THE HIS TOR Y 0 1' ENGLAND, f n. o M THE. ACCESSION OF > * KING GEORGE THE THIRD, TO THE CONCLUSIQN OF PEACE IN THE YEAR ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-THREE. E Y JOHN ADOLPHUS, ESQ. F.S.A. THE SECOND EDITION. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. III. LONDON: PRINTED FOR T. CADELI. AND W. DAVIE Sj IN THE STRAND. 1805. Luke Hansard, printer, Lincoln's-lnn Fields. CONTENTS O F VOL. III. CHAP. XXXII. 1 777—1 77S. M EETING of parliament, page 1. — Delates on the address in the house of lords, 2. — Amendment moved by lord Chatham, ib.— Incidental debate on the employment of savages in rear, 10. — The measure defended by lord Suffolk, ib. — Animated speech of lord Chatham, i\. — Amendment rejected, 13.-— -Debate on the address in the' house of commons, ib. — Committee on the state of the nation appointed by the house of lords, ib. — Papers granted, 14. — Similar committee appointed by the house of commons, ib. — Papers refused, 17 .—Debate in the house of commons on the loss of Burgoyne's army, ib. — lord Chatham's motion on the subject, 18. — His motion on the employ of savages, 21 . — Adjournment, .2.3. — State of the public mind, 2-1. — Subscriptions for raising re giments, 25. — And for relief of American prisoners, ib. — Conduct of France, ib. — -Treaty with America signed, 27. — Debates on raising troops hi/ subscription, ib. — Lord Abingdon's motion, 2d- —Proceedings in the committee on the state of the nation, 31. — Fox's motion, that no more troops be sent out oj the kingdom, iL\ • — Similar motion by the duke of Richmond, 33. — Burkes mo tion on the employment of savages, 36'. — Fox's second motion re specting the army, 39. — Examination oj evidence in the house of lords, ib.— Resolutions moved by the duke of Richmond, 40. — • Motion by the duke of Bolton respecting the navy, ib. — Lord North's plan of conciliation, ib. — Approved by Fox, 43. — Op posed, 44. — Progress of the bills through the house of commons, 45. — Debated in the house of lords, 47. — -Passed, 50, — Motions on the subject in the lower house, ib. CHAP. XXXIH. 1778, Frequent allusions in parliament ta hostility on the part of France, page 51. — Artful conduct of that -power, 53. — Visit oj' the Em peror to Paris, ib. — Short war on the death of the elector of Bavaria, 54. — Artifices of France, ib. — Detected by the Em peror, 55. — Attempts to engage lord Chatham in administratis, Vol. III. A3 ib. VI CON-TENTS. ib. — Message from the king to parliament respecting France, 57. -—Debates on the addresses, 6'l. — Numerous motions respecting the nary, 62. — On contracts, 64. — Bill for excluding contractors from the house of commons, 65. — Lost by the management of its supporters, 66.— ^Motion for a tax on places, ib. — Propositions for relief of Ireland, ib. — Opposition, 67. — Numerous petitions, 68. — Limited relief afforded, 70. — Address of the Roman Ca tholics to the king, ib.— Bill for, their relief, 71. — Opposed in the house of lords, ib.— Passed, 73. — Fox's motion relative to general Burgoyne, ib. — The general's return to England, ib. — Defence of himself in the house of commons, ib. — The duke of Richmond's nwtio'i for withdrawing the troops from America, 76. — Appear ance of lord Chatham, 77 ¦ — His speech, 78. — Reply of the duke of Richmond, 79. — Lord Chatham's sudden illness, 81. — Death, ib.— -Honours paid to his memory by the house of commons, ib.-r- National munificence, ib. — Opposed in the house of lords, 82. — Honours paid to his memory by the common council of London, 83. — Lord Chatham' s funeral, ib. — Adjournment of parliament, 84. — Speech from the throne, ib. CHAP. XXXIV. 1778. Expeditions from Philadelphia, page S6,State of the British army, 87- — And of that under Washington, ib. — Treachery of congress toward Burgoi/ne's army, S8.-r-Drafts of the conciliatory bills sent to congress, 89- — Their resolutions, ib. — Effects of the measure, 90. — Arrival of the French treaty, \b.-^Iis effect, Ql. — La Fayette's expedition to Barren hill, ib. — Sir llllliam Howe recalled, 03. — Superb festival, called Mischianza, ib. — Arrival of the comivis.-ioners, 94. — Passport refused to their secretary, ib. — Terms proposed to them In/ congress, ib, — Answer, $6. — Ex planatory tetter of the commissioners, ib. — Pretended offers of bribes, 98.- — Discussions respecting governor Johnstone, Qg. — Manifesto of the commissioners, 100. — Resolutions, 101.-— And counter manifesto of congress, ib. — Evacuation of Philadelphia, 102. — Judicious retreat of sir Huin/ Clinton, ib. — Severities e.ve> cised against loyalists, !03. — Action at Monmouth-court- hause, 104. — British army go to New York, ib. — Disgrace of general Lee, 105. — Sailing of the Toulon squudrqn under D' Estaing, 1()6. — Pursued by Pyron, ib. — The French arrive at the Chesapeak, ib. — Expedition against Rhode Island, ib.— Actions at sea, 107- — '1 he. Americans repulsed at lihode Island, ib. — Lord Howe resigns the feet to admiral Oar, bier, 108.— Expedition to Buzzard's bay, ib. — Surprize oj Colonel Baylor^ in. — Attack on Egg harbour, 109. — Pulaski's legion cut to pieces, ib. — Reduction of Georgia, ib. — Destruction of Wyoming, 110.— And other settlements, ib. — Disappc'vitmcnts oj Byron, 112. — D' Estaing sails to the West Indies, ib. — Capture of St. Pien e C 10 N t E N t S. tH Pierre and Miquelon, ib. — The French take Dominica, ib— - The English St. Lucie, ib. — .Indignation, of the Americans against D' ESiaing, 113. — His proclamation to the Canadians, 114. — Washington refuses to co-operate in- attacking Canada, ib. — Ha tred of the Americans towards the French, ib. CHAP. XXXV. 1778—1789. State of the public mind, page 11 6. — Discordant views of opposi tion, ib. — System of Lord Chatham, ib. — Probability of his having intended to form an administration, ib.- — Public indigna tion against France, 11 7. — Preparations against invasion, ib. — 'Keppel commands the, grand fleet, ib. — Captures two frigates, 118. — Returns to port, 119 — Is reinforced, ib. — His engage ment with d'Orvilliers, ib. — Public discussion, 121. — Publica tion by Sir Hugh Palliser, 122. — Meeting of Parliament, 123. —The late naval transactions debated, ib. — Altercation between, Keppel and Palliser, ib. — Coiirt Martial ordered on Keppel, 121. — He is acquitted, 126. — Rejoicings and outrages of the mob, ib. — The admiral thanked by both houses, 127- — Palliser vacate!: his seat, and resigns his appointments, ib. — Is tried by a court martial, ib. — and acquitted, though not without censure, W-. — Keppel dissatisfied, 128.' — Resigns the command of the grand Jleet, ib.— Fox's motion against lord Sandwich, ib.— The earl of Bristol's motion for his removal, 133. — Motions respecting the Navy, and Greenwich hospital, ib. — Resignation of naval offi cers, 134. — Insubordination of the navy, ib. — Debates on the manifesto of the American commissioners, ib.—Burgoyne's mo tion for papers, 135. — Granted, ib. — Similar motion by sir William Howe, ib; — Granted, ib. — Committee formed, 136.— Evidence examined, ib.: — Burgoyne's evidence, 138. — Counter evidence to Sir WilliarA Howe, ib. — Committee dissolved, 139. ' — Affairs of Ireland discussed, ib. — Partial relief granted, 140. Dissatisfaction of the Irish, ib. — Non-importation agreements, ib. — Volunteer Associations, ib. — Motion by the marquis of Rockingham, 141. — Relief afforded to protestant dissenters, ib. Rupture with Spain, 142. — King's message, 143. — -Addresses, ib. — Amendments moved, ib. — Militia bill, lii.^-Altered by the Lords, ib. — -Passes in its amended state, ib. — Bill for an nulling seamen's protections, 145. — Termination of the session, 146. — Rise and progress of the dispute with Spain, ib.— Spanish ambassador withdraws, 153. — Manifesto, 154. — Letters of marque issued, 155. — French manifesto, ita.< — Ably answered by Gibbon, ib. — Observations on the conduct of Spam, ib.— Siege of Gibraltar commenced, 156. — Ineffectual attempts on Jersy, 157- — Junction of the French and Spanish fleets, ib. — which in sult the British coasts, 158. A3 CHAP. X CONTENTS. infbrcements from France, ib. — Ineffectual attempt on Rhode Island, ib. — Arrival of Rodney in the West Indies, 293.— Inef fectual efforts and skirmishes, ib. — Arrival of a Spanish fleet, 294. — De Guichen returns to Europe, ib. — Rodney to America, ib. — Disappointment of the Americans on the absence of De • Guichen, ib.— Defection of Arnold, ib.— Fate of major Andr'e, 207. — Arnold's proclamations, 302,— Burgoyne's army at length exchanged, 304. — Naval transactions in Europe, ib. — Capture of the British East and West India fleets, ib. — Quebec fleet taken by 'the Americans, 305. CHAP. XL. 1780—1781. Meeting of the new parliament, page 306. — Election of a Speaker, — ib.— King's speech, 307. — Debates on the addresses, ib. — Rise and progress of the dispute between Great Britain and Holland, 310. — Account of the armed neutrality, 317- — Laurens taken, 321. — Discovery of a treaty between Holland and America, ib. — War declared, 322. — Message to parliament, 323. — Appointment of delegates, 324. — Burke's plan of economy renewed, 325.— First speech of the honourable William Pitt, 329.— 2'Ae bill rejected, 332. — Other popular efforts, 333. — Sheridan's motion respecting the military, ib. — Petitions of the Delegates, 336.^-Motions re specting sir Hugh Palliser, 338. — and for a committee on the American war, ib. — Close of the Session, 340. CHAP. XLI. 1780—1781. Attack of the,French on Jersey, paae 341. — Progress of the siege of Gibraltar, 342. — Misery, and relief of the garrison, 343. — Brave sortie, 346. — The enemy land in Minorca, 347. — Naval actions in the Channel, ib. — and off the Dogger Bank, 348. — Transac tions in the West Indies, 349. — Capture of Saint Eustatia, ib. ¦ — Demarary, 350. — Issequibo, ib. — and Berbice, ib. — The French fleet reinforced, ib. — Capture of Tobago, 351. — Trans actions in America, 352. — Lord Cornwallis reinforced, ib. — Ar nold's expedition to Virginia, ib. — Mutiny in the American armu, 353. — Tarleton defeated at the Cowpens, 354. — Lord Cornwal- Hs's incursion into North Carolina, 355. — Royal .standard erected at 'Hillsborough, 35(>. — Massri're of the loyalists; ib. — Battle of Guildford, 357. — Lord Cornwil/is invades Virginia, 358. — Lord Rawdon defeats the enemy at Hvbkirk's Hill, ib. — Camden evacuated, 350. — Success of the enemy in South Caroline! and Georgia, ib. — Suspension of operations, 3(>0. — Execution of co lonel Haynes, ib.— Battle at Eulnws, 36'1. — Expedition of the. enemy against Portsmouth, 362. — General Phi/lips 1 anises Vir ginia, ib, — Arrival of lord Cornwallis, ib. — His pursuit of La Fayette, CONTENTS. xi Fayette, 363. — Success ofTarletoh and Simc'oe, ib.— Projects of the enemy against New York, 364. — Clinton requires troops from Virginia, ib. — Countermands the order, 365. — Lord Corn wallis stations himself at York and Gloucester, ib. — Arrival of the French, ib. — dud English fleets, 366. — Partial action, ib.— Arnold's Expedition to Neto London, ib. — York town invested, 367- — Progress of the siege, ib. — and capitulation, 368. — Efforts of Clinton for relief of lord Cornwallis, 369. CHAP. XLII. 1781—1782. Conduct of neutral powers, page 373. — Prussia admitted to the armed confederacy, 37 b.— Unsuccessful efforts for a mediation, 375. — Altered conduct of the emperor of Germany, ib.—^He joins the armed confederacy, 377- — His increasing partiality towards France, ib. — State of the public mind, ib. — Meeting of parliament, 379- — Debates on the addresses, ib. — On the capture of St. Eustatia, 3.91. — Motion against the war by sir James Lowther, 393. — Debates on the treatment of Mr. Laurens, 397. — He is discharged, 398. — Recess, ib. — Proceedings in public meetings, ib. — Petition of the common hall of London, for peace and a change of ministry, ib. — Admiral Kempen felt's unsuccess ful expedition, 399- — Capture of Saint Christopher's, 400. — Nevis, 402. — Montserrat, ib. — and Minorca, ib. — Fox's motions on the ill success of the navy, 403. — Motions in both houses re specting the conduct and characters of individuals, 407. — -On the treatment of colonel Haynes, ib. — For an inquiry into the causes of lord Cornwallis's surrender, ib. — On lord Sackville's peerage, ib.— On the promotion of general Arnold, 410. — Fox's renewed motion respecting the navy, 41 1. — General Conway's motion against the war, ib. — Altercation between lord North and colonel Barr6, 414. — Debates on the new taxes, 415.; — General Conway's second motion, 4l6. — The minister in a minority, 418. ¦ — Bill to enable the king to make peace with America, 419. — Lord John Cavendish's motion against the ministry, ,421. — Lord North declares the cabinet dissolved, 424. — His farewell address to the house, ib. — Lord Shelburne't intended motion, 426.— Cha racter of lord North, ib. CHAP. XLIII. 1781—1782. Viexo of the new ministry, page 428. — Measures they had resolved to execute before they came into office, 430. — Affairs of Ireland, 431.— Meeting of delegates of volunteers, 432 — Motion vf Mr. Eden in the British parliament, 433. — King's message, 435. — Declaration of rights voted by the Irish parliament, 436. — Consequent proceedings in England, 437- — Efforts for limiting influence, Xii CONTENTS. influence, 439. — Contractors bill, ib. — Revenue officers bill, ib. — Resolutions respecting the Middlesex election rescinded, 440. — Disfranchisement of Cricklade, 441. — Bill compelling the holders of patent offices to reside, 442. —Exertions of clubs and public bodies for a reform of parliament, ib. — Mr. Pitt's, motion; 444. — Exertions respecting economy, 449- — King's message, ib. ¦ — Burke's bill passes in an altered state, 450. — Arrears of the civil list discharged, 451. — Efforts at pacification, 452. — Nego tiation with Holland, ib. — Its failure, 454. — Offers to mediate renewed, ib — Mr. Grenville sent to Paris to open a direct ne gotiation, 456. — Terms proposed by him, ib. — Efforts of France in the West Indies, 459. — Rodney's victory over de Grasse, 460. — His recal, 462. — Honours paid him, ib. — Slow progress of ne gotiation, 464. — Death of the marquis of Rockingham, 465. — ¦ Change of ministry, ib. — Prorogation of parliament, 466. — King's speech, ibj CHAPj XLIV. 1778—1783. Transactions in America, page 467. — -Murder of Huddy, 468. — Recal of Sir Henry Clinton, 470. — Proceedings on the arrival of Sir Guy Carlcton, 471- — Discussion respecting captain Asgill,- 472. — Transactions in the West Indies, ib. — War in India, 473. — Capture of French settlements, ib. — Action between sir Edward Vernon and Troiyolly, ib. — Pondicherry taken, ib. — War with the native powers, 474. — Efforts of France, ib. — Commodore Johnstone's expedition against the Cape of Good Hope frustrated, 475. — He takes jive Dutch Eqst-Indiamen, ib. — Dutch settlements captured, ib.^- Engagements between sir Edward Hughes and de Suffrein, 476. — Siege of Cuddalore, 477. — Naval exertions in Europe, 478. — Fate of Rodney's prizes, 497. '•^-Loss of the Royal George, ib. — -Progress of the siege of Gibral tar, 480 — Construction of floating batteries, 481. — Defeat of the allies in the grand attack, 4>S5.—Relicj' of the garrison by lord Howe, 486. — Negotiations for peace, ib. — Provisional treaty ¦ with America, 488. — State of parties in England, ib. CHAP. XLV. 1782— 17S3, Meeting of parliament, page 48.9- — Debates on the address, 490. — Recess, 492. — Preliminaries of peace signed, ib. — Substance of the treaties, ib. — America, ib. — France, ib. — Spain, 493. — Cessation of hostilities with Ho/land, ib. — Affairs of Ireland^ 494. — Coalition of lord North with Mr. Fox, 495. — Debates on the preliminaries of peace, 496— which are disapproved by the house of commons, 503. — Resignation of lord Shelburne, 505. Parliamentary reflections on the coalition, 506. — Sensation t un - tne CONTENTS. xiii the public, 509- — Ministerial interregnum, 512. — Motions on the subject, ib. — New ministry, 514. — Commercial intercourse with America regulated, 515. — Debates on the loan and receipt tax, 517- — Economical reforms, 518. — Pitt's motion for a reform of parliament, ib. — First petition for abolishing the slave trade, 525. — Separate establishment of the prince of Wales, ib. — Close of the Session, ib.— General peace, ib. CHAP. XLVI. 1783. General view of the late belligerent powers, page 526. — America, ib.— Loyalists provided for by Great Britain, 529- — Condition of the American army, 530. — Prudence of Washington, ib. — He resigns the command, and retires with honours and acclama tions, 531. — -Cincinnati, 532. — Debts and embarrassments of America, 533. — State of France, 536. — Spain, 537- — Holland, ib. — Conduct of the imperial courts, 538. — State of Great Britain, ib. — Interview of Mr. Adams with the king, 539.— General remarks, 540. Directions to the Binder. In Vol. I. The King - - to front the Title. Lord Bute - - - - p. 106. Charles Townshend - - p. 283. Vol. II. George Grenville - - - p. 80. Vol. III. Lord North p. 426. The Marquis of Rockingham - p. 465. T II E ii I S T O R t t O E s N G .L A N D, GEORGE the THIRD. CHAPTER THE THIRTY-SECOND: 1777—1778. Meeting of ', parliament. — Debates 0)1 the address in the house of lords. — Amendment moved by lord Chatham. — Incidental debate on the employment of savages in war. — The measure defended by lord Suffolk.— Animated speech of lord Chatham.— Amendment rejected, — Debate, on the address in the house of commons. — Committee on the state of the nation, appointed by the house of lords. — Papers granted. — Similar committee appointed by the house Of commons. — Papers refused. — Debate in the house of 'commons on the loss of Burgoyne's ahny, — Lord Chatham's mo tion on the subject. — His motion on the employ of savages. — > Adjournment. — State of the public mind. — Subscriptions for raising regiments — and for relief of American prisoners. — Con duct of France. — Treaty with America signed.-- Debates on raising troops by subscription. — Lord Abingdon's motion. — Pro ceedings in the committee on the state if the nation. — Fox's mo-, tion that no more troops be sent out of the kingdom. — Similar ^notion by the duke of Richmond.— Burke's motion on the em ployment of savages. — Fox's second motion respecting the army. — Examination of evidence in the house of lords. ^-Resolutions moved by the duke of Richmond.