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on'
The subject of
OUR
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Priendsy Cauntrymenyand Fellm-^^jif^sf^^
^^. y^^UR^^iviV goycrnipncnt (fay^ an excfiknt
riuavA^jJ EiJgJiih.Write?) is h^pily placed be-
•f i - [\^ twc^ ^be> ^wo ^^t^?m^ ofdejpvfic powr
it B^pfipnkrUcmfigitfif^s: : ki^.wi^ljifcompofedof
(ujch a duemixtuif^ gf ;fie feve?rrt' AoiVp&fyr^ps cf gp^
ver45imcnij, thofe of ane» of a. few^ ?ir>4pf many, as tp
re^in as facras polT^le the advantage;^, -an^. to ex-
clude the mconvcnieiw^ips, pi^cMlii^r tpe^chi an4»»he
parts are fo nicely: ;c6mbined mk adji^ft^d,; thattht
ftveral powers co-opfnate and naoyje ,<?p: together ia
concert and agreement, mutually temper-ipg, Vjp^^in^
andjjeftraining, yet at the fasfie tiiri^^iHng, juppprt-
ing, aadftrengtheningie^,Qrhc{5."rri :'ihl
r ThisJrame of goy$ri«peflji(, for thp atoirabJ^-vfifT
dom of its ftrudurc,, h^ aJsvays l?een tl^ wonder of
^he world V and under its protedion and mild influ-
ence,, the fubjp^s of Qreat Britain, are; the happjeft
people on earth. But of all the fw;bj«fSts of Gre^t
Britain, thofe who refide ia the j^m^J^ican Colonies
have been, and, were they fenfibk of their own ad-
vantages, might ftiU be,, by far.the happieft: fur^
rounded with the fekOings> or peace,, health, and ne-
YerTfailing plenty— enjoying the benefits of an equir
table and free conftitution — fecured by the protec-
tion and patronage of the grtateft- maritime power ia
the world— and contributing, in but a fmall propor-
tion^ to tlie fupport of the ncceffary public expences.
A 2 Under
A ■
< 4 )
Under thcfe advantages, the colonies have hither-
to flouriflied beyond example. They have become
populous, both by natural increaie) and the yearly
innux of foreigners, the fure indications of a happy
country^ and chey have become rich, by pra6ticitig«
at their eafe, the peaceful arts of agriculture and
commerce. And w^re they to purfue the fame path
which has brought them thus far, there is no doubt
but they would go on to flourifh and profper in the
iiBone proportion, till, in procefs of time, they would
cxite either the admiration or envy of the whole hu-
man ra^c. The advice therefore of Moses to a peo-
ple highly favoured of Heaven, is juftly applicable
to them *, and nothing could be wanting to their hap-
pinels, but hearts to follow it^ ** Only take heed to,
*' ^hfiffi %^ ^9 ^^ ^^P ^^y ^0^^ diligently, left
*' thou forget the things which thine eyes have fcen,
^< and left they depart from thipe heart, all the days
!^« of thy life."
But a far different profpe&,at this time,prefents it-
ielf to view. The darknefs of a rifing tempeft is be-
ginning to overipread our land. The thunder roars
at a distance, and appears to be fwiftly approaching.
It is high time therefore to awaken the thoughtlei^
to a fenfe of their danger, and to thinl; of providing
ibr our common fafety. ' ^ ^^^ ■ *^ - - ^^-l- •
^- There is, there can be, but one way to prevent the
^in that threatens us. Our own miicondu^t has
brought it fbrwar«ii ; and our immediate reformation
muft^Kop it pro^refs. He muft be blind, that is not
convinced of this; and he n^ft be infatuated, that
will purfue the road, which evidently terminates in,
darknefs and deftrudtion.
a-.
•»..
■a
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Whether
( 5 )
t
e
0,
' Whether the Britilh Parliament has been right pr
wrong in its late proceedings^ towards the Colonies-,
our behaviour has been fuch as every government
muft and will think intolerable. It the fupremc
power of any kingdom or ftate, through want of dtie
information t>r attention, ihould adopt meafures that
are wrong or oppreffivc, thefubjeds may complain and
remonftr^te againft them in a rdpe6lful manner ^ but
they are bound, by the laws of Heaven and Earth,
not to behave undiitifuUy, much more not to behave
infolently and rebelliouily. The bands of fo^iety
would be diflblved, the harmony of the world con-
founded, and the order of nature fubverted, if re-
vcrence, refpeft, and obedience, might be reefed to
thofc whom the conftitution has veiled with the higK-
^ft authority. The ill confequences of open di&c-
fpeft to government are fo great, that no mifcondu^
of the adminiilration can juftify or excufe it. The
guilt of it isfo aggravated, that Chriilians arerequir>
ed, under the heaviell penalty to avoid it, and to be
fuhjeSf to the higher powers^ of whatever character, for
confcienie's Jake. No tyrant was ever more defpotic
and cruel, than Nero^ and no Court ever more cor-
rupted than his j and yet to the government of this
cruel and defpotic tyrant, and his corrupt miniftry,
peaceable fubmiflion was enjoined by an ApoftlCv
who had a due regard for the rights and liberties of
mankind. To difturb or threaten an eftablilhcd gd-
vernment, by popular infurreftions and tumults, has
always been conndered and treated, in every age and
nation of the world, as an unpardonable crime: and
were we the fubjefts of the Grand Turky it is as cer-
tain that we ought not to encourage fuch praftices,
as that St. Paul and St. Peter, who condemned them,
were infpired men.
' But
.mmjM^^J^haiM.
F.t
(( 6 )
- 5^t my c|cfign is not to cojifidcr, how far, the con-
i]idi of the[C(j49aies is, or is not, qoi\fc{rfn^i\\c to the
rujes- 31^ pr^cepls of the Qhriftiin if^igioq v. l?^V
how fiV it; is JO be conden^pecj pf* ; jififl;,ifiq4 )^y the
piBxiaif of lJ9«iiji4. policy an4.prudefic)e.; p;^r tcnv
foral inter^O: jitick fafety are cunfidjetatjioi^ ?yj>ifbt ^arll
FwiU regard,, how jiwch foey^rjijiiey, i^]^iiii^i or de^
fpifcthp pWigati^fijifxf .rcligiq^V jhii^i^j; oj^i/lfv v-nn*
,ii -TheiVQiOf ofPDfTip]aint,,jtq<p?lJjt n<>[WOf^, js npv
-heard jhro^gh -every corner of ^i^rljaptj^v ^Oi<J we ar^
4aiiy'cxhorjfi4tO!, prepare for the; djC^iKje ^ ^^ Jir
-fe^jif5?^ and ail |i;ha^ is iacred». witi> unit^^'iip^,--
^|{ be^grc ¥f€ proceed^ it con^cirnj^, ijis |p :bef;^f IJ i^
./pf(n?4 both' as to our real d^ngef , afi4 4^:%ps-
fprdpef:itjoi?ietal^?ri - ,:i - ;; ! ;;i.7 ::>;- r
•J ilWff^ . the: j^^erjcans adyqlly i|i , a ftate of ippprefP
j§Q|}«; i% V'^'^^ rlhP^^ their wifdofn and. pru4?fice, to^
^r|pmit^ith; patience , to their prefent conditiotj, rather
.fha« .t<> proypk€ the power that Qppre^^8,t^«?m^
'^withoijt fortie fair profped of o^Jtaihipg relief. One
degree, of i^iftr^fs,. in coplVflWnce.of the W^l^t of
• iHe^arpower, is. a grit v^ance ) x^ degrees of 4iftrefs
areprgpputjon^bjiy a greater evilj but bad a*, it is,,
hamuli be. an J<^ot or a m^inan, who >yoMld not
,prefer them totwflnty. But ; it appears to mt that,,
of air people ;uhder heaveny the.King's fobje^s in
Ainerica, have hitfierto hadlltekaft ground tpjf com-
-plaint i afid that the preftnt cenfnfion of th^, Colo-
nies has beeri occafioned by rhifmforn?atiops and falfe
alarmst. If none of our legal rights have been, invad-
ed, no injury has been done, us -,/ if we have npt been
Injured, we have no room for complaint,; . and we
^can never be juftilied in rrefcntifig that, which it
would be pnrcafonabk to complain of^^. : j6 ji.* .• c.
U:H ' ' My
r
irHBaiaMMiiitnTTm-r
{ 7 )
• My Friends y Cvuntrymen, and Fetldw Suhje&s i
fuffer, ft)r a fcTi^ .minutes, art Am«irican, ot^ wl» few
often glbried in the title, who loves his country as
much, and hai as great a regard for its honour; a*.
any of you, to reafon and expoftulate w^Ith you, ii^
plaitt lingua^, on -a fubjift now of the higheft im-
portance, both toy<yu ahd him. .:,.;.v. .r ..^ -
You are taught to exclaim loudly agalnft '* th^'
*' arbitrary proceedings of the Britifli Parliamieftt.**
Butconfiaer; wherem have they been arbitrary, atnd
in what do you fuffer ? Why, it fccms, " a duty of
<* three pence a pouod, has been laid, by Parliametir,'
** upon their teas^xported to America ) smd we can-
«* not pufchafe the tea, without paying the duty/*
But if this may be called a burden, fo may the weight
of ao atom on the fKoulders of a giant : befides, this
burden may be ealily avoided; for we have no occa*
fion to purchafe the tea-, and unlefs we purchafe itji
we are under no dbligadons to (yay the duty. '~r.;A
. You will fay : •' the f*arliithent I>ad no right ta
•• lay the duty.** But I fujpofc we are, moft of us,
but indifierent judges of the rights of Parliament j
or however, thie Parliament rtiuft a6t according to
their own judgment, and not according to ours, if it
be difi^rcnt from theirs. They aflcrt, and believe^
that they have the right irt queftion -, and" we have
never proved that they have not. Nay, we ourfelves
have always believed and allowed that they hdve it,
till the prcfent occalion. I might add, that we have
always allowed that they had a right to regulate not
only the trade, but all concerns of the Colonies jlbch
a power they h^ive always exercifed, and we have
fubmitted to their afts. Thus, for inftance, we hare
paid a duty on wine and mdifles, in obedicnce^^ to
Parliament, and without proteftations or remohftran-
ces \ andj for the fame reafons, we are as much ob-
liged
<c
<c
( « )
. '■ ' - ■ , . f.
Ilged to pay the duty on tea. If we would a£b con-
ftftently, we fhould either refufe to pay the duty on
wine and molalTes, or confent to pay it on tea ; for it
is, in both cafes, impofed from the fame principle,
and has the fame effedfc.
Perhaps it will be replied, ** Thefe and all other
'' duties ought to be reje^ed, becaufe they are pre-
*' xedents^ and intended to prepare, the way for hig h.
** er demands -, and if Parliament has a right to take
from us one penny, without our confent, it has a
right to (trip us of our whole property, and to
make us ab(olute HaveSk *
This, I believe, is the firft time tliat a fovereien
power has been in want o£ precedents, to iuftify its
making laws to govern any ^irt of its dominions^
It is a contradidion in the nature of things, and as
tbfurd as that a part fliould be greater than me whole;
to fuppofe that the fupreme legidative power of any
Kingdom does not extend to tne iitmoft bounds of
that kingdom. If thefe Colonies, which originally
belonged to England^ are not now to be regulated
and governed by the authority of Grr^/ britairty then
the confequences are plain \ they are not dependant
upon Great Britain — they are not included within its
territories — ^they are no part of its dominions—
the inhabitants are hot Englifh, they can have no*
claim to the privileges of Engliflimen ; they are,
with regard to England, foreigners and aliens -, nay,
worie, as they have never been legally difchargcd
from the duty they owed it, they are rebels and Spo-
liates. On the above fuppofition, they arc, at beftj,
as much the dominions of Denmark ov Ruffia, as of
Creat Britain j for there can be no difference in this
cafe, unlcfs one has an authority over them, which
the others have not* But if Great Britain poffeffes
1
"im ;■
t^i.
J i ■- •- •*% . . f »
• *. *. .-^ Iff 4
..li«i.
/
( 9 )
.!'.':.
a fovercignty over the Colonies, ^e ccrtainl/ has a
right, at Icaft, to regulate our commerce ; and cfpe-
cially to regulate the importation of !uch articles of
mere luxury, as we can choofe whether we will be
concerned with, or not, with but little inconvenience
to Qurfelves. Now the prefent duty on tea is exactly
fuch a regulation.
• V ; You allow that this duty is a thing that is but trifl-
ing in itfclf i but then you conceit that you ought to
oppofe it, becaufe it is 2i precedent^ which hereafter
may be ufcd to your di fad vantage. I am forry to fee
that men can be fo eafily deluded by fuch fophiftry.
