highest import, those of religion and freedom, that TRUTH becomes infinitely valuable to them, not as a matter of curious speculation, but of beneficial practice-a spirit of inquiry is excited, information diffused, judgment strengthened.

BEFORE this tribunal of THE PEOPLE, let every one freely speak, what he really thinks, but with so sincere a reverence for the cause he ventures to discuss, as to use the utmost caution, lest he should lead any into errors, upon a point of such sacred concern as the public happiness.

It is not the design of this address to describe the present derangement of our affairs, the mischiefs that must ensue from its continuance, the horrors of a total dissolution of the union, or of the division of it into partial confederacies. Nor is it intended to describe the evils that will result from pursuing the plan of another federal convention; as if a better temper of conciliation, or a more satisfactory harmony of decisions, could be expected from men, after their minds are agitated with disgusts and disappointments, than before they were thus disturbed; though from an uncontradicted assertion it appears, that without such provoca

endeavouring to draw them down on your heads by an amendment of your lives, and a conformity to the Divine will, humbly confiding in the protection so often and wonderfully experienced, vigorously employ the means placed by Providence in your hands, for compleating your labours.

FILL up your battalions-be prepared in every part to repel the incursions of your enemiesplace your several quotas in the continental treasury-lend money for public uses--sink the emissions of your respective states--provide ef fectually for expediting the conveyance of supplies for your armies and fleets, and for your alliesprevent the produce of the country from being mo. nopolized-- -effectually superintend the beha viour of public officers-diligently promote piety, virtue, brotherly love, learning, frugality and moderation--and may you be approved before Almighty God, worthy of those blessings we devoutly wish you to enjoy.

DONE in congress by unanimous consent, this 26th day of May, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine.

THE

LETTERS

OF

FABIUS,

IN 1788,

ON THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION;

AND

IN 1797,

ON THE PRESENT SITUATION

O F

PUBLIC AFFAIRS:

WITH

ADDITIONAL NOTES.

THE

EDITOR OF THE EDITION IN 1797,

TO THE PUBLIC.

THE first nine letters in this collection, published in the beginning of the year 1788, were occasioned by an alarming hesitation of some states to ratify the constitution, proposed by the federal convention, in 1787.

They appeared separately in news-papers; and have never been published together, before the present edition.

Some notes are added of extracts from "THE "RIGHTS OF MAN," published about three years after these Letters, containing similar sentiments, expressed with a remarkable resemblance of language, especially on the two great subjects—the