" The bill, however, passed by
a large majority--eight peers signing a strong protest against it, in
which it was designated as "a virtual indemnity for murder."
During these debates the Earl of Chatham had been absent from
indisposition. An opportunity, however, was afforded him of uttering his
sentiments concerning the measure adopted towards America, on the
27th of May, in a discussion on a bill "for the quartering and better
regulating the troops in the colonies." He had long been complaining of
the gout and other infirmities; but on this night, which was the
third reading of the bill, he made a very long speech. He commenced by
asserting, that the whole history of the Americans, their descent, and
the character and disposition which they inherited from their English
ancestors, all forbade the thought that they would ever submit to
slavish and tyrannical principles; for as was the mother, so were her
offspring. He admitted that the conduct of the Americans, and especially
the Bostonians, was unwarrantable; but he denied that the means adopted
to bring them back to a sense of their duty were either wise or
just. Against the blocking up the harbour of Boston he inveighed most
bitterly, assuming in the face of all fact, that it was "some guilty
profligates" who had been concerned in destroying our goods, and not
the main body of the people. He assumed, also, what was notoriously
untrue, that the colonies had no thought of prosecuting the quarrel;
asserting, that their gratitude was full to overflowing for the repeal
of the Stamp Act, and that it was the tea tax alone which had goaded
them on to insubordination and rebellion.
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