I am not induced by motives of pride, party or reſentment, to eſpouſe the doctrine of ſeparation and independence; I am clearly, poſitively, and conſcientiouſly perſuaded that it is the true intereſt of this Continent to be ſo; that every thing ſhort of that is mere patchwork; that it can afford no laſting felicity, that it is leaving the ſword to our children, and ſhrinking back at a time when a little more, a little farther, would have rendered this Continent the glory of the earth.
As Britain hath not manifeſted the leaſt inclination towards a compromiſe, we may be aſſured that no terms can be obtained worthy the acceptance of the Continent, or any ways equal to the expence of blood and treaſure we have been already put to.
The object contended for, ought always to bear ſome juſt proportion to the expence. The removal of North, or the whole deteſtable junto, is a matter unworthy the millions we have expended. A temporary ſtoppage of trade was an inconvenience, which would have ſufficiently balanced the repeal of all the acts complained of, had ſuch repeals been obtained; but if the whole Continent muſt take up arms, if every man muſt be a ſoldier, it is ſcarcely worth our while to fight againſt a contemptible miniſtry only. Dearly, dearly do we pay for the repeal of the acts, if that is all we fight for; for in a juſt eſtimation, it is as great a folly to pay a Bunker-hill price for law as for land. As I have always conſidered the independency of this Continent as an event which ſooner or later muſt arrive, ſo from the late rapid progreſs of the Continent to maturity, the event could not be far of: Wherefore, on the breaking out of hoſtilities, it was not worth the while to have diſputed a matter, which time would have finally redreſſed, unleſs we meant to be in earneſt; otherwiſe it is like waſting an eſtate on a ſuit at law, to regulate the treſpaſſes of a tenant, whoſe leaſe is juſt expiring. No man was a warmer wiſher for reconciliation than myſelf, before the fatal 19th of April, 1775, but the moment the event of that day was made known, I rejected the hardened, ſullen-tempered Pharoah of England for ever; and diſdain the wretch, that with the pretended title of Father of his People, can unfeelingly hear of their ſlaughter, and compoſedly ſleep with their blood upon his ſoul.
But admitting that matters were now made up, what would be the event? I anſwer, the ruin of the Continent. And that for ſeveral reaſons.
Firſt.—The powers of governing ſtill remaining in the hands of the King, he will have a negative over the whole legiſlation of this Continent: And as he hath ſhewn himſelf ſuch an inveterate enemy to liberty, and diſcovered ſuch a thirſt for arbitrary power, is he, or is he not, a proper man to ſay to theſe Colonies, "you ſhall make no laws but what I pleaſe?" And is there any inhabitant in America ſo ignorant as not to know, that according to what is called the preſent conſtitution, that this Continent can make no laws but what the King gives leaveto;
