ˇ¶Common Senseˇ· INTRODUCTION Periments contained in t YEt sufficiently faso procure t of not t a superficial appearance of being RIG first a formidable outcry in defense of custom. But tumult soon subsides. time makes more converts than reason. As a long and violent abuse of po of it in question (and in Matters too ed into taken in , to support t in ion, ted privilege to inquire into tensions of boto reject tion of either. In ts, tudiously avoided every ts as o individuals make no part t triump; and timents are injudicious, or unfriendly, oo mucoheir conversion. t measure the cause of all mankind. Many circumstances local, but universal, and ted, and in t of erested. try desolate tural rigirpating to hOR. P.S. tion of tion aking notice ( been necessary) of any Attempt to refute trine of Independance: As no Ans is no none ime needful for getting suc. ion is, is for Attention is tRINE ItSELF, not t it may not be unnecessary to say, t ed y, and under no sort of Influence public or private, but the influence of reason and principle. Philadelphia, February 14, 1776 I Periments contained in t YEt sufficiently faso procure t of not t a superficial appearance of being RIG first a formidable outcry in defense of custom. But tumult soon subsides. time makes more converts than reason. As a long and violent abuse of po of it in question (and in Matters too ed into taken in , to support t in ion, ted privilege to inquire into tensions of boto reject tion of either. In ts, tudiously avoided every ts as o individuals make no part t triump; and timents are injudicious, or unfriendly, oo mucoheir conversion. t measure the cause of all mankind. Many circumstances local, but universal, and ted, and in t of erested. try desolate tural rigirpating to hOR. P.S. tion of tion aking notice ( been necessary) of any Attempt to refute trine of Independance: As no Ans is no none ime needful for getting suc. ion is, is for Attention is tRINE ItSELF, not t it may not be unnecessary to say, t ed y, and under no sort of Influence public or private, but the influence of reason and principle. Philadelphia, February 14, 1776 II-1 2.1 OF t IN GENERAL. ItItUtION Some ers y , as to leave little or no distinction bet only different, but origins. Society is produced by our s, and government by our es our POSItIVELY by uniting our affections, tter NEGAtIVELY by restraining our vices. tercourse, tes distinctions. t a patron, t a punisher. Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its state an intolerable one; for , in a country It GOVERNMENt, our calamity is ened by reflecting t we furnishe means by which we suffer. Government, like dress, is t innocence; t on tibly obeyed, man t not being t necessary to surrender up a part of y to furnisection of t; and to do by t of to c. y being true design and end of government, it unans likely to ensure it to us, expense and greatest benefit, is preferable to all others. In order to gain a clear and just idea of t, let us suppose a small number of persons settled in some sequestered part of ted , t t peopling of any country, or of the world. In tate of natural liberty, society t. A tives e to, trengto s, and ted for perpetual solitude, t o seek assistance and relief of anoturn requires ted o raise a tolerable d of a one man mig of t accomplisimber remove it, nor erect it after it call une be mortal, yet eito a state in o periso die. ty, like a gravitating pos into society, tions of la unnecessary to eac as not o vice, it ion as t t difficulties of emigration, o relax in ty and attac to eac out ty of establis to supply t of moral virtue. Some convenient tree ate-o deliberate on public matters. It is more t t lale only of REGULAtIONS, and be enforced by no oty teem. In t parliament every man, by natural rig. But as tance at too inconvenient for all of to meet on every occasion as at first, ions near, and trifling. t out ting to leave tive part to be managed by a select number co stake in t, . If tinues increasing, it o augment tatives, and t terest of every part of ttended to, it to divide to convenient parts, eac sending its proper number; and t tED migo terest separate from tORS, prudence out ty of ions often; because as tED mig means return and mix again ORS in a fey to t reflection of not making a rod for t intercabliserest of ty, tually and naturally support eac on tRENGt, AND thE GOVERNED. ; namely, a mode rendered necessary by ty of moral virtue to govern too is t, viz. freedom and security. And erest darken our understanding, ture and of reason is right. I dra from a principle in nature, urn, viz. t t is to be disordered; and ted constitution of England. t it imes in ed, is granted. yranny t remove t t it is imperfect, subject to convulsions, and incapable of producing seems to promise, is easily demonstrated. Absolute governments (ture) age t bey of causes and cures. But titution of England is so exceedingly complex, t tion may suffer for years toget being able to discover in lies; some ical p medicine. I kno is difficult to get over local or long standing prejudices, yet if o examine t parts of titution, tyrannies, compounded erials. FIRSt - tyranny in the king. SECONDLY - tocratical tyranny in the peers. terials in tue depends the freedom of England. t, by being ary, are independent of tItUtIONAL SENSE tribute notoate. to say t titution of England is a UNION of t contradictions. to say t t - t t to be trusted being looked after, or in ot a t for absolute poural disease of monarchy. SECONDLY - t ted for t purpose, are eithe crown. But as titution o co reject t again supposes t t o be y! tion of monarc first excludes a man from tion, yet empo in cases is required. tate of a king ss to kno t parts, by unnaturally opposing and destroying eacer to be absurd and useless. Some ers itution t tinctions of a itself; and tly arranged, yet construction t ion of some t exist, or is too incompreo be ion, inform tion includes a previous question, viz. O tRUSt, AND ALAYS OBLIGED tO C be t of a titution makes, supposes suco exist. But to task; t or accompliser ion by one, it only remains to knoution of ty of its motion, yet so long as t stop it, tual; t moving po last s s in speed, is supplied by time. t t in titution, needs not be mentioned, and t it derives its absolute monarc time o put the key. t by king, lords, and commons, arises as mucional pride than reason. Individuals are undoubtedly safer in England tries, but tain as in France, instead of proceeding directly from is o t of parliament. For te of C le - not more just. ional pride and prejudice in favour of modes and forms, trut It IS O tItUtION OF t tO tItUtION OF t, t t as oppressive in England as in turkey. An inquiry into tItUtIONAL ERRORS in t is at time ion of doing justice to otinue under tiality, so neit to ourselves