The Virginia Gazette

MR. PRINTER.

THE following case happening some time last year, and being something uncommon, I am obliged to refer it to the consideration of the Publick, thro' your press.

VIRGINIA, to wit.

CERTAIN R- H- L- of the county of W-

having privately solicited for a deputation to collect the duties imposed by the late Stamp Act (to wit by letters to England) dated the - day of November, in the year 1764, from the city of Williamsburg, some days after the General Assembly of this colony had resolved to remonstrate against the act, lay by as neuter for seven months (that is to say, from the date of the letters until the month of July next ensuing) when he was advised that another than himself was appointed, from which he the said R- H- L- might reasonably suspect his application was not attended with success; and therefore, and the better to defraud his Majesty's subjects out of their opinions of him, and to hide his cloven foot, did, Proteus like, change his dress, and take upon himself the outward apparel of a Son of Liberty; and the said R- H- L- afterwards, to wit the day of July aforementioned, at the Court-house of the county of W- did, then and there still assuming upon himself the appearance of a Son of Liberty, but in fact really being a wolf in sheep's clothing, and not having the fear of God before his eyes, but being instigated and seduced by the very Devil (to wit, envy and disappointment) did of his rancorous malice aforethought, in presence of a very many of his Majesty's liege people (to wit, Negroes) create an effigy, the length whereof was six feet, and the breadth thereof six inches (that is to say, of his own size) which said effigy, of the value of nothing, together with an useful house not the property of the said H- L-, of the value of ten pounds, he the said R- H- L- did then and there burn and destroy, against common justice, the said R- H- L- in propria persona being the fittest subject for such a punishment: By means whereof, and many such like exercises of cunning, the said R- H- L- did craftily and subtly conceal his real motives, and fraudulently pass himself upon his Majesty's designing subjects for a true Son of Liberty. And more especially the said R- H- L-, by means of his low devices aforesaid, did deceive a certain Doctor W- F- who, though very capable of judging of an honest subject, was nevertheless unable to decipher the said R- H- L-'s hieroglyphical conduct; and therefore, being himself a genuine Son of Liberty, and judging of the said R- H- L- by his outward dress, he the said Doctor W- F- through public spirit, and for and in consideration of the said R- H- L-'s patriotick spirit (that is to say, in consideration of nothing) did give and present to the said R- H- L- one half-blooded gelding of the value of 40l. which he the said R- H- L- then and there did accept, to the total discouragement of all publick virtue.

Many queries may arise from the above case, but I hope it is clear that the Doctor ought to have his horse again: Causa cessante, cessat effectus; is a maxim in law, founded on solid reason.