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where nature hath given the one； she has withheld the other； to america only hath she been liberal of both。 the vast empire of russia is almost shut out from the sea： wherefore； her boundless forests； her tar； iron； and cordage are only articles of merce。
in point of safety； ought we to be without a fleet？ we are not the little people now； which we were sixty years ago； at that time we might have trusted our property in the streets； or fields rather； and slept securely without locks or bolts to our doors or windows。 the case now is altered； and our methods of defense ought to improve with our increase of property。 a mon pirate； twelve months ago； might have e up the delaware； and laid the city of philadelphia under instant contribution； for what sum he pleased； and the same might have happened to other places。
nay； any daring fellow； in a brig of fourteen or sixteen guns might have robbed the whole continent； and carried off half a million of money。
these are circumstances which demand our attention； and point out the necessity of naval protection。
some； perhaps； will say； that after we have made it up britain； she will protect us。 can we be so unwise as to mean； that she shall keep a navy in our harbours for that purpose？ mon sense will tell us； that the power which hath endeavoured to subdue us； is of all others the most improper to defend us。
conquest may be effected under the pretence of friendship； and ourselves after a long and brave resistance； be at last cheated into slavery。 and if her ships are not to be admitted into our harbours； i would ask； how is she to protect us？ a navy three or four thousand miles off can be of little use； and on sudden emergencies； none at all。
wherefore； if we must hereafter protect ourselves； why not do it for ourselves？ the english list of ships of war； is long and formidable； but not a tenth part of them are at any one time fit for service； numbers of them not in being； yet their names are pompously continued in the list； f only a plank be left of the ship： and not a fifth part of such as are fit for service； can be spared on any one station at one time。
the east and west indies； mediterranean； africa； and other parts over which britain extends her claim； make large demands upon her navy。
from a mixture of prejudice and inattention； we have contracted a false notion respecting the navy of england； and have talked as if we should have the whole of it to encounter at once； and for that reason； supposed； that we must have one as large； which not being instantly practicable； have been made use of by a set of disguised tories to discourage our beginning thereon。 nothing can be farther from truth than this； for if america had only a twentieth part of the naval force of britain； she would be by far an overmatch for her； because； as we neither have； nor claim any foreign dominion； our whole force would be employed on our own coast； where we should； in the long run； have two to one the advantage of those who had three or four thousand miles to sail over； before they could attack us； and the same distance to return in order to refit and recruit。 and although britain； by her fleet； hath a check over our trade to europe； we have as large a one over her trade to the west indies； which； by laying in the neighbourhood of the continent； is entirely at its mercy。
some method might be fallen on to keep up a naval force in time of peace； if we should not judge it necessary to support a constant navy。
if premiums were to be given to merchants； to build and employ in their service ships mounted with twenty； thirty； forty or fifty guns； （the premiums to be in proportion to the loss of bulk to the merchants） fifty or sixty of those ships； with a few guardships on constant duty； would keep up a sufficient navy； and that without burdening ourselves with the evil so loudly plained of in england； of suffering their fleet； in time of peace to lie rotting in the docks。 to unite the sinews of merce and defense is sound policy； for when our strength and our riches play into each others hand； we need fear no external enemy。
in almost every article of defense we abound。 hemp flourishes even to rankness； so that we need not want cordage。 our iron is superior to that of other countries。 our small arms equal to any in the world。
cannon we can cast at pleasure。 saltpetre and gunpowder we are every day producing。 our knowledge is hourly improving。 resolution is our inherent character； and courage hath never yet forsaken us。 wherefore； what is it that we want？ why is it that we hesitate？ from britain we can expect nothing but ruin。 if she is once admitted to the government of america again； this continent will not be worth living in。
jealousies will be always arising； insurrections will be constantly happening； and who will go forth to quell them？ who will venture his life to reduce his own countrymen to a foreign obedience？ the difference between pennsylvania and connecticut； respecting some unlocated lands； shews the insignificance of a british government； and fully proves； that nothing but continental authority can regulate continental matters。
another reason why the present time is preferable to all others； is； that the fewer our numbers are； the more land there is yet unoccupied； which instead of being lavished by the king on his worthless dependants； may be hereafter applied； not only to the discharge of the present debt； but to the constant support of government。 no nation under heaven hath such an advantage at this。
the infant state of the colonies； as it is called； so far from being against； is an argument in favour of independance。
we are sufficiently numerous； and were we more so； we might be less united。
it is a matter worthy of observation； that the mare a country is peopled； the smaller their armies are。 in military numbers； the ancients far exceeded the modems： and the reason is evident。 for trade being the consequence of population； men bee too much absorbed thereby to attend to anything else。 merce diminishes the spirit； both of patriotism and military defence。 and history sufficiently informs us； that the bravest achievements w