to protect. The preacher may tell us of passive obe- freely on every object worthy its attention, when dence, that tyrants are scourges in the hands of a the privileges of mankind are thoroughly compre righteous God to chastise a sinful nation, and are hended, and the rights of distinct societies are ob to be submitted to like plagues, famine and such jects of liberal enquiry. The rod of the tyrant no like judgments: such doctrine may serve to mis longer excites our apprehensions, and to the frown lead ill judging princes into a false security; but me of the DESPOT, which made the darker ages tremare not be harrangued out of their senses; human ble, we dare oppose demands of right, and appeal nature and self-preservation will eternally arm the to that constitution, which holds even kings in brave and vigilant, against slavery and oppression. As a despotic government is evidently produc tive of the most shocking calamities, whatever tends to restrain such inordinate power, though in itself a severe evil, is extremely beneficial to society; for where a degrading servitude is the detestable alternative, who can shudder at the reluctani poignard of a Brutus, the crimsoned axe of a Cromwell, or the reeking dagger of a Raviliac. To enjoy life as becomes rational creatures, to possess our souls with pleasure and satisfaction, we must be careful to maintain that inestimable blessing, liberty. By liberty I would be understood, the happiness of living under laws of our own mak. ing, by our personal consent, or that of our repre sen-atives.t Without this, the distinctions among mankind are but different degrees of misery; for as the true estimate of a man's life consists in conducting it according to his own just sentiment and innocent inclinations, his being is degraded below that of a free agent, which heaven has made him, when his affection and passions are no longer governed by the dictates of his own mind, and the interests of human society, but by the arbitrary, unrestrained will of another. I thank God we live in an age of rational inquisition, when the unfettered mind dares to expatiate *The ingratitude and curruption of Rome is, perhaps, in no instance, more strongly marked than in her treatment of her colonies; by their labors, toils and arms, she had reached to that summit of giorious exaltation, as to be like Britain, the won der and dread of the world; but by fatal experience those ruined colonies inculcate this serious lesson, the ambition of a DESPOT is boundless; his rapine is insatiable; the accomplishment of his conquests over his enemies, is but the introduction of slavery, with her concomitant plagues, to his friends. fetters. It is easy to project the subversion of a people, when men behold them, the ignorant or indolent victims of power; but it is difficult to effect their ruin, when they are apprised of their just claims, and are sensibly and seasonably affected with thoughts for their preservation. Gon be thanked, the alarm is gone forth,† the people are universally informed of their CHARTER RIGHTS; they esteem them to be the ark of GOD TO NEW-ENGLAND, and like hand that shall dare to touch it. that of old, may it deal destruction to the profane In every state or society of men, personal liberty and security must depend upon the collective power of the whole, acting for the general interest. If this collective power is not of the whole, the freedom and interest of the whole is not secured: If this confluent power acts by a partial delegation, * Cœlum non animum mutant, qui trans mare currwk. those blessed periods when they were most eminent The citizens of Rome, Sparta, or Lacedemon, at for their attachment to liberty and virtue, could than are to be found at this day in America; I will never exhibit brighter examples of patriotic zeal, not presume to say that the original British spirit has improved by transplanting; but this I dare affirm, that should Britons stoop to oppression, the struggles of their American brethren, will be their eternal reproach. correspondence by the town of Boston, has served †The instituting a committee of grievances and this valuable purpose: The general infraction of the rights of all the colonies, must finally reduce the discordant provinces, to a necessary combination for their mutual interest and defence: Some future congress will be the glorious source of the salvation of America: The Amphictiones of Greece, who formed the diet or great council of the states, exhibit an excellent model for the rising Ameri cans. new device is moved in the king's behalf, for aid #Lord chief justice Coke observes "when any or the like, the commons may answer, they dare The very idea of rep: esentative, deputy or trus. The novel device of fleecing the colonies, was not agree without conference with their counties." tee, includes that of a constituent, whose interest introduced in a way the constitution knows not they are ordained and appointed to promote and seof, and crammed down their throats, by measures cure; my unappointed, self constituted agent in the equally iniquitous. British parliament, has