attempt may be difficult: but, I trust, we are not fo far funk in floth, or fo borne down by the torrent of corruption, as to exclude all hopes of political redemption. Shall we, who have been bred in the bofom of liberty; fhall we, intoxicated with the enjoyment of it, ftretch out our necks to the collar; and, loaded with the fetters of flavery, furrender this troublesome and intolerable birth-right, like vile Cappadocians, who, as history informs us, refufed liberty when it was offered?

IF a few active and determined men would unite upon the folid principle of public good, unmixed with any private or selfish confiderations; how eafily might they with moderate talents, lay a foundation for regaining the confidence of the people, and for reforming the errors and abuses, which may have crept into government? I hope fuch will be found: but they must expect that power will foon erect her creft, and all the dirty tools of fuch an administration will immediately take fire, all the engines of malice will be fet to work to defeat their measures, to ridicule and expose their perfons; and nothing will be left untried to hinder and fruftrate the work of reformation. And, if it ever should be adopted for found doctrine, in the law, that it is libellous, and a licentious use of the liberty of the prefs, to oppose the mal-practices of bad men in power; there will be an end of that right, which every Briton claims under the royal protection, to oppose flavery in what drefs foever it advanceth;

and

and to maintain that liberty, to which he is intitled by the laws of the land. But instead of being discouraged by these wicked arts, they ought to animate and inflame the zeal of men, acting in fo honeft a caufe. Steadiness, conftancy, and perfeverance will have their effect, and truth and virtue must at last become triumphant.

upon

BUT as zeal, without knowledge, temper, and address, will do little toward fuch reformation, it will be requifite, in order to act confiftently, and to be prepared, in cafe any favourable event fhould happen, for the executing a reasonable and practicable scheme, to inform your readers what plan you propofe to raise fuch a laudable. fuperftructure, and to invite thofe to act upon, who shall be willing to co-operate in so glorious a cause. You know the grand delufion, in regard to the king and people, has been to stigmatize all patriots with the odious name of Jacobites, or enemies to the prefent establishment and family on the throne; and every oppofition or cenfure of the miniftry, with the obfolete name of Jacobitifm. By this prejudice the diffenters, and many other well-meaning whigs, from a juft hatred to a popish pretender, and from a dread of relapfing into the miseries of defpotic government, have fallen into another extreme; and by blindly fupporting the adminiftration, and throwing all their weight into that scale, these lovers of liberty have nurtured fuch a power for every

future

future ministry, as may fooner or later swallow up the liberties of the kingdom.

THE blafphemous notion of divine, indefeafible right, and other prejudices, in favour of the Stuart family, are abfolutely worn out of the minds of men and no man believes (for all that fay it, do not believe it) that any of thofe, who at prefent act in oppofition to the court, are Jacobites. This, however falfe in fact, has not only perfuaded majefty itself to fufpect, and even to reject the council of his beft fubjects, whether confidered for their wisdom or loyalty; but created and fomented a ftrong jealoufy among the fubjects themfelves; infomuch as frequently to prevent a confidence amongst the lovers of their king and country, when the abufe of power and unconftitutional measures have required their mutual affiftance in the cause of liberty. Therefore, Mr. Freeholder! to obviate any fuch minifterial scandal, and to give both the fovereign and the fubject all the affurance that the nature of the thing requires; that neither you nor your correfpondents can be in any-wife fufpected of Jacobitifm, publish the following maxims; and while you keep close to thofe PRINCIPLES, it will not be in the power either of mifreprefentation, corruption, or force, to injure you in the minds of the people, or in the affections of the king. For, it will tend more effectually to establish the prefent family upon the throne, than that corrupt, that deteftable system of power, which of late years has prevailed, in' oppofition to those rights vin

dicated

dicated at the revolution; and which system of power, if continued, muft infallibly keep up a pernicious jealousy between the king and his people.

THE MAXIMS I Propofe, and which I recommend to be avowed and maintained by all good patriots, are contained in the following propofitions; as,

I. A determination to fupport his prefent majefty and his family, against the pretender and all his adherents; and in one body to give any publick and folemn test of their attachment to his perfon and go

vernment.

II. To fupport good, as well as to oppose, bad government; and to make the fpirit and end of the revolution, the only meafures of their conduct, either in fupporting or oppofing the adminiftration. III. To correct with temper the frauds and abuses in the revenue; and narrowly to look into the ftate of all the publick of fices, the accompts of all contractors, and clerks in the feveral departments; particularly thofe of the treafury, army, and

navy.

IV. To difcourage thofe harpies, called money-jobbers, who, under the pretence of affifting government, become the plun

derers of it.

V. To establish a fyftem of ceconomy in all matters relating to the financial part of the government.

VI. To fupport the established religion; to encourage the present temper and moderation of the church; and to oppose any fpirit of intolerance or perfecution. VII. To avoid all peevish oppofitions to the measures of an administration; efpecially where they are indifferent, or not abfolutely effential to the public welfare: but VIII. To conform, as much as poffible, to the temper of the times, and to diftinguifh the practicable from the impracti cable; and not to prefs any measure fo far, as to disturb the harmony of government, or to give any advantage to the enemies of his majesty's family by raifing and fomenting a faction.

IX: To endeavour by a more effectual law,' than is now in force, to discountenance and punish in the feverest manner, as well thofe, who directly, or indirectly offer, or give a bribe to be chofen; as those, who receive one and to oblige all perfons returned members of parliament to take an oath at the table, that they have not offered, or given a bribe, or made use of any undue influence, &c. &c. &c. in order to be elected; before such person shall be permitted to take his feat, and vote in parliament.

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