board of excise. They had formed it in defiance
of a vote of parliament, and dissolved it after par-
liament had acquiesced in it for a whole session.
The whole revenue is again returned to the old
board ; but the patronage remains as before, en-
tirely with the Castle. Nothing can tend to bring
government into such great and merited contempt
as the rashness with which they adopt critical

12 Mr. Flood was appointed a privy-counsellor in Ireland
in 1774, a vice-treasurer of Ireland in 1775, and an English
privy-counsellor in 1776.



RIGHT HON. EDMUND BURKE. 439

measures, and the cowardice and levity with which
they abandon them. For the present, however,
the giving up this board will answer some ends to
Lord Harcourt, who will become a sort of favourite
at the expense of every principle of ruling policy.
They will make use of this concession to smooth
their way to the absentee-tax. They will allege
this as a proof that they had not recourse to ex-
traordinary ways and means, until they had
exhausted every method of economy, in the reduc-
tion of even the most favoured and justifiable ex-
penses. I forgot to mention that Lord Besborough
had from Rigby a confirmation (if any had been
needful) of the reality of this project, with this
particular, that the tax was to be two shillings in
the pound.

Mr. Ponsonby conceives that their grand diffi-
culty will be, not in the principle, but in the
execution. The manner of levying, as well as
assessing such a tax, cannot be very easy. But I
never knew a difficulty in the execution of a
business of this sort, which was not overcome,
provided the managers were in good earnest for
the measure itself; and a bad scheme is not the
less executed, because it is done in an awkward
bungling manner. He is of opinion, that if any
thing can tend to the discredit of this plan, it is
its leading to a general tax on land. This undoubt-
edly will be the strongest objection on the other



440 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

side of the water. But if they think that the
growing state of the establishment, above all pro-
bable produce of the revenue, should show that
such a tax must at length be inevitable, it will
appear a point gained, if by a partial tax they may,
for a while at least, stave off the evil from them-
selves, and protract it possibly beyond the lives of
the present possessors of landed property.

In this light I confess it appears to me, on the
slight knowledge which I possess, at present, of
the dispositions of the public, and of the leading
interests in Ireland. If government here persists
in countenancing such a plan, I have no sort of
doubt that it will pass the parliament and privy-
council of Ireland, not only without difficulty, but
with the greatest satisfaction and applause.

From the public in England, a very different
reception might be expected. Your lordship thinks
it a good ground for parliamentary impeachment.
In itself I cannot see how it could escape the
severest animadversion. There never surely was
such a scheme of such preposterous policy ; nor
that tends more, in its principle and example, to
the separation and derangement of the whole con-
texture of this empire, considered as a well-ordered,
connected, and proportioned body. What shall
we say? A respectable, but a subordinate part,
gives laws to the whole ; and Ireland makes a tax
of regulation to prevent the residence of its pro-



RIGHT HON. EDMUND BURKE. 441

prietors of land in the metropolis of the empire !
I never can forget that I am an Irishman : I flatter
myself perhaps ; but I think I would shed my
blood, rather than see the limb I belong to op-
pressed and defrauded of its due nourishment.
But this measure tends to put us out of our place,
and not to improve us in our natural situation. It
is the mere effect of narrowness and passion ; and,
if it should take effect, would bring on the natural
consequence of these causes. Perhaps this country,
by dispositions and actions of a similar nature,
has taught this lesson to a scholar more docile than
informed.

These are the sentiments which I entertain in
common, I believe, with your lordship's friends.
But I am not at all certain that it will affect
people in the same manner, even in England.
There is a superficial appearance of equity in this
tax, which cannot fail to captivate almost all those
who are not led by some immediate interest to
an attentive examination of its intrinsic merits.
The mischiefs which such a measure may produce,
are remote and speculative. So they will appear
to the people in general. They will not believe
that this tax will drive a great many to a residence
in Ireland. They think that this country may still
enjoy the expenditure of the greater part of the
Irish estates. While the part which is cut off by this
tax is, in appearance, applied to the support of



442 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

military and other establishments, which, without
the tax, might otherwise fall more directly upon
England, they will think themselves indemnified
for the loss of that ten per cent, which is taken
from the great system of English circulation. As
to the great maxims of policy which are sub-
verted by the principle of this tax, I am much
mistaken if the people of this country, who have
a perfect contempt for all such things, will not
consider them on this, as upon so many other
things, a mere visionary theory.

