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and liberties of an injured and jealous people. Long 

 anterior to the general open rebellion against tyranny and 

 usurpation, many writers appeared in public vindication 

 of the rights of their oppressed countrymen, wielding their 

 able pens in the hallowed cause of freedom. 



Amongst these choice spirits early appeared John Dick- 

 inson Esq. a gentleman highly respected for his virtues 

 and attainments in the science of jurisprudence. 



His reputation was established in the political arena, as 

 the author of the celebrated series of epistles known as 

 the Farmer's Letters, published at an important crisis in 

 Colonial aftairs, and with an electric effect on the sensi- 

 tive minds of the whole community. 



In the prevailing spirit of the times, the Governor and 

 his people of Fort St. Davids, conferred on the author 

 the dignity of gratuitous membership in their society, and 

 presented him with a large circular silver snuff box, with 

 an appropriate device and suitable inscriptions. 



As the record of the certificate of admission is quaint 

 and curious, a copy of it is given from the original docu- 

 ment. 



Fort St. David's, XVI day of April, 1768. 

 Which day in the presence of his Excellency Governor 

 William Vanderspiegel Esq. commander in chief in and 

 over his Majesty's Colony of Fort St. David's and the 

 territories, fisheries, &c. thereon depending, and Vice 

 Admiral of the same, in full council, John Dickinson, Esq. 



