To the President and Executive Council of Pennsylvania.

The religious Body of the People called Quakers in the City of Philadelphia find it their christian Duty to represent,

That the Government of this Country having heretofore manifested an uniform concern to discourage Stage Representations, and the Legislature of this State convinced of the pernicious influence of theatrical Amusements, which wherever they are encouraged, are found to be Seminaries of Irreligion, Prodigality and a loose & idle course of living, believed it necessary to the public well being, by prohibitory Laws enacted in 1779 and 1786, to guard against their contaminating effects; notwithstanding which it is sorrowfully affecting to the religiously thoughtful among the people, who are really concerned for the preservation of their offspring, the happiness of their families, and the good of the community at large, to understand by public advertisements & other information, that in defiance of said Laws delusive snares are laid to draw our unwary youth and others into an habitual waste of time and substance in the attendence of those schools of seduction which it is afflicting to observe are openly vindicated by Men claiming reputation for Virtue and Morality, who represent the stage as a nursery of politeness of manners, and refinement of sentiment, altho’ experience abundantly shews, they have a subtil if not direct tendency to undermine that sincere virtue, that true and unfeigned spirit of Benevolence whish is the fruity of sound christian Principle. Is it not notorious that Fornication and Adultery (the grossness whereof veiled under the delusive term Gallantry) are among the characteristics of the devoted pupils of the stage? Is not the Theatre the Resort of the licentious, those who despise or disregard punctuality and the faith of contracts? Are not Gamblers and the companions of Brothels to be found there? from a communication and familiarity with such characters, what is that boasted politeness of Manners and refinement of Sentiment the tender minds of youth are to be impressed with? Is it not besides evident to every serious and sober equirer that at these unchristian Entertainments the vindictive spirit of duelling is powerfully inculcated, deceitfully baited and disquised under a false idea of Honour and Magnanimity? Much more might be urged and many respectable authorities adduced in support of the propriety and justness of our concern on this occasion were it necessary to enlarge; but we trust an impartial attention to the subject will sufficiently shew its importance to Men under whose care is primarily entrusted the execution of the Laws intended for the preservation and support of the public Weal; and as we conceive not only the happiness of Society injuriously attacked, but the dignity of Government also insulted by the open contravention of the Law in the exhibition of Stage Plays, under whatever evasive name disguised, as well as by those other idle Juggler and Performers of Legerdemain Tricks who have of late published their pernicious occupation in this City, we could not hold ourselves excused under the foregoing considerations from laying before you a concern so very interesting; believing that thereby we evidence our attachment to a righteous administration of Government and show that we sincerely are, Your Real Friends Signed By