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A \v -./i5-^. •,/-r- .^< .jf-T*. f toii W I ''iT , <^ :'*Hj; '«i^ ■ 4 » * • » ■. ■V '■r'.\ ''^9' ■■ ■♦- ■ l-V '■:.":".- ., . " ' 'M'. *■■■ ■>■;■■.■;. CONSIDERATIONS rti-tt-i' \h^i ' <^ < i - ■ On the preferit ■ " ■ f ■ ■ ^- . > •«'k*.ir!i«*i,i- 'i:tjt:. %-..f- \ . i>^-i. ii ft- -„t * ;« Dangerous Crisis. \ Vis ■♦ f. fn ,(•,» - V ^'^'^^' ^ i- «;nv^. ■ ^,ij I.--'- UOULD the prefent diviiions among 3 the great, be confidcred folely with a view to the intereft of the contend*- ing parties, a difpaffionatc and dilintcrefted fpe<5tator might view the conteft with in-^ differences and fmile at the littlenefs of ambition, which, to attain a precarious and} fhort-lived pre-eminence, can ftoop to fuch ignoble pradtices, as dcbafe a character for . ever. '*0'^ ^.Ambition, which creates to itfelf imaginary wants, is ever induArious to excite vain ;/..r)'-i-*W ■ ■■.; -iA» '"-'■^':'' t--^-^^ :'•*-:...?• \ ' E 4 ] ^ hopes, and raife falfe terrors, among the public. The hopes and fears of the credulous multitude, are the inftruments with which ambition works its way to greatnefs : And, when itr votaries have thus reached the fum- mit of their wifhes, did they but know how little they appear in the eye of manly fenfe and ibber reafon, they w6uldblu(h at their elevation. • With whatever fpecious pretences the art of party may veil its ambitious dellgns, experience abundanHy evinces, that intcreft and refcntnient are the ruling motives which adluatc the competitors. However they pretend to differ in principle, yet, when iri power, they agree in piirfuing the fame cor- rupt and ruinous meaftires. We may learn^ from the recent example of two learned bodieSy that they can even change their ftyle with their fortunes ; and that the one can, with wonderful facility, adopt the language of the other. As parties therefore, they Would not be worth a moment^s attention, did they not obdrudt and injure public wel-* ^ . fkre. f » ^Nn u A*- '.'!>., .--.'■*i . .:*^.^ I ryj is ] fare, by their mutual ftruggles to mount the airy pinnacle of promotion. ^ ' Neverthelefs, when we reflcdt how much the nation fufFers, how much the crown is diftreffed, by their fatal altercations, then we can no longer remain unconcerned fpeda- tors i nor negledt that duty, to which our amiable Sovereign has condefcended to invite every boneji man. : . - .. . : •, ,v At the clofe of a glorious and fuccefsful war, who did not hope that the government would be ftudious to cultivate the bleflings of peace ? That they would endeavour to alleviate the heavy burthens which opprefs the public; to improve the police of the kingdom ; and promote the profperity of the people ? Who did not hope, under the aufpices of a young, virtuous, and benevolent ' monarch, to fee conjiitutional liberty triumph over corruption^ and fubdue an ufurpation, which has too long invaded the prerogatives of the crown, and the rights of the kingdom ? -Which has intercepted all due communication be- tween the King and his people, and tranf- B 2 ferred .vQt \' irr i: [ 6 ] I ferred the rcfpcd and attention of the rubje<5l, from the Sovereign to his minifler? / ". -T.\ ' But how greatly arc we fallen from our fcxpedtations ! Inftead of planning fchemes of public CEConomy ; in^ead of providing for the purpofcs of domeftic improvement j inftead of emerging from the dark and filthy vale of venality, and climbing the heights pf freedom and virtue 5 we are ftill groveling in the fame foul and devious tracks : And the hours of peace have been fhamefully mifpent, in the mere routine of bufinefs, the buftle of intrigue, and the confufion of party difcord, . . , Truth however compells me to acknow- ledge, that one attempt has been made towards public good, which was calculated to refcue the fubjedt from the moft cruel of allconfin^- inents, and the moft lamentable of all oppref- ons. Unhappily however, the care of prepar- ing a remedy for this moft fhocking grievance, \vas entrufted to a bold, flbrid, fpecious, tem- porizing, ambitious, pliant, vain, Verfatile ge- V .' * \ "I, ,^-'[73 nius \ who thinks great abilities arc given only for the benefit of the owner-— One, who without being convinced himfelf, has the talent of perfuading others 5 who, like Carneades, is always prepared to confute his own arguments— --One, who can fport with the fenfibility of his hearers, and with me- chanic maftery, can fhed tears at his own ingenious fi(flions One, who amidft the tumult of confliding parties, yet helitated on which fide to throw the weight of nis ex- celling talents j and who confequently was not at leifure to encounter difficulties, where- by he would reap no honour or advantage, but that of being the inftrument of