THE animated appearance of this numer­ous audience, the joy visible in every countenance, the universal display of satisfaction, pervading this Metropolis, speak the occasion for which we are as­sembled.

IN perusing the ample page of History, the eye is often led to survey the Revolutions of mighty States and Empires. The causes which have produ­ced these great Phenomena are fraught with lessons instructive to mankind. Among others none is more conspicuous, than that Oppression has uniformly ge­nerated a spirit of Freedom. Had this important maxim been remembered, Monarchs would not so of­ten have tottered on their thrones, nor so large a por­tion of mankind at this day have tasted the blessings of Liberty. It is unnecessary to enter into the na­ture [Page 4] and end of civil government, to evince that men, though willing to surrender some of their natu­ral privileges, to enjoy the benefits of society, still reserved to themselves, certain rights, in their na­ture sacred and unalienable. And though venal wri­ters (nurtured in the idea that Kings are born to rule, and Men to obey) have treated the doctrine as the dream of visionary Democracy, the experience of modern times teaches, that when these rights are in­fringed, brave men will never fail to resist.

THE Declaration of American Independence is one of those great AEras in the history of mankind, pregnant with such important consequences as well to posterity as ourselves, that an inquiry into the causes which gave it birth, is naturally suggested. In doing this it may be useful to mark with precision the first dawnings of that spirit of oppression, which gradually ripening into acts of Tyranny, terminated in the dismemberment of a vast Empire. From the original emigration of our ancestors from Great-Bri­tain, the policy of that country towards them for a long series of years, was founded solely on the princi­ple of commercial advantage. The right of regulat­ing trade so as best to sub serve the ^* mutual interest [Page 5] of both countries, was all they pretended to claim.—This right however illegal was tacitly submitted to, as long as the good resulting from its exercise out­weighed the evil. Until the arrival of the fatal peri­od which induced a deviation from this policy, the commercial benefits she reaped from the Colonies, were immense; and we can scarcely believe that in the year ^† 1772, her export trade to America was nearly equal to what she carried on at the beginning of the century with the whole world!

AT this time Great-Britain had reached the zenith of national glory, her fleets rode triumphant in every quarter of the globe, and the terror of her arms kept the European world in awe.

HAD she continued to keep in view, the means by which she had risen to that glory, she would not now deplore the loss of so valuable a portion of her Empire, nor should we, My Friends, so soon have had reason to rejoice, on an occasion so glorious as the present. But in the conduct of nations as well as in­dividuals, we always discover the traits of human im­perfection. As early as the year 1764, when Great-Britain [Page 6] had scarcely emerged from a long and expen­sive War, in which an enormous debt had accumula­ted, a weak, short-sighted Ministry, deluded by the suggestions of designing men in this country, con­ceived the fatal project of drawing from America, a revenue by direct internal taxation.

FORGETTING in one moment the wise policy, under the influence of which they had seen the Colo­nies increase, with a rapidity unparalleled in the growth of any former country, ^* unmindful of the immense advantages of an exclusive trade; the nation listened to the wretched expedient.

THE ridiculous and false ^† pretence that as we were planted by their care and nourished by their in­dulgence, we ought to share in the publick burden, was swallowed with avidity. For the paltry advantage of being cased in a small degree of the weight of their debt, they consented to the violation of one of the first principles of their Constitution, "That no tax should be levied on the subject but by his consent or [Page 7] that of his Representative in Parliament." Vari­ous and disgraceful were the expedients employed by the Ministry, to obtain the consent of the nation in the pursuit of this their favourite object.

To an audience so well informed, it would be needless to enumerate the various oppressive acts of Parliament, framed in pursuance of the original plan, all grounded on the false idea of a right to bind us in all cases. In contempt of Petitions, dictated by the purest loyalty, in opposition to the sentiments of the wisest and best ^* men in the nation; an obstinate Mi­nistry pursued the phantom, with undeviating vigour. An uniform system of arbitrary measures was invari­ably pursued on one side, and firmly resisted on the other.