inate prejudice. And as a man. itute, is unfitted to cten constitution of government will disable us from discerning a good one. II-2 2.2 OF MONARCARY SUCCESSION Mankind being originally equals in tion, ty could only be destroyed by some subsequent circumstance; tinctions of ric measure be accounted for, and t o the harsh, ill-sounding names of oppression and avarice. Oppression is often t seldom or never tously poor, it generally makes oo timorous to be hy. But ter distinction, for ural or religious reason can be assigned, and t is, tinction of men into KINGS and SUBJECtS. Male and female are tinctions of nature, good and bad tinctions of o ted above t, and distinguiso, and wo mankind. In to ture c is to confusion. a king century ts in Europe. Antiquity favours t and rural lives of t patriarco tory of Jewisy. Government by kings introduced into tom. It prosperous invention t on foot for tion of idolatry. to tian itle of sacred majesty applied to a ! As ting one man so greatly above t cannot be justified on ts of nature, so neit be defended on ty of scripture; for ty, as declared by Gideon and t Samuel, expressly disapproves of government by kings. All anti-monarcs of scripture s, but tedly merit ttention of countries to form. RENDER UNtO CAESAR ture doctrine of courts, yet it is no support of monarc, for t t time a king, and in a state of vassalage to the Romans. No of tion, till tional delusion requested a king. till t (except in extraordinary cases, erposed) ered by a judge and tribes. Kings t title but ts. And rous o t ty, ever jealous of wive of heaven. Monarcure as one of t them. tory of t transaction is tending to. tes, Gideon marc tory, terposition, decided in e tributing it to temptation in its fullest extent; not a kingdom only, but an ary one, but Gideon in ty of RULE OVER YOU, NEIt be more explicit; Gideon dot decline t deniet to give it; neit ted declarations of in tive style of a prop cion to the King of heaven. About one y years after to trous customs of table; but so it laying of Samuels ted and clamorous manner to Samuel, saying, BE OLD, AND t IN tO JUDGE US, LIKE ALL OtIONS. And but observe t tives t be LIKE unto otions, i.e. true glory laid in being as muc tO JUDGE US; AND SAMUEL PRAYED UNtO tO SAMUEL, O t tO t REJECtED t tED ME, _t I S REIGN OVER tO ALL t I BROUG OF EGYPt, EVEN UNtO tO tO t, PROtESt SOLEMNLY UNtO t S of any particular king, but ter. And notanding t distance of time and difference of manners, ter is still in fasOLD ALL tO t ASKED OF SAKE YOUR SONS AND APPOINt tS, AND tO BE S (tion agrees mode of impressing men) AND AINS OVER tAINS OVER FIFtIES, AND ILL SEt tO EAR , AND tO MAKE RUMENtS OF AR, AND INStRUMENtS OF S; AND AKE YOUR DAUGO BE CONFECtIONARIES, AND tO BE COOKS AND tO BE BAKERS (tAKE YOUR FIELDS AND YOUR OLIVE YARDS, EVEN t OF tO S; AND AKE tENtO O S (by ion, and favouritism are tanding vices of kings) AND AKE tENtS, AND YOUR MAID SERVANtS, AND YOUR GOODLIESt YOUNG MEN AND YOUR ASSES, AND PUt tO AKE tENtS, AND YE S IN t DAY BECAUSE OF YOUR KING DAY._ ts for tinuation of monarcers of tify title, or blot out takes no notice of only as a MAN after Gods own . NEVERtO OBEY t E ILL E MAY BE LIKE ALL tIONS, AND t OUR KING MAY JUDGE US, AND GO OUt BEFORE US, AND FIGtLES. Samuel continued to reason to no purpose; before titude, but all avail; and seeing t on t, I ILL CALL UNtO t, being in time of YE MAY PERCEIVE AND SEE t YOUR ICKEDNESS IS GREAt OF t t DAY, AND ALL tLY FEARED tO SAMUEL, PRAY FOR tS UNtO t E DIE NOt, FOR _E O OUR SINS tO ASK A KING._ tions of scripture are direct and positive. t of no equivocal construction. t ty ered est against monarc, is true, or ture is false. And a man o believe t t, as priestcraft, in ure from tries. For monarcance is t. to t of ary succession; and as t is a degradation and lessening of ourselves, so tter of rig and an imposition on posterity. For all men being originally equals, no ONE by BIRt to set up ual preference to all ot deserve SOME decent degree of emporaries, yet s migoo uno in trongest NAtURAL proofs of tary rig nature disapproves it, ot so frequently turn it into ridicule by giving mankind an ASS FOR A LION. Secondly, as no man at first could possess any oto of posterity. And t say, quot;e c; t, manifest injustice to t;t your c; Because suc, unnatural compact mig succession put t of a rogue or a fool. Most e sentiments, reated ary rigempt; yet it is one of tablis easily removed; many submit from fear, otition, and t s. t race of kings in to is more t could ake off tiquities, and trace to t rise, t ter tless gang, y obtained title of cending ions, overa and defenseless to purcy by frequent contributions. Yet ors could ary rigo s, because sucual exclusion of tible rained principles to live by. ary succession in t take place as a matter of claim, but as sometal; but as feant in traditional ory stuffed er tions, to trump up some superstitious tale, conveniently timed, Ma like, to cram ary rigs of tened, or seemed to ten, on tions among ruffians could not be very orderly) induced many at first to favour ary pretensions; by first ted to as a convenience, er. England, since t, groaned beneat no man in tard landing ti, and establis t of tives, is in plain terms a very paltry rascally original. It certainly y in it. is needless to spend mucime in exposing tary rigo believe it, let the ass and lion, and welcome. I sy, nor disturb tion. Yet I so ask first? tion admits but of t, by election, or by usurpation. If t king aken by lot, it establis for t, , yet t ary, neit appear from t transaction tention it ever s king of any country ion, t likeablis for t; for to say, t t of all future generations is taken a of t electors, in t only of a king, but of a family of kings for ever, of scripture but trine of original sin, of no otary succession can derive no glory. For as in Adam all sinned, and as in t electors all men obeyed; as in ted to Satan, and in to Sovereignty; as our innocence in t, and our auty in t; and as botate and privilege, it unans original sin and ary succession are parallels. Dision! Yet t subtle sop cannot produce a juster simile. As to usurpation, no man ; and t illiam t not to be contradicted. trut tiquity of Englis bear looking into. But it is not so mucy as tary succession as it opens a door to t ture of oppression. Men o obey, soon gro; selected from t of mankind tance; and t in differs so materially from t large, t t little opportunity of knos true interests, and are frequently t ignorant and unfit of any t the dominions. Anottends ary succession is, t t to be possessed by a minor at any age; all ing under tunity and inducement to betray trust. tional misfortune y , enters t stage of o every miscreant, her of age or infancy. t plausible plea, it preserves a nation from civil rue, it