Fromamixtureofprejudiceandinattention，wehavecontractedafalsenotionrespectingthenavyofEngland，andhavetalkedasifweshouldhavethewholeofittoencounteratonce，andforthatreason，supposed，thatwemusthaveoneaslarge；whichnotbeinginstantlypracticable，havebeenmadeuseofbyasetofdisguisedToriestodiscourageourbeginningthereon。Nothingcanbefartherfromtruththanthis；
forifAmericahadonlyatwentiethpartofthenavalforceofBritain，shewouldbebyfaranovermatchforher；because，asweneitherhave，norclaimanyforeigndominion，ourwholeforcewouldbeemployedonourowncoast，whereweshould，inthelongrun，havetwotoonetheadvantageofthosewhohadthreeorfourthousandmilestosailover，beforetheycouldattackus，andthesamedistancetoreturninordertorefitandrecruit。AndalthoughBritain，byherfleet，hathacheckoverourtradetoEurope，wehaveaslargeaoneoverhertradetotheWestIndies，which，bylayingintheneighbourhoodofthecontinent，isentirelyatitsmercy。
Somemethodmightbefallenontokeepupanavalforceintimeofpeace，ifweshouldnotjudgeitnecessarytosupportaconstantnavy。
Ifpremiumsweretobegiventomerchants，tobuildandemployintheirserviceshipsmountedwithtwenty，thirty，fortyorfiftyguns，（thepremiumstobeinproportiontothelossofbulktothemerchants）
fiftyorsixtyofthoseships，withafewguardshipsonconstantduty，wouldkeepupasufficientnavy，andthatwithoutburdeningourselveswiththeevilsoloudlycomplainedofinEngland，ofsufferingtheirfleet，intimeofpeacetolierottinginthedocks。Tounitethesinewsofcommerceanddefenseissoundpolicy；forwhenourstrengthandourrichesplayintoeachother’shand，weneedfearnoexternalenemy。
Inalmosteveryarticleofdefenseweabound。Hempflourisheseventorankness，sothatweneednotwantcordage。Ourironissuperiortothatofothercountries。Oursmallarmsequaltoanyintheworld。
Cannonwecancastatpleasure。Saltpetreandgunpowderweareeverydayproducing。Ourknowledgeishourlyimproving。Resolutionisourinherentcharacter，andcouragehathneveryetforsakenus。Wherefore，whatisitthatwewant？Whyisitthatwehesitate？FromBritainwecanexpectnothingbutruin。IfsheisonceadmittedtothegovernmentofAmericaagain，thisContinentwillnotbeworthlivingin。
Jealousieswillbealwaysarising；insurrectionswillbeconstantlyhappening；
andwhowillgoforthtoquellthem？Whowillventurehislifetoreducehisowncountrymentoaforeignobedience？ThedifferencebetweenPennsylvaniaandConnecticut，respectingsomeunlocatedlands，shewstheinsignificanceofaBritishgovernment，andfullyproves，thatnothingbutContinentalauthoritycanregulateContinentalmatters。
Anotherreasonwhythepresenttimeispreferabletoallothers，is，thatthefewerournumbersare，themorelandthereisyetunoccupied，whichinsteadofbeinglavishedbythekingonhisworthlessdependants，maybehereafterapplied，notonlytothedischargeofthepresentdebt，buttotheconstantsupportofgovernment。Nonationunderheavenhathsuchanadvantageatthis。
TheinfantstateoftheColonies，asitiscalled，sofarfrombeingagainst，isanargumentinfavourofindependance。
Wearesufficientlynumerous，andwerewemoreso，wemightbelessunited。
Itisamatterworthyofobservation，thatthemareacountryispeopled，thesmallertheirarmiesare。Inmilitarynumbers，theancientsfarexceededthemodems：andthereasonisevident。fortradebeingtheconsequenceofpopulation，menbecometoomuchabsorbedtherebytoattendtoanythingelse。Commercediminishesthespirit，bothofpatriotismandmilitarydefence。Andhistorysufficientlyinformsus，thatthebravestachievementswerealwaysaccomplishedinthenon-ageofanation。
Withtheincreaseofcommerce，Englandhathlostitsspirit。ThecityofLondon，notwithstandingitsnumbers，submitstocontinuedinsultswiththepatienceofacoward。Themoremenhavetolose，thelesswillingaretheytoventure。Therichareingeneralslavestofear，andsubmittocourtlypowerwiththetremblingduplicityofaSpaniel。
Youthistheseedtimeofgoodhabits，aswellinnationsasinindividuals。
Itmightbedifficult，ifnotimpossible，toformtheContinentintoonegovernmenthalfacenturyhence。Thevastvarietyofinterests，occasionedbyanincreaseoftradeandpopulation，wouldcreateconfusion。
Colonywouldbeagainstcolony。Eachbeingablemightscorneachother’sassistance：andwhiletheproudandfoolishgloriedintheirlittledistinctions，thewisewouldlament，thattheunionhadnotbeenformedbefore。
Wherefore，thePRESENTTIMEistheTRUETIMEforestablishingit。
Theintimacywhichiscontractedininfancy，andthefriendshipwhichisformedinmisfortune，are，ofallothers，themostlastingandunalterable。
Ourpresentunionismarkedwithboththesecharacters：weareyoungandwehavebeendistressed；butourconcordhathwithstoodourtroubles，andfixesamemorableareforposteritytogloryin。
Thepresenttime，likewise，isthatpeculiartime，whichneverhappenstoanationbutonce，viz。thetimeofformingitselfintoagovernment。
