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for ever to renounce a power in whom we can have no trust。
The inhabitants of that unfortunate city； who but a few months ago
were in ease and affluence； have now； no other alternative than
to stay and starve； or turn and beg。 Endangered by the fire
of their friends if they continue within the city； and plundered
by the soldiery if they leave it。 In their present condition
they are prisoners without the hope of redemption； and in
a general attack for their relief； they would be exposed
to the fury of both armies。
Men of passive tempers look somewhat lightly over the offenses
of Britain； and； still hoping for the best； are apt to call out；
〃COME； COME； WE SHALL BE FRIENDS AGAIN； FOR ALL THIS。〃
But examine the passions and feelings of mankind；
Bring the doctrine of reconciliation to the touchstone of nature；
and then tell me； whether you can hereafter love； honor；
and faithfully serve the power that hath carried
fire and sword into your land？ If yon cannot do all these；
then are you only deceiving yourselves； and by your delay
bringing ruin upon posterity。 Your future connection with Britain；
whom you can neither love nor honor will be forced and unnatural；
and being formed only on the plan of present convenience；
will in a little time fall into a relapse more wretched than the first。
But if you say； you can still pass the violations over； then I ask；
Hath your house been burnt？ Hath your property been destroyed before
your face！ Are your wife and children destitute of a bed to lie on；
or bread to live on？ Have you lost a parent or a child by their hands；
and yourself the ruined and wretched survivor！ If you have not；
then are you not a judge of those who have。 But if you have；
and still can shake hands with the murderers； then are you unworthy
the name of husband； father； friend； or lover； and whatever
may be your rank or title in life； you have the heart of a coward；
and the spirit of a sycophant。
This is not inflaming or exaggerating matters； but trying
them by those feelings and affections which nature justifies；
and without which； we should be incapable of discharging
the social duties of life； or enjoying the felicities of it。
I mean not to exhibit horror for the purpose of provoking revenge；
but to awaken us from fatal and unmanly slumbers； that we
may pursue determinately some fixed object。 It is not in the
power of Britain or of Europe to conquer America； if she do
not conquer herself by DELAY and TIMIDITY。 The present winter
is worth an age if rightly employed； but if lost or neglected；
the whole continent will partake of the misfortune；
and there is no punishment which that man will not deserve；
be he who； or what； or where he will； that may be the means
of sacrificing a season so precious and useful。
It is repugnant to reason； to the universal order of things；
to all examples from former ages； to suppose； that this
continent can longer remain subject to any external power。
The most sanguine in Britain does not think so。 The utmost
stretch of human wisdom cannot； at this time； compass a plan
short of separation； which can promise the continent even
a year's security。 Reconciliation is NOW a fallacious dream。
Nature hath deserted the connection； and Art cannot supply
her place。 For； as Milton wisely expresses； 〃never can true
reconcilement grow； where wounds of deadly hate have pierced so deep。〃
Every quiet method for peace hath been ineffectual。 Our prayers
have been rejected with disdain； and only tended to convince us；
that nothing Batters vanity； or confirms obstinacy in Kings
more than repeated petitioning…and nothing hath contributed
more than that very measure to make the Kings of Europe absolute：
Witness Denmark and Sweden。 Wherefore； since nothing but blows will do；
for God's sake； let us come to a final separation； and not leave
the next generation to be cutting throats； under the violated
unmeaning names of parent and child。
To say； they will never attempt it again is idle and visionary；
we thought so at the repeal of the stamp…act； yet a year
or two undeceived us； as well may we suppose that nations；
which have been once defeated； will never renew the quarrel。
As to government matters； it is not in the power of Britain
to do this continent justice： The business of it will soon
be too weighty； and intricate； to be managed with any tolerable
degree of convenience； by a power so distant from us； and so
very ignorant of us； for if they cannot conquer us； they cannot
govern us。 To be always running three or four thousand miles
with a tale or a petition； waiting four or five months
for an answer； which when obtained requires five or six more
to explain it in； will in a few years be looked upon as folly
and childishnessThere was a time when it was proper；
and there is a proper time for it to cease。
Small islands not capable of protecting themselves；
are the proper objects for kingdoms to take under their care；
but there is something very absurd； in supposing a continent
to be perpetually governed by an island。 In no instance hath
nature made the satellite larger than its primary planet；
and as England and America； with respect to each other；
reverses the common order of nature； it is evident they belong
to different systems； England to Europe； America to itself。
I am not induced by motives of pride； party； or resentment
to espouse the doctrine of separation and independance；
I am clearly； positively； and conscientiously persuaded
that it is the true interest of this continent to be so；
that every thing short of THAT is mere patchwork；
that it can afford no lasting felicity；
that it is leaving the sword to our children；
and shrinking back at a time； when； a little more；
a little farther； would have rendered this continent
the glory of the earth。
As Britain hath not manifested the least inclination towards
a compromise； we may be assured that no terms can be obtained
worthy the acceptance of the continent； or any ways equal
to the expense of blood and treasure we have been already put to。
The object； contended for； ought always to bear some just proportion
to the expense。 The removal of North； or the whole detestable junto；
is a matter unworthy the millions we have expended。 A temporary stoppage
of trade； was an inconvenience； which would have sufficiently balanced
the repeal of all the acts complained of； had such repeals been obtained；
hut if the whole continent must take up arms； if every man must be a soldier；
it is scarcely worth our while to fight against a contemptible ministry only。
Dearly； dearly； do we pay for the repeal of the acts； if that is all
we fight for； for in a just estimation； it is as great a folly to pay
a Bunker…hill price for law； as for land。 As I have always considered
the independancy of this continent； as an event； which sooner or later
must arrive； so from the late rapid progress of the continent t