concurrence of this Country in August last, and finally confirmed by the same unanimous approbation on the 20th of March succeeding. But let us consider what are the motives and principles that probably govern this drawer up of Instructions, (for we do not learn they were ever signed,) thus to induce a belief so injurious to the fame of any County. It could not be the little vanity of showing how smoothly nonsense may be written, because the writer’s name being concealed, his share of this merit must be small indeed. It could not conduce to procure an adoption of his crude ideas at the Convention, because the publication appears posteriour to the rising of the Convention. It would seem, therefore, that this fiction was designed for the bad purpose before-mentioned, of keeping up the delusion in Great Britain, and comforting with hopes an almost expiring, venal, despotick Administration. It is not proper to insult the publick with a minute refutation of these Instructions; suffice it to observe, that the writer confesses “the grand principal (we will suppose him here to mean principles) for which we contend, are the rights of legislation and taxation; of legislation respecting our internal police, and of taxation independent of every power on earth;” which inestimable privileges, he farther declares, “we will maintain at the risk of our lives and fortunes.” Bravo! Our man grows bold here; but presently, alas! he sinks again! For if his Instructions mean any thing, they mean to condemn the proceedings of the Congress, be cause the Quebeck Bill is beyond his “ideas;” because suspending Commerce will be fatal to those who are endeavouring to rob us of what himself calls “inestimable privileges;” and for a few other reasons equally cogent and sensible. Such is the inconsistency and folly of the enemies of America; for they are still enemies, whether influenced by vanity or wickedness, or misled by want of understanding.

AMERICANUS.

ADDRESS OF FREEHOLDERS OF FINCASTLE COUNTY (VIRGINIA) TO LORD DUNMORE.

To His Excellency the Right Honourable JOHN Earl of DUNMORE, His Majesty’s Lieutenant and Governour-General of the Colony of VIRGINIA:

The Address of the Freeholders and a number of the Inhabitants of FINCASTLE County.

MY LORD: Notwithstanding the unhappy disputes that at present subsist between the Mother Country and the Colonies, in which we have given the publick our sentiments, yet justice and gratitude, as well as a sense of our duty, induce us collectively to return your Lordship our unfeigned thanks for the great services you have rendered the frontiers in general, and this County in particular, in the late expedition against our enemy Indians.

In our former wars with the savages, we long suffered every species of barbarity; many of our friends and fellow-subjects were inhumanly butchered and carried into captivity, more to be dreaded than death itself; our houses plundered and burned, and our Country laid waste by an enemy, against whom, From our dispersed situation, and their manner of carrying on war, it was impossible to make a proper defence on our frontiers. Your Lordship being convinced of this, proposed to attack the enemy in their own Country, well judging that it would be the most effectual means to reduce them to reason, and be attended with little more expense to the community than a partial defence of such an extensive frontier. The proposal was cheerfully embraced, and the ardour of the Militia to engage in that very necessary service, could only be equalled by that of your Lordship in carrying it on. That the plan of an expedition should be laid when the season was far advanced, and near three thousand choice Troops raised in a few Counties, and put under the command of many brave and experienced Officers; that those forces should be equipped and fully supplied with provisions, and march several hundred miles through mountains to meet the enemy; that so many Nations of warlike Indians should be reduced to sue for peace; that those Troops should return victorious to their homes by the last of November; and all this without any publick money in hand to defray any part of the expense, shows at first view the immediate utility of the undertaking, and must be a convincing proof that the Almighty, in a peculiar manner, blessed your Lordship’s attempts to establish peace, and stop the further effusion of human blood; but that your Lordship should forego your ease, and every domestick felicity, and march at the head of a body of those Troops many hundred miles from the Seat of Government, cheerfully undergoing all the fatigues of the campaign, by exposing your person, and marching on foot with the officers and soldiers, commands our warmest returns of gratitude; and the rather, as we have no instance of such condescension in your Lordship’s predecessors on any similar occasion.

We should be wanting in point of gratitude, were we to omit returning our thanks on this occasion to the Officers and Soldiers who entered into the service with so much alacrity. The memory of such as fell nobly fighting for their Country ought to be very dear to it.

That your Lordship may enjoy every domestick blessing; that you may long govern the brave and free people of Virginia, and that the present disturbances may be amicably settled, is the ardent wish of the inhabitants of Fincastle.

His Lordship’s Answer.