OF LANCASTER COUXTY. 208 



Benjamin Marslaall, Eeuben Haines, John Bayard, Jonathan B. Smith, 

 Thomas Wharton, Isaac Howell, Michael Hillegas, Adam Hubley, George 

 Schlosser, and Christopher Ludwick. And after the first reading of the 

 propositions that had been prepared for the meeting on Saturday the 

 18th inst., and before they were put up separately, the Rev. Dr. Smith 

 made the following short address, which is published at the desire of 

 many. 



Gentlemen: The occasion of this meeting has been fully explained 

 to you, and sundry propositions read, which are now to be separately 

 offered for your approbation or disapprobation. But before you pro- 

 ceed to this business, it has been thought proper to submit a few things 

 to your good judgment, with respect to the order and decorum necessary 

 to be observed, in the discussion of every question. 



It need not be repeated to you, that matters of the highest conse- 

 quence to the happiness of this province, nay of all British America, 

 depend upon your deliberations this day — perhaps nothing less than 

 whether the breach with the country from which we descended shall be 

 irreparably widened, or whether ways and means upon constitutional 

 grounds, may not yet be devised, for closing that breach ; and restoring 

 that harmony from which, in our better days, Great Britain and her 

 colonies derived mutual strength and glory, and were exalted into an 

 importance that, both in peace and war, made them the envy and terror 

 of the neighbouring nations? 



While subjects such as these are agitated before us, everything that 

 may inflame and mislead the passions should be cast far behind us. A 

 cause of such importance and magnitude as that now under our delibera- 

 tion, is not to be conducted to its true issue by any heated or hasty 

 resolves, nor by any bitterness and animosities among ourselves, nor 

 even perhaps by too severe a recapitulation of past grievances; but re- 

 quire the temperate and enlightened zeal of the i^atriot, the prudence 

 and experience of the aged, the strength of mind and vigour of those 

 who are in their prime of life ; and, in short, the united wisdom and 

 efforts of all, both high and low, joining hand in hand, and setting foot 

 to foot, upon the firm ground of reason and the constitution. 



Whenever party distinctions begin to operate, we shall give cause of 

 triumph to those who may be watchful as well as powerful to abridge 

 us of our native right. There ought to be no party, no contention here, 

 but who shall be firmest and foremost in the common cause of America. 

 Every man's sentiments should be freely heard, and without prejudice. 

 While we contend for liberty with others, let us not refuse liberty to 

 each other. 



Whatever vote is known to be now passed, upon full deliberation, and 

 by the unanimous voice of this great city and county, will not only be 



