304 APPENDIX TO BRITISH CASE. 



Under such promptings. I cannot hesitate to give my humble judg- 

 ment, which is, that our Cabinet should follow to the letter the 

 course which the great Chatham, on a memorable occasion, recom- 

 mended to Ministers ready to surrender, in a disgraceful negotia- 

 tion, what he considered to be the honour of the British Crown. 



It was on the occasion of the forcible taking by Spain of the Falk- 

 land Islands from the possession of a British garrison. He pointed 

 solemnly to the conduct of Lord Grenville in a like emergency : 



" The French," said he, " had taken a little island from us called 



Turk's Island. The Minister then at the head of the Treasury took 



the business upon himself; but he did not negotiate. He sent for the 



French Embassador, and made a peremptory demand. A 



180 courier was dispatched to Paris, and returned in a few days 



with orders for instant restitution, not only of the island, but 



of everything that the English subjects had lost." 



Such is the spirited conduct he advised the Ministers to pursue, 

 deeply impressed with the conviction, that while a prompt and 

 warm resentment would infallibly secure peace, tameness and silence 

 would as inevitably lead to a rupture. 



Sir, there is a world of storms in the questions which the present 

 difficulty must soon bring to a definite issue. I am fully aware of the 

 great stake which not only this country but the whole world has in 

 their speedy and amicable adjustment. Yet we should insist upon 

 having the last word of them. This is no time for a patched-up 

 accommodation. We owe to ourselves we owe to all mankind not 

 to leave undispelled the cloud hanging over our security and peace. 

 We would seek in vain to avoid the contest. If it has to be met at all, 

 let it be met now, and be met fairly, in all its bearings and intricacies. 

 England has forced it upon us ; she must expect that we will face its 

 dangers like men. 



Sir, these neighbours of ours constitute no longer a mere colonial 

 dependency. They have grown to be a nation a nation of hardy, 

 industrious, aspiring men, who will have their place, and claim 

 rank, before long, among the independent States of this continent. 

 Whatever be their present views of the relation which it may suit 

 them to form with us hereafter, their interest is too closely linked 

 with ours to be dealt with slightingly. While I would wish to see 

 our rights in the fisheries established on a firm and permanent basis, 

 giving security and quiet to our fishermen, I am also for indulging 

 the Colonists in what reasonable concessions they may expect at 

 our hands. I desire to see them contented, and would heartily aid 

 in hastening the conclusion of any arrangement that might be satis- 

 factory to them. But until England has withdrawn her squadron, 

 and given satisfaction for what w r rongs she may have perpetrated on 

 us, let no negotiation be entertained ; and if, contrary to my expecta- 

 tion, any was being entertained, let it be dropped at once and aban- 

 doned. I shall vote for the reference of the papers on the table, in the 

 hope that they will be returned to us with a resolution expressive of 

 such sentiments as behooves this Senate and this great country to 

 speak forth in such an emergency. 



