turn, from conversation or connection with persons of an ill cast. His political principles ought therefore to be well known and approved before he is employed in publick affairs.

It is a fault too common among us, that a Representative is often chosen by the people, without considering the weight and importance he will hold in Assembly: for it is there he is to act his part; it is there he is to answer, by his qualifications, the views, and ends of his constituents.

The present times are big with events of the last importance to this Country. Questions may and doubtless will arise in the course of another twelve months, nearly touching our estates, our liberties, and our lives; and if we have no men fit for such business, the mischiefs that will happen, from a want of liberal knowledge and the other indispensable qualities I have mentioned, may prove irretrievable misfortunes to us.

Human nature is composed of the strongest inconsistencies and contradictions. The world is too apt to ascribe every good quality to a man, because he has one or two in an eminent degree; but it is by no means a proper way of judging. I have seen mingled in the same motley character the most opposite qualities of virtue and vice, of wisdom and folly, that can be imagined. I have seen very honest men, of independent fortunes, diverted by an unaccountable timidity from following the dictates of their understandings, and what they themselves looked upon to be their duty. Hence it plainly and necessarily follows, that we should have not only a perfect acquaintance with the head and heart of the candidate, but a thorough knowledge of his turn and character, and, above all things, be convinced that he is the right sort of man.

Having mentioned to you my sentiments concerning whom you ought to prefer as Representatives, I shall now beg leave to say whom you ought not, in prudence, to suffer to have a seat there.

“Reject bigots of all kinds and sides: those men whose minds are shut up in band-boxes, and who walk upon stilts, have not thoughts large enough for governing society. Even their honesty, when they have any, is useless to the publick, and is often made an ill instrument in the hands of those who have none. Reject also all timorous, fearful, and dastardly spirits; men who, having good principles, either dare not own them or dare not act according to them. Choose not men who are noted for non-attendance, and who have been members, without waiting on the duty of their station.”* Reject all placemen, and those who are properly called Government-Men, for they have and ever will have a bias and leaning in some sort to Government measures. If there are any who have written or spoken sentiments unfavourable to American liberty, regard not their pretensions to patriotism; they are false, and put on merely to serve the times, and they will surely discover their true colour whenever an opportunity offers. When you see a man neglecting or avoiding the important duties to which he has had the honour to be appointed, when you see his piques and little passions so far getting the better of a love of liberty and his Country as to make him desert the essential interests of the community, reject him by all means; depend upon it, he is either weak, or timid, or knavish, and therefore unfit to serve you. Cast off the trammels and fetters in which some of you have been bound by a spirit of party; forget the little animosities which have engaged your minds, and act and vote for the best interests of your Country. I have lived long enough in the world to see instances of party rage and madness which have touched my very soul with indignation. I have seen the time when the worst men were preferred to the best; the arrantest knave and most publick violator of his publick word put into a very honourable post, to give him an opportunity of treating his Country with scorne and contempt. Such has been the depravity of some; but I hope there is now so great and high a spirit of liberty prevailing among us, that no man will venture to insult this Province in the like manner, lest he should draw down upon himself the vengeance that is prepared in the minds of his countrymen for such atrocious behaviour.

“Now, my countrymen, is the time to help yourselves. Now act honestly and boldly for liberty, or forget the glorious and charming sound.”

A CITIZEN.

Cato’s Letters,

NEW-YORK COMMITTEE.

Wednesday, September 13, 1775.

The Committee met. Present: Henry Remsen, Chairman, and thirty-six Members.

The Report of the Sub-Committee to examine the papers of William McAdam was read, with the examinations, affidavits, &c.

Ordered, That the same lie over for further consideration.

Ordered, That Evert Bancker, John Morton, and Abraham Duryee, be a Committee to call on Thomas Gardiner, Robinson & Price. Phenix & Ten Broeck, Thomas Crabb, Philip Rhinelander, and every other Merchant and Shopkeeper who they may hear have sold Pins at an extravagant price, and to inquire of them the quantity they have on hand, and what the same cost them, and to represent to them that this Committee will be obliged to take notice of their conduct in a manner that must be prejudicial to their character and interest, in case they will not give assurances that they will dispose of their Pins in future at a moderate profit.

On motion, Agreed, That this Committee ought to be augmented by adding twenty new Members, and that we will, at our next stated meeting, consider of a proper mode to recommend the same to our fellow-citizens.

Ordered, That Messrs. Robert Ray and Evert Bancker, or either of them, be a Committee to grant Passes to Masters or Owners of Vessels that intend to leave this Port.

The Committee appointed to superintend the election of Officers in the different Beats in the Out Ward, report as follows, viz:

Beat No. 26: Nathan Tylee, Captain: James Odle, First Lieutenant; Isaac Van Dusen, Second Lieutenant; Joseph Hunt, Ensign.

Beat No. 27: John Grigg, Captain; Alexander Fortin, First Lieutenant; James Bryant, Second Lieutenant; Jonathan Tremain, Ensign.

Beat No. 28: Theophilus Anthony, Captain; William De Witt, First Lieutenant; Martin, Stryer, Second Lieutenant; John Hane, Ensign.

Beat No. 29: Samuel Benson, Captain; John Myers, First Lieutenant; John Sickles, Second Lieutenant; Abraham Bussing, Ensign.

MEMORIAL OF WILLIAM RITCHIE TO THE COMMITTEE OF
SAFETY.

New-York, September 13, 1775.

William Ritchie requests permission from the Committee of Safety to employ a small vessel, commanded by himself, in carrying provisions, and such articles as may be wanted at the camp, from this port; to be landed at Dartmouth, Sandwich, or such port as he may find most safe and convenient.                    WM. RITCHIE.

BEVERLY ROBINSON TO ZEPHANIAH PLATT.

Highlands, September 13, 1775.

SIR: Yesterday our Precinct had a meeting, and chose a Committee of twelve persons, out of which number three are to attend the County Committee; and suppose they will, as soon as they can conveniently, proceed to the choice of Militia Officers. As to the commission you proposed to me, though I shall always be ready to serve my Country in every way in my power, yet for the present I must decline accepting it.

I have seen the person I mentioned to you as a Major, and believe he will also decline taking that commission, though he did not give me a positive answer.

I am, Sir, your most humble servant,

BEVERLY ROBINSON.

To Zephaniah Platt, Esq., Member of the Provincial Congress at New-York.

TRYON COUNTY COMMITTEE TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Tryon County Committee Chamber, September 13, 1775.

HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN: Agreeable to a Resolve of this Committee, instead of our late Delegate at the Provincial Congress of New-York, Mr. John Moore, a member of our Committee was chosen, by the majority of votes, to represent our County in the said Provincial Congress at