Chapter XXVI
Declaration of Independence Discussed. 492-517
The Author’s sympathy with the Colonists, and advocacy of their rights as British subjects, and their
right to defend them by force of arms 492
Preliminary remarks on the impolicy and injustice to many thousands on both sides of the Atlantic
of the Declaration of Independence 493
The pure and exalted character of the advocates of Colonial rights, and high eulogy upon them and
their descendants, by the Earls of Chatham and Shelburne, both of whom were opposed to the
separation of the Colonies from the mother country 494
Homage to the motives and patriotism of the fathers of American Independence; the provocation
which they had received; the successes of the Colonists on the field of battle before the Declaration of Independence, and their disasters afterwards; but for having committed themselves to such Declaration,
they would to all appearance have obtained within a twelvemonth all they had desired, without the
shedding of blood, without the unnatural alliance with France, much less a war of seven years 495
I. The Declaration of Independence a renunciation of all the principles on which the General Congress,
Provincial Legislatures and Convention professed to act from the beginning of the contest; proofs
and illustrations 496
II. The Declaration of Independence was a violation of good faith to those statesmen and numerous
other parties in England who had, in and out of Parliament, defended and supported the rights and
character of the Colonies during the whole contest; proofs and illustrations 499
III. The Declaration of Independence was also a violation, not only of good faith, but of justice to the
numerous Colonists who adhered to connexion with the mother country; proofs and illustrations 501
IV. The Declaration of the 4th of July, 1776, was the commencement of persecutions and proscriptions
and confiscation of property against those who refused to renounce the oaths which they had taken,
as well as the principles and traditions which had until then been professed by their persecutors and
oppressors as well as by themselves; proofs and illustrations 504
The plea of tyranny (in a note) 504
Numbers, character, and position of Loyalists at the time, as stated by American writers; laws passed
against them 504
The beneficial results of the Congress had it adhered to the former principles of its members, and acted
justly to all parties 507
V. The Declaration of Independence was the commencement of weakness in the army of its authors,
and of defeats in their field of battle; proofs and illustrations 508
VI. The Declaration of Independence was the avowed expedient and prelude for an alliance with France
and Spain against the Mother Country; proofs and illustrations; the secret and double game played
between the Congress and France, both before and after the Declaration of Independence 513