SCOTS MAGAZINE. SEPTEMBER, 1779. 置 CONTENT S. AMERICA. Stoney-point furprised by the Americans 484. Congress compliments on this event 486. An expedition into Connecticut 488 to Pound bridge 491. and Paulus hook 491. The Americans repulfed on the Penobscot 492. and their fleet destroyed 494. Maffachufet's-bay refolve previous to this expedition 495 Proclamation by the American General ib. Counter proclamation 497. Gen. Clinton blamed for not affifting Prevolt 497. Accounts of the latter 498. Letter of Mr Sayre 499. A MURDERER discovered 484. On cauling watchmen SLEEP in the day 484- HISTORICAL AFFAIRS. Turky, France, The Examination of Jofeph Galloway, Efq; late Speaker of the Houfe of Affembly of Pennsylvania, before the House of Commons, in a committee on the American papers, [prefented Feb 19. in pursuance of a motion made by Sir William Howe, and feconded by Lord Howe, on the 17th]. With explanatory notes. [Mr Galloway published a letter in the news-papers; in which he fays, he perufed, in a amphlet, intitled, A view of the evidence relative to the conduct of the American war, what is illed the evidence of Joseph Galloway, Efq; and he declares, "that it is a partial representa ston and an infamous falfification of my examination." For proof of which he refers to the riginal proceedings, and to his Examination publifhed for J. Wilkie, which (he fays) a tees with the original; - and from which we give the following extracts.] Mercuril, 16° die Junii, 1779. H OW long have you lived A. I have lived in Ame- QIn what part? and what public of. fice have you held? A. I have lived in the province of Maryland, in the Delaware counties, and in the province of Pennsylvania, chiefly in Philadelphia. My public profeffion was that of the law. I practifed in all the courts of Pennsylvania, in thofe of the Delaware counties, and in the fupreme courts of New Jerfey.I was a 3 M member member of the Affembly of Pennfylvania whilft they held it tenaciously and reli eighteen years, Speaker of the Houfe twelve. I was appointed by the affembly of that province to attend the American Congrefs, which met the 5th of September 1774.-During the laft war, under an appointment of the fame Affembly, I was one of the Commiffioners for difpofing of the money granted to the crown, and have been feveral times a Commiffioner to treat with the Indians; and, when Sir William Howe took poffeffion of the city of Philadelphia, at his request I undertook the office of Superintendent of the Police of the city of Philadelphia and its fuburbs, of the port, and of the prohibited articles. Q. When did you come over to the British army? and how long did you continue with it? A. I came over to the royal army in the beginning of December 1776, and continued with it until the evacuation of Philadelphia, on the 18th of June last. Q. At the beginning of the present rebellion, when the inhabitants first took up arms, had the people, in general, independence in view? A. I do not believe, from the beft know ledge I have of the ftate of America at that time, that one fifth of the people had independence in view.-I wish when I give an opinion, always to give my reafons for it. The progrefs of the spirit of independence was very gradual. So early as the year 1754, there were men in America, I may fay in the towns of Bofton, New York, Philadelphia, and Williamsburgh, who held independence in profpect, and who were determined to feize any opportunity that offered to promote it, by procuring additional perfons to their number. - Thefe men, when the ftamp act was paffed, made a ftalking horfe, or skreen, of the gentlemen of the law in every part of America, to cover their defigns, and to found the trumpet of oppofition against government; but avowed, that their conduct was on the ground of obtaining a redress of American grievances, and not with a defign to feparate the two countries. Upon this ground, I am confident, the gentlemen of the law acted.--When the tea-act was paffed, they made the fame ufe of the merchants who were fmugglers in America, as they had done of the lawyers before, ftill declaring, that they meant not independence. So late as the fitting of the Congress in 1774, the fame men, when charged with it in Congrefs, and giously in their hearts, they, almost to a degree of profanity, denied it with their tongues; and all this was done on their knowledge, that the great bulk of the people of North America was averfe to independence.—If we look at the resolves of Congrefs, down almoft to the very period of their declaration of independ ence, we fhall find the fame language, the fame pretence of obtaining a redress of grievances, held out to the people. And for the fame reafon, at the very time they declared independence, they gave out, that it was not with a view to a total feparation of the two countries, but from neceffity; becaufe, unless they declared independence, the powers of Europe would not trade with them, and they were in great diftrefs for want of a great many foreign neceffaries.