 proceedings less injurious to their
own interest, than incompatible with the general welfare. The man who risks or
sacrifices his life for the public cause is rewarded with the testimony of an
approving conscience; but persons who wantonly defy the necessary, though
atrociously exaggerated precautions of government in the matter of property, at
the same time that they commit an alarming hostility against the whole, are as
to their own concerns scarcely less absurd and self-neglectful, than the man who
should set himself up as a mark for a file of musqueteers to shoot at.
    Viewing the subject in this light, I not only determined that I would have
no share in their occupation myself, but thought I could not do less in return
for the benefits I had received from them, than endeavour to dissuade them from
an employment in which they must themselves be the greatest sufferers. My
expostulation met with a various reception. All the persons to whom it was
addressed had been tolerably successful in persuading themselves of the
innocence of their calling; and what remained of doubt in their mind was
smothered and, so to speak, laboriously forgotten. Some of them laughed at my
arguments as a ridiculous piece of missionary quixotism. Others, and
particularly our captain, repelled them with the boldness of a man that knows he
has got the strongest side. But this sentiment of ease and self-satisfaction did
not long remain. They had been used to arguments derived from religion and the
sacredness of law. They had long ago shaken these from them as so many
prejudices. But my view of the subject appealed to principles which they could
not contest, and had by no means the air of that customary reproof which is for
ever dinned in our ears, without finding one responsive chord in our hearts.
Urged, as they now were, with objections unexpected and cogent, some of those to
whom I addressed them began to grow peevish and impatient of the intrusive
remonstrance. But this was by no means the case with Mr. Raymond. He was
possessed of a candour that I have seldom seen equalled. He was surprised to
hear objections so powerful to that which as a matter of speculation he believed
he had examined on all sides. He revolved them with impartiality and care. He
admitted them slowly, but he at length fully admitted them. He had now but one
rejoinder in reserve.
    Alas, Williams, said he, it would have been fortunate for me if these views
had been presented to me previously to my embracing my present profession. It is
now too late. Those very laws, which by a perception of their iniquity drove me
to
