Extract of a Letter from a Merchant at Annapolis, in Maryland, to his Friend in Philadelphia

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The measures of the late Continental Congress, have occasioned much warmth and discord in this country. A turbulent man, of no consideration, unless with the needy and desperate like himself, has found means, by frequent publications, tending to sedition and rebellion, to assemble the inhabitants in Anne Arundel County, and with haranguing, and urging the necessity of adopting every measure of the Association, and the other wild, impracticable views of the Congress, he fascinated a multitude of people here; but to the confusion of these enemies of the good old Constitution, his progress has been stopped by the spirited opposition of a writer who attacked him in several printed papers, under the signature of "A Citizen" to this happy interposition, we owe the liberty of speaking and acting, assenting and dissenting, in all political business, as we were wont to do before this busy demagogue obtained an existence amongst us. In short, we have defeated him in an insolent plan of levying money upon his Majesty' s faithful subjects, to raise a fund for the express purpose of purchasing Arms and Ammunition, to join the treasonable purpose projected by Adams and the Eastern Republicans, to carry on a formal rebellion in the Colonies. Be assured, there is too much loyalty, wisdom, and conduct in the principal people of Maryland, to suffer this Firebrand' s projects to throw the Province into a state of further distraction, which he labours to effect, merely to secure in the scramble, something for himself. The eyes of our inhabitants are now opened to his crafty designs; blasted and withered, he will torment us no more, for he is chased to the ground. We have just got the piece entitled, "What Think ye of the Congress now?" It expresses the sentiments of all the true Loyalists, and will recover many here who have been misled by the loud unlettered Orators of the Republican tribe. The conduct of the New-York Assembly, in acting consistently with their own dignity, and daring to speak the true constitutional language, was received amongst us with the most fervent plaudits. We wish your Pennsylvanians had taken the lead in so glorious a cause. Oh! what a falling off was that of your Assembly, to approve of the measures which the majority of the Members of it, in their hearts, most sincerely condemned. In such a Government, a very different determination was expected; but Adams, with his crew, and the haughty Sultans of the South, juggled the whole conclave of the Delegates. Fie on' t, Oh fie! We are impatient for the Speech from the Throne, and the temper of the new Parliament.