derable number of those who sided with the Minister and were
generally used to support the measures of Government; but on this
occasion they loudly dissented from them. Several quitted the House
without voting; others, who voted in his favour, obliged him previously
to give them an assurance that he would remove all their doubts and
scruples, and satisfy them clearly on this subject." (Dr. Andrews'
History of the Late War, Vol. II., Chap. xviii., pp. 76, 77.)]

[Footnote 71: "The employment of foreign troops to reduce America was an
object animadverted upon by the Opposition with peculiar violence and
indignation. This, indeed, of all the Ministerial measures, met with the
most acrimonious notice both in and out of Parliament. * * Foreigners
said the Opposition were now taught that Britain, with all its boasted
greatness, could not find people at home to fight its battles. * * Who
could behold so disgraceful a measure without feeling for that loss of
national honour which it must occasion? * * But exclusive of the
disgrace entailed upon our character, the danger of the system was no
less apparent. What reason had we to trust an army of foreigners, who
could possibly harbour no motives of enmity to the people against whom
they were to be employed? The country where these foreigners were to
wage war for us, was precisely that to which we had so often enticed
numbers to emigrate from their native homes by promises of more _ease_
and happiness than they could enjoy in their own country. * * Of all the
measures that had been taken against the Americans, that of hiring
foreigners to invade their country had given the highest offence.
British soldiers, though acting in the capacity of foes, still retained
the feelings of countrymen, and would not shed blood without some
compunction. They were born and bred in a country noted for humanity,
and the constitution of which inculcated mildness. But the Hessians were
of a ferocious disposition; educated under a despotic Government, they
knew no rights but those of force. They carried destruction wherever
they were masters, plundering all before them without distinction, and
committing the most barbarous ravages.

"They had, it was said, been told before their departure from Germany
that they were to be put in possession of the lands of those whom they
conquered, and they were full of this expectation at their arrival. But
upon discovering their mistake, they resolved, however, to mak