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in the constitutional exercise of my prerogative, have been sanc-tioned by the authority of my parliament. All such measures ashave originated in parliament, and been recommended to me byits wisdom, have received my approbation. These acts and thesemeasures have excited your apprehensions for the general safety,and you counsel me to change the plan of my government:now I recommend this question to your dispassionate deliberation,—Whether a King of Great Britain will best discharge his dutyto his people, in listening to the secret advice of a few individuals,or in following the public wisdom of the great council of thenation ? You may tell me that the parliament is venal, and givesme corrupt advice. This crimination cannot be admitted withoutproof; if proved, it is such a defect of principle as must end inthe ruin of the constitution; you may rely on my concurrencewith you to remove it.’

“ Something of this kind might properly be said by the King,and, whether said or not, it will be thought by many, and notonly by many, but by a great majority of the people; for thenation has been so completely alarmed, that it is not yet adverseto the present system of government.

“ Your Grace will perceive that my opinion is not for themeasure. At first view, I approved it: but, on weighing everything, I lean to the other side. Had the country been broughtinto its present state by the cabals of a junto, in opposition to thesense of the people, either within the doors of the House of Commons or without them, the measure would have had a pro-priety belonging to it which it has not now. My judgment,however, in things of this sort, is as nothing: I daily wish more andmore to relinquish all interference in politics ; the malady which