measures of your congress will involve you in some little present
perplexities, you will be glad to do any thing to
avoid them;
without considering the much greater miseries that await you at
a little distance off. This is the character they give of you.
Bad men are apt to paint other like themselves. For my part, I
will never entertain such an opinion of you, unless you should
verify their words, by wilfully falling into the
pit they have
prepared for you. I flatter myself you will convince them of
their error, by shewing the world, you are capable
of judging
what is right and left, and have resolution to pursue it.
All I ask is, that you will judge for yourselves. I don't de-
sire you to take my opinion or any man's opinion, as the guide
of your actions. I have stated a number of plain arguments;
I have supported them with serveral well-known facts: It is your
business to draw a conclusion and act accordingly.
I caution you, again and again, to beware of the men who
advise you to forsake the plain path, marked out for you
by the congress. They only mean to deceive and betray you.
Our representatives in general assembly cannot take any wiser
or better course to settle our difference, than our representa-
tives in the continental congress have taken. If you join with
the rest of
America in the same common measure, you will be
sure to preseve your liberties inviolate; but if you separate
from them, and seek for redress alone, and unseconded, you
will certainly fall a prey to your enemies, and repeat your folly
as long as you live.
May God give you wisdom to see what is your true interest,
and inspire you with becoming zeal for the cause of virtue
and mankind.
A Friend to America.