The question of the repeal was brought on by ministry in the committee of this House in the very instant when it was known that more than one court negotiation was carrying on with the heads of the opposition.  Everything, upon every side, was full of traps and mines.  Earth below shook; heaven above menaced; all the elements of ministerial safety were dissolved.  It was in the midst of this chaos of plots and counterplots, it was in the midst of this complicated warfare against public opposition and private treachery, that the firmness of that noble person was put to the proof.  He never stirred from his ground:  no, not an inch.  He remained fixed and determined, in principle, in measure, and in conduct.  He practised no managements.  He secured no retreat.  He sought no apology.

I will likewise do justice—­I ought to do it—­to the honorable gentleman who led us in this House.[9] Far from the duplicity wickedly charged on him, he acted his part with alacrity and resolution.  We all felt inspired by the example he gave us, down even to myself, the weakest in that phalanx.  I declare for one, I knew well enough (it could not be concealed from anybody) the true state of things; but, in my life, I never came with so much spirits into this House.  It was a time for a man to act in.  We had powerful enemies; but we had faithful and determined friends, and a glorious cause.  We had a great battle to fight; but we had the means of fighting:  not as now, when our arms are tied behind us.  We did fight that day, and conquer.

I remember, Sir, with a melancholy pleasure, the situation of the honorable gentleman[10] who made the motion for the repeal:  in that crisis, when the whole trading interest of this empire, crammed into your lobbies, with a trembling and anxious expectation, waited, almost to a winter’s return of light, their fate from your resolutions.  When at length you had determined in their favor, and your doors thrown open showed them the figure of their deliverer in the well-earned triumph of his important victory, from the whole of that grave multitude there arose an involuntary burst of gratitude and transport.  They jumped upon him like children on a long absent father.  They clung about him as captives about their redeemer.  All England, all America, joined in his applause.  Nor did he seem insensible to the best of all earthly rewards, the love and admiration of his fellow-citizens. Hope elevated and joy brightened his crest.  I stood near him; and his face, to use the expression of the Scripture of the first martyr, “his face was as if it had been the face of an angel.”  I do not know how others feel; but if I had stood in that situation, I never would have exchanged it for all that kings in their profusion could bestow.  I did hope that that day’s danger and honor would have been a bond to hold us all together forever.  But, alas! that, with other pleasing visions, is long since vanished.