tholics, on account of which Proteftants have nothing to fear from them. That there are in the communion of the church of Rome men of moderate and tolerating principles may be easily admitted; but it is by no means clear that these are genuine members of that church. It is but too plain, that we have, among ourfelves, and, perhaps, in the great council of the nation, not a few, who look upon Popery and Proteftantifm as different modes of fuperftition, meriting equal regard, that is, no regard at all; and yet thefe men affume the names of Chriftians and Proteftants, and occafionally join in the religious fervices of our Proteftant churches. We know too, with certainty, that in Roman-Catholic kingdoms there are great numbers of infidels, and perhaps too of Proteftants in difguife, who fometimes unite in the outward celebration of the rites of the Romish church. Thefe men will be as moderate as you please; but will you call them Roman-Catholics, or take your ideas of the principles and fpirit of that church from fuch men? It is from real Papifts that Proteftants apprehend dan ger; and he is not a genuine son of that church who denies or disputes her infallibility. Now it is not conceivable how fuch a one can be moderate. The ground of moderation, in the mind of any man, is, his believing it poffible, at leaft, that he may be in an error. This is the only foil in which this precious plant can grow. Infallibility and intolerance are perfectly congenial; but infallibility and moderation can never be united.

The mild and gentle spirit of the times has been much infifted on in this argument, as a reason for difmiffing all ap. prehenfions of danger from Popery. I readily admit, that this is an age of humanity; and alfo, that the manners of men, in all the kingdoms of Europe, have acquired a polish, from extended commerce, and other means of civilization, unknown in former times. But fhall we, or ought we to truft to this, for our defence againft men who are intolerant from principle and confcience? War is now carried on without that favage fierceness and barbarity which prevailed in former ages; but honour, the foldier's principle, will prompt him to kill, burn, and lay wafte: and have we nothing to fear from confcience in an in fallible, and therefore intolerant church? By men who have no confcience, this

principle may be thought so weak, that nothing is to be apprehended from it; but I will be bold to fay, and experience has too fully juftified my affertion, that under the influence of bigotry and fuperftitious zeal, no principle is fo formi❤ dable. We have no reafon to think, that Paul, before his converfion, was deftitute of humanity; yet he made havock of the church. And from what principle? Because his confcience dictated to him that he fhould do many things against the name of Jefus. The more confcientious the members of an intolerant church are, the danger from them is fo much the greater, and the more fhould Proteftants be guarded against it. The loyalty of Roman-Catholics to government is deemed fecure, by their taking the oath prefcribed by the late law; but I am far from thinking that oath a fufficient fecurity, while they are required only to renounce a foreign temporal jurifdiction, but are ftill permitted to hold the fpiritual jurifdiction. There is, to a Roman-Catholic, very little binding force in that oath. If they had been obliged to renounce the infallibility, it would have been of more importance to the security of our religious and civil rights. But do not infift on this. The government is fatisfied concerning their loyalty. I will only fay, times are changed. Thirty-three years have only elapfed, fince their mafs-houses and feminaries were rafed, on account of the part they took in the late rebellion; and there is ftill reason to believe, that if one of their religion fhould claim the crown of thefe realms, they would not be averfe, in this country at leaft, to fupport his pre tenfions. But be this as it will, we have every reason to look to our own security, and the fecurity of our religion, against men fo inimical to both.

We have been accufed of cherishing a cruel perfecuting fpirit. But what fymptoms of that fpirit appeared in the difpofitions of the people of this country towards Roman-Catholics before they were alarmed by the project of the repeal? Their meetings for worship were connived at by government, Did our people grudge or complain of this connivance? In many parts of Scotland, before the late rebellion, they went as openly and publicly to mafs as Proteftants did to church, and without molestation or difturbance. After the rebellion, indeed, they were more cautious and fecret,

from

from an apprehenfion of danger, not from the people, but from the fervants of government. In fhort, Sir, no dif. affection was shown by our people to Roman-Catholics; they were permitted the free exercise of their religion in perfect peace, till we were ronfed to a fenfe of danger by their petitions, favoured by the legislature, for relief from the reftrictions to which, by law, they were fubjected. There is a great difference between what perfons may do by connivance, and what they do of right. In the former cafe, they muft proceed modeftly, cautioufly, and fo as to avoid offence in the latter cafe, they have no occafion to keep to thefe rules. Boldnefs and defiance are the fpirit which right infpires. Proteftants were, therefore, juftly alarmed, and united in declaring, that they could not find themfelves fecure if the legal restrictions up. on Roman-Catholics were removed.

