ABSTRACT
Posterity will hardly credit the tale, that at a time, when we were at peace with all the world, except America, there could be found a man, who, urging so disgraceful a motive as the defeat of our arms, could propose to the people of this country to acknowledge American independence. There were not, however, wanting men to vindicate this measure; while the majority of the American party only endeavoured to palliate it. The opinion of the nation became settled from this time. No man in a public situation would avow an opinion in favour of American independence; and none but a few slaves to system, whose influence was as weak as their abilities were insignificant, were heard to mutter in support of it. It is, therefore, fair, from the face of the proceedings of Congress, to conclude that America was divided upon the question of Independence.