public good- This imperfedl effort excepted, no expe- dient for the general welfare has been even propofed : Nay, fince the conclufion of peace, domeftic evils have multiplied. No provifion has been made for the fupport or employment of thofe intrepid fellows, to whofe bravery we are chiefly indebted for all our triumphs. They are fuiFered to roam abroad to the terror of their fellow fubjedls, '■'^'■^■i ' ' and [ 8 ] and to commit ads of violence and rapine in the broad face of day, as if there was no civil government in Britain, but all was anarchy and uproar. ^ . - , , To whom fliall we impute this fcandalous remiflnefs, this feemingly wilful inattention ? No one is fo unjuft, no one is fo ungrateful, as to doubt the patriotic difpofition of the mcTft truly gracious Prince, that ever filled the Britifti throne — No candid man neither is fo ungenerous, as to doubt the difpofition of the late minifter, to aid the noble and public -fpirited intentions of his benign mailer. / ^ ' *To judge impartially between Lord Bute and his opponents, I will recurr to the firft dawning of his adminiftration. From the time that Mr, Pitt thought proper to re- fign the feals, becaufe he alone was not per^ mittedto guide like an abfplute didator. Lord Bute was fuppofed to hold the firft place in his Majefty*s councils. His Lordfhip, though not unknown to the polite and learned cir« cle, was. an utter ftranger in the political t : ' ' world. [ 9 1 f .... ... » . world, 'fhc cxpedations which one party- formed in his favour, could only be equalled by the prejudices entertained by its oppo- fitc. Unhappily however for his Sovereign, for the nation, and for himfelf, he has proved that he has not all the requifites neceflary to flem the tide of oppofition. He no fooner flepped into the cabinet, than he (hewed, himfelf too fecure in his royal mailer's af-, fedlions, and too confident in the'confcioui^. nefs of his own integrity. He excited envy,, by his rapid and imprudent progrefs to fcize the helm of ft ate ; and he p.rovoked refent- ment, by treating fonrxe of the foremoftmen in the nation, with ungracious referve and fupercilious indifference, / ,, , r« j --^uw In fomc inftanccs he fcems to have dif-' played the mere wanton nefs of power. The circumftance: of changing the colour of his ribbon, was a parade highly impolitic. It tended to inflame the invidious, already too. much cxafperated, wWiout fccMring to his ^im-i^^m mafter 2 F II I t ^ii' 'It [ 10 ] mafter or himfelf, any folid advantage what- ever. \ Neverthelefs the opening of his admini-* ftration, was not without fome favourable omens. He generoufly afllfted the laudable propenfity of his Sovereign, to befriend li- terature, and encourage arts and fciences i Genius began to rear its head, and to ftart from that obfcurity, wherein it had long pined for want of patronage. But however generofity ipay have been difplayed in ads of munificence, we cannot fay that judgment and impartiality were always exhibited in the feledion of proper objecfls* , ^ ' It mud be confefTed that his Lordftlip's prediledion for his northern compatriots, though not fo extravagant as the malice of his enemies would infinuate, was neverthe- lefs difcovered in inilancQS too glaring to be fupprefled, and too frequently "epeated to be forgotten. Though this natural biafs might be judified and perhaps applauded in Lord Bute, yet it admits of no excufe or palliation in the ftatefman. ■' >. :J*w< . .'n^'--,/ ■- - ::r. ■- -:-. - -■'* Neither - u , . [ " 1 '^ Neither can his Lordfliip*s warttieft adto* cates juftify his conduft, in affuming theun- conftitutional and ever odious power of prime minifter 5 and endeavouring to bar all the avenues to the royal ciofet, againft thofe who were too fpirited to folicit, or too much dlfliked to obtain^ the favour of his pafTport* This favoured more of the narrow policy of a favourite^ than of the liberal plan ^ a patriot. From the fame contracted principle, hfc confined himfelf within a narrow circle of dependents, who. were intcrefted to conceal fome truths, and too obfequious to create him the inquietude of hearing others. Thus environed, he became difficult of accefs; and what is worfe, fome who had the ho- nour of being admitted to his prefence, were treated with all the mortifying auflerity of ftubborn virtue. Such was the inflexibility of his nature, that, even in public, he could not command thofe little arts, which arc often of greater ufe to a ftatefman, than more excellent en- C dow- ■ I I? ] dpwments; His fpeeches in a certain af- fenibly, do more credit to his eloquence, than to his difcretion. He fpoke with all the manly firmnefs and intrepidity which a warm heart infpires, when confcious of its own reititude : But