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1776.

Lords Proteft against

lief to our innocent planters in the Weft-Indies, it seems as if an act of the British parliament came in aid of that authority, and provided that no fupply whaticever thall be carried to the West Indies, contrary to the refolution of the congrefs.

3dly, Because this bill greatly exceeds in violence, the pattern of injustice which it seems to follow. In fome respects the prohibitions of the congrefs materially differed from the prohibition of this bill. Their's was not immediate Time was given to the Weft-Indies for fupply both from America and other places No confifcations were made. We, on the other hand, have permitted the trade from America, as long as it was ne ceflary to fave ourfelves from famine, and to enable the colonies to pay their debts. This fupply they have made plentifully, and many of thefe debts they have difcharged moft honourably. In return for this, to us uf-ful and honourable behaviour, ministry, abufing the bounty of Providence, on the firit restoration of domeftic plenty, has fabricated a bill for feizing Ame rican vellels, now trading under the faith of an act of parliament, no hip of their's being fuffered to return to its own country, either from hence, or from the Welt Indies.

We

4thly, Because the bill, not fatisfied with making predatory war upon the trade of the colonies, thinks it necef. fary to ftimulate particular avarice and rapacity to an activity in fuch fervice, by rendering captures of North American veffels and goods, the property of the captors. This regulation is now, for the first time (by any regular authority in this kingdom) to be adopted in a civil contention. confider this method of holding out the fpoil of their fellow-citizens for the reward of alacrity in civil wars, as a fource of the most dangerous corruption that can be conceived, in the first infance to our navy, and in its confequence to our army. A number of bold, enterpriûng men, trained to the profeffion of arms, with fortunes to make, and promotion to be obtained, are naturally lovers of war. When they have once tatted of emoJuments from domestic fpoil, they will no longer look on the commerce of England as an obj &t of protection,

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but of plunder. They will fee the profperous ftate of peaceful domestic industry, not with pleasure, but with envy. They will be taught to wish for thofe lucrative civil commotions, which they will always have the means of provoking. Our foldiers in the land fervice will fee no reafon for their being distinguished from the marine; and they will call for the plunder of English trading towns, when they fee that the feamen have been indulged in the plunder of English trading hips. It never can be fafe for a state to hold out an intereft in difturbing it, to those who have the fword in their hand. The greatest republic, of which history gives us any knowledge, was fubverted by this licence of domeftic plunder. We are perfectly affured, that the navy of England wants no fuch unnatural and impious encouragement towards the performance of any duty which their known public fpirit, and yet uncorrupted honour, may make it fit for them to perform. And it is no lefs on their's, than on the public account, a matter of the most ferious affliction to us, that a fervice always looked upon (and hitherto most jufly) not only without fear or jealouly, but with the moft partial affection in every part of this empire, fhould be unneceffarily expofed to the lafting cdium which must attend thole who are enriched from the fpoils of citizens, amongit whom they may be obliged to spend their lives, and form their connections. Civil wars (when they mu be made) fhould be made in fuch a manner, as not to render the return to peace and cordiality impracticable. If the poil ordered by this act had been left in the crown, the crown might use it as an encouragement for a return to obedience, as a means of future peace: it is now only a provocation, through defpair and refentment, to perpetual hoftility. We cannot poffibly difcern how any neceflary operation of war is ftrengthened by this difgrace of legislature. But if the arms now ufed, fhould fucceed fo as to enforce a temporary and reluctant obedience, we fee but too well, that this bill will leave fuch a fting in the minds of the colonists, as to render our government there hated and fufpected, and therefore for ever precarious.

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Lords Proteft against the last American Bill.

5thly, Because this bill, by anticipating all legal judgment of the of fences of thofe whofe goods are forfeited, overturns one of the most excellent and profoundly confidered parts of that fundamental law, the declaration of rights, which declares "that all grants of fines and forfeitures of particular perfons before conviction, are illegal and void."-This provifion is exprefsly made, left rapacious minifters, fcenting confifcation, or rapacious foldiers allured by the Juft of plunder, thould be induced to forge or provoke plots and rebellions, in order to enrich themselves out of the public diforders.

6thly, Becaufe very extenfive commercial property of British fubjects (implicated by the nature of commercial intercourfe with that of innocent Englishmen refiding here) is to be taken out of the equitable jurifdiction of the common law of England, and from that inestimable birthright of the fubjects of this kingdom, a trial by jury, and carried to the court of admiralty to be tried by a fingle judge, on the rules of an arbitary foreign law.

