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AN
HUMBLE ADDRESS
AND
EARNEST APPEAL
TO
THOSE RESPECTABLE PERSONAGES
IN GREAT-BRITAIN AND IRELAND,
WHO,
BY THEIR GREAT AND PERMANENT INTEREST
IN LANDED PROPERTY,
THEIR LIBERAL EDUCATION, ELEVATED RANK,
AND ENLARGED VIEWS,
ARE THE ABLEST TO JUDGE, AND THE FITTEST TO DECIDE,
WHETHER A
CONNECTION WITH, OR A SEPARATION FROM
THE
CONTINENTAL COLONIES OF AMERICA,
BE MOST FOR THE NATIONAL ADVANTAGE, AND THE
LASTING BENEFIT OF THESE KINGDOMS.
_Suis et ipsa Roma viribus ruit._ HOR.
BY JOSIAH TUCKER, D. D.
DEAN OF GLOCESTER.
GLOCESTER:
PRINTED BY R. RAIKES;
AND SOLD BY
T. CADELL, IN THE STRAND, LONDON.
M.DCC.LXXV.
AN HUMBLE ADDRESS, &c.
MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,
Though the Author of the ensuing Tract may be below your Notice, as an
Individual, yet the Subject he treats upon, highly deserves your most
serious Attention. In the present unhappy Disputes between the
Parent-State and the Colonies, he undertakes to point out, what Measures
the Landed-Interest of _Great-Britain_ and _Ireland_ ought to pursue in
future, for the Sake of themselves and their Posterity. And if what he has
to offer, should, after a due Examination, be found to be reasonable,
solid, and satisfactory, he relies so much on your own good Sense and
Judgment, as to believe, that you will not reject his Plan, merely because
it originated from an inferior Hand. This is all the Favour he asks, or
expects from you.
Upon this Subject, he waves the Consideration of every Thing, which might
have a Tendency to keep the present Question out of Sight. _Great-Britain_
and her Colonies are now at open War. THIS IS THE FACT. But if it should
be asked, How these Things came to pass? From what Causes did they spring?
Which are the real, and which are the apparent Motives in this
Controversy? Moreover, who were originally and principally to blame? And
what Methods ought to have been taken at first, in order to have prevented
Matters from coming to their present Height?--The Author having already
given his Sentiments on each of these Heads in his 3d, 4th, and 5th
preceding Tracts, and also in his Letter to Mr. BURKE, will not here
repeat the same Things.--The grand Object now before him is simply this;
_Great Britain and her Colonies are at open War_: And the proper and
important Question arising from such a Fact is the following, _What is to
be done at the present Crisis?_
Three Schemes have been proposed;--the Parliamentary,--Mr. BURKE's,--and
my own.
The Parliamentary Scheme is,--To maintain _vi et armis_ the Supremacy of
the Mother-Country over her Colonies, in as full and ample a Manner, as
over any Part of the _British_ Dominions.
Mr. BURKE's is, [tho' not in express _Words_] To resign or relinquish the
Power of the _British_ Parliament over the Colonies, and to erect each
Provincial Assembly into an independent _American_ Parliament;--subject
nevertheless to the King of _Great-Britain_, with his usual
Prerogatives:--For which Favour of acknowledging the same Sovereign, the
Colonists are to be complimented with the most precious Rights,
Privileges, and Advantages of _British_ Subjects:--I say, _complimented_,
and complimented even _gratuitously_:--For as to their contributing any
Proportion, either of Men or Money, towards the public Expence, and in
Return for those Favours--All this is to be entirely left to their own
innate Goodness and Generosity, to do just as they please.
My Scheme [which Mr. BURKE, in his last Speech of _March_ 22, 1775, is
pleased to term a _childish_ one] is,--To separate totally from the
Colonies, and to reject them from being Fellow-Members, and joint
Partakers with us in the Privileges and Advantages of the _British_
Empire; because they refuse to submit to the Authority and Jurisdiction of
the _British_ Legislature:--Offering at the same Time to enter into
Alliances of Friendship, and Treaties of Commerce with them, as with any
other sovereign, independent States.
Now, in order to determine, which of these Schemes is the most
eligible;--it would be right to consider, which is the easiest and most
practicable,--which is least expensive,--which is likeliest to prevent
similar Disturbances and Disputes for the future,--and which will least
endanger the _English_ Constitution and our domestic Tranquility. For all
these Circumstances ought to be taken into the Account, before a due
Judgment can be formed.
In regard to the first, I wish for the present to be silent about
it;--partly out of Respect to that august Body, which has given a Sanction
to it;--partly because it is now upon Trial, whether it can be executed or
not;--and partly likewise because this must fall of Course, if either Mr.
BURKE's, or mine, should be judged to have the Preference. For these
Reasons, I say, I wish to keep a respectful Silence on this Head.
But in respect to Mr. BURKE, I need not stand on so much Ceremony. For
tho' he is confessedly a great _Rhetorician_, and can with his magic Voice
raise a mighty Tempest of metaphorical Lightenings and Thunders;--yet,
Heaven be praised, there is the Period of all his Powers: And his _verba
ardentia_, his _flaming Words_, are found to end at last (like many other
Explosions) in Noise and Smoke. Nor doth it, I humbly apprehend, at all
follow, that the Orator is endowed with a greater Portion of political
Discernment than other Men, or with more disinterested Sincerity, and real
Love of his Country, in making a just and honest Application of that
Discernment;--merely because he has more Words at Command, and can muster
up a greater Army of bright Similes, and florid Expressions.
But be that as it may:--I now consider myself as standing at the Bar of
the public Tribunal: And therefore before the Jury is struck, and the
Trial begins, I humbly beg Leave to claim, and to exercise one of the
distinguishing Privileges of _Englishmen_ in such Cases, viz. To except
against all such Persons in the Pannel, who appear to be under a wrong
Biass, and an undue Influence respecting the Nature of this Dispute.
And 1st. I except against _Courtiers and Placemen_, considered _as such_.
