The Virginia Gazette

July 10. There is nothing this ministry wish for more than to persuade the people of England to approve their cruel proceedings against the Americans; in order to effect which, they now circulate a piece of news which they pretend is authentically received from America, purporting, that the American Congress have resolved to reject every conciliatory measure, and to make war, not to preserve their liberty, but to be independent of England. We know that nothing can be more the reverse of the truth. That they will not agree to any conciliatory measure which this ministry can offer is most certain; they would be fools indeed if they trusted men whose principles they know to be hostile to freedom. The truth is, they insist upon a change of ministers prior to any accommodation whatever; and if the people of England choose to prefer the continuance of such ministers in office to the restoration of peace and happiness, the Americans cannot be blamed if they refuse to listen to any terms which they can propose. If the friends of the constitution are put into the ministry, the Americans will readily repose confidence in their assurances, and return to their allegiance on the footing they were governed in the late reigns; if not, they will soon find that all England will be their enemies, and that by flying in the face of Whig ministers they will effectually ruin America as well as England. If these Tory ministers, however, are suffered to direct the helm much longer, we shall have no right to blame the Americans if they resolve on never being governed by a country that gives such a proof of its not having publick spirit enough to rescue itself from destruction.