Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/411

] was sufficient to convince all that the time for decision had arrived. Americans must resolve now to purchase freedom at the cost of a long and expensive war.

While men's minds were deeply stirred on this eventful topic, and while they mused, with various feelings, on the subject of, the pamphlet of Thomas Paine, entitled "Common Sense," made its appearance. Paine, though an Englishman, was an ardent republican; and the style, manner and matter of his pamphlet were calculated to interest the passions, and to rouse all the energies of human nature. With a view of operating on the sentiments of a religious people, Scripture was pressed into his service, and the powers, and even the name of a king was rendered odious in the eyes of the numerous colonists who had read and studied the history of the Jews, as recorded in the Old Testament. The folly of that people in revolting from a government instituted by Heaven itself, and the oppressions to which they were subjected in consequence of their lusting after kings to rule over them, afforded an excellent handle for prepossessing the colonists in favor of republican institutions, and prejudicing them against kingly government. Hereditary succession was turned into ridicule. The absurdity of subjecting a great continent to a small island on the other side of the globe, was represented in such striking language, as to interest the honor and pride of the colonists in renouncing the government of Great Britain. The necessity, the advantage, and practicability of independence were forcibly demonstrated. Nothing could be better timed than this production; it was addressed to freemen, who had just received convincing proof, that Great Britain had thrown them out of her protection, had engaged foreign mercenaries to make war upon them, and seriously designed to compel their unconditional submission to her unlimited power. It found the colonists most thoroughly alarmed for their liberties, and disposed to do and suffer any thing that promised their establishment. In union with the feelings and sentiments of the people, it produced surprising effects. Many thousands were convinced, and were led to approve and even, long for a separation from the mother country.

At the south, the proceedings of Lord Dumnore stirred up great opposition. Most of the royal governors remained inactive in the midst of popular excitement, but the governor of Virginia was determined to do something in behalf of the cause of the ministry. Several steps which he took roused the ire of the Virginians, and among other things he held put threats of proclaiming liberty to the slaves, destroying the town of Williamsburg, and the like. The people held frequent assemblies. Some of them took up arms to force the governor to restore the powder, and to get the public money into their own possession.

Lord Dunmore was so much intimidated by these resolute proceedings on the part of the people, that he sent his family on board a man-of-war. He himself, however, issued a proclamation in which he declared the behavior