"Because no people can be happy, if abridged of the freedom of their consciences, as to their religious professions and worship; I do grant and declare, that no person inhabiting this province, or territories, who shall acknowledge one Almighty God, the Creator, Ruler, and Upholder of the world, and live quietly under the civil government, shall in any case be molested, or prejudiced in his person or estate because of his conscientious persuasion or practice." But to return to New England; happily for these states, the revolution has done away great part of the severity of their ancient laws; but the inhabitants still retain a taste for scriptural phrases and allusions in their writings. As you are fond of _poetry_, I send you two specimens of this kind of writing; the first is from a tomb-stone at _Plymouth_[Footnote: The oldest settlement north of Virginia.]. It was written by one of the first settlers, and is in the true spirit of those times.-- EPITAPH UPON GENERAL ATHERTON. "Here lies our captain, and major, Of Suffolk was withal, A _godly_ magistrate was he, And major general. Two troops of horse came here, (Such love his worth did crave;) Ten companies of foot also, Mourning, marched to his grave. Let all that read be sure to keep The _faith, as he has done_. He lives now _crowned_ with _Christ_; His name was Humphrey Atherton." In order to understand the second, I must inform you, it is usual for boys, who expect christmas boxes, to present their masters' customers with a copy of verses, expressive of their good wishes, &c. The call-boy of the theatre, (a mechanic's son of this town,) had the following _verses_ written in the usual style by the _poet_ commonly employed on these occasions, and when printed, delivered one to each of the performers.-- "THE CALL-BOY OF THE THEATRE, FEDERAL-STREET, NEW YEAR'S WISH, 1797. "Look up, worthy friends, from yonder bright hills See how Phoebus smiles, to hail the new year: I bring you a tribute--rejoice thus to find, So many are living, and meet with us here. "May health be confirm'd, and sickness remov'd; May no sweeping flames take place in this state; We sympathise deeply with neighbouring friends, Whose cup has run over with this bitter fate. "May _teachers_ this day find _help from above_ To publish glad news, as _heralds of grace_, While _Zion_ is mourning her light shall break forth, And shadows of midnight away from her chase. "I wish through this year _God's presence_ may smile On all your just schemes at home or abroad; I wish you his protection, by sea or by land; May your _theatrical works_ find favour in _God_. [Footnote: The boy must surely mean the _gods_.] "Gentlemen and ladies, accept these wishes sincere, And I wish you all a happy new year." _Boston, January 1st, 1797._ DEAR FRIEND, To answer your last, wherein you desire me to send you the exact state of negro slavery in this country, is a task to which I am unequal.