every where, are not concerned in trade, and, as I before re-
marked, the traders will be the principal sufferers, if it should
continue any time.

But it is said it will not continue, because "when the stores
are like to become empty, they will have weight enough to
break up the agreement." I don't think they would attempt
it; but if they should, it is impossible a few mercenary men
could have influence enough to make the whole body of the peo-
ple give up the only plan their circumstances admit of for the
preservation of their rights, and of course, to forfeit all they
have been so long striving to secure. The making of a non-im-
portation agreement did not depend upon them. The congress
have provided against the breach of the non-importation, by the
non-consumption agreement. They have resolved for themselves
and us their constituents, "not to purchase, or use any East-
India Tea whatsoever; nor any goods, wares, or merchandize,
from Great-Britain or Ireland, imported after the fisrt of Decem-
ber, nor molasses, &c. from the West Indies, nor wine from
Madeira, or the Western Islands, nor foreign Indigo. If we do
not purchase or use these things, the merchant will have no in-
ducement to import them.

Hence you may perceive the reason of a non-consumption
agreement. It is to put it out of the power of dishonest men,
to break the non importation. Is this a slavish regulation?
Or is it a hardship upon us to submit to it? Surely not. Every
sensible, every good man must approve of it. Whoever tries
to disaffect you to it, ought to meet with your contempt.

Take notice, my friends, how these men are obliged to con-
tradict themselves. In one place you are told, that all the bustle
about non-importation, &c. has it rise, not from patriotism,
but from selfishness, "or, in other words, that it is made by
the merchants to get a higher price for their goods. In another
place it is said, that all we are doing is instigated by some tur-
bulent men, who want to establish a republican form of govern-
ment among us.

The Congress is censured for appointing committees to carry
their measures into execution, and directing them "to establish
such further regulations, as they may think proper for that pur-
pose." -- Pray, did we not appoint our Delegates to make regu-