moteft degree to have influenced the refumption. This act is evidently a continuation of that vile and pernicious fyftem which had its origin at the commencement of the prefent reign; a system, one of whofe favorite objects it has been to affront and difgrace thofe families who were moft ftrenuous in effecting the Revolution, and in fecuring the throne to the Houfe of Hanover." The Minifters of the Crown contented themselves with alleging, that farther time was neceffary for the full investigation of this bill, and a motion was made for the postponement of it till the ensuing feffion. This was carried by a majority of 20 voices only; and, not to refume the fubject, it may be here remarked, that the Nullum Tempus Bill paffed fubfequently into a law; and thus the oppreffion of an individual, agreeably to the happy genius of the English Conftitution, became the means of extending and fecuring the rights and liberties of the community at large.

When this great caufe was fubfequently argued before the Barons of the Exchequer, the late grant was judged invalid, as contrary to the ftatute of Queen Anne, which enacts, that, upon every grant, leafe, or affurance from the Crown, the reserved rent be not less than onethird of the clear yearly value of fuch lands, manors, or meffuages as fhall be contained in fuch leafe or grant; and, to the infinite fatisfaction of every impartial perfon, Sir James Lowther

was finally nonfuited, after having thrown the
whole county of Cumberland into the utmost con-
fufion-above four hundred ejectments being, as it
is affirmed, served by the agents of Sir James Low-
ther upon the fub-tenants and actual occupants of
thofe extenfive demefnes in one day.

At this period, a bill of fingular importance
paffed the Parliament of Ireland, limiting the du-
ration of Parliaments in that kingdom to eight
years; to which the fanction of the Crown was,
after a long delay, reluctantly given. And a new
and ftriking proof was exhibited of that independ-
ent spirit, by the uncontrollable operation of which
Ireland was vifibly haftening to its final emanci-
pation from the English yoke.

The British Parliament having now nearly com-
pleted the full legal term of its existence, was dif-
folved, with many expreffions of acknowledge-
ment from the King for its faithful attention to
the public fervice, and its earneft zeal for the
pre-
fervation of the Conftitution. Such had been the
varying complexion of this Affembly, under a
rapid and unexampled fucceffion of Administra-
tions, that it is difficult to determine, whether, on
a review of their conduct, it is most deserving the
public cenfure or applaufe. Perhaps it might
more properly become the subject of our enquiry,
whether the perpetual viciffitude and fluctua-
tion of counfels, by which it was characterized,
just as the INDEX of the TREASURY pointed, be

not

not itself a proof of political obfequioufnefs, wholly incompatible with that dignity of independence by which British Parliaments were once diftinguished.

"After the expulfion of the Stuarts," fays a learned and ingenious foreigner, l'Abbé Millot," the royal prerogative was contracted; but the Sovereign was scarcely lefs powerful. Having places and honors at his difpofal, he could bias that multitude of ambitious or venal fouls who worship Fortune. A CONTAGIOUS CORRUPTION, produced by wealth and intrigue, infected that haughty people fo jealous of their liberty-the COURT filled the Lower Houfe of Parliament with its partifans, for the purpose of influencing their debates, and of drawing from thence enormous fubfidies. There have been always in England, vigilant, jealous, incorruptible men, who have their country inceffantly before their eyes, who ftruggle against the torrent of FOREIGN INTERESTS, and who speak like citizens, in the midst of the moft corrupt affembly. A government where fuch men may freely speak their thoughts, where they speak them without fear and without evafion, has in itself a grand principle of life and vigor. But fince the Crown has had a ftanding army, fince it has had interests which do not concern the nation, fince it can depend on the votes of a long Parliament; the balance of thofe powers which

form the Conftitution is become more difficult to fupport. CORRUPTION, by DESTROYING PRINCIPLES, may one day occafion more mifchief than the VIOLENCE of DESPOTISM."

The enfuing general election was fignalized above all others by the immenfe fums expended in electioneering contefts. The current price of Boroughs-for fuch is the corrupt ftate of the national representation in England, that this language is authorized by common ufe-was enormoufly raised by the rival plunderers of the Eaft and of the Weft, who, by a new fpecies of alchymy, had transmuted into English gold the BLOOD of AFRICA and the TEARS of HINDOSTAN. Many private fortunes were ruined, or materially impaired, by contefts carried on with the utmoft fhameleffness of political depravity*. The cir

* On a view of this debafing and degrading fcene, we might, on whatever portion of the land we caft our eyes, truly and feelingly exclaim in the language of patriotism and poetry:

Corruption ranges with gigantic ftride,

And scarce vouchfafes his fhameless front to hide ;
The fpreading leprofy taints every part,

Infects each limb, and fickens at the heart.
Simplicity, moft dear of rural maids,
Weeping, refigns her violated fhades:
Stern Independence from his glebe retires,"
And anxious Freedom eyes her drooping fires!
By foreign wealth are British morals chang'd,
And Afric's fons and India's fmile aveng'd.

EPIST. to MR. WILBERFORCE.
cumstances

cumstances attending the election for Middlesex alone, however, demand, from their fuperior importance and connection with general politics, the fpecific notice of history.

It is neceffary to recall to our recollection, that Mr. Wilkes, by his contumacious contempt of the proceedings inftituted against him in the Courts at Westminster, suffered a sentence of outlawry to be paffed upon him; and for feveral years preceding this period he had refided in different parts of the Continent. But at the eve of the prefent election he had the audacity to appear publicly at Guildhall, and offer himself as a candidate for the City of London.

On the first advancement of the Duke of Grafton to the Premiership, Mr. Wilkes had written to that Nobleman in a ftrain fufficiently refpectful, and even flattering" congratulating his country on that event, and entreating his Grace to mediate his pardon from the King; declaring, that he had never in any moment of his life fwerved from the duty and allegiance he owed his Sovereign, and profeffing in every thing to fubmit to his Majefty's clemency. Your Grace's noble manner of thinking,' fays he, and the obligations I have formerly received, which are ftill fresh in my mind, will, I hope, give a full propriety to this addrefs; and I am fure, a heart glowing with the facred zeal of liberty muft have a favorable reception from the Duke of Grafton.' This

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