A Serious Address (Second Edition) - 7
Another apparent Bad Consequence is, unless the Indians have more Humanity than some of us, who profess, to have received the Light of the Gospel, and to be Followers of the Prince of Peace. We cannot expect but that the Prisoners, of our own Blood, who are now amongst them, will share the same Fate with the unhappy Wretches in Lancaster Goal.
This Province has been a Land of Liberty; and Justice has hitherto been effectually administred, without Assistance of a Military Force. It has also been an Asylum for People of tender Consciences, who removed hither for the Liberty of worshipping the Supreme Being in the Manner they believed most agreeable to Him. These inestimable Priveleges induced our Ancestors to leave their Native Land, to encounter the Dangers of the Deep, and settle in this Howling Wilderness; which is now become a fertile Field, a Land of Plenty. But alas! is it likely we shall long enjoy these Priveleges? Can you imagine that Great Britain will suffer the Administrations of Justice in so valuable a Province as Pennsylvania to be interrupted, the Goals broke open, the Civil Officers insulted, Trade rendered precarious, and every Thing put into Confusion, by a Mob? -----No certainly.
Insurrections which had but small Beginnings have often arose to great Heights; Because, when once a Mob have broke through the Limits prescribed by the Laws, ’tis uncertain, how far they will wander in the Fields of Anarchy and Confusion; and what Extravagancies they will run into which at first they did not Design. If these People should take it into their Heads, not to pay Taxes, or not to pay the Proprietaries for their Lands, or the Merchants for their Goods; what
