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[ ■},% 2 3 1 2 3 >• 4 5 6 ■- ■ I •'* i DEeLARATION, B Y /r H E REPRESENTATIYSS K OF THE llnited Colonies of North^Americd^ MET in GENERAL CONGRESS^ i SSTTI^lO FORTH ; TheCAUSES and NECESSITY ! ^ of their taking up Arms, « ■''-■■' » : All A D D R E S S ; FROM i The Twelve United Colonies^ : By their D£L£GATB« in CoNGR£$s, To the Inhabitants of Great-Britain* PHILADELPHIA, Printed by W. andT.BttAofORo/ And DEVIZIS Re-printed by T* Buna o vow, 177^ .. . pWce THREE.PENCE4:„i._i^. 4 I5EGLARATION, &c. |F it was pollible for men,' >vho exercife their reafoh >ro believe^ tiiat the divLne Authof of our exiftencq^ intended b partol the inunan ra^e \x> hold 41) ab« folute property in, aiul an iinboqnded power over ethers, nvirkodoiM: by his iafinite gnodnefs and wifdcm, &5 tlreobjeftsof a legal dominatiori, never rightfully reliftible, however f^vere and opprelHve, tii^ inh^bt- tantsof thefe colonies mi^it at leafi feqtiirt Irom the parliament of Great- Britain, fome evidence, that this dreadful authority over them has been grilnted to that body. Rut a reverence for our great Creator, principles gfltumauity, and the dilates of common fcnfe^mMt convince all thofe who reflet upon the Ailu^» that government was inftituted to promote the welfare of that mankind, an^oaghtto be adninifter^d for the attainment of end. The legiflature of Great Britain, however ftimulated by an inordinate pafPon for a pow^r not ^nly unjiiitifiable, but whicli they know to be peculiarly reprobated by the very conftitution of that kingdom, md de^rateof fi^cpefs ii) any mode of conteft, where regard fliouldbe had to trH^h, laiy, or right, hare.at length, deferting thofe, attempted to effeft their cruel and impolitic pur- pofe of enflaving tliefe colonies by violence, and thereby have ren- dered it necelTary for us to clofe with their lad appeal from rea- fon to arms. Yet, however blinded t^jat alfembly may be, by tltdr intemperate rage for unlimited domination, fo to flight jufticc, and the opinion of mankind, we efteem ourfelves bound by oblifl;atl0ns of refpe^ to the celtof tlie world, to niakc known the jiiftice of our caufe. Cur fore-fathers, inhabitknts of the ifland of Great-Britain, left their native land, to feek on thefe fhores a refidence for divil and religious Freedom. At the expence of their blood, at the hazard of fortunes, wttiiout th^ leait ch^ige to the -coiuitry from which they removed, by imceafing labour, and an unconqufer- able fpiri<, tiicy eftefled. fettlements in the dilUnt ami inhofpi- tablc w ilds of America, then filled with numerous and wailike rations of barbarians. Societies or govenuhehtSj veiled with perfedl C 3 > pcrfeft legiflatures. '.verc formed under chittcn from thiij crown, , atul an harinonious intercoiwfe was eftablifhed betwten *1ie c6-. l^Hies and the kingdom 'on which Ihey derived thdi* origin. The mutual bcnefns of this union became in a fhoit time foex- traordii«ry as to excite aHonifhment. If is univerfally cbftftf- fcd, thjt the amazing increafc of the wealth, ftrength, and na-' vififation of the realm, arofe from this fource; and thift minifter who fo wifely and fuccefsfully direfted the meafures ofGrtat- Britain in tiie late war, publ'ciy declared, that the/^ c61ofii6s enabled her to triumph over her enemies. Towards the conclu- fion ofthntwar, it pica fed our fovereign to make a dhange in hiscoimfel. From that fatal moment, the affairs of the Brit i /h, empire l^i;an to fall into coufution, and gradually fljding from the fummtt of gloriou prof[)erity, to which they had been ad- vanced, by the virtues and abilities of one man, are at lertgth diftrafted by the convuHions, that now fliake it to it's deepefl^ foundations. Tiie new miniflry finding the brave fpes of Britain* timugh frequently defeated, yet ftill contending, took up the iinfortunate idea of granting' them