Let the scandalous practice of bribing Men by places Commissions & be held in Abhorrence among you, By entrusting only Men of Capacity and Integrity in public Affairs, and by obliging even the best Men to fall into the common Mass of the people every year, and. be sensible of their Need of the popular good Will to sustain their political Importance, is your Liberties well secured. These plans effectually promise this Security. May almighty God smile upon your arduous and. important undertaking and inspire you with that Wisdom, public Spirit & unanimity which ensures success in the most hazardous Enterprizes.

I am Gentlemen Your sincere Friend & hble Servant Tuomas Youne.

936 CONTROVERSY RESPECTING THE

Aprit 12, 1777.

Your committee have obtained for you a copy of the recommendation of Congress, to all such bodys of men as Jooked upon themselves returned to a state of nature, to adopt such government as should, in the opinion of the representatives of the people, best conduce to the happiness and safety of their constituents in particular and America in general.

You may, perhaps, think strange, that nothing further is done for you, at this time, than to send you this extract; but if you consider, that till you incorporate and actually announce to Congress your haviag become a body politic, they cannot treat with you asa free state. While New-York claims you as subjects of that government, my humble opinion is, your own good sense will suggest to you, that no time is to be lost in availing yourselves of the same opportunity your assuming mistress is improving to establish a dominion for herself and you too.