The Virginia Gazette

Mr. Parks,

When you want better Matter to fill up your Gazette,
please to publish this Piece.

I am, Sir,

Your humble Servant,

E.C.

Edwin Conway, of the County of Lancaster, having
been informed, that it has been reported in Northumberland
County, that I said there were fewer Tithables
below Mill-Creek, in the said County of Northumberland,
than there truly was, by the last List; for Answer
I say, that I never told any one there were fewer than
three Hundred and Sixty four, as appear'd by the Lists
Capt. Stephens sent me. I never heard of the Petition till
the Day before it was offered to the Court to be certified
to the Assembly; I did not esteem it such a Favour to
Lancaster, as to be worth the Asking; nor such a Preju-
dice to Northumberland, as to deserve a Denial; for it
could make no Alteration in any Expence, but the Coun-
ty Levy only, which is now, three Pounds and an Half of
Tobacco per Poll; and as there is neither Ferry nor Bridge
supported at the County Charge, 'tis not likely the Coun-
ty Levy will often be more. The County Debt last was
about 7750, now paid by 2217 Tithables, at 3 and a
Half per Poll; take 364 from 2217, there will remain
1853. So that the Levy would not have been three Quar-
ters of a Pound more per Poll, if the 364 Tithables had
been added to Lancaster before, and the Advantage to
Lancaster would have been a very inconsiderable Trifle,
and of no Weight with me; but of my own Knowledge,
it must have been a Convenience to the Petitioners, to be
taken into Lancaster; and therefore I was for granting
their Request, and for no other Reason. My Religion
requires me to do what Good I can, and I am sure it could
not be so great an Evil to any, as Good to the Petitioners:
And it appears plain to me, Northumberland Court House
would not have been fixed higher up the County, than
now it is, tho' the Inhabitants below Mill Creek had never
been of that County: Therefore they have Reason to
complain, being wholly disregarded.

I don't reckon any Thing more scandalous to a Man,
than to be a Liar; for nothing sets him more opposite to
God, nor makes him more agreeable to the Devil. I
thank God I regard Truth, and therefore give myself this
Trouble, not for Fear of malignant Tongues, but for a
Caution to such to adhere to the Truth, which is the De-
sire of

Edwin Conway.