barefaced falsity ever imposed upon mankind. tory of England diso. ty kings and tracted kingdom since t, in ion) no less t civil een rebellions. ead of making for peace, it makes against it, and destroys tion it seems to stand on. test for monarcer, laid England in a scene of blood for many years. tctles, besides skirmis beto ain is te of emper of a nation, ters are t aken in triumpo a palace, and Edo fly from a palace to a foreign land; yet, as sudden transitions of temper are seldom lasting, urn o succeed him. t alrongest side. test began in t entirely extinguisill ed. Including a period of 67 years, viz. from 1422 to 1489. In s, monarc t kingdom only) but tis a form of government imony against, and blood tend it. If o t in some countries ter sauntering a pleasure to tage to tion, o tread te monarc of business, civil and military, lies on t for a king, urged t;t before us and figtles.quot; But in countries wo know w IS his business. t approaco a republic t is some to find a proper name for t of England. Sir illiam Meredit a republic; but in its present state it is un influence of ts disposal, ually sen out tue of t in titution) t t of England is nearly as monarc of France or Spain. Men fall out understanding them. For it is t t of titution of England is easy to see t ution of England sickly, but because monarctle more to do to make o impoverision and set it togetty business indeed for a man to be allo man to society and in t of God, t ever lived. II-3 2.3 tS ON t StAtE OF AMERICAN AFFAIRS In ts, plain arguments, and common sense; and o settle o determine for t ON, or rat put OFF true cer of a man, and generously enlarge day. Volumes ten on t of truggle bet motives, and all ual, and te is closed. Arms, as t resource, decide test; tinent ed the challenge. It ed of te Mr. Peler s) t on tacked in t emporary kind, replied quot;t MY tIME.quot; S so fatal and unmanly possess t contest, tors ure generations estation. ter is not ty, a county, a province, or a kingdom, but of a continent - of at least one eig of table globe. tis not terity are virtually involved in test, and ed, even to time, by the proceedings now. Noime of continental union, faith and honour. t fracture no of a pin on tender rind of a young oak; tree, and posterity read it in full grown cers. By referring tter from argument to arms, a neics is struck; a neh arisen. All plans, proposals, amp;c. prior to teento t of ilities, are like t year; es on eition terminated in one and t. viz. a union -Britain: ties ing it; t it t hdrawn her influence. As mucages of reconciliation is but rig , and inquire into some of terial injuries ain, by being connected on Great Britain: to examine t connection and dependence, on ture and common sense, to see rust to, if separated, and o expect, if dependant. I asserted by some, t as America ion Britain t tion is necessary towards ure . Not. e may as t because a c it is never to , or t t ty years of our lives is to become a precedent for t ty. But even tting more true, for I ans America om of Europe. But sected us, say some. t srue, and defended tinent at our expense as ed, and surkey from tive, viz. trade and dominion. Alas, o superstition. e ed tection of Great Britain, considering, t ive ERESt not AttAC; t s protect us from OUR ENEMIES on OUR ACCOUNt, but from , from t, and w. Let Britain o tinent, or tinent t peace ain. t connections. It ely been asserted in parliament, t tion to eac t country, i. e. t Pennsylvania and t, are sister colonies by tainly a very round-about ions it is t and only true way of proving enemys. France and Spain never s of GREAt BRItAIN. But Britain is t country, say some. t. Even brutes do not devour tion, if true, turns to it to be true, or only partly so and t or MOtRY ically adopted by tes, ical design of gaining an unfair bias on t England, is t country of America. ted lovers of civil and religious liberty from EVERY PARt of Europe. from tender embraces of t from ty of ter; and it is so far true of England, t tyranny s from s still. In tensive quarter of t ts of ty miles (tent of England) and carry our friendsian, and triumpy of timent. It is pleasant to observe by ions tance oo parisurally associate most erests in many cases inguis a fe, and salutes ONSMAN; if ravel out of ty, and meet s treet and toRYMAN; but if in te in France or any ot of EUROPE, to t of ENGLIS parity of reasoning, all Europeans meeting in America, or any oter of tRYMEN; for England, and in treet, toy do on tinctions too limited for continental minds. Not one tants, even of t. e t or motry applied to England only, as being false, selfish, narrow and ungenerous. But admitting, t amount to? Notain, being noinguisitle: And to say t reconciliation is our duty, is truly farcical. t king of England, of t line (illiam ts from try; t to be governed by France. Muced strengtain and t in conjunction t bid defiance to t tion; te of ain, neitinent self to be drained of inants, to support tisher Asia, Africa, or Europe. Besides ting t defiance? Our plan is commerce, and t, tended to, is terest of all Europe to . rade ection, and her barrenness of gold and silver secure her from invaders. I c advocate for reconciliation, to sage t tinent can reap, by being connected Britain. I repeat t a single advantage is derived. Our corn cs price in any market in Europe, and our imported goods must be paid for, buy them where we will. But tages ain by t connection, are number; and our duty to mankind at large, as o ourselves, instruct us to renounce to, or dependence on Great Britain, tends directly to involve tinent in European s us at variance ions, for trade, ial connection of it. It is true interest of America to steer clear of European contentions, isics. Europe is too ted o be long at peace, and rade of America goes to ruin, BECAUSE OF ION Ith ENGLAND. t turn out like t, and s not, tes for reconciliation norality in t case, han a man of war. Every t is rigural pleads for separation. ture cries, tIS tIME tO PARt. Even tance at ural proof, t ty of time like , and t . tion y graciously meant to open a sanctuary to ted in future years, wy. ty of Great Britain over tinent, is a form of government, rue pleasure by looking forive conviction, t constitutionquot; is merely temporary. As parents, is not sufficiently lasting to ensure any to posterity: And by a plain met, as generation into debt, , otifully. In order to discover ty rigake our cation a feo life; t eminence a prospect, . t I am inclined to believe, t all trine of reconciliation, may be included ions. Interested men, o be trusted; ain set of moderate men, deserves; and t class, by an ill-judged deliberation, ies to tinent, three. It is tune of many to live distant from t sufficient brougo to make ty is possessed. But let our imaginations transport us far a fes to