The Massachusetts Gazette, (Number 386)

Tuesday, November 27, 1787.

For the Massachusetts Gazette.

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.

“And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

“And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” &c., &c.

Citizens of Massachusetts! like the sons of God have the members of the late federal convention assembled together; like them too, have they been infested with the presence of Satan, or such as were influenced by Satanick principles, and who wish to thwart every design that has a tendency to promote the general good of the United States.

Let us take a short view of the characters who composed the late federal convention. Are they not men who, from their infancy, have been nurtured in the principles of liberty, and taught to pay a sacred regard to the rights of human nature? Are they not men who, when the poisonous breath of tyranny would have blasted the flower of Independence in its bud, and veiled every ray of freedom in the clouds of lawless despotism, nobly stepped forth in defence of their injured country's rights, and through the [pg 021] influence of whose exertions, favoured by the protection of an over-ruling Power, the thick fog of despotism vanished like the early dew before the powerful rays of the resplendent luminary of the universe? Are they not honest, upright and just men, who fear God and eschew evil?

With few exceptions, they are mostly men of this character; and, Citizens of Massachusetts, they have formed a government adequate to the maintaining and supporting the rank and dignity of America in the scale of nations; a government which, if adopted, will protect your trade and commerce, and cause business of every kind rapidly to increase and flourish; it is a government which wants only a candid perusal and due attention paid to it, to recommend it to every well-wisher to his country.

Brethren and citizens, hearken to the voice of men who have dictated only for your and posterity's good; men who ever

Listen not to the insinuations of those who will glory only in your destruction, but wisely persevere in the paths of rectitude.

Cassius.