Prejudices and Prepossessions are stubborn Things in all Cases; but in none more peculiarly obstinate, than in relinquishing detached Parts of an unwieldy, extended Empire; there not being, I believe, a single Instance in all History, of any Nation surrendering a distant Province voluntarily, and of free Choice, notwithstanding it was greatly their Interest to have done it. The _English_ in particular have given remarkable Proofs of their Unwillingness. For tho' it was undeniably their Interest to have abandoned all the Provinces which they held in _France_, yet they never gave up one of them, 'till they were compelled to it by Force of Arms. Now indeed, and at this Distance of Time, we see clearly, that our Fore-Fathers were wretched Politicians in endeavouring to retain any one of the _French_ Provinces, which, if it was a little one, would be a continual Drain, and perhaps an encreasing Expence; and if it was a great one, might grow up to be a Rival, and become the Seat of Empire. I say, we can see these Things clearly enough at present: Yet alas! what Advantages do we derive from this Discovery? And what Application do we make of such historical _Mementos_ to the Business of the present Day? The remotest of our Provinces in _France_ were hardly 300 Miles distant from our own Coasts; the nearest of those in _America_ are about 3000. The Provinces in _France_ were already fully peopled, and peopled for the most Part by Inhabitants extremely well affected at that Time to the _English_ Government: Whereas the Deserts of _America_ require first to be peopled by Draughts either from ourselves, or from our _European_ Customers; and then when these Emigrants have been settled for a Generation or two, they become native _Americans_, who naturally forget the Supremacy of that Country, with whose Government they have so little Connections, from whose Seat of Empire they are so far distant, whose ruling Power they so seldom feel (and therefore do not regard) and consequently whose Claims they consider as so many audacious Attempts to rob them of their beloved Independence.