LANCASTER COUNTY. 195 



made. In justice to them, we shall digress from our 

 narrative, and introduce their own sentiments on this 

 subject: "We dedicate ourselves to the security of good 

 Government, and the preservation of human life. As 

 Christ commanded Peter to pay tribute to Cesar, so we 

 shall always pay our taxes. We are subject to high 

 authority, as Paul advises, for those in authority bear not 

 the sword in vain to execute wrath, but to exercise 

 mercy. We hope and pray, that we may not offend. — 

 INIay God govern the hearts of our rulers, that they do 

 those good things which will add to their own, and our 

 happiness." 



It is also well known, that it was owing to their con- 

 scientious scruples to take up arms against the mother 

 country, to whom they had vowed loyalty, that they 

 were the last to resist a high authority; but no sooner 

 had the American Independence been acknowledged — 

 lawful authority established — than they obeyed the 

 rulers of their country. They have never, as a class, or 

 as individuals, so far as we know, been disloyal, trouble- 

 some, or expensive to Government. They pay their 

 taxes regularly ; support the poor of their faith, at their 

 own expense : You look in vain in the poor-house for 

 any of their brethren or sisters. 



To add food to keep alive jealousies, and excite mis- 

 givmgs against the Germans, "it was reported that some 

 thousands were expected to arrive in the ensuing season 

 of 1727." It is true that three hundred and forty-eight 

 Palatine families, making in all twelve hundred and forty 

 persons, did arrive.* They came not as disloyalists, but 



•The number of German emigrants, during 172.8, was less 

 than the preceding year, only 152 families, consisting of 390 

 persons arrived at Philadelphia; during 1729 it was still less ; 

 only 243 Palatine passengers arrived. Strange, that this num?- 



