WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.080 --> 00:00:05.280 Part four of Common Sense by Thomas pain This is 2 00:00:05.320 --> 00:00:09.359 a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. 3 00:00:09.679 --> 00:00:15.000 For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. 4 00:00:17.079 --> 00:00:24.320 Read by Bobnefeld. Common Sense by Thomas Paine, Part four 5 00:00:26.160 --> 00:00:31.399 of the present Ability of America, with some miscellaneous reflections. 6 00:00:31.839 --> 00:00:34.640 I have never met with a man, either in England 7 00:00:34.719 --> 00:00:38.119 or America, who hath not confessed his opinion that a 8 00:00:38.200 --> 00:00:41.520 separation between the countries would take place at one time 9 00:00:41.600 --> 00:00:44.920 or another. And is there no instance in which we 10 00:00:45.000 --> 00:00:49.359 have shown less judgment than in endeavoring to describe what 11 00:00:49.439 --> 00:00:52.920 we call the ripeness or fitness of the continent for independence. 12 00:00:53.880 --> 00:00:57.079 As all men allow the measure and vary only in 13 00:00:57.159 --> 00:01:00.840 their opinion of the time, let us, in order to 14 00:01:00.880 --> 00:01:05.640 remove mistakes, take a general survey of things, and endeavor, 15 00:01:05.799 --> 00:01:10.439 if possible, to find out the very time. But we 16 00:01:10.599 --> 00:01:14.480 need not go far. The inquiry ceases at once, For 17 00:01:14.599 --> 00:01:20.200 the time hath found us the general concurrence, the glorious 18 00:01:20.319 --> 00:01:24.359 union of all things, proved the fact it is not 19 00:01:24.480 --> 00:01:27.799 in numbers, but in unity that our great strength lies. 20 00:01:28.599 --> 00:01:31.879 Yet our present numbers are sufficient to repel the force 21 00:01:31.920 --> 00:01:35.719 of all the world. The continent hath at this time 22 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:39.120 the largest body of armed and disciplined men of any 23 00:01:39.239 --> 00:01:43.079 power under heaven, and is just arrived at that pitch 24 00:01:43.120 --> 00:01:46.239 of strength in which no single colony is able to 25 00:01:46.239 --> 00:01:50.560 support itself, and the whole, when united, can accomplish the matter. 26 00:01:51.159 --> 00:01:54.519 And either more or less than this might be fatal 27 00:01:54.599 --> 00:01:58.680 in its effects our land, for it is already sufficient. 28 00:01:59.239 --> 00:02:03.000 And as to naval affairs, we cannot be insensible that 29 00:02:03.079 --> 00:02:05.920 Britain would never suffer an American man of war to 30 00:02:05.959 --> 00:02:10.919 be built while the continent remained in her hands. Wherefore 31 00:02:11.240 --> 00:02:14.639 we should be no forwarder and hundred years hence in 32 00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:18.240 that branch than we are now. But the truth is 33 00:02:18.400 --> 00:02:21.280 we should be less so, because the timber of the 34 00:02:21.360 --> 00:02:25.319 country is every day diminishing, and that which will remain 35 00:02:25.400 --> 00:02:28.800 at last will be far off and difficult to procure. 36 00:02:29.639 --> 00:02:33.360 Where the continent, crowded with inhabitants, her sufferings under the 37 00:02:33.400 --> 00:02:38.560 present circumstances would be intolerable. The more seaport towns we had, 38 00:02:38.840 --> 00:02:41.840 the more should we have both to defend and to lose. 39 00:02:42.360 --> 00:02:45.719 Our present numbers are so happily proportioned to our wants 40 00:02:45.800 --> 00:02:49.639 that no man need be idle. The diminution of trade 41 00:02:49.680 --> 00:02:53.199 affords an army, and the necessities of an army create 42 00:02:53.280 --> 00:02:57.840 a new trade. Debts we have none, and whatever we 43 00:02:57.919 --> 00:03:00.879 may contract on this account will serve as a glorious 44 00:03:00.879 --> 00:03:05.439 memento of our virtue. Can we but leave posterity with 45 00:03:05.520 --> 00:03:09.159 a subtled form of government, an independent constitution of its 46 00:03:09.199 --> 00:03:13.439 own The purchase at any price will be cheap. But 47 00:03:13.599 --> 00:03:16.120 to expend millions for the sake of getting a few 48 00:03:16.280 --> 00:03:20.479 vile acts repealed and routing the present ministry only is 49 00:03:20.639 --> 00:03:25.800 unworthy the charge, and is using posterity with the utmost cruelty, 50 00:03:26.319 --> 00:03:28.879 because it is leaving them the great work to do, 51 00:03:29.039 --> 00:03:32.360 and a debt upon their backs from which they derive 52 00:03:32.560 --> 00:03:36.439 no advantage. Such a thought is unworthy of a man 53 00:03:36.479 --> 00:03:39.840 of honor, and is the true characteristic of a narrow 54 00:03:39.919 --> 00:03:44.599 heart and a peddling politician. The debt we may contract 55 00:03:44.759 --> 00:03:48.439 doth not deserve our regard. If the work be but accomplished. 