3438. GEORGE III., Appeal to.—
No
longer persevere in sacrificing the rights of one
part of the empire to the inordinate desires of
the other; but deal out to all equal and impartial
right. Let no act be passed by any one
legislature, which may infringe on the rights
and liberties of another. This is the important
post in which fortune has placed you, holding
the balance of a great, if a well-poised empire.
This, Sire, is the advice of your great
American council, on the observance of which
may perhaps depend your felicity and future
fame, and the preservation of that harmony
which alone can continue, both to Great Britain
and America, the reciprocal advantages of their
connection. It is neither our wish nor our
interest to separate from her. We are willing,
on our part, to sacrifice everything which reason
can ask to the restoration of that tranquillity
for which all most wish. On their part, let them
be ready to establish union on a generous plan.
Let them name their terms, but let them be just.
* * * The God who gave us life, gave us liberty
at the same time: the hand of force May
destroy but cannot disjoin them. This, Sire,
is our last, our determined resolution. And
that you will be pleased to interpose with that
efficacy which your earnest endeavours may insure
to procure redress of these our great grievances,
to quiet the minds of your subjects in
British America against any apprehensions of
future encroachment, to establish fraternal love
and harmony through the whole empire, and
that that may continue to the latest ages of
time, is the fervent prayer of all British America.—
Rights of British America. Washington ed. i, 141.
Ford ed., i, 446.
(1774)
