WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.520 --> 00:00:05.799 Part five of Common Sense by Thomas Payne. This LibriVox 2 00:00:05.879 --> 00:00:11.800 regarding is in the public domain of the present ability 3 00:00:11.839 --> 00:00:18.879 of America, with some miscellaneous reflections. I have never met 4 00:00:18.920 --> 00:00:23.000 with a man, either in England or America, who hath 5 00:00:23.160 --> 00:00:27.679 not confessed his opinion that a separation between the countries 6 00:00:27.719 --> 00:00:33.439 would take place one time or another. And there is 7 00:00:33.439 --> 00:00:37.359 no instance in which we have shown less judgment than 8 00:00:37.520 --> 00:00:41.439 in endeavoring to describe what we call the ripeness or 9 00:00:41.640 --> 00:00:47.520 fitness of the continent for independence. As all men allow 10 00:00:47.600 --> 00:00:50.479 the measure and very only in their opinion of the time. 11 00:00:51.320 --> 00:00:54.880 Let us, in order to remove mistakes, take a general 12 00:00:55.000 --> 00:00:59.119 survey of things, and endeavor, if possible, to find out 13 00:00:59.200 --> 00:01:04.079 the very time. But we need not go far. The 14 00:01:04.120 --> 00:01:09.599 inquiry ceases at once far the time hath found us 15 00:01:10.719 --> 00:01:15.239 the general concurrence, the glorious union of all things prove 16 00:01:15.519 --> 00:01:19.840 the fact it is not in numbers, but in unity 17 00:01:19.879 --> 00:01:23.719 that our great strength lies. Yet our present numbers are 18 00:01:23.760 --> 00:01:28.079 sufficient to repel the force of all the world. The 19 00:01:28.319 --> 00:01:32.439 continent hath at this time the largest body of armed 20 00:01:32.439 --> 00:01:36.560 and disciplined men of any power under heaven, and is 21 00:01:36.799 --> 00:01:40.079 just arrived at that pitch of strength in which no 22 00:01:40.359 --> 00:01:44.319 single colony is able to support itself, and the whole, 23 00:01:44.519 --> 00:01:48.359 when united, can accomplish the matter, and either more or 24 00:01:48.439 --> 00:01:52.000 less than this might be fatal in its effects. Our 25 00:01:52.120 --> 00:01:56.480 land force is already sufficient, and as to naval affairs, 26 00:01:56.519 --> 00:02:00.480 we cannot be insensible that Britain would never suffer an 27 00:02:00.480 --> 00:02:03.359 American man of war to be built while the continent 28 00:02:03.400 --> 00:02:08.199 remained in her hands. Wherefore we should be no forwarder 29 00:02:08.280 --> 00:02:10.719 and one hundred years hence in that branch than we 30 00:02:10.759 --> 00:02:14.439 are now. But the truth is we should be less so, 31 00:02:15.439 --> 00:02:19.280 because the timber of the country is every day diminishing, 32 00:02:19.840 --> 00:02:23.960 and that which will remain at last will be far 33 00:02:24.039 --> 00:02:29.960 off and difficult to procure. Were the continent crowded with inhabitants, 34 00:02:30.520 --> 00:02:35.120 her sufferings under the present circumstances would be intolerable. The 35 00:02:35.120 --> 00:02:38.479 more seaport towns we had, the more we should have 36 00:02:38.639 --> 00:02:42.520 both to defend and to lose. Our present numbers are 37 00:02:42.599 --> 00:02:46.639 so happily proportioned to our wants that no man need 38 00:02:46.719 --> 00:02:50.599 be idle. The diminution of trade affords an army, and 39 00:02:50.680 --> 00:02:55.439 the necessities of an army creates a new trade debts 40 00:02:55.520 --> 00:02:59.360 we have none, and whatever we may contract on this 41 00:02:59.479 --> 00:03:03.680 account will serve as a glorious memento of our virtue. 42 00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:08.479 Can we but leave posterity with a settled form of government, 43 00:03:08.919 --> 00:03:13.120 an independent constitution of its own The purchase at any 44 00:03:13.159 --> 00:03:17.479 price will be cheap. But to expend millions for the 45 00:03:17.560 --> 00:03:22.039 sake of getting a few vile acts repealed and routing 46 00:03:22.080 --> 00:03:26.120 the present ministry only is unworthy the charge, and is 47 00:03:26.280 --> 00:03:30.800 using posterity with the utmost cruelty, because it is leaving 48 00:03:30.879 --> 00:03:33.840 them the great work to do, and a debt upon 49 00:03:33.879 --> 00:03:38.319 their backs from which they derive no advantage. Such a 50 00:03:38.439 --> 00:03:41.680 thought is unworthy of a man of honor, and is 51 00:03:41.759 --> 00:03:46.520 the true characteristic of a narrow heart and a paddling politician. 52 00:03:47.879 --> 00:03:51.599 The debt we may contract doth not deserve our regard, 53 00:03:52.080 --> 00:03:56.680 if the work be but accomplished. No nation ought to 54 00:03:56.719 --> 00:04:00.719 be without a debt. A national debt is a notional bond, 55 00:04:01.280 --> 00:04:04.520 and when it bears no interest, is in no case 56 00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:08.639 a grievance. Britain is oppressed with a debt of upwards 57 00:04:08.680 --> 00:04:12.280 of one hundred and forty millions sterling, for which she 58 00:04:12.319 --> 00:04:16.720 pays upwards of four millions interest, and as a compensation 59 00:04:16.839 --> 00:04:20.879 for her debt, she has a large navy. America is 60 00:04:20.959 --> 00:04:24.600 without debt and without a navy, yet for the twentieth 61 00:04:24.639 --> 00:04:27.800 part of the English national debt could have a navy 62 00:04:27.959 --> 00:04:32.600 as large. Again, the Navy of England is not worth 63 00:04:32.639 --> 00:04:35.920 at this time more than three millions and a half sterling. 