I have shown that the authority of the British Parliament, which is the supreme Legislature of the empire, extends over these colonies, which are parts of that empire. I have shown the extreme danger of undue opposition to that authority, which, either by exerting itself against us, or giving us up to our own government, will equally involve us in misery and destruction. I have shown, that by a peaceable and loyal conduct, we may procure for

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ourselves, and perhaps for our sister colonies, a more perfect system of government than that which we had hi herto enjoyed, which was indeed better calculated for our infant stale, than for the present period of our present maturity, a period that requires, at the same time, more liberty and a stricter government I have, therefore, Mr. Speaker, nothing more to add, than that, if contrary to my hopes and my most ardent wishes ; if, contrary to the honor and dignity of this house; if, contrary to the dictates of humanity, and to the duty which we owe to our constituents and our country, you adopt the unjust and destructive measures of the congress, and by that means, involve our country in a civil war, the most dreadful calamity that can befall a people, I hereby declare my honest indignation to that measure, and now call Heaven and the house to witness, that I am guiltless of the blood of my fellow subjects that will be shed upon the occasion. I am guiltless of the ruin of my country.