Part III.] Morris Birkbeck, Esq. 823 



shall be fairly represented. England has been very 

 happy and free ; her greatness and renown have been 

 surpassed by those of no nation in the world ; her 

 wise, just, and merciful laMS form the basis of that 

 freedom which we here enjoy, she has been fertile be- 

 yond all rivalship in men of learning and men devoted 

 to the cause of freedom and humanity ; her people, 

 though proud and domineering, yield to no people in 

 the world in frankness, good faith, sincerity, and oene- 

 volence : and 1 cannot but know, that this state of things 

 has existed, and that this people has been formed, under 

 a government of king, lords, and commons. Having 

 this powerful arg\iment of experience before me, and 

 seeing no reason why the thing should be otherviise, 

 1 have never wished for republican government in 

 England ; though, rather than that the present tyran- 

 nical oligarchy should continue to trample on king and 

 people, 1 would gladly see the whole fabric torn to 

 atoms, and trust to chance for something better, being 

 sure that nothing could be worse. But, if I am not 

 a republican ; if I think my duty towards England in- 

 defeasible ; if I think that it becomes me to abstain 

 from any act which shall seem to say 1 abandon her, 

 and especially in this her hour of distress and oppres- 

 sion ; and, if, in all these points, I differ from you, I 

 trust that to this difference no part of the above stric- 

 tures w ill be imputed, but that the motive will be fairly 

 inferred from the act, and not the act imputed unfairly 

 to any motive. I am, my dear Sir, with great respect 

 for your talents as well as character. 



Your most obedient 



And most humble servant, 



Wm. cobbett. 



