Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman in London

v1:493

London, June 30, 1774.

We are all in high expectation of the event of the late measures adopted respecting Boston, which carry with them rather the harsh and rigid aspect of power, than that of paternal affection, which wishes to reclaim while it chastises. The Crown has, for a long time past, been gaining power, at the expense of the liberties of the people, by a gradual system of corruption, which the people themselves have not virtue enough to counteract. But now the strides towards despotism are enormous. I wish the Americans may be able to fall on some prudent and effectual measures in the present important crisis. But I fear the greatest difficulty will be in the want of an union and confidence among themselves in the different Colonies, without which any expedients they may think proper to adopt will avail little.