Extract of a Letter from London to a Gentleman in Maryland, Dated March 13, 1775

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I wrote you by Captain Falconer, since which some very material changes have happened in the state of political affairs. The Minister, finding a general discontent take place on account of the measures pursuing with regard to America, and in order to save the Stocks, which began to give way, gave out that he intended to extend the olive branch to the people on your side the water. The very sound exhilarated the minds of the people here; the Funds immediately recovered, and the people began to conclude that every thing would soon be settled in an amicable way. And what was this olive branch? Nothing but the

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motion, which will have reached you before this comes to hand. A motion which, at first, nobody could comprehend; a motion couched in such cabalistical terms, on purpose to confound the understandings of mankind, but which, when understood, was found to contain nothing of the least healing tendency, only calculated to separate and divide the Colonies from each other. Divide et impera is an old adage, and now they are in hopes of practising it with success amongst you. The Ministry, indeed, begin to plume themselves already on their success in this way. The proceedings at New-York, and the last advices from General Gage, flatter them exceedingly that the seeds of dissension are growing very fast even in the New-England Provinces. How far this is true, a little time will discover; in the meantime military operations are carrying on with the same zeal as before. The Troops are to be sent, and a Bill is ordered into Parliament for restraining not only the New-England Fishery, but another to stop the Trade of all the Colonies except New-York, North-Carolina, and Georgia, which they hope will declare on the side of Government, in consideration of which particular indulgences will be granted them. Whatever these indulgences may be, I have no doubt they will only be of a temporary nature till Government has got a firm footing.

I have told you before that your salvation is in your own hands, if you will be but firm and unanimous. You have but to adhere closely to your Non-Importation and Non-Exportation Agreement. If there was danger before of your disunion, I cannot help hoping that this last restraining Bill will come in aid, in order to link you closer to each other. It comes now to be tried, what materials you are made of. If you have not virtue enough to withstand this attack, you will become a scorn and a laughing stock to all the world, a reproach to human nature; and depend upon it the burdens that will be laid upon you will be in proportion to the temper you have shown to resist them. I shall not attempt to point out any particular modes of proceeding; these, I trust, will be concerted with wisdom, firmness, and resolution. Be assured the good of the community at large is not the object certain persons in power have in view; they mean to make you beasts of burden, or, as the Congress have very properly expressed it, "hewers of wood and drawers of water;" but I hope you are all of their mind in this respect. You perhaps imagine that Government is nothing more than a power delegated in a few for the good of the whole. If you think that this is the opinion of the people in power, you are very much mistaken; they think that the community at large are to labour, toil, and sweat, in order to maintain a few great people wallowing in luxury, idleness, extravagance, and all manner of debauchery. If the present measures succeed, depend upon it you will have tax-gatherers in various shapes swarming in upon you in abundance. If you patiently submit, there will be none to pity you.

Letter from London to a Gentleman in Maryland. Lord North's motion was only calculated to divide the Colonies from each other -- the Ministry are already pleased with their success in this way, by the Proceedings at New-York. It will now be tried what materials the Americans are made of, if they have not virtue to withstand the present policy of the Ministry they will become a laughing stock to the world. Their salvation depends upon their firmness and union. [1775-03-13] Anonymous. [S4-V2-p0121] [Document Details][Complete Volume]