be a
temptation for some desperate adventurer to try his fortune; and in
such a case, that relief can Britain give? Ere she could hear the
news, the fatal business might be done; and ourselves suffering like
the wretched Britons under the oppression of the Conqueror. Ye that
oppose independence now, ye know not what ye do; ye are opening a door
to eternal tyranny, by keeping vacant the seat of government. There
are thousands, and tens of thousands, who would think it glorious to
expel from the continent that barbarous and hellish power, which hath
stirred up the Indians and Negroes to destroy us; the cruelty hath a
double guilt, it is dealing brutally by us, and treacherously by them.

To talk of friendship with those in whom our reason forbids us to have
faith, and our affections wounded through a thousand pores instruct us
to detest, is madness and folly. Every day wears out the little
remains of kindred between us and them, and can there be any reason to
hope, that as the relationship expires, the affection will increase, or
that we shall agree better, when we have ten times more and greater
concerns to quarrel over than ever?

Ye that tell us of harmony and reconciliation, can ye restore to us the
time that is past? Can ye give to prostitution its former innocence?
Neither can ye reconcile Britain and America. The last cord now is
broken, the people of England are presenting addresses against us.
There are injuries which nature cannot forgive; she would cease to be
nature if she did. As well can the lover forgive the ravisher of his
mistress, as the continent forgive the murders of Britain. The
Almighty hath implanted in us these unextinguishable feelings for good
and wise purposes. They are the guardians of his image in our hearts.
They distinguish us from the herd of common animals. The social
compact would dissolve, and justice be extirpated the earth, or have
only a casual existence were we callous to the touches of affection.
The robber, and the murderer, would often escape unpunished, did not
the injuries which our tempers sustain, provoke us into justice.

O ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose, not only the tyranny, but
the tyrant, stand forth! Every spot of the old world is overrun with
oppression. Freedom hath been hunted round the globe. Asia, and
Africa, have long expelled her--Europe regards her like a stranger, and
England hath given her warning to depart. O! receive the fugitive