er, 1787.

Note.

The letters signed Cassius were, at the time of publication, generally
accredited to the pen of James Sullivan, and this opinion is adopted in
Amory's _Life of James Sullivan_. The letters themselves bear out this
opinion, being clearly written by a partisan of the Hancock faction, of
whom Sullivan was a warm adherent, and constant newspaper essayist.

The first two letters were printed before the promulgation of the proposed
Constitution in Massachusetts, and chiefly relate to the differences
between the two parties headed by John Hancock and James Bowdoin; but are
included here to complete the series. The letters are of particular value
as giving the position of Hancock, of whom Sullivan was the particular
mouthpiece, proving him to be a supporter of the adoption of the
Constitution, though the contrary has often been asserted. The early
letters were commented upon by "Old Fog," in the _Massachusetts Centinel_
of Sept. 22 and Oct. 6, 1787.

Cassius, I.

The Massachusetts Gazette, (Number 367).

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1787.

For the Massachusetts Gazette.

It is a great pity that such an able writer as Numa(1) should take up the
pen to distribute sentiments, which have a tendency to create uneasiness
in the minds of the misinformed and weak, (for none other will be
influenced by them) especially at this time when the state is hardly
recovered from those convulsions,(2) it has so recently experienced.

The real well-wisher to peace and good government cannot but execrate many
of the ideas which that would be disturber of tranquillity has lately
proclaimed to the publick, through the channels of the Hampshire Gazette,
and Independent Chronicle.(3) The man of sense, the true lover of his
country, would, if a change of officers was to take place in the
government to which he was subject, and men be placed in power, whom he
thought not so capable of the task as those who preceded them, endeavour,
all in his power, to extenuate the evil, and none but the ruthless
incendiary, or the disappointed tool, would, at such a period, conduct in
a manner the reverse.

It is well known, that there is a party in this state whose sentiments are
in favour of aristocracy; who wish to see the constitution dissolved, and
another, which shall be more arbitrary and tyrannical, established on its
ruins. Perhaps a few of this description were members of the last
administration.(4) If so, most happy f