muſt be imputed the interruption of commerce, and the miſeries of war, the ſorrow of thoſe that ſhall be ruined, and the blood of thoſe that ſhall fall.
Since the Americans have made it neceſſary to ſubdue them, may they be ſubdued with the leaſt injury poſſible to their perſons and their poſſeſſions. When they are reduced to obedience, may that obedience be ſecured by ſtricter laws and ſtronger obligations.
Nothing can be more noxious to ſociety, than that erroneous clemency, which, when a rebellion is ſuppreſſed, exacts no forfeiture and eſtabliſhes no ſecurities, but leaves the rebels in their former ſtate. Who would not try the experiment which promiſes advantage without expence? If rebels once obtain a victory, their wiſhes are accompliſhed; if they are defeated, they ſuffer little, perhaps leſs than their conquerors; however often they play the
