OCR Text |
Show [118] [no] BY fome accidents in the conveyance of this proclaman tion, it was a long time before it came oflicially to Conw grels, though it had been re-publiflrcd from the NewYork papers in thofe of the United States. As ioon, however, as it arrived, it produced the following folemu appeal : and the fevereit injuries have been aggravated by the groliett infult. ‘ " FOILED in their vain attempt to fubjngate the un« Conquerable fpirit of fretdum, they have meiinly afliiilcd the rcpt‘eientatives of America with bribes, with deceit, H E S E United States having been driven to hoftilitics by the opprcflive and tyrannous mealitres of Great Britain; having been compelled to conn and the lirrvility of adulation. 'l‘hey have made a mock of humanity, by the wanton deltruétion of men : They have made a mock of rtligion, by impious appeals to (ind wliilft in the violation of his lacrcd commands : They have made a mock evtn of rcaton ittclf', by endeavoring to prove, that the liberty and happinels of America could lately be entrutted to thole who have fi/J l/Mir own, unawcd by the niit the eilential rights 01. man to the dtcilion of arms; {cute of virtue or of lhame. By 1/» C O N G R E S S of {be [IV/riled Slates (f flnmrim, lVlANIFES'I‘O. and having been at length forced to (bake of? a yoke which had grown too burthentome to bear, they declared them- {elves free and independent. " Cowrlnmc in thejuiticc of their caufe; confiding in H [M who dilpoles of human events, although weak and unprovided, they let the power of their enemies at defiance. " TREATED with the contempt which fuch conduet deferved, they have applied to individuals : They have folicited them to break the bonds of allegiance, and imbue their fouls with the blackefi: of crimes : But, fearing:r that none could be found through thefe United States equal to the wickednefs of their purpofe, to influence weak minds, they have threatened more wide dcvattation. " lb: this confidence they have continued through the various fortune of three bloody campaigns, unawcd by the power, unfubdued by the batbaiity of their foes. 'l‘hcir virtuous citizens have borne, without repining, the lots of many things which make life delirable. 'l‘heir brave troops have patiently endured the hardthips and dangers of a fituation, fruitful in both beyond former example. " "Tints the {hadow of hope remained, that our enemies could be taught by our example to rclpect tlioie laws which are held lacred among civilized nations, and to comply with the dictates of a religion which they pretend in common with us to believe and to revere, they have been left to the influence of that religion and that example. But {ince their incorrigible dilpolitions cannot be touched " THE Congrcfs, confidering themfelvcs bound to love their enemies, as children of that Being who is by kindnefs and compaliion, it becomes our duty by other means to vindicate the rights of humanity. equally the Father ot'all; and defirous, lince they could not prevent, at lead to alleviate, the calamities of war, " WE, therefore, the Congrefs of the United States of have {tudicd to fpare thofe who were in arms againit them, and to lighten the chains of captivity. America, do {olernnly declare and proclaim, that it‘our enemies prcftunc to execute their threats, or perlil't in their prclcnt career of barbarity, we will take fuch exemplary " THE conduct of thofe ferving under the king of Great-Britain bath, with form: few exceptions, been vengeance as that] deter others from a like coiidtiét. diametrically oppoiite. the rectitude of our intentions; and in his holy pretence we declare, that as we are not moved by any light and haiiy {tiggeltions of anger or revenge, f0 through‘every poflible 'l‘hey have laid walte the open country, burned the thlCllCt'leS villages, and butchered the citizens of America. 'l‘heir priions have been the Ilauéhter-houtts of her lOldiers, their fliips of her {cumina ant \‘r'e appeal to that God who fearcheth the hearts of men, for ‘ "Mix-van" "2"" -1" |