filled up the measure of their abominations, and, like ripe fruit, must soon drop from the tree. Although much is done, yet much remains to do. Expect not peace, whilst any corner of America is in possession of your foes. You must drive them away from this land of promise, a land flowing indeed with milk and honey. Your brethren at the extremities of the continent, already implore your friendship and protection. It is your duty to grant their request. They hunger and thirst after liberty. Be it yours to dispense to them the heavenly gift. And what is there now to prevent it? After the unremitted efforts of our enemies, we are stronger than before. Nor can the wicked emissaries who so assiduously labor to promote their cause, point out any one reason to suppose that we shall not receive daily accessions of strength. They tell you, it is true, that your money is of no value, and your debts so enormous they can never be paid; but we tell you that, if Britain prosecutes the war another campaign, that single campaign will cost her more than we have hitherto expended. And yet these men would prevail upon you to take up that immense load, and for it to sacrifice your dearest rights. For, surely, there is no man so absurd as to suppose that the least shadow of liberty can be preserved in a dependent connexion with Great Britain. From the nature of the thing, it is evident, that the only security you could obtain, would be the justice and moderation of a parliament who have sold the rights of their own constituents. And this slender security is still farther weakened by the consideration that it was pledged to rebels (as they unjustly call the good people of these states) with whom they think they are not bound to keep faith by any law whatsoever. Thus would you be cast bound among men whose minds, by your virtuous resist ence, have been sharpened to the keenest edge of revenge. Thus would your children, and your children's children, be by you forced to a participation of all their debts, their wars, their luxuries, and their crimes. And this mad, this impious system, they would lead you to adopt because of the derangement of your finances. It becomes you deeply to reflect on this subject. Is there a country on earth which hath such resources for the payment of her debts as America? such an extensive territory? so fertile, so blessed in its climate and productions? Surely there is none. Neither is there any to which the wise Europeans will sooner confide their property. What, then, are the reasons that your money hath depreciated? Because no taxes have been imposed to carry on the war: because your commerce hath been interrupted by your enemy's fleets: because their armies have ravaged and desolated a part of your country: because their agents have villainously counterfeited your bills: because extortioners among you, inflamed with the lust of gain, have added to the price of every article of life; and because weak men have been artfully led to believe that it is of no value. How is this dangerous disease to be remedied? Let those among you who have leisure and opportunity, collect the moneys which individuals in their neighborhood are desirous of placing in the public funds. Let the several legislatures sink their respective emissions, that so, there being but one kind of bills, there may be less danger of counterfeits. Refrain a little while from purchasing those things which are not absolutely necessary, that so those who have engrossed commodities may suffer (as they deservedly will) the loss of their ill-gotten hoards, by reason of the commerce with foreign nations, which their fleets will protect. Above all, bring forward your armies into the field. Trust not to appearances of peace or safety. Be assured that, unless you persevere, you will be exposed to every species of barbarity. But, if you exert the means of defence which God and nature have given you, the time will soon arrive when every man shall sit under his own vine and under his own fig-tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. The sweets of a free commerce with every part of the earth will soon reimburse you for all the losses you have sustained. The full tide of wealth will flow in upon your shores, free from the arbitrary impositions of those, whose interest and whose declared policy it was to check your growth. Your interests will be fostered and nourished by governments, that derive their power from your grant, and will therefore be obliged, by the influence of cogent necessity, to exert it in your favor. It is to obtain these things that we call for your strenuous, unremitted exertions. Yet do not believe that you have been, or can be saved merely by your own strength. No! it is by the assistance of Heaven, and this you must assiduously cultivate, by acts which Heaven approves. Thus shall the power and the happiness of these sovereign, free and independent states, founded on the virtue of their citizens, increase, extend and endure, until the Almighty shall blot out all the empires of the earth. Resolved, That it be recommended to ministers of the gospel of all denominations to read or cause to be read, immediately after divine service, the above address to the inhabitants of the United States of America, in their respective churches and chapels, and other places of religious worship. A petition from Jacob Gerhard Dercks was read. Ordered, That it be referred to General Washington. A letter, of the 7th, from Mr. Simeon Deane, with sundry papers enclosed, was read: Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury. 4938-07-31 THREE O'CLOCK, P. M. The committee appointed to examine into the conduct of Mr. Folger, touching a certain packet from the commissioners of these United States at Paris, which had been robbed, report,1 "That they have made as full an examination into that business as the evidence they were able to obtain would permit, and, on the whole, have no proof of any guilt in Mr. Folger:" Whereupon, Resolved, That Mr. Folger be permitted to go home, and that his expences be paid him, as well such as have been already incurred as such as may necessarily accrue on his journey home. Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee of the whole, on a provision for officers after the war; Whereupon, a motion was made to add, "Provided, also, that the foregoing resolutions shall not extend to any foreign officers, who now are or hereafter may be in the service of the United States:" A previous question was moved, whether that question be now put? ||and the yeas and nays being required,|| 1 The papers relating to this case are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 59, I, folios 69 et seq. Mr. Langworthy, no no ||So it passed in the negative.|| A motion was then made to add, "Provided, also, that the provision of half-pay shall not extend to any officer who shall take or hold any commission from any foreign prince, power or potentate, and be liable to be called into the service of the prince, power or potentate of whom he is a subject:" A previous question was moved, whether that question be now put? ||and the yeas and nays being required,|| ||So it passed in the negative.|| A letter, of the 8, from Matthew Irwin, was read:1 Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow. SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1778 A letter, of the 8, from the Board of War, was read: Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury. The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon, 'This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XIII, folio 71. |