When I first devoted myself to the public service, I considered how
I should render myself fit for it; and this I did by endeavouring to
discover what it was that gave this country the rank it holds in the
world. I found that our prosperity and dignity arose principally, if not
solely, from two sources;--our constitution and commerce. Both these I
have spared no study to understand, and no endeavour to support.
The distinguishing part of our constitution is its liberty. To preserve
that liberty inviolate, seems the particular duty and proper trust of
a member of the House of Commons. But the liberty, the only liberty I
mean, is a liberty connected with order; that not only exists along with
order and virtue, but which cannot exist at all without them. It inheres
in good and steady government, as in its substance and vital principle.
The other source of our power is commerce, of which you are so large
a part, and which cannot exist, no more than your liberty, without a
connection with many virtues. It has ever been a very particular and
a very favourite object of my study, in its principles, and in its
details. I think many here are acquainted with the truth of what I say.
This I know, that I have ever had my house open, and my poor services
ready, for traders and manufacturers of every denomination. My favourite
ambition is to have those services acknowledged. I now appear before
you to make trial, whether my earnest endeavours have been so
wholly oppressed by the weakness of my abilities as to be rendered
insignificant in the eyes of a great trading city; or whether you
choose to give a weight to humble abilities, for the sake of the honest
exertions with which they are accompanied. This is my trial to-day.
My industry is not on trial. Of my industry I am sure, as far as my
constitution of mind and body admitted.