[
286]
composed for the ministers, printed at the pub-
Chap. XXVI.} 1775.
April. |
lie cost, and sent out by public authority to be widely distributed, formed a strange contrast to that written by
Samuel Johnson for
England, and clashed discordantly with the vengeful orders transmitted to
Boston.
Yet Lord North was false only as he was weak and uncertain.
He really wished to concede and conciliate, but he had not force enough to come to a clear understanding even with himself.
When he encountered the opposition in the house of commons, he sustained his administration by speaking confidently for vigorous measures; when alone his heart sank within him from dread of civil war.
The remonstrance and memorial of the assembly of New York, which
Burke, their agent, presented to parliament on the fifteenth of May, was rejected, be-
cause they questioned the right of parliament to tax America.
Three days later, Lord North avowed the orders for raising
Canadian regiments of French Papists; ‘however,’ he continued, ‘the dispute with
America is not so alarming as some people apprehend.
I have not the least doubt it will end speedily, happily, and without bloodshed.’
On the twenty-third of May, secret advices from
Philadelphia confirmed Dartmouth and the king in their confidence, that North's conciliatory resolution ‘would remove all obstacles to the restoration of. public tranquillity,’ through ‘the moderation and loyal disposition of the assembly of New York.’
The king, in proroguing parliament on the twenty-sixth, no longer introduced the rebel people of
Massachusetts, but spoke only of ‘his subjects in
America, whose wishes were to be gratified and apprehensions ’
