making any Sacrifice of Dignity, but still 14 I wou'd hear them if possible, because if they can offer Peace on admissible terms I believe the great majority of America wou'd still be for accepting it; If they can only offer Pardons & that is fully ascertained it will firmly Unite all America in their exertions to support the Independance they have declared . . . If they offer or desire a Conference & we reject it, those who are already dissatisfyed will become more so and others will follow their example & we may expect daily greater disunion & defection in every part of these States, at least such are my apprehensions on this Subject—I have uniformly voted against & opposed the declaration of Independance because in my poor oppinion it was an improper time and will neither promote the interest or redound to the honor of America, for it has caused division when we wanted Union, and will be ascribed to very different principles than those, which ought to give rise to such an Important measure I did expect my Conduct on this great Question wou'd have procured my dismission from the great Council but find myself disapointed for the Convention have thought proper to return me in the New Delegation, and altho, my interest & inclination prompt me to decline the Service Yet I cannot depart from one point that first induced me to enter in the Public line. I mean an oppinion that it is the duty of every Individual, to Act his part, in whatever Station his Country may Call him to, in times of difficulty danger & distress, whilst I think this a duty I must submit, altho the Councils of America have taken a different course from my Judgment & wishes-I think

an individual that declines the Service of his Country because its Councils are not conformable to his Ideas, makes but a bad Subject, a good one, will follow if he cannot lead . . . This being Sunday Morning & in the Country I have spun out this letter to a length not common with me now adays I beg my Comp" to the Genl I dined in Company with M Washington yesterday at Coll Harrisons & expect her here at dinner to day[.]"

Jasper Charlton, at "Cuffnell's ", writes, August 24th, to James Iredell: "[I] Although politics is a subject of conversation I would by choice decline, yet I cannot help giving you my sentiments respecting the most interesting event which has as yet occurred, I mean independency. My idea of it is simply this, that America. is as yet too young to effect her own salvation, more especially when respect is had to the tempers, complexions, and various conditions of its inhabitants. I think this business (if ever manageable) should have fallen into the hands of an united, robust and populous posterity; and that at present she may be compared to a tender plant, by no means able to withstand the many rude shocks that a most inclement season will give it. God knows what the womb of time may produce. I will therefore quit a topic that awakens all my fears, and brings to my idea a train of melancholy events, and disastrous consequences."

Indeed, Rev. Jacob Duche, in a letter to Washington, dated Philadelphia, October 8, 1777, writes: "[NM] I was however prevailed upon among the rest of my Clerical Brethren in this City to gratify the pressing

Desire of

my

fellow Citizens by preaching a Sermon to one of the City Battalions. I was pressed to publish this Sermon & reluctantly consented . . . .. My Sermon speaks for itself and wholly disclaims the Idea of Independency. My Sentiments were well known to my Friends. I communicated them without reserve to my Friends many respectable Members of Congress, who expressed their Approbation of them. I persisted to the last Moment in using the Prayers for our Sovereign though threatened with Insult from the violence of a party- Upon the Declaration of Indepency I called my vestry & solemnly put the Question to them whether they thought it best for the peace & welfare of the Congregations to shut up the Churches or to continue the Service without using the Prayers for the royal Family. This was the sad alternative. I concluded to abide by their Decision, as I could not have time to consult my spiritual Superiors in England. They determined it most expedient under such Critical Circumstances to keep open the Churches that the Congregations might not be dispersed which we had great reason to apprehend — A very few days after that fatal Declaration of Independence I rec a letter from Mr Hancock . . . acquainting me that I was appointed Chaplain to the Congress and desired to attend them at 9 o'Clock the next morning. Surprised and distressed by an Event, I was not prepared to expect, obliged to give an immediate answer without the opportunity of Consulting my Friends, I rashly accepted the appointment. I could have but one motive for taking this Step. I thought the Churches in Danger and hoped by this means to

have been instrumental in preventing those Ills I had so much reason to apprehend I can however with truth declare that I then looked upon Independency rather as an Expedient and a hazardous one-indeed thrown out in Terrorem in order to procure some favorable Terms, than a measure that was to be seriously persisted in at all Events . . . Upon the return of the Committee of Congress appointed to confer with Lord Howe I soon discovered their real intention . . . that Independency was the Idol they had long wished to set up . . . . . From this Moment I determined upon my Resignation and in the beginning of October 1776 sent it in Form to M Handcock after having officiated only two Months & three Weeks and from that time as far as my Safety would permit I have been opposed to all their Measures."

Rush writes, April 8, 1777: "[Rid] The declaration. of independance was said to have divided & weakened the colonies — The contrary of this was the case. Nothing but the signing, & recognising of the declaration of independance preserved the congress from dissolution in Decemr 1776 when Howe marched to the Delaware. Maryland had instructed her delegates to concur in an Accommodation notwithstanding any measure (meaning independance) to the contrary. But further the declaration of independance produced a secession of tories — timid-moderate & double minded men from the counsels of America in consequence of which the congress as well as each of the states have possessed ten times the vigor and strength they had formerly [.]"

15 The Governor of Halifax received the Declaration of Independancy, about four weeks since, but would not permit the poor dupe of a printer (had he ever so good a mind) to publish any more of it than barely the last clause, where it says; 'We therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America in General Congress assembled, Do, &c. &c.' And his reason (as we are credibly informed) was because it may gain over to them (the rebels) many converts; and inflame the minds of his Majesty's loyal and faithful subjects of the province of Nova-Scotia.'

16 Tuesday last arrived Capt. M'Kay from St. Christophers... He says the inhabitants of St. Christophers continue warmly attached to our cause, and that their reigning toasts are, WASHINGTON, LEE, and INDEPENDENCY to America."

The Declaration appeared in The London Chronicle (PH), and extracts from it in The Daily Advertiser (C), also of London, of August 17th.17

The Gentleman's Magazine, etc., (C) published in the same city, for August, also contains the Declaration, and the statement: "In the preceding part of this Magazine the reader will find the Declaration of Independency issued by the American Congress, with a recapitulation of the grievances which have forced them into that desperate measure. Whether those grievances were real or imaginary, or whether they did or did not deserve a parliamentary enquiry, we [Sylvanus Urban] will not presume to decide. The ball is now struck, and time. only can shew where it will rest.'