The Massachusetts Spy, Or, Thomas's Boston Journal

To the PEOPLE of ENGLAND.

It is evident the British empire now trembles on the brink of ruin.---Civil war, confusion and destruction, are inevitable, if administration continue to invade the rights of the Americans; and therefore our most serious and attentive consideration should be applied to the great affair of restoring and preserving union and harmony between Britain and America. It might be demonstrated by a million of reasons, that Britain cannot long rule the Americans by mere power, and hold them in servile subjection. This continent is more than an hundred times larger than Great Britain; and according to the present increase of the people, in less than a century they will exceed fifty millions. Can it be supposed that this vast people will be slaves and vassals of tyrants in Britain? Surely no man of any consideration can entertain such a thought. But as distant danger does not affect ministerial men who "live by the hour," and are eager in pursuit of fortunes and plunder, let us consider that your danger is near, and now even at the door. It is well known that (under Providence) interest governs all nations; and it is an important question, How can the colonies affect your interest, and the interest of other nations, for the grand purpose of securing the liberties of America? The answer is short, and convincing; the colonies will withhold their trade from you, and give it to other nations. This stroke of policy will be effectual and decisive; and as it is seen to be the only thing which will answer the grand purpose of preserving Liberty, it will be pursued with ardour, and persevered in with firmness. To demonstrate the practicability of this measure, let it be considered and seriously attended to, that the Trade of America is a prize for which the commercial states will all contend, and embrace every opportunity to acquire, therefore by this will the Americans command respect, alliances, and the fleets of Europe. British ships cannot block up all the ports of America, which are extended more than three thousand miles on the atlantic ocean, and are commodious for the commerce of the world. Such is the fertility of America, the people never can be starved into a submission to tyranny by the modern scheme of blocking up; and their internal strength is greatly superior to any force that ever can be sent against them. They could at any time in the space of ten days assemble an army of fifty thousand men; and a great part of them experienced in war; the last war with Canada having disciplined vast numbers of men who are now qualified for any command, or any action. It is in the nature and common course of things, utterly impossible that Britain (or any other nation) should subdue the combined force of the Americans; she may injure and distress them for a short time, but they will at last rise superior to all her arts to deceive and efforts to subdue; and the day that crowns their liberty (if they are obliged to gain it by force) will seal her doom. But I will dwell no longer on the gloomy idea of Britain's fall. It is my warmest wish, next to the liberty of America, that she may live forever. And I will now attempt to point out the means by which her prosperity, and that of the whole empire, may be increased and made permanent.

To impose arbitrary government on any part of the empire, particularly America, which is so extensive and important a part, will destroy that equilibrium which is the basis of the whole, by forming a separate interest, and thereby take away all motives to preserve the union, in those who are deprived of liberty, which will cut the bond of empire, and like the once august Roman empire, it will be split into different kingdoms and commonwealths.---Therefore the equilibrium, equal liberty, must be preserved in every member of the great body, the first and essential principle of government. The empire standing upon these great principles of equity and equality, no just cause would ever exist for disunion between Britain and America; and the British dominions might, upon this basis of justice and liberty, extend farther and farther to the remotest regions of the earth; and Britain remain the centre of union, wealth, and splendour; reigning sovereign of the ocean, and mistress of the world..-- Reason and interest would be the cords of union, while all the colonies received nothing but justice and mercy from Britain, and they would then love the parent country, and glory (as they have done in time past) in her prosperity and magnificence--; she would rise in proportion to the increase of the colonies; and the American navigation would be a growing nursery for seamen to man the British navy, as well as a source of wealth to support it. In short, while union and harmony are preserved between the two countries, no nation can ever vie with the English---o--and the blessings that would accrue to the empire from such a system of liberty and justice, cannot be numbered nor named they are so many and great!

Englishmen! you were once too generous and brave to enslave others, or be enslaved yourselves---may your ancient ardour for LIBERTY arise, and animate your bosom with passions godlike as your Sires!

CONSIDERATION.