Original Document

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends, January 1775:

"We are, therefore incited by a sincere concern for the peace and welfare of our country, publicly to declare against every usurpation of power and authority, in opposition to the laws and government, and against all combinations, insurrections, conspiracies, and illegal assemblies: and as we are restrained from them by the conscientious discharge of our duty to almighty God, ‘by whom kings reign, and princes decree justice," we hope through his assistance and favor, to be enabled to maintain our testimony against any requisitions which may be made of us, inconsistent with our religious principles, and the fidelity we owe to the king and his government, as by law established; earnestly desiring the restoration of that harmony and concord which have heretofore united the people of these provinces, and been attended by the divine blessings on their labors."
-Signed in, and behalf of the said meeting,
JAMES PEMBERTON, Clerk


Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends, January 20, 1776:

"May we therefore firmly unite in the abhorrence of all such writings, and measures as evidence a desire and design to break off the happy connection we have heretofore enjoyed, with the kingdom of Great Britain, and our just and necessary subordination to the king, and those who are lawfully placed in authority under him; that thus the repeated solemn declarations, made on this subject, in the addresses sent to the king, on the behalf of the people of America in general, may be confirmed, and remain to be our firm and sincere intentions to observe and fulfill."

JAMES PEMBERTON, Clerk


Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends, December 20, 1776:

"Thus we may with Christian firmness and fortitude withstand and refuse to submit to the arbitrary injunctions and ordinances of men, who assume to themselves the power of compelling others, either in person or by other assistance, to join in carrying on war, and of prescribing modes of determining concerning our religious principles, by imposing tests not warranted by the precepts of Christ, or the laws of the happy constitution, under which we and others, long enjoyed tranquility and peace."
JAMES PEMBERTON, Clerk


Credit: James Bowden, The History of the Society of Friends in America, vol. 2 (London: W & F. W. Cash, 1854), 301-02; Isaac Sharples, A History of Qauker Government in Pennsylvania, vol. 2 (Philadelphia: T. S. Leach & Co., 1899), 129.