uling
influence which had for so many years pervaded all our councils, though
it was manifest to all that this influence proceeded from the king
himself. After a long and animated speech, the Duke of Richmond was
followed by other noble lords who enforced his sentiments. It was stated
that neither Marlborough's campaign of 1704, which saved the German
empire, nor the campaign by which the Earl of Chatham had obtained
Canada, had cost so much money as that of Boston during the last year.
It was also urged that the nation was incapable of bearing new taxes or
of supporting the war in America; and that, if to the American war were
added a rupture with France and Spain, and the whole house of Bourbon,
the ruin of England was inevitable. The population of America was
likewise pompously displayed, and the termination of all connexion
between England and her colonies predicted. On their part ministers
supported their measures by tracing the history of the colonies, and
exhibiting their uniform disposition to factious resistance. Lord
Temple, who had again differed with his brother-in-law the Earl of
Chatham, strongly reprobated the intemperance of the opposition.
He remarked:--"The next easterly wind will convey to America every
expression used in this debate; and I would not that the nakedness
and weakness of my country should stand confirmed by the sanction and
authority of such testimony. It is time to act, and not to talk; for
the die is cast, the sword is drawn, and the scabbard thrown away. Past
experience certainly will not justify confidence in ministers; but I
would not, by declaring our utter inability to reduce the colonists,
furnish a golden bridge for an ignominious, ruinous, and disgraceful
peace. I have heard the war called unjust: but who in this house have a
right to call it so? Not those who voted for the Declaratory Act: those
only who denied our right of taxation; and how very few were they! I
cannot approve of recalling troops, and publishing the terms to which
you will yield, until there is reasonable assurance of their not being
rejected. When the happy moment for conciliation shall arrive, I hope
ministers will seize it: I wish them success: at least at such a crisis
I will not hang on the wheels of government, rendering that which
already is but too difficult more impracticable." Upon a division, the
Duke of Richmond's motion was negatived by one hundred to thirty-two;
but the proposed address was enter