The ANSWER of a LETTER from a FRIEND, Concerning ELECTIONS for the Ensuing CONVENTION.  
SIR,  
TO Answer Yours, without repeating, that the Prince, by his Circular Letters, hath recommended our Elections to all Burgesses, cannot be looked upon as any Infringement or Diminution of our Liberties and Privileges; Seeing that you know, that all our Liberties and Privileges, whither by Custom, or express Acts, are given to the Burgh itself, and only to its Magistrates, in any Case, as Representing the Burgh: But this hath be●n a great part of the unhappiness of our late times, that what hath been allowed to the Magistrates, as representing, and in behalf of the Burgh, they have assumed to themselves, as their own Property, and thereby distinguished themselves from the Body of the Burgesses, as their Masters, rather than their Representors: Now it being evident that it is the Privilege of the Burgh to choose its own Magistrates, according to the Agreement called the Set, as also to choose and send Commissioners to Conventions and Parliaments; And it being evident, that the Burgh hath for several years been deprived of the Liberty of choosing their own Magistrates, by having Persons imposed upon them by Court Letters, at pleasure, and the present Set of Magistrates and Council, being still (whatever may be pretended of a little Formality of Freedom in the last Election) of this Court and Arbitrary Composition, what could be more just, than that since our Magistrates and Counsel, to whom in the Ordinary course, the Electing for Conventions and Parliaments, hath been allowed in behalf of the Burgh, are not now our Magistrates and Council, that is to say, of our pure and free Election, but the Courts, The Call we have got to this Convention should be directed to the Body of Burgesses, to whom the Privilege of sending to Conventions is principally given, and not to our Magistrates and Council; since in effect they are not Ours, nor can be called our Representors: And by this, you may also understand, that seeing they lie under this just Prejudice, as not to be allowed to Elect in the Ordinary Way, they can yet far less pretend that any of them should be Elected, whatever the former use was. But the Truth is, Elections at all times ought to be free; and if any of the Magistrates pretend an Interest in them as a Property, it is an abuse which now they should be made to understand by a just disappointment. And to enlarge a little this Reflection, is it not the blessing of the Prince's coming that we be relieved of former imposings, and restored to our Liberties; and hath he not already, for that end freed our Elections of all the Limitations of Oaths and Engagements, whereby formerly they were restrained; seeing than it is certain that it hath been by these Oaths and Engagements, that Good men hath been secluded from the Magistracy, and a Knot of Men got into the Possession of it for many years, who viis & modis, too well known, whether in Latin or English, have appropriated it to their own Cabal, to the enriching of themselves, and ruining of the Town; what can be more reasonable and agreeable to the Mercy that God offers, then that we should lay aside that whole Gang, and choice men uncorrupt and untainted with their Practices. And to proceed, since the Prince hath already set us upon the true Foot, in order to the restoring of our Liberties, and that now all Burgesses are equally called, as well as concerned in the Election▪ it is further evident that whatever course the Magistrates, in Possession, may lay down for keeping of Order in the manner of Electing, every Burgess hath an interest to inspect it; And whatever List the Magistrates do make of Electors, and in whatsoever manner, every Burgess may be present to remark that he may object in due time; seeing otherwise by bringing in of men that are no Burgesses for Electors, he may be deprived of all the benefit intended for him; But this is so plain from reason itself and the parity of the Act of Parliament, concerning the Elections of Shires, whereby all the Electors are ordained to make, Revise, and alter their Lists, that it were needless to insist on it. And therefore all Burgesses ought undoubtedly either to have free Access to the observing of the making of the Lists, or at least, the List ought to be timously published before the day of Elections that every man may know his Coelectors, and be in case to Object against such as have no Interest to be there; ●nd when both these are done, the Electors have still a further privilege of demanding a pole, wherein men are not to be barely numbered, but every one to be impartially questioned and examined by Persons appointed by both sides. By which things I hope ye may rest well satisfied, that all the concern of the Neighbours that bestir themselves in this matter, is to assert and restore the Liberties & Privileges of the Burgh, & no ways either to Violate or Usurp them. But men, who have found it their Interest in Times past to Enhance and Usurp at Pleasure may now cry out of Faction, and endeavour to Prepossess the weaker sort, as if these who intent to deliver the Town from their Dominion, were seeking it to themselves: But let all honest Neighbours in the sense of GOD 'S Mercy, and the just Consideration of their own Rights and Privileges, Examine things as they are, and concure as they ought to do: Then both you and I may be most assured, that they will find nothing intended, but the good of the Burgh and Kingdom, and the entire satisfaction of all honest Men.  
Farewell.