It is not easy for me to give expression to all I feel on the
extraordinary honour done to my public conduct by the city of London; a
body so highly respectable on every account, but above all, for their
constant assertion of the birthrights of Englishmen in every great
crisis of the constitution.
In our present unhappy situation my duty shall be, on all proper
occasions, to add the zealous endeavours of an individual to those
legal exertions of constitutional rights, which, to their everlasting
honour, the city of London has made in defence of freedom of election
and freedom of petition, and for obtaining effectual reparation to the
electors of Great Britain.
As to the point among the declarations which I am understood to have
made, of my wishes for the public, permit me to say there has been
some misapprehension, for with all my deference to the sentiments of
the city, I am bound to declare, that I cannot recommend triennial
parliaments[4] as a remedy against that canker of the constitution,
venality in elections; but I am ready to submit my opinion to better
judgment if the wish for that measure shall become prevalent in the
kingdom. Purity of parliament is the corner-stone in the commonwealth;
and as one obvious means towards this necessary end is to strengthen
and extend the natural relation between the constituents and the
elected, I have, in this view, publicly expressed my earnest wishes for
a more full and equal representation by the addition of one knight of
the shire in a county, as a further balance to the mercenary boroughs.
I have thrown out this idea with the just diffidence of a private man
when he presumes to suggest anything new on a high matter. Animated by
your approbation, I shall with better hope continue humbly to submit
it to the public wisdom, as an object most deliberately to be weighed,
accurately examined, and maturely digested.
Having many times, when in the service of the crown, and when retired
from it, experienced, with gratitude, the favour of my fellow-citizens,
I am now particularly fortunate, that, with their good liking, I can
offer anything towards upholding this wisely-combined frame of mixed
government against the decays of time, and the deviations incident to
all human institutions; and I shall esteem my life honoured indeed, if
the city of London can vouchsafe to think that my endeavours have not
been wanting to maintain the national honour, to defend the colonies,
and extend the commercial greatness of my country, as well as to
preserve from violation the law of the land, and the essential rights
of the constitution.