Of midnight ruffians seize his peaceful Lord : EXTRACT FROM MR. PITT'S SPEECH IN THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT, MAY 13, 1777. MY LORDS, TH HIS is a flying moment; perhaps but six weeks left to arrest the dangers that surround us. It is difficult for government, after all that has passed, to shake hands with 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 kingdom. I do not trust my judgment in my pres ent state of health; this is the judgment of my better days; the result of forty years attention to America. They are rebels? but what are they rebels for? Surely not for defending their unquestionable rights! What have these rebels done heretofore! I remember when they raised four regiments on sheir own bottom, and took Louisbourg from the veteran troops of France. But their excesses have been great! I do not mean their panegyric; but must observe, in extenuation, the erroneous and infatuated counsels, which have prevailed. The door to mercy and justice has been shut against them. But they may still be taken up upon the grounds of their former submission. 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 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 hav found found yourselves at fault, you must try back. You have ransacked every corner of lower Saxony; but forty thousand German boors never can conquer ten times the number of British freemen. They may ravage; they cannot conquer. But you would conquer, you say! Why, 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, they are starved; and if dispersed, they are taken off in detail. I am experienced in spring hopes and vernal promises. I know what ministers throw out; but at last will come your equinoctial disappointment. They tell youwhat? That your army will be as strong as it was last year, when it was not strong enough. You have gained nothing in America but stations. You have been three years teaching them the art of war. They are apt scholars; and I will venture to tell your lordships, that the American gentry will make officers enough, fit to command the troops of all the European powers. What you have sent there are too many to make peace, too few to make war. If you conquer them, what then? You cannot make them respect you; you cannot make them wear your cloth. You will plant an invincible hatred in their breasts against you. Coming from the stock they do, they can never respect you. If ministers are founded in saying there is no sort of treaty with France, there is still a moment left; the point of honor is still safe. France must be as self-destroying as England, to make a treaty while you are giving her America, at the expense of twelve millions a year. The intercourse has produced every thing to France; and England, poor old England must pay for all. I have at different times made different propositions, adapted to the circumstances in which they were offered. The plan contained in the former bill is now impracticable; the present motion will tell you where you you are, and what you have now to depend upon. It may produce a respectable division in America, and unanimity at home. It will give America an option: she has yet made no option. You have said, Lay down your arms, and she has given you the Spartan answer, "Come and take them." I will get out of my bed, on Monday, to move for an immediate redress of all their grievances, and for continuing to them the right of disposing of their own property. This will be the herald of peace; this will open the way for treaty; this will show that parliament is sincerely disposed. Yet still much must be left to treaty. Should you conquer this people, you conquer under the cannon of France; under a masked battery then ready to open. The moment a treaty with France appears, you must declare war, though you had only five ships of the line in England: but France will defer a treaty as long as possible. You are now at the mercy of every little German chancery; and the pretensions of France will increase daily, so as to become an avowed party in either peace or war. We have tried for unconditional submission; let us try what can be gained by unconditional redress. Less dignity will be lost in the repeal, than in submitting to the demand of German chanceries. We are the aggressors. We have invaded them. have invaded them as much as the Spanish armada invaded England. Mercy cannot do harm; it will seat the king where he ought to be, throned on the hearts of his people; and millions at home and abroad, now employed in obloquy or revolt, would then pray for him. We A ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. T midnight, when mankind are wrap'd in peace, Where? how? from whence? vain hope! It is too late Great day! for which all other days were made ; Descended on poore earth-created man! In thee, in all. Deputed conscience scales Is idle nature laughing at her sons? Who conscience sent, her sentence will support, Thrice happy they, who enter now the court What hero, like the man who stands himself; Shall all, but man, look out with ardent eye, As in a theatre, surround this scene, Intent on man, and anxious for his fate:. To disinvolve the moral world, and give To Nature's renovation brighter charms. |