56 00:03:49.319 --> 00:03:52.520 No nation ought to be without a debt. A national 57 00:03:52.560 --> 00:03:56.120 debt is a national bond, and when it bears no interest, 58 00:03:56.360 --> 00:03:59.800 is in no case a grievance. Britain is oppressed with 59 00:03:59.840 --> 00:04:03.080 a debt of upwards of one hundred and forty millions sterling, 60 00:04:03.560 --> 00:04:07.400 for which she pays upwards of four millions interest, and 61 00:04:07.479 --> 00:04:11.120 as a compensation for her debt, she has a large navy. 62 00:04:11.919 --> 00:04:16.360 America is without a debt and without a navy, Yet 63 00:04:16.399 --> 00:04:19.639 for the twentieth part of the English National Death could 64 00:04:19.639 --> 00:04:23.600 have a navy as large. Again, the navy of England 65 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:27.160 is not worth at this time more than three millions 66 00:04:27.160 --> 00:04:31.399 and a half sterling. The first and second editions of 67 00:04:31.439 --> 00:04:35.480 this pamphlet were published without the following calculations, which are 68 00:04:35.519 --> 00:04:38.480 now given as a proof that the above estimation of 69 00:04:38.519 --> 00:04:42.800 the navy is just the charge of building a ship 70 00:04:42.839 --> 00:04:46.759 of each rate and furnishing her with masts, yards, sails 71 00:04:46.759 --> 00:04:50.279 and rigging, together with a proportion of eight months bosains 72 00:04:50.279 --> 00:04:55.000 and carpenter's sea stores, as calculated by mister Burchett, Secretary 73 00:04:55.040 --> 00:04:58.879 to the Navy, for a ship of one hundred guns 74 00:04:59.319 --> 00:05:04.439 thirty five thousand, five hundred fifty three pounds sterling ninety 75 00:05:04.839 --> 00:05:09.000 twenty nine thousand, eight hundred eighty six eighty twenty three thousand, 76 00:05:09.040 --> 00:05:13.839 six hundred thirty eight seventy seventeen thousand, seven ninety five 77 00:05:14.639 --> 00:05:19.240 sixty fourteen thousand, one ninety seven fifty ten thousand, six 78 00:05:19.279 --> 00:05:24.800 oh six, forty seven thousand, five fifty eight thirty five thousand, 79 00:05:24.879 --> 00:05:30.279 eight forty six, twenty three thousand, seven ten, And from 80 00:05:30.399 --> 00:05:33.439 hence it is easy to sum up the value or 81 00:05:33.519 --> 00:05:37.000 cost rather of the whole British Navy, which in the 82 00:05:37.079 --> 00:05:40.839 year seventeen fifty seven, when it was at its greatest glory, 83 00:05:41.199 --> 00:05:46.240 consisted of the following ships and guns. Ships six guns 84 00:05:46.279 --> 00:05:49.759 one hundred cost of one thirty five thousand, five hundred 85 00:05:49.800 --> 00:05:53.560 fifty three, cost of all two hundred thirteen thousand, three 86 00:05:53.639 --> 00:05:58.160 hundred eighteen twelve ships, ninety guns twenty nine thousand, eight 87 00:05:58.279 --> 00:06:01.360 hundred eighty six, cost of all all three hundred fifty eight, 88 00:06:01.480 --> 00:06:06.199 six hundred thirty two twelve ships, eighty guns twenty three thousand, 89 00:06:06.279 --> 00:06:09.560 six hundred thirty eight. Cost of all two hundred eighty 90 00:06:09.639 --> 00:06:14.000 three thousand, six hundred fifty six forty three ships, seventy 91 00:06:14.079 --> 00:06:18.240 guns seventeen thousand, seven hundred eighty five, cost of all 92 00:06:18.600 --> 00:06:23.120 seven hundred sixty four seven fifty five thirty five ships 93 00:06:23.279 --> 00:06:27.759 sixty guns fourteen thousand, one ninety seven, cost of all 94 00:06:28.120 --> 00:06:32.040 four ninety six eight ninety five forty ships with fifty 95 00:06:32.079 --> 00:06:36.040 guns ten thousand, six oh six. Cost of all four 96 00:06:36.120 --> 00:06:40.199 hundred twenty four thousand, two hundred forty forty five ships 97 00:06:40.240 --> 00:06:44.120 with forty guns seven thousand, five fifty eight. Cost of 98 00:06:44.160 --> 00:06:48.079 all three hundred forty thousand, one hundred ten fifty eight 99 00:06:48.120 --> 00:06:51.319 ships with twenty guns, cost of one thirty seven ten. 100 00:06:52.000 --> 00:06:55.000 Cost of all two hundred fifteen thousand, one hundred eighty 101 00:06:55.959 --> 00:06:59.639 eighty five sloops, bombs and fire ships one with another 102 00:07:00.120 --> 00:07:03.519 cost of one two thousand. Cost of all one hundred 103 00:07:03.600 --> 00:07:08.959 seventy thousand, cost three million, two hundred sixty six thousand, 104 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:13.240 seven hundred eighty six remains for guns two hundred thirty 105 00:07:13.240 --> 00:07:18.120 three thousand, two hundred fourteen total three million, five hundred 106 00:07:18.160 --> 00:07:21.959 thousand pounds Sterling. No country on the globe is so 107 00:07:22.079 --> 00:07:25.879 happily situated, or so internally capable of raising a fleet 108 00:07:25.959 --> 00:07:31.079 as America. Tar, timber, iron and cordage are her natural produce. 