I know who I am writing to, and therefore I am not quite so confined in my expressions, for a more decent language would not explain my meaning so well. And from hence it is that our independency is to arise! Papers, it seems, are everywhere circulating about for poor ignorant creatures to sign, as directions to their Delegates to endeavour at an in dependency. In vain do we ask to let it be explained what is designed by it! If the form of Government is to preserve justice, order, peace and freedom, I believe there are few who would refuse; but when these only modes of social happiness are left so much concealed, or not touched upon in the least, what sensible creature ought to trust an ignorant representative to do what he pleases under a notion of leaving his constituents independent? It is often asked whether the present measures in Great Britain speak any freedom in the reconciliation proposed. And I answer always, No; but far from it. But may we not ask among ourselves, Whether the modes we are in can speak the least happiness, peace or freedom? Thus has a word unluckily thrown out possessed the minds of rather too many, when if it had been properly explained from those in whose wis dom we have confided, things might have been seriously and soberly considered; and then some good form of Government might possibly have been the result. I have read with much attention a pamphlet styled “Thoughts on Government.” The author sees with myself many evils that may possibly attend his proposal; but perhaps from too great a confidence in the presumed parallel between corporeal and political bodies, he is for leaving the remedies against them to times of more tranquillity; no doubt concluding that nature will be as active in the operations of the latter as she generally is in the former. But here, from really a long experience in both, and, without vanity, I say a successful one, I beg leave to mould in my modest negative. If the evil or morbidity of the corporeal has not detoned or mortally affected the organick or mechanick parts of the structure, then, by a removal of the cause the effect must cease, because nature has so constituted the several powers. But the evils or corruptions attendant on the body politick must first have greatly depraved the, mental powers before they can have produced that willingness or disposition to social disorders. In one word, I mean that the common temptations or the natural passions may induce a disorder that a tranquil waiting the effects of nature from its causa causarum, eternally active, unless prevented as before, will most probably remove a disease; but in the other, instead of a nature, destined to assist you by the Author of being, or causa causarum, you must have a second nature, vicious in all its distinctions, to contend against. Therefore I say principiis obsta, prevent such evils in the very beginning, or never expect to do it at all. O for a small respite from the cholick, that I might hint a mode (radically as it were) to prevent the principal evil! But convulsed as I am I will endeavour to scratch it out.

Without desiring the gallows for murdering Warburton, as Common Sense has done, as well as the Scriptures, about society, Government, and what not, I will only premise that no Government can be really permanent in happiness where it does not originate from among the people to be governed. To prevent the corruption of these, then, is the point. Let who will compare it to Vtrgil’s hic labor hoc opus, I think it may be done by stifling the fascination in the person using it, rather than in the person receiving it. Every candidate, therefore, for an election from among the people should undergo some kind of formal or temporary lustrum or lustration, neither directly nor indirectly, by himself or others, to attempt, by lies or other species of bribery, to deceive or allure the people to his interest, and this by some expressive oath or publick solemnity as soon as he sets up to be elected. I well remember an oath which, besides the oaths to Government, existed in Sir W. Gooche’s day, before a seat (though elected) could be filled, and I remember that fox tampered with many to get it abolished; and at last, in the year 1734, it was effected on this simple plea, That it was a reflection on men of virtue to be bound by oaths to duty. I impudently set forth in Parke’s Paper that the same plea would be equally as good against all oaths and every restrictive law whatever. However, Gooche knew it would open a wicket to corruption, and it was abolished; and from that time let the journals be searched. I am certain more rascally things have been attempted and carried than ever were before in the country. I hint this on the side of candidates. And on the side of electors, if they were sworn against corruption I do not see it can be amiss. Some fancy it a hurt to religion, but I really differ: make a man honest without doors, and the fear of detection, with a heavy punishment annexed, will make him incline to be so within. If some such thing is not done, in vain shall we hope either for liberty, peace, or safety long, because it is too evident that the present idea of gain is the very parent of ambition, and no fool can blush whilst he is in a way of filling his own pockets; let his ignorance be what it will, that is his main chance, and he has no other in view.

I suppose I have written enough, and so permit me to conclude.

Dear sir, your very respectful well-wisher and real friend,

LANDON CARTER.

Lee is returned without doing anything. It seems he prudently went to reconnoitre Dunmore’s intrenchmenis, and found them not only strongly fortified by land in all the accessible places, but merely barricaded on the water. However, a few Tories that were furnishing him assistance have paid for it in their goods and chattels. I am obliged to you for your kindness. I am not able to afford him the cash necessary to attend a General; so my grandson, his father, and myself, can only thank you for hinting the opportunity we might have.

L. C.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO COLONEL SMALLWOOD.

SIR : Twenty-six prisoners are expected from North-Carolina to pass through this Province to Pennsylvania, They are to be guarded through Prince George’s County to Queen Anne by the Militia of that County, and are expect ed to arrive there some time to-morrow, or on Wednesday. We request that you would send a detachment of thirty of the regular troops, commanded by a proper officer, to re ceive said prisoners at Queen Anne’s, and convey them thence to Baltimore Town, where you will please order them to be relieved by a like number of regular troops, who will convey them by water, if the passage be safe, otherwise by land, to the head of Elk, and so to the verge of the Province; and to deliver them to an officer of the regulars or militia in the lower Counties, to be thence transmitted to Philadelphia, or else where they may be ordered by the honourable Continental Congress. The expense you will charge to the Province, and render the account to the Convention or Council of Safety, as may be most convenient.

We are, &c.

To Colonel William Smallwood.

THE FORESTER.-LETTER IV.

Whoever will take the trouble of attending to the progress and changeability of times and things, and the conduct of men thereon, will find that extraordinary circumstances do sometimes arise before us, of a species either so purely natural or so perfectly original that none but the man of nature can understand them. When precedents fail to assist us, we must return to the first principles of things for information, and think as if we were the first men that thought. And this is the true reason that, in the present state of affairs, the wise are become foolish, and the foolish wise. I am led to this reflection by not being able to ac count for the conduct of the Quakers on any other; for although they do not seem to perceive it themselves, yet it is amazing to hear with what unanswerable ignorance many of that body, wise in other matters, will discourse on the present one. Did they hold places or commissions under the King, were they Governours of Provinces, or had they any interest apparently distinct from us, the mystery would cease; but as they have not, their folly is best attri buted to that superabundance of worldly knowledge which, in original matters, is too cunning to be wise. Back to the first plain path of nature, friends, and begin anew, for in this business your first footsteps were wrong. You have new travelled to the summit of inconsistency, and that with such accelerated rapidity as to acquire autumnal ripeness by the 1st of May. Now your rotting time comes on. You have