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A Looking-Glass for Presbyterians (Inscribed: J. Arbo) - 18

sylvania; the vast Numbers of Christian Captives doom'd to perpetual Slavery, together with the absolute Necessity of contributing Money for their Redemption. This was undoubtedly a crafty Scheme. For as the English had often contributed Money for the Redemption of Christian Captives in Africa, large Sums were generously given for these pious Uses; at which liberal Donations we need not be surpriz'd, if we can credit the Presbyterians themselves, who say, "that this very Deputy of theirs carried Home with him a Parcel of Squirrel Scalpsâ–Ş and when he had in Ireland, work'd up the Passions of his Audience by dismal and melancholly Relations of murder'd Ministers in the back Woods to a proper Degree of Fermentation; produc'd these as Proofs, declaring they were the Skins of their Heads that were barbarously and cruelly torn off by the wild Indians. In Consequence, I say, of this mournful Detail, the People were extreamly charitable; never once dreaming that three fourths of their Donations wou'd never be applied to the Uses for which they were given.—However when the Cheat was discover'd innocently in England by one who was their very good Friend, but not in the Plot, the Pedlar slipt off, and left the best Part of his Pack behind him, which was detain'd, till proper Assurances were given from this Side the Water, that it shou'd not all be misapplied.—.To save Appearances then, an Address was presented to Governor H—n from a Deputation of this Presbyterian Corporation setting forth their Desire to advance a Sum of Money for the Redemption of Captives, a Copy of which, with his Honor's Answer was sent to England to justify the Pedlar's Brief, and confute the supposed Aspersions of a certain Gentleman, however notwithstanding all this, as Truth will generally prevail he justify'd himself, by detecting their Falshoods, Malice and Knavery in a written Vindication, Sign'd by one of the P—rs, and Dr, Chandler, (the Head of the Presbyterians in England) and transmitted it over here, by way of a Looking-Glassfor them to see themselves in; but they appear'd so exceedingly ugly and deform'd they were asham'd to shew this Glass even to some of their own Brethren.

This Address and Answer were look'd upon by People of other Denominations in this Province, as a severe Reflection cast upon them; as if Presbyterians were the only People here, who had the Redemption of these poor Slaves at Heart; whereas it is well known that the large Presents made to the Indians by the Government in order to bring about a Pacification and Return of Prisoners were rais'd by an equal Assesment upon every Denomination.— After all; how fraudulent was it to collect Money for one Use, and then apply it to another. This Crime I apprehend is equal in Guilt to many made Capital in England: If so, what then did our Orator deserve who wickedly defrauded the Public, or what did those men deserve, who advis'd him to that base and unrighteous Measure? How wicked and ungenerous was it for them to deceive their Benefactors by false Representations, and after they had obtain'd the Cash, to pocket three fourths of it for their own Use, and the remainder give a-

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