I shall pass over the many little embellishments with which the author's fancy has endeavored to decorate his narrative ; nor. is it necessary to call in question the reality of that loyal enthusiasm, by which it was said these good people were influenced, and I really wish that had been the fact, because when inconsistencies and fooleries lesult from inebriety or enthusiasm, they merit our pity, and escape indignation and resentment.
Much pains I confess, were on that day taken to make temporary enthusiasts, and with other more exhilirating spirit than the spirit of loyalty.
To give the appearance of dignity to these curious and very orderly protesters, the author has been very mindful to annex every man's addition to his name, npon a presumption, perhaps, that it would derive weight from the title of mayor, esquire, captain, lieutenant, judge, &c.
But it is not easy to conceive why the publick should be less civil to the clergy than to the gentry and commonalty. Samuel Seabury and Luke Babcock, certainly ought not to have been sent into the world floating on a newspaper in that plain way : the one is the " Reverend Mr. Samuel Seabury, Rector of the united Parishes of East and Westchester, and one of the missionaries for the propagation of the Gospel (and not politicks) in foreign parts," &c. &c., the other is "the Rev. Mr. Luke Babcock, who preaches and prays for Mr. Philipse and his tenants at Philipsburgh."
In this formidable catalogue of 300 and 12 sober and loyal protesters, there are not less than one hundred and seventy who after a most diligent inquiry, I cannot find have the least pretensions to a vote, and indeed many of them are also under age. Their names are as follows :