| Citation |
FJ.782.001
2 Jan 1782:22, 23 (37)
Mr. Printer, Political lying has very often prevailed in
party disputes. . . [1 1/2 column essay. In 2nd column, ]
The story of the Philadelphia county election has been
dealt out in piece-meal, to some larger, to others in
smaller quantities, according as they could bear it. Few
men had faith sufficient to digest the whole. . . [4 lines]
The story at full length is this. --The president and
council determined to call out the militia for election
purposes only. To give a colour to the business, Sir Henry
Clinton (who was in league with them) made a shew of moving
towards this city. The threatning appearance of the British
general led Congress into the snare that was laid for them.
They directed the call of the militia: The militia, when
they were out, marched to the places of election with loaded
muskets, fixed bayonets, drums beating, colours flying and a
large train of artillery, and there were forced to vote in
favour of the favourites, being fettered with invisible
chains, and some of them very thirsty. Sir Henry Clinton
waited all the while on Staten-Island to see the event of
the business, and actually left the noble Earl Cornwallis
with his army to be taken prisoners of war rather than
disappoint the great and important purpose of the
Philadelphia County election: . . .
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