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guinea in prosecution of a project which ought never to havebeen commenced.

“ We ought to have peace even upon the condition of relin-quishing our conquests, because if we continue the war, we shallrun a great risk of adding a British republic to those of Italy andGermany . Peace almost at any rate is my wish ; for f if once thefever of republicanism subsides, it will never more be excited inFrance , or propagated through the rest of Europe ; at least its sub-sidence will give time to all established governments to remedytheir defects, without having recourse to revolutions.

“ In thus speaking for peace, I rather attend to my judgmentthan to the proud impulses of my heart, which prompt me to biddefiance to France , and to fight stoutly in restraining her ambi-tion. Indecision and temerity of judgment are > equally beneaththe character of a statesman; I pretend not to such a character,but I am puzzled how to act. Did I know that during the latenegotiation we were plotting against France , I should in the mostunequivocal terms condemn the conduct of administration; didI know that we were innocent as to that charge, and that France aimed at destroying our consequence as a nation, all I have shouldbe willingly given up to the disposal of the executive government.I might think that wiser measures might have been adopted thanwhat are at present followed; but I would acquiesce, and give myfeeble assistance to administration, lest in withdrawing it I should,in some degree, contribute to the ruin of the country.

“ As to the seceders attending or not attending the meetingof parliament, they should certainly act in concert, whatever deter-mination they come to. I am not capable of giving advice in sogreat a question; but as I am always ready, when called upon,