. Life and times of Washington. ish Constitution, and the chartersof the Colonies in general demonstrate the absolute non-existence of parliamentary supremacy (pp. 108, 109). There is no need however of this plea. The sacredrights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among oldparchments or musty records. They are written, as witha sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature, by thehand of the Divinity itself, and can never be erased orobscured by mortal power (p. 108). If Great Britain is determined to enslave us, it mustbe by force of arms; and to attempt this would be nothingless than the
. Life and times of Washington. ish Constitution, and the chartersof the Colonies in general demonstrate the absolute non-existence of parliamentary supremacy (pp. 108, 109). There is no need however of this plea. The sacredrights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among oldparchments or musty records. They are written, as witha sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature, by thehand of the Divinity itself, and can never be erased orobscured by mortal power (p. 108). If Great Britain is determined to enslave us, it mustbe by force of arms; and to attempt this would be nothingless than the grossest infatuation, madness itself. What-ever may be said of the disciplined troops of Great Britain,the event of the contest must be extremely doubtful. Thereis a certain enthusiasm in liberty that makes human na-ture rise above itself in acts of bravery and heroism. Itcannot be expected that America would yield without amagnanimous, persevering, and bloody struggle. * * *Great Britain could not spare an army of above 15,000. WASHINGTON AT THE BATTLE OF PRINCETON. LIFE AND TIMES. 689 men, * * * ^q subdue near 600,000. * * * Fortythousand will be a sufficient number to make head at atime. * * * The circumstances of our country put itin our power to evade a pitched battle. It will be betterpolicy to harass and exhaust the soldiery by frequent skir-mishes and incursions than to take the open field withthem (pp. 155, 156, 158, 159). There are many officerswho have served in the last war with reputation dispersedthrough the Colonies. These might have the superiordirection of matters; and there are men enough of knownsense and courage who would soon make excellent offi-cers (p. 160). You ask me. What resources have theColonies to pay, clothe, arm, and feed their troops? * * *France, Spain, and Holland would find means to supplyus with whatever we wanted. Let it not be said that thislast is a bare possibility. There is the highest degree ofprobability in the case. A more desirable
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