— Motion by the duke of Bolton respecting the navy. — Lord North's.plan of conciliation. — Ap proved by Fox — opposed. — Progress of the bills through the house of commons. — Debated in the house of lords - — passed. — > Motions on the subject in the lower house. THE king in his speech from the throne, de- CHAP. clared his satisfaction in having recourse to XXXIL the. wisdom and support of the legislature, at a ^^v^ VolVIII. B con- 1?77' 2 HlSTOR* Of ENGLAND. CHAP, conjuncture when the continuance of rebellion dV» XXXII. manded most serious attention. He had faithful- s07/^"' ly employed the powers intrusted to him for the aothNov. suppression of this revolt, and had just confidence Meeting of jn tne conciuet and courage of his officers; but it mem!" Would be necessary to prepare for such further operations, as the contingences of war, and ob stinacy of the rebels, might render expedient. Foreign powers had given strong assurances of pa cific dispositions; but the armaments of France and Spain still continuing, he had considerably augmented the naval force; being firmly deter mined never to disturb the peace of Europe, though lie would faithfully guard the honour of the British crown. He still hoped the deluded and unhappy multitude of America would return to their alle giance ; and that remembrance of what they once enjoyed, regret for what they had lost, and feel ings of what they suffered, under the arbitrary ty ranny of their leaders, would re-kindle in their hearts a spirit of loyally to their sovereign, and of attachment to their mother-country ; and that they would enable him, with the concurrence and support of parliament, to accomplish, what he should consider the greatest happiness of his life, and the greatest glory of his reign, the restoration . of peace, order, and confidence to the American colonies. tfebafeon The earl of Coventry, pronouncing the inde- inthSe peridefice of America the fall of Great Britain, of lords, and the transfer of the seat of empire to the other side of the Atlantic, to be no less certain than the growth of herbage, or the ascent of flame, re nted the address, advising the house to seek a temporary preservation by making a virtue of ne cessity, withdrawing the fleets and armies, and de claring America independent. Amend- Such suggestions, enforced by such arguments, T/by'iord" could have made no impression ;' but the attention Chatham. q{" GEORGE lit. S tjf the house was powerfully excited by a motion CHAP. of amendment from lord Chatham, desiring the xxxii. king to take the most speedy measures for restor- "^f^f ing peace. He expressed the strongest disappro bation of the address, and the fatal measures which it approved. The present was a perilous and tre mendous moment! It was not a time for adula tion ; the smoothness of flattery could not avail, could not save us in this awful and rugged crisis: it was necessary to instruct the throne in the lan guage of truth. Parliament must dispel the mists of delusion, and display, in its full danger and true colours, the ruin brought to their doors. It was customary for the king, on similar occasions, not to lead, but to be guided by parliament; to ask advice, and not dictate to the hereditary great council of the nation. As it was the right of par liament to give, so it was the duty of the crown to ask, counsel. But this speech tells of measures already agreed on, and cavalierly desires concur rence. It talks of wisdom and support ; counts on the certainty of events yet in the womb of time ; but in plan and design is peremptory and dictatorial. " Is this," he exclaimed, "proper language? Is " it fit to be endured ? Is this high pretension to " over-rule the dispositions of Providence itself, " and the will and judgment of parliament, justified " by any former conduct, or precedent prediction? " No; it is the language qf an ill-founded con- " fidence; a confidence supported hitherto only " by a succession of disappointments, disgraces, " and defeats. I am astonished how any minister " dare advise his majesty to hold su,ch language; " I would be glad to see the minister that dare " avow it in his place. What is the import of " this extraordinary application, but an unlimited " confidence in those who have hitherto misguid- " ed, deceived, and mis-led you ? It is unlimited ; " desires you to grant, not what you may be " satisfied is necessary, but what his majesty's mi- b 2 " nisters 1777* 4 HISTORY OF ENGLAND CHAP.,/1 nisters may choose to thbrk so: troops, fleets, XXXII. " treaties, and subsidies, not yet revealed. " Can the minister of the clay expect, can par- " liamentbethus deluded to give, unlimited credit " and support for steady perseverance in measures, " which have reduced this late flourishing empire " to ruin and contempt ! ' But yesterday, and " England might have stood against the world j " now none so poor to do her reverence.' The " words of a poet are not fiction : it is a shameful " truth, that not alone the power and strength of OT the country are wasting and expiring, but her " well-earned glories, her true honour, and sub- " stantial dignity, are sacrificed. France has in- " suited you ; she has encouraged and sustained " America: and whether America be wrong or " right, we ought to spurn at the officious insult " of French interference. The ministers and " ambassadors of those who are called rebels and " enemies, are in Paris : in Paris thev transact the " reciprocal interests of America and France. Can " there be a more mortifying insult? Can even " our ministers sustain a more humiliating dis- " grace ? Dare they resent it ? Do they presume " even to hint a vindication of their honour and " the dignity of the state by requiring the dis- " missal of the plenipotentiaries of America? Such " is the degradation to which they have reduced " the glories of England, who, but yesterday, " gave law to the house of Bourbon. " No man thinks more highly than I of the vir- " tues and valour of British troops : I know they " can achieve any thing, except impossibilities ; ' and the conquest of English America is an im- " possibility. You cannot, I venture to say it, " you cannot conquer America. What is your "present situation there? we do not know the " worst; but we know that in three campaigns we '" have done nothing, and suffered much. Con- " quest is impossible: you may swell every ex- " pense, GEORGE III. 5 " pense, and every effort still more extravagantly; CHAP. " pile and accumulate every assistance you can XXXII, " buy or borrow; traffic and barter with every s*C7Ta**/ " little pitiful German prince, that sells his sub- " jects to foreign shambles ; your efforts are for " ever vain and impotent ; doubly so -from this " mercenary aid on which you rely ; for it irritates, '¦' to an incurable resentment, the minds of your " enemies. To over-run them with the mercenary v*v " maintain the rights or honour of my country, I *777: ?f Would strip the shirt from my back : but in such " a war as this, unjust in its principle, impractica- " ble in its means, and ruinous in its consequences, " I would not contribute a single effort, nor a single " shilling. I do not call for vengeance on the " heads of those who have been guilty ; I only re- " commend retreat; let them walk off, and let them '.' make haste, or speedy and condign punishment ". will overtake them. We have been deceived " and deluded too long ; but let us now stop short : " this is the crisis, may be the only crisis of time " and situation to give us a possibility of escape " from the fatal effects of our delusions. But if, " with an obstinate and infatuated perseverance in " folly, we meanly echo back the peremptory words " this day presented to us, nothing can save this " devoted country from complete and final ruin. '• We madly rush into multiplied miseries, and " ' confusion worse confounded'." a A long and vehement debate ensued; but the exalted character of the speaker, his venerable age, and impressive dignity of manner, occasioned those who widely dissented from his opinions, to treat him with profound and flattering respect, Lord Sandwich, expressing all these sentiments, asserted, that when the matter urged by lord Chatham should be separated from his manner and oratorical powers, it would be found to contain nothing that could influence the house to refuse the address. * He displayed the state of the navy in most advantageous terms, overbalanced British losses by enumerating captures from the enemy, and contended, that should France and Spain'en- tertain hostile dispositions, the British force was 4 In abridging this speech, I have incorporated the report published in paihamentary register, with that preserved by Hugh Boyd. See his ks, vol. i. p. 2S3. ¦ " ¦• thewor £«; GEORGE III. y far superior to any they could muster. France CHAP. did not afford unbounded assistance to the Ame- XXXIL ricans ; but, in compliance with remonstrances V-J^>^ of the English court, had issued ordinances for bidding American privateers to enter their ports, and compelled the restitution of prizes. Unjusti fiable transactions might have taken place, but the time was not yet come for demanding full re paration. He readily agreed in lord Chatham's basis of conciliation, the supremacy of the mother- country, and the act of navigation; but did not believe his lordship's most sanguine expectations amounted to an acquiescence in them : the majo rity of those who would vote with him, would not adopt those sentiments. ¦ The assertions of the sufficiency of the navy did not meet with implicit belief ; and the first lord of the admiralty was cautioned, that he made them at his peril, and was answerable for their truth. Lord Camden analyzed the whole conduct of the war, declaring that if hostilities were prosecuted to the issue of this alternative, shall America be subdued, or shall she render herself independent? he should favour independence, because success in such a war would not only subjugate America, but enslave England. In this discussion, the supporters of the amend ment shewed such diversities of opinion among themselves, as rendered the defence of administra tion not difficult. Respecting the independence of America, they could form no common principle of concord : the hopes and terms of submission were equally doubtful ; the prospects of obedience, and limits of concession, were not accurately de fined, and lord Chatham was successfully assailed on the difference of his present opinions from those he had maintained, in the last session, on the dignified position which Great Britain ought to assume, if French interference were so much as jntimated. 10 CHAP. XXXII. 1777. Observa tions on the em ployment of savages jn war. Defendedby lord Suffolk. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. In one point, the lords in opposition were in perfect accord; they declaimed, with uniform vio lence on the employment of savages, and arming slaves against their masters. The duke of Rich mond styled the inhumanity of the war shocking beyond description to every feeling of a christian and a man; it claimed the vengeance of the Deity: the savages would not only torture and kill, but literally eat their prisoners. The ferocity and licentiousness of foreign and Indian auxiliaries, would corrupt the soldiers of Britain. Such an army, on its return, might totally subvert the re mains of freedom. If disbanded, the soldiers would become a lawless banditti ; if kept together, a most dangerous weapon in the hands of minis-* ters, who had shewn so little regard to the rights of freemen, Lobd Chatham approved these observations, " The house,- the parliament, the nation at large," lie said, "ought to have the opportunity of clear-* " ing themselves of that heavy load of black and " bloody imputed guilt, under which they suffer. " I pledge myself to set on foot an inquiry into the " state of the nation; and as one of its leading ob- " jects, 1 shall endeavour to discover who were the " authors and advisers of letting loose those blood-. " hounds and hell-hounds, the savages of America, " upon our brethren. I hope to stamp a propermark " both on the illegality and inhumanity of this " satanic measure; and, I trust, I shall have the " pious assistance of the sacred bench, and the no " less constitutional and efficacious aid of the sages " of the law, to drag the authors into brOad day* " light, and inflict the most exemplary and con- '' dign punishment." Loup Suffolk repeated, that the Americans had emissaries among the savages, and would gain them if we did not ; and it was perfectly justifiable^ is such a war,, to use every means that God and nature had put into our hands. " I AM GEORGE III, 1 1 t( I am astonished^" lord Chatham exclaimed, chap, indignantly rising, " I am shocked to hear such XXXII* " principles confessed, to hear them avowed, in ^^C^ *' this housp, or in this country; principles equally Animated. " unconstitutional, inhuman, and unchristian ! ^Jh<>f *' My lords, I did not intend to have encroached Chatham *' on your attention ; but I cannot repress my in- " dignation, I feel myself impelled by every duty; " we are called upon as members of this house, as " men, as christian-men, to protest against such " notions, standing rjpar the throne, polluting the *' ear of majesty. ' That God and nature put into " our hands:' I know not what ideas that lord f( may entertain of God and nature, but I know " that such abominable principles are equally ab- " horrent to rehgion and humanity. What ! at- " tribute the^acred sanction of God and nature to " the massacres of the Indian scalping-knife, to e( the cannibal savage, torturing, murdering-, roasts " ing, and eating-— literally, my lords, eating the " mangled victims of his barbarous battles * Such " horrible notions shock every sentiment of ho- " nour ; they shock ine as a lover of honourable <* war, and a detester of murderous barbarity. " These abominable principles, and this more " abominable avowal of them, demand the most " decisive indignation. I call upon the right re- *' verend bench, those holy ministers of the gospel, " and pious pastors of our church : I conjure them " to join in the holy work, and vindicate the re- <' ligion of their God : I appeal to the wisdom " and the law of this learned bench, to defend and " support the justice of their country. I call " uppp the bishops to interpose the unsullied sanc- " tion of their lawn ; upon the learned judges to " interpose the purity of their ermine, to save us 16 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP; The debate assumed a new complexion froni0 XXXII. judicious speech by governor Pownall. He thought the papers, from the commission down to the low est draft, unworthy of attention, so far as respected the subject of peace. Even the act of parliament was of no import to that point; for it did not em power government to treat with the Americans but as subjects: Inquiries had been made whether lord Howe had power to treat ; or did the Ameri cans refuse? Lord Howe could have no powers to negotiate'on the only ground which they insisted on taking, and which they resolutely maintained not only - then but five months afterwards. When general Howe had finished his campaign of l 776; the congress instructed their commissioners at the several courts in Europe to give assurances, that notwithstanding " the artful and insidious endea- " vours of the British court, to represent the in- " habitants of the United States, as having a dispo- *' sition again to submit to the sovereignty of Eng- " land, it was their determination, at all events, tq " maintain their independence." Declaring himself as much uninfluenced by party connexions, as he had been nine years ago, when he predicted the precise progress of American resistance, he said, " I now tell this house and government, that the u Americans never will return to their subjection. pared lord George Germaine to Dr. Sangradb. " For two years that a «« certain noble lord has presided over American affairs," he said, " the " most violent scalping tomahawk measures have been pursued : bleeding " has been his only prescription. If a people deprived of their ancient " rights are grown tumultuous— bleed them ! If they are attacked with a " spirit of insurrection — bleed them ! If their fever should rise into re- «< bellion— bleed them ! cries this state physician : more blood ! more " blood ! still more-blood ! When Dr. Sangrado had persevered in a si- " milar practice of bleeding his patients, killing by the very means he " used for a cure, his man took the liberty to remonstrate on the necessity ¦« of relaxing in a practice to which thousands of their patients had fallen " sacrifices, and which was beginning to bring their names into disrepute. " The doctoranswered, I believe we have indeed carried the matter a little " too far, but you must know I have written a book on the efficacy bf " this practice, therefore, though every patient we have should die by it, « we must continue the bleeding for the credit of my book." " Sovereignty GEORGE III. 1 7 ^Sovereignty is abolished and gone for ever; and CHAP. " the navigation act annihilated; Of what use xxxii. " then are these papers ? Of what import our de- v^v-w " bates? Disputation and abuse may afford amuse- ", ment ; but neither America nor England can be " benefited by such discussions in this pressing " crisis. Until the house should be disposed to treat " with the United States as independent, sovereign " people, schemes or plans of conciliation, whoever " might suggest them, would be found unim- " portant." The papers were refused js Papers re- Early attention was paid to the estimates : the ^thkov. number of 3eamen was fixed at sixty thousand, and Estimates. the troops to be employed in America at fifty-five thousand. These votes were not passed without se vere animadversions on the mode of conducting every branch of the service. During one of these debates, colonel Barre" 3d Dec. interrogated the American secretary of state, what, ^eb^tei" upon his honour, was become of general Burgoyne of com- and his brave troops ;, and whether he had not re- mo,,son ceived, by expresses from Quebec, information of ofBur! his having surrendered, with his whole army ? goyne's Lorb George Germaine professed his de- army" sire to give the most early and authentic intelli gence of any transaction within his knowledge ; and though the recital must give him pain, he avowed the receipt of expresses from Quebec, with the unhappy intelligence ; it was, however, unau- thenticated, and he could not declare it officially. He hoped the house would suspend their judgment both on the conduct of the general and the mini ster. He was ready to submit his conduct in plan ning the expedition to investigation : if it appear ed impotent, weak, and injurious, let the censure fall on him. Colonel Barre' thundered forth an invec tive against the cool and easy manner in which £ 17S to S3. Vol. III. C the «777- IS HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, the secretary of state related the fate of the brav£ XXXIL Burgoyne, and his assurance in insinuating, that a portion of censure might be imputed to the ge neral. The man who planned the inconsistent," impracticable expedition, was alone to blame; it was unworthy of a British ininister, and rather too' absurd for an Indian chief., This precedent was' followed by James Luttrell, Burke, T. Townshend; and Fox. The solicitor-general reconciled the country gentlemen to the disaster, by appealing to British magnanimity in distress ; the certain harbinger of victory. Misfortunes equally discouraging had in former times produced substantial advantages : at Brihuega, general Stanhope was forced to sur render himself and his army prisoners of war ; yet the disgrace only served to raise an enthusiastic ardour, which soon effaced the stigma. Lord North declared, that no man had, from thebeginning,been more sincerely desirous of peace; if the surrender of his place and honours would obtain it, he would cheerfully resign them ; he had reluctantly accepted his station, but while in pos session he would support it to the best of his power. He re-called the attention of the house to the business of the day, by observing, that whether the desire of peace or war prevailed, the present supply was absolutely necessary. 