Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

LETTER
From John Dickinson to R. H. Lee.

I am very much obliged to you for the papers sent by Mr. Wormley, and sincerely congratulate you on the noble conduct of your colony.

Administration, and its august tools, are certainly prompted by as detestable a spirit, and directed by as despicable a policy, as ever distracted the British empire. If they have the least virtue or wisdom slumbering in them, I think it must be roused on reading your resolves and address--But indeed, from them we are to look for no justice--our own integrity and prudence must be our guardians--and if the other colonies persevere, as I hope they will do, in imitating the generous examples given them in Virginia, tyranny & folly will unquestionably have cause to deplore their shameful and contemptible efforts, to extinguish American freedom.

I make no doubt, but it will give you particular pleasure, whereas you could scarcely expect it, that your ardor has even warmed this most temperate province. It was once the interest of particular men, that this colony should make a great bustle about small matters--It then raged with patriotism. It is now the interest of the same men, that it shall promote a submission to administration--It therefore sleeps, lulled by loyalty.

The troublesome vigilance and vigor of our neighbors, have repeatedly made us yawn, and give a forced, feeble assent to what they were doing. If you proceed, I don't know, but we shall yet quite awake, notwithstanding the large doses of opium that have been administered to us. Certain it is, that in the late letters written to England by the committee of our merchants, they applaud your behavior--and yet in that committee are many persons, who are very fond of "public tranquility."

Perhaps these people approved those letters, as believing they would not be published; but I think their joining in them, proceeds from the general approbation of your measures.

Our assembly indeed, are too humble subjects, to give administration any cause to think, that they will encourage any discontent on this continent--and therefore, though they had an opportunity of taking the lead, as Virginia has done, in opposition to one of the vilest acts of despotism, that ever violated the rights of America, yet meekly and peaceably the good men having well provided perhaps, against the trespassing spirit of encroaching hogs, left the most daring and dangerous outrages against the liberties of themselves and their constituents, uncensored, unnoticed.

Quite different has been the conduct of the little assembly of the lower counties. In a conversation I had with one of the principal members of that house, we were of opinion, that it would be a just mark of their respect for your assembly, to adopt your resolves verbatim. This has been done, and I hope, every assembly on the continent will concur with you. We shall come in at the eleventh hour.

I am, sir, with great esteem,
Your most obedient and most humble servant.

JOHN DICKINSON.

Philadelphia, June 22d, 1739.