Besides their un- " spotted characters, 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, seeing that if America falls they " must fall with it ? This consideration alone, is suf- || ficient to clear them from our Farmer's aspersion. " But in my opinion, a still stronger security for their " integrity and faithful discharge of the trust reposed " in them, is, the unblemished character they have

WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

" 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 oar 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 1