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was drawn into a ruinous operation by the riches sword of the murderer at their breasts, the Ame and luxuries of the east. Thus, by natural causes ricans thought only of new petitions. It is well and common effects, the American states are be-known there was not then even an idea that the come dissolved from the British dominion.-And independence of America would be the work of is it to be wondered at, that Britain has experienced this generation: For people yet had a confidence the invariable face of empire! We are not surprised in the integrity of the British monarch. At length when we see youth or age yield to the common subsequent edicts being also passed, to restrain lot of humanity-Nay, to repine that, in our day, the Americans from enjoying the bounty of ProviAmerica is dissolved from the British state, is im- dence on their own coast, and to cut off their piously to question the unerring wisdom of Provi- trade with each other and with foreign states-dence. The Almighty setteth up, and he casteth the royal sword yet WEEKING with American blood, down: He breaks the sceptre, and transfers the and the king still deaf to the prayers of the people dominion: He has made choice of the present gene- for "peace, liberty and safety;" it was even so late ration to erect the American empire. Thankful as as the latter end of the last year, before that con. we are, and ought to be, for an appointment of the fidence visibly decline !; and it was generally seen kind, the most illustrious that ever was, let each that the quarrel was likely to force America into individual exert himself in this important opera- an immediate state of independence. But such tion directed by Jehovah himself.-From a short an event was not expected, because it was thought retrospect, it is evident the work was not the pre-the monarch, from motives of policy, if not from sent design of man.

Never were a people more wrapped up in a king, than the Americans were in George the third in the year 1763. They revered and obeyed the British government, because it protected them-they fondly called Great Britain-home! But, from that time, the British counsels took a ruinous turn; ceasing to protect-they sought to ruin America. the stamp act, declaratory law, and the duties upon tea and other articles, at once proclaimed their injustice, and announced to the Americans, that they had but little room for hope; infinite space for fear.-IN VAIN THEY PETITIONED FOR REDRESS! Authorised by the law of nature, they exerted the inherent powers of society, and resisted the edicts which told them that they had no property; and that against their consent, and by men over whom they had no control, they were to be bound in

inclination, would heal our wounds, and thereby prevent the separation; but it was not wished for, because men were unwilling to break off old connections, and change the usual form of govern. ment.

Such were the sentiments of America until the arrival of the British act of parliament declaring the Americans out of the royal protection, and denouncing a general war against them. But cour. sels too refined, generally produce contrary and unexpected events. So the whole system of British policy respecting America, since the year 1763, Calculated to surprise, deceive, or drive the people into slavery-urged them into independence. and this act of parliament, in particular, finally released America from Great Britain. Antecedent to this, the British king, by his hostilities, had as far as he personally could, absolved Ameri all cases whatsoever.-Dreadful information!-Paca from that faith, allegiance and subjection she tience could not but resent them. However re- owed him; because the law of our land expressly gardless of such feelings, and resolved to endeavor declares, these are due only in return for his proto support those all grasping claims, early in the tection, allegiance being founded on the benefit of year 1774, the British tyranny made other edicts protection. But God knowing that we are in peril -to overturn American charters to suspend by false brethren as well as by real enemies, out or destroy, at the pleasure of the crown, the value of his abundant mercy has caused us to be released of private property-to block up the port of Bos-from subjection, by yet a better title than the mere ton in terrorem to other American ports-to give oppressions of a man in the kingly office.—This murder the sanction of law-to establish the title is singular in its kind—It is the voluntary and Ronan Catholic religion, and to make the king of Great Britain a despot in Canada; and as much so as he then chose to be in Massachusetts Bay. And general Gage was sent to Boston with a considera. ble force,to usher these edicts into action, and the Americans into slavery.

joint act of the whole British legislature, on the twenty first day of December, 1775, releasing the faith, allegiance and subjection of America to the British crown, by solemnly declaring the former out of the protection of the latter; and thereby, agreeable to every principle of law, actually dissolving the Their petitions thus answeredeven with the original contract between king and people.

