Page:Armatafragment00ersk.djvu/168

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poverty and the wretchedness of separation. — It is surely, therefore, an intemperate spirit that would drown the acclamations of joy for victories purchased with their blood, by a clamour to dismiss them, at once, to hopeless misery. — A reduction you must nevertheless make, since an unusual pressure demands it, but let not their cause be prejudiced by imaginary dangers to your civil government, which, with one stroke of a pen, can sweep away their very name and existence. — Be firm, then, in your purpose to lop off all burthens which lean without necessity upon your revenues, but be gentle and considerate in the process; softening, as far as possible, the severe privations which duty may compel you to inflict.


"Let me deceive you however in nothing. — I am no authority on this part of your case. — I was bred to arms from my earliest youth in my own world, and feel such an enthusiasm in every thing that regards the naval or military professions, that if the subject had arisen with us,

and