The Virginia Gazette

From the Pennsylvania Journal.

An anecdote just published by Mr. Laurens, of South Carolina, may serve to show the danger that is likely to result to America from the lure revenue as imposed by the parliament of Great Britain. Our property is thereby not only taken from us without our consent, but when thus taken is applied in further to oppress and ruin us. The swarms of searchers, tide waiters, pilots, and other underlings, with which every port in America now abounds, and which were unknown before the Board of Customs was established among us, are not, it seems, quite sufficient to ruin our trade, but infamous informers, like dogs of prey thirsting after the fortunes of worthy and wealthy men, are let loose and encouraged to seize and libel in the Courts of Admiralty the vessels of such as are advocates for the rights of America. If they can find any colour of pretence, the Judge, who's dependent on the will of the Minister, and paid at his pleasure out of the American customs, is ready to pass a sentence of condemnation; but if the vessel is acquitted no loss or inconvenience is to accrue to the prosecutor, for if he is sued, and damages recovered against him, these damages are paid out of the American revenue.

This we find the case with one Roupell of Charlestown, South Carolina. He seized and libelled a vessel of Mr. Laurens's. The vessel was acquitted, because, as the Judge said, there was not the least colour of pretence that she was concerned in any illicit trade. Hereupon Mr. Laurens, to deter others from the like villainous practices, sued Roupell, and obtained a verdict against him for 1400 l. (that is about 200 l. sterling) for damages sustained by his unjust seizure of the vessel; but, to his mortification, Mr. Laurens found that instead of making an example of this infamous informer and prosecutor these damages were paid to him out of the plunder of his country. Roupell himself, five months after the verdict, when called on for the money, expressed his hopes of obtaining an order from the commissioners to pay it out of the American revenue, and therefore prayed an indulgence for two months longer; and Mr. Laurens declares 'he has been well informed means were devised for opening the American chest, and a sufficient sum for the purpose drawn from thence.' Thus (as he pertinently observes) are arms and ammunition unconstitutionally levied upon us, and reserved as weapons for our destruction.