With regard to the great man \ the common
friend of your lordship and Lord Besborough,
I am sure he perfectly agrees with you both,
in his opinion of the justice, reason, and policy
of this imposition. But it is very possible that
his opinion may have very little influence on his
conduct. Your lordship remembers his opinion
on the justice, policy, and equity of the proceed-
ings against governor Wentworth. You remem-
ber too that he could not be prevailed upon
to attend that cause, and to deliver that opinion
in council. I remember with great clearness
a report of the board of trade, so long ago as the
year 1759, strongly recommending the disallow-
ance of a money-bill of the province of Penn-
sylvania, as being made in direct opposition to

1 Probably Lord Mansfield.



RIGHT HON. EDMUND BURKE. 443

all the colony instructions, to the prerogative
of the crown, and to the dependence of the pro-
vince. By disallowing this bill, government
would have lost, for some time, a loan of about
100,000 currency. When this report came to
be heard before the council, your lordship's very
learned friend approved exceedingly of the
arguments of the attorney-general 2 , pressing the
rejection of the bill. However, rather than
government should be disappointed in this small
supply, he allowed the bill with all its imper-
fections on its head. All he did was, in the
face of the world, to attempt a negotiation with
Mr. Franklin, agent for the colony, that another
bill should be passed on the following year, but
free from the exceptionable parts, to the same pur-
pose. Franklin said, he had no authority to
make such terms. He only promised to trans-
mit his lordship's recommendation. The act
passed, and nothing further was ever heard of the
terms proposed.

From these, and from many other instances,
I conclude that this able man is more anxious in
general for the temporary accommodation, than
the permanent credit of government. This is
mere constitution s . If therefore the public credit
in Ireland should be pledged by a loan upon an

2 Sir Charles Pratt, afterwards Lord Camden.

3 That is, constitutional temperament.



444 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

absentee tax, or if the immediate pay of the army
should be made to depend upon it, he is not the
man to run the risk of so much embarrassment to
government, as to advise the rejection of the act
which imposed it. Never ! never ! He will in-
deed, very freely, in all his conversations, censure
the ministry for suffering things to come to such
extremities, but he will consider the measure as
necessary ; and then all questions of general expe-
diency and policy of course must give way.

On the whole matter, it appears to me that, if
administration perseveres, it will pass in Ireland ;
it will be tolerated in England ; it will not be
opposed in council by any great law-lord in this
kingdom. Such I conceive must be the case, if
it be suffered once, under government influence,
to take root in the Irish House of Commons. But
I confess that I join Lord Besborough in opinion
of the necessity and probable success of an early,
prudent, and vigorous opposition, before the Irish
parliament gets into possession of the project. On
a proper remonstrance, the ministry, who never
foresee difficulties, will be more terrified about
them than in reason they ought. Your lordship's
great friend will then be both able and willing to
interpose, and to interpose in the way to which
he is best inclined, and in which he is most
powerful, by a direct but private representation
to the closet. Your lordship proposes to be at



RIGHT HON. EDMUND BURKE. 445

the first October meeting at Newmarket. I sub-
mit it to your judgment, whether it might not be
expedient to get on a little further, and to meet
your friends here, and concert the best manner of
making this representation. No time is to be
lost. I suppose your lordship has seen Lord J.
Cavendish and Sir G. Savile, since you heard of
this project.

I have, since I began this letter, indeed this
moment, received an apologetic message from
Mr. Flood, for not having been to see me once
since his being in England. I really thought it
odd from so old and intimate an acquaintance.
He is just gone off with Sir Charles Bingham. I
hear his terms in reversion are considerable, and
in possession very tolerable; this, in point of
profit ; and the lead and rank very great.

I become a little anxious in this matter. I wish,
therefore, to hear from your lordship as soon as
you please. The whole town talks of this affair,
and is well apprised of every fact relative to it.
I am, with the greatest attachment and affection,

My dear lord,

Ever your lordship's most obedient and obliged

humble servant,

EDM. BURKE.

I return home to-morrow. My harvest long
since well in. The wheat was large in show
upon the ground, but the yield in flour is not



446 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

extraordinary. I am infinitely obliged to Lady
Rockingham for her goodness in transcribing the
letter which I return. Until I can copy so well,
I am not entitled to any apology.



