consequences from it, and lamenting the spirit
of the House, which drove on or was driving on to the most violent
measures, by the mischiefs produced by injudicious counsels; one seeming
to render the other necessary. They declared that they would enter
little into a debate which they saw would be fruitless, and only spoke
to clear themselves from having any share in such fatal
proceedings."--_Ib._, pp. 164, 165.]

[Footnote 329: Annual Register for 1774, Vol. XVII., p. 65, which adds:
"This vote of rejection was heavily censured. The opposition cried out
at the inconsistency of the House, who but a few days ago received a
petition from this very man, in this very character; and now, only
because they chose to exert their power in acts of injustice and
contradiction, totally refuse to receive anything from him, as not duly
qualified. But what, they asserted, made this conduct the more
unnecessary and outrageous was, that at that time the House of Lords
were actually hearing Mr. Bollan on his petition, as a person duly
qualified, at their bar. 'Thus,' said they, 'this House is at once in
contradiction to the other and to itself.' As to the reasons given
against his qualifications, they are equally applicable to all American
agents; none of whom are appointed as the Minister now requires they
should be, and thus this House cuts off communication between them and
the colonies whom they are assisting by their acts."]

[Footnote 330: Annual Register for 1774, Vol. XVII., pp. 65, 66.]

[Footnote 331: _Ib._, p. 67.

The Bill underwent a more full and fair discussion in the House of Lords
than in the House of Commons. The amiable Lord Dartmouth, then Secretary
of State for the Colonies, "a man that prayed," desired lenient
measures, called what passed in Boston "commotion," not open
"rebellion." But Lord Mansfield said, "What passed in Boston is the last
overt act of high treason, proceeding from our own lenity and want of
foresight. It is, however, the luckiest event that could befall this
country, for all may now be recovered. Compensation to the East India
Company I regard as no object of the Bill. The sword is drawn, and you
must throw away the scabbard. Pass this Act, and you will be past the
Rubicon. The Americans will then know that we shall not temporize any
longer; if it passes with a tolerable unanimity, Boston will submit, and
all will end in victory without carnage." The Marquis of Rockingham and
the Duke of Ric