Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

NEW-HAVEN, November 23.

Extract of a letter from a great Character in Virginia to his friend in this town, dated October 22d, 1786.

"It gives me pleasure also to hear that so many Officers are elected to your assembly; I am persuaded they will carry with them more liberality of sentiment than is to be found among any other class of citizens.

"The speech of our friend Cobb was noble, worthy of a patriot, and worthy of himself--as was the conduct of General Sullivan.

"But for God's sake tell me, what is the cause of all these commotions? Do they proceed from licentiousness, British influence disseminated by the tories, or real grievances which admit of redress? If the latter, why has the remedy been delayed until the publick mind has become so much agitated, and why yet postponed? If the former, why are not all the powers of government put forth and tried at once? It is as well to be without them, as not to live under their exercise.

Commotions, of this kind, like snow-balls, gather strength and magnitude as they roll, if there is no obstacle to crumble, no opposition to impede them.--Do write me fully, I beseech you, not only with respect to facts, but as to opinions of their tendency and issue.

"I am really mortified beyond expression, that in the moment of our acknowledged Independence, we should, by our conduct verify the predictions of our transatlantic foe, and render ourselves ridiculous and contemptible in the eyes of all Europe."