the session there was a grand debate in the house
of lords on the affairs of America. After a long absence, the Earl
of Chatham moved for an address, advising his majesty to take speedy
measures for terminating the war with America, by the removal of their
grievances. The lords were summoned for the purpose of deliberating on
this motion, and it was introduced on the 30th of May. Chatham commenced
his speech by declaring the mother country unequal to the contest. He
remarked:--"My lords, this is a flying moment; perhaps but six weeks
are left to arrest the dangers that surround us. The gathering storm may
break; it has already opened, and in part burst. It is difficult,
after all that has passed, to shake hands with the defiers of the
king--defiers of the parliament--defiers of the people. I am a defier
of nobody; but if an end is not put to this war, there is an end to this
country! I do not trust my judgment in my present state of health; this
is the judgment of my better days--the result of forty years' attention
to America. The Americans are rebels; but for what? Surely not for
defending their unquestionable rights. But their excesses have been
great! I do not mean to pronounce their panegyric, but must observe, in
extenuation, the erroneous and infatuated counsels which have prevailed
here. The door to mercy and justice has been shut against them; but they
may still be taken up upon the grounds of their former submissions and
petitions. I state to you the importance of America: it is a double
market--a market of consumption, and a market of supply. This double
market for millions, with all its naval stores, you are giving to your
hereditary rival. America has carried you through four wars; and will
now carry you to your death, if you do not take things in time. In the
sportsman's phrase, when you have found yourselves at fault, you must
try back. You have ransacked every corner of Lower Saxony; but 40,000
German boors never can conquer ten times the number of British freemen.
You may ravage--you cannot conquer; it is impossible: you cannot conquer
the Americans. You talk of your numerous friends to annihilate the
congress, and of your powerful forces to disperse their army: I might as
well talk of driving them before me with my crutch! But what would you
conquer--the map of America? I am ready to meet any general officer on
the subject, What will you do out of the protection of your fleet? In
the winter, if together