The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal. [volume] (Boston [Mass.]) 1772-1775, 1772-12-04
Fer the MAssAcAUsETTs D T 4.
10 Mr.. AARON DAVIS, Jun.
s [ r.

1AVING IN tne IaI Evening
given my fenf: of your eecom-
inc catipaw to traiterous and deiignlng
fiction, who with the words, government
religion and chriiiianity continually IN tnen
mouths, arc incrRantly endsavouring to rob
their fellow citizens of every bl'hng thoie
falutary infiitutions were intended TO fecufe
to them fhaIl now 90 little further lnto'
the confederation of that ranf0rons lio.i
ba6nsd upon the world as the production
Of Mr.. Aaron Davis, jun. of Rox5ury'
But even here, Mr.. Davis,yOu are not 10
expea to find yourfelf lafhed, nsauled and
expofcd with that feverity to which your
behaviour has laid you extremely open 1
fhall rather make your apology, and no.
n.fily inform the public how this itranee
farce originated. Mr.. Aaron Davis, jun.
withou, many advantages from fortune or
education, pretty early in life engaged IN
trade. where by his honeR indufry and OBJ
Lying attention, he has obtained fair re-
putation, and probably competent eifate.
Rejecting religion, the matter now 10
much il. qusftion, | verify believe him TO
have fincere regard for its honour and
advancement at heart; but in common
with many other conlcientious chriftans, |
fear his zeal for fome particular modes Of
faith too much diverts his attention from
that clarity, forbearance and gentleneis,
10 repeatedly inculcated IN the goipel.
However, AS an honeft and worthy member
sof Cociety, Mr.. Davis, BY diligcnt uie OF
the talents God had befowed upon hun,
, gained morey and eResm. ! Will fur
sbrr fuppole that in the late glorious revi-
val of military fpirit in this province Mr..
DAVIS caught a fpark of the riilng
hame, and became more than lnditt=-
rent towards the honouIs of a commhion.
1t well known to what kind of gentle
man our candidates for military preferment
muff apply, What powers of addre(s, re-
prefcnration and pcduafion he pofisiies and
what terms he requires of thoie he coniers
thoie mighty favours upon. In all candor,
I would have it conhantly borne in mind
that this Roxbury- meeting, with Mr.. Da-,
Wis. was the critical period, the peculiar
hour of temptation. A meafure was ripen-
ING from whence the very exlitence of mi
niferial tyranny in this province was
threatened II il could not be checked IN
Roxburv, the chance was million to one
but it prevailed through the colonies. MIR.
Davis might really be 20 far impoied upon
rs TO imagine no good could come Of amea-
fure in the planning of which one or two
unconverted men were concerned but I'M
le(s h. had been imprudently urged TO il,
no one believes he would. have proceeded
70 far as pu5lickly to Teproach gentlemen
b. their names But thus 1t happened,
and no doubt the mild expoeuatIon, ra-
ther aimed to afford than require public
fatisfaaion, was reprelrnted to him, as
an infoent attack upon his honour, which
at all adventures it beloved him to rePsl
with vehemence. The adversary was be-
lev:d under great Disadvantages from pre-
vailing prejudice. and the opportunity was
really inviting. BlrunpI achied IN the ex-
crclfe OF po'smic artillery himieif, he was
nscelita.ed to look out for auxiliaries; the
means Of the Ait to whom ne applied.
were found on review to be 70 weak as By
no means to pats muaer; the latter now
under confederation is violent enough, and
charged Efficiently with charcoal |; bur mi
ferab!e fluff TO reclaim gainiayers to cor
dial affection for the fpecies OF chEifianity
il holds up to the public.
The very introduction, Mr.. Davis. is
mere Biiling(gste. 1t is no vanity in me,
Sir. to think myfelf important to the pub
lie. The pubic has demonstrated | am 10,
by your own confeiIion, If we had no o.
thcr evidence o. it; and how you can be-
lieye there is no perfon with whole charac.
ter the interett Of the country is lefs con-
neeasd than with mine, you are lett to
ex lain at leifure, as il is certainly dark at
,--Canf hou vou or aov.One elfe ran he.