An Address To The Inhabitants of Pennsylvania, By Those Freemen, Of The City of Philadelphia....

Pemberton, Israel. AN ADDRESS TO THE INHABITANTS OF PENNSYLVANIA, BY THOFE FREEMEN, OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA; WHO ARE NOW CONFINED IN THE MASON'S LODGE, BY VIRTUE OF A GENERAL WARRANT. SIGNED IN COUNCIL BY THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF PENNSYLVANIA. Printed by Robert Bell, Philadelphia. 1777. (4), 52 pgs. Dbd. minor foxing throughout, very readable. Signature of "Sam Elam" former owner. This is a paper of great significance in the struggle for civil liberty and religious freedom. On religious grounds, Pemberton and other Quakers refused to swear allegiance to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. "These Quakers were imprisoned for security reasons by the Revolutionary Council of Pennsylvania." Howes. "These freemen, principally Quakers, were imprisoned in consequence of their refusal 'not to depart from their dwelling-houses and engage to refrain from doing anything injurious to the United States, by speaking, writing, or otherwise..." Sabin. Pemberton offers a passionate denunciation of their arrests: no warrants charging a specific crime, no opportunity to be heard. The documents and letters are printed here, and Pemberton reviews them in detail. Howes, P101; Sabin 59610. Evans 15496. Adams 77-2b. Vg cond.