The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

Messieurs Printers.

It is currently wished, by many well disposed citizens of this infant State; that some observations in a late paper; relative to the appointment of proper persons to the Executive departments of Government, at this critical period, may draw the serious attention of our legislature. at their approaching session, to this most important concern.

Though we search the archives of the ancients. and draw wisdom from the experience of past ages ; though we assemble the sages of the land, and consume the midnight lamp, to invent laws that will secure our dearly earned, liberties; and hand them unsullied to posterity ; yet if we intrust the execution of such salutary laws, to men, who, thro' indolence, inability or age, affection to our enemies, or disaffection to the revolution, shall be negligent in the performance of their duty, our labor will be in vain, and we shall spend our strength for nought.

Though Solon should arise to lend us his aid. or a Lycurgus dictate our laws, one disaffected character in the executive sphere of government, would prevent the operation of their wisest institutions. and defeat their best designs How needful is it then for the legislature most minutely to inspect the characters. the capacities. the principles and conduct of their chosen servants in office ! That they take a retrospective view of the days of our affliction. and advert to those times that "tried men's souls. when freedom seemed uttering her last groan, and the light of liberty glimmered in the socket ; when our Congress, our Courts. and our Cause were a by word and a reproach: How necessary is it. (I say) for the legislature to extend their view to that doubtful period; and to examine the conduct and connections of men at that crisis. For principles that only spring up in the sunshine of success. at the Clouds of adversity. will droop and decay : it any therefore, who then avowedly reprobated our measures, have by any means crept into office, they ought to be dismissed. with such marks of public displeasure, as their duplicity deserves.

'Tis high time for our rulers to arise. to take their fan in hand.and thoroughly purge the floor; for the world must confess, that the man, who was over lukewarm, at the time our fates hung doubtful, cannot with safety be trusted now. Such characters are political weather cocks, whose conduct is governed by events or concealed friends to the tyrant of England, and would gladly seize an opportunity to reducing us again under his yoke.

* What think ye of the Congress Now. was a cant phrase among those people, when the American arms received any check-

time in causing such a compleat investigation of the characters of those men to whom the executive authority of our government is committed, that no person; whose principles have heretofore been darkened by the least shadow of suspicion, may any longer remain, nor ever be able to attain any post of honor or profit, under the constitution they have ever sought to destroy:

The emoluments of office and the honors of the commonwealth are the right of those brave men. who have bled in her defence, and ought not to be lavished on those State Leeches. who are ever fruitful of means to avoid danger. and never deficient in arts to wriggle themselves into place:

Those who have toiled and borne the heat and burthen of the day, have a just claim to the fruits of their labor.

By promoting men, whose principles have stood the test of adversity. we erect a barrier for our liberties. which the united efforts of our enemies can never break down ; while by entrusting men of dubious principles, we lay an ax to the root of our constitution,which in falling, will involve us all in its ruins. Since we have obtained independence and peace, let us by our vigilance in guarding these dear purchase be worthy of such inestimable blessings. Let us not be circumvented by the insidious arts of any, who under a lately assumed mask of patriotism, conceal a. deep rooted attachment to our antient task masters. But let the catalogue of executive officers in each county be speedily and carefully revised. and if the name of any man is there found. who has not been uniformly zealous in the cause of his country. let it be instantly expunged; and some of known and tried fidelity appointed to his place.

By thus guarding against our enemies, and rewarding our friends: individuals will be stimulated to exertions for the public service. and we shall never fail of a continued succession of honest and able men: while the people are assured. that the gratitude of government; will shower down her richest blessings on her friends: The old adage, "pay well and hang well," is fraught with matter worthy of a statesman's notice. and the nation that pursues this salutary maxim. will be a terror to evil doers, and a praise to them that do well.

JOYCE.

Exeter, November 21, 1783.