You charge my country with "daring and badgering you to battle." The truth is, we sent commissioners to you, respectfully offering a peaceful separation, before the first gun was fired on either aide.

You say we insulted your flag.

The truth is, we fired upon it, and those who fought under it, when you came to our doors upon the mission of subjugation.

You say we seized upon your forts and arsenals, and made prisoners of the garrisons sent to protect us against negroes and Indians.

The truth is, we, by force of arms, drove out insolent intruders and took possession of our own forts and arsenals, to resist your claims to dominion over masters, slaves, and Indians, all of whom are to this day, with a unanimity unexampled in the history of the world, warring against your attempts to become their masters.