Can you imagine that Parliament will not do what-
ever they think right to be done by them, without
waiting for Precedents ? Yet precedents ot their own
for regulating the trade of the Colonies, are not
wanting. Every reign, fincc the fettlement of the
Colonies has produced them ; in confequence of which
you are daily paying duties that, in every viev/, are
as liable to exception, as the duty on tea. From
hence it is evident, that you yourtelves have no incli-
nation to be governed by precedents, whatever regard
the Parliament m?iy be fuppofed to have for them. ;*>
As to the argument that, " If Parliament has a
" right to take from us one penny, without our con-
" fcnt, it has a right to ftrip us of our whole pro-
perty ;" altho' fo great a man as Mr. Locke was the
father of it, it appears to me to be weak and fophif-
tical. A right to do what is reafonable, implies not
a right to do what is unreafonable. A father may-
have a right over his fon, lb far as to fend him on an
errand, or upon any reafonable fervicv^ without hay-
ing fuch an abfolute authority as can oblige him to
throw himfelf down a precipice, or to hang himfelf.
In like manner, cafes may happen, in which it; would
>
. \ '
( 10 )
be reafonable for Parliament to take from us fome
fmall matter, though we were unwilling to part with
it; but the cafe can hard 'y be fuppofcd, m which
it would be reafcnable to take from u» every
thing, unlefs we fhouid haye forfeited it. Every
fociety has a right to make a moderate ufe of its
power over its own members, but not to abufe it.
There can be no right to do what is unqueftionably
wrong.
But you will fay, it is wrong to tax us at all, with-
out our confent. But the duty on tea, which has oc-
calioned all our confufions, is not fuch a tax *, for
unlefs you confent to the tax, you are not to pay the
duty. You may refufe it, if you pleaie, without in-
curring any penalty, or confiderable inconvenience.
As to fuch taxes as arife from the general regulation
of American commerce, they muft be impoied with-
out our formal confent, if they areimpofed at all. For
if all the Colonies muft be confulted, and all muft
agree, before fuch a regulation can take place; it is
eafy to fbrefce, that nothing of this kind can be efta-
blifhed, as nothing can be propofed, in which aH the
Colonics, having each its peculiar views and interefts,
would be likely to agree. Therefore Great Britain
muft either impofe fuch duties upon our imports
and exports, as may be thought proper for the good
of the whole community, without our confent, or ftie
muft not attempt to regulate our trade ; and if fhe is
not to iupcrintend and regulate our trade, Ihe had
better relinguifh at once her claim of authority over
her colonies ; after wh'ch they canftot expert to en-
joy her protedion.
But you further objed, that " ifwcareto be
bound by laws to which we have never confented,
we have not the rights of Englilhmen." In anfwcr
to
cc
u
1
(
II
)
it.
bly
oc-
for
the
t in-
to this, let me remind you, firft of all, that it never
was, nor can it be, the right of Engliihmen to he ex-
empted from the authority of an Englifh or Britiih
Parliament. It is not a proper conient to the laws
enaded by the Britifh Parliament,, but the being
bound by thoi&XvHs^ that diftinguiihes a Britifh: fub-
jedt from a foreigner. So long as a man refides .with-
m any dominions, he is a fubjed' of it, and isoblig-
ed to fubmit to its laws, as far as they concern him,
whether he approves of them or not. There .are
many people in England, who are natives of the
country,^ that do not confdnt to adlsof Parliament
that are paiied, unlefs by a bare fi^iot^ of the law \
which can make a, nominal confent, but not a real one.
This is always the cafe of the Minority, where there
is adiviiion, whofe votes are over-ruled by the major
part; for the law ncceflarily pafTes, . not only with-
out, but contrary to, their confent..
Befides, there arc millions of people refiding in
England, who have no votes in eledtions, and are ne-
ver confulted about the expediency of laws. I hope
thefe are all Englifhmen, although they give no other
confent to adts of Parliament, to which they are
bound to, fubmit, than what is implied in their freely
refiding within the jurifdidion and protedion of
Parliament. In this fenfe, the Americans, by fixing
themfelves, and continuing to relide, within the Bri-
tifh dominions^ confent to be governed by tlie Britifh
laws. When the Goloniils &fl fettled on Englilh
American ground, they well knew that. the authority
of Parliament was not to be fufpendedor withdrawn,
in their favour ; and they knew too, that they had
no power of fending reprefentatives to Parliament of
their own choofing. On thefe terms they willingly
fettled here J and they have always enjoyed ev^.y
/ ., . B 2 . advantage
( 12 )
I'' '«
ri
|if
advantage which they originally expeded to receive,
and which was contraded for in their ftipulation
with the Crown, and they can have no juft reafon to
complain on this account. Yet notwithftanding all
this, they have been lately told by their agents, who
had it from the beft authority, that if they chofe to
fend over perfons to reprefent them in Parliament,
they (hould be admitted to feats in the Houfe. In my
opinion, they have done wifely in not accepting of
the offer ; biit after refufing it, they have fiirely no
reafon to complain, that they have no reprefentativcs
in the Parliament that muft govern them. *
It has been frequently aflerted, in juftification of
your claim, that, ^* as the charters granted by the
*' Crown, have allowed a legiflative authority to the
*' feveral Colonies, the inhabitants are to be bound
by no laws, but what are made by their refpeftivc
provincial legiflatures, to which they confent by
reprefentation." With regard to this dodrine, I
beg leave only to aflc a few queftions. Can you be
made to believe, that it was ever the intention of the
Crown, to eftablilh by charter a power of legiflation,
inany of the Colonies, that is fovereign, independent,
and incontrolable by the fupreme authority of the
nation ? Can you imagine, that in any inftance, more
than a fubordinate right of jurifdi<5tion was meant,
for the internal regulation of the diftri^t mentioned
in the charter ; or conceive that fuch a grant can
place you beyond the reach of parliamentary autho-
rity ? Would not the arguments that perhaps have
deceived you, prove as ftror:gly, that the charter of
the city of Albany, granting a power to make laws
for its internal regulation, provided they are not con-
trary to the laws of the Province, places the inhabi-
tants of that city beyond the reach of laws made by
theaffembly of -Afe-r<?rie? You,
«6
<C
C(
m
( M. )
( .
You, one and all, talk of your rights by charter':
but are not Ibmc of the Colonies without charters ?
And do all the charters convey exactly the fame
privileges and rights ? Do any of them fay, that you
fhall not be bound by laws made in Great Britain ?
Nay, does not the charter of Pennjylvania fay cx-
prefsly, that taxes may be laid upon the inhabitants
'iy a& of Parliament? None therefore have a right
to plead their charters, in the prefent controverfy,
with the mother country, who rcfide in the colonies
that are without charters, or in Pennfylvania; and
it is high time for thofe who refide in the other colo-
nies, to furnilh fome kind of evidence, that their
charters give them the right for which they contend.
They have not yet done this ; they have not attempted
to do it; I fufpeft they never will attempt it; and I
challenge them to do it if they can. You may have
heard fome of them declaim on this topic, and you
may hear them again ; but, if you exped the proof
called for, you will be difappointed.
What has been offered is in order to fliew, that,
in reality, no proper right of the colonies is infringed
by the late act of Parliament, that impofes a fmall
duty on the teas exported to America. And here it
is worthy of notice, and we ought to attend to it
all along as we proceed, that the colonies of Rhode^
JJland^ Conne^icut^ New-Tcrk^ New-Jerfey, Pennfyl-
vania, Maryland, Virginia^ the Carolinas and Georgia^
are not affedled by any other of the late ads of
Parliament ; and have no difpute of their own with
the mother country, but what arifcs from the tea-
uf\' T '*■• • ■•■•r^ ■ " ' ■ ■' >•■■■■.•-
But let us now ftippofe, that we have been really
injured by this a6fc; and that our paying the duty
would be dangerous to our conllitutional liberties.
On
y \
( 14 )
I
jl
On this fuppofition, which the Americans in general
feem to have adopted as the true ftate of the cafe,
the great queftion is,- — Pf^hat method the colonies ought
in mfdem to purfue^ in order to get rid of the duty ?
Different meafures have been already taken, in the
different colonies, to avoid the operation of the a6b.
In South-Carolinay the obnoxious tea was landed -, but
the inhabitants formed a refohition, to which they
have the virtue punctually to adhere, not to fpur-
chafe it. Happy would it have been for the colo-
hies, if this meafure had been univerfalLy taken ! In
that cafe, we fliould (till have enjoyed tranquility,
uninterrupted by feditious alarms-, and the black,
cloud, charged with ftorm and thunder,, that nowi
darkens our land, would not have collected.
In molt of the other colonies, the tea was not
fuffered to enter their ports-, but it was fent back
unhurt. This indeed, in all its circumftances, muft
be confidered as a kind of infult upon government;
but yet it was fuch a fpecies of miftjehaviour, as,
in all probability, the nation would ha/e overlooked,
and many of the friends of America would have
thought worthy of commendation. But, as the
evil genius of the colonies would have it, the tea
that was fent to Bojion^ was neither ftored, nor fent
back, but outrageoufly deftroyed by the hands of
violence. _s...
Whatever may ht thought of configning, or
fending back the tea, there are but few people fa
abandoned to all fentiments of fitnefs, propriety,
and juftice, as to think the deftrudion of it excufe-
able-, and the government at home, as all govern-
ments would in the like cafe, thought it unfuffera-
ble. — It was foon determined, to inflidt an exemplary
punifhment upon the town that was guilty of fuch
": . Ihameful
( 15 ) ^
(hameful and flagrant injuftice-, and an a<fl was
paflcd, for (hutting up the port of Befton^ till pro-
per fatisfadion (hould be made for fo provoking an
outrage.
It is certain, that all the Americans are out of
the reach of this ad; that it was not intended to
affedt them; and therefore that they have nothing
immediately to do with it, excepting the inhabitants
of 5^«» themfelves. Accordingly I Ihould have
pafled it by, as foreign from tfur ^art of the difpute,
had it not been voted by all our county and provin-
cial Committees, to be dangtrous to the liberties if
the Britijh colonies. For this reaibn I ihall offer fome
obfervations on what appears to have been the policy
of the ad ; which I (hall addrefs to thofe only, who
are fo reafonable and modeft as to allow, that the
tea ought not to have been deftroyed. -; * '- »^*
If the condud of the Boftonians, in deftroying
the tea, was criminal, it defervcd punilhmcnt-, and
punifhments fhould always be regulated by the na-
ture and degree of the crimes for which they are
inflided, and the circumftances that attended the
commilTion of them. Now the crime of the Bofto-
nians was a compound of the groflcft injury and
infult. It was an ad of the higheft infolence to-
wards government; fuch as mildnefs itfelf cannot
overlook or forgive. The injuftice of the deed was
alfo moft atrocious: as it was the deftrudion of pro-
perty to a vaft amount, when it was known that
tlie nation was obliged in honour to proted it. At
the fame time il was very notorious, that the inten-
tion of the perpetrators was, by this example, to
lead and excite others, when the expeded opportu-
nity (hould prefent, to the fame wanton excefs of
. riot and licentioufnefs. Under thefe circumftances
found
"USS.
*v
( 16 )
l!
ii'
found policy was thought to require, that both a
ievcre and a fpcedy punifhment fhould be inflidbed^ — >
fevere, that it might bear Ibme proportion to ihe
guilt; and ipeedy, that it might prevent the like
mifchief in other inftances.
Many, I know, who a-4mlt that Bofton ought to
have been puniflied, yet exclaim loudly againft the
punifliment decreed by Parliament, as being too
fevere in its manner; And if any other punifliment
had been inflicted, many of them, I dare fay, would
have exclaimed flill. For when people are once
difaffeded towards an adminillration, whether with
or without juftreafon, they will always find fome
pretence for blaming any meafure that can be taken
by it. f , ^»c^l! rtt ^; nfcta IfnrJ! f f: •■"'. • ^. \ vtr'll>
^;fAsto the feverity of the puhiihment inqueftion,
it was no more than fliutting up a port, till facif-
fa^ion fliould be made for a flagrant injury and
infult, of which it had been guilty. While this re-
fl:raint was laid, a free ufe of all the neighbouring
ports was allowed ; fo that no people but the inha-
bitants of the town of Boften were intended to be
puniflied by this adl ; and a fufficjent time was in-
dulged them to remove all their veflTels out of their
harbour, that they might be ufefully employed dur-
ing the refl:raint of their port. And as foon as
compcnfation fliould be made for the injury don^,
and a proper' acknowledgment of the offence com-
mitted, every appearance fliews that government
intended to be fatisfied, and to remove the punifli-
ment. For provifion was made, that, on fuch an
event, the King might immediately fufpend the ope-
ration of the a6l, without waiting for the meeting,
or the formal proceedings of the Parliament, which
might require time. Surely none, who have as high
'#
r( 17 )
^ feo(e of public ig^ilt, as of privati^< can fibkik
this puniHunent tooicvere for the erunc, c^fi^rt<^
unider aiU its aggravations. For, do peopk aam/tti-
^idod tptlieuie^.of any advantage, wW& ths/ wan-
tonly abwife to tJic injury of others. ';
An outcry is alio madie, tth^*- '^ the piintflin^R(t)f
*^ ths Bofionians inas hafty and precipiC8iit> oranridg
*^ no alternative « and not fufiering the pariy i:iQ be
*^ heard.** It is ^eely confeiTed that^ m common
cdes, none Ought to be punilhed vrithoyt « ffqgjular
trial and cotnviaton. But here the Cafe was jUftf om-
mon and extraordinary. The moft d&ntial h^^
of government were audacioufly invaded — ^the crmpe
was notorious and unqueftionable — a regular trial
muft have been the wDckof time<-*and while this would
be depending, it wasitcagined the evil would fpreaj.
