Transcribed from the early 1800’s edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org. Many thanks to Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library, UK, for kindly supplying the images from which this transcription was made. THE INDEPENDENT STATESMAN, AND Liberal Landlord; OR _A RESPECTFUL TRIBUTE_ TO T. W. COKE, ESQ. M. P. FOR THE _COUNTY OF NORFOLK_. [Picture: Decorative divider] BY J. PARKERSON, JUN. [Picture: Decorative divider] _PRICE_ 2s. * * * * * NORWICH: _PRINTED_, _BY R. WALKER_, _NEAR THE DUKE’S PALACE_. A RESPECTFUL TRIBUTE TO T. W. COKE, ESQ. M. P. In this candid address, Sir we beg to express, Our concern in observing the kingdom’s distress; In the senate we know sir you are never afraid, Our country’s foes to expose or upbraid; Upbraiding them now appears of no use, For a well-tim’d remark they denote as abuse. Our yeomen of Norfolk most loudly complain, Of present taxation and low prices of grain; Your tenantry find to their sorrow and grief, No efforts are made to afford them relief: His Majesty speaks of their present distress; Yet points out no method to render it less. You set an example to those of the state, By giving assistance before ’tis too late; You drop your rentals, the disease for to cure, They shou’d cause a reduction in expenditure, By lopping of branches that injure the vine, They tell us such method wou’d cause a decline. The weather was fickle, the time did not suit, That ’twou’d injure the stem and sicken the root. To find out improvements so long they delay, Tho’ they know that the root is in daily decay; For the suckers so much of its virtue late drew, To remove it is better and plant one anew, Such, such is the case I fear of the nation, Was we to remove those now in high station; It’s just like a bankrupt who often ’tis found, His assets a shilling wont give to the pound: When you ask him the cause he’ll reluctantly say, The money is spent and my books thrown away. Should a bankruptcy happen to this nation at large, ’Tis not likely we ever the debt can discharge, What a pretty account wou’d our ministers give, Cou’d they say ’twas our plan to live and let live. They’d tell you that ministers know how to carve; For his M--- well, tho’ his good subjects starve. I will return to a more pleasing strain, And speak of your tenantry Sir, once again; So good are their crops, that it plainly foretell,