THE insulted colonies were compelled, no lon­ger to regard Great-Britain as the kind parent who had boasted that she had reared and protected them; but saw her arm extended, to wrest from them those rights, which as Englishmen they had been taught to hold sacred.

[Page 8] VARIOUS were the causes, which combined to produce an early resistance to these measures.

OUR ancestors happily for us their posterity, left Great-Britain at a period of her history, when the slavish doctrines of non-resistance and passive obedi­ence were growing out of fashion; and brought with them those principles of Liberty, and that spirit of Freedom which afterwards enabled their descendants to check the first inroads of arbitrary power. This spirit thus early imbibed, was effectually aroused at the Stamp Act, and though at [...]he repeal of that odious measure, it seemed for a moment to subside, it burst out afresh whenever new occasions called for its exertions.

ACCUSTOMED, from their earliest establishment, to Forms of Government little short of Indepen­dent, subject only to checks, which being rarely ex­erted, were scarcely felt, they were more readily alarmed at the slightest attempts on their liberties. Having felt the effects of civil and religious perse­cution, they early saw the necessity of instilling principles of resistance into their offspring, and their excellent institutions for the education of youth, may be ranked among the most powerful causes that led to the Revolution.

[Page 9] BUT I pass to the more immediate causes which brought on the great Event we this day celebrate.

THE tragick scene acted on the memorable plains of Lexington, taught Americans what they might expect, from a nation intoxicated with pow­er, and determined to enslave them. Hosts of fo­reign mercenaries, the disgraceful tools of Tyrants, were employed to enforce their arbitrary edicts, and the Day rapidly advanced, in which we were compelled to withdraw our allegiance from that power, which had long before withdrawn its pro­tection.

LET p [...]rity be informed, that on that day when our Country was invaded by one of the most powerful nations on earth, without foreign aid, or internal resource, a band of Patriots, the Representa­tives of an injured people, sanctioned the great De­cree which gave existence to an Empire. This im­portant Declaration was not dictated by ambitious leaders grasping at supreme power; by men who meant to raise themselves on the ruins of that allegi­ance they had abjured; but by the unanimous voice of three millions of Freemen presering death to ser­vitude. [Page 10] As often as this great Event is brought to our view the distinguished Patriot who has so long and honorably presided in this Commonwealth, will call for our warmest acknowledgments. The con­spicuous part he took at this all-important crisis has justly secured him the wreath of immortality.

To detail the occurrences of the long and bloody war, which terminated so gloriously for our country, would be to open wounds already closed, but justice to the long train of HEROES who fought in defence of the dearest rights of men de­mands the tribute of our grateful remembrance. May their illustrious atchievements in the cause of virtue endear them to posterity.

NOR can we in calling to mind this eventful period withhold the tribute of applause from the Illustrious Man, under whose command our Patriot Army, were so often led to victory and success. The mingled sensations of gratitude and admiration which croud on the mind, at the recollection of his impor­tant services, render it impossible to do justice to his exalted character. While gratitude retains her seat in the human breast; posterity shall enrol the name of WASHINGTON among the great Benefactors of Mankind!

[Page 11] FROM the Treaty of Peace until the adoption of our present form of National Government, the affairs of America wore a gloomy aspect. The disjointed fabrick of our union was tending fast to dissolution. The Articles of Confederation, framed while we were young in the science of politicks, were ineffectual to secure us in the possession of those blessings, we had so nobly obtained. Disunion threatened us on all sides, and the friends of Liberty in both hemispheres anxiously dreaded the approaching catastrophe. But lights and shades are sound blended in the great Por­trait of human affairs. The glory of America though dimmed, was not [...]guished. I ulled to rest in the arms of a slothful peace, the readily awoke at the call of danger. The native and sense of her sons was again aroused and brought into action. A Council was called, composed of Heroes, who had shed their blood in defence of Freedom, and Sages, who by their counsels had aided the same cause.

