you made the stamp-act; and that you restored every thing to peace and order when you repealed it. I have fhewn that the revival of the fyftem of taxation has produced the very worst effects; and that the partial repeal has produced, not partial good, but univerfal evil. Let these confiderations, founded on facts, not one of which can be denied, bring us back to your reafon by the road of your experience.

I cannot, as I have faid, anfwer for mixed meafures; but furely this mixture of lenity would give the whole a better chance of fuccefs. When you once regain confidence, the way will be clear before you. Then you may enforce the act of navigation when it ought to be enforced. You will yourfelves open it where it ought still further to be opened. Proceed in what you do, whatever you do, from policy, and not from rancour. Let us act like men, let us act like ftatefmen. Let us hold fome fort of confiftent conduct. It is agreed that the revenue is not to be had in America. If we lofe the profit, let us get rid of the odium.

On this business of America I confefs I am ferious, even to fadnefs. I have had but one opinion concerning it finée I fat, and before I fat, in Parliament. The noble Lord will, as ufual, probably, attribute the part taken by me and my friends in this bufinefs, to a defire of getting his places. Let him enjoy this happy and original idea. If

Lord North.

I deprived

I depfived him of it, I should take away moft of his wit, and all his argument. But I had rather bear the brunt of all his wit, and indeed blows much heavier, than ftand anfwerable to God for embracing a fyftem that tends to the deftruction of fome of the very best and fairest of his works. But I know the map of England, as well as the noble Lord *, or as any other perfon; and I know that the way I take is not the road to preferment. My excellent and honourable friend under me on the floor + has trod that road with great toil for upwards of twenty years together. He is not yet arrived at the noble Lord's deftination. However, the tracks of my worthy friend are those I have ever wifhed to follow; because I know they lead to honour. Long may we tread the fame road together; whoever may accompany us, or whoever may laugh at us on our journey! I honestly and folemnly declare, I have in all feafons adhered to the fyftem of 1766, for no other reason, than that I think it laid deep in your truest interests-and that, by limiting the exercife, it fixes on the firmeft foundations a real, confiftent, well-grounded authority in Parliament. Until you come back to that fyftem, there will be no peace for England.

FINIS.

BL