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The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke novel. A total of 269 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke.Vol. I.by Edmund Burke.PREFACE.Before the
The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke.Vol. I.by Edmund Burke.PREFACE.Before the philosophical works of Lord Bolingbroke had appeared, great things were expected from the leisure of a man, who, from the splendid scene of action in which his talent
- 101 "Instead of the pillage of the country and defenceless places, a custom has been subst.i.tuted more humane and more advantageous to the sovereign making war: I mean that of contributions. Whoever carries on _a just war[41] has a right of making the enemy
- 102 The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke.Vol. V.by Edmund Burke.LETTER TO HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF PORTLAND.MY DEAR LORD,--The paper which I take the liberty of sending to your Grace was, for the greater part, written during the last session. A few day
- 103 All opposition, from that period to this very session, has proceeded upon the separate measures as they separately arose, without any vindictive retrospect to Mr. Pitt's conduct in 1784. My memory, however, may fail me. I must appeal to the printed debat
- 104 Whilst, however, he defends these acts, he is conscious that they will appear in another light to the world. He therefore acquits the executive power, that is, he acquits himself, (but only by his own a.s.sertion,) of those acts of "_vengeance mixed with
- 105 Joseph the Second also borrowed the language of philosophy, when he wished to suppress the monks in Belgium, and to seize upon their revenues. There was seen on him a mask only of philosophy, covering the hideous countenance of a greedy despot; and the pe
- 106 My dear sir,--I have been told of the voluntary which, for the entertainment of the House of Lords, has been lately played by his Grace the **** of *******, a great deal at my expense, and a little at his own. I confess I should have liked the composition
- 107 The great use of government is as a restraint; and there is no restraint which it ought to put upon others, and upon itself too, rather than that which is imposed on the fury of speculating under circ.u.mstances of irritation. The number of idle tales spr
- 108 The balance between consumption and production makes price. The market settles, and alone can settle, that price. Market is the meeting and conference of the _consumer_ and _producer_, when they mutually discover each other's wants. n.o.body, I believe,
- 109 As to the lesser articles, they are like the greater. They have followed the fortune of the season. Why are fowls dear? Was not this the farmer's or jobber's fault? I sold from my yard to a jobber six young and lean fowls for four-and-twenty s.h.i.+llin
- 110 If his Grace can contemplate the result of this complete innovation, or, as some friends of his will call it, _reform_, in the whole body of its solidity and compound ma.s.s, at which, as Hamlet says, the face of heaven glows with horror and indignation,
- 111 His Grace's landed possessions are irresistibly inviting to an agrarian experiment. They are a downright insult upon the rights of man. They are more extensive than the territory of many of the Grecian republics; and they are without comparison more fert
- 112 Not to lose ourselves in the infinite void of the conjectural world, our business is with what is likely to be affected, for the better or the worse, by the wisdom or weakness of our plans. In all speculations upon men and human affairs, it is of no small
- 113 In the records of pride there does not exist so insulting a declaration.It is insolent in words, in manner; but in substance it is not only insulting, but alarming. It is a specimen of what may be expected from the masters we are preparing for our humbled
- 114 "And to show to your Majesty and all Christendom that the Commons of England will not be _amused_ or diverted from their firm resolutions of obtaining by WAR a safe and honorable peace, we do, in the name of all those we represent, renew our a.s.surances
- 115 Would this be the England that you and I, and even strangers, admired, honored, loved, and cherished? Would not the exiles of England alone be my government and my fellow-citizens? Would not their places of refuge be my temporary country? Would not all my
- 116 [33] Declaration, Whitehall, Oct. 29, 1793.LETTER II.ON THE GENIUS AND CHARACTER OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION AS IT REGARDS OTHER NATIONS.My dear Sir,--I closed my first letter with serious matter, and I hope it has employed your thoughts. The system of peace
- 117 What is truly astonis.h.i.+ng, the partisans of those two opposite systems were at once prevalent, and at once employed, and in the very same transactions, the one ostensibly, the other secretly, during the latter part of the reign of Louis the Fifteenth.
