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[Page 2]
I thank thee very cordially, and acknowledge my gratitude likewise to Lord Sandwich for interesting yourselves so far as you have done on behalf of the poor man, on whose behalf I once more must intreat Lord Sandwich's interposition.
It is well known in the public that the people called Quakers have always refused to bear Arms either by Land or Sea. And the Legislature is so far convinced of their sincerity, as to allow them a particular indulgence in this respect. In the Militia laws now in force, it is provided that if the Lot falls upon a Quaker, and he refuses to serve, the Lieutenants hire a substitute, and make distress on the Quakers goods for the money.
If the Lot falls upon a poor Quaker, who has nothing on which distress can be made the law is silent, with respect to further procuring. If the Lot falls upon one that is not a Quaker, and he refuses to serve, he is ordered to be imprisoned. The legislator humanely judging that the Quaker had no other plea for not serving, than a conscientious persuasion that he ought not, and that to force any mans con[science]