A Man Is Accountable To

May It Please Your Honors: I Was Desired By One Of The Court To Look Into The Books, And Consider The Question Now Before Them Concerning Writs Of Assistance.

The Colonists Are By The Law Of Nature Free-born, As Indeed All Man Are, White Or Black...it Is A Clear Truth That Those Who Every Day Barter Away Other Men's Liberty Will Soon Care Little For Their Own.

Parliaments Are In All Cases To Declare What Is Good For The Whole; But It Is Not The Declaration Of Parliament That Makes It So.

I Have Accordingly Considered It, And Now Appear Not Only In Obedience To Your Order, But Likewise In Behalf Of The Inhabitants Of This Town, Who Have Presented Another Petition, And Out Of Regard To The Liberties Of The Subject.

But I Think I Can Sincerely Declare That I Cheerfully Submit Myself To Every Odious Name For Conscience' Sake; And From My Soul I Despise All Those Whose Guilt, Malice, Or Folly Has Made Them My Foes.