I challenge the warmeſt advocate for reconciliation, to ſhew a ſingle advantage that this Continent can reap, by being connected with Great-Britain. I repeat the challenge, not a ſingle advantage is derived. Our corn will fetch its price in any market in Europe, and our imported goods muſt be paid for, buy them where we will.
But the injuries and diſadvantages we ſuſtain by that connexion, are without number, and our duty to mankind at large, as well as to ourſelves, inſtruct us to renounce the alliance; becauſe any ſubmiſſion to, or dependence on, Great-Britain, tends directly to involve this Continent in European wars and quarrels. As Europe is our market for trade, we ought to form no political connexion with any part of it. 'Tis the true intereſt of America, to ſteer clear of European contentions, which ſhe never can do, while by her dependence on Britain ſhe is made the make-weight in the ſcale of Britiſh politics.
Europe is too thickly planted with kingdoms to be long at peace, and whenever a war breaks out between England and any foreign power, the trade of America goes to ruin, becauſe of our connexion with Britain. The next war may not turn out like the laſt, and ſhould it not, the advocates for reconciliation now, will be wiſhing for ſeparation then, becauſe neutrality in that caſe would be a ſafer convoy than a man of war. Every thing that is right or reaſonable pleads for ſeparation. The blood of the ſlain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'tis time to part. Even the diſtance at which the Almighty hath placed England and America, is a ſtrong and natural proof, that the authority of the one over the other was never the deſign of heaven. The time likewiſe at which the Continent was diſcovered, adds weight to the argument, and the manner in which it was peopled encreaſes the force of it.—The reformation was preceded by the diſcovery of America; as if the Almighty graciouſly meant to open a ſanctuary to the perſecuted in future years, when home ſhould afford neither friendſhip nor ſafety.
The authority of Great-Britain over this Continent is a form of government which ſooner or later muſt have an end: And a ſerious mind can draw no true pleaſure by looking forward, under the painful and poſitive conviction, that what he calls "the preſent conſtitution," is merely temporary. As parents, we can have no joy, knowing that this government is not ſufficiently laſting to enſure any thing which we may bequeath to poſterity: And by a plain method of argument, as we are running the next generation into debt, we ought to do the work of it, otherwiſe we uſe them meanly and pitifully. In order to diſcover the line of our duty rightly, we ſhould take our children in our hand, and fix our ſtation a few years farther into life; that eminence will preſent a proſpect, which a few preſent fears and prejudices conceal from our ſight.
Though I would carefully avoid giving unneceſſary offence, yet I am inclined to believe, that all thoſe who eſpouſe the doctrine of reconciliation, maybe
