The Massachusetts Spy, Or, Thomas's Boston Journal

For the MASSACHUSETTS SPY.

Or, THOMAS'S

It is probable that in a very short time an event will take place which will put the resolution of the Merchants of these Colonies to a fresh trial; one would, therefore, think that wisdom would direct them by the most deliberate previous consultation to prepare for the storm. The direct determination of the matters of the London vessels, owned by the New York and Philadelphia merchants, has indeed preengaged us in the opinion of the virtue and honour of those Gentlemen: as we are naturally led to conclude, that the masters of their vessels determined according to what they were well satisfied was their minds, and would if the case had been known to them, have been their positive orders. We hope to be informed that the masters of the New England vessels have acted the Same part. But to explain what I intend, Mr. Thomas, it is this; By reason of the Non-importation agreement of Teas, of late, from Great Britain, in such quantities as had been usual. for which this Continent is particularly obliged to the Merchants of New-York and Philadelphia, the East India company have suffered great loss and the obnoxious revenue arising from the duty on that article is much less than was expected. To remedy both these evils by one stroke of policy, that company are allowed to send one of their ships yearly into America Instead of sending the ship, they think it at present more for their interest to freight their Teas and other articles in other bottoms.Even a child may see how this will affect his father in the London trade; that it will at once set him aside and all others in the same trade to seek their living else where, in order to make room for an East India factor, probably from North-Britain,to thrive upon what are now the honest gains of our own Merchants. I am at a loss to say whether this ministerial manœuvre is more ruinous than it is insulting to this country. And yet I fear whether there is spirit enough to treat it with the resentment it deserves Ought not every kind of practicable opposition to be exerted, be it whatever it may, against a plan calculated doubly to operate our ruin ? A plan not only destructive to trade, in which we are all so deeply interested, but devised by an administration, which will be forever stigmatized for the most contemptible low cunning and artifice, principally to cajole us out of our liberties. Designed to promote and increase a revenue extorted from us against our consent, which is subversive of the very end of government, the security of property. The safety of the people is the first law. Whoever goes about to destroy that, if there be no other remedy, ought to be hunted as a wild beast. The importation and the use of Tea, abstractedly considered, may be innocent : and but why in ordinary times, has an inclination to import or use it, has a right to the protection of the laws. But when the importation is connected with the ruin of government, its trade —and what is infinitely more valuable, its liberty—when it is designed for that purpose and will infallibly have that effect, we ought to consider and treat it as we would THE PLAGUE -The sentiment is now becoming generally clear as it is true, that we are under no moral obligation to submit to any power that designs to destroy. us, if we have natural strength sufficient to repel it, or in any other way can avoid it.

A Consistent PATRIOT.