Restore Columbia to her rights, and laws; Curse on such odious stains on Britain's sons! 240 245 250 I 242. Methought I heard, &c. The earl of Suffolk, secretary of state, had more than once vindicated the employment of Indians in the American war; "For my part," said his lordship, 18th Nov. 1777, "whether foreigners or Indians, which the noble lord has described by the appellation of savages, shall ever think it justifiable to exert every means in our power to repel the attempts of our rebellious subjects. I am clearly of opinion that we are fully justified in using every means which God and Nature has put into our hands." Almon, x. 25; and again p. 48, in almost the same words; and compare p. 82; and lord Dunmore declared," that he heartily wished more Indians were employed; that they were by no means a cruel people; that they never exercised the scalping-knife, or were guilty of a barbarity, but by way of striking terror into their enemies, and by that means putting an end to the further effusion of blood." Ib. 100; so attorney-general Thurlow, viii. 50; and lord North, viii. 360. These sentiments roused the whole indignation of the British Chatham, and he gave vent to his feelings in that burst of eloquence, which the poet has endeavoured to put into metre. See the speech in Belsham's Hist. G. HII. ii. 327-332; and Life of Washington, iii. 317-9; and Almon, x. 10. 47-8. 74. Compare Mr. Burke's speech upon this subject, Almon, viii. 348-350 Where are those principles that dignify The British soldier? Where that pomp, and pride, That noble sense of honour? Can this sense As Christian, and as human kind forbear Of man at such avowal stands aghast. What! Call it principle to use the means 260 265 270 275 Who Honour's, and who Virtue's laws obey! In barbarous inhumanity, and guilt Will boast no longer her pre-eminence. 285 She loos'd her blood-hounds 'gainst the wretched sons Of scorching Mexick; we more ruthless far Weak as I am, and now advanc'd in years, And viler passions of the human mind Be purg'd, and cleans'd away; let gratitude 290 295 300 In all your hearts; and may that liberty, 296. And viler passions &c.—" Will you punish them for the madness you have occasioned ? Rather let prudence and temper come first from this side. I will undertake for America that she will follow the example. There are two lines in a ballad of Prior's, of a man's behaviour to his wife, so applicable to you and your Colonies, that I cannot help repeating them: "Be to her faults a little blind: Be to her virtues very kind."" Lord Chatham, an. 1766, Debrett, iv. 297. See above ver. 193. 66 Mercy cannot do harm; it will seat the king where he ought to be, throned on the hearts of his people; and millions at home and abroad, now employed in obloquy or revolt, would pray for him." Almon, vii. 95. 119-120. See the duke of Grafton's speech, ib. 102-3. 301. like the scriptural vine-Lord Chatham declared, (9th Jan. 1770,)" that liberty was a plant that deserved to be cherished; that he loved the tree, and wished well to every 305 And shed eternal blessings on mankind!” 310 The patriot's voice, spake more than loudest words How arduous, and how long the contest is, 316 branch of it. That like the vine in the Scripture, it had spread from east to west, had embraced whole nations with its branches, and sheltered them under its leaves. That the Americans had purchased their liberty at a dear rate, since they had quitted their native country, and gone in search of freedom to a desert." Debrett, v. 129, 305. a hidden power, &c.-After the celebrated motion of Mr. Dunning, Apr. 6th, 1780, "that the influence of the crown had increased, was increasing, and ought to be diminished;" after the prophetick exclamation of lord Chatham, May 1771," that our whole constitution is giving way;" after the solemn declaration of Mr. Fox, April 1777, "that corruption and patronage had overspread the land-that the king's name was frequently prostituted by his ministers-and that majorities were found to support the worst measures with as much alacrity as the best ;" and yet no efficient amendment either in church or state being likely to take place, (and this too at a time when the crash of kingdoms is resounding on all sides) the reflecting mind can only ponder in silence upois the inevitable consequences of things, and perhaps in sorrow exclaim, 'Venit summa dies, et ineluctabile tempus See Belsham, iii. 25-7; Almon, vii. 119. 320 'Twixt conscience and corruption; 'tis this contest 'Tis as the orb of day, which, tho' obscur'd 325 By passing shadows, blazes forth again, And from the contrast dazzles yet the more. This North perceiv'd, and fearful of the event, 330 How popular the cause of freedom was To every British bosom, thus aloud Instant the silence brake; "O Senators! Under the specious name of liberty Have faction and sedition ta'en their stand; The press now teems with such licentiousness That it is time some measure be devis'd To stop the growing evil. You are told 335 340 335. The press now teems &c.-"The liberty of the press," said lord North, an. 1774," had got to such a height, that some measure must be thought on, &c." Debrett, vii, 31. the recommendation in the King's speech, Nov. 15th, 1763. See also |