Petition and Remonstrance of the Committee of the City of Philadelphia, on the 31st of the same month, presented to the General Assembly of the Colony then sitting. In Mr. Gaine’s last paper, an account of the success of Major Roach, in raising recruits in Ireland to fight against the Americans, when all the papers agree that whatever may be the success of that particular man, through the influence of his musick, his parade, his gold, and his beer, his insidious, delusive speech, and the interest of the venal, ministerial noblemen and gentry who assist him, yet the service is so disagreeable to the people of Ireland, in general, that few of the recruiting officers can prevail upon a man to enlist and fight against their American brethren; which is also the case in many parts of England. These, and many other such like pieces, ought never to appear in our newspapers without answers, at the same time, to expose their fallacy, and prevent the people from being deceived by them. General Howe’s illegal Proclamations and Associations, and even the King’s last Proclamation, are all calculated to intimidate and deceive the people, and ought not to appear without comments and remarks, to expose their fallacy and prevent their effects. Of the same kind, also, are two extracts of letters from London, one dated the 4th, the other the 10th of September, in Mr. Gaine’s last paper. The first would frighten us by representing the vast preparations making against us, and treating us as a deluded people, in our opposition to tyrannical power; the other, in persuading us “that all we can do will be ineffectual. That England considers the loss of our trade, and our military preparations in our own defence, as matters of no importance; and yet, from a benevolent disposition, laments the woes we are drawing upon ourselves. That our pretended friends in England are not to be relied on or credited; that our non-importation scheme is of little consequence to England; that the bulk of the people are against us; our advocates few and inconsiderable; and that we shall fatally be convinced of it, if we do not fall upon some mode of pacification before the spring—that is, if we do not, before that, do something that shall, in effect, be a surrender of our rights and liberties, by admitting a right in the Parliament of Great Britain to make laws to bind and tax us in all cases (or in any case) whatsoever.”

But, my brethren, in my turn, let me warn you not to be deceived by such representations as these, which are notorious and abominable falsehoods, intended not for your good, but to betray you into all the miseries they are falsely pretended to avert; for slavery includes every evil human nature has to dread. I am ready to die in defence of the principles I recommend to you; and I advise you to die, rather than yield one tittle of your rights to the unjust, unconstitutional claims of a tyrannical Parliament and Ministry. If you yield a tittle, you are undone; you and your posterity will be absolute and confirmed slaves forever. God has formed you free; his service is perfect freedom. Freedom, therefore, he has given you, for an everlasting inheritance, which no man has a right to take away. You cannot part with it without affronting the God who gave it, and despising the inheritance to which he has made you heirs. Fear not but that he will enable you to defend it, if you are not wanting to yourselves. You have God and justice on your side. With such aids, no power in nature can prevail against us.

The Ministry and Parliament of Great Britain, authors of all the late oppressive acts against America, have demonstrated a fixed design to destroy the English Constitution, (the Englishman’s boast and glory,) and established, in its stead, an arbitrary, tyrannical Government. Is it possible that Englishmen, or their friends, can lend a helping hand to destroy that glorious Constitution that has distinguished them from all other nations, and is the only cause of the greatness and power to which they have risen? None but real enemies to England can fight against its Constitution. Such are the Parliament and Ministry who passed the Declaratory Act, and all the late acts against America, beginning with the act for shutting up the port of Boston. Every one of these acts I do affirm to be acts of high treason against the English Constitution, and I challenge all the lawyers in the British Dominions to refute me. I would enlarge upon this subject, but the compass of your paper will not admit of it.

I would humbly recommend to the Committee of Safety, the Congress, and other friends to the rights and liberties of America, that inquiries should be made of the printers, who it was that handed these insidious pieces to the press; and I dare engage they will be found to be secret and dangerous enemies. Also, that a Committee should be appointed to watch over the publications in our papers, and answer all such as might have a dangerous tendency in deceiving the people. Also, that an inquiry should be made to discover those persons who have wickedly endeavoured to destroy the credit and currency of the paper money, or bills of credit, issued by the Continental and each Provincial Congress. The faith of each Colony in particular, and of all conjunctly, is engaged to support the credit of each respective species of currency, and the success of all our operations depends on their being supported in full credit. He, therefore, who endeavours to depreciate or render their credit doubtful, ought to be noted, deemed an enemy to America, and treated accordingly.

AN OCCASIONAL REMARKER.

COLONY OF MASSACHUSETTS-BAY.

By the major part of the Council.

To the several Sheriffs of the Counties of ESSEX, MIDDLESEX, PLYMOUTH, HAMPSHIRE, BRISTOL, and WORCESTER, greeting:

You are hereby severally ordered and directed forthwith to make return of all the Prisoners in the respective Jails of which you are keepers, committed by order of the major part of the Council, or by the General of the American Army, in the manner following, viz: Their names, their several ages, where born, how long they have lived in America, whether they are married or unmarried, those who are married where their families are, by whom they were committed, for what cause, and what is their present state and circumstances.

Given under our hands, at the Council Chamber in Watertown, the 14th day of November, Anno Domini 1775.

By their Honours’ command:

PEREZMORTON,	Deputy Secretary.
JAMES OTIS,	B. LINCOLN,
W. SPOONER,	M. FARLEY,
CALEB CUSHING,	J. PALMER,
J. WINTHROP,	S. HOLTEN,
JOSEPH GERRISH,	JABEZ FISHER,
JOHN WHITCOMB,	JOHN TAYLOR,
JAMES PRESCOTT,	B. WHITE.
ELDAD TAYLOR,

TRUCE BETWEEN CAPTAIN WALLACE AND THE TOWN OF NEWPORT.

Colony of Rhode-Island, &c.

The following are published by order of the General Committee. Witness:

HENRY WARD, Sec’ý.

[No. 1.]

His Majesty’s Ship Rose, November 14, 1775.

I will suspend hostilities against the Town, till I have further orders, upon their supplying the King’s ships with fresh beef, &c. Let it remain neuter. The ferry and market boats to supply it unmolested. If the Rebels enter the Town and break the neutrality, I hold myself disengaged, and at liberty to do my utmost for the King’s service.

JAMES WALLACE.

To the Inhabitants of the Town of Newport.

At a Town Council, Newport, November 14, 1775:

The Council accepts the Letter from Captain Wallace as a truce, and hopes General Hopkins will accept it in the same light.

[No. 2.]

Head-Quarters, November 15, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: I received a copy of a letter, signed by James Wallace, commander of His Majesty’s Ship Rose, together with your approbation of its contents. In answer to which, I am to let you know that I will permit you to supply the Ministerial Navy, now in your harbour, with fresh provisions, &c., provided the quantity be ascertained, and is no more than is sufficient, or has been heretofore made use of, and that under the inspection of a man that