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Show [ 75 ] ther to be perfwaded, (banned, or frighted out on this kingdom, are a fort of treafon to the fiate. of the principles that have hitherto led to It is impoflible that we {hould remain long in many of you to abhor the war, its caufe, and its confequences. Let us not be amongft the firfi who renounce the maxims of our forefathers. a fituation, which breeds fuch notions and dif- pofitions, without tome great alreration in the national charaéter. Thole ingenuous and feel- ] {mm #55 Zmzour to 53, ing minds, who are {0 fortified againfl all other things, and f0 unarmed to whatever approaches in the {hape of difgrace, finding the principles, G E N T L E M E N, which they confidered as fure means of honour, Your mg/Z obedient, to be grown into difrepute, will retire difheart' ened and difguf'red. Thofe of a more robufit andfiu‘t/aful [lama/e Sgrim/7!, make, the bold, able, ambitious men, who pay fome part of their court to power through the ‘ people, and fubflitute the voice of tranfient opinion in the place of true glory, will give into the general mode. The luperior underflandings, which ought to Corretl vulgar prejudice, will confirm and aggravate its errors. lVlany things have been long operating towards a gradual change in our principles. But this American war has done more in a very few years than all the other mules could have ef- fected in a century. It is therefore not on its own feparate account, but becauie of its atten- dant circumftances, that I confider its continuance, or its ending in any way but that ofan honourable and liberal accommodation, as the greatefi evils which can befal us. For that reafon I have troubled you with this long latter. For that reafon I intreat you again and again, nei- 1 ther 4» bEAC‘ONSFlELDr, "#113, 1777, EDMUND BURKE. P. S. You may communicate this Letter in any manner you think proper to my Conf‘ti-W tuents. |