: and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle, must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favour to that kind of Providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? or do we no longer need his assistance? I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth; that God governs in the affairs of men: and if a sparrow cannot fall without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, sir, in the Sacred Writings, that " Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe, without his concurring aid, we shall proceed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel: we shall be divided by our little partial local interests, our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a by-word down to future ages; and what is worse, mankind may hereafter, from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing government by human wisdom, and leave it to chance, war, and conquest. I there fore beg leave to move, “That henceforth, prayers, imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessing on our delibera. tions, be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to business; and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service." SPEECH IN THE CONVENTION AT THE CONCLUSION OF ITS DELIBERATIONS. MR. PRESIDENT, I CONFESS that I do not entirely approve of this constitution at present: but, sir, I am not sure I shall never approve it; for having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged, by better information, or fuller consideration, tỏ change opinions, even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise. It is, therefore, that the older I grow the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment, and to pay inore respect to the judgment of others. Most men, indeed, as well as most sects in religion, think themselves in possession of all truth, and that whenever others differ from them it is so far error. Steel, ä protestant, in a dedication, tells the pope, that "the only difference between our two churches, in their opinions of the certainty of their doctrines, is, the Romish church is infallible, and the church of England never in the wrong." But, though many private persons think almost as highly of their own infallibility as of that of their sect, few express it so naturally as a certain French lady, who, in a little dispute with her sister, said, "I do not know how it happens, sister, but I meet with nobody but myself that is always in the right. Il n'y a que moi qui a toujours raison.” In these sentiments, sir, I agree to this constitution, with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general government necessary for us, and there is no form of government but what may be a blessing if well administered; and I believe farther, that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government, being incapable of any other. I doubt, too, whether any other convention we can obtain may be able to make a better constitution: for when you assemble a number of men, to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views. From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected? It therefore astonishes me, sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does; and I think it will astonish our enemies, who are waiting with confidence to hear that our councils are confounded, like those of the builders of Babylon, and that our states are on the point of separation, only to meet hereafter for the purpose of cutting each other's throats. Thus I consent, sir, to this constitution, because I expect no better, and because I am not sure that this is not the best. The opinions I have had of its errors I sacrifice to the public good. I have never whispered a syllable of them abroad. Within these walls they were born, and here they shall die. If every one of us, in returning to our constituents, were to report the objections he has had to it, and endeavour to gain partisans in support of them, we might prevent its being generally received, and thereby lose all the salutary effects and great advantages resulting naturally in our favour among foreign nations, as well as among ourselves, from our real or apparent unanimity. Much of the strength and efficiency of any government, in procuring and securing happiness to the people, depends on opinion; on the general opinion of the goodness of that government, as well as of the wisdom and integrity of its governors. I hope, therefore, that for our own sakes, as part of the people, and for the sake of our posterity, we shall act heartily and unanimously in recommending this constitution, wherever our influence may extend, and turn our future thoughts and endeavours to the means of having it well administered. On the whole, sir, I cannot help expressing a wish, that every member of the convention, who may still have objections, would, with me, on this occasion, doubt a little of his own infallibility, and, to make manifest our unanimity, put his name to this instrument. [The motion was then made for adding the last formula, viz. Done in Convention, by the unanimous consent, &c. which was agreed to, and added accordingly.] INDEX. Page Observations concerning the increase of mankind, peo- pling of countries, &c. 3 12 17 Plan for benefiting distant unprovided countries. On luxury, idleness, and industry On smuggling, and its various species Observations on war On the impress of seamen On the criminal laws, and the practice of privateering Account of the highest court of judicature in Pennsyl- . 20 25 31 37 42 44 48 56 61 67 79 81 Causes of the American discontents before 1768. rica. A Prussian edict, assuming claims over Britain On sending felons to America. A dialogue between Great Britain, France, Spain, Hol- Remarks concerning the savages of North America dཅ ⌘ |