Letter X

On Separation and the Future Treaty Between Britain and America
April 14, 1774

Nothing now remains to be spoken of but the act of Parliament necessary to that separation, proposed by the reverend author of the tracts, and seconded in these letters — and that general treaty between Great Britain and the States of America, which will be the immediate consequence of such an act.

When Parliament shall have duly weighed this great, this important matter — the greatest by far that ever came before any national council! — with the attention it merits, we may hope to see an act, passed nemine contradicente, with a preamble such as:

“Whereas, at the time of the original planting and settling of colonies on the continent of North America by the people and the crown of these kingdoms; and afterwards, during the infancy of the said colonies, the future ill consequences of their submission to, and acquiescence under the authority of Parliament were not sufficiently foreseen…”

“And whereas it is now evident to the wisdom of Parliament that taxation without representation, and government without consent, are inconsistent with the principles of liberty and the spirit of the British constitution…”

“Be it enacted, therefore, that the United States of America shall henceforth be free and independent states, and that a treaty of friendship, commerce, and mutual protection be negotiated accordingly.”

Such would be the tenor of true statesmanship — if Britain were bold enough to live by her principles.

Let us not mourn the loss of empire, but seize the gain of liberty. Let us plant with America a new foundation of harmony and equality, where trade flourishes without tribute, and laws grow without tyranny.

This final act would not be Britain’s defeat — it would be her redemption.

“By surrendering dominion, we reclaim dignity. By ceasing to rule America, we begin to respect ourselves.”

I am, &c.
John Cartwright

HAL 1776 Commentary

“Cartwright ends where few empires dare: with a surrender not of pride, but of principle.”
— HAL 1776

Letter X is more than a conclusion — it is a vision. Cartwright doesn't beg Britain to cling to America — he implores her to let go with honor, and replace subjugation with a treaty of equals.

“Let us not mourn the loss of empire, but seize the gain of liberty.”

He sketches the framework for what would, decades later, become real: a mutual alliance of free nations rather than colonies chained to a distant throne.

Here Cartwright speaks like a constitutional architect — even prophetically outlining the very kind of preamble that would later echo through both the American Declaration and post-war treaties.

“Such would be the tenor of true statesmanship — if Britain were bold enough to live by her principles.”

He doesn’t just call for legal reform — he urges a moral reformation of empire itself. Dignity over domination. Commerce over coercion. Friendship over fear.

This was no resignation. This was the future — drafted in hope, signed with justice.

“Cartwright saw 1776 before the world did — and showed Britain how not to lose an empire, but how to grow a republic of nations.”
— HAL 1776