though enforced by all your rigour, and backed with all your
power. In a word, the damages of popular fury were compensated
by legislative gravity. Almost every other part of America in
various ways demonstrated their gratitude. I am bold to say,
that so sudden a calm recovered after so violent a storm is
without parallel in history. To say that no other disturbance
should happen from any other cause, is folly. But as far as
appearances went, by the judicious sacrifice of one law, you
procured an acquiescence in all that remained. After this
experience, nobody shall persuade me, when a whole people are
concerned, that acts of lenity are not means of conciliation."


"0PP0SITI0N T0 ARBITRARY POWER," By John Wilkes, 1763.

While Otis and other patriots were opposing the arbitrary
measures of the English Ministry in their dealings with the
Colonies, certain men in England were equally as ardent in their
opposition to such a course whether pursued at home or abroad.
Most prominent among these were Edmund Burke and John Wilkes,
both members of Parliament. In this connection the following
extracts frown Wilkes' article on "Opposition to Arbitrary Power"
will be of interest. This article appeared in the famous No. 45
of "The North Briton," edited by Wilkes, who was very clever but
somewhat profligate.

* * * "In vain will such a minister (referring to Lord Bute), or
the foul dregs of his power, the tools of corruption and
despotism, preach up in the speech that spirit of concord, and
that obedience to the laws, which is essential to good order.