Books and Manuscripts

Scarce 1776 Document Urging Quakers to Refrain From Participating in the American Revolution

“Let not the fear of suffering, either in person or property, prevail on any to join with or promote any work or preparation of war.”

Pemberton, John
To our Friends and Brethren in religious Profession, in these and the adjacent Provinces...
(Philadelphia, 1776). Single sheet, 10 1/2 x 8 1/2 in. (267 x 216 mm). Printed document, signed in type by John Pemberton as Clerk on behalf of the Meeting. Contemporary manuscript ink correction in bottom of verso, docketed “Goshen” along left edge of same. Creasing from contemporary folds; scattered spotting recto and verso. Hildeburn 3479; Evans 14770; Sabin 62312

A scarce Revolutionary War document issued by Philadelphia's Quaker leaders on December 20, 1776, encouraging their fellow Friends to refrain from participating in the escalating conflict. In this powerful and urgent missive the Quaker leadership extolls members to “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 goes on to “exhort, admonish and caution all who make religious profession with us, and especially our beloved youth, to stand fast in that liberty, wherewith thro' the manifold sufferings of our predecessors, we have been favoured, and steadily to bear our testimony against every attempt to deprive us of it." It continues by encouraging Friends to “adhere faithfully thereto, and by your good examples and stability, labour to strengthen the weak, confirm the wavering, and warn and caution the unwary against being beguiled by the snares of the adversaries of truth and righteousness" for their “profession and principles are founded on that spirit which is contrary to, and will in time put an end to all wars…”

During the war Quakers faced persecution and economic hardship from non-Quaker Patriots and Loyalists for their religious pacifism and neutrality. Many Quakers refused to participate in any aspect of the conflict, such as taking up arms, paying taxes, or using Continental currency. As a result they were viewed with suspicion by Congress and the populace, either as being against the United States or worse, aiding the British. As seen in the current document, as the conflict deepened, Quaker leadership urged its members to hold fast in their beliefs. By 1777, when British forces threatened to invade Philadelphia, animosity between non-Quakers and Quakers reached a fever pitch, and resulted in Congress's banishment of 20 Philadelphia Friends to Virginia, including John Pemberton, signer of this document. In response to the policy put forth in this document, Thomas Paine memorably wrote, "If this be not treason, we know not what may properly be called by that name." (Donoghue, Prisoners of Congress, p. 25-26)