fiery disposition, says, "I know not whether, in the whole course of my life, I ever read any thing which so much moved my pity and indignation as the late declaration of the Convention of Maryland. They declare, they shall esteem separation from Great Britain as the last of misfortunes. What! when an attempt has been made to rob you and your pofterity of your birthrights; when your fields have been laid waste, your towns have been burnt, and your citizens butchered; when your property is seized and confiscated in all parts of the world; when an inexorable Tyrant, an abandoned Parliament, and a corrupt pufillanimous People have formed an hellish league to rob you of every thing men hold most dear; is it poffible there should be creatures, who march on two legs, and call themselves human, who can be fo deftitute of sentiment, courage, and feeling, as sobbingly to protest, they shall confider separation from these butchers and robbers as the last of miffortunes?

"Oh, I could brain you with your ladies' fans."

In pursuance, however, at length of inftructions tranfmitted from all parts of the province, the Maryland Convention passed a vote in favour of Independence; and the Delegates of all the Thirteen Colonies assembled in General Congress being now unanimous, the DECLARATION of INDEPENDENCE was folemnly promulgated

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gated on the 4th of July 1776. This famous Declaration commences with the acknowledgement, "That respect to the opinions of mankind requires, that, when in the course of human events it becomes neceffary for one people to diffolve the political bands which have connected them with another, they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation; and they affert the unalterable right of the People, whenever government becomes destructive of those ends for which it is instituted, to form a new government on principles most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence indeed will dictate, that governments long established should not be changed for light and tranfient causes; and all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to fuffer while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they have

been accustomed. But when a long train of abuses

and ufurpations, pursuing invariably the fame object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty to throw off such government, and provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient fufferance of these Colonies, and fuch is now the neceffity which constrains them to alter their former system of government. The History of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and ufurpations; all having in direct object the establishment of an abfolute tyranny

over these States." In proof of this assertion, they then proceed to enumerate the particulars of his conduct in relation to America, and the oppreffive and tyrannic acts of his reign. In conclusion they say, "In every stage of these oppreffions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms; our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injuries. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. WE therefore, the Representatives of AMERICA in General Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the good people of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES, and that they are abfolved from all allegiance to the British Crown; and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is and ought to be totally diffolved: and in support of this declaration, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our facred honor."

This DECLARATION was received in every part of the continent with the loudest acclamations of applause. Amongst the most enraptured in this glorious moment of enthusiasm, was the heroic and romantic Lee, who, at this period, writing to Patrick

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Patrick Henry, Esq. Governor of Virginia, thus exultingly expresses himself: "The reveries which I confidered as mere golden castles built in the air, • at length bid fair for being realized. We shall now most probably fee a mighty empire established of freemen, whose honor, property, and military glories are not to be at the disposal of a fceptred tyrant, nor their confciences to be fettered by a proud domineering hierarchy. Every faculty of the foul will now be put in motion; every spark of ability which every individual poffefses will now be brought forth, and form the common aggregate for the advantage and honor of the com munity."

By advice of the new American Minifter, Lord George Germaine, the chief command of the vast naval and military force now collected for the fubjugation of America was entrusted to the HoWES, brothers of the gallant Nobleman who so glorioufly fell in the defence of the Colonies in the former war at Ticonderoga. "AMERICA," said the Congrefs, in one of their public declarations, "is amazed to find the name of Howe in the catalogue of her enemies-she loved his brother." It argued, however, very shallow policy to make this nomination under the idea that the found of a once popular name would cause America to waver for a moment in her determination, or in the flightest degree remit her preparations of refift

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ance: though it might indeed be reasonably queftioned, whether men supposed not unfavorably inclined to America, would be likely to make exertions equally vigorous and ardent with others not inferior in talents, who entertained no such predilection. Lord Howe, who was anxious to obtain an enlargement of his powers as Commiffioner, in order to effect his favorite purpose of pacification, did not leave England till May, and he then directed his course for Halifax, where he arrived in June; but found by a letter left for him, that his brother, the General, was already departed for New York; to which place he instantly proceeded without coming to an anchor, and reached Staten Island, the head-quarterts of the General, on the 12th of July. Here, to his inexpreffible chagrin, he was informed of the publication of the Declaration of Independency. His Lordship, however, resolved to make an effort, such as yet remained, for effecting an accommodation, though so limited were his powers, that it was in fact of very immaterial consequence whether his arrival preceded or fucceeded the Declaration, On his arrival off the Coast, his Lordship had fent ashore by a flag to Amboy a circular letter addressed to the Governors of the different Colonies, acquainting them with his appointment as Commiffioner, in conjunction with the General, together with a Declaration to the Inhabitants.