Philadelphia October 27th 1774
Dear Sir,
Yesterday the Congress broke up. You will immediately know their proceedings from Publications.
Colonists have now taken such Ground, that Great Britain must relax, or inevitably involve herself in a Civil War, likely in all human probability to overwhelm her with a Weight of Calamities, in Comparison of which "plus quam civilia bella," the Contentions, between the Houses of York & Lancaster, or the Distractions of the last Century were gentle Misfortunes.
A determined & unanimous Resolution animates this Continent, firmly & faithfully to support the Common Cause, to the utmost Extremity, in this great Sturggle for the Blessing of Liberty, that alone can render Life worth holding.
I grieve for the Fate of a brave & generous Nation plung’d by a few profligate Men, into such Scenes of unmerited & inglorious Distress. Let her rouse her natural, noble Spirit - be true to herself, & of course be true to Us. Let her not so far adopt the base yet Visionary Schemes of Fools & Knaves, that She may think her Dignity concern’d to maintain the projects of those, whom her Justice commands her to punish.
Give us the Butes, Mansfields, Norths, Bernards & Hutchinsons &c whose Falsehoods and Misrepresentations, have enflamed the People—Call not their Cause, the Cause of Great Britain - Throw all Errors & occasions of Dissatisfaction on their guilty heads. A new Ministry of such a Character, that England & America both can trust, may do great Things; Especially if a considerable Change be made at the next general Election. Why should Nations meet with hostile Eyes, because Villains & Ideots have acted like Villains & Ideots?
I wish for peace ardently; but must say, delightful as it is, it will come more grateful by being unexpected. The first Act of Violence on the Part of Administration in America, or the Attempt to reinforce General Gage this Winter or next Year, will put the whole Continent in arms from Nova Scotia to Georgia.
May God of his infinite Mercy grant a happy Event to these afflicting Agitations.
Receiver’s copy, Harvard University Libraries. In Dickinson’s hand, though not signed.