[m]en Will Be Free No Longer Then

One Battle Would Do More Towards A Declaration Of Independence Than A Long Chain Of Conclusive Arguments In A Provincial Convention Or The Continental Congress.

In A State Of Tranquility, Wealth, And Luxury, Our Descendants Would Forget The Arts Of War And The Noble Activity And Zeal Which Made Their Ancestors Invincible. Every Art Of Corruption Would Be Employed To Loosen The Bond Of Union Which Renders Our Resistance Formidable. When The Spirit Of Liberty Which Now Animates Our Hearts And Gives Success To Our Arms Is Extinct, Our Numbers Will Accelerate Our Ruin And Render Us Easier Victims To Tyranny.

The Necessity Of The Times, More Than Ever, Calls For Our Utmost Circumspection, Deliberation, Fortitude, And Perseverance.

If We Suffer Tamely A Lawless Attack Upon Our Liberty, We Encourage It, And Involve Others In Our Doom.

A General Dissolution Of Principles And Manners Will More Surely Overthrow The Liberties Of America Than The Whole Force Of The Common Enemy.