“3dly.  Because they have uniformly laboured to conquer this Continent, rejecting every idea of accommodation proposed to them, from a confidence in their own strength.  Wherefore it is evident, from the change in their mode of attack, that they have lost this confidence.  And,

“4thly.  Because the constant language, spoken not only by their Ministers, but by the most public and authentic acts of the nation, hath been, that it is incompatible with their dignity to treat with the Americans while they have arms in their hands.  Notwithstanding which, an offer is now about to be made for treaty.

“The wickedness and insincerity of the enemy appear from the following considerations: 

“1st.  Either the Bills now to be passed contain a direct or indirect cession of a part of their former claims, or they do not.  If they do, then it is acknowledged that they have sacrificed many brave men in an unjust quarrel.  If they do not, then they are calculated to deceive America into terms, to which neither argument before the war, nor force since, could procure her assent.

“2dly.  The first of these Bills appears, from the title, to be a declaration of the intentions of the British Parliament concerning the exercise of the right of imposing taxes within these States.  Wherefore, should these States treat under the said Bill, they would indirectly acknowledge that right, to obtain which acknowledgment the present war has been avowedly undertaken and prosecuted, on the part of Great Britain.

“3dly.  Should such pretended right be so acquiesced in, then of consequence the same might be exercised whenever the British Parliament should find themselves in a different temper and disposition; since it must depend upon those, and such like contingencies, how far men will act according to their former intentions.

“4thly.  The said first Bill, in the body thereof, containeth no new matter, but is precisely the same with the motion before mentioned, and liable to all the objections which lay against the said motion, excepting the following particular, viz. that by the motion, actual taxation was to be suspended, so long as America should give as much as the said Parliament might think proper:  whereas, by the proposed Bill, it is to be suspended as long as future Parliaments continue of the same mind with the present.

“5thly.  From the second Bill it appears, that the British King may, if he pleases, appoint Commissioners to treat and agree with those, whom they please, about a variety of things therein mentioned.  But such treaties and agreements are to be of no validity without the concurrence of the said Parliament, except so far as they relate to the suspension of hostilities, and of certain of their acts, the granting of pardons, and the appointment of Governors to these sovereign, free, and independent States.  Wherefore, the said Parliament have reserved to themselves, in express words, the power of setting aside any such treaty, and taking the advantages of any circumstances which may arise to subject this Continent to their usurpations.