64 00:04:37.639 --> 00:04:41.279 The first and second editions of this pamphlet were published 65 00:04:41.319 --> 00:04:44.879 without the following calculations, which are now given as a 66 00:04:44.920 --> 00:04:48.120 proof that the above estimation of the navy is just 67 00:04:49.600 --> 00:04:52.439 the charge of building a ship of each rate and 68 00:04:52.759 --> 00:04:57.079 furnishing her with masts, yards, sails and rigging, together with 69 00:04:57.160 --> 00:05:01.199 a proportion of eight months boatsins and carpenter's sea stores, 70 00:05:01.600 --> 00:05:05.639 as calculated by mister Burchett, Secretary of the Navy, for 71 00:05:05.720 --> 00:05:10.079 a ship of one hundred guns pound sterling, thirty five thousand, 72 00:05:10.279 --> 00:05:15.240 five fifty three ninety guns, twenty nine thousand, eight eighty 73 00:05:15.279 --> 00:05:22.120 six eighty guns, twenty three thousand, six thirty eight seventy guns, 74 00:05:22.680 --> 00:05:28.000 seventeen thousand, seven hundred ninety five sixty guns, fourteen thousand, 75 00:05:28.240 --> 00:05:34.120 one hundred ninety seven fifty guns, ten thousand, six hundred 76 00:05:34.319 --> 00:05:39.720 six forty guns, seven thousand, five hundred fifty eight thirty guns, 77 00:05:39.839 --> 00:05:43.800 five thousand, eight hundred forty six twenty guns three thousand, 78 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:48.759 seven hundred and ten, and from hence it is easy 79 00:05:48.879 --> 00:05:52.120 to sum up the value or cost rather of the 80 00:05:52.160 --> 00:05:55.759 whole British Navy, which in the year seventeen fifty seven, 81 00:05:56.040 --> 00:05:59.480 when it was at its greatest glory, consisted of the 82 00:05:59.519 --> 00:06:05.120 following ships and guns. Six ships one hundred guns cost 83 00:06:05.160 --> 00:06:08.319 of one thirty five thousand, five hundred and fifty three, 84 00:06:08.800 --> 00:06:12.720 cost of all two hundred and thirteen thousand, three hundred 85 00:06:12.759 --> 00:06:18.040 and eighteen twelve ships of ninety guns, cost of one 86 00:06:18.560 --> 00:06:21.720 twenty nine thousand, eight hundred and eighty six. Cost of 87 00:06:21.759 --> 00:06:25.120 all three hundred and fifty eight thousand, six hundred and 88 00:06:25.199 --> 00:06:30.000 thirty two twelve ships of eighty guns, cost of one 89 00:06:30.120 --> 00:06:33.360 twenty three thousand, six hundred and thirty eight. Cost of 90 00:06:33.399 --> 00:06:36.519 all two hundred and eighty three thousand, six hundred and 91 00:06:36.560 --> 00:06:41.519 fifty six forty three ships of seventy guns, cost of 92 00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:45.680 one seventeen thousand, seven hundred and eighty five. Cost of 93 00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:49.199 all seven hundred and sixty four thousand, seven hundred and 94 00:06:49.199 --> 00:06:54.240 fifty five thirty five ships of sixty guns, cost of 95 00:06:54.279 --> 00:06:58.120 one fourteen thousand, one hundred ninety seven cost of all 96 00:06:58.519 --> 00:07:01.399 four hundred and ninety six six thousand, eight hundred and 97 00:07:01.480 --> 00:07:06.079 ninety five forty ships of fifty guns cost of one 98 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:10.079 ten thousand, six hundred and six. Cost of all four 99 00:07:10.160 --> 00:07:14.279 hundred and twenty four thousand, two hundred and forty forty 100 00:07:14.319 --> 00:07:18.600 five ships of forty guns, cost of one seven thousand, 101 00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:22.040 five hundred and fifty eight. Cost of all three hundred 102 00:07:22.160 --> 00:07:26.120 forty thousand, one hundred and ten fifty eight ships of 103 00:07:26.160 --> 00:07:30.480 twenty guns, cost of one three thousand, seven hundred and ten. 104 00:07:31.160 --> 00:07:35.439 Cost of all two hundred and fifteen thousand, one hundred 105 00:07:35.600 --> 00:07:41.079 eighty eighty five sloops, bombs and fire ships one with 106 00:07:41.160 --> 00:07:46.360 another cost of one two thousand. Cost of all one 107 00:07:46.480 --> 00:07:52.360 hundred and seventy thousand total cost three million, two hundred 108 00:07:52.399 --> 00:07:57.040 and sixty six thousand, seven hundred and eighty six remains 109 00:07:57.079 --> 00:08:00.079 for guns two hundred and thirty three thousand, two one 110 00:08:00.120 --> 00:08:06.680 hundred and fourteen costs of all three million, five hundred thousand. 