7thly, Because the whole fcheme of this predatory war for private lucre, is put under the arbitrary direction of certain commiffioners, to us unknown, even by name; who have power to give fuch continuance to the ravages authorised by this bill, as their arbitrary will fhall fuggeft, to pardon or except from pardon, any number or defcription of perfons, and with fuch exceptions as they shall fee fit, without any other rule than their own private opinion, fancy, caprice, favour, or refentment; and without any other rule to open or keep fhut, any colony, province, county, town, diftrict, or place. We are of opinion that the power left to the faid commiffioners, is perfectly unjuftifiable and unconftitutional. It has befides a tendency to create the moft fhameful and mifchievous monopolies. The power given to the Admiralty, and to the Weft-India governors, to licence fhips, is of the fame nature. If fuch monopolies and jobs fhould not arife from fuch powers it is no fault of this bill, which, as if it had thefe purposes in view, has taken efpecial care to provide as ftrong a temptation, as human nature, fet

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Jan.

above law and restraint, and furnished with every facility to corruption, can poffibly be expofed to.

Sthly, Because we know nothing of the bufinefs of these commiffioners, further than the above arbitrary discretion with regard to pardons. Rumour gives out, that they are to have a power to treat with the Americans for a redrefs of their grievances. Of this however neither the fpeech from the throne, nor the bill have given the least intimation. Although if the commiffioners treat on this subject at all, acts and powers of parliament be- . ing the matter of complaint, the commiffioners ought to derive fome previous authority from parliament, in order to give weight and efficacy to their negociations, and to preferve some appearance of dignity in ourselves. It is hardly proper, that parliament fhould appear in no other light than as the inftrument of penal restrictions, attainder, penalties, and confifcations; as the maker of menacing addreffes, and the rejector of dutiful petitions. It is hardly decent to fhew ourselves fierce and inflexible here, but to be fatisfied with permitting unknown perfons whom minifters thall chufe in future to appoint, to difpofe in America of powers and acts of parliament at their pleafure; leaving us firft the odium of rejecting reafonable requests, and afterwards the difgrace of ratifying fhameful conceffions.

9thly, Because we reject with indignation, that claufe of this bill, which by a refinement in tyranny, and in a fentence worse than death, obliges the unhappy men who fhall be made captives in this predatory war, to bear arms against their families, kindred, friends, and country; and after being plundered themselves, to become accomplices in plundering their brethren. If there exits a doubt whether to justify the infliction of capital punishment on defertion, it fhould be neceffary to prove that a feaman was a preffed man er a volunteer. The object of this claufe is to deprive the American feamen of the plea of his being a pressed man, as it declares that he is to be confidered to all intents and purposes, as having entered voluntarily into the fervice. By this claufe, not only common feamen, but mafters of veffels are, without regard to age or circumftances, or con

dition,

1776.

Memoirs of a Lay Preacher.

dition, to be ignominiously turned before the mast, and subjected to the auftere difcipline of the boatswain. Perfons in that fubordinate station, not being animated with the liberal and ingenious fpirit which distinguishes of ficers in the navy, and taught to confider thefe forced volunteers as rebels, will be but too apt to aggravate the miferies of captivity by infult and outrage. Thefe prifoners, among the comrades they are obliged to live and ferve with, may very probably be often forced to behold the fpoils of their boneft industry, and the natural fupport of their fober families, fquandered in riot and profligate debauchery before their faces. This we look upon as the last degree of wretchedness and indignity, to which human nature can be fubjected. This cruelty, unknown to the most favage nations, is to be practifed by Englishmen on English men. It has been faid in parliament, that the pay the prifoners are to receive is to be confidered as a full compenfation for the principles they are obliged to violate. We do not envy any one that fentiment. An attempt is alfo made to justify it by the fuppofed right of preffing. We cannot conceive that the burthens of fubjection ought ever to be impofed, where the protection belonging to it is denied; or that a man can ever be despoiled of his goods as a foreign enemy, and at the fame time obliged to ferve the ftate as a citizen. This compulfion we have never heard to be practifed on any prifoners in war, or in rebellion nor do we know any example of it,

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except among pirates-the outlaws and enemies of human fociety.

