Item #37851 PHILADELPHIA, 12TH MONTH, 6TH, 1781. ON THE 26TH ULTIMO A COMMITTEE OF SIX FRIENDS, BY APPOINTMENT WAITED ON THE PRESIDENT OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, AND THE SPEAKER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY... TO THE PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA, AND OTHERS WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: THE FOLLOWING REPRESENTATION, ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE CALLED QUAKERS, SHEWETH, THAT THE OUTRAGES AND VIOLENCES COMMITTED ON THE PROPERTY, AND ON DIVERS OF THE PERSONS OF THE INHABITANTS OF PHILADELPHIA, OF OUR RELIGIOUS SOCIETY, BY COMPANIES OF LICENTIOUS PEOPLE PARADING THE STREETS, DESTROYING THE WINDOWS AND DOORS OF OUR HOUSES, BREAKING INTO AND PLUNDERING SOME OF THEM. Society of Friends.
PHILADELPHIA, 12TH MONTH, 6TH, 1781. ON THE 26TH ULTIMO A COMMITTEE OF SIX FRIENDS, BY APPOINTMENT WAITED ON THE PRESIDENT OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, AND THE SPEAKER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY... TO THE PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA, AND OTHERS WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: THE FOLLOWING REPRESENTATION, ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE CALLED QUAKERS, SHEWETH, THAT THE OUTRAGES AND VIOLENCES COMMITTED ON THE PROPERTY, AND ON DIVERS OF THE PERSONS OF THE INHABITANTS OF PHILADELPHIA, OF OUR RELIGIOUS SOCIETY, BY COMPANIES OF LICENTIOUS PEOPLE PARADING THE STREETS, DESTROYING THE WINDOWS AND DOORS OF OUR HOUSES, BREAKING INTO AND PLUNDERING SOME OF THEM ...

PHILADELPHIA, 12TH MONTH, 6TH, 1781. ON THE 26TH ULTIMO A COMMITTEE OF SIX FRIENDS, BY APPOINTMENT WAITED ON THE PRESIDENT OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, AND THE SPEAKER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY... TO THE PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA, AND OTHERS WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: THE FOLLOWING REPRESENTATION, ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE CALLED QUAKERS, SHEWETH, THAT THE OUTRAGES AND VIOLENCES COMMITTED ON THE PROPERTY, AND ON DIVERS OF THE PERSONS OF THE INHABITANTS OF PHILADELPHIA, OF OUR RELIGIOUS SOCIETY, BY COMPANIES OF LICENTIOUS PEOPLE PARADING THE STREETS, DESTROYING THE WINDOWS AND DOORS OF OUR HOUSES, BREAKING INTO AND PLUNDERING SOME OF THEM ...

[Philadelphia: Francis Bailey? 1781]. Folio. 3, [1 blank] pp on one folding sheet, signed in type by John Drinker as clerk of a committee of six Friends. Uncut, old folds. Docketed in harsh ink on blank page [4], resulting in loss of about twelve words or parts thereof, on page 3. Good+.

This is a bold, unapologetic affirmation of bedrock Quaker principles, expressed at a time of harsh public resentment for their failure to support the American Revolution. Adamantly pacifist, they were attacked when they failed to join the post-Yorktown celebrations on 24 October. They were assaulted by "companies of licentious people parading the streets, destroying the windows and doors of our houses, breaking into and plundering some of them."
This document was printed in Providence as well as Philadelphia, and in several formats. It emphasizes that "it is not from imitation or for the support of ancient custom, but from a conviction of judgment, that we are led into the same practice with our ancestors." They observe that "the dispensation of war, bloodshed and calamity which hath been permitted to prevail on this continent is very solemn and awful," but they assure the assembly of their "desires and endeavors to promote the real good of our country, and that we are Your Friends."
Evans 17166. Hildeburn 4164. ESTC W5778 [ "Printer's name suggested by Evans."]. Item #37851

Price: $1,850.00

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