[282] Lord North proposed (February 10) a Bill restricting the
trade of America with Great Britain, Ireland, and the West
Indies, and excluding the colonists from the Newfoundland
fisheries.
[283] The two members returned for Downton, Thomas Dummer and
Thomas Duncombe, were declared not duly elected, and Sir Philip
Hales and John Cooper declared duly elected.
241.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Wednesday Eve, 15th February, 1775.
A letter to-day from Mrs. G.: she has heard of the Tythes-man being
found, wishes to buy by private Contract, fears the price, distrusts
Gil[bert]; and wishes to hear from you through me. I shall use your
hints to-morrow. I have found you a Servant--George Barton, a Native
of Cheshire. Sir Harbord,[284] whom he last lived with, gives him (to
me) a very good character; he is a middle-aged, sober, well-looking
man, loves the country, takes care of horses, and likes your terms
so well that, if you chuse it by return of post, he will attend you.
The post this instant rings, d'Eyverdun exists. Next week I think
the fishery Bill. There is some reason to think (Barrè told me just
now) that the New York Assembly has dissented from the Congress.[285]
Adieu.
[284] Sir Harbord Harbord, afterwards Lord Suffield, M.P. for
Norwich.
[285] Efforts were made by Lord North to secure the loyalty
of the province of New York, which at first repudiated the
non-importation agreement of Congress, refused to print letters
of the committee of correspondence appointed to carry out that
policy, and declined to choose delegates to the second Congress
which was to be held in May, 1775. Patriotic feeling, however,
prevailed, and New York decided in April, 1775, to fall into line
with the other colonies.
[Sidenote: NORTH'S CONCILIATORY SCHEME.]
242.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Saturday Evening, February 25th, 1775.
Enclosed I send you Aunt's power of Attorney. It is not legal,
owing I suppose to her ignorance of forms, but _still it expresses
her sentiments_, and will, I think, relative to her, authorize you
to take any measures that may be expedient for the general good,
and they must be taken without delay. I think if we _could get a
tolerable lease_ of the Tythes for a good term of years, it would be
a stop-gap in our favour till at better leisure we could purchase
them.
*We go on with regard to America, if we can be said to go on; for on
last Monday a conciliatory Motion of allowing the Colonies to tax
themselves was introduced by Lord North, in the midst of lives and
fortunes, War and famine.[286] We went into the House in Confusion,
every moment expecting that the Bedfords would fly into Rebellion
against those measures. Lord North rose six times to appease the
storm; all in vain; till at length Sir Gilbert [Elliot] declared
for Administration, and the Troops all rallied under their proper
standards. On Wednesday we had the Middlesex Election.[287] I was a
Patriot; sat by the Lord Mayor,[288] who spoke well, and with temper,
but before the end of the debate fell fast asleep. I am still a Mute;
it is more tremendous than I imagined; the great speakers fill me
with despair, the bad ones with terror.
When do you move? My Lady answered like a woman of sense, spirit, and
good nature. "Neither she nor I could bear it." She was right, and
the Dutchess of Braganza[289] would have made the same answer.* How
do you like your footman? Sir H. only parted with him because the Man
wanted to set up his Trade in his own Country. Adieu.
[286] On February 1, 1775, Lord Chatham, in the House of Lords,
brought in a Bill for settling the troubles in America, by which
it was enacted, _inter alia_, that no tax should be imposed on
the colonists by the British Parliament without the consent of
their own representative assembly. The Bill was rejected; but
it probably influenced Lord North, who, on February 20, brought
forward, in the Lower House, his conciliatory scheme. This was
a resolution proposing that, if the colonists should make a
satisfactory provision for the defence and government of the
province, the right of taxing them should be suspended. Sir G.
Elliot represented the Bedford party in the House of Commons.
[287] On February 22 Wilkes proposed a motion rescinding every
step which the late Parliament had taken with reference to the
Middlesex election. Gibbon voted for the motion against the
Government. The motion was lost by 239 to 171.
[288] Wilkes.
[289] Robert Jephson's successful tragedy _Braganza_ was played
at Drury Lane in February, 1775, Mrs. Yates taking the part of
Louisa, Duchess of Braganza. Gibbon is probably referring to
this play in comparing Mrs. Holroyd to the spirited Duchess.
The answer of "My Lady" is in keeping with the character of the
Duchess as depicted in the play--
"I have a woman's form, a woman's fears,
I shrink from pain and start at dissolution.
* * * * *
Yet summoned as we are, your honour pledged,
Your own just rights engaged, your country's fate,
... Still would I on,
Still urge, exhort, confirm thy constancy,
And, though we perished in the bold attempt,
With my last breath I'd bless the glorious cause,
And think it happiness to die so nobly."
243.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Tuesday Evening, February 28th, 1775.
The Bell rings---- I like the intended Journey of Sunday. For
sundry reasons think you had better auspicate by Twickenham, and
reserve Bentinck Street, for the _bonne bouche_ week. Still dumb:
but see, hear, laugh sometimes, am oftener serious, but upon the
whole very well amused. Adieu.
[Sidenote: A SILENT MEMBER.]
244.
_To his Stepmother._
March the 30th, 1775.