CONTENTS VOLUME FOURTH. ESSAYS AND TRACTS, HISTORICAL AND POLITICAL, (CONTINUED. The Interest of Great Britain considered, with Regard to A Narrative of the late Massacres, in Lancaster County, of a Number of Indians, Friends of this Province, by Persons unknown. With some Observations on 1 54 78 Petition to the King, for Changing the Proprietary Gov- ernment of Pennsylvania into a Royal Government Preface to the Speech of Joseph Galloway, on the Subject of a Petition to the King for Changing the Pro- 95 101 Remarks on a Late Protest against the Appointment of 143 Letter concerning the Gratitude of America, and the Prob- ability and Effects of a Union with Great Britain; The Examination of Dr. Benjamin Franklin, in the British 161 Note containing Dr. Franklin's Remarks on the above Examination, with Reference to the Members of the House of Commons by whom the Questions Hints for a Reply to the Protests of certain Members of the House of Lords against the Repeal of the Observations on Passages in a Pamphlet, entitled "Good Humor, or a Way with the Colonies. London, Observations on Passages in "A Letter from a Merchant 201 206 211 215 233 Causes of the American Discontents before 1768 State of the Constitution of the Colonies, by Governor Pownall; with Remarks by Dr. Franklin Observations on Passages in "An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Disputes between the British Observations on Passages in a Pamphlet, entitled "The True Constitutional Means for putting an End to 298 Preface, by the British Editor, to "The Votes and Pro- ceedings of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants 381 387 399 An Account of the Transactions relating to Governor 441 456 458 A True State of the Proceedings in the Parliament of Great Britain, and in the Province of Massachu- setts Bay, relative to the Giving and Granting the Money of the People of that Province, and all councils, and to have been mainly instrumental in causing Canada to be held at the peace. The arguments were ably met, however, in a subsequent pamphlet entitled, "An Examination of the Commercial Principles of the late Negotiation between Great Britain and France in 1761," supposed likewise to have been written by Mr. Burke; and the style of its execution might well have justified such a conjecture, if there had not been other grounds for the belief. The same doctrines are advanced, as in the " Remarks." The writer puts forth his chief strength to confute the following pamphlet; and the estimation, in which he held the author of it, may be inferred from his manner of introducing the subject. After stating that he should confine his remarks to the writer of this performance, he adds as a reason, because, of all those, who had treated the opposite side of the question," he is clearly the ablest, the most ingenious, the most dexterous, and the most perfectly acquainted with the fort and foible of the argument; and we may therefore conclude, that he has said every thing, and every thing in the best manner, that the cause could bear." This was high praise to come from an opponent, who, if he hoped to triumph, was fully aware of the arduous nature of his undertaking. In fact he failed; for he could not convince the public, nor the ministry, that Guadaloupe was better for England than Canada; nor could his zeal and eloquence avail to divert the negotiation from its first channel. - EDITOR. I HAVE perused, with no small pleasure, the Letter addressed to Two Great Men, and the Remarks on that letter. It is not merely from the beauty, the force, and perspicuity of expression, or the general elegance of manner, conspicuous in both pamphlets, that my pleasure chiefly arises; it is rather from this, that I have lived to see subjects of the greatest importance to this nation publicly discussed without party views or party heat, with decency and politeness, and with no other warmth, than what a zeal for the honor and happiness of our King and country may inspire; and this by writers, whose understanding, however they may differ from each other, appears not unequal to their candor and the uprightness of their intention. But, as great abilities have not always the best information, there are, I apprehend, in the Remarks, some opinions not well founded, and some mistakes of so important a nature, as to render a few observations on them necessary for the better information of the public. The author of the Letter, who must be every way best able to support his own sentiments, will, I hope, excuse me, if I seem officiously to interfere; when he considers, that the spirit of patriotism, like other qualities good and bad, is catching, and that his long silence, since the Remarks appeared, has made us despair of seeing the subject farther discussed by his masterly hand. The ingenious and candid Remarker, too, who must have been misled himself, before he employed his skill and address to mislead others, will certainly, since he declares he aims at no seduction, be disposed to excuse even the weakest effort to prevent it. opinions that opinions that possess possibly be of conse And surely, if the general the minds of the people may quence in public affairs, it must be fit to set those opinions right. If there is danger, as the Remarker supposes, that "extravagant expectations" may embarrass "a virtuous and able ministry," and "render the negotiation for peace a work of infinite difficulty," there is no less danger, that expectations too low, through want of proper information, may have a contrary effect; may make even a virtuous and able ministry less anxious, and less attentive to the obtaining points, in which the honor and interest of the nation * Remarks, p. 6. |