111 00:08:07.600 --> 00:08:11.560 No country on the globe is so happily situated, or 112 00:08:11.720 --> 00:08:18.079 so internally capable of raising a fleet as America. Tar, timber, 113 00:08:18.240 --> 00:08:23.360 iron and cordage are her natural produce. We need go 114 00:08:23.439 --> 00:08:28.000 abroad for nothing whereas the Dutch, who make large profits 115 00:08:28.040 --> 00:08:31.160 by hiring out their ships of war to these Spaniards 116 00:08:31.199 --> 00:08:35.240 and Portuguese are obliged to import most of their materials 117 00:08:35.279 --> 00:08:38.399 they use. We ought to view the building of fleet 118 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:43.440 as an article of commerce, it being the natural manufactory 119 00:08:43.519 --> 00:08:46.360 of this country. It is the best money we can 120 00:08:46.440 --> 00:08:49.960 lay out. A navy, when finished is worth more than 121 00:08:50.000 --> 00:08:54.399 it cost. And is that nice point in national policy 122 00:08:54.919 --> 00:09:00.200 in which commerce and protection are united. Let us build 123 00:09:00.639 --> 00:09:03.639 if we want them not, we can sell, and by 124 00:09:03.679 --> 00:09:08.320 that means replace our paper currency with ready gold and silver. 125 00:09:10.519 --> 00:09:14.399 In point of many a fleet, people in general run 126 00:09:14.519 --> 00:09:18.679 into great errors. It is not necessary that one fourth 127 00:09:18.720 --> 00:09:23.120 part should be sailors. The terrible privateer kept in Death 128 00:09:23.679 --> 00:09:28.000 stood the hottest engagement of any ship last year, yet 129 00:09:28.279 --> 00:09:32.120 had not twenty sailors on board, though her complement of 130 00:09:32.159 --> 00:09:35.720 men was upwards of two hundred. A few able and 131 00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:40.240 social sailors will soon instruct a sufficient number of active 132 00:09:40.320 --> 00:09:44.519 landmen in the common work of a ship. Wherefore, we 133 00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:47.840 never can be more capable to begin on maritime matters 134 00:09:47.960 --> 00:09:52.919 than now, while our timber is standing, our fisheries blocked up, 135 00:09:52.960 --> 00:09:57.759 and our sailors and shipwrights out of employ men of 136 00:09:57.799 --> 00:10:01.240 war of seventy and eighty guns were built forty years 137 00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:05.159 ago in New England, and why not the same now. 138 00:10:06.080 --> 00:10:10.200 Ship Building is America's greatest pride, and in which she 139 00:10:10.440 --> 00:10:14.759 will in time excel the whole world. The great empires 140 00:10:14.759 --> 00:10:19.519 of the East are mostly inland, and consequently excluded from 141 00:10:19.559 --> 00:10:23.559 the possibility of rivaling her. Africa is in a state 142 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:27.960 of barbarism and no power. In Europe. Hath either such 143 00:10:28.039 --> 00:10:32.279 an extent of coast or such an internal supply of materials? 144 00:10:33.559 --> 00:10:36.960 Where nature hath given the one, she has withheld the 145 00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:41.879 other to America, only hath she been liberal on both. 146 00:10:42.600 --> 00:10:46.639 The vast empire of Russia is almost shut out from 147 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:51.960 the sea, wherefore her boundless forests, her tar, iron, and cordage, 148 00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:57.720 are only articles of commerce. In point of safety, ought 149 00:10:57.840 --> 00:11:01.440 we be without a fleet? We are not the little 150 00:11:01.440 --> 00:11:05.240 people now which we were sixty years ago. At that 151 00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:08.440 time we might have trusted our property in the streets 152 00:11:08.519 --> 00:11:12.720 or fields, rather and slept securely without locks or bolts 153 00:11:12.720 --> 00:11:17.120 to our doors or windows. The case now is altered, 154 00:11:17.639 --> 00:11:20.639 and our methods of defense ought to improve with our 155 00:11:20.799 --> 00:11:26.960 increase of property. A common pirate twelve months ago might 156 00:11:27.080 --> 00:11:29.720 have come up the Delaware and laid the city of 157 00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:34.559 Philadelphia under instant contribution for what sum he pleased, And 158 00:11:34.639 --> 00:11:38.200 the same might have happened to other places. Nay, any 159 00:11:38.320 --> 00:11:41.639 daring fellow in a brig of fourteen or sixteen guns 160 00:11:42.399 --> 00:11:46.279 might have robbed the whole continent and carried off half 161 00:11:46.320 --> 00:11:50.480 a million of money. These are circumstances which demand our 162 00:11:50.519 --> 00:11:55.679 attention and point out the necessity of naval protection. Some 163 00:11:56.080 --> 00:11:59.240 perhaps will say that after we have made it up 164 00:11:59.279 --> 00:12:03.639 with Britain, she will protect us. Can we be so 165 00:12:04.080 --> 00:12:08.159 unwise as to mean that she shall keep a navy 166 00:12:08.240 --> 00:12:11.759 in our harbors for that purpose? Common sense will tell 167 00:12:11.840 --> 00:12:16.159 us that the power which hath endeavored to subdue us is, 168 00:12:16.399 --> 00:12:21.600 of all others the most improper to defend