9oth the letter and fpirit of the law hdd been op0n^
infulted and defied, by the people inBoflon} and,
in fuch a cafe, the ftms of the law, in bringing
them back to a Ibnle of their duty, when it wffs
apprehended that the delay of puniAiment would be
dangerous to the Community, were thought to, be
difpenfible. Such confiderationS indeed will d^
authorife a judge, or any court of juftice, to^r^
ceed iti this compendious manner •, but when a cai^
comes before the whole legiflativc body^ ttv^y ha>?^
always the power to diipenle with the ordiiiiury forms,
and to do what is conceited to be moft conducive to
the public fafety. For, to ufc the words of tlip
juftly celebrated Dr. Blackstoke, " The bane idea
" of a ftate, without a power, fomewhere vefted, to
•' alter every part of its Jaws, is thi height of poli-
tical abfurdity."
It is moreover objedbed, that ^* fuch a mode of
puniihment ijivoLves the imiQCcnt in the fame cala«>
. ^ C ^ *'mity
i
M
. '*jl^". i..'.
i
^( 18 )
• ^.ittity with the giiUty.'* In anfwcr to which, it is
fufficiem to obferve, that this inconvenience muft
^waiys attend aU punilhments inBidled on a people,
whether by God or man, and necelTarily arifes
from the condition of the world. Tliere is no
. body 6f people fo bad, but many mnoccnt per-
; fotB kre intermixed with them. At the very worft;
^ theiie is always a number of innocent children, who
"^ are connected with, and dependent upon, the proper
delinquents. The confequencc of 'hich is, that
410 people, ahd coinmooly ho individv J, can pofii"
-bly be puniflied, without hurting fome innocent
"perfons. The objeftion therefore, if it has any
• weight, will hold good againft all public, and moft
-private punifliments, of what kind foever. In the
• toWn of Bqfitm there are many innocent, worthy and
^refpedtable perfons (many more than is commonly
^ innigined) who are as free from the public guilt, and
hold it in ^as much abomination, as any men within
•his Majefty*s dominions. For their fake, more efpe-
.'Cially, thofe who have the -greateft regard for the hor
nour-of government, with that the punifhment could
'have been avoided. But as this was politically im-
poflible, they muft bear their own fhare, with pru-
^nce and patience, as ^dl as they can, — -enjoying
<^ conicioufhefs of their own innocence,— -maintaining
their integrity, "in the midft of a crooked and per?
"** verfe generation" — and looking forward to that
time, which I hope is not diftant, when they may
«xpe61; toi>e drftinguilhed with fuch favours as the
public can give. j . -ri r;
The refohes ©f the above-mentioned rouMw/V/^^x
alfo exprefs, their brethren in Bofton^ meaning the
x)fFenders againft government, are to be confidcred
^* as fufifering in the common caufe of American
"liberty.-.
.i.iT'
BBH
( ^9 )
** liberty.** But I hope the iuettticufnifs of thcir^b^^r
hifiviour, is not avowed to be any^parcof thefyftemc
of AmerUan liberty, and I Ihould be- extremely forryj
to find) that the common cauft of tbe^ glomes '. requires,
fuch defences as theirs. It a caving enthufiait^ ia '
order to promote the cauie o£ American liberty^ j
(houldtakeit in his head ix> aflaffinate bis Princeyv!
and afterwards (hould be punilhed.fbr hi&'tceafoa^^
he might with eq-ual propriety,, be condderedas fuf>-
fering in the caufc of American liberty.. But, in :
that cafe, I believe no fober Americans would think )
themfely^s bound to abet the alTaffinatbn ; and for
the fame reafons, we are under na obligations to abet^
the deftrudtive violence of the people in Bofton^ or i
to endeavour to Ikrecn it from public jufttce. So i
far as they meant well, they ought to be commended 5 :
but fo far as they did wrongs, they ought to be .con- .
dcmned. And we both expofe ourfelves, and injure 1 1
our caufe, by appearing to countenance their lawlefs^ -
and unwarrantable proceedings..
The fame rejohes 2M0 condemn, aiopprejhe and ■
dan^^rous^ the other ^i^ for altering the adminiflraeioa
of juftice. in the Majfacbufctts-Bay.', and it has been^ .
ufed as an inftrument, in the hands of our populat^v i
incendiaries, for farther enflaming the minds or the -
Americans againft the King and his Miniders. But .
it deferves notice, that the alteration made by the '
ad, is rather an imaginary than a real evil. Fo>* it ■'■
introduces into that province a regulation, which is i'
far from being inconfiftent with the happinefs of the -^
people; as it only reduces them to a form of pro-c
ceedings, under which the. inhabitants of New-Tork^^
and New-Jerfey have been as happy as any people in ^
America, Indeed it abridges them of fame privi-j"
kges that had been granted by charter^ But^iio pri- .
• - C 2 . viltges-
(. 20 )
vUe^ ife * ei^tiiled by thd aA^i but fucli as h^--
beoDi-'abuftd and forfeited over and over, and fuch as '
probably would continue tb be abufed; to theereat
ii^ury and difturbance of that province, as weU as
ta the diihobour and xcproach of the nation* It is^
thp opinion of' the beft friends to tho rights of man«
kitid^ that ohactierst Tffiiy be forfeited; and, it is a >
pipofiofjthe nniklnefs; not of the rigour, of the
admin kftratfon^ that the M/i^riw/f^/i charter, after'
fo:niaD9^ abufes alid provocations^) has not been to^
taUyi.vaedtfid^ rather than abridged; r.Vf >''• f-^ '?
Btddfis the : two kft^nicntioned adsv there is 8'
third, for kttWtv^ the^ gei/ernmeitt of Quehet^ which :
has been as fucce^f^lly applied to the fame noble
puiJpofc^ of enraging the Annericiihs againft tho
me^oes^of govdrhmdit; and m^ar© lies and mifre- •
prefcotadons concerning this adk have been circulated, :
thanione would think malice and falfehood could
iavfiitttb. Id is pofitivelyaflerted,. and generally be- *
lieved, on the evidence; of pofitive affertions, that \
b]^ this a€k;.theJRQpifh; religion is i^i^^/j^^, through^
outu the vaft extent of country now iubjcft to the ^
government of .^^Atfr; and that the- Proteftant re- *
lig on is there obliged to ikulk ia corners, not daring ;j
tajift up its head.. Whereas, if; we have recouric .
to: tht words. of ithe ;aift, we lliall iec^ that the Popifh
reKg;ion^.is ^ more than tohtatti ^'x^va that domi- ;
nion; which wis one -of. the conditions on which «
the couiltry furrendered itfelf to the crown of Great f i
Britain } and thait atproper foundasionis laid for thei
eftabliihment of the Prdteftant religion; which is ;
meaait to takeplacc* : Tithes, which are the property >
ofj the! tolerated Ron^ithurch lin ali vthc panihes,^
are indeed ordered : to ber paid, asi fdrmerly, to the »
miAiJter.of the pariikv bulthe very moment a man i
.j^v.. declares
( 21 >
IS h^'
ic\\ as '
ercat
ttU as .
It is<:
marv*
c is a I
)f the
after
en to* r.
s is a
which
noble
ft the
mifre-
Lilated,
could
ly be.
I, that
roughs
to the
mt re-
daring,
icouric
Popifh
domi-
which
■ Great-
for the
lich is
:operty
anihes,
to the
:amari
iedares
«
declares' himfclf a Proteftantj he is freed, by the aft,
from the obligation to pay tithes to the Popiih in-
cumbent. In that cafe, it is provided, that " his
** Majcfty, his heirs or fuccefTors, may make fuch
provifion out of the accuftonied duts and
*' riflhts, for the encouragement of the Pniefiajit
" religion^ and for the maintenance of a Proteftant
*' ckrgym^m thcfaid province, as b( or they fiall^
^'^^ from time to time^ think necejfa y and expedient.'* It
is true, the Papifts in Canada might have had a tole-
ration Icfs generous than is granted them, without
the Parliament's allowing to the clergy their tithes,
or to the parifhcs their churches. But fuch a tolera-
tion, although it might have fulfilled the letter of
the articles of the treaty, would not have anfwcrcd
their expedations, n6r have left upon their minds
faivourable impri^flions of the Britilh juftice and
honour. If we had taken from them their churches,
or ftripped the clergy of their tithes, v/Iiich might
have been done with equal propriety, it would pro-
bably have cncreafed the numoer of his Majefty's
difaffefted Ainerican fubjefts ; which appears to be
too great without them. And as to trials by juries^
they are affirmed to be excluded by the aft •, but tlie
alfertion is groundlefs and falfe. Juries are no more
excluded from Canada^ than they are excluded from
the other American colonies. They have never been
ellablifhed by aft of Parliament in any of the colo-
nies, excepting the late aft for the regulation of the
Majfacbufetts-Bay, They owe their being- in America
to afts of our provincial Affemblies, confirmed at
home ; and the provincial legiflature of Canada may
introduce them as foon as they pleafc, and it is ex-
pefted th3(t they will, as foon as the inhabitants de-
:v, .. fire
( « )
fifc them, or the (late of the country will admit of
them.*
I have taken this notice of the three lad a6ls re-
lating «"o the colonies, in order to ihew, that in them-
fdves tuey are not of To alarming a nature as !.<«s
been reprcfented, and that they wear not that tre-
mendous afpeifb which our wild imaginations have
given them. Two of them were meant as punifh-
ments for crimes againfl the flate, and to make ex-
amples of thofe who were confidered as the greateft
offenders, and from whofe republican fpirit a general
mifchief was api- rchended. The defign of the other
a(ft was to fecure to a new colony the religious tole-
ration it had a right to demand, and otherwife to cafe
. the minds of a numerous body of people, whofe
behaviour towards government had been decent and
unexceptionable fince they owed it allegiance, and
who were likely to prove his Majeft^'s moft loyal and
fmtbful fuhjeSls in his American dommions.
Notwithilanding all that has been fuggcfted, and
in fpite of all that can bcfaid, I am aware bur poli-
tical incendiaries will go on in their own way, and
ftill contend, that thefe afts are tyrannical and arbi-
trary, and threaten the deftrudion of American
liberty. But if we would recoiled ourfelves, and
attend a moment to the condudt and charafters of
thefe men, we fhould be convinced that no reprefen-
' ; ;: ' ' . ' . -• - . - ^ - \- . tations
■ - ; — ■.--■■.,,, \- ■ I . ; : . , ■ - • •• 1 ' ■ ■ ■
• Sec this point clearecl up, hi a candid and fatisfaftoiy man-
ner, in a pamphlet entitled, The Jvftite and Policy »f the Ail
of Parliaments for making more effettual Frovijion for the Gtivera-
pient of ^ehecy which has been lately reprinted by Mr. Gaine,
See alfo adetcne of the general policy of this adl, in A Letter
(faid to be lurote by Lord Lyittltoa) to the Earl of Chatham, re-
printed LyMr. KiviNtiroM.
,:U
0
of
< 23 )
tations of theirs are worthy of regard. For, in all
their motions, they difcover themklvcs to be under
the iindue influence of prejudice and paflion. Thro*
this dark and mifty medium every object appears to
them under a violent diftortion -, and as thus diftorted,
they muft afcribe it to others. No wonder then,
that they put the very worft conftrudlions upon, and
aiTign the very worft motives for, all the proceed-
ings of the Britilh Parliament.
However, let us now fuppofe the truth and reality
of the fadls as ftated by them ; yet the inferences
they intend, will by no means follow. Suppofing
Popery were actually eftablijhcd in Canada^ on the
requeft of the inhabitants •, would it follow, that it
was defigned alfo to eftablifh it in the other colonies,
where the inhabitants are averfe to it ? Can any man,
in his fenfes, believe this to be the defign of Parlia-
ment? Again: fuppoGng the punilhment inflifted
on the Boftonians to be arbitrary and fevere-, yet
thofe who are free from their guilt, and mean not to
contrad it, have no reafon to fear the like punilh-
ment. " For rulers are not a terror to good works,
** but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid or
*' the power ? Do that which is good, and thou
**• fnalt have praife of the fame : for. he is the mini-
*» fter of God to thee for good. But if thou do
*' that which ii evil, be afraid ; for he beareth not
•* thef>yordin vain; for he is the minifter of God,
•' a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth
"evil." So far as we arc innocent, we are fafe;
but if we undertake to juftify cr abet the crimes of
others, we fliare in their guilt; and particularly, if
we are fomcnters of the fedition that rages in Bojlon^
ifft mui^ take the confequence.
::■ • .' ■' ' - -l' But
fi
''I;!
