Lord CHATHAM, in Reply to Lord SUFFOLK, who con- Summary of the Speeches of Mr. Fox, Mr. PITT, 46 48 58 Hiftorical Illustrations of the Peace, in 1783 Toleration Speech of Dr. SHIPLEY, Bishop of ST. ASAPH, in Support of the Bill for enlarging the Toleration Act, in the Session of 1779 Mr. SHERIDAN's celebrated Speech respecting the Begum Princesses of OUDE, February 7th, 1787 Sir GILBERT ELLIOT's (now Lord MINTO) Speech Page Commercial Treaty with FRANCE, with historical II- Mr. Mr. PITT's Speech on his Majesty's Message of the 28th of January, 1793 preparatory to an actual Declaration of War with FRANCE Mr. Fox's Speech on moving for a Committee to inquire THE BRITISH CICERO. PART THE SECOND. CHAP. V. AMERICAN WAR. FROM the passing of the Stamp Act in 1765 to the actual commencement of hostilities in 1775, as well as during the subsequent continuance of the war, a strenuous opposition was kept up by the patriotic party in both houses of parliament to all measures of a violent or coercive tendency; and the debates were frequent and animated. They fill several volumes. We can select only a few of the most remarkable speeches. In January 1766, his Majesty having previously changed his ministers, and appointed the Marquis of ROCKINGHAM first Lord of the treasury, parliament met for the dispatch of business, and their attention was immediately engrossed by the disturbances and tumults which had taken place in almost all parts of the continent of America, in consequence of the stamp act passed in the last session. The speech from the throne was dictated by mild policy. In the debate on the motion of address, Mr. PITT (afterwards earl of CHATHAM) rose VOL. II. R to to offer his sentiments on the present alarming situation. of affairs. He pronounced every capital measure taken by the late ministers to have been entirely wrong. As to the present ministers, though he acknowledged them to be men of fair characters, and such as he was happy to see engaged in his Majesty's service, he professed that he could not give them his confidence. "Confidence," said he," is a plant of slow growth in an aged bosom youth is the season of credulity. By comparing events with each other, reasoning from effects to causes, methinks I plainly discover the traces of an over-ruling influence. I have had the honour to serve the crown, and could I have submitted to influence, I might still have continued to serve; but I would not be responsible for others. I have no local attachments. It is indifferent to me whether a man was rocked in his cradle on this side or that side of the Tweed. I countenanced and protected merit wherever it was to be found. It is my boast that I was the first minister who sought for it in the mountains of the north. I called it forth, and drew into your service an hardy, an intrepid race of men, who were once dreaded as the inveterate enemies of the state. When I ceased to serve his Majesty as a minister, it was not the country of the man, by which I was moved, but the man of that country held principles incompatible with freedom. It is a long time, Mr. Speaker, since I have attended in parliament. When the resolution was taken in this House to tax America, I was ill in bed. If I could have endured to have been carried in my bed, so great was the agitation of my mind for the consequences, I would have solicited some kind hand to have laid me down on this floor, to have borne my testimony against it. It is my opinion that this kingdom has no right to lay a tax upon the Colonies. At the same time, I assert the authority |