be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states,
they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances,
establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which
independent states may of right do. And for the support of this
declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine
Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes,
and our sacred honour."

This declaration went forth to the world as the unanimous act of
congress and of the whole American people. Nevertheless, several
delegates, among whom was Mr. Dickenson, refused to sign the paper, and
it is well known that there were many among the American people, and men
of great influence and talent, who dissented from the act. Washington
himself conceived that congress was going too far, although he still
continued at the head of their army to fight their battles. But there
was now no alternative but to fight or be considered a renegade. The
great body of the nation was in favour of the measure of congress,
and were prepared to stand by its consequences. And in this they were
encouraged by the inherent power which they possessed; by the physical
advantages which their country presented; and by the difficulties which
Great Britain, split into factions, and with a divided parliament,
must encounter in carrying on a war in such a far distant country. The
Americans also appear to have been encouraged, even at this early stage
of their rebellion, by foreign powers. It is an indisputable fact,
indeed, that their sole reliance was not upon "native swords and native
ranks." Secret agents had been sent to America from powers clandestinely
inimical to the British nation; and American agents had been sent
secretly to the courts of Paris, Madrid, Naples, the Hague, and St.
Petersburgh. The Americans, moreover, drew encouragement from the hope
that there might be a rebellion in Ireland, if not in England itself. To
ensure such a consummation in Ireland, they even sent addresses to the
Irish people which were well calculated to lead to it. How artfully
these addresses were worded may be seen from the following extract of
one, in which the Americans expressed their regret that they had been
compelled to include Ireland with Great Britain in their non-importation
agreements. It states:--"Your parliament had done us no wrong. You had
ever been friendly to the rights of mankind, and we acknowledge with
pleasure and gratitud