you will groan under the weight of your chains, even should they be of gold, and your conscience, then more just than your heart was easy to touch, will be the avenging fury of the woes which you will have brought about.
And you, nations betrayed, harassed, sold, blush at your error; let your eyes be unsealed ; leave this ground sullied by despotism ; cross the seas, hasten to America ; but embrace there your brothers ; defend this noble people against the haughty rapacity of their persecutors ; share their happiness; double their strength; assist them with your industry ; make their riches your own, by increasing them. Such is the object of society ; such is the duty of man, whom nature made to love his fellowmen, and not to slaughter them ; learn from the Americans the art of being free, of being happy, of turning social institutions to the profit of each of the individuals who compose society ; forget, in the honorable refuge which they offer to suffering humanity, the frenzy of which you were the accomplices and the victims ; learn to know true greatness, true glory, true felicity ; let the nations of Europe envy you and bless the moderation of the inhabitants of the New World, who will disdain to come and punish them for their crimes, and to conquer depopulated lands which are trampled on by cruel tyrants, and watered by the tears of downtrodden slaves.
[Honoré Gabriel Riquetti, Comte de Mirabeau], Avis aux Hessois, et autres Peuples de l'Allemagne (Œuvres, Paris, 1822, VII, 1-8) ; translated for this work by George N. Henning.
179.Army Life (1776-1777)
BY CAPTAIN GEORG PAUSCH
Pausch was in command of some Hanau artillerymen, hired as mercenaries by the English. His observations show the state of feeling between the English and German contingents, and the trials of the camp. — Bibliography : Winsor, Narrative and Critical History, VI, 360.
[September 8, 1776.] THE Regiments are gradually drawing nearer together ; and some of them are advancing closer to St. Johns. Those of the boats which are completed and were on the river have mostly been transported toward Lake Champlain, which Lake is still in possession of both parties. We have two frigates on the
