came to the House of Peers, and made the following Speech to both Houses:

"My Lords, and Gentlemen; "When I met you last, I acquainted you that matters of importance had happened in America, which would demand the most serious attention of parliament. "That no information which could serve to direct your deliberations in so interesting a concern might be wanting, I have ordered all the papers that give any light into the origin, the progress, or the tendency, of the disturbances which have of late prevailed in some of the northern colonies, to be immediately laid before you. "No time has been lost, on the first advice of these disturbances, to issue orders to the governors of my provinces, and to the commanders of my forces in

America, for the exertion of all the powers of government, in the suppression of riots and tumults, and in the effectual support of lawful authority.

"Whatever remains to be done on this occasion, I commit to your wisdom; not doubting but your zeal for the honour of my crown, your attention to the just rights and authority of the British legislature, and your affection and concern for the welfare and prosperity of all my people, will guide you to such sound and prudent resolutions, as may tend at once to preserve those constitutional rights over the colonies, and to restore to them that harmony and tranquillity, which have lately been interrupted by riots and disorders of the most dangerous nature.

"If any alterations should be wanting

making another display of his power and ver

"The new ministry had this apology fairly to offer. Out of office they were inadequate lo the performance of any service to their country; but in office they might accomplish something, though perhaps not so much as they wished; and undoubtedly they should prevent any increase, or aggravation of the public discontents. These motives were laudable. Gradutim was Mr. Pitt's own word in a former day. They might reason justly, that in the present unhappy partiality of the King, the constitutional exercise of the powers of government were to be obtained by degrees, not by hazarding a violent convulsion of the state; to which point some of them feared lord Temple's inflexibility might possibly extend.

against the act tried in courts of record, instead
of the court of vice-admiralty; and the mer-satility.
chants relieved, by taking off, or greatly re-
ducing, the stamps on cocquets and clearances.
But this firm and manly advice did not pre-
vail; the opinions previously delivered by some
members of administration, were incompati-
ble with such measures; and although Mr. |
Dowdeswell, chancellor of the exchequer, pro-
duced letters from New York, importing that
the money collected from the duty on molasses,
had been detained in the colony by the threats
and orders of the mob, yet no vigorous mea-
sure was resolved on. In fact, nothing was
decided, except the terms in which the King's
Speech should be comprised: and the ministry
formed no regular or consistent plan of opera-
tion and mutual support." Adolphus: From
private information, and minutes of the con-
ference.

"Mr. Pitt did not entirely approve of the new ministry's acceptance. And lord Temple condemned them in terms of acrimony: he said, if they had followed the example of Mr. Pitt and himself, in refusing the allurements of office, the Favourite must have submitted to such conditions, as it might have been thought necessary to impose upon him; which certainly would bave been an absolute and total exclusion of him and his friends from every situation and channel of secret communication with the sovereign: there must have been an end of all those unhappy suggestions which had already distracted the kingdom, and menaced the introduction of further misfortunes. This might be called violent language, but it was founded in truth and experience; and although the new ministry were not under the influence of the Favourite, yet his influence was not diminished; it might, perhaps, be said to suffer a temporary abatement, or rather it was his own policy to suspend the exercise of it, until a more suitable opportunity occurred for

|

The

"When the new ministers entered their offices, they found that many of their former subalterns were either dead, sequestered in retirement, or allied to the enemy: even the first lord of the treasury was at a loss for a private secretary of competent talents. An accomplished commis is an inestimable character. Mr. Fitzherbert, of Tissington, in Derbyshire, a gentleman of unexampled philanthropy, and most amiable manners, whose ambition was benevolence, and whose happiness consisted in the administration of kindness, recommended to his lordship Mr. Edmund Burke. British dominions did not at that time furnish a more able and fit person for that important and confidential situation. He is the only man, since the age of Cicero, who has united the talents of speaking and writing, with irresistible force and elegance.' At the same time, his cousin, Mr. William Burke, of equal diligence, penetration and integrity, was made secretary to general Conway. There was no private interest courted or gratified by these appointments. The merit of the persons was their recommendation." Life of Lord Chatham.

endeavours to assert and support your Majesty's dignity and honour, and the legislative authority of this kingdom over its colonies; and will take into consideration the most proper methods to provide for the restoration of the tranquillity of those colonies, which has been disturbed by such violent and dangerous commotions.

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons; "I have ordered the proper estimates for the current service of the year to be laid before you. Such supplies as you may grant shall be duly applied with the utmost fidelity, and shall be dispensed with the strictest œconomy.

"My Lords, and Gentlemen ; "I earnestly recommend to you, to proceed in your deliberations with temper and unanimity. The time requires, and I doubt not but your own inclination will lead you to, those salutary dispositions. I have nothing at heart but the assertion of legal authority, the preservation of the liberties of all my subjects, the equity and good order of my government, and the Concord and prosperity of all parts of my dominions."

The Lords' Address of Thanks.] His Majesty having retired, the Earl of Dartmouth moved the following Address, which was agreed to:

Most Gracious Sovereign; "We, your Majesty's most loyal and dutiful subjects, the Lords spiritual and temporal in parliament assembled, beg leave to return our hearty and most unfeigned thanks to your Majesty, for your most gracious Speech from the throne.

"We gratefully acknowledge your Majesty's goodness and condescension, in ordering to be immediately laid before us all the materials of information, which may serve to direct our proceedings upon the very important objects which your Majesty has proposed to our consideration.

"We congratulate your Majesty, that the state of tranquillity, so happily subsisting in Europe, leaves us at leisure to attend to the mutual commercial concerns of your kingdoms and colonies.

"Permit us, Sir, to condole with you, on the loss your Majesty and your royal family has sustained by the premature death of his royal highness prince Frederick William, whose amiable qualities and early attainments afforded so pleasing a prospect of happiness to your Majesty, and of advantage to your kingdoms.