II :
1^1
?i:
But th« Boftonians, you fay, are over-f unified, it
that b'! the cafe, they are entitled to our pity, and to
our influence in obtaining a mitigation of their pu-
Rifhment. But this can be no rcalbn, for our put-
ing ourfelves in the fame predicanient with them,
for making ourfclves partners in their guilt, or for
bringing upon ourfelves a fimilar puniHiraent. We
mutl be tools to think of doing this; and if they
defire us to do it, their modefty is like that of /<fe
fox in the fahk^ who, becaufc he happened to have
left his own tail, requefted of his brother foxes,
that they would all futfcr their tails to be cut off too.
But the foxes had mere wifdoip than to comply,
and fo ihould we have. As the punifhment-of the
Boftonians was defigned to be local, and peculiar
to them; we have no bufmefs to caufe it to be ge-
neral. Their cafe is not yet ours; and» God grant
that it never may be •
The proper difpute fubfifting between Great Bri-
tain and any of her colonies, excepting that of the
Majfacbujetts Bay^ is only de Lana Ca^rina^ rN)ut an
aft impofing a duty of three fence a pound upon tea.
This is the only ground we have for complaining of
the adminillration ; and yet this has occafioned,
tliroughout our colonies, fuch aji indecent and vio-
lent 01 pofition to government as is truly aftcnilh-
ing. Can fuch behaviour on fo flight a provocation,
proceed from duiiful and loyal fubje^is P No ; it is
impofTible. Whatever we rnay think, or fay, of
ourfelves ; if Vv^e had :!ny true principles of loyalty^
or any tolerable fcnfc of the duty that is due to the
fr.preme legiflative power, under which the provi-
dence of God, and our confent, have placed us,
no trifiing confidcrations could prevail with us to
behave towards it in fo pctulent and difrefpeftful a
manner.
*^
*«;
( 2? )
ir/anner. •But there is too much reafgn to believe^
that our minds arc uaprincipled, and our hearts
difpofed for rebellion. Ever fince the reduiftipn of
Canada^ we have been bloated with a vain qpini^n of
our own power and in^portance. Our caf^ hfls pror
duced pride and wantonnefs. We have been intoxir
cated with fuch draughts of liberty, jasour conlli-
tutions would not bear*, and under this intoxication,
we have conceited that all the privileges ixidulged us
were tljii^ efiTeAs of fear. From thinlcing, we -have
proceeded to fpeaking, difrcfpe<^fully of our mother
country, and our language now is — " It is contrary
*' to reafon and nature, that the petty ifliand of Bri-
" /«/»fhould govierr), and give laws f to, theexteji-
">
((
five and mighty re@ons of America**,^ .,^.^. i^n^^r.
Yet whatever '//«»<? may. produce, , at present the
petty ifland of Britain is able to govern ten fuch
Americas ^.s this, if fhe will exert her pi)wer. .But
O^e wiflies by lenity and forbearance and ; indulgence
(I will venture to ufe thefe words, notwithftanding
her demand of a duty of three pence a pound upon
her tea, if we fee fit to make ufe of it) I fay, ihe
wilhes by lenity,, forbearance and indulgence to fecure
our afFedions, and to render us fenfible, that our
greateft political happinefs muft ariiefrom herfmiles
and foftering prote^Sion. We ftiould be fully con-
vinced of this, were it not for our ignorance, and
want of confideration-, and willing to confefs it, were
it not for our pride. But if we determine to deny
her authority, or to queftion her right to command
US; fhe will prove to the world, and bring us to
confefs,, that though flie is ancient, fhe is not fuper-
annuated or exhaufted •, aYid that ihe ftill poflelTes the
fpirit and vigour that have animated her bell years.
Were fhe onlv to do nothing;, but barelv to leave
D the
C 26 )
p
the Colonies to thcmfclvea with their jarring prin-
ciples, aqd interefts, and projcdls; we fliould Ibon
fee province waging war againft province, and our
country would be involved in fuch mifery and diftrefs
as are beyond all our prefent conceptions. Should
it be known abroad that Great-Britain had withdrawn
her protection, and would no longer intereft herfelf
in our prefervation and fafety -, within the compafs
of one year our fea-ports would be ravaged, and our
veflels plundered or feized as foon as they left our
harbours.. We fhould therefore foon feel the necef-
fity of purchafing the protedion of fome maritime
power, and on terms not of our* propofing, but of
theirs •, and which could never be able to fecure us
againft any hoftile attempts of Great-Britain^ fhould
fhe fee fit to make any j while fhe maintains that
Empire of the fea which fhe now holds, and of which
all the Maritime powers of the world are unable to
difpofTefs herf
But replies the ignorant and deluded American :
" Notwithftanding all that can be faid of the naval
*' flrength of Great-Britain^ it is afTerted by our
•' patriotic leaders, and we have reafon to think,
" that thefe colonies, of themfelves, are able to
•' withftand all her force." The judgment of Hea-
ven vifibly appears in this dreadful infatuation. It
was but a few years ago, that we believed, and found
by experience, that the colonies were unable to with-
ftand the militia of Canada^ lupported by a few
regiments of regular troops from France. That this
was the general opinion, moft of us may remember ;
and it is evident from the mefTages that pcfled between
Governor Shirley and the Houfe of Reprcfenta-
tives of Bofion^ from the addrefs of the affembly of
Virginia to the King at the beginning of the late war,
and
'iW^'-
■ i V )
and from manv other authentic documents of that
period. The Colonies then humbly and ardently-
implored that Great-Britain would fpeedily ftep in to
their refcue, and preierve them from a deftrudtion
that threatened to overwhelm them. Their prayers
were foon heard -, and what was the confequence we
all know. The ftrong bulwarks and fortrefles of
Canada were ftormed) and the country conquered by
the difcipline a d invincible bravery of but a fmall
part of the Britifli troops.
There is no room to doubt but fuch an army as
was employed in the reduction of Canada would be
more than Sufficient for the conqueft of all the dif-
affedled American Colonies, fhould fuch a refolution
become necefTary in order to reduce them to obedience.
For they are open and acceffible on every quarter, and
have not a fmglc fortrefs to cover them, nor one
regiment of regular troops to defend them ; and they
are without military ftores, wiriiout magazines, and
without the fkill that is neceflary for Supporting an
army. Under fuch circumftances what would the
boafted numbers of our inhabitants avail us againfl:
an attack from Great-Britain? If an army was lent in
upon us, which a body of forty thoufand of our
militia was unable to withftand (for it is impoffible
that a greater number of undifciplined men could ad
to advantage) it would be able to carry defolation
through the whole country ; and all the men in the
Colonies were they firmly united, would not be able
to oppofe it. But yet if the army here fuppofed,
Ihould be found unequal to the defign of reducing
the Colonies, Great-Britain could fend of her own
troops a fecond, of equal ftrength to the affiftance of
the firft; to thefe Ihe could add a third of Heffians^
a fourth of Hanoverians^ and fo on till the work were
D 2 compleated.
( 28 )
-Ir '
tdmplcatcd. She could eafily take pofleflion of all
our fea-cdaits where our wealth is principally fcated,
ind force us to fly into the back parts of the country
for innmediate fafety. There an army of Canadians
might be ordered to meet us, and unnumbered tribes
oijavages might be let loofe upon us at the fame
time, while our lands would lie uncultivated, our
fbores exhaufted, our families unfheltered, and thofe
that happened to efcape the fword, glittering and
flaming both in the front and rear of our fettlements,
"Would foon pcrifh by ficknefs or famine.
All that is here mentioned Great-Britain is able to
do ; and all this I believe Ihe would do, Ihould flic
be obliged to enter into a war with the Colonies —
provided the Americans had refoluti'on and firmnefs
enough (for fo fome would call it) to hold out to
fuch extremity. But I am too well acquainted with
their charader to expcd that they would prove thus
Minate'mxht day of trial. When they come to
find that on their fidfc there can be no profpe<5t of
viftory, but that every day muft deepen their diftrels
and render their condition worle and worle-, their
natural undcrflandings will return to them, and ir-
teflflnbly plead the neceflfity of a fubmiflTion as foon as
poflible. In that cafe happy would it be for them,
if they could be confidered only as conqueredcnemies •,
but alas! they nralt be viewed in the light of van-
quijlotd rebels^ and treated accordingly. Their leaders
mijft be given up into the executioner's han-iis ; con-
fifcations of their eftates forfeited by rebellion, muft
follow, and all muft be left at the mercy of their
Vanquilhers. When one people is conquered by
V 'another in war, private property is reftored to its
former pofleffors ; but wlien rebellions are crufhed,
the moll to be expcdbed is, that the lives of tholc that
"belong to the lower clafles will be fpared. To
\ \
C ^9 ) ,
c
To this wretched and accurfcd ftate of rebellion,
the principles that have been propagated, and feveral
fteps that have been taken in the American Colonies
diredly tend. Nay, a rebellion is evidently commenced
in New-England, in the county of Suffolk, without
room for retreating. The inhabitants of that large
and populous county have openly bid defiance to
the united authority of the King, Lords and Com-
mons aflcmbled in Parliament ; they have mod con-
temptuoufly rejeded the regulations of their courts
of julticc &c. eftablifhed by Parliament-, apd not
only fo, but they have fet up in dire^ oppofiiion to
their authority, a government of their own. In the
fpirit of outrageous licentioufnefs, they have com-
pelled by brutal violence, thofe refpedable gentlemen
that held Commiflions under the Crown, to refign
them in forms of their own inditing, and to rclin-
quilh their ftations -, and they have appointed others
of the fame fadioits and turbulent dilpofition with
themfelves to-fiti their places, till their long-projeded
republic * ihall be fettled, which is the glorious ob-
ject. They have already if we may believe credible
information.
* I am perfuaded that there are not many men in the other
Colonies of any denomination, who have not a general prevail-
ing principle of affedlion, efteem and veneration for our civil
Conicitution, however it may be daikened by the grofs exhala-
tions occafioned by the heat of the prefent difpuies. But in
Nc-w-England I conceive, the real fentiments of the people are
of H/aW/«r complexion. Many of the firfl fettlers imported
with them an aveHion to the regal f&tX. of our Conlliiution, and
were thorough-paced Republicans. To every fpecies of monarchy
they were as inveterate enemies as any of their brethren, whom
they left behind them in England; fomc of whom could not bear
to read the word King in their Bibles j but wherever it occurred
they fubllituted Ci'vil Magi/irate in its place. It is well known
shut even good old father JBaxt iiR was a remarkable inHance of
this
( 3° )
information^ marked out the inland town oiWcrcefter
for xhtfeat of this Republic; they are now coUedting
an artillery for its defence, and Ibme of them have
nominated the man who is to be their Protector.
Whether this be fo or not, it appears from au-
thentic intelligence^ dated Bcjlon September 27th, that
they
•
this nature. In tlie time of Crom vvkll's ufiirp.ition, he pub-
Jifhed his hook of Sfirn^s e'uer/a/Ihig Re^, in which he thought
fit to ufe the phrafe oiThs Parliament of Heaven, inl^ead
of faying 7i&^ K 1 N c D o M ok Heaven f. Now thofe original
fettlers of JVlpay JF-vf/rtW fliffly maintained, and zealoufly en-
deavored to propagr>tc rheir own antimonarchical principles;
and thofe principles nave been handed down by an uninterrupted
fuccelfion, from father to fon, and from generation to generation,
to the prefent cay.
Although many of their defcendants have acquired liberal
fentiments, and have renounced the bigotry and prejudices of
their well-meaning fore- fathers, whether relating to matters of
religion or government; yet this is by no means the cafe v/ith
regard to the body of the people. I'hey ftill retain an hereditary
averlion to the frame of the Englilh Conftitution, and to the
controll of monnrchv ; and this averfion has been from time to
time, occafionally animated and intlamed by a fet of Pulpit'
Jncevdiaries, for which thit part of the country has been ever
famous. By thefe and other inflruments they have been pre-
^ ared whenever the word is given, to declare and exert thcm-
felves at all hazards for an independent government of their own
modelling.
The confufions of the prefent time have been thought to
afford a favorable opportunity, for putting their de/ign in exe-
cution. TheColonies nreciifcontented,and it has been Imagined
that they might all be perfuaded to encourage the attempt. On
this prelumption, the decree has gone forth to erc5l the Republic \
the Rubicon has been paiTed, and there can be no thoughts of
retreating. They have drawn the fword, with an aim to plunge
it inu> the bowels of our ancient and venerable Conftitution;
and henceforward the fcabbard muft become ulelefs. The cry
now is: We ha-js no part in David, neither hai'e ive inheritance
in the /on of ] ESSE : Every matt to his tent y O Israel.
■ Giey's anjkver to NeaL. »
'^orcejter
lledting
m have
CTOR.
om au-
th, that
.. they
he pub-
thought
r, inf^ead
: original
Dufly en-
rinciples;
1 term p ted
;neration,
:'d liberal
udices of
matters of
cafe with
lereditary
d to the
I time to
f Pulpit"
seen ever
)een pre-
rt them-
heir own
ought to
in exe-
magined
ipt. On
Republic ;
lughts of
ro plunge
litution ;
The cry
iheritame
i t
. ( 31 )
they have done as bad *. For the Select Men and
the Committee of Correspondence have pro-
claimed die King's troops to be public enemies, and
declared to Mr. Scot that he deserved immediate
DEATH, for felling warlike Jlores to them; and the
people actually did affemble to put this fentence in
execution^ but Mr. Scot was fo fortunate as to make his
efcape. And bcfides this the King's General and
Governor farther complains of their continual ads of
hoftility. " Orders, lays he, are given to prevent all
" fupplies for Englifh troops: Straw purchafed for
*' their ufe is daily burnt, veflels with bricks funk,
" carts with wood overturned, and thus even the
" King's property is deftroyed in every manner in
" which it can be effeded." And he juftly obferves
that all this is '* not the effed of ralh tumult, but of
" evident fyftcm."
