IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // % A 1.0 1.1 125 IttlM ■^ liii 122 :^ 1^ 12.0 u IL25 HI 1.4 U4 Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 33 WiST MAIN STHIT WIISTIR.N.Y. MSM (716)«72-4S03 '^ 7 CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Instituta for Historical IMicroreproductions / institut Canadian da microraproductions liistoriquas Tachnical and Bibliographic Notaa/Notas tachniquaa at bibliographiquaa Tl to Tha Inatituta haa attamptad to obtain tha baat original copy avaiiabia for filming. Faaturaa of thia copy which may ba bibliographically uniqua, which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha raproduction. or which may significantly changa tha uaual mathod of filming, ara chackad balow. □ Colourad covars/ Couvartura da coulaur □ Covara damagad/ D D n n n Couvartura andommagte Covara raatorad and/or laminatad/ Couvartura raatauria at/ou palliculte |~n Covar titia miaaing/ La titra da couvartura manqua □ Colourad mapa/ Cartaa gAographiquaa an coulaur Colourad ink (i.a. othar than blua or black)/ Encra da coulaur (i.a. autra qua blaua ou noira) I — I Colourad plataa and/or illuatrationa/ Planchaa at/ou illuatrationa mn coulaur Bound with othar matarial/ RalM avac d'autraa documanta Tight binding may causa shadowa or distortion along intarior margin/ Laraliura sarria paut cauaar da I'ombra ou da la diatoraion la long da la marga intiriaura Blank laavas addad during rastoration may appaar within tha taxt. Whanavar possibia, thasa hava baan omittad from filming/ li aa paut qua cartainaa pagas blanchaa ajoutiaa lors d'una raatauration apparaiaaant dana la taxta, mala, lorsqua rala *tait poaaibia, caa pagaa n'ont paa it* fiim^aa. Additional commanta:/ Commantalraa supplimantairaa; L'Inatitut a microfilm* la maillaur axampiaira qu'il lui a it* possibia da sa procurer. Las details da cat axampiaira qui sont paut-Atra uniquas du point da vua bibliographiqua. qui pauvant modifier una imaga raproduita. ou qui pauvant axigar una modification dana la mAthoda normala da filmaga aont indiquia ci-daasous. r~1 Colourad pagaa/ n D D Pagaa da coulaur Pagaa damaged/ Pacaa andommagAea Pagaa raatorad and/or laminated/ Pagaa rastaurtes at/ou pelliculAes Pagae discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pagas dicolorias, tachatAes ou piquies Pagaa detached/ Pagaa ditachtes Showthrough/ Tranaparence Tl P o fi O b( tV ai ot fii si oi rri Quality of print varies/ Qualiti inigala da I'impression Includes supplementary material/ Comprand du material suppiimentaira Only edition available/ Seule Mition disponible M di ei b« rij re m Pagaa wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc.. hava been refilmed to ensure the best possible imoge/ Les psges totalement ou pertieilement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata. una palure, etc.. ont 4ti filmies i nouveau da fapon i obtantr la meiileure image possible. This item is filmed at tha reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document eat filmi au taux da reduction indiqu* ci-deaaoua. 10X 14X 18X 22X 2SX »X y 12X IfX aox 24X 28X 32X 7 The copy filmMl h«r« has b««n roproducad thanks to tha ganarosity of: Library of tha Public Archivas of Canada L'axamplaira fiimA fut raproduit grioa A la gAnAroaitA da: La bibliothAqua das Archivas publiquas du Canada Tha imagas appaaring hara ara tha bast quality posslbia considaring tha condition and iaglbiiity of tha original copy and in icaaping with tha filming contract spacif Ications. Original copias in printad papar covara ara filmad baginning with tha front covar and anding on tha last paga with a printad or lliustratad impras* slon, or tha bacic covar whan appropriata. Ail othar original copias ara filmad baginning on tha first paga with a printad or lliustratad Impraa- sion, and anding on tha iaat paga with a printad or lliustratad Imprassion. Tha last racordad frama on aach microflcha shall contain tha symbol — »> (moaning "CON- TINUED"), or tha symbol y (moaning "END"), whichavar appllas. Las imagas suh^antaa ont ■■ . .> A 1 k.* S-' i r C?" '-V Tif^m'-n'ifi-ii iO n .m:^ £ iln.l »-:oITIC-T G51HT clTIT • ••■>^j***»i» jdfcf*" — ;': o a !' o : 11 i ."^"i *■ I'll ^.!.T f '> . "I ' "^' "WOWliP ADVERTISEMENT. TH E prdent fitaation of Pu\Ak AiFairt calls forcibly upon every good Sabjeft^ to cxett hittifdf in the Public ^fvice. Everf individviiil 'potiTelTeii a pow^r, which can aid add fupporc his country. He can draw hi$ fwoft? hi her defence, contribute to her refources, dr combat with argument, and expofe to juft m^ dignation, thofe, who have proved themfelves her internal, and confequently* her unnatural- enemie4 The Author of the following EITay has long entertained an opinion, that the mod for- midable foes of Great Britain were nurfed in her own bofom : Thefe, under the mafque of Patriotifm, fomented rebellion in her Colonies i and by expofing her pretended weaknefs, cre- ated a combination of powerful States, not only againfl: her intereH", but her very exigence, as a great and independent Kingdom. In the emergency, which is the refult of that combination, two objefts feem necefTary to the 8 Public t*oblic Safety. Thefe are, the knowledge of our ifrietids frdm otir enemies ^ and that (j^irited exertion, which alone can extricate us, from our prefent fjcuation^ If the fafts JKlranced, anci^ encouragements exhibited, in the following Ef- fay, (hall contribute to throw light, on thi^c^iiei pr to add vigour to the othcrj the Writer has f tcained his purpofe^ . . *!•••' :■- ..,■ ; .^ ;; ;v> .1 ; .. ) i ( : ' i ) V ■ •■ . -a . ' i * A SttORt, is I •■■'• I' ■.J A SHORT HISTORY /■' OF THE OPPOSITION. A i.% IN every age, and almoft: in every country, the ambition, which is inherent in human na- ture, has prompted individuals to afpire to dif- tinftion and pre-eminence, among their fellow- citizens. The means, ufed to obtain thofe ob- jects, are various*, as to render them fuccefs- ful, they muft be accommodated to the fpirit of the Government, under which they are ap- plied. In defpotic monarchies, the favour of the Prince, who is the fountain of all prefer- ment, is generally procured by intrigue or ad- drtrfs. In republics, influence and authority are acquired, by gaining the confidence, or by reducing the principles of the People •, and, in mixed governments, like that of Great Britain, B the t « ] the neared road to power lies between thofe two extremes* The Revolutiorii Hvhich happened about ninety years ago, though it made but few changes in the forms of authority, eftablifhed a balanccof influence, between the Crown and the People. The firO retained the eflence, but loft much of the terror of power. The reprefenta- tiyes of the latter having a great deal to beftow, as a body, thought themfelves, as individuals, entitled to a (hare in a government, which they fupported. A mutual dependence was created, by the polTenion of the means of conferring mu- tual favours. A Prince, who ftood in need of fupplies, was direfled, by common prudence, where to chufe his fervants. But as candidates were more numerous than offices, the difap- pointed never failed to perfecute the fuccefsful ; till, by watching faults, errors, or misfortunes, they obtained their point, and they themfelves became, in their turn, the objefts of attack. . As a degree of the public confidence was ne- cefiary to dircfl the Sovereign in his choice of fervants, men who wifhed to be employed, took care to fupport, in their public appearances, the principles and perhaps the prejudices of the people. An habitual jealoufy of the power I [ 3 ] of the Crown, kept open the ears of the public to every alarm. Scarce any meafure of Govern- ment could be fo free from error, as not to be vulnerable on fome popular ground. Every Oppofition feizfed this obvious advantage, and aflumed or obtained the title of " the popular party," No diftinftion was made, in this refpeil, between Whig and Tory, Each party, when out of place, adopted the fame principles ; and thus both were alternately digniBecl with the once honourable name of PATRiOTs, The prefent reign began, with advantages, calculated to put an end to foolilh diftindions, which ought to have expired, with the preju- dices, on which they had been founded. A young prince had fucceeded to the throne, who y^ difdained to govern his people through the me- dium of a fadion. The door of preferment '^ was laid open to all his fubjefts *, but though this liberal condud might have pleafed the un- prejudiced, it was incapable of cxtinguilhing party among the interefted. Thefe, though of different principles and charafters, by impofing on the weak and cuJulous, formed new fa(flions, on the fhadows of departed political tenets. How*' ever heterogeneous before, the heat of refentment, and rageof difappoincment, as it were, gradually melted them into one mafs •, and they revived in B 2 themfelve^ % f>* [ 4 ] thcmfelves the name, though little of the prin^ cjples of Whigs. ^ The vehemence of the prefent Oppofition fcems to have carried them to extremities, which iuperfede all former defcriptions of party, and which cannot fail to defeat their views. In former times, the candidates for public favour thought it prudent to adhere, in their exhibi- tions, to public principles. But in our times, an eagernefs to thwart the meafures of Govern- ment has expelled all regard for the opinions of the people. The dignity and honour of the nation were formerly thp favourite themes of Op- pofitionsj melancholy, meannels, and defpair, now fill the whole circle of patriotic oratory. With a want of prudence, as well as of decency, they tie up the hands of their country in the hour of danger. They not only juftify rebel- lion, againft her authority, but indireflly pro- mot:e a foreign war againfi. her very exiftence. By magnifying the power of her opponents, they endeavour to dcprcfs her fpirits -., by ex- pofing her real or pretended weaknefs, they wi(h to infpire her enemies with a confidence of fUCCelS. , i T;.