out the Colonies, to establish a grand American Commonwealth; but there are many honest well-meaning people who join heartily in contending for what they esteem their privileges, without knowing that they are in danger of being precipitated into the other extreme—of being awakened from their pleasing dreams of liberty by the shackles of a Republican Commonwealth. It is to open the eyes of these secure politicians that so many pens have lately been drawn; but no argument strikes so forcibly, or carries more conviction to the mind, than those voluntary effusions of a hair-brained Republican: such persons cannot be tied down to secrecy by their adherents, till a proper time arrives for a disclosure of the grand arcana; their zeal hurries them on beyond the bounds of reason and their own shallow judgment, and then it is no wonder they should let the cat out of the bag before they are aware.

I never take up a newspaper which I know to be under Republican influence, but I expect to be put to the trouble of decyphering some enigmatical sentence, or of developing some deep laid scheme; on the contrary, the author of the Political Considerations saves me all this trouble; he stands acquitted, at least, of bearing the hypocritical badge of his party. Commend me to the man who speaks his sentiments undisguised, whatever they may be; and let me not be deceived by one who wears a vizor to hide his deformity, and endeavours to win me over by stratagem; this writer makes no scruple of throwing off the mask, and appears in all the terrible pomp of his own horrid visage.

Notwithstanding the secrecy enjoined, and so strongly insisted on by the Republican part of the Congress, it is now pretty generally known and believed that the first grand question proposed was, the throwing off all subordination to Great Britain; and when the Republicans found this point could not be carried, many of the members threatening to return home if it was not given up, they were compelled to adopt the present plan with a view of distressing the parent country; that by causing intestine broils at home, it would force her to recall her Troops from America, and then they might usurp the reins of Government unmolested; and yet this plan, moderate as it may appear compared with the idea of an immediate usurpation, was not obtained without the meanest arts, and the vilest intrigues, both in and out of Congress; it is even now a matter of doubt whether some of the Members did not sign the Association more out of fear of popular resentment than from the calm dictates of their own unbiased judgment.

In a little time I expect to lay before the publick some secrets that will equally astonish and confound the generality of your readers. There are matters yet to be disclosed, the bare relation of which will

"Make mad the guilty, and appal the free,
Confound the ign'rant, and amaze indeed
The very faculties of eyes and ears."

M.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN AMSTERDAM TO HIS FRIEND IN PHILADELPHIA, DATED NOVEMBER 15, 1774.

Since my last a very extraordinary affair has happened here. A small Brig, the master's name Page, from Rhode-Island or Boston, was loading with Cordage, Junk, Powder, Guns, &c., of which the Ministry having got intelligence, a small Cutter of six three-pounders, and thirty hands, was despatched from Dover with orders to come directly here, and when the Brig sailed to sail with her, and while at sea to board her and carry her to England. The Cutter arrived here the 23d or 24th of last month; the Brig had a full load, and was ready to sail at that time, but the Cutter's Officers coming ashore, by good fortune, came to the house where I lodged, and in a few hours I discovered their business.

As this was the only vessel then in Port of that kind, I was at no loss, and called that night on Mr. H——n, to acquaint him with my suspicions, which he could not believe; but he has had sufficient proof since, for they lay looking at each other from that time to the 8th instant. When the Brig made sail, the Cutter got under way, which the Brig observing, she came to, and landed the cargo. There is certain advice that the Cutter's people went down to the Texel and got all the Brig's papers from the Custom House there, and also at this City. A Brig has since arrived from New-York, but the Merchants will not ship Goods in any English vessel, as there are several Cutters cruising off Dover, to search all English vessels that pass through the channel, for Arms, &c., &c.

NATHANIEL APPLETON TO JOSIAH QUINCY, JUNIOR.

Boston, November 15, 1774.

SIR: When I parted from you I fully intended to have written you before this time; be assured I have not been unmindful of you, but publick and private business has entirely engrossed my time.

Your leaving this country so privately has been matter of general speculation. Some say you went away through fear; others that you went to make your peace; others that you went charged with important papers from the Continental Congress; many conjectured you were gone to Holland; upon the whole, it was a nine days' wonder. Since you left us there has been a Provincial Congress, which consisted of about two hundred and fifty members, in which matters of the greatest importance were debated. All their proceedings which I have liberty to communicate, you will see in the prints.

The Town continues to meet from time to time, without molestation. There have been frequent affrays between the Inhabitants and Soldiers, which have generally ended to the mortification of the latter. The Selectmen and Town Committees have frequent interviews with the General; he declares he has no expectations that this people will ever submit to the late Acts; he converses more freely with the inhabitants than Hutchinson did, on matters of a publick nature, though we are not off our guard, knowing that it is the part of a General to deceive. The inhabitants persisted in refusing to build Barracks for the Soldiers, but have in some measure assisted them in refitting old houses and stores. The Autumn has been remarkably moderate, so that the Soldiers are but now entering their Winter quarters. The main guard is kept at George Erving's Warehouse, in King street. Almost the whole Soldiery in America are now collected in this Town. The new erected Fortifications on the Neck are laughed at by our old Louisbourg Soldiers, as mud-walls in comparison with what they have subdued; and, were it necessary, they would regard them no more than a beaver-dam.

The spirit of the inhabitants, both in Town and Country, is as firm as ever; determined to defend their rights to the utmost. The Continental Congress broke up the 26th ultimo, and our Members all returned safe last Wednesday evening. The bells rang the whole evening. An extract of their proceedings you will doubtless have before this reaches you. It is the universal voice of this people that they will sacredly observe the injunctions and recommendations of the Grand Congress. The Provincial Congress meet by adjournment the 23d instant. The neighbouring Towns and Colonies continue to send in their generous donations to the poor of this Town. We have our Woollen Manufactory in good forwardness, having completed a considerable quantity of baizes; and should it be necessary we see that we could easily carry on any branch of Woollen or Linen Manufacture.

We have great expectations from your abilities and attachment to the rights and liberties of your country. We are sure you will not be an idle spectator, but will, with your usual spirit, be an active advocate for truth and justice, which is all we wish to take place in our present unhappy disputes with Great Britain.

It is said the Ministry cannot recede, now they have gone so far. I wish they would consult the good Bishop of St. Asaph, who I am sure could put them into an honourable way.

Mr. Molineux died, after a short illness, about three weeks past. All friends that I recollect are well. I presume you will receive several letters from your friends by this opportunity, which will doubtless be more entertaining than I can be.

Depending upon a line from you as soon as your leisure will permit, I conclude at present, with great respect, your sincere friend and humble servant,

NATHANIEL APPLETON.