Besides their un- " spotted cluiracters, are they not men of extensive " interests in America? have they estate in any other " country? No, what then should induce them to " betray America, .'•eeing that if America falls, they " must fall with it? This consideration alone, is suf- " ficient to clear them from our Fanner's aspersion. " But in my opinion, a siill stronger security for their " integrity and iaitlitiil discliaige of the trust reposed " in them, is, the unblemished chtiracter they have

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, 1774-1783.

" ever supported; nor in this do I trust alone to " common fame, having known Mr. Jay, from his " early youth, and had some acquaintance with Mr. " Duane, from which I have had so much reason to " confide in them, that I could contentedly trust them " to contend for my liberty, or my life. And on the " whole, I think that it would be well for us farmers, " and mechanicks to consider whether it is not likely " that each colony took as much care in choosing " their delegates, as we did. That is, to send men of " knowledge, men of interest, and men of honour. If so, we must look on our farmer to be a man wholly given to ridicule, misrepresentation, and malevo- " lence ; for he hath declared that most honourable " and never to be forgotten congress, to be either a " set of ignorant men, or else to be traitors!