Of the reft of the northern tribes I never have been able to learn any thing certain. But all accounts feem to agree in this, that there is a very powerful nation, dilHnguifhed by a variety of names taken from the feveral towns or families, but commonly called Tawas or Outawas, who fpeak one language, and live round and on the waters that fall into the weftern lakes, and extend from the waters of the Ohio quite to the waters falling into Hudfon^s bay.
No. IL In the Summer of the Tear 1783, it was expected, that the Assembly of Virginia would call a Convention for the Establishment of a Consti- tution The following Draught of a Funda- mental Constitution for the Commonwealth of Virginia was then prepared^ with a Design of being proposed in such Con'uention had it taken place.
To the Citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and all others whom it may concern, the Delegates for the faid Com- monwealth in Convention affembled, fend greeting.
It is known to you, and to the world, that the government of Great- Britain, with which the American States were not long fince connefted, affumed over them an authority unwarrantable and oppreffive;
[ 4^3 1 that they endeavoured to enforce this au- thority by arms, and that the States of New-Hampfhire, Maflachufetts, Rhode- Ifland, Connefticut, New-York, New- Jerfey, Pennfylvania, Delaware, Mary- land, Virginia^ North-Carohna, South- CaroHna, and Georgia, confidering refiftence, with all its train of horrors, as a leffer evil than abjedl fubmiflion, clofed in the appeal to arms. It hath pleafed the Sovereign Difpofer of all human events to give to this appeal an iflue favourable to the rights of the States; to enable them to re- jeft for ever all dependance on a government which had ihewn itfelf fo capable of abufing the trufts repofed in it; and to ob- tain from that government a folemn and explicit acknowledgment that they are free, fovereign, and