INTRODUCTION.
A Sovereign cannot enter into altercation with revolted ſubjects.ILL would it become the dignity of an inſulted Sovereign to deſcend to altercation with revolted ſubjects.—This would be to recogniſe that equality and independence, to which ſubjects, perſiſting in revolt, cannot fail to pretend.—Ill would it become the policy of an enlightened Sovereign to appeal to other ſtates on matters relating to his own internal government.—This would be to recogniſe the right of other ſtates to interfere in matters, from which all foreign interpoſition ſhould for ever be precluded.
Hence the neglect ſhewn by Government to the Declaration of the Congreſs.To theſe conſiderations it is, we muſt attribute the neglect with which the Declaration of the American Congreſs has been treated by the Government of Great Britain. Eaſy as it were, and fit as it may be, to refute the calumnies contained in that audacious paper, it could not be expected that his Majeſty or his Miniſters ſhould condeſcend to give it any anſwer.
It may be anſwered by an individual.But that anſwer, which neither a ſenſe of dignity, nor principles of policy, will allow the Sovereign to give, may yet be furniſhed by the zeal of any well-affected ſubject.
The members of the Congreſs are but ſimple indviduals.For, after all, what are the Members of this mighty Congreſs? With whatever titles they may dignifytheirA 3