THE result of their deliberations is well known. At this crisis America exhibited an example digni­fying to human nature. Thirteen Independent Sov­ereignties, differing in climate, manners and habits, assembling for the purpose of reconciling their clash­ing [Page 12] interest, mutually sacrificing private prejudice on the altar of public good, agreeing on a form of Gov­ernment that should bind the whole, is an instance without a parallel.

WITHOUT adducing particular examples, [...] the history of all ages informs us, that Revolutions in Government have been uniformly attended with con­vulsions in the State.

BLOODSHED, and the violation of the rights of property, have been too often the fatal preludes to the establishment of peace and good order.

THE magnanimity which gave existence to the National Government, [...] been less conspi­cuous, in its unanimous adoption, and the ready obe­dience which has attended it in every stage of its progress. And this we owe to the enlightened state of our country.

TAUGHT a useful lesson from past experience, they readily acquiesce in the administration of a Gov­ernment, which sedulously guarding against the abuse of power on one hand, vests the supreme head with that authority only, which is essential to the preserva­tion of publick happiness. It is not my business here, to pass an encomium on the Federal Constitution. [Page 13] The pleasing aspect of our publick affairs is its best eulogium.

IN a period short of three years, we have seen our country raised from contempt, to the important rank she now holds among the nations of the earth. Our national faith is redeemed and established on a permanent foundation. The value of every species of property has appreciated. The husbandman, no lon­ger groaning beneath the weight of taxes, enjoys in peace the abundant fruit of his labours. Commerce also begins to rear [...] drooping head; new sources of wealth are daily opening to her view; her har­bours are thronged with Ships, pouring into her lap, the rich exuberance of every clime. Manufactures thrive, our publick [...] of [...] of Learning flourish; and the voice of [...] is heard throughout the land!

THESE, My Friends, are some of the happy ef­fects which have already flowed from the Auspicious Epoch we now celebrate. Nor are the happy effects of the American Revolution confined to us alone. Influenced by our glorious example, Nations who have for ages languished under the galling yoke of despotism, begin to assert their native rights. The [Page 14] heart of every American must exult that the Gallant Nation who so generously aided us in our struggle for Freedom begin to reap its happy fruits. Let us con­gratulate the Illustrious Leaders of the French Revolu­tion, on the success which has hitherto attended their virtuous efforts, in the cause of mankind! No longer, in that happy country, shall the liberty of the subject, depend on the will of a vindictive Minister, or the caprice of an offended Favourite. No more shall the treasures of the nation be exhausted in decking the sumptuous palaces of lordly Prelates, but hence­forth employed, in promoting those useful Arts and Sciences, which adorn and dignify a nation.

NOR shall the progress of Liberty stop here—Let us indulge the pleasing [...] that the period is fast approaching, when the [...]motest corners of the earth shall catch the fla [...]. That Countries, where now the wretched vassal bows his neck to some imperious Lord, shall hear the glorious sound, and burst those chains asunder which have so long held [...] in ignominious bondage.—When man shall no longer be the slave, of man—but the principle "That [Page 15] men are born free and equal," shall be recognized throughout the world!

IF we look around us what ample reason have we to rejoice. While carnage and devastation mark the footsteps of armies, in some parts of the earth, and ^* thousands are massacred [...] blood to satiate the revenge of a cruel conqu [...]r; we enjoy tran­quillity under one of the best forms of government human wisdom has devis [...] Locally remote from the causes of quarrel which drench the European world in blood, what have we to do, but cultivate in peace those virtues which make a nation great as well as happy? The GODDESS OF LIBERTY has conde­scended to reside among us—Let us cherish the love­ly guest; for where with the find an asylum if driven from these happy shorts? To look before us—a field presents itself, over which the excursive wing of Fancy might fear unwearied. In a few years our extensive [...] shall be crouded with Ships, charged with [...] produce of yes unfurrowed soils. On the banks [...] where human footstep yet has never trod, cities shall rear their gilded spires!. The track­less [Page 16] wilderness where now the tawny Aboriginals in frantic yells celebrate their orgies, shall become the peaceful abodes of civilized life! And America shall be renowned for the feat of Science and the Arts, as she already has been for the wisdom of her Councils, and the valour of her Arms!