Thoughts on the Present Discontents, and Speeches — John Shaqi
Thoughts on the Present Discontents, and SpeechesBurke, Edmund
General
Thoughts on the Present Discontents, and Speeches
Burke, Edmund
Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1760-1789
Such has been the aspect of our foreign politics under the influence of a
_double Cabinet_. With such an arrangement at Court, it is impossible it
should have been otherwise. Nor is it possible that this scheme should
have a better effect upon the government of our dependencies, the first,
the dearest, and most delicate objects of the interior policy of this
empire. The Colonies know that Administration is separated from the
Court, divided within itself, and detested by the nation. The double
Cabinet has, in both the parts of it, shown the most malignant
dispositions towards them, without being able to do them the smallest
mischief.
They are convinced, by sufficient experience, that no plan, either of
lenity or rigour, can be pursued with uniformity and perseverance.
Therefore they turn their eyes entirely from Great Britain, where they
have neither dependence on friendship nor apprehension from enmity. They
look to themselves, and their own arrangements. They grow every day into
alienation from this country; and whilst they are becoming disconnected
with our Government, we have not the consolation to find that they are
even friendly in their new independence. Nothing can equal the futility,
the weakness, the rashness, the timidity, the perpetual contradiction, in
the management of our affairs in that part of the world. A volume might
be written on this melancholy subject; but it were better to leave it
entirely to the reflections of the reader himself, than not to treat it
in the extent it deserves.
In what manner our domestic economy is affected by this system, it is
needless to explain. It is the perpetual subject of their own
complaints.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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