The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Boston [Mass.]) 1770-1772, 1772-02-13

officer of great experience, and terrih=o
with the acts of the nqutiion which had
drove all their Leaders OF enterpf'ze out OF
the nation. All tbelc diff cu'tes they
ia ed combat. and reinffate their old con-
titution Watered in b.ooi the plant
grew. has fprcad ilultriouily, a'd the hap
py effects have well compensated tor the
intermediate dangers.
On the other hand many examples may
be produced of the consequences OF Peo,
pies little attention to innovations, and
fufering their contribution to be changed
without ftruggle. oblerved that long
habits and cuRom will make men familiar
with their condition, and take away not
only The powtr but the inclination to help
themlelye,. This IS remarkably evident
in the hiitorv of Spain; every tzte OF
which it conGaed was kingdom, and had
many and great privileges. | ne Arrago,
nefe in particular had higher notions and
acted more like freemen than perhaps any
nation in the world. heir union was
privilege of very high nature, their rff''
bsmbyes, and other magifrates thus con-
neaed, could make the mott powerful OF
their monarchs tremble at an injury offer
ed them. Their allegiance was exPreiisd,
and on the leaf infradion cesltd; nay iu-h
contempt had they of the Pageantry OF a
King, that they would ftand covered
in his preience. What are they now ne
mott contemplate people in Europe, un-
le(s we hould except one that | could
mention, who have fuffered themfelVes to
be repeatedly and grossly infulted by them
Slow and ficnt were the attacks made on
them, Under Ferdinand and lfabella, SPAN
became one monarchy. This artful mo-
narch by many curious methods tapped
the foundation of their freedom Had they
REQUIRED to their original data when the con-
f.itution 6rf began to change, they might
have checked the dieaf:. This was I'M
happily neglected, in proportion to the IN
| create OF theic meaiures, their P0S0sT de-
created Being thus habi,uated, with the
power they loft their magnanlmlty, and
Charles the fifth by putting the hnIthIng
froke to the procedure in abridging all the
| influence OF tnSlI NOitSS1 maui 1"~ ~'~""
of Spain sbfo utely delpotic.
ThcGe inasnces my countrymen are
powerful leiions 10 warn poiterlty. Ii is an
happreis we in thele latter days enjoy, to
profit by the foibIes or virtues of pah peri
DDS: and for our infru6tion, mankind may
live again in hifory. Let them have this
good effect, and their end, their deiign is
fecured. Many are the grievances we la
bour under, and vihble to al mankind I'M
Iefs we except ideots or madman, men ei-
Their diitempered in the brain or cankered
az the heart. For Gods fake let not ours
be the fate of Auagon, and let not that
behaviour which makes Spain e0Hfrmphbls,
be exhibited in this country. Should the
contribution be attended to, it may b: re-
paired. Should this be omitted, we not
only lofe rbs pstUsr in Tome future day, but
even The wiH. A little knowledge OF hif-
tory will inform us, that there may be tx
fre1rsy in fate; that a people in one age
may be amazingly dstsrmined and jealous fay
their rights, in another as amazingly weak,
bale and ErVilt. Such was ROME, fuch
| SPAIN let not future hlitory produce
another inftance in the PROVINCE OF
| THE MASSACHUSE T rS-BAY.