people of England to their ancient principles, and to that personal interest, which formerly they took in all publick affairs? At any rate I am sure it is right, if we take this step, to take it with a full view of the consequences; and with minds and measures in a state of preparation to meet them. It is not becoming, that your boldness should arise from a want of foresight. It is more reputable, and certainly it is more safe too, that it should be grounded on the evident necessity of encountering the dangers, which you foresee. Your Lordship will have the goodness to excuse me, if I state, in strong terms, the difficulties attending a measure, which on the whole I heartily concur in. But as, from my want of importance, I can be, personally, little subject to the most trying part of the consequences, it is as little my desire to urge others to dangers, in which I am myself to have so inconsiderable a share. If this measure should be thought too great for our strength, or the dispositions of the times, then the point will be to consider, what is to be done in Parliament. A weak, irregular, desultory, peevish Opposition there will be as much too little as the other may be too big. Our scheme ought to be such, as to have in it a succession of measures; else it is impossible to secure any thing like a regular attendance; Opposition will otherwise always carry carry a disreputable air; neither will it be possible, without that attendance, to persuade the people, that we are in earnest. Above all, a motion should be well digested for the first day. There is one thing in particular I wish to recommend to your Lordship's consideration; that is, the opening of the doors of the House of Commons. Without this, I am clearly convinced, it will be in the power of Ministry to make our Opposition appear without doors just in what light they please. To obtain a gallery is the easiest thing in the world, if we are satisfied to cultivate the esteem of our adversaries by the resolution and energy, with which we act against them: but if their satisfaction and good humour be any part of our object, the attempt, I admit, is idle. I had some conversation, before I left town, with the D. of M. He is of opinion, that, if you adhere to your resolution of seceding, you ought not to appear on the first day of the meeting. He thinks it can have no effect, except to break the continuity of your conduct, and thereby to weaken and fritter away the impression of it. It certainly will seem odd to give solemn reasons for a discontinuance of your attendance in Parliament, after having two or three times returned to it, and immediately after a vigorous act of Opposition. As to trials of the temper of the House, there have been been of that sort so many already, that I see no reason for making another, that would not hold equally good for another after that; particularly, as nothing has happened in the least calculated to alter the disposition of the House. If the Secession were to be general, such an attendance, followed by such an act, would have force; but being in its nature incomplete and broken, to break it further by retreats and returns to the chase must entirely destroy its effect. I confess, I am quite of the D. of M's opinion in this point. I send your Lordship a corrected copy of the Paper; your Lordship will be so good to communicate it, if you should approve of the alterations, to Lord J. C. and Sir G. S. I showed it to the D. of P. before his Grace left town, and at his, the D. of P's desire, I have sent it to the D. of R. The principal alteration is in the pages last but one. It is made to remove a difficulty, which had been suggested to Sir G. S. and which he thought had a good deal in it. I think it much the better for that alteration. Indeed it may want still more corrections, in order to adapt it to the present or probable future state of things. What shall I say in excuse for this long letter, which frightens me when I look back upon it? Your Lordship will take it, and all in it, with your usual incomparable temper, which carries you through through so much both from enemies and friends. My most humble respects to Lady R. and believe me, with the highest regard, ever, &c. E. B. I hear, that Dr. Franklin has had a most extraordinary reception at Paris from all ranks of people. Beaconsfield, Monday Night, AN ADDRESS то THE KING*. WE, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects, several of the Peers of the Realm, and several Members of the House of Commons chosen by the People to represent them in Parliament, do in our individual capacity, but with hearts filled with a warm affection to your Majesty, with a strong attachment to your Royal House, and with the most unfeigned devotion to your true interest, beg leave, at this crisis of your affairs, in all humility to approach your Royal presence. Whilst we lament the measures adopted by the publick Councils of the Kingdom, we do not mean to question the legal validity of their proceedings. We do not desire to appeal from them to any person whatsoever. We do not dispute the conclusive authority of the bodies, in which we have a place, over all their Members. We know, that it is our ordinary duty to submit ourselves to the determinations of the Majority, in every thing, except what regards the just defence of our honour and reputation. But the situation, into which the British * See note, p. 161. |