"Spain's conduct in putting forward her grievances under the shield of England's enemy, with whom we are at war, is the highest indignity that ever was offered to the Crown of England, and it will fix an eternal stain upon that crown if no answer is returned to Spain's avowal of her action. As to the other consideration, the safety of the public—are we not already suffering from the worst species of war, when Spain supports France with her full weight, covers her trade, lends her moneys and abets her in negotiation? You are now at war with the House of Bourbon; but, for open war with Spain, you are prepared and she is not."
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Prime Ministers of the United KingdomPoliticians from EnglandPeople from LondonUniversity of Oxford alumniWhig (British political party) politicians
Original Language: English
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Resignation speech to the Council (2 October 1761), quoted in Basil Williams, The Life of William Pitt, Earl of Chatham. Volume II (1914), p. 112
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/William_Pitt%2C_1st_Earl_of_Chatham
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William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham
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