an hafty peace, and of then' fubchiing her faithful friends. Thefe devoted colonies were judged to be in fuch a ftafder. The iminterrupted tenor of their peface- atile and refpe^ful behaviour from tlie beginning of colonization, their dutiful, zealous and ufcful fervices during the war, though fo recently and amply acknowledged in the motl honorable aianncr by his majefty. by the late king, and by parliament, could not fave them from the meditated innovations. Parlia- ment was influenced to adopt the pernicious prqjedt, and alfimt- ing a new power over them, have in thecourfe of eleven years given fuch decilive fj^cimens of the fpirit and confequenc^s at- tending tliis power, as to leave no doubt concerning the effe^s of ncquiefcence under it. Tiiey have undertaken to give au4 grant our money without our confent, though we Have ever ev ercifed an exclufive right to difpofe of our own prdperty ; fta- tutes have been pafled tot extendinj; the jurifdiiflion of counts of Admiralty and Vice-Admiralty beyond their ancient limits ; for depriving us of tlie accuOonied and ineftimable priviledge of trial by jury, in cafes aifeding both life and property ; ■■ for fufpending the leglHature of one of the colonics ; ——for inter- di^ing all coinimcice of another ; —-—and for altering fuiida-* mentally the ibrm of government eftaBliyhed by charter, and fccured by ads oi its own legiflatuie folenmly cohfirihed by c. . " the •^p lt\ I r 4 ] the crown; for exempting the" murderers * of colonifts from le- gal trial, and in cifeA fiom ptininiment; for rre^tin^^ in a nei^ii- bouring province, acquired by the Joint armsof Gieat-Krit.iin and America, a defpotifm dangcrotis to our very exigence ; and for quartering foldiers upon the colonilh in time of profound peace* It has alio been refohcd in Parliamtnf, that colonifts charged with committing certain otfences, i\x^\l be tranfportcd to Eng- land tq be tried* - But why fhould we enumernte our iuKiries in detsii ? By one l^atute it is declared, that Parli^n^nt c^n " of riglit n^ake laws tobindus in all cases whatsorvkr." What is to defend IIS againft fo enormoqs, fo unlimited a power? Not a rma;le ipan of thofe who afTume it is chofen by i\s ; or is fubje^t to pur con- troul or influence : but on the contrary, they are all of them ck- empt from the ojperation of fuch IavvS| and an American revenuei if not diverted from the ofteuiible purpofes for which it is raifed, lyould aflually lighten their own burdens in proportion as they ihcreafe ours. V\ e faw the mifery to which fuch depotifm woulq reduce us. We for ten years incelfantly and ineffeftually befiegsi ed the throne as fu;)plicants ; we reafoned, we remonftrated with parliament in the mofl mild and decent language. But adminif- tration feniiblethat wefliould regard thefe oppreflivc meafurcttas freemen ought to do, fent over fleets and armies to enforce them. The indignation of the Americans was rnufed It is true ; but it was the indignation of a virtuous, loyal, and affedlioqate people. A Congrefs of Delegates from the imited colonies was aifembled at Philadelphia, on the fifth day of hft September. We rcfolv- ed again to offer an humble and dutiful petition trt the King, and alfo addreffed our fellow fubje£ls of Great-Britain. We have purfucd every temperate, every refpeflful meafure; we havee- ven proceeded to break ofl'pur commercial intercourfe with our fellow fubjc6l% as the laft ; eaceable adnionition, that our attach-^ ment to no nation on earth Ihr uM fupplant our attachment to li- berty. This, we flattered ourfelves, was the ultimate ftepof the controverfy : but fubfequcnt events have fhewn, how vain wa» this hope oi finding moderation in onr enemies. Several threatning expreffions againfl the colonies were infert- ed in his Majefty's ^>eech ; our petition, though we were told it was a decent one, that his Maiefty had been pleafed to receive it gracioutly, and to promife laying it before his parliament, was fiuddled into both houfes amonglt a bundle of American paperst ^ad there negletCted. The .