246 AUTHENTIC HISTORY 



of necessity. While his Majesty George the third will observe his own 

 coronation oath, and the principles of the revolution, for the support of 

 which against all Jacobite factions, and Tory plots of popery, his ances- 

 tors of the illustrious line of Brunswick were placed on the throne of 

 Great Britain, do you observe your allegiance. 



I am happy, that I can with a good conscience, congratulate you and 

 myself this day, on the certainty we have, for the justice and goodness 

 of our cause. The angry tools of power who mislead government, may 

 call us American "rebels, who would throw off all government, would be 

 independent and what not." But we can now, with great confidence, 

 appeal to God that that is false — we desire no such things — we desire to 

 be as we were in the beginning of the present unhappy reign — we have 

 tried every lawful, peaceable means in our power — but all in vain! — we 

 would love them if they would suffer us — we would be peaceable, obe- 

 dient, loving subjects if they would let us; but it would seem as if the 

 present ministry were determined to cram disloyalty, and disobedience 

 down our throats — and then call us all rebels — then confiscate our 

 country and sell it, to pay their 140,000,000 of debt, or else we know 

 not what they would be at. We do in America all declare ourselves the 

 subjects of King George the third, but we never swore allegiance to 

 the Parliament of Great Britain — or else we would have above 500 Kings 

 — they are our fellow subjects, chosen by the freeholders of that island 

 to legislate for them, as our Assembly doth for Pennsylvania ; but if 

 their present claims are admitted, we may give up our Assemblies — and 

 our Charters are cyphers ! 



In the close of the last war, the King had not in all his dominions so 

 many more affectionate subjects than the Americans — and by their in- 

 dustry and trade with England, the nation rose to her present eminence ; 

 and now the very power they helped to give her is retorted on them 

 with redoubled vengeance and unheard of cruelty — but if they beat 

 down our trading cities and oppress us all they can, Ave will have our 

 woods and liberty, for as we are the descendants of Britons, we scorn to 

 he slaves. We are now come to our ne pln,s ultra — the sword, the last 

 argument must decide the controversy. Therefore, you can. Gentle- 

 men Soldiers, appeal to GOD, for the justice of your cause; he is the 

 judge of all the earth, and will do right ; the final determination of all 

 matters is in his righteous, holy, powerful hand. When England went to 

 war with France and Spain in the time of the last reign, they invoked 

 the aids of the God of heaven by fasting and prayer — and then govern- 

 ment discovered no leanings to Popery — but now, when they are going 

 to murder and butcher their own children in America, that have been so 

 obedient, useful and affectionate — we do not hear that they ask counsel 

 of God — but if they do not, let us ask counsel and assistance from the 