5thDec. Lord Chatham introduced the subject in the Jhfhous" house of lords, by descanting on the difference of of lords, the speech which opened the session, and the intel ligence which had followed. He had the last speech from the throne in his hand, and a deep sense of the public calamity in his heart : they would co operate to enforce and justify the measure he meant to propose, He was concerned to say, the speech contained an unfaithful picture: it exhibited a specious Outside, full of hopes ; while in fact all foreign and domestic transactions were full of danger, and calculated to inspire melancholy fore bodings. • GEORGE III. 1£ folding's. It was customary to offer addresses of CHAP. condolence on public misfortune, as well as of con- XXXII. gratulation on public success, and he never recol- ^"^C*^ lected a period at which such an address could be more seasonable or necessary. He lamented the disaster of Burgoyne ; he might, or might not, be an able officer ; but probably his fate was hot pro portioned to his merit: he might have received orders which he could not execute. Neither should ministers be prematurely condemned ; they might have given wise instructions, which, al though faithfully and judiciously fulfilled, had miscarried. Many events cannot be provided against by the greatest human foresight, and on that ground he meant to frame his motion. The system introduced within the last fifteen years at St.' James's, of breaking all connexion, and extin guishing all principle, had enabled a few men to acquire ascendancy where no personal ascendancy should exist. Thus, to pliable men, not capable men, was the government of this once glorious empire intrusted. The spirit of delusion had gone forth ; the ministers had imposed on the people ; parliament had been induced to sanctify the im-. position. False lights had been held out; the country gentlemen had been seduced to support a most destructive war, under an impression that the land tax would be diminished, by an American revenue. The visionary phantom, thus conjured up for the basest of purposes, that of deception, Was now about to vanish. The king's speech abounded with absurdity and contradiction. In one part it recommended vigorous measures, point ing to conquest, or unconditional submission; while in another it pretended that peace was the real object, as soon as the deluded multitude should return to their allegiance. This was the grossest and most insolent delusion. By this Strange mixture of firmness and pretended candour, c 2 of 1777- to HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, of cruelty and mercy, of justice and iniquity, this XXXII. infatuated nation had been misled. After retracing much of the ground occupied by his former speeches, and insisting that the plan of penetrating into the colonies from Canada was a, most wild, uncombined, and mad project, he dwelt in exaggerated terms on the importance of America. Those colonies, he argued, had occa sioned the rise in the value of estates ; had been the great support of this country ; had produced millions; afforded soldiers and sailors; given our manufacturers employment, and enriched our merJ chants. Ministers had insidiously betrayed the country into a war with America; and whit were the fruits ? Let the sad catastrophe of Burgoyne speak. His lordship, in a digression, adverted to the language held in print, and in that house by a most reverend prelate, h reprobated the tory prin ciples he had maintained; and trusted he should yet see the day when those pernicious doctrines would be considered and treated as libellous ; they were the doctrines of Atterbury and Sacheverel ; as a whig he should never endure them ; and doubted not the author would suffer due censure and punishment. He concluded by moving an address for copies of all orders and instructions to general Burgoyne. This motion was rejected on two grounds; first, the intelligence, though it had every appear ance of authenticity, was'not official j secondly,- the disclosure of all instructions to Burgoyne might betray transactions not proper to be reveal ed, and prove materially injurious to individuals. If it was true that Burgoyne was prisoner, the terms of his release were equally true; and his re-' turn to England might be daily expected. His- own account would throw more light on the sub ject, h The archbishop of York. GEORGE III. 21 ject, than the most ample information in the power CHAP. of ministers to afford, and would be obtained in a XXXH. shorter time than would be requisite to select and v"^'>*' arrange the papers demanded. On the rejection of this proposition,' lord Chat- LordChat- ham moved for copies of all orders and treaties re- |\o" on™h« lative to the employment of Indian savages, and employ. of the instructions given -by general Burgoyne to mentof i ox t mi J b 4.- - * savages. general St. Leger. 1 he numerous mvecti ves against the use of these auxiliaries, vented since the be ginning of the session, had excited great personal acrimony, and the debate was conducted with un usual rancour. Earl Gower having accused the mover of inconsistency, in reprobating, with so much asperity, measures which he had sanctioned in the last reign ; lord Chatham denied that he iiad ever, in his official capacity, authorized the employ of savages ; and George II. he believed, had too much regard for the military dignity of his people, and too much humanity, to agree to such a proposal. He accused lord Gower of quib bling, and spoke contemptuously of his means of information. What right had he to comment on 'o' political proceedings ? Where was he when these transactions were conducting? Immersed in plea sure, and indulging in all the variety of dissipation, to which young noblemen were too apt to devote themselves. Lord Gower retorted these unwarrantable li berties of speech, with great heat; the insinuations he said were illiberal, unmanly, and untrue. In support of his assertion relative to lord Chatham's ministerial conduct, he produced, from the jour nals of the house, the recognition of a treaty with an Indian nation, one condition of which was, that they should kill and scalp every Frenchman who came within their country; and the French, i The nurnbers were 40 to 19. c 3 he ea HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, he observed, were not more hostile than the rebel- XXXII. lious inhabitants of America. v-^^*^ This altercation was of long duration: the warmth of lord Gower was more than adequately encountered by the polished raillery and dignified sarcasm of his antagonist ; but the fact in debate was incontestably ascertained. Lord Amherst re luctantly avowed, that he followed the example of the French in employing savages, which he would not have done, without the sanction of express or ders, which, with his majesty's permission, he had no objection to produce. Lord Shelburne contend ed, that the orders might have proceeded from the board of trade, in whom the superintendance of such treaties was vested ; but this presumptive apology was invalidated by lord Denbigh, who, calling lord Chatham the great oracle with the short memory, observed, it could never have hap pened that he who, when minister, had always contended for guidance and direction, should per mit such an intrusion in the affairs of his own office. Lord Dunmore placed the exertions of the Americans in Virginia to employ the Indians be yond a doubt, by relating the particulars of a conference between their agents, and some of the tribes, when in answer to their propositions, an in-r dignant chief exclaimed, " What ! shall we fight " against the great king over the water, who in the " last war sent such large armies, and so much " money here, to defend you from the devastations " of the French, and from our attacks? No; if you " have so little gratitude, v,'e will not assist so base " a purpose. The Virginians," he added, "thus " disappointed, dressed some of their own people like Indians, with a view to terrify the forces under my Command, and I heartily wish more Indians were employed ; as the Americans far ex ceed them inbarbarity." Hethen adduced many 7 instances t( GEORGE III. S3 instances to prove that the colonists did not even CHAP. affect humanity, but were most industriously cruel, XXXII. most wantonly inhumane. ¦^v^*' Lord Chatham's motion was negatived.k Negatived. • After the transaction of some ordinary busi- »°th Dsc. ness and the discussion of several motions, framed only for the purpose of embarrasing administration, an adjournment, till the twentieth of January, Ad:0lirn. was moved by lord Beauchamp, but strongly oh- mei.totthe iected to. A recess of six weeks was considered hoaie of i - i i • . ... . . , commons. highly improper, in so critical a situation, and members should be ashamed to face their consti tuents, after voting a neglect of their interests at this momentous period. Burke proposed, as an amendment, to adjourn only for a week. The reply of ministers was short : they had transacted , all the usual business, and felt no apprehensions from foreign powers, no material progress could be made in the field, or in negotiation ; and if any matter of importance could be suggested, the com mittee on the state of the nation, to whom it should be addressed, would not sit till .February. These reasons prevailed, and the amendment was negatived.' The motion for adjournment was no lessstrenu- uthD ously opposed in the upper house.' Lord Chatham, housed with grief and astonishment, heard it made at a lords. time when the affairs of the country presented prospects full of awe, terror, and impending danger; when events of a most alarming tendency, little expected or foreseen, would shortly happen; when a cloud was ready to burst and overwhelm the na tion in ruin. Could parliament trust, during an adjournment of six weeks, to men who had occa sioned such calamities, when perhaps the utter overthrow of the kingdom was plotting, nay ripe for execution, without almost a possibility of pre vention ? A remonstrance should be carried to the k 40 to 1 8. '155 to 68. c 4 throne. 1 Dec. i:of l777- 24 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, throne. The king was deluded by his ministers; XXXII. they were deceived by false information, or sane* tioned suppositions which they knew to be untrue, He treated at large of the necessity of domestic defence, intimating the certainty of approaching danger, and descanted with force on the impractir cability of reducing America; the delusive spe culations on that subject; the fate of Burgoyne's army; the magnanimity of the victors; the nu-. merous perils which threatened the kingdom ; and the probability that, before the expiration of six weeks, the noble earl, who proposed the ad journment, would have just cause to repent of his motion. The adjournment was vindicated on the same grounds as in the house of commons, with the ad ditional argument, that as that branch of the legis lature had acceded to the recess, no advantage could accrue from a protracted sitting of the lords ; the motion was carried. m stateofthe During the recess, both ministerial and oppo- wind! sition parties displayed an earnest disposition to conciliate the public, and secure the success of their future attempts by popularity. The sensation occasioned by the protraction of American resist ance, and the unfavourable intelligence recently received, presented some means of. making im pressions unfavourable to administration, which were eagerly embraced. Before the meeting of parliament, the public began to long for peace; the alarms excited during the early part of the session increased that inclination to a pitch which seemed to demand gratification without regard •to terms; the mortifying disaster of Burgoyne, for a time, increased the clamour," but the predic tions of ministers, that the public spirit would insure m 4.7 to 17. P See Gibbon's Posthumous Works, vol, i. p. 529, 530. a, remedy GEORGE. III. S3 a remedy for this calamity,0 were speedily veri- CHAP. fied. The nation seemed anxious to shake off the XXXH. turpitude of depression. Liverpool, Manchester, V-T^T,"/ Edinburgh, and Glasgow, each raised a regiment; Subscri'p- and several independent companies were levied in tK!n.for Wales. The livery of London, and corporation of gimerfts'.6' Bristol, refused to co-operate in these laudable ef forts ; but the liberality of individuals compen sated for the caution of the chartered bodies ; large sums were subscribed for completing these patriotic levies, and fifteen thousand soldiers were by private bounty presented to the state.1" The stores of liberality were not all poured out SHbscrip. in the cause of the country: a complaint was ^cnfo!th« made, and became the subject of a motion in the prisoners. house of lords, that the American prisoners were u^Dee. treated with savage inhumanity in British prisons. The state of captives ever affords ready grounds of complaint ; and the manners of jailors are rarely calculated to repel, by presumptive evidence, the facts adduced; yet although some slight instances of ill treatment, resulting rather from habitual carelessness than malignant design, might be sub stantiated, it was not even insinuated that govern ment ordered or warranted the wanton exercise of power, either in regard to food, fuel, or personal treatment. To alleviate these distresses, a sub scription was promoted with all the ?eal of party ; the sum raised was not abundant, but the com plaints immediately ceased: the subject, was afterward slightly resumed by lord Abingdon, who after a short explanation, withdrew his mo- tion."1 Lord Chatham's intimations of the hostile conduct negotiations in France, the dissatisfaction of the °i'France. American agents, and the possibility of still ° See Lords Debates, 5th December 1777. P History of Lord North's Administration, p. 195. % See debates in the house of lords, ad Marc 11 177S. aver ting ©6 CHAP.XXXII. »777- March. J77&- HISTORY OF ENGLAND. averting the junction of the British colonies with the natural enemy of Britain, were well founded ; although his advice to prevent the independency of America was not practicable. During the whole summer, the prevalence of the American cause became more' and more discernible in France, and in all countries connected with her. Exul tation at every event which could be considered favourable to America, and injurious to Great Britain, was open and undisguised. In the pre ceding spring, Arthur Lee, formerly agent from America in London; was dispatched by the com missioners of congress to Vienna, for the purpose of being introduced, under the sanction of the French embassador, to the Austrin minister, and of ar ranging a treaty, or at least purchasing warlike stores. The connexion between the Americans and France was not sufficiently intimate to make the French embassador insist on his reception among people of distinction ; he therefore after a short stay, pursuedhis route to Prague, Dresden and Berlin. In the autumn, however, his return with an authenticated commission was publicly menr tioned ; and notwithstanding the repugnance ex pressed by Prince Kaunitz, the Austrian minister, to receive a man whom he described as a diplo matic adventurer, M. de Breteuil, the French embassador, pressed his introduction with irre sistible perseverance, and obtained for him some slight public notice; though all his address was unable to conquer the inflexibility of the empress- queen, and the emperor, or to obtain from Kaunitz more than the gloomy civility of a silent bow. These transactions were rather vexatious to the British embassador, than important in themselves; but the conduct of the French embassador, as well as all corresponding circumstances, strongly im pressed a belief, that hostilities against England were only deferred, till success should confirm the independence GEORGE III. 27 independence of America, and render the espousal CHAP. of her cause less insecure. The contest between XXXIL Spain and Portugal had afforded to France an un- ^^^^ exceptionable opportunity of augmenting her ma rine establishment; and in the usual style, prepa ratory to hostilities,, she began to complain of in juries and insults from British cruizers, and to disseminate reports of an inevitable rupture. The capture of Burgoyne's army gave a decisive Treaty turn to the counsels of Versailles: the cause of with . America, gilded by prosperity, was enthusiastically s\'J^if% revered by the people ; the anti-pacific party gained the ascendancy in the cabinet; and a treaty was entered into, though not yet publicly avowed, nor perhaps all the terms definitively ar ranged'; but extensive military preparations in the ports of France, produced corresponding efforts in England. These circumstances were in part adverted to in the king's speech, but the ministry were yet obliged to await events, without appearing to no tice their progress. No overt act of hostility jus tified a declaration of, war; nor were any reason able prospects held out for regaining America at a less price than the sacrifice of every object of Contention, The levy of troops by subscription was the first 22 Jan- important object which claimed the attention of ^-^g011 parliament, Sir Phillip Jennings Clerke moved troops by for an account of the number raised, and the t^scnP~ names of the commanding officers. In the debate, the minister was severely cen sured for the length of the recess, while engaged in so momentous a measure as that of equipping fifteen thousand men, without consent of parlia ment; a precedent which would justify the uncon stitutional incorporation of an indefinite number. He was compared to Pericles, who, exhausted with misfortune, wasted with disease, and lingering in pain, ^28 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, pain, walked abroad, bedecked with amulets, XXXII. charms, and saws of old women. The loan, unfil- v-^l/^ led and unpaid, was his disease ; and the charitable contributions, his amulets and charms. Volun tary donations might be fairly interpreted as proofs of a people's affection, but were no less in dicative of their real poverty. Private and public life exhibited pregnant proofs, that solicitations on one hand, or benevolences on the other, were the common effects of pride, penury, and pity. Persons might be mean from choice, naked from madness ; but rags discovered an involuntary mad ness, or a poverty willing to be concealed. The minister insisted that no contempt was thrown on the parliament, nor any violation of the constitution committed; that the American war was just and popular, and the offers to the crown perfectly constitutional. The Americans de nied the right of the supreme legislature, and main tained their cause by arms; a loyal part of his majesty's subjects, abhorring such an unnatural rebellion, had, in proof of those sentiments, offered their persons and purses in support of the con stitutional rights of their country. The motion was granted, 4thand Sir Phillip Jennings Clerke repeated his fth Feb* objections to the conduct of government, when sup plies were demanded for clothing the new troops ; and the debate was renewed on the report of the committee. Several members of opposition in dulged in scurrilous reflections against the people of Scotland, and blamed the appointment of offi cers, in which the forms of military service had been violated. The subcriptions were said to be filled by expectants, contractors, merchants, and manufacturers, who had their own separate inte rests in view, and converted public spirit into a job. The right to raise troops by private dona tions, it was contended, must justify maintaining them: GEORGE Hi. S§ them; in such a case it would be in the power CHAP. of a bad king, and a bad parliament, to apply XXXII. the money thus raised to the utter subversion of ^O^*' the constitution. This mode of obtaining money for the king's use was a breach of the corona tion oath, and all who subscribed were abettors of perjury. Government was justified by precedent, se veral regiments, independent companies, and corps, having been raised in 1745 and 1759; and the subscribers on the latter occasion, instead of be ing treated as violators of the law, were pub licly and solemnly thanked by the then minister, lord Chatham, and applauded by the public. That great man, lord Hardwicke, had also highly approved of procuring men from Scotland : the prevalence of a contrary opinion would have pre vented the recruiting of the army, frustrated the hopes of success, and diminished the resources of the country. The freeholders of Norfolk founded on these i 7th Feb. levies a petition to the house of commons ; and, No.'folk at an advanced period of the session, Wilkes *a A°p"n. moved to bring in a bill for preventing the dan- Wilkes's gerous and unconstitutional practice of giving or motlon* granting money to the crown, as a private aid, loan, benevolence, or subscription, for public pur poses, without consent of parliament. The propo sition was ably supported by Burke, but negatived On a division/ < In the upper house, the earl of Abingdon made 23d and a motion for obtaining an opinion of the twelve ?7th Jan- 1 i 1 i- r- ¦ • > • i Lord judges, on the legality of raising troops without Abing- the authority of parliament ; but, after a long don> discussion, it was withdrawn at the instance of 1] his friends. The earl made his grand attack, by moving +th Feb. that the grant of money, in private aids or bene volences, without the sanction of parliament, for the 1 71 to 40. 