32 AMERICAN REVOLUTION. proposed by the Earl of Chatham would have saved ; but the famous bill, which he framed for this great purpose, was overthrown by a formidable ministerial majority. They went even so far, in order to give it a most marked and decided rejection, as not to let it remain even on the table. This must have been a severe mortification to suchagiant in legislation and government—a man whose abilities had raised the nation to such unexampled grandeur,—who had made such a splendid figure as a statesman,—who had directed the measures that wrested and Quebec from France , and whose opinion and judg¬ ment had once been considered the oracle of the country. The celebrated plan of Mr Burke , supported by his eloquent and sound arguments, together with the appeals of the people, were equally disregarded ; and England , with all the southern states, effected their independence. The revolutionary war in produced men, or rather brought their great talents into action, who may justly be classed with the celebrated heroes and statesmen of ancient and modern times. They gave life and strength to the war; directed the councils of the country with wisdom and firmness ; organized armies, and raised funds to support them; planned a system of finance, and formed a constitution for the government of the people. They received, it is true, assistance from France , and they were countenanced by thousands in every part of . These circumstances may be readily 8