Now thefe rebellious Republicans, thefc hair-
brained fanaticks, as mad and diftraded as the
Anabaptists ^/Munster, are the people whom
the American Colonies wifh to lupport! It lecms to
be a mark o^ judicial infatuation inflided on us by the
righteous judgment of Almighty God, that we of
tlic other Colonies can think of elpourmgy«f/f> acaufe,
and of rifquing every thing that is dear, againji fuch
inexprejfible odds — in fupport of a fchcme which all
of us, but a few Prefbyterians and Independents, in
our hours of reflexion, if we have any, muH defpife
and abhor. ' ~
The hopes of all moderate and conlidcrate perfons
among us, whofe numbers I believe are not fmall,
were long fixed upon the general Ammcan Congrefs.
They imagined it to be the burmcfi and defign of
• this
> \
* See Mr, (Gaj.ne's Mcrmrx cf O£lol:c;- ix
'{ 32 )
H»,
ihls grand Committee of Committees, to find out
fomc way confiftent with our claims for obtaining
the reftoration of our common tranquillity, and a
happy reconciliation of Great-Britain to her Colonies.
The known charafter of /ome Gentlemen appointed as
Delegates, and the fuppofed c\\2iX2i^tr of meft of the
others, led us to expedt from them all that we
wanted-, and to believe that the united wifdom of
the Americans would fhinc in full fplendor at the
Congrefs^ and that the prudence and policy of the
COunfels there taken would be fuch, as would have
done honour to an Aflembly of the greatefl- fages of"
antiquity. But — the poor Americans are doomed to
difappointment. The firft difcovery of the fenti-
ments of the Congrefs was fhocking. Every thing
Was "kept fecret for fome weeks, and we flattered
ourfelves with hoping for the beft. But when the
news arrived at Philadelphia^ that the people of
Suffolk had openly revolted from their al-
legiance to the Ki7ig and his governments in a
fudden tranfport of joy, the veil of the Congrefs was
drawn back, and a myllery revealed that filled the
minds of many with furpri^e and aftonifhment; the
myllery was, that the Gentlemen of the Congrefs^ in
whom we confided as the faithful guardians of the
fafet)\ as well as rights of America, were difpofed to
enter into a league ofFenfive and defenfive, with its
'Ui'crji enemies the New-England and other Prefby terian
Republicans. This fadt is notorious to the world ;
it can neither be denied nor palliated •, for they
haftily and eagerly publiined, (and it was the firll
thing that they ^/^publifli) their cordial approbation
of the Suffolk Refolves for eredling an IndepeiJent Go-
vernment in New-England \ and recommended to the
Americans the fupport of thofe meafures with united
efforts.
'ii
.( 33 )
^oris» From that time every moderate man ajnong
us has defpaired of feeing any good produced by the
' Congre/s; and from that time every thing that was
bad has been growing worfe. ,. '■' '*'^
Ex illo fluere, ac rero fublapfa referri fpes danauhl.
Friendsy Countrymen and Felkw-Suhjeils f let me
entreat you to roufe up at laft from your flumber,
and to open your eyes to the danger 'that iurrounds
you — the danger of your being hurrie^ iiiito^a ftate
of rebellion before you are aware of it, and of fuf-
fering all that refentment which a mighty nation can
difcharge upon a defencelefs people. "Whethi*:r
Great-Britain did right or not, in irtipofing the duty
on tea, and whether we pay it or not, are mattefs of
trifling confequence: But whether we (hall bring
down upon our own heads the full weight of her
vengeance, and undergo all the horrors of a civjl
war, or not, are matters of dreadful importanceto us.
If you perfift in the fteps which many of you have
taken-, and efpecially it you go on to encourage the
New-England fanaticks to attack the King's troops,
whenever they can meet them ; the time cannot be
diftant, in which both you and they will be lejgally
proclaimed Rebels and Traitors — they as principals,
and you as their abettors. You may ftiU profefs
yourfelves to be his Af^'^'i moft dutiful and loyal
fubje£lSy as you did in your late Resolves, and as
the leaders in the grand rebellion of 1641 did, in
their meflfages to the King immediately after the
battle of Edge-Hilly where they had fought againft
him inperfon; but this will not flcreen you frorn
vengeance. No: Havoc will be the cry; and /;&«
dogs of war will be let loofe to tear out your vitals.
Theh, if not before then, the Damon of difcord will
rife to diftra<5l you. Brother muft fight againft
E brother.
I.
( 34 )
'i)rotlier, and friend againft tliC friend of his bofom.
!.|n Ihort, the country that is now " fair as Eden**
will become a field of blood, ovcrfpread with defo-
lation and flaughter. I tremble, and my blood retires
. to my hc^rt at the profpedt of fuch 'amazing anguifn
and miierv. The fun and the moon begin already
Ito be darkened and the ftars to withdraw their Ihin-
.ing. (!) all-pitying rieaven ! Prefcrvcmc! Preferve
jiny friends! Preferve my country ! r* . , /
J If we are now upon the brink of a horrid civil
•yrar, aad there be no hopes of relief from the wif-
dom, prudence and good temper of the Con^refs^ there
can be but one day of fafety left-, which is, that wc
.\all endeavor to fee with our own eyes, and makeufe
of our own underftandings, and refume the liberty
of thinking, and Ipeaking, and adling for ourfelves.
JLet us then like men of fenfe, fir down calmly and
.count the coft, in the firft place, before we under-
take to finifh die work propofedto us. Let us con-
fider, before we proceed farther and get more deeply
.cmbarrafled, whether we are able to go through with
our enterprize againft Great-Britain^ or not: And, I
am perfuaded, it will foon appear to be impOlTible.
* What then remains to be done ? Our bleflTed Savior,
for our inftruftion, fuppofes a cafe, in which th^ in-
equality of ftrengiii was not comparable with ours,
.and tells us how common ienfe would determine.
*' What King, fays he, going to make war againft
" another King,fitteth not down firft, and confulteth
*' whether he be able with ten thoufand to meet him
".that cometh againft him with twenty thoufand?
" Or elfe, while the other is a great way off, he fend-
eth an ambafiage, and defircth conditions of peace *.*"
^ Here
C(
.*.Hi
• Luke xiv. 31, 32.
( 3? )-
»t
.* »»
ll«^rc one Independent (late is fiippofed to be at war
with another; but, upon convidlion of the Aiperior
power of its antagonift, inftcad of rufhing on to dc-
llru6lion, it propofcs a treaty of accomodation, uponu
fuch conditions as the fituation of ^airs would acfinit
qf, and asj5>f^<///)^ as polTible^ This divine parable
inflrudts us^ that when it appears that we are not
able, without the utmoft hazard, to go forward with
any warlike dcfign, the only way is to retreat from it,
as foon as we can,, andfticure to ourfeives fuch ad-
vantages as may be ftiU in our power.. This would '
fhew our wifdom and difcretjon^ were our caufe
allowed to be ever fo juft, and had we no peculiar
connexion with the power we were difpofed to con-
tend with.. For it is op. eternal maxim^ which holds
in all cafes,, that a le^s evil is to be chofen, when it;
frees us from a greater.. But m our cafe, where the-
juftice of oiw caufe is, at beft but doubtful \ and when-
the power to be oppofed is that,^ which has cherifhed.
i;s in its bofom,, and kindly proteded us from our*
earlieft infancy-r- which we have .always heretofore^
acknowledged our obligations to obey^ — to which*
rnany of us have Ibleuinly fworn allegiance— andj
which has .^tdom thwarted our inclinations at all,
and never h\M in matters of comparatively trifling
Qonfequence: — -in. this cafe, I fay, the neceflity of"
fuch accomodating mcafuresftpik?;s us with ftill more,
irrefiilible evidence. " " ' '»■;'' •.' "^ - ->; . •
If thofe who have been moft adlive among us, in
raifmg feditious. tumults, and in filling the country
with diftraftion, will not be perfuaded, by the fore-
going confiderations,. to recede, it is hoped that
others will ; and it would be no frnall point gained,
in favor of the Colonies, if thofe who are friends to
order and government, and enemies to the riots and
M. > E a^-i . .^ - difturbanccs
m
( 36 )
difturtances of abufive mohs, would aflumc the cour-
age openly to declare their fentiments. All thofc
who are ftill loyal to their fovcreign, ihould do the
lame. His Majefty's good fubjcdts of the town of
Mye *, to their lafltng honour, have fet the example.
Not only their names, but their numbers, are very
refpedlable; and, were thc^xample to be followed,
through all the towns and diftiidls of our feveral
Colonies, I doubt not but it would appear, to the
confufion of fome among us, that, in every province,
there are more than feven tboufand men who have not
bowed the knee^ and who will not bow it, to the Baal
of independency. And I now congratulate all fuch
on the pleafure of finding, from the information of
Gentlemen of unqueftionable veracity, that the Re-
Jolves from Georgia were far from exprefling the fenfe
of the inhabitants of that grateful and loyal Province ;
but that they were framed only by a company of hot-
headed fellows, met together in a tavern •\,
• I will only obferve farther on this fubjefV, that all
who have the courage now to declare themlelves
friends to Government, will undoubtedly think them-
^Ives bound in honour, intereft and confcicnce, to
refort to the King's Standard^ when it comes to be
creded in our different Colonies, fliould that melan-
cholly event happen i and thefe, of themfelves, will
compofe a body, which, in a good caufe, will be for-
midable tb its oppofers. . But many thoufands of
others, and indeed the greater part of thofe who
ihall not have rendered their cafes defperare, when
they fee the danger thus nearly approachino;, ?'.nd the
ftorm ready to burll, will be glad to fly for ihelter
...i
too
* See Mr. Rivington's Gazetteer o£ October 13.
t RiviNCTON's Gaxcffetr, utfup:
; ( 37 )
too to the Royal ftahdard, if human nature continues
the lame that it ever has been j and they will be
zealous to Jignalizc themfelves in the King's fervice,
in order to render unqueflionablc that loyalty which
was formerly fufpicious. It is morally certain that,
in the day of trial, a large majority of the Ameri-
cans will heartily unite with the King's troops, in re-
ducing America to order. Our violent republicans
A^ill then find themfelves deferted by thoufands and
thoufands in whom they now confide; and inexpref-
fibly dreadful muft be their difappointment. " O !
" that they were wife^ that they underjlood this, that
'* they would cot0der their latter end !"
I Ihall fay no more on the fuppofed cafe of our
waging ^yAR acaittst the King, and entering into
a STATE OF REBELLION; the thoughts Of whtch, all"
fober men, and all confcientious men, and all who'
prefer the good of their country to the gratification*
of their own dbftinate humors, muft reject with horror/
But another fcheme is propofed, at firft view lefs
fhocking, which alfo appears to be recommended by
the Congrefs^ and which many at prefent are inclined
to adopt; I mean, a general non-importation agreement
throughout the Colonies. Againft a propoial of this
nature I have two objections to offer: Namely, that
it will greatly diftrefs a country which I love ; and
that it will not anfwer the pin-pofe.
In order (N. B.) to get rid of a duty of three pence
a pound on tea^ it is propofed to ftop all importation
from Great 'Britain, and even from the JVeft-India
TJlands, till the a<5t impofmg it Ihall be repealed. But
a remedy of this kind is ten thoufand time's worfe
than the difeafe. * It is, for the wifdom of it, like
cutting off an arm, in order to get rid of a fmall fore
in one of the fingers. •''- ''-^^x^^'J-'t^^ ^' '- h -u^:
On
(
3^
)
On a late trial of non- importation fr^m- Great-
Britain only, as foon as the ftores of Englilh goods
began to be exhiufted, every family among us ex-
perienced fuch inconvcnienc<is and difficulties, as
produced a general murmur and complaint. For
although the articles imported from England are not
abfolutely neceflfary to fupport animal liie ; yet it was
found that the civilized life we had been ufed to, and.
which is neceffary to the happinefs of all but faya^es, .
depended, in no fmall degree, upon our importations
from Great-Britain. And had the non- importation,
continued much longer,, it would have excited infur-
reflions i» moft parts of the country.
But a non-importation from tne W^ejl-Indies. would
ftill more tenderly affeft us. For to fay notliing of
Rum^ or of Molajfes for the uicr of our diftilleries,
without which more than a hundred thoufand Ame-
rican dram-drinkers would foon be clamorous ; the
want of the fingle article 5«g-^2r would diftrefs every
family upon this Continent. For this, in the quantity
that is neceHary, we could find no fuTicient fubftitute i
the hardened juice of our Maple, where it could be
had, would he but a forry one •, and as to Honey ^ we all
know its ufc ; and were our flock of it ever io large,,
it would prove but a bad fweetner cf the bitter
draught of a non-importation. . ? . .'