- 118 or, as Dryden translates it, somewhat paraphrastically, but not less in the spirit of the prophet than of the poet,-- "Where the proud theatres disclose the scene, Which interwoven Britons seem to raise, And show the triumph which their shame displays."
- 119 Then, if it is not to satisfy the foreign powers we make this a.s.surance, to what power at home is it that we pay all this humiliating court? Not to the old Whigs or to the ancient Tories of this kingdom,--if any memory of such ancient divisions still ex
- 120 When compulsion may be at all used by a state in borrowing the occasion must determine. But the compulsion ought to be known, and well defined, and well distinguished; for otherwise treaty only weakens the energy of compulsion, while compulsion destroys t
- 121 The present war is, above all others of which we have heard or read, a war against landed property. That description of property is in its nature the firm base of every stable government,--and has been so considered by all the wisest writers of the old ph
- 122 The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke.Vol. VI.by Edmund Burke.PREFACE TO THE SECOND POSTHUMOUS VOLUME,[1]IN A LETTER TO THE RIGHT HON. WILLIAM ELLIOT My dear sir,--As some prefatory account of the materials which compose this second posthumous vo
- 123 Three or four of those friends with whom I am most connected in public and private life are pleased to think that the statement in question (which at first made part of a confidential paper) may do good, and accordingly a very large impression will be pub
- 124 No nation would consent to carry on a war of skepticism. But the fact is, this expression of doubt is only a mode of putting an opinion, when it is not the drift of the author to overturn the doubt. Otherwise, the doubt is never stated as the author's ow
- 125 Here was the answer from the throne of Regicide to the speech from the throne of Great Britain. They go out of their way to compliment General Was.h.i.+ngton on the supposed rancor of his heart towards this country. It is very remarkable, that they make t
- 126 I hear it said, too, that they have lately declared in favor of property. This is exactly of the same sort with the former. What need had they to make this declaration, if they did not know that by their doctrines and practices they had totally subverted
- 127 [11]Hic auratis volitans argenteus anser Porticibus GALLOS in limine adesse canebat.[12] See debates in Parliament upon motions made in both Houses for prosecuting Mr. Reeves for a libel upon the Const.i.tution, Dec., 1795.[13] "In the costume a.s.sumed
- 128 Do you, or does any Irish gentleman, think it a mean privilege, that, the moment he sets his foot upon this ground, he is to all intents and purposes an Englishman? You will not be pleased with a law which by its operation tends to disqualify you from a s
- 129 THE MEASURES OF GOVERNMENT IN THE AMERICAN CONTEST, AND A PROPOSED SECESSION OF THE OPPOSITION FROM PARLIAMENT.JANUARY, 1777.NOTE.This Letter, with the two Addresses which follow it, was written upon occasion of a proposed secession from Parliament of the
- 130 Instead of any relaxation of the claim of taxing at the discretion of Parliament, your ministers have devised a new mode of enforcing that claim, much more effectual for the oppression of the colonies, though not for your Majesty's service, both as to th
- 131 When that happy hour shall arrive, let us in all affection, recommend to you the wisdom of continuing, as in former times, or even in a more ample measure, the support of your government, and even to give to your administration some degree of reciprocal i
- 132 If liberty cannot maintain its ground in this kingdom, I am sure that it cannot have any long continuance in yours. Our liberty might now and then jar and strike a discord with that of Ireland. The thing is possible: but still the instruments might play i
- 133 To JOHN MERLOTT, Esq., Bristol.FOOTNOTES: [19] An eminent merchant in the city of Bristol, of which Mr. Burke was one of the representatives in Parliament.--It relates to the same subject as the preceding Letter.LETTERS AND REFLECTIONS ON THE EXECUTIONS O
- 134 HUMBLY OFFERED TO CONSIDERATION.As the number of persons convicted on account of the late unhappy tumults will probably exceed what any one's idea of vengeance or example would deliver to capital punishment, it is to be wished that the whole business, as