= ,; ,, '■, . .:^. . Thefe (Irange pofitions, and many more of the fame kind, might be eftabliflied, on incon- teftiblc authorities, by a plain narrative of the conduct [ 5 J condiicflof Oppofition, fince the commencement of the prefcnc parliament. But, the purfu- jng them through fuch a variety of matter, and fuch a length of time, would be a talk of great labour, and little entertainment. We (hall, therefore, confine ourfelves to the moft ftriking features of the lafl: feflion. In the ipace of feven months, they have contrived to croud together moft of the abfurdities of feven years -, and, though the ftudied brevity of this difquifition muft neceffarily exclude many cir- cumftances, enough, we truft, will appear to itiew the principles, defigns, and views of fo ftrange a confederacy. I 'M\ ^" ^^^ ^^^^ ^^ November, 1778, the fifth feflion of the prefcnt parliament was opened, vith a fpeech from the throne. A complaint of the perfidy of France, in commencing hofti- lities, and the obliinacy of America, in refufing terms, together with a requeft of fupport, were the chief heads of the fpeech. It expreflcd, at the fame time, a regret '* that the efforts of " his Majefty had not been attended with all •* the fuccefs which the juftice of the caufe, and " the vigour of exertions, feenaed to promife.'* Unanimity was, in the ufual form, recommend- ifd *, and furely no period in hiftory . jre required the unanimous exertion of the whole nation. y w ' Oppofition [61 Oppofition have denominated themfclves " an adive Oppofition ;" and if zeal in thwart- ing, afiiduity in obftrudling, and fuccefs in de- feating public meafures, merit a defignation, which implies a kind of applaufe, they are certainly entitled to that name. The una- nimity and concert, which their Sovereign requefted, for the fupport of the interefts and honour of the nation, exilt only among them, for the ruin of the one, and the tarnifh- ing of the other. A fliort detail of the prin- ciples, which they advanced in the firfl: exhibi- tions of the feafon, will cftablifh the truth of tliis obfcrvation. The orators in the Lower Houfe mixed refleftions on the pad, with prophecies of future difafters. The firlt we (hall fubmit to the judgment of the Reader ; fevcral of the latter have been already refuted by time. Oppofition opened the political campaign, with aiTertions, which had been often refuted i and with predi6lions of national difafters, which their own condudl feemed, uniformly, calculated to realize. As the public misfortunes may be deduced, from the rebellion in America, they aficrted, contrary to faft, that hoftilities had been firft commenced by Government. They recurred to their ufual prophecies, relative to foreign wars-, and they even went fo far as to arm Holland, our ancient ally, againft this devoted kingdom. t 7 1 kingdom (^). To fow difcontents, among ths militia, they alleged, that the officers had been fcandaloufly negiefted {if). To excite mutiny in the army and navy, they aflerted that Govern- menthad employed no commanderof an army, no admiral of a fleet, whom they had not difgraced, or with whom they had not quarrelled (c}. With a contradiftion in terms, which neither folly nor rage itfclf could juftify, they averred that Miniftry had fucceeded in no injiattce\ yet that fortune had been favourable in every in- fiance^ during the whole campaign {d). They Gw.ied, that unanimity was abfolutely neceflary for the fafety of their country ; yet, with pe- culiar honejiy^ avowed ** that they would clog ** the wheels of Government, when it ought to «« be affifted by every man (e)" . ,r m,=^ = "■ s'" '"■' -' ■ ■'■'.-: . ■■ -1 ■ ■-' 1 . rf ■ ,, ■■.^'* .■ ; '- 7 \:V} ' ;'-\^".' f".- '-''■■■ ■ ' *^ - Though the clogging the wheels of Govern- ment at home, and their encouraging the fedi- tious abroad, had been the obvious caufe of the rife and progrefs of the American war, they traced the caufe of that war to the pretended ty- ranny of Great-Briiain (/;. Though America had continued nn atrocious rebellion for many years. I; (a) Mr. T, T d's Speech, Nov. 26th, 1778. ^ (i) Speech of T.T d, Nov. 26, 1778. {cj Speech of C. F-x, Nov. 26, 1778. Speech of C lU c. C;/J IblJ. C^) Ibid. r/J Ibid. againft 'Cr t 8 ] againli her parent and benefadrefs ; yet they affirmed, that a war againft America " i» •• againft our own country." Though the Americans have been declared rebels, by all the iblcmnity of law, by all the forms of the con- ftitutlon, " they are ftill our fellow- fubjeds, " and every blow we ftrike is againft our- •' felves (i&).** Though they have broke capitu- lations (/), difregarded flags of truce {k), violated conventions, trampled on every principle of war, that governs civilized nations (/) -, " yet as their war is a war of paflion (w),** we ought " to with- draw our forces entirely from their coaft («)." Though " offenfive war i^ pointed out as pro- •* per for this country (o\** war ought not •• to be ofFcnfive with refped to America." AVith unexampled abfurdity, they alleged, that rebels in arms had a better right to " a " relaxation of hoftilities,** than foreign ene- mies, whom the alliance of thofe rebels had excited againft their country. With a perver- fion of terms, unknown, in any other times, they aflertcd, that men, whofe hands are daily ftained with the blood of their countrymen, «c «c {h) Speech of C. F-x, Nov. 26, 1773. Speech of C IB e. (/) Governor J — ft— nc's Speech, Nov. 26, 1778. {k) Admiral Gambier'3 Letter to Congrefs. (/) Speech of Governor J— ft— ne. ' * • •(«) Speech of Mr. F-x, Nov. 26, 1778. («) Ibid. (0) Ibid. ought t 9i might to be treated not as enemies, but a& |)eaceable fellow-fubjeifls and friends («)» In the Upper AfTembl/ the zeal of Patriotifm, fts fp'rihging from higher ground, rofe to a greater height. Not content to amend the Ad- drefs to the Throne, it was infilled, that no Addrefs at all (hould be made (p). It was af- ferced, that our armies were either mouldered away, by death, defertion, and ficknefs, or re- duced by lofs in battle (q). That our com*- merce was totally loft, our public credit draw- ing to annihilation, our fleet on the verge of abfolute ruin (r). That nothing could fave the empire, but withdrawing our troops from America, acknowledging her independence, and imploring her forgivenefs (j). That it would be even imprudent, if not impoflible, to perfift in a war againft France (/). Tha^ Spain would aid France ; that Holland, as 4 commercial ftate, would treat with America; that the whole world would join againft us; that we were without men, without money, Vvithout an allys that nothing, in ftiort, could {0) Speeches of all the Oppofition. {pj L— dB I's Speech, Nov. 26, 1778. (f) h—d C y's Speech, Nov. i6. (r) L-dB I's Speech. (/) Vide Oppofition Speeches, faj^m. (/) B—p of P—rb-gh's Speech. C ftvc I IjSI [ JO ] fave the ftate, but an immediate difmifllon of all his Majefty's prefent fervants, and thfc placing the reins of Government, in the hands of Op- pofition (u). Aflertions, which carried along -with them their own refutation, were not likely to make converts within, nor profelytes without doors. But what the party could not effed by fafls and arguments, they endeavoured to accom- pli(h, by addrefs and intrigue. Mifmanage- ments, and a confcquent want of fuccefs, on every fide of the war, had convinced the nation, that there was an error in planning at home, or a dtfcd: in the execution abroad. Generals and Admirals had returned, from their different commands, not only without laurels, but fome of them covered with difsrace or misfortune. The coldnefs, with which they had been received, by their country, had raifed their refentment, as it hurt their pride. As Go- vernment brought forv/ard no accufation againfl them, the prcfumption was, that they them- felves were partly to blame. As men of little prudence and conliderable names, are the fitted tools for the hands of party, Oppofition took care to fecure engines, which they hoped to play off with advantage, on the enemy. '**:* («) Speeches /<7j7;«, Nov. 26,-1778. G 1 IB- £ " ] -ne, though a man of fpirir. 