he could not fupprefs feveral indifcreet fentiments of difdain and defiance, which {hewed the delicacy of a feeling mind, too fenfibly affeded by ungene- rous and felfifh oppofition. His Lordihip delivered h\mk\( Jbrtiter in re, but he for- got that a ftatefman (hould exprefs himfelf Juaviter in modo, , . . . II! ■• I . Was it prudent, in the face of the public, to make light of popularity ? Could he fup- pofe that, in a free kingdom, a minifter could long fupport himfelf, without fome de- gree of popular favour ? Did he not know, that fuch is the obftinacy and prejudice of the multitude, that they will ungratefully rejedt the choiceft benefits, when they have been taught to diflike the benefadtor ? Could he be ignorant, that an unpopular minifies muft foon make an unpopular ? Would it not pain his honeft mind, to be the inftrq- ment T -?3 ] mcnt. of Icflening" the public affedtion lo-* wards the Sovereign he lerved, towards th« Prince he loves? • .t/ i i't V"i^';. -, vl r^j? lO To what purpofe do the purcft intentions of a minifter avail, unlefs he has abilities and will, to purfue the means proper to attain the noble ends which he: has in profped:? Candor, truth, honour, fortitude,' frank-i- nefs, fincerity and juftice, will not fuftain the power of a ftatefman, unlefs thefs vir- tues are tempered with good humour^ pa- tience, moderation, affability, complacen- cy» forbearance and equanimity. Great and virtuous endowments, will fecure the favour of the gbbd and wife ; but inferior and fu- perficial talents, are occafionally necelTary to countera<5t malice, and- amufe- futility. TTtrn W:^. i:^'3n,':.:. ::i Of all the indifcretions however which are to be imputed to his Lordfhip, that of leaguing with a hardy veteran, long hackney- ed id the ways of corruption, was the mdft fafal and the mod incxcufable, - By thi«^ im- prudent affociation, he, in fome mlcafur^, put itjciut of his power to do the good he me- C 3 ditated. p 'I [ H ] AtSatd. He mi^ have been fenfible^ that fuch a colleague, ccmld gain him no confi<* dence with the public i that the intereft created by his well-known mode of influ* cnce, was not only - incompatible with his Lordfhip's avowed intentions^ but that, in the hour of need, it would defert him, as it had Abandoned his predeceiTor. Jf he had not intended to remedy the abufes of former ad-^ miniflrations, he ihould not have accepted the high office he filled : As he propofed to redrefs them, nothing could be more pre*^ pofterous than to unite with the very man» who principally contributed to extend, and dared openly to avow, that corrupt fyftem, which his Lordfhip profefled to ref6rm. ^ r >i>,. i„--' Bat if Lord Bute has been precipitate and indifcrect, the party who Have oppofed him, have been malicious and unjuft. The a6ts of hiis admlnrdration which they have moft loudly impeached, arc the treaty of peaa^ and the impofition of additional duties oa Cyder ^ &c. but I a pjir- «'■'.■ '' no y on ads, But ^yder othe The purpofely confine myfelf to that of Williain the third, a^ it pafled in the reign, to which thefe champions for liberty refer us for the pattern of legiflatlon. >■ .. Whatever obje«5^ions therefore may be made to the quantum of thefe duties, there is no reafonable ground for the violent cla- mour which has been made againft the mode of colledlion. Unlefs it can be proved that Cyder-makers have a right to enjoy more li- berty, than the makers of other liquors. Let no one imagine however, that I am an advocate for excife laws. On the contrary, I am convinced that they are all, in fome de- gree, injurious to the principles of liberty. I am perfuaded that the arbitrary method of colledting the duties, and thcfummary ju- rildidlion of determining difputes without appeal, is often the occafion of extreme grievance and oppreffion to the fubjed:, ef- pedally in the country, where juftices of the peace have the fame power as the commif- fioners have in London. ,- ,. ■ - • i-l-^f D I fwffr r : if II I! II ; I: i |iM ■'»; I! ! I'l! iM! I'( i; m [ 20 ] I well know that in the time of Charles the fecond, when it was in agitation to fettle the excile revenue on his Majefty, in lieu of the pe'-quifites of the court of wards and liveries, and other feodal profits, the patriots of thofc days vigoroufly oppofed the ex- change, on the foundation of the excile du- ties being injurious to liberty. Even they who fupported the motion, owned the force of the objccflion, ar;d were ingenuous enough to acknowledge, that they only con- tended for the excife revenue, as the k^er evil oi the two. " ^ The man who could contrive fome lefs exceptionable way of raifing the revenue» would do a real fcrvicc to his country, but this is no more exceptionable than the method of collesfling cvflom-houfe duties in many cafes: Till fome better* expedient is devifed, there is. no room to fay that it is any dangerous in- novation to raife a tax on one liquor, by the fame methods it is colle(^ed on another *. ' Tjiat %^^'>^:^^ '• *:'i4' :^' ■^.i * I am aware that Mr. Mun^ Sir Joftah Child^ Sir Walter Raleigh^ and other eminent writers, have con- i •'.