-.. The-Lord« andGommons in their addrefs^ in tlic mpnth of Fe- bniaryt (^id, that " a rebellion at that t inn: a Anally exifted with- in the province of Mairachiifett's-bay ; and that thnfe concerned in it, had been countenanced and encouraged by unlawful combi- nations and eijgagemenrs, entered into by his M ijeftyV fubjefts in feveral of the other colonies ; and therefore they bel'ou^ht his Majelly, that he would take the mqf\ efTeflual meafures to inforce due obedience to the laws and authority of the fupreme Icgida- turc."— Soon after tlie commercial intercourfe of whole cclonies, with foreign countries and with each other, was cut off by ah aft of parliament : by another, feveral of them were entirely prohibit- ed from the filheries in tlie. feas near their coalls, on whicli they always depended for ti)cir fui^cnance ; and large reinforcements of Ihips and troops were immediately feat over to General Gage* Fruitlefs were all the entreaties, arguments and elnque)lce~of ah 'illuftrious band of the inoft diftinguifhed Peers & Commoners, who n(4)ly and flrenuoufly afferted tlie juflice of bur caute, to ftay or even to mitigate the heedlefs fury with which thefe accumulated and unexampled outrages were hurried on.— Equally fruitlefs wds the interference of tlie city of London, of Briftol, and many other refpeAable towns in our favour. Parliament adopted an infidi- OU8 manoeuvre calculated to divide us^ to eftablifh a perpetual au^ticMi of taxations where colony fhoiild bid agalnft colony, all of them uninformed what ranfoht would redeem their lives, and thus to extort from us at the point of the bayonet, the iitiknowh iiuns that fliould be fufficient to gratify, if pofible to gratify, mi- niftertal rapacity, with the miferable indulgence left to us of rai- ling in our own mode the prefcribed tribute. What terms morie rigid and humiliating could have been didlated by rcmorfelefs vidors to conquered enemies ? In our circumftances to accept them would be to delerve thcnk * Soon after the intelligence of thefe proceedings arrived on ^his continent. General Gage, who, in tiie courfeof the Inft year, had taken poiteflion of the town of BoAon, in the province of Maffachufettft's-bay, and Hill occupied it as a garrifon, on the 19th day of April, fent out from that place a large detachgient of his army, who made an unprovoked affault on the inhabitants of the faid province, at the town of Lexington, as.appear? by the affidavits of a great nimiber of perfons, fome of whom were officent and ibldiers of that detachment, murdered eight of the iohabit^aUj and wounded many others. From thence the troops prcoeeded ,' ■■ ■ia^: pro^eded in warlike array to the town of Concord, where they fet upon another party of the inhabitants of the ftine province, killing ilevertl ano wounding more, untill compelled to letrent by the country ptople fuddenly aflemhied to repel thi.4 cruel ng- greilioii. Hoftilities thus commenced by the Bririfli troops, have been iince profecuted by them without regard ro taith or reputa- tion.— The inhabitants of Bollon being contined within that town by the General their Governor, and havirg in order to pro> cure their difmitT^'on. entered into a treaty with him, i; e faid inhabitants having depofited their nrms with their oifn magiitrares, Ihould liave liberty to depart, taking with them their other effefts. They accordingly delivered u;> their arm«, but in open violation of honor, in defieiice of theobligatio on of treaties, which even fava^c nations efleem facrcd, the Go- vernor orderod the arms depotited as aforefaid, that they might be pieferved for their owners, to befcized by a body of foldier$.; detained, the greateft part of the inhabitants in the town, and compelled the few who were permitted tp retire, to Icive their moft valuable eifedls behind. 