The British Newswriters are very assiduous in their Endeavours to blacken America: Should not we be careful not to afford them any Assistance by Censures of one another, especially by Censures not well founded.

I lately observ’d in one of your Papers the Conduct of the State of Massachusetts reflected on as being inconsistant and absurd, as well as wicked, for attempting to raise a Tax by a Stamp Act, and for carrying on the Slave Trade.

The Writer of those Reflections might have considered, that their principle Objection to the Stamp Tax, was, its being impos’d by a British Parliament which had no right to tax them, for otherwise a Tax by Stamps is perhaps to be levy’d with as little Inconvenience to those who pay it as any other that can be invented. Ireland has a Stamp Act of its own; but should Britain pretend to impose such a Tax on the Irish People, they would probably give a general Opposition to it, and ought not for that to be charg’d with Inconsistence.

One or two Merchants in Boston, employing Ships in the abominable African Trade, may deservedly be condemned; tho’ they do not bring their Slaves home, but sell them in the West Indies. That State as such, has never that I have heard of, given Encouragement to the diabolical Commerce; and there has always been fewer Slaves in the New England Governments than in any other British Colonies. National Reflections are seldom just, and a whole People should not be decry’d for the Crimes of a few Individuals.

Your inserting this may make that brave People some Amends, and will oblige one of your Customers who is