of the events connected with it, until they were remanded by Congress to Pennsylvania to be dis- charged. And it gives a general account of the Society of Friends in the Province, previously to that time.
The Journal was kept by those of the company who were members of the Society, and refers to the peculiar situation in which they were placed in consequence of the general Resolu- tions of the Congress of the United States, respecting the war ; out of which Resolutions, arose the Orders of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, which directed the arrest of the Friends, and fixed the place of their exile.
To the Journal are added observations of the Society of Friends, upon this treatment of their members, and a defence against the charges made, respecting their political conduct ; these exhibit a refutation of the alleged authorship of the seve- ral publications imputed to them, which had been sent to Con- gress, and though obviously not worthy of credit, were printed, and circulated by its order, to the prejudice of the Society.
In the Appendix will be found copies of the Minutes of the Congress, and of the Executive Council, arranged in a con- tinuity of dates ; and which correspond with the Journal. The Epistles of the Friends written to their members, advising them to keep out of all warlike measures, are added, in order to com- prise all the charges which were alleged against the Society ; and there is added to the Introduction, an account of the visits which
0
vi
ADVERTISEMENT.
a committee of the Yearly Meeting of Friends, made in Octo- ber, 1777, to General Howe, at his headquarters, near German- town, and to General Washington, at the American camp, at Valley Forge, to explain the principles which governed the Society, in relation to the contending parties.
At this time, so far removed from the reminiscences of the Revolution, many of the events here stated may be passing into oblivion, though they had been but partially understood- they relate to the last connexion of the Society of Friends with the government of Pennsylvania, another dynasty having come into power at the Revolution.
Several members of the Society had held prominent posi- tions in the colonial government, the management of it being principally entrusted to them by the Proprietary during his absence in England. His stay in the Province at his two visits occupied less than five years ; and it has always been admitted that the judicious and liberal conduct of the Friends gave a peculiar and estimable character to the government, in regard to its colonial and municipal regulations.
In relation to the question of politics as an international con- cern, the Friends had never taken an active part; for this was never referred to them. The colony had originated from England, with the advantage of being settled from a country which had made the greatest advancements towards religious and republican reformation ; and when the differences between America and England took place, the Friends, in common with many others, believed for a long time that England would have been wise enough to redress the grievances of the colonists, and to preserve their affection and allegiance.
There may be some peculiarity in the style of the Journal, and in the occurrences it refers to, many of them being per- sonal ; but it was written in the friendly and familiar style to which the party was accustomed, in order to preserve such daily incidents as would be interesting to their connexions at home; and was not intended for publication.
vii
ADVERTISEMENT.
These took place during a painful separation of the Exiles from their families, who had to remain in Philadelphia, then in possession of the British forces, and closely besieged by the Americans, with a view to distress it till it surrendered. At more than one time the city was threatened with conflagration and abandonment, by the British ; and as these Friends were conscious of very severe and unworthy treatment, at such a time of anxiety and distress, the Journal is expressive of as little feeling as might have been expected.
The exiled Friends, with their cotemporaries, have been some years since removed by death. Yet their banishment continues to be adverted to in several publications tending to palliate its oppressive character, even at the expense of the character of the sufferers. It is therefore thought proper to print a few copies of the Journal, in order to correct this im- pression, and to preserve the details of the transaction, with evidences to support them, for the information of persons con- cerned in the events of that interesting time.
Perhaps the most memorable reference which will be made in future years to the Society of Friends, will be the part they have acted in relation to the Colony of Pennsylvania, which is an essential part of their history. It shows the views they had of the administration of a government, not to have been speculative, but practical ; and while it has not been intended to make the notice of this event intrusive, the account of it is due to future history, and to the memory of a worthy and exemplary ancestry.
The settlement of Pennsylvania, under William Penn, pre- sented a character of sincerity, tolerance, and mild govern- ment, with a deference to the religious and political feelings of others, not. before known on the Continent ; this, with his ex- emplary life, and that of his companions, established a sim- plicity of manners which has left an impress upon general society, tending to raise it on a basis of merit, and not of rank.
