VII. Lord North and Burke therefore agree on the general principle involved; they have, that is, the common purpose of conciliating the colonies. They differ, however, as to the means by which that end is to be accomplished. Burke intends to offer genuine concession (see note on paragraph 11 for the distinction in meaning between " concession and " ciliation") such as is implied in the acknowledged need of conciliation, for con A. In a material dispute, the concession should be made by the superior power (13). VIII. The two leading questions which the House must consider are: first, whether England ought to concede; second, what the nature of the concession ought to be (14). EXPOSITION (During this long exposition the main argument is held in suspense. The facts that Burke presents are not argument in themselves, except by implication. Later, Burke bases an important argument upon them.) Before deciding either of these questions, we must consider the nature and circumstances of the object for which we propose to decide them, for A. (14.) I. One aspect of the object which may help us to determine our policy concerning it, is its population (15). A. Reasons for considering this first (16). II. Another aspect of the object which may help us to determine our policy concerning it is the growth of its industries. A. (17-28.) 1. Exports to the colonies (19-24). 2. Refutation (24). 3. Oratorical passage for emphasis (25). 4. A particular case (26). 5. Imports from the colonies (28). B. (29.) C. (30.) Digression from the exposition: a refutation of those who, impressed by the prosperity of the colonies, declare that they are well worth fighting for. There are four objections to the use of force (31): A. (32.) B. (33.) D. (35.) III. Exposition resumed. A third aspect of the object which may help us to determine our policy concerning it, is the temper and character of the people, in which a love of freedom is a predominating feature (36 and 37). This fierce spirit of liberty is produced by six causes: A. (38.) B. (39.) C. (40.) D. (41.) E. (42.) F. (43.) TRANSITION TO PROOF OF FIRST LEADING QUESTION You have considered the object; the question now is, what will you do with it? Whatever you do must have a permanent result and prevent the return of such unhappy deliberations as the present, for what astonishing things have been already produced by this unnatural contention (45): I. In Virginia (45). 1. Result (last sentence). II. In Massachusetts (46). III. In England (46). PROOF OF THE FIRST LEADING QUESTION, WHETHER ENGLAND SHOULD CONCEDE There are three ways of dealing with the spirit of resistance in America (47); a fourth, which has been suggested, is not to be considered. If the first two prove, upon examination, not to be feasible, then the third is the only way possible. The proof by elimination which follows is based in part upon the preceding exposition, though the material of the exposition is employed in a condensed and rearranged form. The population of the colonies, their prosperity (commerce, agriculture, and fisheries), and the people's love of liberty are now regarded as causes of their spirit of resist ance. I. The first plan, to change the spirit of resistance by removing the causes, is impossible (48), for A. The growing population, the first cause (49), cannot be checked, for 1. The means proposed for checking it, the withholding of land grants (49), cannot be applied, for a. (49.) b. (50.) B. The prosperity of the colonies, the second cause, particularly the prosperity of their marine enterprises (commerce and fisheries), can be arrested, but such a course would be inexpedient, for 1. and 2. (52.) C. The love of liberty, the third cause, is unalterable, for the six causes that have produced it cannot be eradicated: II. The second plan, to prosecute the spirit of resistance as criminal, is impossible, for III. Since the first two plans are impossible or inexpedient, the third, to comply with the spirit of resistance as necessary, is the only way open. At this point Burke has proved the first leading question, that England ought to concede (64). TRANSITION TO PROOF OF SECOND LEADING QUESTION To ascertain the nature of the concession, we must examine the Americans' complaint. It is that they are taxed in a parliament in which they are not represented (65). I. You must satisfy them, if at all, with regard to this complaint (65), for A. To please any people, you must give them what they want, and not some substitute (65). B. The objection that in satisfying this complaint England is waiving her right to tax the colonies, is not to be considered, for – 1. (66.) 2. (67.) II. Burke proposes, then, regardless of England's right, to admit the colonists permanently into an interest in the Constitution (68), for A. It is now too late to satisfy them merely by 1. It is an argument in favor of retaining 2. (74.) 3. (74.) C. The objection to satisfying them based on the contention that they will go further is unsound, for 1. and 2. (75.) PROOF OF THE SECOND LEADING QUESTION, WHAT THE NATURE OF THE CONCESSION OUGHT TO BE In forming a plan of concession Burke consults the English Constitution (77 and 78). He finds, for his guidance, four great precedents, each showing England's policy with reference to grievances based on a lack of representation :— I. (79.) (At least five steps in the discussion.) II. (80-83.) (At least three steps.) III. (84-86.) (At least two steps.) IV. (87.) V. These precedents apply to America (88). VI. These precedents might authorize Burke in proposing that the colonies shall be represented in the English Parliament, but there is an obstacle in the way of such representation (89). They establish the ancient constitutional policy of this kingdom with regard to representation (90). In applying the principle of that policy to the present situation, Burke returns to the practice that was in operation until 1763. THE SIX FUNDAMENTAL PROPOSITIONS Burke's resolutions, therefore, mean to establish the equity and justice of a taxation of America by grant, and not by imposition, etc. (91). The six fundamental resolutions (to be followed by three corollary propositions) are as follows: I. (94.) (No proof.) II. (96.) a. and b. (98.) III. (99.) (No proof.) IV. (101.) a. (102.) V. (103.) a. (105–106.) b. (107–108.) c. (108.) d. (109.) VI. (111.) a. and b. (110.) Conclusion to be derived from evidence offered in support of these resolutions (112-113). At this point Burke has proved the second leading question, what the conces sion should be. |