The Virginia Gazette

FROM THE LONDON GAZETTEER.

To JUNIUS.

How long will the lethargic slumber, which has seized your mind and pen, dwell upon you? When do you intend to throw off manfully the shackles of silence, which confine your bold and daring spirit? How long is the bright luminary of the political world to be eclipsed, and hide its face in the day of danger: whose writings, like a friendly beacon, did warn us of every ministerial quicksand, of every dangerous rock, whereon the liberties of this country might be in danger of being wrecked?

The enemies of their country already exult in your long silence. They say where is the boasted Junius? Where is his much famed integrity and independence? They are dashed to pieces upon the rock of ambition or avarice. They declare that undoubtedly you have quitted the service of your country to fall, like them, before the shrine of slavery and corruption. Forbid it, Heaven! forbid the very thought! Junius has declared that he never would forsake his country's cause until vengeance fell upon those wretches who raise themselves upon the nation's ruin.

The conduct of the ministry and their tools, during the late session of parliament, are replete with treachery and infamy, and holds them up to public scorn, as men as destitute of talents as of honour, and who have rooted from their hearts every honest disposition for the freedom, interest, and credit, of the state: and it requires the pen of a Junius to lash them to the quick. Let thy well directed probe enter deep into their corrupted hearts: let them know that their infamy shall be exposed. So that honest, well meaning men may trace their villainy through each intricate maze.

Consider, Junius, that we are almost at the eve of a general election: therefore sound the alarm throughout the land. Let your famed pen trace to the electors of Great Britain every snare that will be laid to delude and deceive them. Yes, point out to them, with thy peculiar energy, the dangers that will attend their famed idol liberty, their property, and all that they hold dear in this world, if they do not stand firm against the torrents of corruption, that will be let out upon them to sink them forever; and that constitution, which they boast of so much, which cost their forefathers so much blood and toil, must inevitably fall a prey to a set of the most despicable and wicked ministers that ever disgraced this or any state, if they do not resist, and show openly to the world, that those blessings which their forefathers transmitted to them, they will transmit whole and entire to their posterity, and not leave slavery and misery entailed upon them.

Display to them, Junius, what is to be expected from their bold and spirited conduct, a change of ministers and measures: and those who have dared, or dare to sport with our most sacred rights, will fall unlamented victims to the freedom and prosperity of the state. Then discord and faction will hide their accursed heads; the King, from his known goodness of heart, will hear and redress the cries of a loyal but oppressed people; then once again we shall become a great and flourishing kingdom; then will liberty and commerce, peace and plenty, be established amongst us. United by such lovely bonds, we shall become formidable to our enemies, revered by our friends, and respected by all. These are themes for the pen of Junius to declare, explain, nay enforce, by the strength of your arguments and the force of truth. Let not the enemies of your country triumph any longer in your temporary silence; make them to know that it was only to redouble your strokes with greater force, and may they, like stricken deer, go weep!

CATO.