Here then it is propofed, that, to the non-importa-
tion which we have experienced and could hardly
bear, another fhould be added, that would affect us
ftill worfe; and that a double weight Ihould be
faftened uj^on thofe fhoulders, which were ready to
give way under a fingle one. But this is not the
worfl of the cafe. It is generally buiieved, and inti-
mations from .5^«^/^«J have confirmed th/ opinion,
that if the Colonies fhould refolve to import nothing
from
,
V
IS
'>.
{ 39 )
from Great-Britain and the H^efi- Indies y they will not
be fuflfered to import from any other quarter — nor,
even the fait that is ncccffary to cure their winter's
provifions, or to fcafon their porridge: And befides
this, that' an stbfolutc non-exportation will be ordered,
and hot a fingle veflel fuffered to go out of our harb-
ours. Such an order, we know, can efFcftually be
execiited, with the greateft cafe. It is but command-
ing the feveral Cuftom-Houfes to grant no clear-
ances ; and then every veffcl that offered to fail, would
be a lawful feizure. A few of the King's frigates
would be fufficient to do the bufinefs, for all the Co-
lonies an the Continent. Two or thr^ -^f them fta-
tioned at the Capes of Firgin^a, v^buldcou.mand every
veflel belonging to the Pons, and to the fine iravig-
able rivers, of Virginia and Maryland. As many fta-
tioned at the; Capes of Delaware^ T/ould fecure Ptnn^
Jyhania and IVeJi-Jerfey — and fo of the reft.
Now a total ftagnatibn of all foreign commerce,
would at once place us in a glorious and blelled ftate.
In the firft place, all that live by this commerce would
be thrown out of employ. Our failors would be
turned alhore; our (hips would rot in our harbours ;
and jur eftates, which confift of wharfs or ware-
houfes, would become as worthlefs, as thofe of the
fame nature are at prcfent in the town of Bojion, Our
Jhip -builder Sy and their attendants, their yk;/i>j, carmm
i^c. with all that are employed in the bufinefs of
corduge and rigging, muft be immediately difchargcd.
The numerousbody o{ pilots and boatmen muft be
turned adrift. Nor would it fare much better with
our Jhop-keepers and merchants^ whofe families are
fupported by the profits arifing from their refpcctivc
X)ccupations. The expenfive bufmefs of all om- iron-
•rvorksmy},^ (lop -, and the many thoufands v/hich they
j;rovidr.
i
(( 40 )
provide for, muft, unprincipled as thofe wretches
commonly are, be let looje upon the country,- to get
their living as the);' pan. • ^-^ ..,;^ ^,.;,^
Now all thefe clafleji of J people, and m'aiji^v otjiers
which J, hav^ not ^numerated, muft asve a JiippoVt,
and but few oi; them will; be able" to fuppoi^jt tKeirj-
felvfs> an4 if their poverty, is not relieved to tlieir
fatisfadion, they will foon learn to carve for them-
le^ve^. Tiiere are but few parifbes and countii.es
^mong us, which have not complained of the burthen
^cf .their own poor. But what will they fay, wfen
the burthen comes to be encreafoi an hundred-fold, ais
it neccffarily muft, when a general non-importation
^nci no|i-exportation take place ; and all their wanted
refources fail them at the fame time. The want of
the money, of which we have been lately drained, in
order to pairiper the Bofton fanaticks, will then be
lev^rely felt : Nor can we expert any return of afllft-
ance in our diftrefs from that Province, as their
fufFerings will be much greater than ours.
^ In the P-ovince of the Maffaclmfetis Bay^ there Is
a large number of populous Tea-port towns, whicji
have no other fupport than their fifhery. The town
of Gkucefler has three hundred fchooners employed in
that fervice, with a proportionable number of hands.
In the town of Marbkbeud there are fuppofed to be
near four ihoufand men, an J many of them with,
flimilies, that know of no other means of fubfil^ence
than the cod-filhery. I might mention Plyiiouth^
Salem ^ Beverly and a number of other towns, that arc
nearly in the fame fituation. Now, when all thefe
fifnermen are turned adiore, and their veflMs become
ufelefs i they muft, with their unprovided families,
difperfe themfelves amongft the inhabitants, and
while the country affords any thing to eat, they will
not ftarve. . . . But
^ *
\ ^
"
* i
( 41 )
. But to return to thefe Colonies. I have mentioned
the diftrefs that muft immediately overwhelm many
orders of people, on a general ilagnation of com-
merce; but have faid nothing of our Farmers, or
tliofe tha»: live by the cultivation of their lands. —
Thefe may think themfelves a kindof/>nw7(f^^iper-
fons, and imagine that fuch a revolution of affairs
will affcdtthem but little ; yet a very fliort experience
will |)cn their ejres, and convince them of the con-
trary. It is their farms, as all other refources will
fail, that muft fupport all the abovementioned thou-
fands of diftrefled people. Who muft furniih them
with food? None can do it, but, the Farmers.
Who muft fupply them with cloathing ? the Far-
mers. Who muft fheltcr many of them in their
houfes? The Farmers. And can they expcdl pay
for .'■! I !>? Alas! thofe poor creatures will have
noth.j^ 10 make payment with. And if they are
employed as labourers, they are all unacquainted
with the bufinefs ; and their labour will turn to but
little account. Indeed, were the markets abroad
open, the farmer might fomewhat increafe the quan-
tity of his beef, his wheat and other produce, by
their means, fo that his bargain would be lefs into-
lerable. But the foreign confumption, on which hie
is now growing rich, will entirely ceale; and there
"wiU be no demand for his beef, and his wheat and
Other jwifikiee All that he raifes muft pcrifli on his
hands, cxttpi i. it he expends in his own family,
an«l on the y^i. ji c will be prcffing >ipon him.
When alfpeopk htc thus diftrefled ; when every
mind is uncafy and difcontented : i|p will be natural
^or thenito fall to reproaching one Another, with be-
iag the authors of this gener^ calamity. This will
bi? produftiytatctcrhal quaggh, and riots, sind dif-
." ! F ' turbances,
'■■: i
'V 1I
' { 42 )
turbances, and a£ts of violence, amongft ourfelycs y
and then our mifcry will be compleat.
Yet after all, were it likely that thefe political ago- *
nics and convulfions would produce a repeal of tlic •
act in difpute, it would be Jome alleviation of our '
misfortunes to confider, that wefhould gain by them^
Three pence a pSund^ on all the tea we Ihould h-avC"
occafion to purcHafe. But m.^ fecond objedioii againft"'
a general non-importation agreement is, that it will"
nor anfwcr the purpofe. ,, ; '^ " ' ^ ^ ,^ x/'.^\. * ^ , \
f--^ After what has been faid an^ifoiJeliy theColbnics^' '
' ageneral n<in-impbrtation agreement willbeconfidercd •
by Grec^t Britain as an a6t of hoftility, intended to
compel her to relin^uifh her b'm \ and (he will n6t
fubmit to be conquered by Juc. ^ apons, any more"
than by force of arms. It is noL pretended that die'
is altogether invulnerable in this part. The blow
would reach her, and be felt by her; but the wound'
would not be mortal. Tlie ftrength and vigour of
her conftitution would bear much more, than we are]
able to inflid. But — the fliaft, ungracioufly ainied-
at the vitals of our Mother, on the rebound inay'
prove fatal to ourfel ves . ' , ' ^ ; ^\ **f . / t^ ' ;* " '"^ ^ ''^
^ A total ftagnation of commerce would zSt^We^t*
'Britain^ in much the fame manner, that it wbtlld:
afFe(5l her colonics, or any other commercial people;-
that is, it would rob her of her fubfiftafice. - But a
partial ftagnation could not affeft her in the- fame^
manner that we fhould be afFeded by a total ftag-'
nation. Now, the non-importation in queftidn,'
while it would caufe a total ftagnation of our 'com-
merce, would produce no more than a partial ftag-'
nation of hers i and confequently would not place
her in a fituation fo diftrefling, as it would place us.'
Her trade is not confined to her American Colonies;
- Sh©
'( .43
)
SliC has fhips and fadorics in every quarter of tlie-
globe; and the treafures, of the Eaft and Weft are
perpetually flowing in upon her. Sht* receives no
neccflary or ufeful articles from thefb Colonies, but
^ what {he fqrmerly received, and may at any time be
fiipplied with, from foreign nations. Her manufac-
tures that are confumed in tlie Colonies, Ihe can
ih"rtly find ways to difpofe of at other markets.
■ There is one branch of this hopeful projedt, ttiat
will contribute immediately and' dire<flly to the ad-
. vantage oi Great Britain, almoft in the fame propor-
tion that it will diftrefs ourfelves. The Reader
fcarcely needs to be told, ihat what is here meant, is
the flopping all intercourfe and communication be-
twctn the Colonies and the fV eft Indies. As foon as
this takes place, the markets of Great Britain 'vviii b :
iupjolied, not only with the quantity of goods fro.n
the TFefi-Indies which they have formerly received,
but with the addition. of all that is how confumed in
the American Colonies. The Britifh merchants will
likewife; have the advantage of fupplying the Idands
with many articles, which at jprcfent are not fcored
in any of their invoices, t ..",' j ^^^^ i ' • ^.^ ,
The Weft-Indians themrdves indeed may be fome-
v/hat injured and difconcerted at firft, by the execu-
tion of this part of the plan ; but far lefs, than feems
to be gencrally~expe(^ed and intended by us. The
Ifland of 'Jamaica can fupply, her Planters vvith all
kiflds of provifioixis, but butter and flour; and with
all ^he lumber thatn>ay be required, for a hundred
years to come, excepting ftaves and heading for their
^um "Puncheons, Thefe fhe has often received frorii
^Haml'urgbjfrorti whence Ihe might receive them again.
But there wjjl .be no occafion ^r fending fo far. Ca-
.n0^ cs^n ^odIv J^er, and all the o^r iflands, with
?f
^^1
/ 1
F 2
thefe.
( 44 )
'! 1
thefc articles, as well as with flour, in any quantity
that may he ordered •, to fay nothing of Georgia and
the two Floridas, which abound in common lumber,
at the fervice of the IVindwar/i^ Leezvard, and Caribbee
Hands. So that after the firft year, new channels
may be opened, ' plans formed, and correfpondences
i'ettled, in fuch a manner, that the Weft-Indies may be
nearly as well fupplied without our afl'iftance, as they
now are with it ; and with fome articles, perhaps
better.
But fuppofing the contrary; yet what fhouldwe
gain by this curious bargain? Why, the ill-will and
refentmeiit of all the Weft-Indians. For fome years
paft,. they haye cultivated a peculiar fricndfhip with
the North- American Colonics, and propofed to them-
felves much happinefs from aclofer alliance. "
They have fent hither their children, in large
numbers, for their education; and many of them
have brought over their families, and liberally fpent
the incomes of their eftates among us. But when
th^yfind that, we can foingcniou fly contrive fchemes
to diflrrefs them without benefiting ourfelvcs; as they
are generally not wanting in fpirit, they will be apt
to refent fuch ill ufage, by withdrawing their fons
and their families from among as' and perhaps by
breaking off all further connexion with us in the
wray of commerce.
From what has been faid,it will naturally be con-
cluded, that by a general non-importation agreement
we fliall carry on a very unequal warfare with Great
Britain-, which will much (boner compel us to yield,
thai! her to comply. The want of her Nor//- Ame-
rican trade may hurt her, but it will not reduce her to
extremity; and, if I may judge from my own feel-
ings, nothing but the utmoft extremity will inducie
her.
"X
k
( 45 )
her, where (he bdkfves flic has right of her fide, anel
where her honour is deeply at ftake, to give up the
point in difpute.
At the time of our former non-importation, the
cafe was materially different. The Stamp-aSi was iQ
contrary to all our ideas of American rights, and lb
much was offered againft the policy of the aft, both
here and at home, that there was no dilHculty in re-
pealing it. Afterwards when we exclaimed againft
the duties imtwfed upon paper, glafs, &c. and agreed
not to import tue fevcral articles loaded with duties }
our views were comparatively moderate, and we had
a large body of friends in England to fupport us.
And were the propofition now only not to import,
or to confume, the tea that is charged with the duty;
the cafe would be the fame that it was then — we
Ihould have the fame friends that we then had-^and
the duf;y would probably be removed, on the fame
principle that thofe duties then were. But our con-
duct now is fo wild and diftradted — our tumults and
diforders are carri^ to fo unreafonablc and unwar-
rantable a length — nay, fuch a fpirit of rebellion has
broke forth among us, and fuch a determined enmity
\^ againft the fupremacy of Great Britain now predomi-
hates in the Colonies, that we have hardly a (ingle
friend remaining in England. Even the Manufaftu-
rers join with all other orders of people, in condem-
ning our extravagance •, and, which is (till more, the
Writers and Spakers againft the King's miniftry
allow that it is mexcufable.
