cout. Chwards 9-4-46 56095 THE CRAFTSMAN. N° 330. SATURDAY, O. 28, 1732. Was fully apprized, when I firft engaged myself in this Undertaking, that I fhould be obliged to encounter with great Oppofition and many Difficulties in the Purfuit of it. I could cafily forefee that Men in Power, who have the Difpofition of Employments ani Rewards in their Hands, would not want Advocates to defend their Measures; to put the moft plaufible Gloffes on their Conduct, and endeavour to reconcile it to the general Principles of Liberty. But I own my Apprehenfions went no farther; for it did not enter into my Thoughts that the very first Principles of a free Government would be difputed by Men, who call Themfelves Whigs, and owe their Preferment to thofe Principles, however They might attempt to accommodate them to their own Purpoles. I could not conceive that any Perfons (especially of grave and folemn Characters) would prostitute Themselves fo far as to plead openly for the Expediency of Corruption and venal Dependency; nor |