irrevocably. The repeated rejection of our sincere and sufficiently humble petitions, the commencement of hostilities, the inhumanity which has marked the prosecution of the war on your part, in its several stages, the insolence, which displays itself, on every petty advantage, the cruelties, which have been exercised on those unhappy men, whom the fortune of war, has thrown into your hands, all these are insuperable bars to the very idea of concluding a peace with Great Britain, on any other conditions, than the most absolute, perfect independence."

This patriot and statesman, concluded his answer, by observing that, upon the restoration of union by a lasting and honorable peace, "the British nation may then, perhaps, find us, as affectionate and valuable friends, as we now are determined and fatal enemies, and will derive from that friendship more solid and real advantages, than the most sanguine can expect from conquest."

These proceedings took place before the treaties with France reached America. The treaties themselves were brought by Simeon Deane, who arrived at the seat of government at York, in Pennsylvania, on Saturday, the second of May, 1778. Congress not being in session, immediately assembled, and the treaties were laid before them; and on the Monday following, were unanimously ratified and soon after published. The American people received them with mingled feelings of joy and gratitude. They had entered upon the mighty struggle for their liberties without stopping to count the cost or waiting for foreign aid-they had from the commencement come to the desperate resolution, "to die or be free." To this resolution they had constantly adhered, even in the darkest period of the contest, trusting in that God, in whom their fathers trusted. The alliance with France inspired new hopes, and increased their confidence in the final attainment of their object. They now saw their freedom and independence ultimately secured, by the guaranty of a powerful nation; a nation whose interest and inclination united to induce a perseverance in support of the cause it had espoused. Their feelings of gratitude towards a monarch, who had thus interposed in their favor, knew no bounds. Congress unanimously

expressed their highest sense of the magnanimity and wisdom of his most christian majesty, in forming this alliance.

On this interesting occasion, the national legislature again presented an address to the people of the United States, and recommended that the same be read by ministers of the gospel of all denominations, immediately after divine service, in their respective places of public worship.

After stating the calamities they had experienced, and the hardships they had suffered in a war, which had continued for three years, and which had been waged against them, in a manner without a parallel in the annals of the world, they say, “at length that God of battles, in whom was our trust, hath conducted us through the paths of danger and distress to the thresholds of security. It hath now become morally certain, that, if we have courage to persevere, we shall establish our liberties and independence. The haughty prince, who spurned us from his feet with contumely and disdain, and the parliament which proscribed us, now descend to offer terms of accommodation. Whilst in the full career of victory, they pulled off the mask, and avowed their intended despotism. But having lavished in vain the blood. and treasure of their subjects in pursuit of this execrable purpose, they now endeavor to ensnare us with the insidious offers of peace. They would seduce you into a dependence, which necessarily, inevitably lead to the most humiliating slavery. And do they believe that you will accept these fatal terms? because you have suffered the distresses of war, do they suppose that you will basely lick the dust before the feet of your destroyers? can there be an American so lost to the feelings which adorn human nature? to the generous pride, the elevation, the dignity of freedom! is there a man who would not abhor a dependence upon those, who have deluged his country in the blood of its inhabitants? we cannot suppose this; neither is it possible that they themselves can expect to make many converts.

"What then is their intention? is it not to lull you with the fallacious hopes of peace, until they can assemble new armies to prosecute nefarious designs? if this is not the case, why do they

