Chap. LI.} 1775. Oct. |
The house of commons took the king at his word; Acland, who moved the address, reduced the question into a very short compass: ‘Does Britain choose to acquiesce in the independence of America, or to enforce her submission?’ Lyttelton, whom we have seen as governor of South Carolina, in seconding the address, explained the inherent weakness of the southern colonies; and with obvious satisfaction intimated that, ‘if a few regiments were sent there, the negroes would rise, and imbrue their hands in the blood of their masters. He was against conciliatory offers; the honor of the nation required coercive measures; the colonies ought to be conquered before mercy should be shown them.’ The house sustained these sentiments by a vote of two hundred and seventy eight against one hundred and ten.
On the report of the address, the debate was renewed.