Mostnationshaveletsliptheopportunity，andbythatmeanshavebeencompelledtoreceivelawsfromtheirconquerors，insteadofmakinglawsforthemselves。First，theyhadaking，andthenaformofgovernment；
whereas，thearticlesorcharterofgovernment，shouldbeformedfirst，andmendelegatedtoexecutethemafterwardbutfromtheerrorsofothernations，letuslearnwisdom，andlayholdofthepresentopportunity——TOBEGINGOVERNMENTATTHERIGHTEND。
WhenWilliamtheConquerorsubduedEngland，hegavethemlawatthepointofthesword；anduntilweconsent，thattheseatofgovernment，inAmerica，belegallyandauthoritativelyoccupied，weshallbeindangerofhavingitfilledbysomefortunateruffian，whomaytreatusinthesamemanner，andthen，wherewillbeourfreedom？whereourproperty？
Astoreligion，Iholdittobetheindispensabledutyofallgovernment，toprotectallconscientiousprofessorsthereof，andIknowofnootherbusinesswhichgovernmenthathtodotherewith，Letamanthrowasidethatnarrownessofsoul，thatselfishnessofprinciple，whichtheniggardsofallprofessionsarewillingtopartwith，andhewillbeatdeliveredofhisfearsonthathead。Suspicionisthecompanionofmeansouls，andthebaneofallgoodsociety。Formyself，Ifullyandconscientiouslybelieve，thatitisthewilloftheAlmighty，thatthereshouldbediversityofreligiousopinionsamongus：ItaffordsalargerfieldforourChristiankindness。Wereweallofonewayofthinking，ourreligiousdispositionswouldwantmatterforprobation；andonthisliberalprinciple，Ilookonthevariousdenominationsamongus，tobelikechildrenofthesamefamily，differingonly，inwhatiscalled，theirChristiannames。
Inpageforty，IthrewoutafewthoughtsontheproprietyofaContinentalCharter，（forIonlypresumetoofferhints，notplans）
andinthisplace，Itakethelibertyofrementioningthesubject，byobserving，thatacharteristobeunderstoodasabondofsolemnobligation，whichthewholeentersinto，tosupporttherightofeveryseparatepart，whetherofreligion，personalfreedom，orproperty。
Afirmbargainandarightreckoningmakelongfriends。
InaformerpageIlikewisementionedthenecessityofalargeandequalrepresentation；andthereisnopoliticalmatterwhichmoredeservesourattention。Asmallnumberofelectors，orasmallnumberofrepresentatives，areequallydangerous。
Butifthenumberoftherepresentativesbenotonlysmall，butunequal，thedangerisincreased。Asaninstanceofthis，Imentionthefollowing；whentheAssociatorspetitionwasbeforetheHouseofAssemblyofPennsylvania；twenty-eightmembersonlywerepresent，alltheBuckscountymembers，beingeight，votedagainstit，andhadsevenoftheChestermembersdonethesame，thiswholeprovincehadbeengovernedbytwocountiesonly，andthisdangeritisalwaysexposedto。
Theunwarrantablestretchlikewise，whichthathousemadeintheirlastsitting，togainanundueauthorityoverthedelegatesofthatprovince，oughttowarnthepeopleatlarge，howtheytrustpoweroutoftheirownhands。AsetofinstructionsfortheDelegateswereputtogether，whichinpointofsenseandbusinesswouldhavedishonouredaschoolboy，andafterbeingapprovedbyaFEW，aVERYFEW
withoutdoors，werecarriedintotheHouse，andtherepassedINBEHALFOFTHEWHOLECOLONY；whereas，didthewholecolonyknow，withwhatill-willthatHousehathenteredonsomenecessarypublicmeasures，theywouldnothesitateamomenttothinkthemunworthyofsuchatrust。
Immediatenecessitymakesmanythingsconvenient，whichifcontinuedwouldgrowintooppressions。Expedienceandrightaredifferentthings。
WhenthecalamitiesofAmericarequiredaconsultation，therewasnomethodsoready，oratthattimesoproper，astoappointpersonsfromtheseveralHousesofAssemblyforthatpurpose；andthewisdomwithwhichtheyhaveproceededhathpreservedthiscontinentfromruin。
ButasitismorethanprobablethatweshallneverbewithoutaCONGRESS，everywellwishertogoodorder，mustown，thatthemodeforchoosingmembersofthatbody，deservesconsideration。AndIputitasaquestiontothose，whomakeastudyofmankind，whetherrepresentationandelectionisnottoogreatapowerforoneandthesamebodyofmentopossess？Whenweareplanningforposterity，weoughttoremember，thatvirtueisnothereditary。
Itisfromourenemiesthatweoftengainexcellentmaxims，andarefrequentlysurprisedintoreasonbytheirmistakes，Mr。Cornwall（oneoftheLordsoftheTreasury）treatedthepetitionoftheNew-YorkAssemblywithcontempt，becauseTHATHouse，hesaid，consistedbutoftwenty-sixmembers，whichtriflingnumber，heargued，couldnotwithdecencybeputforthewhole。Wethankhimforhisinvoluntaryhonesty。
[Thosewhowouldfullyunderstandofwhatgreatconsequencealargeandequalrepresentationistoastate，shouldreadBurgh’spoliticaldisquisitions。]
TOCONCLUDE，howeverstrangeitmayappeartosome，orhoweverunwillingtheymaybetothinkso，mattersnot，butmanystrongandstrikingreasonsmaybegiven，toshew，thatnothingcansettleouraffairssoexpeditiouslyasanopenanddetermineddeclarationforindependance。Someofwhichare，FIRST。——Itisthecustomofnations，whenanytwoareatwar，forsomeotherpowers，notengagedinthequarrel，tostepinasmediators，andbringaboutthepreliminariesofapeace：hutwhileAmericacallsherselftheSubjectofGreatBritain，nopower，howeverwelldisposedshemaybe，canofferhermediation。Wherefore，inourpresentstatewemayquarrelonforever。
