Page:History of Delaware County (1856).djvu/77

DELAWARE COUNTY. 53 struggle, which eventually resulted in the immolation and cessation over them of foreign despotism in the colonies. Already have the clashing of steel and the boom of musketry been heard upon Bunker and Breed's Hill. Already have the excited and irritated Bostonians, disguised as Indians, con- signed the cargoes of tea of several vessels to the mercy of the waves, as a mark of their just indignation at the infamous Stamp Act of Parliament. It was now evident, that the rupture had become irreparable. The eloquence of Pitt, in Parliament, whose voice had been raised uniformly in behalf of the oppressed against the oppres- sor, who, at the close of a speech upon an illustrious occasion, in which he had exhorted the House to the exercise of wisdom and moderation in their dealings with America, concluded with the words of Prior the poet : — Be to her faults a little blind — Be to her virtues nqvj kind." 3 - All had proved unavailing. In 1775, the Provincial Congress'^ re-assembled at Philadelphia, to resolve on what steps were necessary in the emergency in which the colonies were placed. It was during this session, that Patrick Henry depicted with his thundering eloquence the history of our relations to the mother country : closing his appeal he remarked ^' The war is inevitable I and let it come ! ! I repeat it, sir, let it come ! ! ! It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry peace, peace— but there is no peace ! The war is actually begun ! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms ! Our brethren are already in the field ! What is it that gentlemen wish ? What would they have ? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery ? Forbid it, Al- mighty God ! T kno-^Y not what course others may take, but 5*