sters dared not interpose. He remarked:--"It is a
shameful truth, that not only the power and strength of this country are
wasting away and expiring, but her well-earned glories, her true honour
and substantial dignity, are sacrificed. France, my lords, has insulted
you; she has encouraged and sustained America; and whether America
be wrong or right, the dignity of this country ought to spurn at the
officious insult of French interference. The ministers and ambassadors
of those who are called rebels and enemies are in Paris--in Paris they
transact the reciprocal interests of America and France. Can there be
a more mortifying insult? Can even our ministers sustain a more
humiliating disgrace? Do they dare to resent it? Do they presume even
to hint a vindication of their honour, and the dignity of the state, by
requiring the dismissal of the plenipotentiaries of America? Such is
the degradation to which they have reduced the glories of England! The
people, whom they affect to call contemptible rebels, but whose growing
power has at least obtained the name of enemies--the people with whom
they have engaged this country in war, and against whom they now command
our implicit support in every measure of desperate hostility--this
people, despised as rebels or acknowledged as enemies, are abetted
against you, supplied with military stores, their interests consulted,
and their ambassadors entertained, by your inveterate enemy!--and our
ministers dare not interpose with dignity or effect. Is this the honour
of a great kingdom? Is this the indignant spirit of England, who, but
yesterday gave law to the House of Bourbon?" Chatham next dwelt on the
position of our armies in America, supposing that Burgoyne's--for it
was not yet known--was totally lost; and asserting that General Howe
had been compelled to retire from the American lines. Judging, from the
past, he then predicted a final and total failure, notwithstanding the
exertions made to sustain the contest and gain the victory might prove
gigantic. In this part of his speech he denounced the employment of
German troops, and the tribes of wild Indians, in strong and unmeasured
language; although, nineteen years before, he had himself employed
Indians in the same manner against the French and Canadians. Chatham
next touched on the great question of disseverance and independence.
But this, unlike the Earl of Coventry who had preceded him, he utterly
repudiated; avowing, as he had ev