Carolina QuotesThe grievances we feel, and the cause of our misfortune, arise from the corruption of men when chosen into Parliament. Cut off the ways and means of corruption, and the effect must and will naturally cease. Mr. Burke's plan cuts off thirty-nine offices tenable and now held by members of the House of Commons. It also cuts off eleven now held by Peers in the House of Lords. This, indeed, is striking in earnest at the influence of the Crown over persons in Parliament.
Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham Connected to the Carolinas
Source
Letter to Pemberton Milnes (28 February 1780), quoted in George Thomas, Earl of Albemarle, Memoirs of the Marquis of Rockingham and His Contemporaries, Vol. II (1852), p. 398
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- letter
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- 1780
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- p. 398
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“The grievances we feel, and the cause of our misfortune, ari…” Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham. Carolina Quotes, record CQ-AC931D5DFA. https://carolinaquotes.com/quote/ac931d5dfa
More from Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham
I confess I have no idea of anything but confusion and weakness from annual parliaments. I by no means disagree to the idea of equitable reform, in regard to what are called rotten boroughs, &c.
I confess I agree too much with my friend the Duke of Richmond, in thinking that all is over for this country. I nevertheless do feel most strongly that there is a duty, which I perhaps most particularly owe, to the Persons of those who not only encouraged & incited me, but also whose Principles deserve a better fate, than to be buried in the Ruins of their Country. I confess I feel a sollicitude even for myself—I would wish to have it to say, & I would wish to have it remember'd & recorded, that to the last moment we struggled in Behalf of this poor infatuated Country. I am clear, that nothing can possibly effectually avail, unless this country itself recollects & reassumes its genuine principles.
I really feel more solid grounds of hope that the constitution, the liberty and happiness of this country may revive, than I ever expected to have done, for many years past. I think most seriously that if this county of York, at their next proceedings, adheres to the great objects of enforcing frugal expenditure, and striking at the root of corruption, by reducing the ways and means of influence in the Crown, success will attend their endeavours; but if various speculations are gone into, even though they might be partly well founded in principles, I fear, nay, indeed, I am certain, that there are so many visionary schemes and expedients by way of reforms on float, that a general confusion and disagreement will ensue.
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