—So that, from all thefe circumstances, I am con-" vinced, that not one fifth part of the people had independence in view *! Q. If • Mr Galloway here added, “I think L may fafely fay, not one tenth part had its dependence in view;" which opinion will appear to be founded in truth from the fol lowing circumstances. The inftructions gi ven to the Delegates in Congrefs were parts ly in the following words: To the Delt gates from New Hampshire," to refle that peace, harmony, and mutual confidence which once happily fubfifted between the pa rent-country and her colonies:"-To the Delegates of Mafiachufet's-bay, "to det mine on measures for the restoration of nion and harmony between Great Britain and the Colonies, most ardently deftred by all men:"-To the Delegates of Rhode ifland, blith the rights and liberties of the Cole "to confult upon proper measures to eff nies:"To the Delegates of Connectieat for advancing the best good of the Col nies."— The Delegates fro.n New York New Jersey had no particular instructions.s The Delegates from Pennsylvania were joined, "to confult upon the prefent unha py ftate of the Colonies, and to form adopt a plan for the purposes of obtaining redrefs of American grievances, afcertaines American rights upon the moft folid conftitutional principles, and for establishing that union and harmony between Great fr tain and her Colonies which is fo indifp fably neceffary to the welfare and happine Counties were confined to "prudent and r of both."-The Delegates from the Delaware ful measures for obtaining a redrefs of the ge neral grievances."-The Delegates from M ryland and Virginia were confined to ma fures "operating on the commercial connec Q. If fo large a proportion of the people of America were fo averfe to inde. pendence, why have they suffered their prefent rulers to obtain fo much power over them as to prevent any effectual exertion in support of their principles ? A. The Congress having prevailed up on a very small part of the people to take up arms, under the pretence of obtain ing a redress of grievances; and having an army composed of thofe people under their command, and fubject to military difcipline, they difarmed, or caufed to be difarmed, all perfons whom they thought difaffected to their meafures, or wished to be united to this country, con tion of the colonies with the mother-country, and speedily to procure the return of that barmony and union, fo beneficial to the whole nation, and so ardently defired by all British America."—And the instructions from North and South Carolina were to the fame parport-In the letter to the people of Quebec, the Congrefs declare, that "their confederation has no other objects, than the perfect fecurity of the natural and civil rights of all the conflituent members of the British government, according to their respective circumftances, and the prefervation of a happy and lafting connection with Great Britain, on falutary and conftitutional principles [36. 708-37.422 ].”—And in a pamphlet published in vindication of the conduct of the Congrefs, intitled, The other fide of the question, &c. they are obliged to make the following declaration, to refute the charge brought against them of intending to eftablish independence, viz. "As to the thought of eftablishing a republic in America, break ing off our connection with Great Britain, and becoming independent, I confider it as the mot vain, empty, fhallow, and ridiculous project, that could poffibly enter into the heart of man. I do not believe there are five hundred on the Continent, who have the Jeaft pretensions to common fenfe, who would not risk their dearest blood to prevent fuch meafures."- - Even fo late as the time of declaring the colonies independent, the Congrefs, who were appointed by a very few of the people, and these the most difaffected, found it an arduous talk to accomplish it. Their debates lafted near a fortnight, and when the question was put, fix colonies divided against fix; the Delegates for Pennfylvania being alfo divided, the queftion remained undecided [37.21.3-38.181.]. How Ever, one of the members of that colony who had warmly oppofed it, being wrought upon by Mr Adams's art, changed his opinion, and upon the queft on the next day, it was carried in the affirmative by a single vole only. trary to their scheme of independence: I have the refolves of Congrefs, dated Jan. 2. 1776, at my house to that purpofe *.-They went fo far as to difarm (by fending two battalions into Queen's county, in the province of New York, for that purpose) a large number of the people of that district, for no other reafon but because they voted against sending a member to the convention of New York: they totally, as I may fay, diffranchised them; they would not fuffer them to trade, or be traded with; they suffered them to be sued, but would not let them fue in their courts of justice; they would not suffer them to pass out of their district on any account f. By thefe • Extracts from the Journals of Congress; Jan. 2. 