Iothly, Because a bill fo unprecedented, in its nature, and fo important in its confequences, is brought in at a time of year, when by experience it is known, that most of the independent members of both Houfes are called away by their domeftic affairs, and when few but thofe in the immediate pay of the court, and attending on their employments, are in town. This we conceive to be done in order to imprefs the public with a delufive idea, that thofe measures are agreeable to greater numbers in both Houfes, than in reality they are. The only part of this bill which we approve, is the repeal of the unjust and improvident acts which have produced all the evil effects we had foreseen, and none of the good which was pretended as the ground for making them: acts, as unfit for, as incapable of execution. But to our inexpreffible grief, and to the difgrace of the public councils of this kingdom, minifters, untaught by misfortunes, and uncheck'd by difap pointments, at the very inftant they are obliged to demolish the old fabric of their oppreffion, as ufelefs and mifchievous, are building up another on nearly the fame model, and with the fame materials, adding only fomething more of that injuftice and violence, which have always proved mifchievous in proportion as they have been augmented. RICHMOND, PONSONBY, FITZWILLIAM,

ROCKINGHAM,
CHEDWORTH,

ABINGDON,

ABERGAVENNY, MANCHESTER.

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Memoirs of a Lay Preacher, fuppofed to be delivered by himself in one of bis Sermons.

Irion, the talent of perfuafion. I

Poffefs in no fmall degree of perfec

am not one of those who unneceffarily and impertinently commend themfelves, but I'll give you two inftances of my fuccefs in preaching, which will prove me entitled to your favour able hearing.

It may be about three weeks ago that i faw a croud, and enquiring what was the matter, I found they had made a ring, in which, two men ftripped of their very thirts, were prepa

red to encounter with fifts. I called out to 'em to fufpend their quarrel, till I had communicated fomething which it nearly concerned them to know; I prevailed, and like a blessed peacemaker, fo completely foftened them, that-they put on their thirts again, and parted friends. The other instance is fo extraordinary, and indeed almott incredible, that if I was not able to produce witneffes of its truth, I fhould be unwilling to mention it. You know there is a diverfion that

goes

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Specimen of the Lay Preacher's Abilities.

Jan.

tions totally changed, fo that not one of them would have trod upon a spi. der if he had feen it. This was a glorious converfion; I fhould be glad to hear that the regular divines did any thing like it; but the pulpit is their's, we preach in the field! It is true, we do, and fo did Chrift himself, and elfewhere, as opportunity ferved: have you not read his fermon in the mount? And how he entered into Peter's fhip and preached.

But we are charged with being itinerant. I muit give you the derivation of this word, and explain it to you, before I go any further. It is derived from the Latin word iter, which by interpretation is, a journey: itinerants, therefore, are travellers, of which number I profefs myself to be one. Look at the foles of thefe fhoes, there is a large hole in each, betokening diligence in my profeffion and did not our Saviour go about, doing good? But the caflock-wearing tribe fay, that we creep into houses and lead captive fly women: they might with more truth fay, that we fet many free who were tied and brand with the chain of their fins.-Let fuch as are beneficed, confine their doctrine within the walls of their churches (though many of them do no duty at all, but live upon the fat of the land, and pay their curates poorly enough) Til preach in fecfon and out of feajon; I cannot in confcience be idle; wo is unto me if I preach not the gospel.

goes by the name of cocking, in which the company are extremely clamorous, profanely fwearing and bullying, infomuch that a perfon with moderate lungs could not poffibly be heard. At fuch an affembly I was prefent, not prompted by avarice to act the fame butcherly part with the reft; but, being earnest in foulfaving I called out to them, with a windpipe fo clear and ftrong, that they were amazed at it: I improved this firft furprize to the happiest of purpofes, and told them, they were in the greatest danger if they continued in that place five minutes longer, that in all probability they would be dead men; they were already dead in tref paifes and fins. I begged, by all that was dear to them, that they would follow me, which they did, with the greatest expedition; I verily believe, that I drew them out of the pit in lefs than half the time above mentioned. This was a pious fraud, you mult acknowledge: and when I had got them out, I brought fuch arguments from fcripture again't their cruel paltime, that they thewed evident figns of remorie. Have you no bowels of compaffion, faid. I, or do you think thefe fubjects of your mirth have no feeling that you thus riot in their wounds, wantonly provoking and stirring them up to ftrite? A righteous man regardeth the life of his beat, to Solomon faid: and of his bird too, I fay. Recollect, I pray you, that pathetic addrefs of your Saviour, O Jerufalem, Jerufalem, which killeft the prophets, and ftoneit them that are fent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather ber brood under her wings, and ye would not?" And was it for this, that the hen gathered her chickens under her wings, that their blooding in the Latin tongue, and I could fhould be fpilt for your recreation? That with artificial weapons (O diabolical invention !) they fhould tear and mangle each other. and die ten thoufand deaths?- Did not Peter weep bitterly when the cock crew ?— For it reproached him with the denial of his mailer: and you deny Chrift, you act in oppofition to his gofpel, which requires that you should be tender hearted. In hort, my expoftulations had the defied effect upon them; they went away with difpofi

And that I am qualified to do it, I fhall now prove to you, in answer to the charge-that we are unlearned. I'll not yield, in point of qualification, to any of the full-fed, unprofitable fervants, who don't come even at the eleventh bour into the vineyard. I have already given you a fpice of my learn

you

give you Greek: I thank my God, I
can speak with tongues more than
all-but I had rather interpret. And
how do you think I came by my skill
in languages? I'll inform you, bre-
thren, and leave you to judge what
pretenfions I had to fet up for a
teacher.

