按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
it is from our enemies that we often gain excellent maxims； and are frequently surprised into reason by their mistakes； mr。 cornwall （one of the lords of the treasury） treated the petition of the new…york assembly with contempt； because that house； he said； consisted but of twenty…six members； which trifling number； he argued； could not with decency be put for the whole。 we thank him for his involuntary honesty。
＇those who would fully understand of what great consequence a large and equal representation is to a state； should read burghs political disquisitions。＇ to conclude； however strange it may appear to some； or however unwilling they may be to think so； matters not； but many strong and striking reasons may be given； to shew； that nothing can settle our affairs so expeditiously as an open and determined declaration for independance。 some of which are； first。 …… it is the custom of nations； when any two are at war； for some other powers； not engaged in the quarrel； to step in as mediators； and bring about the preliminaries of a peace： hut while 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 connection 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 mon understanding。
fourthly。 …… were a manifesto to be published； and despatched 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 connections 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 all courts is against us； and will be so； until； by an independance； 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 bee familiar and agreeable； and； until an independance 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。
。d xs
APPENDIX
since the publication of the first edition of this pamphlet； or rather； on the same day on which it came out； the kings speech made its appearance in this city。 had the spirit of prophecy directed the birth of this production； it could not have brought it forth； at a more seasonable juncture； or a more necessary time。
the bloody mindedness of the one； shew the necessity of pursuing the doctrine of the other。 men read by way of revenge。
and the speech； instead of terrifying； prepared a way for the manly principles of independance。
ceremony； and even； silence； from whatever motive they may arise； have a hurtful tendency； when they give the least degree of countenance to base and wicked performances； wherefore； if this maxim be admitted； it naturally follows； that the kings speech； as being a piece of finished villany； deserved； and still deserves； a general execration both by the congress and the people。 yet； as the domestic tranquillity of a nation； depends greatly； on the chastity of what may properly be called national manners； it is often better； to pass some things over in silent disdain； than to make use of such new methods of dislike； as might introduce the least innovation； on that guardian of our peace and safety。 and； perhaps； it is chiefly owing to this prudent delicacy； that the kings speech； hath not； before now； suffered a public execution。
the speech if it may be called one； is nothing better than a wilful audacious libel against the truth； the mon good； and the existence of mankind； and is a formal and pompous method of offering up human sacrifices to the pride of tyrants。
but this general massacre of mankind。 is one of the privileges； and the certain consequence of kings； for as nature knows them not； they know not her； and although they are beings of our own creating； they know not us； and are bee the gods of their creators。
the speech hath one good quality； which is； that it is not calculated to deceive； neither can we； even if we would； be deceived by it。
brutality and tyranny appear on the face of it。 it leaves us at no loss： and every line convinces； even in the moment of reading； that he； who hunts the woods for prey； the naked and untutored indian； is less a savage than the king of britain。
sir john dalrymple； the putative father of a whining jesuitical piece； fallaciously called； 〃the address of the people of _england_ to the inhabitants of _america_；〃 hath； perhaps； from a vain supposition； that the people here were to be frightened at the pomp and description of a king； given； （though very unwisely on his part） the real character of the present one： 〃but〃 says this writer； 〃if you are inclined to pay pliments to an administration； which we do not plain of；〃 （meaning the marquis of rockinghams at the repeal of the stamp act） 〃it is very unfair in you to withhold them from that prince by whose _nod alone_ they were p