When a comparative view is taken of the practical course
viii
ADVERTISEMENT.
established here, both in government and in the institutions of the country, it would appear just to infer that the republican measures which are now requiring the governments abroad to take into just consideration their duties to the people, have de- rived much of their force from the example of the last two centuries of their establishment in America.
In several histories of the American Revolutionary War, the writers have been led from ignorance or inattention, to con- clude that the Society of Friends opposed the interests of the country by uniting with the partisans of England.
What kind of partisans could be made of a people who withdrew altogether from the civil government whenever its measures had a warlike tendency ?- Who never allied them- selves to any political party, and when exercising the duties of government, never extended them beyond the requisitions of municipal order !- Who restrained their members within the peaceable spirit of Christianity, as a condition of being con- tinued members of their church !- And who had always been willing to live under any system of government where the rights of the people were respected !
This question has yet to be answered by some future writer, who will advert to the facts, and give a history of the Society of Friends during the Revolutionary War, and of the principles which governed them ; for that Society has chosen to be silent where justice due to themselves might be the means of casting censure upon others.
But the banishment of their members has carried an imputa- tion against them into general history ;- for in the much-ap- plauded conduct accompanying the Revolution, it has been inferred, that such an act would not have been committed with- out cause.
It is therefore due to the Friends, and to the position they held in general society, to present a correct statement of the transaction, supported by testimony to place it in a just point of view, and to correct the erroneous impressions which have so long existed in the public mind, and been circulated in the annals of our country.
ix
ADVERTISEMENT.
The reader who may feel interested in the further views of William Penn, may be informed that he had designed to pass the remainder of his days in Pennsylvania, but the attention to his affairs recalled him to England, where he ended his useful- ness and his life.
One of the last acts of William Penn on leaving the country for England, was to grant a charter to the public school in Philadelphia, in order to secure good school instruction equally and alike to all the children of the community. On the seal of this institution he placed the motto : " GOOD INSTRUCTION IS BETTER THAN RICHES;" with the impressive adage: " Φιλετε Άλληλους;" " LOVE YE ONE ANOTHER." The motto on the seal he had derived from his ancestors, and which he continued to the Province, was " MERCY . JUSTICE."
In his family memoirs he directed that his children should be brought up in the practical knowledge of trades; so that they should not only respect the useful occupations of persons who were dependent upon them, but have them to resort to, in the vicissitudes of life.
William Penn left the Province for England on the 1st day of November, 1701, and his departure became final,-for the state of his affairs did not permit him to return to it. He died at his house at Ruscomb, Berkshire, on the 30th of the 5th month, 1718, being then a member of the Monthly Meeting of Friends at Reading.
He had been distinguished in religious and civil life as a Christian-a philosopher-and a gentleman,-and this occasion seems to call for an insertion of the obituary memorial re- corded concerning him ; taken from minutes of the Monthly Meeting of Friends at Reading,-which, if it were ever pub- lished, is not now to be obtained.
THOMAS GILPIN.
Philadelphia, September 10th, 1848.
X
ADVERTISEMENT.
A TESTIMONY CONCERNING WILLIAM PENN.
From the Monthly Meeting for Berkshire, England, held at Reading, 31st of the 1st month, 1719.
OUR Friend William Penn departed this life at his home at Ruscomb, in the County of Berks, on the 30th of the fifth month, 1718, and his body was conveyed thence the 7th of the sixth month following, to the Friends Burying Ground at Jor- den's, in Buckinghamshire, where he was honourably interred, being accompanied by many Friends, and others from distant parts.
Being a member of our Monthly Meeting at the time of his decease, and for some years before, we can do no less, in giving the foregoing account, than say something of the character of so worthy a man; and not only refer to other meetings where his residence was in former times, who are witnesses of the great self-denial he underwent in the prime of his youth, and the patience with which he bore many a heavy cross ; but think it our duty to cast in our mite to set forth in part his deserved commendation.
He was a man of great abilities, of an excellent sweetness of disposition ; quick of thought and of ready utterance; full of the qualifications of true discipleship, even love without dissi- mulation ; as extensive in charity as comprehensive in know- ledge, and to whom malice and ingratitude were utter stran- gers-ready to forgive enemies, and the ungrateful were not excepted.