fraudulently and arbitrarily surrendered my best interest, without my privily; or consent; I do therefore hereby protest against all such powers as he shall claim in my behalf, and most solemnly discard him my service forever. Sex Lock, civil government. Risum teneatis amici. I will not alarm the sticklers for the present measures, by confronting them with more stale authorities, if they will permit me the following short but express declaration of Sidney, which they IS ANOTHER'S, may chew at leisure. No MAN CAN GIVE THAT WHICH er for a partial interest, its operation is surely no possible right to be consulted, in the disposal determinable, where its delegation ends. The constitution of England, I revere to a degree of idolatry; but my attachment is to the common weal: The magistrate will ever command my respect, by the integrity and wisdom of his ad ministrations. of his property: when a lordly, though unlettered British elector, possessed of a turnip garden, with great propriety may appoint a legislature, to assess the ample domains of the most sensible, opulent American planter. But remember, my brethren, when a people have Junius well observes, "when the constitution is once sold their liberties, it is no act of extraordi openly invaded, when the first original right of the people, from which all laws derive their authority, is directly attacked, inferior grievances naturally lose their force, and are suffered to pass by without punishment or observation." Numberless have been the attacks made upon our free constitution; numberless the grievances we now resent: but the Hydra mischief, is the violation of my right, as a BRITISH AMERICAN free. holder, in not being consulted in framing those statutes I am required to obey. nary generosity, to throw their lives and properties into the bargain, for they are poor indeed when enjoyed at the mercy of a master. The late conduct of Great Britain, so inconsistent with the practice of former times, so subver sive of the first principles of government, is sufficient to excite the discontent of the subject: the Americans justly and decently urged an exclusive right of taxing themselves, was it indulgent, conciliating, or perental conduct in that state, to exag gerate such a claim, as a concerted plan of rebellion in the wanton Americans? and by a rigorous and cruel exercise of power to enforce submission, excite such animosities, as at some future period, may produce a bitter repentance? The authority of the BRITISH Monarch over this colony was established, and his power derived from the province CHARTER; by that we are entitled to a distinct legislation. As in every government there must exist a power superior to the laws, viz. the the power that makes those laws, and from which they derive their authority:* therefore the liberty of the people is exactly proportioned to the share the body of the people have in the legislature; and the check placed in the constitution, on the part of the constitution. executive power. That state only is free, where the Where laws are framed and assessments laid withpeople are governed by laws which they have a share out a legal representation, and obedience to such in making; and that country is totally enslaved, acts urged by force, the despairing people robbed where one single law can be made or repealed, of every constitutional means of redress, and that without the interposition or consent of the people. people, brave and virtuous, must become the Can such be called a legal tax or free gift? it is rather levying contributions on grudging enslaved Americans, by virtue of an act framed and enforced, |not only without, but against their consent; there. by rendering the provincial assemblies an useless That the members of the British parliament are the representatives of the whole British empire, expressly militates with their avowed principles: property and residence within the island, alone constituting the right of election; and surely he is not my delegate in whose nomination or appoint ment I have no choice: but however the futile and absurd claim of a virtual representation, may comport with the idea of a political visionary, he must (if pousible) heighten the indignation, or excite the ridicule of a freeborn American, who by such a fallacious pretext would despoil him of his pro perty. An American freeholder, according to the just and judicious conduct of the present ministry, has Sothing, continued the corporal, can be so sweet, admiration of ages, should they not appeal to those lent to all mankind. Fear is a slender tie of subpowers, which the immutable laws of nature have jection; we detest those whom we fear, and wish destruction to those we detest; but humanity, watchfulness for the welfare of the people, conuprightness, and good faith, with an apparant stitute the permanency, and are the firmest support of the sovereign's authority; for when violence is opposed to reason and justice, courage never wants an arm for its defence. What dignity, what respect, what authority, can Britain derive from her obstinate adherence to error? she stands