us. Conquest 169 00:12:21.759 --> 00:12:25.559 may be effected under the pretense of friendship, and ourselves, 170 00:12:25.600 --> 00:12:29.480 after a long and brave resistance, be at last cheated 171 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:33.080 into slavery. And if her ships are not to be 172 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:36.799 admitted into our harbors, I would ask how is she 173 00:12:36.960 --> 00:12:40.840 to protect us? A navy three or four thousand miles 174 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:45.080 off can be of little use, and on sudden emergencies 175 00:12:45.399 --> 00:12:51.000 none at all. Wherefore, if we must hereafter protect ourselves, 176 00:12:51.480 --> 00:12:57.440 why not do it for ourselves? The English list of 177 00:12:57.639 --> 00:13:02.759 ships of war is long and formidable, but not a 178 00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:05.720 tenth part of them are at any one time fit 179 00:13:05.799 --> 00:13:09.639 for service, numbers of them not in being yet their 180 00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:13.559 names are pompously continued in the list. If only a 181 00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:16.759 plank be left of the ship, and not a fifth 182 00:13:16.799 --> 00:13:19.799 part of such as are fit for service, can be 183 00:13:19.879 --> 00:13:24.200 spared on any one stationed at one time. The East 184 00:13:24.320 --> 00:13:29.080 and West Indies, Mediterranean, Africa, and other parts over which 185 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:33.200 Britain extends her claim make large demands upon her navy. 186 00:13:33.879 --> 00:13:37.600 From a mixture of prejudice and in attention, we have 187 00:13:37.720 --> 00:13:42.000 contracted a false notion respecting the navy of England, and 188 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:44.759 have talked as if we should have the whole of 189 00:13:44.799 --> 00:13:48.440 it to encounter it once, and for that reason supposed 190 00:13:48.919 --> 00:13:52.399 that we must have one as large, which, not being 191 00:13:52.559 --> 00:13:56.039 instantly practicable, have been made use of by a set 192 00:13:56.080 --> 00:14:01.159 of disguised tories to discourage our beginning their own. Nothing 193 00:14:01.559 --> 00:14:05.320 can be farther from the truth than this, For if 194 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:08.639 America had only a twentieth part of the naval force 195 00:14:08.679 --> 00:14:12.679 of Britain, she would be by far and overmatch for her, 196 00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:17.080 because as we neither have nor claim any foreign dominion, 197 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:21.200 our whole force would be employed on our own coast, 198 00:14:21.679 --> 00:14:24.360 where we should, in the long run have two to 199 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:27.080 one the advantage of those who had three or four 200 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:30.120 thousand miles to sail over before they could attack us, 201 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:33.799 and the same distance to return in order to refit 202 00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:39.320 and recruit. And although Britain, by her fleet hath a 203 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:43.080 check over our trade to Europe, we have as large 204 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:46.320 a one over her trade to the West Indies, which, 205 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:50.039 by laying in the neighborhood of the continent, is entirely 206 00:14:50.080 --> 00:14:54.600 at its mercy. Some method might be fallen on to 207 00:14:54.720 --> 00:14:57.639 keep up a navy force in time of peace, if 208 00:14:57.679 --> 00:15:01.080 we should not judge it necessary to support a constant navy. 209 00:15:02.039 --> 00:15:05.240 If premiums were to be given to merchants to build 210 00:15:05.320 --> 00:15:09.480 and employ in their service ships mounted with twenty thirty, 211 00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:13.240 forty or fifty guns, the premiums to be in proportion 212 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:16.399 to the loss of bulk to the merchants, fifty or 213 00:15:16.440 --> 00:15:20.600 sixty of those ships, with a few guardships on constant duty, 214 00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:24.759 would keep up a sufficient navy, And that without burdening 215 00:15:24.799 --> 00:15:29.279 ourselves with the evil so loudly complained of in England, 216 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:33.440 of suffering their fleet in time of peace, to lie 217 00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:38.159 rotting in the docks. To unite the sinews of commerce 218 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:42.120 and defense is sound policy, for when our strength and 219 00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:45.679 our riches play into each other's hand, we need fear 220 00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:52.320 no external enemy. In almost every article of defense we 221 00:15:52.840 --> 00:15:58.320 abound hemp flourishes even to rightness, so that we need 222 00:15:58.399 --> 00:16:02.279 not want cordage. Our urn is superior to that of 223 00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:06.200 other countries. Our small arms equal to any in the world. 