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Editorial
June 17, 1773
The Massachusetts Spy, Or, Thomas's Boston Journal
Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
What is this article about?
Editorial denounces corruption in the British court under Bute and Lord Mansfield, which has exhausted national strength in a decade-long war funded by the court at great public expense. It highlights the civil list's arrears despite the Sovereign's substantial revenues from England, Hanover, and conquests, questioning the King's continued trust in these ministers amid public disgust and an impending war.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Our natural strength is exhausted in corruption, and a ten years war, carried on by the court, at an enormous public expense, espoused only by the house of Bute's. Every trick of law, every engine of tyranny, every nerve of corruption, is stretched to re-instate these men. The actors in this horrid business, have been the Bute's, and L. Mansfield.
No wonder the civil list, shamefully in arrear. Does the Sovereign of this once respectable country, live with the dignity of a private gentleman £5000 a year? yet he has eight hundred thousand pounds clear of all deduction, from England: The clear revenue of Hanover, after defraying all the expenses of the establishment, is above two hundred thousand pounds more; with the crown revenues of all the conquests during the last war, amounting to no inconsiderable sum, Yet all these are not sufficient: -- The civil list is notoriously in arrear. -- is it not astonishing that the King should continue his confidence in those men who have brought him into this distressed situation. How can he think, that under them, the English nation will take a part in the approaching war? The public, so far from having any confidence in them, utterly abhor them.
No wonder the civil list, shamefully in arrear. Does the Sovereign of this once respectable country, live with the dignity of a private gentleman £5000 a year? yet he has eight hundred thousand pounds clear of all deduction, from England: The clear revenue of Hanover, after defraying all the expenses of the establishment, is above two hundred thousand pounds more; with the crown revenues of all the conquests during the last war, amounting to no inconsiderable sum, Yet all these are not sufficient: -- The civil list is notoriously in arrear. -- is it not astonishing that the King should continue his confidence in those men who have brought him into this distressed situation. How can he think, that under them, the English nation will take a part in the approaching war? The public, so far from having any confidence in them, utterly abhor them.
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
Economic Policy
Moral Or Religious
What keywords are associated?
Court Corruption
Bute
Mansfield
Civil List
King
War
Tyranny
What entities or persons were involved?
House Of Bute's
Bute's
L. Mansfield
Sovereign
King
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Criticism Of Court Corruption Under Bute And Mansfield
Stance / Tone
Strongly Critical Of Corruption And The King's Advisors
Key Figures
House Of Bute's
Bute's
L. Mansfield
Sovereign
King
Key Arguments
Natural Strength Exhausted In Corruption
Ten Years War Carried On By The Court At Enormous Public Expense
Every Trick Of Law, Engine Of Tyranny, And Nerve Of Corruption Used To Reinstate These Men
Actors In This Horrid Business Are Bute's And L. Mansfield
Civil List Shamefully In Arrear Despite Sovereign's £800,000 From England
Additional Revenues From Hanover Over £200,000 And Conquests
Astonishing That King Continues Confidence In Men Who Distressed Him
English Nation Will Not Support Approaching War Under Them
Public Utterly Abhors Them