Page:An Oration Delivered April 2d, 1771.djvu/4



OUR design in the appointment of this ceremony, my Friends, and Fellow-Townsmen, cannot fail to be examined in quite different lights at this season of political dissention. From the principles I profess, and in the exercise of my common right to judge with others, I conclude it was decent, wise, and honorable.

The certainty of being favoured with your kindest partiality and candor, in a poor attempt to execute the part to which you have invited me, has overcome the objection of my inability to perform it in a proper manner; and I now beg the favor of your animating countenance. The