- 135 I have seen what has been done by the West Indian a.s.semblies. It is arrant trifling. They have done little; and what they have done is good for nothing,--for it is totally dest.i.tute of an _executory_ principle.This is the point to which I have applied
- 136 [Sidenote: Lands may be purchased.]5. That the said African Company is hereby authorized to purchase, if the same may conveniently be done, with the consent of the Privy Council, any lands adjoining to the fort or princ.i.p.al mart aforesaid, not exceedin
- 137 IV. And whereas the condition of persons in a state of slavery is such that they are utterly unable to take advantage of any remedy which the laws may provide for their protection and the amendment of their condition, and have not the proper means of purs
- 138 [Sidenote: Concerning the same.]23. And be it enacted, that, if any negro shall refuse a competent marriage tendered to him, and shall not demand another specifically, such as it may be in his master's power to provide, the master or overseer shall be au
- 139 Our pet.i.tion arose naturally from distresses which we _felt_; and the requests which we made were in effect nothing more than that such things should be done in Parliament as it was evidently the duty of Parliament to do. But the affair which will be pr
- 140 All persons of that persuasion are disabled from taking or purchasing, directly or by a trust, any lands, any mortgage upon land, any rents or profits from land, any lease, interest, or term of any land, any annuity for life or lives or years, or any esta
- 141 The second head upon which I propose to consider those statutes with regard to their object, and which is the next in importance to the magnitude, and of almost equal concern in the inquiry into the justice of these laws, is its possession. It is proper t
- 142 LETTER.[23]My Dear sir,--Your letter is, to myself, infinitely obliging: with regard to you, I can find no fault with it, except that of a tone of humility and disqualification, which neither your rank, nor the place you are in, nor the profession you bel
- 143 1793.My dear son,--We are all again a.s.sembled in town, to finish the last, but the most laborious, of the tasks which have been imposed upon me during my Parliamentary service. We are as well as at our time of life we can expect to be. We have, indeed,
- 144 There is no hope for the body of the people of Ireland, as long as those who are in power with you shall make it the great object of their policy to propagate an opinion on this side of the water that the ma.s.s of their countrymen are not to be trusted b
- 145 The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke.Vol. VII.by Edmund Burke.NOTE.The following Speech was occasioned by a pet.i.tion to the House of Commons from certain clergymen of the Church of England, and certain of the two professions of Civil Law and P
- 146 Does a design against the Const.i.tution of this country exist? If it does, and if it is carried on with increasing vigor and activity by a restless faction, and if it receives countenance by the most ardent and enthusiastic applauses of its object in the
- 147 But instead of standing upon this ground, they introduce another question wholly foreign to it: Whether it ought not to be submitted to as if it were law? And then the question is,--By the Const.i.tution of this country, what degree of submission is due t
- 148 The more frequently this affair is discussed, the stronger the case appears to the sense and the feelings of mankind. I have no more doubt than I entertain of my existence, that this very thing, which is stated as an horrible thing, is the means of the pr
- 149 Mr. Dowdeswell did not _bring in an enacting bill to give to juries_, as the account expresses it, _a power to try law and fact in matter of libel_. Mr. Dowdeswell brought in a bill to put an end to those doubts and controversies upon that subject which h
- 150 That _t.i.thes_ are due of common right is readily granted; and if this principle had been kept in its original straitness, it might, indeed, be supposed that to plead an exemption was to plead a long-continued _fraud_, and that no man could _be deceived_