109 00:07:31.759 --> 00:07:35.879 We need go abroad for nothing, Whereas the Dutch, who 110 00:07:35.920 --> 00:07:38.879 make large profits by hiring out their ships of war 111 00:07:39.000 --> 00:07:42.920 to the Spaniards and Portuguese, are obliged to import most 112 00:07:42.920 --> 00:07:45.959 of their materials they use. We ought to view the 113 00:07:45.959 --> 00:07:49.040 building a fleet as an article of commerce, it being 114 00:07:49.079 --> 00:07:53.199 a natural manufactory of this country. It is the best 115 00:07:53.399 --> 00:07:57.399 money we can lay out. A navy, when finished is 116 00:07:57.480 --> 00:08:01.199 worth more than at cost. And is that nice point 117 00:08:01.199 --> 00:08:05.279 in national policy in which commerce and protection are united. 118 00:08:06.199 --> 00:08:09.720 Let us build if we want them not, we can sell, 119 00:08:10.160 --> 00:08:13.560 and by that means replace our paper currency with ready 120 00:08:13.639 --> 00:08:18.399 gold and silver. In point of manning afleets, people in 121 00:08:18.480 --> 00:08:22.160 general run into great errors. It is not necessary that 122 00:08:22.240 --> 00:08:27.240 one fourth part should be sailors. The terrible privateer Captain 123 00:08:27.399 --> 00:08:30.800 Death stood the hottest engagement of any ship last war, 124 00:08:31.319 --> 00:08:35.360 yet had not twenty sailors on board, though her complement 125 00:08:35.399 --> 00:08:38.919 of men was upwards of two hundred. A few able 126 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:42.399 and social sailors will soon instruct a sufficient number of 127 00:08:42.440 --> 00:08:46.639 active landmen in the common work of a ship. Wherefore 128 00:08:47.039 --> 00:08:50.399 we never can be more capable to begin on maritime 129 00:08:50.480 --> 00:08:54.759 matters than now, while our timber is standing, our fisheries 130 00:08:54.759 --> 00:08:58.519 blocked up, and our sailors and shipwrights out of employ 131 00:08:59.440 --> 00:09:02.240 men of war War of seventy and eighty guns were 132 00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:05.159 built forty years ago in New England, and why not 133 00:09:05.279 --> 00:09:09.559 the same now? Ship building is America's greatest pride, and 134 00:09:09.679 --> 00:09:12.879 in which she will in time excel the whole world. 135 00:09:13.960 --> 00:09:17.600 The great empires of the East are mostly inland and 136 00:09:17.679 --> 00:09:22.440 consequently excluded from the possibility of rivaling her. Africa is 137 00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:26.279 in a state of barbarism and no power. In Europe, 138 00:09:26.320 --> 00:09:29.320 hath either such an extent of coast or such an 139 00:09:29.360 --> 00:09:33.559 internal supply of materials. Where nature hath given the one, 140 00:09:33.919 --> 00:09:38.080 she has withheld the other to America only hath she 141 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:42.960 been liberal of both. The vast empire of Russia is 142 00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:47.480 almost shut out from the sea, wherefore her boundless forests, 143 00:09:47.759 --> 00:09:51.559 her tar, iron, and cordage, are only articles of commerce. 144 00:09:52.919 --> 00:09:56.519 In point of safety, ought we to be without a fleet? 145 00:09:57.360 --> 00:09:59.759 We are not the little people now which we were 146 00:09:59.759 --> 00:10:02.600 seeing sixty years ago. At that time we might have 147 00:10:02.639 --> 00:10:06.039 trusted our property in the streets or fields rather and 148 00:10:06.200 --> 00:10:10.399 slept securely without locks or boats to our doors or windows. 149 00:10:11.240 --> 00:10:15.000 The case now is altered, and our methods of defense 150 00:10:15.120 --> 00:10:18.919 ought to improve with our increase of property. A common 151 00:10:19.039 --> 00:10:22.919 pirate twelve months ago might have come up the Delaware 152 00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:26.919 and laid the city of Philadelphia under instant contribution for 153 00:10:27.080 --> 00:10:30.519 what sum he pleased, And the same might have happened 154 00:10:30.519 --> 00:10:34.919 to other places, Nay, any daring fellow in a brig 155 00:10:34.960 --> 00:10:38.120 of fourteen or sixteen guns might have robbed the whole 156 00:10:38.200 --> 00:10:42.759 continent and carried off half a million of money. These 157 00:10:42.840 --> 00:10:46.879 are circumstances which demand our attention and point out the 158 00:10:46.919 --> 00:10:52.600 necessity of naval protection. Some perhaps will say that after 159 00:10:52.639 --> 00:10:55.639 we have made it up with Britain, she will protect us. 160 00:10:56.120 --> 00:10:59.200 Can we be so unwise as to mean that she 161 00:10:59.279 --> 00:11:02.200 shall keep any navy in our harbors for that purpose? 162 00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:06.240 Common sense will tell us that the power which hath 163 00:11:06.399 --> 00:11:09.840 endeavored to subdue us is, of all others the most 164 00:11:09.919 --> 00:11:14.279 improper to defend us. Conquest may be effected under the 165 00:11:14.320 --> 00:11:19.120 pretense of friendship, and ourselves, after a long and brave resistance, 166 00:11:19.519 --> 00:11:23.679 be at last cheated into slavery. And if her ships 167 00:11:23.720 --> 00:11:26.399 are not to be admitted into our harbors, I would 168 00:11:26.440 --> 00:11:29.720 ask how is she to protect us? A navy three 169 00:11:29.879 --> 00:11:32.600 or four thousand miles off can be of little use, 170 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:37.399 and on sudden emergencies none at all. Wherefore, if we 171 00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:42.480 must hereafter protect ourselves, why not do it for ourselves? 