30 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. t CHAP, the purpose of raising armies, was repugnant to the XXXII. constitution and the law; and that to obtain v^l^"/ money by subscription, for such purposes, was unconstitutional and illegal, an infringement of the rights and breach of the privileges of parlia ment. His speech was desultory, and so abusive, that earl Gower remarked, such language had never before been heard in either house. Lord Abing don retraced the arguments against consulting the judges, and seemed to point his sarcasms against the chief justice of the king's bench. The pre sent levy, he contended, was no less illegal and repugnant to the spirit, if not the letter of the bill of rights, than the demand of ship-money, in the days of Charles I. Tories, Jacobites, and Scotch men, the first addressers for abrogating the liber ties of three millions of subjects in America, were now the first to take up arms ; common sense war ranted the inference, that something more than mere loyalty to the house of Hanover actuated such measures. Lord Hardwicke's opinion, delivered on the trial of the rebel lords Kilmarnock, Cromartie, and Balmerino, in 1 746, wherein that great oracle of the law treated such objections as the offspring of ignorance and presumption, was read in answer to these observations, and ah amendment moved, declaring the voluntary subscriptions legal, and highly meritorious. Against this amendment, it was urged, that it unfairly withdrew the original proposition from debate, and prevented the decision of the house, by raising another topic of discussion, not tending to place out of doubt the principal subject. Lord Mansfield, though he proved the practice of mov ing- such amendments consonant to usage, recom mended it to be, for candour's sake, withdrawn, and his advice was followed. He then urged, in an animated and impressive manner, the arguments djavvn from law and precedent in favour of the practice ; GEORGE III. • 31 practice; and, after a short reply from lord Cam- CHAP. den, the resolutions were negatived.5 . xxxii. -Tn both houses the greatest attention was fixed "^^^ on the approaching committee on the state of the Committee nation; the preparatory motions for additional °?^e state papers, and the arguments by which they were nation. encountered,1 shewed that both parties looked forward to that discussion, as a crisis of consider able importance. . Fox opened the business in the house of com- *d Feb. mons, by invoking the members not to mix the Fox's mo- topics of that day's debate with any previous n'o"more matter, but to proceed plainly and directly in con- tlO0Ps be sidering the actual state of the country, and the thf king- means by which Great Britain might be delivered dom. from the impending dangers. He wished all would agree in divesting themselves of former opi nions, favourite ideas and prejudices, and resume them only as fair results of the present inquiry. He recommended an oblivion of enmity and ani mosity, a suspension of all sentiments of regard or dislike toward America, and the calm and dis passionate contemplation of that country, as a part, and a very considerable part, of the British empire. He established, as an incontrovertible axiom, that when a country falls, within the short space of a few years, from the highest pinnacle ever attained in ancient or modern times, there must have been some radical error in the government, though radical error was not in itself a proof of ministerial criminality. He took an historical view of the proceedings relative to America from 1 774, and proclaimed the error of ministers in mistaking a single province for a whole continent ; Massachuset's Bay for the American empire. Virginia, a colony no less ' * 90 to 30. t In the house of lords, on the 23d, 26th, 29th and 30th of January : in the house of commons, on the 27th and' 29th January, and the 2d of February. u... . jealous M HISTOItY OF ENGLAND. # CHAP, jealous of its rights, nor less warm in- asserting1 XXXH. them, was forgotten; and the union of any other'' v^l^,to/ colony with the Massachuset's was deemed im possible : but whoever contended against ten men; when prepared only for one opponent, must en counter greater difficulties than if originally aware of the resisting force. Every attempt to crush an insurrection by means inadequate* to the end, foments instead of suppressing it. All the acts of that session were founded on the same mistake ; the Quebec act completed the union of all parties in' America ; and a few weeks before the arrival of reinforcements, the civil war was begun. After describing the transactions of the British army till the evacuation of Boston, Fox asked, what was the conduct of America ? They sent a petition couched in the most respectful terms, disclaiming independence, and desiring no concession in the least dishonourable to the mother-country, but supplicating the' king's paternal interference. To this petition no answer was given; and the mi nistry even called the petition a farce, and as serted the view of the Americans to be indepen dence. If such w'as the real aim of congress, and the petition calculated to delude the people of America, as well as those of Great Britain, mi- misters would have acted more wisely in accept ing, and converting it to a test of veracity. Vi gorous measures were, however, for the first time, attempted; Sir William Howe was completely re-1 inforced ; New York taken; two or three battles gained ; but the American army was not extin guished ; and the affair of Trenton plainly shewed the impossibility of totally reducing them. On the events of the last campaign he forebore to' treat, they demanded separate investigation. He then inferred, from the papers before the house, that to send more troops out of the kingdom would be highly imprudent. The peace establish ment 9 GEORGE* III. 3? ment had been seventeen thousand men for Great chap; Britain; twelvethousandforlreland; thfeethousand XXXH. five hundred for Gibraltar; and two thousand three v^>/>' hundred for Minorca, amounting together to thirty- four thousand eight hundred. The conduct of France, the state of public credit,his Majesty's speech at the opening of the session, sufficiently proved the necessity of preparing for foreign war; and,if thirty- four thousand men were necessary in 'time of peace, it could not be- proper to retain a less number at the present moment. But, in fact, the number of troops in Great Britain did not exceed fifteen thousand ; in Ireland, eight thousand ; in Gibral tar and Minorca, five thousand ; so that, the ac tual deficiency of the peace establishment was six thousand. It would be madness to part with more of the army: the warwas impracticable, and no good could be obtained by force ; the lives that had been lost, and the treasures that had been wasted, were ineffectually lavished ; it was time to contemplate the domestic situation of the country, and not leave England defenceless to strengthen the army in America. He therefore moved for orders, that no more of the old corps should be sent out of the kingdom. Strangers being excluded from the house, no answer was made to Fox's speech ; but his motion was rejected." The duke of Richmond, pursuing nearly the *? *eh- same chain of narrative, and the same mode of motion in reasoning with Mr. Fox, founded on it a motion the house somewhat more dilated inform, but in substance ° 0l s* nearly similar. This motion, it was said, wpuld, if agreed to, amount to a public acknowledgment pf inability to prosecute the war, or assert the rights of Great Britain over her colonies, and invite the house of Bourbon to atteriipt an invasion. If) in fact, (as- the motion intended to prove) Great Britain was a 259 to 165. Vol. III. D unable 34 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. ^ CHAP, nnable to defend her own territory, or assert her do- XXXII. minion over America, her own weakness should be v-^'^ concealed, not only from foreign states, but from 177 ' the colonies, now become her rivals in power and commerce. The address would invade, and su spend the inherent prerogative of the crown to raise, direct, and employ the military force. The hostile intentions of rival nations were still denied; the courts of Versailles and Madrid gave repeated assurances. of pacific dispositions, though the armaments in their ports justified the king in recommending to parliament an augmentation of the navy. Yet should every apprehension be realized, it would be extremely imprudent to invite war by an ostentation of weakness. In support of the motion, hostility and invasion were inferred from all the conduct of France since 1775; the reception of Deane in a public character; of Franklin, armed with more complete and ex tensive powers; the grant of every substantial ef fect of solemn amity and alliance; the trade with the colonies, the supply of arms, ammunition, clothing, and officers to discipline the troops, uni formly proved the real disposition of our ancient enemy. Remonstrances had been made, promises given, explanations added ; but still France per sisted in the same conduct : ordinances were is sued, but evaded, altered, or so modified as to lose their effect. In fine, France accomplished, by arts of evasion, the first part of her plan, that of disuniting America from the mother-country, and giving the colonies that species of assistance which enabled them to defy opposition. And not- wisthstanding the pacific assurances, private pro mises, and public acts, so ostentatiously display ed, l'Orient and Nantz were then blocked up by a British naval force, for the purpose of inter cepting succours to America, and impeding that very commerce which the French king, in his public edicts, pretended to prohibit. Depen- GEORGE III. ' 35 Dependence on a fleet in case of projected CHAP. invasion was uncertain; winds, tides, and acci- XXXH. dents, not in the governance of human policy, ,t^v>> might prevent naval operations; and France, hav ing always a powerful military force in the vici nity of our coasts, might, in the space of four and twenty hours, by pressing fishing boats and small craft, land so large ail army as to endanger the existence and independence of the nation. Mi serable indeed would be the reliance on an undis ciplined militia; where gradations of tank were riot observed among the officers, and the privates completed by substitutes. Nor were these perils to be disregarded as distant and doubtful; for the duke of Grafton positively asserted, that a war with France must take place within three months, un less peace was concluded with America. This mode of arguing was decried as tending to invite, what the speakers affected to deprecate, hostility and invasion. The fundamental facts and inferences were strongly denied ; France could not collect a sufficient force to make an impression; an armament frtim Calais Avould be destroyed by the British fleet in the Downs ; and when an invasion from Dunkirk was projected under Marshal Saxe, lord Sandwich said he had seen whole hogsheads of letters, both from per sons resident at Dunkirk, and others serving in ' the intended expedition, reprobating the folly, absurdity, and impracticability of the attempt, and earnestly wishing it abandoned. The report of a British squadron stationed off Nantz and l'Orient was untrue ; and the management of the militia Was wisely arranged, substitutes being, in general much better and more experienced sol diers than could be obtained by taking trades men and artificers from their shops and manufac tories. The motion was negatived.* x 9' to 34< D 2 The 36 CHAP. XXXII. 1778. 6th Feb. Burke's motion on the em ployment of savages. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. The house of lords did not adopt the regulation of excluding strangers, but the house of commons continued it on the next sitting of the committee, when Burke moved for copies of papers relative to the employment of the Indians of America, from March 1774, to January 1778. In support of this proposition he made a speech of more than three hours, which is generally ap plauded as one of his most distinguished efforts, though very inadequately reported. Colonel Barr6, mixing somewhat of the spirit of party with genuine admiration of extraordinary talent offered, if it were published, to nail.it on every church door where he saw the king's proclamation for a fast;( and governor Johnstone rejoiced in the ex clusion of strangers, as their indignation and en thusiasm would have impelled them to tear in pieces the two ministerial lords, North and Germaine. The former grounds of defence urged in behalf of this measure were treated by Burke as deserving- little regard. The fault of employing savages, he said, did not consist in their colour, or their wea pons, but in their mode of warfare, which Was so horrible as to shock, not only the manners of all civilized people, but far exceed the ferocity of all barbarians mentioned in history. The Indians have two principal objects in war ; the glory of destroying or exterminating their enemies; and that of procuring the greatest numbers of scalps, to hang up in their huts as trophies of victory, and proofs of prowess. Having no titles, sinecure places, lucrative governments, pensions, or red rib bons to bestow, they reward valour by donations of human scalps, human flesh, and the gratifica tions arising from torturing, mangling, scalping, and sometimes devouring their captives. They were formidable only from their cruelty; and those who employed them became chargeable with all their odious and impotent barbarities.- No proof was adduced that the Americans had at tempted GEORGE III. 37 tempted an offensive alliance with any of their CHAP. tribes, while the papers before the house demon- XXXII. strated, that the king's ministers had negotiated v^l'gw and obtained such alliances in all parts of the con tinent. Burke ludicrously analysed general Burgoyne's famous speech ; not decrying its sentiments, but the application of them to savages, not more in telligent or likely to be affected, than the wild. beasts of the forest. He endeavoured to prove, by details of Burgoyne's and St. Leger's expedi tions, that the Indians did, in effect, indiscrimi nately murder men, women, and children, friends and foes ; and that the greatest slaughter fell on those who were best affected to the king's govern ment, and had been disarmed by the provincials; painting in strong colours the story of Miss Macrea. Th e only possible remedyagainst the alienation of affection, distrust, and terror, created by these mea sures, was a serious parliamentary inquiry, attend ed with demonstrations of disapprobation. The colonies would otherwise never believe those who carried on so cruel and dishonourable a war, fit ob jects of confidence for a sound and cordial peace, and much less to be intrusted with power and do minion. Governor Pownall agreed there was not so hellish, so unfair an engine of war, as the service of the savage, mixed with the civilized soldier. Humanity and honour had, among civilized na tions, defined rights, and given laws to war; laid restraints on havock, and imposed limits to de struction and bloodshed : even in the rigours of war civilized nations had adopted, and almost uni versally observed, the jura belli. The war of sa vages, on the contrary, being a contest unregulat ed by feelings of honour or humanity, was an un restrained effusion of revenge and blood-thirstiness, ravage, devastation, and utter destruction. No justification could be offered for employing In- d 3 dians, 38 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAp. dians, but absolute, unavoidable necessity. The XXXII. . operations of the American war were combined v-pijV with the -nature of the country, more than half a wilderness, and with the interests and nature, of the Indians inhabiting that wilderness. No war could be carried on without their interposition ; that belligerent power with whom they did not co-operate, they would attack ; neutrality was a delusive notion, impracticable in fact, and never adopted by any party, but as a succedaneum,. after miscarriage in the attempt to engage them in of fensive operations. Such were the politics of the French in the last, and of the congress in the pre sent, war : they first endeavoured to engage the Indians, but failing, affected to follow the plausi ble line of neutrality in the temper of moderation and humanity. The necessity of employing them might be avoided ; their voluntary neutrality was- nonsense, delusive, dangerous nonsense"; but if both belligerent powers agreed strictly to desist from engaging them, and adopt some stipulation or convention mutually, and in one spirit of good faith not to suffer them to intermeddle, but act against them as enemies, wherever they attempted hostilities, all the horrors, so forcibly depicted, might be prevented, or greatly restrained. If go vernment and parliament would concur in this re gulation, and propose to congress such a conven tion, they would certainly embrace it with sinceri ty, and execute it M'ith good faith. The measure would be independent of the object of the war ; and yet this spirit,, thus aiming to regulate the means of restraining its rigours, might become the first seed of peace. It would faciliate mutual; good dispositions and good offices; and such a beginning would probably end in peace; at all events, government would not endanger any of its rights or interests in making the proposal. In conclusion, this intelligent member offered, with out commission, pay, or expectation of recompence, personally" GEORGE III. 39 personally to attend the congress, and negotiate CHAP. the arrangement, without committing the dignity XXXII. of the British crown. i778. Burke's motion was rejected, y as well as se veral auxiliary propositions by which it was fol lowed. Another effort was made by Fox, to accom- uthFeb. plish those regulations of military exertion which JJJ'^ the opposition seemed to consider as one of the tion re- great objects in obtaining the committee. He *F«™s » , J , . 7 . n . the army, moved as a resolution, that in 1774 the land forces serving in North America did not amount to more than six thousand eight hundred and sixty-four men, officers included ; and read eleven ¦ other resolutions which stated progressively all the re-inforcements sent to America since that period, founding on the whole a deduction, that twenty thousand men had been lost in the contest. If with so great a force so little could be achieved, it was clearly impracticable, by prosecuting the war, either to subdue the Americans or terrify them into obedience. These statements wrere said, by the friends of administration, to be unfounded in fact, as not more than twelve hundred men had been destroy ed in battle; and if the gross deficiency of the army,, including those who died natural deaths, deserted, became prisoners, or unfit for service, were published as loss, it would convey infor mation very remote from truth. The resolution was evaded by a motion for leave to report pro gress In the house of lords the committee was emr Examina- ployed in the examination of evidence: merchants dencein"" were called as witnesses, who proved that great loss the house had ensued to their commerical concerns from the °th.