0^ conducted himrcrlf, as if political prudence form- ed no part of his chara6ter. His enemies re- marked, that he came from America, where he had loll an army, w::h as much confidence, as Ter?ntius Varro returned to Rome, from the fa- tal fields of Cannas. M^n, in general, have lefs blamed his conduct abroad, than his beha- viour at home. His accepting a leave of abfcnce from a Congrefs, who had fhamefully evaded his own convention, the remembrance of recent misfortunes, and a fufpicion of former errors, juftified the court, in adhering to an etiquette, which excludes officers, who have been unfor- tunate, from the Royal Prefence, till they are acquitted by a Court Martial. .' , -^'^-'^ '"^ -^ ^^. The General forgot his own errors, if fuch exifted, and remembered only, v/hat he thought, the feverity of Government. He alfo forgot, that he had left his captive fellow-foldiers, whom he ought to have proteded, from infult and oppreffion, by his prelence ; and he even eluded orders piven him to return to their aid, in their melancholy and fcvere captivity. It was obferved, upon the v;hole, that regret and pity were all he could liope to meet with; but, it feems, he expeded approbation. Refent- ment arofe, in his mind, as from injuftice ; C 2 and I ^ li and with a precipitancy, which cannot eafiljr be defended, he either fought or accepted th^ protection of O^jpofition. ;.;. ^. ... ja . uan; Sir \y'-^— H — e had, indeed, loft no army,' but as he had decifi\ ^y improved no, advantage, the American war rather increafedj) than ^imi- nifhed, upon his hands. PofTe^ed of the common routine of military knowledge, he feems to have been capable of fecuring from defeat fucb trpops as he led againft fucb an enemy : But the conducing them to any brilliant vidlory, and the making a decifive ufe of the fupe^ riority he enjoyed, appear to have been ob- jects foreign to bis talents. Senfible, per* haps, of this defeat, in his own mind, he cliofe tp prevent any reverfc of fortune, by retiring from the command of the army ; but as ** mi- •* litary feceflions," in the midft of war, require an explanation, his retreat was afcribed to his having Ipft the confidence of men in power. The faft might be true^ but it was not fufficient, to fatisfy the people. Though he was received with kindnefs by the Sovereign, and attention by the Miniftry, he perceived that he was va- nifhing faft from the memor5r of the nation. In the fpace of a few months, he found him- felf of ias little account, in the eftimation of Public, as any of his own commiflaries; and, [ '3 1 ' and, to recover his reputation, he ciofed eg* " gcrly, with Oppofition •, as they promifcd him their hearty afliftance, in a Parliamentary In- j^uirjr. ,! • -• r. To thele lucky ;>ids from America, thip party Added a (till greater acquificion in Europe. An Admiral poffpffed of profeffional reputation, equal at lead to his merit, though conneifted >vith OppoQtion, was placed at the head of the Wcftern Squadron. The felefting men of cp' pojing principles, for the command of fleets and armies, has been long a favourite maxim of Government. This conduft may have had its foundation in liberal fentiments ; but it has ope- rated like weaknefs, and led to a train of mif- fortunes. Few officers are fuch ** (lurdy mo- f* ralifts," as to exclude political prejudices from the line of their duty. Qur Admiral put to fea, with one of the moft powerful fquadrons, that ever failed, from the ports of this kingdom. He met the ene- my ; and a running fight, rather than an en- gagement, enfued. No trophies were loft ; but no laurels were gained. The profeffional terms, in which the accounts of naval adlions are in- volved, render them obfcure, if not unintel- 6 lisible. »f! ligible, to the generality of mankind. One fadt, however, was univerfally admitted: *' /V fuperior Britifh fleet had engaged an interior French Iquadron ; and neither advantage nor trophy was obtained." ,' (( (( C( A nation, accuflomed to value themfelves, upon naval vidories, were not likely to be fa- tisfied with a drawn battle, under fuch circum- ftances. But though no fymptoms of approba- tion appeared, no figns of refentment were Ihewn. A cold filence certainly prevailed j a fpecies of cenfure, more mortifying to a feeling mind, than even clamour. Had the Admiral been permitted to remain, under this cloud, he would have become a ufelefs engine, in the hands of his party. To derive benefit from his former popularity, it was found neceflary to remove the (lain, v/hich want of fuccefs had left upon his charader. Some officers, in his fuite,' were, accordingly, induced to propagate infmu- ations, to the dillidvantage of Vice-Admiral Sir H P r. That gentleman, by being in place, might be fuppofed to a6l in concert v/ith men in power, for the ruin of his Admiral; and to m.ake the former the accufer was to arm the prejudices of the people in favour of the latter. -v..^. _, ., .. . ■■ , .■ r..'iWi ; .^ . i ' The t 15 ] The Vice^ Admiral being a man of more fpirit than forefight, unfortunately fell into the trap laid for him by the faftion. Confcious of his deferving praife, inftead of cenfure, for his be- haviour on the 27th of July, he became irri- tated at the injuftice done to his reputation* From being the accufed^ he became the accufer ; and this ftep turned the fcale of opinion in fa- vour of his opponent. In this circumftance alone, the gallant Vice-Admiral, as it after- wards appeared, was to blame. Had he de- manded and infilled upon his own trial, his charader would have recovered its deferved .luftre J and that of the Admiral might have loft much of that fplendour which was thrown upon it, by his irduftrious friends. Ill /rf>.C:"- • A party, who had lofl: the confidence of the nation, feized with eagernefs the fudden change which appeared in the popular tide. Whifpers artfully propagated, v/ithout doors, were im- proved by degrees into a general clamour. Within doors, every opportunity was taken, and every artifice ufed to feed the rifrng flame. The two Admirals, if a vulgar exprefiion may be ufed, vicrephted againft each other. Muchfport, or what is the fame thing to Oppofition, much miichiel*, was expefted from this conteft. A man of popularity was accufed, by a man in ii H! [ i6 ] irt Office. The common changes of mmU fterial interference were rung, without ceaf"" ing, in the ears of the people. The helplefs condition of IniWcence, when persecuted by Power, was echoed, from every corner, by the runners, writers, and abettors of Oppofi- tion. The two houfes of Parliament refounded with vehement declamations, or broken accents of whining oratory ; and that amiable but much abufed virtue, pity, was excited, every where, in the breads of the deluded, the credulous and the weak. In vain had Sir H P— r declared, in the molt folemn and public manner, that he had not communicated his dellgn to any man in ofHce. In vain did men in ofHce affirm, iipon the faith of Gentlemen, that they knew nothing of the accufation, till it was officially delivered to the Admiralty. No credit was to be given to any member of a Tory Adminiftration. They were leagued together in one plan of oppreffion, in one dark defign, in one pre-concerted con-^ fpiracy, to ruin the reputation, and even to take the life, of a fFbig Admiral. Iii this general turmoil, this intemperate joy of fadlion, Oppofition not only for- got their poor country, but even their poor friends. ' [ 17 J friends. Sir W H could not gain their promifcd fupport, for a moment, with ail the verdure of bis laurels. The advantages hoped from his exculpation were not equal in thtmfelves, and they were more diftant in pro- fpedb, than the benefits to be derived from the acquittal of Admiral K U In vain did General B ne endeavour to awake the pity of the party, when he failed to command their attention. In vain did he exclaim ** that he was «* one of thofe brave men who made the con- " vention at Saratoga: That, however, he " claimed no fingle merit in that tranfaftion ; •' that, in the face of famine, defpair, and «* death, he had compelled the enemy to grant •* conditions, honourable, if they had been •* complied with (*)." The party were deaf to " the tale of tears •" and all the attention paid to the unfortunate general fcarce amounted to one " dolorous anhelaiion (y)" from the fp^liog bofom of Mr. £-r-— d B — ke. The conduft of Oppofition, during the trial, and after the acquittal of A 1 K— ^^I, is too recent