we may pursue determinately some
fixed object. It is not in the power of Britain or of Europe to
conquer America, if she does not conquer herself by _delay_ and
_timidity_. The present winter is worth an age if rightly
employed; but if lost or neglected, the whole continent will
partake of the misfortune; and there is no punishment which that
man will not deserve, be he who, or what, or where he will, that
may be the means of sacrificing a season so precious and useful.

"It is repugnant to reason and the universal order of things, to
all examples from former ages, to suppose that this continent can
longer remain subject to any external power. The most sanguine in
Britain do not think so. The utmost stretch of human wisdom can
not, at this time, compass a plan short of separation, which can
promise the continent even a year's security. Reconciliation is
_now_ a fallacious dream. Nature hath deserted the connection, and
art can not supply her place. For, as Milton wisely expresses,
'Never can true reconcilement grow where wounds of deadly hate
have pierced so deep.'

"Every quiet method for peace hath been ineffectual. Our prayers
have been rejected with disdain; and only tended to convince us
that nothing flatters vanity or confirms obstinacy in kings more
than repeated petitioning--nothing hath contributed more than this
very measure to make the kings of Europe absolute. Witness Denmark
and Sweden. Wherefore, since nothing but blows will do, for God's
sake let us come to a final separation, and not leave the next
generation to be cutting throats under the violated, unmeaning
names of parent and child.

"To say they will never attempt it again is idle and visionary. We
thought so at the repeal of the stamp act; yet a year or two
undeceived us. As well may we suppose that nations, which have
been once defeated, will never renew the quarrel.

"As to government matters, it is not in the power of Britain to do
this continent justice. The business of it will soon be too
weighty and intricate to be managed with any tolerable degree of
convenience by a power so distant from us and so very ignorant of
us; for if they can not conquer us they can not govern us. To be
always running three or four thousand miles with a tale or a
petition, waiting four or five months for an answer, which, when
obtained, requires five or six more to explain it in, will i