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Show l 60 l [61] this kind were contrary to the fundamental principles of commerce on which the Colonies were founded; and contrary to every idea of political equity; by which equity we are bound, would have coll no more than a day's debate. But when the total repeal was adopted; and as much as pollible to extend the fpirit and be- adOpted on principles of policy, of equity, and nefit of the Bl‘itlfll contiitution to every part of of commerce; this plan made it neceflary to the Britifh dominions. The option, both ofthe meal‘ure, and of the. principle of repeal, was made before the fefiion; and I wonder how any one can read the King's Speech at the opening of that fellion, without feeing in that Speech both the repeal and the declaratory aét very fulficiently crayoned out. Thole who cannot fee this can fee nothing. dian knot with a fword. Either meafure enter into many and difficult meafures. It became necefiary to open a very large field of evidence commenfiirate to thefe extenlive views. But then this labour did knights fervice. It opei ed the eyes of feveral to the true {late of the American affairs; it enlarged their ideas; it removed prejudices; and it conci: liated the opinions and aflté‘rions of men. The noble Lord, who then took the lead in admi- Surely the Hon. Gentleman will not think nifiration, my Hon. Friend ‘3" under me, and that a great deal lets time than was then em- a Right Hon. Gentleman + (if he will not rejec‘l‘ his thare, and it was a large one of this ployed, ought to have been {pent in deliberation; when he confiders that the news of the troubles did not: arrive till towards the end of Oé'tober. The Parliament {at to fill the vacancies on the 14th day of December, and on bulincls the 14th of the following January. bulinefs) exerted the molt laudable indull'ry in bringing before you the fullell, molt impar- tial, and lead-garbled body of evidence that ever was produced to this Houfe. I think the enquiry lafted in the Committee for {ix weeks; and at its conclulion this Home, by an inde- pendent, noble, fpirited, and unexpeé'ted ma- Sir, a partial repeal, or, as the [2071 I072 of the court then was, a modi/‘fczzlz'wz, would have latisfled a timid, unlfltematic, procrallinating ,minii'lry, ashl‘uch a meafure has lince done inch ,1 minitlry. A modification is the conftant jority ; by a majority that will redeem all the {1&5 ever done by majorities in Parliament; in the teeth of all the old mercenary Swifs of fiate, in defpite of all the fpeculators and augurs of political events, in defiance of the To re- whole embattled legion of veteran penfioners peal by a denial of our right to tax in the and practifed inftruments of a court, gave'a total repeal to the {lamp-act, and (if it had reiource of weak undeciding minds. preamble (and this too did not want adviters\, would have cut, in the heroic fiyle, the Gor» an it?" * Mr. Dowdefu'ell. 11 General Conway, been |