EDMUND BURKE, ESQ., TO THE MARQUIS OF
ROCKINGHAM.

Beconsfield, Wednesday, October 20, 1773.

MY DEAR LORD,

I am glad to find Lord Ossory something of a
man. If I do not mistake his constitution, he
wanted nothing but good company at his outset,
to make him very much what a man ought to be.
There is a vein of natural good sense in him,
from which a good deal might be expected ; and
such expectations were formed of him in the
beginning of his life. Your lordship does not
mention what measures were taken in conse-
quence of the signing ; whether you wait for more
hands, or have presented on the strength of what
you have; or whether you have fixed on your
persons who are to deliver the letter 4 .

Francis 5 will be here, by appointment, to-day.

4 Mr. Burke here refers to the representation addressed to
Lord North, deprecating a tax on Irish absentees, as men-
tioned in a preceding note.

5 Afterwards Sir Philip Francis, K.B. This gentleman



RIGHT HON. EDMUND BURKE. 447

I shall wait no longer than his return, which will
be (to-morrow) Thursday morning, when I hope
to receive your lordship's commands at Grosvenor-
square. I find that this Mr. Francis is entirely
in the interests of Lord Clive. Everything con-
tributes to the greatness of that man, who, whe-
ther government or the company prevails, will
go near to govern India. But he will govern
it entirely, if the court triumphs ; for being quite
unfurnished, he is the upholsterer of their house
to let.

I am glad Monckton has seen your lordship.
Will, and Richard went to town yesterday, and
I shall possibly hear somewhat this morning. I
suppose our friend was at Newmarket. He has
a much better game at London, but he is not his
own master. I am, with the most affectionate
attachment,

My dear lord,

Your lordship's faithful friend, and obedient
humble servant,

EDM. BURKE.

having held some less important employment at home, had
been lately nominated by Lord North a member of the coun-
cil appointed for the government of India, under the act of
this year. He returned from India in 1784. Some corre-
spondence which passed between him and Burke, on the sub-
ject of the French revolution, is given hereafter.



448 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE



THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM TO EDMUND
BURKE, ESQ.

Wentworth, January 30, 1774.

DEAR BURKE,

I trust I shall not be prevented setting out to-
wards London on Wednesday morning. Lady
Rockingham is most perfectly recovered, but, on
the other hand, my own old complaints have
lately again been very troublesome. The untoward
events which happen rather affect me; and I do not
feel either so active in mind, or so steady, under
any disagreeable occurrences, as I formerly did.
I am afraid the Duke of Richmond will be much
disappointed at the event of the ballot 6 . I trust,
nevertheless, that it is not a decisive defeat. I
mean in regard to any judgment which can be
formed, of what may be the issue at the next
election of directors. Lord Fitzwilliam wrote me
word, a few days ago, that Lord Buckinghamshire
had given notice, that he should make a motion
in the House of Lords. Lord Fitzwilliam says
he met you, and that you heard it was relative

6 Lord Rockingham here alludes to a ballot at the India-
house on the 25th of January, 1774, when the proprietors of
stock who represented the opinions of the Rockingham party
on Indian affairs were left in a minority.



RIGHT HON. EDMUND BURKE. 449

to the transactions in America, on the subject
of the tea-ships, and that you imagined it might
be to goad administration, and would undoubtedly
be contra to us, &c.

If Lord Buckinghamshire makes any motion,
I should imagine his first must be, to move for
the accounts which government have received, as,
otherwise, he has not sufficient ground. I sup-
pose government will assent, and then the real
business will come on in the course of next
week.

I feel a strong desire of being in the House
of Lords when this subject comes on. I have
even wrote to Lord Fitzwilliam, by the same
conveyance which carries this letter, and which
I hope he will receive on Tuesday evening. A
letter wrote by him or you, and sent either on
Tuesday night by the Grantham fly, or an express
sent on Wednesday morning to Grantham, may
convey a letter to me, which I shall receive at
Grantham on Wednesday night (if we reach Gran-
tham), or I shall get it when we pass Grantham
early on Thursday.

I trust I should be able to get to Grosvenor-
square on Friday morning, early enough to dress
for the House of Lords ; I mean this only if it is
thought very necessary that I should be there.
The conduct of the Americans cannot be justified;
but the folly and impolicy of the provocation

VOL. i. G g



450 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

deserves the fullest arraignment ; and notwith-
standing all that has passed, I can never give my
assent to proceeding with actual force against the
colonies.

