| Citation |
NYJ-N.774.123
15 Dec 1774:312 (1667)
Mr. Holt, As a number of players have arrived in the Lady
Gage, from London, and it is reported that they are to act
among us this winter, I beg leave through the channel of
your paper, to invite the attention of the public to the
eighth article of the association, agreed upon by the
Continental Congress, which is as follows:
"We will in our several stations encourage frugality,
oeconomy, and industry; and promote agriculture, arts and
the manufactures of this country, especially that of wooll;
and will discountenance and discourage every species of
extravagance and dissipation, especially all horse-racing,
and all kinds of gaming, cock fighting, exhibitions of
shews, plays and other expensive diversions and
entertainments," &c. The legality, or illegality of plays,
in a moral point of view, I leave to those to whom the
discussion of this question more properly belongs; but I
frankly confess, that in a political light, considering the
present circumstances of this continent, they appear to me
to be highly improper, and of a very dangerous tendency; and
I am very happy to find that the congress have, in their own
names, and those of their constituents, promised and agreed
to discountenance and discourage them. The present
importation of players, is doubtless in consequence of
orders sent in proper season, though they have arrived after
the first of December; but as they are neither "goods, nor
merchandize," I imagine they do not come within the tenth
article of the association; however, as it is the proper
business of the committee, and one principal end of their
appointment, "attentively to observe the conduct of all
persons touching this association," I think they ought to
interest themselves in this matter; and by a decent
remonstrance to the manager endeavour to prevent the breach
of the association said to be intended, and its
consequences;--which, if we may judge from what happened in
1765, may be very disagreeable. From my knowledge of Mr.
Douglass's urbanity, I am persuaded he would not wish to
give any offence to the good people of this city, whose
favour he has formerly experienced, and who may hereafter
render him more essential service, and I doubt not such an
application, as I have mentioned above, will have a proper
effect. . . [1 more paragraph, concerning the illegality of
raffles. Signed] Pro Patria
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