172 00:11:43.320 --> 00:11:46.799 The English list of ships of war is long and formidable, 173 00:11:47.200 --> 00:11:49.759 but not a tenth part of them are at any 174 00:11:49.799 --> 00:11:53.679 one time fit for service, numbers of them not in 175 00:11:53.840 --> 00:11:58.519 being yet their names are pompously continued in the list. 176 00:11:58.840 --> 00:12:01.639 If only a plank be left of the ship, and 177 00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:04.320 not a fifth part of such as are fit for service, 178 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:07.519 can be spared on any one station at one time. 179 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:13.440 The East and West Indies, Mediterranean, Africa, and other parts 180 00:12:13.519 --> 00:12:17.279 over which Britain extends her claim make large demands upon 181 00:12:17.320 --> 00:12:21.360 her navy. From a mixture of prejudice and inattention, we 182 00:12:21.600 --> 00:12:25.440 have contracted a false notion respecting the navy of England, 183 00:12:25.960 --> 00:12:28.080 and have talked as if we should have the whole 184 00:12:28.120 --> 00:12:31.399 of it to encounter at once, And for that reason 185 00:12:31.519 --> 00:12:34.879 suppose that we must have one as large, which, not 186 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:38.559 being instantly practicable, have been made use of by a 187 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:43.840 set of disguised tories to discourage our beginning thereon. Nothing 188 00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:47.879 can be farther from truth than this, For if America 189 00:12:47.919 --> 00:12:51.000 had only a twentieth part of the naval force of Britain, 190 00:12:51.440 --> 00:12:54.080 she would be by far and over match for her, 191 00:12:54.919 --> 00:12:58.960 because as we neither have nor claim any foreign dominion, 192 00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:02.240 our whole force would be employed on our own coast, 193 00:13:02.799 --> 00:13:05.200 where we should, in the long run have two to 194 00:13:05.399 --> 00:13:08.279 one the advantage of those who had three or four 195 00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:11.360 thousand miles to sail over before they could attack us, 196 00:13:11.799 --> 00:13:14.639 and the same distance to return in order to refit 197 00:13:14.799 --> 00:13:19.000 and recruit. And although Britain, by her fleet hath a 198 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:22.320 check over our trade to Europe, we have as large 199 00:13:22.360 --> 00:13:25.919 a one over her trade to the West Indies, which, 200 00:13:26.080 --> 00:13:29.440 by laying in the neighborhood of the continent, is entirely 201 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:33.159 at its mercy. Some method might be fallen on to 202 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:35.480 keep up a naval force in time of peace, if 203 00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:38.759 we should not judge it necessary to support a constant navy. 204 00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:42.120 If premiums were to be given to merchants to build 205 00:13:42.200 --> 00:13:46.200 and employ in their service ships mounted with twenty thirty, 206 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:50.080 forty or fifty guns, the premiums to be in proportion 207 00:13:50.200 --> 00:13:53.000 to the loss of bulk to the merchants, fifty or 208 00:13:53.120 --> 00:13:57.559 sixty of those ships, with a few guardships on constant duty, 209 00:13:57.840 --> 00:14:01.840 would keep up a sufficient navy, And that without burdening 210 00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:05.120 ourselves with the evil sort loudly complained of in England, 211 00:14:05.559 --> 00:14:08.600 of suffering their fleets in time of peace to lie 212 00:14:08.759 --> 00:14:12.840 rotting in the docks. To unite the sinews of commerce 213 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:16.679 and defense is sound policy for when our strength and 214 00:14:16.759 --> 00:14:20.440 our riches play into each other's hand. We need fear 215 00:14:20.600 --> 00:14:25.759 no external enemy. In almost every article of defense we 216 00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:30.799 abound hemp flourishes even to rankness, so that we need 217 00:14:30.879 --> 00:14:34.480 not want cordage. Our iron is superior to that of 218 00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:38.279 other countries. Our small arms equal to any in the world. 