Non-PRO English to Greek Science

have often said that I supposed a declaration of independence would
be accompanied with a declaration of high treason: most certainly it
must immediately and without the least delay follow it. Can we
subsist? Did any state ever subsist without exterminating traitors? I
never desire to see high treason extended here further than it is now
extended in Britain. But an act of high treason we must have
instantly. The colonies have long suffered inexpressibly for want of
it. No one thing made the declaration of independence indispensably
necessary more than cutting off traitors. It is amazingly wonderful,
that having no capital punishment for our intestine enemies, we have
not been utterly ruined before now. For God\'s sake, let us not run
such risks a day longer. It appears to me, sir, that high treason ought
to be the same in all the United States;-- saving to the legislature of
each colony or state the right of attainting individuals by act or bill
of attainder. The present times show most clearly the wisdom and
sound policy of the common law in that doctrine, or part thereof,
which consists in attainting by an act of the whole legislature. Our
tories (be sure the learned of them) knew very well the absurdity of
punishing as high treason any acts or deeds in favour of the
government of the king of Great Britain so long as we all allowed
him to be king of the colonies. Dear sir, this matter admits of no
delay; and when the act declaratory of high treason is passed, the
strongest recommendation for a strict execution of it, I humbly
conceive, ought to accompany it. Our whole cause is every moment
in amazing danger for want of it. The common understanding of the
people (like unerring instinct) has long declared this; and from the
clear discerning which they have had of it, they have been long in
agonies about it: they expect that effectual care will now be taken for
the general safety, and that all those who shall be convicted of
endeavouring by overt act to destroy the state, shall be cut off from
the earth.


The Founders\' Constitution
Volume 4, Article 3, Section 3, Clauses 1 and 2, Docu