The Virginia Gazette

To the PRINTERS.

GENTLEMEN,

At a Time when every Man of Sentiment, and every Lover of his Country, should be employed in investigating those Rights for which this extensive Continent is now contending, the following Extract from the Works of one of the most celebrated Writers * of the present Age cannot fail of affording Pleasure to every Breast which is animated with the Love of Freedom :

"Poor Genoa! wherefore shouldest thou be vain of exhibiting a Character of Privileges given thee by one Berenger in the Year 958? Concessions of Privileges are but Titles of Servitude; but the true Charter of Liberty is Independency supported by Force. It is with the Point of the Sword the Diplomas that ratify this natural Privilege must be signed."

"Happy Helvetia! to what Placart ow'st thou thy Liberty? To thy Courage, to thy Firmness, to thy Mountains. But hold—I am your Emperor.—— " I do not chuse that you should be any longer so."-- But your Fathers were my Fathers Slaves. —" It is for that Reason their Children will not be yours."— But I have a Right by Dignity.——" and we have a Right by Nature."

" When did the even United Provinces become possessed of this incontestable Right? From the Moment they united; and from that Moment Philip II. became a Rebel.— What a glorious Man was William Prince of Orange! He found a Region of Slaves, and he made them free Men."

Such are the Sentiments which flow from the Pen of a Man, who, though born and educated in a Country where Liberty is a Crime, and a blind Submission to the despotick Will of the Prince the greatest Virtue, yet dared to avow them. And surely Nothing but the blindest Slavery to arbitrary Principles could be unaffected by the liberal Spirit that breathes in them!

I am, Gentlemen, your humble Servant,

SIDNEY.

* Voltaire.