The Virginia Gazette

LONDON,

Feb. . As it is demonstrable that high Duties answer no other End than promoting Smuggling, and that securing of such Duties by Oaths only gives an Opportunity to the worst of Dealers, the Scum of Mankind, to outstrip the fair conscientious Trader, it is not doubted but due Regard will be shewn to the Complaints of the Merchants and Dealers in a certain Commodity, concerning which egregious Mistakes have been committed, under Colour of rectifying Abuses and preventing Frauds: And it is also hoped, that the Committee who have already had so many Meetings to consider of a proper Application for Redress of Grievances, will resolutely act on Principles of Honesty and Common Sense, and petition for what is lawful, and expedient, and absolutely necessary, without suffering themselves to be bewildered and bamboozled by the sinister Practices and artful Rubs thrown in their Way by a few overgrown Scabby Sheep and M--l Spies, who may be desirous of engrossing the Trade to themselves, and for that Purpose labour to make the Matter worse under Colour of procuring a Redress of the Grievance complained of. 'Tis not for Mortals to command Success; but the honest Part of the said Committee may do more; they may deserve it, if they obey the Dictates of Reason and Conscience.