no chance of subduing the colonies.

The conduct of ministers, by whom the contest was commenced, would, if persevered in, be still more liable to censure. By engaging in hostilities, they not only incurred the responsibility of the loss of life and useless expenditure, but also of alienating the goodwill, and losing the commerce with a rising commonwealth, which, from a similarity of laws, manners, language, and descent, would naturally be inclined in favour of the parent state.

At the commencement of hostilities between England and America, many imagined that, if the colonies were taxed, the pressure of imposts might be less felt at home. This would not probably be the first instance of individuals, and even of communities, being influenced by their interest.

The length, however, of the contest, the difficulties and enormous expense under which it was carried on, and the uncertainty of the result, all served to operate powerfully on public sentiment. It must also be taken into account, that if, at the outbreak of hostilities, public opinion was not so decidedly pronounced against it, such silence in that powerful voice might be, and probably was, owing to an impression, general at that time, that the revolted colonies might be terrified into obedience when they saw the squadrons in their harbours, and the military power that the parent state was preparing to pour on their shores. This belief, however, could not last long; and when the conflict

between the two countries commenced, and it was known that the colonies were plunged in all the horrors of a protracted warfare, then it was that public opinion rose above all other power, and loudly condemned the war as unnatural, and not likely to be attended with ultimate success. Then it was that the humanity of the people, uniting with public opinion, and strengthened by the hopeless appearance of the contest, forced the Government of that day into terms of accommodation with the United States, and rendered it impossible for them to continue hostilities.

A statesman and author remarks, "Whatever may have been the reason, good or bad, which induced the Government of this country to undertake a war against the insurgent colonies of America, and whatever may have been the policy, it cannot be denied that their spirit was contrary to popular principles." *

No virtues of the sovereign, however eminent, and no ability of the administration, however recognised, could stem the unpopularity of the American war. To imagine that so extensive a country as the United States, becoming peopled and civilised, and possessed of the requisites for the formation of public opinion, would remain for ever a colony of Britain, was out of the question. It was much desired by many in England, and also by

* Lord John Russell's English Constitution.

a considerable number in the United States, (and if an amicable adjustment of the differences had taken place, it would have been attempted to be carried into effect,) that permission should be granted for the people of the provinces to send representatives to the British parliament. Now, supposing such an addition to our representative assembly to have kept pace with the wealth and population of the colonies, (and in no other manner would they have been satisfied,) such an augmentation must have proved injurious to our constitution, to the independence of parliament, and to the best interests of the country. An additional number of members, totally unconnected with Great Britain, poured into the House of Commons, of different interests, and inhabitants of a country several thousand miles distant, would have been an anomaly, and might have served as ready instruments for overturning the dearest rights and privileges of Britons; at any rate, it must be allowed that, by such an admission into parliament, danger and inconvenience would inevitably have followed.

"That the entire separation between England and her colonies, if unaccompanied by hostilities, or by any unkind feeling in the people of each, would have been more beneficial to both, cannot be doubted. These two states, separated from each other by an immense ocean, yet speaking the same language, having the same origin, the same manners, and nearly the same way of thinking, unable to

injure each other permanently, except in their trade, but possessed of the power of imparting to each other all the benefits of a mutual exchange of commodities, an interchange of comforts and conveniences, ought to be cemented together by a feeling of good-will. Such a sentiment must naturally exist and increase, and will, it may be hoped, not be lessened by any jealousy concerning maritime power or commercial rights.*

"The time had now arrived, in which the sense of the public with respect to the continuance of the American war was to be rendered so apparent, that no secret wish for a farther prosecution of it should induce the ministers to take any measures for retarding a final agreement. On February 22d, General Conway moved in the House of Commons, that an address should be presented to His Majesty, imploring him to listen to the advice of his Commons, that the war in America might be no longer pursued for the impracticable purpose of reducing the inhabitants of that country to obedience by force, and to express their hopes that a happy reconciliation might be effected with the revolted colonies. A long debate ensued, in which ministers continued to speak on the subject in a vague and indeterminate manner. On the division, the numbers were, for the address, 193; against it, 194. A ministerial victory by one vote was not likely

• Historical Memoirs of that Time, vol. ii. p. 81.

to deter the opposition from pursuing their point, and on February 27th, General Conway moved a resolution similar to that which had been rejected before the recess, and containing a declaration against an offensive war with America. An attempt was made by the Attorney-General to elude the motion, by moving an adjournment of the debate, which was negatived by 234 votes against 215; after which the original motion, and an address to the King, formed upon the resolution, were carried without a division."*

After the conclusion of the American war, the English community gradually increased in commercial and manufacturing industry, and the capital of the country was augmented. There is no particular event at or about this time to cause any manifestation of public opinion.

The discussions on the India Bill excited some public interest. The measures proposed were by no means sanctioned, but rather opposed, by whatever portion of public opinion manifested itself on the occasion, from apprehension of an increase of patronage in the executive Government.

The great alteration that took place in the members returned, after the dissolution of Parliament in 1784, may, of itself, prove the unpopularity of the attempt made by the former minister (Mr. Fox) to carry the India Bill. The conduct of his political

• Annals of King George III.'s reign.