Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/216

 A92 SKETCHES OF THE

their constituents^ and representing the people in their highest sovereign capacity, the convention met on the 6th of May, 1776, in the old capitol in the city of Wil- liamsburg. Mr. Pendleton having been elected presi- dent, after having thanked the house for the honour done him, addressed them with great solemnity, in the following terms: — " We are now met in general conven- tion, according to the ordinance for our election, at a time truly critical, when subjects of the most im- portant and interesting nature require our serious atten- tion.

" The administration of justice, and almost all the powers of government, have now been suspended for near two years. It will become us to reflect whether

��oiiT inexperience, poverty in warlike stores, and the infancy of our navy, were of trifling- moment, we have ventured to neglect resources in such difficul- ties, which Heaven hath placed within our attainment.

" Alliances r».ay be formed at an easy price, capable of supplying these disadvantages, but an independent state disdains to humble herself to an equality in treaty with another, who cannot call her pohtics her own; or, to be explicit, she cannot enter into a negotiation with those who denominate themselves rebels, by resistance, and confession of a depen- dency.

" Reasons drawn from justice, policy and necessity^ are every where at hand for a radical separation from Great Britain. From justice; for the blood of those ivho have fallen in our cause cries aloud, * It is time to part.' From necessity; because she hath, of herself, repudiated us, by a rapid succession oiinmlt, injury, robbery, murder, and a formal declaration of war. These are but few, and some of the weakest arguments, which the gi-eat volume of our oppression opens to every spirited American.

" It cannot be a violation of our faith, now to reject the terms of 1763. They are a qualified slavery at best, and were acceptable to us, not as the extent of our right, but the probable cause of peace; but since the day in which they were most humbly offered, as the end of animosities, an interval hath passed, marked with tyranny intoleiMble.

" We, therefore, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do request and instruct you, our delegates (provided no just and honourable terms are offer- ed by the king) to exert your utmost ability, in the next convention, to-wards dissolving the conneocion between America and Great BritaiUy totally,

riKALLT, AND IttHEVOCABLT."

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