CHAP. on those who, within their territory, abetted the system of ministerial oppression.

X.

1775.

Thus terminated the first year of the fatal contest between Great Britain and her colonies. Its events had assuredly no tendency to dishearten the Americans, who now universally devoted themselves to arms. While nearly 200,000 men, training to military discipline, (at this number was their force throughout the continent actually computed) offered, assuredly, but slender hopes, to Britain of forcibly overcoming resistance, it was equally manifest, that the perseverance in such an attempt, by still farther alienating minds already much estranged, would necessarily drive them to the resolution of asserting a total independency. A consciousness of their own strength would teach them it was attainable: an unintermitted hostility on the part of Britain would convince them it was their sole alternative to avoid oppression.

353

CHAP. XI.

Meeting of parliament.... Motion of Lord John Cavendish in the commons.... Parliamentary debates.... Votes of land and sea forces for 1776.... Motion of Lord North to raise the land tax to 4s. in the pound.... Mr. Burke's conciliatory motion.... Lord North's motion for suspending intercourse with the thirteen united colonies.... Proceedings of parliament after the recess.... Duke of Grafton's conciliatory proposition respecting America.... Military movements on the American continent.... General Howe reinforced.... The Americans evacuate Canada.... The American congress declares the states independent.... Washington obliged to retreat from Long Island, and afterwards to abandon New York.... The British army over-runs the province of New Jersey. Movements of Lord Cornwallis.

XI.

1775

HE indifference that prevailed in Britain, at the CHAP. THE opening of the last session of parliament, with respect to the affairs of America, affords a striking contrast to the agitation and party violence that now divided the nation. The landed interest, who had expected nothing less than the immediate and unconditional submission of the colonists, were revolted at the disappointment of their wishes and predictions, while the commercial parts of the country, suffering already under a system they had previously deprecated, were only the louder in its condemnation, since experience had converted their fears into realities. To these opposite sources are to be traced the addresses and counterpetitions that preceded the mecting of parliament. Fol. I.

Ꮓ

ΧΙ.

1775.

CHAP. The former not only condemned, indiscriminately, the conduct of America, and as generally approved the measures of administration; they reflected also, in terms of opprobrium, on the opposition at large. In the latter, the contrary sentiments were strongly urged; and, in proof of the amicable disposition of the Americans, the petitions of London and Bristol stated the large remittances for debts which they had lately received. But the public papers, in the pay of administration, were chiefly employed as the vehicles of abuse. The writers, in these publications, dared even to asperse, as secret traitors, the first characters of the country in rank and talents; and talked, with an affectedly mysterious style, of dark conspiracies, great personages, and approaching commitments. To such artifices were the partizans of tory principles and violent measures reduced, to discredit the authority of men, whose just animadversions they saw impending, without the power of otherwise shielding themselves against their force.

But, whatever might be the prevailing opinion in England, the rest of Europe, at least, spoke in condemnation of the present councils of Britain. The Seven united states, in particular, refused to hire their troops for the purpose of subjugating America. Many compared its present situation to their own under Philip II. Others stated, as the ground of their refusal, that, if violent measures were persevered in by Britain, they would drive the colonies into the arms of France.

On the 26th of October 1775, the peculiar circumstances of the times urging so early a meeting, parliament was convened. In the speech from the throne, a full view was set forth of the actual state of America. The successes of the coJonists were wholly attributed to the undue bene

5

XI.

1775

volence of the British government, which, more CHAP. intent on undeceiving, than on punishing, its subjects, had, on this account, and solely on this account, sent out a small force, accompanying it with conciliatory propositions. The ungrateful return it had met, proved, that the utmost vigour must now be exerted. A proposal was held out, of foreign succours; and it was stated, that, to increase, immediately, our disposable force, the garrisons of Gibraltar and Mahon had been relieved by Hanoverian troops. Mercy, however, was promised to the deluded rebels, who should make proper submission to commissioners that were to be appointed for that purpose. The speech concluded, with assurances of the pacific views of foreign powers.

The address, which re-echoed these assertions, fell, as usual, under the violent censures of the minority. Lord John Cavendish immediately moved, in the commons, an amendment, the substance of which was, that coercion had inflamed the evils it had been designed to allay, and hence, it might be suspected, had been inconsiderately resolved upon that the house would proceed to reconsider so serious a subject; and trusted its conclusions would supersede the necessity of employing foreign troops against British possessions.' Opposition peremptorily denied that America had hitherto aspired at independence, though such must be the issue of perseverance in the present system. They attacked, with pointed ridicule, the solution given of the American successes, and alleged, as a truer explanation, the ignorance of ministers respecting American affairs; all their information on which was exclusively derived from some fugitive governors, exasperated at the provinces who had expelled them. If they had had access to more accurate sources, then they had in

CHAP. tentionally deceived the country, by the language they had publicly held.

XI.

1775.

Ministers, on the other hand, affirmed, that the various acts of sovereignty exercised by congress, proved a direct design to throw off altogether the authority of the mother country. Conciliation had been tried; but the trial was abortive. Lenity was lost on the ungrateful Americans. In a tone somewhat humbler than that they had assumed the last session, and which indicated a certain degree of despondency, they confessed, it were much to be wished matters could now be replaced on the footing they were in at the close of the last war; but this they judged impossible. The sole object now was to remedy, not to investigate, the evil. Britain had committed herself, and could not recede' with dignity. These arguments were again combated by opposition, who particularly animadverted on the allegation, that lenity and conciliation had been tried in vain. Was the Boston port bill, were the fishery bills, the proofs of this boasted lenity, that were expected to invite submission? What more could the spirit of vengeance have dictated? 108 voted for the amendment; 278 supported the address.

The address underwent a discussion equally vehement in the lords, where the marquis of Rockingham proposed a similar amendment. But the secession, from the cabinet, of the duke of Grafton, and the unexpected expressions of some ministerial lords, were peculiarly deserving of notice. His grace declared, in the most unequivocal manner, that he had been deceived by his colleagues detesting the principle of coercion, he had been solemnly assured, that the appearance of it only was intended, and would effectually serve to compose the present troubles. From what had happened, he was now firmly convinced,