This portion of the patriots necessarily influenced the rest; those who, looking beyond the moment, saw the true issue, and properly regarded the declared objects of difference as pretexts which must suffice when the better reasons might not be expressed.

They dared not openly broach the idea of national independence, which, there is very little question that the noblest of the American patriots everywhere, though secretly, entertained from the beginning.

The people were not prepared for such a revelation--such a condition; and appearances were still to be maintained.

Their proceedings, accordingly, still wore, however loosely, a pacific aspect.

Though actively preparing for war, the professions of the patriots declared their measures to be precautionary only--a refuge, an alternative, in the event of greater oppression.