To Henry Mandeville, Esq:
Aug. 6th.
HAPPY in seeing in my son that
heroic spirit, which has ever distinguished
our house, I should with pleasure
consent to his design, were this a proper
time to execute it, provided he went a volunteer,
and determined to accept no command
but as a reward of real services, and
with a resolution it should never interfere
with that independence to which I would
have him sacrifise every other consideration;
but, when there is so strong a probability
of peace, his going would appear
like making a parade of that courage which
he did not expect would be tried.
Yes, my son, I am well assured we shall
have peace; that the most amiable of
princes, the friend of human-kind, pitying
the miseries of his species, and melting
with compassion at the wide-extended scene
of desolation, mediates such a peace as
equally provides for the interest and honor
of Britain, and the future quiet of mankind.
The terms talked of are such as
give us an immense addition of empire,
and strengthen that superiority of naval
force on which our very being depends,
whilst they protect our former possessions,
and remove the source of future wars, by
securing all, and much more than all, for
which this was undertaken; yet, by their
just moderation, convince the world a British
monarch is governed only by the laws
of honor and equity, not by that impious
thirst of false glory, which actuates the laurel'd
scourges of mankind.
After so long, so extensive and bloody a
war, a war which has depopulated our country,
and loaded us with a burden of debt,
from which nothing can extricate us but
the noble spirit of public frugality; which,
if steadily and uniformly pursued, will rank
the name of our Prince with those of Elizabeth,
and Henry the Great; all ardently
wish for peace, but those who gain by
the continuance of war. The clamors of
these are inconceivable; clamors which can
be founded only in private interest, because
begun before they could even guess at the
terms intended, and continued when such
are mentioned as reason herself would dictate:
but such ever will be the conduct of
those in whom love of wealth is the primary
passion.
Heaven and earth! can men wearing the
form, and professing the sentiments of humanity,
deaf to the cries of the widow and
the orphan, labor to perpetuate the dreadful
carnage, which has deluged the world
with the blood of their fellow creatures,
only to add to the mass of their already
unwieldy wealth, and prey longer on the
distresses of their country!
These clamors are as illegal as they are
indecent: peace and war are the prerogative
of the crown, sacred as the liberties of
the people, nor will ever be invaded by
those who understand and love our happy
constitution: let us strengthen the hands
of our Sovereign by our warm approbation
during the course of this arduous work;
and if his ministers abuse their trust, let
them answer it, not to the noise of unthinking
faction, or the unfeeling bosom of
private interest, but to the impartial laws
of their country.
Heaven forbid I should ever see a British
King independent on his people collectively;
but I would have him raised
above private cabals, or the influence of
any partial body of men, however wealthy
or respectable.
If the generous views of our Prince do
not meet with the success they merit, if
France refuses such a peace as secures the
safety of our colonies, and that superiority,
as a naval power, so necessary to the liberties
of Europe, as well as our own independence;
you shall join the army in a manner
becoming your birth, and the style of
life in which you have been educated: till
then, restrain within just bounds that noble
ardor so becoming a Briton, and study to
serve that country with your counsels in
peace, which will not, I hope, have occasion
for your sword in war.
