The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

For the NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE.

Messrs. PRINTERS,

It is with indignation, that every friend to the revolution, must see the endeavours that are yet in defiance of justice, continually used by the disaffected to procure the return of the refugees. Aware of the mischiefs that would attend such an event, our laws are armed with the severest terrors against those perfidious men, who deaf to the cries of her distress, abandoned their country when plunged in adversity, to the ravages of an inveterate foe. Having rioted on her spoils, they wish to share in her happiness: after a conduct so notorious, nothing but an assurance equal to their crimes, could prevent them from flying if possible, to regions where the sound of freedom has never reached, and being in climes where America is not known. Imboldened by despair, and presuming on a clause in the fifth article of the treaty, some of this class have attempted to return. But is it not astonishing, that their royal master by deserting them at the moment they have most need of his assistance, should leave them to the mercy of a people against whom in the keenest arrows of their rage have constantly been hurled. What a requital for those, who with their lives in their hands, have devoted their fortunes to his service! Are not such acknowledgements proofs, either of the basest ingratitude in their sovereign, or that he disavows the conduct and principles of men, who have sheathed their swords in the bowels of their brethren: and that he is convinced, that traitors to their country can never be faithful to their prince? Why else has he so anxiously endeavoured to free himself of the incumbrance? Why has he assiduously sought to thrust them, who have fought under his banners, into the lap of their enemies? If he is their sovereign, they have a right to his protection. If they are the subjects of these states, why does he interfere with the internal police of our government? and seek to restrict us in the first and greatest prerogative of a free people: that of making our own laws, and governing our own subjects.

The situation of these people, it must be confessed, is truly deplorable. Thrown off by their friends on one side, persecuted by their enemies on the other, they seem to be outcasts of creation, and while policy forbids their return, humanity drops a tear on their sufferings, and bemoans the necessity of their banishment. Could they consistently with our future safety be admitted: the generous bosom of every American, forgetful of past injuries, in pity to their sufferings, would expand with mercy to receive them. But self preservation, nature's first law, requires us to keep their crimes in view, and by the remembrance of their guilt, to cherish our resentment. It being impossible but persons who have been so uniformly opposed to the revolution, should on a sudden be cordially reconciled to it.

A crowd of refugees pouring in upon us, would give them an influence, that might in time destroy the basis of our liberty, though founded in blood. They would gradually insinuate themselves into the highest places of power, 'till they constituted a majority in our national council, and by one fatal stroke, dedicated in a moment, the labours of an age.

Let fancy here depict, what the pen cannot paint. A subjugation to British power would inevitably ensue. Tyranny would rivet her brazen fetters on us, and despotism with all her direful train of ills, would make our children, and their youngest children, execrate the hour that gave these enemies of our peace, permission to tread on freedom's hallowed ground. What tribute then ye highly favored sons of liberty, is due to those virtuous magistrates, who like watchmen on the towers, are guarding your repose, by repulsing the approaches of your enemies? The altars of posterity shall smoke with oblations to their memory, and the temples of freedom resound with their praises forever.

MARCUS.