88 Reflections on the Union. 



dora with another was an event of great mag- 

 nitude, and of such vital importance to each* as 

 to call forth the attention, affect the interests, 

 and possibly the future happiness, of every in- 

 dividual in both countries. I had examined the 

 arguments, and the pretensions, of both parties, 

 and had* exercised an opinion on the points in 

 controversy. Moderation was not the distin- 

 guishing character of either party, in the dis- 

 cussion of this great national question. 



Mr. Pitt had not a more determined political 

 opponent than myself; t yet, decided as was my 

 opposition to his general system of finance and 

 government, that hostility did not warp my 

 judgment on this occasion. An union of the 

 two kingdoms appeared to me indispensably 

 requisite to preserve the connexion between 

 them :-^-the interest of both required it. 



The experiment had been made in the union 

 with Scotland, and with the happiest conse- 

 quences; and although I cannot but admire 

 the arguments of Mr. Fletcher, of Saltown, 

 against it, yet is there now an individual of 

 Scotland who would wish that great national 

 measure had not been effected ? 



While there was every appearance that the 



