Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

the subject (some few excepted) with the least reference to principles of reason, humanity or justice. Passion and prejudice are their only guides; and these, as you may imagine, generally mislead them. In the mean time, the Ministry unvail their designs with a grossness, that one would think nothing but ignorance made drunk could overlook or mistake. Yet I assure you the Arming Irish Roman Catholics to butcher their Protestant fellow subjects, does not appear to give the least alarm or offence. I can therefore only repeat, what I have often said, America must trust to her own firmness and unanimity to save her from distraction. Corruption has such influence here, and dissipation of the most unlimited kind has so detached them from all serious considerations, that they are truly homines ad Servitudinem parati. The high reverence I always entertained for the English name and virtue has made me struggle long against the evidence of facts, that is now become irresistable. Let us, while we drop a pious tear over the fallen virtue and majesty of this People, learn to shun their fate; and remember, that the Liberty that is won by virtue, by virtue only can be preserved. I have understood that, urged by the inexorable resolution of Administration to Arm every hand Scotch, Hessian and Hanoverian, Irish Papists, French Roman Catholics, and Savage Indians for your destruction; and all this with the acquiescence at least of the People, it is in Contemplation, upon your last Petition proving fruitless, to declare a dissolution of all Connection with this Country. This is a Measure of great Consequence, and deep consideration. My opinion, you know, has been ever against a disunion of the two Countries, as big with inevitable danger to both. At the same time, I would remit no endeavor to ascertain and fix the terms and limits of our Union upon clear and solid ground. While these are Vague and arbitrary, America must be perpetually harrassed and grieved. (The State of the question will be very naturally altered when,

instead of resisting oppression and contending for the recovery of former subordinate rights, you are fighting avowedly for independent Sovereignty. In the former, you will always have a party here for you, and the Body of the People will at worst be Neuter. But in the latter, this whole Nation must be united, earnest, and active to subdue you. It cannot therefore be prudent to hazard the effecting that, which the Ministry and your Enemies most wish; unless you are assured of foreign support to counteract its effects.) And even then, my rooted affection for the stock from which we sprung, the consideration of the danger of being severed from those whose religion, Constitution, sentiments and habits form so natural and strong a Connection, and to which the powers that would offer you assistance are adverse would incline me not to adopt such a Measure but as the last resource. Arms have been taken up avowedly to vindicate Old, not to establish new rights. Until such a prosecution of oppressive and ruinous Measures shall have actually taken place, as to cancel all former obligation, render all hope of redress and reconciliation obscured, and make it manifest to all the world that no other Alternative is left but independence or Slavery; the Declaration of the former will make the reasons given for taking up Arms appear a pretext only, and so far prejudice the justice of your Cause in the estimation of impartial Nations, as perhaps to be of material injury. The Supremof Parliament you have acknowledged to all the World, in the most solemn manner. Yet events certainly may happen, on which you may say, with one of the ablest and most Authoritative Authors, on the rights of Nations, Mons De Vattell, Mais ce haut attribut du souverain n'empêche pas que la Nation ne puisse réprimer un tyran insupportable, le juger même, en respectant, dans sa personne, la Majesté de son rang, et se soustraire à son obéissance. C'est à ce droit incontestable, qu'une puissante République doit sa naissance. La Tyrannie exercée par

acy

Philippe 2 dans les Pays-Bas, fit soulever ces provinces, sept d'entre elles, étroitement confédérées, Maintinrent courageusement leur liberté, sous la conduite des héros de la Maison d'Orange, et l'Espagne, après de vains et ruineux efforts, les a reconnues pour des états souverains et independans. Si l'autorité du Prince est limitée and reglée par les loix fondamentales, le Prince, en sortant des bornes qui lui sont préscrites, commande sans aucun droit, sans titre même. La Nation n'est point obligée de lui obéir, elle peut resister à ses entreprises injustes. Dés qu'il attaque la constitution de l'Etat, le Prince rompt la contrat qui lioit le peuple à lui; le peuple devient libre par le fait du Souverain, et ne voit plus en lui qu'un usurpateur, qui voudroit l'opprimer. Cette verité est reconnue de tout Ecrivain sensé dont la plume n'est point asservie à la crainte, ou vendue à l'intérêt. Such is the decided and pertinent opinion of this great, good, and wise man. But still there can be no harm in Manifesting the least reluctance to take such a step, and letting the reasons be glaring to all the World.