in the recolleflion of the public, to require more than a very general recapitulation. * i (x) Almon's Debates, No. XI. p. 75. OJ Vide Dr. Johnfon on the Irifli Howl, p. 13. D Their [ i8 1 Their abrogating the old forms of the Admi- ralty, by removing a trial for a naval offence to the land, to accommodate their own purpofes, their appearance at Portfmouth, upon the occa- fion, their biafllng witneffes, their carrying all the indecencies of a play-houfe audience into a Court ")f Juftice, their foliciting the oiEcers of the navy, their fowing difcontents among the common fcatnen, their parading the ftreets, for the purpofe of inflaming the populace, were fuch mean, fcandalous, and unjuftifiable tricks of fadion, as can fcarcely be paralleled by any example in hiftory. The pitiful viflory which they obtained over an unfortunate, becaufe a vehement, man, was purfucd with an intemperance inexcufable even in boys, and with a rancour which the moft pro- fligate and hard- hearted men, if prudent, would have concealed, to preferve, at leaft, the ap- pearance of decency. That men of the firft fa- milies, in this country, fhould difguife them- felves like porters, to force illuminations by breaking windows, is a circumftance which throws an indelible ilain upon the times, as well as on the party. It ^ven appear'id, that, with every inclination to commit mifchief, the riotous demagogues were obliged to have re- courfe to the bottle, for that courage which na- ture of the [ 19 ] ture had denied. That in the hour of ** intoxi- '* cation and adfcititious boldnefs," they attacked the feeble and old among the men, and terrified into fits and mifcarriages feveral women, by the rude barbarity of their behaviour. That, how- ever, as a juft retribution for their wanton cru- elties, many of them fufi^ered under the hands and cudgels of the injured; and that feveral were carried into Roundhoufcs, covered with ignominious marks of the chaftifemcnt they had received. Few men of fenfe, who were not conne<5led with the views, or privy to the defigns of the party, could perceive any juft grounds for this fpecies of vulgar ovation. Though the accufer had not brought his charges to the ftandard of legal proof, the accufed had not exculpated him- felf to the fatisfadion of the public. Thofe who were moft willing to deny his want of conduft, regretted his want of good fortune ; and a ge- neral cry went forth, that an opportunity was loft, which might never return again. The conduct of the Admiral himfelf, on the occafion.^ was not calculated to eftablifh any high idea of his good fenfe or of his principles. If he thought that he mented a triumph for the drawn battle of the 27th of July, 1778, what D 2 are I [ 20 3 are we to think of his underftanding ? If, on tl.e other hand, he made himfelf the cool of a fadion, what judgment muft we form of that •• dignified honour" which his friends annex to his charader ? A victory, which had lain con- cealed for feven months, and was, at length, difcovered by accident, was not, intrinfically, worth the expence of many candles } and the applaufe of a mob is the coarfeft commodity either a gentleman or his friends can purchafe. But the Faflion, as well as their naval friend, afted as if they really gave credit to their own aiTertions and aiTumptions. Whilft he paraded the ftreets, amidft the foolilh, if not hired, ac* clamations of a rabble, they were bufy iti weaving a wreath, for his brows, in both Houfes of Parliament. Thinking, at length, they had fufficiently charged the engine with popularity, they refolved to bring it to bear, not only upon Adminiftration, but upon their Sovereign. Tbey propofed to make motions, againft the former, on naval fubjedls ; he un- dertook, with peculiar modefty, to write re- fcripts to the latter. Even before this double battery was opened, Oppofition began to pre- cnjoy their expefted fuccefs, with that childifh intemperance whith has unifornjly marked their condulft. M- '\ I «I ] Ai — ^^1 K— — 1 having acquired, in the be- ginning of March, as many laurels as he was likely to obtain, his honourable relation, Mr. F-x, introduced the firft of a long firing of mo- tions, which, he owned, '"id to an addrefs for the removal of the firft Lord of the Admiralty, and ultimately of all his Majefty's fervants (z). In fupport of the motion, he alleged, that the noble Lord, who prefided over the naval de- partment, had, as early as the month of No- vember 1777, Iblemnly pledged himlielf, in his official capacity, that there were thirty-five Ihips of the line ready for fea, and fit for aftual fer- vice. That, notwithftanding this afiertion, there were not fix Ihips of the line, in a ftate to meet an enemy, in the month of March 1778. That early in the month of Jun?, his honour- able relation {a) was fent to cruize, on the coail of France, with twenty (hips of the line only •, though it was known, or ought to h^ve been known, that there were twenty-feven (hip" of force lying in Breft water. From thefe fup- pofed fads, he deduced this conclufion, that the Miniftry, who had led the nation into fo pe- fjlous a fituation, ought inftantly to be removed> (k) Mr. F-x*s Speech, March 3d and 8th, 1779. (a) Admiral )Ceppel. as t " 1 as unequal to the truft committed to their charge (b). In oppofition to thefe aflcrtions, it was proved, from ofBcial documents, that, in November 1777, there were adlually thirty-five fhips of the line ready for fervice. That, in the month of March 1778, feme more fhips were in a ftate of great forwardnefs for fca. That the whole num- ber, fit for meeting an enemy in June, amounted to forty-four. That when Mr. K 1 was ordered to fail, with iwenty (hips of the line, of whi^-h a large proportion was three-deckers, there were but feventeen fhips in the harbour of Breft ready for aftion. That fhould it even appear, which was by no means the cafe, that there actually was a greater number of fhips in Breft, it was well known to feamen, that an inferior force may block up a fuperior one in u narrow harbour. That, upon the whole, the Board of Admiralty had placed a number of fhips, ade- quate to the fervice, under the command of A 1 K 1 } even to the fatisfadion and approbation of the Admiral himfelf. That, therefore, as the premifes, endeavoured to be ellablifhed by Oppofition, were not founded in {h) Crime "cnorme aux yeux du Sieur Fox, France, du Vcndredi 26 Mars 1779. Gazette de faa, [ »3 ] faA, their conclufions muft of courfe fall to the ground {c). Such were the aflertions, which Opporuion, mixed with much abufe and altercation. "> pearedly echoed, from fide to fide, in both Houfes. Though the Public, as well as Par- liament, are frequently invited to an entertain- ment of politics, by fome very eloquent Patriots, the difli ferved up is always the fame. To ufe their own expreffion, " they have travelled fo " often over the ground," that they have trod out every appearance of vegetation -, and thofe who are fo idle as to accompany them in the « dreary journey," can neither expeft amufe- ment, nor reap advantage. . in The operations of the party, without doors, were more decifive than their arguments witkin. Confident of fucccfs, or afluming the appear- ance of confidence, they had previoufly gained the votes of feveral provident members, who wifely look into futurity. Lazy Whigs and expeding patriots were roundly told, that to fhare in the fpoil it was neceflary lO take an adtive part in obtaining the viftory. Mandates were iflfucd for the immediate appearance of all {c) Lord M ve's Speech, March 3d and 8th, 1779. abfentees. [ H ] tbfentees, from every corner of the kingdom. The beds of the fick, the couches of the gouty and lame were vifitcd j leaders were fent to the blind. In fliort, patriotifm crowded the lobbies of both Houfes, with all the mortifying piflures of age, misfortune and difeafe. To aid, with a fpecies of mutiny among fca- men, the attacks of Oppofition upon Admi-. ralty, the feeds of fedition had been fown with a lavilh hand at Portfmouth. Officers had been attacked through their ruling pafllons ; the vain with flattery, the weak with fallacious reafon> ings, and the avaricious and ambitious with promifes. To add indecency to prefumption and folly, the nation was threatened^ with what is vulgarly called a Round Robing from every feaport. An Admiral, who had made fuch a fplendid figure on the 27th of July, 1778, dared to fay to his Sovereign, that he would with- draw his talents from the fervice, unlefs the Ad- miralty, and every department of the State, were placed in the hands of men whom he could truft. ,. Oppofition drove, with fo much rapidity and fo little judgment, that they overturned their own defigns. Their mean, and even criminal condud, offended the people *, and the Sove« ;it: reign, i, r 25 ] rci^n, with becoming dignity, rejected their infolent requifitions. The current turned againfl: them, and their fpirit vanifhcd when their hopes, declined. The nation difcovered their infidious defigns, their luft for power, their thirft for places. It was perceived that they meant to facrifice Great Britain, her rights, her intercils, and even honour, to the demagogues of America, by rendering her independent of the parent from whom (he fprung. Even thofe who had been feduced by their affurances, or gained by their promifes, finding their miftake, began to retreat. The friends whom they had brought from the coun- try, by a fpecies of habeas corfus^ packed up their cloak- bags and left the town. The beds of the fick, and couches of the lame, were re- occupied ; and even the blind found their way home. Ad 1 K 1 executed his threats againft his devoted country, by quitting her fer- vice. The muddy dream, which had over- flowed the whole kingdom, and covered it with (lime, returned to its old bed -, and babbled, as formerly, through the rugged chajincl of Oppo# fition (f). (f) The Gazette de Trance, du Vtndredi 26 Mart 1779, with a kind of regret, fays : Aupre touts ces dcbats, les voix etant recueilles, la motion de Situr Fox n*cn cut que 170 centre 204.. s.;.