The Life of William Roscoe
Chapter XII. 1811-1812
William Roscoe to the Duke of Gloucester, [October? 1809]
“When misfortunes occur, and I cannot but consider this
as a very great one, we are frequently led to examine into the causes which
have produced them; and if I were called upon to assign, to the best of my
judgment, the true root and origin of all the evils which this country
experiences, I should, after the fullest deliberation, attribute them to the
corruption of the representation of the people, and the consequent subserviency
of the House of Commons. For ![]()
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this reason, I cannot express
my astonishment and regret, that those great and distinguished characters to
whom I have before alluded, and many others who, I truly believe, have the
welfare, honour, and happiness of their country at heart, should, of late more
particularly, have rebuked and discountenanced that strong and virtuous popular
feeling which once looked up to them for its guidance and direction, and which,
if it had been duly encouraged and segregated from its grosser particles (which
would easily have been shaken off as soon as it was sanctioned by its proper
patrons), would soon have given to worth and rank, to integrity and talents,
that weight and direction in the country, which are now possessed by
ministerial sycophants, professional statesmen, and time-serving intriguers. I
will venture on your Royal Highness’s indulgence still further, and will
dare to say to a prince of the House of Brunswick, that if any thing can yet
save us from destruction, and avert the fate that threatens us, it is the
solemn and deliberate adoption by men of the highest character and connections
in the country, of some plan, which shall relieve the House of Commons from its
direct and immediate subserviency to the dictates of the Crown, and shall
restore that tone and energy to the popular sentiment which it has now lost. If
this could be effected, it would be an honour and a happiness ![]()
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for a good man to be the chief minister of such a country,—of a country that
could acknowledge his virtues, appreciate his talents, and confer on him that
best reward, which the public voice alone can give; whilst, on the contrary, to
hold even the highest station under the present system, which exhibits a
subservient House of Commons, acting under a subservient minister, would, in
the calm and deliberate judgment of truth, be a degradation and a disgrace.
Your Royal Highness will not, I trust, think this language exaggerated, though
strong; but, if any one could think so, let him look at the conduct of our
ancestors through a long series of years; let him examine the records of the
country, and let him then say, whether the independence of the House of Commons
has not been the invariable object of their most anxious solicitude; the very
talisman, upon the preservation of which the safety of the country, as a free
country, entirely rested. That which they dreaded we have seen nearly, if not
entirely, completed; yet, most unhappily, those who are most deeply interested
in such an event have stood aloof till the very hope of any effectual remedy is
relinquished, and a measure of the most vital importance to the country has
taken place, without a single voice being raised against it;—for in what place
is it now possible, that a voice could be raised that would produce the least
effect?
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LIFE OF WILLIAM ROSCOE. |
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“When I look back on what I have written, I cannot but
feel that I may possibly have presumed too far on your Royal Highness’s
goodness, well knowing that, to many persons, the dissemination of sentiments
like these might be considered as very dangerous to the peace of the country.
One reflection, however, relieves the anxiety I should otherwise feel, and
induces me not to withhold from your Royal Highness the warm dictates of my
heart,—the hope, that your Royal Highness will still continue to attribute what
I say to no improper motive, but will do me the justice to believe, that
however erroneous my political opinions may be, I am at least sincere in my
wishes for the prosperity of my country.”
