it is unworthy of the name, because
the corrupt influence of the crown, by having all the places in its
disposal, hath so effectually swallowed up the power, and eaten out the
virtue of the house of commons (the republican part in the
constitution) that the government of England is nearly as monarchical
as that of France or Spain. Men fall out with names without
understanding them. For it is the republican and not the monarchical
part of the constitution of England which Englishmen glory in, viz. the
liberty of choosing an house of commons from out of their own body--and
it is easy to see that when republican virtue fails, slavery ensues.
Why is the constitution of England sickly, but because monarchy hath
poisoned the republic, the crown hath engrossed the commons?

In England a king hath little more to do than to make war and give away
places; which in plain terms, is to impoverish the nation and set it
together by the ears. A pretty business indeed for a man to be allowed
eight hundred thousand sterling a year for, and worshipped into the
bargain! Of more worth is one honest man to society and in the sight
of God, than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived.

THOUGHTS ON THE PRESENT STATE OF AMERICAN AFFAIRS

In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain
arguments, and common sense; and have no other Preliminaries to settle
with the reader, than that he will divest himself of prejudice and
prepossession, and suffer his reason and his feelings to determine for
themselves; that he will put ON, or rather that he will not put OFF the
true character of a man, and generously enlarge his views beyond the
present day.

Volumes have been written on the subject of the struggle between
England and America. Men of all ranks have embarked in the
controversy, from different motives, and with various designs; but all
have been ineffectual, and the period of debate is closed. Arms, as
the last resource, decide this contest; the appeal was the choice of
the king, and the continent hath accepted the challenge.

It hath been reported of the late Mr. Pelham (who tho' an able minister
was not without his faults) that on his being attacked in the house of
commons, on the score, that his measures were only of a temporary kind,
replied "THEY WILL LAST MY TIME." Should a thought so fatal and unmanly
possess the colonies in the present contest, the name of ancestors will
be remembered by future gen