strain every nerve to levy men throughout their islands? why do they meanly court every little tyrant of Europe to sell them his unhappy slaves? why do they continue to embitter the minds of the savages against you? surely this is not the way to conciliate the affections of America. Be not, therefore, deceived. You have still to expect one severe conflict. Your foreign alliances, though they secure your independence, cannot secure your country from desolation, your habitations from plunder, your wives from insult or violation, nor your children from butchery. Foiled in their principal design, you must expect to feel the rage of disappointed ambition. Arise then! to your tents! and gird you for battle. It is time to turn the headlong current of vengeance upon the head of the destroyer. They have filled up the measure of their abominations, and like ripe fruit must soon drop from the tree. Although much is done, yet much remains to do. Expect not peace, whilst any corner of America is in possession of your foes. You must drive them away from this land of promise, a land flowing indeed with milk and honey. Your brethren at the extremities of the continent, already implore your friendship and protection. It is your duty to grant their request. They hunger and thirst after liberty. Be it yours to dispense to them the heavenly gift. And what is there now to prevent it? After the unremitted efforts of our enemies, we are stronger than before. Nor can the wicked emissaries, who so assiduously labor to promote their cause, point out any one reason to suppose that we shall not receive daily accessions of strength. . They tell you, it is true, that your money is of no value; and your debts so enor. mous they can never be paid, but we tell you, that if Britain prosecutes the war another campaign, that single campaign will cost her more than we had hitherto expended. And yet these men would prevail upon you to take up that immense load, and for it to sacrifice your dearest rights. For, surely, there is no man so absurd as to suppose, that the least shadow of liberty can be preserved in a dependent connection with Great Britain. From the nature of the thing it is evident, that the only security you could obtain, would be, the justice and moderation of a parliament,

who have sold the rights of their own constituents. And this slender security is still farther weakened, by the consideration that it was pledged to rebels, (as they unjustly call the good people of these states,) with whom they think they are not bound to keep faith by any law whatsoever. Thus would you be cast bound among men, whose minds, by your virtuous resistance, have been sharpened to the keenest edge of revenge. Thus would your children and your children's children, be by you forced to a participation of all their debts, their wars, their luxuries, and. their crimes. And this mad, this impious system they would lead you to adopt, because of the derangement of your finances.

"It becomes you deeply to reflect on this subject. Is there a country upon earth, which hath such resources for the payment of her debts as America? such an extensive territory? so fertile, so blessed in its climate and productions? surely there is none. Neither is there any, to which the wise Europeans will sooner confide their property. What, then, are the reasons that your money hath depreciated? because no taxes have been imposed to carry on the war. Because your commerce hath been interrupted by your enemy's fleets. Because their armies have ravaged and desolated a part of your country. Because their

agents have villainously counterfeited your bills. Because extortioners among you, inflamed with the lust of gain, have added to the price of every article of life. And because weak men have been artfully led to believe that it is of no value. How is this dangerous disease to be remedied? let those among you, who have leisure and opportunity, collect the monies which individuals in their neighbourhood are desirous of placing in the public funds. Let the several legislatures sink their respective emissions, that so, there being but one kind of bills, there may be less danger of counterfeits. Refrain a little while from purchasing those things which are not absolutely necessary, that so those who have engrossed commodities may suffer (as they deservedly will) the loss of their ill-begotten hoards, by reason of the commerce with foreign nations, which the fleets will protect. Above all, bring forward your armies into the field. Trust not to appearances of

peace or safety. Be assured that, unless you persevere, you will be exposed to every species of barbarity. But if you exert the means of defense which God and nature have given you, the time will soon arrive, when every man shall sit under his own vine, and under his own fig-tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid.

"The sweets of a free commerce with every part of the earth will soon reimburse you for all the losses you have sustained. The full tide of wealth will flow in upon your shores, free from the arbitrary impositions of those whose interest and whose declared policy it was to check your growth. Your interests will be fostered and nourished by governments, that derive their power from your grant, and will therefore be obliged, by the influence of cogent necessity, to exert it in your favor. It is to obtain these things that we call your strenuous, unremitted exertions. Yet do not believe that you have been, or can be saved merely by your own strength. No! it is by the assistance of heaven, and this you must assiduously cultivate, by acts which heaven approves. Thus shall the power and the happiness of these sovereign, free and independent states, founded on the virtue of of their citizens, increase, extend and endure, until the Almighty shall blot out all the empires of the earth."*

In this state of political affairs, the British commissioners arrived in America, to propose terms of reconciliation, in pursuance of the late acts of parliament. The earl of Carlisle, governor Johnston, and Mr. Eden, landed at Philadelphia about the first of June.

Before noticing their proceedings in America, we would here state, that previous to leaving England, they as well as the British ministry deemed it important to ascertain the opinion of Dr. Franklin concerning the terms they were about to offer the Americans. For this purpose, William Pulteney, a member of parliament and brother in law to governor Johnston, went to Paris, about the last of March; and under a fictitious name, re

This was drawn by Samuel Chase. See Biography of Signers to the declaration of Independence, vol. ix. p. 207.