out doubt. In what degree each cause produced its effect, it is hard to determine. But the fact of a fall of exports upon the restraining plan, and of a rise upon the taking place of the enlarging plan, is established beyond all contradiction.

This author fays, that the facts relative to the Spanish trade were afferted by American factors and agents; infinuating, that the ministry of 1766 had no better authority for their plan of enlargement than fuch affertions. The moment he chooses it, he shall see the very fame thing afferted by governours of provinces, by commanders of men of war, and by officers of the customs; perfons the most bound in duty to prevent contraband, and the most interested in the feizures to be made in confequence of ftrict regulation. I fupprefs them for the present; wishing that the author may not drive me to a more full difcuffion of this matter than it may be altogether prudent to enter into. I wish he had not made any of these difcuffions neceffary.

THOUGHTS

THOUGHTS

ON

THE CAUSE

OF THE PRESENT

DISCONTENT S.

Hoc vero occultum, inteftinum, domefticum malum, non modo non exiftit, verum etiam opprimit, antequam perfpicere atque explorare potueris.

CIC.

1770.

VOL. I.

3 G

THOUGHT S

THE CAUSE

OF THE PRESENT

DISCONTENTS.

I

T is an undertaking of fome degree of delicacy to examine into the cause of public disorders. If a man happens not to fucceed in fuch an enquiry, he will be thought weak and visionary; if he touches the true grievance, there is a danger that he may come near to perfons of weight and confequence, who will rather be exafperated at the discovery of their errors, than thankful for the occafion of correcting them. If he should be obliged to blame the favourites of the people, he will be confidered as the tool of power; if he cenfures thofe in power, he will be looked on as an inftrument of faction. But in all exertions of duty fomething is to be hazarded. In cafes of tumult and diforder, our law has invested every man, in some fort, with the authority of a magistrate. When the affairs of the nation are diftracted, private people are, by the spirit of that law, juftified in stepping a little out 3 G 2

of

of their ordinary fphere. They enjoy a privilege, of fomewhat more dignity and effect, than that of idle lamentation over the calamities of their country. They may look into them narrowly; they may reafon upon them liberally; and if they fhould be fo fortunate as to discover the true fource of the mifchief, and to fuggeft any probable method of removing it, though they may difplease the rulers for the day, they are certainly of service to the cause of government. Government is deeply interested in every thing which, even through the medium of fome temporary uneafinefs, may tend finally to compofe the minds of the fubject, and to conciliate their affections. I have nothing to do here with the abstract value of the voice of the people. But as long as reputation, the moft precious poffeffion of every individual, and as long as opinion, the great support of the state, depend entirely upon that voice, it can never be confidered as a thing of little confequence either to individuals or to government. Nations are not primarily ruled by laws; lefs by violence. Whatever original energy may be fuppofed either in force or regulation; the operation of both is, in truth, merely inftrumental. Nations are governed by the fame methods, and on the fame principles, by which an individual without authority is often able to govern those who are his equals or his fuperiours; by a knowledge of their temper, and by a judicious management of it; I mean,-when public affairs are steadily and quietly conducted; not when government is nothing but a continued fcuffle between the magiftrate and the multitude; in which sometimes the one and fometimes the other is uppermoft; in which they alternately yield and prevail, in a serics of contemptible victories, and fcandalous fubmiffions. The temper of the people amongst whom he prefides ought therefore to be the first study of a statesman. And the knowledge of this temper it is by no means impoffible for