To the New York Sons of Liberty

Silas Downer, Providence, July 21, 1766

[Part of: “Let Those Flatter Who Fear”: American Independence in Verse.]

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I write returning your congratulations 
On the Stamp Act repeal. But vigilance
Is needed now as much as was before.
The motive for repeal was prudence, not
Principle. Note their strange resolves, that pave
A way for taxes to be laid again.
Petitions from the colonies were met
Only with wrath, and indignation, and
Contempt. And my hands shake when I reflect
That some commoner, representing half
A score of beggars in some English shithole
Town, should talk big about securing our
“Dependence on the mother country,” when
He only means himself. I have see others
Express their thanks, and bow and lick the dust,
And ask their pardon of the woolen-drapers 
And the nail-makers for our “disobedience”;
I turned away disgusted. To those men
Chosen by people of another realm
Whose only merit was to un-make an
Act which they had no right to make, we owe
Nothing. Their declarations, newly made,
Of love and tenderness, are only meant
To lull us into sleep, the better to
Execute plans for total subjugation
To the despotic will of Parliament.
Many are here, who for a shilling would
Surrender the whole freedom of this country—
But for the Sons of Liberty, who have
With firm and steady hands turned them aright.  
Much work remains to do, while the days last,
And I will die before I yield my freedom.

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[End of Part 1.]