Extract from Thomas Jefferson’s “A Summary View of the Rights of British America”
[July 1774] |
America was conquered, and her settlements made and firmly established, at the expence of individuals, and not of the British public. their own blood was spilt in acquiring lands for their settlement, their own fortunes expended in making that settlement effectual. for themselves they fought, for themselves they conquered, and for themselves alone they have right to hold. no shilling was ever issued from the public treasures of his majesty or his ancestors for their assistance, till of very late times, after the colonies had become established on a firm and permanent footing.