219 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:43.440 Cannon we can cast at pleasure, saltpeter, and gunpowder we 220 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:49.559 are every day producing. Our knowledge is hourly improving. Resolution 221 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:55.320 is our inherent character, and courage hath never yet forsaken us. Wherefore, 222 00:14:55.559 --> 00:14:58.440 what is it that we want? Why is it that 223 00:14:58.519 --> 00:15:02.399 we hesitate from Britain? We can expect nothing but ruin. 224 00:15:03.399 --> 00:15:06.879 If she is once admitted to the government of America again, 225 00:15:07.360 --> 00:15:12.120 this continent will not be worth living in. Jealousies will 226 00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:16.639 be always arising, Insurrections will be constantly happening, And who 227 00:15:16.679 --> 00:15:20.080 will go forth to quell them? Who will venture his 228 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:24.080 life to reduce his own countrymen to a foreign obedience? 229 00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:29.799 The difference between Pennsylvania and Connecticut, respecting some unlocated lands, 230 00:15:30.279 --> 00:15:34.679 shows the insignificance of a British government and fully proves 231 00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:40.600 that nothing but continental authority can regulate continental matter. Another 232 00:15:40.679 --> 00:15:43.399 reason why the present time is preferable to all others. 233 00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:47.120 Is that the fewer our numbers are, the more land 234 00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:51.039 there is yet unoccupied, which, instead of being lavished by 235 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:55.240 the king on his worthless dependence, may be hereafter applied 236 00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:58.600 not only to the discharge of the present debt, but 237 00:15:58.679 --> 00:16:02.919 to the constant support of government. No nation under Heaven 238 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:07.200 hath such an advantage as this. The infant state of 239 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:10.840 the colonies, as it is called, so far from being against, 240 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:16.600 is an argument in favor of independence. We are sufficiently numerous, 241 00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:20.039 and were we more so, we might be less united. 242 00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:23.919 It is a matter worthy of observation that the boer 243 00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:28.919 country is peopled, the smaller their armies are. In military numbers, 244 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:33.480 the ancients far exceeded the moderns, and the reason is evident, 245 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:38.159 for trade being the consequence of population. Men become too 246 00:16:38.279 --> 00:16:43.559 much absorbed thereby to attend to anything else. Commerce diminishes 247 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:48.759 the spirit both of patriotism and military defense, and history 248 00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:53.200 sufficiently informs us that the bravest achievements were always accomplished 249 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:56.279 in the non age of a nation. With the increase 250 00:16:56.320 --> 00:17:01.200 of commerce, England hath lost its spirit. The city of London, 251 00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:06.319 notwithstanding its numbers, submits to continued insults with the patience 252 00:17:06.359 --> 00:17:09.799 of a coward. The more men have to lose, the 253 00:17:09.880 --> 00:17:13.279 less willing they are to venture. The rich are in 254 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:17.680 general slaves to fear, and submit to courtly power with 255 00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:23.319 the trembling duplicity of a spaniel. Youth is the seed 256 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:27.359 time of good habits, as well in nations as it individuals. 257 00:17:28.079 --> 00:17:31.519 It might be difficult, if not impossible, to form the 258 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:35.960 continent into one government half a century. Hence, the vast 259 00:17:36.119 --> 00:17:39.799 variety of interests occasioned by an increase of trade and 260 00:17:39.880 --> 00:17:46.119 population would create confusion. Colony would be against colony, each 261 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:50.039 being able, might scorn each other's assistance. And while the 262 00:17:50.119 --> 00:17:53.960 proud and foolish gloried in their little distinctions, the wise 263 00:17:54.039 --> 00:17:57.440 would lament that the union had not been formed before. 