224 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:11.519 Cannon we can cast at pleasure, saltpeter and gunpowder we 225 00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:17.080 are every day producing. Our knowledge is hourly improving. Resolution 226 00:16:17.559 --> 00:16:23.120 is our inherent character, and courage hath never yet forsaken us. Wherefore, 227 00:16:23.519 --> 00:16:26.720 what is it that we want? Why is it that 228 00:16:26.759 --> 00:16:30.960 we hesitate from Britain? We can expect nothing but ruin. 229 00:16:31.919 --> 00:16:35.440 If she is once admitted to the government of America again, 230 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:41.039 this continent will not be worth living in. Jealousies will 231 00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:46.159 be always rising, insurrections will be constantly happening, And who 232 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:49.200 will go forth to quell them? Who will venture his 233 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:53.000 life to reduce his own countrymen to a foreign obedience? 234 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:59.519 The difference between Pennsylvania and Connecticut, respecting some unlocated lands 235 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:04.960 shows the insignificance of a British government, and fully proves 236 00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:12.640 that nothing but continental authority can regulate continental matters. Another 237 00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:17.400 reason why the present time is preferable to all others 238 00:17:17.640 --> 00:17:20.880 is that the fewer our numbers are, the more land 239 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:25.720 there is yet unoccupied, which, instead of being lavished by 240 00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:29.799 the king on his worthless dependence, may be hereafter applied 241 00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:33.480 not only to the discharge of the present debt, but 242 00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:37.920 to the constant support of our government. No nation under 243 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:43.960 heaven hath such an advantage at this The infant state 244 00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:47.839 of the colonies, as it is called, so far from 245 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:52.559 being against, is an argument in favor of independence. We 246 00:17:52.640 --> 00:17:56.480 are sufficiently numerous, and were we more so, we might 247 00:17:56.559 --> 00:18:00.480 be less united. It is a matter worthy of oportion 248 00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:04.079 that the more a country is peopled, the smaller their 249 00:18:04.200 --> 00:18:09.079 armies are. In military numbers, the ancients far exceeded the moderns, 250 00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:13.559 and the reason is evident, for trade being the consequence 251 00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:18.400 of population. Men become too much absorbed thereby to attend 252 00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:24.039 to anything else. Commerce diminishes the spirit both of patriotism 253 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:29.359 and military defense, and history sufficiently informs us that the 254 00:18:29.359 --> 00:18:33.920 bravest achievements were always accomplished in the non age of 255 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:38.599 a nation. With the increase of commerce, England hath lost 256 00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:44.119 its spirit. The city of London, notwithstanding its numbers, submits 257 00:18:44.160 --> 00:18:48.640 to continued insults with the patience of a coward. The 258 00:18:48.680 --> 00:18:51.279 more men have to lose, the less willing they are 259 00:18:51.319 --> 00:18:55.400 to venture. The rich are in general slaves to fear 260 00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:59.599 and submit to courtly power with the trembling duplicity of 261 00:18:59.680 --> 00:19:04.720 us spaniel. Youth is the see time of good habits, 262 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:09.279 as well in nations as in individuals, it might be difficult, 263 00:19:09.599 --> 00:19:14.119 if not impossible, to form the continent into one government 264 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:19.079 half a century. Hence, the vast variety of interests occasioned 265 00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:23.039 by an increase of trade and population would create confusion. 