ADDRESSED
To the Inhabitants of the Province of
Massachusetts Bay,
January 9, 1775.
MY DEAR COUNTRYMEN,
The security of the people from internal
rapacity and violence, and from foreign invasion, is the end and design of government.
The simple forms of government are monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy; that
is, where the authority of the state is vested in one, a few, or the many. Each
of these species of government has advantages peculiar to itself,
and would answer the ends of government, were the persons intrusted
with the authority of the state, always guided, themselves, by unerring wisdom
and public virtue; but rulers are not always exempt from the weakness and
depravity which make government necessary to society. Thus monarchy is apt to
rush headlong into tyranny, aristocracy to beget faction, and multiple
usurpation, and democracy, to degenerate into tumult, violence, and anarchy. A
government formed upon these three principles, in due proportion, is the best
calculated to answer the ends of government, and to endure. Such a government
is the British constitution, consisting of king, lords and commons. . . . It is
allowed, both by Englishmen and foreigners, to be the most perfect system that
the wisdom of ages has produced. . . . An Englishman glories in being subject
to, and protected by such a government. The colonies are a part of the British empire. . . .
This doctrine is not new, but the denial of
it is. It is beyond a doubt, that it was the sense both of the parent country,
and our ancestors, that they were to remain subject to parliament. It is
evident from the charter itself; and this authority has been exercised by
parliament, from time to time, almost ever since the first settlement of the
country, and has been expressly acknowledged by our provincial legislatures. It
is not less our interest, than our duty, to continue subject to the authority
of parliament. . . .
If there be any grievance, it does not
consist in our being subject to the authority of parliament, but in our not
having an actual representation in it. Were it possible for the colonies to
have an equal representation in parliament, and were refused it upon proper
application. I confess I should think it a grievance; but at present it seems
to be allowed, by all parties, to be impracticable, considering the colonies
are distant from Great Britain a thousand transmarine leagues. If that be the
case, the right or privilege, that we complain of being
deprived of, is not withheld by Britain, but the first principles of
government, and the immutable laws of nature, render it impossible for us to
enjoy it.
Daniel Leonard