tain, to sell their votes, and consequently their liberty, must show the danger of permitting so dangerous a practice to be instituted under our Constitution, to prevent which, and to guard against the undue influence of persons in power over votes, I would recommend the Pennsylvanian method, viz: that every vote should be rolled up, sealed on the back thereof, be noted that it is a vote for a Governour, which should be deposited in a box prepared for that purpose; and a vote for Counsellors and Representatives, sealed up, noted on the back, brought in as aforesaid, and deposited in separate boxes, provided for the purpose. That all voters having once given in their votes, should pass out, and care be taken that they should not come in again till the voting was over; or, if it be thought more expedient, to let the clerk of the meeting have a perfect list bf all voters, with three columns ruled against those names, one marked for a Governour, one for a Representative; and when a person brings in a vote for one, a mark to be made against his name in that column; and if he brings in for all three at the same time, a mark to be made in each column; which I think will effectually prevent any fraud in voting again. The Representatives' box to be examined in meeting, and the election declared. The votes given for Counsellors and Governour to be sealed up by the clerk, and forwarded by him to the capital of the Province, where all the votes being had together, a sworn committee should examine the whole and declare the elections.

This method, though it may appear somewhat trouble-some, will not turn out so upon trial; and it is the most effectual method to secure the freedom of voting, and prevent every species of fraud and connivance.

Any persons who offer themselves as candidates for any berth, may, agreeably to the method practised in Pennsylvania, publish their design in newspapers, or communicate it in any other method they may think proper, or leave the people to find out persons of merit and nominate for themselves. All civil officers should be appointed by the three branches, and all military officers by the Governour and Council, and never superseded in commission but by the same power which created them. All laws negatived by a Governour, if revived afterwards, and passed by a new House and Council, to be assented to by him at all events, as it would be unreasonable to suppose two Houses of Representatives, and two sets of Counsellors, possessed of less wisdom, or to have less understanding of the true interests of the people, than a single person has, and that after having a long time to think upon the matter, and to consult their constituents thereon.

And here I must beg leave to observe that, however high other people's notions of government may run, and however much they may be disposed to worship a creature of their own creation, I can by no means consent to lodging too much power in the hands of one person, or suffering an interest in government to exist separate from that of the people, or any man to hold an office, for the execution of which he is not in some way or other answerable to that people to whom he owes his political existence.

Time will not permit me to go more largely into the subject, but I must leave you to weigh these hints, and make such improvement thereon as your wisdom shall direct; and though my notions of government are something singular, yet, I think this plan will be an improvement upon the Constitution, by far the happiest I know of. Where I have supposed a defect in that Constitution, I have taken the freedom to borrow from that of Pennsylvania, and other governments, to supply it; and, in some instances have added my own thoughts, which, if they have the force of reason in them, will have their weight. If they should not appear to be founded on reason, I must beg you to excuse my giving you trouble, as I sincerely aim to promote the welfare of that Colony, to which I wish the most lasting happiness.

And assure yourself that I am, with much esteem, your most obedient servant,

JOHN SULLIVAN.

ADDRESS OF THE MAGISTRATES AND COUNCIL OF KIRKWALL.

Address of the Magistrates and Council of the Burgh of Kirkwall, presented to His Majesty by Thomas Dundas, Esq., Representative in Parliament for Stirlingshire.

To the King's Most Excellent Majesty.

The humble Address of the Magistrates and Council of the Burgh of KIRKWALL.

Most Gracious Sovereign:

We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Provost, Magistrates, and Council of the Burgh of Kirkwall, beg leave to approach the Throne with unfeigned hearts and real zeal for the many blessings we have enjoyed by the dispensation of Providence during your Majesty's reign, which we wish may be long and prosperous. We at the same time declare our abhorrence and detestation of the unhappy and unnatural disputes of the Colonists in America with their mother country, fomented and promoted by divisions at home, and carried on and supported by the enthusiastick spirit and overgrown wealth of the Colonists themselves, insomuch that their unbounded liberties have increased not only to licentiousness, but to open rebellion.

We will not pretend to prescribe rules or methods for terminating these miseries; but we earnestly wish that your Majesty, assisted by the Parliament of Great Britain, will endeavour to suppress this rebellion, and to bring the troubles and calamities thereby occasioned, to as speedy an issue as your Majesty's wisdom, the spirit of the nation, and the welfare of Great Britain, shall permit; and to effectuate and bring about this happy and desirable end we will always be ready to contribute to the utmost of our power.

Signed in name, presence, and appointment of the Council, the 12th day of December, 1775 years, by

JOHN RIDDOCH, Provost.

ADDRESS OF THE NOBLEMEN, ETC., OF ROXBURGH.

Address of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of the County of Roxburgh, presented to His Majesty by the Right Honourable Sir Gilbert Elliot, Bart., their Representative in Parliament.

Unto the King's Most Excellent Majesty.

The humble Address of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of the County of ROXBURGH.

Most Gracious Sovereign:

We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Noblemen and Gentlemen of the County of Roxburgh, beg leave to approach your Majesty with hearts full of gratitude for the many blessings we enjoy under your mild and auspicious Government, and to testify to your Majesty our abhorrence of the unnatural and unprovoked rebellion which now rages in your North-American Colonies.

At the same time that we sincerely lament the misery and distraction into which your deluded subjects of America have thrown their unhappy country, by an ungrateful departure from their duty and allegiance, we can assure your Majesty that we have the most entire confidence in the justice, wisdom, and vigour of your measures, for restoring peace and good government to every part of your extensive dominions; and that we are ready, with our lives and fortunes, to support your Majesty's authority, and that of the Parliament of Great Britain, against every attempt to overthrow our present happy Constitution.

Signed by our appointment:

JAMES DOUGLASS, Prases.

COLONEL WOODFORD TO THE VIRGINIA CONVENTION.

Great-Bridge, December 12, 1775.

Lieutenant-Colonel Stephens arrived at Kemp's Landing last night, and, agreeably to my orders, sent a party to secure every person in that neighbourhood that had left Norfolk since the battle of the Great-Bridge. He informs he has Mr. McCahert, Dr. Campbell, Mr. Matthew Phripp, and others, now with him, whose examinations I now enclose. I have had a number of people from thence to day, whose stories disagree. They bring two petitions, one from the poor inhabitants of Norfolk, the other from the distressed Highlanders, which I likewise send enclosed; and have given no answer to them yet. Have detained the bearers for further consideration.