which loudly demands the most serious attention of those who preside in the respective Governments in America; it would be the same thing to say, seeking to avert publick calamity, or to promote the happiness of the people, are no part of their concern. Miserably degraded indeed, is the state of patriotism amongst us, when men of such vitiated and corrupt principles, have strength or influence enough to set up their particular interests in opposition to the true interest of their country, and beguile the people into a belief that it is the cause of liberty and common right. How can we, with a face of honest confidence, claim redress of the Parliamentary wrongs offered us, if we not only foster in our bosoms those dangerous enemies of our moral health and social peace, but suffer some of them to lord it over us, as the first men in the community, worthy to dictate measures for the publick good; nay, tacitly seem to approbate their insolently boasting of their crimes, as proofs of their patriotick virtue? It is now about eight years since the Act was passed declaring a right in the British Parliament to make laws binding on America in all cases whatsoever; so long have the devoted Colonies been under that tyrannical proscription; Administration with the Ministerial party in Parliament, have proceeded with a deliberate and cautious sublety; they were doubtless apprized of the weight of the smuggling interest among us; they knew our true interests were in continual danger of being betrayed by this desperate faction; they knew whenever we deserted the constitutional ground of civil order, it must render us an easier prey; they tried expedient after expedient; they did and undid, to put our wisdom and virtue to the proof; at length they authorized the East India Company to export their teas to America and offer them for sale, subject to the obnoxious duty. How have we approved ourselves on this trying occasion? Have we acted like a wise or just' people in opposing this insidious measure? Or have we not been trapanned into a captious, disorderly, and unlawful opposition, giving our oppressors, thereby, an advantage over us greater than they could otherwise have had. We see them now driving over our rights and privileges with an hostile Jehu-like course, under colour of punishing our flagitious conduct; a conduct which we cannot justify.

The East India Company's attempt to vend their teas among us, naturally excited disgust in the merchant importers of dry goods, particularly in this city and New-York, where they had steadily adhered to that reasonable and orderly measure adopted a few years before, not to import that dutiable commodity; though other Colonies, disregarding that measure, did import it in such quantities, that they had a surplus to spare, some of which they sent to be sold among us, with certificates of its having paid the duty; which numbers of our people greedily purchased at an advanced price, not only on account of its superiour quality, but many had serious objections to the use of that which was introduced through the corrupt and filthy contraband channel; this excited no visible apprehensions or our liberty; patriotism supinely slumbered till the Ministry and East India Company united in aiming a blow at the Diana of American smugglers; her votaries and their adherents took the alarm; they saw it was in their favour that the merchants, from commercial considerations, were generally dissatisfied; they had the address, by inflammatory harangues and publications, to raise a ferment among the people; they were soon joined by those ambitious spirits, who are fond of any opportunity of giving themselves consequence with the populace; they made a notable stalking horse of the word Liberty, and many well meaning persons were duped by the specious colouring of their sinister zeal. Finding themselves thus strong, these new Lords made new laws, created new crimes, and devised new punishments; terrifick bulls were issued, denouncing vengeance against those who should dare to cross their measures. Where was the Printer who had the virtue or courage to publish one sober remonstrance against their outrageous career? The free trade of the King's subjects was obstructed; property was violated; and the publick thanks of the populace were demanded in justification of the conduct of desperadoes. In vain did a very few openly oppose these dangerous proceedings, and seriously remonstrate against such licentious trampling on law and civil order; the generality of the conscientious and judicious, who were sensible of the wicked root from whence it sprang, and saw its mischievous tendency were intimidated; and through a dastardly fear of exposing themselves to the outrageous insults of violent men, suppressed the honest sentiments their hearts suggested, and they in private avowed; and by this, their unmanly flinching, in the hour of trial, the publick was deprived of the benefit it would probably have received from their weight and influence.

Thus has the true strength of a real and virtuous patriotism been superseded by the traitorous fire of false spirits, which may have made us contemptible, but can never render us formidable to our oppressors. If a despotick Ministry and venal Parliament are enemies to our happy Constitution, surely these kind of patriots are not less so. It may be best not to take too particular notice of the part magistracy took during our late popular disorders; "speak not evil of dignities," the nobility of magistracy should not be degraded; true! may it therefore ever be cloathed with just authority, and exercise that authority "to the terrour of evil doers, and the praise and protection of them that do well."

We are, my fellow-citizens and countrymen, involved in difficulties of a very serious and alarming nature, the weight of which I sensibly feel, and am, therefore, anxious that we should no longer follow the bewildering counsels of false brethren, who, as we have sufficiently experienced, are but too ready, for base ends, to hurry us into trouble and distress from which they cannot extricate us. Let us endeavour to repair past errours; it is the first necessary step, in order to remove the evil from our understandings, which prevents our discerning the way to do right; remembering that we do not profess to be a Nation of Infidels, but to believe in the superintendence of a Providence who is just and equal in all his ways; and that, though we may cheat each other with fallacious mockeries, yet the supreme and all wise Disposer of events, the Judge of all the earth, who will do right, cannot be mocked. Let us with sincere and upright purpose of heart, apply the good and significant advice formerly given to the hypocrite: "First pull the beam out of thine own eye, that thou mayest see clearly how to take the mote out of thy brother's;" and being thus disposed to adhere to the wisdom of the just, we need not fear but that the King of Kings will furnish us with an impenetrable shield and buckler of defence.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN AT REDSTONE, RECEIVED AT WILLIAMSBURG, AUGUST 18, 1774.

On the 26th of July, our troops, to the amount of four hundred men, in eight companies, commanded by Major McDonald, met at the mouth of Fish Creek, on the Ohio, about one hundred and twenty miles below Fort Pitt. A council of war being held, it was unanimously determined to cross the Ohio, and proceed to destroy the Shawanese Town called Wagetomica, situated on the river Muskingum, about ninety miles from the said creek.

On the Sunday following, our advanced party discovered three Indians coming towards them on horseback; who, observing our party, rode off on our people firing one shot at them. On Tuesday, our advanced party met three Indians, supposed to be spies from a large body, which we afterwards found had lain about half a mile from our army. Upon our men firing upon them, they ran, giving the war whoop; which our people hearing, immediately formed in three columns, expecting to be attacked. In this order we advanced about half a mile, when we were fired upon by the Indians who lay in ambush; a battle ensued, in which we killed four Indians and wounded many more. We had two men killed, and five wounded. We drove the Indians before us about a mile and a half, they firing upon us from every rising ground, when at last they ran.

Our men being much scattered in the woods, Major Mc Donald collected them; and leaving a party with the wounded, marched about five miles. On our coming to the river opposite their town, we observed the Indians posted on the bank, intending to dispute our passage, each party endeavouring to conceal themselves behind trees, logs, &c., watching an opportunity to fire on each other. Here our men killed one Indian. At a council held here,