The Virginia Gazette

CHELTENHAM, July 30.

HAVING upon a former occasion not only objected to the addressing the throne with my life and fortune, for the purpose of carrying on the wicked plot of government that had been formed, as well against the liberties of our once fellow subjects in America (now alas! by such means no more our fellow subjects) as against the constitution of this happy country (unhappy in its submission to such measures) but did, on the contrary, unite with many others, of the same opinion with myself, in petitioning his Majesty to avert the evil from us; and the same reasons that then influenced my conduct, so far from being removed, still exist in redoubled strength, I feel, I trust, stand in need of no apology for myself, in declining to give any aid or assistance to the plan of subscription that has been set on foot, and is now before us.

I am aware, indeed, of the general argument "of the present necessity of union," and of the particular application of that argument to me, "that I am opposing the efforts of this country in its own defence;" but I am disturbed by neither argument, nor am I to be moved by them.

With respect to the first argument, the situation in which we are, is the very description of the situation in which government meant to place us. I have heard the doctrine avowed. You will have, it is said, a French and Spanish war, and then self-preservation will force us to unite. So that government having in the beginning acted wickedly and unwisely, in the end the whole nation is to become partakers of their guilt. "This may be good modern policy for aught I know, 'but I am sure it is not good logic, and such morality as the university of Oxford will not teach, nor the county set the example of."

With respect to the second argument, that I am opposing the efforts of this country in its own defence, I say God forbid! I would have every nerve and sinew brought into action; but it should be first to remove our domestic grievances, and then to crush our foreign foes. It is not France nor Spain I fear. They are open enemies, and are in our front! It is our secret enemies and those that hang on our backs that rouse my apprehensions; enemies, by whose stratagems and machinations we shall lose the only thing worth fighting for—the liberties of this country.

I have thought it necessary to say so much upon the present occasion, in discharge of the duty which I owe to my country and to myself. The rest I leave to yourselves.