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As the present critical situation of our Nation, and especially of British America, make it highly necessary, that every publick exhibition from the press should be stripped of all false disguises, and fairly hold up to view the only alternative, viz: a tame submission to a tyrannical Ministry, and its consequence, abject slavery; or, a brave, manly and constitutional resistance, as the only likely means of obtaining and enjoying liberty; Therefore the Committee of Observation, for the Township of Newark, beg leave to publish the following Queries and Resolves:
Query 1. Whether a Press, which weekly throws out pamphlets and other publick pieces, replete with the most bitter invectives, scandalous and criminal reflections upon that reputable body, the Continental Congress, and their constituents; and all, with a manifest design to blind the eyes of the less judicious; sow the seeds of faction and discord, and thus gratify the perfidious authors by prejudicing the honest, unthinking, against their real-interest; whether such a press is not inimical to the country, where it is, and does not forfeit its support?
Query 2. Whether such a Printer, and the authors of such pieces, when known, are not, according to the strict sense of the Grand Congress, those very persons who by them are considered such enemies to their country that every true friend of liberty ought to avoid them.
Query 3. Whether a Printer in New-York in the space of three or four years, by the profits of his press, and a moderate per cent˙ on Keyser' s Pills, with a few other insignificant perquisites, can from a low ebb of fortune, if not bankruptcy, acquire such independence, that he dare publickly, with an air of supercilious haughtiness, proclaim himself independent of the country, and that he could live without their custom.
Query 4. Whether such a man is not a Ministerial hireling, who is endeavouring to sacrifice his country to his own private interest.
And whereas, it is too evident to this Committee, that the above character is exactly fitted to J˙ Rivington: therefore, Resolved,
That this Committee will henceforth take no more of his papers, pamphlets, or any other publick performance
By order of the Committee,
CALEB CAMP, Chairman.
Queries of the Committee relative to Rivington' s Newspaper
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of his press; neither will we deal with him in any other way: And we would heartily recommend, that our constituents may take this matter into serious consideration; and as far as it shall carry conviction to them, treat him with a correspondent conduct.