The British king and
ministry are constantly holding up the vast importance which America
is of to England, in order to allure the nation to carry on the war:
now, whatever ground there is for this idea, it ought to have operated
as a reason for not beginning it; and, therefore, they support their
present measures to their own disgrace, because the arguments which
they now use, are a direct reflection on their former policy.
"The favorable appearance of affairs," continues the speech, "in the
East Indies, and the safe arrival of the numerous commercial fleets of
my kingdom, must have given you satisfaction."
That things are not quite so bad every where as in America may be
some cause of consolation, but can be none for triumph. One broken leg
is better than two, but still it is not a source of joy: and let the
appearance of affairs in the East Indies be ever so favorable, they
are nevertheless worse than at first, without a prospect of their ever
being better. But the mournful story of Cornwallis was yet to be told,
and it was necessary to give it the softest introduction possible.
"But in the course of this year," continues the speech, "my
assiduous endeavors to guard the extensive dominions of my crown
have not been attended with success equal to the justice and
uprightness of my views."- What justice and uprightness there was in
beginning a war with America, the world will judge of, and the
unequalled barbarity with which it has been conducted, is not to be
worn from the memory by the cant of snivelling hypocrisy.
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