This is not uttered out of a Spirit of Resentment, Pique, or
Disappointment, according to the Mode of modern Times. For, I thank God, I
have no Cause to complain of any Disappointment; having since my
Advancement to the Deanery of _Glocester_ in the Year 1758, neither
directly nor indirectly made the least, or the most distant Application
for any other or higher Station. This Renunciation of aspiring Views is a
Circumstance, which I am persuaded Mr. BURKE knew perfectly well, by
various Means, and from different Persons, especially from a noble Lord,
formerly high in Office, and a great _Favourite_ at Court, but now his
Coadjutor, and a flaming Patriot. And yet the Orator has been pleased to
characterize me by Name in his Speech of the 19th of _April_, 1774, with
out any Provocation, as one of those _Court-Vermin_ (such was his polite
Phrase) who would do any thing for the Sake of a Bishopric.--Moreover I do
not make this Exception against Courtiers from any bad Opinion I have
conceived of the present Set of Ministers; for I think it may be fairly
allowed, without paying them any Compliment, that they are to the full as
_able_, and as _honest_ as the best of those who are endeavouring to
supplant them. But nevertheless, as they are subject to many unhappy
Biasses, which may draw their Judgments aside without sinister Intentions,
they ought to be excepted against in the present Dispute. In fact, while
the great Continent of _North America_ shall continue to be united to this
Island under any mode whatever, Persons in Administration will necessarily
have a Multitude of Places and Sine-cures to dispose of, many lucrative
Contracts to bestow; and, to speak in coarse tho' very expressive
_English_, many JOBS of various Kinds, wherewith to gratify their Friends,
and Dependents. Not to mention, that if ever a total Separation (such as
proposed by my Plan) should ensue, the Ministry for the Time being, would
run a great Risque of falling a Sacrifice to the blind Zeal of popular
Discontents, and the knavish Intrigues of Party-Factions. Therefore for
all these Reasons, I must insist, that Courtiers and Placemen ought to be
excepted against, as being not sufficiently unbiassed, or disinterested to
determine impartially on the present Subject.
2dly. I particularly except against the whole Band of Mock-Patriots. And
my Reason is, because this Race of Men will of Course, prefer that Scheme,
whatever it be, which can furnish them with the most lasting Fund for
Opposition and Complaint. Now it is evident, that our Conjunction with
_North-America_, upon any Terms, and under any, or every Modification,
will not fail of becoming an inexhaustible Source of Altercation and
Reproach, let whatever Measures be pursued. For Example: Had the Ministry
proposed at first that very Scheme, which Mr. BURKE has now thought proper
to recommend, the Heads of the Faction, and even Mr. BURKE himself (if he
had not been a Pensioner to _North-America_) would most probably have
proposed just the Reverse; that is, they and he would have insisted on the
Necessity of _obliging_ the Colonies to contribute a Share,
_proportionable to their Interests, and to the growing Benefits they
receive_, towards the Maintenance, the Grandeur, and the Glory of that
Empire, from which their own Preservation and Prosperity are derived. And
then the popular Cry would have been, that a wicked and a profligate
Administration were going to sacrifice the Honour and Dignity of the
_British_ Crown, and the dear-bought Rights and Privileges of the
_British_ Nation to _American_ Gold, and _American_ Ingratitude.--Then we
should have been told (and every Town and Country News-Paper would have
echoed and re-echoed the Tale) that _America_ was the Property of
_Great-Britain_ by every possible and legal Claim;--by Right of
Discovery,--Right of Occupancy,--Right of Possession,--uninterrupted
Prescription,--Communication of Benefits,--Participation of Posts of
Honour, and Places of Profit,--general Protection,--never-ceasing Defence,
&c. &c. And then we should have been told with peculiar Emphasis, that
this new-fangled, ministerial Scheme of erecting so many new Parliaments,
all co-ordinate with each other, under one general Monarch, was not only a
notorious Breach of the _English_ Constitution, and utterly repugnant to
the Law of the Land,--but was also a deep-laid, diabolical Contrivance to
subjugate these petty Parliaments, one after another, and all in their
Turns, to the irresistible Power of one grand Despot:--In short, then it
would have been said (and with great Appearance of Truth) that _divide, et
impera_ was the ministerial Maxim;--and that, what was done, or going to
be done in _America_, was only the Omen and Prelude to the like fatal
Establishments here in _Britain_. For the next Step would be (and upon a
Pretence full as good, and altogether as constitutional) to break to
Pieces the united Force of the _British_ Parliament, by erecting one
diminutive Assembly of States at _Edinburgh_, another at _York_, a third
at _London_, and a fourth at _Bath_, or _Exeter_, or somewhere in the
West: And then, partly by flattering and cajoling,--partly by Bribes or
Bullying,--by exciting their Hopes, or their Fears at one Time,--and their
Jealousies at another,--and by playing off each of these puny Assemblies
against its Rival, the Minister would necessarily become omnipotent;--and
then farewell to the Liberties of _Old England_.
3dly. I object also against all those of whatever Denomination, from the
roaring Patriot in the Senate, to the miserable Scribbler in the Garret,
who are the Pensioners of _France_, or _Spain_, or of any other rival
Power:--I say, I object against their being Judges in this Dispute,
because the very Intent of their receiving Pay is to promote Discord, and
to cherish Faction;--and because they cannot earn their Wages with more
Facility, or with surer Success to their Employers, than by patronizing
such Schemes, as will necessarily keep up the Disputes between
_Great-Britain_ and her Colonies.
But here the Smartness of Debate (to use one of Mr. BURKE's very smart
Expressions) will be apt to say, "Who are those Persons against whom your
Insinuations are levelled? Name them, if you are able: And as you ought to
be furnished with the most positive Proofs, before you are entitled to
throw out such Invectives, give them to the Public, in order that we may
hold these Traitors to their Country in just Abhorrence."
To all which strong Words I would beg Leave to suggest the following
Answers.
1. I think it may be allowed, without injuring the Cause of Truth, or even
Charity, that a Man may be fully convinced of a bad Design, or a wicked
Scheme being in Agitation, without being able to prove, who are the
Persons concerned in it. It is not usual for the Guilty to call upon the
Innocent to step forwards and be their Accusers: Nor can it be expected,
that the Names of the Conspirators should be the first Thing in any
Conspiracy which is to be brought to Light. Indeed, generally speaking,
this is the last Part of any Plot, or of any bad Design, which can be
fully known, or legally ascertained. And therefore, if either the
Experience of former Times, or the Nature of the Case, can afford probable
Reasons, and circumstantial Evidence in Support of this Assertion, _That
there are Numbers of Pensioners to Foreign Powers now among us_--surely
we have obtained all the Proofs that are necessary at present towards
establishing a general Belief of the Fact, (which is the only Point here
contended for;) and we must leave to Time, that great Discoverer of
political Machinations, to unravel the rest.
Wherefore, 2dly. Let it be observed, that the History of this very Country
furnishes us with striking Examples in Confirmation of the above
Assertion. Particularly during the memorable Reigns of CHARLES the Second,
and WILLIAM the Third, that is, just before, and just after the
Revolution, there were many venal _Englishmen_, both in the Senate and out
of it, the Pensioners of _France_; who, to be sure, meant nothing by what
they said or did on these Occasions, and for such Pay, but the Good of
their dear bleeding Country; who therefore stormed and thundered,
speechified and harangued, printed and published out of pure,
disinterested Zeal for the Welfare of poor, old _England_!
