Question: Write a note on Burke's knowledge of America in his "Speech on Conciliation with America"
Answer:
“Surely it is an awful subject, or there is none so on this side I found myself a partaker in a very high trust; and, having no sort of reason to rely on the strength of my natural abilities for the proper execution of that trust, I obliged to take more than common pains to instruct myself in everything which relates to our Colonies. I was not less under the necessity of forming some fixed ideas concerning the general policy of the British Empire. Something of this sort seemed to be indispensable, in order, amidst so vast a fluctuation of passions and opinions, to concentre my thoughts, to ballast my conduct, to preserve me from being blown about by every wind of fashionable doctrine. I really did not think it safe or manly to have fresh principles to seek upon every fresh mail which should arrive from America."
[Edmund Burke: "Speech on Conciliation with America"]
At the very outset of his speech, Burke makes it clear that he very carefully studied the subject, i.e., the affairs relating to colonies in America, which then was "the most important and most delicate object of parliamentary attention." He makes it clear to his audience that he began to study the problems of the colonies from the time when he first became a member of the House of Commons. His extensive study of the subject resulted in the formation of some ideas about America which he made firm and adhered to those ideas strictly. As we go through the “Speech” we also observe that Burke possesses profound knowledge of America.
Burke's "Speech on Conciliation with America" progresses through three phases: an ostensibly objective review of America and the facts of her condition; an argument for restoring colonial loyalty through self-taxation; and a defense of the resolutions as the best course of future action. What is remarkable about the whole speech is that Burke has based his arguments and subsequent proposition of resolutions of conciliation on the realities of American colonies. In fact, Burke's knowledge of America functions as the foundation of his proposition.
Burke studied intensively about American affairs. His review of the Americans is detailed, systematic, and factual. He Burke studied intensively American affairs. His review locates the problem in phenomenal circumstances is important for Burke. At the very opening, he urges the listeners "review the subject with an unusual degree of care and calmness" because he knows that America is well worth fighting for.
Burke's learning about America is deep. He rightly identifies the problems with America. He knows that the problem originated in the mother country the current state of affairs is the result of the frequent changes in policy by the Parliament. He says:
“Sir, Parliament having an enlarged view of objects, made, during this interval, more frequent changes in their sentiments and their conduct than could be justified in a particular person upon the contracted scale of private information."
Burke is of the opinion that the American question consists of her population, wealth, and character. He first pays attention to the population in America, which is ever-increasing. It is never less than two million of European blood and five hundred thousand of Red Indians and Negroes. He stresses that caution is necessary to deal with such a large population. This population cannot be neglected and provoked without running a great risk. He says:
".....no partial, narrow, contracted, pinched, occasional system will be at all suitable to such an object. It will show you that it is not to be considered as one of those minima which are out of the eye and consideration of the law; not a paltry excrescence of the state; not a mean dependent, who may be neglected with little damage and provoked with little danger."
In the "Speech" Burke then considers the wealth of America in its three aspects of the trade, agriculture, and fisheries. Burke describes the bare facts of American economics with exuberance. His minute descriptions allude to his in-depth knowledge of America. He informs his audience that American trade increased twelve times between 1704 and 1772. At the beginning of the century, England's export trade with America was one-twelfth of England's total export, but now it is more than one-third of the total trade. Burke minutely relates the marveling progress of American trade even within the single lifetime of one Lord Bathurst.
Regarding agriculture, Burke says that the colonies have enormously increased their food production. Burke points out the significance of American agriculture in ensuring the food-security for the mother country. Using a commonplace but brilliant image of parent-child relations he says:
"The scarcity which you have felt would have been a desolating famine, if this child of your old age, with a true filial piety, with a Roman charity, had not put the full breast of its youthful exuberance to the mouth of its exhausted parent."
In fisheries, the colonies have no parallel. From pole to pole, they have exhausted all the seas. They have even gone to the equator. In the whale industry, they have no match. No sea is there that is not vexed by their fisheries. Their wonderful progress in fisheries deserves admiration.
Burke's knowledge of the temper and character of the American people is very important. His understanding of the factors contributing to the growth of a fierce spirit of liberty amongst the colonies is significant in the context. He identifies several reasons for this. These are (i) English descent of the colony people (ii) existence of popular government in the colonies (iii) practice of Protestantism (iv) possession of slaves (v) their study of law and (vi) the geographical distance between the colonies and the mother country. What Burke concludes is that the temper and character of the colonists cannot tolerate any encroachment upon their liberty from outside. Therefore, England's desire to control them, adversely combined with their fierce spirit of liberty, has enkindled the flame. Burke points out, with systematic argumentation, that governing America by force is almost an impossible task. He understands the difficulty in governing the colonies from a distance:
"Three thousand miles of ocean lie between you and them. No contrivance can prevent the effect of this distance in weakening government. Seas roll, and months pass, between the order and the execution, and the want of a speedy hace explanation of a single point is enough to defeat a whole system."
In the "Speech" Burke passes judgments and his basis for judgments is his knowledge of America. He provides facts about the American population and wealth. But he is more interpretive and comparatively less detailed when he describes the American character and its resistance to arbitrary rule. By touching on different aspects of American colonies Burke systematically points out where the problem lies and what needs to be done.
Burke's description of America is replete with references to views, vision, foreseeing, seeing, scenes, gazing, and prospects. His avowed aim is to portray the colonial problem in a particular fashion and to encourage a specific approach to its resolution. Burke has very carefully manipulated his knowledge to win support from the audience. However, there is no denying that he had a thorough understanding of America, its people, and its problems. That Burke's understating was right is testified by the fact that America achieved her independence within a few years of Burke's deliberation in the Parliament.
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