empt, because THAT House, he said, consisted but of
twenty-six members, which trifling number, he argued, could not with
decency be put for the whole. We thank him for his involuntary
honesty.[4]

TO CONCLUDE, however strange it may appear to some, or however
unwilling they may be to think so, matters not, but many strong and
striking reasons may be given, to shew, that nothing can settle our
affairs so expeditiously as an open and determined declaration for
independance. Some of which are,

FIRST. - It is the custom of nations, when any two are at war, for some
other powers, not engaged in the quarrel, to step in as mediators, and
bring about the preliminaries of a peace: but while America calls
herself the Subject of Great Britain, no power, however well disposed
she may be, can offer her mediation. Wherefore, in our present state
we may quarrel on for ever.

SECONDLY. - It is unreasonable to suppose, that France or Spain will
give us any kind of assistance, if we mean only, to make use of that
assistance for the purpose of repairing the breach, and strengthening
the connection between Britain and America; because, those powers would
be sufferers by the consequences.

THIRDLY. - While we profess ourselves the subjects of Britain, we must,
in the eye of foreign nations, be considered as rebels. The precedent
is somewhat dangerous to THEIR PEACE, for men to be in arms under the
name of subjects; we, on the spot, can solve the paradox: but to unite
resistance and subjection, requires an idea much too refined for common
understanding.

FOURTHLY. - Were a manifesto to be published, and despatched to foreign
courts, setting forth the miseries we have endured, and the peaceable
methods we have ineffectually used for redress; declaring, at the same
time, that not being able, any longer, to live happily or safely under
the cruel disposition of the British court, we had been driven to the
necessity of breaking off all connections with her; at the same time,
assuring all such courts of our peaceable disposition towards them, and
of our desire of entering into trade with them: Such a memorial would
produce more good effects to this Continent, than if a ship were
freighted with petitions to Britain.

Under our present denomination of British subjects, we can neither be
received nor heard abroad: The custom of all courts is against us, and
will be so, until, by an independance, we take rank with other nations.

These pr