^ 'm-- t i,'. '1}'">0f' '■ K? The [ 26 .1 The hopes of the Fadion had been raifed fo' high, that difappointment deprefled their minds in proportion to their former elevation. Some, who either ignorantly or fondly imagined that the nation would take their part, began to talk of a fcceffion. A few orators are faid to have adually retired, to vent the tropes of unfinifhcd fpeeches to the " echo of trees and murmur " of rills" on fome friend's eftate (J), But as " liftlefs groves and infenfiblc ftreams" are not the mod encouraging audiences, the fo- litary patriots were induced to rejoin their friends, who, though defeated, ftill remained in the field. Whilft the cxpe<5lations of Oppofition were at their height, by the aid received from A 1 K 1*8 acquittal, a new topic was ftarted, which, as it promifed much mifchief to their country, opened a frefti profpeft of advantage to the party. The trade of Ireland, and confc- quently its revenue, had been on the decline for fome years paft. The caufes of that misfortune are more difficult to afcertain than the fad: it- felf. Whether this diminution of commerce fJJ A certain Baronet, who in a fit of defpair relative to the good Old Cau/if has lately become a zealous ^Ifig, is much given to fuch folitdry rehtarfah of the Speeches which he intends xafire off^ apon the Houfe. - — - - proceeded V [ 27 ] proceeded from a decreafe of ddmeftic induftry, or a failure of foreign markets, it equally de- manded a remedy, if it could be applied. Spme fleps had been accordingly taken, toward that objeft, in the preceding feffion. But it ap- peared, at the time, that the facility with which relief was granted, inftead of fatisfying Oppo- fition, was calculated to create new demands. Thefe demands, as they interfered with the commerce of Great Britain, were certain of being oppofed: a circumftance, which could not fail to create that defirabk confufion which fuits the views of the party. To thofe, who really wifhed to remove the evil, it appeared that the Irifti legiflature ought to be the beft judges of the remedy. But neither that legiflature, nor their conftituents, had fig- nified any diffatisfaftion at the relief obtained. To convince both of the impropriety of their peaceable conduft, Oppofition, by making de- mands in the name of Ireland, pointed out what flie might extort from Great Britain. This ar- tifice, they hoped, would reduce the Miniftry to a difagreeable dilemma. Should they grant the demanded relief to the Irifh, they could not fail to offend the whole commercial intereft in Great Britain.: ihould they refufe it, there was a profpeft, by proper management, of creating £ 2 tumults, 7i,r3- , C i8 ] tumults, and, perhaps, of kindling a rebellion in Ireland. Though this commercial adventure has not -^ yet been produAive of all the profit expelled by the Fafbion, as the Ihip is ftill at Tea, the cargo may turn out to feme account. The in- ferior Irilh are, and have been, in a diftreiTed lituation. The nature of the government, the tenures of the country, alidlefs inadivity, which always accompanies diftrefs, a want of induftry, created by domeRic difcouragements of various kinds, have combined to render their condition more wretched than that of almoft any other people in Europe. They have long felt their own mifery, without knowing well from whence it came. Our worthy Patriots, by pointing out Great Britain as the author of Iriih diftrefs, may have fome chance of rouHng Irifti refentment. They have fomented and encouraged refiftance in America, and why may they not excite re- bellion in Ireland f The truth is, they feem to have injured their country beyond ibeir degree of forgivenefs $ and if they cannot fatisfy their ambition by l^er misfortunes, they are at leaft refolved to gratify their refentment by her ruin. , . p,. The attacks, in both Houfes, were fo fimi- iar, in manner, alTertiop, declamation, and in- 5 vcftivc, »f> [ J9 1 veAive, that it was apparent every meafurc had been weighed and pre-concerted in the cabinet of fedicion without doors. In this political war- fare, the poft of honour was given to the Pa- triots of the Lower Aflembly, where the enemy was fuppofed to be mod vulnerable. After the battle was loft belowt it was generally rehearfed above j where fome noble orators wielded, with peculiar dexterity, thofe very weapons of fcurri- lity a'ld inveftive, which had fo little availed the caufe in the hands of their more humble friends. In the flighteft fkirmifhes, with the common enemy, the fame co-operation, the fame concert appeared. Though compofed of fuch difcordant members, the whole party played in unifon; and every key, that was touched below, was , faithfully anfwered by a fimilar note from above. ■ The Irilh bufinefs feemed to promife fuch a plentiful harveft of confufion, that the whole party employed their joint labour, in pre- paring the foil and fowing the feed. Indi- viduals were not, in the mean time, idle, in their feparate efforts, for the benefit of the common caufe. The D— of R d, with his ufual application, tenacity, and vehe- mence, had introduced and fupported, in the ^..-,..-..,,, -.,.....,. .. ..... .... Upper [ 30 ] Upper Houfc, an Inquiry into the Management of Greenwich Hofpitai. The nature and fate of this Inquiry, are (q recent in the memory of the Public, that a particular detail is as unneceiTary in itfelf, as it would be here out of place. It may be fufficient to obferve, that the in- tention of the enquiry was to criminate the fird Lord of the Admiralty. That after a moft te- dious examination, which laded near three months, not one of the charges was proved. That the E. of S ch, inftead of meriting cenfure, deferved the higheft praife. That he had paid peculiar and uncommon attention to the Hofpitai. That he had improved its reve- nue, increafed the number of the penfioners, pre- vented the admiflion of improper objects, made new regulations, for the more fpeedy recovery of the fick, and the better accommodation of thofc in health. That, inftead of converting liis fuperintendency of the charity to any ad- vantagCi he had abolidied all finecures of in- ferior offices, which had formerly been in the difpofal of the firft Lord. That, in direft op- pofition to what had been alleged, there is not one, out of 2169 penfioners at prefent in the Hofpitai, who is not intitled to the charity, by length of fervice, or infirmities, contradled in the difcharge of duty. ^ ' Whilft [ 31 ] Whilft the D. of R. — d derived fome hopes, to the faftion, from the cxpeded iflue of the Hofpital Inquiry, a more flattering pro- fpeft of criminating men in office was opened, in the Lower AfTembly, Sir W H-we though not publicly' accufed, was ftill anxious to exculpate himfclf to the Public. Either fwayed, by a good opinion of his own con- duft, or trufting to the kind partiality of his frier ds, he had flattered the Patriots and, per- haps, himfelf, that he fhould be able to lay the burden of American misfortunes, to the ac- count of the miniller for the American de- partment. The nation found itfelf difap- pointed, but till matters were examined, it was not known decidedly where cenfure ou»ht to fall. An unwillingnefs in Govern mentj^o admit of a Parliamentary Inquiry, o;-. a military fubjeft, furniflied their enemies with an oppor- tunity of drawing conclufions, unfavourable to Miniftry. Thefe conclufions, in the ufual man* ner, became topics of patriotic inveaive and declamation ; which, in a manner, extorted aa inquiry, that had been once refufed, by a vote. , -r But the refult of the Inquiry was very difi^rcnt from what Oppofition hoped. It appeared, that jebellion firft arofe in America, from an ambi- .