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I challenge the warmest advocate for reconciliation； to shew；
a single advantage that this continent can reap； by being connected
with Great Britain。 I repeat the challenge； not a single advantage
is derived。 Our corn will fetch its price in any market in Europe；
and our imported goods must be paid for； buy them where we will。
But the injuries and disadvantages we sustain by that connection；
are without number； and our duty to mankind at large；
as well as to ourselves； instruct us to renounce the alliance：
Because； any submission to； or dependence on Great Britain；
tends directly to involve this continent in European wars and quarrels；
and sets us at variance with nations； who would otherwise seek our friendship；
and against whom； we have neither anger nor complaint。 As Europe is our market
for trade； we ought to form no partial connection with any part of it。
It is the true interest of America to steer clear of European contentions；
which she never can do； while by her dependence on Britain；
she is made the make…weight in the scale of British politics。
Europe is too thickly planted with kingdoms to be long at peace；
and whenever a war breaks out between England and any foreign power；
the trade of America goes to ruin； BECAUSE OF HER CONNECTION WITH ENGLAND。
The next war may not turn out like the last； and should it not；
the advocates for reconciliation now； will be wishing for separation then；
because； neutrality in that case； would be a safer convoy than a man of war。
Every thing that is right or natural pleads for separation。 The blood
of the slain； the weeping voice of nature cries； 'TIS TIME TO PART。
Even the distance at which the Almighty hath placed England and America；
is a strong and natural proof； that the authority of the one； over the other；
was never the design of Heaven。 The time likewise at which the continent
was discovered； adds weight to the argument； and the manner in which it
was peopled increases the force of it。 The reformation was preceded
by the discovery of America； as if the Almighty graciously meant
to open a sanctuary to the Persecuted in future years；
when home should afford neither friendship nor safety。
The authority of Great Britain over this continent；
is a form of government； which sooner or later must have an end：
And a serious mind can draw no true pleasure by looking forward
under the painful and positive conviction； that what he calls
〃the present constitution〃 is merely temporary。 As parents；
we can have no joy； knowing that THIS GOVERNMENT is not sufficiently
lasting to ensure any thing which we may bequeath to posterity：
And by a plain method of argument； as we are running the next generation
into debt； we ought to do the work of it； otherwise we use them meanly
and pitifully。 In order to discover the line of our duty rightly；
we should take our children in our hand； and fix our station a few years
farther into life； that eminence will present a prospect； which a few
present fears and prejudices conceal from our sight。
Though I would carefully avoid giving unnecessary offense；
yet I am inclined to believe； that all those who espouse the doctrine
of reconciliation； may be included within the following descriptions。
Interested men； who are not to be trusted； weak men； who CANNOT see；
prejudiced men； who WILL NOT see； and a certain set of moderate men；
who think better of the European world than it deserves；
and this last class； by an ill…judged deliberation； will be
the cause of more calamities to this continent； than all the other three。
It is the good fortune of many to live distant from the scene of sorrow；
the evil is not sufficient brought to their doors to make THEM
feel the precariousness with which all American property is possessed。
But let our imaginations transport us far a few moments to Boston；
that seat of wretchedness will teach us wisdom； and instruct us
for ever to renounce a power in whom we can have no trust。
The inhabitants of that unfortunate city； who but a few months ago
were in ease and affluence； have now； no other alternative than
to stay and starve； or turn and beg。 Endangered by the fire
of their friends if they continue within the city； and plundered
by the soldiery if they leave it。 In their present condition
they are prisoners without the hope of redemption； and in
a general attack for their relief； they would be exposed
to the fury of both armies。
Men of passive tempers look somewhat lightly over the offenses
of Britain； and； still hoping for the best； are apt to call out；
〃COME； COME； WE SHALL BE FRIENDS AGAIN； FOR ALL THIS。〃
But examine the passions and feelings of mankind；
Bring the doctrine of reconciliation to the touchstone of nature；
and then tell me； whether you can hereafter love； honor；
and faithfully serve the power that hath carried
fire and sword into your land？ If yon cannot do all these；
then are you only deceiving yourselves； and by your delay
bringing ruin upon posterity。 Your future connection with Britain；
whom you can neither love nor honor will be forced and unnatural；
and being formed only on the plan of present convenience；
will in a little time fall into a relapse more wretched than the first。
But if you say； you can still pass the violations over； then I ask；
Hath your house been burnt？ Hath your property been destroyed before
your face！ Are your wife and children destitute of a bed to lie on；
or bread to live on？ Have you lost a parent or a child by their hands；
and yourself the ruined and wretched survivor！ If you have not；
then are you not a judge of those who have。 But if you have；
and still can shake hands with the murderers； then are you unworthy
the name of husband； father； friend； or lover； and whatever
may be your rank or title in life； you have the heart of a coward；
and the spirit of a sycophant。
This is not inflaming or exaggerating matters； but trying
them by those feelings and affections which nature justifies；
and without which； we should be incapable of discharging
the social duties of life； or enjoying the felicities of it。
I mean not to exhibit horror for the purpose of provoking revenge；
but to awaken us from fatal and unmanly slumbers； that we
may pursue determinately some fixed object。 It is not in the
power of Britain or of Europe to conquer America； if she do
not conquer herself by DELAY and TIMIDITY。 The present winter
is worth an age if rightly employed； but if lost or neglected；
the whole continent will partake of the misfortune；
and there is no punishment which that man will not deserve；
be he who； or what； or where he will； that may be the means
of sacrificing a season so precious and useful。
It is repugnant to reason； to the universal order of things；
to all examples from former ages； to suppose； that this
continent can longer remain subject to any external power。
The most sanguine in Britain does not think so。 The utmost
stretch of human wisdom cannot； at this time； compass a plan
short of separation； which can promise the continent even
a year's security。 Reconciliation is NOW a fallacious dream。
Nature hath deserted the connection； and Art cannot supply
her place。 For； as Milton wisely expresses； 〃never can true
reconcilement grow； where wounds of deadly hate have pierced so deep。〃
Every quiet method for peace hath been ineffectual。 Our prayers
have been rejected with disdain； and only tended to convince us；
that nothing Batters vanity； or confirms obstinacy in Kings
more than repeated petitioning…and nothing hath contributed
more than that very measure to make the Kings of Europe absolute：
Witness Denmark and Sweden。 Wherefore； since nothing but blows will do；
for God's sake； let us come to a final separation； and not leave
the next generation to be cutting throats； under the violated
unmeaning names of parent and child。
To say； they will never attempt it again is idle and visionary；
we thought so at the repeal of the stamp…act； yet a year
or two undeceived us； as well may we suppose that nations；
which have been once defeated； will never renew the quarrel。
As to government matters； it is not in the power of Britain
to do this continent justice： The business of it will soon
be too weighty； and intricate； to be managed with any tolerable
degree of convenience； by a power so distant from us； and so
very ignorant of us； for if they cannot conquer us； they cannot
govern us。 To be always running three or four thousand miles
with a tale or a petition； waiting four or five months
for an answer； which when obtained requires five or six more
to explain it in； will in a few years be looked upon as folly
and childishnessThere was a time when it was proper；
and there is a proper time for it to cease。
Small islands not capable of protecting themselves；
are the proper objects for kingdoms to take under their care；
but there is something v