6655. PETITIONS, Vain.—
We have supplicated
our king at various times in terms almost disgraceful to freedom; we have reasoned,
we have remonstrated with parliament
in the most mild and decent language; we
have even proceeded to break off our commercial
intercourse with our fellow-subjects,
as the last peaceful admonition that our attachment
to no nation on earth should supplant
our attachment to liberty. And here
we had well hoped was the ultimate step of
the controversy. But subsequent events have
shown how vain was even this last remain
of confidence in the moderation of the British
ministry.—
Declaration on Taking up Arms.
Ford ed., i, 470.
(July. 1775)