266 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:28.519 Colony would be against colony, each being able might scorn 267 00:19:28.599 --> 00:19:33.200 each other's assistance. And while the proud and foolish gloried 268 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:36.640 in their little distinctions, the wise would lament that the 269 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:42.640 union had not been formed before. Wherefore the present time 270 00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:47.920 is the true time for establishing it. The intimacy which 271 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:53.039 is contracted in infancy, and the friendship which is formed 272 00:19:53.079 --> 00:19:57.680 in misfortune or of all others, the most lasting and 273 00:19:58.000 --> 00:20:04.039 unalterable present union is marked with both these characters. We 274 00:20:04.119 --> 00:20:08.559 are young, and we have been distressed. But our concord 275 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:13.160 hath withstood our troubles and fixes a memorable area for 276 00:20:13.359 --> 00:20:19.519 posterity to glory in the present time. Likewise is that 277 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:24.200 peculiar time which never happens to a nation but once viz. 278 00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:29.759 The time of forming itself into a government. Most nations 279 00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:33.079 have let slip the opportunity, and by that means have 280 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:37.200 been compelled to receive laws from their conquerors instead of 281 00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:41.279 making laws for themselves. First they had a king and 282 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:45.039 then a form of government, whereas the articles or charter 283 00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:49.400 of government should be formed first and men delegated to 284 00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:53.480 execute them afterward. But from the errors of other nations, 285 00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:56.880 let us learn wisdom and lay hold of the present 286 00:20:57.119 --> 00:21:03.839 opportunity to begin government at the right end. When William 287 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:07.680 the conqueror subdued England, he gave them law at the 288 00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:11.160 point of a sword. And until we consent that the 289 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:15.519 seat of government in America be legally and authoritatively occupied, 290 00:21:16.119 --> 00:21:19.119 we shall be in danger of having it filled by 291 00:21:19.160 --> 00:21:23.240 some fortunate ruffian who may treat us in the same manner. 292 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:27.240 And then where will be our freedom, where our property? 293 00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:31.960 As to religion. I hold it to be the indispensable 294 00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:37.359 duty of all government to protect all conscientious professors thereof, 295 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:40.519 And I know of no other business which government hath 296 00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:45.880 to do therewith. Let a man throw aside that narrowness 297 00:21:45.880 --> 00:21:50.279 of soul, that selfishness of principle, which the niggards of 298 00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:53.920 all professions are so unwilling to part with, and he 299 00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:58.119 will be delivered of his fears. On that head. Suspicion 300 00:21:58.319 --> 00:22:01.960 is the companion of mean souls and the bane of 301 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:07.720 all good society. For myself, I fully and conscientiously believe 302 00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:11.599 that it is the will of the Almighty that there 303 00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:15.880 should be diversity of religious opinions among us. It affords 304 00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:20.039 a larger feel for our Christian kindness. Were we all 305 00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:23.359 of one way of thinking, our religious dispositions would want 306 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:28.200 matter for probation. And on this liberal principle, I look 307 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:32.039 on the various denominations among us to be like children 308 00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:35.920 of the same family, differing only in what is called 309 00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:41.519 their Christian names. In page forty I threw