And if there is any man who has never been reconciled to our independence, who wishes to see us degraded and insulted abroad, oppressed by anarchy at home, and torn into pieces by factionsincapable of resistance, and ready to become a prey to the first invader-this government is not for him.

But it is a government, unless I am greatly mistaken, that gives the fairest promise of being firm and honourable; safe from foreign invasion or domestic sedition-a government by which our commerce must be protected and enlarged; the value of our produce and of our lands must be increased; the labourer and the mechanic must be encouraged and supported. It is a form of government that is perfectly fitted for protecting liberty and property, and for cherishing the good citizen and honest man.

LETTER

OF

A STEADY AND OPEN REPUBLICAN,

WRITTEN BY

CHARLES PINCKNEY,

AND PRINTED IN

THE STATE GAZETTE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,

MAY,

NOTE.

In the file of the State Gazette of South Carolina in the possession of the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, a slip is inserted opposite this essay, on which is writing contemporay with the paper, stating that it was written by Charles Pinckney. It is almost the only essay on this subject contained in the file, which is not merely extracted from some northern paper; and Pinckney was, indeed, almost the only South Carolinian who had given any attention to the subject involved, or who wrote for the press.

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