convicted of violating her own principles, but perseveres with unrelenting severity; we implore for rights as a grace-she aggravates our distress, by lopping away another and another darling privilege; we ask for freedom and she sends the sword? To the wisdom, to the justice, to the piety of brethren and grinning furies, glotting o'er their his most sacred majesty, I unite in my appeal with carnage, the hostile attitude of the miscreant this unbounded empire; Goo grant he may attend murderers, redoubles our resentment, and makes. to the reiterated prayer, instead of the murmur of revenge a virtue. discontent, and the frown of louring disaffection; we would universally hail him with those effusions swoln heart leap'd to execute the dreadful purBy heaven they die! thus nature spoke, and the of genuine joy, and duteous veneration, which the pose; dire was the interval of rage, fierce was the proudest DESPOT will vainly look for, from forced conflict of the soul. In that important hour, did respect or ceremonial homage. not the stalking ghosts of our stern forefathers, Parties and factions, since the days of the detest point us to bloody deeds of vengeance? did not the ed Andross, have been strangers to this land; no consideration of our expiring LIBERTIES, impel us distinctions of heart felt animosity, disturbed the to remorseless havoc? but hark! the guardian Gon peace and order of society till the malignant folly of New England issues his awful mandate, "PEACE, of a* late rancorous commander in chief, conjured BE STILL;" hush'd was the bursting war, the them from the dead: when shall this unhappy clime louring tempest frowned its rage away. Confidence be purged of its numerous plagues? when will our in that God, beneath whose wing we shelter all troubles, our feuds, our struggles cease? when will our cares, that blessed confidence released the the locusts leave the land? then, and not till then, dastard, the cowering prey: with haughty scorn peace and plenty shall smile around us; the hus. we refused to become their executioners, and bandman will labor with pleasure; and honest in- nobly gave them to the wrath of heaven: but words dustry reap the reward of its toil. can poorly paint the horrid scene*-defenceless, But let us not forget the distressing occasion of prostrate, bleeding countrymen-the piercing, this anniversary: the sullen ghosts of murdered agonizing groans-the mingled moan of weeping fellow-citizens haunt my imagination "and harrow relatives and friends-these best can speak, to up my soul;” methinks the tainted air is hung with rouse the luke-warm into noble zeal; to fire the the dews of death, while Ate, hot from hell, cries zealous into manly rage, against the foul oppression, havock, and lets slip the dogs of war. Hark! the of quartering troops, in populous cities, in times of van tenants of the grave still shriek for vengeance peace. on their remorseless butchers: forgive us heaven! should we mingle involuntary execrations, while hovering in idea over the guiltless dead. Where is the amiable, the graceful Maverick? the opening blossom is now withered in his cheek, the sprightly fire that once lightened in his eye is quenched in death; the savage hands of brutal ruffians have crushed the unsuspecting victim, and in an evil hour snatched away his gentle soul. Thou who yon bloody walk shalt traverse, there ORATION, DELIVERED AT BOSTON, MARCH 5, 1774, Virg Where is the friendly, the industrious Caldwell? he paced innoxious through the theatre of death, inconscious of design or danger, when the winged fate gored his bosom, and stript his startled soul for the world of spirits. Where are the residue of Men, brethren, fathers and fellow-countrymen!—The active citizens that were wont to tread these sacred attentive gravity, the venerable appearance of this floors? fallen by the hands of the vindictive assassins crowded audience; the dignity which I behold in they swell the horrors of the sanguinary scene. the countenances of so many in this great assemLoyalty stands on tiptoe at the shocking recollec- bly; the solemnity of the occasion upon which we tion, while justice, virtue, honor, patriotism become have met together, joined to a consideration of the suppliants for immoderate vengeance: the whole part I am to take in the important business of this soul clamors for arms, and is on fire to attack day, fill me with an awe hitherto unknown; and the brutal banditti; we fly agonizing to the horrid heighten the sense which I have ever had, of my aceldama; we gaze on the mangled corses of our unworthiness to fill this sacred desk; but, allured The Nettleham Baronet. by the call of some of my respected fellow citizens, + Hic ubi barbarus hostis," Ut fera plus valeant legibus arma facit.