parate merits,
and not by way of bargain and compromise; that they should be each of
them obliged to government, not each to the other; that this would be a
perpetual nursery of faction. In a word, he seemed so determined on not
uniting these plans, that all I could say, and I said everything I could
think of, was to no purpose. But when I insisted on the disgrace to
government which must arise from their rejecting a proposition
recommended by themselves, because their opposers had made a mixture,
separable too by themselves, I was better heard. On the whole, I found
him well disposed.

As soon as I had returned to the country, this affair lay so much on my
mind, and the absolute necessity of government's making a serious
business of it, agreeably to the seriousness they professed, and the
object required, that I wrote to Sir G. Cooper, to remind him of the
principles upon which we went in our conversation, and to press the plan
which was suggested for carrying them into execution. He wrote to me on
the 20th, and assured me, "that Lord North had given all due attention
and respect to what you said to him on Friday, and will pay the same
respect to the sentiments conveyed in your letter: everything you say or
write on the subject undoubtedly demands it." Whether this was mere
civility, or showed anything effectual in their intentions, time and the
success of this measure will show. It is wholly with them; and if it
should fail, you are a witness that nothing on our part has been wanting
to free so large a part of our fellow-subjects and fellow-citizens from
slavery, and to free government from the weakness and danger of ruling
them by force. As to my own particular part, the desire of doing this
has betrayed me into a step which I cannot perfectly reconcile to
myself. You are to judge how far, on the circumstances, it may be
excused. I think it had a good effect. You may be assured that I made
this communication in a manner effectually to exclude so false and
groundless an idea as that I confer with you, any more than I confer
with them, on any party principle whatsoever,--or that in this affair we
look further than the measure which is in profession, and I am sure
ought to be in reason, theirs.

I am ever, with the sincerest affection and esteem,

My dear Sir,

Your most faithful and obedient humble servant,

EDMUND BURKE.

BEACONSFIELD, 18th July, 1778.

I intended to have written sooner, but it has not been