Boston, t seat of ceacruct us for ever to renounce a po. tants of t unfortunate city, ernative to stay and starve, or turn and beg. Endangered by tinue y, and plundered by t. In t condition t tion, and in a general attack for to th armies. Men of passive tempers look someill , are apt to call out, quot;COME, COME, E S; But examine trine of reconciliation to toucone of nature, and tell me, do all terity. Your future connection ain, convenience, tle time fall into a relapse more c. But if you say, you can still pass tions over, t? y been destroyed before your face! Are your ute of a bed to lie on, or bread to live on? a parent or a cc, t a judge of t if you ill can sever may be your rank or title in life, you of a co of a sycop. t inflaming or exaggerating matters, but trying tions ifies, and ies of it. I mean not to ex to aal and unmanly slumbers, t erminately some fixed object. It is not in tain or of Europe to conquer America, if s conquer IMIDItY. t er is ly employed, but if lost or neglected, tinent ake of tune; and t deserve, be , or he means of sacrificing a season so precious and useful. It is repugnant to reason, to to all examples from former ages, to suppose, t tinent can longer remain subject to any external power. t sanguine in Britain does not tmost stretc, at time, compass a plan s of separation, even a years security. Reconciliation is NO a fallacious dream. Nature ed tion, and Art cannot supply on ;never can true reconcilement gro metual. Our prayers ed ended to convince us, t notters vanity, or confirms obstinacy in Kings more ted petitioning-and notributed more t very measure to make te: itness Denmark and S us come to a final separation, and not leave t generation to be cutting ts, under ted unmeaning names of parent and child. to say, ttempt it again is idle and visionary, so at tamp-act, yet a year or t nations, he quarrel. As to government matters, it is not in tain to do tinent justice: t oo e, to be managed olerable degree of convenience, by a poant from us, and so very ignorant of us; for if t conquer us, t govern us. to be alale or a petition, ing four or five montained requires five or six more to explain it in, ime for it to cease. Small islands not capable of protecting ts for kingdoms to take under t tinent to be perpetually governed by an island. In no instance ure made tellite larger ts primary planet, and as England and America, to eacure, it is evident to different systems; England to Europe, America to itself. I am not induced by motives of pride, party, or resentment to espouse trine of separation and independance; I am clearly, positively, and conscientiously persuaded t it is true interest of tinent to be so; t every t of t is mere patc it can afford no lasting felicity, --t it is leaving to our c a time, tle fartinent th. As Britain manifested t inclination to no terms can be obtained ance of tinent, or any o treasure o. t, contended for, ougo bear some just proportion to testable junto, is a matter unemporary stoppage of trade, s complained of, ained; if tinent must take up arms, if every man must be a soldier, it is scarcely o fig a contemptible ministry only. Dearly, dearly, do s, if t is all imation, it is as great a folly to pay a Bunker-inent, as an event, arrive, so from te rapid progress of tinent to maturity, t could not be far off. of ilities, it o ed a matter, o be in earnest; ot is like ing an estate on a suit at lao regulate trespasses of a tenant, al nineteent t t of t day ed tempered Pc ended title of FAter, and composedly sleep heir blood upon his soul. But admitting t matters ? I ansinent. And t for several reasons. FIRSt. till remaining in tive over tion of tinent. And as erate enemy to liberty. and discovered suc for arbitrary poo say to t;YOU S I PLEASE. And is tant in America so ignorant as not to kno according to CONStItUtION, t tinent can make no la o; and is t to see, t (considering of lating to laws made for us in England. After matters are made up (as it is called) can t, but ted, to keep tinent as loitioning. --E are already greater to be, and o make us less? to bring tter to one point. Is ty, a proper poo govern us? o tion, is an INDEPENDANt, for independancy means no more, test enemy tinent ell us quot;t SUC; But tive in England; t . In point of rig a youty-one ( act of yours to be law. But in t of reply, to expose ty of it, and only ans England being t so, makes quite anotive en times more dangerous and fatal t can be in England, for t to a bill for putting England into as strong a state of defense as possible, and in America o be passed. America is only a secondary object in tem of Britisics, England consults try, no fart ans leads o suppress t promote age, or in t interferes . A pretty state eration of a name: And in order to s reconciliation norine, I affirm, t It OULD BE POLICY IN t tIME, tO REPEAL tS FOR tAtING OF t AND SUBtLEtY, IN t DO BY FORCE AND VIOLENCE IN t ONE. Reconciliation and ruin are nearly related. SECONDLY. t as even t terms, o obtain, can amount to no more temporary expedient, or a kind of government by guardians no longer till tate of terim, tled and unpromising. Emigrants of property co come to a country ottering on tion and disturbance; and numbers of t inants o dispense of ts, and quit tinent. But t pos, is, t not independence, i.e. a continental form of government, can keep tinent and preserve it inviolate from civil of a reconciliation ain no is more t it someain. tisy; (te) ty, o its service, and o lose, temper of tois, of a yout of ime; ttle about her. And a government at all, and in t case is it t Britain can do, break out ter reconciliation! I t t it would produce civil wars. It is but seldom t our first ts are truly correct, and t is ten times more to dread from a patcion test, t royed, and my circumstances ruined, t as man, sensible of injuries, I could never relisrine of reconciliation, or consider myself bound thereby. ted suc of good order and obedience to continental government, as is sufficient to make every reasonable person easy and pretence for ruly c one colony riving for superiority over another. inctions ty, perfect equality affords no temptation. tzerland are ic: Monarcs, it is true, are never long at rest; tself is a temptation to enterprising ruffians at degree of pride and insolence ever attendant on regal auty, so a rupture ances, ural principles, iate take. If true cause of fear respecting independence, it is because no plan is yet laid do see t-- o t business, I offer ts; at time modestly affirming, t I to sometter. Could traggling ts of individuals be collected, tly form materials for o improve into useful matter. LEt t only. tation more equal. tic, and subject to ty of a Continental Congress. Let eaco six, eigen, convenient districts, eacrict to send a proper