The independence of America would end in the ruin of England;
and that a peace patched up with France, would give that proud enemy
the means of yet trampling on this country. The sun of England's glory
he wished not to see set forever; he looked for a spark at least to be
left, which might in time light us up to a new day. But if
independence was to be granted, if Parliament deemed that measure
prudent, he foresaw, in his own mind, that England was undone. He
wished to God that he had been deputed to Congress, that be might
plead the cause of that country as well as of this, and that he
might exercise whatever powers he possessed as an orator, to save both
from ruin, in a conviction to Congress, that, if their independence
was signed, their liberties were gone forever.
"Peace, his lordship added, was a desirable object, but it must be
an honorable peace, and not an humiliating one, dictated by France, or
insisted on by America. It was very true, that this kingdom was not in
a flourishing state, it was impoverished by war. But if we were not
rich, it was evident that France was poor. If we were straitened in
our finances, the enemy were exhausted in their resources. This was
a great empire; it abounded with brave men, who were able and
willing to fight in a common cause; the language of humiliation should
not, therefore, be the language of Great Britain. His lordship said,
that he was not afraid nor ashamed of those expressions going to
America. There were numbers, great numbers there, who were of the same
way of thinking, in respect to that country being dependent on this,
and who, with his lordship, perceived ruin and independence linked
together.
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