It appears, therefore, that nothing will be likely
to procure a repeal of the ^ea-a£fy or the removal of
any other grievance of the like kind, but, the refto-
ration of peace and order amongft our(clv^ — a can-
did acknowledgment of our politic;|i errors and of-
toces
( 46 )
fences — a forinal allowance of the rightful lupremacy
in general, of Great Britain^ over the Amencan Co-
lonics— a declaration of our averfion to a (Vate of in-
.dependency, yvich a (u/ref^f^ondi^jg i^haviour — a refped-
tful xerponftrance '>i. t! ^ iMbjsdt of taxation — an af-
.furance of our • Min^ ?fs to contribute, in fome
equitabL proportion, towards defraying the public
expences — and the propofal of a rtafonable phin for
a general American conilitution. This, it is hum-
.bly conceived, was to have been the bufinefs of the
CojjgreJ),; 2it^d if they had aded upon thcfe principles,
and with fuch views, not only the prefent, but all
iijture generations, would call them blcj[jedA^:r\ ^-.i ; ^j
^t; Notwithilanding all unfavorj^ble fymptoms and
.appearancesy I would not prefuiae to form a final
judgment of tht Cofigrefs^ till th^ir whole plan of
.proccedirgs fliall be known. It is pofiible, that all
.that has been wrong may be redtincd in the end j and
.^hat moderate and wife meafures, tending to rcflore
:the tranquility, the happinefs, the honour and fafety
.of the Colonics, may at laid be concerted. Should
.this appear, in the general rcfult of their councils,
the ti^enibers will be entitled to the grateful ref|X(St
.of evijry /Vtnerican, and the miftakes made in the
vformef part of tlieir proceedings ought never to be
.mentioned, to tfieir difadvantage. Bur, on the other
.hand, flipuld it appear, that they mean to encourage
v^ts of Ipftility againft Great Britain, ortofupport
»the m^men^ of jyfi^-jE«^^?»^ in their fcheme of an
Independent Republic : in that cafe, 1 afErm,;that the
■ Original J2pntra^i between them and xhtmjl r&fpe^ahle
ipart of .tlieir conftituents . will be dlffhhed — tlv/ we
.ihall be; at full liberty to confult cur own fafety, in the
manner w^ fhall think moft conducive to that end —
.and l&at wc .inaU owe them i^q greater refpeft and
,^iTik ' ^ obedience.
(' 47 )■
obedience, tlian they themfclves pay to th6 tiritiTlH^
Parliament.
The foregoing confideratlons are addrefled — not'
to thofe obftinate, hot-headed Zealots, who are at'
the bottom of all our confufions v for ara-uments'
would be as much walled upon them, as upon men'
that are intoxicated with liquor — but to all reafonahle'
Americans, to thofe who are ftill in the exercifc of their
imderllaridin^s, and whole minds are open to convic-'
tion.' People of this characler, it is prefumcd, will
fee the neceffity of giving up the prefent fyftem of
American politics, as cflentiully wrong anddeftruc-
tive; and of entering unanimoully upon moderate
and conciliating meafures, as they regard the reftora-^
tion of peace and tranquility in this, heretofore, hap-
py country.
The great obje<5t in view, (hould be a general
American Conftitutton, on a free and generous Plan,-
worthy of Gr^«/ Britain to give, and' of the colonies
to receive. This is now become neceflary to the
mutual intercft and honour, both of the. Parent
Kingdom and its American offspring. Such an
eftablifhment is only to be obtained by decent, can-
did and refpeftful application i and not by compiiU,
fion or tiireatening. To think of fucceeding by rorce
of arms, or by ftarving the nation into compliance,
is a proof of fhamcful ignorance, pride and ftupidi-
ty. All fuch projects muft operate ten times more
forceibly againftourfclves, than againft Great Britain^
They are, at beft, but Penny wife, and Pound fooUJh-y
and therefojre inconfiftent with every maxim of foun4
wifdom and genuine Patriotifm.
All violent oppofition to lawful authority partakes
of the n ature of rebellion. -, and a rebellion of the Co-
lonics, whether it fhbuld prove fuccefsful or unfuc-
s
r««v'!^
( 48 )
cefsful, would necefTarily terminate in ruin and de-
Itruftion. We aie now in the utnwft danger of be-
ing hurried, before we are fenfible of it, into this
defperate and dreadful (late || , when mod of us think
that we have grievances to complain of,, in conle-
quencc of the exercife of unconftitutional power j
and when many are practicing every wicked art to
ieduce us from our allegiance. It therefore highly
concerns us to be upon our guard, at fuch a criti-
cal feafon as this. A fmall degree of refledbion
would convince us, that the grievances in queftion,
fuppofing them to be real, are, at moft, no more
than a juft ground for decent: remonftrance, but not
a fufiicient i«aibn for forcible refinance. Thefe two
things
- 1 # •'■ • ^Kk tr' n*\0
II Among the various denominations of Americans, molt men
would be lUrtled and fhocked at the propofal of entering into
an open rtbtlUen', but feditious principles, that dire£Uy lead
to, and.mtiA finally bring on, a rebellion, have been gradually^
ihftilled into many of them, without alarming their apprehen-
fions, under the cover affair and fpecious pretences. Wrong
principles are naturally productive of wrong condudl ; and one
wrong ftcp prepares the way to another, and that to another,
rill at laft there can be no retreating.
Nemo reptntefit ^ttrpiffmuSf i: /. No one arrives at a grofi and
tAormcus pitch of wickednefs at once, is an old ard juft obfer-
vation ; and it is particularly true with regard to rebellion. The
grand Engliih rebellion, in the laft century, was a remarkable
proof of it. In the firft place, men gave way to unfavourable
lufpicions concerning the King and his Minifters, and thus loft
the reverence that is due to the regal authori^y . They then be-
gan to take pleafurein blackenitig the King's charadl^r, and in-
giving an invidious turn to all his actions. From lY $ they pro-
ceeded to eaiailing againfthim; and, at laft, they took up
arms, deluded with the pretence of liberty and property, and
religious rights. And when they had onCe taken up arms
agamft their Sovereign, they found it neceffary to deftroy him,
for their own fecurity. This foon brought on a general de-
^rufiion of liberty and property, and the ruin of the nation, as
well as of themfelves. Such is the common progrefs, and the
cfFe£l, of rebellions in general.
( 49 )
things are widely and eflentially different j arJifwe miflake
oii£ tor the other, theconfequcnce mny Le fatal.
It ha$ been fully (hewn, that a rcbcllir<n of" the colonics can
have no reafonable profpe£t of facceeding ; and that it mull
prove the deHruflion of all that are concerned in it. But fup-
pofing that it were likely to fucceed, it is of the utmoft impri;-.
tance to conHder, what we fnould gain by it; which uonld
be^ after the defolation of our countiy, andthefacrificeofthou-
iands of lives, an exemption from the authority of the Britifh
Parliament, and fubje£lion to the authority of an American re-
public. A blefled exchange this 1 cfpecialljr if we take into
the account the chara£ler of our future mafters. The principal
conduftors of the rebelUoHK would naturally have the principal
authority in the republic ; and thefe are men, whofe tyrannical
ufuipation would be m,ore oppefHve, than the fcoi'pion power
of the mod defpotic Prince in Europe. There would be no^
peace in the colonies, till we all fubmitted to the republican
zealots and bigots of New-Lngland; whofe tender mercies,,
when they had power in their hands, have been ever cruel,
towards all that prefumed to differ from theui in ipatters either
of religion or government^
Asv loon therefore, as people of this flaqap come to be in pof-
kBon of an eflablifhed authority, which would be the cafe ihould
the rebellion fucceed, the dire effefls of their perfecuting, and.
intplerant i^pirit will be difmally felt by all that fhall have cou-
rage to ift^fit ; particularly,, the m^inbers. of the Church of
England, the Friends or people called Quakers, the Baptifls,
thoTe that belong to the German and Putch Churches, aud the
qipderate and candid part of the Prelbyterians themfelves. All
thefe clafTes of people then, by promoting the prefent fcheme
for an independent government, are abfikrdly afting againfl their
own intereftand honour, and contributinf to prepare yokes for
their own necks,
O my infatuated Countrymen ! My deluded Fellow-Subjefls,
and Fellow-Chriftians ! Open your eyes, I entreat you ; awake
from your dreams, and regard your own fafety !
As to you, who are members of the Church of Etiglattd y it is
amazing, that any of you Ihould be fo blind to your own in-
terefls, and fuch apdilates frqni com'mon fenfe, as to counte-
nance and co-operate with a plan ofprocceedings, which, if it
i^<;ceeds». will at once diflrefs and difgriice you. You are en-
deavouring to provide arms for your enemies, and to put power
into the hands of thofe who will ufe it againfl you. You are
fttting up a fort of people for your mafters, whofe principles
yoii de^ifc , and who were always fond of fubduing by the iron
G rod
C 5«> )
rod of opprfffion, all thofe, whofe principles or ftntimonts w«rf
dificicnt horn their own. Their inveterate enmity to the Church
cf England, has polluted the annals of the Britifh hjftory. Their
intolerance in Englcnd^ towards the members of the Church,
when the foveieign power was ufurped by them, is recorded in
charadlers cf bleed ; and the fame fpirit was dreadfully trium-
phant in Nt'iv-Englandi frcm the firft fettlepient of the coun-
try, till the mild difpolition of Parliamentary power intcrpofcd
to reftrain it. In 1629, they banifticd and tranlpcrred evbn
feme of the original patentees ol Ne<iv-E'ngland, who w*rc men
of abilities and of a refpcftable charafter, merrly bccaufc they
difcovered them to be Churchmen, dtdaring to them as they
fentthem off*, that New-England fwns noPlacb for such
A? TMEY II . Their defcendents, who inherit their principles,
are the very perfons that will govern you, if the projefted re-
volution fhould take place, As they have now broke locfe from
the authority of Parliament, which for fome time paft reftrained
them from mifchief, they begin to appear ■'. their natural co-
lours. They have already reiumcd the old work of perfecuting
the Church of England, by every method in their power.
The members of it are daily mifreprefcntcd, infulted and ab-
ufed by them ; and they have lateljr driven feverat of its clergy
from their parishes and families, which arcleft in a Hate that is
truly deplorable.
The pretence indeed is, that the members of the Church in
New-England are thus roughly treated, on account of theif
political^ and not of their r«ftf««i principles. But, Good God!
is there to be no libpity of the prefs, no liberty of fpcakingi no
librr^y.even of thinking, on political fubj'efts, where thole rcr
publicans have the afcendant r This is defpotifm ^vith a ven-
geance J and fuch as we muH be all focls if we. vcIantarJly fubf
jnit to. Nor will the cafe be at all better, with regard to j-e-r
ligion. For it is a truth^ wiiich the hiftory cf all ages con-
firms, that thofe who will diftrefs men on account of ichejr ppliU*
^al principles, will ndt fcruplc to perfecute them ft>*- the fake of
their religions principles, when they have it in th'^r power.
Ycii then, whp are members cf the Church of Engmiidi mnft
renounce your principles relating both to rieKgion a^:^ govem-
went, or you can expeft no quarter under the adihinii^tibh of
fuch intemperate zealots. You muft ceafe to be ChoVch2i'ci^>
§ This tppeart from a valuable tieok writfen.bjr fi c«>ta.Y9my> author
^r* MojiTON, and entitled, t^cw^EngUnd't Mmanah .-,.,:, , ,
' 5« )
Or Fjccome vl£lims of their Intolerance. Indeed it maflt be con.
fc/Tad, and t am forry to fay, that many of you appear already
to have renounced one half of your principles ; or you could
not jtroceed, %a you do^ in dired oppofitlon to the cHabliihcd
rules and doctrines of the Church. Th? principles offubmif-
iion and obedience to lawful authority, arc as infeparable from
n/oMJf rinu'iHe mtmherdi the Church of Engl?-»d, as any reli-
gious j^rinciples whatever. This Church has always been
famed fuid refpeded for its loyalty^ and its regard to order
and government. Its annals have been never Itained with the
kiflory of plots ^'nd confpiracics, treafons and rebellions. Its
members are inftru^ed in their duty to government, by Three
Homilits on OhtditHctt and fix againft Reliellion, which are Co
many (landing ieflons to fecure their fidelity. They are alfo
taugnt to pray in the Xiltany, that the Almighty would prcferve
them, ** Irom all fcdition, privy confpiracy and rebellion."
And more than one folenin ofHce is provided, for the annual
commemoration of former deliverances from the power of thofe,
whether Papifts .or Proteflants^ ** who turn religion into rebel-
*' lion, ana faith inrcfadion." But ifyou regard none of thefp
things, you arc untoward, ut>dutifdli and degenerate fons of
tke Church ; f nd (he will be afhamed to own you for her
children. .. ..,^,. .
Howeveri even thofe of you who are but half-pHncipled in
4hc doflr'ncsof the Church, will.be looked ip)n w^ith an evil
eye, ur ' the intended rspttblic j and they muft give up the
other ni ■jf their principles, before they can be fecure againft
harm or molellation. The Church of England his always been
the great obftade in the way of thofe republican faniticks ; and
when once they Ate eftablilhed, no appearance of a Church>
•man will efcape their refentment, or be tolerated among; them.
