Are not the repeated declarations of Congress, and which all America supports, that they will not even hear any proposals whatever, until the unconditional and unequivocal independence of America is recognised; are not, I say, these declarations answer enough?
Paine emphasizes that America's demand for unconditional independence, supported by Congress, should be a sufficient answer to any peace proposals.
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More from Thomas Paine
In fine, society performs for itself almost everything which is ascribed to government.
To possess ourselves of a clear idea of what government is, or ought to be, we must trace it to its origin.
Many of the facts were in themselves principles; such as the declaration of American Independence, and the treaty of alliance between France and America, which recognised the natural rights of man, and justified resistance to oppression.
The aristocracy has screened itself too much, and this serves to restore a part of the lost equilibrium.