264 00:17:58.480 --> 00:18:02.880 Wherefore the present time is the true time for establishing it. 265 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:07.240 The intimacy which is contracted in infancy, and the friendship 266 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:10.880 which is formed in misfortune, are, of all others, the 267 00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:15.799 most lasting and unalterable. Our present union is marked with 268 00:18:15.920 --> 00:18:20.400 both these characters. We are young, and we have been distressed. 269 00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:24.640 But our concord hath withstood our troubles and fixes a 270 00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:30.359 memorable area for posterity to glory. In the present time. 271 00:18:30.839 --> 00:18:35.119 Likewise is that peculiar time which never happens to a nation, 272 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:38.839 but once that is the time of forming itself into 273 00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:43.480 a government. Most nations have let slip the opportunity, and 274 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:46.880 by that means have been compelled to receive laws from 275 00:18:46.920 --> 00:18:51.640 their conquerors instead of making laws for themselves. First they 276 00:18:51.640 --> 00:18:55.720 had a king, and then the form of government, whereas 277 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:59.920 the articles or charter of government should be formed first, 278 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:03.799 and men delegated to execute them afterward. But from the 279 00:19:03.960 --> 00:19:07.960 errors of other nations, let us learn wisdom and lay 280 00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:11.799 hold of the present opportunity to begin government at the 281 00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:17.599 right end. When William the conqueror subdued England, he gave 282 00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:20.799 them law at the point of the sword. And until 283 00:19:20.839 --> 00:19:24.200 we consent that the seat of government in America be 284 00:19:24.359 --> 00:19:28.720 legally and authoritatively occupied, we shall be in danger of 285 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:32.519 having it filled by some fortunate ruffian who may treat 286 00:19:32.599 --> 00:19:35.720 us in the same manner. And then where will be 287 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:41.200 our freedom, where our property? As to religion, I hold 288 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:44.759 it to be the indispensable duty of all government to 289 00:19:44.839 --> 00:19:49.279 protect all conscientious professors thereof, And I know of no 290 00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:53.440 other business which government hath to do. Therewith let a 291 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:57.799 man throw aside that narrowness of soul, that selfishness of principle, 292 00:19:58.079 --> 00:20:01.440 which the niggards of all profit eshions are so unwilling 293 00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:04.920 to part with, and he will be delivered of his fears. 294 00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:09.759 On that head. Suspicion is the companion of mean souls 295 00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:14.480 and the bane of all good society. For myself, I 296 00:20:14.559 --> 00:20:17.720 fully and conscientiously believe that it is the will of 297 00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:21.440 the Almighty that there should be diversity of religious opinions 298 00:20:21.480 --> 00:20:25.640 among us. It affords a larger field for our Christian kindness. 299 00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:29.119 Were we all have one way of thinking, our religious 300 00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:34.119 dispositions would want matter for probation. And on this liberal principle, 301 00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:37.599 I look on the various denominations among us to be 302 00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:41.319 like children of the same family, differing only in what 303 00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:46.519 is called their Christian names. In page forty I threw 304 00:20:46.599 --> 00:20:49.559 out a few thoughts on the propriety of a continental charter, 305 00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:53.799 for I only presume to offer hints, not plans, And 306 00:20:53.920 --> 00:20:57.440 in this place I take the liberty of rementioning the 307 00:20:57.480 --> 00:21:01.000 subject by observing that a charter is to be understood 308 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:04.759 as a bond of solemn obligation, which the whole enters 309 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:08.279 into to support the right of every separate part, whether 310 00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:13.119 of religion, personal freedom, or property. A firm bargain and 311 00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:18.200 a right reckoning make long friends. In a former page, 312 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:22.960 I likewise mentioned the necessity of a large and equal representation, 313 00:21:23.599 --> 00:21:26.960 And there is no political matter which more deserves our attention. 