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 21
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Monday, December 8th, 1777.
Sundry intercepted letters from Owen Jones, Jr., to sundry persons at Lancaster, were laid before Congress.
Ordered, That they be referred to a committee of three; the members chosen, Mr. Ellery, Mr. Duer, and Mr. Harvie.
Tuesday, December 9th, 1777.
The committee to whom were referred the intercepted letters from Owen Jones, Jr., to sundry persons at Lancaster, brought in a report and desired leave to sit again.
Congress took into consideration the report ; whereupon, Resolved, That the letters from Owen Jones, Jr., a prisoner of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and confined at Win- chester, in Virginia, to sundry persons at Lancaster, be trans- mitted by the Board of War to the President of the Supreme Executive Council of the State of Pennsylvania ; and that it be recommended to the executive authority of the said State to take such measures in the premises as they in their wisdom shall deem meet.
Ordered, That the committee have leave to sit again.
Wednesday, December 24th, 1777.
A memorial from Israel Pemberton and others, to the Con- gress and Executive Council of Pennsylvania, was read.
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Thursday, January 1st, 1778.
A memorial to Congress and the Supreme Executive Coun- cil of Pennsylvania, from Israel Pemberton and others, also a letter from Owen Jones, Jr., to James Duane, Esq., were read.
Resolved, That the consideration thereof be postponed.
CONGRESS.
A petition from Isaac Zane, Joseph Janney, Benjamin Wright, William Jackson, John Parrish, and Joseph Wright, was read.
Ordered, That the petition be referred to a committee of three. The members chosen, Mr. Ellery, Mr. Henry, and Mr. Clark.
Wednesday, January 28th, 1778.
The committee to whom the petition of Isaac Zane and others, was referred, reported verbally.
Ordered, That the consideration of this matter be postponed till to-morrow.
Thursday, January 29th, 1778.
Congress resumed the consideration of the petition of Isaac Zane, &c., whereupon,
Resolved, That the prisoners now at Winchester, in the State of Virginia, who have been apprehended by the govern- ment of Pennsylvania, in consequence of the resolution of Con- gress of the 28th of August, 1777, be discharged from their confinement on their taking and subscribing either the oath or affirmation of allegiance, as prescribed by the laws of Penn- sylvania, or the following oath or affirmation, at the option of the persons confined, viz .:
" I, A. B., do swear (or affirm), that I acknowledge myself a subject of the State of Pennsylvania, as a free and independent state, and that I will in all things demean myself as a good and faithful subject ought to do."
Ordered, That the President write to the Governor of Vir- ginia, and inform him of this resolution.
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COUNCIL.
Lancaster, February 4th, 1778.
Present, Wharton, Joseph Hart, John Hambright, Thomas Urie, Thomas Scott, and James Edgar.
The following address was read, to wit :
TO THE PRESIDENT AND COUNCIL, NOW SITTING AT LANCASTER.
These may show,
That we, the subscribers, being appointed on behalf of the Westerly Quarterly Meeting of the people called Quakers, in order to lay before you various deeply distressing cases and circumstances, that nearly affect us, as a religious Society, request an admittance to be heard by you, for the purpose above said ; which favour will be acknowledged by your real friends,
Warren Mifflin, Abraham Gibbons, James Jackson,
William Jackson, Jr.,
Jos. Husband, Jacob Lindley.
Lancaster, 23d of 2d month, 1778.
Ordered, That the subscribers of the said request be informed, that the Council are willing to attend to their representation to be made in writing, and are disposed to hear them on such matters as may be contained therein, so far as is within the cognizance of the Council.
The following representation was read, viz. :
TO THE PRESIDENT AND COUNCIL, NOW SITTING AT LANCASTER.
Lancaster, 24th 2d month, 1778.
We, the subscribers, are desirous to lay before you,
Ist, the case of a number of our friends, now under confine- ment at Winchester, in Virginia, by the authority of your
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body, as we apprehend, whose release we strongly desire, or if that cannot be obtained, that three or more of them, on behalf of the rest, may be heard in their own vindication, either before Council or Congress, as you may direct.
2dly, That you would weightily consider the situation of four of our friends, closely confined in the common jail of this borough.
3dly, That you would interpose for our relief, in case of exorbitant fines, taken from us, because of our conscience sake we cannot yield our personal service in war.
