The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 10
History
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 10
United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources
In whatever light the Article respecting the tories may be viewed in
America, it is considered in Europe as very humiliating to Britain,
and therefore as being one, which we ought in honor to perform and
fulfil with the most scrupulous regard to good faith, and in a manner
least offensive to the feelings of the King and Court of Great
Britain, who upon that point are extremely tender.
The unseasonable and unnecessary resolves of various towns on this
subject, the actual expulsion of tories from some places, and the
avowed implacability of almost all who have published their sentiments
about the matter, are circumstances, which are construed, not only to
the prejudice of our national magnanimity and good faith, but also to
the prejudice of our governments.
Popular committees are considered here, as with us, in the light of
substitutes to constitutional government, and as being only necessary
in the interval between the removal of the former and the
establishment of the present.
The constitutions of the different States have been translated and
published, and pains have been taken to lead Europe to believe, that
the American States, not only made their own laws, but obeyed them.
But the continuance of popular assemblies, convened expressly to
deliberate on matters proper only for the cognizance of the different
legislatures and officers of government, and their proceeding not only
to ordain, but to enforce their resolutions, has exceedingly lessened
the dignity of the States in the eyes of these nations.
To this we may also add, that the situation of the army, the
reluctance of the people to pay taxes, and the circumstances under
which Congress removed from Philadelphia, have diminished the
admiration, in which the people of America were held among the nations
of Europe, and somewhat abated their ardor for forming connexions with
us, before our affairs acquire a greater degree of order and
consistence.
Permit us to observe, that in our opinion, the recommendation of
Congress, promised in the fifth Article, should immediately be made in
the terms of it, and published, and that the States should be
requested to take it into consideration, as soon as the evacuation by
the enemy shall be completed. It is also much to be wished, that the
legislatures may not involve all the tories in banishment and ruin,
but that such discrimination may be made, as to entitle the decisions
to the approbation of disinterested men and dispassionate posterity.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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