If the verb in the independent clause is in the present tense, in which tense should the verb in the indirect quotation be?

paine is arguying that they had tried everything before coming to the conclusion that they needed to fight for their freedom.

argument: "every quiet method for peace hath been ineffectual."

claim 1: "our prayers have been rejected with disdain; and only tended to convince us, that nothing flatters vanity, or confirms obstinacy in kings more than repeated petitioning and nothing hath contributed more than that very measure to make the kings of europe absolute."

claim 2: "wherefore, since nothing but blows will do, for god’s sake, let us come to a final separation, and not leave the next generation to be cutting throats, under the violated unmeaning names of parent and child."

hm, switch the relative; nominative and indefinite; objective ? not too bright in the knowledge of the english.

the answer is b "spewing black smoke", i took the test and got 100%   hope i

im pretty sure a would be the answer