To talk of friendship with those in whom our reason
forbids us to have faith, and our affections wounded
through a thousand pores instruct us to detest, is
madness and folly. Every day wears out the little
remains of kindred between us and them, and can there
be any reason to hope, that as the relationship expires,
the affection will increase, or that we shall agree
better, when we have ten times more and greater concerns
to quarrel over than ever?
Ye that tell us of harmony and reconciliation, can
ye restore to us the time that is past? Can
ye give to prostitution its former innocence?
Neither can ye reconcile Britain and America.
The last cord now is broken, the people of England
are presenting addresses against us. There are
injuries which nature cannot forgive; she would cease
to be nature if she did. As well can the lover
forgive the ravisher of his mistress, as the continent
forgive the murders of Britain. The Almighty
hath implanted in us these unextinguishable feelings
for good and wise purposes. They are the guardians
of his image in our hearts. They distinguish
us from the herd of common animals. The social
compact would dissolve, and justice be extirpated
the earth, or have only a casual existence were we
callous to the touches of affection. The robber,
and the murderer, would often escape unpunished, did
not the injuries which our tempers sustain, provoke
us into justice.
O ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose,
not only the tyranny, but the tyrant, stand forth!
Every spot of the old world is overrun with oppression.
Freedom hath been hunted round the globe. Asia,
and Africa, have long expelled her—Europe
regards her like a stranger, and England hath given
her warning to depart. O! receive the fugitive,
and prepare in time an asylum for mankind.
OF THE PRESENT ABILITY OF AMERICA, WITH SOME MISCELLANEOUS REFLECTIONS
I have never met with a man, either in England or
America, who hath not confessed his opinion that a
separation between the countries, would take place
one time or other: And there is no instance,
in which we have shewn less judgement, than in endeavouring
to describe, what we call the ripeness or fitness
of the Continent for independence.
As all men allow the measure, and vary only in their
opinion of the time, let us, in order to remove mistakes,
take a general survey of things, and endeavour, if
possible, to find out the very time. But
we need not go far, the inquiry ceases at once, for,
the timehathfoundus. The
general concurrence, the glorious union of all things
prove the fact.
