Canada
a defensive war? Is their prohibiting all trade and commerce with every
part of the British dominions, and starving our sugar-islands, acting
on the defensive? No; though these people never offended us, we will
distress them, say they, because that will be distressing Great Britain.
Are we, in the midst of all outrages of hostility, of seizing our ships,
entering our provinces at the head of numerous armies, and seizing our
forts, to stand idle, because we are told this is an unjust war, and
wait till the Americans have brought their arms to our very doors? The
justice of the cause must give way to our present situation; and the
consequences which must ensue, should we now recede, would, nay must,
be infinitely worse than any we have to dread, by pursuing the present
plan, or agreeing at once to a final separation." This speech of Lord
Mansfield obtained a ready response in the house by the almost universal
approval of the peers assembled.

CHAPTER VII.

{GEORGE III. 1776-1777}

Affairs of Ireland..... Debates on America, &c......
Prorogation of Parliament..... Sentiments of Foreign Powers,
&c...... Evacuation of Boston by the British..... Mission of
Indian Chiefs..... Affairs of Canada..... Unsuccessful
Attack on Sullivan's Island..... Affairs in Virginia.....
Declaration of Independence by Congress..... Expedition
against New York..... Defeat of the Americans on Long
Island..... Conference on Staten Island..... Capture of New
York..... Capture of Fort Washington..... Capture of Fort
Lee, and Retreat of Washington..... Expedition against Rhode
Island..... Successes of General Carleton..... Measures of
Congress..... Defection of the Colonists, &c...... Meeting
of Parliament..... Debates on America..... Attempt to fire
His Majesty's Dock-yard at Portsmouth.

AFFAIRS OF IRELAND.

After the Christinas recess, the first important measure of parliament
related to Ireland. Addresses from America had been sent to the people
of that country, and they soon produced their intended effects among
them; especially among the people of Dublin, and the Protestant
dissenters. This was first seen in the acts of the sheriffs and
common-council of that city. After voting thanks to Lord Howard, on his
resignation, and to those peers who had supported the constitution, and,
in opposition to a weak and wicked administration, protested against the