f the favor of the
Commons,--a mark of favor not the consequence of flattery, but of
opinion. I shall feel animated and encouraged by so noble a reward as I
shall always consider the confidence of the Commons to be: the only
reward, but a rich reward, which I have received for the toils and
labors of a long life.

The Commons, then, thus vindicated, and myself thus encouraged, I shall
proceed to make good the charge in which the honor of the Commons, that
is, the national honor, is so deeply concerned. For, my Lords, if any
circumstance of weakness, if any feebleness of nerve, if any yielding to
weak and popular opinions and delusions were to shake us, consider what
the situation of this country would be. This prosecution, if weakly
conceived, ill digested, or intemperately pursued, ought never to have
been brought to your Lordships' bar: but being brought to your
Lordships' bar, the nation is committed to it, and the least appearance
of uncertainty in our minds would disgrace us forever. _Esto perpetua_,
has been said. To the glory of this nation, much more be it said, _Esto
perpetua_; and I will say, that, as we have raised and exhibited a
theatre of justice which has excited the admiration of all Europe, there
would be a sort of lustre in our infamy, and a splendor in the disgrace
that we should bring upon ourselves, if we should, just at that moment,
turn that theatre of our glory into a spectacle of dishonor beyond what
has ever happened to any country of the world.

The Commons of Great Britain, whilst willing to keep a strong and firm
hand over all those who represent them in any business, do at the same
time encourage them in the prosecution of it, by allowing them a just
discretion and latitude wherever their own orders have not marked a
distinction. I shall therefore go on with the more cheerful confidence,
not only for the reasons that I have stated, but for another and
material reason. I know and am satisfied, that, in the nobleness of your
judgment, you will always make a distinction between the person that
gives the order and the organ that is to execute it. The House of
Commons know no such thing as indiscretion, imprudence, or impropriety:
it is otherwise with their instruments. Your Lordships very well know,
that, if you hear anything that shall appear to you to be regular, apt
to bring forward the charge, just, prudent, cogent, you are to give it
to the Commons of Great Britain in Parliament assembled