485

Agitation to promote independence 485

Three days' debates on the question of independence 485

Decision to vote by Colonies, and that the decision on
each _question should be reported to the world as
unanimous_, whatever might be the votes in Congress 486

On the question of independence, _six_ Colonies
were in the affirmative and _six_ in the negative;
how Pennsylvania was brought over to vote for
independence, by one of its members being induced
to absent himself; and how the votes of other Colonies
were obtained for the affirmative (in a note) 486

The Declaration of Independence reported, discussed,
amended, and adopted, but not unanimously, though so
reported (in a note) 487

Remarks on the voting of Congress on the Declaration
of Independence 487

Copy of the Declaration of Independence 488

CHAPTER XXVI.

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE DISCUSSED. 492-517

The Author's sympathy with the Colonists, and advocacy
of their rights as British subjects, and their right to
defend them by force of arms 492

Preliminary remarks on the impolicy and injustice to
many thousands on both sides of the Atlantic of the
Declaration of Independence 493

The pure and exalted character of the advocates of
Colonial rights, and high eulogy upon them and their
descendants, by the Earls of Chatham and Shelburne,
both of whom were opposed to the separation of the Colonies
from the mother country 494

Homage to the motives and patriotism of the fathers
of American Independence; the provocation which they
had received; the successes of the Colonists on the
field of battle before the Declaration of Independence,
and their disasters afterwards; but for having committed
themselves to such Declaration, they would to all appearance
have obtained within a twelvemonth all they had desired,
without the shedding of blood, without the unnatural alliance
with France, much less a war of seven years 495

I. The Declaration of Independence a renunciation of
all the principles on which the General C