eception had been
practised against them relative to American taxation. On the other hand,
while the opposition contended that the season was gone by when such a
plan would have succeeded, it was generally approved by them. They yet
hoped, they said, that there might be a chance of conciliation, and
therefore they would give the minister their support. At the same time,
Lord North was severely reprehended by some of the opposition members.
Fox said his arguments "might be collected into one point, and his
excuses comprised in one apology, or rather in one word, _ignorance_; a
palpable and total ignorance of America: he had expected much, and had
been disappointed in every thing; necessity alone had compelled him now
to speak out." In the course of his speech, Fox informed the house
that there was a report abroad that within the last ten days France
had signed a treaty with America, acknowledging their independence, and
entering into a close alliance with the colonists. He called on Lord
North to afford the house satisfaction on so important a point, and that
minister reluctantly acknowledged that such a treaty was in agitation,
though as it was not authenticated by our ambassador he could not say
that it was concluded. The motion for bringing in the bill was carried
by a majority of about two to one, and on the first reading some of the
Tory members expressed their disapprobation of our wholly renouncing the
right of taxing the colonists. In reply, Lord North declared that the
not exacting the renunciation of independence by the Americans did not
imply that we intended to yield that point; that the commissioners would
not be empowered to concede thus much; and that the Americans would be
expected to treat as subjects, and not as a sovereign state. The bills
were passed, and when brought up to the lords, the opposition was
renewed. The Duke of Richmond read the American declaration of
independence, and asked ministers whether they meant to subscribe to
assertions such as these:--"That the king is a tyrant,"..... "that his
majesty has lost the affection of his American subjects by the insolent,
daring, perfidious and unconstitutional language of ministers, etc."
His grace said these bills, instead of regaining the affections of the
Americans, would sound the trumpet of war to all nations; that they were
at once ignominious and ineffectual; that they meant nothing or
worse than nothing; that they were better calculated to di