treason against the Majesty of Heaven, by tamely acknowledging the claim of Parliament to dispose of your houses, lands, wharfs, money, and even your lives, at their discretion.

The inconveniencies of non-importation, however discouraging they may appear to the imagination of the timid, shrink into nothing when compared with those it will prevent. The planters are greatly in arrears to the merchants; a stoppage of importation would give them all an opportunity to extricate themselves from debt. The merchants would have time to settle their accounts, and be ready with the return of liberty to renew trade. We can live independent, as our country abounds with all things necessary for our support. Who that has the spirit of a man, but would rather forego the elegancies and luxuries of life, than entail slavery on his unborn posterity to the end of time? If gentlemen of influence lead the way, the honest industrious patriot will appear more graceful in sober homespun, than the gayest butterfly dressed in all his gaudy decorations. Nothing but custom makes the curl-pated beau a more agreeable sight with his powder and pomatum, than the tawney savage with his paint and bear's grease. Too long has luxury reigned amongst us, enervating our constitutions and shrinking the human race into pigmies. "Hysterick and hypochondriack diseases, were formerly confined to the chambers of the great, are now tip be found in our kitchens and workshops." Our gray-headed fathers tell us, that, in the present generation, there is a sensible diminution of the strength and stature of their predecessors, "who nobly independent lived,"

Let us, then, be content to eat, and drink, and wear, what our country can afford, at least till it is determined whether we are to work for ourselves, or the devouring bloodsuckers of another quarter of the globe. Thus circumstanced, a non-importation agreement will not only prove a means of restoring our liberty, but also be productive of many salutary purposes.

The number of people in England has been computed to be equal to seven millions, and that the cultivation of the land cannot employ more than every seventh man, the other six millions feeing supported by manufacturing. Writers on trade suppose that America consumes nearly one half of their wares, and, therefore, virtually supports almost three millions of the inhabitants of that Island. By a strict observance of a prudent non-importation agreement, we can reduce this number to a starving condition; and if non-exportation should also take place, it would lessen the revenue two millions sterling a year. Thus, Hannibal like, we can plant the war in our oppressor's country. Think with yourselves, my countrymen, how confidently you may expect redress, when you have the eloquence of three millions of such miserable subjects pleading in your behalf! A despotic Ministry has been deaf to your cries; but how can they be deaf to the cries of so many of their own subjects pinched with poverty and hunger? Will it suffice that Lord North should exhort them to patience till he subjugates three millions of free born Americans? Surely no. Something more than bare words and empty promises is necessary to satisfy the inexorable cravings of a hungry belly. In vain has Chatham plead, in vain has Camden exhausted the powers of language in demonstrating our right of exemption from Parliamentary taxation; but not in vain will these pinched millions plead. If we can subdue pride and luxury in ourselves, and withhold our commerce, in six months we can distress the West Indies and Great Britain, so that the cry of famine, re-echoed from thousands, rising in mobs, will oblige the Parliament to adopt other measures. These are the constitutional weapons with which we can fight the enemies of our Continent. Courage, then, my countrymen. Remember the success that crowned your opposition to the Stamp Act. Unanimity and perseverance, in our good cause, will make us invincible. Think of your ancestors who fled from tyranny and persecution to this uncultivated land, fearing less from savage beasts and savage men, than slavery, the worst of savages. By their industry this wilderness has blossomed as a rose. Will you tamely suffer your possessions, improved by their labour, and bought with their blood, to be wrested from you, and given to placemen and pensioners? Think of your posterity, and transmit to them the fair inheritance of liberty, handed down from your glorious progenitors. Kindle with the complicated idea, and, upon this trying occasion, sacrifice every private consideration to the publick good.

When I review the annals of the world, I am constrained to believe that great things await America. When Liberty was well nigh banished from every quarter of the globe, she found an asylum in this savage land. Learning, liberty, and every thing that ennobles the human mind, have constantly been travelling westward. I never can believe, that in this sacred land slavery shall be so soon permitted to erect her throne on the ruins of freedom. It is contrary to the analogy of things, which gradually have their rise, progress and declension. Be firm, be of one mind; abandon luxury and indolence, encourage industry and frugality. Choose your Deputies for a general Congress; solemnly enter into a non-importation agreement, and religiously adhere to it. Thus persevering, as sure as God is in Heaven you will obtain a speedy redress of all your grievances.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM GOVRENOUR WENTWORTH TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH.

New-Hampshire, July 4, 1774.

On the 25th of June, at night, arrived here the Grosvenor, mast-ship, from London, with twenty-seven chests of bohea tea, consigned to a merchant in Portsmouth; sometime before the arrival of the ship, it was reported that a quantity of bohea tea was expected. Hereupon I took effectual precautious to counteract the universal disquiet of America, from contravening the Acts of Parliament in this instance, or destroying the property. By my desire the consignee wrote a letter to the master of the ship, with directions how to proceed on his arrival. This letter I gave to Captain Cochran of his Majesty's Castle William and Mary, who effected my orders in delivering it at sea. The 26th being Sunday, nothing was done. On the 27th the master and merchant went early to the Custom House, and entered the ship and cargo. At noon day the ship's boats came to the wharf with twenty-seven chests of tea; carts were prepared and the tea immediately carried to the Custom House and there stored before any people could assemble to obstruct it. The town, not suspecting any movement until my return from Dover, about ten miles off, where I purposely staid during this first operation to secure the event, which I foresaw would be carried quietly, by withdrawing suspicion, having confided my plan to proper Magistrates, who I knew would not be disappointed. In the afternoon a town meeting was convened upon the occasion. I came into town and passed on horseback through the concourse, who treated me with their usual kindness and respect. At the meeting, it was represented to the people, that the tea being now lodged in the Custom' House, the question was totally changed; that nothing could be done, but by the consent of, and agreement with, the merchant. The meeting proceeded with coolness and temper beyond almost my hope. It was proposed that a Committee should be chosen and invested with powers to treat with the merchant. In this Committee of eleven, were many principal gentlemen, discreet men, who I knew detested every idea of violating property; men disposed to prevent mischiefs. The town also chose a guard of freeholders, to protect and defend the Custom House and the tea from any attempt or interruption, which being sincerely intended, was faithfully executed. On the 28th the consignee accepted and agreed to the proposals of the Committee, to export the tea to any market he chose, upon condition the town would re-ship and protect it while in the harbour. This they gladly acceded to, and the town upon adjournment confirmed the proceedings; accordingly the Committee and the consignee, together, were at the Custom House, where the duty was openly and regularly paid, and the tea again carted through the streets publickly in the day time, without noise, tumult or insult. About nine o'clock P. M., three overheated mariners (two of them strangers) endeavoured to excite a mob, to destroy the tea and vessel hired to export it. Whereupon I sent for Colonel Fenton who gathered a few gentlemen, repaired to the vessel, and with laudable spirit and prudence, they