* ti0U5 i g ' a ! ! ! [ 3» ] tious fa(5lioni and not from the general fenfeof the body of the people (a). That the rediiftion of that fadion and^ confeqoently, the extinc- tion of rf bellion, had uniformly been the obje<5t of Adfniniilration, and not the conqueft or un- conditional fubjedion of the colonies {h.) That to accomplifli that definable end, they had not only fent a "^orcs fufficient for the purpofc, but a much greater one, than was either wiihed for or expected, by the moftfanguine friends of Go- vernment in America {c), Th<»t the army had been amply provided, on all occafions, with every necelfary, every implement, every re- fource of war. That the hands of the General had been fo ht from being tied up, by inftruc- tions, or his operations counteracted, by orders, from home, that the manner of carrying on the war had been left entirely to his judgment and dilcretion. • - ^ ■ »> ^ («) Evidence of Major General Robertfon, before the Houfe of Commons, June 8, 1779, MS. p. 9, 10. {i) The objeft of tiie war was to enable the loyal fub- jefts of America to get free from che tyranny of the rebels ; and to let the country follow its inclinatioft, by returning to the King's government. E'vidence, June 10, p. ifi.— No idea of fubduing the Americans— but to aflift the good Americans io fubdue the had ones. Ibid, p; 20. (f) Ibid. p. 17. ** The demand ci 20,000 men was «• thought to be rather extravagant." Ibid. p. 63 — — «* The force wc had was adequate to the fubduing the rc- ■•* bellion." EvidtTu:, June 10, p. 22. i i [ 33 ] /It appeared, that the Americans, inftead of overpowering by numbers, had never, together, at one place, above 16,000, and confequenily had never been fo numerous, in the field, as the army under Sir W H-we (d). That our troops were well difciplined, and uniformly made th; bed . and moft military appearance (f). That the enemy were an undifciplined rabble, without order, without arm% without cloathingC/j ; though by procraftinating the war, they attained difcipiine and acquired military knowledge. That, upon all occafions, the Britifh troops executed their duty, with energy, bravery and effcft. Thatj upon no cccafion, thofe of America behaved j with the fpirit, firmncfs, and intrepidity of fol- •diers. That the former were victorious, in every affaultj attack, and fair battle. That the latter obtained no advantage, but oy ftr'atagem or furprifci The inferences deducible, from thefe fa.ls, were, that the Britifli army were ei* ther unfkilfully or languidly ledj or that the natural ttre.igth of the country, and unanimity of its inhabitants, had enabled the Americans to prevent the confequences of lofles, and dif* afters in the field. f(fj Evidence, June 10, p. i4« {e) IhiJ. p. i6. (/) •♦ Except the Maryland Regiment, who werg well- ** cloathcd and accoutred." Ibid. p. 16. F Itt [ 34 ] In fupport of the firft pofition, it appeared. That the evacuation of Bofton had been too long delayed i and undertaken, at length, in an improper feafon. That the retreat to Halifax furnifhed the rebels, with an oppor- tunity of ftrengthening their force at New- York. That the vidlory obtained at Long-Ifland might have proved decifive, had it been properly pur- fued (g). That an opportunity of putting ah end to the war had been loft at the White-Plains, by a delay in attacking the rebels, when they offered battle. That the diftance and injudi- cious difpofitions of the ftations chofen in the Jerfeys, the placing foreigners, who neither knew the nature nor the language of the coun- try, in a poft liable to furprife and attack, the givin<5 the command to an Officer, whom an habitual intemperance had rendered unfit for the difcharge of his duty, by prefenting an unex- p.'^ded opportunity to a ruined and difperfed ene- my (h), encouraged them to re-aflemble, and en- abled them to obtain an advantage which turned the fcale of the war. That the operations, which followed this difafter, were lefs calcu- i i {g) " Some of the troops were going to ftorm the lines. " Gen. H-we called them back. — Putnam, who had the *' command of 7000, had detached all but 300. — But this " was not known." Evidence, June 9, p. 73, 74. {h) Who had dwindled to 3000 men. G. Robertfon's Evidence, June 8, p. lij. lated [ 35 ] lated to retrieve the misfortune, than to en- courage the enemy. That the retreat from Quibbleton (/), the embarkation of the troops, the tedious expedition to the Delaware, and then to Chefapeak-Bay, the negleding to improve the vidory obtained at the Brandy wine, the furprife at German Town, the injudicious man- ner of alTaulting Red-Bank and attacking Mud- Ifland, the inadtive winter at Philadelphia, if not proofs of incapacity, were inftanccs of blame- . able inadivity, in the General. With regard to the ftrength of the country, it appeared, that it prefented no advantages to the natives, which it did not hold forth to the invaders. That, on the contrary, it was rather more favourable, to the latter, than to the former. That its great rivers, inftead of co- vering the retreat of the rebels, by being navi- gable, laid them open to frelh misfortunes, from an enemy, poflcffing the command of the f<"a. That Hudfon's River, in particular, by d'viding the whole continent from North to (;) «' Our army (in the Jerfeys in 1777) was 17,015 ** men ; that of the reb'.ls, fome faid 8, fome 9, and ** fome 10,000 men in that camp.'* Ei'idcnce, June g, p. 63. " We had 52,815 men in North America; of " thofe Sir W. Howe had under his command 40,874." Ibid. June 10, p. 39. F 2 Southj w t si 1* ^ m I 3« ] South, formed a natural and ftrong barrier, be- tween the revoked provinces^ That the feizing this barrier was an obje<5t of the firit confe- quence (k), towards the e;^tin£tion of the rebel- lipn. That this objeft might halve been eafily ob- tained, as the river prcfents an excellent and ex- peditious water-communication, between New- York and Albany (I). That this great advantage rendered thf? co-operation of the main army, with the troops c. i.^ from Canada, as obvious, as it was cafy and e:- seditious ; and that, it was the want of fuch co-operation, that ruined the Northern expedition {m), loft an army, turned the fcale in favour of rebellion, arid loaded Great- Britain, with the expence and danger of a fo- .rcijgn war. ■.'-; ,,, ' ./.u '%', - "-. ■■..^■'>, r* In the courfe of the evidence taken at home, and moreefpecially by the moft authentic inform- ation from abroad, it has appeared, that the in- (/f) Evidence, p. 51. CO '* An army may pafs from New York to Albany " (170 miles) bymeansofHudfon's River, in two days." Jitif. p. 47. 75. («) " Many feared that Qeneral Burgoyne's army wpuld ** be loft, if not fupported by Sir W. Howe. I wrote *' myfclf, on being informed of the fituation of the dif- *' ferent armies, I wrote^ &c. that if Gei^eral Burgoyne ** extricated himfelf, future ages would have little occa- " fion to talk of Hannibal." Uid. p. 39. judicious t 37 ] judicious and inaftive management of the war has been the fole obftacle, to the rcftoration of peace. That a very great majority of the peo- ple of America are, and have been, averfe to the meafures, and difgufted at the tyranny of the Congrefs («). That they were prevented, from exhibiting their loyalty to their Sovereign and their aveifion to ufurpation, by the defiiltory manner, in which rhe war was condudled, on our parti as it deprived them of permanent pro- tection, and left them expofed to the infoleneej cruelty, and revenge of their enemies. That the quitting of the Jerfeys, and the^-^- in^ td fea^ with the whole army in July 1777, terrified other provinces from fiibmitting, for fear of being deferred. That the three Dela- ware Counties had offered their fiibmiffion to Government, on condition of their being only fijjifted^ in protecting the mfelves, againft the re- bels (0). That their application having either been difregarded or rieglefted, they adhered to the ufurped government. Thar, as a general idea had gone abroad, that protection was uncertain, or rather that defertion was certain (p), the vie- («) Evidence, June 9, p. 12. June 16, pajim. j,.. (tf) Evidence, June 16, p. 59. (p) " We foon left the country. The rebels took up " the figners (of addrelTes), baniflicd them, ov fait them <( to the mines, ' Ibid. n' 1^1 tory U m [ 38 ] toryat the Brandy wine, the taking of Philadel- phia, the deftrudtion of the rebel Ihipping, the redudion of Mud-Ifland and Red-Bank, were attended with none of thofe advantages, which accompany fuccelTes in war. That no perfon of great confequence, and few of any confe- quence at all, fubmitted after thofe events. That, when a refolution was formed to evacu- ate Philadelphia, fuch as had fubmitted were^i- 'vifed to make their peace (q), with the Congrefs. That fome unfortunate pjerfons, who followed that advice, fell a facrifice, to the relentlefs vio- lence and unforgiving tyranny of the rebels. That, in fliort, the want of protedio^ on the one fide, and the certainty of punifhn lit for defedion, on the other, eradicated every hope from the minds of the loyal, and forced them to fwear allegiance to an ufurpation, which they defpifed and abhorred. r - - ,v . » (y) *' Mr. Schumacker mentioned to me what he had *' told me, a few days before, that Sir William Howe ad- ** vifed him to go over to Wafhington, and make his ** peace."