■'. V ..'••- ■ • ■ s^ tended Hi i!' . / ' 1 ' [ 21 -] That the cry of " liberty and property ** and no excife," (hould inflame the mul- titude, is by no means matter of furprize ; but that it (hould produce the extraordinary addrefs which was fucceflively made to the three branches of the legiflature, is not a little aftoni(hing. No man can entertain a higher regard for the trading intereft m ge- neral, and for that very refpedable body the City of London in particular, than myfelf. At the fame time, I am fenfible that the refo- lutions of that body, as well as of other « bodies, are often didlated by the influence of one or a few, perhaps provoked by re- fentment, mifled by mifinformation, or biaf- fcd by party. That it is a right, and a necefl!ary right, of the fubjedl to petition the King, no friend tended that the method of raifing duties by an exctfcy ' is preferable to that of colle£Hng them by the ciijloms : But their arguments rather apply to the point of na- tional profit, than of national freedom. It would be difficult however, if not impoflible, to fuggeft any mode of taxation, which, without the help of much ingenuity, might not be proved in feme degree preju- dicial to liberty. D 2 to 1 ; I to his Country will attempt to difputc. But the more valuable this privilege is, with the greater caution and referve it fhould be cxcr- cifed. No corporate body can have any juft pretence of interfering with the bufinefs of legiflatlon, unlefs where the intereft of their corporation in particular, or of the nation in general, is prejudiced or endangered. It would have been highly injurious to the dignity of the crown, to have preferred the petition of ^Jingle corporation, not imme- diately or fcarce remotely affedled, to the fenfe of both Lords and Commons ; efpe- cially as the bill pafled through the latter without a divifion, and without any applica- tion from the counties aggrieved or fuppofed to . be aggrieved. It does not become the wifdom of fo confide- rable a body as the city of London to adl with precipitation : For precipitation is the parent of indifcretion and inconfiftence. We all re- member that, onaformeroccafion, they made a powerful oppofition againft the excife fcheme : We all remember likewife, that they afterwards in part requefled, what they had before fo refolutely decried. 2 When [ 23 ] When the oppofcrs of the ad exclaim againft it as an extcnfion of the excife laws, they fpeak equivocally and malicioufly. They would infinuate that fome new powers and authorities are given to excifemcn, which reiuler the cclledion of excife duties more grievous and intolerable. Whereas it only applies the long-accuflomed method of col- le'fting the duties on other liquors, to the coUeding of the new duty upon Cyder; and nothing can be more falfe, fallacious, and unjuft, than the conftrudions which the party in oppofition have put upon this ad : Though doubtlef it was highly impolitic and inexpedient, to impofe a tax which muft be colledcd by fuch odious, though accuftomed, methods. ' Such, upon a general and (hort review, has been the tenor of the late well-intentioned but indifcreet adminiftration — An admini- ftration, throughout which it is difficult to determine whether his Lordfhip fufFered mod from his own imprudence, from the malice of his enemies, or the intemperate zeal of his friends. 11 iM I I In' ' I 'i : - 1 1 ill ' ! ( ill. U- ■ mi II iii' .'1 ! . C 24 ] I will now proceed to examine the con- dudt of the Oppofition ; if a little cabal, or junto, may be called by that name. At the head of thefe, who is not forry to fee one, who claims public refpedt, at the fame time that he deferves public cenfure — One, whofe jealoufy can endure no competitor ; and whofe haughtinefs of foul can bear no equal- - One, who is rather ambitious to attradl ad- mirers, than to conciliate friends— One, who had rather be the Idol of, the mob, than the favourite of the judicious— One, who had rather the nation (hould fufFer, than not be ferved by him — One, in (hort, whom we both envy and commikrate ? How could his pride, how could k's boafted virtue, ftoop fo low, as to confede- rate with men vhom he defpifes, or once afFedted to defpife ?— With men, of whom he emphatically faid, that " God and the " nation would never forgive them?'