The

Hence, an American cannot, legally, at the suit Britain has conducted her irritating and hostile of the king of Great Britain, be indicted of highneasures, we cannot but clearly see, that God has treason; because the indictment cannot charge him darkened her counsels; and that with a stretched with an act contra ligeantiæ suæ debitum; for, not out arm, he himself has delivered us out of the being protected by that king, the law holds that house of bondage, and has led us on to empire. he does not owe him any faith and allegiance. So In the year 1774, general Gage arrived at Bosan alien enemy, even invading the kingdom of ton to awe the people into a submission to the England, and taken in arms, cannot be dealt with edicts against America. The force he brought as a traitor, because he violates no trust or alle was, by the oppressors, thought not only sufficient giance. In short this doctrine, laid down in the to compel obedience, but that this would be effected best law authorities, is a criterion whereby we may even at the appearance of the sword. But, the safely judge, whether or not a particular people continent being roused by the edicts, general Gage, are subject to a particular government. And thus to his surprise, found that he had not strength upon the matter, that decisive act of parliament sufficient to carry them into execution. In this ipso facto created the united colonies free and in-situation things continued several months, while, dependent states. on the one hand, the general received reinforceThese particulars evidence against the royal ca.ments, and on the other, the people acquired a lumniator in the strongest manner. Let him not contempt for the troops, and found time to form with unparalleled effrontery from a throne con- their militia into some order to oppose the force tinue to declare, that the Americans "meant only they saw accumulating for their destruction.— to amuse, by vague expressions of attachment Hence, in the succeeding April, when the general and the strongest professions of loyalty, whilst commenced hostilities, he was defeated. they were preparing for a general revolt, for the victory produced the most important effects.purpose of establishing an independent empire." The people were animated to besiege Boston, On the first of SEPTEMBER, 1775, Richard Penn where it soon appeared, that the British troops and Arthur Lee, esquires, delivered to lord Dart- were too weak to make any impression upon them, mouth, he being secretary of state, a petition from thus acquiring military knowledge by the actual the congress to the king, when lord Dartmouth operations of war.-The united colonies were told them, "xo ANSWER WOULD BE GIVEN." The roused to arms.-They new modelled their militia petition contained this remarkable passage, that--raised regular troops-fortified the harbors—and the king would "be pleased to direct some mode, by crushed the tory parties among them.-Success which the united applications of his faithful colonists fired the Americans with a spirit of enterprize. to the throne, in presence of their common councils, In the mean time, the king passed such other might be improved into a PERMANENT AND HAPPY RECON- edicts as, adding to the calendar of injuries, CILIATION; and that in the mean time, measures might be widened the civil breach, and narrowed the band taken for preventing the further destruction of the lives of of the American union. And such supplies were, his majesty's subjects." YET, NOTWITHSTANDING THIS from time to time, sent for the relief of Boston, as on the 26th of OcTOBER following, from the throne, not in any degree sufficient to enable general Gage the king charged the Americans with aiming at to raise the siege; answered no other ends but to independence! The facts I have stated are known increase the number, heighten the spirit, advance to the world; they are yet more stubborn than the the discipline of the American army, and to cause tyrant. But let other facts be also stated against every member of the union to exert every ability him. There was a time, when the American to procure arms and ammunition from abroad. army before Boston had not a thousand weight of Thus trained on evidently by the Almighty, these gunpowder-the forces were unable to advance into troops, reproached by general Gage when they first Canada, until they received a small supply of pow. sat down before Boston, that “with a preposterous der from this country, and for which the general parade of military arrangements, they affected to congress expressly sent--and when we took up hold the army besieged," in less than eleven arms a few months before, we begun with a stock months compelled that British army, although of five hundred weight!-These grand magazines considerably reinforced, to abandon Boston by of ammunition demonstrate, to be sure, that Ame-stealth, and to trust their safety, not to their arms, rica, or even Massachusetts Bay, was preparing to but to the winds. The British ministry have enter the military road to independence!-On the attempted to put a gloss upon this remove of their contrary, if we consider the manner in which Great army: However, the cannon, stores and provisions

they left in Boston, are in our hands, substantial kingly office, and his protection out of this coun.marks of their flight.

