Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms
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out the least charge to the country from which they removed, by unceasing
labor, and an unconquerable spirit, they effected settlements in the distant
and inhospitable wilds of America, then filled with numerous and warlike
nations of barbarians.—Societies or governments, vested with perfect legislatures, were formed under charters from the crown, and an harmonious intercourse was established between the colonies and the kingdom
from which they derived their origin. The mutual benefits of this union
became in a short time so extraordinary, as to excite astonishment. It is
universally confessed, that the amazing increase of the wealth, strength,
and navigation of the realm, arose from this source; and the minister,
who so wisely and successfully directed the measures of Great-Britain in
the late war, publicly declared, that these colonies enabled her to triumph
over her enemies.—Towards the conclusion of that war, it pleased our
sovereign to make a change in his counsels.—From that fatal moment,
the affairs of the British empire began to fall into confusion, and gradually sliding from the summit of glorious prosperity, to which they had
been advanced by the virtues and abilities of one man, are at length distracted by the convulsions, that now shake it to its deepest foundations.—
The new ministry finding the brave foes of Britain, though frequently defeated, yet still contending, took up the unfortunate idea of granting them
a hasty peace, and of then subduing her faithful friends.
These devoted colonies were judged to be in such a state, as to present
victories without bloodshed, and all the easy emoluments of statutable
plunder.—The uninterrupted tenor of their peaceable and respectful behavior from the beginning of colonization, their dutiful, zealous, and
useful services during the war, though so recently and amply acknowledged in the most honorable manner by his majesty, by the late king, and
by parliament, could not save them from the meditated innovations.—
Parliament was influenced to adopt the pernicious project, and assuming
a new power over them, have in the course of eleven years, given such
decisive specimens of the spirit and consequences attending this power,
as to leave no doubt concerning the effects of acquiescence under it.
They have undertaken to give and grant our money without our consent, though we have ever exercised an exclusive right to dispose of our
own property; statutes have been passed for extending the jurisdiction
of courts of admiralty, and vice-admiralty beyond their ancient limits; for