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Show [58] [59] The firi't fiep the noble Lord took, was to have the opinion of his excellent, learned, and ever lamented friend the late Mr. Yorke, then repeal till a confiderable time after the meeting of Parliament. Though I do not very well know what the Hon. Gentleman wifhes to infer from the admiflion, or from the denial, attorney general, on the point of law. When he knew that formally and officially, which in of this fact, on which he fo earnefily adjures fubflance he had known before, he imme- afl‘ure him, that they did not come to a refolution direé'tly to repeal. They weighed this matter as its difliculty and importance required. They confidered maturely among themfelves. They confulted with all who could give adviCe or information. It was not determined diately difpatched orders to redrefs the grievance. But I will fay it for the then minifter, he is of that conftitution of mind, that I know he would have iffued, on the fame critical oc- cafion, the very fame orders, if the Aéts of me; I do put my hand on my heart, and Trade had been, as they were not, direélly until a little before the meeting of Parliament; againf't him; and would have chearfully fubo but it was determined, and the main lines of their own plan marked out before that meet- ing. Two quefiions arofe (I hope I am not going into a narrative troublefome to the mitted to the equity of Parliament for his indemnity. On the conclufion of this bufinefs of the Houie) Spanifh trade, the news of the troubles, on account of the {lamp-aft, arrived in En land. It was not until the end of October that thefe accounts Were received. N0 fooner had the found of that mighty tempeft reached us in England, than the whole of the then oppofi- tion, infiead of feeling humbled by the unhappy iflue of their meafures, feemed to be infinitely elated, and cried out, that the miniftry, from envy to the glory of their predeceffors, were prepared to repeal the {lamp-act. Near nine years after, the Hon. Gentleman takes quite oppofite ground, and now challenges me to put my hand to my heart, and fay, whether the miniftry had reiolved on the repeal [A cry of, Go on, go on.] The full of the two confiderations was, whether the repeal (hould be total, or whether only partial; taking out every thing burthenfome and productive, and referving only an empty acknowledgement, fuch as a {lamp on cards or dice. The other quefiion was, On what principle the act fhould be re- pealed? On this head alfo two principles were Ptarted. One, that the legiflative rights of this country, with regard to America, were not entire, but had certain refiriétions and limita- tions. The other principle was, that taxes of tliis |