°rds" war, and other, merchants, produced on the part of administration, who shewed that considerable cap- d 4 tures y »»3 to 137. * 163 to 149. 40 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, tureshad been made, and new and profitable sources XXXH. of commerce opened since the commencement V*-'^ of hostilities. The duke of Richmond, who stre nuously opposed the production of the latter wit nesses, resisted no less the reasonings drawn from Resoiu- their testimony against a series of resolutions tionsmov- which he moved, declaratory of the great mari- dakTof6 time and commercial losses sustained by the war. Richmond. The prizes taken and distributed to British sea men, far from being a balance in our favour, add ed to our loss ; for if we were not at war with America, the value of all these cargoes, in the cir cuitous course of trade, must centre in Great Bri tain. The propositions were disposed of by the 1 6th and previous question." Other motions made by the 19th Feb. duke 0f Richmond for declaring the number of troops sent to America, and for ascertaining the expence incurred by the war, occasioned long dis cussions, and upon each the chairman was directed to leave the chair. id Mar. A motion was made by the duke of Bolton for titeduke'S censui'hig the naval conduct of the war, by a reso- Bolton re- lution expressive of the number of ships employed specting in America since 1774. The debate was general- navy' ly Confined to broad assertions, and resolute con tradictions. According to the lords in opposition, the great national bulwark was in a state of shame ful neglect ; while the lord at the head of the na val department insisted that it had never been so judiciously administered. The previous question terminated the discussion. b 17th Feb. IN the meantime lord North, pursuant to a no- North's tice in tne committee on the state of the nation, plan bf submitted to the house a new plan of conciliation eonc.ua- witn tiie coi0n;es. His speech in introducing this measure was long and explicit. He had been uni formly disposed to peace. The coercive acts ap- ¦ » 80 to 32. *> In these divisions the majprities always exceeded two to one. peareA GEORGE -III. 41 peared necessary when they were proposed, but CHAP. finding them unproductive of the intended effect, XXXII. he essayed conciliatory measures^ before the sword s^lYgT"' was unsheathed. He then thought (nor was his opinion changed) those propositions capable of forming the happiest, most equitable, and most lasting bond of union between Great Britain and her colonies ; but by a variety of discussions, a plan originally clear and simple, was made to ap pear so obscure as to go damned to America. Congress conceived, or took occasion to represent it as a scheme for sowing divisions, arid introduc ing a worse species of taxation than -hadL^revious- ]y existed, and accordingly rejected it,^He never expected to derive any considerable, revenue from America ; in his opinion they should contribute in a very low proportion to the expences of the state. Few taxes would prove worth the charge of col lection ; even the stamp act, the most judicious and most highly estimated, would not have pro duced a considerable revenue : a confederacy against the use of stamps, would have annihilated the produce, while it increased the confusions of the country. He found America already taxed, when he unfortunately came into administration. The act, enabling the East India company to send teas with the drawback of the whole duty, was a relief instead of an oppression ; but the disaffected and those engaged in contraband trade; endeavour ed to represent it as a monopoly. He never in tended taxation in the last tea act, nor in the con ciliatory proposition, but as a medium of union and concord ; his present proposition would there fore be found consistent with his former conduct. One of the bills he designed to move would quiet America on the subject of taxation, dispel all fears, real or pretended, that parliament would attempt to tax them again, and annul the right itself, so far as it regarded revenue. The Ameri can* 42 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, cans had desired a repeal of all the acts passed XXXII. since 1763: were this requisition granted in its v^78^*' full extent, several statutes, highly beneficial to themselves, granting bounties and premiums, or relaxing former grievous regulations, must be rescinded. The late acts which originated in the quarrel should cease with it ; and commissioners should be authorized to adjust, in a satisfactory manner, all other disputes. The powers granted to former commissioners had been considered more limited than in reality they were : he should take care now to be explicit, granting full authority to discuss and conclude every point, treating with the congress as if it were a legal body, and would so far give it authenticity as if its acts and con cessions would bind all America. They should be empowered to treat with provincial assemblies as at present constituted, and with individuals in their actual civil capacities, or military commands ; with general Washington or any other officer : they might suspend hostilities ; intermit the opera tion of laws ; grant pardons, immunities, and re wards; restore to colonies their ajicient constitu tions ; and nominate governors, council, judges, and magistrates, till the king's further pleasure should be known. A renunciation of indepen dence would not be insisted on till the treaty had received final ratification by the king and parlia ment. The commissioners should be instructed to negotiate for a reasonable and moderate contri bution towards the common defence of the empire, when re-united : but to obviate every pretence against terminating this unhappy difference, the contribution should not be insisted on as a.Jine qua non of the treaty. .If such had always been his sentiments with re gard to taxation and peace, why, it would be ask ed, had he not made the proposition at a more early period ? his opinion had ever been that the mo- 7 ment PEOEGE III. 43 ment of victory was the proper time for offering CHAP. terms, and at the beginning of the session he had XXXIL declared those sentiments ; he then thought the w"y '>/ victories obtained by Sir William Howe more de cisive, and was unacquainted with general Bur goyne's misfortune. These terms were in sub stance the same he would offer in the height of victory ; he saw no reason for protracting the war, the effusion of blood, and the immoderate expence, and therefore now offered the same propositions. The events of war had not corresponded with his expectations ; but his concessions were from rea son and propriety, notnecessity. England was in a condition to prosecute the war much longer; new armies could easily be .raised, the navy was never in greater strength, and the revenue very little sunk. With these observations he submitted the whole plan, together with the propriety of his past and present conduct, to the judgment of the house. Fox was glad to find the propositions so ample Approved and satisfactory, and believed they would be sup- by Fo2* ported by all those with whom he had the honour to act : they did not differ materially from those of Burke about three years ago ; the same argu ments then used by the minority, and nearly in the same words, were now reproduced by lord North. He wished this concession had been made more early, and on principles more respectful to parlia ment. To tell them that if they were deceived, they had deceived themselves, was neither kind nor civil to an assembly, which, for so many years, had relied on him with such unreserved confi dence. Alt public bodies, like the house of com mons, must repose ample trust in ministers; their only method of preventing its abuse was to punish those who had misinformed them concerning the true state of their affairs, or conducted them with negligence, ignorance, or incapacity. Lord North's arguments i»8. 44 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, arguments on this subject might be all collect- XXXII. ed into one point, his excuses all reduced into one apology, his total ignorance. He hoped, and was disappointed; he expected much, and found little to answer his expectations. He thought the Americans would obey his laws ; they resisted. He thought they would submit to his armies ; the armies were beaten by inferior num bers. He made conciliatory propositions, and thought they would succeed; but they were re jected. He appointed commissioners to make . peace, and thought they had powers ; but found they could not make peace, and nobody believed they had any powers, The present proposition deserved support, because much more clear and satisfactory than the last; Tor necessity had at length compelled the minister to speak plainly. opposed. The sanction of so great a leader did not pre vent several members of opposition from raising objections to lord North's plan. Little hope could be entertained, they said, Of good effect; for, whatever the Americans might suffer by the continuance of war, they would never receive the olive branch from hands so deeply 3tained with the blood of their countrymen. If nothing could be gained from their fears, what could the present ministers expect from their affections ? The propo sitions proved the prosperous condition of American affairs, and the humiliation of Great Britain. Although the minister boasted, with an air of fortitude, of the state of the army and navy, would it be believed that those who talked of nothing less than unconditional submission, and bringing America prostrate at their feet, repealed obnoxious acts, from any other motive, than a conviction that the strength of the nation was inadequate to the contest? And could it be expected, that, after having resisted and baffled our utmost efforts, the Americans would ever sheath the sword with-- /M'.t 5.;:51cient security against the repetition of ininries? GEORGE III. 45 injuries? Would not the breach of the solemn CHAP. official promise of lord Hillsborough justify the xxxiL Americans in declining negotiation with men, ^^r*-' who laid the foundation of war in perfidy, and ' built on it with cruelty? The Americans would not, now the hazard of contest was so nearly past, entrust for a moment, the privileges for which they had ventured their lives and fortunes, in the hands from which they had just rescued them. The motion tended, not to pacify America, but to amuse England by a delusive prospect of recon ciliation, and suspend, at least, the vengeance of an injured and insulted public. These objections produced no effect: two bills 23d Feb. were brought in for effecting the purpose sug- JJ,™!^81^ gested in lord North's speech. In the committee, through serjeant Adair moved that the power of nominat- th^oa^ ing commissioners should be, not in the crown, mons. " but in parliament; but the motion was negatived without a division. Another debate on the same principle was 2+thFeb. maintained in the committee, when several friends of government reprobated the renunciation of the right of taxation; the opposition insisted that the bill was too late to produce beneficial effects, and the minister declared the commissioners should not be qualified to concede the point of indepen dence; the Americans must treat as subjects. The ***¦ bill respecting taxation was amended by the in sertion of a clause to repeal the act for taxing tea ; and its provisions were extended to the West India Islands. Ox the third reading of the bills, the members xd March... of opposition came prepared for more determined hostility, and finished the task of giving an un favourable impression, and furnishing arguments for rejecting the proffered conciliation. Wilkes, who was the chief speaker on this side, qualified the approbation given by opposition to the prin ciples 46 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. € H A P. ciples of the act, by observing it could not be with- XXXII. held, as the minister had borrowed them from V-*XJW' those who would not, even when in his harids, re- ¦ ' fuse to avow them. He bantered some supporters of administration on the period of their conver sion to these new principles; onec had avowed that he became convinced of the impracticablity of deriving a beneficial revenue from America, when general Howe was compelled to retire from the Jerseys; another/ when Burgoyne capitulated at Saratoga. Washington and Gates were powerful apostles; he should not be surprised if general Howe himself were, in the end, converted. The era of the minister's conversion was not so far distant ; it happened at the successful moment of the late American negotiation in France, which established their independence. It was impos sible not to be charmed with the gentle, meek, supplicating, humiliating tone of the noble lord. No more was said of the vengeance of the state against daring rebels: the harsh discord of war no longer grated on the ear; it was now ravished with the enchanting sounds of peace, harmony, and reconciliation. The conciliatory bills were more calculated for England than America: as they tendered a hope, which ministers kneAV to be fallacious, of reconciliation, on terms short of in^ dependence. Wilkes then analyzed several ex pressions in the bills, which, far from healing, he considered most obnoxious, offensive, and galling; the language of high and direct insult. In Oc tober 1774, he proceeded, the congress- humbly supplicated for peace, liberty, and safety ; safety had been since secured by their own prowess, except, indeed on some parts of their extensive coast: they had been driven into independence, and be gan to taste its sweets; they had been forced in to reluctant warfare, and urged to desperation; their c Mr. Dmdas. < Mr. Charles Baldwin. GEORGE III. 47 their towns wantonly burnt ; men, women, children, CHAP. even infants at the breast, inhumanly butchered, XXXII. captives massacred in cold blood, the dying and v~^.'^/ wounded scalped ; and fire and sword carried through the most fertile provinces; could mi nisters then weakly expect to cajole America with a parchment act, at the moment of declaring their despair of conquest by the swoi'd? The colo nists had now tried their strength, and found their resources, both on their own Continent and in Europe, adequate to their views. The whole world admired their firmness and fortitude, and joined in warm applause of their military achievements. The zeal of France had attained its highest pitch, and even this island might say to America, in the words of Horace. " Te ccede gaudentes Britanni " Compositisvenerantur armis." The Americans had expressed the utmost abhor rence of the ministers who were to nominate the commissioners; and would they entertain a more favourable idea of their creatures? The intended negotiation could produce ohly disgrace and hu miliation, and create a lucrative job for five bold hungry dependents of the minister. He ad vised, though not fond of giving advice, an imme diate cessation Of arms, as the means of saving Howe from the fate of Burgoyne. To this speech, interspersed M'ith much of that ribaldry in which Wilkes so much delighted, no answer was given, and the bills passed without a division. Prepared by the debates in th£ house of com- 3d,stb,and mons, the lords in opposition embarrassed the pro- £lhhMj- gress of the conciliatory bills with numerous ob- the house jections, unaccompanied by any concession. The of lords. duke of Richmond read the American declaration of independence, and after commenting On it, pa ragraph by paragraph, appealed to ministers whe ther 48 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, ther they meant to concede, or subscribe to its as- XXXII. sertions? such as these, that the king was a tyrant ; ^^sT"' the troops had been quartered among them, with out their consent; that the admiralty ^courts were a grievance; that acts suspending those of their respective assemblies, had passed the British par liament; that the king having acted tyrannically, they had justly withdrawn themselves from his allegiance; and that the judges enjoying their offices during pleasure, weie rendered dependent on the crown? His majesty had lost the affecr tion of his American subjects, by the insolent, daring, perfidious, and unconstitutional language of ministers. These bills far from regaining it, would sound the trumpet of war to all neighbour ing nations. The measure was impotent, ignomi nious, and ineffectual. Why not renounce at once the right of taxation reserved in the declaratory act ? The Americans were wise, sagacious, and penetrating enough to descry, under this pretended candour, concession, and good will, the same principles directed towards the attainment of the same objects, though by a different mode. The bill for sending out commissioners, meant nothing, or worse than nothing; it was better calculated to divide than to conciliate. It empowered to treat with America, and then returned to Europe to con sult parliament. Why not instead of arming com missioners with powers, not to be regulated, nor of course properly exercised, why not repeal all the obnoxious acts at once? Such conduct would evince sincerity. If the necessity which ministers avowed to influence their measures, arose from the knowledge of a treaty, offensive and defensive, having been agitated, or signed between France and America, it was the duty of ministers to af ford explicit information. They could not be ignorant of the truth; it had been mentioned in the lower house threp weeks since; nay report said GEORGE UI. 49 said, they not only knew it, but had sent emissaries CHAP. to tamper with Franklin and Deane, offering the XXXH. terms included in the bill, but which had been re- v^7^/ fused with contempt. Report even said, they had applied to the congress; who had rejected every proposition they now meant to offer. If such was the fact, nothing could excuse, nothing palliate the presumption and wickedness of such a trick, such a deception on the nation, as the present recanting scheme, which, if unsuccessful, must augment difficulties, and increase dishonour. Besides these objections from the usual asser- tors of the justice of the American cause, lord Temple, from motives precisely the reverse, ex pressed high indignation and contempt of the measure. America had aimed at independence from the beginning. Ministers had raised the spirit of the nation by the new levies, and now dimi nished it by thus disgracefully prostrating the country, parliament, and people,- at the feet of Franklin and Deane, to whom ministers paid ho mage in sackcloth and ashes. The present bills were so disgraceful in every point, that " venit " summa dies"' might now be unhappily applied to the glory of this country. Lord. Shelburne too opposed the bills, as signing as a motive their tendency to separate the two countries. He would never consent that Ame rica should be independent : his idea of the con nexion between the mother country and the colonies was, that they should have one friend, one enemy, one purse, and one sword; Great Britain superintending the interests of the whole, as the great controuling power. Both countries should have but one will, though the means of expressing it might be different, distinct, and varidd. All this might have been procured not long since; and perhaps even now, without measures of blood. He would never adopt any scheme tending to a Vol. III. ~E divorce §0 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, divorce from the colonies ; when that event should XXXII. take place, the sun of Great Britain was set, she would no longer be powerful or respectable. The bill passed without a division; a protest signed by lord Abingdon was entered on the jour nals, containing the principal objections urged in debate, and some new arguments, likely to afford plausible themes of declamation to the American Motions in After passing these acts, two motions were the house niade in the house of commons, calculated to give mons?" an unfavourable impression of their importance, and to urge the ministry to such declarations as 12th Mar. would be ungrateful to the Americans. One was by James Luttrell, " that if the commissioners should find the continuance in office of any minister orministers, impressed such jealousies inthecolonies as might obstruct the happy work of peace, the commissioners might be enabled to promise their i«th Apr. removal.11 The other was by Mr. Powys, for fur ther instructions to the commissioners. The de bate turned on the resources, habits,, and luxu ries of Great Britain, compared with those of America; and the propriety of conceding inde pendence, if required ; but some members of op» position censured the motion, and the chairman was ordered to leave the chair without a division. * This "motion was rejected, 150 to 55. GEORGE III. 51 CHAPTER THE THIRT Y'THIRD : 1778. Frequent atlusions in parliament to hostility on the part of France, — Artful conduct of that power. — Visit of the emperor to Paris. — Short war on the death of the elector of Bavaria. — Artifices of France — detected by the Emperor. — Attempts to engage lord Chatham in administration.