Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

From Doctor Price's Observations.

(CONTINUED.)

Of OATHS.

OATHS are expedients to which all States have had recourse in order to obtain true information and ascertain facts by securing the veracity of witnesses. But I know not how to relish that imprecation which always makes a part of an oath. Perhaps, there is no such necessity for it as is commonly imagined. An AFFIRMATION solemnly made, with laws inflicting severe penalties on falsehood when detected, would probably answer all the ends of oaths. I am, therefore, disposed to wish, that in the United States imprecatory oaths may be abolished, and the same indulgence in this respect granted to all which is now granted to the Quakers. But I am afraid they will think this too dangerous an experiment; and what is of most consequence is to avoid,

First, Such a multiplicity of oaths as will render them too familiar.

And, Secondly, A slight manner of administering them. ENGLAND, in this respect, seems to be sunk to the lowest possible degree of degeneracy. Oaths among us are required on so many occasions: and so carelessly administered: as to have lost almost all their use and efficacy. It has been asserted, that including oaths of office, oaths at elections, and custom-house oaths, &c. &c. there are about a million of perjuries committed in this kingdom annually. This is one of the most atrocious of our national iniquities; and it is a wonder if we are not to be visited for it with some of the severest of God's judgments.

Of the NEGRO TRADE and SLAVERY.

THE NEGRO TRADE cannot be censured in language too severe. It is a traffic which, as it has been hitherto carried on, is shocking to humanity, cruel, wicked, and diabolical. I am happy to find that the United States are entering into measures for discountenancing it, and for abolishing the odious slavery which it has introduced. 'Till they have done this, it will not appear they deserve the liberty for which they have been contending. For it is self-evident, that if there are any men whom they have a right to hold in slavery, there may be others who have had a right to hold them in slavery. I am sensible, however, that this is a work which they cannot accomplish at once. The emancipation of the Negroes must I suppose, be left in some measure to be the effect of time and of manners. But nothing can excuse the United States if it is not done with as much speed and at the same time with as much effect, as their particular circumstance and situation will allow. I rejoice that on this occasion I can recommend to them the example of my own country. In Britain, a Negro becomes a freeman the moment he sets his foot on British ground.

CONCLUSION.

SUCH is the advice which I would humbly (but earnestly) offer to the United States of America. Such are the means by which they may become the seats of liberty, science, peace, and virtue; happy within themselves, and a refuge to the world. Often, while employed in writing these papers, have I wished for a warning voice of more power. The present moment, however auspicious to the United States if wisely improved, is critical ;
and though apparently the end of all their dangers, may prove the trial of their greatest danger. I have, indeed, since finishing this Address, been mortified more than I can express by accounts which have led me to fear that I have carried my ideas of them too high, and deceived myself with visionary expectations. And should this be true—Should the return of peace and the pride of independence lead them to security and dissipation—Should they lose those virtuous and simple manners by which alone Republics can long subsist—Should false refinement, luxury, and impiety, spread among them : excessive jealousy distract their governments ; and clashing interests, subject to no strong controul, break the federal union— The consequence will be, that the fairest experiment ever tried in human affairs will miscarry ; and that a Revolution which had revived the hopes of good men and promised an opening to better times, will become a discouragement to all future efforts in favour of liberty, and prove only an opening to a new scene of human degeneracy and misery.

(Mr. Turgot's letter will be inserted in our next.)