314 00:21:27.839 --> 00:21:30.640 A small number of electors or a small number of 315 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:34.880 representatives are equally dangerous. But if the number of the 316 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:40.119 representatives be not only small but unequal, the danger is increased. 317 00:21:41.160 --> 00:21:45.079 As an instance of this, I mentioned the following When 318 00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:49.079 the associator's petition was before the House of Assembly of Pennsylvania, 319 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:53.519 twenty eight members only were present. All the Bucks County 320 00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:57.079 members being eight, voted against it, and had seven of 321 00:21:57.119 --> 00:22:00.680 the Chester members done the same. This whole province had 322 00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:04.680 been governed by two counties only, and this danger it 323 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:10.279 is always exposed to the unwarrantable stretch, likewise, which that 324 00:22:10.359 --> 00:22:13.279 House made in their last sitting to get an undue 325 00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:16.519 authority over the delegates of that province. Ought to warn 326 00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:19.920 the people at large how they trust power out of 327 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:23.839 their own hands. A set of instructions for the delegates 328 00:22:23.880 --> 00:22:27.440 were put together, which, in point of sense and business, 329 00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:31.279 would have dishonored a schoolboy, and after being approved by 330 00:22:31.319 --> 00:22:36.000 a few, a very few without doors, were carried into 331 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:39.359 the House, and there passed in behalf of the whole colony. 332 00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:43.440 Whereas did the whole colony know with what ill will 333 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:47.119 that house hath entered on some necessary public measures, they 334 00:22:47.160 --> 00:22:50.319 would not hesitate a moment to think them unworthy of 335 00:22:50.400 --> 00:22:56.359 such a trust. Immediate necessity makes many things convenient, which, 336 00:22:56.480 --> 00:23:01.119 if continued, would grow into oppressions. Expedients and rights are 337 00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:05.720 different things. When the calamities of America required a consultation, 338 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:09.200 there is no method so ready, or at that time 339 00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:12.799 so proper as to appoint persons from the several houses 340 00:23:12.839 --> 00:23:16.240 of Assembly for that purpose. And the wisdom with which 341 00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:20.960 they have proceeded hath preserved this continent from ruin. But 342 00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:23.599 as it is more than probable that we shall never 343 00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:27.519 be without a Congress, every well wished to good order 344 00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:31.000 must own that the mode for choosing members of that 345 00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:35.079 body deserves consideration. And I put it as a question 346 00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:39.240 to those who make a study of mankind whether representation 347 00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:42.319 and election is not too great a power for one 348 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:45.720 and the same body of men to possess. When we 349 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:49.759 are planning for posterity, we ought to remember that virtue 350 00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:54.519 is not hereditary. It is from our enemies that we 351 00:23:54.640 --> 00:23:58.799 often gain excellent maxims, and are frequently surprised into reason 352 00:23:58.920 --> 00:24:02.720 by their mistakes. Mister Cornwall, one of the Lords of 353 00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:06.200 the Treasury, treated the petition of the New York Assembly, 354 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:10.559 with contempt because that