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Secondly. It is unreasonable to suppose that France or Spain will give us any kind of assistance, if we mean only to make use of that assistance for the purpose of repairing the breach, and strengthening the connection between Britain and America; because those Powers would be sufferers by the consequences.
Thirdly. While we profess ourselves the subjects of Britain, we must in the eye of foreign nations be considered as Rebels. The precedent is somewhat dangerous to their peace, for men to be in arms under the name of subjects: we on the spot can solve the paradox; but to unite resistance and subjection, requires an idea much too refined for common understanding.
Fourthly. Were a manifesto to be published, and despatched to foreign Courts, setting forth the miseries we have endured, and the peaceable methods we have ineffectually used for redress, declaring, at the same time, that not being able any longer to live happily or safely, under the cruel disposition of the British Court, we had been driven to the necessity of breaking off all connections wirh her; at the same time assuring all such Courts of our peaceable disposition towards them, and of our desire of entering into trade with them, such a memorial would produce more good effects to this Continent than if a ship were freighted with petitions to Britain.
Under our present denomination of British subjects, we can neither be received nor heard abroad; the custom of all Courts is against us, and will be so, until, by an Independence, we take rank with other nations.
These proceedings may at first appear strange and difficult, but, like all other steps which we have already passed over, will, in a little time, become familiar and agreeable; and until an Independence is declared, the Continent will feel itself like a man who continues putting off some unpleasant business from day to day, yet knows it must be done, hates to set about it, wishes it over, and is continually haunted with the thoughts of its necessity.*
PENNSYLVANIA COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
Monday, January 29, 1776.
In Committee of Safely: Present—
John Nixon, Chairman, Daniel Roberdeau, James Mease, George Clymer, Thomas Wharton, Jun., Samuel Miles, Owen Biddle, George Gray, James Biddle.
Upon application of Major Bayard for permission to employ a Pilot and Pilot-boat to cruise off the Capes of Delaware, for a Ship, with Arms and Ammunition, bound to this port:
By order of the Board, the Chairman wrote to Mr. Henry Fisher, directing him to furnish Mr. Nathaniel Ramsey with a Pilot and Boat, for the above-mentioned purpose.
Lieutenant Cameron, taken with Mr. Connolly, and confined, by order of Congress, as a person inimical to the liberties of America, was this day brought before this Board, and, being examined, and found to have acted an inimical part in the present dispute between Great Britain and these Colonies, was remanded to jail, and there to remain till the further order of Congress and this Board.
John Fox, of this city, blacksmith, having informed this Committee that Peter Cribs, his apprentice lad, is inlisled on the Continental service, by Lieutenant Collier, of Col one Magau's Battalion, and it appearing that the said John Fox has paid a consideration for the time of the said apprentice, the Commanding Officer of said Battalion is hereby desired to discharge him from his inlistment, on being repaid all the charges attending it.
Resolved, That no business be gone into before the Minutes of the preceding day's being read.
That the Minutes of this Board for the day be constantly read before the Members separate.
That no Member leave this Board without the permission of the Board.
Resolved, That this Board will, on Monday, the 5th day of February next, appoint Officers for a Company of Matrosses, to be immediately raised in this Province, for the service of Canada. And this Resolve to be published in the Newspapers, to the end applications may be made by such as choose to enter into the said service.
Mr. Apty finding it inconvenient to victual the people confined by order of Congress in jail, Sachervil Wood was directed to provide them with the usual allowance, for seven Shillings and six Pence per week, each man, to commence to-morrow.
Tuesday, January 30, 1776.
In Committee of Safety: Present—
John Nixon, Chairman, John Cadwallader, George Clymer, Robert White, Samuel Morris, Thomas Wharton, Jr., James Mease, George Gray, Daniel Roberdeau, Samuel Howell, Alexander Wilcocks, Joseph Reed, James Biddle, Owen Biddle.
Robert Towers reports his having received from Major Cox, 4,465 eight-ounce balls, for swivels; 4 thirty-two-pound double-headed shot; 16 twenty-four pound double-headed shot; 36 eighteen-pound double-headed shot.
Upon application of John Handlyn, for the payment of his Account for repairing a number of Fire-locks for Captain Dorsey's Company, in the Battalion late Colonel Bull's, an Order was drawn on Messrs. Mease and Caldwell, for twenty-two Pounds sixteen Shillings, in his favour.
Resolved, That Captain White procure the Timber for making fifty large Cannon-carriages.
Upon application of Captain William Williams, for the payment of four Fire-locks purchased by him for the use of his Company, in the Battalion late Colonel Bull's, an Order was drawn in his favour for sixteen Pounds ten Shillings, on Messrs. Mease and Caldwell, Paymasters.
By Order of the Board, the following Advertisements were sent to Messrs. Hall & Sellers, and Messrs. Bradfords, and the other Printers of this city, requesting them to publish them in their next Papers:
As Rags and Lint are essentially necessary for the publick service, this Committee most earnestly request the inhabitants of this City to collect what old Linen they have, and can spare; and, in the course of next week, persons, properly authorized under the hand of the Secretary of the Committee, will call at their houses to receive.
Such persons, also, as have Saltpetre to dispose, of, are hereby notified that Robert Towers, Commissary, next door but one to the Presbyterian Meeting-House, in Market street, will receive the same, and pay them there for.
The Board adjourned to half-after four o'clock, this day.
Agreeable to adjournment, the following Members attended:
John Nixon, Daniel Roberdeau, George Gray, Joseph Reed, Thomas Wharton, Jun., Samuel Morris, Jun., Samuel Howell, Owen Biddle, John Cadwallader, George Clymer, James Mease, Alexander Wilcocks, James Biddle, Robert White.
By Letter from Mr. Henry Wynkoop to this Committee, dated Bucks County, the 24th instant, it appears that James Wallace, Andrew Kechlin, and Joseph Fenton, Jun., were appointed by the Committee; of Inspection and Observation of said. County, to attend the Siltpetre Works in this City, to be instructed in the manufacture of that commodity; and to set up Works at their respective houses in Bucks County, for the instruction of the inhabitants. James Wallace being, also, by said Committee recommended as the Officer for receiving and paying for the Saltpetre made in Bucks County:
Resolved, That on application of said John Wallace, he shall receive a sufficient sum of Money and Gunpowder for
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