The Virginia Gazette

Mr. PURDIE.

SIR,

OCTOBER 27, 1766.

I HEARTILY concur with Philanthropos (in his piece of August 22d) and others who have lately addressed the publick, by expressing the real satisfaction I enjoy in the liberty of the press; which, from its first erection here by Mr. Parks, in 1735, was in a great measure shut up until you and Mr. Rind made it a free channel, whereby men may convey their sentiments for the amusement, instruction, or information, of their fellow subjects. The good effects of this freedom have, among others, appeared in several productions of publick spirited and ingenious Gentlemen; who, no doubt, would have obliged the publick long ago, with many instructive pieces, had they enjoyed the same liberty. And surely it is pity which geniuses should be subjected to any unreasonable and impolitick restraint; I say impolitick, for it is inconsistent with good policy, as well as with British liberty, to lay an embargo on the wit and genius of a free people. We are such at present; though the commencement of our freedom, in the respect I mention, is of a very late date, only from the 7th day of last March. That this valuable privilege may be ensured to us, I earnestly call upon my fellow subjects of this dominion to encourage both you and Mr. Rind. Perhaps the wisdom of the Assembly may contrive a method for the encouragement of both, by dividing the business of the publick between you; but if that should not be the case, the Gentleman of you two who is not favoured by the Assembly may yet have a genteel living, suitable to the merit of one who deserves well of this colony, as in my humble opinion you both do, for reasons obvious to every man. I know we are of sufficient ability to support a press, and I hope we shall be found willing. I have no personal knowledge either of you or Mr. Rind, though I take both papers; but I am enough acquainted with human nature to know that many individuals thereof are not proof against strong temptations, and perhaps the frowns or favours of the GREAT may have some influence upon yourselves. As you have justly merited the character of impartial in your publications, I hope you will excuse this impartial address from one of your customers.

Many of your readers are highly pleased to find that men in high and more humble stations are from the press publickly told of their errors when they commit any, that they may not form and entertain an opinion that their real or imaginary dignity exempts them from just censure. Some have been censured freely, and perhaps seasonably, and without indecency or virulence, though the monitors have been accused of both; and it affords no small satisfaction to my brethren FREEMEN that our liberty has been lately asserted by the Grand Jury of the colony, when attacked by certain Bills, which were pointed against you Gentlemen Printers, as well as against a very worthy person of my acquaintance, who is an honour to our country.

For my own part, I never meddle with Great Men, because I do not know the extent of their power (and sometimes they themselves seem to be ignorant of its limits) lest they should either suspend the exercise thereof, or else exert it to my detriment, or even ruin, if I should fall into any unlucky scrape. Caution, if it is not a virtue itself, is certainly nearly allied to one, or rather is a constituent part of prudence, which is esteemed a cardinal virtue, and which will go a great way towards a man's ease and safety, in passing through life.

But I must not take upon me to moralize, and shall conclude with a known anecdote of a certain North Briton, more cautious I think than religious; This man, who was none of the most regular in his morals, when he took occasion to mention the Dl, never gave him that name simply, but called him Geud Maifter Dl, and the Laird of Hell, and used such like respectful titles when speaking of him; and being asked by his companions why he treated the DI with so much ceremony and politeness, Geud troth, said he, dinna ken but I may fall into his clutches, and therefore I wad by no means provoke him, for I have been told he has meikle power, and he may handle me very roughly.

But I must not take up too much room in your paper, lest your readers should throw it away (as I have served some wherein the Honest Buckskin showed himself) and swear it was full of nonsense, and not worth reading.

I am, Sir,
Your most humble servant,
A Freeman of VIRGINIA.

P. S. If you think fit to publish this, I may probably give you more trouble of this kind, when I have time to spare from my business.