SECONDLY。——Itisunreasonabletosuppose，thatFranceorSpainwillgiveusanykindofassistance，ifwemeanonly，tomakeuseofthatassistanceforthepurposeofrepairingthebreach，andstrengtheningtheconnectionbetweenBritainandAmerica；because，thosepowerswouldbesufferersbytheconsequences。
THIRDLY。——WhileweprofessourselvesthesubjectsofBritain，wemust，intheeyeofforeignnations。beconsideredasrebels。TheprecedentissomewhatdangeroustoTHEIRPEACE，formentobeinarmsunderthenameofsubjects；we，onthespot，cansolvetheparadox：buttouniteresistanceandsubjection，requiresanideamuchtoorefinedforcommonunderstanding。
FOURTHLY。——Wereamanifestotobepublished，anddespatchedtoforeigncourts，settingforththemiserieswehaveendured，andthepeaceablemethodswehaveineffectuallyusedforredress；
declaring，atthesametime，thatnotbeingable，anylonger，tolivehappilyorsafelyunderthecrueldispositionoftheBritishcourt，wehadbeendriventothenecessityofbreakingoffallconnectionswithher；
atthesametime，assuringallsuchcourtsofourpeaceabledispositiontowardsthem，andofourdesireofenteringintotradewiththem：
SuchamemorialwouldproducemoregoodeffectstothisContinent，thanifashipwerefreightedwithpetitionstoBritain。
UnderourpresentdenominationofBritishsubjects，wecanneitherbereceivednorheardabroad：Thecustomofallcourtsisagainstus，andwillbeso，until，byanindependance，wetakerankwithothernations。
Theseproceedingsmayatfirstappearstrangeanddifficult；but，likeallotherstepswhichwehavealreadypassedover，willinalittletimebecomefamiliarandagreeable；and，untilanindependanceisdeclared，theContinentwillfeelitselflikeamanwhocontinuesputtingoffsomeunpleasantbusinessfromdaytoday，yetknowsitmustbedone，hatestosetaboutit，wishesitover，andiscontinuallyhauntedwiththethoughtsofitsnecessity。
APPENDIX
Sincethepublicationofthefirsteditionofthispamphlet，orrather，onthesamedayonwhichitcameout，theKing’sSpeechmadeitsappearanceinthiscity。Hadthespiritofprophecydirectedthebirthofthisproduction，itcouldnothavebroughtitforth，atamoreseasonablejuncture，oramorenecessarytime。
Thebloodymindednessoftheone，shewthenecessityofpursuingthedoctrineoftheother。Menreadbywayofrevenge。
AndtheSpeech，insteadofterrifying，preparedawayforthemanlyprinciplesofIndependance。
Ceremony，andeven，silence，fromwhatevermotivetheymayarise，haveahurtfultendency，whentheygivetheleastdegreeofcountenancetobaseandwickedperformances；
wherefore，ifthismaximbeadmitted，itnaturallyfollows，thattheKing’sSpeech，asbeingapieceoffinishedvillany，deserved，andstilldeserves，ageneralexecrationbothbytheCongressandthepeople。Yet，asthedomestictranquillityofanation，dependsgreatly，ontheCHASTITYofwhatmayproperlybecalledNATIONALMANNERS，itisoftenbetter，topasssomethingsoverinsilentdisdain，thantomakeuseofsuchnewmethodsofdislike，asmightintroducetheleastinnovation，onthatguardianofourpeaceandsafety。And，perhaps，itischieflyowingtothisprudentdelicacy，thattheKing’sSpeech，hathnot，beforenow，sufferedapublicexecution。
TheSpeechifitmaybecalledone，isnothingbetterthanawilfulaudaciouslibelagainstthetruth，thecommongood，andtheexistenceofmankind；andisaformalandpompousmethodofofferinguphumansacrificestotheprideoftyrants。
Butthisgeneralmassacreofmankind。isoneoftheprivileges，andthecertainconsequenceofKings；forasnatureknowsthemNOT，theyknowNOTHER，andalthoughtheyarebeingsofourOWNcreating，theyknownotUS，andarebecomethegodsoftheircreators。
TheSpeechhathonegoodquality，whichis，thatitisnotcalculatedtodeceive，neithercanwe，evenifwewould，bedeceivedbyit。
Brutalityandtyrannyappearonthefaceofit。Itleavesusatnoloss：
Andeverylineconvinces，eveninthemomentofreading，thatHe，whohuntsthewoodsforprey，thenakedanduntutoredIndian，islessaSavagethantheKingofBritain。
SirJohnDalrymple，theputativefatherofawhiningjesuiticalpiece，fallaciouslycalled，\"THEADDRESSOFTHEPEOPLEOF_ENGLAND_
TOTHEINHABITANTSOF_AMERICA_，\"hath，perhaps，fromavainsupposition，thatthepeoplehereweretobefrightenedatthepompanddescriptionofaking，given，（thoughveryunwiselyonhispart）therealcharacterofthepresentone：\"But\"saysthiswriter，\"ifyouareinclinedtopaycomplimentstoanadministration，whichwedonotcomplainof，\"
（meaningtheMarquisofRockingham’sattherepealoftheStampAct）
\"itisveryunfairinyoutowithholdthemfromthatprincebyWHOSE_NODALONE_THEYWEREPERMITTEDTODOANYTHING。\"
Thisistoryismwithawitness！Hereisidolatryevenwithoutamask：
