An Address to the Inhabitants of New-York advising an open assertion of Independence with manly boldness

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When we remember that there is no principle in divinity or morality, in law or physick, but what has been controverted by some from Interest or prejudice, and that with some plausibility, we need not be greatly surprised to find, that notwithstanding the very general approbation which Common Sense and Independence have met with in these Colonies, some few should rise up and oppose them. What plainer dictate of reason, than that the mother and child are akin? Yet there have been learned, ingenious lawyers, who have argued against this with as much plausibleness as to persuade Courts that they were not akin, and to give a decision against it. What is more evident in religion, morality, and politicks, than that corruption and bribery are not for the good of the nation, and that it is very destructive for placemen and pensioners to have seats in Parliament? But though it has been often attempted to exclude them, yet it has always been negatived. It is the interest of the Court, and these Court, members, to allow them, and therefore reason and good policy are not regarded. Such Americans as depend upon, or have expectations from the British Court, most certainly will be against separation, since, as Demetrius of old (a man who understood himself well) observed, with great propriety, "by this we have our wealth."

It is supposed, not without reason, that some of the most zealous opposers of Common Sense are secret enemies to this country — Tories in disguise, who, finding that toryism is become obnoxious, have chosen dependance as a more advantageous post from which they may, with greater reputation and success, promote divisions, and defeat all the measures the Colonies have concerted. Hence it is observed, that all who were suspected to be Tories are now fierce for reconciliation, and pretend to be dreadfully afraid at the mention of Independence. They have changed their ground, but not their principles. Others are influenced by motives not so unfriendly to their country, viz: ignorance and custom; as multitudes in Popish countries are prejudiced against Protestants and reformation.

The British Constitution has been mightily extolled. But by whom? By Court Bishops and their dependants; by Court lawyers and their dependants; by placemen and pensioners. "For by this we have our wealth." But notwithstanding all the praises which such gentry, the great leaders of the nation, have lavished upon the British Constitution, any person of candour, who shall examine it with impartiality, must soon be convinced that it is far from deserving any great commendation. To pass over the great imperfections of Kingly, Government and hereditary succession, and the enormous expense which Courts require to support their extravagance, to the great oppression of the industrious poor; what right from Scripture, or reason, has the King to assume the arrogant title of Head of the Church, and to act in that capacity, when it often happens that he is not qualified to be a member of the Church? Was it not the most absurd thing in the world that King James the Second, a professed Papist, should be the head of the Protestant Church of England, to which he was the most determined enemy? or that an infant, or a woman, should be invested with this prerogative? According to the custom, (derived not from reason, but from the feudal tenures,) the lands descend to the eldest sons, who may indulge themselves in the greatest profusion, while all the rest of the children are left to shift for themselves. God Almighty is no respecter of persons; but the British Constitution gives to some to wallow in luxury to destroy themselves, and forces the greater part to live in poverty. And hence innumerable robberies and executions, which have scarce made their appearance in the Colonies, except imported from the British Constitution.

These mighty landed gentlemen are entitled by birth, to all generations, be they ever so worthless, to a seat in the House of Lords. When they are brought up in luxury, pride, and ambition, they are excellently qualified, no doubt, to be legislators. Yet such is this boasted Constitution, that legislators they must be, though they should know no more about law and right than about Arabick or fluxions. To the Lords Temporal there are added the Lords Spiritual, or the Bishops. But what reason is there for clergymen to have seats in Parliament? Are there not secular gentlemen enough to regulate the civil state of the Kingdom, without obliging the clergy to leave their proper functions

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And as to the House of Commons, who are to represent the people, they are chosen by a small pitiful handful of the inhabitants. Much the greater part of the men of property have no right to vote. for members of Parliament. The poor beggarly Boroughs send a great part of the members of the House of Commons. This is British Constitution, but as contrary to reason as light is to darkness, and utterly inconsistent with all good Government. Where, then, is the divine excellence of the British Constitution?