out a 310 00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:45.880 few thoughts on the propriety of a continental charter, for 311 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:49.559 I only presume to offer, hence not plans, And in 312 00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:53.480 this place I take the liberty of rementioning the subject 313 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:56.839 by observing that a charter is to be understood as 314 00:22:56.880 --> 00:23:01.160 a bond of solemn obligation, which which the whole enters 315 00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:05.200 into to support the right of every separate part, whether 316 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:10.359 of religion, personal freedom, or property. A firm bargain and 317 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:17.279 a right reckoning makes long friends. In a former page, 318 00:23:17.400 --> 00:23:21.799 I likewise mentioned the necessity for a large and equal representation, 319 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:26.720 and there is no political matter which more deserves our attention. 320 00:23:27.640 --> 00:23:30.960 A small number of electors or a small number of 321 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:36.039 representatives are equally dangerous. But if the number of the 322 00:23:36.119 --> 00:23:40.720 representatives be not only small but unequal, the danger is increased. 323 00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:45.880 As an instance of this, I mentioned the following. When 324 00:23:45.880 --> 00:23:50.319 the associator's petition was before the House of Assembly of Pennsylvania, 325 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:54.559 twenty eight members only were present, All the Bucks County 326 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:58.359 members being eight, voted against it, and had seven of 327 00:23:58.400 --> 00:24:01.960 the Chester members done the same. The whole province had 328 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:05.839 been governed by two counties only. And this danger it 329 00:24:05.920 --> 00:24:12.960 is always exposed to the unwarrantable stretch, likewise, which that 330 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:16.519 House made in their last sitting to gain an undue 331 00:24:16.680 --> 00:24:20.559 authority over the delegates of that province. Or to warn 332 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:23.839 the people at large how they trust power out of 333 00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:28.160 their own hands. A set of instructions to the delegates 334 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:30.960 were put together, which, in point of sense in business, 335 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:35.559 would have dishonored a schoolboy, And after being approved by 336 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:40.319 a few, a very few without doors, were carried into 337 00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:45.000 the House, and there passed in behalf of the whole colony. 338 00:24:45.880 --> 00:24:49.839 Whereas did the whole colony know with what ill willed 339 00:24:49.880 --> 00:24:53.960 that house hath entered on some necessary public measures, they 340 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:57.200 would not hesitate a moment to think them unworthy of 341 00:24:57.279 --> 00:25:03.640 such a trust. Imediate necessity makes many things convenient, which, 342 00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:08.839 if continued, we grow into oppression. Expedients and right are 343 00:25:08.839 --> 00:25:13.880 different things. When the calamities of America required a consultation, 344 00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:17.559 there was no methods so ready, or at that time 345 00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:21.720 so proper as to appoint persons from these several houses 346 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:25.039 of Assembly for that purpose. And the wisdom with which 347 00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:29.119 they have proceeded hath preserved this continent from ruin. But 348 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:31.960 as it is more than probable that we shall never 349 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:35.720 be without a Congress, every well wisher to good order 350 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:39.559 must own that the mode for choosing members of that 351 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:44.319 body deserves consideration. And I put it as a question 352 00:25:44.519 --> 00:25:49.200 to those who make a study of mankind whether representation 353 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:52.799 and election is not too great a power for one 354 00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:55.839 and the same body of men to possess. When we 355 00:25:55.920 --> 00:25:59.960 are planning