Speech to the electors of Bristol (1774) [ Practices ]
… as I said to you individually, simply and plainly, I thank you—I am obliged to you—I am not insensible of your kindness. This is all that I am able to say for the inestimable favour you have conferred upon me. But I cannot be … very act of parliament, which was made to regulate the elections by freemen, and to prevent all possible abuses in making them. I do not intend to argue the matter here. My learned counsel has supported your cause with his usual ability; … if I had ransacked, with the most unremitting industry, and the most penetrating research, the remotest corners of the kingdom to discover them; if I were then, all at once, to turn short, and declare, that I had been sporting all this …
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