The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a Letter from London, July 1.

"I am sorry to learn, by late Letters from Philadelphia, that you are likely to have an Indian War, by the Imprudence of some of the back Inhabitants. I most sincerely wish that Steps may be taken to prevent it, for you may be assured the People in Power here wish for it; they say, it will be the Means of humbling and reducing the rebellious Americans to Obedience. This they are determined to do, let the Consequence be what it may. I am much grieved to hear that the unjust and tyrannical Steps taken by Government here against Massachusetts Bay are not by the other Colonies looked upon as an Attack upon all America, but intended only against that Province. The Policy of this Country is to divide and conquer; and if the other Colonies sit quiet, and suffer the People of New England, for Want of their uniting and making it one common Cause, to be reduced to the Necessity of subscribing to such Terms as Government here shall hold out to them, they will attack the other Colonies, and then farewell the Liberties of America; for the Americans will be soon as absolute Slaves as the Frenchmen.

The infamous Quebeck Bill, which establishes Popery and arbitrary Power through a Country capable of maintaining more People than England, France, and Spain, is intended to keep the old Colonies in Awe; and People here in Power make no Secret of saying, that by keeping the Canada Militia well disciplined they shall be able with them, and the Fleet, to keep the Colonies always in Subjection. Would you believe, that out of all the Bishops only the Bishop of St. Asaph had Virtue enough to vote against this Bill! I hope we shall never suffer one of them to set his Foot in America.

"Nothing can save America but their uniting and religiously entering into an Agreement, and sacredly keeping it, not to import any Goods from Great Britain, nor to export any Goods either to Great Britain or the Islands, until Justice is done them by this Country, and their Liberties settled on a firm and solid Basis. This, in less than one twelve Months, will bring the People of this Country to Reason, and force them, contrary to their Inclinations, to do the Americans Justice; for they have no Trade, but what is against them, save to Ireland and America."