hat system of government now under consideration.

A LANDHOLDER.

The Landholder presents his most respectful compliments to Hon W.
Williams,(51) and begs leave to remind him that many dispensations in this
world, which have the appearance of judgment, are designed in goodness.
Such was the short address to you, and though at first it might excite an
exquisite sensibility of injury, will in its consequence prove to your
advantage, by giving you an honorable opportunity to come out and declare
your sentiments to the people. It had been represented in several parts of
the state, to the great surprise of your friends, that you wished some
religious test as an introduction to office, but as you have explained the
matter, it is only a religious preamble which you wish--against preambles
we have no animosity. Every man hath a sovereign right to use words in his
own sense, and when he hath explained himself, it ought to be believed
that he uses them conscientiously. The Landholder, for the sake of his
honourable friend, regrets that he denies his having used his name
publicly as a writer, for, though the honourable gentleman doubtless
asserts the truth, there are a great number of those odd people who really
think they were present on that occasion, and have such a strong habit of
believing their senses, that they will not be convinced even by evidence
which is superior to all sense. But it must be so in this imperfect world.

P. S. The Landholder begs his honourable friend not to be surprised at his
former address, as he can assure him most seriously, that he does not even
conjecture by whom it was written.

The Landholder, XII.

The Connecticut Courant, (Number 1208)

MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1788.

TO THE RHODE ISLAND FRIENDS OF PAPER MONEY, TENDER ACTS AND
ANTI-FEDERALISM.

The singular system of policy adopted by your state, no longer excites
either the surprise or indignation of mankind. There are certain extremes
of iniquity, which are beheld with patience, from a fixed conviction that
the transgressor is inveterate, and that his example from its great
injustice hath no longer a seducing influence. Milton's lapse of the
angels and their expulsion from Heaven, produces deeper regret in a
benevolent mind than all the evil tricks they have played or torments they
have suffered since the bottomless pit became their proper home. Something
similar to this is excited in beholding the progress of human depravity.
Our