e the legislature thought
them indisputably proper, but because no better could at that time be
struck out, and because the arguments in their favour appeared
stronger than those against them, or because the questions to which
they related were so dark and intricate that nothing was to be
determined with certainty, and no other method could therefore be
followed, but that of making the first attempts at hazard, and
correcting these errours, or supplying these defects which might
hereafter be discovered by those lights which time should afford.

Though I am far from thinking, my lords, that the question relating to
the effects of this law is either doubtful or obscure; though I am
certain that the means of reforming the vice which its advocates
pretend it is designed to prevent, are obvious and easy; yet I should
have hoped, that the projectors of such a scheme would have allowed at
least the uncertainty of the salutary effects expected from it, and
would, therefore, have made some provision for the repeal of it when
it should be found to fail.

But, my lords, our ministers appear to have thought it sufficient to
endear them to their country, and immortalize their names, that they
have invented a new method of raising money, and seem to have very
little regard to any part of the art of government; they will, at
least in their own opinion, have deserved applause, if they leave the
publick revenue greater, by whatever diminution of the publick virtue.

They have, therefore, my lords, wisely contrived a necessity of
continuing this law, whatever may be its consequences, and how fatal
soever its abuses; for they not only mortgage the duties upon spirits
for the present supply, but substitute them in the place of another
security given to the bank by the pot act; and, therefore, since it
will not be easy to form another tax of equal produce, we can have
very little hope that this will be remitted.

There will be, indeed, only one method of setting the nation free from
the calamities which this law will bring upon it; and as I doubt not
but that method will at last be followed, it will certainly deserve
the attention of your lordships, as the third consideration to which,
in our debates on this bill, particular regard ought to be paid.

That the license of drunkenness, and the unlimited consumption of
spirituous liquors, will fill the whole kingdom with idleness,
diseases, riots, and confusion, cannot be doubted; nor can