Page:Burke's Speech on Conciliation with America.djvu/159

 regulation of trade. It has been declared by some that the measure was meant m good faith and that its recognition and acceptance by the colonies would have brought good results. Burke, along with others of the opposition, argued that the intention of the bill was to cause dissension and division among the colonies. Compare 7, 11-12. State your opinion and give reasons.

8, 14. the noble lord in the blue ribbon. Lord North (1732–1792) He entered Parliament at the age of twenty-two, served as Lord of the Treasury, 1759; was removed by Rockingham, 1765; was again appointed by Pitt to the office of Joint Paymaster of the Forces, became Prime Minister, 1770, and resigned, 1781. Lord North is described both by his contemporaries and later historians as an easy-going, indolent man, short-sighted and rather stupid, though obstinate and courageous. He was the willing servant of George III., and believed in the principle of authority as opposed to that of conciliation. The blue ribbon was the badge of the Order of the Garter instituted by Edward III. Lord North was made a Knight of the Garter, 1772. Burke often mentions the "blue ribbon" in speaking of the Prime Minister. Why?

8, 16. Colony agents. It was customary for colonies to select some one to represent them in important matters of legislation. Burke himself served as the agent of New York. Do you think this fact accounts in any way for his attitude in this speech?

9, 5. our address. Parliament had prepared an address to the king some months previous, in which Massachusetts was