The reftrictions which have been judged effential to that fecurity, relate chiefly to three things; to public worship, public teaching, and the acquifition of property. With regard to the laft, its propriety feems abundantly evident. Power and influence always follow pro. perty. It must be fo. Look at the places where Roman-Catholics have property, and there you will find the greateft number of the profeffors of that religion. The reprefentatives of a Noble family of the firft rank in the north of Scotland, have been Proteftants for half a century; yet fuch was the influence of that family while Popish, in making 'profelytes, that in one low-country pa rifh, of no great extent, in the neighbourhood of the feat of that family, there ftill are eight hundred Papifts. As to the propriety and neceffity of continuing the legal reftrictions on Roman-CathoJics, as to public worship, and public teaching, enough has already been faid in this debate. If in a large family or fociety there were but a few perfons poffeffed of principles and a spirit inimical to that family or fociety, would it not be neceffary for the head or governors to keep a watchful eye upon them, and to prevent their tampering with the other fervants, in order to bring them over to their party? would it not be alfo neceffary to prohibit their holding meetings by themfelves, for encouraging one another in these pernicious principles, and ftrengthening their obligations

to fupport and act agreeably to them, by the folemnities of religion? I think every man of common fenfe must admit the propriety and neceffity of such regulations in any family or fmaller fociety; and why they fhould not be judged as neceffary and wife in the great family of this Proteftant ftate, one cannot easily fee.

Much has been faid of the fanguinary nature of the ftatutes against Popery, and the inhumanity and cruelty of oppofing the repeal of fuch bloody fanc tions. I will only fay, Sir, that we have as little pleasure in the execution of penalties of any kind, as the most humane of our fellow-fubjects. We have no delight in banishment, or in blood; and if it had been proposed to secure the objects of these ftatutes, we would have made no objection to any penalties, however gentle, that would have been fufficient for that end. But when it was plainly the intention to pull down the fences againft the growth of Popery erected by the wifdom of our ancestors, without fubftituting any thing in their place, we thought ourfelves bound to oppofe a measure fo dangerous, and to infift that things shall continue as they are.

Now, Sir, I will conclude with feconding the motion made by my Rev. friend, Dr Macfarlan. The declaration and refo lution which have been read by him, exprefs very fully my fentiments on this important fubject; and I fhall give my vote for adopting them as the fenfe and judgement of this assembly.

Mr Ewart at Troqueer faid, That he was fettled in a parish in which there were more Roman-Catholics than in any parifh in the fouth of Scotland: That, before the year 1745, the Romish priests were most active and indefatigable, and oftentimes too fuccefsful, in gaining profelytes: That, after that period, they were more timorous and cautious; but that of late, particularly fince the repeal of the penal ftatutes was talked of, they had become as bold and daring as ever; and, therefore, he must be of opinion, that the repeal would be productive of ve ry bad confequences. As feveral members had told ftories, he begged leave to tell one, of the Earl of Hilfborough, which would fhew the dangerous nature of Popery. His Lordfhip, talking with one of his Irish tenants, who was expreffing his fenfe of the obligations he lay

under

artillery, corps of guides and pioneers. Befides the above, we have thirteen regiments on Rhode island, and nine in Halifax."

"New York, June 19. At a late meeting of the congrefs they came to the following refolutions.

Refolved, That a warrant iffue on the treasurer in favour of the Hon. the Supreme Executive Council of the ftate of Pennsylvania, on the application of the legiflature of the faid ftate, for 2,000,000 of dollars; for which the faid state is to be accountable, with intereft at fix per cent. per ann.

The committee appointed to confider what farther measures are neceffary for the defence of South Carolina and Georgia, report,

"That the fubjects of the Moft Chriftian King refiding in South Carolina, have offered to form a corps of volunteers for the defence of the faid ftate, to be commanded by officers of their own nation; that the faid offer is approved by the minifter of France; and that the Marquis of Britigny requests to be appointed to the command." Whereup

on

Refolved, That Congrefs have a high fenfe of the offer made by his Moft Chriftian Majefty's fubjects refiding in South Carolina to incorporate themfelves for the defence of the said state, and that the fame be accepted.

Refolved, That the Marquis of Britigny, who from his generous facrifices, from his great fufferings, and from his military abilities, is intitled to the regard of the United States, appears, from his military talents, rank, and abilities, to be a proper perfon to command the faid corps; and that he be accordingly recommended to the Governor of South Carolina.

Congrefs refumed the confideration of the report of the committee appointed to take into confideration the foreign affairs of thefe United States, and alfo the conduct of the late and prefent Commiffioners of these States; wherein the committee report,

ift, That it appears to them, that Dr Franklin is Plenipotentiary for thefe States at the court of France, Dr A. Lee Commiffioner for the court of Spain, Mr William Lee Commiffioner for the courts of Vienna and Berlin, Mr R. Izard Commiffioner for the court of Tuscany; that Mr J. Adams was appointed one of

the Commiffioners for the court of France, in the place of Mr Deane, who had been appointed a Joint Commiffioner with Dr Franklin and Dr A. Lee, but that the said commiffion of Mr Adams is fuperfeded by the plenipotentiary com miffion to Dr Flanklin.

2d, That it is the opinion of the committee, that minifters plenipotentiary for these States are only neceffary for the prefent at the courts of Versailles and Madrid.

