20. When he views the amazing extent of territory, settled and to be settled under the operation of his laws; when, like a wise politician, he contemplates the population of future ages; the changes to be wrought by the possible progress of arts, in agriculture, commerce and manufactures; the increasing connexion and intercourse of nations, and the effect of one rational political system upon the general happiness of man. kind, his mind, dilated with the great idea, will realize a liberality of feelings which leads to a rectitude of conduct.

21. He will see that the system to be established by his suf frage is calculated for the great benevolent purposes of extending peace, happiness, and progressive improvement to a large proportion of his fellow creatures. As there is a probability that the system to be proposed by the convention may answer this discription, there is every reason to hope it will be viewed by the people with that candor and dispassionate respect which is due to the importance of the subject.

22. While the anxiety of the feeling heart is breathing the perpetual sigh for the attainment of so great an object, it becomes the strongest duty of the social connexion, to enlighten and harmonize the minds of our fellow citizens, and point them to a knowledge of their interests, as an extensive federal peơple, and fathers of increasing nations.

23. The price put into their hands is great beyond all comparison; and as they improve it, they will entalhppiness or misery upon a larger proportion of human beings, than could be effected by the conduct of all the natios of Europe unit d.

24. Those who are possessed of abilities or information in any degree above the common rank of their fellow citizens. called upon by every principle of humanity, to diffuse a spirit of candor, and rational inquiry, upon these important subjects")

25. The present is an age of philosophy, and menca' the empire of reason. Here, neither the pageantry, of courts, ser the glooms of superstition, have dazzled or beciouaca the mind. Our duty calls us to act worthy of the age and the country that gave us birth. Though inexperience may have betrayed us into errors; yet these have not been fatal; and our own discernment will point us to their proper remedy.

26. However defective tire present confederated system may appear, yet a due consideration of the circumstance

under

ich it was framed, will teach us rather to admire its wisdonų,

han to murmur at its faults. The same political abilities vhich were displayed in that institution, united with the ex›erience we have had of its operation, will doubtless produce system, which will stand the test of ages in forming a powerul and happy people.

27. Elevated with this extensive prospect, we may consider resent inconveniencies as unworthy of regret. At the close of he war, an uncommon plenty of circulating specie, and an universal passion for trade, tempted many individuals to involve hemselves in ruin, and injure the credit of their country. But hese are evils which work their own remedy.

8. The paroxyism is already over. Industry is increasing Faster than ever it declined; and (with some exceptions, where egislative authority has sanctioned fraud) the people are honestly discharging their private debts, and increasing the resources of their wealth.

29. Every possible encouragement for great and generous exertions, is now presented before us. Under the idea of a permanent and happy government, every point of view in which the future situation of Sinerica can be placed, fills the mind with a peculiar dignity, and opens an unbounded field of thought.

30. The natural resources of the country are inconceivably various and great. The enterprising genius of the people promises a most rapid improvement in all the arts that embel lish human nature. The blessings of a rational government will invite emigrations from the rest of the world, and fill the empire with the worthiest and happiest of mankind; while the example of political wisdom and felicity, here to be displayed, will excite emulation through the kingdoms of the earth, and meliorate the condition of the human race.

A DECLARATION by the REPRESENTATIVES of the United Colonies of North America, setting forth the causes and necessity of their toking up arms, July 6, 1775,

1.

But were possible for men, who exercise their reason, to believe, that the divine author of our existence intended a part of the human race to hold an absolute property, and an unbounded power over others, marked out by his infinite goodness and wisdom, as the objects of a legal domination, never rightly resistable, however severe and oppressive, the inhabitants of these colonies might at leas. requiredroni the par

liament of Great Britain some evidence, that this dreadful authority over them has been granted to that body.

2. But a reverence for our great Creator, principles of hu manity, and the dictates of common sense must convince all those who reflect upon the subject, that government was insti tuted to promote the welfare of mankind, and ought to be ad ministered for the attainment of that end.

3. The legislature of Great Britain, however, stimulated by an inordinate passion for a power, not only unjustifiable, but which they know to be peculiarly reprobated by the very constitution of that kingdom, and desperate of success in any mode of contest, where regard should be had to truth, law or right, have at length deserting those, attempted to effect their cruel and impolitic purpose of enslaving these colonies by violence, and have thereby rendered it necessary for us to close with their last appeal from reason to arms.

4. Yet, however blinded that assembly may be, by their intemperate rage for unlimited domination, so to slight justice and the opinion of mankind, we esteem ourselves bound by obligations of respect to the rest of the world, to make known the justice of our cause.

