John Dickinson to Arthur Lee

"The 'immedicabile Vulnus' is at length struck. The Rescript to our Petition is written in Blood. The impious War of Tyranny against Innocence has commenc’d in the Neighbourhood of Boston." Describes battle of Lexington and Concord at length. Continues: "I cannot say, I am convinc’d of the Truth of all the Particulars above mentioned; tho all of them are supported by many probabilities. But these Facts, I believe, You may depend on. That this most unnatural and inexpressibly cruel War began with the Butchery of the unarm’d Americans at Lexington - that the Provincials, incredible as it may be at St. James’s or St. Stephens’ fought bravely - that the Regulars have been defeated with considerable Slaughter, tho they behav’d resolutely - that a Tory dares not open his Mouth against the Cause of America even at New York - that the Continent is preparing most assiduously for a vigorous Resistance - and that Freedom or an honorable Death are the only Objects on which their <Sons> are at present employed.

"What human Policy can divine the Prudence of precipitating Us into these shocking Scenes? Why have We been so rashly declared Rebels? Why have Divisions been sent to disarm Us? Why Orders to commence Hostilities? Why was not General Gage at least restrain’d from Extremities till the sense of another Congress could be collected? It was the determined Resolution of some already appointed delegates for it, to have strain’d every nerve at that Meeting, to attempt bringing the unhappy Dispute to Terms of Accommodation, safe for the Colonies and honorable & advantageous for our Mother Country, in whose Prosperity & Glory our Hearts take as large a Share, as any Minister’s of State, and from as just and as generous Motives, to say no more of them.

["]But what Topicks of Reconciliation are now left for Men, Who think as I do, to address our Countrymen? to recommend Reverence for the Monarch or Affection for the Mother Country? Will the Distinctions between the Prince and his Ministers, between the People & their Representatives wipe out the Stains of Blood? Or have We the slighest Reason to hope, that those Ministers & Representatives will not be supported throughout the Tragedy as They have been thro the first Act? No. While We revere & love, the Sword is open;ng our Veins. In all human probability, the same Delusions will still prevail, till France & Spain, if not other Powers, long jealous of Britain’s Force & Fame, will fall upon her embarrass’d with an exhausting Civil War, and crushing or at least depressing her, then turn their arms on these provinces, which must submit to wear their Chains or wade thro Seas of Blood too dear bought and at best a frequently convuls’d and precarious Independence.

"All the ministerial Intelligence concerning Us is false. We are a united, resolved People—are or quickly shall be well arm’d & disciplined. Our Smiths & Powder Mills are at work Day & Night. Our supplies from foreign Parts continually arriving. Good officers, that is, well experienc’d ones, We shall soon have - and the Navy of Britain cannot stop our whole Trade. Our Towns are but Brick and Stone & Mortar & Wood. They perhaps may be destroyed. They are only the Hairs of our Heads. If shav’d ever so close, they will grow again. We compare them not with our Rights & Liberties. We worship as our Fathers worship’d - not Idols which our Hands have made."