I repeat it (my friends) we shall know, how matters are like
to be settled by the spring. If our disputes be not terminated to
our satisfaction by that time, it will your business to plant large
parts of your lands, with flax and hemp. Those articles will be
wanted for manufactures, and they will yield you greater pro-
fit than any thing else. In the interim,
take good care of your
sheep.
I heartily concur with the farmer, in condemning all illicit
trade. Perjury is, no doubt, a most heineous and detestable
crime; and for my part, I had rather suffer any
thing, than have
my wants relieved at the expense of truth and integrity. I know,
there are many pretended friends to liberty, who will take of-
fence at this declaration; but I speak the sentiments of my
heart without reserve. I do not write for a party. I should
scorn to be of any. All I say, is from a disinterested regard to the
public weal.
The congress, I am persuaded, were of the same opinion:
They, like honest men, have, as much as was in their power,
provided against this kind of trade, by agreeing to use no
East-India tea whatever, after the first day of March next.
I shall now consider what has been said, with respect to the
payment of debts, and stopping of the courts of justice. Let
what will happen, it will be your own faults, if you are not
able to pay your debts. I have told you, in what manner you
may make as much out of your lands as ever: by bestowing
more of your attention upon raising flax and hemp, and less upon
other things. Those articles (as I have more than once ob-
served) will be in the highest demand: There will be no doing
without them; and, of course, you will be able to get a very
pro-
fitable price for them. How can it be, that the farmers should
be at a loss for money to pay their debts, at a time, when the
whole community must buy, not only their food, but all the
materials for their cloaths from them ? You have no
reason to be
uneasy on that account.
As to the courts of justice, no violence can, or will be used
to shut them up; but, if it should be found necessary, we may
enter into solemn agreement to cease from all litigations at law,
except in particular cases. We may regulate law suits, in such a
manner, as to prevent any mischief that might arise from them.
Restrictions may be laid on to hinder merciless creditors, from