number of delegates to Congress, so t eac least ty. t least 390. Eaco sit and to c by tes are met, let a colony be taken from teen colonies by lot, after ) a president from out of tes of t province. In t Congress, let a colony be taken by lot from tting t colony from aken in till teen sation. And in order t noto a la isfactorily just not less to be called a majority-- e discord, under a government so equally formed as t. But as t manner, t first arise, and as it seems most agreeable and consistent, t it sermediate body bet is, bet a CONtINENtAL CONFERENCE be he following purpose. A committee of ty-six members of Congress, viz. two for each colony. tatives of t large, to be cal city or totend from all parts of t purpose; or, if more convenient, tatives may be c populous parts ted, tions, by ional concerns, ruly legal auty. t, let to frame a CONtINENtAL CER, Or Cer of ted Colonies; (anso a of England) fixing te of sitting, and draion bet our strengtinental, not provincial:) Securing freedom and property to all men, and above all to tates of conscience; ter as is necessary for a cer to contain. Immediately after o ter, to be tors and governors of tinent for time being: hose peace and happiness may God preserve, Amen. Ser delegated for tracts or t s DRAGONEttI. quot;t; says ;of tician consists in fixing true point of happiness and freedom. titude of ages, contained test sum of individual national expense. [Dragonetti on virtue and re well you. Friend, make e of Britain. Yet t appear to be defective even in eart a day be solemnly set apart for proclaiming ter; let it be broug a cro so far e governments tries t to be King; and t to be no ot lest any ill use ser t ttered among t it is. A government of our oural rigs on t it is infinitely o form a constitution of our oe manner, o trust suceresting event to time and chance. If it noer spiriting up rymen in tplace, against to ed to revolt, and in ter arise, togete and tented, and by assuming to t, may sies of tinent like a deluge. S of America return again into tain, tottering situation of temptation for some desperate adventurer to try une; and in suc relief can Britain give? Ere sal business migcons under t oppose independence no o eternal tyranny, by keeping vacant t of government. tens of t glorious to expel from tinent t barbarous and irred up to destroy us; ty , it is dealing brutally by us, and treachem. to talk of friendso ions ruct us to detest, is madness and folly. Every day ttle remains of kindred beto as tionsion er, imes more and greater concerns to quarrel over t tell us of ion, can ye restore to us time t is past? Can ye give to prostitution its former innocence? Neitain and America. t cord noing addresses against us. ture cannot forgive; so be nature if sress, as tinent forgive tain. ty ed in us tinguishable feelings for good and wise purposes. ts. tinguis ice be extirpated tence o toucion. ten escape unpunis tempers sustain, provoke us into justice. O ye t love mankind! Ye t dare oppose, not only tyranny, but tyrant, stand fort of ted round tranger, and England o depart. O! receive tive, and prepare in time an asylum for mankind. II-4 2.4 OF t ABILItY OF AMERICA, ItIONS I confessed a separation betries, ake place one time or otance, in o describe, ness of tinent for independence. As all men alloime, let us, in order to remove mistakes, take a general survey of to find out time. But go far, t once, for, tIME h FOUND US. t. It is not in numbers, but in unity, t our great strengt our present numbers are sufficient to repel the world. tinent time, t body of armed and disciplined men of any po t pitcrengto support itself, and ted, can accomplister, and eit be fatal in its effects. Our land force is already sufficient, and as to naval affairs, be insensible, t Britain o be built, remained in branc trutimber of try is every day diminis, , to procure. ere tinent croants, circumstances olerable. t too lose. Our present numbers are so ioned to our s, t no man need be idle. tion of trade affords an army, and ties of an army create a nerade. Debts ract on t o of our virtue. Can leave posterity tled form of government, an independent constitution of its o any price o expend millions for tting a fes repealed, and routing t ministry only, is unerity most cruelty; because it is leaving t o do, and a debt upon tage. Suc is unrue ceristic of a narroician. t ract dot deserve our regard, if t accomplision ougo be a debt. A national debt is a national bond; and erest, is in no case a grievance. Britain is oppressed of uperling, for . And as a compensation for , s a debt, and a navy; yet for tiet of tional debt, could time, more terling. t and second editions of t ions, imation of t. [See Entics naval ory, intro. page 56.] te, and furniss, yards, sails and rigging, togetion of eigsers seastores, as calculated by Mr. Burct, Secretary to the navy. [pounds Sterling] For a s is easy to sum up t ratis its greatest glory consisted of t of one.Cost of all 6 - 100 -35,553- 213,31812 -90 -29,886- 358,63212 -80 -23,638- 283,65643 -70 -17,785- 764,75535 -60 -14,197- 496,89540 -50 -10,606- 424,24045 -40 - 7,558- 340,11058 -20 - 3,710- 215,180 85 Sloops, bombs, and fires 3,266,786 Remains for guns,_________ 233,214_________3,500,000 No country on tuated, or so internally capable of raising a fleet as America. tar, timber, iron, and cordage are ural produce. e need go abroad for notcs by to tuguese, are obliged to import most of terials they use. e ougo vie as an article of commerce, it being tural manufactory of try. It is t money . A navy . And is t nice point in national policy, in ion are united. Let us build; if t, means replace our paper currency of manning a fleet, people in general run into great errors; it is not necessary t one fourt should he sailors. terrible privateer, Captain Deatood ttest engagement of any s ty sailors on board, t of men wo hundred. A feruct a sufficient number of active landmen in to begin on maritime matters timber is standing, our fiss out of employ. Men of y and eig forty years ago in Neest pride, and in he whole world. t empires of t are mostly inland, and consequently excluded from ty of rivalling her. Africa is in a state of barbarism; and no po of coast, or sucernal supply of materials. ure o America only empire of Russia is almost s out from ts, ar, iron, and cordage are only articles of commerce. In point of safety, ougo be a fleet? e are not ttle people no t time ed our property in treets, or fields rat securely locks or bolts to our doors or ered, and our met to improve y. A common pirate, t y of Pant contribution, for her places. Nay, any daring felloeen or sixteen guns miginent, and carried off half a million of money. tances ion, and point out ty of naval protection. Some, per after ain, sect us. Can o mean, t s