En octobre 1774, le Congrs gŽnŽral de l'AmŽrique septentrionale,
rŽuni ˆ Philadelphie, adopte le texte d'une lettre adressŽe aux habitants de la
province de QuŽbec pour les inviter ˆ former le quatorzime Žtat des futurs
ƒtats-Unis.
"Nos amis et concitoyens
"Saisissez l'occasion que la Providence elle-mme vous
offre, votre conqute vous a acquis la libertŽ si vous vous comportez comme
vous le devez (É) vous n'tes qu'un trs petit nombre en comparaison de ceux
qui vous invitent ˆ bras ouverts de vous joindre ˆ eux; un instant de rŽflexion
doit vous convaincre qu'il convient mieux ˆ vos intŽrts et ˆ votre bonheur, de
vous procurer l'amitiŽ constante des peuples de l'AmŽrique septentrionale, que
de les rendre vos implacables ennemis. (É) Votre province est le seul anneau
qui manque pour complŽter la cha”ne forte et Žclatante de leur union. Votre
pays est naturellement joint au leur; joignez-vous aussi dans vos intŽrts
politiques; leur propre bien-tre ne permettra jamais qu'ils vous abandonnent
ou qu'ils vous trahissent."
Philadelphia
Friends and fellow-subjects,
We, the Delegates of the Colonies of New-Hampshire,
Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New-York,
New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of Newcastle Kent and Sussex on
Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina and South-Carolina, deputed by the
inhabitants of the said Colonies, to represent them in a General Congress at
Philadelphia, in the province of Pennsylvania, to consult together concerning
the best methods to obtain redress of our afflicting grievances, having
accordingly assembled and taken into our most serious consideration the state
of public affairs on this continent, have thought proper to address your
province as a member therein deeply interested.
When the fortune of war, after a gallant and glorious resistance,
had incorporated you with the body of English subjects, we rejoiced in the
truly valuable addition, both on our own and your account; expecting, as
courage and generosity are naturally united, our brave enemies would become our
hearty friends, and that the Divine Being would bless to you the dispensations
of his over-ruling providence, by securing to you and your latest posterity the
inestimable advantages of a free English constitution of government, which it
is the privilege of all English subjects to enjoy.
These hopes were confirmed by the King's proclamation, issued in
the year I763, plighting the public faith for your full enjoyment of those
advantages.
Little did we imagine that any succeeding Ministers would so
audaciously and cruelly abuse the royal authority, as to with-hold from you the
fruition of the irrevocable rights to which you were thus justly entitled.
É
Seize the opportunity presented to you by Providence itself. You have been conquered into liberty, if you act as you oughtÉYou are a small people, compared to those who with open arms invite you into a fellowship. A moment's reflection should convince you which will be most for your interest and happiness, to have all the rest of North-America your unalterable friends, or your inveterate enemiesÉYour province is the only link wanting, to compleat the bright and strong chain of union. Nature has joined your country to theirs. Do you join your political interests? For their own sakes, they never will desert or betray you. Be assured, that the happiness of a people inevitably depends on their liberty, and their spirit to assert it. The value and extent of the advantages tendered to you are immense. Heaven grant you may not discover them to be blessings after they have bid you an eternal adieu."
Source: Journals of the Continental Congress 1774-1779 Vol. II
Pages 68-70