Andhewhocancalmlyhear，anddigestsuchdoctrine，hathforfeitedhisclaimtorationalityanapostatefromtheorderofmanhood；andoughttobeconsideredasone，whohathnotonlygivenuptheproperdignityofman，butsunkhimselfbeneaththerankofanimals，andcontemptiblycrawlthroughtheworldlikeaworm。
However，itmattersverylittlenow，whatthekingofEnglandeithersaysordoes；hehathwickedlybrokenthrougheverymoralandhumanobligation，tramplednatureandconsciencebeneathhisfeet；andbyasteadyandconstitutionalspiritofinsolenceandcruelty，procuredforhimselfanuniversalhatred。ItisNOWtheinterestofAmericatoprovideforherself。
Shehathalreadyalargeandyoungfamily，whomitismoreherdutytotakecareof，thantobegrantingawayherproperty，tosupportapowerwhoisbecomeareproachtothenamesofmenandchristians——YE，whoseofficeitistowatchoverthemoralsofanation，ofwhatsoeversectordenominationyeareof，aswellasye，who，aremoreimmediatelytheguardiansofthepublicliberty，ifyewishtopreserveyournativecountryuncontaminatedbyEuropeancorruption，yemustinsecretwishaseparation——Butleavingthemoralparttoprivatereflection，Ishallchieflyconfinemyfartherremarkstothefollowingheads。
First。ThatitistheinterestofAmericatobeseparatedfromBritain。
Secondly。Whichistheeasiestandmostpracticableplan，RECONCILIATIONORINDEPENDANCE？Withsomeoccasionalremarks。
Insupportofthefirst，Icould，ifIjudgeditproper，producetheopinionofsomeoftheablestandmostexperiencedmenonthiscontinent；andwhosesentiments，onthathead，arenotyetpubliclyknown。Itisinrealityaself-evidentposition：
Fornonationinastateofforeigndependance，limitedinitscommerce，andcrampedandfetteredinitslegislativepowers，caneverarriveatanymaterialeminence。Americadothnotyetknowwhatopulenceis；
andalthoughtheprogresswhichshehathmadestandsunparalleledinthehistoryofothernations，itisbutchildhood，comparedwithwhatshewouldbecapableofarrivingat，hadshe，assheoughttohave，thelegislativepowersinherownhands。
Englandis，atthistime，proudlycovetingwhatwoulddohernogood，wereshetoaccomplishit；andtheContinenthesitatingonamatter，whichwillbeherfinalruinifneglected。ItisthecommerceandnottheconquestofAmerica，bywhichEnglandistohebenefited，andthatwouldinagreatmeasurecontinue，werethecountriesasindependantofeachotherasFranceandSpain；becauseinmanyarticles，neithercangotoabettermarket。ButitistheindependanceofthiscountryonBritainoranyother，whichisnowthemainandonlyobjectworthyofcontention，andwhich，likeallothertruthsdiscoveredbynecessity，willappearclearerandstrongereveryday。
First。Becauseitwillcometothatonetimeorother。
Secondly。Because，thelongeritisdelayedtheharderitwillbetoaccomplish。
Ihavefrequentlyamusedmyselfbothinpublicandprivatecompanies，withsilentlyremarking，thespeciouserrorsofthosewhospeakwithoutreflecting。AndamongthemanywhichIhaveheard，thefollowingseemsthemostgeneral，viz。
thathadthisrupturehappenedfortyorfiftyyearshence，insteadofNOW，theContinentwouldhavebeenmoreabletohaveshakenoffthedependance。TowhichIreply，thatourmilitaryability，ATTHISTIME，arisesfromtheexperiencegainedinthelastwar，andwhichinfortyorfiftyyearstime，wouldhavebeentotallyextinct。TheContinent，wouldnot，bythattime，havehadaGeneral，orevenamilitaryofficerleft；
andwe，orthosewhomaysucceedus，wouldhavebeenasignorantofmartialmattersastheancientIndians：Andthissingleposition，closelyattendedto，willunanswerablyprove，thatthepresenttimeispreferabletoallothers。Theargumentturnsthus——attheconclusionofthelastwar，wehadexperience，butwantednumbers；
andfortyorfiftyyearshence，weshouldhavenumbers，withoutexperience；wherefore，theproperpointoftime，mustbesomeparticularpointbetweenthetwoextremes，inwhichasufficiencyoftheformerremains，andaproperincreaseofthelatterisobtained：Andthatpointoftimeisthepresenttime。
Thereaderwillpardonthisdigression，asitdoesnotproperlycomeundertheheadIfirstsetoutwith，andtowhichIagainreturnbythefollowingposition，viz。
ShouldaffairshepatchedupwithBritain，andshetoremainthegoverningandsovereignpowerofAmerica，（which，asmattersarenowcircumstanced，isgivingupthepointentirely）weshalldepriveourselvesoftheverymeansofsinkingthedebtwehave，ormaycontract。Thevalueofthebacklandswhichsomeoftheprovincesareclandestinelydeprivedof，bytheunjustextensionofthelimitsofCanada，valuedonlyatfivepoundssterlingperhundredacres，amounttoupwardsoftwenty-fivemillions，Pennsylvaniacurrency；andthequit-rentsatonepennysterlingperacre，totwomillionsyearly。
Itisbythesaleofthoselandsthatthedebtmaybesunk，withoutburthentoany，andthequit-rentreservedthereon，willalwayslessen，andintime，willwhollysupporttheyearlyexpenceofgovernment。Itmattersnothowlongthedebtisinpaying，sothatthelandswhensoldbeappliedtothedischargeofit，andfortheexecutionofwhich，theCongressforthetimebeing，willbethecontinentaltrustees……
Iproceednowtothesecondhead，viz。Whichistheeasiestandmostpracticableplan，RECONCILIATIONorlNDEPENDANCE；
