could not Expect to be allowed to have a Majority of Members in the house, and the very inconveniencies which you urge with regard to the people in America would in many respects & to a Degree take place with regard to their Members. What then? Shall no Steps be taken & must we and America be two distinct kingdoms & that now immediately, or must America be Defended entirely by us, & be themselves quite excused or be left to do just what they shall please to do? Some perhaps will do something & others nothing. Perhaps from the nature of our Situations it will happen & must be Expected that one Day we shall be two distinct Kingdoms, but we trust even you wont say you think yourselves ripe for that Event as yet. You are continually increasing in numbers & in strength; we are perhaps come, at least, to our full growth. Let us then leave these possible Events to the disposal of providence. We own on our part we dont choose to predict, nor yet to hasten the time of this supposed period, & think it would be to our mutual disadvantage for us to attempt a separation.
Let us then, instead of predicting the worst, hope that mutual Interest as well as duty will keep us on both Sides within the bounds of Justice. We trust we shall never intentionally burden you unreasonably; if at any time we shall happen to do it by Mistake, Let us know it & I trust it will be remedied. You find & I trust always will find an easy Access to those who from their Office have the principal Conduct of Revenue Laws, and we on our part find with pleasure that America is not destitute of persons, who at the same time that they have the tenderest regard for their Interests are well able to Represent to us their Affairs & who if they do it with integrity & Candor, will be sure to meet with our fullest Confidence. Let mutual Confidence and mutual Uprightness of intention take place & no considerable Ills can follow.
As to any reflections upon the matter I choose rather to leave them to you than attempt to make them myself, & am Sr. with great Esteem
Yr. most Obedient
Most Humble Sert.
J. Ingersoll