Hence therefore I infer, 3dly, That the like may happen again, or rather
has happened already, unless it can be shewn, either, that _France_ and
_Spain_ want no such Agents at present; or if they did, that they cannot
now, as heretofore, find them here in _Britain_. In regard to the first of
these Positions, whosoever will give himself the Trouble, to examine
coolly and impartially into the slender Reasons alledged on our Parts, for
beginning two of the most bloody and destructive Wars, that ever were
known, will find sufficient Cause to believe, that those Powers will
always think it to be more for their Interests, to cut out Work at Home
for these restless and turbulent Islanders (as they are pleased to call
us) than to let us be at Peace among ourselves, lest that Circumstance
should give us an Opportunity of picking Quarrels with our Neighbours. And
most certain it is, that both the former _Spanish_ (or the _No-Search_)
War, and the latter _French_ (or the _Acadia_ and _Ohio_) War, were begun
and carried on principally with a View to promote the immediate Interests
of the Northern Colonies; the former to protect their Smugglers, when
hovering about the Coasts, and when actually trading in the prohibited
Ports of the _Spanish West-Indies_; and the latter, (a War, alas! begun,
without so much as a Declaration of War!) to do, I know not what! unless
it was to enable the grateful Colonies to rebel against the Mother
Country, perhaps a Generation or two sooner, than otherwise they would
have done. But be that as it may, one Thing is certain, and beyond
Dispute, that the more we are embroiled among ourselves, the less Cause
will the other Powers of _Europe_ have to fear our giving them any
Disturbance: And that 20,000l. or 30,000l. a Year spent in Bribes and
Pensions, properly disposed, to raise an Opposition against Government,
and to enflame the Populace against their Rulers, will do more effectual
Service to the Courts of _France_ and _Spain_, than thirty Times these
Sums laid out in manning Fleets, or equipping Squadrons or preparing and
embarking Troops for an Invasion.
If therefore these Points are so self-evident, as not to be denied, the
only Question now remaining is this, Can it be supposed, or is it
credible, that a popular _British_ Senator, a _British_ Pamphleteer, or a
_British_ News-writer, in an Age so pure and uncorrupt as ours, would
accept of a Bribe, or a Pension on such dishonourable Conditions? And are
not all these illustrious Personages either of such well known independent
Fortunes, or of such spotless Characters, and approved Virtue, as to be
superior to any Temptation of this Sort? Now here I say nothing, but chuse
to be silent; and earnestly entreat every Reader to judge for himself.
Indeed there was a Time, when a Text of sacred Scripture might have been
urged, as carrying some Weight in deciding the present Question: "Beware
of false Prophets, who come to you in Sheep's Cloathing, but inwardly they
are ravening Wolves. Ye shall know them by their Fruits. Do Men gather
Grapes of Thorns, or Figs of Thistles? Even so every good Tree bringeth
forth good Fruit; but a corrupt Tree bringeth forth evil Fruit. A good
Tree cannot bring forth evil Fruit, neither can a corrupt Tree bring forth
good Fruit.--WHEREFORE BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM." I say, there
was a Time, when the Authority of such a Caution would have been regarded
as more decisive than the Productions of our modern licentious Presses.
But as we now live in very extraordinary Times, full of new Lights, and
new Discoveries, I forbear, lest our Patriots should accuse me of Bigotry,
Priestcraft, or Superstition[1].
4thly. I expressly except against all Persons of _Republican_ Principles
for very obvious Reasons; for tho' they dignify themselves by the Name of
WHIGS, yet as they are not the genuine, _constitutional Whigs_ of this
Kingdom, but an unnatural Superfoetation, and the avowed Enemies of the
_British_ Constitution, they ought not to be allowed to sit in Judgment in
a _British_ Cause. They are, it is well known, the professed Advocates for
continuing and cementing the Union between _Great-Britain_ and her
Colonies; and yet they wish, above all Things, to see these Colonies
totally exempt from, and independent of, the Power and Jurisdiction of the
_British_ Legislature. Now, how are we to reconcile these glaring
Contradictions? And what is the Reason for professing such a preposterous
Zeal for _America_, in Preference both to the Interests and Honour of
their native Country? The Reason is this:--They think, that by cherishing
and protecting a republican Government in the Colonies, they are paving
the Way for introducing a similar Establishment into _Great-Britain_.
Therefore _Republicism_ is the Bond of Union between these unnatural
_Englishmen_ and their Fellow-Labourers of _America_: _Republicism_, I
say, [pardon the Use of a new Word, where the Language doth not afford a
better] is made the _common Cause_ for uniting Persons of the most
discordant Interests and different Inclinations in other Respects.
And I will add, as an Illustration of this Matter, and to shew how far
certain Persons will go to obtain their Ends, that the Republicans in the
Reigns of CHARLES II. JAMES II. and WILLIAM III. joined the
Constitutionalists in bringing about the Revolution, chiefly with the
Hopes, that a Prince who owed his Election to the Voice of the People,
might the easier be dethroned by the same People, whenever they could get
them into the Mood to do it, whether with, or without a Cause. For the
very Sound of Monarchy, however limited, or however well administered, is
grating to their Ears. They cannot bear to think, that one Man, or one
Family should be so much exalted above _themselves_, in Contradiction to
their darling Maxim of a NATURAL EQUALITY. And this Scheme for laying the
Foundation of a _new_ and _equal_ Republic is what the Republicans really
intend by using the Phrase _Revolution Principles_ at this Day. In short,
we have now the most authentic Proofs, that their Predecessors of old
tried all Means in their Power, and even applied to the Court of _France_
first to prevent, and then to defeat the Revolution, and to set up a
Republican Form in its stead; alledging that it was more for the Interest
of that Court to have a Republican Government take Place in _England_,
somewhat after the Example of that of _Holland_, than any Kind of
Monarchical Constitution, because this, at one Time or other, might
become a troublesome Neighbour, and a dangerous Rival; whereas nothing of
that Kind was to be feared from a mere simple _Democracy_. Moreover in
some Years afterwards, when the Crown was settled on the House of
_Hanover_, we know it well, (for it is no Secret) that the Republicans
both then, and since, had no other Merit towards that House,
notwithstanding all their Boastings, than that of reserving its Princes,
like the Prisoners in CACUS's Den, _to be devoured the last_. A mighty
Favour truly! For which our Ears are perpetually dinned with a Repetition
of the Services of these Men towards the ungrateful House of _Hanover_!
And now, my Lords and Gentlemen, having excepted against Courtiers and
Placemen as _such_,--against pretended Patriots _on every
Account_,--against the Pensioners of foreign Powers,--and against _rank
Republicans_;--my humble Request is, that the Cause between Mr. BURKE and
me may be tried by the LANDED INTEREST ONLY. _They_ are certainly the
properest and most unexceptionable Judges; for they have _the most at
Stake_; and their Interest, and the Interest of the Public, must
necessarily coincide. They can gain nothing either by War, or Peace, by a
Submission to, or a Separation from, the Revolters in _North America_, but
what must tend to the general, as well as to their own particular
Advantage. Whereas almost every other Rank of Men may find their Account,
in countenancing and supporting such Measures, as may greatly enrich
themselves, tho' at the Expence of depopulating and impoverishing their
native Country.
