The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

To the Printer of the Public Advertiser.

SIR,

London, Sept. 4, 1768:

IN your Paper of the 2d ult. you was pleased to admit my first Letter concerning the Situation of our American Affairs, which Letter was either unanswerable, or unworthy of the least Notice. Having a very mean Opinion of my own political Knowledge, I'm ready enough to conclude the latter: but nevertheless with this consoling Observation, that the wisest Men in the Kingdom seem to be excited to defend the same Cause.

What Motive, founded in Wisdom, can possibly influence Power to punish the Innocent? Yet this must absolutely be the Case if we punish the Americans merely for being true Englishmen. What an horrible Idea is this in a British Government! and yet, alas! it is established. It will shortly be put into Execution, if there be Sailors and Soldiers base enough to be the Executioners. I remember a Time when three good-looking young Men of excellent Characters, were artfully drawn into a capital Offence, when heated by Liquor, by a noted Villain. The Man who deserved the Gallows, turned Evidence, and the young Men were condemned to die. No Man could be found in the Place insensible or base enough to undertake the Office of Executioner: so that the Sheriff must have performed the Office himself, had not the King sent them a Pardon. These young Men were justly condemned; yet their Case was attended with such extenuating Circumstances, that every poor Man who perhaps wanted the Reward offered to execute the Sentence, shrunk back with Horror as if it was to murder the Innocent. If such be the Feelings of common Humanity, who can bear the Thoughts of executing the Horrors of War upon the noble Americans?

These Thoughts have been suggested before, and the vast Majority of the Kingdom think it is impossible that Power can intend to butcher the Americans: or if there was such an intention, that any one can be found base enough to be the Executioners. But it is to be feared, that this is only the Chimera of Indolence; for who that is awake can be ignorant that Steps are actually taken for a warlike Chastisement if the Americans do not submit? And who can think the Americans will give up their Understandings, their Consciences, their natural Rights and Liberties as Englishmen? The consequence will be, the Executioner will act, and the very first Bloodshed will be a dreadful (perhaps a fatal) Stab to the very Vitals of the British Constitution.

If the City of London, yea, if the whole Islands of Great-Britain and Ireland, could prevent the Calamity apprehended, by addressing the Throne with Tears of Blood, they ought with one Voice to make the Trial immediately; when the Calamity of War is begun in America, Supplication will come too late. If Lord Chatham and Lord Camden will publish it under their Hands, and prove, that Americans are bound by their Charters to submit to the Taxation of the British Government, I will give them up all as Rebels, worthy of Chastisement; but till this is proved shall Power say, I have Power, and they shall submit? How much nobler would it be to say, I have erred: my Children ought to enjoy their Birthright even. With humble Submission to better Judges, I cannot conceive that two Propositions can be more contradictory than "I Power give you Authority to tax the People in your Province, for the Benefit of the Whole:" And "I Power insist upon your paying such Taxes to myself as I shall appoint." If these be not Contradictions, I think Power may establish a Law that Light shall be Darkness, and Darkness Light, and the whole Course of Nature be reversed -- and punish every one who shall believe their Senses.

O Almighty Providence! what hast thou in Store for this sinful Generation? If thou sufferest us to rush upon our own Ruin, O have Mercy upon a Remnant, and make our Children wise from the Folly of their Parents.

Such is the continual Prayer of a Friend to this Country; and I do sincerely hope, that if Providence gives us up to a fatal Infatuation, He will graciously dispose Events in such Order as to be a Benefit to our Posterity.

TRANQUILLUS.