Had not the management of his temporal affairs been attended with some deficiencies, envy itself would be to seek for matter of accusation, and judging in charity, even that part of his conduct may be attributed to a peculiar sublimity of mind.
Notwithstanding which, he may without straining his cha- racter, be ranked among the learned-good-and great ; whose
xi
ADVERTISEMENT.
abilities are sufficiently manifested throughout his elaborate writings, which are so many lasting monuments of his admired qualifications, and are the esteem of learned and judicious men among all persuasions.
And although in old age, by reason of some shocks of a vio- lent disease, his intellect was much impaired, yet his sweet- ness and loving disposition surmounted its utmost efforts, and remained when reason almost failed.
In fine, he was learned without vanity-apt without forward- ness-facetious in conversation, yet weighty and serious-of an extraordinary greatness of mind, yet void of the stain of ambition-as free from rigid gravity as he was clear of un- seemly levity-a man-a scholar-a friend-, a minister, sur- passing in speculative endowments, whose memorial will be valued by the wise, and blessed with the just.
Signed, on behalf and on appointment of said meeting.
WILLIAM LAMBOLE, Clerk.
Taken from the Reading Records, 3d month 7, 1813.
CONTENTS.
ADVERTISEMENT,
·
V William Penn-Obituary Memorial, . 30, 5 mo. 1718, . X
INTRODUCTION, 17
Narrative respecting the Exiles,
35
Reflections on the Conduct of Friends,
.
.
46
Visit of the Com. of Yearly Meeting to Gene- ral Howe and General Washington, . 7th October, 1777, 57
General Sullivan's Letter to Congress with the
Spurious Spanktown Memorial, . 25th Aug. 1777, 61
General Washington's Letters (fac simile,) 3d and 6th April, 1777, 64
JOURNAL OF THE EXILES, 65
Arrest of Friends at Philadelphia,
3d Sept. 1777, · 65
Order of Council of Pennsylvania,
31st Aug. 71, 88
Remonstrance to Council, of J. Pemberton,
4th Sept. 74, 92
to Council, of the Friends, 66
77,95
66 to Congress, "
5th
82, 103
Friends required to take the Test, .
85, 106
Address to the Inhabitants of Pennsylvania,
66
86
Remonstrance to Council,
8th
10
Resolve of Council to banish the Friends,
9th
111, 123
Protest against Banishment,
113, 125
xiv
CONTENTS.
Remonstrance to Council by one hundred and
two Citizens of Philadelphia, 5th 9 mo. 115
Friends removed from Philadelphia, · 11th Sept. 133
JOURNEY TO VIRGINIA,
11th Sept. 1777, 133
Habeas Corpus Writs taken out and served, 14th
66
135
Act passed to Suspend Habeas Corpus Trials, 16th
66 137
M. Fisher's Letter to Thomas M'Kean, Chief
Justice,
18th 66
66 141
Council of Pennsylvania, orders to Officers to
take Exiles to Winchester, 10th
66
145
Protest of Friends going out of Pennsylvania, 27th 66
156
RESIDENCE AT WINCHESTER, . 30th
66
158
Confined at P. Bush's tavern, under guard,
160
Ordered by Congress to remain at Winchester, 17th
66
161
Lieut. John Smith, letter to Congress,
1st Oct.
162
Address of Exiles to Congress,
66
164
Address of Exiles to Governor and Council
of Virginia, .
66 167
Board of War approve conduct of Lieut. Smith, 16th Oct. 66 176
Board of War allow the Exiles to have things they require, at their own expense, ".
177
Governor and Council of Virginia, Letter to
Joseph Holmes, allowing Prisoners per- mission of the town, . 15th 178
P. Bush requires payment in silver money at
the same rate as continental money,
182
Board of War order removal to Staunton, 10th Dec. 66 185
Memorial of Exiles to Congress and Council, 19th 66 188
Alexander White sent by Exiles to Congress, 20th " 66 194
XV
CONTENTS.