purpose? Common sense ell us, t to subdue us, is of all ot improper to defend us. Conquest may be effected under tence of friendser a long and brave resistance, be at last ced into slavery. And if to be admitted into our o protect us? A navy ttle use, and on sudden emergencies, none at all. er protect ourselves, for ourselves? t of s not a tent of t any one time fit for service, numbers of t in being; yet tinued in t, f only a plank be left of t a fift of suc for service, can be spared on any one station at one time. t and est Indies, Mediterranean, Africa, and ots over ends her claim, make large demands upon her navy. From a mixture of prejudice and inattention, ed a false notion respecting talked as if o encounter at once, and for t reason, supposed, t being instantly practicable, of disguised tories to discourage our beginning trutiet of tain, sc, o one tage of to sail over, before ttack us, and tance to return in order to refit and recruit. And altain, by , rade to Europe, o t Indies, , is entirely at its mercy. Some met be fallen on to keep up a naval force in time of peace, if necessary to support a constant navy. If premiums o be given to mercs, to build and employ in ted y, ty, forty or fifty guns, (to be in proportion to to ts) fifty or sixty of tant duty, navy, and t burdening ourselves , in time of peace to lie rotting in to unite trengto eacernal enemy. In almost every article of defense cordage. Our iron is superior to t of otries. Our small arms equal to any in the world. Cannon at pleasure. Saltpetre and gunpo t ? t e? From Britain not ruin. If sted to t of America again, tinent be h living in. Jealousies ions antly o quell ture o reduce rymen to a foreign obedience? ticut, respecting some unlocated lands, sis, and fully proves, t not Continental auty can regulate Continental matters. Anot time is preferable to all ot t unoccupied, only to t debt, but to tant support of government. No nation under age at this. t state of t is called, so far from being against, is an argument in favour of independance. e are sufficiently numerous, and were we more so, we miged. It is a matter ion, t try is peopled, tary numbers, ts far exceeded t. for trade being tion, men become too muco attend to anyt, botriotism and military defence. And ory sufficiently informs us, t t acs were always accomplision. it its spirit. ty of London, notanding its numbers, submits to continued insults ience of a coo lose, to venture. to fear, and submit to courtly porembling duplicity of a Spaniel. Youtime of good s, as ions as in individuals. It mig, if not impossible, to form tinent into one government ury variety of interests, occasioned by an increase of trade and population, e confusion. Colony colony. Eac scorn eacance: and inctions, t, t t been formed before. tIME is tRUE tIME for establis. timacy ed in infancy, and tune, are, of all ot lasting and unalterable. Our present union is marked ers: our concord ood our troubles, and fixes a memorable are for posterity to glory in. t time, like peculiar time, ion but once, viz. time of forming itself into a government. Most nations slip tunity, and by t means o receive laead of making la, t; , s, and men delegated to execute ter from tions, let us learn unity --tO BEGIN GOVERNMENt At t END. t of til , t t of government, in America, be legally and autatively occupied, unate ruffian, us in ty? As to religion, I to be ty of all government, to protect all conscientious professors t o do t a man t narro selfiso part delivered of y. For myself, I fully and conscientiously believe, t it is ty, t ty of religious opinions among us: It affords a larger field for our Cian kindness. ere ions matter for probation; and on tions among us, to be like c is called, tian names. In page forty, I t a fes on ty of a Continental Cer, (for I only presume to offer s, not plans) and in take ty of rementioning t, by observing, t a cer is to be understood as a bond of solemn obligation, o, to support t of every separate part, wy. A firm bargain and a right reckoning make long friends. In a former page I likeioned ty of a large and equal representation; and tical matter ion. A small number of electors, or a small number of representatives, are equally dangerous. But if tatives be not only small, but unequal, tance of tion tors petition y-eig, all ty members, being eiged against it, and er members done ties only, and t is alo. table stretc sitting, to gain an undue auty over tes of t province, ougo large, rust po of t of instructions for tes toget of sense and business doors, o t ill- ered on some necessary public measures, t ate a moment to trust. Immediate necessity makes many t, o oppressions. Expedience and rig things. ies of America required a consultation, t t time so proper, as to appoint persons from t purpose; and tinent from ruin. But as it is more t o t body, deserves consideration. And I put it as a question to tudy of mankind, ion and election is not too great a poo possess? erity, virtue is not ary. It is from our enemies t en gain excellent maxims, and are frequently surprised into reason by takes, Mr. Cornreasury) treated tition of tempt, because t ed but of ty-six members, for tary y. [tand of consequence a large and equal representation is to a state, sical disquisitions.] tO CONCLUDE, range it may appear to some, or o tters not, but many strong and striking reasons may be given, to s nottle our affairs so expeditiously as an open and determined declaration for independance. Some of is tom of nations, engaged in to step in as mediators, and bring about t Britain, no poate we may quarrel on for ever. SECONDLY. -- It is unreasonable to suppose, t France or Spain ance, if o make use of t assistance for trengtion betain and America; because, the consequences. ts of Britain, , in tions. be considered as rebels. t is someo to be in arms under ts; , can solve t to unite resistance and subjection, requires an idea mucoo refined for common understanding. FOURto to be publisco foreign courts, setting fortually used for redress; declaring, at time, t not being able, any longer, to live ion of tis, y of breaking off all connections time, assuring all sucs of our peaceable disposition toering into trade s to tinent, ted itions to Britain. Under our present denomination of Britiss, om of all courts is against us, and il, by an independance, ake rank ions. t first appear strange and difficult; but, like all oteps ime become familiar and agreeable; and, until an independance is declared, tinent self like a man ting off some unpleasant business from day to day, yet kno must be done, es to set about it, inually ed s of its necessity. APPENDIX Since tion of t edition of t, or rat came out, ts appearance in ty. of proped tion, it could not it fort a more seasonable juncture, or a more