cious, and
ungovernable; that the insolence of some from their enormous wealth, and
the boldness of others from a guilty poverty, have rendered them capable
of the most atrocious attempts; so that they have trampled upon all
subordination, and violently borne down the unarmed laws of a free
Government--barriers too feeble against the fury of a populace so fierce
and licentious as ours. They contend that no adequate provocation has
been given for so spreading a discontent, our affairs having been
conducted throughout with remarkable temper and consummate wisdom. The
wicked industry of some libellers, joined to the intrigues of a few
disappointed politicians, have, in their opinion, been able to produce
this unnatural ferment in the nation.

Nothing indeed can be more unnatural than the present convulsions of this
country, if the above account be a true one. I confess I shall assent to
it with great reluctance, and only on the compulsion of the clearest and
firmest proofs; because their account resolves itself into this short but
discouraging proposition, "That we have a very good Ministry, but that we
are a very bad people;" that we set ourselves to bite the hand that feeds
us; that with a malignant insanity we oppose the measures, and
ungratefully vilify the persons, of those whose sole object is our own
peace and prosperity. If a few puny libellers, acting under a knot of
factious politicians, without virtue, parts, or character (such they are
constantly represented by these gentlemen), are sufficient to excite this
disturbance, very perverse must be the disposition of that people amongst
whom such a disturbance can be excited by such means. It is besides no
small aggravation of the public misfortune that the disease, on this
hypothesis, appears to be without remedy. If the wealth of the nation be
the cause of its turbulence, I imagine it is not proposed to introduce
poverty as a constable to keep the peace. If our dominions abroad are
the roots which feed all this rank luxuriance of sedition, it is not
intended to cut them off in order to famish the fruit. If our liberty
has enfeebled the executive power, there is no design, I hope, to call in
the aid of despotism to fill up the deficiencies of law. Whatever may be
intended, these things are not yet professed. We seem therefore to be
driven to absolute despair, for we have no other materials to work upon
but those out of which God has been pleased to form the