- 151 They are not good in tragedy, much less here.The greater virtues, fort.i.tude, justice, and the like, too serious and sublime.It is not every story, every character, every incident, but those only which answer their end.--Painting of artificial things not
- 152 CHAPTER II.SOME ACCOUNT OF THE ANCIENT INHABITANTS OF BRITAIN.That Britain was first peopled from Gaul we are a.s.sured by the best proofs,--proximity of situation, and resemblance in language and manners. Of the time in which this event happened we must
- 153 Tiberius came a regular successor to an established government. But his politics were dictated rather by his character than his situation. He was a lawful prince, and he acted on the maxims of an usurper. Having made it a rule never to remove far from the
- 154 contundent; quatient; procellae ..., disrumpent lapides navigium ejus...."--Hickesii Thesaur. Vol. II. p. 140.[16] Inhabitants of Norfolk and Suffolk.[17] Rem Romanam huc satietate gloriae provectam, ut externis quoque gentibus quietem velit.--Tacit. Ann
- 155 [26] Neque conjugiis suscipiendis neque alendis liberis sueti, orbas sine posteris domos relinquebant. Non enim, ut olim, universae legiones deducebantur c.u.m tribunis et centurionibus et suis cujusque ordinis militibus, ut consensu et caritate rempublic
- 156 The marriage of Ethelbert to a Christian princess was, we have seen, a means of introducing Christianity into his dominions. The same influence contributed to extend it in the other kingdoms of the Heptarchy, the sovereigns of which were generally convert
- 157 FOOTNOTES: [47] No Saxon monarch until Athelstan.CHAPTER IV.REIGN OF KING ALFRED.[Sidenote: A.D. 871][Sidenote: A.D. 875]It was in the midst of these distractions that Alfred succeeded to a sceptre which, was threatened every moment to be wrenched from hi
- 158 As there was no good order in the English affairs, though continually alarmed, they were always surprised; they were only roused to arms by the cruelty of the enemy, and they were only formed into a body by being driven from their homes: so that they neve
- 159 As there were large tracts throughout the country not subject to the jurisdiction of any thane, the inhabitants of which were probably some remains of the ancient Britons not reduced to absolute slavery, and such Saxons as had not attached themselves to t
- 160 [49] They had no other n.o.bility; yet several families amongst them were considered as n.o.ble.[50] Arma sumere non ante cuiquam moris, quam civitas suffecturum probaverit.--Tacitus de Mor. Germ. 13.[51] Nihil autem neque publicae neque privatae rei nisi
- 161 The knowledge of this general disposition in the minds of men will naturally remove a great deal of our wonder at seeing an attempt founded on such slender appearances of right, and supported by a power so little proportioned to the undertaking as that of
- 162 This war, which was carried on without anything decisive for some time, ended by a very extraordinary and affecting incident. In one of those skirmishes which were frequent according to the irregular mode of warfare in those days, William and his son Robe
- 163 Accordingly, he prepared a considerable force for the expedition, and taxed his own subjects, arbitrarily, and without mercy, for the relief he pretended to afford those of his brother. His preparations roused Robert from his indolence, and united likewis
- 164 The ignorance of the bailiffs in lay courts, who were only possessed of some feudal maxims and the traditions of an uncertain custom, made this recourse to the spiritual courts the more necessary, where they could judge with a little more exactness by the
- 165 REIGN OF RICHARD I.[Sidenote: Richard I. A.D. 1189]Whilst Henry lived, the King of France had always an effectual means of breaking his power by the divisions in his family. But now Richard succeeded to all the power of his father, with an equal ambition
- 166 John swore to submit to the legate in all things relating to his excommunication. And first he was obliged to accept Langton as archbishop; then to restore the monks of Canterbury, and other deprived ecclesiastics, and to make them a full indemnification
- 167 If we take a review of these ancient const.i.tutions, we shall observe that their sanctions are mostly confined to the following objects.1st. The preservation of the peace. This is one of the largest t.i.tles; and it shows the ancient Saxons to have been
