Page:Common sense - addressed to the inhabitants of America.djvu/50

42 all denominations of men. And on this ground, as men labouring to etablih an Independent Contitution of our own, do we exceed all others in our hope, end and aim. Our plan is peace for ever. We are tired of contention with Britain, and can ee no real end to it but in a final eparation. We act conitently, becaue for the ake of introducing an endles and uninterrupted peace, do we bear the evils and burthens of the preent day. We are endeavouring, and will till continue to endeavour, to eparate and diolve a connexion which hath already filled our land with blood; and which, while the name of it remains, will be the fatal caue of future michiefs to both countries.

We fight neither for revenge nor conquet, neither from pride nor paion; we are not inulting the world with our fleets and armies, nor ravaging the globe for plunder. Beneath the hade of our own vines are we attacked; in our own houes, and on our own lands, is the violence committed againt us. We view our enemies in the character of Highwaymen and Houebreakers, and having no defence for ourelves in the civil law, are obliged to punih them by the military one, and apply the word in the very cae where you have before now applied the halter.Perhaps we feel for the ruined and inulted ufferers in all and every part of the Continent, with a degree of tendernes which hath not yet made its way into ome of your booms. But be ye ure that ye mitake not the caue and ground of your tetimony. Call not coldnes of oul religion; nor put the Bigot in the place of the Chritian.

O ye partial miniters of your own acknowledged principles, if the bearing arms be inful, the firt going to war mut be more o, by all the difference between wilful attack and unavoidable defence. Wherefore, if ye really preach from concience, and mean not to make a political hobby-hore of your religion, convince the world thereof, by proclaiming your doctrine to our enemies, for they likewie bear. Give us proof of your incerity by publihing it at St. James's, to the Commanders in Chief at Boton, to the Admirals and Captains who are piratically ravaging our coats, and to all the murdering micreants who are acting in authority under whom ye profes to erve. Had ye the honet oul of, ye would preach repentance to your King; ye would tell the Royal Wretch his ins, and warn him of eternal ruin: Ye would not pend your