The Virginia Gazette

March 12. A correspondent writes: "The conditions of Mr. Wilkes's pardon, mentioned in the daily papers, are not true; for no proposals were made, or restraints laid upon him, further than a strict compliance with his own voluntary promises." Our correspondent adds: "Though Mr. Wilkes may have been too incautious in some of his writings, I firmly believe that such incaution arose merely from zeal for the honour and service of his country, and that few in this kingdom possess a larger share of real genuine patriotism than Mr. Wilkes." The bets run high at the west end of the town that Mr. Wilkes will be returned one of the Members for the city of London. The following is a copy of one of Mr. Wilkes's hand bills.

To the WORTHY LIVERYMEN of the city of LONDON.

Gentlemen, and fellow citizens,

In deference to the opinion of some very respectable friends, I presume to offer myself a candidate for my native city of London at the ensuing General Election. The approbation you have been pleased, on several occasions, to express of my conduct, induces me to hope that the address I have now the honour of making to you will not be unfavourably received.

The chief merit with you, Gentlemen, I know to be a sacred love of liberty, and of those generous principles which at first gave, and have since secured, to this nation, the great charter of freedom. I will yield to none of my countrymen in this noble zeal, which has always characterized Englishmen. I may appeal to my whole conduct, both in and out of Parliament, for the demonstration that such principles are deeply rooted in my heart, and that I have steadily pursued the interests of my country, without regard to the powerful enemies I created, or the manifest dangers in which I must thence necessarily be involved, and that I have fulfilled the duties of a good subject.

The two important questions of publick liberty, respecting General Warrants, and the Seizure of Papers, may perhaps place me among those who have deserved well of mankind, by an undaunted firmness, perseverance, and probity. These are the virtues which your ancestors never failed to exert in the same national cause of liberty, and the world will see renewed in their descendants on every great call of freedom and our country.

The nature and dignity of the trust, Gentlemen, which I now solicit, strike me very forcibly. I feel the warmest zeal for your interests, and affection for your service. I am conscious how unequal my abilities are, yet fidelity and integrity shall in some measure compensate that deficiency; and I will endeavour, through life, to merit the continuance of your approbation, the most precious reward to which I aspire. If I am honoured with so near a relation to you, it will be my ambition to be useful, to dedicate myself to your service, and to discharge with spirit and assiduity the various and important duties of the distinguished station in which I may be placed by the favour of you, Gentlemen, the Livery of London. I am, with the utmost respect,

Gentlemen, your most faithful

and obedient humble servant,

JOHN WILKES.

LONDON,
March 10, 1768.