-Ovid de Ponto. -Multaque rubentia cæde with whose request it is always my greatest plea-are sent to enforce their mad pretensions. The sure to comply, I almost forgot my want of ability town of Boston, ever faithful to the British crown, to perform what they required. In this situation has been invested by a British fleet: the troops of I find my only support, in assuring myself that a George the III. have crossed the wide Atlantic, not generous people will not severely censure what to engage an enemy, but to assist a band of TRAITORS they know was well intended, though its want of in trampling on the rights and liberties of his most merit, should prevent their being able to applaud loyal subjects in America-those rights and liberit. And I pray, that my sincere attachment to the ties which, as a father, he ought ever to regard, interest of my country, and hearty detestation of and as a king, he is bound, in honor, to defend every design formed against her liberties, may be from violations, even at the risque of his own life. admitted as some apology for my appearance in this place. Let not the history of the illustrious house of Brunswick inform posterity, that a king, descend I have always, from my earliest youth, rejoiced ed from that glorious monarch, George the II. once in the felicity of my fellow-men; and have ever sent his British subjects to conquer and enslave considered it as the indispensable duty of every his subjects in America, but be perpetual infamy member of society to promote, as far as in him entailed upon that villain who dared to advise his lies, the prosperity of every individual, but more master to such execrable measures; for it was easy especially of the community to which he belongs; to foresee the consequences which so naturally and also, as a faithful subject of the state, to use his followed upon sending troops into America, to enutmost endeavors to detect, and having detected, force obedience to acts of the British parliament, strenuously to oppose every traitorous plot which which neither God nor man ever empowered them its enemies may devise for its destruction. Security to make. It was reasonable to expect that troops, to the persons and properties of the governed, is who knew the errand they were sent upon, would so obviously the design and end of civil govern- treat the people whom they were to subjugate, ment, that to attempt a logical proof of it, would with a cruelty and haughtiness, which too often be like burning tapers at noonday, to assist the sun buries the honorable character of a soldier, in the disin enlightening the world; and it cannot be either graceful name of an unfeeling ruffian. The troops, upvirtuous or honorable, to attempt to support a go- on their first arrival, took possession of our senatevernment, of which this is not the great and princi-[house, and pointed their cannon against the judgpal basis; and it is to the last degree vicious and ment hall, and even continued them there whilst infamous to attempt to support a government, the supreme court of judicature for this province which manifestly tends to render the persons and was actually sitting to decide upon the lives and properties of the governed insecure. Some boast fortunes of the king's subjects. Our streets nightly of being friends to government; I am a friend to resounded with the noise of riot and debauchery; righteous government, to a government founded our peaceful citizens were hourly exposed to upon the principles of reason and justice; but I shameful insults, and often felt the effects of their glory in publicly avowing my eternal enmity to violence and outrage.-But this was not all: as tyranny. Is the present system, which the British though they thought it not enough to violate our administration have adopted for the government civil rights, they endeavored to deprive us of the of the colonies, a righteous government? or is it enjoyment of our religious privileges; to viciate tyranny?-Here suffer me to ask (and would to our morals, and thereby render us deserving of Heaven there could be an answer) what tenderness, destruction. Hence the rude din of arms which what regard, respect or consideration has Great broke in upon your solemn devotions in your temBritain shewn, in their late transactions, for the ples, on that day hallowed by heaven, and set security of the persons or properties of the in-apart by God himself for his peculiar worship. habitants of the colonies? or rather, what have Hence, impious oaths and blasphemies so often they omitted doing to destroy that security? they tortured your unaccustomed ear. Hence, all the have declared that they have, ever had, and of arts which idleness and luxury could invent, were right ought ever to have, full power to make laws used to betray our youth of one sex into extravaof sufficient validity to bind the colonics in all gance and effeminacy, and of the other to infamy and cases whatever: they have exercised this pretended ruin; and did they not succeed but too well? did right by imposing a tax upon us without our con-not a reverence for religion sensibly decay? did sent; and lest we should shew some reluctance at not our infants almost learn to lisp out curses beparting with our property, her fleets and armies fore they knew their horrid import? did not our youth forget they were Americans, and regardless from ruin, even a guilty villian, forever actuate the of the admonitions of the wise and