End of Journal kept by the Exiles,
31st Dec. 1777. 197
James Pemberton's Journal of the Exiles,
1st Jan. 1778. 197
Col. Kennedy directed by Gov. of Virginia to take the Exiles to Staunton, . 11th “
199
Lieut. J. Holmes' Letter to M. Fisher, 17th "
201
Gen. H. Gates' Letter to suspend removal of
Prisoners to Staunton, 21st 66 66 204
Thomas Gilpin-Illness and Decease,
2d March, " 210
John Hunt-Illness and Decease, .
31st
215
Congress' order to Council of Pennsylvania
to release the Exiles, 16th "
216
Council sent F. Baily and Capt. Lang as an
escort to the Exiles to Pennsylvania, 3d April,
218
Four Female Relatives of the Exiles wait on
5th 66 222 General Washington,
Gen. Washington's Letters to Gov. Wharton, 5th and 6th Apr. 1778, 223
Act to prevent intercourse with Philadelphia, 225
RETURN JOURNEY TO PHILADELPHIA.
Leave Winchester,
19th April, 1778, 226
Visit to Gen. Gates at Yorktown,
24th
227
Denied a hearing by Council at Lancaster, 26th
229
Address to Council to be restored to their rights, "
230
Order to Discharge the Exiles,
27th
231
General Washington's permission to return to
their homes in Philadelphia, . . 29th " " 233
CONCLUSION-Observations, 234
Address of Society of Friends to Gen. Wash- ington on the year of the organization of the Government, .
3d of 10 mo. 1789, 237
xvi
CONTENTS.
Answer of General Washington, · 3d Oct. 1789, 238
CONSIDERATIONS ON CHARGES OF CONGRESS,
. 239
APPENDIX-Journals of Congress and of the
Supreme Executive Council of Pennsyl- vania, 25th Aug. 1777 to 27th April, 1778, 259-282
Papers published by order of Congress,
282
Testimony of Society of Friends, · 24th 1 mo. 1775, 282
Epistle of Meeting of Sufferings, .
·
5th
4 1775,
284
Ancient Testimony of Friends, 20th " 1776, 287
Address of Meeting of Sufferings, " 12 mo. " 293
Minutes of Quarterly and Monthly Meetings, 1776 and 1777, 293-299 Spanktown Yearly Meeting, (spurious,) 290
Comparative Addresses of Congress and of the Society of Friends, 1775, 300
Extract from Gibbon's Decline and Fall of
the Roman Empire,
. 301
INTRODUCTION.
MANY of the important events of American history have been carefully handed down to us by notes or tradition ; and when these have a public or private estimation, it is a tribute due to posterity to render the narrative permanent before a further lapse of time may subject it to uncertainty.
The intention of this volume is to preserve an account of some interesting incidents which occurred in Pennsylvania in the war of the American Revolution, for the use of the de- scendants of those persons who were unexpectedly involved in them. They arose out of that great event, and will show that the principles of justice and liberty then advocated for the na- tion, should have been more consistently dispensed to the rights. which were due to individuals.
The Settlement of the Province of Pennsylvania, by William Penn, formed a new era in the liberties of mankind.
It opened an asylum in which to originate a new govern- ment upon the principles of " Mercy and Justice," contem- plated from previous ages to form the basis of the social and natural relations.
It afforded a resting-place, where the conscientious and op- pressed people of Europe might repose, and enjoy the rights of civil and religious freedom which mankind had derived as an inheritance from the Creator.
The benevolent founder of the Colony declared these to be his first objects in making the settlement, and he secured them to the people as their chartered privileges.
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18
INTRODUCTION.
In one of his letters to a friend in England, immediately after having obtained his Charter of the Province in 1681, he wrote : " I have obtained the Province and desire to keep it, which may answer the kind providence of God to serve his truth and people, that an example may be set to the nations : there may be room there, though not here, for such a holy experiment."*
The first settlement of the Colony was personally attended to by William Penn, in 1682, and he established it in peace. It was hoped that under the blessing of Providence, the set- tlers there could carry out the principles of the Christian re- ligion-they believed these principles to be of the highest benefit to mankind, and that they were capable of sustaining them in a practical course of conduct to each other in public and in private life.