"Our deliberations will, we trust, be conducted with that prudence and temper which your Majesty so graciously recommends. You will find, Sir, that our sentiments correspond with your Majesty's gracious intentions towards all your subjects; and that all things which may tend to re-establish tranquillity and order, and to cement the several parts of the British dominions in a close connection and constitutional dependance, shall be the first objects of our attention, that such a firm authority may be established, and such a general satisfaction diffused, over every part of your extensive empire, as ought to distinguish the government of so wise, so just, and so beneficent a prince.”

The King's Answer.] His Majesty returned this Answer:

"My Lords;

"I thank you for this dutiful and loyal Address, Your firm and temperate resolution to support the dignity of my crown, and the legislative authority of this kingdom over its colonies; your care at the same time to re-establish order and tranquillity in those colonies; and your regard to the prosperity and happiness of all "We cannot avoid expressing our satis- my people; shew dispositions which are faction in your Majesty's parental care altogether worthy of your wisdom, and and vigilance, in losing no time to issue which cannot fail of producing the most the necessary orders for exerting the se- salutary effects both at home and abroad: veral powers of government, in the sup- you will find me unalterably fixed in the pression of riots and tumults, and the sup- same intentions. Your affectionate conport of order and legal authority. Con-dolence on the death of my brother af curring heartily with your Majesty's salu- fords me some consolation on that melantary intentions, we will exert our utmost choly occasion.”

that a pepper-corn, in acknowledgment of the right, was of more value, than millions without. He expatiated on the extreme ingratitude of the colonies; and concluded with charging the ministry with encouraging petitions to parliament, and instructions to members from trading and manufacturing towns, against the act.

There is a clause in the Act of Settle

ment, to oblige every minister to sige his name to the advice which he gives his sovereign. Would it were observed! I have had the honour to serve the crown, and if I could have submitted to influence, I might have still continued to serve; but I would not be responsible for others. I Mr. Pitt spoke next. As he always have no local attachments: it is indifferent began very low, and as every body was in to me, whether a man was rocked in his agitation at his first rising, his introduction cradle on this side or that side of the was not heard, till he said, I came to Tweed. I sought for merit wherever it town but to-day; I was a stranger to the was to be found. It is my boast, that I tenor of his Majesty's Speech, and the was the first minister who looked for it, proposed Address, till I heard them read and I found it in the mountains of the in this House. Unconnected and uncon.. north. I called it forth, and drew it into sulted, I have not the means of information; your service, an hardy and intrepid race of I am fearful of offending through mistake, men! men, who, when left by your jeaand therefore beg to be indulged with a lousy, became a prey to the artifices of second reading of the proposed Address. your enemies, and had gone nigh to have [The Address being read, Mr. Pitt went overturned the state, in the war before the on:] He commended the King's Speech, last. These men, in the last war, were approved of the Address in answer, as it brought to combat on your side: they decided nothing. every gentleman being served with fidelity, as they fought left at perfect liberty to take such a part with valour, and conquered for you in concerning America, as he might after-every part of the world: detested be the

wards see fit. One word only he could not approve of, an early,' is a word that does not belong to the notice the ministry have given to parliament of the troubles in America. In a matter of such importance, the communication ought to have been immediate: I speak not with respect to parties; I stand up in this place single and unconnected. As to the late ministry (turning himself to Mr. Grenville, who sat within one of him) every capital measure they have taken, has been entirely wrong! As to the present gentlemen, to those at least whom I have in my eye (looking at the bench where Mr. Conway sat, with the lords of the treasury) I have no objection; I have never been made a sacrifice by any of them. Their characters are fair; and I am always glad when men of fair character engage in his Majesty's service. Some of them have done me the honour to ask my poor opinion, before they would engage. These will do me the justice to own I advised them to engage; but notwithstanding, I love to be explicit; I cannot give them my confidence; pardon me, gentlemen, (bowing to the ministry) confidence is a plant of slow growth in an aged bosom: youth is the season of credulity; by comparing events with each other, reasoning from effects to causes, methinks, I plainly discover the traces of an over-ruling influence.

[VOL. XVI.]

national reflections against them! they are unjust, groundless, illiberal, unmanly. When I ceased to serve his Majesty as a minister, it was not the country of the man by which I was moved, but the man of that country wanted wisdom, and held principles incompatible with freedom.

It is a long time, Mr. Speaker, since I have attended in parliament. When the resolution was taken in the House to tax America, I was ill in bed. If I could have endured to have been carried in my bed, so great was the agitation of my mind for the consequences! I would have solicited some kind hand to have dai me down on this floor, to have borne my des timony against it. It is now an het stat has passed; I would speak with decency of every act of this House, but must beg the indulgence of the House to speak of it with freedom.

I hope a day may be soon appointed to consider the state of the nation with respect to America. I hope gentlemen will come to this debate with all the temper and impartiality that his Majesty recommends, and the importance of the subject requires. A subject of greater importance than ever engaged the attention of this House! that subject only excepted, when near a century ago, it was the question whether you yourselves were to be bound, or free. In the mean time, as I cannot [H]

Mr. Nugent, (afterwards lord Clare,) insisted, That the honour and dignity of the kingdom obliged us to compel the execution of the Stamp Act, except the right was acknowledged, and the repeal solicited as a favour. He computed the expence of the troops now employed in America for their defence, as he called it, to amount to nine pence in the pound of "That the general state of peace and our land tax; while the produce of the tranquillity, so happily reigning in all parts Stamp-act would not raise a shilling a of Europe, must give the greatest satis-head on the inhabitants of America; but faction to every one, who has any concern for the true interest of his country, or who feels for the general happiness of mankind.