Too much perhaps cannot be said in their praise.  They have nearly engrossed the confidence of every friend of liberty.  They are the only men, whose principles were never darkened with the cloud of suspicion.  What, let me ask, has been their uniform conduct during the whole course of the reign?  They have been ever steady in their opposition, to whatever bore an ill aspect to the cause of freedom, and to the whole train of those political measures, that have terminated in calamity and ruin.  They have been twice in administration.  Prosperity and power are usually circumstances that prove the severest virtue.  While in power how then did this party conduct themselves?

Of their first administration the principal measure was the stamp act.  A law that restored tranquility to a distracted empire.  A law, to which, if succeeding administrations had universally adhered, we had been at this moment, the exclusive allies and patrons of the whole continent of North America.  A law, that they carried in opposition to the all-dreaded Mr. Pitt, on the one hand, and on the other, against the inclination of those secret directors, from whose hands they receive their delegated power.  They repealed the excise upon cyder.  They abolished general warrants.  And after having been the authors of these and a thousand other benefits in the midst of storms and danger; they quitted their places with a disinterestedness, that no other set of men have imitated.  They secured neither place, pension, nor reversion to themselves, or any of their adherents.

Their second administration was indeed very short.  But it was crowded with the most salutary measures.  The granting a full relief to Ireland.  The passing several most important bills of oeconomy and reformation.  The passing the contractors bill.  The carrying into effect that most valuable measure, the abolishing the vote of custom-house officers in the election of members of parliament.  And lastly, the attempt to atchieve, that most important of all objects, the establishment of an equal representation.  What might not have been expected from their longer continuance in office?

But I will not confine myself to the consideration of their conduct as a body.  The characters of the individuals of which they are composed, will still further illustrate their true principles, and furnish a strong additional recommendation of them, to every friend of virtue and of liberty.  That I may not overcharge this part of my subject, I will only mention two or three of their most distinguished leaders.

The character of the present chancellor of the exchequer is entirely an unique.  Though mixing in all the busy scenes of life, though occupying for many years a principal place in the political affairs of this country, he has kept himself unspotted from the world.—­The word of the elder Cato was esteemed so sacred with the Romans, that it became a proverb among them respecting things, so