THE critical moment is arrived, and Britons must either assert with zeal and firmness their claims to liberty, or yield without resistance to the chains that ministerial usurpation is forging for them. Will you co-operate with us in the only peacable measure that now presents itself with any prospect of success? We need not intimate to you that, notwithstanding the unparalleled audacity of a corrupt and overbearing Faction, which at present tramples on the rights and liberties of the people, our meetings cannot in England be interrupted without the previous adoption of a Convention Bill: a measure it is our duty to anticipate, that the ties of union may be more firmly drawn, and the sentiments and views of the different Societies throughout the nation be compared, while it is yet in our power, for us to guide and direct the future operations of the Friends of Freedom. Rouse them to one assertion more; and let us shew our consciousness of this important truth—“If we are to be beaten down with threats, prosecutions, and illegal sentences, we are unworthy—we are incapable of Liberty.”—We must, however, be expeditious. Hessians and Austrians are already among us; and if we tamely submit, a cloud of these armed Barbarians may shortly be poured in upon us. Let us form, then, another British Convention. We have a central situation in our view, which we believe would be most convenient for the whole island; but which we forbear to mention, (entreating your confidence in this particular) till we have the answer of the Societies with which we are in correspondence. Let us have your answer, then, by the 20th, at farthest, earlier if possible, whether you approve of this measure, and how many Delegates you can send, with the number also, if possible, of your Societies.

We remain yours,

in Civic affection,

The London Corresponding Society

T HARDY, Secretary

For the management of this business we have appointed a Secret Committee; you will judge how far it is necessary for you to do the same.