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Show information, that it would havehad a directly contrary effect. But if It had. this effeét, I confefs, that Ilhould prefer lridependency without war, to independency with it ; and I have fo much truit in the Inclinations and prejudices of mankind, and fo little in any thing elfe, that Ifliould expect ten timesmore benefit to this Kingdom from the affeéhon of America, though under a feparateefiabhfhment, than from her perfeé't fubmlflioirto the Crown and Parliament, accompanied with her terror, difguf'c, and abhorrence. Bodies tied together by f0 unnaturala‘bond of umon, as mutual hatred, are only conneéted to‘ tnelr rum. One hundred and ten refpeétable Members of Parliament voted for that conceffion. Many not prefent, when the motion was made, were of the fentiments of thofe who voted. I knew it would then have made peace. I am not without hopes that it would do f0 at prefent, if it were adopted. No benefit, no revenue, could be loft by it. For be fully aflured, that, of all the phantoms that ever deluded the fond hopes of a credulous world, a parliamentary revenue in the Colonies is the molt perfeétly chime- rical. Your breaking them to any fubjeétion, . far from relieving your burthens, (the pretext for this war,) will never pay that military force which willbe kept up to the defiruéhoi; o I rifque nothing Gentlemen, you have my opinion on the prefent Rate of public affairs. Mean as thefe Opinions may be in themfelves, your partiality has made them "f fome importance. Without troubling myfeif to enquire whether I am under a formal obligation to it, I have a plea- fure in accounting for my conduct to my Con- flituents. Ifeel warmly on this fubjeét, and I exprefs myfelf as I feel. If I prefume to blame any public proceeding, I cannot be {uppofed to be perfonal. Would to God I could be fufpeé'ted of it. My fault might be greater, but the public calamity would be lefs extenfive. If my condué'c has not been able to make any impreflion on the warm part of that antient and powerful party, with whofe fupport, I was not honoured at my Eleé'cion; on my fide, my refpeé'c, regard, and duty to them is not at all leflened. I owe the Gentlemen who compofe it my moft humble fervice in every thing. I hope that whenever any of them Were pleafed to command me, that they found me perfectly equal in my obedience. But flattery and friendfhip are very different things; and to miflead is not to ferve them. I cannot purchafe the favour of any man by concealing from him what Ithink his ruin. Br v... TLW 2:!" w" every in this prephecy. «we~»---~ m~ AW)": 7 viper a" funded from the nature of things, and from ot‘their liberties and yours. .. .. ""1.......-u .7» E 65 ] [ 64 ] |