The author hopes to restore what he calls "the former unsuspecting confidence of the Colonies in the Mother Country, to give permanent satisfaction to your people." Teh term "unsuspecting confidence" reveals the colonial mentality. Burke even suggests that a conciliatory tone will trick the colonies into greater respect for the Crown. "The more they multiply, the more friends you will have, the more ardently they love liberty, the more perfect will be their obedience."
In the speech delivered to Parliament, Burke bases his rhetorical appeal on the prevailing philosophical themes in late 18th century Britain. Crown supporters like Burke had not yet fully embraced the tenets of popular rule and remained tied to a the monarchic model. Burke appeals to national pride in his parliamentary address, too, repeatedly referring to the "greatness" of the empire. The American colonies are portrayed by Burke as Crown subjects, so he does not antagonize his audience in any way. He presents an appeal for conciliation as being beneficial for the empire. The argument rests largely on the Crown's economic concerns. One of the main reasons for colonial discontent was in fact the increased pressure exerted for trade tariff and taxation. The colonial governments fought not only for self-governance but for more liberalized trade and fewer Crown taxes.
Burke suggests that Parliament relax its heavy-handed approach toward taxing the colonies and toward imposing Crown rule over...
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