house, he said, consisted but of 355 00:24:10.680 --> 00:24:15.039 twenty six members, which trifling number, he argued, could not 356 00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:19.039 with decency be put for the whole. We thank him 357 00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:25.160 for his involuntary honesty to conclude. However strange it may 358 00:24:25.160 --> 00:24:28.480 appear to some, or however unwilling they may be, to 359 00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:32.880 think so, matters not. But many strong and striking reasons 360 00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:35.559 may be given to show that nothing can settle our 361 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:41.279 affairs so expeditiously as an open and determined declaration for independence, 362 00:24:42.359 --> 00:24:46.880 some of which are first. It is the custom of nations, 363 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:50.160 when any two are at war, for some other powers, 364 00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:53.720 not engaged in the quarrel, to step in as mediators 365 00:24:53.880 --> 00:24:57.200 and bring about the preliminaries of a peace. But while 366 00:24:57.240 --> 00:25:01.359 America calls herself the subject of Great Britain, no power, 367 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:06.599 however well disposed she may be, can offer her mediation. Wherefore, 368 00:25:06.920 --> 00:25:12.559 in our present state we may quarrel on forever. Secondly, 369 00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:17.200 it is unreasonable to suppose that France or Spain will 370 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:20.440 give us any kind of assistance if we mean only 371 00:25:20.599 --> 00:25:23.400 to make use of that assistance for the purpose of 372 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:28.279 repairing the breach and strengthening the connection between Britain and America, 373 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:34.319 because those powers would be sufferers by the consequences. Thirdly, 374 00:25:34.880 --> 00:25:38.279 while we profess ourselves the subjects of Britain, we must, 375 00:25:38.359 --> 00:25:41.480 in the eye of foreign nations, be considered as rebels. 376 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:45.480 The present is somewhat dangerous to their peace. For men 377 00:25:45.559 --> 00:25:48.759 to be in arms under the name of subjects. We 378 00:25:49.119 --> 00:25:52.799 on the spots can solve the paradox, but to unite 379 00:25:52.839 --> 00:25:57.359 resistance and subjection requires an idea much to refined for 380 00:25:57.440 --> 00:26:03.160 common understanding and Warthly, were a manifesto to be published 381 00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:06.440 and dispatched to foreign courts, setting forth the miseries we 382 00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:10.119 have endured and the peaceable methods we have ineffectually used 383 00:26:10.119 --> 00:26:13.920 for redress, declaring at the same time that, not being 384 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:17.200 able any longer to live happily or safely under the 385 00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:20.519 cruel disposition of the British Court, we had been driven 386 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:23.440 to the necessity of breaking off all connections with her 387 00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:26.960 at the same time assuring all such courts of our 388 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:31.079 peaceable disposition towards them, and of our desire of entering 389 00:26:31.119 --> 00:26:35.200 into trade with them. Such a memorial would produce more 390 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:38.279 good effects to this continent than if a ship were 391 00:26:38.359 --> 00:26:43.039 fraighted with petitions to Britain. Under our present denomination of 392 00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:47.119 British subjects, we can neither be received nor heard abroad. 393 00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:51.000 The custom of all court is against us, and will 394 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:55.000 be so until, by an independence we take rank with 395 00:26:55.119 --> 00:27:00.000 other nations. These proceedings may at first appear strange and difficult, 396 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:03.960 but like all other steps which we have already passed over, 397 00:27:04.559 --> 00:27:08.200 will in a little time become familiar and agreeable. And 398 00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:13.119 until an independence is declared, the continent will feel itself 399 00:27:13.240 --> 00:27:16.400 like a man who continues putting off some unpleasant business 400 00:27:16.400 --> 00:27:19.359 from day to day, yet knows it must be done, 401 00:27:19.640 --> 00:27:22.680