necessary time. ty of pursuing trine of ther. Men read by way of revenge. And tead of terrifying, prepared a he manly principles of Independance. Ceremony, and even, silence, from ive tful tendency, enance to base and ed, it naturally follo till deserves, a general execration bot, as tic tranquillity of a nation, depends greatly, on tItY of IONAL MANNERS, it is often better, to pass some t disdain, to make use of suc introduce t innovation, on t guardian of our peace and safety. And, per is co t delicacy, t t, before noion. t may be called one, is notter t trutence of mankind; and is a formal and pompous meto tyrants. But tain consequence of Kings; for as nature kno, t ing, t US, and are become tors. ty, is not calculated to deceive, neit. Brutality and tyranny appear on t. It leaves us at no loss: And every line convinces, even in t of reading, t s tutored Indian, is less a Savage tain. Sir Joative fatical piece, fallaciously called, quot;tO tANtS OF _AMERICA_,quot; ion, t to be frig tion of a king, given, (t) ter of t one: quot;Butquot; says ter, quot;if you are inclined to pay compliments to an administration, ; (meaning t tamp Act) quot;it is very unfair in you to prince by tED tO DO ANY t; toryism ness! ry even a mask: And sucrine, ed o rationality an apostate from t to be considered as one, y of man, but sunk emptibly crahe world like a worm. matters very little noion, trampled nature and conscience beneat; and by a steady and constitutional spirit of insolence and cruelty, procured for red. It is NO terest of America to provide for herself. S is more y to take care of, to be granting ao support a poians--YE, o cion, of or denomination ye are of, as y, if ye ive country uncontaminated by European corruption, ye must in secret leaving t to private reflection, I so the following heads. First. t it is terest of America to be separated from Britain. Secondly. and most practicable plan, RECONCILIAtION OR INDEPENDANCE? ith some occasional remarks. In support of t, I could, if I judged it proper, produce t and most experienced men on tinent; and s, on t yet publicly kno is in reality a self-evident position: For no nation in a state of foreign dependance, limited in its commerce, and cramped and fettered in its legislative po any material eminence. America dot yet knoands unparalleled in tory of otions, it is but c s, to ive powers in her own hands. England is, at time, proudly coveting inent ating on a matter, is t t of America, by measure continue, ries as independant of eacicles, neito a better market. But it is try on Britain or any ot ention, and y, ronger every day. First. Because it o t one time or other. Secondly. Because, t is delayed t o accomplish. I ly amused myself bote companies, ly remarking, t reflecting. And among t general, viz. t ure y or fifty years ead of NO, tinent ary ability, At tIME, arises from t y years time, ally extinct. tinent, , by t time, ary officer left; and of martial matters as t Indians: And tion, closely attended to, t time is preferable to all ot turns t t ed numbers; and forty or fifty years experience; ime, must be some particular point betremes, in ained: And t point of time is t time. t does not properly come under t set out o ion, viz. Scain, and so remain tters are noanced, is giving up t entirely) . tinely deprived of, by t extension of ts of Canada, valued only at five pounds sterling per to upy-five millions, Pennsylvania currency; and t-rents at one penny sterling per acre, to two millions yearly. It is by t t may be sunk, burto any, and t-rent reserved time, . It matters not is in paying, so t to t, and for tion of inental trustees. . I proceed noo t and most practicable plan, RECONCILIAtION or lNDEPENDANCE; ith some occasional remarks. akes nature for easily beaten out of , and on t ground, I ans _INDEPENDANCE_ BEING A _SINGLE SIMPLE LINE,_ CONtAINED ItION, A MAttER EXCEEDINGLY PERPLEXED AND COMPLICAtED, AND IN REAC IS tO INtERFERE, GIVES t A DOUBt. t state of America is truly alarming to every man government, any ot is founded on, and granted by courtesy. ogetiment, o c enemy is endeavouring to dissolve. Our present condition, is, Legislation la a plan; a constitution a name; and, rangely astonis Independance contending for dependance. tance is a precedent; ted before; and ? ty of no man is secure in t unbraced system of titude is left at random, and seeing no fixed object before tarts. Notreason; y to act as ories dared not t act, ed to tate. A line of distinction stle, and inants of America taken in arms. t are prisoners, but tter traitors. ts y, ther his head. Notanding our to dissensions. tinental Belt is too loosely buckled. And if somet done in time, it oo late to do any to a state, in icable. ts are got at tinent, and t ing among us, Printers, ter t eit or y. It is easy getting into alking of reconciliation: But do suc task is, and may prove, sinent divide take uation and circumstances, as o be considered therein. Do t tted ALL for try. If tion be suited to te situations only, regardless of ot quot;t t.quot; Put us, says some, on ting y-to noain to comply ; but if it ion, By to be kept to its engagements? Anot, nay, even t, may er repeal tion, on tense, of its being violently obtained, or uned; and in t case, o laions; cannon are ters of Cro of justice, but of . to be on ting of sixty-t is not sufficient, t t on tate, but, t our circumstances, like on tate; Our burnt and destroyed to up, our private losses made good, our public debts (contracted for defence) disc t enviable period. Suc, been complied and soul of tinent - but no is too late, quot;t; Besides, taking up arms, merely to enforce table by t to aking up arms to enforce obedience to. t, on eit justify too valuable to be cast a is tened to our persons; truction of our property by an armed force; try by fire and sant, in o Britain ougo ing its aera from, and publis MUSKEt t AS FIRED AGAINSt ency; neitended by ambition; but produced by a cs, of hors. I simely and ended s. e ougo reflect, t t ed; and t ONE of te of America, viz. By tary po may not alizens, and titude a body of reasonable men; virtue, as I ary, neit perpetual. S about by t of tunity and every encouragement before us, to form t purest constitution on t in our poo begin tuation, similar to t, il no ains, are to receive tion of freedom from t of a fehs. t of viele, paltry cavillings, of a feerested men appear, he business of a world. S t favourable and inviting period, and an Independance be er effected by any ot co ourselves, or to tually opposing t eiting. to be given in support of Independance, old of. e oug noo be debating , but, anxious to accomplis on a firm, secure, and it is not yet began upon. Every day convinces us of its necessity. Even tories (if suc remain among us) s solicitous to promote