[F7Q2. statistical notices of N. America. G3 
“mediately, and not altercating, may presently settle 
himself again, if he be a man of talents ina good 
parifh. Almost every office in this country, litera- 
‘ry, ecclesiastic, or civil, involves the same depen- 
‘dence on popular opinion, which is only to be preser- 
‘ved, as it has been acquired, by continual service. 
“These ideas have sometimes fhocked Dr Wither- 
‘spoon, from the apprehension, that, if age or infir- 
‘thity fhould render him incapable of service, | it 
may be misconstrued into negligence by the people, 
Who are seldom disposed to examine nicely, or to 
‘speak cautiously on such occasions ; and he may be 
Hiable to lose both the honour and reward of his 
‘past merits. This I hope and believe will never be 
“the’case. But the pofsibility of it, often affects him 
“very sensibly, it is so contrary tohis expectations 
when he left his native country, and to the idéas and 
habits that grew up with him there.’ Contrary ha- 
‘bits and ideas: have made the Americans ‘in general 
think that such dependence and uncertainty is the 
‘most rational security they can have for the fidelity 
‘of official men. I do not absolutely justify the opi- 
‘nion; but if it be attended sometimes with comside- 
‘able evils, it is, in this country, also productive of 
some benefit. 
‘ 
_ Yo your last inquiry on the subject of ecclesiasti- 
‘eal affairs I must answer, that the want of an esta- 
Dlifiment, and the spirit of high, and perhaps, licen- 
tious liberty, in the country, reduces the power of 
our church government to little more than that of 
advice. There is at least no other means of compel- 
ling submifsion to, the censures or awards of the 
