challenge, not a single advantage is derived. Our corn
will fetch its price in any market in Europe, and our
imported goods must be paid for buy them where we will.

But the injuries and disadvantages we sustain by that
connection, are without number; and our duty to mankind
at large, as well as to ourselves, instruct us to renounce
the alliance: Because, any submission to, or dependance
on Great-Britain, tends directly to involve this continent
in European wars and quarrels; and set us at variance
with nations, who would otherwise seek our friendship,
and against whom we have neither anger nor complaint.
As Europe is our market for trade, we ought to form no
political connection with any part of it. It is the true in-
terest of America to steer clear of European contentions,
which she never can do, while by her dependance on Bri-
tain, she is made the make-weight in the scale of British
politics.

Europe is too thickly planted with kingdoms to be long
at peace, and whenever a war breaks out between England
and any foreign power, the trade of America goes to ruin,
because of her connection with Britain. The next war may not
turn out like the last, and should it not, the advocates for re-
conciliation now, will be wishing for separation then, be-
cause, neutrality in that case, would be a safer convoy than a
man of war. Everything that is right or natural pleads for
separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of
nature cries, ’TIS TIME TO PART. Even the distance
at which the Almighty hath placed England and America,
is a strong and natural proof, that the authority of the one,
over the other, was never the design of Heaven. The time
likewise at which the continent was discovered, adds weight
to the argument, and the manner in which it was peopled
encreases the force of it. The reformation was preceded
by the discovery of America, as if the Almighty gra-
ciously meant to open a sanctuary to the persecuted in
future years, when home should afford neither friendship
nor safety.

The authority of Great-Britain over this continent, is a
form of government, which sooner or later must have an end :
and a serious mind can draw no true pleasure by looking
forward, under the painful and positive conviction, that
what he calls “ the present constitution ” is merely tempo-