— Message from the king to parlia* ment respecting France. — Debates on the addresses.— Numerous motions respecting the navy. — On contracts. — Bill for excluding contractors from the house if commons. — Lost by the manage- . ment of its supporters. — Motion for a tax on places. — Proposi tions for relief of Ir el dnd.— Opposition. — Numerous petitions. — Limited relief afforded. — Addrsss of the Roman Catholics to the king.— Bill for their relief. — Opposed in the house of lords. — Passed. — Fox's motion relative to general Burgoyne. — The gene ral's return to England. — Defence of himself in the house of commons. — The duke of Richmond's motion for withdrawing the troops from America. — Appearance of lord Chatham. — His speech. — Reply of the duke of Richmond. — Lord Chatham's sud den illness. — Death. — Honours paid to his memory by the house of commons.— National munificence. — Opposed in the house of lords. — Honours paid to his memory by the common council of London. — Lord Chatham's funeral.— Adjournment of parliament — Speech from the throne. In the late debates, many intimations were given cha P, of an approaching rupture with the house of XXXIII. Bourbon i those who consulted public appearances ^^r**' could not fail to recognize the probability of such Frequent an event, and look with anxiety for the explana- allusions tions of ministers. A treaty of commerce, alliance, ^mtlo" and friendship, had been some time concluded be- hostiiityon tween the court of Versailles and the American ^ePaitof plenipotentiaries; but, with the utmost efforts, 6th Feb. lord Stormont, the British embassador, had not vet been able to procure a distinct communication of its contents or purport. This mystery in some measure accounts for, though it does not justify, the contradictory statements delivered by mini sters on various occasions in parliament. Fox, on 17th Feb, E 2 the 52 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, the introduction of the conciliatory bills, accused XXXIIL the minister (accompanying the accusation with *~^2~/ denunciation of punishment) of adjourning the parliament, in order to proffer terms of pacifica tion, but neglecting the business till France had concluded a treaty with the independent States of America : he could rely with certainty on the truth of his intelligence ; it was no light matter, and derived from no contemptible authority. Mr. Grenville joined with Fox in demanding an an swer on this important subject, averring that he had received correspondent information of offen sive language held by the court of France, and the march of a considerable body of forces from their interior provinces. The minister answered with his accustomed candour, that he could not, from authority, affirm the conclusion of such a treaty; it was indeed possible, nay, too probable, but not authenticated by the embassador. 5th Mar. Many days afterwards, the duke of Grafton recapitulated in the house of lords the account which Mr. Fox had received, repeated his interro gation, and added, that the intelligence had made so strong an impression on his mind, from the channel through which it came, that if the two secretaries of state, and the whole cabinet council were to declare the contrary, they could not dis pel the conviction he felt of its correctness. Lord Weymouth, as a full and fair answer to the in quiry, and challenging the future recollection of the house, said he was not informed of the signa ture of any such treaty, or that it was in existence, or even in contemplation. * 1 In a debate (25th February) earl Gower intimated the probability of a war with France ; but on being pressed tor an explanation, declared he knew nothing of a treaty having been signed between the court of France and America, as had been reported, and would venture to say, the rest of the king's ministers were equally unappiizcd of any such circumstance. As GEORGE III. 53 As these inquiries were intended to prove the CHAP. inutility of the conciliatory bills, which the mini- XXXIII. ster properly considered as the only means of di- v^gw' voicing America from an unnatural connexion with France, answers less explicit would have been justifiable; but the inconsistency displayed in these contradictory statements, was prejudicial to the character of administration. In preparation for a rupture, France artfully Artful maintained such an influence in the continental "nduct of , . , . -, ...... thatpower. cabinets, as would secure her against hostilities, while her force was employed to the injury of Great Britain ; and at the same time reserved the means, on a future occasion, of converting the prejudices of the principal powers to her own ad vantage. For this purpose the alliance and friend ship of the king of Prussia were assiduously court ed, as the principal engine to be employed in raising enemies against Great Britain. Spain was secured by the family compact ; Holland was in fected by intrigue; and in the cabinet of Russia, French influence, aided by that of Prussia, was ac quiring a dangerous preponderance. Interest, po licy, and principle, combined to render the empe ror friendly to England; but means were found to render him an indifferent spectator of the hostile efforts of a power for which he entertained senti ments of dislike and contempt, which even his family alliance could not overcome. In 1777 the emperor visited Paris, under the visitofthe title of count Falkenstein : the French court view- emperor to ed their illustrious guest with jealousy, and con- Pans" strained admiration : the dread of Austrian great ness under such a monarch, destroyed that facti tious friendship Avhich both parties had been en deavouring to foster, and bring to maturity, dur ing upwards of twenty years. All the arts of dis simulation were employed by France to conceal the change ; but the emperor returned to Vienna, e 3 impressed 54 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, impressed with a conviction that the house of XXXIII. Bourbon was not his natural friend, and that the Vd*~vg**' cabinet of Versailles was jealous of his talents, and averse to their attaining full scope on the demise of the empress. This was not the only advantage which the emperor reaped from seeing the theatre of France behind the scenes ; he learnt to distin guish its real strength, from its artificial machi nery and outward decoration. He returned with a just idea of the fallacy of Bourbon friendship, and an indifferent opinion of the genius of the French nation, and of their power to preponderate in the scale of Europe, either as friend or foe. Short war On the death of the elector of Bavaria, at the j" ^ c.v.. close of the year, the inherent opposition of inte- deamofthe J ' ". , ., . elector of rests between the houses of Austria and Bourbon Bavaria. was displayed, through all the flimsy disguise under which art, address, and female connexions, had long endeavoured to conceal it. The imperial cabinet thought the moment favourable, and their right well founded, to extend their possessions on the Danube and towards the Rhine. France, on the other hand, could not remain insensible of the danger to her which might arise from such an ac- Artificesof quisition. From that instant the secret support ranee. 0f prussja jn a new war became the object of her wishes, and the source of a thousand insidious in trigues in the empire; yet with an effrontery, the extent of which is hardly credible, France pre tended still to shew herself the friend of Austria, and continued to wear that mask during the short war which ensued between Austria and Prussia, as well as throughout the w hole negotiation at Tes- chen, by which it was terminated. At the con clusion of peace, she flattered herself with having reconciled three of the most difficult, and, to all appearance, incompatible points of state artifice ; serving the views and interests of Prussia ; keep ing up at the same time the friendship and confi dence GEORGE III. 55 dence of Austria ; whilst she likewise succeeded to CHAP. a considerable degree in loosening the ties of XXXIII. friendship which had so long subsisted between the v-^r^w/ Czarina and Great Britain. The emperor, how- Detectedby ever, soon discovered and traced with indignation tneemPe- every step of this base duplicity, and appeared to entertain a desire of renewing the connexion be tween Austria and England, if it could be done without risquing a war, in which he must make great sacrifices without the hope of obtaining any effectual assistance, and from which he was equal ly restrained by financial and domestic considera tions. k In such a crisis it was natural and politic in Attemptto the British government to attempt engaging the lnhgaPlord assistance of the great war minister, respected for i„adminis- his talents and his success in a former emergency, tration. venerable for his years, idolized by the public, and dreaded by his opponents. Overtures were undoubtedly made to lord Chatham to form a new cabinet; but how far they weie authorized, what concessions were to have been made, what measures pursued, or what individuals to have shared the powers of government, are circumstances, which, if they were ever arranged, are at present unknown. The total overthrow of the existing administration was a part of the plan; but the treaty terminated abruptly, and in a manner which has never been sufficiently elucidated.0 The friends of lord Chat ham, after the time when the negotiation ceased, were sanguine in their expectations of its success. Lord Lyttleton, in the committee on the state of id Feb. the nation, said there remained one man who greatly and wisely disapproved of consenting to render America independent; and if the continu- t> From private Information and correspondence. 1 See authentic account of the part taken by the earl of Chatham in a transaction which passed in the beginning of the year 1778. Annual Register, 1778, p. jj44> rt seq. and in various other publications. e 4 ance 56 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, ance of war should finally be decided on, or new XXXIIL hostilities should be commenced in our own defence, v^^gfc/ he was still equal to conduct them with success. 11th Feb, Mr. Grenville spoke in the house of commons in terms still more decisive : " I think," he said, " notwithstanding all past occurrences, that the colonies may, by proper measures, be yet brought back to a state of constitutional obedience, and we may once more recover their affections. If there be a man who has served this nation with honour to himself, and glory to his country ; if there be a man -who has carried the arms of Britain triumphant to every quarter of the globe, and that beyond the most sanguine expectations of the people ; if there be a man of whom the house of Bourbon stands more particularly in awe ; if there be a man in this country, who unites the confi dence of England and America, is not he the pro per person to treat with America, and not those who have uniformly deceived and oppressed them ? There is not one present who is ignorant of the person to whom I allude, You all know that I mean a noble and near relation, lord Chatham. He is the man whom his majesty ought to call to his councils, because the Americans revere him, and the unbiassed part of the nation would most cheerfully trust their dearest interests with him ; if it shah be found that to him the nation looks forward for its salvation, it is a duty which his majesty owes to his people to avail himself of such respectable assistance." Lord North answer ed these observations with his accustomed sin cerity. Past events did not enable him to ascer tain the favourable disposition of America towards individuals or. parties in either house; he believed all men and all parties equally obnoxious to them; and whenever propositions should be made, the colonies would not consider who made them, but whether the terms were adequate to their expecta tions. GEORGE III. 57 tions. He would cheerfully resign the disagree- CHAP. able task to any person who was thought better XXXIII. qualified, and content to accept it. V>-i778^ The conciliatory bills had scarcely received i6thMar. the royal assent, when lord North gave notice *?£. that he should present a message from the king; gives no- Mr. Grenville, in common with the whole house, !ice°f an anticipating the subject, moved for copies of all message communications with the embassador at the court from the of France. The motion was over-ruled, d after a kins' short debate, in which the minister said he never denied the signature of the treaty ; it was now pub lished, by the French: if their interest consisted in promulgating, his duty required concealment of its contents. The royal message stated the receipt of notice, I7th. by order of the French king, that he had conclud- The meim ed a treaty of amity and commerce with certain sas<5' persons employed by his majesty's revolted sub jects in North America, in consequence of which offensive communication, the British embassador was ordered to withdraw from Paris, and the king- relied on the zealous and affectionate spirit of his people to repel insult, and maintain the national reputation. The note of the French embassador was laid before the house, conceived in terms of irony and derision. e " The United States of Ame rica," it said, "who are in full possession of inde pendence, as pronounced by them on the fourth of July 1776, having proposed to the king, to consolidate by a formal convention, the connexion begun to be established between the two nations, the respective plenipotentiaries have. signed a treaty of friendship and commerce. The French king J 231 to 146. c The expression of Washington, who adds, " more degrading to the pride and dignity of Britain than any thing she has ever experienced since she has been a nation. It is not an actual declaration of war, but certain ly must produce one." Washington's Letters, vol. ii. p. 478. being 58 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, being determined to cultivate the good under- XXXIII. standing subsisting between France and Great N-*^^»/ Britain, by every means compatible with his dig nity, and the good of his subjects, makes this pro ceeding known to the court of London, and de clares that the contracting parties have paid great attention not to stipulate any exclusive advantages in favour of the French nation; and that the United States have reserved the liberty of treat- in o- with every nation whatever, upon the same footing of equality and reciprocity. In making this communication to the court of London, the king is firmly .persuaded she will find new proofs of his majesty's constant and sincere disposition for peace ; and that his Britannic majesty, ani mated by the same sentiments, will equally avoid every thing that may alter their good harmony; and would particularly take effectual measures to prevent the commerce between his majesty's sub jects and the United States of North America from being interrupted ; and to cause all the usages received between commerical nations to be, in this respect, observed, and all those rules which can be said to subsist between the two crowns of France and Great Britain. In this just confidence, the undersigned embassador thinks it superfluous to acquaint the British minister, that the king his master, being determined to protect effectually the lawful commerce of his subjects, and maintain the dignity of his fag, has taken eventual measures in concert with the United States of North America."" Motion for In discussing the motion for an address, an an address. araendment was proposed, requesting his majesty to dismiss the ministry ; but no sentiment was ut tered derogatory to the representatives of a nation thus, in the person of the sovereign, wantonly and audaciously insulted. Lord North was, however, reproached for a culpable neglect of the means of information and defence ; he had suffered him- * self GEORGE III. 59 eelf to be surprised at the notification of a treaty CHAP, which appeared to have been two years under XXXIII. discussion ; and on the eve of a war, the king- v^vg^/ dom was destitute of adequate provision for in ternal safety. Governor Pownall, without intending to vindicate the minister, explained the circumstrances of the treaty, the very idea of which had not ex isted six months, and the actual negotiation not three months. In August the American commis sioners began to press the ministers of France for an explicit declaration, and effectual assistance, which was evaded by the crafty cabinet of Ver sailles, where the insidious policy of an ostensible neutrality, and indirect aid, was preferred. At a period when distresses and apprehensions bore hard on the Americans, the French, profiting of their distress, took occasion to attempt extorting from them an inequitable compact. When the account of Burgoyne's successes, and the capture of Ti- conderoga arrived, the Americans had lost all hopes, the negotiation with France was suspended and mutual reproaches had almost occasioned a breach between the French ministry and the Ame rican commissioners. In their despair the com missioners attempted, through the channel of governor Pownall, to commence a treaty with the mother- country for reconciliation, and re-esta blishment of peace ; and even declared, that al though an acknowledgment of independency was a sine qua non, yet on that and all other points, they would use all endeavours to save the honour of their parent country. Of this intimation Pow nall caused the government to be apprized, but re ceived for answer that the basis of the treaty was inadmissible. Despairing of reconciliation, the commis sioners, in September or October, renewed their negotiation with France, and settled a few preli minaries, 60 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, minaries, ad