I have this morning heard Mr. Duffield, upon the signs of the times. He
ran a parallel between the case of Israel and that of America; and
between the conduct of Pharaoh and that of George. Jealousy that the
Israelites would throw off the government of Egypt made him issue his
edict that the midwives should cast the children into the river, and the
other edict, that the men should make a large revenue of bricks without
straw. He concluded, that the course of events indicated strongly the
design of Providence that we should be separated from Great Britain,
etc.
Is it not a saying of Moses, "Who am I, that I should go in and out
before this great people"? When I consider the great events which are
passed, and those greater which are rapidly advancing, and that I may
have been instrumental in touching some springs and turning some small
wheels, which have had and will have such effects, I feel an awe upon my
mind which is not easily described. Great Britain has at last driven
America to the last step, a complete separation from her; a total,
absolute independence, not only of her Parliament, but of her crown, for
such is the amount of the resolve of the 15th.[140] Confederation among
ourselves, or alliances with foreign nations, are not necessary to a
perfect separation from Britain. That is effected by extinguishing all
authority under the crown, Parliament, and nation, as the resolution for
instituting governments has done, to all intents and purposes.
Confederation will be necessary for our internal concord, and alliances
may be so for our external defense.
I have reasons to believe that no colony, which shall assume a
government under the people, will give it up. There is something very
unnatural and odious in a government a thousand leagues off. A whole
government of our own choice, managed by persons whom we love, revere,
and can confide in, has charms in it for which men will fight. Two young
gentlemen from South Carolina in this city, who were in Charlestown when
their new constitution was promulgated, and when their new Governor and
Council and Assembly walked out in procession, attended by the guards,
company of cadets, light horse, etc., told me that they were beheld by
the people with transports and tears of joy. The people gazed at them
with a kind of rapture. They both told me that the reflection that these
were gentlemen whom they all loved, esteemed, and revered, gentlemen of
their own choice, whom they could trust, and whom they could displace,
if any of them should behave amiss, affected them so that they could not
help crying. They say their people will never give up this government.
One of these gentlemen is a relation of yours, a Mr. Smith, son of Mr.
Thomas Smith. I shall give him this letter or another to you.
A privateer fitted out here by Colonel Roberdeau and Major Bayard since
our resolves for privateering, I am this moment informed, has taken a
valuable prize. This is encouragement at the beginning.
In one or two of your letters, you remind me to think of you as I ought.
Be assured, there is not an hour of the day in which I don't think of
you as I ought, that is, with every sentiment of tenderness, esteem, and
admiration.