Nor, my Lords and Gentlemen, is this Cause beneath your solemn Notice and
Regard. In the former _Spanish_ [or no-search] War, you spent above _Sixty
Millions_ Sterling, including the extraordinary Sums raised, and the fresh
Debts contracted:--And in the last _French_, _Ohio_, or _Acadia_ War, you
spent above NINETY MILLIONS STERLING, if computed after the same Manner,
viz. Additional Sums annually raised, and new Debts contracted. And all,
alas! for what!!!![2]
But without any Retrospect to Things past, let us look towards what is to
come.
The first Thing to be considered in the Dispute between Mr. BURKE and me,
is, which of Our Schemes _is the easiest to be executed, and the most
practicable_? He proposes that all Concessions should be made on our Parts
in Favour of the Colonies; but that none, or next to none, should be made
by them in Favour of _Great Britain_. Now this Proposal can never
terminate the Dispute between us and them, but on one or other of the
following Suppositions.
First, that the Parliament and People of _Great-Britain_ are now
convinced, that they have acted injuriously, illegally, and
unconstitutionally in pretending to make any Laws, whether good or bad, to
bind the _Americans_: Because they (the _Americans_) have their own
Legislatures, which are totally independent of ours: And therefore we take
Shame to ourselves by revoking these pretended, usurping Laws. For in
short, the first Step in Politics, as well as in Morals, towards sincere
Repentance, is _Restitution_. Or, secondly, though we should not give up
the Point of _Right_, of making Laws, and cry _peccavimus_,--yet we take
for granted, that no improper Use will be made of the great and manifold
Concessions, contained in Mr. BURKE's Scheme; because we have to deal with
a People, who, (we know by long Experience) may be trusted with every
Thing, as being the _Quintessence of Honour and Honesty_, both in public
and private Life, and particularly the _fair unsullied Monuments of
national Gratitude_.
Or if this likewise should prove to be a Pill too large, and too nauseous
for _Englishmen_ to swallow;--then, thirdly, we are to suppose, in order
to end all Controversy, that the Trade with these _North-Americans_ is so
essential to our Interests, as a commercial Nation, that we must keep them
in good Humour at any Rate, and at any Expence;--least they should deprive
us of their Custom, to the utter Ruin of our Manufactures, Shipping,
Navigation, &c. &c. &c.
Or lastly, we must suppose, that old _England_ is in Fact grown so
exceedingly weak and impotent, and _America_ so very strong and powerful,
that it is in vain to resist any Encroachments, which the Colonies may
make on the Mother-Country:--For in such Circumstances, it is more prudent
to submit to the present Evils, great as they are, than to provoke our
Conquerors to inflict still greater.
I say, one or other of these four Suppositions must necessarily be made,
before Mr. BURKE's Plan can terminate in real Peace, and restore that
Harmony, of which he makes such continual Boastings. Let him therefore, at
his own Leisure, take his Choice of either of the four, or even adopt them
all, if he pleases, and make the most of them.
In the mean while, deign, my Lords and Gentlemen, to cast your Eyes on my
Plan (_childish_ as it is represented by him to be) of a _total
Separation_. And first of all, is it practicable in itself? And could it
be executed with Ease, if heartily set about?--Suppose therefore, that you
were to recall your Fleets and Armies, and publish to the _Americans_ the
following Manifesto, couched under the Form of an Act of Parliament.
"Whereas many of the _British_ Provinces, Colonies, and Plantations in
_North-America_, after having made, from Time to Time, various Attempts to
throw off, or subvert the legislative Authority and Jurisdiction of
_Great-Britain_, have at length proceeded to the greatest and most daring
Outrages for accomplishing the same, by entering into illegal Combinations
and traiterous Conspiracies, and even by breaking out into open and
undisguised Rebellion: And whereas the Inhabitants in general of the said
Provinces, Colonies, and Plantations shew not the least Signs of Sorrow
and Contrition for their past Offences, nor any Desire to implore the
Clemency of the Parent-State, which hath in all Instances cherished,
supported, and protected them at an immense Expence both of Blood, and
Treasure; but on the contrary, continue to encrease their hostile
Preparations for opposing, by Violence and Force of Arms, the Execution of
the Laws made by the supreme Legislature of Parliament for the due
Governance, and constitutional Dependence of such subordinate States and
Provinces;
"Be it therefore enacted by the Kings most excellent Majesty, by and with
the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and of the
Commons of _Great-Britain_ in Parliament assembled;--that every such
Province, Colony, and Plantation which either now is, or at the ___ Day of
_____ next ensuing shall be found to be in Arms and Rebellion against the
Laws and Authority of the supreme Legislature of _Great-Britain_, shall,
from and after the Time above mentioned, be totally cut off, severed, and
separated from the British Empire; and that all its Inhabitants shall be
declared, and are hereby declared to have lost and forfeited all
Privileges and Advantages, Benefits and Protection both by Sea and Land,
belonging, or supposed to belong to the Subjects of _Great-Britain_; and
that they shall be deemed, taken, and reputed, in all Courts of Law, and
in all Respects whatever, to be as much Aliens and Foreigners, and subject
to the same Incapacities, as if they had been Aliens born.
"Provided nevertheless, and to the Intent, that as far as the Nature of
the Case will admit, the _Innocent_ may not be involved in the Punishment
intended only for the _Guilty_; be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid,
that it shall and may be lawful for his Majesty, and for his Heirs and
Successors, at any Time, to grant a Pardon to a whole State, Province, or
Colony, now in Rebellion, under the Great Seal of the Realm; or to one or
more Inhabitant or Inhabitants thereof under the Seal Manual, and to
_restore_ such Colony, or such Person or Persons to their former Rights
and Privileges, as _British_ Subjects, when it shall appear to his Majesty
in Council, that such a Province, or Colony, or such a Petitioner or
Petitioners is, are, or shall be deserving of his Royal Clemency and
Favour."
Suppose, I say, such a Manifesto, or one to this Effect, and couched under
the Form of an Act of Parliament, to be proclaimed to the World concerning
the Rebellion now existing in _America_: And then I ask, what possible
Difficulty could attend the Execution of it? Or who would even attempt to
prevent it? The only People or Nation, who would wish to obstruct the
Execution of such a Law, are the _Americans_ themselves; for they have no
Manner of Objection against participating in all Kinds of _Benefits_ to be
derived from an _Union_ with us; tho' they raise such terrible Outcries
against sharing in any of our _Burthens_: And yet their Efforts and
Opposition would all be in vain; because, tho' you should even allow, that
they are able to maintain their Independence in _America_, that
Circumstance would not render them the Conquerors of _Great-Britain_, much
less of the rest of the World; who must of Course remain independent of
them.
Therefore, so far at least my System must have the Preference to Mr.
BURKE's.
2dly. The next Question is, _Which System, can be carried into Execution
with the least Expence?_ And surely as we have hitherto been engaged in
nothing but Profusion and Extravagance, it is now high Time to adopt, if
we can, some useful Scheme of Frugality and OEconomy in regard to
_America_.
Now, my Lords and Gentlemen, here again permit me to ask, What Expences
can possibly attend the Execution of my Scheme?--The Thing itself is no
sooner said, than done. And all the Charges attending it are summed up in
the triffling Articles of Pen, Ink, Paper, and Printing. Whereas Mr.
