America calls herſelf the ſubject of Great-Britain, no power, however well diſpoſed ſhe may be, can offer her mediation. Wherefore, in our preſent ſtate we may quarrel on for ever.Secondly. It is unreaſonable to ſuppoſe, that France or Spain will give us any kind of aſſiſtance, if we mean only to make uſe of that aſſiſtance for the purpoſe of repairing the breach, and ſtrengthening the connexion between Britain and America, becauſe thoſe powers would be ſufferers by the conſequences.Thirdly. While we profeſs ourſelves the ſubjects of Britain, we muſt in the eye of foreign nations be conſidered as rebels. The precedent is ſomewhat dangerous to their peace, for men to be in arms under the name of ſubjects: We on the ſpot can ſolve the paradox; but to unite reſiſtance and ſubjection, requires an idea much too refined for common underſtanding.Fourthly. Were a manifeſto to be publiſhed, and diſpatched to foreign Courts, ſetting forth the miſeries we have endured, and the peaceable methods we have ineffectually uſed for redreſs, declaring at the ſame time, that not being able any longer to live happily or ſafely, under the cruel diſpoſition of the Britiſh Court, we had been driven to the neceſſity of breaking off all connexions with her; at the ſame time aſſuring all ſuch Courts of our peaceable diſpoſition towards them, and of our deſire of entering into trade with them; ſuch a memorial would produce more good effects to this Continent, than if a ſhip were freighted with petitions to Britain.
Under our preſent denomination of Britiſh ſubjects, we can neither be received nor heard abroad: The cuſtom of Courts is againſt us, and will be ſo, until by an independence we take rank with other nations.
Theſe proceedings may at firſt appear ſtrange and difficult, but, like all other ſteps which we have already paſſed over, will in a little time become familiar and agreeable: And until an independence is declared, the Continent will feel itſelf like a man who continues putting off ſome unpleaſant buſineſs from day to day, yet knows it muſt be done, hates to ſet about it, wiſhes it over, and is continually haunted with the thoughts of its neceſſity.
FINIS
