litic, if not dangerous to compel them to submit to laws, which tended to lay the least burden or restraint on that trade by which alone they existed.

Lord Dartmouth replied to lord Camden, and his speech closed the debate, when the question was put, and carried against the Amendment; Contents 13; Not-contents 63. Then it was moved, That the motion for the Address should stand as first proposed; Contents 46; Not-con

tents 9.

Protest against the rejection of an Amendment to the Address.] Upon which, the following Protest was entered:

"Dissentient,

"Because we cannot agree to commit ourselves with the careless facility of a common address of compliment, in expressions, which may lead to measures in the event fatal to the lives, properties, and liberties of a very great part of our fellow subjects. We conceive that an Address upon such objects as are before us, and at such a time as this, must necessarily have a considerable influence upon our future proceedings; and must impress the public with an idea of the general spirit of the measures which we mean to support. Whatever methods we shall think it advisable to pursue, either in support of the mere authority of parliament, which seems to be the sole consideration with some, or for reconciling that authority with the peace and satisfaction of the whole empire, which has ever been our constant and invariable object, it will certainly add to the weight and efficacy of our proceedings, if they appear the result of full information, mature deliberation, and temperate enquiry. No materials for such an enquiry have been laid before us; nor have any such been so much as promised in the speech from the throne, or even in any verbal assurance from ministers. In this situation we are called upon to make an Address, arbitrarily imposing qualities and descriptions upon acts done in the colonies, of the true nature and just extent of which we are as yet in a great measure unapprized; a procedure which appears to us by no means consonant to that purity which we ought ever to preserve in our judicial, and to that caution which ought to guide us in our deliberate capacity.

2. "Because this Address does, in effect, imply an approbation of the system adopted with regard to the colonies in the last parliament. This unfortunate system,

conceived with so little prudence, and pursued with so little temper, consistency, or foresight, we were in hopes would be at length abandoned, from an experience of the mischiefs which it has produced, in proportion to the time in which it was continued, and the diligence with which it has been pursued; a system which has created the utmost confusion in the colonies, without any rational hope of advantage to the revenue, and with certain detriment to the commerce of the mother country. And it affords us a melancholy prospect of the disposition of lords in the present parliament, when we see the House, under the pressure of so severe and uniform an experience, again ready without any enquiry, to countenance, if not to adopt, the spirit of the former fatal proceedings.

"But whatever may be the mischievous designs, or the inconsiderate temerity, which leads others to this desperate course, we wish to be known as persons who have ever disapproved of measures so pernicious in their past effects, and their future tendency, and who are not in haste, without enquiry or information, to commit ourselves in declarations which may precipitate our country into all the calamities of a civil war. (Signed) Richmond, Port

land, Rockingham, Stamford, Stanhope, Torrington, Ponsonby, Wycombe, Camden."

The Address was then agreed to as follows:

"Most Gracious Sovereign,

"We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords spiritual and temporal, in parliament assembled, beg leave to return your Majesty our humble thanks for your most gracious Speech from the throne.

"We think it our indispensable duty to declare on this occasion our abhorrence and detestation of the daring spirit of resistance, and disobedience to the laws, which so strongly prevails in the province of the Massachuset's Bay; and of the unwarrantable attempts in that and other of your Majesty's provinces in America, to obstruct by unlawful combinations the trade of this kingdom.

"We thankfully acknowledge at the same time, the communication it has pleased your Majesty to make to us of your having taken such measures, and given such orders, as your Majesty judged the most proper and effectual, for the pro

of Thanks.*] Dec. 5. His Majesty's Speech being read,

Lord Beauchamp, after animadverting on the spirit of the colonists, their resolves, their meetings, and in particular their intended non-importation agreement, moved,

"As this nation cannot be unconcerned in the common interests of Europe, it is with the greatest satisfaction we are acquainted with the conclusion of the peace between Russia and the Porte; we have the fullest confidence in your Majesty's endeavours to prevent, as far as possible, the breaking out of fresh disturbances; and from the assurances given to your Majesty by other powers, we have the pleasing expectation that nothing is likely to happen that may interrupt the present happy tranquillity in Europe.

