The Virginia Gazette

PHILADELPHIA, January 31.

Extract of a letter from London.

...ped; may the writer escape the tyrannous inflictions of this bloody administration. It is to the last degree dangerous to communicate intelligence to America. It is said a New England vessel is going from Liverpool; I will hazard the danger, by forwarding the newspapers, and writing to you. The king's speech, and the echoes from both Houses, prove two things: One, that the same hateful system pervades the cabinets against the colonies; and the other, that your firmness and powers so damp their wishes as to make them hold out a futile offer of pardon through their despicable governors in the different provinces. But who cannot see through this insidious plan? What colony will be so blind, so irrational, as to be duped into a submission to tyranny? Or so scandalously mean as to desert her sisters, at the time when it is evident that perseverance in your resolutions will soon bring your enemies heads to the block, and gloriously and eternally fix your liberties on an immutable basis? Contemn then, my countrymen, the delusive snare; and, if it is possible, be more animated to conquer, or die, rather than enslave yourselves and your posterity: For I contend, that however Britain may talk of her resources, and the facility of hiring troops, it will be your own faults if you are subdued, for this country is so divided that you have at least half of it on your side even at this day. What then will be your case in the spring and summer, when the manufacturers will be wholly unemployed, and provisions, through various causes, become distressingly scarce? The minority gain ground daily. The Duke of Grafton has nobly departed from government, and boldly arraigned their wicked and destructive plans. The bishop of Peterborough has joined him, lamenting he had ever voted against America. General Conway, Sir James Lowther, and many others, have openly vindicated us, and severely satirized the ministry. Be assured, if you do your parts, that the ends for which you stopped your trade, and flew to arms, will be crowned with success.

You will see the crafty North has declared, that administration wish nothing more than to place America in the situation she was in the year 1763. What an infamous falsehood! View the tendency of the king's speech. Does he not say he will proceed to crush you to submission to the supremacy of parliament? What is this, but taxation and pensioners, tyranny, prerogative, and the devil? Never lay down your arms till this country withdraws her troops from your provinces, and you have ample satisfaction and indemnification for your sufferings, and ultimate security for your rights. And if I could have my will, there should be no peace made with this flagitious ministry. You will wonder lord Camden did not speak: he waited to attack Mansfield, but all the attacks of the minority lords could not bring the latter up.

What will all America think of her infamous countryman, Frank Richardson, who for a paltry rise in the army, has attempted to suborn the life of our Sayre away, for which the latter was committed a close prisoner to the Tower. He is at length admitted to bail by lord Mansfield, and will be cleared in trial: but the informer will be so close driven that day, that he had better avoid the ignominy, by a precipitated death. Your old friend L---P--- will be a hard evidence against him, and may perhaps prove him the very traitor, in another degree, he had designed to honour mr. Sayre with. Already he dare not walk the streets, and in a little time he will be consigned over to despair, want, and a variety of wretchedness; but though there are not many who have yet attempted the lives of their countrymen by perjury, yet there are scoundrels, from every part of America, who ought to be execrated to eternity by all good men, and for which proper end I shall catalogue the names of the rascals, and timely transmit, not only theirs to you, but the names of those English and Scotch ingrates who have fattened on American commissions, and yet busily join the cry of havoc and bloody deeds to the once happy colonies! Once more, whatever America does, let her be firm to her resolutions; that is, support her military ardour, and never trade with this country till she is totally relieved of her grievances.