Withsomeoccasionalremarks。
Hewhotakesnatureforhisguideisnoteasilybeatenoutofhisargument，andonthatground，IanswerGENERALLY——THAT_INDEPENDANCE_
BEINGA_SINGLESIMPLELINE，_CONTAINEDWITHINOURSELVES；
ANDRECONCILIATION，AMATTEREXCEEDINGLYPERPLEXEDANDCOMPLICATED，ANDINWHICH，ATREACHEROUSCAPRICIOUSCOURTISTOINTERFERE，GIVESTHEANSWERWITHOUTADOUBT。
ThepresentstateofAmericaistrulyalarmingtoeverymanwhoiscapableofreflexion。Withoutlaw，withoutgovernment，withoutanyothermodeofpowerthanwhatisfoundedon，andgrantedbycourtesy。
Heldtogetherbyanunexampledconcurrenceofsentiment，which，isneverthelesssubjecttochange，andwhich，everysecretenemyisendeavouringtodissolve。Ourpresentcondition，is，Legislationwithoutlaw；wisdomwithoutaplan；aconstitutionwithoutaname；
and，whatisstrangelyastonishing，perfectIndependancecontendingfordependance。Theinstanceiswithoutaprecedent；thecaseneverexistedbefore；andwhocantellwhatmaybetheevent？Thepropertyofnomanissecureinthepresentunbracedsystemofthings。Themindofthemultitudeisleftatrandom，andseeingnofixedobjectbeforethem，theypursuesuchasfancyoropinionstarts。Nothingiscriminal；
thereisnosuchthingastreason；wherefore，everyonethinkshimselfatlibertytoactashepleases。TheToriesdarednothaveassembledoffensively，hadtheyknownthattheirlives，bythatact，wereforfeitedtothelawsofthestate。Alineofdistinctionshouldbedrawn，between，Englishsoldierstakeninbattle，andinhabitantsofAmericatakeninarms。
Thefirstareprisoners，butthelattertraitors。
Theoneforfeitshisliberty，theotherhishead。
Notwithstandingourwisdom，thereisavisiblefeeblenessinsomeofourproceedingswhichgivesencouragementtodissensions。
TheContinentalBeltistoolooselybuckled。Andifsomethingisnotdoneintime，itwillbetoolatetodoanything，andweshallfallintoastate，inwhich，neitherRECONCILIATION
norINDEPENDANCEwillbepracticable。ThekingandhisworthlessadherentsaregotattheiroldgameofdividingtheContinent，andtherearenotwantingamongus，Printers，whowillbebusyinspreadingspeciousfalsehoods。TheartfulandhypocriticalletterwhichappearedafewmonthsagointwooftheNewYorkpapers，andlikewiseintwoothers，isanevidencethattherearemenwhowanteitherjudgmentorhonesty。
Itiseasygettingintoholesandcornersandtalkingofreconciliation：
Butdosuchmenseriouslyconsider，howdifficultthetaskis，andhowdangerousitmayprove，shouldtheContinentdividethereon。Dotheytakewithintheirview，allthevariousordersofmenwhosesituationandcircumstances，aswellastheirown，aretobeconsideredtherein。
DotheyputthemselvesintheplaceofthesuffererwhoseALL
isALREADYgone，andofthesoldier，whohathquittedALLforthedefenceofhiscountry。Iftheirilljudgedmoderationbesuitedtotheirownprivatesituationsonly，regardlessofothers，theeventwillconvincethem，that\"theyarereckoningwithouttheirHost。\"
Putus，sayssome，onthefootingwewereoninsixty-three：
TowhichIanswer，therequestisnotnowinthepowerofBritaintocomplywith，neitherwillsheproposeit；butifitwere，andevenshouldbegranted，Iask，asareasonablequestion，Bywhatmeansissuchacorruptandfaithlesscourttobekepttoitsengagements？Anotherparliament，nay，eventhepresent，mayhereafterrepealtheobligation，onthepretense，ofitsbeingviolentlyobtained，orunwiselygranted；
andinthatcase，Whereisourredress？——Nogoingtolawwithnations；cannonarethebarristersofCrowns；
andthesword，notofjustice，butofwar，decidesthesuit。
Tobeonthefootingofsixty-three，itisnotsufficient，thatthelawsonlybeputonthesamestate，but，thatourcircumstances，likewise，beputonthesamestate；Ourburntanddestroyedtownsrepairedorbuiltup，ourprivatelossesmadegood，ourpublicdebts（contractedfordefence）discharged；otherwise，weshallbemillionsworsethanwewereatthatenviableperiod。Sucharequest，haditbeencompliedwithayearago，wouldhavewontheheartandsouloftheContinent-butnowitistoolate，\"TheRubiconispassed。\"
Besides，thetakinguparms，merelytoenforcetherepealofapecuniarylaw，seemsasunwarrantablebythedivinelaw，andasrepugnanttohumanfeelings，asthetakinguparmstoenforceobediencethereto。Theobject，oneitherside，dothnotjustifythemeans；forthelivesofmenaretoovaluabletobecastawayonsuchtrifles。Itistheviolencewhichisdoneandthreatenedtoourpersons；thedestructionofourpropertybyanarmedforce；theinvasionofourcountrybyfireandsword，whichconscientiouslyqualifiestheuseofarms：Andtheinstant，inwhichsuchamodeofdefencebecamenecessary，allsubjectiontoBritainoughttohaveceased；andtheindependancyofAmerica，shouldhavebeenconsidered，asdatingitsaerafrom，andpublishedby，THEFIRSTMUSKETTHATWASFIRED
AGAINSTHER。Thislineisalineofconsistency；neitherdrawnbycaprice，norextendedbyambition；butproducedbyachainofevents，ofwhichthecolonieswerenottheauthors。