4thly, We desire a redress of grievance in a certain law, commonly called the test law.
[Signed as the above.]
Whereas Doctor Parke, and one Morton, both of the city of Philadelphia, the former son-in-law, and the latter stepson of James Pemberton, have presumed to undertake a journey from Philadelphia to Winchester, without calling at headquarters, or obtaining permission from any lawful authority :
Resolved, That the Board of War be directed to cause the said Parke and Morton to be apprehended and confined in prison, till further orders.
CONGRESS.
Tuesday, March 10th, 1778.
A letter of the 7th, from the Executive Council of Pennsyl- vania, was read, representing that "the affairs of the Common- wealth of Pennsylvania are so circumstanced as to admit the return of the prisoners sent from that State into Virginia, without danger to the commonwealth, or to the common cause of America. That the dangerous example which their longer continuance in banishment may afford on future occasions has already given uneasiness to some good friends to the indepen- dency of these States," and requesting, " if Congress have no other reasons for continuing them in Virginia than the Council
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are acquainted with, that such orders may be given as shall put those people again under the direction and authority of the President and Council of their State."
Monday, March 16th, 1778.
Resolved, That the Board of War be directed to deliver to the order of the President and Council of Pennsylvania, the prisoners sent from that State to Virginia.
COUNCIL.
April 6th, 1778.
A letter from his Excellency, General Washington, inclosing one from Mrs. Mary Pemberton to him, requesting a protection for one or more wagons, and for the persons who may be em- ployed to go with them to Winchester, to carry necessaries for the prisoners sent there from this state.
On consideration, ordered, that a protection be granted for two wagons and the necessary persons to take care of them, and conduct them to this borough, on their way to the said prisoners.
April 8th, 1778.
The resolve of Congress of 16th March last, " That the Board of War be directed to deliver over to the order of the President and Council of Pennsylvania, the prisoners sent from this state to Virginia," being now read, and the law for the further security of the government taken into consideration, as far as the same may affect the said prisoners, thereupon ordered, that the said prisoners, to wit, Israel Pemberton, (and others named,) be brought to Shippensburg, in this State, and there enlarged. That they be informed of the law passed for the further security of the government, by giving to Mr. Israel Pemberton, or some one of the said prisoners, a printed copy of the said law, for the inspection of the whole : that Mr.
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Francis Y. Baily and Captain Lang, be appointed to apply to the Board of War for, and receive from them, an order for the delivery of the prisoners sent from this State to Virginia, and that the Board of War be requested to give orders for such assistance in procuring wagons to bring the prisoners into this State, and there set them at liberty ; and that on the journey they be treated with the respect due to their characters.
Ordered, That the lieutenants of the counties through which the aforesaid prisoners may pass, do give the necessary assis- tance to Mr. Baily and Captain Lang, by furnishing wagons or other assistance, which they may stand in need of.
Ordered, That the whole expense of arresting and confining the prisoners sent to Virginia, the expenses of their journey, and all other incidental charges, be paid by the said prisoners.
April 10th.
An address from the wives and near friends of the prisoners in Virginia, was read and considered, to wit:
Representation of the wives of the prisoners in Virginia, read in Council, April 10th, 1778 :
TO THE CONGRESS, BOARD OF WAR, PRESIDENT AND COUNCIL, AND ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
We, the afflicted and sorrowful wives, parents, and near connexions of the Friends in banishment, at and near Win- chester, think ourselves bound by the strongest ties of natural affection, sympathy, and regard, to request you, that you suffer Christian charity and compassion so far to prevail in your minds as to take off the bonds of those innocent and oppressed Friends, and entreat you not let the ruin of such, who have evi- denced their strong attachment to their native country, and a benevolent disposition to mankind in general, to lie at the door of a people professing the tender and compassionate religion of Christ, one of whose excellent precepts was, " Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them."
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The melancholy account we have lately received, of the in- disposition of our beloved husbands and children, and that the awful messenger-death-had made an inroad on one of their number, (Thomas Gilpin,) to the unspeakable grief and irre- parable loss of an amiable wife and children, hath deeply affected our minds, and divers of our families are in a distressed situation. We therefore ardently desire you to make the case your own. No doubt many of you have wives and tender children, and must know that, in time of trial and distress, none are so proper to alleviate and bear a part of the burden, as their affectionate husbands.
