Page:An Oration Delivered April 2d, 1771.djvu/13

14 they entered into mutual sacred compact, by which the price of tenure and the rules of management were fairly stated. It is in this compact that we find.

I might here enlarge upon the character of those first settlers, men of whom the world was little worthy; who, for a long course of years, assisted by no earthly power, defended their liberty, their religion and their lives against the greatest inland danger from the savage natives:—but this falls not within my present purpose. They were secure by sea.

In our infancy, when not an over-tempting jewel for the Bourbon Crown the very name of saved us; afterwards her fleets and armies. We wish not to depreciate the worth of that protection. Of our gold, yea of our most fine gold, we will freely give a part. Our fathers would have done the same. But, must we fall down and cry "let not a stranger rob and kill me, O my father! let