stake. I do my duty. I warn of your danger. If you
should still be so mad, as to bring destruction upon yourselves;
if you should still neglect what you owe to God and man, you
cannot plead ignorance in your excuse. Your consciences will
reproach you for your folly, and you childern's children will
curse you.

You are told, the schemes of our Congress will ruin you.
You are told, they have not considered your interest; but have
neglected, or betrayed you: It is endeavoured to make you
look upon some of the wisest and best men in America, as
rogues and rebels. What will not wicked men attempt! They
will scruple nothing, that may serve their purposes. In truth,
my friends, it is very unlikely any of us shall suffer much; but
let the worst happen, the farmers will be better off, than other
people.

Many of those that made up the Congress have large posses-
sions in land, and may, therefore be looked upon as farmers
themselves. Can it be supposed, they would be careless about
the farmer's interest, when they could not injure that, without in-
juring themselves? -- You see the absurdity of such a supposition.

The merchants and a great part of the tradesmen get their
living by commerce. These are the people that would be hurt
most, by putting a stop to it. As to the farmers, "they furnish
food for the merchant and mechanic; the raw materials for most
manufactures are the produce of their industry." The merchants
and mechanics are already dependent upon the farmers for their
food, and if the non-importation should continue any time, they
would be dependent upon them for their cloaths also.

It is a false assertion, that the merchants have imported more
than usual this year. That report has been raised by your ene-
mies to poison your minds with evil suspicions. If our disputes
be not settled within eighteen months, the goods we have among
us will be consumed; and then the materials or making cloaths
must be had from you. Manufactures must be promoted with
vigour, and a high price will be given for your wool, flax and
hemp. It will be your interest to pay the greatest care and atten-
tion to your sheep. Increase and improve the breed as much as
possible: Kill them sparingly, and such only as will not be of use
towards the increase and improvement of them. In a few months
we shall know what we have to trust to. If matters be not ac-