Ishallconcludetheseremarkswiththefollowingtimelyandwellintendedhints。Weoughttoreflect，thattherearethreedifferentwaysbywhichanindependancymayhereafterbeeffected；andthatONEofthoseTHREE，willonedayorother，bethefateofAmerica，viz。BythelegalvoiceofthepeopleinCongress；byamilitarypower；orbyamob——ItmaynotalwayshappenthatOURsoldiersarecitizens，andthemultitudeabodyofreasonablemen；virtue，asIhavealreadyremarked，isnothereditary，neitherisitperpetual。Shouldanindependancybebroughtaboutbythefirstofthosemeans，wehaveeveryopportunityandeveryencouragementbeforeus，toformthenoblestpurestconstitutiononthefaceoftheearth。Wehaveitinourpowertobegintheworldoveragain。Asituation，similartothepresent，hathnothappenedsincethedaysofNoahuntilnow。Thebirthdayofanewworldisathand，andaraceofmen，perhapsasnumerousasallEuropecontains，aretoreceivetheirportionoffreedomfromtheeventofafewmonths。
TheReflexionisawful——andinthispointofview，Howtrifling，howridiculous，dothelittle，paltrycavillings，ofafewweakorinterestedmenappear，whenweighedagainstthebusinessofaworld。
Shouldweneglectthepresentfavourableandinvitingperiod，andanIndependancebehereaftereffectedbyanyothermeans，wemustchargetheconsequencetoourselves，ortothoserather，whosenarrowandprejudicedsouls，arehabituallyopposingthemeasure，withouteitherinquiringorreflecting。TherearereasonstobegiveninsupportofIndependance，whichmenshouldratherprivatelythinkof，thanbepubliclytoldof。Weoughtnotnowtobedebatingwhetherweshallbeindependantornot，but，anxioustoaccomplishitonafirm，secure，andhonorablebasis，anduneasyratherthatitisnotyetbeganupon。
Everydayconvincesusofitsnecessity。EventheTories（ifsuchbeingsyetremainamongus）should，ofallmen，bethemostsolicitoustopromoteit；
for，astheappointmentofcommitteesatfirst，protectedthemfrompopularrage，so，awiseandwellestablishedformofgovernment，willbetheonlycertainmeansofcontinuingitsecurelytothem。
WHEREFORE，iftheyhavenotvirtueenoughtobeWHIGS，theyoughttohaveprudenceenoughtowishforIndependance。
Inshort，IndependanceistheonlyBONDthatcantyeandkeepustogether。Weshallthenseeourobject，andourearswillbelegallyshutagainsttheschemesofanintriguing，aswell，asacruelenemy。Weshallthentoo，beonaproperfooting，totreatwithBritain；forthereisreasontoconclude，thattheprideofthatcourt，willbelesshurtbytreatingwiththeAmericanstatesfortermsofpeace，thanwiththose，whomshedenominates，\"rebellioussubjects，\"fortermsofaccommodation。
Itisourdelayingitthatencourageshertohopeforconquest，andourbackwardnesstendsonlytoprolongthewar。Aswehave，withoutanygoodeffecttherefrom，withheldourtradetoobtainaredressofourgrievances，letusnowtrythealternative，byindependantlyredressingthemourselves，andthenofferingtoopenthetrade。ThemercantileandreasonablepartinEngland，willbestillwithus；because，peacewithtrade，ispreferabletowarwithoutit。Andifthisofferbenotaccepted，othercourtsmaybeappliedto。
OnthesegroundsIrestthematter。Andasnoofferhathyetbeenmadetorefutethedoctrinecontainedintheformereditionsofthispamphlet，itisanegativeproof，thateitherthedoctrinecannotberefuted，or，thatthepartyinfavourofitaretoonumeroustobeopposed。WHEREFORE，insteadofgazingateachotherwithsuspiciousordoubtfulcuriosity；
leteachofus，holdouttohisneighbourtheheartyhandoffriendship，anduniteindrawingaline，which，likeanactofoblivionshallburyinforgetfulnesseveryformerdissension。
LetthenamesofWhigandTorybeextinct；andletnoneotherbeheardamongus，thanthoseofAGOODCITIZEN，ANOPENANDRESOLUTEFRIEND，ANDAVIRTUOUSSUPPORTER
OFTHERIGHTSOFMANKINDANDOFTHE_FREEANDINDEPENDANTSTATESOFAMERICA_。
TotheRepresentativesoftheReligiousSocietyofthePeoplecalledQuakers，ortosomanyofthemaswereconcernedinpublishingthelatepiece，entitled\"THEANCIENTTESTIMONYandPRlNCIPLESofthePeoplecalledQUAKERS
renewed，withRespecttotheKINGandGOVERNMENT，andtouchingtheCOMMOTIONS
nowprevailingintheseandotherpartsofAMERICAaddressedtothePEOPLEINGENERAL。\"
TheWriterofthis，isoneofthosefew，whoneverdishonoursreligioneitherbyridiculing，orcavillingatanydenominationwhatsoever。
ToGod，andnottoman，areallmenaccountableonthescoreofreligion。
Wherefore，thisepistleisnotsoproperlyaddressedtoyouasareligious，butasapoliticalbody，dabblinginmatters，whichtheprofessedQuietudeofyourPrinciplesinstructyounottomeddlewith。Asyouhave，withoutaproperauthorityforsodoing，putyourselvesintheplaceofthewholebodyoftheQuakers，so，thewriterofthis，inordertobeonanequalrankwithyourselves，isunderthenecessity，ofputtinghimselfintheplaceofallthose，who，approvetheverywritingsandprinciples，againstwhich，yourtestimonyisdirected：Andhehathchosenthissingularsituation，inorder，thatyoumightdiscoverinhimthatpresumptionofcharacterwhichyoucannotseeinyourselves。ForneitherhenoryoucanhaveanyclaimortitletoPOLITICALREPRESENTATION。
