Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress

George Wythe and Willam Ellery, "Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress," American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection, Boston Public Library, MS.Ch.E.8.31-33.

Manuscript text, November-December 1776

"A Member of the Antinovanglian Faction to W. E.," by George Wythe (VA)

Page seven from Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress,] from the Boston Public Library's American Revolutionary War Manuscripts collection.

A member of the antinovanglian faction to W. E. To works supererogation By others, some owe their salvation. To what the good yankees are doing Their duty beyond, we owe ruin. Epigram by the ingenious George Wythe Esq For the two first Lines the author alludes to the Roman Catholics— In the two first last to the additional Pay, and Bounty of given to the Soldiers by the Eastern States.

"A Novanglican to G.W.," by William Ellery (RI)

Page three from Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress, from the Boston Public Library's American Revolutionary War Manuscripts collection.

A Novanglian to G. W. As by works supererogatory Rom. Caths. are saved from purgatory, So by what the Yankees good are doing Buckskins will save from utter ruin.

"For Farms in Utopia, the Moon, or Some Fairyland," by George Wythe

Page nine from Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress, from the Boston Public Library's American Revolutionary War Manuscripts collection.

Page ten from Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress, from the Boston Public Library's American Revolutionary War Manuscripts collection.

For farms in Utopia, the moon, or some fairyland Compensations more worth were offered by Maryland. In this it's denied our sister's cross humor'd, Whatever by juntos or patriots be rumor'd. Her brave men must fight, bleed, and suffer as others, Leave orphans their dear babes and childless their mothers, Give full many a fair Penelope heartaches, Whilst their country of their virtuous earnings partakes A very small pittance. Why this noise and stir then, If, lest her shoulders bear too much of the burden, She reject your unequal mode of taxation, Demonstrate by numbers, without relaxation, That ruin is doom'd her, and cries in distraction She'll yield to the Old, not the New, English faction? With candor attend to her effiagitation, And these two demands grant without hesitation. Virginia must feel for any neighbor oppress'd, Cannot easy remain till the mischief's suppress'd; And

And if slaves you include in your capitation,
Is equally injur'd, claims like defalcation.
E'en while, it is true, we're somewhat contrarient,
Yet interest will join those of sentiments variant.
And why not? For thence flows that blessing transcendent
All wish for devoutly, a state independent.
Then cease to object to a sister we're tender,
Indulgent with excess, unwilling to mend her,
If we favor petitions founded on reason,
With deference offer'd at convenient season.
Fell discord had too long among us existed.
From our councils cashier'd, if now reenlisted,
It with Tories will league to puzzle our measures
And spoil us of freedom, most precious of treasures.

"A Commissioner, to the People of Philadelphia," by William Ellery

First page from Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress, from the Boston Public Library's American Revolutionary War Manuscripts collection.

A Commissioner, to the people of P _ _ _ _ _ a Attend all ye People of wry degree No longer pretend that your Country youll free Declare for your Treasons a hearty Contrition Regard as you tender your lives Admonition E're too late to flee from impending Perdition Who like me to the thing Allegiance will swear And future Submission to Congress forbear Leave all his old Friends to the Parliaments Fury Let Rebels be hang'd without Judge or Jury Escapes condemnation to gibbet or halter Nor need forfeiture fear unless times should alter.

See also

• George Wythe Courts the Muses

External links

• Boston Public Library, Special Collections.
• American Revolutionary War Manuscripts at the Boston Public Library, Internet Archive.
• Read these poems in the Internet Archive.