Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Foreign News
May 18, 1769
The Virginia Gazette
Williamsburg, Virginia
What is this article about?
Extract of a letter from London, dated March 4, 1769, to New York, arguing that American colonists will resist British revenue acts and troops in Boston, contrary to expectations in Britain, emphasizing colonial virtues and determination for liberty.
Clipping
OCR Quality
80%
Good
Full Text
NEW-YORK, May 1.
Extract of a letter from a Gentleman in London, to his friend in New-York, dated March 4, 1769.
My dear Countrymen,
The prevailing opinion in this country now is, that as you find the Ministry firm, and unshaken in their resolutions, to fix the present revenue act upon you; and as the people of Boston did not oppose the landing of the troops, which from the injurious report on the one hand, and the love of ease and luxury on the other, was expected; that from fear on the one hand, you will no longer strive against the measures which have been adopted; but rely upon the promises of Ministers, and the justice of your cause, for a repeal: This will be the event: My Sentiments (though they receive no weight from myself) are totally different; and I have ventured to make such prophetic expressions of your future conduct, as these: That you are the direct descendants of men, who ventured everything: who effected everything that men could do, to secure you an unshaken inheritance; that you are scarcely emerged from the rough hands of poverty, that you have lived under forms of government, which in general leave much power in the people: that no distinctions have as yet been made between rich and poor; that independence and fixed property stand connected with every class of men, upon the first steps of industry: that you are jealous of every encroachment upon your dear bought privileges; that as you are in your infancy, you are consequently virtuous; which indeed is acknowledged by all who know you: That you have your eyes open, and feel very sensibly the fatal stroke, so artfully aimed at your liberties: that you know the principles of the men who now have most influence, to be the same with those who heretofore attempted to enslave you: that nothing is so little to be depended on as the promises of a Tory Ministry: and that to be credulous in this instance, so far as to act in conformity to their dictates, is to be for ever ruined; but from the declarations made by them in Parliament, and the late address to a great personage, whereby one of the principal colonies is left without an atom of liberty; and that this may soon be the fate of any other, or all the other colonies in America; that you remember, with inexpressible horror and indignation, there was such a thing once in England as a Star Chamber; and here may be another in future times; uniform in the merciless nor and conduct of the instrumental in scourging you. Good to be expected, but everything
and in America; that as you know you are slaves already, when your property is at the disposal of another,- as common sense teaches one to conclude justly, that he who can demand one farthing, can demand the whole: and as I know, from a personal acquaintance with many of the principal men among you, that you have formed a singular opinion, and I believe, you will pursue every legal measure, though ever so arduous; avoid every luxury, though ever so alluring; are most fully resolved to be free; I am afraid to say, that both have been, and
both will be attempted! As I am not ashamed of any thing which I venture to write or speak relative to public affairs, you are welcome to put my name to this letter, if you suppose it can be of any use to the cause of liberty; but if not, I choose to go under the name of
A MERCHANT.
Extract of a letter from a Gentleman in London, to his friend in New-York, dated March 4, 1769.
My dear Countrymen,
The prevailing opinion in this country now is, that as you find the Ministry firm, and unshaken in their resolutions, to fix the present revenue act upon you; and as the people of Boston did not oppose the landing of the troops, which from the injurious report on the one hand, and the love of ease and luxury on the other, was expected; that from fear on the one hand, you will no longer strive against the measures which have been adopted; but rely upon the promises of Ministers, and the justice of your cause, for a repeal: This will be the event: My Sentiments (though they receive no weight from myself) are totally different; and I have ventured to make such prophetic expressions of your future conduct, as these: That you are the direct descendants of men, who ventured everything: who effected everything that men could do, to secure you an unshaken inheritance; that you are scarcely emerged from the rough hands of poverty, that you have lived under forms of government, which in general leave much power in the people: that no distinctions have as yet been made between rich and poor; that independence and fixed property stand connected with every class of men, upon the first steps of industry: that you are jealous of every encroachment upon your dear bought privileges; that as you are in your infancy, you are consequently virtuous; which indeed is acknowledged by all who know you: That you have your eyes open, and feel very sensibly the fatal stroke, so artfully aimed at your liberties: that you know the principles of the men who now have most influence, to be the same with those who heretofore attempted to enslave you: that nothing is so little to be depended on as the promises of a Tory Ministry: and that to be credulous in this instance, so far as to act in conformity to their dictates, is to be for ever ruined; but from the declarations made by them in Parliament, and the late address to a great personage, whereby one of the principal colonies is left without an atom of liberty; and that this may soon be the fate of any other, or all the other colonies in America; that you remember, with inexpressible horror and indignation, there was such a thing once in England as a Star Chamber; and here may be another in future times; uniform in the merciless nor and conduct of the instrumental in scourging you. Good to be expected, but everything
and in America; that as you know you are slaves already, when your property is at the disposal of another,- as common sense teaches one to conclude justly, that he who can demand one farthing, can demand the whole: and as I know, from a personal acquaintance with many of the principal men among you, that you have formed a singular opinion, and I believe, you will pursue every legal measure, though ever so arduous; avoid every luxury, though ever so alluring; are most fully resolved to be free; I am afraid to say, that both have been, and
both will be attempted! As I am not ashamed of any thing which I venture to write or speak relative to public affairs, you are welcome to put my name to this letter, if you suppose it can be of any use to the cause of liberty; but if not, I choose to go under the name of
A MERCHANT.
What sub-type of article is it?
Political
Colonial Affairs
What keywords are associated?
American Colonies
British Ministry
Revenue Act
Troops Boston
Colonial Liberties
Tory Ministry
Star Chamber
What entities or persons were involved?
A Merchant
Where did it happen?
London
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
London
Event Date
March 4, 1769
Key Persons
A Merchant
Event Details
A letter from a gentleman in London expresses differing sentiments from the prevailing British opinion that American colonists will submit to the revenue act and troops in Boston out of fear; instead, it predicts resistance based on colonial heritage, virtues, and resolve to pursue legal measures and avoid luxury to preserve liberties against the Tory Ministry's policies, referencing parliamentary declarations, addresses to a great personage, and historical fears like the Star Chamber.