ing. The Americans, contending for their rights against arbitrary
exactions, I love and admire. It is the struggle of free and virtuous
patriots. But, contending for independency and total disconnection from
England, as an Englishman, I cannot wish them success; for in a due
constitutional dependency, including the ancient supremacy of this
country in regulating their commerce and navigation, consists the mutual
happiness and prosperity both of England and America. She derived
assistance and protection from us; and we reaped from her the most
important advantages. She was, indeed, the fountain of our wealth, the
nerve of our strength, the nursery and basis of our naval power. It is
our duty, therefore, my Lords, if we wish to save our country, most
seriously to endeavor the recovery of these most beneficial subjects;
and in this perilous crisis, perhaps the present moment may be the only
one in which we can hope for success. For in their negotiations with
France, they have, or think they have, reason to complain; though it be
notorious that they have received from that power important supplies and
assistance of various kinds, yet it is certain they expected it in a
more decisive and immediate degree. America is in ill humor with France;
on some points they have not entirely answered her expectations. Let us
wisely take advantage of every possible moment of reconciliation.
Besides, the natural disposition of America herself still leans toward
England; to the old habits of connection and mutual interest that united
both countries. This _was_ the established sentiment of all the
continent; and still, my Lords, in the great and principal part, the
sound part of America, this wise and affectionate disposition prevails.
And there is a very considerable part of America yet sound--the middle
and the southern provinces. Some parts may be factious and blind to
their true interests; but if we express a wise and benevolent
disposition to communicate with them those immutable rights of nature
and those constitutional liberties to which they are equally entitled
with ourselves, by a conduct so just and humane we shall confirm the
favorable and conciliate the adverse. I say, my Lords, the rights and
liberties to which they are equally entitled with ourselves, _but no
more_. I would participate to them every enjoyment and freedom which the
colonizing subjects of a free state can possess, or wish to possess; and
I do not see why they shou