6y this perfidy, wives are feparated ^rom their hijfbands, chil- dren from their parents, the nged an4 tiiefick from their relations and friends^ who wilhto attend and comfoit them ; and thofe who have been yfed to live in plenty^ and even elegjance, arp |e* duced to deplorable diftrefs. ■- The General further emulating hts miniiterial mafters* by ft proclamation bearing date on the 12th day of June, after vent* ing the £,rofrell falihoods apd calumnies againfl the good peopte of thele colonies, proceeds to " declare them all eitner by name " or defcription to be rebeU and traitors, to fupercede the courfe " of the common law, and inilead tliereof to publifh and order "the ufe and exercife of the law niartial."—- His troops Ipve butchered our countrymen ; have wantonly burnt Charles-Town, betides a coniiderable number of hoiifes in other places ; our ^lips and veflcls are feized; thenccelTary fuppliesof provilions are in- tercepted, and he is exerting his utmoll power to fpread deltruc- ion and devallation around him. We have received certain intelligence, that G.eneral Carleton, the Governor of Canada, is inlUgating the people of that province and the Indians to fall upon xn ; and we have btit too much rea- fon to apprehend, that fchcmes- have been formed to excite do- nieftick enemies againlt us. In °">^i*'^-nii(^fg,i^m^ , In ( 1 ) Ih brief, a part of tliefe colonies now feels, and .11 of them are fure of feeling, as far as the vertgeanee of adminiftration can infliA them, the complicated calamitio of fire, fword a»d fa- mine. — We are reduced to the alternative of choiing »a -yncoi>- ditional fubnufiion to the tyranny of irritated miniften, or te- fUVdUce by forcc-^llie latter i» oik choice. "•-•'We have counted thccott of ihis contclt, and find nothing fo dreadrul as yoluit- tary Ha very.— Honor, jiittice, and Itutnanity forbid us tamely to furrender that freedom which we received from our gallant an- ceilors, and which our innocent pofterity have a right to receive from us* We cannot endure the infanoy and guiU of refigning fucteeding generations to that wrerchcdnef; which inevitalt/ awaits them, if we bafely entaik hereditary bondage upon them. Our caufe is juft* Our union is pcrfeA. Our iaiteroal re- fources are great, and if necellary, foreign alTiftance is undoubt- edly attainable.— We gratefully acknowledge, as fignal intiances of the divine favour towards us, that his providence would'iiot ■permit us to be called into this ierere controverfy, until we were grown up to our prefent ftrength, had been previoufly^ exercifed In warlike operations, and poiTefled of the means of defending ourfelves.— With hearts fortined with thefe animating refledlions, \k moil folemnly, before God and ifteworid docLrci thai ex- erting the utmoft energy of thofe poiVeri, which oiir beneficiertt Creator hath gracioufiy beftowed upon us, the arms we have been compelled by our enemies to aflume, we wilt; in d^ance of every hazard, with unabating firmtiefs and perf&'veranc^, em- ploy for tlie prefervation of our liberties, being with one mind xefolved to die freemen rather tHan tcr live flaves. Left this declaration Ihould difquiet the minds of our friend^ and fellow-fubjedls in any part of the empire, we afliire them, that we mean not to diflblve that union which has fo long and fo happily fublifted between us, and which we fincerely wifh to fee renored. ■ » ■■ Neceflity has not yet driven us into that defperate meafure, or induced us to excite any other nation to war againft them. ■ We have not raifed armies with ambitious defigns of feparating from Great-Britain, and efla- blifhing independent ftates.