I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the house? Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss.

What is most likely the author's purpose in this section of the speech?

A. To warn against the unlikelihood of British cooperation
B. To reflect upon his own experiences with diplomacy with Britain
C. To elicit a strong emotional response from the audience
D. To question the motives behind recent Parliament legislation

In this section, the author tries to convince the audience not to judge the British government based on recent or current actions but on its behavior during the last ten years. He or she claims that people will be deceived, betrayed and will suffer again if they put their hopes on the British government: Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. With these words, the author aims to warn against the unlikelihood of British cooperation.