We firmly believe these, our dear friends, are clear and innocent of the charges alleged against them ; which they, for themselves, and their friends for them, have fully answered ; and that they are now suffering for a steady and firm adhe- rence to their inoffensive and peaceable principles.
This application to you on this interesting subject, is entirely an act of our own. We have not consulted our absent friends on the occasion, hoping and believing it will not be of disser- vice ; and we request you will take no offence at the freedom of women so deeply interested as we are in this matter, and that Divine Benevolence may so influence your hearts as to grant our earnest request ; in which, we doubt not, you will find true peace in the hour of retribution ; and it will be also an inexpressible consolation to your suffering and sorrowful friends,
Hannah Pemberton,
Mary Pemberton,
Isabella Affleck,
Eliza Drinker,
Rebecca Jervis,
Sarah Fisher,
Phebe Pemberton,
Susanna Jones,
Sarah R. Fisher,
Mary Pleasants,
Mary Eddy, Mary Brown,
Sarah Pennington,
Elizabeth Smith,
Rachel Wharton,
Eliza Jervis,
Esther Fisher,
Rachel Hunt.
Philadelphia, 4th month 1st, 1778.
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Ordered, That the prisoners now in Virginia, be brought to this borough, instead of being enlarged at Shippensburg.
The Board of War having sent to Council an order to Joseph Holmes, Esq., to deliver over to the order of the President and Council of this State, all prisoners of this State now under his care, thereupon
Ordered, That an order be endorsed thereon, for the de- livery of the said prisoners to Mr. Baily and Captain Lang.
April 21st.
The Council resuming the consideration of the case of the prisoners which are ordered to this borough from Winchester, agreeable to the request of Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Pemberton, Mrs. Pleasants, and Mrs. Drinker, and the same being fully considered, thereupon
Ordered, That on their arrival here, it shall be at the election of the said prisoners to be set at liberty in the borough, or at Pottsgrove, in the county of Philadelphia.
April 27th.
Captain Lang and Mr. Baily report, that they had received from Alexander White, Esq., who acted for and in behalf of Joseph Holmes, Esq., Deputy Commissary of Prisoners, the following persons, agreeable to the order of this Council, viz. : Israel Pemberton, &c .; and that the said gentlemen were now in this borough, agreeable to the order of Council. That they had been informed by Alexander White, Esq., that Thomas Gilpin and John Hunt were dead. Thomas Affleck, one of the prisoners sent to Virginia, having obtained leave to come to this borough, in consideration of the dangerous illness of his wife, being also arrived here.
The case of the prisoners brought from Virginia, and now in this borough, being considered, thereupon
Ordered, That they be immediately sent to Pottsgrove, in the County of Philadelphia, and there discharged from confine-
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ment; and that they be furnished with a copy of the order, which shall be deemed a discharge.
(NOTE. Under the certified copy of this resolve, given to the respective gentlemen, the following certificate was inserted, and signed by the Secretary, viz. :
(A. B.) of the City of Philadelphia, gentleman, one of the prisoners referred to by the above order of Council, is hereby permitted, with his horses, servants, and baggage, to pass un- molested into the County of Philadelphia, agreeably to the said order, which is to be respected as their discharge.)
A pass to Philadelphia, for Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Pemberton, Mrs. Pleasants, and Mrs. Drinker, and for Israel Morris, who attended them, being requested ; on consideration,
Ordered, That a pass be granted to the aforesaid persons, with their servant, to return to headquarters, and from thence to Philadelphia, if General Washington shall think proper for them so to do.
PAPERS PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF CONGRESS.
(See Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet, No. 304, dated Tuesday, 6 September, 1777, in the Philadelphia Library, No. 384, Folio.)
Philadelphia, September 6.
THE TESTIMONY OF THE PEOPLE CALLED QUAKERS, GIVEN FORTH BY A MEETING OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF SAID PEOPLE, IN PENNSYL- VANIA AND NEW JERSEY, HELD AT PHILADELPHIA THE TWENTY- FOURTH DAY OF THE FIRST MONTH, 1775.
Having considered with real sorrow, the unhappy contest between the Legislature of Great Britain and the people of these Colonies, and the animosities consequent thereon ; we have by
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repeated public advices and private admonitions, used our en- deavours to dissuade the members of our religious Society from joining with the public resolutions promoted and entered into by some of the people, which as we apprehended, so we now find have increased contention, and produced great discord and confusion.
