to people America from Scotland, I would not think of employing a more effectual way, than exciting or hiring one or two authors, who have nothing else to do, to write against it. This would neceffarily make people pay attention to the fubject, and feek after the information which they would otherwife have neglected. At the fame time, as human nature in general, is not very fond of restraint, they would perhaps be the more difpofed to remove, when they found their landlords anxious that they fhould ftay. I defire it may be particularly observed, that I have not said in any part of the above difcourfe, nor do I believe that there is any hard-heartedness or difpofition to oppress in the landlords of Scotland, more than in any other country, nor more at this time than any former period. The rife of lands has been the confequence of an increase of trade and wealth, and the disposition to go abroad in the common people, at present, is owing to the fame cause that made clerks and fupercargoes go out, for thefe fifty years past, viz. the hope of bettering their circumftances. It is both unjuft and impoffible to hinder them, if they be fo minded; and for the reasons given above, I am perfuaded it will not be the leaft injury to thofe of any rank whom they leave behind. For my own part, my interest in the matter is not great; but fince Providence has fent me to this part of the world, and fince fo much honor has been done me, as to fuppofe that my character might be fome fecurity against fraud and imposition, I fhall certainly look upon it as my duty, to do every real fervice in my power, to fuch of my countrymen as fhall fall in my way, and fhall either defire or feem to need my affiftance. J. W. I To the Editor of the Scots Magazine. SIR, Philadelphia, May 28, 1771. SAW in your magazine (Appendix 1770) a letter, figned E. R. containing fome remarks upon, and a fevere condemnation of Dr. Lathrop's fermon at Bofton, entitled, “Innocent Blood crying for Vengeance." Thefe remarks are introduced with obferving, that the fynod of New-York and Philadelphia had written a letter, and claimed relation to the church of Scotland; and then fays the author, 'on reading of which, I could not help thinking, if we may judge of the American church from ⚫ the sample here given, that our church derives no great 'honor from her western progeny; but I hope the stock ⚫ is better than the fample.' Now, fir, as to this author's obfervations on Dr. Lathrop's fermon, I fhall fay little; because perhaps it cannot be wholly juftified—yet, if all circumstances are duly attended to, there is as little reason to infult or glory over the people of Boston, as there was to excite the public refentment against captain P-———. But what I have only in view, is fhortly to expofe the exceffive abfurdity and ignorance of bringing in the fynod of New-York and Philadelphia on this occafion. Were the author of this fermon even a member of the fynod, or any way connected with it, the attempt would be impertinent; becaufe no church can be fuppofed answerable for the prudence of every particular perfon connected with her, efpecially the wifdom or propriety of their publications. Does the church of Scotland defire to be judged by this rule? I fuppofe not. Nor will I be guilty of fo much injustice, as to judge of her by this her friend and advocate. I hope (as he fays) the ftock is better than the 'fample.' For, How aftonishing must be the ignorance of that gentleman concerning the British dominions in America, when he fupposes the minifters of Boston to be a part of the fynod of New-York and Philadelphia! Did the fynod's letter fay any fuch thing? Did it not enumerate the provinces in which their members refide? Did it not inform the public, that it is but feventy years since the first prefbytery met in this country? But give me leave to inform your correfpondent, that it is about one hundred and forty years fince the people of New-England establifhed a college at Cambridge near Bofton; that their churches are upon the independent plan, and are in the four New-England provinces above five hundred in number; whereas the whole fynod of New-York and Philadelphia contained, when their letter was written, but one hundred and twenty-feven members, and does not now amount to one hundred and fifty. I do not mean by this to difclaim connection with the churches of New-England. They are a most respectable part of the church of Chrift. Nor do I think that any part of the British empire is at this day equal to them for real religion and found morals. My fingle purpose is to teach your correfpondent, and your readers in general, not to write upon American affairs, unless they understand them. I tell you nothing but truth when I fay, that being a Briton, I have often blushed in company, to hear ftories narrated of the abfurd and ignorant manner in which perfons of no inconsiderable stations in Britain, have talk ed of things and places in America. We have heard of a gentleman in the house of commons, frequently making mention of the island of Pennsylvania; and of another who in the privy counsel infifted, after contradiction, on his being right in his defcription of the island of NewJersey. But what excels every thing is the following story, which I have been affured by perfons well acquainted with it, was a fact. Some years ago, a frigate came from England with dispatches for many or moft of the governors of provinces in North-America. The captain had orders to go firft to New-York, and from thence to proceed to Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the Jerseys. When he arrived at New-York, he delivered his dispatches there, and mentioned his orders. The governor told him, if you will give me the letters for the governors of New-Jerfey and Pennsylvania, I will undertake to have them delivered in fortyeight hours; but if you take the route prefcribed to you, perhaps they will not receive them in three months. To which the captain replied, I do not care a farthing about the matter; I will stick to my inftructions. I am, fir, your most obedient, PP X. Y. |