"Sam": or The history of mystery./ By C. W. Webber.

394 ", SAM:'" OR, THE HISTORY OF MYSTERY.
to our situation at home. In respect of our government, it
is affectionately obeyed. With regard to cannon, arms and
ammunition, we are in a truly respectable condition. As to
trade, we are the grand emporium for the continent. Oh!
that I could but give as good an account of the public vigor
of the people.
Alas! it seems to have been exported in the same bottoms
with the growth of their lands. What? are we sensible that
we are yet at war with Great Britain? We proceed as if
we had totally vanquished the enemy. Are we aware, that
to continue such a conduct is to allure them to enact in this
State, that tragedy they performed the last winter in the
Jerseys? Do we intend to acquire an experimental knowledge of the horrors of war? Do we desire to be driven
from this beautiful town-to be dispossessed of this valuable
seat of trade-to see ourselves flying we know not whitherour heirs uselessly sacrificed in our sight, and their bodies
mangled with repeated stabs of bayonets? Tell me, do you
mean that your ears shall be pierced with the unavailing
shrieks of your wives, and the agonizing screams of your
daughters, under the brutal violence of British or Brunswick
ruffians? Rouse, rouse yourselves into an activity capable
of securing you against such horrors. In every quarter the
enemy are vanquished or baffled. They are at a stand.
Cease, my beloved countrymen, cease, by your languor ill
public defense, and your ardor after private gain, to invite
them to turn their steps this way and seize your country as
a-rich and easy prey. The States of America are attacked
by Britain. They ought to consider themselves as an army
drawn up to receive the shock of assault, and from the nature
of their ground, occupying thirteen towns and villages in
the extent of their line. Common prudence dictates that
the several corps, in their respective stations, during the
whole time they are in battalia, should use the utmost vigilance and diligence in being on their guard, and in adding
strength to strength for their security. We are in the right
wing of the American line, and at a distance from the main
body-are we doing our duty? No, we have in a manner
laid up our arms-nay, even prizes are prepared for the
horse-race! We can spare no laborers to the public, because
we are employing them to collect, on all sides, articles of