to an Englishman; but, like physic prescribed for our health, if treated with judgment, preserves the frame; if not, turns to poison and destroys it.—Our excellent constitution has rendered this inestimable jewel the birth-right and inheritance of the meanest subject, not in proportion to our other enjoyments, but in such equal lots, that the peasant shares with the prince. The thing itself is the same in king or subject, the difference only subsists in the mode of obtaining and using it. A due reverence to the laws of the land on which Liberty is founded, and a proper respect to the ministers acting judicially under lawful authority, is the most eligible method of preserving our privileges, whilst an impartial distribution and faithful interpretation of those laws will most assuredly prove a sufficient bulwark against all infringements or attacks of tyranny. Nor need we have any _apprehensions_ for contrary events, but from a spirit of sedition amongst ourselves. When anarchy supersedes order and subordination, when the laws become trampled on and violated, when right and wrong have lost their distinction, and justice and injustice are melted down into the same mass, Liberty will perish in the confused chaos, and we shall inevitably become slaves unpitied, inasmuch that we have voluntarily sapped the foundation of freedom, and forged the chains of our own bondage. Thus much, Sir, I held absolutely necessary by way of introduction, and for two special reasons; first, to manifest my independence of party zeal; and secondly, to shew my esteem for the laws before I venture to censure the execution of them. I shall now proceed, with a candid mediocrity between the extremes of violent prejudice and blind partiality, to point out a grievance of a most oppressive nature, which the common people have long groaned under and complained of to no purpose. As this is a species of oppression falling immediately under your own absolute power in some measure (as sheriff) to redress (independent of ministerial mandates or influence) we shall therefore look upon your endeavours to remove the injuries and establish a remedy as the touch-stone or standard of your affection and gratitude to a people who have deserved both on many occasions. It is evident you was apprized of the infinite abuses committed by sheriffs officers previous to your election, and that these abuses called loudly for redress; therefore you very judiciously made a public declaration, “that the rectifying such intolerable cruelties should be considered as the condition of your election.” Having thus pledged your veracity for the due performance of so necessary and interesting a contract, we wait with some impatience the redemption of this solemn pawn. The hour is now approaching which will provide you fair opportunity of riveting the affection of your friends and contemning the malice of your enemies.