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the reflexion is awful……and in this point of view； how trifling； how ridiculous； do the little； paltry cavillings； of a few weak or interested men appear； when weighed against the business of a world。
should we neglect the present favourable and inviting period； and an independance be hereafter effected by any other means； we must charge the consequence to ourselves； or to those rather； whose narrow and prejudiced souls； are habitually opposing the measure； without either inquiring or reflecting。 there are reasons to be given in support of independance； which men should rather privately think of； than be publicly told of。 we ought not now to be debating whether we shall be independant or not； but； anxious to acplish it on a firm； secure； and honorable basis； and uneasy rather that it is not yet began upon。
every day convinces us of its necessity。 even the tories （if such beings yet remain among us） should； of all men； be the most solicitous to promote it； for； as the appointment of mittees at first； protected them from popular rage； so； a wise and well established form of government； will be the only certain means of continuing it securely to them。
wherefore； if they have not virtue enough to be whigs； they ought to have prudence enough to wish for independance。
in short； independance is the only bond that can tye and keep us together。 we shall then see our object； and our ears will be legally shut against the schemes of an intriguing； as well； as a cruel enemy。 we shall then too； be on a proper footing； to treat with britain； for there is reason to conclude； that the pride of that court； will be less hurt by treating with the american states for terms of peace； than with those； whom she denominates； 〃rebellious subjects；〃 for terms of acmodation。
it is our delaying it that encourages her to hope for conquest； and our backwardness tends only to prolong the war。 as we have； without any good effect therefrom； withheld our trade to obtain a redress of our grievances； let us now try the alternative； by independantly redressing them ourselves； and then offering to open the trade。 the mercantile and reasonable part in england； will be still with us； because； peace with trade； is preferable to war without it。 and if this offer be not accepted； other courts may be applied to。
on these grounds i rest the matter。 and as no offer hath yet been made to refute the doctrine contained in the former editions of this pamphlet； it is a negative proof； that either the doctrine cannot be refuted； or； that the party in favour of it are too numerous to be opposed。 wherefore； instead of gazing at each other with suspicious or doubtful curiosity； let each of us； hold out to his neighbour the hearty hand of friendship； and unite in drawing a line； which； like an act of oblivion shall bury in forgetfulness every former dissension。
let the names of whig and tory be extinct； and let none other be heard among us； than those of a good citizen； an open and resolute friend； and a virtuous supporter of the rights of mankind and of the _free and independant states of america_。
to the representatives of the religious society of the people called quakers； or to so many of them as were concerned in publishing the late piece； entitled 〃the ancient testimony and prlnciples of the people called quakers renewed； with respect to the king and government； and touching the motions now prevailing in these and other parts of america addressed to the people in general。〃 the writer of this； is one of those few； who never dishonours religion either by ridiculing； or cavilling at any denomination whatsoever。
to god； and not to man； are all men accountable on the score of religion。
wherefore； this epistle is not so properly addressed to you as a religious； but as a political body； dabbling in matters； which the professed quietude of your principles instruct you not to meddle with。 as you have； without a proper authority for so doing； put yourselves in the place of the whole body of the quakers； so； the writer of this； in order to be on an equal rank with yourselves； is under the necessity； of putting himself in the place of all those； who； approve the very writings and principles； against which； your testimony is directed： and he hath chosen this singular situation； in order； that you might discover in him that presumption of character which you cannot see in yourselves。 for neither he nor you can have any claim or title to political representation。
when men have departed from the right way； it is no wonder that they stumble and fall。 and it is evident from the manner in which ye have managed your testimony； that politics； （as a religious body of men） is not your proper walk； for however well adapted it might appear to you； it is； nevertheless； a jumble of good and bad put unwisely together； and the conclusion drawn therefrom； both unnatural and unjust。
the two first pages； （and the whole doth not make four） we give you credit for； and expect the same civility from you； because the love and desire of peace is not confined to quakerism； it is the natural； as well the religious wish of all denominations of men。 and on this ground； as men labouring to establish an independant constitution of our own； do we exceed all others in our hope； end； and aim。 our plan is peace for ever。
we are tired of contention with britain； and can see no real end to it but in a final separation。 we act consistently； because for the sake of introducing an endless and uninterrupted peace； do we bear the evils and burthens of the present day。 we are endeavoring； and will steadily continue to endeavour； to separate and dissolve a connexion which hath already filled our land with blood； and which； while the name of it remains； will he the fatal cause of future mischiefs to both countries。
we fight neither for revenge nor conquest； neither from pride nor passion； we are not insulting the world with our fleets and armies； nor ravaging the globe for plunder。 beneath the shade of our own vines are we attacked； in our own houses； and on our own lands； is the violence mitted against us。 we view our enemies in the character of highwaymen and housebreakers； and having no defence for ourselves in the civil law； are obliged to punish them by the military one； and apply the sword； in the very case； where you have before now； applied the halter…… perhaps we feel for the ruined and insulted sufferers in all and every part of the continent； with a degree of tenderness which hath not yet made its way into some of your bosoms。 but be ye sure that ye mistake not the cause and ground of your testimony。 call not coldness of soul； religion； nor put the bigot in the place of the christian。
o ye partial ministers of your own acknowledged principles。 if the bearing arms be sinful； the first going to war must be more so； by all the difference between wilful attack； and unavoidable defence。
wherefore； if ye really preach from conscience； and mean not to make a political hobbyhorse of your religion convince the world thereof； by proclaiming your doctrine to our enemies； for they likewise bear _arms_。
give us proof of your sincerity by publishing it at st。 jamess； to the manders in chief at boston； to the admirals and captains who are piratically ravaging our coasts； and to all the murdering miscreants who are acting in authority under him whom ye profess to serve。
had ye the honest soul of barclay ye would preach repentance to your king； ye would tell the royal wretch his sins； and warn him of eternal ruin。
＇〃thou hast tasted of prosperity and adversity； thou knowest what it is to be banished thy native country； to be over…ruled as well as to rule； and set upon the throne； and being oppressed thou hast reason to know how hateful the oppressor is both to god and man： if after all these warnings and advertisements； thou dost not turn unto the lord with all thy heart； but forget him who remembered thee in thy distress； and give up thyself to fallow lust and vanity； surely great will be thy condemnation。…… against which snare； as well as the temptation of those who may or do feed thee； and prompt thee to evil； the most excellent and prevalent remedy will be； to