"In such a situation," said he, "she would serve only as a mon-
ument of your folly. For my part, the America I wish to see is
America increasing and prosperous, raising her head in graceful dig-
nity, with freedom and firmness asserting her rights at your bar,
vindicating her liberties, pleading her services, and conscious of her
merit. This is the America that will have courage to fight your
battles, to sustain you when hard pushed by some prevailing foe,
and by her industry will be able to consume your manufactures, sup-
port your trade, and pour wealth and splendor into your towns and
cities. If we do not change our conduct towards her, America will
be torn from our side. I repeat it, unless you repeal this law, you
run the risk of losing America."

Pownall and Dowdeswell were also among the opponents
of the resolves. The former, who had lived in the Colonies,
knew the character of the people, their earnest devotion to
their just rights, and their loyalty, which only a long succes-
sion of oppressive measures could destroy. "The people of
that country," said he, "and the King's troops are, as it
were, set in array against each other. The sword indeed
is not drawn, but the hand is upon it. The word for ac-
tion is not indeed yet given, but mischief is on tiptoe, and
the slightest circumstance would in a moment throw every-
thing into confusion and bloodshed." He predicted that the
union between Great Britain and North America would be
broken, if some change of policy did not interpose to re-
move this show of military power. But the resolutions and
address were both passed, and Boston was thenceforth to be
the special object of British vengeance.

The policy was now to arrest and bring over the accused
to England for trial; and this had been suggested by the re-
peated letters of Bernard and Hutchinson. Burke regarded
this measure with horror. "At the request of an exasperat-
ed governor," he cried, during the late debate, "we are called
upon to agree to an address advising the King to put in
force against the Americans the act of Henry the Eighth.
And why? Because you cannot trust the juries of that

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