* How could ^e fo far degrade his character, as to fufFer his name to be enrolled among a lift of epicures, who have no other merit to difplay before the public, than that they — -EAT ? ■ Is [ 25 ] Is this becoming the dignity of a great mind ? — Or, can he fuppofe, that dignity confifts in a certain haidinefs of nature, which can brave all cenfure : which can (hift par* ties, vary meafures, and, with ileady and unembarrafled effrontery, juftify every change and tergiverfation ?— Can he imagine that the pomp of declamation can fupply the place of true magnanixnity ? — Does he not know, that to lilence men bv a torrent of words, is lefs noble than to fitisfy them by reditude of adion ? — Caii he be ignorant, that true dignity is difplayed in elevation of fentiment, fupported by conjijiency of con- dud: ? — That this alone can give that fupe- riority, which neither fortune can purchafe, nor titles confe. — And that this alone, can make him, what he afpires to be, uno minor Jove f ' ' ' But while I am warm againfl: the defeats, let me not be thought unjuft to the merits, of his charader. As his powerful influence renders the former more dangerous, fo the means by which he acquired that influence, have made the latter more confpicuous. He came. ili I't 'I • 'J. • : ■I ;:i ■i (I I ■'i ilil ill [ 26 ] came, or rather ruflied into power, at a tipie when the preceding miniftry were ti- mid and embarrafled ; rendered defperate by their own mifmanagement, and odious by his fpirited oppofition. Under luch cir- cumftances, unanimity was rather the refult ot necellity, than choice. I will not however adopt the invidious ar-- guments which his enemit^s have urged to his difadvantage. I will not fay, that his fuccefs was too dearly purchafcd 5 and that it was owing as much to accident, as defign ; If we criticize thus minutely, we (hall de- ilroy the merit of all minifterial fuper-inten- dence. Certain it is, that the nation has high ob igations to his fervices ; he in- troduced a fpirt and adlivity into our coun- cils, which wrTe diffufed throughout every department ; his application to bufinefs, ef- pecially confidering the lliatteied frame of his confliuition, was incredible ; his inte- grity in office was incorruptible. Envy muft admire the virtues of his early adminiftra- tion 5 though candor muft lament, that in the wane 0^ his miniftry, he deviated from tbofe •H f «7 ] )tliofe principles, which gained him the con- fidence of the people. The grateful public however have ac- knowledged his fervices, his gracious So«- vereign has rewarded them. But the greateft fervices may be cancelled by^ fubfequent mif- condudt J the brighteft talents may be tar- niflied by ail overweening arrogance, and in- folent prefumption. Pride and refentment may feduce the man, whom avarice could not corrupt : And it is inditterent to the nation, by what paflion, the principles of public virtue are perverted. I will venture to eftabllfh this leading prin- ciple, that they who enlift under the banner of party, and difcriminate themfelves by the odious diftindions of Whig or Tiry, never mean honeftly. There cannot be a more convincing proof that the oppofition to the late minifter was founded on private and perfo- nal views, than its having been opened be- fore he had taken a fingle meafure to juftify either cenfure or approbation. E The Ill: III (lfl ' !'''■' I' I hi I I < li iH ■ir; I HI t 28 1 The advocates of the party, knew thart their bufinefs was not to leafon, but to re- vile ; not to convince, but to millead j not to inform, but to inflame. To effedl thefe ends, little knowledge is requifite, and ftill lefs judgment. As fuch addrefs themfelves to readers who avoid the trouble of thinking, they need no higher talents than are necef- fary to make folly titter, or malignance grin, Thefe are the triumphs of a lively fancy, and depraved judgment: And, however thefe little triumphs may flatter midakert vanity, or ferve the views of fordid intereft, they will have reafon to mourn the mif-ap- plication of their talents, when late expe- rience has convinced them, that even they who applauded the writer, concur in detefl- ing the man. No merit whatever can attone for the want of candor and integrity y noble requifites, in which the advocates of the junto, have praved themfelves (hamefully de- ficient* They condemned the peac, before they were acquainted with a Angle article of the treaty 3 and v/hen the articles were publifli- 2 ed. they I 29 3 ed, they endeavoured to prejudice the incoti- fiderateagaindthem, by all the artful malice of invidious mifconftrudion and mif-reprefen- tation. From the fame principle, they raif- cd a clamour againft the Cyder bill, and by falfe fuggeftions malevolently propagated er- roneous notions with regard to the adti among the people *. > . Had there however been any pretence for their infinuatlons, yet with what counte- nance could they ftep forth, as the champions of freedom, under whofe adminiftration, the firm bafis of liberty was undermined by (low and fecret approaches. — Under whofe admini- ftration, a heavy duty wasimpofed uponaJver-- ti/ements, &c. A diity, which has a certain, though indirect tendency, to check the free circulation of political truths, and toreftrain the freedom of the prefs ; which, however grofly ithas been lately abufed, is neverthe- lefs one of the beft and firmeft fecurities, for the prefervation of our rights and privileges. * Among other falfe fuggeftions, they afTerted that an excifeman had a right to enter any hcufe in the night- time, whereas the z&. exprefly confirtes their right of entry to the day-time. They affirmed likewlfe that no one could lend theif utenfils ; with other glaring falfe - hoods. ' , E 2 With li'i -•^.■■'ir f 30 3 With what pretence likewife, could they clamour on behalf of liberty, under whofc adminiftration a grievous and oppreflive tax was laid on theinduArious and laborious part of the nation, by which the price of one ar- ticle of confumption was advanced 2ifeventb'^ A tax cruelly wrung from the briny fweat of induftry, and which feems to have been founded on no other principle, than that ** in order to render the people dependent, y we fhould begin by making them poor.** Without the aid of fophiftry, it is eafy to demonftrate that all exorbitant impofitions> cfpecially on the necefTaries of life, have a fure operation to the prejudice of public free- dom. Though liberty, as Montefquieu ob- ferves, gives occafion for exceflive taxes, yet exceflive taxes in return produce flaveryJ and it is the effedt of flavery to caufe a gra- dual decreafe, by which the credit and in*- tereft of the nation is lowered, in propor- tion as its fpirit is debafed. ■ifi Had the people, on thefe occafions been induftrigufly exafperated againft the admi- niftration kiwa'' - [ 31 ] niftration which impofed thefe oppreffive du* ties, the patriot minifter might have been rendered as unpopular and deteftable as any of his predecefTors : And had he continued much longer in power the people, without a prompter, would have known where to have turned their refentment. But when he was at the height of his popularity, he very prudently retired ; and the odium, even of his own oppreflions, was artfully transferred to his fucceffor. . . Every grievance was imputed to Lord Bute, and every indifcretion he committed was aggravated with all the acrimony of ma- levolent minds bent on difturbing domoftic peace and tranquility. While their induftry has been exerted in contriving the moft ef* fedtual means of diftreffing the adminiftra^ tion, the attention of government, on the other hand, has been necefTarily employed in countcradting their artful and malicious en- deavours : And thus neither have had leifure to promote any noble and generous plans for national improvement and welfare. But 'till ll :> r I :\ i'l ! Ill ,1 kM', C 32 J But the people thcmfeltes have bKndly been accomplices with thofe who are enemies to their intereft. Artful and difappointed ; men have pradifed on their paflions, and when a iiame is once raifed, it quickly fpreads from one to another : As it was not the power of reafon which worked on their minds, but the influence of falfehood and caluoiny, fo when they are once enraged, they do not follow the guidance of reafori, but purfue the didatcs of refentment. No friend to liberty will deny, but that cafes have arifen, and may arife again, in which the regular method of oppofition, would prove ineffedtual to avert impending evils: Kings have fupported minifters ^nd meafures, and parliaments have fupported them too, to the open violation of national rights. Under fuch circumftances, when the ordinary methods of obtaimng redrcfs fail, recourfe muft be had to extraordinary reme- dies. Thefe however fhould be applied with extreme caution : And there is not at prefent the leaft pretence for fuch irregular and tumultuous applications. If r 33 1 If a bill has paffed the Icglflature, wMcfi is found by the public to be prejudicial to their intereft, or injurious to their liberty, it is happy, in fuch inftance, that our laws are not like thofe of the Medes and Perfians. The conftitution has chalked out a legal me- thod of redrefs ; and it is the privilege of all fuch as find themfelves aggrieved, to in- ftrudt their reprefentatives to procure a repeiil of the obnoxious adl. J No one however will prefume to fty thslt the petition of a Jingk corporate body, and that, as I have obferved, not immediately or fcarce remotely afFedted by the a-dl, is fuffi- cient to determine the judgment of the le- gifkture ; much lefs ought it to be influenced by the tumultuous cry of the populace, art- fully excited. 