Convicts in Pennsylvania; Wm. and Mary Qrtly., Vol. 5, No. 4

Transcribed by Kathy Merrill for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collections Project

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Convicts in Pennsylvania

   William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 5, No. 4.
   (Apr., 1897), pp. 270-271.

                           CONVICTS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
                    [From the Virginia Gazette, May 24, 1751)

                                                    PHILADELPHIA, April 11, 1751.

   From Bucks County we hear that a convict servant, one John McCauless, imported here last
Fall, has broken open and robbed several Houses of Goods to a considerable value; but being
apprehended at a Ferry, is committed to Prison.

   Yesterday the trial of Samuel Saunders for the murder of Simon Girtie, came on at the
Supream Court, when the Jury returned their verdict manslaughter.

   When we see our Papers fill'd continually with accounts of the most audacious Robberies,
the most cruel Murders, and infinite other Villanies perpetrated by Convicts transported
from Europe,

Page 271.

what melancholy, what terrible Reflections must it occasion! what will become of our Posterity?
These are some of thy Favours Britain.  Thou art called our Mother Country; but what good
Mother ever sent Thieves and Villains to accompany her children; to corrupt some with their
infectious Vices and murder the rest?  What Father ever endeavour'd to spread the Plague in
his Family!  We do not ask Fish, but thou gavest us Serpents, and worse than Serpents!  In
what can Britain show a more Sovereign contempt for us than by emptying their jails into our
settlements; unless they would likewise empty their Jakes on our tables!  What must we think
of that B-----d which has advised the Repeal of every Law we have hitherto made to prevent this
Deluge of wickedness overwhelming us; and with this cruel Sarcasm, that these Laws were
against the Publick Utility, for they tended to prevent the Improvement and Well-Peopling of

the Colonies!  And what must we think of those Merchants, who for the sake of a little paltry
Gain will be concerned in importing and disposing of these abominable cargoes?