aiS on the constitution. -^"g- 2'2» 



rifks, which every sensible person who reflects upon 

 the subject, must dread, it is our intention never to 

 remove the smallest particle of matter that is not 

 evidently rotten and corrupted ; and never to attempt 

 to go farther than that corruption has already evi- 

 dently penetrated. Even in this work, thus cauti- 

 ously conducted, we intend to proceed only by piece- 

 meal, always repairing one defect before another be- 

 opened up. How different is this conduct from that 

 which the enemies of this society have been phased 

 to represent it ! But while these persons profit by 

 the corruptions of which we complain, is it a wonder 

 they Ihould endeavour to prejudice the public against 

 those who aim at removing that rottennefs they so. 

 carefully endeavour to conceal ? 



No part of our conduct has called down such point- 

 ed animadversion, as that which respects the taking 

 the opinion of the people at large before we proceed. 

 And, indeed, had it been our intention to call toge- 

 ther mobs of the lowest clafses of the people, and to 

 instigate them to madnefs, by alarming their fears,. 

 and inducing them by tumult and violence, to call 

 out for alterations in government, the nature and. 

 eonsequences of wl^iich they are incapable of know- 

 ing, we fliould justly have deserved all that oppro- 

 brium they have endeavoured to throw upon us '^ 

 but these intentions we utterly disclaim. We are 

 aware that certain persons in this country, whose 

 real object we pretend not to judge of, have difsemi- 

 nated writings which may, without much violence 

 ©f interpretation, be supposed to be intended to ope- 

 rate in this manner j and as the authors of these- 



