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.

496 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [APPENDIX.
No X. p. 402.
AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.
It is not easy to determine at what precise date the idea of independence was first entertained by the principal persons in America.
English writers, arguing from the conduct of the colonists, have commonly charged them with secretly harbouring such designs at a very
early period. This is not probable. The spirit and form of their
institutions, it is true, led them to act frequently as an independent
people, and to set up high claims in regard to their rights and privileges, but there is no sufficient evidence to prove, that any province,
or any number of prominent individuals, entertained serious thoughts
of separating entirely from the mother country, till very near the actual commencement of the war of the revolution.
Chalmers, who had ample means of research among the papers in
the Board of Trade, and whose historical veracity claims respect, has
spoken explicitly on this subject. In reference to the change, which
took place in the affairs of the Board of Trade, in 1766, he observes; —
"None of the statesmen of that period, nor those of the preceding or
subsequent times, had any suspicion, that there lay among the documents in the Board of Trade, and Paper Office, the most satisfactory
proofs, from the epoch of the revolution in 1688, throughout every
reign, and during every administration, of the settled purpose of the
revolted colonies to acquire direct independence." -- Opinions of
Eminent Lawyers, &c. Preface, p. xvi. But this statement, unsupported as it is by the citation of any examples, is too vague for
history. It indicates the impression left on the mind of Chalmers,
but affords nothing in the nature of testimony.
Gordon relates the following anecdote of a conversation, said to
have taken place in the year 1759, between Mr. Pratt, afterwards
Lord Camden, and Dr. Franklin, but he cites no authority. —" For
all what you Americans say of your loyalty," observed Mr. Pratt, -"I
know you will one day throw off your dependence upon this country;
and, notwithstanding your boasted affection to it, will set up for inde:
pendence." Frtnklin answered, " No such idea is entertained in the
mind of the Americans; and no such idea will ever enter their heads,
unless you grossly abuse them." "Very true," replied Mr. Pratt,.
"that is one of the main causes I see will happen, and will produce
the event." - Gordon's Hist. of the Am. Revolution, Vol. I. p. 136.
As early as the year 1774, Dr. Franklin began to talk of a " total