endeavored to subvert the constitution of the king. "Resolved, That king James the second having dom, by breaking the original contract between king and people; and, by the advice of Jesuits and other wicked persons, having violated the funda mental laws, and having withdrawn himself out of the kingdom, has abdicated the government, and that the throne is thereby vacant.”

try." Thus couching my thoughts upon the article Thus there appears to have been a fatality in of the withdrawing, in order that the parallel their counsels respecting Boston, the grand seat should be continued throughout as close as the of contention; their forces being inadequate to subject would admit, without attempting to extract the enterprize on which they were sent: And un- the essence from the substance of the resolution, der the same influence have their attacks been to demonstrate that such a parallel was not neces directed against Virginia and North Carolina, sary: A mode which, the subject being new, might Savannah and this capital. Such a series of events not then perhaps have been so generally satisfacis striking! It surely displays an over-ruling Pro-tory. But, as the American revolution leads me vidence that has confounded the British counsels, again to mention that resolution, which in the to the end that America should not have been at strongest manner justifies it, I make no scruple first shackled, and thereby prevented from acquir-now to say, that the resolution, though appearing ing a knowledge of, and confidence in her strength, to point out several kinds of criminality, yet has to be attained only by an experimental trial and only one idea thus variously represented. successful exertion of it, previous to the British rulers doing acis driving her, either into slavery or independence.-The same trace of an over-ruling Providence is evident throughout the whole transaction of the English revolution of 1688. King James received early information of the prince of Orange's intention to invade England; and Louis the XIV. offered the king a powerful assistance. But his counsels were confounded from on high: He paid little attention to the first-he neglected the last. The winds blew, and how opportunely have they aided us; the winds detained James's fleet at anchor; while they, directing the course of the prince, enabled him without any loss to land in England, at a time when no person thought of a revolution, which was destined to take place with. in but a few weeks. Unexpected, wonderful and rapid movements, character the British and Ame. rican revolutions: They do not appear to have been premeditated by man. And from so close a similitude, in so many points, between the two revolutions, we have great reason to hope that the American, like the British, will be stable against the tyrant.

But, before I make any further observation upon this resolution, allow me to shew you the sense of Scotland in the last, and of America in the present century, touching an abdication of government; and you will find, that the voice of nature is the same, in either extremity of the globe, and in different ages.

The estates of Scotland having enumerated king James's mal-administration, and in which there was no article of withdrawing, they declared, that "thereby he had forefaulted the rights of the crown, and the throne was become vacant."—And the representatives of the United States of America, stating their grievances under king George the third, decreed, that "he has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection, and waging war against us." And that "a prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people."

As I said before, in my last charge, I drew a parallel between the causes which occasioned the English revolution, and those which occasioned our local revolution in March last; and I examined the famous resolution of the lords and commons of England at Westminster, declaring the law up- Thus in each case it is apparent, the abdication on James's conduct. The two first points of it or forefaulting took place from but one and the applied to our own case in the closest manner, and same cause-the failure of protection: And this is in applying the third, treating of James's with- the single idea that, I apprehend, is in the resolu drawing, I pointed out that the abdication of the tion of Westminster. Search to understand, what regal government among us, was immediately ef. is a breach of the original contract-what a violafected, not only by the withdrawing of the regal tion of the fundamental laws wherein consisted substitute, with the ensigns of government, but the criminalty of James's withdrawing? Your enthat king George had withdrawn himself, "by quiry must terminate thus- a failure of protection. withdrawing the constitutional benefits of the--Independent of the nature of the subject, the

history of that time warrants this construccion-ttracts the attention of the rest of the universe, upon the withdrawing in particular. For, upon and bids fair, by the blessing of God, to be the James's first flying from Whitehall, quitting the most glorious of any upon record.--America hails administration without providing a power to pro. Europe, Asia and Africa!-She proffers peace and tect the people, he was considered by the prince plenty!