aged, servilely noble bosoms of Americans! But let not the miscopy from their tyrants those vices which finally creant host vainly imagine that we feared their must overthrow the empire of Great Britain? and arms. No; them we despised; we dread nothing must I be compelled to acknowledge, that even but slavery. Death is the creature of a poltroon's the noblest, fairest part of all the lower creation | brains; 'tis immortality to sacrifice ourselves for did not entirely escape the cursed snare? when the salvation of our country. We fear not death. virtue has once erected her throne within the That gloomy night, the pale faced moon, and the female breast, it is upon so solid a basis that noth-affrighted stars that hurried through the sky, can ing is able to expel the heavenly inhabitant. But have there not been some, few indeed, I hope, whose youth and inexperience have rendered them a prey to wretches, whom, upon the least reflec. tion, they would have despised and hated as foes to God and their country? I fear there have been some such unhappy instances; or why have I seen an honest father cloathed with shame; or why a virtuous mother drowned in tears? witness that we fear not death. Our hearts which, at the recollection, glow with rage that four revolv ing years have scarcely taught us to restrain, can witness that we fear not death; and happy it is for those who dared to insult us, that their naked bones are not now piled up an everlasting monument of Massachusetts' bravery. But they retired, they fled, and in that flight they found their only safety. We then expected that the hand of public justice would soon inflict that punishment upon the murBut I forbear, and come reluctantly to the transderers, which, by the laws of God and man, they had actions of that dismal night, when in such quick incurred. But let the unbiassed pen of a Robertsuccession we felt the extremes of grief, astonish-son, or perhaps of some equally famed American, ment and rage; when Heaven in anger, for a dread-conduct this trial before the great tribunal of sucful moment suffered hell to take the reins; when ceeding generations. And though the murderers Satan with his chosen band opened the sluices of may escape the just resentment of an enraged peoNew England's blood, and sacrilegiously polluted ple; though drowsy justice, intoxicated by the our land with the dead bodies of her guiltless poisonous draught prepared for her cup, still nods sons Let this sad tale of death never be told upon her rotten seat, yet be assured, such compli without a tear: let not the heaving bosom cease cated crimes will meet their due reward. Tell to burn with a manly indignation at the barbarous me, ye bloody butchers! ye villians high and low! story, through the long tracts of future time: let ye wretches who contrived, as well as you who exevery parent tell the shameful story to his listening ecuted the inhuman deed! do you not feel the children 'til tears of pity glisten in their eyes, goads and stings of conscious guilt pierce through and boiling passions shakes their tender frames; your savage bosoms? though some of you may think and whilst the anniversary of that ill-fated night is yourselves exalted to a height that bids defiance kept a jubilee in the grim court of pandemonium, to human justice, and others shroud yourselves belet all America join in one common prayer to hea neath the mask of hypocrisy, and build your hopes ven, that the inhuman, unprovoked murders of the of safety on the low arts of cunning, chicanery and fifth of March, 1770, planned by Hillsborough, and falsehood; yet do you not sometimes feel the knawa knot of treacherous knaves in Boston, and execu-ings of that worm which never dies? do not the inted by the cruel hand of Preston and his sangui-jured shades of Maverick, Gray, Caldwell, Attucks nary coadjutors, may ever stand on history with and Carr, attend you in your solitary walks, arrest out a parallel. But what, my countrymen, with- you even in the midst of your debaucheries, and fill held the ready arm of vengeance from executing even your dreams with terror? but if the unappeasinstant justice on the vile assassins? perhaps you ed manes of the dead should not disturb their mur. feared promiscuous carnage mignt ensue, and that derers, yet surely even your obdurate hearts must the innocent might share the fate of those who had shrink, and your guilty blood must chill within performed the infernal deed. But were not all your rigid veins, when you behold the miserable guilty? where you not too tender of the lives of Monk, the wretched victim of your savage cruelty. those who came to fix a yoke on your necks? but I Observe his tottering knees, which scarce sustain must not too severely blame a fault, which great his wasted hody; look on his haggard eyes; mark souls only can commit. May that magnificence of well the death-like paleness on his fallen cheek, spirit which scorns the low pursuits of malice, may and tell me, does not the sight plant daggers in that generous compassion which often preserves your souls? unhappy Monk! cut off in the gay morn |