empt Britain to make
another effort for recovering her former greatness, you will be the first
to fall under her sway. In such case you will have nothing to expect from
the other states. Dispirited with a fruitless attempt to unite in some
plan of general government and protection, they will say, let the
dissenting states abide the consequence of their own false opinions.
Though such a reply might not be wise, it would be exactly comfortable to
what we have ever found in human nature; and nature will have its course,
let policy be what it may. You are the northern barrier of the United
States, and by your situation, must first meet any hostile animosity from
that quarter designed against any part of them. It is certainly for the
interest of a barrier country, to have a general government on such
efficient principles, as can point the force of the whole for its relief
when attacked. The old constitution could not do this; that now under
consideration, if accepted, we trust will produce a circulation of riches
and the powers of protection to the most extreme parts of the body. On
these principles it has generally been said that New Hampshire and Georgia
would be amongst the first in adopting. Georgia has done it, not, perhaps,
because they were more wise than New Hampshire, but being pressed with a
dangerous war in the very moment of decision, they felt its necessity; and
feeling is an argument none can resist. Trust not to any complaisance of
those British provinces on your northern borders, or those artful men who
govern them, who were selected on purpose to beguile your politicks, and
divide and weaken the union. When the hour for a permanent connection
between the states is past, the teeth of the lion will be again made bare,
and you must be either devoured, or become its jackal to hunt for prey in
the other states.

We believe those among you who are opposed to the system, as honest and
brave as any part of the community, and cannot suspect them of any design
against American Independence; but such persons ought to consider what
will be the probable consequence of their dissent; and whether this is not
the only hour in which this community can be saved from a condition, which
is, on all hands, allowed to be dangerous and unhappy. There are certain
critical periods in which nations, as well as individuals, who have fallen
into perplexity, by a wise exertion may save themselves and be glorious.
Such is the present era i