The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a letter from a Gentleman in the West Indies, to his friend in Falmouth, Casco Bay.

"We are anxious—very anxious, to hear from you.—Don't think because we know little, we care little about you; for though you have here many enemies, you have also many staunch friends, who, though living in a land where slavery is not only tolerated, but productive of the greatest wealth and affluence to the masters and proprietors, yet retain such a sense of freedom, as openly to defend her cause, and with zeal and warmth side with the Americans in their present glorious struggle for the restoration of such of their natural and stipulated liberties as have been wrested from them; and the preservation of such as yet remain. The conquest of America by all the troops Britain has or can send from her island, appears to me the most idle and chimerical plan ever adopted by a Minister, with less than half Lord North's abilities. I cannot help thinking the Minister, before this, must be convinced that the Americans not only can, but will fight; and in order to enforce the present measures, a much greater force than they have or can send, will be necessary; and therefore be induced to propose some method of accommodation, not unworthy Americans to accede to. That you will finally succeed, I not only hope, but believe."