as sure means of honour, to be grown into disrepute, will retire disheartened and disgusted. Those of a more robust make, the bold, able, ambitious men, who pay some of their court to power through the people, and substitute the voice of transient opinion in the place of true glory, will give in to 5 the general mode; and those superior understandings which ought to correct vulgar prejudice, will confirm and aggravate its errors. Many things have been long operating towards a gradual change in our principles. But this American war has done more in a very few years, than all the other causes 10 could have effected in a century. It is therefore not on its own separate account, but because of its attendant circumstances, that I consider its continuance, or its ending in any way but that of an honourable and liberal accommodation, as the greatest evils which can befall us. For that reason 15 I have troubled you with this long letter. For that reason I entreat you again and again, neither to be persuaded, shamed, or frighted out of the principles that have hitherto led so many of you to abhor the war, its cause, and its consequences. Let us not be among the first who renounce the maxims of 20 our forefathers. I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obedient and faithful humble servant, BEACONSFIELD, April 3, 1777. EDMUND BURKE. 25 BIOGRAPHICAL. 1729-1797. Born in Dublin, January, 1729. Enters Dublin University. Law Studies at Middle Temple. Early Writings. In Ireland with Hamilton. Secretary to Lord Rockingham. Returned to Parliament from Wendover, 1765. Purchase of Beaconsfield. Agent for New York. Visits France. Attitude toward America. Returned to Parliament from Bristol, October, 1774. Affairs of the Catholics. American War. Returned to Parliament from Malton, 1780. Lord Rector of the University of Glasgow. Economical Reform. Affairs in India. French Revolution. Retirement from Public Life, 1794. His Son, Richard, succeeds him as Member for Malton. Sudden death of his Son. Letter to a Noble Lord. Death, 1797. 222 NOTES. SPEECH ON AMERICAN TAXATION. THE real significance of the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766 was destroyed by the passage of the Declaratory Act, in which it was maintained that the British government had the right to bind the colonies in all cases whatsoever. In 1767 the ministry formed a new scheme of taxation, and imposed a duty upon glass, paper, paints, and tea. This caused so much agitation in the colonies that Parliament (1770) decided to remove all the impositions except that upon tea. But the Americans were not to be caught in such a trap, and accordingly the tea was not allowed to be landed. This resistance brought down a message from the throne, the result of which was the Boston Port Bill and the bill for regulating the Province of Massachusetts Bay. General Gage was commissioned to proIceed to Massachusetts and enforce submission. Amid the passion and frenzy of these times was heard the calm, clear voice of Burke, as he uttered the famous sentence, "The honourable gentleman has asked, 'Should not America belong to this country?' If we have equity, wisdom, and justice, it will belong to this country; if we have not, it will not belong to this country." It was in connection with this subject that Mr. Rose Fuller, member for Rye, made the following motion, on April 19, 1774: Moved, "That an act made in the seventh year of the reign of his present Majesty, entituled An act for granting certain duties in the British colonies and plantations in America; for allowing a drawback of the duties of customs upon the exportation from this kingdom of coffee and cocoanuts; of the produce of the said colonies or plantations; for discontinuing the drawbacks payable on china earthenware exported to America; and for more effectually pre 225 |