These are arguments for states
and kingdoms: leave the rest to the schools where alone they can be
discussed with safety." The rejection of this advice, he said, would
be followed by resistance on the part of the colonies; for if the
sovereignty of England and the freedom of America could not be
reconciled, the Americans would be sure to cast off sovereignty: no man
would be argued into slavery. The opinions which Burke uttered on this
occasion were at variance with those expressed on the passing of the
Declaratory Act, and with the act itself. He attempted to reconcile
them, however, by the nice distinction of a double power in parliament.
He remarked:--"The parliament of Great Britain sits at the head of her
extensive empire in two capacities--one as the local legislature of this
island, with the executive power as her instrument of action; the other
and nobler capacity is what I call her imperial character, by which she
guides and controls all the inferior and provincial legislatures." In
this, he maintained, her power was boundless; and having entered at
large on its utility, and the manner in which it had been exercised,
he thus concluded:--"It is agreed that a revenue is not to be had from
America: if, then, we lose the profit, let us at least get rid of the
odium." No arguments, however powerful, were of avail--the motion was
negatived.
A third measure of restriction introduced into the commons by ministers
was "A Bill for the impartial Administration of Justice in the Cases
of Persons questioned for any Acts done by them in the Execution of the
Laws, as for the Suppression of Riots and Tumults in the Province of
Massachusets Bay, in New England.
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