BURKE's System, even according to his own Account, will entail upon you
Expences always encreasing, nay, next to infinite. You must, for Example,
win over the Heads and Leaders of the new _American_ Parliaments by means
of "Great Honours and great Emoluments," [A pretty Periphrasis this to
describe the Art of _Bribing_!] in order to cooperate with the Plans of
the _British_ Parliament, and to bear a Share of the general Burthens of
the _British_ Empire.
You must also guard their Coasts at all Times, and protect them from all
Invaders: And when they chuse to amuse themselves by going _on smuggling_,
_trucking_, _huckstering_, and _buccaneering_ Parties on the _Spanish_
Main, then you must more particularly stand up in their Defence, and
insist on their Vessels not being searched by the _Spanish_ Guarda-costas.
And if the _Spaniards_ should think this an hard Measure, and appeal to
the Practice and Example of _Englishmen_ themselves, who never fail to
search the Ships of all Nations, if found hovering on their Coasts, you
must positively and vehemently say, that the _Case is widely
different_:--Then you have a sufficient Plea for declaring War against
them;--then, my Lords and Gentlemen, resolve (as your Predecessors did
before) never to make Peace 'till the Right of Searching is given
up;--then spend another _sixty_ or _ninety_ Millions in this new
Quarrel;--and at last make Peace, (as they did) without ever mentioning
the Right of not being searched; for which alone they pretended to go to
War.
But this is not all:--For when the Back-Settlers in _America_ shall have
"topped the _Apalachian_ Mountains in sufficient Numbers to constitute
Hords of _English_ Tartars, pouring down an irresistible Cavalry on the
unfortified Frontiers;"--who is to _resist_ these _Irresistibles_?--Not
the Colonists or Provincials; for they, poor People, tho' now 150,000
strong, [see General LEE's Letter] to fight against their Protectors and
Defenders, will nevertheless be so frightened at the Sight of this
_Apalachian_ Tartar Cavalry, that they will again cry out for Help to the
Mother-Country;--again, I say, as they did before, when only an handful of
[3] _French_ and _Indians_ appeared against them. And indeed, if the
Mother-Country will act the Part of _Don Quixote_ to that Degree, as to
expend her best Blood and Treasure in their Cause, why should they incur
any Dangers in their own dear Persons? Why be at the Pains and Charges of
defending themselves, when they can so easily get the _British_ Nation to
fight, and bleed, and do every Thing for them? Besides Mr. BURKE has
already declared in express Terms, [Page 98, 2d. Edit.] that AMERICA MUST
NOT BE EXHAUSTED. Exhaust, therefore, yourselves, my Lords and Gentlemen!
as much as you please, or as much as you can; but don't expect Assistance
from _America_, even in her own Defence, whilst she can get such
Knight-Errants as the _English_ to fight her Battles; and whilst she can
raise Patriots and Pamphleteers, News-Writers and Republicans, without
Number, to yell the _American_ War Hoop, and to denounce BLACK and BITTER
Days against those, who should even hesitate to obey her Commands.
But the third Question is, Which Scheme is _best calculated to prevent the
like Disturbances for the future_?
And here I would humbly beg Leave to observe, that if my Scheme had
nothing else to recommend it to your Notice, it most infallibly cuts off
all the present Causes of Dispute and Contention between the two
Countries; so that they never can revive again. Whereas Mr. BURKE's is,
at best, but a temporary Cessation from Hostilities; a mere Truce, 'till
both Parties can be recruited, and better provided to begin the War again.
Nay, his would be found in the Event,--not only to be no Manner of Cure or
Palliation of the present Evils, but even greatly to foment them, and also
to engender many new ones.
For Example:--Granting, that Peace was made on the very Terms, which Mr.
BURKE requires:--Granting, that we repealed every Act of Parliament to
which the _Americans_ have thought proper to object:--Granting also, that
we renounce for ever any Claim of Right to levy Taxes:--And granting, in
short, that the _American_ Assemblies became so many distinct Parliaments,
supreme within themselves, and independent of all others:--Still, whilst
these _American Independents_ are to be protected by the _British_ Flag;
whilst they are to enjoy all the Rights and Privileges of natural-born
_British_ Subjects, both at Home, and Abroad, and in every Part of the
Globe,--Questions _will_, and _must_, and _ought_ to arise, on what Terms
are these independent _Americans_ to be thus protected? And what
Compensation is to be made to the Mother-Country, for communicating to
them her most valuable Rights and Privileges? Are they really to enjoy all
Posts of Honour and Preferment, and all Places of Trust and Profit, and
to be entitled to every Sort of Advantage, [4] Safeguard, and Protection,
equally with the Natives of _Great-Britain_; and yet to make no Recompence
or Acknowledgement for all these Favours?--The Answer of every staunch
_American_, and of Mr. BURKE their Advocate General, must be as follows,
(for on their Principles they can return no other) That each independent
_American_ Parliament will be ready to _give_ and to _grant_ to _Great
Britain_, by Way of Recompense or Gratification, the whole Sum
of--_whatever they shall think proper, and no more_[5]. And that in
respect to the Regulations of _American_ Commerce, they will consent, that
you shall put whatever nominal Restraints you please upon it, provided
you will not enforce such Restraints by any Forfeitures or Penalties,
which shall imply _the most distant Idea of Taxation_;--and provided also
that, if Offences should be supposed to be committed, they, (the
_Americans_) and no others shall be allowed to be Judges both of the
Nature, and of the Degree of each Offence; and that the Cause shall be
tried no where else, but in their own _American_ Courts, and by their own
_American_ Juries.
Now, my Lords and Gentlemen, suffer me I beseech you, to appeal to your
own good Sense and Understandings on this Head.--Ask yourselves this plain
Question, Is such a Plan of Reconciliation as Mr. BURKE proposes, a likely
Method of terminating the present Disputes between the Mother-Country and
her Colonies? Nay ask farther;--Hath it so much as a Tendency to cool and
moderate them? Or rather doth it not seem much better contrived to
enflame, than to extinguish; to kindle new Fires, than to quench old ones?
Besides, when each of these _American_ Assemblies shall be erected into a
distinct Parliament, supreme within itself, and independent of the
rest,--Is it possible to suppose, that no _new_ Disputes, or _new_
Differences will arise between such co-ordinate States and rival
Powers;--_neighbouring_, _jealous_, and _contending_ Powers, I say, whose
respective Limits are in many Instances as yet undefined, if really
definable! And is it at all consistent with any Degree of common Sense, or
daily Experience, to suppose that such Combustibles as these will not
speedily catch Fire?--Especially, if we take into the Account, the
discordant Tempers of the Inhabitants of these respective Provinces, their
inbred Hatreds and Antipathies against each other, their different Modes
of Life, the Differences of Climate, Religion, Manners, Habits of
Thinking, &c. &c.
