fortifying the coasts, rivers, &c, as soon as may be, for the building and fitting for service so many vessels of force as may be found necessary for our domestick defence.

Eighthly. That in the tobacco Colonies large quantities of tobacco shall no longer be permitted to be raised, as it is found to interfere with farming, so necessary now, and, always to be encouraged, for the purpose of raising materials for manufacturing, which never can be raised in sufficient quantities for the use of the inhabitants of those Colonies while they employ all their force in raising tobacco.

Ninthly. That the laws of each Province, or so many of them as may be found of publick utility, be continued in force, with such alterations only as may be deemed necessary; that their number be rather lessened than increased; that as much as be ambiguity be expunged, and perspicuity introduced in its stead; that law be no longer a burden and a curse, but a blessing to our country.

Tenthly. That religion in each Province be continued upon the footing it now is, and that no man be despised on account of his religious opinions, provided they do not interfere with the peace and safety of the community; except, that Popery shall not be countenanced, by law, in any of the United Colonies.

I have now given the publick my sentiments on the present alarming state of our affairs, showed the necessity of a change,' and endeavoured to point out the way to effect it. But I am sensible there are so many individuals that are interested to prevent such measures being pursued, that they will endeavour to frustrate every attempt that the Americans may make to provide for themselves those things they have hitherto depended on them for, and deter them, if possible, from making the attempt, by persuading them of the impossibility of succeeding. But surely our countrymen will not be guilty of so gross an absurdity as to take counsel of them, whose interest it is to deceive them. Some say, it is impracticable to manufacture for ourselves. I grant it so, with respect to the tobacco Colonies, without quitting, in some considerable degree, their favourite staple; but I should not despair of success, was I to undertake to prove, that it is their interest to do it now, and that they would have, in general, been in better circumstances as a people, had they fallen upon other methods than planting many years ago. The Northern Colonies are a proof of it, and the Southern ones, from their favourable climate, have greatly the advantage of their Northern neighbours.

It is by some said to be ungrateful in us to desire a separation from what they are fond to call the Parent State, to whom we are so much obliged. I ask for what? Why, say they, for taking off your produce, for furnishing you with what you want in exchange, and for protecting you from inyadjng enemies at a great expense. In answer to which, I say, we have not sought nor desired a separation; that if we do separate, it is of necessity, not of choice. Cruelty and oppression compels us. We must separate, or become the labouring slaves of Britain, which we disdain to be. And with respect to trade, I deny that there is any colour of obligation, since we are compelled to sell to them, and them only, who thereby have it in their power to take our produce to themselves at any price they please to allow for it, and have the same advantage in rating whatever we take from them at what price they please. With regard to protection, I allow they assisted us, who were not negligent in opposing enemies, that were so on account of our connection with them. But I further say, that in protecting us, they protected themselves; for had France, in the last war, conquered these Colonies, Britain would have lost their trade, and France have gained it; the certain consequence of which would have been, that, for want of a revenue to support fleets and armies for her defence, against an enemy made so much stronger by such an advantageous acquisition, Britain could hardly have escaped becoming a Province of France before this day.

These things," I hope, will be duly considered by every inhabitant of America, as they are recommended to them to show the absurdity of continuing to petition and address, while our towns are in flames, and our inhabitants murdered, rather than separate from a cruel, blood-thirsty people, the cause of all our woes. If this attempt proves in any respect serviceable to the American cause, it will give a secret pleasure to

A BRITISH AMERICAN.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM COLONEL HOWE TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE VIRGINIA CONVENTION, DATED DECEMBER 28, 1775.

I am at present, sir, so indispensably engaged, that I have not time to be so particular as I could wish, had I any thing of importance to communicate; but, except some salutes from the men-of-war, matters remain just as they did when 1 wrote you last. No effectual steps have been taken in respect to the exchange of prisoners, for which the enclosed copies of letters between Lord Dunmore and myself will, I hope, account in such a manner as to leave me, in the opinion of your honourable body, free from, blame.

Ship Dunmore, December 25, 1775.

SIR: I have this moment received yours of the 24th, and in compliance with your request, have empowered the bearer, Mr. Laurie, to agree to any one of your Lieutenants in our custody, being exchanged in place of Mr. Batut, Lieutenant of the Fourteenth Regiment, and to an equal number of your privates, in lieu of those of the Fourteenth with you now.

I am, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

To Robert Hoive, Esquire.

DUNMORE.

Norfolk, December 25, 1775.

MY LORD: Desirous as we are to regain our friends in your custody, and to return to the army the officers and men of their corps who have fallen into our hands, we can, by no means, submit to place the officers and soldiers of the army, who have been taken in battle, upon a footing with those officers of militia and the peasants, that you have thought proper to deprive of their liberty. We have, since our march from the Great-Bridge, taken a number of those who were in action at that place; among them, some who acted under your commissions as field-officers; those I conceive, may be equitably exchanged for those of the same rank in your hands; and reluctant as I am to continue in confinement either your prisoners or ours, I shall consent to no exchange but such as equity shall warrant. I beg leave to refer you to Mr. Laurie for particulars. I should be glad to be favoured with a list of the prisoners you have in your hands, the rank they bear, and the manner in which they were taken.

I am, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient, humble Servant

ROBERT HOWE.

To His Excellency Lord Dunmore.

Ship Dunmore, December 26, 1775.

SIR: Yours of last night I received, and really am at a loss to know what your meaning is; you certainly, when you proposed an exchange of prisoners, could never have meant to pay your own people so poor a compliment, as not to look upon those, whom the Convention thought proper to appoint to hold military commissions, in any other light than officers; those you talk of as officers of militia and peasants, whom, you say, I have thought proper to deprive of their liberty, come under that predicament, and were taken armed against their liege Sovereign. If the rank of officers in each army is not to be our guide, I own I am at a loss to know by what rule we are to be governed in exchange of prisoners.

I am, sir, your humble servant,

DUNMORE.

To Robert Howe, Esq., in Norfolk.

Norfolk, December 27, 1775.

MY LORD: I was not understood by your Lordship last night, and it gives me concern. You do me justice, however, when you suppose I could not mean, even by implication, to degrade any commissions issued by Conventions, whose authority I acknowledge, whose appointment I honour, and to whose service I have devoted myself. I am, I find, to inform your Lordship of what I really thought you before acquainted, that Conventions, from the fatal necessities of the times, have been compelled to establish three different military bodies: Militia, Minute Battalions, and Regular Regiments; and that they have made a distinction in the rank of each. What I said, therefore, in respect to