in the hands
of the crown, holds out: not to sink into the gulf of corruption, and
to drag after you your posterity and your country. I obtest heaven and
earth, that in all places, and at all times, I have hitherto shoved by
the gilded hand of corruption, and endeavoured to stem the torrent which
threatens to overwhelm this land. On the whole, the bill is dangerous
in itself, as being the first step towards the total invasion of the
company's territories in Bengal; and should we admit the motives which
lead to it to be good, yet such a step is dangerous as a precedent. I do
not, however, deny that the house has power to pass it, but you have
not the right. There is a perpetual confusion in gentlemen's ideas
from inattention to this material distinction, from which, properly
considered, it will appear that this bill is contrary to the eternal
laws of right and wrong--laws that ought to bind all men, and, above all
men, legislative assemblies." Notwithstanding Burke's eloquence, the
bill was carried in the commons by an overwhelming majority, and it was
also carried through the lords with little or no opposition. The two
houses then adjourned for the Christmas recess.

CHAPTER V.

{GEORGE III. 1773-1775}

The Caribbs of St. Vincents..... Petition of Naval
Officers..... Subscription to the Thirty-nine Articles.....
Debates on East India Measures..... The Session
closed..... Proceedings in the City..... Continental
Politics-Irish Affairs..... Disputes with the American
Colonies..... Meeting of Parliament..... Early Measures in
this Session..... The Bostonian Petition..... Parliamentary
Proceedings against America..... Bill for the Administration
of Canada..... Prorogation of Parliament..... Proceedings at
Boston..... General Election..... Meeting of the New
Parliament.

{A.D. 1773}

THE CARIBBS OF ST. VINCENTS.

Before the Christmas holidays, Alderman Trecothick mentioned in the
house that the island of St. Vincent had been made a scene of iniquity
and cruelty: our troops having committed against the Caribbs, a
defenceless and innocent people, the most shocking barbarities. Other
members spoke on the same subject, and said that the troops had been
barbarously made to suffer even more evils than those they inflicted on
the Indians. Papers were produced which seemed to prove that proper care
had been taken of the troops, but on the re-assembling