hafty fteps pointing its dangers, even towards the heart of the kingdom. Secondly, Because the Bill itself is attended with powers fubverfive of and unknown to the laws of the land, by apprehending perfons, it may be, on groundlefs SUSPICION, by imprifoning perhaps the innocent, without the ufual and neceffary form of a single oath; and not too in the common gaol of the county, but in whatever part of the realm, be it ever fo diftant, that perfecution fhall think fit to adopt. Thirdly, Because, although the Ryder, which has been added by the other Houfe, does in fome degree abate the rigour of this harth and alarming Bill, yet it does not sufficiently provide for the fecurity of his Majesty's loyal fubjects, the inhabitants of the WeftIndia Islands under its baneful operation; nay, even any individual of this country, fhall venture on the High Seas, if only to make the tour of the Hebrides, may become the object of fufpicion, and the victim of who Laftly, Laftly, Because the hour is come, if from motives of policy only, that coercion to lenity should give way. (Signed) ABINGDON. This noble Earl has been one of the most fteady and intrepid affertors of liberty in this age. England has effential obligations to the family of the Earl of Abingdon. When the Prince of Orange was at Exeter in great difficulties foon after his landing, when, "both the clergy and magistrates of Exeter were very "fearful, and very backward, when the Bishop and "the Dean ran away, and the Clergy food off," as Bishop Burnet fays, Lord Abingdon came in and joined our glorious Deliverer. The fame ardour for freedom glows in the breast of his noble descendant, with an almost unexampled spirit and activity. The citizens of Geneva, as well as the people of England, dwell with pleasure on the praife of a peer, who has made the most generous efforts for them in the cause of public liberty, and often facrificed the pleasures and enjoyments of focial life to their interefts. No gentleman was ever more formed to please and captivate in private life than the prefent Lord Abingdon, or has been more defervedly, more generally efteemed and beloved. He poffeffes true honour in the highest degree, has generous fentiments of friendship, and to fuperior manly sense joins the most eafy wit, with a gaiety of temper, which diffufes univerfal chearfulness. It is impoffible not to be charmed with the happy prodigality of nature in his favour, but every confideration yields with him to a warm attachment to the laws and conftitution of England. |