However, the administration upon the Constitution is still worse. The votes of the electors are bought by the candidates. By this the poor beggarly electors, many of them, have their principal support; they depend upon the sale of their votes for their subsistence. And as the members buy their seats at a vast expense, they sell it to the Minister for as high a price as they can. Reason and conscience have had but little business in Parliament these fifty years. Money determines all. Thus bribery and corruption, places and pensions, have subverted any good principles and designs of the Constitution, and reduced the State to an enormous mass of folly and wickedness, jumbled together, ready to fall into dreadful and irrecoverable ruin.

Such as are for reconciliation with Great Britain, perhaps impose upon themselves and others, by viewing the professed principles of the Constitution, or some of them, merely in theory, abstract from the present administration. But this is a most disingenuous method. They should take a full view of the whole fabrick, and then they would find a most unequal representation in the House of Commons, septennial Parliaments, and a House of Lords fit for — , and that such principles as are calculated for the good of the State, are generally subverted by the long wicked administration upon them. Now, if the Colonies should be reunited to Great Britain, it must be to her as she is now at present, where the electors are bought, and the majority of the Commons are kept in pay by the Minister, and all places of honour and profit are conferred, not according to men' s merit, by their wisdom and bravery, but as they vote, where the nation' s money is expended by millions to pervert reason and support the Minister. Now, what advantage can it, be to America to be united to such a prodigious mass of corruption, and be subject to the will of a Prime Minister, to learn from him the arts of corruption and bribery, of oppression and cruelty, to be taxed or murdered, according to his whim or caprice? We have been grievously oppressed; we have begged and prayed for relief. To what purpose? We might, we should certainly prevail, if we had more money than the Minister, and could secure more votes than he; but no hopes of redress without this. The experience of twelve years confirms this.

The appeal has been made from petitions to arms. This renders the arguments for continuing dependant, frivolous, and, indeed, ridiculous. What do arguments avail against plain facts? Upon whom do the Continental forces at Boston, New-York, and the Carolinas, depend? Upon whom do our armed vessels depend? Can any person be hardy enough to assert that they depend on his Majesty, are commissioned or employed by him, or are acting by his authority? Upon whom do the Continental Bills, that pass current in the country, depend? By whom are they emitted? If we can be weak enough to be persuaded out of our senses, and to think that we are still dependant, would it be possible to persuade the British Ministry of this, unless we had the Spanish mines to bribe and blind them? They were jealous of this long ago, and often declared we were aiming at independency, before there were any thoughts of it among us, or any appearances of it. But they must be as foolish as they are wicked, if they should believe that we are dependant on Great Britain now, when we have openly raised fleets and armies against her. Will they believe empty professions in opposition to such incontestible facts? No. They look upon us to be independent, and will reduce us to subjection if they can, just all one as if we had explicitly declared it. So that we have no reason to hope for any kind treatment from them by our connection, if any yet remains. But, by declaring independence, say the objectors, we shall

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Great Britain cannot find money enough to supply her hungry courtiers and their dependants, but has been forced to lay a tax upon us. She has lost, it is said, twenty-seven millions by this unnatural war. Where will she find millions to repair the damages done to Boston, Charlestown, Falmouth, Norfolk? Where a fund to pay the millions emitted by the Congress, on our reconciliation? Have we any reason to expect she would be able or willing to refund to us all these just damages? Not the least. Upon the scheme of dependance we must put up with our losses, and bear our expenses, which must ruin the country. But if we renounce all connection with Britain forever, unless upon the plan of common trade, as with other nations, we can then seize upon the unoccupied lands, and sell them, which will procure a sufficient fund to answer every purpose we can desire, and set us free from slavery and taxation to all generations. But without this, we have no funds, and the necessary consequence must be, that the credit of our paper currency will sink, and we shall be beggared and ruined. Independence is the only tiling that can save us.

Other nations, if we prove cowardly after all the pretences we have made, will think there is no danger in attacking us. We may depend upon it, they will put in for a share of the trade by force, or by planting Colonies. They did not know the importance of America before, but now it is held up to view to all the Courts of Europe, and carefully studied. Some of them will be ready to become our allies for a share of our trade. But if we slight that offer, and obstinately adhere to Britain, they will doubtless resent our conduct, and put in their claims the first fair opportunity. Dependance on Britain will keep our country in a perpetual state of war. But let us assert Independence and Freedom with an open and manly boldness, and we shall be a safe and happy State.

New-York, April 11, 1776,