1776. "And with respect to all fuch unworthy Americans as, regardless of their duty to their creator, their country, and their pofterity, have taken part with our oppreffors, and, influenced with the hope and poffeffion of ignominious rewards, ftrive to recommend themselves to the bounty of adminiftration, by mifreprefenting and traducing the conduct and principles of the friends of American liberty, and oppofing every measure formed for its prefervation and fecurity; Refolved, That it be recommended to the different Affemblies, Conventions, and Committees or Councils of Safety in the United Colonies, by the most speedy and effectual meafures, to fruftrate the mifchievous machinations, and reftrain the wicked practices of thefe men. Aud it is the opinion of this Congrefs, that they ought to be difarmed, and the more dangerous among them either kept in fafe cuftody, or bound with fuffi cient fureties to their good behaviour. And in order that the faid Affemblies, Conventions, Committees or Councils of Safety, may be enabled, with greater eafe and facility, to carry this refolution into execution, Refolved, That they be authorifed to call to their aid, whatever Continental troops, ftationed in or near their respective colonies, may be conveniently fpared from their more immediate duty; and the commanding officers of fuch troops are hereby directed to afford the faid Affemblies, Conventions, Commirtees or Councils of Safety, all fuch affistance, in executing this refolution, as they may require, and which, confiftent with the good of the fervice, may be supplied." + Extrafts from the Journals of the Congress, Jun. 3. 1776. "Refolved, That all fuch perfons in Queen's county, as voted against fending Deputies to the prefent Convention of New 3 M & York, these means the well-affected part of America to this government became difarmed, and the arms were put into the hands of thofe on whom the Congrefs could rely,a fmall part of the people. -If we look into the hiftory of this kingdom fo early as the great rebellion in 1640, we fhall find the very fact alluded to in the queftion actually exifting in the state of this kingdom: We shall find the people taking up arms, in order, as it was faid, to obtain a redress of grievances; we shall find a few people at that time, who had arms in their hands, preventing the reft, numerous as they were, from taking measures for their relief *. York, and named in a lift of delinquents in Queen's county published by the Convention of New York, be put out of the protection of the United Colonies, and that all trade and intercourfe with them ceafe; that none of the inhabitants of that county be permit ted to travel or abide in any part of thefe United Colonies, out of their faid county, without a certificate from the Convention or Committee of Safety of the colony of New York, fetting forth, That fuch inhabitant is a friend to the American caufe, and not of the number of thofe who voted against sending Deputies to the faid Convention; and that fuch of the faid inhabitants as fall be found out of the faid county without fuch certificate, be apprehended, and imprisoned three months. Refolved, That Col. Nathaniel Heard, of Woodbridge, in the colony of New Jersey, taking with him five or fix hundred minutes men, under difcreet officers, do march to the western part of Queen's county; and that Col. Waterbury, of Stanford, in the colony of Connecticut, with the like number of minute-men, march to the eastern fide of faid county;- that they confer together, and endeavour to enter the faid county on one day; that they proceed to difarm every perfon in the faid county, who voted against fending Deputies to the faid Convention, and cause them to deliver up their arms and ammunition on oath; and that they take and confine in fafe cuftody, till further orders, all fuch as refufe compliance." After the Congress had deluded a few of the most imprudent and violent of the people to affociate in arms, and had obtained an army in the field, they immediately took meafures to difarm those who retained their loyalty, and gave oppofition to their defign. This opposition appeared in a variety of inflances but they, immediately on its appearance, took measures to fupprefs it. If pamphlets were wrote, condemning their Q. After the declaration of independence, when Lord Howe and the Genes ral arrived at Staten island, did the people at large in the country exprefs a defire to treat with the Commiffioners? A. 1 conduct, the printer who prefumed to puand his office was feized [38. 13,598.]. If any blifh them was obliged to fly his country, gave oppofition at elections to their candi ted from voting, imprifoned, and disfrandates, they were threatened, and intimidachifed. If any refufed their Continental momey at the nominal value, they were ordered, by a refolve of Congrefs, 11th Jan. 1976, to be treated as enemies to their country, and precluded from all trade or intercourse with the inhabitants [38.133.]. And by another refolve, dated Jan. 14. 1777, they forfeited ties offered to be fold, and the debts in paythe value of the lands, goods, or commodiment of which it was tendered. And fur ther to intimidate the loyalifts, and effectus ally to prevent their taking meafures for States, declaring, "That if any perfon fhould their relicf, laws were pafied by the New be adherent to the King of Great Britain, orving him or them aid or affiftance, he should to the enemies of the United States, by gh be adjudged guilty of high treafon." And even," If any petfon fhould, by writing a fpeaking, obstruct or oppofe the measures carried on by the United States," he should be punished by fine and imprisonment. W any body of men rofe in favour of gover oppreflion, of which there have been a va ment, and to relieve themfelves from thet riety of inftances, they were immediately fuppreffed by the fuperior force of the Cen into which they were feduced by the arts and tinental army. In this ftate of the people, be furprifed at their not being able to take force of the Congrefs, no man of fenfe caa; effectual measures for their relief. ་་ There have been very few revolutions in fe with the copfent and approbation of the peo tled governments, which have been