— Mr. Galloway's Evidence, June 16, p. 70. — " He (Sir William) gave me the fame advice." Uid. p. 71.— Sir Henry Clinton faid, " that the game was not ' ■ up, that the war was not over, but would ftill be car- " ried on vigoroufly, and defired that we would not enter- *' tain a thought of goinf. over to the enemy." Hid. P'74- •- ' Though t 39 ] Though thefe fads came forward with a force, which commanded convidlion, the fac- tion adhered, with invincible obftinacy, to the line of their former conducT:. With their ufual infiiltj upon the common feelings and common fenfe of mankind, they eftablifiied falfe pre* mifes, and deduced, from thofe premifes, argu- ments for the total derelidion, and confeqnent- lyt for the independence of America. They affirmed, that rebellion can never be extin- guifhed i though the want of vigour, in purfu- ing our fuccefles, has been the demonllrable caufe of its continuing fo long. They afferted, that a general unanimity prevails againft Great Britain ; though the adherence of the people to the Congrefs proceeded, from our not afford- ing them a permanent protedion, under the Iheltcr of our arms. They alleged, that the courage of the rebels, and the natural ftrength of their country, are unfurmountable oblta- clesj though the firft leldom appear in the field, but to fly, and the latter opens every where its bofom to invafion, by the means of cxtenfive arms of the fea, and many great and navigable rivers. ^ When we deny other public virtues to Op- pofition, we muft allow, that they poflefs the negative merit of confiftcncy in their political condu-fl. mr ? I:' r f ■ \\ i 1 1 ( i. • ■ B 1 m'' . m K If 41 1 [ 40 ] '^.id jft. They ft ruck one key, at the begin- ,.ing of the American troubles, and they have ever fince continued the fame note, or improved upon it, as events arofe. When the tumults began at Bofton, when licentioufnefs and riot exhibited their firft wild fccnes, in Faneuil Halli they encouraged the piece, by applauding the adors. The prints of the departing fteps of freedom, like thofe of Aftraea, were only to be found, they affirmedj round the Trde of Liberty^ on Bofton Common. A gloomy defpotifm had feized Great Britain at home, and it became ne- ceflary, that her hands (hould be fettered, to prevent the recovery of her authority abroad. Every effort on the part of the Mother- country was an exertion of tyranny, every re fifta nee, in the colonies, was an inftance of public virtue. The grim tyrant. Arbitrary Power, had taken np arms againft that innocent little child, Ame- rican Liberty •, and to defend the weak againft the ftrong, was a fervice of much reputation and little danger. Obvious as the deceptions, held forth by the party, ought to have been, they were attended with fuccefs, both without and within doors. The people thought, that aflertions, fo confi- dently and fo often repeated, had fome found- ation in truths and, though Government knew ,. 4 the : { 41 1 the contrary, they afted, as if they gave them credit. The confequence was, ^thai languid meafures were adopted, when vigour and exer- tion were necefTary; and, thus, by the for- bearance of Adminiftration, the encourage- ment of Oppofition, the inadivity or inability of commanders, that monder. Rebellion, which ihould have been HiHed as foon as born, was folilered and reared to maturity. •\ , : . ■ . ^ \ , *,' - *■»■' Unfortunately for this country, Oppofition were permitted, in a mapner, to take the lead in American meafures. War, and efpecially rebellion, being one of the greatell evils, that can afiiift a ftate, the moft fpeedy and power- ful remedies mull be applied, to remove the difeafe. The only certain road to peace lies through exertion and vidtory. An anxiety for negotiation, being generally a mark of weak- nefs, too often encourages an enemy to a conti- nuation of refiftance. It has alio a mod unfa- vourable effedl on the fpirit of the people, among whofe leaders fuch anxiety appears. This double confideration had rendered the propoling terms a favourite topic of patriotic eloquence:. To deprefs the minds of their countrymen, to elevate thofe of the rebels *, to make the firft to doubt, the fecond to become confident of fuc- cefs I to keep up, if the exprelTion may be ufed, G the [ 42 ] the ball of contention between the parties, were circamftances that probably might lengthen the difpute to the verge of fome public misfortune ; that misfortune, if it favoured not the views of ambition, might, at lead, be turned to the pur- ■ pofes of revenge. Pj( The calamity expedled, with fo much anxi- ety, by Oppofition, at length arrived. An army was loft in America. A rebellion, which feemed to dagger even under partial and ill-purfued de- ' feats, became firmly eftabliftied by viftory. The fpirits of this country began to fink ; and the Fadion added to the general depreflion, by their unmanly oratory. Inftead of propofing thofe vigorous exertions, which the honour, as well as intereft of the nation required, they re- commended a tame fubmiflion to rebels ; an ac- knowledgment of former errors, and affurances of future amendment. The world, in general, afcribed to artifice a conduft which could not be reconciled to the principles of common fenfe. Was it probable that infurgents, who had offered no terms during their misfortunes, would receive any in the moment of viftory? Or could it be expefted, that a Congrefs, who had declared for independence, when thirty ^ thoufand difciplined foldiers were ready to land - on their coaft, would relinquilh that independ- ence. L 43 ] ence, after they had made a whole army pri- foners of war ? The moft fanguine lovers of tranquillity could fcarcely derive any hopes from this pacific fyf- tern ; but it was adopted. The Fadion thus obtained that degradation of their own country, which feems to have been uniformly a part of their plan. But, as it had been juftly appre- hended, that American refinance might, at lad:, ceafe, through the failure of American refources. It had become necefTary to procure powerful allies, for the fupport of the caufe. The defeat and capture of the army, under G 1 ^ ^ — ^^^ had certainly its weight in the French cabinet. But the deplorable pidlure given, in both Houfes, of the ftate of this kingdom, could only induce France to throw her weight into the fcale of America. ' The weight of France having been found in- fufficient in the operations of the laft fummer, the neceflity of obtaining amber ally, to the caufe of Liberty^ became apparent during the winter. Every encouragement and every lure were held out to Spain. Under a pretence of bewailing their unfortunate country, Oppo- fition expofcd her weaknefs. Their own decla- mations (hqwed that her councils were diftradled by fadion ; and their affertions, relative to the G 2 ftate ftate of her navy and army, reprcfented her ta foreigners as an eafy prey. To bring the cer- tainty of her approaching ruin to a point of de« monftration, fome theories, acquainted with figures, were employed to make Hdlitious dates of her finances. Even fome of the party had the folly, or rather prefumption, to aflert, in public, that the very independence of Great Britain was in the power of the houfe of Bour- bon (r). The phlegmatic councils of Spain were, how- ever, too flow for the fire ?ind vehemence of her Britilh friends. Though their eloquence had its proper influence at Madrid, that d^Jirable circumilance had been concealed in *' Caftilian •* taciturnity." Deprived almoft of every hope, from the other fide of the Bay of Bifcay, the eyes of our Patriots were again turned to the regions beyond the Atlantic. As the treaty at- (r) Contemptible as fuch aflertions may feem, at home, they make an impreifion abroad; as appears, from the Gazette de France du Vendredi i8 Juin 1 779: ** II foutint ** que les forces de la France etoient prefque egales a cellc '' de la Grand-firetagne en Europe et en Amerique ; que " I'Efpagne tenoit la balance. II ofa prononcer que I'An- *' gleterre ne domineroit plus, fur les mers, qu'autant ** qu'il plairoit a la Maifon de Bourbon." Veloquent Burke foutint que le Sieur Hartley avoit rien avance, qui ne fut vrai ; il appuya cette opinion, par un detail circon- Itancie de toutes les forces de TEfpagne. tempted [ 45 ] tempted laft fummer had ftopt the