Nor will it fare better with the P'riendf, or people called
fakers ; however peaceable ijj their difpofition, or however ufe-
-ful n^embers of fociety. Whit they formerly ('u(fered in New-
En^and under the fame fort of men that mult and will govern
this country, if it (hould be withdrawn from the juri(diAion
iCif the BritKh parliament, is too well known, and can never be
forgotten. You, my refpefted friends, have experienced the
-genuine ^irit and temper of their authority ; and you can never
ir/i(^ to have your necks again encumbered with that Prefiytt'
rian yoke of bondage, which neither you nor your fiithers were
able to bear. On the pther hand, you have the fenfe to (ee,
a ad the gratitude to confefs, that you have bee^i happy un-
der the relief and protcftion afforded yoo by the King and Par-
liament, in common with other good fubje^. You will there-
fore
( 52 ) •
fore remember (to ufe your own exprefiive language) " tha;, a»
under divine Providence, you are indebted to the King and
his ropl anceftors, for tlic continued favour of enjoying your
religious liberties^ you are under deep obligations (on t%ii oc-
cfifion) to manifeil y )ur loyalty and fidelity ; and to difcou-
rage every attempt wiiich may be made by any, to excite dif-
aiteftion, ordifrefpeft to him."
The Baptijls have never had fair quarter allowed them by
the demagogues of Nevo -England , and they are perpetually
complaining, from year to year, of the a£ls of oppreffinn and
violence with which they are harafTed by them. Now if the
people of Nevj-England have been thus intolerant, towards
thofe that differed from them only with regard to the cafe of
baptifm, while they pofTcffcd an authority that was fubordi-
nate to the Britifh Parliament ; what cruelty, towards ail that
diffent from thom, may be expedled, fhould they be' armed
with abfolute and incontrolable power ?
As to the Germans and Dutchy to whofe induflry and good
behaviour the Colonies arc greatly indebted ; if they fhould be-
come fubjeA to the jurifdi^ion abovementioned, they will be
confidered as perfons, not only of a different religion, but of
different nations ?nd languages, from whom they nave fuch an
averfion, that they have never admitted them to fettle vaNeio-
England'y and confequently all the Colonifts who are of z foreign
growth or extraftion, muft expcft to meet with a double portioA
of rancour and feverity from their new mader^.
Nor can the moderate part of the Prejhyterians^ and Congrega-
lionalifis fhemfelvef, havc, any profpeft of continuing free fiom
znoleflation under their government. Nothing can be more
odious to bigots, than generofity and candour; or more intole*
r able in the opinion of the fVrious, than moderation and meekr-
nefs. This aflertion might be fupported by the hiflory of all
ages and nations ; but we need Q0C go far for a confirmation of
it. For among the Prefbyteriartt^^nd Indep'^ndents in thp Co-
Icnies, when the meek and the moderate, t e candid and gene-
rous have been brought before the tribunals of the bigotted and
furious, as has frequently happened ; they have been treated with
as much unrelenting rancour and roughnefs, as if they had been
Mahometans and heathens. So that there is no chance or pro-
bability, Sf the latter Ihouid come to the pofleffion of defpcii-'.
power, which is the aim of the revolution they j.iopofe; that
their difpenfations towards ihs former, would be lefs cruel than
%hey commonly have been.
In
( 53 )
In a word : no order or denrminatlon of men amongft as wOvld
tenjoy liberty or fafety, if fttbjed^<dto the fiery genius of a Nc«m
England Republican G^-remwent ; the little finger, of which yre
ihould foon experience to be heavier thap the loips of Parfia*'
xnent. This has fometimes chaftifed us with fwbipst when we de--
ferved punilhment ; but that would torment us ^'uh /cerpi«Mip-
whether we defcrved it or not. ' ^ v: s^i*^ t. « -i. 5 4* '•
.t--i-
^^y
P O S T S C R I P T.
I Have faid [fee page 20-] that the Popifhireligiori is notelUn
bliihed in Canada by the late a£l, but okW tolerated ; and that
this was one of the conditions on which the country furrender<;
ed to the crown of Grfar Britain, Since the greateJl part of
this Addrefs was printed off, the papers publiflied by the Cwr,
grefs have come to hand;' in whkh they lay, that ** the Roman
*< Catholic Religion, inftead of ^ing tolerated^ as filpulated bj
** the treaty of peace, is ^a^/j/&*<j^/* by the a£^.
In order that the reader m<.y fee with his own eyes, and jadg^
forhimfelfofthis matter, I will prefent him with the following
£xlra3Sf from the Treaty of Surrender ^ the Definitive Trtatjf Qt
Peace, and the Act for more effe3ual provifion, k^c,
EXTRACT /rm ^;6^ CAPITULATION «/ CANADA.
Art. XXVII.* " T]\t free estercife of the caiholic, apoftolic,
*' and Roman reli;|ion, ihall fui^ft^ entire ; in fuch manner, that
" all theftates and people of the towns and countries^ places,
** and diftaiit poits, fhall contjjiue to aifemble in the churchr
** "-s, and to Ire^^Qent the facraments as heretofore, without b^^
** iiig moleftcd in any manner direSlly or indireiily.
•• Thefe people (hall be obliged by the En^ifti gn^-^rnr ent,
** to pay to the prj'>:^s the tithes^ and all the taxes they were ufcd
** to pay, under the government of his moft Chriftian Majefty,"
Granted, as ttrthefree exercife of their reiigiut. The obliga-
■lion ofpzying the tithes to the priefis^ nuill depend est the King^t
p'leafnre. T. '
Art, XXVIII. " The Chapter, Priefts, Curates, and Mif-
" fionarics, fliall continue witn an intire liberty., their exercife
** and fundion of their 9$^^^ ^^ ^^ paiifiies of the towns arid
" countries." - / -- •. , - ^
Gkanteo. ■' .._ '
#
«(
«<
4€
U
at
«
EXTRACT frm the TREATY of PARIS.
jifrt. IV, So far as relates to the matter ih queiliQA. «< JFJ[ls
Britannic Majefty oniiu &de, jogrees to grant the liberty of the
catholic rrhgipa to the khabitaatsof Cd»«</a. He wiU co9-
feqneady^ vivie the moft ei&daail orders, that his new Rocoan
catholic fttoje^ may profefs the wor&ip of their religion, ac-
corcUng to die rites of the Romifh church, b: far m$ Che laws ;
of Great Britain permit. "
EXTRACT //-^w the CANADA-ACT.
" And for the more perfeft fecurity and eafe of the minds of
j^^ei^Jias^itarit? of the faid proviijce, it i? hereby.declared, tha^
his Majefty's fubjefts profefling the religion of the Church of
Rttme<i 9f anji in ^e province oi^^ueiect men h^ivet hold and
enjoy the frde exercife.ofdie raiigioajof tKe>Chvuth o£ Roniet
" fuhjsS to the King's fupremacjf declared and eftablilhed by ail
" 9Si made in the firilyear of the reign of Qneeu £Iiza^eth, oVet
" all the ^lominions ahd countries which didh did, or thereafter
*' jhonld bflon», to the Imperial Crown of this realm ; and that
** Aie clerjgy of the faid Church fkdy hold, jeceive and enjoy,
" dteir accUl^omed dues and rights, luith refpeSlto fuch pe'rfins
" mIj^ as:lhalljpir<)fefs the laid religion.
•* PrcweUd nevertheli/st that it ihaft be lawful for his Majeily,
** Ids heiw and fucceiTors, -to make.fuch prOviiton oat of the reil
** i)f the faid accuflomed dues and rights, for the ehcou/agement
of <be Pi-oHfioiit LeUgion, and for the matntenaHci Aii6.JuppQrt
cf d Proi^dftt clergy within the /Uid province, as he or thicy
Ik^ffrbtanm^ to tinle, thiiik njBceifrary and eypedierit."
The next diatifedf the ail provides an oaeh of alregfince, to be
taken ixy the Panadian P^fis, instead of the oath i;equired by
tlat id Elizaieti. The fucceeding claufe enafts, " that all his
•* Majefty's Canadian fubjefts, within the province of Sluehec^
** the reUgious ordert dnd c(mmunitUs only excepted f may alio hoid
•* andchjoy their property and poiteffioa»<" &c. Thelail chufe
pzmi^es, that the Kin'|; (hall havte the power of " creating^ con-
"* IKtuting, anjd appointing fuch courts o/>.Ec6L^EsiAsticA|.
** J.^^ifj^i^^'^^i within and for the faid province of ^uehec, and
" appointinE from time to time, the judges ai^d officers thereqiQ
•* as his IVtajefly, his heirs and fticcefibrs, Ihall think neceflaxy
*• and proper for the circUmilances pt the faid province."
Thus we fee in what manner the toleration df the Pppilh rc;-
ligion wafe fecured to the Canadians by treaty ; and the aft qf
Parliament alloWi them no more than, the.frei exerci/e tftheif
religion^ lAjithout being molejha^ it the public ufe of it, aild thj^t
tmire iiherty in religious tnatt'r.i. for which they had (Upulatc4.
Indeed the parochial (Jle , are permitted to enjoy thq^
tithes, by wh'ch they had i^L'cn always fuppo ted. This was
|>ropO(ed in the treaty ; butt in was neither granted, hor reje^led.
•(
ib
and
( ss )
by the Britifh Gcr.eral, who left it to depend upon the King's
pleafurc. After thirteen years experience of the dutiful, peace*
able and good behaviour of his Canadian fubje£ls, and at a time
when his other American fubjefts were become turbulent, licen-
tious, and refraftory, the King, to whofe goodnefs the matter
had been referred, thought proper, with the approbation and
confent of Parliament, to comply with ihe reafonable expeAa-
tions and requefts of the Canadians, in allowing the clergy to
enjoy their wonted fupport, under certain reilridlicns and limita^
tions. But this indulgence by no means converts the iUpulated
toleration into an eftablifhment, as the Gentlemen of the Con-
l^refs are pleafed to aflerr.
Tit&es in Canada are ihepreperty of the Rcmifh church;
permitting a tolerated church to enjoy its own property, is far
ihort of the idea cf an eftablilhment.- If the city of Nsw-Yc«k
ihould be conquered by the Papifis from FraKce^ or the IftdejltttiF-
^nts from New- Engl. ind, (which I believe in my confcience
would be much the worft event of the. two) apd at tlic time of
its furrender, the corporation ^rTf-ini^Chttrch (honld contrad
for t\icfree exerci/e of their religien, &c. the confirmation of this
liberty, with apermiflion ftill to enjo^ theeflat^ that belongs to
them, (upon which foine people have long ca^ an envious and
wilhful eye) would not amount io what is consionlyunderftood
by % religious eftablifhment. An eftablifhed religion, is a reli-
gion which the civi^ authority engages, not only' to proteA, but
to fuppcrt ; and a religion that is not provided for by the civil
authority, but which is left to proxnde for itfelf, or to fabfift on
the proviilon it has already made, can benbiboiie than a tole-
rated religion.
Now the Popifh religion in Canada the Gcvcmmcnt is tin-
der no engagement to provide for ; it is only allowed to enjoy
fucb pro.viiions as it has made for itfelf, in a general way ; anrf
when this proportion is curt:uled, whenever a Papift cmbrac s
the Picteftant religion ; and the various relig:ous orders and
communities are entirely difpofiefTed of their refpe£Uve efiefls*
But it evidently appears from the a£t, that it istheobjeAof Go-
vernment to make provifion, as fafi as the ftate of the country
will admit of it, ** iox the encouragement of the Frctejicnt religitn,
** 2jid for the maintenance and Juf port of a Protejiant Clergy.**
'■' From what has been offered, the inference is clear, that the
Popifh religion is only tolerated in Canada i and that it is meant
toeilablifh theProteftant religion in that cokny. If, after all,
men will confound the meaning of words, and make nodifUndion
between toleration and eftahlijhment, they degrade themfelves in-
to the rank of quibblers and praters^ ami it is lofs of time to dif-
j> ate with them. . . ,.
•#
4
'•?
( II .)
y*
f. ...^ . 'f > .,| ■
The Readier is |«;fircd to cortcQ: with his Pen the
'?;d-J;i^i;i:-^.-^rV following Ei^ata.
* j; >r. Jin^ t^ (or cmJ^, Tc^d can, '
I^ *l p. 14 I. ^8 for «ws^i««!|, '^^d tonjhing,
ff^l P* ^3 1* ^ for i^^^r r«ad deftubt, ^ i ;
;^ . i \u^^ |. 34 5- " for ^ «f ^ •«y >
. . p. .46 1. I4r for wottteap read 'wontta..
::!*-
*^S ' v*- ;--.^-' ., .".-.. 4.^. ■-.:? -r^
■ ■-■ * -J '■• ■ ;■ •
,•*.■ '^
•f
■m
10 •;r.;^rji^t*is«|-!?JR|i'H '* ,
J «' i.v**f^i.?» -l.-f.
■i-» ,. • - n
1
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