I find the drums beating, colours flying, and detachments of newly raised militia parading the streets;—the whole country appears determined to assume a military character, and this city, throwing off her pacific aspect, is forming military companies, a plan being laid for thirty-three; composed of all ranks and nations, uniting shoulder to shoulder, they form so many patriotic bands to oppose like the invincible Macedonian phalanx, the progress and increase of parliamentary authority. The Quakers, not to be behind in manifesting their aversion, have obtained permission of the city committee to make up two companies of Friends exclusively, and they are to be commanded by Samuel Marshall and Thomas Mifflin,1 both of that persuasion.
So powerful is the love of liberty, and so great the dread of ministerial designs, that the strongest prejudices and habits have given way and are controlled by the former.
The House this day having received a message from the governor with Lord North's conciliatory plan, has on a full debate rejected it, being resolved to adhere to the union.
1 See Supplement.
2 See Supplement.
SOURCE: George Atkinson Ward, Journal and Letters of the Late Samuel Curwen, Judge of Admiralty, etc., An American Refugee in England from 1775 to 1784, pp. 26-7
No comments:
Post a Comment