Excerpt from Collections of the New-York Historical Society for the Year 1872 If I had not the highest opinion of your Candour and liberal way of thinking, I Should not venture to ad dress myself to you, and if I was not equally perswaded of the great weight and influence, which the transcend ent abilities you possess, must naturally confer, I should not give myself the trouble of writing, nor you the trouble of reading this long letter. Since our conversa tion yesterday, my thoughts have been solely employed, on the great question, whether independence ought, or ought not to be immediately declared? Having weigh'd the arguments on both sides, I am clearly of opinion, that we must (as we value the liberties of America, or even her existence) without a moments delay declare for Independence. If my reasons appear weak you will excuse 'em, for the disinterestedness of the Author; as I may venture to affirm that no man on this Continent will sacrifice more than myself by the separation - But if I have the good fortune to offer any arguments which have escaped your acute understanding and they should make the desired impression I shall think I have render'd the greatest service to the Community. The objection you made yesterday (if I understood you right) to an immediate declaration, was by many degrees the most specious (indeed it was the only tolerable one) that I have yet heard - you say (and with great justice) that. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.