- 168 The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke.Vol. VIII.by Edmund Burke.NINTH REPORT From the SELECT COMMITTEE [of the House of Commons] appointed to take into consideration the state of the administration of justice in the provinces of Bengal, Bahar, an
- 169 On the 5th December, as a mark of their approbation of Mr. Freeman, who had so plainly contradicted their opinion of Mr. Sulivan, the President and Council agree to appoint him to act as Secretary and Clerk of Appeals, till Mr. Sulivan's answer should ar
- 170 [Sidenote: How reduced.]But that the greatness of all these drains, and their effects, may be rendered more visible, your Committee have turned their consideration to the employment of those parts of the Bengal revenue which are not employed in the Compan
- 171 The internal trade of Bengal has next attracted the inquiries of your Committee.The great and valuable articles of the Company's investment, drawn from the articles of internal trade, are raw silk, and various descriptions of piece-goods made of silk
- 172 Thus, having found by experience that this trade, whilst carried on upon the old principles, of whatever advantage it might have been to the British manufacturers, or to the individuals who were concerned in it in Bengal, had proved highly detrimental to
- 173 The first of the internal authorized monopolies is that of opium. This drug, extracted from a species of the poppy, is of extensive consumption in most of the Eastern markets. The best is produced in the province of Bahar: in Bengal it is of an inferior s
- 174 They proceed: "We do not mean," say they, "to convey any censure on Mr.Sulivan respecting the transaction; but we cannot withhold our displeasure from the Governor-General and Council at such an instance of _contempt_ of our authority."
- 175 "Europeans of credit and responsibility," that is, Europeans armed with wealth and power, and exercising offices of authority and trust, instead of being excepted from the spirit of the restriction, must be supposed the persons who are chiefly m
- 176 Barwell as his a.s.sistant, at a salary of about four hundred pounds a year. Against this extraordinary act General Clavering and Mr. Francis entered a protest.So early as the 6th of the following January the appointment of these gentlemen was communicate
- 177 This transaction is of a piece with those that preceded it. On the 6th of July, 1781, Mr. Hastings announced to the board the arrival of a messenger and introduced a requisition from the young Nabob Mobarek ul Dowlah, "that he might be _permitted to
- 178 Although evidence on record, as well as verbal testimony, has appeared before your Committee of presents to a large amount having been received by Mr. Hastings and others before the year 1775, they were not able to find distinct traces of that practice in
- 179 That the House may be apprised of the nature of this article of deposit, it may not be improper to state that the Company receive into their treasury the cash of private persons, placed there as in a bank.On this no interest is paid, and the party deposit
- 180 On the 2d of May, 1775, Mr. James Grant, accountant to the Provincial Council of Moorshedabad, produced to the Governor-General and Council certain Persian papers which stated nine lacs of rupees (upwards of ninety thousand pounds sterling) received by Mu
- 181 To these sentiments Colonel Monson and Mr. Francis adhered. Mr. Hastings thought it more safe, on principles similar to those a.s.sumed by Mr.Barwell, to refuse to hear the charge; but he reserved his remarks on this transaction, because they will be equa
- 182 [40] Vide Appendix B. No. 4.[41] Vide Appendix B. No. 6.[42] Ibid., No. 7.[43] Vide Appendix B. No. 6.[44] Ibid.[45] Act 13 Geo. III. cap 63.[46] Vide Mr. Hastings's Letter of 16 December, 1782, in Appendix B. No.6.[47] Vide Appendix B. No. 6.[48] Vi
- 183 I have the honor to be, Honorable Sirs, Your most faithful, most obedient, and most humble servant, WARREN HASTINGS.B. No. 4._An Account of Sums received on the Account of the Honorable Company of the Governor-General, or paid to their Treasury by his Ord