— — — — We fight not for glory or for conquefl. ■-■ We exhibit to mankind the remarkble fpeAacle of a people attacked by unprovoked enemies, without any imputation, or even fufpicion of offence. They boaft of their priviledges and civilization, and yet proffer no milder con- ditions than iervitude or death.— «— ■^.:'m--.^- :»*«!a*vi \^ w^ [ 8 ] Tn our own native land, in defence of tlie freedom tliat is our birthright, and which we ever enjoyed 'till the hrc violntioo of it-*for the proteAinn of our pro|«rry, acquired folely by ilu! honeft induftry of our fore-fatliersandourfelves, aeainti violence adhially offered, we have taken up arms. We flrill lay them down when hottilities ihall ceafe on the parr of the ng^ref- fors, and all danger of their being laiewed Ihall be removed, and not before. With an humble confidence in the mefcies of the fiipreme and impartial Judgf and Ruler of the univerl'e, we molt devnutlv implore his divine goodneffi to condud m happily throur;h this great confliA, to difpofe our adverfaiics to reconcilation on reafonable terms, and thereby to retieve rlic empire from the calamitiesof civil war.' By Order of Con OR fs, ^ r JOHN HANCOCK, Prefi.fcnt. Attefted, Charles Thompson, Secrtta>y, PuiLAOBLPHiA, JulyGlk, 1775. ots The TWELVE UNITED COLONIES, i By their Delegates in Congress, *" ) To the Inhabitants of Great-Britain* f^ti vft Friends, Coitntrymem, andBRfiTnRBN f ?■■■■ : - BY thefe, and by every other appellation, that may defignate the tics, which bind US to each otlier, we entreat your ferJoui attention to this our fecond attempt, to prevent their dinblution.—- K(membrance uf former friendfhips,— pride in the glorious atchicv(ments of our con^mon nnceflo/.s, and nife^ion for the heirs of their virtues, have hitherto preferved our mu- tual connection.— -~-But when that fricndHiip is violited by the grotTed injuries ; when the pride of anccftry becomes our re- proach, and we are no otherwife allied than as tyrints and flaves, when reduced to the melancholy alternative of rcnounc> ing your favor, or our freedom — can we hefitate about th^ choice ? Let the fpirit of Britons determine. In a former Addfcfs, we afferted our Rights, and ihted the injuries we had tben received. We hoped, that the mention of our wrongs, would liave roufcd that lioneft indignation, whicfi has k««. .Mui»«: I t 9 ] his flept too Ittng A)r your honor, or the welfare of the elrf; •—oBiit we have not been .ermitted to entertain this oleafinff expectation ;— every day brought an acctntiulation • — let us combat the talumniesof bur'«nemies — and let us warn you of the dangers that threaten vrfu, in our deilruAion. Many of your feliow- fubjcfts, whofefituation deprived them of other fupport, drew •tijeir maintenance from the fea ; but the deprivation of ouc Liberty being infufficicnt to fatisfy the refeutment of our ene- mies, the horrors of famine were fuperadded, and a Britilh pirliament, who, in better times were the prote<:ior3 of inno- cence and the patrons of htimanity, liave, without diftind>icn of age or fex, robbed thoufands oif the Jopd which lliey were accuftsmcJ M 10 ) .t., :•' . To what are we to attribute this treatment ? If to any fecret principle of tlie conilitution let it be mentioned-**leC us learn that the government we have long revered is not without its de- feds, and th^t while it gives freedom to a part, it nece|iaiily -en flaves the remainder of the empire. If fuch a principle exifts why for ages has it ceafed to operated Why at this time is it called into adion? Can no reafon be aiTigoed for t^is cojtdud? Or mult it be refolved into the wanton exereife of arbitrary power ^ And fhskll the defcc'ndanta of Britons tamely fubmitto this* ?— No Sirs ! We ncvec will, i«(hile we revere the memory of our patent ahd virtuous anceftors, we never can furrender tlwfe glorious privileges, for whicii they fought, bled, and Conquered. Admit that your fleets could deflroy our towns, and ravage our fea coalls ; •-<• thefe are inconfiderable nbjeds, tilings of no mo- ment, to men whole bofoms glow with the ardor of liberty.