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"Upon the whole, I will beg leave to tell the Houfe
"what is really my opinion. It is, that the Stamp-
"At be REPEALED ABSOLUTELY, TOTALLY, and

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Chez J. W. Imprimeur, Rue du Colombier
Fauxbourg St. Germain, à l'Hotel de Saxe.

M DCC LXVI.

[Prix 30 Sous.]

Aves Approbation, & Privilege.

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POLITICAL DEBATES.

I

Tis neceffary to inform the reader, that some time before the meeting of parliament, a report had been artfully propagated, that the miniftry had changed their minds with regard to the Stamp-Act, and, instead of repealing, were refolved to enforce it. If it could be proved, that this report did not come originally from the favourites of a certain northern nobleman, yet it was certainly much indebted to them for its progrefs, which was fo great as to affect the ftocks.

The king's fpeech to the parliament on the 14th of January, 1766, gave fome colour to the fuggeftion; but when the gentlemen had fpoke who moved for the addrefs, and who feconded it, nothing could be clearer, than that the miniftry perGifted in their intention to promote the repeal. The friends of the late miniftry applauded the king's fpeech, and approved of the propofed addrels, which, as ufual, only recapitulated the Speech.

The oppofition took great offence at the tendernefs of expreffion, that the two firft gentlemen had made ufe of concerning America.. Mr. Nugent particularly infifted, "That the HONOR and dignity of the kingdom obliged us to compel the execuB

tion

(2)

tion of the Stamp-Act, except the right was ac knowledged, and the repeal folicited as a favour. He computed the expence of the troops now employed in America for their defence, as he called it, to amount to nine-pence in the pound of our land-tax; while the produce of the Stamp-Act would not raise a fhilling a head on the inhabi tants of America; but that a pepper-corn, in acknowledgment of the right, was of more value, than millions without. He expatiated on the extreme ingratitude of the colonies; and concluded, with charging the miniftry with encouraging petitions to parliament, and inftructions to members from the trading and manufacturing towns, against 'the Act."

As

Mr. Pitt was the next fpeaker. Every friend of his country rejoiced to fee him again in that houfe, and more fo, in fuch perfect health. he always begins very low, and as every body was in agitation at his firft rifing, his introduction was not heard, 'till he faid, "I came to town but today, I was a stranger to the tenor of his majesty's fpeech, and the propofed addrefs, 'till I heard them read in this houfe. Unconnected and unconfulted, I have not the means of information; I am fearful of offending through mistake, and therefore beg to be indulged with a fecond reading of the propofed addrefs." The address being read, Mr. Pitt went on :-" He commended the king's fpeech, approved of the addrefs in anfwer, as it decided nothing, every gentleman being left at perfect liberty to take fuch a part concerning America, as he might afterwards fee fit. One word only he could not approve of, an EARLY, is a word that does not belong to the notice the ministry have given to parliament of the troubles in America.

In

In a matter of fuch importance, the communication ought to have been immediate: I speak not with respect to parties; I ftand up in this place fingle and unconnected. As to the late ministry, (turning himself to Mr. G-lle, who fat within one of him) every capital measure they have taken, has been entirely wrong!

"As to the prefent gentlemen, to those at least whom I have in my eye, (looking at the bench where Mr. Conway fat, with the lords of the Treafury) I have no objection; I have never been made a facrifice by any of them. Their characters are fair; and I am always glad when men of fair character engage in his majesty's fervice. Some of them have done me the honor to afk my poor opinion, before they would engage. Thefe will do me the juftice to own, I advised them to engage; but notwithstanding-I love to be explicitI cannot give them my confidence; pardon me, gentlemen, (bowing to the miniftry) confidence is a plant of flow growth in an aged bofom: youth is the feason of credulity; by comparing events with each other, reafoning from effects to caufes, methinks, I plainly difcover the traces of an overruling influence.

"There is a claufe in the act of fettlement, to oblige every minifter to fign his name to the advice which he gives his fovereign. Would it were obferved!-I have had the honour to ferve the crown, and if I could have fubmitted to influence, I might have still continued to ferve; but I would not be responsible for others.-I have no local attachments: it is indifferent to me, whether a man was rock'd in his cradle on this fide or that fide of the Tweed.-I fought for merit wherever it was to be found.

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