Isaac Zane and Anthony Benezet had this to say about the pledge of allegiance that the rebellious British colonists in America were trying to force Quakers to make (on ):
This excerpt can also be found in the book American Quaker War Tax Resistance.
After deliberate and weighty consideration of the subject, unity was expressed with the following minute of caution and advices, issued by our Meeting for Sufferings, on . The committee appointed on the consideration of what is necessary to be proposed to Friends in general, on the subject of the Declaration of Allegiance and Abjuration, required by some late laws passed by the Legislatures who now preside in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, having several times met, and deliberated thereon, we have the satisfaction to find we are united in judgment, that consistent with our religious principles we cannot comply with the requisition of those laws, as we cannot be instrumental in setting up or pulling down of any government; but it becomes us to show forth a peaceable and meek behavior to all men, seeking their good, and to live a useful, sober, and religious life, without joining ourselves with any parties in war, or with the spirit of strife and contention now prevailing; and we believe that if our conduct is thus uniform and steady, and our hope fixed on the omnipotent arm, for relief, in time he will amply reward us with lasting peace, which hath been the experience of our Friends in time past, and we hope it is of some, who are now under suffering.… And in order that true union and Christian fellowship may be maintained amongst us, it is now earnestly advised that Friends may dwell in that fervent love and charity, which desires the restoration of such who have deviated and erred in this matter, and labor therein for their recovery; but where any continue to oppose the judgment of the meeting now expressed, Monthly Meetings should make it manifest that such do not regard the unity of the body. And as in some places fines and taxes are and have been imposed on those who, from conscientious scruples refuse or decline making such declarations of allegiance and abjuration, it is the united sense and judgment of this meeting that no Friend should pay any such fine or tax.
