The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

The following sensible Reflections, I imagine, will be acceptable to your Readers, which was written in North-Carolina in October last: and may with propriety be adapted to the present and every future Season; more especially when we know not how the Fate of America may be determined-- It has already been Published in the Carolina and Philadelphia News-Papers.---

I am a native and an inhabitant of this province, brought up in all its rusticity, live remote from any of its towns, and a stranger to politicks; but am a subscriber to your paper, and by means of it, sometimes get a knowledge of what is carrying on in higher life: By it I understand, our properties, and our dearest liberties, are soon to be wrested from us. But being thus born, thus bred in obscurity, I should not have dared publickly to have lisped a syllable upon the present topic, had not my countryman (GOD bless him, whoever he is) in your paper, set me the example, and first breathed the spirit of liberty-- Much has been wrote and said in several of the colonies against the Stamp duties, but no one method has yet been pointed out to obtain a repeal of the act, or to render it frustrate, except that of addressing his Majesty and the Parliament for a repeal, which method, I fear, unless we can first effect a change in the ministry, will never answer: And as for a change in the ministry * (notwithstanding we are by the common news of Great-Britain tantalized therewith) we may depend of, as much greater efforts than all America united can make, have proved ineffectual for that purpose.

As we cannot redress ourselves by force, manfully, it probably will be asked, What then is to be done? : Are we to sit still and groan out our grievances, till a commiseration of them shall influence the patriot souls of our tax masters to relieve us? Or, are we timely to submit to have our properties violently torn from us, and patiently to acquiesce, under the loss of what is still more dear and valuable, our rights and privileges? No! Let us in compliment to our superiors, and that we may not be under the charge of disrespect to them, first try the method of petitioning: and if any thing in that way will prevail, the method proposed by the province of the Massachusetts-Bay, is the most likely: Let us also try every other method which has the most distant prospect of success: But above all; let us attempt, an independency; I mean as to supplies of Manufactures.

Our Mother herself has given us the hint, in saying, (though upon another occasion) That we had attained the age of maturity, and must now do for ourselves-- If the colonists would prudently take the hint, and be no longer dependant on her, either for the superfluities or necessaries of life, (and certainly such an independency may be effected; nature has lent us a very helping hand towards it; a little art, a little industry, and a little self-denial, would soon accomplish it) I am persuaded they would soon find their account in it; for besides occasioning a repeal of the Stamp-Act. which it most certainly would effect in the course of a few months, (for the manufacturers at home, not finding the usual vent for their manufactures, will soon discover the cause; the consequence of which discovery, will be a storm about the ears of our Stamp Politicians, more troublesome to them than the Spitalfields weavers; nor will it cease till it brings about a revolution in our favour) in the interim, render it in a great measure frustrate, by preventing its baneful operation in many particulars; at the same time be a kind of lex talionis, and requite them a mischief for the injuries done us-- Add to all which, we thereby shall soon become happy, and easy within ourselves-- But however eligible this scheme may be, or however apparent the advantages redounding therefrom are, I am afraid it will not be adopted by the colonists generally: Persuaded I am, it will require a touch upon Orpheus's lyre to allure the beaus and belles into it: for hardly will they be brought to appear at their balls and assemblies, and upon their visits in the fashionable world, in home-spun. But I'll not censure too hastily, examples have great force; I know not how far they may influence them-- And, if our true patriots of fortune and distinction in this province, would for the more immediate benefit of this infant colony, which ought to be considered as a younger sister among the colonies, and less able to support herself under the late impositions, lead the way, and countenance the same by their example, it might be then reasonably expected, that the people in general would fall into it-- I mention it with great commendation, a very laudable example has already been set us by a gentleman of distinguished character, who has publickly appeared in home-pun manufactures: A few more such notable ones, perhaps, would give a sanction to it:-- And it is to be wished, and I recommend it to my countrymen as a yet stronger inducement thereto, (for interest ever was and will be a governing principle) that no office, either of profit or honour, in their gift, be bestowed upon any candidates but such as shall solicit the same at the time of election, clad in American manufactures. That they elect no burgesses for the general assembly; no publick treasurers of their money; nominate no persons to the sheriff's or any other office, but such as shall supplicate for them dressed in domestic or American manufactures: These measures adhered to, would, I believe, forcibly lead us to our own welfare-- So far, Mr. Printer, I have kept my temper; I have spoke calmly; I have suppressed every rising passion: But when I think on the near approach of our slavery, the fatal 2d of November, the epoch of our worse than Egyptian bondage, I lose all temper; I become almost desperate; yet I can not, dare not, utter all that my full soul suggests--- Lo! the fatal day already arrived, more fatal than the once threatning Fifth, for that would have been attended only with the loss of a Prince, and a Parliament: This brings with it slavery, and destruction of Liberty and Property, to thousands of thousands of free born and loyal subjects: Already the din of arms and clink of chains have reached my ears; for lo! the regiments lately embarked, are arrived: sent not to protect us, but to enforce the SLAVE ACT; and to scourge us into obedience.

Lo! two fellows, with rapine and insolence in their looks, approach my door, forcibly rush in, and tell me, "They are billetted here, and must dwell with me."

The second day of their abode scarce past, when at my return from my field and labour, my wife, my fondest, dearest friend, weeps in my bosom, and complains of their effrontery-- My virgin daughter too, her blushing cheeks, downcast looks, and fast falling tears, speak their violating unchaste attempts +- My little endearing, prattling babes, now shivering with cold, hang around me, and tell me they are rudely thrust from the fire-- Sadly I retire, seek their superb commander, suppliant before him stand, and beg redress-- Alas! I intreat in vain! I supplicate a Turk!-- Great JeHovah! Shall my free-born Soul submit to these things? O! first let thy omnipotent arm Adigat me fulmine ad Umbras, Pallentes Umbras Erebi, noctemque profundam. So resolves, and so prays, yours,