for posterity, we are to remember that virtue 356 00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:05.119 is not hereditary. It is from our enemies that we 357 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:10.319 often gain excellent maxims, and are frequently surprised into reason 358 00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:15.000 by their mistakes. Mister Cornwall, one of the Lords of 359 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:18.720 the Treasury, treated the petition of the New York Assembly 360 00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:24.240 with contempt because that house, he said, consisted but of 361 00:26:24.440 --> 00:26:29.000 twenty six members, which trifling number, he argued, could not 362 00:26:29.200 --> 00:26:32.680 with decency be put for the whole. We thank him 363 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:39.119 for his involuntary honesty to conclude, however strange it may 364 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:41.960 appear to some, or how unwilling they may be to 365 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:47.000 think so, matters not. But many strong and striking reasons 366 00:26:47.079 --> 00:26:50.680 may be given to show that nothing can settle our 367 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:57.200 affairs so expeditiously as an open and determined declaration for independence, 368 00:26:57.920 --> 00:27:03.279 some of which are first. It is the custom of nations, 369 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:07.079 when any too are at war, or some other powers 370 00:27:07.160 --> 00:27:11.279 not engaged in the quarrel, to step in as mediators 371 00:27:11.319 --> 00:27:14.759 and bring about the preliminaries of a peace. But while 372 00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:18.599 America calls herself the subject of Great Britain, no power, 373 00:27:18.880 --> 00:27:24.119 however well disposed she may be, can offer her mediation. Wherefore, 374 00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:29.160 in our present state we may quarrel on forever. Secondly, 375 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:34.839 it is unreasonable to suppose that France or Spain will 376 00:27:34.920 --> 00:27:38.240 give us any kind of assistance if we mean only 377 00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:40.799 to make use of that assistance for the purpose of 378 00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:45.720 repairing the breach and strengthening the connection between Britain and America, 379 00:27:46.119 --> 00:27:52.079 because those powers would be sufferers by the consequences. Thirdly, 380 00:27:52.880 --> 00:27:57.200 while we profess ourselves the subjects of Britain, we must, 381 00:27:57.279 --> 00:28:00.000 in the eye of foreign nations, be considered as rebels. 382 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:05.000 The precedent is somewhat dangerous to their peace, for men 383 00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:08.519 to be in arms under the name of subjects. We 384 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:13.039 on the spot can solve the paradox, But to unite 385 00:28:13.119 --> 00:28:17.880 resistance and subjection requires an idea much to refined for 386 00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:24.000 common understanding. Fourthly, were a manifesto to be published and 387 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:28.359 dispatched to foreign courts, setting forth the miseries we have 388 00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:32.880 endured and the peaceable methods we have ineffectually used for redress, 389 00:28:33.599 --> 00:28:37.160 declaring at the same time, that, not being able any 390 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:41.279 longer to live happily or safely under the cruel disposition 391 00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:44.559 of the British Court, we had been driven to the 392 00:28:44.599 --> 00:28:48.680 necessity of breaking off all connections with her, at the 393 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:53.119 same time assuring all such courts of our peaceable disposition 394 00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:56.720 toward them, and of our desire of entering into trade 395 00:28:56.720 --> 00:29:00.519 with him. Such a memorial would produce more more good 396 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:03.920 effects to this continent, that if a ship were freighted 397 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:09.720 with petitions to Britain under our present denomination of British subjects, 398 00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:14.200 we can neither be received nor heard abroad. The custom 399 00:29:14.279 --> 00:29:18.240 of all courts is against us, and will be so until, 400 00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:23.720 by an independence we take rank with other nations. These 401 00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:28.519