I was born of reputable parents : my father was a fubftantial farm-r, and being told b our village-matter that I was a promiting lid, he thought fit to fend me to a more creditable ichool,

where

1776. Singular Adventures of the Itinerant Preacher.

Where having made great proficiency, I was in due time entered at the university. When I had completed my ftudies there, it was my father's pur pofe to have me ordained, but I was fo diffatisfied with the prevailing doctrines, that I entirely refifted his will, and went to the tabernacle; where I foon found out, and was defirous to thew unto others, a more excellent way. But then I waited for a call; I would enter into the theepfold by the door, not climb up fome other way, like a thief and a robber. The time was not very long that I waited: I dreamed one night that I was keeping my father's (heep in the field, and heard a voice from heaven, which faid unto me, "Feed my sheep." This was fo diftinct a call, that I could not chuse but obey it; and the rather, as my parents, thinking I had taken a wrong turn, had cait off all care for me, which reminded me of the prophecy (for I could look upon it in no other light) of David. "When my father and my mother forfake me, the Lord taketh me up." Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood, but without faying a word to the people of the houfe where I lodged I removed to fome distance, and began to preach: and at the beginning, my labours were as ill requited as thofe of St. Paul, or worse. I was in perils oft, and frequently fuffered, from my own countrymen; they perfecuted me from city to city, hurt my feet in the ftocks, thrice loaded me with irons; and, I will not (indeed I cannot) fay how many times I received ftripes, but this I'll venture to affirm, that the Apostle was not whipped half fo often nor fo feverely +. But I glory in tribulation; and while thofe, who boast that they are licenced to preach, make light of our labour of love, I am nevertheless inftant, attending continu ally upon this very thing: for I am determined that no injurious treatment fhall difcourage me, no dangers or difficulties affright me. I preached when I was in prifon, when certain fons of Belial had rifen up, and falfely accufed me. I have told you that I was three times ironed, and here again let me relate what happy effects. were produced by the fpeaking with my tongue.

Jan. 1776.

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Gaolers, from the nature of their employment, are far from being the most tender-hearted fet of men: they, whofe hands I had the misfortune to fall into, were remarkably cruel; bot I contrived to extricate myfelf. The first time that I was confined, my keeper was fo won upon, and brought to fuch a religious temper of mind, by my difcourfe, that reading one night in bed he fet the gaol on fire, and in the confufion I and my fellow prifoners escaped fo that I might be faid to fave to deliver others as well as myfelf, to fave them by fire. When I was confined the fecond time, I infisted fo much upon the chriftian duty, in whatever fate we are-therewith to be content, that he who was appointed to be a watchman over the prifoners, was very much off his guard; of which, knowing I could do more gofpel-good out of prison than in it, I took advantage, and let myself out. The third and laft time of my durance, that is to say, imprisonment, was longer than either of the two former times; for the man who had the keys was flow to bear, his heart was hardened (like Pharaoh's, who would not let the children of Ifrael go) fo that [ could not presently make an impreffion upon it; but after a while I difcovered fomething like grace in him, a difpofition towards goodness, which, with a great deal of patience, I endeavoured to improve. In particu lar, I reminded him that there was an earthquake when St. Paul was imprifoned, which had fuch an effect upon him, that he asked me the fame queftion which the jailer afked St. Paul, "What fhall I do to be saved?" In anfwer to it, I led him by degrees to a more perfect knowledge of that way; I told him, that he fhould imitate his Maker, and be merciful; especially, that he ought to fhew pity upon prisoners and captives; moreover I got my kinfmen and acquaintance to affure him that I had done nothing worthy of bonds; fo that partly through their good offices, but more by my own perfuading, he let me go free on a Sunday night, and opened the door for me himself.

And here I am, fpending my breath, and will gladly spend and be Spent for you, if I can but bring you F

He went off without paying for his lodging. † St. Paul's number was five times forty, fave one.

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