Page:American History Told by Contemporaries, v2.djvu/478

450 By depriving whole colonies of the bounty of providence on their own proper coasts ; in order to coerce them by famine.

By restricting the trade and commerce of America.

By sending to, and continuing in America, in time of peace, an armed force without, and against the consent of the people.

By granting impunity to a soldiery instigated to murder the Americans.

By declaring, that the people of Massachusetts Bay are liable for offences, or pretended offences done in that colony, to be sent to, and tried for the same in England, or in any colony, where they cannot have the benefit of a jury of the vicinage.

By establishing in Quebec the Roman Catholic religion, and an arbitrary government ; instead of the Protestant religion and a free government. . . . Thus forced to take up arms in our own defence, America yet again most dutifully petitioned the king that he would 'be pleased to direct some mode, by which the united applications of his faithful colonists to the throne, in presence of their common councils, might be improved into a happy and permanent reconciliation ; and that in the mean time, measures might be taken for preventing the further destruction of the lives of his majesty's subjects :' — But, it was in vain ! . ..

In this enlightened age, humanity must be particularly shocked at a recital of such violences ; and it is scarce to be believed, that the British tyranny could entertain an idea of proceeding against America, by a train of more dishonourable machinations. But nothing less than absolute proof has convinced us, that in the carrying on the conspiracy against the rights of humanity, the tyranny is capable of attempting to perpetrate whatever is infamous. . ..

... Oh Almighty director of the universe ! What confidence can be put in a government ruling by such engines, and upon such principles of unnatural destruction ! A government, that on the 21st day of December last, made a law, ex post facto, to justify what had been done, not only without law, but in its nature unjust ! a law to make prize of all vessels trading in, to, or from the United Colonies ; a law to make slaves of the crews of such vessels, and to compel them to bear arms against their conscience, their fathers, their bleeding country ! The world, so old as it is, heretofore had never heard of so attrocious a procedure. It has no parallel in the registers of tyranny. . ..

. . . our liberties and safety cannot be depended upon, if the King of Great Britain should be allowed to hold our forts and cannon ; or to