— \Vt can retire beyond the reach of your navy, and without any iienlible diminution of tiie necefTaries of life, enjoy a luxury which from that period you will want ; THE LUXURY OF BEING FREE.v. -■ ,..;•„,.,..,.■ ...... ...>^.. - We know the force of your arms, and was it called forth in the caufc of juftice and your country, we might dread the ex- ertion. -—But will Britons fight under the banners of tyranny ? Will they ccuhteraft the labours, and difgrace the viftories of their aiiceftots? ■ ■ ■■ Will tliey forge chains for their pof- fterity? If they defcend to this unworthy talk, will their fw'ords regain their edge, their arms their accullomcd vi- gor ^ —Britons can never become the !« '^ruments of op- prcflion "i ;flf*^''^"- ■^'1ii|^'^-^-"''*'^'-'-^*'-'*-*'-**'*lMMiii^ij-j^^ "•*»r.*^*^«k?*^* "- m^^^iUftf*i'* ** t^ 1 ltlkmti >ft t \»* i' '»tt <^ C « J predion, till they lofe the fpirit of £reeddm, by which atone they ire invincible. Our enemies charge us with feditton ; In what does it confift ? fn our refufal to fUbniit to unwlhantable a£ts of injiittice anti cruelty ? If fo, fhew us a period in your hiilory, in which you have not been equally fediti JUS ^ We are accufed of aiming at Independence; but how is this accufation fupported P By the allegations of your minifters/not by cur anions.'— Abufed, infulted, and contemned, what ileps have we purfued to obtain redrefs? We have carried our dutifiil yieti- tions to the throne ;— we have applied to your juttice for relief, we have retrenched our luxury and witheld our trade. The advantages of our commerce were dettgned as a compen- iation for youi protection : When youceafed to prote^, for what were "'c to compenfate ? What has been the fuccefs of our endeavours ? The clemency of our foveteign is unhappily diverted; our petitions are treated with indignity; our prayers anfwered by infults. Our applica- tion to you remains unnoticed, and leaves us the melancholy ap- prehenilon, of your wanting either the will, or the powers, to af- fift us. Even under thefe circumftances, what meafures have we taken that betray a de(ire of independence ? Have we called in the aid of thofe foreign powers, who are the rivals of your grandeur f When your troops were few and defencelefs. did we taEe advan- tage of their diftrefs and expel, them our towns ? Or have we permitted them to fortify, to receive new aid and to acquire ad- ditional ilrength ? ..;''■ '. "• ' , i.nv .. ■ ■ ,. ■ • Let not your enemies and ours perfiiade you, that in this we were influenced by fear or any other unwortliy motive. The lives of Britons are ftill dear to us. — They are the Cliildren of our pa- rents, an uninterupted intercourfe of mutual benefits had knit the bonds of friendlhip.-When hoftilitics were commenced, when or a late occafion w were wantonly attacked by your troops, tho* we repelled their affnilts, and returned tlieir blows, yet we la- mented the wounds they obliged us to give ; nor have we yet learned to reioice it a viflory over EngliDimen. As we wilh not to colour our adtions, or difguife our thoughts ; we fhall, in thefimple I.ing,u3o:e of truth, avow the meafures we hive purfued, the motives upon which we have aded, and our future deligns. .. - Whe« inmr '''*°""- • *•*"' mjiriinifc x^i m§ ti «3 T When our late petition to the throne prc^uccd no other cflfe^ than frelh injuries, and votes of your legiflature, calculated to juftify every feverity ; when your fleets, and your armies, were prepared to wreft (rom us our property, to rob us of our Liberties or our lives ; wlie^ the hofti^e attempts of General G.ige evinced his dellgns, we levied armies for our fecurity and defence ; when the powers veiled in the governor of Canada, gave us reafon to apprehend danger from That quarter ; and we had frequent intimations, that a cruel and favagje eneliiy was