The divine principle of grace and truth which we profess, leads all who attend to its dictates, to demean themselves as peaceable subjects, and to discountenance and avoid every measure tending to excite disaffection to the King, as supreme magistrate, or to the legal authority of his government ; to which purpose many of the late political writings and addresses to the people appearing to be calculated, we are led by a sense of duty to declare our entire disapprobation of them-their spirit and temper being not only contrary to the nature and precepts of the gospel, but destructive of the peace and harmony of civil society, disqualify men in these times of difficulty, for the wise and judicious consideration and promoting of such measures as would be most effectual for reconciling differences, or obtaining the redress of grievances.
From our past experience of the clemency of the King and his royal ancestors, we have grounds to hope and believe, that decent and respectful addresses from those who are vested with legal authority, representing the prevailing dissatisfactions and the cause of them, would avail towards obtaining relief, ascertaining and establishing the just rights of the people, and restoring the public tranquillity ; and we deeply lament that contrary modes of proceeding have been pursued, which have involved the Colonies in confusion, appear likely to produce violence and bloodshed, and threaten the subversion of the constitutional government, and of that liberty of conscience, for the enjoyment of which, our ancestors were induced to en- counter the manifold dangers and difficulties of crossing the seas, and of settling in the wilderness.
We are, therefore, incited by a sincere concern for the peace and welfare of our country, publicly to declare against every
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usurpation of power and authority, in opposition to the laws and government, and against all combinations, insurrections, conspiracies, and illegal assemblies ; and as we are restrained from them by the conscientious discharge of our duty to Al- mighty God, "by whom kings reign, and princes decree justice," we hope through his assistance and favour, to be enabled to maintain our testimony against any requisitions which may be made of us, inconsistent with our religious prin- ciples, and the fidelity we owe to the King and his government, as by law established ; earnestly desiring the restoration of that harmony and concord which have hitherto united the people of these provinces, and been attended by the divine blessing on their labours.
Signed, in and on behalf of the said meeting,
JAMES PEMBERTON, Clerk at this time.
The Quakers in Pennsylvania, much alarmed at the present distracted proceedings of the Colonies, in the opposition making to the authority of the Parliament of Great Britain, foreseeing the most fatal consequences both to themselves and the parent country, have thought it necessary to address their brethren in the adjacent provinces, and have published the following epistle, declaring their disapprobation of the measures prosecuting for obtaining redress, and earnestly requesting all of their com- munion to avoid joining in such measures as are totally incon- sistent with their religious principles.
AN EPISTLE FROM THE MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS, HELD IN PHILADEL- PHIA, FOR PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW JERSEY, THE FIFTH DAY OF THE FIRST MONTH, 1775.
To our friends and brethren in these and the adjacent Provinces. Dear Friends,-
During the troubles and commotions which have prevailed, and still continue in this once peaceful land, much seasonable
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and weighty advice hath been frequently communicated, and particularly by our late Yearly Meeting, exhorting Friends in every part of their conduct, to act agreeable to the peaceable principles and testimony we profess; which we fervently de- sire may be duly attended to and put in practice; yet as some public resolves have been lately entered into, with the concur- rence and approbation of some members of our religious Society, the nature and tendency of which are evidently contrary to our religious principles, our minds have been deeply affected with affliction and sorrow, and we have in much affection and brotherly love been engaged to use our endeavours to convince these our brethren of their deviation : in the discharge of which duty, so far as we have proceeded, we have had the evidence of peace.
And, dear friends, we are now constrained in the renewings of true love, to intreat and exhort all, with humility and reve- rence, to bear in mind, that our real welfare and preservation, on the foundation of our religious fellowship and communion, depends on our faithfully adhering to the doctrines and pre- cepts of our Lord Jesus Christ, who expressly declared, " My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be de- livered to the Jews ; but now is my kingdom not from hence." (John xviii. 36.) Which ever since we were a people, we have publicly professed should be religiously observed by us as the rule of our conduct.
As divers members of our religious Society, some of them without their consent or knowledge, have been lately nominated to attend on and engage in some public affairs, which they cannot undertake without deviating from these our religious principles ; we therefore earnestly beseech and advise them, and all others, to consider the end and purpose of every mea- sure to which they are desired to become parties, and with great circumspection and care to guard against joining in any for the asserting and maintaining our rights and liberties, which on mature deliberation, appear not to be dictated by that
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" wisdom which is from above, which is pure, peaceable, gentle, and full of mercy and good fruits." (James iii. 16.)