- 184 There does not appear to have been any interest paid on the above bonds to 31st May, 1782, the last accounts received. In the Interest Books, 1780-81, the last received, the Governor-General has credit for interest on the first six to April, 1781, to the
- 185 That the East India Company, having on their part violated the engagements and renounced the conditions on which they received and have hitherto held and enjoyed the duanne of Bengal, Bahar, and Orissa from the King Shah Allum, have thereby forfeited all
- 186 III. That the said Warren Hastings, having formed the plans aforesaid for the ruin of the Rajah, did set out on a journey to the city of Benares with a great train, but with a very small force, not much exceeding six companies of regular black soldiers, t
- 187 That it further appears, that, notwithstanding the new administrator aforesaid was appointed two months, or thereabouts, after the beginning of the Fusseli year, that is to say, about the middle of November, 1782, and the former administrator had collecte
- 188 x.x.xII. That bullion, jewels, and goods, to the amount of five hundred thousand pounds and upwards, were actually received by the Resident for the use of the Company before the 23d of February, 1782; and there remained on the said extorted bond no more t
- 189 excited any commotions previous to the imprisonment of Rajah Cheyt Sing, and only armed themselves in consequence of that transaction; and, as it is probable, that such a conduct proceeded from motives of self-defence, under an apprehension that they them
- 190 _Copy of a Letter to Mahomed Jewar Ali Khan and Behar Ali Khan, from Mr.Gordon._ Sirs, my indulgent friends, Remain under, &c., &c.After compliments. I have the pleasure to acquaint you that yesterday having taken leave of you, I pa.s.sed the night at Noo
- 191 [63] 18th Jan., 1782. [64] Letter from Mr. Middleton, 2d Feb., 1782. [65] Lucknow, 22d July, 1782. [66] Major Gilpins Letter, 15th June, 1782. [67] Mr. Johnsons letter, 9th July, 1782. [68] Ibid., 4th July, 1782. [69] Major Gilpins Letter, 6th July, 1782.
- 192 The Works Of The Right Honourable Edmund Burke.Vol. IX.by Edmund Burke.VII.--CONTRACTS.That the Court of Directors of the East India Company had laid down the following fundamental rules for the conduct of such of the Company's business in Bengal as
- 193 That, about the end of the year 1780, the said Warren Hastings, in contradiction to the order above mentioned, did take away the sale of the opium from the Board of Trade, though he disclaimed, at the same time, _any intention of implying a censure on the
- 194 XV.--REVENUES.PART I.That the property of the lands of Bengal is, according to the laws and customs of that country, an inheritable property, and that it is, with few exceptions; vested in certain natives, called _zemindars_, or landholders, under whom ot
- 195 x.x.xIII. That the demands, claims, &c., made by the said Warren Hastings upon the government of Oude in that year amounted to the enormous sum of 2,530,000_l._ sterling; which joined to the arrears to troops, and some internal failures, amounting to 255,
- 196 namely,--"that he had found that the lands in that province, as well as in some parts more immediately under the Company, have suffered in a grievous manner, being completely exhausted of their natural moisture by the total failure of one entire seas
- 197 X. That, the Nabob Jaffier Ali Khan dying in February, 1765, Mahomed Reza Khan was appointed guardian to his children, and administrator of his office, or regent, which appointment the Court of Directors did approve. But the party opposite to Mahomed Reza
- 198 XIX. That the said Hastings had declared, in his said letter of the 16th June, 1784, that the Mogul's right to our a.s.sistance had been constantly acknowledged, that the Mogul had been oppressed by the lesser Mahomedan princes in the character of hi
- 199 That the intention of the said Warren Hastings, in pressing for a peace with the Mahrattas on terms so dishonorable and by measures so rash and ill-concerted, was not to restore and establish a general peace throughout India, but to engage the India Compa
- 200 III. That the said Resident Middleton, and the said Governor-General Hastings, did not, as they were in duty bound to do, endeavor to allay the apprehensions of the Nabob Fyzoola Khan by a.s.suring him of his safety under the sanction of Colonel Champion&