Westerly, Rhode Island. Means taken for the defense of Rhode Island against the enemy; slaves emancipated to serve in battalions. General Spenser's abortive attempts against the enemy. Exorbitant prices charged for the necessaries of life. Does Franklin know any better expedient for mending the currency than severe taxation? Congratulates him on the negotiation of the treaties with France. The King and Queen of France and his Excellency daily toasted in the political circles of America. Concerning Franklin's address to Lord North of behalf of his captive countrymen. Pays him many compliments.
Philadelphia. Looking forward to holding converse with Franklin in the winter evenings on past dangers and better future prospects. Concerning the grievous iniquities practiced towards the negroes; asks him to consider whether he may not be able to do something effectual towards the removal of that terrible evil; at the same time that he sent the tracts on the slave trade to Franklin, sent them to the most weighty of their friends in London; desired them to consider whether it might not be their duty to lay the iniquity and dreadful consequence of the slave trade before the Parliament. Realizes the opposition they are likely to encounter from those "who sell their country and their God for gold"; pleads the cause however with great cloquence and fervor; number of slaves in English colonies; many opposed to it in New England, and also in Virginia, who will add their weight to any reform.