5. Our forefathers, inhabitants of the island of Great Britain, left their native land, to seek on these shores, a residence for civil and religious freedom. At the expence of their blood, at the hazard of their fortunes, without the least charge to the country from which they removed, with unceasing labor and an unconquerable spirit they effected settlements in the distant and inhospitable wilds of America, then filled with numer ous and warlike nations of barbarians.

6. Socities or governments, vested with perfect legislatures, were formed under charters from the crown, and an harmoni ous intercourse was established between the colonies and the kingdom from which they derived their origin. The mutual benefits of this union became in a short time so extraordinary as to excite astonishment. It is universally confessed that the amazing increase of the wealth, strength and navigation of the realm, arose from this source; and the minister who so wisely and successfully directed the measures of Great Britain, in the late war, publicly declared, that these colonies enabled her to triumph over her enemies.

7. Towards the conclusion of that war, it pleased our sovegn to make a change in his counsels. From that fatal moat, the affairs of the British empire began to fall into confu

sion, and gradually sliding from the summit of glorious prosperity, to which they had been advanced by the virtues and abilities of one man, are at length distracted by the convulsions, that now shake it to its deepest foundations.---The new. ministry finding the brave foes of Britain, though frequently defeated, yet still contending, took up the unfortunate idea of granting them a hasty peace, and of then subduing her faithful friends.

8. These devoted colonies were judged to be in such a state as to present victories without bloodshed, and all the easy emoluments of statuteable plunder. The uninterrupted tenor of their peaceable and respectful behavior from the beginning of colonization; their dutiful, zealous, and useful services during the war, though so recently and amply acknowledged in the most honorable manner, by his majesty, by the late king, and by parliament, could not save them from the meditated innGvations.

9. Parliament was influenced to adopt the pernicious project, and assuming a new power over them, have in the course of eleven years given such decisive specimens of the spirit and consequences attending this power, as to leave no doult concerning the effects of acquiescence under it.

10. They have undertaken to give and grant our money without our consent, though we have ever exercised an exclusive right to dispose of our own property. Statutes have been: passed for extending the jurisdiction of courts of admiralty and vice-admiralty beyond their ancient limits; for depriving us of the accustomed and inestimable privilege of trial by jury, in cases affecting both life and property; for suspending the legislature of one of the colonies; for interdicting all commerce to the capital of another; and for altering fundamently, the form of government established by charter, and secured by acts of its own legislature, solemnly confirmed by the crown.

11. For exempting the "murderers" of colonists from legal trial, and in effect from punishment for erecting in a neighe boring province, acquired by the joint arms of Great & ridin and America, a despotism dangerous to our very existence;' and for quartering soldiers upon the colonists in time of profound peace. It has also been resolved in parliament, that colonists, charged with committing certain offences, shall be transported to England to be tried.

12. But why should we enumerate our injuries in detail?

N

By one statute it is declared, that parliament can ❝ of right make laws to bind us in all cases whatsoever." What is to defend us against so enormous, so unlimited a power? Not a single man of those who assume it is chosen by us, or is subject to our control or influence.

13. But on the contrary, they are all of them exempt from the operation of such laws, and an American revenue, if not diverted from the ostensible purposes for which it is raised, would actually lighten their own burden in proportion as they increase eurs. We saw the misery to which such despotism would reduce us. We for ten years incessantly and ineffectually beseeched the throne as supplicants; we reasoned, we remonstrated with parliament in the most mild and decent language.

14. Administration, sensible that we should regard these op pressive measures as freemen ought to do, sent over fleets and armies to enforce them. The indignation of the Americans was roused, it is true; but it was the indignation of a virtuous, loyal and affectionate people. A Congress of delegates from the United Colonies was assembled at Philadelphia, on the fifth day of last September.

15. We resolved again to offer a humble and dutiful petition to the king, and also addressed our fellow subjects of Great Britain. We have pursued every temperate, every respectful measure; we have even proceeded to break off our commercial intercourse with our fellow subjects, as the last peaceable admonition, that our attachment to no nation upon earth shall supplant our attachment to liberty.

16. This we flattered ourselves, was the ultimate step of the controversy; but subsequent events have shewn, how vain was this hope of finding moderation in our enemies.

17. Several threatening expressions against the colonies were inserted in his majesty's speech. Our petition, tho' we were told it was a decent one, and that his majesty had been pleased to receive it graciously, and to promise laying it before his parliament, was huddled into both houses among a bundie of American papers, and there neglected.

18. The Lords and Commons in their address in the month of February, said that a rebellion at that time actually existed within the province of Massachusetts Bay; and that those concerned in it had been countenanced and encouraged by unawful combinations and engagements, entered into by his majesty's subjects in several of the other colonies; and therere they besought his majesty that he would take the most