Perhaps gentlemen are not yet fully aware of the situation of their country, and what its exigencies absolutely require.  I find that we are still disposed to talk at our ease, and as if all things were to be regulated by our good pleasure.  I should consider it as a fatal symptom, if, in our present distressed and adverse circumstances, we should persist in the errors which are natural only to prosperity.  One cannot, indeed, sufficiently lament the continuance of that spirit of delusion, by which, for a long time past, we have thought fit to measure our necessities by our inclinations.  Moderation, prudence, and equity are far more suitable to our condition than loftiness, and confidence, and rigor.  We are threatened by enemies of no small magnitude, whom, if we think fit, we may despise, as we have despised others; but they are enemies who can only cease to be truly formidable by our entertaining a due respect for their power.  Our danger will not be lessened by our shutting our eyes to it; nor will our force abroad be increased by rendering ourselves feeble and divided at home.

There is a dreadful schism in the British nation.  Since we are not able to reunite the empire, it is our business to give all possible vigor and soundness to those parts of it which are still content to be governed by our councils.  Sir, it is proper to inform you that our measures must be healing.  Such a degree of strength must be communicated to all the members of the state as may enable them to defend themselves, and to cooeperate in the defence of the whole.  Their temper, too, must be managed, and their good affections cultivated.  They may then be disposed to bear the load with cheerfulness, as a contribution towards what may be called with truth and propriety, and not by an empty form of words, a common cause.  Too little dependence cannot be had, at this time of day, on names and prejudices.  The eyes of mankind are opened, and communities must be held together by an evident and solid interest.  God forbid that our conduct should demonstrate to the world that Great Britain can in no instance whatsoever be brought to a sense of rational and equitable policy but by coercion and force of arms!

I wish you to recollect with what powers of concession, relatively to commerce, as well as to legislation, his Majesty’s commissioners to the United Colonies have sailed from England within this week.  Whether these powers are sufficient for their purposes it is not now my business to examine.  But we all know that our resolutions in favor of Ireland are trifling and insignificant, when compared with the concessions to the Americans.  At such a juncture, I would implore every man, who retains the least spark of regard to the yet remaining honor and security of this country, not to compel others to an imitation of their conduct, or by passion and violence to force them to seek in the territories of the separation that freedom and those advantages which they are not to look for whilst they remain under the wings of their ancient government.