to be let loofe upon the defencelefs inhabitants of cur frontiers ; we took fuch meafur s as prudence didhited, as necelTity will juftifv. We poflefTed ourfelves of Crown-Point and Ticonderoga. Yet give «s leave, molt frlcirmlv to afliire you, that we have not yet loft l^ght of the objedl we have ever had in view ; a reconcil ation with you on conftitutim^l principles; and a reftoration of tiiat friendly intercourfe, which, to the advantage of both, we 'till lately maintained. , The inhabitants of this country apply themfelves chiefly to afrriculture and commerce. As their falhions and manners are fimilar to yours, your markets mult afford them the coiiveniencies and luxuries, or which they exchange the produce of their la- bours. The wealth of this extended continent centers with you; an i our trade is fo regulated as to be fubfervient, only to your interefK You are too reafonable to expeft that by taxes (in ad- di'ion to this) we Ihould contribute to your expence, lo believe after diverting tiie fountain that the Itreams can flow with un- abated force. Tt has been fa Id that we refufe to fubmit to the reftrielions on our commerce. From whence is this inference drawn i" Not; from our words, we having repeatedly declaicd the contrary, and we again profefs our fubmillion to the I'everal adli ot trade and n ivigation palTed before tlie year i7'>3, trufting neverthe- Itfs in the equity and juflice of parliament, that fiicli ot them as upon cool and impartial confideratlon, Ihall anpear to have im- pofed unnecefTary or grievous reftridions, will, at fnme happier period, be repealed or altered. And we chearfully confent to the operation of fu(ih afts oftheHrhilh parliament, as Ihall be reftra'ned to the regulation of our "xternal coniuierfe for the purpofe of fecuring the commercial advantages of the whole em- pire to the mother country, and the commercial benefits of its refpeftive members, excluding every idea of taxation internal or external, for railing a revenue on the fubjeds inAmeiica, Witliout iheir confent. It i It is aUedgcd that w« coatribiite noth!% to the common de- fence ; to this we anfwer^ that the advantages which Great". Britain receives from tlie monopoly of out trade, far exceeds our proportion of the expence ncceflary for Ilia t purpofe. But ihould thefe advantages be inadequate ti)erel!li>, ler the rcftiic- tions on our trade be removed, and we wil chtcrfully contribute itich proportion wheu conftitutimuilly requirdi. It is a fundamental principle of the Britifh cx>nftitution» that every man ihould have at lealt a lepiefenr-tiive Ihkie in the for- viation of thofe laws by which he is bound. Were it otlier- wife, the regulation of our internal police by a Britilh Parlia-. anent, who are, and ever will be unacquainted with our local circumflances, muft be always inconvenient, and frequently op- preiiive, working our wrong, without yielding any poilible ad-. Yantage to you. , ,, .,, . .,,..„-. ■. — , .- A plan of accomjBodation (as it has been abfiirdly cal'ed) has; keen propofed by your niinifters to our refpeftive aifemblies. Were this propofal fr<*e from every other objection but tliat which arifes from the time of the offer, it would not be unex- ceptionable. Can men deliberate with the bayonet at theif kreait? Can they treat with freedom while their towns arc fack" td ; when daily inAances of injufticc and oppreflioo, difturl^ the Hower operations of reafou ? Jf thi't prcpcptl ii realy fiKh at you Jhould offer ^ and ^xe aC", fspt, "why was it delayed till the nation Tvai put to uftlejt expence, ajtd ive were reduced to our prejent melancholy fituatiin f If k holds forth nothing why was it propofed ? Unlefs it»- dced to deceive you into a belief that we were imwilling to itllen to any terms of accommodation: but what is fubmittcd to our co»fideratiou ? we con'icnd for the difpofal of our pro- perty ; we are