Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/352

 measures, if firmly persisted in, would bring the Americans to submission, and prevent any thing like union and concert of action among them. It was ascertained that a portion of the wealthy and aristocratic inhabitants favored decidedly the continuance of the supremacy of England; and it was thought, not unreasonably, that all the influence of the numerous sect of the Quakers, who were conscientiously opposed to bloodshed, and the no less powerful influence of the Episcopal clergy, on every account likely to favor the mother country, would be thrown on the royalist side, and against the various measures resorted to by the American Congress and its supporters. But, what seems the strangest of all, those in power in England, were willing to believe the dilly braggarts who talked about the cowardice of the Americans! There were men who boasted, that with a few regiments, they could march from one end of America to the other, and that at the first fire the people would give way, and run for their lives! It is difficult to say which is most to be wondered at, the overweening pride and conceit, or the profound ignorance, of the men who could indulge in such language as the government was willing to listen to, and be guided by, in its course towards America.

In England there was a general sentiment in favor of compelling the colonists to submission. The king's personal feelings were well known, and the ministry were possessed of a large majority in Parliament. Early in November, after a six weeks' passage, Josiah Quincy, Jr., arrived in England. His journey had been undertaken, partly on account of weak health, partly in behalf of his country's interests: his whole soul was filled with an ardent desire to do something for the good of his native land. Soon after, he had an interview with Lord North, as well as Lord Dartmouth, at their special request. The former, on the 19th of November, in conversation on the subject of American affairs, reminded Mr. Quincy of the power of Great Britain, and declared that they were determined, "to exert it to the utmost, in order to effect the submission of the colonies." "We must try," said he, "what we can do to support the authority we claim over America If we are defective in power, we must sit down contented, and make the best terms we can ; and nobody can blame us, after we have done our utmost; but till we have tried what we can do, we can never be justified in receding. We ought, and we shall be very careful, not to judge a thing impossible, because it may be difficult; nay, we ought to try what we can effect, before we determine upon its impracticability." The language of concession was not to be expected from such a quarter. Mr. Quincy, however, from information obtained from other sources, as well us this conversation with the prime minister, was convinced that the Americans had nothing to hope but from forcible resistance. This conviction was communicated to some of his particular friends in America. "I cannot forbear telling you," he says, in a letter to Joseph Reed, under date of