try
felt differently. Not discouraged by the pernicious effects of all they
had hitherto advised, and notwithstanding the gracious declaration of
your Majesty, they obtained another act of Parliament, in which the
rigors of all the former were consolidated, and embittered by
circumstances of additional severity and outrage. The whole trading
property of America (even unoffending shipping in port) was
indiscriminately and irrecoverably given, as the plunder of foreign
enemies, to the sailors of your navy. This property was put out of the
reach of your mercy. Your people were despoiled; and your navy, by a
new, dangerous, and prolific example, corrupted with the plunder of
their countrymen. Your people in that part of your dominions were put,
in their general and political, as well as their personal capacity,
wholly out of the protection of your government.

Though unwilling to dwell on all the improper modes of carrying on this
unnatural and ruinous war, and which have led directly to the present
unhappy separation of Great Britain and its colonies, we must beg leave
to represent two particulars, which we are sure must have been entirely
contrary to your Majesty's order or approbation. Every course of action
in hostility, however that hostility may be just or merited, is not
justifiable or excusable. It is the duty of those who claim to rule over
others not to provoke them beyond the necessity of the case, nor to
leave stings in their minds which must long rankle even when the
appearance of tranquillity is restored. We therefore assure your Majesty
that it is with shame and sorrow we have seen several acts of hostility
which could have no other tendency than incurably to alienate the minds
of your American subjects. To excite, by a proclamation issued by your
Majesty's governor, an universal insurrection of negro slaves in any of
the colonies is a measure full of complicated horrors, absolutely
illegal, suitable neither to the practice of war nor to the laws of
peace. Of the same quality we look upon all attempts to bring down on
your subjects an irruption of those fierce and cruel tribes of savages
and cannibals in whom the vestiges of human nature are nearly effaced by
ignorance and barbarity. They are not fit allies for your Majesty in a
war with your people. They are not fit instruments of an English
government. These and many other acts we disclaim as having advised, or
approved when done; and we clear ourselves to