Philadelphia, 3 July, 1776.
Had a Declaration of Independency been made seven months ago, it would
have been attended with many great and glorious effects. We might,
before this hour, have formed alliances with foreign states. We should
have mastered Quebec, and been in possession of Canada. You will perhaps
wonder how such a declaration would have influenced our affairs in
Canada, but if I could write with freedom, I could easily convince you
that it would, and explain to you the manner how. Many gentlemen in high
stations, and of great influence, have been duped by the ministerial
bubble of Commissioners to treat. And in real, sincere expectation of
this event, which they so fondly wished, they have been slow and languid
in promoting measures for the reduction of that province. Others there
are in the Colonies who really wished that our enterprise in Canada
would be defeated, that the Colonies might be brought into danger and
distress between two fires, and be thus induced to submit. Others really
wished to defeat the expedition to Canada, lest the conquest of it
should elevate the minds of the people too much to hearken to those
terms of reconciliation which, they believed, would be offered us. These
jarring views, wishes, and designs occasioned an opposition to many
salutary measures which were proposed for the support of that
expedition, and caused obstructions, embarrassments, and studied delays,
which have finally lost us the province.
All these causes, however, in conjunction would not have disappointed
us, if it had not been for a misfortune which could not be foreseen, and
perhaps could not have been prevented; I mean the prevalence of the
small-pox among our troops. This fatal pestilence completed our
destruction. It is a frown of Providence upon us, which we ought to lay
to heart.
But, on the other hand, the delay of this Declaration to this time has
many great advantages attending it. The hopes of reconciliation which
were fondly entertained by multitudes of honest and well-meaning, though
weak and mistaken people, have been gradually, and at last totally
extinguished. Time has been given for the whole people maturely to
consider the great question of independence, and to ripen their
judgment, dissipate their fears, and allure their hopes, by discussing
it in newspapers and pamphlets, by debating it in assemblies,
conventions, committees of safety and inspection, in town and county
meetings, as well as in private conversations, so that the whole people,
in every colony of the thirteen, have now adopted it as their own act.
This will cement the union, and avoid those heats, and perhaps
convulsions, which might have been occasioned by such a Declaration six
months ago.
But the day is past. The second[146] day of July, 1776, will be the most
memorable epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it
will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary
festival.
It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of
devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and
parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and
illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this
time forward forevermore.
You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well
aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost us to
maintain this Declaration and support and defend these States. Yet,
through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory.
I can see that the end is more than worth all the means. And that
posterity will triumph in that day's transaction, even although we
should rue it, which I trust in God we shall not.