erable father torn by savage hands, and a
feeble mother, clasping her infants to her bosom, and on her knees
imploring their lives from her own slaves, whom Englishmen have
allured to treachery and murder; when I behold my country, once the
seat of industry, peace, and plenty, changed by Englishmen to a
theatre of blood and misery, Heaven forgive me, if I cannot root out
those passions which it has implanted in my bosom, and detest
submission to a people who have either ceased to be human, or have
not virtue enough to feel their own wretchedness and servitude!

Men who content themselves with the semblance of truth, and a
display of words, talk much of our obligations to Great Britain for
protection. Had she a single eye to our advantage? A nation of
shopkeepers are very seldom so disinterested. Let us not be so
amused with words; the extension of her commerce was her object.
When she defended our coasts, she fought for her customers, and
convoyed our ships loaded with wealth, which we had acquired for her
by our industry. She has treated us as beasts of burthen, whom the
lordly masters cherish that they may carry a greater load. Let us
inquire also against whom she has protected us? Against her own
enemies with whom we had no quarrel, or only on her account, and
against whom we always readily exerted our wealth and strength when
they were required. Were these colonies backward in giving
assistance to Great Britain, when they were called upon in 1739 to
aid the expedition against Carthagena? They at that time sent three
thousand men to join the British army, although the war commenced
without their consent. But the last war, 'tis said, was purely
American. This is a vulgar error, which, like many others, has
gained credit by being confidently repeated. The dispute between
the courts of Great Britain and France related to the limits of
Canada and Nova Scotia. The controverted territory was not claimed
by any in the colonies, but by the crown of Great Britain. It was
therefore their own quarrel. The infringement of a right which
England had, by the treaty of Utrecht, of trading in the Indian
country of Ohio, was another cause of the war. The French seized
large quantities of British manufacture and took possession of a
fort which a company of British merchants and factors had erected
for the security of their commerce. The war was therefore waged in
defense of lands claimed by the crown, and for the prote