et, and he justified
this on the ground that ministers had brought the country to the very
verge of ruin. He urged that delay was dangerous; that if the quarrel
was continued the Bourbons would take it up; that this country was
incapable of coping with America if thus seconded; and that America
could be retained by her good inclinations alone. He observed, also,
that three plans seemed to be afloat with regard, to America: the
first, simple war with a view to complete conquest; the second, that of
ministers, force mixed with negociations; and the third, peace grounded
on concession. It was in the spirit of the last, he said, with which he
made his motion. Burke's principal opponent was Governor Pownall,
who exposed many fallacies in his reasoning. Pownall denied that any
renunciation, repeal, or amnesty would have any other effect than
that of increasing the pride and resistance of the Americans. He also
maintained that if repeal had any effect at all it must be extended as
far back as to 1672, and asserted that the Americans themselves demanded
a repeal up to 1763, of which Burke's bill fell three years short. He
remarked:--"They complain of the admiralty jurisdiction: now that is as
old as the act of navigation. To my argument it is nothing how far this
is right or wrong, grievous or otherwise; but the Americans complain
of it; and, if the bill which is to afford redress and concede to their
complaints must be effectual in order to gain their confidence, this
bill does not go far enough." The house, however, was of opinion that it
went too far, for after all the best orators of opposition had contended
for its principles, with vehement eloquence, it was rejected by a
majority of two hundred and ten, against one hundred and five. But this
was a nearer division than had taken place for a long time on these
questions, and which was doubtless the effect of the recent increase
of the land tax: there is much sympathy between men's pockets and their
opinions.

LORD NORTH'S PROHIBITORY BILL.

On the 20th of November, Lord North proposed a measure for the
prohibition of all commercial intercourse with America. This bill
authorized the commanders of his majesty's navy to make prize of all
American ships and goods, whether on the high-seas or in harbour; and a
clause was inserted, which rendered every American taken in them liable
to serve as a common sailor in our ships of war, and to be considered
as a volunteer. As th