already mentioned is enough to brand their measures with madness. In my opinion the mischief of them will be felt here within half a year, so as to produce the most dangerous internal commotions. An attack from France, too, is exceedingly probable. It is certain that her interposition, by the means of Sweden, prevented the Russian auxiliaries.

The ostensible reason, on the part of Russia, was, that there was no cartel settled between Great Britain and America. The want of this will certainly make every power reluctant in lending their troops; especially for a service so distant and desperate. So that I think there is not (he least probability of their obtaining foreign troops, now or hereafter. Upon this view of things, you will think, with me, that our countrymen have the game in their own hands. I trust they will play it so as to establish the dignity and renown of the American name, and the constitutional liberties of America, upon an immortal basis. The addresses which were moved by the Ministry, against the advice of Lord Mansfield, have decided the popular opinion to be against the measures. With the immense influence of a Government that has more than fifty thousand places and pensions in its disposal, with all Scotland at its heels, and all the Jacobites and Tories, supporting it as the old cause, they have not been able to enrol a tenth part of the nation in the list of addresses. In London, Middlesex, Southward, Coventry, Leeds, Newcastle, Bristol, Bradford, Berkshire, or wherever it has come to a decided question, the petitioners have out-numbered the addressers. In this situation, they trust to the chapter of accidents; they hope that some dissension in America will give them an opportunity of exerting the influence of corruption, which they find so essential at Westminster. Lord Bute's pupil bids them go on, and they do it more willingly, because, by furnishing a pretence for increasing taxes, it augments the means of plunder, and they hold themselves secure at least of his protection. They will, however, be fortunate if they escape the effects of a treachery that has hitherto known no exceptions. Such is the sum of our political situation, than which nothing can be more desperate.

The publick begins to conceive that these measures will sever America forever from this country. The Ministry are so conscious of it, that they have hired Dean Tucker to soften the business, by persuading the people that it will be no loss. A piratical war they think they can maintain with decided advantage, from the superiority of their navy; and even in this I believe they are governed more by the hopes of plunder than of conquest. Upon this principle Lord North's last bill is founded, to render all American property and vessels confiscate and prize. Spain tried exactly the same experiment with the Dutch; and it ended then, as I hope it will now, in the prosperity and independency of the commerce of the States. Upon the whole, I think we may be satisfied that neither the evil spirit of Lord Bute and his pupil, nor the machinations of their Ministers, will ever prevail against the unanimity and spirit of our countrymen

The piratical war they are planning must operate against them, exactly in proportion as their commerce exceeds that of America. Their bill authorizes, and must necessarily produce, retaliation. They have much at stake upon the seas, and America little. The consequence is inevitable. In this line, therefore, they are as little likely to succeed, or persevere. Happily for the rights of mankind, experience does not teach them wisdom, and the weakness of their heads defeats the wickedness of their hearts. As little do I conceive will they succeed in corrupting of the Congress, and dividing the Colonies. A people who have every thing at stake will be too watchful. A Congress so highly trusted, and so conspicuous, will be too wise and too virtuous to be seduced. When I think of the men who are thus attempting to reduce near three millions of brave, wise, united freemen, to the most abject slavery, the means with which they are to accomplish it, the distance, the disadvantages under which they are to act, I do not know in what words to express my contempt. But knowing too, as I do, that France will certainly interfere, I am much more inclined to think that they will reduce Great Britain under the dominion of France, than America under that of Great Britain. It is, indeed, highly probable that the ultimate object of Lord Bute, Lord Mansfield, and the Scotch, who are the sole and secret movers of all these measures, is to restore the expelled race, and what Dr. Johnson, in the definition of a tory, calls the ancient constitution in Church and State. Once more I wish you happy; and, cut off as we shall be from all accidental communication, I shall rest satisfied that the union, firmness, and spirit of our countrymen, will preserve our liberties against all invaders.

HENRY WISNEH TO B. TOWNE.

Philadelphia, December 21, 1775.

Having for many months been sensibly affected with the great disadvantage the Colonies labour under for want of ammunition, I thought it my duty to apply myself to the attainment of those necessary arts of making saltpetre and gunpowder: and having far exceeded my expectations in both manufactures, I think myself still further obliged to communicate the so much needed knowledge to my country at large. My first trial was on saltpetre, two pounds of which my son has extracted from about six bushels of stable dirt, perfectly fit for making gunpowder. This was done by the method of Doctor Young and Mr. Rubsaman, lately published by the former, for which, and many other useful informations, I take this opportunity to return those gentlemen my publick thanks.

I have lately erected a powder-mill in the south end of Ulster County, in the Colony of New-York, at which I have made as good powder as I ever have seen, and will bear the inspection of good judges, in the following manner: Gunpowder is composed of nothing more than the four plain simple articles, saltpetre, brimstone, charcoal, and water. The three first of which are to be made as fine as possible, so as to be sifted through a gauze sieve, or fine bolt, as fine as for common flour. But it being difficult to make the saltpetre all fine, those parts that will pot be easily got through the sieve, must be dissolved in soft warm, water, then let the sulphur, saltpeter, and charcoal, be each separately weighed. Take of the saltpetre an hundred weight, of the sulphur fifteen pounds, and charcoal eighteen pounds, and in that proportion for any greater or smaller quantity. This being done, mix them all well together in some large vessel, such as a potash or any other kettle, and when well mixed, moisten the whole with the aforesaid nitrous water till it is as moist as dough for making bread. Then put an equal quantity in each mortar, and pound it well for at least twenty hours; and if the mill runs slowly, let it run twenty-four hours; and as the paste, by pounding, will naturally grow dry, it must be kept moist by putting in a little of said water, and when pounded sufficiently take it out of the mortar, and put it in some tub or any other proper vessel. As lo the graining, it must be done in the following manner, viz: have a box made about five feet square, the sides eighteen inches deep, the bottom tight, and top entirely open; fix across the box two rods or laths near the middle, about four inches, below the top, and about ten inches apart, then have six sieve made of wooden splits in the same manner us a wheat riddle, but much finer, the coarsest should be about as fine a cockle sieve, or a little finer, and so each sieve to increase in fineness till the last is as fine as possible; I believe it were best to make the two coarsest of wire. Then take about a quart of the paste, put it into the coarsest sieve, set the sieves on the two rods that are fixed across box, then work the sieve with a circular motion, which will press the paste through the sieve in large and unshapely grains; and when a considerable quantity is passed through, then sift it over again in the next coarsest sieve, and so till the grains are fine enough; the last sieve, must be so fine that whatever passes through it will be too fine, for powder, and is to be worked over the next batch As the paste will naturally roll together in large round balls, when worked in the sieve, a board must be made near as large in circumference as a common pewter plate, and about one inch thick, on the centre, declining to the edge, of some hard wood turned in a lathe, and made as smooth as possible. This board must be put into the sieve among the paste, which breaks the lumps in pieces, and forces the paste through the sieve.

When the powder is well grained in the manner directed, it must be rolled in a barrel, the inside of which is to be made as smooth as conveniently may be, with a small