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Show [57] and the temper and character of the people, with whom it is concerned; and not always to attempt violently to bend the people to their theories of fubjeétion. The bulk of mankind on their part are not exceffively curious concerning any theories, whilf't they are really happy; and one fure fymptom of an ill conducted flare, is the propenfity of the people to refer-t to them. But when fubjeéh, by a long courfe of fuch ill conduct, are once thoroughly inflamed, and the fiatc itlelf violently diflempered, the people mufthave fome fatistaélion to their feelings, more folid than a {ophillical fpeculation on law and government. Such was our fituation; and limb a fatisfaétion was neceflary to prevent recourle to arms; it was neceflary towards lay- ing them down; it will be neceflary to prevent the taking) them up again and again. Of what nature this fatisfaétion ought to be, Iwilh it had been the dilpofition of Parliament ferioully to confider. It was certainly a deliberation that called for the exertion of all their wifdom. opinion and practice at lealt) or thev will not be provinces at all. . I know, and ‘have lonir . . ‘j felt, the dilhculty of rcconeihng the unwieldy haughtinels ofa great ruling nation, habituated to command, pampered by enormous wealth, and confident from a long courle of profperity and viciory, to the high lpirit of free dependencies, animated with the lirlt glow and acti- Vity of juvenile heat, and alluming to them- felves as their birth-right, tome part of that very pride which opprell'es them. my capacity, or much below the magnitude of the bufinefs. Of one thing I am perfectly clear, that it is not by deciding the fuit, but by compromifing the diflerence, that peace can be rellored or kept. They who would put an end to fuch quarrels, by declaring roundly in favour of the whole demands ofeither party, have miitaken in my humble Opinion, the office of a mediator. The war is now of full two years Handing; the controverfy of many more. I am, and ever have been deeply fenfible, of the difficulty of reconciling the firong prefiding power, that is {o ufeful towards the con- ferVaLien of a wait, difconneéted, infinitely diverlificd empire, with that liberty and lafety of the provinces, which they muff enjoy, (in opinion They who perceive no difficulty in reconciling thele tempers, (which however to make peace mull tome way or other be reconciled), are much above In diffierent periods of the difpute, different methods of re- Conciliation were to be purfued. I mean to trouble you with a fliort Rate of things at the molt important of thefe periods, in order to give you a more dillinét idea of our poliev with regard to this molt delicate of all objects. E 4 The |