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that the same tyranny which drove the first emigrants from home；
pursues their descendants still。
In this extensive quarter of the globe； we forget the narrow limits
of three hundred and sixty miles （the extent of England）
and carry our friendship on a larger scale； we claim brotherhood
with every European Christian； and triumph in the generosity of the sentiment。
It is pleasant to observe by what regular gradations
we surmount the force of local prejudice； as we enlarge
our acquaintance with the world。 A man born in any town
in England divided into parishes； will naturally associate most
with his fellow…parishioners （because their interests in many
cases will be common） and distinguish him by the name of NEIGHBOUR；
if he meet him but a few miles from home； he drops the narrow idea
of a street； and salutes him by the name of TOWNSMAN； if he travel out
of the county； and meet him in any other； he forgets the minor divisions
of street and town； and calls him COUNTRYMAN； i。 e。 COUNTRYMAN；
but if in their foreign excursions they should associate in France
or any other part of EUROPE； their local remembrance would be enlarged
into that of ENGLISHMEN。 And by a just parity of reasoning；
all Europeans meeting in America； or any other quarter of the globe；
are COUNTRYMEN； for England； Holland； Germany； or Sweden； when compared
with the whole； stand in the same places on the larger scale；
which the divisions of street； town； and county do on the smaller ones；
distinctions too limited for continental minds。 Not one third of
the inhabitants； even of this province； are of English descent。
Wherefore I reprobate the phrase of parent or mother country applied
to England only； as being false； selfish； narrow and ungenerous。
But admitting； that we were all of English descent； what does
it amount to？ Nothing。 Britain； being now an open enemy；
extinguishes every other name and title： And to say that
reconciliation is our duty； is truly farcical。 The first
king of England； of the present line （William the Conqueror）
was a Frenchman； and half the Peers of England are descendants
from the same country； therefore； by the same method of reasoning；
England ought to be governed by France。
Much hath been said of the united strength of Britain and the colonies；
that in conjunction they might bid defiance to the world。 But this
is mere presumption； the fate of war is uncertain； neither do
the expressions mean any thing； for this continent would never suffer
itself to be drained of inhabitants； to support the British arms
in either Asia； Africa； or Europe。
Besides what have we to do with setting the world at defiance？
Our plan is commerce； and that； well attended to； will secure us
the peace and friendship of all Europe； because； it is the
interest of all Europe to have America a FREE PORT。 Her trade
will always be a protection； and her barrenness of gold and silver
secure her from invaders。
I challenge the warmest advocate for reconciliation； to shew；
a single advantage that this continent can reap； by being connected
with Great Britain。 I repeat the challenge； not a single advantage
is derived。 Our corn will fetch its price in any market in Europe；
and our imported goods must be paid for； buy them where we will。
But the injuries and disadvantages we sustain by that connection；
are without number； and our duty to mankind at large；
as well as to ourselves； instruct us to renounce the alliance：
Because； any submission to； or dependence on Great Britain；
tends directly to involve this continent in European wars and quarrels；
and sets us at variance with nations； who would otherwise seek our friendship；
and against whom； we have neither anger nor complaint。 As Europe is our market
for trade； we ought to form no partial connection with any part of it。
It is the true interest of America to steer clear of European contentions；
which she never can do； while by her dependence on Britain；
she is made the make…weight in the scale of British politics。
Europe is too thickly planted with kingdoms to be long at peace；
and whenever a war breaks out between England and any foreign power；
the trade of America goes to ruin； BECAUSE OF HER CONNECTION WITH ENGLAND。
The next war may not turn out like the last； and should it not；
the advocates for reconciliation now； will be wishing for separation then；
because； neutrality in that case； would be a safer convoy than a man of war。
Every thing that is right or natural pleads for separation。 The blood
of the slain； the weeping voice of nature cries； 'TIS TIME TO PART。
Even the distance at which the Almighty hath placed England and America；
is a strong and natural proof； that the authority of the one； over the other；
was never the design of Heaven。 The time likewise at which the continent
was discovered； adds weight to the argument； and the manner in which it
was peopled increases the force of it。 The reformation was preceded
by the discovery of America； as if the Almighty graciously meant
to open a sanctuary to the Persecuted in future years；
when home should afford neither friendship nor safety。
The authority of Great Britain over this continent；
is a form of government； which sooner or later must have an end：
And a serious mind can draw no true pleasure by looking forward
under the painful and positive conviction； that what he calls
〃the present constitution〃 is merely temporary。 As parents；
we can have no joy； knowing that THIS GOVERNMENT is not sufficiently
lasting to ensure any thing which we may bequeath to posterity：
And by a plain method of argument； as we are running the next generation
into debt； we ought to do the work of it； otherwise we use them meanly
and pitifully。 In order to discover the line of our duty rightly；
we should take our children in our hand； and fix our station a few years
farther into life； that eminence will present a prospect； which a few
present fears and prejudices conceal from our sight。
Though I would carefully avoid giving unnecessary offense；
yet I am inclined to believe； that all those who espouse the doctrine
of reconciliation； may be included within the following descriptions。
Interested men； who are not to be trusted； weak men； who CANNOT see；
prejudiced men； who WILL NOT see； and a certain set of moderate men；
who think better of the European world than it deserves；
and this last class； by an ill…judged deliberation； will be
the cause of more calamities to this continent； than all the other three。
It is the good fortune of many to live distant from the scene of sorrow；
the evil is not sufficient brought to their doors to make THEM
feel the precariousness with which all American property is possessed。
But let our imaginations transport us far a few moments to Boston；
that seat of wretchedness will teach us wisdom； and instruct us
for ever to renounce a power in whom we can have no trust。
The inhabitants of that unfortun