Now, when Tumults and Disorders shall arise from any of these various
Causes,--What is to be done? And to whom, or to what common Head, or
general Umpire is the appellant Province to carry her Complaint?--The
Parliament of _Great-Britain_, it seems, must no longer interfere; for
that is no longer the supreme Head of the Empire, to which all the Parts
used to be subordinate, and professed to be obedient; therefore, being
destitute of any authoritative or constitutional Right to _compel_
Submission, all it can do, is to offer its good Services by Way of
Mediation; and that is, generally speaking, just nothing at all.
Is then the KING (abstracted from the Parliament) to be appealed to in
this arduous Affair? And is he alone (in his mere _personal Capacity_) to
command the Peace to be preserved between State and State, or Province and
Province.----[6]Is he, I say (abstracted from being a King of
_Great-Britain_) to summon all the Parties before himself and his Privy
Council, in order to hear their respective Allegations, and finally to
determine, and settle the Differences between them? Be it so: Then if he
only is to decide, _as in an Affair relating to his own private Patrimony,
in which we have no more Concern than we have with Hanover_,--it
necessarily follows, that he must be invested with sufficient Power
(independent of, and without the Consent of Parliament) to enforce these
Decisions; for a Decree without a Power to enforce it, and to compel
Obedience, is altogether nugatory and vain.
Now, my Lords and Gentlemen, this brings us to the last Point of
Comparison between Mr. BURKE's, _and my System_, viz. Which will least
endanger, or rather, which is best adapted to preserve our present happy
Constitution?
Mr. BURKE's you see (if consistent with itself) must invest the Prince
with an amazing Degree of Power!--Even with such a Degree, as shall be
sufficient to controul the refractory States of _America_, from one End of
the Continent to the other. Nay, what is still more, this _supreme_,
_controuling_ Power must be the only CENTER OF UNION throughout the
Empire. Nothing besides is so much as proposed; and indeed nothing besides
(when the parliamentary Connection is dissolved) can be sufficient to
_tie_ all the Parts together;--Parts so widely distant, so totally
disjointed from each other, as the _British_ Isles and the _American_
Continent.
Now here again permit me to ask, Is not this a very alarming Circumstance
even in Contemplation? And is all our boasted Zeal for Liberty to end at
last only in that _Union_ and _Connection_ which can be procured to the
several detached Parts of the Empire by Means of a Court, and of a
standing Army?--A large standing Army to be kept up independently of the
_British_ Parliament!--And that too for the express Purpose of enforcing
the Decrees and Arbitrations of the Court!
But this is not all; for even a standing Army would not be so formidable
(because it would soon moulder away) were no Means to be found out for its
Support and Maintenance: And this Scheme of many independent Parliaments
points to the very Means of obtaining the necessary Supplies; for, as an
ingenious Foreigner has very judiciously observed[7], "A Sovereign who
depends, with regard to Supplies, on several Assemblies, in Fact depends
upon none. An Agent for the _American_ Colonies, [I suppose the Author
meant Dr. FRANKLIN] in his Examination before the House of Commons,
(_Anno_ 1766, P. 122) has even suggested in three Words the whole
Substance of what I have endeavoured to prove on that Subject; when he
said, _The Granting Aids to the Crown is the only Means the Americans
have of_ RECOMMENDING THEMSELVES TO THEIR SOVEREIGN. Nothing therefore
could be more fatal to _English_ Liberty (and to _American_ Liberty in the
Issue) than the Adoption of the Idea, cherished by the _Americans_, of
having distinct independent Assemblies of their own, who should treat
immediately with the King, and grant him Subsidies, to the utter
Annihilation of the Power of those antient, and hitherto successful
Assertors of general Liberty, the _British_ Parliament."
To these Reflections in this and in other Parts of his Book, the judicious
Author adds many striking Examples, particularly the present State of the
Want of Liberty in _France_ and _Spain_, by way of confirming and
corroborating his Argument. But in my humble Opinion there is still a more
forcible Example to be drawn from the Case of the hereditary Dominions of
the House of _Austria_. For it is well known, that the Princes of that
House rule in as absolute a Manner over every Part of their vast
Possessions as the Sovereigns either of _France_ or _Spain_; and yet there
are States (answering to our Parliaments) in almost every Country
belonging to the _Austrian_ Dominions; nay, these States are frequently
summoned to meet together; which is not the Case with the _general
national Assemblies of France_, or with the _Cortes_ of _Spain_. How then
comes it to pass,--that such Meetings produce little or no Effects in
regard to the obtaining of a _reasonable_ Degree of Liberty for the
Subject, which every Subject, if in his right Senses, wishes to obtain?
The Reason is obvious:--There are a Multitude of little States or
Parliaments within the Territories of the House of _Austria_;--the States
of _Austria_ (not to mention the several still lesser States in the
_Netherlands_) the States of _Bohemia_, States of _Hungary_, of
_Transilvania_, _Stiria_, _Carinthia_, _Carniola_, &c. &c. But all these
petty States, or Parliaments being totally independent of, and
consequently _Competitors_ with, and _Rivals_ to each other, never can act
in Concert, or pursue one general Plan, or attend to one _common
Interest_:--So that the Power of the Prince, which would have been too
weak to have contended with them all, if all had been UNITED (like the
Parliament of _Great-Britain_) in _one compact, and general
Body_,--becomes an _Over-match_ for any one of them singly and disjointed
from the rest:--And this is the true Reason, why the House of _Austria_
governs all her Provinces with so high an Hand at this Day. In short,
_Divide et impera_, explains the whole Mystery of this Affair:--And
_Great-Britain_ may here see her own Picture, drawn to the Life, if ever
she should consent to the Erection of Parliaments in _North-America_, to
be _co-ordinate_ with her own; and at the same Time should allow these
_North-Americans_ to be _Co-partners_ with herself in one common Empire.
But why do I labour to prove this Point? Mr. BURKE himself is as
conscious, as I can be, of the dreadful Effects, which must necessarily
attend the Execution of his Scheme. Hear him therefore in his own
Words:--[8]"We know that the Emulations of such Parties [to be created by
the independent Parliaments of _North-America_] their Contradictions,
their reciprocal Necessities, their Hopes and their Fears, _must_ send
them all in their Turns to him who holds the BALANCE of the State. The
Parties are the Gamesters, but Government keeps the Table, and is sure to
be the Winner in the End. When this Game is played, I really think, it is
more to be feared, that the [_American_] People will be exhausted, than
that Government will not be supplied."
Now, my Lords and Gentlemen! be pleased to compare these _Fears_ of Mr.
BURKE, "that the _Americans_ will be too _lavish_ in their Grants,--with
the _Hopes_ entertained by the Agent (just quoted from Monsieur De LOLME)
that the _Americans_ by Means of _liberal Grants_ may recommend themselves
to the good Graces of their Prince;"--and then you will have full
Possession of all Dr. FRANKLIN's favourite Speculation for removing the
Seat of Empire from hence to _North-America_, and for abandoning the
_British_ Isles to the Care of Deputies, Vice Roys, and Lord Lieutenants.