of Orange, and the heads of the English nation, This revolution, forming one of the most imas having then absolutely abdicated the govern portant epochas in the history, not of a nation, ment, and terminated his reign; and they treated but of the world, is, as it were, an eminence from bim accordingly upon his sudden return to White which we may observe the things around us. And hall, from whence he was immediately ejected. In I am naturally led to explain the value of that short, a failure of protection being once established, grand object now in our possession and view-to. it necessarily includes, and implies a charge of a state the American ability by arms to maintain breach of original contract-a violation of funda- the acquisition-and to shew the conduct, by mental laws--and a withdrawing of the king: which a patriotic grand jury may aid the establishdo not mean the individual person, but the officer ment of our infant empire. so called. For the officer being constituted to To make men sensible of the value of the object dispense protection, and there being a failure of now in our possession, we need no ingenuity of it, it is evident, prima facie, that the officer is with thought, or display of eloquence. To him who drawn; and in reality, because the law will not doubts of the meridian sun, it is sufficient to point admit that the officer can be present and not dis-to it. So in the present case, as well to demonstrate pense protection, as the law ascribes to the king the value of the object as the justice of our claim in his political capacity absolute perfection; and to it, we need only hold it up to view.—IT 18, тo therefore it will intend a withdrawing and abdica MAINTAIN AMONG THE POWERS OF THE EARTH, THE tion, in exclusion of any idea of his being present SEPARATE AND EQUAL STATION TO WHICH THE LAWS and doing wrong. Protection was the great end oF NATURE AND OF NATRE'S GOD ENTITLE US.--A few for which mankind formed societies. On this hang months ago we fought only to preserve to the laall the duties of a king. It is the one thing needful borer the fruits of his toil, free from the all-coveting in royalty. grasp of the British tyrant, alieni appetens, sui Upon the whole, what is civil liberty, or by profusus, and to defend a people from being, like what conduct it may be oppressed, by what means brute beasts, bound in all cases whatsoever. But the oppression ought to be removed, or an abdica tion or forefaulting of the government may be induced, cannot precisely be ascertained, and laid down as rules to the world. Humanity is interested THE OBJECT for which America, ex necessitate, wars

these two last ingredients to make life agreeable, are now melted into, inseparably blended with, and wholly included in the first, which is now become

against Britain—And I shall now point out to you the continental ability, by arms, to maintain this invaluable station.

in these subjects. Nature alone will judge; and she will decide upon the occasion without regard to precedent. In America, nature has borne Bri. tish oppression so long as it was tolerable; but When, in modern times, Philip of Spain became there is a load of injury which cannot be endured. the tyrant of the low countries in Europe, of sevenNature felt it. And the people of America, acting teen provinces which composed those territories, upon natural principles, by the mouths of their seven only effectually confederated to preserve representatives in congress assembled, at Philadel- their liberties, or to perish in the attempt. They phia, on the fourth day of July last, awfully declared saw Philip the most powerful prince in the old --and revere the sentence!-"That these United world, and master of Mexico and Peru in the new Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and nations, incessantly pouring into his territories independent states, that they are absolved from floods of gold and silver. They saw him possessed all allegiance to the British crown; and that all of the best troops, and the most formidable navy political connection between them and the state in the universe; and aiming at no less than universal of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dis-monarchy!--But these seven provinces, making solved." but a speck upon the globe, saw themselves withA decree is now gone forth, NOT to be recalled! out armies, fleets, or funds of money: yet seeing And thus has suddenly arisen in the world, a new themselves on the point of being by a tyrant bound empire, styled the United States of America. An in all cases whatsoever, nobly relying upon Proempire that as soon as started into existence, 'vidence and the justice of their cause, they resolved