it; for, as tment of committees at first, protected tablis, ain means of continuing it securely to them. virtue enougo be to o wish for Independance. In s, Independance is t can tye and keep us toget, and our ears triguing, as ing, to treat ain; for to conclude, t t court, reating ates for terms of peace, tes, quot;rebellious subjects,quot; for terms of accommodation. It is our delaying it t encourages o , and our backends only to prolong t any good effect trade to obtain a redress of our grievances, let us nory ternative, by independantly redressing to open trade. tile and reasonable part in England, ill rade, is preferable to it. And if t accepted, ots may be applied to. On t tter. And as no offer been made to refute trine contained in tions of t, it is a negative proof, t eitrine cannot be refuted, or, t ty in favour of it are too numerous to be opposed. ead of gazing at eacful curiosity; let eac to y e in drawing a line, w of oblivion sfulness every former dissension. Let tory be extinct; and let none otIZEN, AN OPEN AND RESOLUtE FRIEND, AND A VIRtUOUS SUPPORtER OF tS OF MANKIND AND OF t StAtES OF AMERICA_. to tatives of ty of to so many of te piece, entitled quot;t tEStIMONY and PRlNCIPLES of t to t, and toucIONS nos of AMERICA addressed to t; ter of t any denomination wsoever. to God, and not to man, are all men accountable on the score of religion. le is not so properly addressed to you as a religious, but as a political body, dabbling in matters, ruct you not to meddle a proper auty for so doing, put yourselves in ter of to be on an equal rank y, of putting ings and principles, against imony is directed: And uation, in order, t you mig presumption of cer itle to POLItICAL REPRESENtAtION. ed from t is no tumble and fall. And it is evident from testimony, t politics, (as a religious body of men) is not your proper alk; for ed it migo you, it is, nevert unogetural and unjust. t pages, (and t make four) for, and expect ty from you, because t confined to Quakerism, it is tural, as ions of men. And on to establis Constitution of our ohers in our hope, end, and aim. OUR PLAN IS PEACE FOR EVER. e are tired of contention ain, and can see no real end to it but in a final separation. e act consistently, because for troducing an endless and uninterrupted peace, do day. e are endeavoring, and eadily continue to endeavour, to separate and dissolve a connexion ure misco botries. e fig; neit insulting ts and armies, nor ravaging ttacked; in our oed against us. e vieer of o punisary one, and apply ter-- Pered sufferers in all and every part of tinent, enderness made its o some of your bosoms. But be ye sure t ye mistake not testimony. Call not coldness of soul, religion; nor put t in tIAN. O ye partial ministers of your o going to be more so, by all ttack, and unavoidable defence. to make a political rine to our enemies, FOR thEY LIKEISE BEAR _ARMS_. Give us proof of your sincerity by publis at St. Jamess, to t Boston, to tains s, and to all ts y under o serve. soul of BARCLAY ye o YOUR king; Ye ell tcernal ruin. [quot;t tasted of prosperity and adversity; t is to be banisive country, to be over-ruled as o rule, and set upon t reason to knoo God and man: If after all tisements, t not turn unto t, but forget ress, and give up to fallo and vanity, surely great ion.-- Against ation of t to evil, t excellent and prevalent remedy o apply to t lig o be at ease in t;--Barclays address to C spend your partial invectives against ted only, but, like faiters, t ye are persecuted, neito make us t reproacestify unto all men, t complain against you because ye are Quakers, but because ye pretend to be and are NOt Quakers. Alas! it seems by ticular tendency of some part of your testimony, and ots of your conduct, as if, all sin o, and compre OF BEARING ARMS, and t by the people only. Ye appear to us, to aken party for conscience; because, tenor of your actions s uniformity--And it is exceedingly difficult to us to give credit to many of your pretended scruples; because, ant t t ting after it ep as steady as time, and an appetite as keen as Death. tation imony, t, quot; peace ;; is very un amounts to a proof, t ting) do NOt please therwise, his reign would be in peace. I noo tter part of your testimony, and t, for ion viz. quot;It and principle, since o profess t of C Jesus, manifested in our consciences unto t tting up and putting dos, is Gods peculiar prerogative; for causes best knoo it is not our business to rivance to be busy bodies above our station, muco plot and contrive turn of any of t to pray for ty of our nation. and good of all men - t life, in all godliness and y; UNDER t O SEt OVER USquot; - If t abide by t leave t, you to ience and y, for t of all public measures, and to receive t event as toICAL tEStIMONY if you fully believe contains? And t proves, t eit believe ue enougo practise w ye believe. t tendency to make a man t and inoffensive subject of any, and every government OVER ting up and putting dos is Gods peculiar prerogative, certainly be robbed tself leads you to approve of every to kings as being by t Proud Imitator of o timely end, ters and publisestimony, are bound, by trine it contains, to applaud t. Kings are not taken as broug by any otold by our Saviour, ed by arms. o be t not to be meddlers on t to ty, to prove, t ty test distance it could possibly stand, east and , from every part of ts being independent of t and abandoned court of Britain, unless I say, ye can sify ting and stirring up t;firmly to unite in tings, and measures, as evidence a desire and design to break off to enjoyed, -Britain, and our just and necessary subordination to ty under ; a slap of tly and passively resigned up tering, and disposal of kings and governments, into tting in for a she business. Is it possible, t tly quoted, can any rine laid doency is too glaring not to be seen; ty too great not to be laug; and sucandings of a despairing political party; for ye are not to be considered as t only as a factional and fractional part thereof. ion of your testimony; (o read and judge of fairly;) to tting up and putting do; most certainly mean, t not so, and t o do in t case? e neito set up nor to pull doo make nor to unmake, but to o do hem. estimony in o dis, and for many otter alone than published. First, Because it tends to tever, and is of tmost danger to society to make it a party in political disputes. Secondly, Because it exs a body of men, numbers of estimonies, as being concerned thereof. t endency to undo t continental e liberal and cable donations a o establision of consequence to us all. And anger or resentment I bid you farewell. Sincerely erruptedly enjoy every civil and religious rigurn, t to ot t t, of mingling religion ics, MAY BE DISAVOED AND REPROBAtED BY EVERY INANt OF _AMERICA._ F I N I S. .