From Diary of the American Revolution, Vol I. Compiled by Frank Moore and published in 1859.
France declares, she will not assist the American colonies until they dissolve their connection with Great Britain. Should that event take place, France would probably involve England in a war with Germany. America was conquered in that country in the last war. In the present war she might, in the same country, be restored to liberty. The whole of the troops sent by England to America (where so much was at stake) did not amount to fifteen thousand men. The colonies at one time had twenty-five thousand in pay, who bore the heat and burden of the war, but shared in no part of its glory or advantages. Americans, beware of reconciliation! Ye can protect yourselves. 1
1 Addressed to the friends of the American array, in the Pennsylvania Journal, April 17.