Whenmenhavedepartedfromtherightway，itisnowonderthattheystumbleandfall。Anditisevidentfromthemannerinwhichyehavemanagedyourtestimony，thatpolitics，（asareligiousbodyofmen）
isnotyourproperWalk；forhoweverwelladapteditmightappeartoyou，itis，nevertheless，ajumbleofgoodandbadputunwiselytogether，andtheconclusiondrawntherefrom，bothunnaturalandunjust。
Thetwofirstpages，（andthewholedothnotmakefour）wegiveyoucreditfor，andexpectthesamecivilityfromyou，becausetheloveanddesireofpeaceisnotconfinedtoQuakerism，itisthenatural，aswellthereligiouswishofalldenominationsofmen。Andonthisground，asmenlabouringtoestablishanIndependantConstitutionofourown，doweexceedallothersinourhope，end，andaim。OURPLANISPEACEFOREVER。
WearetiredofcontentionwithBritain，andcanseenorealendtoitbutinafinalseparation。Weactconsistently，becauseforthesakeofintroducinganendlessanduninterruptedpeace，dowebeartheevilsandburthensofthepresentday。Weareendeavoring，andwillsteadilycontinuetoendeavour，toseparateanddissolveaconnexionwhichhathalreadyfilledourlandwithblood；andwhich，whilethenameofitremains，willhethefatalcauseoffuturemischiefstobothcountries。
Wefightneitherforrevengenorconquest；neitherfrompridenorpassion；wearenotinsultingtheworldwithourfleetsandarmies，norravagingtheglobeforplunder。Beneaththeshadeofourownvinesareweattacked；inourownhouses，andonourownlands，istheviolencecommittedagainstus。WeviewourenemiesinthecharacterofHighwaymenandHousebreakers，andhavingnodefenceforourselvesinthecivillaw，areobligedtopunishthembythemilitaryone，andapplythesword，intheverycase，whereyouhavebeforenow，appliedthehalter——
Perhapswefeelfortheruinedandinsultedsufferersinallandeverypartofthecontinent，withadegreeoftendernesswhichhathnotyetmadeitswayintosomeofyourbosoms。ButbeyesurethatyemistakenotthecauseandgroundofyourTestimony。Callnotcoldnessofsoul，religion；
norputtheBIGOTintheplaceoftheCHRISTIAN。
Oyepartialministersofyourownacknowledgedprinciples。Ifthebearingarmsbesinful，thefirstgoingtowarmustbemoreso，byallthedifferencebetweenwilfulattack，andunavoidabledefence。
Wherefore，ifyereallypreachfromconscience，andmeannottomakeapoliticalhobbyhorseofyourreligionconvincetheworldthereof，byproclaimingyourdoctrinetoourenemies，FORTHEYLIKEWISEBEAR_ARMS_。
GiveusproofofyoursinceritybypublishingitatSt。James’s，tothecommandersinchiefatBoston，totheAdmiralsandCaptainswhoarepiraticallyravagingourcoasts，andtoallthemurderingmiscreantswhoareactinginauthorityunderHIMwhomyeprofesstoserve。
HadyethehonestsoulofBARCLAYyewouldpreachrepentancetoYOURking；
YewouldtelltheRoyalWretchhissins，andwarnhimofeternalruin。
[\"Thouhasttastedofprosperityandadversity；thouknowestwhatitistobebanishedthynativecountry，tobeover-ruledaswellastorule，andsetuponthethrone；andbeingoppressedthouhastreasontoknowhowhatefultheoppressorisbothtoGodandman：Ifafterallthesewarningsandadvertisements，thoudostnotturnuntotheLordwithallthyheart，butforgethimwhorememberedtheeinthydistress，andgiveupthyselftofallowlustandvanity，surelygreatwillbethycondemnation。——
Againstwhichsnare，aswellasthetemptationofthosewhomayordofeedthee，andprompttheetoevil，themostexcellentandprevalentremedywillbe，toapplythyselftothatlightofChristwhichshinethinthyconscience，andwhichneithercan，norwillflatterthee，norsuffertheetobeateaseinthysins。\"——Barclay’saddresstoCharlesII。]
Yewouldnotspendyourpartialinvectivesagainsttheinjuredandtheinsultedonly，but，likefaithfulministers，wouldcryaloudandSPARENONE。Saynotthatyearepersecuted，neitherendeavourtomakeustheauthorsofthatreproach，which，yearebringinguponyourselves；
forwetestifyuntoallmen，thatwedonotcomplainagainstyoubecauseyeareQuakers，butbecauseyepretendtobeandareNOTQuakers。
Alas！itseemsbytheparticulartendencyofsomepartofyourtestimony，andotherpartsofyourconduct，asif，allsinwasreducedto，andcomprehendedin，THEACTOFBEARINGARMS，andthatbythepeopleonly。
Yeappeartous，tohavemistakenpartyforconscience；because，thegeneraltenorofyouractionswantsuniformity——Anditisexceedinglydifficulttoustogivecredittomanyofyourpretendedscruples；
because，weseethemmadebythesamemen，who，intheveryinstantthattheyareexclaimingagainstthemammonofthisworld，arenevertheless，huntingafteritwithastepassteadyasTime，andanappetiteaskeenasDeath。
ThequotationwhichyehavemadefromProverbs，inthethirdpageofyourtestimony，that，\"whenaman’swayspleasetheLord，hemakethevenhisenemiestobeatpeacewithhim\"；isveryunwiselychosenonyourpart；because，itamountstoaproof，thattheking’sways（whomyearedesirousofsupporting）doNOTpleasetheLord，otherwise，hisreignwouldbeinpeace。
Inowproceedtothelatterpartofyourtestimony，andthat，forwhichalltheforegoingseemsonlyanintroductionviz。
