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than be publicly told of。 We ought not now to be debating whether
we shall be independant or not； but； anxious to accomplish it on a firm；
secure； and honorable basis； and uneasy rather that it is not yet began upon。
Every day convinces us of its necessity。 Even the Tories （if such beings
yet remain among us） should； of all men； be the most solicitous to promote it；
for； as the appointment of committees at first； protected them from
popular rage； so； a wise and well established form of government；
will be the only certain means of continuing it securely to them。
WHEREFORE； if they have not virtue enough to be WHIGS；
they ought to have prudence enough to wish for Independance。
In short； Independance is the only BOND that can tye and keep
us together。 We shall then see our object； and our ears will
be legally shut against the schemes of an intriguing； as well；
as a cruel enemy。 We shall then too； be on a proper footing；
to treat with Britain； for there is reason to conclude；
that the pride of that court； will be less hurt by treating
with the American states for terms of peace； than with those；
whom she denominates； 〃rebellious subjects；〃 for terms of accommodation。
It is our delaying it that encourages her to hope for conquest； and our
backwardness tends only to prolong the war。 As we have； without any good
effect therefrom； withheld our trade to obtain a redress of our grievances；
let us now try the alternative； by independantly redressing them ourselves；
and then offering to open the trade。 The mercantile and reasonable part
in England； will be still with us； because； peace with trade； is preferable
to war without it。 And if this offer be not accepted； other courts
may be applied to。
On these grounds I rest the matter。 And as no offer hath
yet been made to refute the doctrine contained in the former
editions of this pamphlet； it is a negative proof； that either
the doctrine cannot be refuted； or； that the party in favour
of it are too numerous to be opposed。 WHEREFORE； instead
of gazing at each other with suspicious or doubtful curiosity；
let each of us； hold out to his neighbour the hearty hand of
friendship； and unite in drawing a line； which； like an act of
oblivion shall bury in forgetfulness every former dissension。
Let the names of Whig and Tory be extinct； and let none other
be heard among us； than those of A GOOD CITIZEN；
AN OPEN AND RESOLUTE FRIEND； AND A VIRTUOUS SUPPORTER
OF THE RIGHTS OF MANKIND AND OF THE _FREE AND INDEPENDANT STATES OF AMERICA_。
To the Representatives of the Religious Society of the People called Quakers；
or to so many of them as were concerned in publishing the late piece；
entitled 〃THE ANCIENT TESTIMONY and PRlNCIPLES of the People called QUAKERS
renewed； with Respect to the KING and GOVERNMENT； and touching the COMMOTIONS
now prevailing in these and other parts of AMERICA addressed to the
PEOPLE IN GENERAL。〃
The Writer of this； is one of those few； who never dishonours religion
either by ridiculing； or cavilling at any denomination whatsoever。
To God； and not to man； are all men accountable on the score of religion。
Wherefore； this epistle is not so properly addressed to you as a religious；
but as a political body； dabbling in matters； which the professed Quietude
of your Principles instruct you not to meddle with。 As you have； without
a proper authority for so doing； put yourselves in the place of the whole body
of the Quakers； so； the writer of this； in order to be on an equal rank
with yourselves； is under the necessity； of putting himself in the place
of all those； who； approve the very writings and principles； against which；
your testimony is directed： And he hath chosen this singular situation；
in order； that you might discover in him that presumption of character
which you cannot see in yourselves。 For neither he nor you can have any
claim or title to POLITICAL REPRESENTATION。
When men have departed from the right way； it is no wonder that they
stumble and fall。 And it is evident from the manner in which ye have
managed your testimony； that politics； （as a religious body of men）
is not your proper Walk； for however well adapted it might appear to you；
it is； nevertheless； a jumble of good and bad put unwisely together；
and the conclusion drawn therefrom； both unnatural and unjust。
The two first pages； （and the whole doth not make four） we give you
credit for； and expect the same civility from you； because the love
and desire of peace is not confined to Quakerism； it is the natural；
as well the religious wish of all denominations of men。 And on this ground；
as men labouring to establish an Independant Constitution of our own； do we
exceed all others in our hope； end； and aim。 OUR PLAN IS PEACE FOR EVER。
We are tired of contention with Britain； and can see no real end to it
but in a final separation。 We act consistently； because for the sake
of introducing an endless and uninterrupted peace； do we bear the evils
and burthens of the present day。 We are endeavoring； and will steadily
continue to endeavour； to separate and dissolve a connexion which hath
already filled our land with blood； and which； while the name of it
remains； will he the fatal cause of future mischiefs to both countries。
We fight neither for revenge nor conquest； neither from pride nor
passion； we are not insulting the world with our fleets and armies； nor
ravaging the globe for plunder。 Beneath the shade of our own vines are
we attacked； in our own houses； and on our own lands； is the violence
committed against us。 We view our enemies in the character of Highwaymen
and Housebreakers； and having no defence for ourselves in the civil law；
are obliged to punish them by the military one； and apply the sword；
in the very case； where you have before now； applied the halter
Perhaps we feel for the ruined and insulted sufferers in all and every
part of the continent； with a degree of tenderness which hath not yet
made its way into some of your bosoms。 But be ye sure that ye mistake not
the cause and ground of your Testimony。 Call not coldness of soul； religion；
nor put the BIGOT in the place of the CHRISTIAN。
O ye partial ministers of your own acknowledged principles。 If the
bearing arms be sinful； the first going to war must be more so；
by all the difference between wilful attack； and unavoidable defence。
Wherefore； if ye really preach from conscience； and mean not to make
a political hobbyhorse of your religion convince the world thereof；
by proclaiming your doctrine to our enemies； FOR THEY LIKEWISE BEAR _ARMS_。
Give us proof of your sincerity by publishing it at St。 James's；
to the commanders in chief at Boston； to the Admirals and Captains
who are piratically ravaging our coasts； and to all the murdering
miscreants who are acting in authority under HIM whom ye profess to serve。
Had ye the honest soul of BARCLAY ye would preach repentance to YOUR king；
Ye would tell the