The Virginia Gazette

To the Gentlemen, Clergy, and Freeholders, of the county of Middlesex.

GENTLEMEN,

I hold myself accountable to you for every action of my life which respects the publick. I desire to stand or fall by your free and unbiased judgment. I wish to be directed by your council and instruction in all matters of importance. It is my great ambition to show myself not quite unworthy of the choice you have made of me as your representative, nor of being the colleague of the worthy patriot, Mr. GLYNN, whom I thank you for having joined with me in this sacred trust.

I take the earliest opportunity, Gentlemen, of stating to you the following particulars. I caused to be printed and published in the St. James's Chronicle of December the 10th a letter of the Secretary of State, written from St. James's, on the 17th of April, to Mr. Justice Pon n, with some prefatory remarks. I avow the publication of both. I will go further, and declare that I first, several months ago, transmitted to the press the letter of the Secretary at War, dated May the 11th, returning thanks, in the King's name, to the officers and soldiers of the third regiment of Guards for the rank and foul murders committed in the fields on the 10th of this month. My hand trembled while I copied what I blushed to read, and I gave it to the publick in the only way my present situation could admit, with the hope of promoting a parliamentary inquiry into that bloody transaction, which I trust this second publication will now accomplish, and because I think this free nation has a right to be fully informed of the conduct of Administration in so important a concern as the loss of the lives of many subjects.

Administration complains of me for having published the letter of the Secretary of State. I complain to the nation that such a letter has been written. This is not a letter on any personal business or pleasure. I would have scorned to have published any such. This letter was from a Secretary of State the Chairman of the Quarter Sessions at Lambeth, and is written in characters of blood. It affects deeply the constitution of this country, and every man in our island. I will at present leave it to the honest indignation of every Englishman. I shall now only add that if I have not given to the publick a most accurate and faithful copy I ask pardon of the Secretary of State. If I have, then I will only say that for the innocent blood of our countrymen spilt in consequence of that letter the writer ought to ask forgiveness of God and his country, and pass the remainder of his life in penitence and tears.

I am, with great deference and esteem, Gentlemen,

Your faithful and obedient humble servant,

JOHN WILKES.

King's Bench Prison, Saturday, Dec. 17, 1768.

A copy of a letter supposed to be written by a Secretary of State to Daniel Ponton, Esq; Chairman of the Quarter Sessions at Lambeth, April 17, 1768, with Mr. Wilkes's prefatory remarks, as published in the St. James's Chronicle, Dec. 10, 1768.

Mr. BALDWIN,

SEND you the following authentick state paper, the date of which, prior by more than three weeks to the fatal 10th of May, shows how long the horrid massacre in St. George's Fields had been planned and determined upon before it was carried into execution, and how long a hellish project can be brooded over by some infernal spirits without one moment's remorse.

SIR,

HAVING already signified the King's pleasure to the Lord Lieutenant of the county in which you reside, with regard to the measures to be taken in general for preserving the peace, at a time so very riotous a disposition has discovered itself among the common people, I make no doubt but either some steps have, or will immediately be taken, by him on that head; and I take it for granted that, as Chairman of the Sessions, you will meet the Gentlemen who act in the commission of the peace for the borough of Southwark and east hundred of Brixton, to consult together, and fix upon some plan, for securing the publick tranquillity against any mischiefs that may happen, should the same indecent spirit of tumult and disorder which has appeared in the city and liberties of Westminster spread itself in those parts which are within the line of your duty. And though I am persuaded it is unnecessary to suggest to you, or the Gentlemen who will meet you, any part of your duty on such an occasion, yet after the recent alarming instances of riot and confusion I cannot help apprizing you that much will depend upon the preventive measures you shall, in conjunction with the other Gentlemen in the commission of the peace, take on your meeting; and much is expected from the vigilance and activity with which such measures will be carried into execution, when I inform you that every possible precaution is taken to support the dignity of your office: That upon application from the civil magistrate at the Tower, the Savoy, or the War Office, he will find a military force ready to march to his assistance, and to act according as he shall find it expedient and necessary. I need not add that if the publick peace is not preserved, and if any riotous proceedings which may happen are not suppressed, the blame will most probably be imputed to a want of prudent and spirited conduct in the civil magistrate. As I have no reason to doubt your caution and discretion in not calling for troops until they are wanted, so on the other hand I hope you will not delay a moment calling for their aid, and making use of them effectually, when there is occasion. That occasion always presents itself when the civil power is trifled with and insulted, nor can a military force ever be employed to a more constitutional purpose than in the support of the authority and dignity of magistracy.

I am, &c.

P. S. I have, for the greater caution, sent copies of this letter to the members for the borough, and Mr. Pownall. If you should have received no direction from Lord Onslow for a meeting, you will consider this as a sufficient authority for that purpose.