"We beg leave humbly to assure your Majesty that it will be no less our duty than our inclination, to proceed with temper and unanimity in our deliberations and resolutions, and to inculcate, by our example, a due reverence for the laws, and a just sense of the excellency of our constitution. Impressed with these sentiments, and with the deepest gratitude for the many blessings we have enjoyed during the course of your Majesty's reign, it will be our principal care to testify, with unaffected zeal at this conjuncture, our inviolable fidelity to your Majesty, and our serious attention to the public welfare."

The King's Answer.] His Majesty returned this Answer:

"My Lords;

"I thank you for your affectionate assurances of duty and loyalty.

"The zeal you express for the support of the supreme authority of the legislature, which I shall constantly maintain, is very agreeable to me; and your resolution to proceed with temper and unanimity in your deliberations, gives me the greater satisfaction, as it corresponds with the hearty concern I shall ever have for the true interests of all my people."

Debate in the Commons on the Address

* Mr. Gibbon, in the Memoirs of his own Life, gives the following description of this parliament:

"By the friendship of Mr. (afterwards lord) Eliot, who had married my first cousin, I was returned at the general election for the borough of Leskeard. I took my seat at the beginning of the memorable contest between Great Brisincere and silent vote, the rights, though not, tain and America, and supported, with many a perhaps, the interests, of the mother country. After a fleeting illusive hope, prudence condemned me to acquiesce in the humble station of a mute. I was not armed by nature and education with the intrepid energy of mind and voice

"Vincentem strepitus, et natum rebus agendis.' Timidity was fortified by pride, and even the success of my pen discouraged the trial of my voice. But I assisted at the debates of a free assembly; I listened to the attack and defence of eloquence and reason; I had a near prospect of the characters, views, and passions of the first men of the age. The cause of government was ably vindicated by lord North, a statesman of spotless integrity, a consummate master of debate, who could wield, with equal dexterity, the arms of reason and of ridicule. He was seated on the treasury-bench, between lars of the law and state, magis pares quam his attorney and solicitor-general, the two pil'similes;' and the minister might indulge in a short slumber, whilst he was upholden on either hand by the majestic sense of Thurlow, and the skilful eloquence of Wedderburne.

From the adverse side of the House an ardent and powerful opposition was supported by the lively declamation of Barré; the legal acuteness of Dunning; the profuse and philosophic fancy of Burke; and the argumentative vehemence of Fox, who, in conduct of a party, approved himself equal to the conduct of an empire. By such men every operation of peace and war, every principle of justice or policy, every question of authority and freedom, was attacked and defended; and the subject of the of Great Britain and America. The eight sesmomentous contest was the union or separation sions that I sat in parliament were a school of civil prudence, the first and most essential virtue of an historian."-Gibbon's Miscellaneous Works, vol. 1, p. 146.

The friends of the Amendment argued, that though no particular measures were at this instant under consideration, yet, the Address being drawn up in such very general terms, it implied, and even contained, a general approbation of all the late measures taken with America; that this general judgment could not, nor ought not, to be given without the fullest information; and that a delay in forming such judgment, while the most important concerns of England and America were dependent upon it, might be fatal.

Some gentlemen, who declared themselves not attached to either side, said, they would vote for the Address as moved by lord Beauchamp; not because they would be thought to approve of the late measures against America, on the contrary, they did not consider this vote as making any engagement to approve of any measures; for they should consider themselves, notwithstanding this vote, entirely at liberty upon all future questions; but they would vote for the Address, because an Address was become a business of

course.

Lord North said, this was not a proper time to enter upon any discussion of the affairs of America; that however necessary and agreeable a reconciliation with America might be, yet, as no terms had been offered by America, England would not submit first; and as matters, therefore, were in a state of suspense, he hoped the noble lord would withdraw his motion. He made some apologies for the late parliament, which passed the Acts against America, and called it a good parliament. Mr. F. Montagu in general disapproved of the Address, and seconded the motion for the Amendment very strenuously.

Governor Johnstone thought America not tenable upon the terms and principles laid down in the proposed Address. He was very glad to hear some apology made for the late parliament; for, in his opinion, no parliament ever stood in greater need of an apology.

Mr. Charles Fox was very pointed in his observations on the manner the Gallery was cleared. He said it was a mere ministerial trick to stifle enquiry and shorten debate; for if the gallery had been open, administration must have been obliged to break that silence and unconcern they now affected to hold. It was extremely unfair, he said, that persons should be shut out from being present at the discussion of a question, in the event of which

they were so highly interested; and co cluded by a succession of very pointed ar severe animadversions.