I am most exceedingly grieved for poor Treco-
thick. I thought him ill in health when I last
saw him in London, and his spirits were much
sunk ; but the appearances of friendship and
affection towards me were too warm for one to
forget so soon.

I had a letter some time ago from Lord John
Cavendish ; he said the company at the Thatched
House were cheerful.

I hope Mr. Dowdeswell is in good health. His
spirits are not apt to flag. I see by the papers he
tries to persuade the House of Commons to some
little attention to the revenue matters; but the
ministers not only neglect them, but have also
the good fortune to find the public inattentive, in
proportion to their own remissness and mal-
conduct.

I am ever, dear Burke,
Your most obedient and affectionate, &c.

ROCKINGHAM.



RIGHT HON. EDMUND BURKE. 451



EDMUND BURKE, ESQ., TO THE MARQUIS OF
ROCKINGHAM.

Tuesday night, February 2, 1774.

MY DEAR LORD,

I have just received your lordship's letter. It is
half an hour after ten ; so that if I say much,
I shall, I fear, be too late for the fly. I rejoice
most heartily at your coming to town, and at
Lady Rockingham's happy recovery. I wish your
lordship had brought your share of health with
you ; but I flatter myself that the journey and the
change will rather do you service. I wish your
lordship would not take things too anxiously. If
the Duke of Richmond were to succeed in the
India-house, it would be a matter of great
triumph. But if he has failed, or even if he should
fail finally, we ought not to be surprised at it;
as the whole power of government has been em-
ployed to gain that body, which the whole power
of parliament has been employed to new-model
for that purpose. But I really do not think it
absolutely impossible that they may yet be able
to save something from the talons of despotism.
Your lordship will find all your friends, though
not active, yet all at their posts ; in good humour
with one another ; in no bad spirits ; firmly at-

Gg2



452 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

tached to their principles and to your lordship.
As to others, I hope they begin to know to whom
it is they owe their present situation. I mean all
such (few indeed) as choose not to play the same
part of division and subdivision themselves.

As to Lord Buckinghamshire 7 , I always thought
America was his object, and that he would begin
with a motion for papers. Whether he got them,
or what was said on the part of administration,
I know not. It was the Duke of Richmond's,
Mr. Dowdeswell's, and Lord Fitzwilliam's, as well
as Lord J. Cavendish's sentiment, that your lord-
ship's friends in the House of Peers ought to absent
themselves, and not to countenance the interested
petulance of those paltry, discontented people,
who, without embracing your principles, or giving
you any sort of support, think to make use of
your weight to give consequence to every occa-
sional spirit of opposition they think proper to
make, in order to put the ministry in mind that
they are to be bought by private contract, as un-
connected individuals. When you mean oppo-
sition, you are able to take it up on your own
grounds, and at your own time. I cannot think
they can bring on any question this week.

Your lordship remarks very rightly on the



7 The Earl of Buckinghamshire was appointed Lord-lieu-
tenant of Ireland, in November, 1776.



RIGHT HON. EDMUND BURKE. 453

supineness of the public. Any remarkable high-
way robbery at Hounslow-heath would make
more conversation than all the disturbances of
America.

There were five-and-thirty at council on the
petition to remove Governor Hutchinson 8 . Dun-
ning 9 , counsel for the province, denied that there
was any cause instituted. That the petition
charged no crime, and made no accusation. It
applied to the wisdom of the crown, and did not
make a demand for justice. It was with the king
to grant or to refuse. They had no impeachment
to make, and no evidence to produce. It was
well and ably put. Lee seconded ; Wedderburn



* This was a petition from the province of Massachusetts,
presented by the agent, Dr. Franklin, the preceding year,
praying for the removal of the governor, in consequence of
the discovery of some letters of his to the British government,
recommending the adoption of coercive measures towards the
colony. No notice appears to have been taken of the petition,
until the beginning of this year, when it was referred to the
privy-council, and Dr. Franklin ordered to attend on the 29th
of January. The result was the dismissal of the petition, and
the immediate removal of Dr. Franklin (who had been instru-
mental in the discovery of the letters) from his employment
of deputy-postmaster to the Colonies. This removal seems
to have been the object government had in view, in bringing
forward the petition after it had lain by so long.

