221 



ORATIONS AND IMPASSIONED 

 PIECES. 



SPEECH OF LORD CHATHAM AGAINST EMPLOYING 

 THE INDIANS IN THE AMERICAN WAR.* 



I cannot, my Lords, I will not, join in congratulation 

 on misfortune and disgrace. This, my Lords, is a perilous 

 and tremendous moment. It is not a time for adulation : 

 the smoothness of flattery cannot save us in this rugged 

 and awful crisis. It is now necessary to instruct the 

 throne in the language of TRUTH. We must, if possible, 

 dispel the delusion and darkness which envelope it ; and 

 display, in its full danger and genuine colours, the RUIN 

 which is brought to our doors. Can ministers still 

 presume to expect support in their infatuation ? Can par- 

 liament be so dead to its dignity and duty, as to give 

 their support to measures thus obtruded and forced upon 

 them : Measures, my Lords, which have reduced this 

 late flourishing empire to SCORN and CONTEMPT ! -'But 

 yesterday, and Britain might have stood against the 

 world : now, none so poor as to do her reverence." The 

 people whom we atjirst despised as REBELS, but whom 

 we now acknowledge as ENEMIES, are abetted against us, 

 supplied with every military store; have their interest 

 consulted, and their ambassadors entertained by our 

 INVETERATE ENEMY and ministers do not, and dare 

 not, interpose with DIGNITY or EFFECT. The desperate 

 state of our array abroad is in part known. No man 



* This most eloquent and powerful speech particularly demands a 

 vehemence of expression, with a dignity and solemnity of manner. 