told that our demand is unreafonable, that our affemblies may indeed colleft our money, but that tliey muft at the fame time offer, not what your exigencies or ours may lequire, bvit fo much as fliall be deemed fufficicnt to fatisty the dcliies of a minilter, and enable him to provide for favorites and dependants. (A rccarrcnct to your oim treafury will convime yott hoiw litik cf tiie mmt\ ah fo-h extorted from ut hat been applied to the mUefcfyour burdent) To fuppoie that we would thus grafp the. ihadovv and give up ihe fubliancc, is adding infult to injuries. We liave neverthelefs again prefented an humble and du- tiful petition to our Sovereign : and tc^ remove every imputation ot obliiuacy, have icfiuefted his Maicftv fo direft fome mod©. [^^ if IS- ] I«- by wliidi the vnited applieatloni of khfahhfui colotvflt tnty he rmftrffved iiito a happy and ptrnument Recouciliati'on* We arc willing to treat tm fuch terms as can aione render an accommodation lafting, and we flatter ourfelves, that otir pacific endeavonrs will be at- tended with a rtmijval of the iroopt, a repeal of thofe laxvi, of the cperationt of which ive complain on the one part, and a dijjllution of our army and commerdal ajfociationi on the other. Yet conctiide not from this, that we jiropofe h ftirrendir otrr property into the hatidi of your mhiiflry, or vefl your parliament with a jpower which may terminate in our deftruSiion.^-~—'T\\e fjreat bul- warks of our conftitution we have defired to maintain by every temperate, l^ every peaceable means ; but your minifters, (equal foes to Britilh and American freedom) have added to their for- mer oppreflRons, an attempt to reduce ut by the fwcrd to a bafe anct ahjd£i fubm'fp.cf:. On the fword therefore we are compelled to rely for proteftion. Should vidilory declare in your favour, yet men trained to arms from their Infancy, and animated by the Jjrue ofLibcrty^ will afford neither a cheap or eafy conqucft. Of this at leaft we are affured, that our struggle will be glorious, our fucccf^i certain, fmce even in death we fliall find that freedoni which in life you forbid us to enjoy. - -m'»» .-t- Let us now afk, /^/wf advantages are to attend our rcduElion ? the ttak rf a ruined and difolated country ii always inccnjidsrable, its revenue trifling ; tlis expcnce of fubje£iitig and retaining it in fuhjcSiica crrtoin and itK-w'iabk. Wliat tlien remains but the gratifications of an ill-judged pride, or the hope of rendering us fubfervient to defigns ai j'cwr liberty. ..; -• ' Soldiers \\\\o have fneathed their fwords in the bowel? of their Jmerican Brethnn, will not draw them wiili more reluctance ^' ga'nfl you, wlien too late you may liment the lofs of that freedom, which we exhort you, while Itill in your power, to prefervc. ' On the other hand, fhould you prove mfucccfful ; fliould that ccnntStion which we mofi ardently wifh to maintain be dijj'olved ; ftioulS your miinUert exhattft your triafutes ; tvafle the blood of your country-men in vain attempts on cur Liberty ; do they net deliver you, weak an3 defencclefi, to your natural emmici ? ?■ "ce then voM*" Liberty muft be the price of your victories, your ruin of your defeat, What blind fatality can urge you to a pa- fuit deHruilive of all that Britons hold dear ? 1^ < « If you have no re^rd to the ^pnndSiop tlM|trance of former kindnefs is c^Uterated) once more repeat thol{^ appeUatiops which arc ever grateful in our ears. Let us entrefit heaven to avert our ruin, and the deilruAion that threatens our friends, brethren, and countrymCb on the other fide of the Atlantic. ^^ By Order of the CONGRESS, JOHN HANCOCK, Prefident. AtteHed by t CHARLES THOMPSON, Sccictary. pHiLADElPHiA, July 8, I775> i- !:ae^ -fiV:. •^/".i.t.^ V' ;:■;•»:''■ - v -^ Wrt'ii^ V?>it^fell 'IW^it^^ ' i^^'"*'*''^*"^ ■* ■.*^^->- ■:-;' * * " i ^'.-i li-ii.l mi,:i:^ j*iiJl,ial/;^vif^j.;A^v^. Will- '. ^ ■\ ■^fw