9 The celebrated lawyer, and member of the House of Com-
mons, created Lord Ashburton in 1782. He died in 1783.



454 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

replied in a very well-performed invective against
the assembly, and all the town meetings of New
England ; justifying the governor, and laying on
most heavily, indeed beyond all bounds and mea-
sure, on Dr. Franklin. I am told the Doctor is
to be dismissed from whatever employments he
holds under the crown. There is nothing else
stirring.

I am, with the utmost affection and attachment,

My dear lord,

Your lordship's most obedient and
humble servant,

EDM. BURKE.



MADAME DU DEFFAND TO EDMUND BURKE, ESQ.

Paris, ce 5 Avril, 1774.

Mad. du Deffand a ete charmee de voir le fils
de Monsieur Burke; on 1'a trouve tresjoly, par-
lant le Frai^ois aussi bien que sa propre langue ;
Monsieur son pere fera fort bien de prendre des
Ie9ons de lui et de venir cet automne a Paris
faire juger a Mad. du Deffand s'il a profite des
instructions de Monsieur son fils. Elle envoye a
Monsieur Burke un discours qui a remporte le
prix Tan passe a 1'Academie Francoise ; elle le
prie de lui faire s^avoir avec sincerite le jugement



RIGHT HON. EDMUND BURKE. 455

qu'il en aura porte. Mad. Cholmondeley voudra
peut-etre bien se charger de la lui mander. Seroit-
ce d'elle que viendroient deux livres de the, qui
lui ont ete envoye de la part d'un Monsieur
P. a Benezech ? Elle voudroit le s^avoir pour lui
en faire ses remerciemens.



LETTER OF THANKS TO EDMUND BURKE, ESQ.,
FROM MANCHESTER.

Hope, near Manchester, April 29, 1774.

SIR,

By desire of the Committee of Trade at Manches-
ter, I return you their grateful acknowledgments,
for the very active part they are informed you
have taken in the business of the Jamaica free
ports.

With admiration and respect, we behold you,
sir, happy in the possession of the most distin-
guished abilities; happier still in the most pa-
triotic application of them in the service of your
country.

I have the honour to be, sir,
Your most obedient servant,

THOS. B. BAYLEY.



456 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE



LETTER OF THANKS TO EDMUND BURKE ESQ.,
FROM THE AFRICAN COMPANY.

African Office, May 20, 1774.
SIR,

The committee of the Company of Merchants
trading to Africa, thoroughly sensible of the great
obligations that company lies under to you, for
the very zealous, constitutional, and effectual
support you lately gave their establishment in
parliament, have directed me to return you their
sincere and hearty thanks ; and likewise grate-
fully to acknowledge their sense of the generous
and kind defence you were pleased to afford the
committee against an illiberal and unjust attack,
made on their characters in the House, at the
same time.

I have the honour to be, with all possible
deference and respect, sir,

your very obedient humble servant,
RICHARD CAMPLIN.



RIGHT HON. EDMUND BURKE. 457



EDMUND BURKE, ESQ. TO THE BISHOP OF
CHESTER.

Westminster, June 20, 1774.

MY DEAR LORD,

You will be much surprised to find a letter upon
such a subject as that of the inclosed coming
through my hands 10 . But though you will laugh
at the oddity of the circumstance, I flatter myself
your lordship will have the goodness not to be
displeased with my sending it to you without any
delay, and with so little ceremony.

If I could claim the honour of any intimacy

10 The letter alluded to is one from Dr. Leland, of Trinity
College, Dublin, requesting the support of the Bishop of
Chester in his suit for the appointment of provost of the
college, then vacant by the death of Dr. Andrews. He was
opposed by Mr. John Hely Hutchinson, the prime sergeant,
upon whom, it was understood, the Irish government intended
to bestow it. Mr. Hutchinson was a practising lawyer, and
then, and afterwards, an active politician, whose appointment
to so grave and important a charge was considered by the
public to be, in every respect, unsuitable and improper. He
was, however, supported by Colonel Blaquiere, secretary to
Lord Harcourt, then lord lieutenant, and was successful.
In 1777, he became secretary for Ireland under Lord Buck-
inghamshire, an office he held for a short time, in conjunction
with that of provost ; the latter was only vacated by his death
in 1795.



458 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE