Public opinion has now changed; but if a nation changes her opinion, she must at the same time be just.

Let the country take our estates and negroes at a fair valuation, and we shall be most happy to surrender them.

If she frees the slaves without so doing, she is guilty of robbery and injustice, and infringes on the constitution of the country, which protects all property, and will of course allow us to decide upon our own measures." "May I inquire what those would be ?" "Throwing off the yoke, declaring ourselves independent, and putting ourselves under the protection of America, who will gladly receive us, aware that we shall be a source not only of wealth but of security." "Would America risk a war to obtain these islands ?" "She would be foolish not to do so; and England would be more than foolish to engage in one.

It is true, that if not immediately supported by America, England might create a scene of confusion and bloodshed in the colonies; but the world has too often had the severe lesson, that colonies once detaching themselves are never to be regained.

England would therefore be only entailing a useless expense, however gratifying it might be to her feelings of revenge." "But do you think that this is likely to occur ?" "I do, most certainly, if those who govern continue to listen to the insidious advice of the party denominated 'Saints'; and I am afraid that it will not be until these islands are separated from the mother-country, that she will appreciate their value.