History tells of more than one instiince in which a mere handful ol enthusiasts, more or loss honest in their professions, has fiusteneil itself on a great political jiarty which entertained none of those enthusiastic dogmas which the others iissiimed to believe and maintain, and which, having thus fastened itself on the larger body, taking advantage ol favorable oiiportunities, artfully adapting itself to existing tenipei-s and circumstances, and pereistenlly-- sometimes, impudently-- thrusting ii self into every seat of inlluence and authority to which it could possibly gain access, has succeeded in re-mouhling the policy of the party which it has invaded ; and made it appear to bo what, originally, it was not ; to maintain opinions which, originally, it disclainieil and opposeil ; and to do, or permit to be done, in its name, what, originally, it would have honestly shrunk from, iis improper and unjust. Such an iiistJince, if we do not mistaki', occurred in this Colony, in 177.') anil 177(; : wi' wi re pel-- soiially acquainted with a similar instance, vastly more impurtant in its coiiseiiuences than the other, which occurred within the United States, at a comparatively recent date.

2 Vide page .351 , ante.

3Jo'inial of the ProeincUd OiiKjress, " Sunday morning, .June 9, 177C."

been of a different tenor ; but Jolin Morin Scott, who was present on both occasions, and whose master mind probably controlled, wisely halted, and evidently induced the Congress to halt, in the work of proposed persecution and devasttition and ruin. The Committee of Stilem was coldly dismissed, without even a word of symiiathy ; and the Provincial Congress paid HQ further attention to the subject.