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FRIENDS and COUNTRYMEN,

It was hardly to be expected that any man could be so
presumptuous, as openly to controvert the equity, wis-
dom, and authority of the measures, adopted by the
congress: an assembly truly respectable on every ac-
count ! -- Whether we consider the characters of the
men, who composed it; the number, and dignity of
their constituents, or the important ends for which they were
appointed. But, however improbable such a degree of pre-
sumption might have seemed, we find there are some, in whom
it exists. Attempts are daily making to diminish the influence
of their decisions, and prevent the salutary effects, intended by
them. -- The impotence of such insidious efforts is evident from
the general indigation they are treated with; so that no mate-
rial ill-consequences can be dreaded from them. But left they
should have a tendency to mislead, and prejudice the minds of
a few; it cannot be deemed altogether useless to bestow some
notice upon them.

And first, let me ask these restless spirits, whence arises that
violent antipathy they seem to entertain, not only to the natu-
ral rights of mankind ; but to common sense and common mo-
desty. That they are enemies to the natural rights of mankind