The Virginia Gazette

Mr. PRINTER,

It is a common observation, how just a one let others determine, that there are no better laws than ours, or any worse executed. If this charge is well founded, the reflection in a great measure lies on our Justices of the Peace, who are chiefly intrusted with the executive part of the government, which ought to be administered by men of distinguished knowledge, understanding, and integrity; and whether the Gentlemen now in commission are happily endowed with these qualifications, the present state of police will best demonstrate.
I was the other day in company with several magistrates of our Sovereign Lord the King, to whom the neighbourhood and county is much indebted; and as I had conceived a good opinion of these Gentlemen, guess how much I was surprised to hear them, upon almost every occasion, rap out a volley of oaths, and interlard their conversation with those horrid expletives? Can these be magistrates, said I frequently to myself? Is it possible that those men should be appointed to guard, maintain, and enforce the laws? If so, how can I possibly turn informer against them, and demand the penalty of the act against common swearing? In short, I was so much dissatisfied that I retired much sooner than I designed, highly chagrined and disappointed.

The impropriety of such behaviour is so glaring that I am convinced it must strike the meanest persons who appear before these Justices; and imagine, therefore, that I cannot do a greater piece of service to them than thus publicly, by means of your paper, to hold up to them the deformed picture. The reason which determined me to hint the matter to them in public was a remark of a neighbour of mine, who observed to me, on my mentioning my great disgust of that vile practice, that it was no new remark of mine; for that he knew several famous magistrates no less guilty, and no less observed. If so, said I, a gentle hint in the papers may do for all.

Nothing surely is so amiable as a perfect consistency in character, nothing of greater use to the publick, nor more highly to be esteemed, than an active conscientious Justice. It is a pity any such should lose their due influence by a defect so mean, so worthless. I hope they will consider the friendly and well meant hint of their countryman. To them it is needless to enlarge on the impiety, insignificancy, immodesty, and inutility, of common swearing; they are all supposed to know it well, and they are the sacred guardians for their King and their country to enforce that act which forbids it: If they swear themselves then, how are they just to their King and country? A swearing Justice is a monster in nature. Mr. Printer, if you think proper to enlarge on this subject, and give your own, or any other serious thoughts upon it, you are at liberty to do so.

I am your humble servant,

N, July 18, 1768.

A. Z.