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dent on the mother country. Some shrink from 

 violent measures, and flatter themselves, that a 

 gradual reform may render the colonial system 

 less oppressive. They see in revolutions only 

 the loss of their slaves, the spoliation of the 

 clergy, and the introduction of religious tolera- 

 tion, which they believe to be incompatible with 

 the purity of the established worship. Others 

 belong to the small number of families, which, 

 either from hereditary opulence, or having been 

 long settled in the colonies, exercise a real mu- 

 nicipal aristocracy. They would rather be de- 

 prived of certain rights, than share them with 

 all ; they would prefer even a foreign yoke to 

 the exercise of authority by the Americans of an 

 inferior cast ; they abhor every constitution 

 founded on equality of rights ; and above all, 

 they dread the loss of those decorations and 

 titles, which they have with so much difficulty 

 acquired, and which, as we have observed above, 

 compose so essential a part of their domestic 

 happiness. Others again, and their number is 

 very considerable, live in the country on the 

 produce of their lands ; and enjoy that liberty, 

 which, in a country where there is only a scat- 

 tered population, is obtained even under the 

 most oppressive governments. Aspiring to no 

 places themselves, they see them with indiffer- 

 ence filled by men, whose power can never 

 reach them, and whose names are to them 



