The Virginia Gazette

From the Pennsylvania Evening Post.

On sending COMMISSIONERS to treat with the CONGRESS.

THE man who would penetrate all the designs, and thoroughly acquaint himself with the several manoeuvres, of the British government, ought carefully to attend to two objects, viz. The prime minister is always considered as the central wheel of all government movements, and the eyes of every one are fixed upon him, and his motions alone attended to; but in the present case, where he is confessedly ostensible, the affair is quite otherwise, and he who wishes to distinguish between the measures which proceed from the real minister, and will be prosecuted, and those which the ostensible is directed to hold out, as barrels to a whale, may perhaps find the true clue to guide through the labyrinth in the following observations.

Great Britain has steadily and invariably pursued one course of conduct, towards these colonies, for the last 12 years; and yet politicians have constantly charged her with fickleness, and a want of a regular plan. He who discerns the true cause of this inconsistent consistency can point out its nature, end, and use, and show that this fickleness demonstrates the firmest steadfastness, sees into the bottom of the present British policy, and comprehends all her measures. This knowledge I wish every member of the Hon. Continental Congress possessed of, with virtue and spirit sufficient to withstand all their efforts to destroy our liberties.

As soon as the parliament is called, the king gives certain intimations of his designs, and applies for the approbation and support of the commons. Here we have a small opening of the designs of the cabinet, no more being communicated than is absolutely necessary for obtaining a general concurrence and vote of aids from parliament. This being once obtained, by way of address, a new plan opens, and that spirit which was roused, by this discovery, of the real designs of the government, is laid asleep as quickly as possible; and the real minister, now retiring behind the curtain, the ostensible one succeeds to his place. You may therefore observe, that as soon as the hands of the secret cabinet are let loose, by loyal addresses, things take a new turn in parliament immediately; and the prime minister, as if totally forsaking the high ground he had lately taken possession of, begins to open new plans of a very different nature from that held out in the speech from the throne, and recommended in the addresses of both houses of parliament. The king and his cabal go to work with all the secrecy and vigour they are masters of, and lord North assumes his new character, which is that of the deceiver of America, and amuser of the nation; and he has hitherto played his part so well, that all has gone on to their mind. He last year rendered them invisible, even to their own party, and had like to lose all by it; so that he was forced to take off the mask, and partly discover himself, before he could carry matters in the house. Any one, who remembers his motion, will feel the force of what is here related; and he who recollects that said motion arrived but a few weeks before the order for seizing Messrs. Hancock and Adams, which opened the present scene of war, must perceive that he acted in the capacity I have assigned him. Even they who entertain the most indifferent opinion of the administration were by this motion induced to believe, for a time, that they meant to give up the matter.

He is now playing the same game over again. Proposals for a reconciliation, commissioners, and what not, are now held out as the motion was last year, and for the same purposes.

The two parties now divide, each going to their own proper business: The king, and his secret cabinet, to arraying the greatest military force they can muster, and dispatching them to butcher us with the utmost expedition; lord North, and the parliament, to amuse the nation, and distract and divide the colonies by every hypocritical art in their power. Thus the two plans go hand in hand; the one to divide, the other to conquer. Was it not precisely so last year? It is not so now? All ye timid, irresolute, terrified, and double faced Whigs, who have, by one means or other, crept into authority, open your mouths wide, and bawl stoutly against every vigorous measure until the commissioners arrive. They will bring pockets well lined with English guineas; patents for places, pensions, and titles in abundance, will attend them. Your palms will be first greased. You are the only men who can complete the parliamentary plans for raising an American revenue!

Common Sense says, this winter is worth an age; rejoice that it is now past; do all in your power to pass the spring in inactivity, and matters may yet go to your minds. Lord North's motion, last winter, did much for you; the commissioners, equally improved, will probably crown your wishes. I shall thank God, and heartily rejoice, if your influence reach not the councils and proceedings of the Congress.

Depend on it, my countrymen, divide & impera, is the instruction of every commissioner, and his orders will be delayed, that he may divide and distract as much as possible, until the forces are all arrived, and they be in a condition to enforce their plan; then they will inform you they have received orders, by which they are commanded to break off the treaty.

Too many have already lost sight of the king and our real enemies, and are so fascinated with the prospect of commissioners that I begin to dread the name, and cannot help crying out to you, "O foolish Americans! who has bewitched you, that you should put any confidence in men who spill your blood with as little ceremony and reluctance as a butcher would that of an ox. Is this all you know of the king and his ministers?"

I know there is not a Tory now on the continent but hopes these commissioners will effect their purpose, and are preparing to give them every possible assistance, and very few Whigs who have not their fears on the occasion. Every thinking man, on both sides of the question, must, and does believe, that their sole errand is to cajole and deceive, and that large promises, lies, bribery, and corruption, are the means they will use.

I beseech you to lend all your spirit and vigour to the Congress on the occasion. Depend on it they will want it. Pray them to take one decisive step: To send orders to the commander in chief in each province to arrest said commissioners, in the name of the 13 United Colonies, as soon as they set foot on shore, and send them, under strong guards, to the Congress, with the strictest injunction that they be permitted to speak with no man, besides the guards and their servants, until they arrive in Philadelphia: and that, as soon as they arrive, a deputation from Congress wait upon them, and ask them this one plain question, Have you authority to order home your fleets and armies immediately? If they answer in the negative, then to break off all farther conference, and send them off that instant to the enemy's head-quarters, with this information, That we scorn as much to treat with a dagger at our breasts as we disregard their forces. If they answer in the affirmative, then to assure them, that as soon as the intelligence of their fleets and armies safe arrival in Great Britain shall have reached America, the conference shall be opened, and not before. That they, in the meantime, shall be kept in safe custody, treated like gentlemen, but not permitted to correspond or converse with the inhabitants before the treaty is completed. Every hour spent in conference with commissioners, before this takes place, is an hour lost to America, and two gained to Great Britain. Besides the immense damages which will arise from the powers of deceit and corruption, English gold, government promises, pensions, titles, and every art which malice, cunning, and religious hypocrisy, can invent or use, will be played off against our liberties. These, judiciously applied, will convert such among the great as have not virtue and integrity to withstand their force; and you will be sold, without pocketing a penny of the price. Without pocketing, did I say? Nay, yourselves must pay it. Hard lot indeed! but if you have not virtue and spirit sufficient to support the Congress in executing these measures, for your security, you deserve it. I conclude, by exhorting you to keep on the watch; lose not sight of the king and the army, by looking at the prime minister, parliament, and commissioners. One bold stroke will effectually defeat the machinations of the latter, and then the former will stand alone and unsupported, and a second vigorous exertion will crush their evil designs against your liberties. Remember these commissioners are the wooden horse which is to take those by stratagem whom twelve years hostility could not reduce. Act then like Laocoon; Strike the dagger into his breast, and never permit your credulity or inactivity to give the perjured Sinon an opportunity of making a worn out, deluded, or corrupted Whig, the altar on which to offer up your dear-bought privileges.

CASSANDRA.