"The expression under censure has had the approbation of divers gentlemen of sense, who are quite unprejudiced to any party. They have taken it to imply a compliment, rather than any indecent reflection upon his majesty's wise and gracious administration. It seems strange, therefore, that the house should be so suddenly charged by his excellency, with "impropriety, groundless insinuations," &c.
"What cause of so bitter repentance, 'again and again,' could possibly have taken place, if this clause had been printed in the journal, I cannot imagine. If the case be fairly represented, I guess the province can be in no danger from a house of representatives daring to speak plain English when they are complaining of a grievance. I sincerely believe that the house had no disposition to enter into any contest with the governor or council. Sure I am, that the promoters of this address had no such view. On the contrary, there is the highest reason to presume, that the house of representatives will at all times rejoice in the prosperity of the governor and council, and contribute their utmost assistance in supporting those two branches of the legislature in all their just rights and pre-eminence. But the house is, and ought to be, jealous and tenacious of its own privileges; these are a sacred deposit, entrusted by the people, and the jealousy of them is a godly jealousy."
Allow me now, Mr. Tudor, a few remarks: 1. Why has the sublime compliment of "treason! treason!" made to Mr. Henry, in 1765, been so celebrated, when that to Mr. Otis, in 1762, three years before, has been totally forgotten? Because the Virginia Patriot has had many trumpeters, and very loud ones; but the Massachusetts Patriot none, though false accusers and vile calumniators in abundance.
2. I know not whether judge Minot was born in 1762. He certainly never saw, heard, felt, or understood any thing of the principles or feelings of that year. If he had, he could not have given so frosty an account of it. The "warm speech" he mentions, was an abridgment or second edition of Otis's argument in 1761, against the execution of the acts of trade. It was a flaming declaration against taxation without representation. It was a warning voice against the calamities that were coming upon his country. It was an ardent effort to alarm and arouse his countrymen against the menacing system of parliamentary taxation.
3. Bernard was no great thing, but he was not a fool. It is impossible to believe, that he thought the offensive passage treason or sedition, of such danger and importance as he represented it. But his design was to destroy Otis. "There is your enemy," said Bernard, (after a Scottish general) "if ye do not kill him, he will kill you."
4. How many volumes are concentrated in this little fugitive pamphlet, the production of a few hurried hours, amidst the continual solicitations of a crowd of clients; for his business at the bar at that time was very extensive and of the first importance; and amidst the host of politicians, suggesting their plans and schemes, claiming his advice and directions!
5. Look over the declarations of rights and wrongs issued by congress in 1774. Look into the declaration of independence, in 1776. Look into the writings of Dr. Price and Dr. Priestly. Look into all the French constitutions of government; and to cap the climax, look into Mr. Thomas Paine's common sense, crisis, and rights of man; what can you find that is not to be found in solid substance in this "vindication of the house of representatives?"
6. Is it not an affront to common sense, an insult to truth, virtue, and patriotism, to represent Patrick Henry, though he was my friend as much as Otis, as the father of the American revolution, and the founder of American independence? The gentleman who has done this, sincerely believed what he wrote I doubt not; but he ought to be made sensible, that he is of yesterday, and knows nothing of the real origin of the American revolution.
7. If there is any bitterness of spirit discernible in Mr. Otis's vindication, this was not natural to him. He was generous, candid, manly, social, friendly, agreeable, amiable, witty, and gay, by nature, and by habit honest, almost to a proverb, though quick and passionate against meanness and deceit. But at this time he was agitated by anxiety for his country, and irritated by a torrent of slander and scurrillity, constantly pouring upon him from all quarters.
Mr. Otis has fortified his vindication, in a long and learned note, which, in mercy to my eyes and fingers, I must borrow another hand to transcribe, in another sheet.