to oppose the tyrant's whole force, and at least was even this, that her grand army of but 26,009 deserve to be free. They fought, they bled, and nen, could not open the present campaign be were often brought to the door of destruction.-fore the end of August last -Add to these particu THEY REDOUBLED THEIR EFFORTS IN PROPORTION TO lars, the troops are unaccustomed to the sudden THEIR DANGER. And the inhabitants of that speck vicissitudes of the American climate and the of earth, compelled the master of dominions so extremes of cold, heat, and rain. They cannot extensive, that it was boasted the sun was never proceed without camp equipage, because they are absent, to treat with them as a free and independent used to such luxuries. The very scene of their people! operations is a matter of discouragement to them, For a moment, and with the aid of a fearful because they know not the country; and for their imagination, let us suppose that the American supplies of men, stores and the greatest part of states are now as defenceless as the Hollanders their provisions, they must look to Great Britain then were; and that the king of Great Britain is--and there is a vast abyss between.-Hence their now as powerful as Philip then was. Yet even supplies must be precarious at best; and failing, such a state of things, could not be a plea for any they may be involved in ruin. A check may affect degree of submission on our part. Did not the them as a defeat—a defeat in battle may annihilate Hollanders oppose their weakness to the strength their very army.-Such seems to be the situation of Spain? Are not the Americans engaged in as of Great Britain, while only the American war is good a cause as the Hollanders fought in? Are on her hands. But do we not see FRANCE and the Americans less in love with liberty than the SPAIN, her inveterate enemies, now watching for Hollanders were? Shall we not in this, a similar the critical moment when they shall swallow up cause, dare those perils that they successfully her West India islands! When this crisis appears, combated? Shall we not deserve freedom!-Our which, from the now quick arrivals of French vespast actions presage our future achievements and sels in America, and from the forces already colanimate us in our military efforts for "peace, li-lected, and others now daily poured into the islands berty and safety."-But see the real powers of by those powers, cannot be far distant, what will Great Britain. be the situation of Great Britain!

On the other hand, America is possessed of resources for the war, which appear as soon as

Staggering beneath the load of an enormous debt, the very annual interest of which, in the year 1775, amounted to upwards of four millions eight hun- enquired after; are found only by being sought for; dred and eighty thousand pounds sterling, Great and are but scarce imagined even when found. Britain scarcely supports the weight which is yet Strong in her union, on each coast and frontier she rapidly increasing. During the present year, she meets the invaders, whether British or Indian prosecutes the war at a charge of more than nine. savages, repelling their allied attacks. The Ameriteen millions sterling, incurred by actual expenses, cans now live without luxury. They are habituated and by loss of revenue in consequence of the war. to despise their yearly profits by agriculture and Her trade, her only resource for money, is now in trade. THEY ENGAGE IN THE WAR FROM PRINCIPLE. a manner destroyed; for her principal trade, which They follow their leaders to battle with personal was to this continent, is now at an end; and she affection. Natives of the climate, they bear the sustains heavy, very heavy, losses by the American vicissitudes and extremities of the weather.captures of her West India ships. Her manufactures Hardy and robust, they need no camp equipage, are almost at their last morsel. Her public credit is and they march with celerity. The common peocertain to fail even by a short continuance of the ple have acute understandings; and there are those war. Her fleets are not half manned. And she is so in the higher stations, who are acquainted with the destitute of an army, that she is reduced to supplicate arts and sciences, and have a comprehensive view even the petty German princes for assistance; and of things equally with those who act against them. thinks it worth her while to make a separate treaty In short, the American armies meet the war where to procure only 668 me::!—a last effort to form an ar- they may be constantly recruited and subsisted; my in America.--But, after all this humiliating exer- comforted by the aid of their neighbors, and by tion, she has even upon paper raised a German army reflections upon the justice of their cause; and of only 16,868 men who, with about 14,000 national animated by seeing, that they are arrayed in the troops and a few Hanoverian regiments, compose defence of all that is, or can be, dear to them. the whole military force that she can collect for From such a people every thing is to be hoped the American service. Nay, so arduous a task for, nothing is to be doubted of. Such a people,

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