and natural indignation, I called forth every faculty that I possessed, and I directed it in every way in which I could possibly employ it.  I labored night and day.  I labored in Parliament; I labored out of Parliament.  If, therefore, the resolution of the House of Commons, refusing to commit this act of unmatched turpitude, be a crime, I am guilty among the foremost.  But, indeed, whatever the faults of that House may have been, no one member was found hardy enough to propose so infamous a thing; and on full debate we passed the resolution against the petitions with as much unanimity as we had formerly passed the law of which these petitions demanded the repeal.

There was a circumstance (justice will not suffer me to pass it over) which, if anything could enforce the reasons I have given, would fully justify the act of relief, and render a repeal, or anything like a repeal, unnatural, impossible.  It was the behavior of the persecuted Roman Catholics under the acts of violence and brutal insolence which they suffered.  I suppose there are not in London less than four or five thousand of that persuasion from my country, who do a great deal of the most laborious works in the metropolis; and they chiefly inhabit those quarters which were the principal theatre of the fury of the bigoted multitude.  They are known to be men of strong arms and quick feelings, and more remarkable for a determined resolution than clear ideas or much foresight.  But, though provoked by everything that can stir the blood of men, their houses and chapels in flames, and with the most atrocious profanations of everything which they hold sacred before their eyes, not a hand was moved to retaliate, or even to defend.  Had a conflict once begun, the rage of their persecutors would have redoubled.  Thus fury increasing by the reverberation of outrages, house being fired for house, and church for chapel, I am convinced that no power under heaven could have prevented a general conflagration, and at this day London would have been a tale.  But I am well informed, and the thing speaks it, that their clergy exerted their whole influence to keep their people in such a state of forbearance and quiet, as, when I look back, fills me with astonishment,—­but not with astonishment only.  Their merits on that occasion ought not to be forgotten; nor will they, when Englishmen come to recollect themselves.  I am sure it were far more proper to have called them forth, and given them the thanks of both Houses of Parliament, than to have suffered those worthy clergymen and excellent citizens to be hunted into holes and corners, whilst we are making low-minded inquisitions into the number of their people; as if a tolerating principle was never to prevail, unless we were very sure that only a few could possibly take advantage of it.  But, indeed, we are not yet well recovered of our fright.  Our reason, I trust, will return with our security, and this unfortunate temper will pass over like a cloud.