Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

try.

Whether by crime or by misfortune, one great member of the British empire is gone, and with it one half of our commerce and power; yet with such a diminution of wealth and power, to be engaged in the most extensive complicated and formidable war that Britain has known, the severest œconomy becomes the absolute and indispensable duty of the state. But the most wasteful prodigality of the public treasure has dissipated our remaining strength, and enfeebled all our efforts against the dangerous foe of Britain, while this very prodiga lity is hourly multiplying it's demands, aggravating the burthens under which every rank and description of the people sink; and threatens in it's progress a general ruin. We look up to you for a period to this dreadful progress, and with the firmness and magnanimity of the commons of England, you will make a severe and undistinguishing inquiry into the expenditure of the immense treasure, which a liberality unknown in any former period has drawn from an ex

hausted

"

hausted people. If the last shilling must be given in the cause of Britain, the British expect to know that it is devoted, sacredly devoted to this cause, and that it is not diverted into any other channel; that with ex ertions which only the magnanimity of a free people can bear, we be not the more prepared to meet an elated foe, and purchase the ruin of our invaluable liberties.

Till this inquiry be made, and a wellgrounded confidence in the wise application of the public treasure be diffused through the community, your petitioners earnestly request from this honourable house, that no addition be made to the pecuniary burthens of this country. Such a conduct, in times of danger, distress, and apprehension, has been the distinguishing character of this house; and never did distress and apprehension more summon the representatives of the British nation to the exertion of their proper character, to the fulfilling every hope of their anxious constituents. Till these just expectations are gratified, till the fears

and

and jealousies of the people are appeased, the grant of one penny, beyond the produce of the present taxes, would be to wanton with the rights and property of the people, and betray the honour and dignity of parliament. ༽

In this reduced and impoverished state of the nation, it is a pain to observe the enormous sums which are diverted to no public good, the nominal or real offices with exorbitant emoluments, and unmerited pensions, which dissipate the public treasure, defeat, our military exertions, degrade the spirit of Englishmen into a sordid avarice, annihilate the patriot, shackle the independence of parliament, and look with an ill-omened aspect on the liberty of our country.

It is our prayer, therefore, to this honourable house, that all extravagant emoluments be reduced, all nominal offices be abolished, all unmerited pensions be resumed, and that the produce be appropriated to the necessity of the state. This might be expected from

the

the generosity of the individuals, who are benefited thereby, since to fatten on the last contributions of a distressed people is the renunciation of all character; but it becomes the guardians of the public good not to leave so necessary and wise a regulation to the uncertain generosity of individuals.

VOL. II.

2 A

1

AN ADDRESS,

DELIVERED ON OCCASION OF THE INTERMENT OF THE REV. GEORGE WALKER, F.R.S. AND PRESIDENT OF THE LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY AT MANCHESTER, IN THE DISSENTING BURIALGROUND AT BUNHILL-FIELDS, AT THE CLOSE OF THE FUNERAL SERVICE, BY ABRAHAM REES D.D. F.R.S.

ON the present occasion, which combines a variety of circumstances, distressing to us all, and peculiarly painful to my own feelings, I shall not incur the charge of affectation, by expressing a wish, that this solemn service had been devolved upon some other person, less interested in the vault that lies open before us*, and better qualified for doing justice to the memory of our

* Mr. Walker was buried in Dr. Rees's family vault.

deceased

« AnteriorContinuar »