the reasonableness of the thing we ask, as on the reasonableness of
the person of whom we ask it: who would expect discretion from a
fool, candor from a tyrant, or justice from a villain?

As every prospect of accommodation seemed now to fail fast, men began
to think seriously on the matter; and their reason being thus
stripped of the false hope which had long encompassed it, became
approachable by fair debate: yet still the bulk of the people
hesitated; they startled at the novelty of independence, without once
considering that our getting into arms at first was a more
extraordinary novelty, and that all other nations had gone through
the work of independence before us. They doubted likewise the ability
of the continent to support it, without reflecting that it required
the same force to obtain an accommodation by arms as an independence.
If the one was acquirable, the other was the same; because, to
accomplish either, it was necessary that our strength should be too
great for Britain to subdue; and it was too unreasonable to suppose,
that with the power of being masters, we should submit to be
servants.* Their caution at this time was exceedingly misplaced; for
if they were able to defend their property and maintain their rights
by arms, they, consequently, were able to defend and support their
independence; and in proportion as these men saw the necessity and
correctness of the measure, they honestly and openly declared and
adopted it, and the part that they had acted since has done them
honor and fully established their characters. Error in opinion has
this peculiar advantage with it, that the foremost point of the
contrary ground may at any time be reached by the sudden exertion of
a thought; and it frequently happens in sentimental differences, that
some striking circumstance, or some forcible reason quickly
conceived, will effect in an instant what neither argument nor