with our own; because in all parts it is the British strength that I consume.  I do not choose to be caught by a foreign enemy at the end of this exhausting conflict, and still less in the midst of it.  I may escape; but I can make no assurance against such an event.  Let me add, that I do not choose wholly to break the American spirit; because it is the spirit that has made the country.

Lastly, we have no sort of experience in favor of force as an instrument in the rule of our colonies.  Their growth and their utility has been owing to methods altogether different.  Our ancient indulgence has been said to be pursued to a fault.  It may be so.  But we know if feeling is evidence that our fault was more tolerable than our attempt to mend it; and our sin far more salutary than our penitence.

These, Sir, are my reasons for not entertaining that high opinion of untried force, by which many gentlemen, for whose sentiments in other particulars I have great respect, seem to be so greatly captivated.  But there is still behind a third consideration concerning this object, which serves to determine my opinion on the sort of policy which ought to be pursued in the management of America, even more than its population and its commerce, I mean its temper and character.

    EDMUND BURKE:  Conciliation with America, 1775

Reconstructing the Outline.  In the preliminary arrangement Burke knew that he was going to give his reasons against the use of military force.  In his first plan he may not have decided just where he was going to place his four arguments.  So they very likely appeared as four topic entries: 

Against use of force.
  1. temporary
  2. uncertain
  3. damages America
  4. no experience

Notice that these are jottings to suggest the germs of the arguments.  When Burke revised this section he may have changed the expression to indicate more certainty.

Force should not be used against the colonies, because: 
  1. it is only temporary
  2. it is uncertain in its results
  3. it would damage the wealth of the colonies
  4. it is based on no experience of Great Britain with
     colonies

Of course, a practised statesman would not have to analyze farther, perhaps not so far, but to illustrate for a student how he might build up his outline, let us analyze one degree farther.  Just what is meant by such terms as temporary, uncertain? Under each statement, then, might be added a detailed explanation.  The finished part of the outline would then appear somewhat like this.

Force should not be used against the colonies, because: 
  1. it is only temporary, for
    a. though it subdue for a time, it would have to
       be used again.

2. it is uncertain in its results, for
a. Great Britain might not subdue the colonies.