" Every instance of conduct inconsistent with our Christian profession, tends to violate the testimony we ought to maintain of the sufficiency of that divine principle of light and grace, by a steady attention to which our ancestors were led, in times of great commotion and difficulty, to an humble patient waiting for that relief and liberty, which after a time of deep suffering was granted them."
And as they were often engaged with Christian fortitude and freedom to remonstrate to those who were in power, whenever under sufferings, they could safely do it, without fear of being reproached for any part of their conduct having ministered just occasion of offence ; or for having ever been concerned in any kind of conspiracies, or combinations against the government under which they lived.
" Should any now so far deviate from their example, and the practice of faithful Friends at all times since, as manifest a dis- position to contend for liberty by any methods or agreements contrary to the peaceable spirit and temper of the gospel, which ever breathes peace on earth and good-will to all men ;" as it is the duty, we desire it may be the care of Friends, in every meeting where there are any such, speedily to treat with them, agreeable to our Christian discipline, and endeavour to con- vince them of their error ; in which labour let all be done in true charity and brotherly love, and the effect will be happy to those who receive it in the same spirit. This religious care steadily maintained, will clearly testify the sincerity of our de- sires " to guard against being drawn into measures which may minister occasion to any to represent us as a people departing from the principles we profess ; and will likewise excite such, who have been so incautious as to enter into engagements, the terms and tendency of which they had not duly considered, to avoid doing any thing inconsistent with our principles;" and constantly to remember, that to fear God, honour the king, and do good to all men, is our indispensable duty.
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And, dear friends,
And in a degree of that divine love which unites in Chris- tian communion and fellowship, we tenderly salute you, de- siring that we may more diligently press after and seek for an establishment on that Rock, against which the gates of hell shall never prevail, that we may be supported steadfast, when storms and tempests, which for the trial of our faith and the more thoroughly purging us from those things which are of a defiling nature, are permitted ; for the Lord, whom we desire to serve, tenderly regards his depending children, and all his chastisements are in mercy directed to redeem and preserve them from evil.
Signed, in and on behalf of the said meeting, by
JOHN PEMBERTON, Clerk.
THE ANCIENT TESTIMONY AND PRINCIPLES OF THE PEOPLE CALLED QUAKERS, RENEWED, WITH RESPECT TO THE KING AND GOVERN- MENT; AND TOUCHING THE COMMOTIONS NOW PREVAILING IN THESE AND OTHER PARTS OF AMERICA. ADDRESSED TO THE PEOPLE IN GENERAL.
A religious concern for our friends and fellow-subjects of every denomination, and more especially for those of all ranks, who in the present commotions, are engaged in public employ- ments and stations, induces us earnestly to beseech every in- dividual, in the most solemn manner, to consider the end and tendency of the measures they are promoting; and on the most impartial inquiry into the state of their minds, carefully to examine whether they are acting in the fear of God, and in conformity to the precepts and doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom we profess to believe in, and that by him alone we expect to be saved from our sins.
The calamities and afflictions which now surround us should, as we apprehend, affect every mind with the most awful
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consideration of the dispensations of Divine Providence to mankind in general in former ages, and that as the sins and iniquities of the people subjected them to grievous sufferings, the same causes still produce the like effects.
The inhabitants of these provinces were long signally favoured with peace and plenty. Have the returns of true thankfulness been generally manifest ? Have integrity and godly simplicity been maintained, and religiously regarded ? Hath a religious care to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly, been evident ? Hath the precept of Christ, to do unto others as we would they should do unto us, been the govern- ing rule of our conduct ? Hath an upright impartial desire to prevent the slavery and oppression of our fellow-men, and to restore them to their natural rights, to true Christian liberty, been cherished and encouraged ? Or have pride, wantonness, luxury, profaneness, a partial spirit, and forgetfulness of the good- ness and mercies of God, become lamentably prevalent ? Have we not, therefore, abundant occasion to break off from our sins by righteousness, and our iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; and with true contrition and abasement of soul, to humble ourselves, and supplicate the almighty Preserver of men, to show favour, and to renew unto us a state of tranquillity and peace ?
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