Many of you, I make no Doubt, have heard him declare, that the great
Continent of _British America_ (which, according to his Computation, will
contain nearly ONE HUNDRED MILLIONS of Inhabitants in little more than a
Century) ought to become the Seat of general Empire. And it might be
easily gathered from the whole Turn of his Conversation, that he thought
it no very difficult Matter in the Course of Things to bring this
important Point to bear;--that is, to induce some future Sovereign of this
Country to make the wished for Exchange;--partly by the Obstacles which
might be thrown in his Way, were he to persist in remaining here
[Obstacles, of which we have an _egregious Specimen_ already] and partly
by the alluring Temptations which might be offered him to quit this petty
Spot, and reside in _America_.--I say, many of you must have heard Dr.
FRANKLIN haranguing after this Sort; or have seen Letters from him to the
same Effect:--For that this was his darling Scheme, even before he came to
reside in _England_, I have been well assured; as well as his favourite
Topic ever afterwards. Therefore I will add, that by the Help of this
Comment, we can explain many Passages in the Declarations of the grand
_American_ Congress, which otherwise must appear to be either nauseous
Compliments, or gross Contradictions:--The Passages I refer to, are the
Protestations so often and so solemnly repeated, that they [the
_Americans_] have no Intention of separating from this Country; and that
they have the purest Loyalty to the King, and the strongest Attachment to
the illustrious House of _Hanover_. This Key therefore unlocks the whole
Mystery of their (otherwise unaccountable) Proceedings. And as POPE said
on another Occasion:
'Tis in the _ruling Passion_: There alone,
The Wild are constant, and the _Cunning_ known.
This Clue, once found, unravels all the rest.
The Prospect clears, and CLODIO stands confest.
In the mean Time, because his Majesty is graciously disposed to join with
_Great-Britain_ against _America_ in this Contest for Empire, (for in Fact
_that is_ the _real_ Dispute, whatever may be the _Pretence_) not only
many among the _Americans_, which is natural enough, but (Shame to tell!)
even among _Englishmen_ themselves, vent the bitterest Reproaches against
him for being the best Friend and Protector of the Mother-Country. Surely
Posterity will stand amazed at such a Procedure! The like Scenes of
Infatuation and Ingratitude (not to mention Disloyalty and Rebellion)
never yet disgraced the Annals of the World! And it seems to be reserved
as a Mark of Infamy peculiar to the present Age, and to our modern Race of
Patriots, that while the Prince on the Throne is incessantly endeavouring
to keep his People free, and to secure their Freedom more and more by all
proper and constitutional Measures, such Numbers should be found amongst
his Subjects, who are equally industrious to thwart his truly patriotic
Designs, and to rush headlong into Slavery.
But as Providence very often brings the greatest Good out of the worst of
Evils, let us not despair, but that these very Attempts, wicked and
unnatural as they are, may be the Means of uniting all honest, and
well-intentioned Men the firmer together, in order to support, and even to
strengthen the present Constitution. For Example, the two great Islands of
_Britain_ and _Ireland_, which are only separated by a narrow Sea, ought
not to be separated at all by different Governments, Laws, or Parliaments.
No good Reason upon Earth can be given for such a Separation: And it has
long been the ardent Wish of every true Patriot in both Nations, to see
them united. Indeed, the best that can be said for the Continuance of the
present absurd System is, that the City of _Dublin_ would be a Sufferer by
the Removal of the Court and Parliament:--I say, this is the very
Argument, which can be urged: And yet this has no Foundation at all, but
in the Prejudices of the Populace, who are almost perpetually mistaking
their own Interests. Even the City of _Dublin_ would be a very great
Gainer by such a Removal: For it would acquire _Industry_ in Exchange for
_Idleness_; and then the Hands of its Tradesmen, by being the Hands of the
Diligent, would enrich each other by reciprocal Employment;--the Hands, I
say, of those very Tradesmen, who in their present State, are almost as
poor, as the poorest in the Kingdom.--That this is the natural and
necessary Course of Things, and not an idle Theory, or visionary
Speculation, I appeal to Fact and daily Experience;--and I appeal, not
only to the Case of _Edinburgh_, which is now three Times, at least, as
rich and flourishing, as when it was the Residence of a Court, and of a
Parliament; but I appeal also to almost every Town in _Ireland_: _Cork_
and _Belfast_ for Example, have neither Courts, nor Parliaments; and yet
their Merchants, Manufacturers, and Traders are much richer in Proportion
to their Numbers, than those of _Dublin_: And what is still more
extraordinary, those little Towns, which once thought themselves happy in
procuring Barracks to be erected among them, in order to obtain, as they
fondly imagined, _the Benefit of a great Flow of Money_, are now perfectly
convinced, that Towns without Barracks, or Towns from which Barracks have
been removed, are in a much more flourishing Condition, then those which
have them.--Of so mischievous a Tendency is the Circulation of Money, when
it becomes the Means of introducing Idleness, and of preventing Industry.
For, reason as long as you will on the Subject, the actual State of Things
will ever prove itself to be this, that Idleness is the Parent of Poverty,
and Industry the only Source of real Riches.
But, my Lords and Gentlemen, this is not all; and my Scheme of an Union
with _Ireland_ is calculated not only to introduce Wealth, and to prevent
Idleness in the single City of _Dublin_; but also to diffuse
constitutional Strength and Firmness, and to create a Stability and
Compactness throughout the whole Empire: Whereas Mr. BURKE's has as
necessary a Tendency to weaken and disjoint every Part of it, and to sow
Jealousies and Dissentions both at Home and Abroad, in the Mother-Country,
and in the Colonies:--The unavoidable Consequence of which would be at the
last, arbitrary and despotic Power. In one Word, the true Motto for my
Scheme is, _Vis unita fortior_; and for his, _Divide et impera_. Judge
therefore, as Men who are more deeply concerned in preserving and
improving the present Constitution, than any Class of Men
whatever;--judge, I say, whether Mr. BURKE's Scheme or mine, in regard to
_America_, ought to have the Preference. You have every Means of
Information now at your Command: Your Birth, your Rank, and Education,
lift you up much above the Prejudices of the Vulgar; whilst your
patrimonial Estates and ample Fortunes screen you from a Multitude of
those Temptations, to which other Men are grievously exposed. And yet, my
Lords and Gentlemen, let me tell you, that if you will not exert
yourselves on this trying Occasion, in some Degree proportionate to the
Importance of the Cause now before you, perhaps it may never be in your
Power to exert yourselves hereafter, when you would wish most ardently to
do it. Remember, therefore, I beseech you, the Words, the _emphatic_, and
perhaps even the _prophetic_, Words of a celebrated Partizan, whose Name I
need not mention:--"Why, Gentlemen, will not you, who are _Men of great
Landed Estates_, take an active Part in the present Disputes? Your
Neutrality, I do assure you, will not protect you. For if you will still
remain inactive at such a Crisis, what has happened before will happen
again; and the *****'s and the *****'s who have but little to lose, but
may have much to get in Times of general Confusion, will certainly become
the great Men of this Nation."
