The Massachusetts Spy

For the MASSACHUSETTS SPY.

Mr. THOMAS,

I RECEIVED the enclosed letter from my worthy friend in Boston, whose name you will see I have erased. As it contains matter interesting to everyone in my situation, I thought it could not better serve them than to make it public. I have not applied to the author being uncertain of his consent. but, as I have concealed his name I hope he will not think himself abused. if otherwise, I hereby humbly crave his pardon.

but I do not know your custom, in the cases, but I hope the expense will not be great; and that you will not fail to publish and send me a dozen of your papers by the bearer who has business in town, and will call for them and the letter and pay your demand.

I am &c.

SIR,

I RECEIVED yours of the 25th inst. by M. F-s and shall agreeable to your request wait on Mr. when he comes to town, and let him know your last proposal, but have reason to think he will not abate of his price for the wood lot; but when you have read the extract of a letter from Putney in New-York government published in the enclosed Boston Gazette, I presume you will not be overfond of making any addition to your farm : It may soon be the case in your town as it is in Hinsdale. Do you believe now that the ministry never had a thought of a land tax when they so readily take land and all away? You remember yourself observed at my house that, if the ministry proceeded to tax the lands you were ruined indeed. What think you now of this my friend? It is true they have not as yet laid a tax on our lands but they have fallen upon a measure much more interesting to their new intended system of government. They have cut the Gordian knot and seized upon whole townships which have been settled near a hundred years without waiting the slow collection of a paltry tax of a few Shillings upon the acre. If a Lieut. Colonel Howard, or any other favourite, should obtain a mandamus, and by a Governors assistance be put in possession of an old township containing fifty or an hundred families, whose farms many had purchased within a few years, while others enjoyed by hereditary right from their forefathers, who had the land granted them by government -agreeable to charter and the Act approved by the King; they must notwithstanding become tenants at will to their new lords, or openly resist and support their right by force and arms. The consequence of this might be the loss of many lives, half worn out in bringing to the lands. If they survived a general battle, and were conquered and taken, their best men at least would be hanged for opposing government as in North Carolina: These my friend, are melancholy thoughts, but thoughts I believe you cannot now feel the firmness to dispute you shewed the evening referred to. You know there has been much talk of clipping the wings of this refractory province, and you may also be cast as a bone to Tryon, you cannot plead your land was granted by New-York more than Hinsdale. And when the Colonel or my Lord, with Governor Tryon's assistance takes possession of your fine farm what will avail your deeds of purchase for the great sums they cost you. You said you gave £3000 for the old farm in 1752. and have laid out as much since on that and the others you since gave your two sons who with their families have no other dependence. Could you now calmly hear a proposal of a penny an acre, a shilling an acre, and very speedily a new agreement for all those acres when just rendered profitable ? You must here give me leave to put you in mind of the traders ceasing to import. to use your own words, that we merchants must take care of ourselves, and the farmers of themselves. I then told you as I do now that our interest is the same. and each depends alike upon the other, the cities on the country and the country on the cities ; they must stand, or fall together. I have you know more than once told you, men even of your age and estate might live to see themselves tenants at will, like those of England and Ireland to the great men of the east ; and if one town after another, should be taken from the present owners and erected into Lordships, the common people will soon become hewers of wood and drawers of water to them. I tell you prayers, petitions, and remonstrances of right are old fashioned stories, and quite out of date. If you are called upon you must give up your all to the powers that be. or defend it them with your life ; and that will not avail you unless you are all of a mind, and will equally risk your lives for each other. I know not how that might turn, but I readily conceive many would part with their lives before they would give up their all, though some may be mean enough to give up their all to save their lives. B.L. However that may be, the present state of public affairs calls loudly upon us to humble ourselves before God, and with united voice to implore his aid and direction to succeed our lawful endeavours to preserve ourselves and our children from ruin.

With respect to, &c. I am &c.