his continent would never suffer
itself to be drained of inhabitants, to support the British arms in
either Asia, Africa, or Europe.

Besides what have we to do with setting the world at defiance? Our
plan is commerce, and that, well attended to, will secure us the peace
and friendship of all Europe; because, it is the interest of all Europe
to have America a FREE PORT. Her trade will always be a protection,
and her barrenness of gold and silver secure her from invaders.

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