But if the late restrictions shall not prove profitable, perhaps they may by some be called prudent for another reason. We are informed that many persons at home affect to speak of the colonists, as of a people designing and endeavouring to render themselves independent, and therefore it may be said to be proper as much as possible to DEPRESS them. This method for securing obedience, has been tried by many powerful nations, and seems to be the constant policy of commonwealths: but the attempt in almost every instance from Athens down to Genoa, has been unsuccessful. Many states and kingdoms have lost their dominions by severity and an unjust jealousy. I remember none that have been lost by kindness and a generous confidence. Evils are frequently precipitated, by imprudent attempts to prevent them. In short, we never can be made an independent people, except it be by Great-Britain herself; and the only way

"If we are afraid that one day or other the colonies will revolt, and set up for themselves, as some seem to apprehend; let us not drive them to a ne-, cessity to feel themselves independent of us; as they will do, the moment they perceive that they can be supplied with all things from within themselves, and do not need our assistance. If we would keep them still dependent upon their mother country, and in some respects subservient to their views and welfare; let us make it their INTEREST always to be so."

TUCKER on trade.

"Our colonics, while they have English blood in their veins, and have relations in England, and WHILE THEY CAN GET BY TRADING WITH us, the stronger and greater they grow, the more this crown and kingdom will get by them;

for her to do it, is to make us frugal, ingenious, † united and discontented.

But if this event shall ever happen, which Providence I hope will never permit, it must be when the present generation and the present set of sentiments are extinct. Late measures have indeed excited an universal and unexampled grief and indignation throughout the colonies. What man who wishes the welfare of America, can view with

and nothing but such an arbitrary power as shall make them desperate can bring them to rebel." DAVENANT on the plantation trade.

<< The northern colonies are not upon the same footing as those of the south; and having a worse soil to improve, they must find the recompence some other way, which only can be in property and dominion: upon which score, any innovations in the form of government there, should be cautiously examined, for fear of entering upon measures, by which the industry of the inhabitants be quite discouraged. "Tis ALWAYS UNFORTUNATE for a people, either by CONSENT or upon COMPULSION, to depart from their PRIMITIVE INSTITUTIONS, and THOSE FUNDAMENTALS, by which they were FIRST UNITED TOGETHER." Idem.

The most effectual way of uniting the colonies, is to make it their common interest to oppose the designs and attempts of Great-Britain.

"All wise states will well consider how to preserve the advantages arising from colonies, and avoid the evils. And I conceive that there can be but Two ways in nature to hinder them from throwing off their dependence; one, to keep it out of their power, and the other, out of their will. The first must be by force; and the latter, by using them well, and keeping them employed in such productions, and making such manufactures, as will support themselves and families comfortably, and procure them wealth too, and at least not prejudice their mother country.

out pity, without passion, her restricted and almost stagnated trade, with its numerous train of evilstaxes torn from her without her consent-Her legislative assemblies, the principal pillars of her liberty, crushed into insignificance-a formidable force established in the midst of peace, to bleed her into obedience the sacred right of trial by jury, violated by the erection of arbitrary and unconsti

Force can never be used effectually to answer the end, without destroying the colonies themselves. Liberty and encouragement are necessary to carry people thither, and to keep them together when they are there; and violence will hinder both. Any body of troops considerable enough to awe them, and keep them in subjection under the direction too of a needy governor, often sent thither to make his fortune, and at such a distance from any application for redress, will soon put an end to all planting, and leave the country to the soldiers alone, and if it did not, would eat up all the profit of the colony. For this reason, arbitrary countries have not been equally successful in planting colonies with free ones; and what they have done in that kind, has either been by force at a vast expence, or by departing from the nature of their government, and giving such privileges to planters as were denied to their other subjects. And I dare say, that a few prudent laws, and a little prudent conduct, would soon give us far the greatest share of the riches of all America, perhaps drive many of other nations out of it, or into our colonies for shelter.

There are so many exigencies in all states, so many foreign wars, and domestic disturbances, that these colonies CAN NEVER WANT OPPORTUNITIES, if they watch for them, to do what they shall find their interest to do; and therefore we ought to take all the precautions in our power, that it shall never be their interest to act against that of their native country; an evil which can no otherwise be averted, than by keeeping them fully employed in such trades as will increase their own, as well as our wealth; for it is much to be feared, if we do not find employment for them, they may find it for us. The interest of the mother country, is always to keep them dependent, and so employed; and it requires all her address to do it; and it is certainly more easily and effectually done by gentle and insensible methods, than by power alone." CATO's letters.

tutional jurisdiction—and general poverty, discontent and despondence stretching themselves over his unoffending country?

THE reflections of the colonists on these melancholy subjects, are not a little embittered by a firm persuasion, that they never would have been treated as they are, if Canada still continued in the hands of the French. Thus, their hearts glowing with every sentiment of duty and affection towards their mother country, and expecting, not unreasonably perhaps, some marks of tenderness in return, are pierced by a fatal discovery, that the vigorous assistance which they faithfully afforded her in extending her dominions, has only proved the glorious but destructive cause of the calamities they now deplore and resent.

YET still their resentment is but the resentment of dutiful children, who have received unmerited blows from a beloved parent. Their obedience to Great-Britain is secured by the best and strongest ties, those of affection; which alone can, and I hope will form an everlasting union between her and her colonies. May no successes or suspicions ever tempt her to deviate from the natural generosity of her spirit—And may no dreadful revolution of sentiments ever teach them to fear her victories, or to repine at her glories.

I am, &c.

1

POSTSCRIPT.

I HAVE omitted mentioning one thing that seems to be connected with the foregoing subject.

WITH a vast expence of blood and wealth, we fought our way in the late war up to the doors of the Spanish treasuries, and by the possession of Florida, might obtain some recompence for that expence. Pensacola, and the other ports in that country, are convenient places, where the Spaniards might meet us, and exchange their silver for the manufactures of Great-Britain, and the provisions of these colonies. By this means, a commerce inconceivably beneficial to the British subjects, might be carried on. This commerce the Spaniards wish and have endeavoured to carry on. Many hundred thousand dollars have been brought by them to Pensacola to lay out there; but the men of war on that station have compelled them to take back their cargoes, the receipt of which, it may from thence be presumed, would be destructive to the interest of Great-Britain.- -Thus we receive less advantage from Florida, now it belongs to us, than we did when it was possessed by our enemies; for then by permission from the Spanish governors,