We ask no leave of yours to set it up; we ask no money of yours to support it; we can do better without your fleets and armies than with them; you may soon have enough to do to protect yourselves without being burdened with us.
Paine asserts America's right to self-governance and its ability to thrive without British assistance or interference.
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More from Thomas Paine
But from such opposition the French Revolution, instead of suffering, receives an homage.
The Aristocracy had hitherto opposed the despotism of the Court, and affected the language of patriotism; but it opposed it as its rival (as the English Barons opposed King John) and it now opposed the nation from the same motives.
A knowledge of the practice was then joined to the theory; and all that was wanting to give it real existence was opportunity.