You will perceive the evasion about not answering the Petition, because it was received upon the Throne. The objection was made after its having been presented in the usual Manner. It was contradicted by the Answer given repeatedly (Dr Franklin knows) to Petitions from Massachusetts Bay. The distinction is itself new and arbitrary. If you Petition again, perhaps you may think proper to order it to be presented on the Throne only While you Acknowledge the King, and your Connection, Petitioning Notwithstanding its fruitlessness seems to be Politic and proper. It will shew a disposition to harmony and peace, which is always laudable. The oftener your petitions are rejected, the more truly may you say, as the Samnites did to the Romans* justum est Bellum, ubi necessarium; et pia arma, ubi nulla nisi in armis relinquitur spes; or as Jugur

* Livii, Lib. IX. § i.

tha said to the same people - Crudelissima ac superbissima Gens, Sua omnia, Suique arbitrio facit. Cum quibus bellum, cum quibus pacem habeamus, se modum imponere æquum censent.

By this time Virginia we are told is visited by some of the ratio ultima Regum from Boston, to second La Dunmores pious intentions against it. "Tis also said, that some of the Troops to be sent from hence are destined against you. There is no part but what must feel the vengeance of Administration, and after having excited a resistance, which they call Rebellion, in the Northern Provinces, they seem determined to kindle the same in the South. It is certain that their utmost power is to be put forth next Spring, both by Sea and Land, for your destruction.

Let me again entreat you not to let any outrages practised by those Commanders who are sent upon this Nefarious business of Administration, against the Laws of Nations, make you descend from that dignity and Magnanimity which ought to distinguish your cause and Character. Rather let the Noble example of Scipio sway you, as it is recorded by Livy (lb. 30. ch. 25) in the following speech. Etsi non induciarum modò fides à Carthaginiensibus, sed jus etiam gentium in legatis violatum esset; tamen se nihil, nec institutis Populi Romani, nec suis moribus indignum in iis facturum esse. He therefore dismissed their ambassadors in Safety. Remember that upon your conduct now, will your Character among all Civilized Nations be formed for justice and Magnanimity.

SEPT 224 1775.

God bless you

Adieu.

Addressed to Col°* R. H. L. Chantilly Westmoreland County.

F. L. L. should open this letter if R. H. L. is not at home and then forward it to R. H. L. to Philadelphia or wherever he is.

* Richard Henry Lee.

Francis Lightfoot Lee.

[ocr errors]

COPY OF LETTER TO COLONEL RICHARD HENRY LEE.

I am afraid the most Wicked Machinations of Governor Dunmore have by this time, involved you in the horrors of War. What the Ministry intend against you and the rest of America, cannot be exactly ascertained before the meeting of Parliament. Probably they have not yet determined upon the exact mode of executing their Vengeance. You will do wisely however in preparing for the utmost extremity that the most unprincipled and deepest revenge can suggest. It is said, and I believe with truth, that the War is to be carried into Virginia, as well as in the Northern Provinces, next Spring. This Winter will be employed in providing every means that can Shield you from the destruction to which your merciless Enemies have destined you. Some precautions will be taken, relative to your Negroes; some fortifications, in the places by Nature most inaccessible, for Magazines and Refuge will be made. Cannot the Capes, by the Co-operation of the two Colonies, be rendered impassable? Should not alarm Houses be erected there, as as well [as] at the Mouths of the Rivers? No precautions can be too great against the dangers that threaten you, especially as no one can tell what foreign foes, taking the advantage of the present State of things, may invade you.

The utmost industry of the Ministry is employed to inflame mens minds here, especially by publishing General Gage's accusations of Savageness and barbarity in Carrying on the War, on the part of the Provincials. These

Accusations, like those of Barnard & Hutchinson are made in such general terms, as admit not of a specific refutation, and in a general denial, his word is more likely to gain credit than that of those he Accuses.

Whatever may be the real sentiments of People here in

« AnteriorContinuar »