The Virginia Gazette

Extract from Lord George Gordon's speech in the British House of Commons.

The distresses of the people at home, and the neglect of their possessions abroad, are becoming every day more apparent and intolerable, which render it impossible for me as one of their representatives, either to compliment his Majesty, or approve of his conduct in such circumstances. Indeed Mr. Speaker, to compliment his Majesty on his present situation, would tend much more, in my opinion, to illustrate the servility of the House of Commons, than to exemplify to the world any blessings of his government.

Would his Commons congratulate him on his drawn battle at sea? Would they congratulate him on his retreat by land? Will they compliment him on the third year of the independence of the United States? Will they thank him for the honours and emoluments he has heaped upon his favourites during the course of the summer; particularly on the noble Lord with the blue riband [right honourable Lord North] the ostensible minister at the dismemberment of the empire? Will Gentlemen rejoice and be glad at this fresh proof his Majesty has given us in his speech of his gracious intention to carry on the war in America? Will they declare their readiness to impose more taxes on their constituents? And will they answer to his Majesty, for the people paying them without a revolt at home?

I mention the possibility of a revolt at home, because our constituents have borne much already; they have been patient and of long-suffering. They have felt a gradual imposition of taxes till they have become an intolerable oppression; they have seen the revenues of the kingdom lavished in pensions to the most exceptionable characters. They have seen their trade with America cut off; and they have had a successful example of their fellow subjects revolting from the expensive government of England, to the protection of a wise and virtuous Congress.

All these heavy calamities, with many more, which it would be tedious to enumerate, have been brought upon this country since the accession of the present King; which make me of opinion, that it is not now a proper time to applaud his wisdom, or support his Counsellors.

Much has been said of his Majesty's Counsellors. I have opposed them in Parliament with great constancy and firmness, and entertain as bad an opinion of their publick capacity as any Gentleman on this side of the House does. But they are his Majesty's chosen servants, whom he has been collecting from the different parts ever since his accession. Men, I presume, after his own heart.