3d, That in the course of the exami nation and inquiry, they find many com plaints against the faid Commiffioners, and the political and commercial agency of Mr Deane, which complaints, with the evidence in support thereof, are here with delivered, and to which the com. mittee beg leave to refer.

The congrefs published an address to the inhabitants of America, dated May 26.;-in which they say,

"Your governments being now eftablifhed, and your ability to contend with your invaders afcertained, we have, on the moft mature deliberation, jud. ged it indispensably neceffary, to call on you for forty millions of dollars, in addition to the fifteen millions required by a refolution of congrefs of the ad of Ja nuary laft, to be paid into the continental treafury before the rft of January next, in the fame proportion, as to the quotas of the feveral ftates, with that for the faid fifteen millions.

It appeared proper to us to fix the fir day of next January for the payment of the whole; but as it is probable that fome ftates, if not all, will raife part of the fums by inftalments or otherwile before that time, we recommend in the strongest manner the paying as much as can be collected as foon as poffible into the continental treasury.

Though it is manifeft that moderate taxation in times of peace will recover the credit of your currency, yet the encouragement which your enemies derive from its depreciation, and the prefent exigencies, demand great and speedy ex

ertions.

To our conftituents we fubmit the propriety and purity of our intentions, well knowing they will not forget, that we lay no burdens upon them but thofe in which we participate with them; a happy fympathy that pervades focieties formed on the basis of equal liberty. Many cares, many labours, and, may

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we not add, reproaches are peculiar to us. Thefe are the emoluments of our unfolicited stations; and with thefe we are content if you approve our conduct: if you do not, we fhall return to our private condition, with no other regret, than that which will arife from our not having served you as acceptably and effentially as we wished and ftrove to do, though as chearfully and faithfully as we could.".

A loyalift in Philadelphia, writes thus to a friend at New York, April 3. "The whole continental emiffions of paper notes amount to 298,571,380 dollars, which, at 7 s. 6 d. the dollar, is, in Pennfylvania currency, 111,964,2671. This, however, is far from being the whole of the continental debt: for they owe great fums for fupplies, &c. for their army and navy, and for intereft; and each ftate has feparately a large debt of its own." [40. 300.]

In the London papers in the beginning of July appeared a tranflation of an intercepted letter from the Baron de Bonftellin, a lieutenant-colonel in the fervice of the United States of America, to his friend at Paris, dated, Philadelphia, April 18. 1779; of which we give an extract, viz." This country (I mean the Thirteen United States of America) is in a state of languor and defpair, or rather anarchy; for every one does as he pleases; from whence proceed the greateft horrors and calamities imaginable. Among other things, the dearnefs of provifions, and of every neceffary of life, exceeds all example. Nothing is to be seen but Congrefs paper, which is so depreciated, that a piaftre in money is worth twelve or fifteen in paper. Few fhips come here, on account of the little value of Congrefs paper, and that there is nothing but tobacco to be had in return, which bears a very low price in France at this time. It was with the utmost difficulty that they could procure a little flour for D'Eftaign's fleet [40. 603.]; and it requires every exertion that they can make to fupply their own army, which after all is wretchedly provided. Upon the whole, this country fuffers more from its internal mifmanagement than from the war itfelf; and if peace is not foon made, and good order re-established, it will experience juch revolutions as are fhocking to think of. The country-people are fo exafperated at the high price every thing bears,

that unless fome change foon takes place, they threaten not only to with-hold provifions from the town, but to come down in a body, and punish the leaders. The Congrefs likewife is perplexed how to act, having loft all authority over the people. Every one proceeds with caution; distress and mifery are daily increafing. God grant that the French arms may be fuccefsful, or this country will be undone; for the Tories, who are very numerous, would lay violent hands on every thing that comes in their way, and there is no mercy to be expected from them."

A recent enumeration of the inhabitants of America, ftates the numbers of the different provinces thus. [37. 24.]

350,000]

300,000

670,000

250,000

200,000

the Lower Counties Maryland Virginia North Carolina South Carolina

"London, July 17. Congrefs have ordered several blank commiffions to be sent to the commiffioners of Indian affairs for the northern department, impowering them to fill them up with the names of fuch favages as have fignalised themselves in the rebel-fervice. chiefs of the Tufcaroras, it was thought, would have the first claim to this ho nour.'

The

In the London Gazettes of July 10. & 13. there are letters from Gen. Clinton to Ld George Germaine, and from Sir George Collier to the Admiralty.Gen. Clinton inclofes a letter received by his Excellency from Maj.-Gen. Mathew, dated, Rainbow, in Elifabeth river, May 24. viz.

"Since my laft, of the 16th inft. [328.], we have continued to collect stores of all forts to a very great amount, military, naval, and provifions; the laft have been daily diftributed to the numerous inhabitants of Portsmouth and its neighbourhood.

Having been informed on the 16th, that fome parties of the enemy were fculking about the Great Bridge, feven miles in front of Lt-Col. Doyle's poft, I ordered him to march fuddenly to fur3 A 2

prife