The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

4ET. 42.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 131
friend, to tell you, that you are abused, grossly abused.
This I advance with a degree of confidence and boldness, which may claim your belief, having better opportunities of knowing the real sentiments of the people
you are among, from the leaders of them, in opposition to the present measures of the administration,
than you have from those whose business it is, not
to disclose truths, but to misrepresent facts in order to
justify as much as possible to the world their own
conduct. Give me leave to add, and I think I can
announce it as a fact, that it is not the wish or interest
of that government, or any other upon this continent,
separately or collectively, to set up for independence;
but this you may at the same time rely on, that none
of them will ever submit to the loss of those valuable
rights and privileges, which are essential to the happiness of every free state, and without which, life, liberty, and property are rendered totally insecure.
"These, Sir, being certain consequences, which
must naturally result from the late acts of Parliament
relative to America in general, and the government of
Massachusetts Bay in particular, is it to be wondered
at, I repeat, that men, who wish to avert the impending blow, should attempt to oppose it in its progress,
or prepare for their defence, if it cannot be averted?
Surely I may be allowed to answer in the negative;
and again give me leave to add as my opinion, that
more blood will be spilled on this occasion, if the ministry are determined to push matters to extremity, than
history has ever yet furnished instances of in the annals
of North America, and such a vital wound will be
given to the peace of this great country, as time itself
cannot cure, or eradicate the remembrance of."
What is here said, in regard to independence, is
confirmed by the address of the first Congress to the