'Civil difcord and anarchy ^ufl be the refult of fuch unwarrantable and •^nconflitutional interpofitions. ■ But the clamour which ftill Continues to rage agaiiift the government, clearly indi- cates the narrow and felfifh defigns of thofe who head the party. Lord Bute has yield- • ' ' ^ ed M.ll 4 5 [34] cd to the prejudices of the people againft him> and, by a prudent refignation, has con- fulted the quiet of the kingdom. This fa- crifice however will not fatisfy the views of his opponents. They feem bent on op- pofition, whoever is in office 3 and would perfuade the public that tj^e late aiinifler dill diredts the affairs of ftate : Which they will ever pretend, till they are in power them- felves^ and all their fpecious harangues, a- mount to this declaration : " We will never fufFer the government to be at reft, till we can force our/elves into power." I; . I: !l I ' ■|i' To this end, they have formed a motly heterogeneous junto, compofed of aflbciates, who moftly hate or deipife each other : Of which the chiefs have been in open cppo- fition to, and have mutually reviled each other, as incapable of government, and as enemies to their country. Thus we are in a mifer- able lituation, too fimilar to that which Mon- tefquieu defcribes, in his refiedions on the effeds refulting firom the conftitution of England. !* Every u c< u « « cc «c «c they afford the only plaufible pretext for reflraining the moft valuable of all rights-^the liberty of the prefs. . But the leaders of the prefent opf o( * >n feem to entertain no other idea of liberty, than the privilege of exercifing their own lawlefs will; They boldly trample on the laws of the land. Even while the caufe of their feditious advocate is depending before the judges at Weflminfter, they appeal from the juftice of the court, to the paffions of the multitude. They caft inflammatory hand-bills ijto every houfe, and diftributc them to every paflenger : Which is a moft flagrant contempt of the court, and a mofl atrocious effort to excite civil 4ifcord» m iii. . If ' f i t 41 ] If unconftitutional attempts like thefe muft prevail — If turbulent and ambitious fpiritsi who oppofe every change of adminiftratiori— - who are determined to difturb every govern- ment which they do not guide themfelves-^ who would give laws to their Sovereign^ and over-rule the legiflature — If fuch meri, are fuffered to enflame the populace to ad^ of outrage and fedition, to promote their own interefted and licentious purpofes — then the boafted conftitution of this coun- try, muft foon degenerate into 2Ln Ochlocracy, and there is an end of government: ' It is amazing that the people, who have! been fo often the dupes of credulity, fhould be ftill fo blind to their intereft, as not to perceive that thefe men only ufe them as i ladder, to reach preferment ^ and that when they have gained the topmoft round, they will fpurn at them, and requite them, as they have formerly done for their madnefs- iind folly. ; ( if- Let them perufe the lift of the banquet-- ing junto, and fee whether there is one, among '■7-^fr:. I- T •wwrfT»i]Jwwf!»7rT!T-"-^ij h-ik t0'^ m w m ill 1' ' 1, .j.'iiii'; ■II! '.; ■ii' li- :;■!■ ■■,!.'■ liia.l. i 42 ] among the chiefs, who, when in office, did notpurfue the meafures he had before con- demned ?™Who, foon after his entrance into power, did not haften to make his peace with the government, by adopting, nay by exceeding, the fyftem of his predecef- fors ? — Let them examine, whether there is one, who has not concurred in loading them with heavy burthens and opprefSons ? it ^'ild be happy for the public, if, be- fore it IS too late, they could be perfuaded that they do themfelves a real injury, by ef- poufing the quarrels of party competitors, whofe perfonal contefts no more concern. public intereft, than do the difputes of the Divan. Their fliamelefs and intereded op- pofition would foon ceafe, if it was not fup- ported by popular prejudice. While the public continue to add fuel to the flame of party contention, we can never expedl to reap the bleflings of peace; After having triumphed over our enemies, we (hall fall a prey to domeftic dilcord. By our intcftine divifions, which perhaps they fecretly ^m ■M ■ ' [ 43 ] fecretly foment, they will fecure thofe ad- vantages, which they could not acquire by force of arms. The maxim of one of their ablefl politicians, will be unhappily exem- plified — *' That by giving us peace, and leaving tis to our party broils and conten- tions, we (hall more efFedually fcrve their views, than they can accomplifh them by any efforts of their own.