operations of war, it was expedient to throw negotiation in the way of hofdlity in the prefent year. Though the party had reprobated their own meafurc, the conciliatory bills, as degrading and difgraceful, they propofed the renewal of the commiflion, which thofe bills authorifed. This mode of re« lief, or rather refpite, to rebellion, having been refufed, the old propofal, of withdrawing the, troops from America, was renewed. This laft e0brt was alfo unfuccefsful } and that melan- choly gloom, which ufually covers the rear of unfuccefsful, political campaigns, began to fall on the party. A fudden, though not unexpefled light, broke through this gloom, and revived their drooping fpirits. Spain, being reduced by France, and, perhaps, encouraged by the re- prefentations given, in our public alTemblies, of our weaknefs (i), determined to throw her (i) Le Sieur Thoovfend, Fox et Burke furent, parmi les oppofans, ceux qui fignalerent davantage contre cette mo- tion, en obfervant que la nation dans I'etat allarmant oa celle fe trouvoit s'epuifoit par des depenfes enormes, tandis que chaque jour lui decouvroit quelque nouTelle ennemi ; que I'Efpagne alloit immanquablement fe declarer ; que I'JrIande, menacee d'une invafion, avoit pris cette circon- ftance pour fe foulever contre le gouvernement Anglois ; que I'EcossE meme etoit pleine de mecontents. Gazette 4e France du Vendredi i8 Juin 1779. weight « [ 46 ] WPighc in the fcale of our enemies. Of one hundred injuries, which the had received, (he only fpecified two^ and proved none. With peculiar attention to her worthy friends out of office, (he pointed her whole refentment againft the Britifh Miniftry. Thefe men, it fcems, had grievoufly offended this froward Dame ; bur how, or where, Ihe could not tell. When fhe has time to recoiled the cir- cumftances, Buccarellt, or fome other old Spaniih acquaintance, willj no doubt, commu- nicate them to C 1 B — re, and then we ihail know the whole. The uniform condu [ 51 ] An opportunity offered itfelf lately, which might have refleded credit on Oppofition, with- out the fuppofed difgrace of charging their former opinions. The Spanifh Refmpt fur- ' niihed this opportunity ; yet the nation cannot fee, without indignation and aPconiOiment, that Acts indiipcnlably neceffary for the fafety of the State have been combated, with all the vi- rulence and obftinacy of oratory, in every ftage of their prcgrefs. That the party clogged every meafure for arming the kingdom, by fea and land, whilft they affertcd, that the enemy were ready to invade our coaft, and that a few days might bring the report of their guns to the ears of both houfes of parliament. That, when a fpirit of unanimity and exertion became the duty of all lovers of their country, the faftion an. nounced, with a fpecies of favage triumph, that the City of London would not vote a man or a Ihilling, for the national defence, in thepre- fent emergency. That in (hort they prefumed to aflert in public, that the tyranny of Fra^^ce and Spain would be more welcome to them, than the continuance of their rivals in power. : . After fuch proofs of averfion to the public good, it will be in vain to hope for any reform- ation in Oppofition. The dlftrefs in which they luve involved their country, can advance but H 2 vnc one ftep farther, to furnifli them with an oppor- tunity of retreating fromthe line of their mifcoh- duft. That ftep is an invafion of this Iflancf; the laft effort of the confpiracy of our forciga enemies. In thkt critical moment, a moment which every good fubjed: would meet with fpirit and confidence in his caufe, there is every rea- fon to fear, that Oppofition would be ftill an Oppofition. Such has been the inveteracy which a confcioufnels of criminality, ajealoufy pf rivals, a habit of oppofin^ the interefts ar^d degrading the dignity of their country •, and a defpair em- bittered by an unpopular and fruitlefs conteft pf many years, have mixed with every fpring pf their adicns, eyery power of their minds. \; Upon the whole, we may fairly affirm, that neither the talents they poffefs, nor the condudt they have purfued, are likely to re- commend Oppofition as proper perfons for ma- naging public affairs at the prefent crifis. If our fituation is alarming, we mull look for re- lief to the relburces of the kingdom, and trie fpirit of our countrymen, and not to thofe, who have uniformly endeavoured to depreciate the firft, and to damp the fecond. The truth is, that, very fortunately for this country, this dcfponding party have hitherto failed in their views pf convincing us that our ruin is inevitable, 6 We '% [ 53 ] We feel the contrary, in the internal vigour of the ftate, and in that unanimity of fentiment among the people, which forbids us to connedt danger with defpair, ' But why fliould either be mentioned, upon the prcfen: occafion ? This country, with much fmaller refources, and much lefs unanimity, has repeatedly weathered more dreadful ftorms than that which only feems to threaten it at piefent. In the firft Dutch war, France and Denmark joined the enemy againft England {b). She had no friendly port on the continent, from the Pyre- nees to the pole; no ally but the Bifhop of Munfter. The Dutch came out, to a dccifive battle, with one hundred and thirteen fliips of war, eleven firclhips, and {even yachts ; led by able, experienced, and brave commanders. France, co operating with her allies, entered the Channel with fofty fliips of the line, i he Vifual revenue of England amounted only to the annual fum of one million tv/o hundred thou- fand pounds ; and the fupplics granted, for the year, exceeded not double that fum. Our Handing army fcarcely con fifted of five thou- fand men i and there was no militia in the king- dom. {b) In 1665, 1666, &c. Viife iBurnet, Rapin, Ralph, &c. &c. Life of Clnrendon, The F [ 54 ] The nation was, in the mean time, vifited vith two of the moll dreadful calamities that can afflid a people, peftilcnce and fire. Near eighty thoufand perlbns had been carried off by the firfl:, in London alone. The city had become a kind of defert ; and grafs was obferved to grow in the middle of Cheapfide (t ). The plague followed ihofe who fled to the country ; and terror and death filled every corner of the Jvingdom. This fcourge was followed by a fire, which confumed fifteen out of the twenty- fix wards of i\\t city, confiding of four hundred flreets and lanes, thirteen thoufand houles, and eighty nine parifli-churches {d). But thefe mif- fortunes neither damped the fpirics of the people, nor obftrudled the meafures of Govern- ment. Our fleets, though much inferior, fought, and vanquiflied the enemy. The alliance againft us was broken, and an honourable and advan- tageous peace was obtaine;'. , *r !• In the year 1690, the French fleet entered the Englilh channel, appeared before Plymouth, on the 20th of June, drove the combined fleets of England and Holland, from the back of the iTic of Wight, engaged and totally defeated them, in a general battle, near B'.^aciiy-head, {c) Baker, p. 637. . . ^ (\ i 1 V ' 1 I: 57 1 ireiar$,~ from perTohal fervice; will undoubtedly exhibit, on the pfefent occafion, their love for their couiitiy, and their zeal for its fafety. Iriftead of being depreflTed, with a fenfe of danger, all ranks and degrees of men feel that devatjon, which threatened perils excite, in generous minds. Inftead of looking forward to future difgraces or difafters, they refle.!tt on the glory of former times. The pofterity of thofe, who conquered at Poidiers, Crefly, and Agin* court, and annexed France itfelf to the Englifh crown, cannot form to themfelves any fears from a. French invafion. On the contrary, when they have fufficiently prepared for fecurity at home, they will aA offenfively abroad *, and carry bacl^ to the bofom of the enemy that terror, which he vainly hopes to create. ' If we are at war in America, tc have not the burden of a continental wur; that fink, in v/hich our treafure has always dif- appeared, without any hope of return. The ^oney laid out on our navy, or expended in our Colonies, will return to the center of the Icing^om, through all the veins of commerce. Our trade has been proteded, againft the ene- my, to a degree unknown in any former war, "We have loft, in no quarter of the world, any I territory p Mfricory wUhqut sHi o^uivjdiHKi, in. ipmt.j«f have gained. In the Wei): Indklk Mre ^re ftUt fuperiorto our enemies. We Jiaye efadic«to in North AnAertct.; . . < In the firft ftage of a war, thf gdvAobige o£ attack is pofleflbd, by; that naiicMh who> firft breaks the peace* The diiadvamiges oi de*> feac^ muft, for foone time, remaan wtith its op* ponent. A ftate poflefling fuch extsniive do^ miiuons, as Great Britain, canniQt be fuppofcd^ to be invulfieniblei on every, fido^ We may futtbr fome loflb, at tbr beginning i for wbai mmu T