\"Ithatheverbeenourjudgmentandprinciple，sincewewerecalledtoprofessthelightofChristJesus，manifestedinourconsciencesuntothisday，thatthesettingupandputtingdownkingsandgovernments，isGod’speculiarprerogative；forcausesbestknowntohimself：
Andthatitisnotourbusinesstohaveanyhandorcontrivancetherein；
nortobebusybodiesaboveourstation，muchlesstoplotandcontrivetheruin，oroverturnofanyofthem，buttoprayfortheking，andsafetyofournation。andgoodofallmen-Thatwemayliveapeaceableandquietlife，inallgodlinessandhonesty；UNDERTHEGOVERNMENTWHICHGOD
ISPLEASEDTOSETOVERUS\"-IftheseareREALLYyourprincipleswhydoyenotabidebythem？Whydoyenotleavethat，whichyecallGod’sWork，tobemanagedbyhimself？Theseveryprinciplesinstructyoutowaitwithpatienceandhumility，fortheeventofallpublicmeasures，andtoreceivethateventasthedivinewilltowardsyou。Wherefore，whatoccasionisthereforyourPOLITICALTESTIMONYifyoufullybelievewhatitcontains？Andtheverypublishingitproves，thateither，yedonotbelievewhatyeprofess，orhavenotvirtueenoughtopractisewhatyebelieve。
TheprinciplesofQuakerismhaveadirecttendencytomakeamanthequietandinoffensivesubjectofany，andeverygovernmentWHICHISSETOVERHIM。AndifthesettingupandputtingdownofkingsandgovernmentsisGod’speculiarprerogative，hemostcertainlywillnotberobbedthereofbyus：wherefore，theprincipleitselfleadsyoutoapproveofeverything，whicheverhappened，ormayhappentokingsasbeinghiswork。OLIVERCROMWELLthanksyou。CHARLES，then，diednotbythehandsofman；andshouldthepresentProudImitatorofhim，cometothesameuntimelyend，thewritersandpublishersoftheTestimony，arebound，bythedoctrineitcontains，toapplaudthefact。Kingsarenottakenawaybymiracles，neitherarechangesingovernmentsbroughtaboutbyanyothermeansthansuchasarecommonandhuman；andsuchaswearenowusing。EventhedispersionoftheJews，thoughforetoldbyourSaviour，waseffectedbyarms。Wherefore，asyerefusetobethemeansononeside，yeoughtnottobemeddlersontheother；buttowaittheissueinsilence；
andunlessyecanproducedivineauthority，toprove，thattheAlmightywhohathcreatedandplacedthisnewworld，atthegreatestdistanceitcouldpossiblystand，eastandwest，fromeverypartoftheold，doth，nevertheless，disapproveofitsbeingindependentofthecorruptandabandonedcourtofBritain，unlessIsay，yecanshewthis，howcanyeonthegroundofyourprinciples，justifytheexcitingandstirringupthepeople\"firmlytouniteintheabhorrenceofallsuchwritings，andmeasures，asevidenceadesireanddesigntobreakoffthehappyconnexionwehavehithertoenjoyed，withthekingdomofGreat-Britain，andourjustandnecessarysubordinationtotheking，andthosewhoarelawfullyplacedinauthorityunderhim。\"
Whataslapofthefaceishere！themen，whointheveryparagraphbefore，havequietlyandpassivelyresigneduptheordering，altering，anddisposalofkingsandgovernments，intothehandsofGod，arenow，recallingtheirprinciples，andputtinginforashareofthebusiness。
Isitpossible，thattheconclusion，whichisherejustlyquoted，cananywaysfollowfromthedoctrinelaiddown？Theinconsistencyistooglaringnottobeseen；theabsurditytoogreatnottobelaughedat；
andsuchascouldonlyhavebeenmadebythose，whoseunderstandingsweredarkenedbythenarrowandcrabbyspiritofadespairingpoliticalparty；
foryearenottobeconsideredasthewholebodyoftheQuakersbutonlyasafactionalandfractionalpartthereof。
Hereendstheexaminationofyourtestimony；（whichIcalluponnomantoabhor，asyehavedone，butonlytoreadandjudgeoffairly；）
towhichIsubjointhefollowingremark；\"Thatthesettingupandputtingdownofkings，\"mostcertainlymean，themakinghimaking，whoisyetnotso，andthemakinghimnokingwhoisalreadyone。Andpraywhathaththistodointhepresentcase？Weneithermeantosetupnortopulldown，neithertomakenortounmake，buttohavenothingtodowiththem。
Wherefore，yourtestimonyinwhateverlightitisviewedservesonlytodishonoryourjudgement，andformanyotherreasonshadbetterhavebeenletalonethanpublished。
First，Becauseittendstothedecreaseandreproachofallreligionwhatever，andisoftheutmostdangertosocietytomakeitapartyinpoliticaldisputes。
Secondly，Becauseitexhibitsabodyofmen，numbersofwhomdisavowthepublishingpoliticaltestimonies，asbeingconcernedthereinandapproversthereof。
Thirdly，becauseithathatendencytoundothatcontinentalharmonyandfriendshipwhichyourselvesbyyourlateliberalandcharitabledonationshathlentahandtoestablish；andthepreservationofwhich，isoftheutmostconsequencetousall。
AndherewithoutangerorresentmentIbidyoufarewell。
Sincerelywishing，thatasmenandchristians，yemayalwaysfullyanduninterruptedlyenjoyeverycivilandreligiousright；
andbe，inyourturn，themeansofsecuringittoothers；
butthattheexamplewhichyehaveunwiselyset，ofminglingreligionwithpolitics，MAYBEDISAVOWED
ANDREPROBATEDBYEVERYINHABITANTOFAMERICA。
FINIS。