But then the minister must have taken it up as a great plan of
national policy, and paid with his person in every lodgment of his
approach. He must have used that influence to quiet prejudice, which he
has so often, used to corrupt principle: and I know, that, if he had, he
must have succeeded. Many of the most active in opposition would have
given him an unequivocal support. The corporation of London, and the
great body of the London West India merchants and planters, which forms
the greatest mass of that vast interest, were disposed to fall in with
such a plan. They certainly gave no sort of discountenance to what was
done or what was proposed. But these are not the kind of objects for
which our ministers bring out the heavy artillery of the state.
Therefore, as things stood at that time, a great deal more was not
practicable.
Last year another proposition was brought out for the relief of Ireland.
It was started without any communication with a single person of
activity in the country party, and, as it should seem, without any kind
of concert with government. It appeared to me extremely raw and
undigested. The behavior of Lord N.
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