CHAP. pofals. The only terms really intended were, "Lay down your arms, and then we will do

XXX.

འ 1776.

juft as we please :" the moft cruel conqueror, Burke obferved, could not fay lefs; and if a conqueft had been gained over the devil himfelf in hell, a fmaller portion of liberality could not have been fhewn.

THE miniftry, declining to inveftigate critically, literally, or philologically, the paffage in the declaration which gave rife to the prefent motion, defended themfelves on each of the points urged by oppofition with confiderable addrefs. The proclamation was not, as had been fuppofed, received with the difpatch from general Howe; but was left at Falmouth with difpatches of inferior importance, and being tranfmitted to the metropolis in the ufual way, did not arrive till the Extraordinary Gazette was already published; nor did the minifters confider it of importance enough to claim a place in the Gazette; but it was not concealed, many copies having been affixed to the walls of New York, and difperfed through America. The king, in promifing a revifion of the obnoxious acts, fpoke only as the head and mouth of the nation and the legiflature; but the declaration of independence, rendered the parliamentary interference, propofed by the motion, utterly improper. Was it confiftent with common fenfe to aim at obliging thofe, whofe principal object was to render themfelves free from all connection with Great Britain, as their fuperiors? The queftion of independency must be fettled as a preliminary; if the Americans adhered to that, it would be vain to think of difcuffing any other. The right to tax could not be agitated as the means of reconciliation; nor would the reftitution of

charters

XXX.

1776.

charters give fatisfaction to the American in- CHAP. furgents. They openly declared themfelves as unwilling to fubmit to the terms of their charters, as to the Bofton acts: while the spirit of independency remained unfubdued, refolutions or revifions would not be efficient means of conciliation. To treat, while they avowed their fovereignty and independency, or form legiflative regulations for those who, both as fubjects and independent ftates, had ever difputed the power and authority of parliamentary legiflation, was impoffible. Let them acknow ledge the right, point out the conftitutional abufe of it, and the grievances flowing from that abuse, no objection thould be made to the propofed committee, or to the adoption of efficacious and fpeedy meafures, not only for remedy of real grievances, but even, in fome inftances, for accommodating their prejudices. The Americans, it was obferved, had no reafon to with for a continuance of their prefent government. The The congrefs tyrannized over the people; their power and practice of punishment by imprisonment were utterly incompatible with every idea of freedom. The liberty of the prefs was annihilated; a printer, who dared to publish a fentiment or fact contrary to their fyftem and interefts, would be inftantly ruined; nor was the freedom of private letters, or private converfation, tolerated. The fuccefs of the royal army might, it was rationally hoped, diffolve this horrible tyranny, and enable the oppreffed Americans fafely to avow their real opinions, and, without danger, return to their duty.

THE motion was complained of as a furprize, a fudden and unexpected manoeuvre, no bufiucfs

CHAP, nefs of confequence being expected before the recefs; and it was rejected."

XXX.

1776.

oppofition.

FROM this time many members of oppofiPartial fe- tion, particularly the Rockingham party, withdrew from the houfe of commons whenever any question relative to America was to be difcuffed to make their conduct more confpicuous, they generally attended the private bufinefs, and then, in a formal manner bowing to the chair, retired. Such feceffions were not new; nor have they ever been known to produce any good effect; the act of retaining a feat in the fenate, and yet oftentatiously refufing to fulfil any of its duties, is in itself of a nature to demand vindication or apology; the objections are broad and eafy of comprehen fion, the juftification, if valid as to political circumftances, is fubject to many cavils, arifing from the perfonal motives which may be im puted to individuals. In the prefent cafe, the measure wanted the refpeétability which re fults from unanimity; and the reafons advanced in its defence were not fufficient."All oppofition to the meafurcs of govern

ment," it was faid, " particularly with refpect "to American affairs, was not only vain and "fruitless, but from the overbearing force "which fupported the minifters in every quef "tion, it became worfe; it became frivolous "and contemptible. It was too degrading, to "be the continual inftruments of oppofing the "ineffective weapons of reafon and argument, "to the deaf infolence of an irrefiftible power, "which had long determined on its conduct, without the fmalleft regard to either. It was

XXX.

1776.

impoffible to fave a people against their will; CHAP. "and the minority had for a fucceffion of years, repeatedly apprized and warned the "nation of the dangers attending the ruinous "meafures then purfued, and of the fatal precipice that muft terminate that mad career,

in which they were blindly and defperately "driven. The people, deluded by various arts, "and influenced by paffion and prejudice, cor

66

dially acquiefced in, the opinions of admi"niftration, and it was not confiftent for "thofe who regarded their honeft fame beyond "all other confiderations, excepting their principles and honour, to incur the odium of "their fellow citizens, by ineffectual efforts to ferve them. They would therefore, preferving their principles ftill unfhaken, re"ferve their activity for rational endeavours, "when the prefent delirium might be fo far allayed, either with the people or with the "minifters, as to afford room for its operating "with advantage." Thefe pretences, however loftily founded, befpeak only the rage and mortification of a party difappointed in a conteft for power; if the meafures purfued by adminiftration were fuccefsful and popular, oppofition was needlefs, but a formal feceffion, marked neither wifdom nor magnanimity. Removed from the fenate, the proper fphere of action, and true fource of honourable diftinction, the moft eloquent and difcerning lofe their pre-eminence, and become confounded with the ignorant; the public rarely feel the want of individuals fo much, as to demand reluctant exertions; and no great body can be expected to bend to a mode of conduct, which

d Annual Register for 1777, p. 49, 50. See alfo Burke's Letter to the Sheriffs of Bristol.

VOL. II.

H I

feems

XXX.

CHAP. feems the offspring of fullennefs, caprice, or vanity. In the prefent iuftance, the feceders 1776. were extremely unfortunate could they have forefeen the reverfes attending the clofe of the campaign, they would not probably have abfented themfelves fo early in the feffion; they regarded only the prefent afpect of affairs; had few adherents in England, and, from the courfe of the war, defpaired of long retaining an oftenfible party in America.

Recefs.

THE refolutions on the navy and army eftimates were voted without much oppofition, 13th Dec. and on the day appointed for a general faft, both houfes adjourned for the Chrifimas recefs.

Attempt to burn the

royal ar

fenals.

WHILE the attention of parliament was engaged in difcuffing the conduct of incendiaries in America, the profperity of England was imminently endangered by an individual of that deteftable description, inftigated by American emiffaries. A gloomy, unfocial, erratic adventurer, whofe real name was James Aitken, but his common appellative John the Painter, after a long refidence in America, went to Paris, and, it has been faid, being introduced to Silas Dean, a minifter from congrefs to the French court, received encouragement from him to undertake the deftruction, by fire, of the dock-yards throughout England. This man had been long habituated to crime; but his want of fociality, prevented him from being traced or betrayed, and thus fecured him from punifhment. Neither fufpicion nor ordinary vigilance prevented the full execution of his plan, but his ignorance in the preparation of combustibles, fome of which, after being fafely depofited and 7th Dec. lighted, failed in their effect. The rope-houle at Portfmouth was, however, deftroyed, and

7

govern