_Fas est et ab hoste doceri._
Indeed the Estates of the Church, we all know, will fall the first
Sacrifice, should the Republican Party now prevail. But nevertheless, if
you, my Lords and Gentlemen, should be so weak as to imagine, that Matters
will stop there; and that your own large Possessions, your splendid
Titles, your hereditary Honours, and ample Privileges will escape unhurt,
amidst that general _Wreck_ of private Property, and _Crush_ of
Subordination, which will necessarily ensue; you will be woefully
mistaken:--And I must beg Leave to say, that you will have profited but
very little, by what has been so well written in the Annals of this very
Country, for your Instruction and Admonition. For depend upon it, the Use
of _Committee-Men_, and the Business of _Sequestrators_ are not yet
forgot; depend upon it, I say, that Ways and Means are still to be found
out, for the lowest of the People to get at the Possession of the greatest
of your Estates, as well in these, as in former Times. Their Appetites are
equally keen:--And if these hungry Patriots should succeed, after such an
Example is set before your Eyes, who are you to blame but yourselves?--In
one Word, you know, or ought to know, that even the tender Mercies of a
Republic are cruel. Or, if you are not yet convinced of the Truth of this
Assertion, look abroad into the World; nay, look into what is now doing by
the Republican Congresses in _America_; and then see how you would approve
such Men as these for YOUR MASTERS.
HERE THEREFORE I willingly close the whole Dispute between Mr. BURKE and
me: And I most chearfully submit the Decision of this important Question
to those (but to _those only_) who are the best qualified, the most able,
and the most concerned to decide impartially. What therefore is to follow
in this Treatise, is to be considered rather _ex abundanti_, than as
strictly necessary for the Support of my Argument, and the Confutation of
my Opponent. Yet, seeing that the following Points may serve to elucidate
some of the former, and seeing that so much has been said, and such
confident Boastings have been uttered, concerning the Advantages, and even
the Immensity of the Colony-Trade; I will enter the more particularly into
these Matters.
And first of all, and previous to any Enquiry into the Fact, I enter a
solemn Protest against the disingenuous Artifice, so often practiced by
the Partizans of _America_, viz. That OF BEGGING THE QUESTION. They beg
the Question, when they take for granted, that if _America_ were separated
from _Great-Britain_, all commercial Intercourse would cease between the
two Countries. For this is the very Point, which they ought to have
proved, instead of taking it for granted. And prove it they never can,
'till they shall have first demonstrated, that the _Americans_ will no
longer adhere to their own Interest, when they shall be disunited from
us. A difficult Task this! In regard to which, they will find all the
World to be Unbelievers. Indeed I have already so effectually silenced
this Plea in my Fourth Tract from Page 203 to Page 220, [2d Edit. printed
for RIVINGTON, &c.] that I hope I may be excused from repeating the same
Things. And as the Arguments there urged have never been attempted to be
answered, notwithstanding so much Good-Will to do it, and that my
Opponents most certainly would do it, if they could, the natural
Conclusion is, _that they are_ UNANSWERABLE.
Therefore I now enter upon the Subject itself; and as the Trade to
_Holland_ and _Germany_ (and _more particularly to_ Hanover) hath been
frequently represented as being very inconsiderable, and of small
Importance; I have for this very Reason, selected this Trade from others,
to make it the Subject of our Comparison with the Trade to all the
revolted Provinces of _North-America_.
An Account of the Value of the Exports from _England_ to _Germany_ and
_Holland_; and also to those _North-American_ Provinces, which are now
under the Dominion of the Congress, for nine Years successively, viz. from
_Christmas_ 1763 to _Christmas_ 1772, distinguishing each Country, and
each Year.
From Christmas 1763 |
to Christmas 1764. | 1765. |
-------------------------+-------------------+
_Value of Exports._ |_Value of Exports._|
-------------------------+-------------------+
L. s. d. | L. s. d. |
Germany 2,264,315 3 9 | 1,869,465 18 8 |
Holland 2,040,467 9 9 | 2,026,772 16 11 |
The REVOLTED PROVINCES of _North-America_.
Carolina 305,808 1 6 | 334,709 12 8 |
New-England's four Provinces 459,765 0 11 | 451,299 14 7 |
New-York 515,416 12 1 | 382,349 11 1 |
Pensilvania 435,191 14 0 | 363,368 17 5 |
Virginia and Maryland 515,192 10 6 | 383,224 13 0 |
| 1766. | 1767. | 1768. |
+-------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
|_Value of Exports._|_Value of Exports._|_Value of Exports._|
+-------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| L. s. d. | L. s. d. | L. s. d. |
| 1,811,268 2 3 | 1,506,293 10 11 | 1,499,732 0 4 |
| 1,602,924 6 7 | 1,539,705 18 0 | 1,744,974 5 8 |
| 296,732 1 4 | 244,093 6 0 | 289,868 12 3 |
| 409,642 7 6 | 406,081 9 2 | 419,797 9 4 |
| 330,829 15 8 | 417,957 15 5 | 482,930 14 4 |
| 327,314 5 3 | 371,830 8 10 | 432,107 17 4 |
| 372,548 16 1 | 437,628 2 6 | 475,954 6 2 |
| 1769. | 1770. | 1771. |
+-------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
|_Value of Exports._|_Value of Exports._|_Value of Exports._|
+-------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| L. s. d. | L. s. d. | L. s. d. |
| 1,338,866 9 8 | 1,272,569 0 4 | 1,316,492 1 4 |
| 1,658,551 13 1 | 1,766,333 10 2 | 1,685,397 16 0 |
| 306,600 5 6 | 146,273 17 0 | 409,169 9 4 |
| 207,993 14 3 | 394,451 7 5 | 1,420,119 1 1 |
| 74,918 7 10 | 475,991 12 0 | 653,621 7 6 |
| 199,909 17 11 | 134,881 15 5 | 728,744 19 10 |
| 488,362 15 1 | 717,782 17 3 | 920,326 3 8 |
| 1772. | Totals.
+-------------------+-------------------
|_Value of Exports._|_Value of Exports._
+-------------------+-------------------
| L. s. d.
| 1,354,181 6 6 | 14,233,183 13 9
| 1,997,815 1 4 | 16,060,942 17 6
------------------
Total of both Countries 30,294,126 11 3
------------------
| 449,610 2 2 | 2,782,865 7 7
| 824,830 8 9 | 4,993,980 13 0
| 343,970 19 9 | 3,677,986 15 8
| 507,909 14 0 | 3,501,259 10 0
| 793,910 13 2 | 5,104,930 17 5
-------------------
Totals of the revolted Provinces 20,061,023 3 8
-------------------
Superiority of the Value of the Exports
to _Holland_ and _Germany_ over the
Exports to the revolted Provinces of
_America_ L. 10,233,103 7 7
[_To face Page 49._]