that the late success of his Majesty's arms, belongs to the appointments and the measures of the late administration.

" IV. That it is the opinion of this meeting, That the recal of the gallant and successful Admiral Rodney, in the hour of victory and pursuit, is none of the measures, produced by the change of men, for which an address should be presented to his Majesty.*

"V. That it is the opinion of this meeting, that the personal interference of a minister, in matters of election, does not correspond with that freedom and independence of Parliament so warmly contended for, or that purity of conduct the nation was led to expect upon a change of men; and is therefore none of the measures for which a loyal address should now be presented.†

" VI. That it is the opinion of this meeting, that the distinction made between the Englishman, or elector, and the minister, interfering in an election, though one and the same person, is

* The first act of the new ministry was to recal Admiral Rodney, immediately after his defeating the French fleet in the West Indies, on the 12th of April.

This alludes to Mr Fox's speeches in Parliament, and his personal attendance on the Hustings, at Covent Garden, at the election, and his explanation afterwards of his conduct, in the House of Commons, when he said, that he had attended as an Englishman, not as the Minister.

neither sound logic nor sound morality; and were such system to be the rule of action, judges might dispense villainy for justice, and all moral distinctions would be at an end. Therefore, that such principles in ministers should be none of the reasons for presenting an address on the change of men.

"VII. That it is the opinion of this meeting, that the rejection of the Scots militia bill is no proof that this country has obtained liberal-minded friends by the change of men; but that the terms on which they proposed the bill should pass were highly unjust, and would have been violently oppressive. Therefore, that such an affront to the country should be none of those measures for which an address should at this time be presented.

"VIII. That it is the opinion of this meeting, that the only measure that can yet be made the foundation of an address since the change of men is, the reduction of his Majesty's civil list; and as his Majesty, in all probability, has not yet thought proper to thank his servants for this piece of attention to economy, it cannot, with any propriety, be made the foundation of a loyal address that would be graciously received.

"IX. That it is the opinion of this meeting, that concerning the great plan of public eco

nomy, much has been promised, and very little performed; and that even the famous retrenching bill has been wonderfully retrenched since the late change of men. That the board of police in Scotland has been abolished, although places of less utility have been preserved in England. Therefore that this country has no good reason to address the throne at present, upon account of the change of men, or their measures.

"X. That it is the opinion of this meeting, that the proposed loyal address would be premature, and, as it might have the appearance of insult to Majesty, it ought to be suppressed.

"XI. That it is the opinion of this meeting, that every measure that shall tend to preserve the rights of our valuable constitution, or that shall be conducive to the honour, the dignity, or the prosperity of the nation, deserves the approbation and support of every good citizen; and that every member of the state should be jealous of innovations, cautious of being misled by party, and careful not to become the tool of faction.'

These resolutions created much speculation;

The board of police was abolished, and an equivalent sum given as a pension to Colonel Barré, whose eloquence had been chiefly exerted against pensions-crying up economy, and reduction of the civil list.

and it was not generally known that there had been no such meeting of citizens, till many months after the publication. They were the subject of much controversy in the London papers, and, coinciding with the general sense of the nation, put a stop to the progress of the loyal addresses. The Public Advertiser of London took notice of them in the following

terms:

"The resolutions of the Citizens of Edinburgh appear to possess every mark of spirit and cool determination, requisite to be faithfully followed and adhered to in the present situation of affairs. The intrepid sentiments of independency which run through the whole, and the greatness of soul which is exhibited in every part of them, communicate to the understanding and impress the mind with a very favourable and advantageous idea of the dispassionate wisdom of that meeting. This is the true manner of proceeding, and it is sincerely to be wished it was adopted all over Scotland. The resolutions alluded to do not taste of, nor bear any resemblance to, that species of servile cringing, and unbecoming actions, which many of the Scots representatives practise so much at court, to the infinite dishonour of their country."

These resolutions were followed by the follow

ing supposed debate upon the subject, which was then much agitated.

DEBATE

On the Loyal Address on the change of Men and Measures, and Lord Shelburne's Plan of putting Arms into the hands of the People of Scotland.

THERE is a club of us who meet three times a week to listen to the best reader of the newspaper who happens to be present. We perceived by a late paper, that the famous loyal address for what it is supposed his Majesty's new ministers will do, is travelling about in great distress for names, and that it has received a respite of ten days, in hopes of finding some friends. Our club happening to sit later last night than usual, fell upon the subject, and many of our members, fired with the love of liquor and their country, were led to take up the consideration of the propriety of such an address at this time, which brought on a very warm debate.

Tom Buckskin, the breeches-maker, was the first who spoke. He insisted there could be no such address really intended; for he had traced it from lying under a crucible in the Parliament