effected, ple. Mankind are not ealily drawn into a der liétion of a form of government under which they have been educated. It is habit and fixt manners that form the national attach ment, and prevail on men to prefer those governments, however arbitrary and defpe tic, to others eftablished on the beft-reg lated freedom. It is this that prevails with a Turk, or a Spaniard, to prefer the go vernment of a bashaw, or the inquifitorial power, to that freedom which he might en joy in other countries. Hence it is that we fhall find, upon looking into hiflory, that moft revolutions have been effected by a few artful, bold, and ambitious men; whofe frit step has ever been, to delude the incautions A. I believe, in the Middle Colonies, where I refided, it was very generally the wish of the people to treat with the King's Commiffioners; and I have the best reason to believe, that it was in purfuance of the clamour of the people a bout the Congress in Philadelphia, that they sent three commiffioners to meet Lord and Sir William Howe*. Q. What proportion of the inhabitants of the revolted colonies, do you think, from principle and choice, fup ported the prefent rebellion at any period? A. I don't think that one fifth part have, from principle and choice, supported the present rebellion. Many of those who have appeared in fupport of t, have, by a variety of means, been compelled. I would wish to give reafons, and not fatigue the Committee. and restless few, which every society affords, nto arms; the next, to difarm the reft; and hen, to establish their own measures and ower over the whole fociety; who, howeser defirous of making the greateft efforts or their relief, find it impoffible under hese circumstances, and therefore patiently fubmit to what they deteft. The Congrefs were compelled by the famours of the people to fend a Committee o treat with Lord Howe; but did not mean o do it, fave in appearance only. The auhority given to that Committee was only to hear fuch propofitions as Lord Howe hould think fit to make," and not to treat. ee Refolve of Congrefs, Sept. 6. 1776. The Committee reported that his Lordhip's commiflion contained no other autho ity of importance, than that of granting partons, with fuch exceptions as the Commiffoners fhould think proper to make, and of declaring Anterica, or any part of it, in the King's peace, upon fubmiflion [38. 587]." if the Commiffioners had further and other powers, it is greatly to be lamented, that they did not think proper to make them known to the people, who were fo defirous of having the difpute between the two counries fettled without further bloodshed, and apon reasonable terms. It would have produced the most beneficial effects. If the terms had been approved by the people, which is far from being improbable from their then difpofitions, the Congrefs muft have accepted of them, and an end would have been put to the war. The New States at this time were not formed, nor the Congrefs well established in their power; they were of course more dependent on the people than they have been fince, and muft have complied with their demands. The laft delegation to Congrefs, made by the province of Pennfylvania, and the appointment of all the officers of that ftate, was made by lefs than two hundred voters, although there are at leaft thirty thousand men intitled to vote by the laws of that province. One inftance more I beg leave to give. One of the delegates from the province of New York *, (with whom I fat in Congress in 1774), representing a confiderable district in that province, was chofen by himself and his clerk only, and that clerk certified to the Congrefs, that he was unanimously appointed! Q. Was the person so chosen received by Congrefs? A. Yes; he was received on that return by the Continental Congress, in 1774. Q. From your knowledge of the people of America, what proportion of the inhabitants do you think at this time would prefer a réconciliation with Great Britain, rather than aflift in fupporting American independence? A. From the experience which the people have had of the superlative and exceffive tyranny of their new rulers; from the diftreffes they have felt by the ravages of war, and the lofs of their trade; from an averfion which they have to an attachment and connection with France, which they are fearful will terminate in the lofs of their liberties, civil as well as religious; and from the old attachment, and I believe an earnest defire to be united with this country, I think I may venture to fay, that many more than four fifths of the people would prefer an union with G. Britain, upon conftitutional principles, to that of independence. Many of the people who at first took part in the oppofition to go The people of King's county fo much difapproved of the fending any members to the Congrefs, that although due notice was given of the time and place of election, on. ly two of them met: Mr Simon Boerum ap. pointed his friend clerk, and the clerk appointed Mr Boerum a Delegate in Congress, who was the only reprefentative for that large county. Other counties fent no delegate; and even fo late as the year 1776, the inhabitants of Queen's county were disarmed and disfranchised for refusing to fend a member to the Convention of New York; and in no colony where thefe delegates were not appointed by the Affemblies, which were in four only, were they chofen by one twegtieth part of the people. vernment, |