** Amidft this rage of party, what man of honour, fpirit, and ability, d6es not enter into the fervice of government, with reluc- tance?-— what man, who holds an office upon fuch uneafy and precarious terms, can compofe his mind, and with calm and fteady attention, meditate fchemes for national re- lief and improvement ? Under thefe unfortunate circumftances like- wife, who does not feel for a young, virtuous and benevolent prince, whofe amiable difpofi- tion inclines him to diffufe happinefs among all his fubjeds; and who is ungratefully diftreffcd by the arts of a lawlefs oppofition;^ again ft which he nobly fupports himfelf by his own confcious virtue, and native dignity of mind ? G This li u 11 n Ml Ipf: '!s!i;f|;. m m I: % '■ i Pi, ' [ 44 ] This kingdom feems to be as much In dan- ger from national difcord, as from the na- tional debt : And we can never hope to be relieved from the burthen of the latter, or from any other opprcffion, till we are freed from the grievance of the former. There will be no end to perfonal oppoli- tion, and flruggles for power, unlefs a firm refolution is taken, never to admit any mem- ber of a cabal into any department of the adminiftration. We have tried them. We know them. They have ti ^den thofe paths, which, they once told us, led to bankruptcy and bondage. When they find, that by enflaming the paflions of the mul- titude, they cannot force themfelves into of- fice, they will ceafe their florid declamations, and feditious writings. By degrees, their op- pofition, which is grafted on interejl, will be fuperfeded by an oppofition founded onfenti- merit — The only one, which can be of fervice to the public. This will produce a noble com- petition, v^^ho (hall bePc advife for the public welfare. Meajuresy not rneuy will then be the fubjedts of debate. Oppofition will be confined to its proper office, and to its proper y^^/. . • But ce lie [he led ; *[ 45 ] *' But perhaps the moft efFedual method of reftoring domeftic peace and tranquility, would be that of difcountenancing both parties indifcriminately. Sure the nation is not yet funkfo low, but that there are fome honefl, independent, m ode rate ^/^///^rj- among us, who have never walked in the trammels of either party. If, among thefe, our gracious So- vereign fliould judge it expedient to feledt fome in whom he could repofe a confidence, and whom he could entrufl with the firft pofts of government, fuch an impartial choice might probably contribute to defeat the defigns of party, and to reconcile the miftaken and prejudiced public. This expedient has been formerly pradli- fed, and has been attended with falutary ef- fedls. When the ridiculous and deteftable party diftindtipns of Whig and I'ory^ were at the higheft pitch of enmity and madnefs t Even then, fome upright, able, and mode- rate neuters, fuch as the noble Earl of Pern" broke, and ethers, were called into adtion, and by their condudl juftified the eledlion of their Prince. * ■ ' \' 'M ^ t w:\ idi lii,; 5ut Many I' T 46 ] Many fuch doubtlcfs there are now, who :*•€ detached from all party connexions, and .ycy phllofophic eafe in an innocent and un- ambitious retreat. Such may be difcovered by the difcernment of our Sovereign, and by his gracious goodnefs may be encouraged to undertake the arduous tafk of quieting the oppoiition of party, and rectifying the prejudices of the public. But the people like wife muft do their parts ', and, by keeping within the line of their duty, be juft to themfelves. When- ever they tranfgrefs the bounds of the conftitution, they are guilty of deviations to their own prejudice. There is, in truth, no oppofition between the prerogatives, of the crown, and the privileges of the people. They are like different movements in one piece of mechanifm : And whether one or the other moves irregularly, the machine is equally difordered. It is the privilege of the people, to be governed according to the law of the conftitution. The prerogative is part of that law : It was cntruftcd with the crown, for the benefit \r WPFP r . . t 47 1 of the people ; and whenever they invade it, they do injury to their own privileges. -^ Licentioufnefs in the people, is as furely fubverfive of the conftitution, as tyranny in the crown. As malice itfelf cannot im- pute any unconftitutional attempt to the So- vereign, may the people, from a regard to their own intereft, obferve the fame fcru- pulous conformity ! May they no longer be mifledandenflamedby feditiousand defigning men ! May they attend to the dictates of reafon ! May they adhere to the law of the conftitution ! And leave the madnefs of party to vent its impotent rage, unbefrientied, unaided, and unpitied. ,V.;. '\< :i.| l!' led >n. ras of FINIS. A'l^ *. " ■ ' ' ' > ■ ■ ■ 11 1 '