The soil of Pennsylvania was thus granted to William Penn, and the Colonial Government entrusted to him, under his well- known principles as a member of the Society of Friends ; and as this Society has had an interesting connexion and influence in the country from its early history, it is proper to trace out its origin and character.
" The Religious Society of Friends," which title it is proper to give it in consideration of their peaceable and friendly con- duct, in lieu of the sobriquet of " Quakers" arose in England about the year 1645 ; and on their principles becoming known, they were joined by a large number of people from various sects, who were dissatisfied with many of the religious profes- sions of the time, and were prepared to withdraw from them ; for they did not appear to support by example or precept the doctrines of Christ or the Apostles, as set forth in the New Testament.
The enlarged and independent views taken by the Friends, led them to contemplate the nature of the Christian religion, and with it the simplicity and virtue of the primitive churches ;
* Proud's History of Pennsylvania, vol. i. 169, notes.
19
INTRODUCTION.
to compare this with the ecclesiastical authority assumed by subsequent churches over the civil and religious rights of the people, and to examine into a system which had such an im- mediate relation to themselves, and to general society.
At an early period the advice and care of the Apostles were extended to direct the churches to the purity in which they were established, and to avoid the general errors of the times ; but deviations took place afterwards, arising from an external intercourse, and from various causes.
The Christians having had no place as a distinct people, ex- isted as a religious sect dispersed among the nations. It is only recorded "the Disciples were called Christians first in An- tioch."* For the first two or three centuries, no other histori- cal accounts can be obtained of them, than from the lives of those Fathers who succeeded the immediate Apostles, and these show a uniform spirit of meekness and fidelity consistent with their original principles.
During the first and second centuries, the Christians would not render to the state any military service, though many at- tempts were made to engage them in it ; they were uniform in the refusal by the declaration, " I am a Christian, and cannot fight," which produced a further separation from the people, and it was a further cause of the frequent martyrdoms they suffered.
Although they remained a distinct sect, and were sought out and persecuted even as objects for sacrifice, the Christians became numerous, so that after the third century, Constantine and the succeeding emperors granted them protection, in order to secure their assistance and support
Becoming more and more allied to the Roman interest, and mixed with the people, they had so deviated from their original principles as to be extensively employed as soldiers. By their movement with the armies, their religion was greatly extended through the empire and provinces, in which they contributed mainly to support the declining state; whence a union took
* Acts ii. 26.
20
INTRODUCTION.
place between civil and religious power, partly military and partly hierarchal, yet with such an introduction of heathen customs and warlike requisitions, as very much to destroy the Christian character.
Yet under this external relation of the church, a clergy was established which governed it in matters of opinion and faith ; and when there were any disputed points of orthodoxy, the bishops, with the other clergy, called councils to settle them, under a united authority of the churches.
Six of these, called General Councils, were held from the years 325 to 680, besides numerous others of lesser importance. But in few or none of these assemblages were any satisfactory con- clusions to be arrived at. Under the profession of religion, a contention for points of doctrine resulted in contentions for supremacy ; and the decisions of the conventions being only suited to the parties in power, increased the schisms of the churches.
The bishops of Rome having been seated at the most cele- brated place in the empire, began early to claim the exclusive title of Pope, and about the year 655, it was acceded to by the other bishops, though it had been previously the title of them all; from thence it remained in the see of Rome, undisputed in Christendom for the nine succeeding centuries.
During this long period the ecclesiastical annals give an account of the most arbitrary extension of the Roman papal power over all the Christian churches and kingdoms, and over the liberties and consciences of the people, until it was broken into in the sixteenth century, and partly divided among other sects at the Protestant reformation.
But this division eventually proved to be rather a change of condition than a reform in the churches, for those which suc- ceeded had no precedents or ideas beyond an alteration or a modification of the general system of hierarchy, and a dispen- sation from some of the more formal and imposing ceremonies. They set up a new establishment of clergy, with expensive endowments, under an appropriation of the benefices derived from papal revenues, and even perverted to its service many
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