Mr. Hartley (a new member) enter fully into the contents of the Speech ar Address, and urged strongly the necessi of the proposed Amendment.

Colonel Barré was very able on t same side. He said that America h offered terms. He read a passage in M Dickinson's pamphlet, entitled "A Ne Essay, &c." which in his opinion co tained a very sufficient ground to acce and to negociate upon. He said t scheme of reducing the colonies by for was wild, incoherent, and impracticable and even though it were not, that a dom nion supported by force would answer r end whatever. He said, a report pr vailed, that general Gage was shortly be recalled, but that would signify no thing; for send whom we might, send second, recall him, and send a third, would all be to no effectual or substanti purpose.

Sir George Macartney answered th colonel, and spoke with facility and pre cision. He was against the amendmen and in general for spirited measures.

Lord Carmarthen entered fully into th contents of the proposed amendment, an dwelt much on the spirit of sedition, tur bulence, and rebellion, which had mani fested itself from one end to the other o the American continent.

Sir William Mayne declared himsel unconnected with either side of th House. He said, his mind was unbiassed and his conduct should be unfettered that on the present occasion he wa against the amendment, but reserved hi opinion till the question, and the informa tion necessary to discuss and determin on it, came properly before the House He was heard with great attention, an general approbation.

General Smith was of the same opinion observing, that the present was no prope time to take so great and important question into consideration; and tha his being now against the amendment would not hereafter preclude him from giving his thoughts freely, when th matter came before the House in anothe form.

Mr. T. Townshend was for the amend ment, and was very severe on the genera conduct of administration.

Mr. Edmund Burke compared the lan guage now artfully held to the new mem

"To present our most dutiful thanks to his Majesty, for having taken such measures as he judged most proper and effectual for carrying into execution the laws which were passed in the last session of the late parliament, for the protection and security of the commerce of his Majesty's subjects; and for restoring and preserving peace, order, and good government, in the province of the Massachuset's Bay.

"That, animated by his Majesty's gracious assurances, his faithful Commons will use every means in their power to assist his Majesty in maintaining entire and inviolate the supreme authority of this legislature over all the dominions of his crown; being truly sensible that we should betray the trust reposed in us, and be wanting in every duty which we owe to his Majesty and to our fellow subjects, if we fail to give our most zealous support to those great constitutional principles which govern his Majesty's conduct in this important business, and which are so essential to the dignity, safety, and welfare, of the British empire.

"That we learn with great satisfaction, that a treaty of peace is concluded between Russia and the Porte, and that by this happy event the general tranquillity is rendered complete; and that we entertain a well-grounded hope, that his Majesty's constant endeavours to prevent the breaking out of fresh disturbances will be I attended with success, as his Majesty continues to receive the strongest assurances from other powers, of their being equally disposed to preserve the peace.

"To assure his Majesty, that his faithful Commons will, with the utmost cheer

Mr. Thomas De Grey, jun. seconded the motion.

Lord John Cavendish, after condemning the conduct of administration respecting the colonists, moved the following Amendment to the question, by inserting after the word throne,' at the end of the first paragraph, these words; "And to assure his Majesty, that, animated with the warmest zeal for his service, and for the glory and prosperity of his reign, we shall enter into the consideration of the present situation of his colonies in America, with that care and attention, which the delicacy and importance of the object require.

"And humbly to represent, that our inviolable duty and respect to his Majesty, as well as our situation in an immediate delegated trust from his people, will not permit us to form any opinion upon a matter, which may not only sensibly and deeply affect the landed and commercial interests of our constituents, but lead to consequences of a still more alarming nature, without the fullest and most satisfactory information: and to that end, most humbly to request, that his Majesty would be graciously pleased to give orders that all the accounts received from America may be laid before this House with all convenient dispatch.

"And that when, by such information, we shall be enabled to form a proper judgment, we will humbly offer our advice on this delicate situation of affairs, and endeavour to find the means effectually to support the honour of his Majesty's crown, and the true dignity of parliament, which shall be best adapted to connect both with the permanent peace, concord, and prosperity, of all his Majesty's dominions."

The friends of the Address, as moved by lord Beauchamp, argued, that an Address was no more than a general compliment, a measure of course at the beginning of every session; that particular measures were not now the objects of consideration; and that the judgment of the House upon the affairs of America would be taken on a future day.