inveterate enemies to make good the charge. It will also be proper to make out to the satisfaction of impartial people, that our contending for British Liberty will be the sure means of being deprived of it, if we should prove successful.

4. “That our expectations of accomplishing our undertaking, are mad, and must at once appear groundless, when we consider that the Throne was never more secure in the hearts of a free and happy people; the Nation never more powerful in its resources, nor more respected abroad; nor Administration more firmly established in the esteem and approbation of a great majority of the people, than at this day.”

That these assertions may not meet with unexpected difficulties in the proof, it will not be amiss to lay before you the present situation of Great Britain, that, having this in view, the demonstration may be suited accordingly. Her credit depending on her Trade, and a principal part of that cut off by our Non-Importation Agreement. Ireland, though in slavery, poverty, distress, and unarmed, hitherto scarcely restrained within bounds by the dread of a military force, but now reduced to that last stage of oppression which makes a wise man mad. Scotland, filled with resentment for the injuries offered her by the English. The English full of hatred and indignation against the Scotch, for the undue preference showed to them by the Court. The Capital of the Kingdom exerting its utmost influence against the present Administration; and in all probability she will find her measures supported by the united efforts of all the Trading Cities and Manufacturing Towns in the Kingdom. A general discontent through that Nation, on account of the Act of Parliament which establishes the Roman Catholick Religion in Canada. France professing the most pacifick disposition, but continually augmenting her Sea and Land Forces. Spain arming as fast as possible, and insulting her in almost every quarter of the globe—she bearing these insults with the tamest submission, and unable, in the space of twelve years, to prevail upon her to pay the Manilla Ransom. Portugal, though under her protection, insulting her Merchants and restricting her Trade. It is too degrading to mention the Dey of Algiers. Her Army and Navy not fifty thousand strong, yet the annual expense of the Nation near Ten Millions Sterling. This sum raised with difficulty when she enjoyed all our Customs and Duties, These being stopped, there will be a failure of One Million at least, which must be raised by additional Taxes laid on those who are scarcely able to bear their present load. A debt of Forty Millions due to the Hollanders, who are a very jealous people, and who know that the security of their money depends entirely on the Trade of the Nation, which must suffer a most dreadful shock from our Non-Importation Agreement. Should they become fearful, and begin to draw their money out of the publick funds, all the circulating cash in the Kingdom would not more than pay the half of it. The Emperour of Germany at the head of two hundred thousand, and the King of Prussia at the head of three hundred thousand well disciplined Troops, overawing all her Continental allies, and in a capacity to take possession of her German Dominions whenever they please. Russia aiming at Commerce, and becoming a rival maritime Power. America determined to resist every further attempt which she shall make to enslave her, by force, and accessible only by her capital Cities, and those protected by a debt of about Six Millions Sterling, every Shilling of which must be totally lost, if our Cities are injured; besides if matters should become more critical, these will be principally inhabited by the tools of the Ministry, for all such will be obliged to fly to them for safety, as is evident from the present state of Boston; which will be a very considerable additional security to our Cities. Able and judicious Statesmen in England, though unconnected with America, giving their opinion in favour of our conduct, and openly declaring the inability of the Nation to subjugate the Colonies by force. These are some of the facts, against which others of superiour force, certainty, and weight, must be produced, or it will be in vain to attempt to prove that the Nation was never more powerful in resources.

I am under the necessity of passing by, for the present, a multitude of assertions equally in need of facts to support them; but as there is one or two of a curious and extraordinary nature, and which I long to see demonstrated, I must crave the indulgence of the publick a few moments, longer.

It is asserted “that the people in America can have no idea of the various manœuvres, evolutions, marchings, countermarchings, advancing, retreating, breaking, rallying, &c., which are practised in the Army, and, therefore, they will be astonished, confounded, and put to flight by attacks from every quarter.” Now, a demonstration of this assertion must be a great curiosity, and will please many. But as one circumstance seems to make against it, I would be glad not to have it forgotten, viz: that though we may have little idea of their rallying, yet we must be allowed to have some confused notions of their breaking and running, especially such of us as can remember that when they were broke, within about forty miles of Fort Pitt, by a handful of Canadians and bush-fighting Indians, they never stopped flying until they arrived at Philadelphia. Impartiality, however, obliges me to mention one circumstance, which is rather in favour of some part of the assertion, viz: that the Americans have not a true idea of breaking and running, though it at the same time shows that they know how to rally; what I allude to is the behaviour of about three hundred Virginians, who, on that occasion, voluntarily formed, and covered the retreat of the flying Regulars. Ticonderoga has also furnished some of us with similar ideas. It is also asserted, “that at one time we will seem to have only a handful of Troops to encounter, and the next minute they will appear almost innumerable, merely from their dexterous movements, and the different situations in which they will be placed; and that, should we be able to perfect ourselves in this part of the discipline, (which we never can, as we are incapable of forming the least idea of it,) our skill will rebound with tenfold destruction upon our own heads, for by far the greatest part, when matters shall be brought to such extremities, will declare on the loyal side, and extricate themselves from the guilt of rebellion by the most vigorous efforts to suppress it.”

I think it will be quite as hard to prove these assertions as to square the circle. It will require both fluxions, and an infinite series to do it. To make an handful of men appear almost innumerable to people who know that every addition to that handful must first cross the great Atlantick, exceeds the power of magick. And I should not like to see it proved, lest it might lessen the merits of a General, “who, although respected and amiable for his social virtues, for his prudence, humanity, long-suffering, and clemency, of which we all cannot but be sensible, is nevertheless universally allowed to be a brave soldier, cool, intrepid, watchful, and resolute, and perfectly acquainted with the military art.” Now if this be his character, how can he be excused for not putting these manœuvres in practice, instead of sending for more Troops? Can it be imagined that the freemen of the Province of Massachusetts-Bay are so determined as to refuse submission, if they saw an innumerable host of such well disciplined Troops ready to fall upon them? They must be heroes indeed, or at least resolved to lose life and liberty together if they are.

I will take no advantage of his glaring contradictions in one paragraph, representing us as the most resolute and desperate of men, who have no regard for our lives, and that we are willing to sacrifice all that is dear to us to obtain our beloved point; and in the, next assures us that we will by and by be so terrified at the name of Rebellion, that we will murder one another to prove our loyalty. I will not require the facts which can prove these inconsistencies. I am not inclined to raise a suspicion of the abilities or courage of the British Troops. There are many circumstances which present themselves at this day, to show they have a tincture of the true British spirit still remaining, though the laws and regulations to which they are subject are of the most slavish, arbitrary, and despotick kind. It is hard to divest a real Englishman of his love of liberty, or admiration of those who are willing to risk their all in defence of it. There may be some mongrels among them, as well as among ourselves; yet the reluctance of the Officers to the service, and the desertion, of the Soldiers, prove that they are not divested of feeling, and far from becoming Ministerial butchers. If things should come to extremities it is not to be doubted but