7i6 A. D. 1782. 



concern in any of the commeixial adls, fuch as they were, which were 

 prekides to the American war. When commiflioners were font out to 

 negotiate a peace with America, and an entire new commercial fyfltrnv 

 was in contemplaiion, the board of trade were not confulted on that 

 occafion, nor on the important clianges made in the commercial fyflem 

 by the laws, which allowed Ireland to enjoy a free trade. A member 

 of parliament, who was a lord of trade, vindicated the utility of the 

 board: he appealed to their records, conlifling of 2,300 volumes of in- 

 terefting and important papers : and he adduced the names of Locke, 

 Addifon, Prior, Lord Molefworth, Charles Townfend, and many other 

 refpecftable charaders, who had been members of the board, as proofs 

 of its importance. But thefe arguments were ridiculed by Mr. Burke. 

 And the fpeaker of the houfe of commons declared, that the board 

 was not only ufelefs in its fundions, but raifchievous in its efFe(fls 

 in regard to influence ; for he confidered it as efficient in no other 

 refpect*. 



Mr. Burke's plan of reform was rejected in the feffions of 1780 and 

 1 78 1. But now, himfelf and his friends being in office, he again called 

 the attention of the legiflature to his propofals, which were more fa- 

 vourably received; in confequence whereof, on the fecond day of May 

 1782 the lords commiflioners for trade and plantations feverally re- 

 ceived an official letter from the earl of Shelburne, one of his Majefty's 

 principal fecretarics of flate, informing them, that his Majefty had no 

 flirther occafion for their fervices as lords of trade, — By this notification 

 the bufinefs of the board of trade was difcontinued, although it was not 

 aboliflied till the ad of parliament for that purpofe pafled on the 11'" of 

 July following, when 



The office of third fecretary of flate, or fecretary of flate for the 

 colonies, the board of trade and plantations, the lords of trade and 

 police in Scotland, the principal offices in the board of works, and fome 

 others of the inefficient offices, were fupprefled ; and a new and eco- 

 nomical plan was adopted for conducing feveral branches of the public 

 expenditure. The duty and authority of the board of trade were 



• On ihe otlier fide of tlie qiiedion. Lord * derfland, the concerns of commerce.' — ' Boards 



Sheffield, whofe opinion in commercial matters, ' of treafiiry and admiralty, comparatively, are of 



will certainly be thought worthy of attention, fays, ' little confequence, the bufinefs of the commiffion- 



' It is a moll extraordinary circumllance, that a ' ers or lords, except the firll lord, being nearly, 



' nation, w hich ftates itfelf to be commercial, ' no more than officially to fign their names. If 



' Ciould not have a miniftcr, or board, or perfoo • the board of trade gave improper influence, 



* whatever, who neccffarily attends, and applies to, * (which few people feem now [1783] to think 

 ' comprehends, or confidcrs, the Hate of com- ' it did) or was improperly filled up, the objeftions 

 ' merce.' ' A committee of the privy council ' might have been removed, without the ftrangeft 



• may now and then fpare a moment to try a ' negleft of our colonies and commerce by the 

 ' plantation caufe : but it is an infnlt to the under- ' abolition of the only board, which could be ufe- 

 ' ftanding of any man acquainted with this country ' ful to both.' [_Oh/crvalioiis on the commcrctef the 

 ' to fay, that the privy council will ever form or American Jlates, p. 261, Jixlh edition.'^ 



' follow any fyftem, examine into, and really un- 