referendum, which were transmitted XXXHI. to America for the approbation of congress. But v-^^-^/ when the news of Burgoyne's disaster arrived, and 17781 when the French ministry understood lord North's intention to bring forward a conciliatory plan, they advanced without hesitation towards the American commissioners, ahd executed a treaty on their own terms. At the close of this interesting narrative, go vernor Pownall proceeded to observe, that peace with America was yet probable, if Great Britain would pursue the proper course. "The Americans are and must be independent. We acknowledge it in our own acts ; and have indeed, however we may cover our shame with words, resigned all domi nion over them. They will never rescind the sys tem contained in their four grand acts ; the de claration of rights ; the manifesto to all nations; the declaration of independency; and the act of confederation; but if parliament will extend the powers of the commissioners, so far as to acknow ledge their independence on conditions, they will in return, form a federal treaty, offensive, defen sive, and commercial, with us." The compact signed at Paris was not yet rati fied by congress, and by a speedy and candid ex ertion, this country might yet be enabled to take advantage of the natural predilection prevailing in America, and either frustrate the French treaty, or by entering into one on equal terms, succeed in depriving the French of all the benefits of their dexterity, since the Americans would more wil lingly keep their commerce in its accustomed channel, than engage with strangers, with whose language. they were unacquainted. If a federal treaty were not adopted, and the Americans should ever be induced to treat on other terms, one of their first demands must be a reimbursement of expences, and an indemnification for losses. A pecuniary GEORGE III. C 1 pecuniary remuneration was impossible; but, in- CHAP. stead of that mode, government must sacrifice XXXlil. Canada, Nova Scotia, and the Newfoundland fish- v"^7/^"/ ery ; this he knew would be insisted on; but if in dependence were conceded, America could only treat ou the same ground as any other independent nation, and indemnities were by them never re quired. » He exposed the fallacy of arguments tending to shew our force insufficient for resistance to the new enemy, and concluded, by declining to interfere with the amendment : he was indifferent who were or should be ministers ; but coincided in every feeling of resentment expressed by the address. General' Conway supported the principles so ably advanced by governor Pownall, and cor roborated his statements by observing, he iiad seen a letter from Dr. Franklin, written since the signature of the French treaty, offering peace, if Great Britain would forego the claim to supre macy : and Mr. Dundas said, he should rather wish to form a federal union than lose America, or let her fall into the hands of France. Lord Chatham was several times mentioned in the debate, as a minister who could unite the confidence of all parties, terrify the house of Bour bon, and conciliate America ; but lord North, af ter repeating his disregard of his employments, observed, that as the interest of the empire, no less than his own pride, required his continuance in office, he was determined not to quit the helm, until the vessel was safe in port. The original address was carried/ An amendment was proposed in the upper, simi- Address in lar to that in the lower house ; no opposition was \i\0^ offered by the lords in* administration, except one single remark, that it was unprecedented to clog an address with a qondition, implying that a measure, f 463 to 113. 62 CHAP.XXXIII. 1778- :3d Mar. Debate on the navy. nth and i 6th Feb. 1 1 th Mar. Fox's mo tion in the Committee on the state of the na tion. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. measure, right in itself, ought not to be pursued', unless something else were granted. The debate was chiefly maintained by two distinct parties in opposition, of whom some were desirous to pre serve peace with France at all events, and concede the independence of America, while others felt the indignity offered to Great Britain, as a justifica tion* of instant hostility ; and represented the loss of America as the termination of British prosperity; the amendment was negatived, s and the address carried. h Addresses were also returned to a mes sage for calling; out the militia, without division or debate. The navy engaged a considerable portion of parliamentary attention. Before the receipt of the message respecting France, the condition of this bulwark of the British empire had been se verely scrutinized in the committee of supply. An account of the ships in Great Britain and Ireland being submitted to the committee on the state of the nation, Fox founded on it a motion, that the navy was inadequate to the defence of the country. Temple Luttrell followed the mover, and conclud ed a long speech, fully displaying the bad condi tion of the ships, the neglect of supplies, and the general deplorable state of the service in every dej partment, by declaring that nothing could be clearer than the inadequacy of the naval power to the present crisis of public affairs, excepting the prostitution, mismanagement, and atrocious -cri* minality of those ministers whom our deluded so vereign had fatally chosen to entrust with this best protection of the realm. No detailed answer was given to his statements or arguments, as the king's message respecting France was then in pre paration ; but admiral Keppel took occasion to say, that if he had the honour to be employed in the service of his country, he rather wished to have a small 5 100 to j6. » 6% to 25. G E O R G E JII. CS a small fleet well fitted and completely manned, CllAP. than a large number of ships badly equipped. The XXXllf. previous question was negatived without a division. *s-P/7h"' In the house of lords, the duke of Bolton moved 25th Feb. for the personal examination of the surveyor of the Xg ^lk^ navy. Lord Sandwich, declaring he did not wish motion"" to evade the closest investigation, resisted the pro position, as tending to injure the country by mak ing improper disclosures ; the papers already sub mitted to the house afforded undue information. The motion was negatived;1 but lord Radnor ob served, that in rejecting it for the reasons assigned, the house treated the first lord of the admiralty with more respect than their ancestors had treated the husband of the queen of England. The earl of Effingham, accusing lord Sandwich 31st Mar. of gross mismanagement, and representing the £01'[1E{- v . ., .°i. i.- 1 • 1 fiugham's marine in the most disgraceful view, moved a se- motion. ries of propositions, for disclosing the state of the navy during the last eight years, the ordinary esti mates, and ships broke up, built and repaired. The professed objects of these motions was the enforce ment of economy, which, he said, was grossly violated in every branch of the service : there was a constant repugnancy between the estimates and the actual expenditure, which was a gross insult to parliament, and a shameful fallacy and deceit. Lord Sandwich made a specific defence on each head, and, comparing the present state of the navy with its condition in 1727, formed deductions highly favourable to his own administration ; the British force then consisted of a hundred and nine ty ships of war, it was now three hundred and seventy-three ; and expences of every kind were doubled. In the course of debate, many collateral topics were agitated ; the management of Green wich hospital, the improvidence in forming con tracts, and the peculations in the dock-yards ; and the i 23 to 11. 1 64 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. XXXIIL 1778. 1 2th Mar. Debate in the house of lords on contracts. 30th. In the house of commons. iSth May. the first lord of the admiralty was threatened with popular vengeance. The populace would rise, and, as the Dutch had treated the De Witts, tear him limb from limb. The debate then became exceed ingly tumultuous, and the motions were all ne gatived. , Previously to this discussion, the attention of the house had been engaged on the subject of con tracts : the earl of Effingham, in the committee on the state of the nation, pointed out what he considered a most scandulous M'ant of economy in the transport service, by which an expence had been created of six hundred thousand pounds ; witnesses.s were examined, and several resolutions tendered, which were disposed of by voting the chairman to leave the chair. Colonel Barre' also moved for a select com mittee to inspect the public accounts; charging the minister with gross negligence and ignorance in making contracts, and the house with shameful and traitorous servility in sanctioning his evasions and delusions. He analysed, with scrupulous se verity, the conduct of agents and contractors; the mode of dividing profits ; and censured, in un qualified terms, the contracts and agencies of Ilar- ley and Drummond, on the Spanish, Portugueze, and British gold coin ; and Mr. Atkinson, relative to his rum contract, and agency for the hire of transports for the treasury. But it was not won derful, he said, that great sums had been devoured by contracts, when the minister was so criminally ignorant as not to know currency from sterling. Lord North having explained himself with some warmth on the imputed ignorance and mis conduct, and consented to the appointment of a committee, a report was presented to the h«use, but at too late a period to be taken into con sideration. Sir Philip Jennings Clerke took advan tage GEORGE. Ill, , 65 tage of these discussions to catch at popularity, by chap. introducing a bill for thfe exclusion of contractors XXM1J. from parliament, unless their contracts were ob- ^^Jf^f gained by a public bidding. The debate on the i^thAprii, preparatory motion was, as might be expected, a ^lll^ex" series of declamations, or of artful suggestions, de- contractor* signed to entrap the minister. The motion was from par- said not to be hostile to the persons or characters iament# of contractors, but framed to prevent the foul deeds imputed to ministers, and men supposed in league to rob the public. The minister, if he considered properly his own interest, reputation, and personal satisfaction, ought to support the motion ; and contractors would be relieved from all the obloquy to which they were exposed. It was not designed to exclude them for being contractors jn a fair, open, equitable manner ; but for being closet con tractors, private plunderers; confederates with a_ corrupt administration ; robbing their country, and either sharing the spoil with the rest of the publjc conspirators, or with some others, more re mote from the general observation. Many reflections were made on the persons, characters, and gains of contractors ; and lord George Gordon, an intemperate fanatic, called the minister, the greatest of all contractors; a contractor for men; a contractor for parliamen tary flocks; a contractor for the representatives of the people. He sincerely wished him to save his country, and his own life; to call off his but chers and ravagers from the colonies; to retire with the rest of his majesty's evil advisers, from the public government, and make way for honest and wiser counsellors; " to turn from his wickedness and live," It was nqt yet top late to repent; the public clamour for revenge was not yet raised, against him; his majesty's troops were not yet totally defeated in America. Such a measure, supported by such, arguments, Yol. III. F met 66 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, met with the deserved fate. Many who were XXXIIL obliged to court popularity on any terms, lent vO^/ their sanction, though convinced of its futility, and, at the first convenient opportunity, abandoned the cause they reluctantly sustained. On the se cond reading, a motion for the speaker to leave the chair being negatived by a majority of two only, a new proposal was brought forward to ad- 4th May. journ the commitment for two months, when six supporters of the bill quitting the house, the ques-* tion was carried, and the bill lost.k othMarch. Another attempt to acquire popularity was Motion for made by Mr. Gilbert, who moved in a committee a tax on c J. . i • i • n places. or suPP'y> to impose, during the continuance ot the war, a tax of one fourth part of the net annual income, on all salaries, fees, and perquisites of office, exceeding two hundred pounds per annum, and all annuities, pensions, stipends, or other yearly gratuities issuing out of the exchequer, or any branch of his majesty's revenues. This proposition was carried in the committee,1 but rejected on »d April, bringing up the report."1 Proposi- A committee of the house of commons was tions for formed to revise the Irish trade laws. The propo* relief ot . . . . . . . r r Ireland, sition originated with lord Nugent, but was stre nuously supported by the opposition members, 7th. particularly Burke, and carried without dissent, In the committee, lord Nugent, observed, that from a series of unshaken loyalty, his countrymen, the Irish, were entitled to every encouragement which good and faithful subjects could deserve, and a wise and grateful government bestow; op-r pressive Jaws had hitherto been their only reward: he did not, however, mean to offer complaints; if he did, his generous countrymen would disavow them ; they saw Great Britain in distress ; their k The division on the first motion was 115 Joi 1 1 3 9 on the second, J13 to 109. ' l?o to j5z. m ?47 to 141. resent- GEORGE III. 67 resentment was hushed; and forgetful of their CHAP. wrongs, they made an unsolicited tender of their XXXIII. lives and fortunes. From a view of all the laws v*^4g^*' which bore hard on Ireland, he had drawn up a few resolutions, which he hoped the committee would adopt. He anticipated some opposition from the West India planters, but trusted the house would not be influenced by arguments founded on selfish ness. He moved that the people of Ireland might be permitted to send on board British vessels, navi gated according to law, to the coast of Africa, and other foreign settlements, all Jrish manufactures, wool and woollen cloths excepted. The motion was slightly objected to, but carried without a division. Resolutions were afterwards adopted for importing into Ireland, from the coast of Africa, all goods except indigo and tobacco ; for permit ting the direct exportation frofn Ireland to all places, except Great Britain, of glass manufactured in th,at kingdom ; permitting, by the abolition of a duty amounting to a prohibition, the importa tion of cotton-yarn, the manufacture of Ireland, into Great Britain ; and allowing the importation of Irish sail-cloth and cordage. During the Easter recess a formidable oppo- Opposk sition was formed among the trading cities and tion- towns, against the bills founded on these resolu tions. The first which engaged the attention of the house was, from the manufacturers of Somer setshire, against the bill for permitting the im portation of sail-cloth from Ireland. Burke, who through mistake moved for leave to bring in the bill, observed he had since discovered, that such a law was already in being. If the bill, he observed, was to be productive of the consequences stated in the petition, it was extraordinary the petitioners forgot to complain when they were hurt, and felt &o strongly when there was not 'even a possibility f 2 of 68 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, of sustaining injury. From this he inferred, that XXXIII. the jealousy entertained of the other bills was v^,g*",/ equally ill founded, and only originated in gross . M ' prejudice, or the selfish views of individuals. Pe- JNu'merous titions in unusual numbers also flowed in from all petitions, parts of the kingdom, and from many different classes of manufacturers." 6th. Sir Cecil Wray, declaring it the duty of every independent man to resist the bills, because sanctioned by lord North, endeavoured to procure the rejection of that founded on the first resolu tion; but was successfully opposed by Burke, who ably distinguished himself throughout the proceed ings. The bills before the house, he said, restored only what the wisdom of the British parliament had, on a former occasion, granted to Ireland. In the twelfth of Charles II. the British navigation act passed, extending equally to Ireland. A kind of left-handed policy had, however, deprived her of the freedom enjoyed by that act, and she had ever since remained under the most cruel, oppress sive, and unnatural restrictions. Deprived of every incentive to industry, and excluded from every passage to wealth, she had inwardly lamented, but never complained, of her condition. He did not mean, by describing her situation, to engage the humanity of the house. The people of Ireland would not accept of favours; they called for justice, not pity ; they requested Britain to be wise, not , generous ; to provide for her own good, and secure her own interest, sensible that wisdom and pru-r dence would dictate, that to accomplish these, a contrary conduct towards them was necessary. The annual revenue of the two kingdoms had been exultingly, but most inequitably, drawn into com parison, to prove that Ireland paid no proportion of 'tax. The number of inhabitants did not constitute n These petitions were so numerous, that a mere abstract of them oc cupies i^QCtawi pages, closely printed, on a very small type, the GEORGE III. 69 the specific difference in the article of taxation, chap. but the distinction of internal opulence, and ex- XXXIIL ternal advantage. According to that rule of com- v,^7'7to/ parison, Ireland was taxed in a quadruple propor tion more than England. The internal wealth, and external advantage of trade and commerce, were forty times greater in England than in Ireland, who was taxedj although deprived of the means of payment by restrictions on trade. " Enlarge her " ability to pay," he said, and in proportion, aug ment her taxes. The low rate of labour is a nugatory argument, for till the price of labour is equals the superiority of manufacture will re main with England. The price of labour rises with the growth of manufacture; is highest when the manufacture is best ; and where the price of labour is most advanced, the manufacturer is able to sell his commodity at the lowest price. He resisted the effect of the petitions, considering them the mere offspring of conjecture. Ireland could not vie with England in manufactures ; an act permitting the free exportation of manufac tured iron, had not been prosecuted; the only article imported under it into England was a quantity of cork-screws, which though evidences of luxury, afforded but a feeble proof of excellence of manufacture. The bill for free importation of woollen-yarn into England, had been opposed by petitions from every part of the country ; yet ex perience compelled an acknowledgement of its be neficial tendency. It was absurd to think a par ticipation of manufacture would be detrimental ; the woollen manufacture had been planted in different parts of the kingdom ; and competition had not depressed but promoted the trade. He lamented, that in one instance, his conscience im pelled him to oppose the wishes, though not t]j£ interests, of his constituents at Bristol; if, from his conduct, he should forfeit their suffrages at an ensuing election, it would stand on record, an f 3 example 70 CHAP. XXXIII. 1778. nth May. Small relief af forded. 1st May. Address of the Roman Catholics. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. example to future representatives of the commons' of England, that one man at least had dared to resist the desires of his constituents, when his judg ment assured him they were wrong. THEhousedivided in favour of the bills;0 the pe titioners were afterwards heard by counsel, and not withstanding the general disposition of parliament, and the concurrence of both sides, in not consider ing it as a party question, the clamour of the inte rested bore down the sense of the legislature; a sort of compromise was effected; most of the ad vantages intended for Ireland were abandoned; some enlargement was afforded to the linen trade, and some openings allowed in the West India and African commerce; but the whole transaction was considered rather as an earnest of future concession, that as a measure of present satis faction. During the session, a dutiful and modest ad dress was presented to the king, signed by nine Roman Catholic peers; lord Surry, heir to the duke of Norfolk, and a hundred and sixty-three other commoners, assuring him of their respectful at tachment to his person, and the civil constitu tion of the country, which having been perpetu ated though all changes of religious opinions and establishments, was at length perfected by that revolution which placed his majesty's il lustrious house on the throne, and inseparably united his title to the crown, with the laws and liberties of the people. Their exclusion from the benefits of that constitution, did not diminish their reverence for it ; they submitted with patience to such restrictions and discouragements as the legislature thought' expedient; they thankfully received such relaxations of rigour as the mildness of a-n enlightened age, and the benignity of his majesty's government, had gradually produced; and submissively waited, without presuming to sug gest 126 to 77. G E 0 R G E lit. ^to/ ment was purely conscientious; they held no opi- nions adverse to government, or repugnant to the duties of good citizens. For confirmation of this assertion, they referred to their irreproachable con duct during many years, and still professed an unalterable attachment to the cause and welfare of the country, and an utter detestation of the de signs and views of any foreign power, against the dignity Of the crown, the safety and tranquillity of the subject The delicacy of their situation pre cluded them from indicating any particular mode in which they might testify their zeal ; but they would ever b'e,ready to give such proofs of fidelity, and purity of intention, as his majesty's wisdom, and the sense of the nation, should deem expedient. This sensible address probably conciliated ad- M ministration toward amotion made by Sir George Biii'for37' Savile, to repeal certain penalties and disabilities ^eir relief. created by an act of the tenth and eleventh of Wil liam III. for preventing the further growth of popery. He adverted to the peaceable and loyal behaviour of that sect under a government which, though not severe in enforcing, yet suffered such into lerable penalties and disqualifications, to remain on the statutes. He drew favourable inferences to their late loyal address, and proposed a test, by which they should bind themselves to support the civil government, by law established. The motion, seconded by Dunning, and supp'orted by Thurlow and lord Beauchamp, was unanimously voted. The bill passed rapidly through the commons, Opposedin and was but slightly opposed in the upper house, of6^/6 Doctor Hinchliff, bishop of Peterborough, avowed 45th. becoming sentiments of liberality, but could npt conceal from hisown mind the genius of popery,. so as to consider its religious principles altogether dis- E 4 tihct H HlST&RY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, tinct from that political superstructure which had &XXIII. been raised on them ; and to the support of which, ^-X^ should occasion offer, they might be still made too subservient. The laws for protection of church and state should not be altered without due deli beration; according to the existing regulations, a younger son might, by professing himself a Pro- .festant, deprive his elder brother of the estate: but should this bill pass, an estate might be so li mited, as to descend only to a catholic; and a . Protestant elder brother be incapacitated by the limitation. Provision was made by the act of William for the maintenance and education of a . Protestant child, during his father's life-time, at the discretion of the lord-chancellor ; but though ' the present act did not alter that regulation, no ' care was taken of such child ; after the death of his father, he might then be left destitute because he was not a Roman Cotholic. The marquis of Rockingham contended that the bill gave to the Catholics no greater advantages than were possessed by all other descriptions of men, and reprobated the illiberal policy of main taining laws which subjected them to injuries and oppressions. Lord Shelburne said, when the penal clauses were proposed in parliament, nobody ap proved, although no one had the spirit to oppose them, and in proof that they were not so obsolete as was supposed, cited the case of Molony ; he was apprehended and brought to trial by the lowest and most despicable of mankind, a common informing constable of the city of London, convicted of be ing a popish priest, and the court was reluctantly f obliged (shocking as the idea was) to condemn him to perpetual imprisonment. The privy- council used every effort to give a legal discharge to the prisoner, but the laws would not allow it, nor dared the king himself grant a pardon. Lord Shelburne, however, with his colleagues in office, were GEORGE lit. 73 Vere so perfectly persuaded of the impolicy and chap. inhumanity of 'the law, that they ventured to XXXIII. restore him to liberty. The bill passed without "^f^ 'further impediment. Passed. In the committee on the state of the nation, i?ti»Mar. - Fox, guided by the papers which had been com- tionVreia- municated to the house, moved two propositions tive to ge- for censuring lord George Germaine, on the sub- ""a^e'fur" ject of Burgoyne's disaster. He expected to be answered that the plan of the expedition was the general's, but the papers proved the contrary ; his plan was departed from, and altered invariably for the worse. The only motive for leaving Canada was to force his way to Albany, and join Howe, but orders were given to one party only. The first proposition was rejected on a division, p and Fox in dignantly tearingthe other paper, declared he would make no more motions. On the suggestion of Wedderburne, it was voted that the failure of the expedition from Canada was not caused by any neglect in the secretary of state ; but the resolu tion v. as not reported to the house. General Burgoyne, by favour of congress, Bur- was permitted to return to England on his parole : g°yne's i court of inquiry, composed of general officers, England. fronounced their authority incompetent to an ad judication of his case, while a prisoner on parole under the convention. He demanded an audience of the king, but was refused on the ground of an established etiquette, which forbids the appearance at court of persons under his circumstances.' He enjpyed, however, before the termination of the •session, a partial opportunity of vindicating his conduct, in consequence of a motion by Mr. Vy- a6.th May ner, ' seconded by Wilkes, and amended by Fox, fenscee;n for & committee to consider the transactions of the house the northern army, the convention at Saratoga* of< ' com- t 164 to 44. 3 Lette; from general Burgoyne to his constituents.. and 74 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, and the means by which the general obtained hi* XXXIII. release. Burgoyne declared his intention to have v-^^-y moved for papers of great importance, but, for the present, contented himself with supporting the amendment. He justified his mode of employing the Indians, though he avowed that he thought tlieir services over-valued; sometimes insignificant, often barbarous, always capricious ; and the em ployment of them only justifiable, when, by being united to a regular army, they could be kept un der controul, and made subservient to a general system. He wished on this head to avail himself of the evidence of M. St. Luc de Corne, who had commanded, and was well acquainted with the manners of the Indians; he denied all the ravages imputed to his army, asserting that not more than one accident by fire happened during their pro gress. After describing, as accurately as he could, the condition of the surrendered force, the general adverted to his own situation : an inquiry, he said, had been commenced in his absence ; papers submitted to the house, imperfect in some respects,. redundant in others, particularly in the disclosure of a .confidential letter, the offspring of a warm and unsuspicious heart, which he had written to the secretary of state, and of which advantage had been taken to insinuate that he solicited em ploy. He defended his progress in the campaign, refuting several calumnious fabrications; sucr. as, that generals Philips and Frazer were averse to the passage of Hudson's river, and that his army was encumbered with an enormous and unnecessary mass of artillery and baggage. The two geaerals- were the eyes and hands with which he conducted all military operations ; able advisers, faithful friends, they felt for his difficulties, but never utter ed a syllable implying preference of an alternative. His communications with general Frazer were those of unrestrained friendship ; affeaion and 7 good George hL 73 good wishes to his commanding officer composed CHAP. the last sentence he uttered. No more artillery XXXIIL accompanied the army than the field train destin- v-^'^/ ed for the expedition, when Sir Guy Carleton ex pected to have conducted it, and all baggage of bulk, to the abridgement of many material com forts, were cheerfully left behind by the officers ; some of them had not beds ; many lay in soldiers tents ; and none had more than the common ne cessaries for active service. He complained bit' terly of his reception on his return; and averting all blame from his army, avowed himself the only criminal, if there was really any crime, and solicited an inquiry, " putting all the interests that hang " most emphatically by the heart-strings of man, " his fortune, his honour, his head, almost his sal- " vation, on the test." The answer to these remarks by lord George Germaine was short: an explanation was required on three particulars, which he would afford ; as to the confidential letter, it was accidentally put among the official papers, and by that means sent. by the clerks with the others, for which he express ed his concern. Mons. St. Luc had introduced himself to the secretary of state as a man who had performed great services at the head of the savages; and in conversation asserted, that Burgoyne was a fine officer with regulars, but did not seem to like the savages, nor did he take the proper steps to retain their good will : he was un brave homme, mais lourd comme un Allemand. The refusal of ac cess to the sovereign, till his conduct had under gone a military inquiry, was justified by precedent, His lordship concluded, that as military men -were the most proper judges, he did not see the propriety of parliamentary interference. The amendment, and the original motion, were both rejected on a division. r This subject was entered 1 144 to q<;. 76 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, entered into more at length, fresh papers commit-* XXXIII. nicated, and evidence examined in the next Alterca tion be tween Mr. Luttrel and lord George Cermaine. 7th April. The duke of Rich mond's paction for session. In the course of this debate, Mr. Temple Lut trel made insulting allusions to the court martial on lord George Germaine, and his subsequent dis grace by George 11. Why should he be partially acquitted to the prejudice of a gallant officer, whose only crime had avowedly been that he was too zealous, too brave, too enterprising, too anxi ous for the good of his country, had strictly obey ed his orders, and performed all that British valour could effect in executing the minister's plan. Had he, on the contrary, receded from his colours, dis obeyed the commands of his superiors, and hid himself from danger, such conduct would have given him pretensions to the patronage of the first lord of the treasury, and the honours and emolu ments of the American secretary. Lord George Germaine replied he never was personal in the house, nor ever by his conduct merited such an attack; he despised the honour able member, but would level himself with his wretched character and malice ; old as he was, he would meet that fighting gentleman, and be re venged. The house called to order : the speaker reprimanded both members, and insisted on their promise that the affair should be no further pro secuted ; lord George Germaine apologized for his warmth, and Mr. Luttrel, after attempting to escape from the house, and standing in contumacy till he had nearly been taken into custody of the serjeant at arms, acknowledged his error, and said he meant his reflections as public matter, not as private abuse or enmity. The committee on the state of the nation, clos ed in the house of lords with a motion by the duke of Richmond for an address, recapitulating the expences, misconduct, and losses of the war, and beseeching GEORGE HI. 77 beseeching the king to withdraw his forces from CHAP, America, and dismiss the ministry. Lord Wey- XXXIIL mouth opposed it, observing, that all the circum- v"""~Xg*"'' stances stated as, facts had been already rejected .withdraw* by the committee. Our situation with respect to lngthe France should prevent the house from adopting a from Ame- proposition which indicated the country to be in lic!u a defenceless state ; and to request the king to withdraw his armies was an improper interference with his just prerogative. The same prerogative extended to the appointment or removal of minis ters ; if guilty of misconduct they were open to public inquiry; and if convicted on competent proof, objects of parliamentary complaint, and of parliamentary prayer for removal. It had been asked, did ministers consider their places as their freeholds ? Did they hold them as a matter- of right? Did they deem their dismission from em ployment a punishment ? certainly no. The king-, who honoured them with his commands, could whenever he pleased, dispense with their services ; and when his majesty thought that proper, no member of administration would consider himself punished. On this day, the earl of Chatham, struggling Appear- for a momentary victory over disease, made his ^"^^ appearance in the house of lords. The importance ham. of the crisis, the character of the great statesman^ and the expectation of important counsel, render ed his presence peculiarly interesting; while the langour of illness, softening, although it could not extinguish the fire of his eye, and diminishing the elation, although it could not abate the dignity of his mien, gave force to every feeling of personal affection, and suppressed every sentiment of petu lant or acrimonious opposition, which a long course of parliamentary contest 'had excited. When, in the garb of sickness, he was led into the house between his son and son-in-law, the peers of all 78 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, all parties paid a voluntary tribute of respect by XXXIIL standing while he passed to his proper place. ^^^ He rose from his seat slowly and difficultly; Hisspeech. leaning on his crutch, and supported under each arm by his relatives. Taking one hand from his crutch, he raised it, and casting his eyes toward Heaven, said, " I thank God that I have been " enabled to come-here this day to perform my " duty, and to speak on a subject which has so (t deeply impressed my mind. — I am old and in-. 4t firm — have one foot, more, than one foot in the " grave. — I am risen from my bed to stand up in " the cause of my country — perhaps never again " to speak in this house." j" He came to express his indignation at an idea, he understood was gone forth, of yielding up the sovereignty of America! " I rejoice," he continued, " that the grave has " not closed on me : that I am still alive to lift " up my voice aginst the dismemberment of this " ancient and most noble monarchy ! Pressed " down, as I am, by the hand of infirmity, I am *' little able to assist my country in this perilous fc conjuncture ; but, while I have sense and me- " mory, I will never consent to deprive the royal (< offspring of the house of Brunswick, the heirs " of the princess Sophia, of their fairest inheritance. " Where is the man who will dare to advise such " a measure? My lords, his majesty succeeded to " an empire as great in extent as its reputation f From Anecdotes of Distinguished Persons by Mr. Seward, vol. ii. J). 422. 4th edit. 8oq. This well-informed author adds the following circumstances: "The purport of his. speech is well known. The re- " verence — the attention' — the stillness of the house was most affecting: *' if any one had dropped a handkerchief, the noise would have been " heard. At first he spoke in a very low and feeble tone j but, as he «' grew warm, his voice rose, and was as harmonious as ever ; oratorical << and affecting, perhaps more than at any former period, both from his " own situation, and from the importance of the subject on which hfe ?« spoke. He gave the whole history of the American war ; of all the " measures to which he had objected ; and all the evils which he had «' prophecied, in consequence of them, adding, at the end of each, "And M so it proved !" it. Avas GEORGE IN. yg was unsullied. Shall we tarnish the lustre of CHAP. this nation by an ignominious surrender of its .XXXIII, rights and fairest possessions? Shall this great v***"g kingdom, that has survived whole and entire '7? the Danish depredations, the Scottish inroads, and the Norman conquest ; that has stood the threatened invasion of the Spanish armada, now fall prostrate before the house of Bourbon? Surely, this nation is no longer what it -was! Shall a people, seventeen years ago the terror of the world,- now stoop so low as to tell its ancient inveterate enemy — take all we have, only give us peace ? It is impossible ! I wage war with no man, or set of men. I wish for none of their employments ; nor would 1 co-operate with men who still persist in unretracted error ; or who, instead of acting on a firm, decisive line of con duct, hait between two opinions, where there is no middle path. In God's name, if it is abso lutely necessary to declare either for peace or war, and if peace cannot be preserved with ho nour, why is not war commenced without hesi tation? I am not, I confess, well informed of the resources of this kingdom ; but I trust it has still sufficient to maintain its just rights, though I know them not. But any state is better than despair. Let us at least make one '*' effort ; and if we must fall, let us fall like " men !" The duke of Richmond, after replying to the The duke. arguments of lord Weymouth, directed his attention ^jj^j" to those of lord Chatham, for whose person and opi- reply, nions he professed' the highest veneration and re spect; no one had a more grateful memory of the services which he had rendered to the country, raising its glory, reputation, and successes to an height never before experienced by any nation. But the name of Chatham could not perform impossibilities, or restore the country to the state in which it stood when he was called to direct its counsels, t< 80 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, counsels. Our finances were then most flourishing, XXXIII. resulting from the abilities and indefatigable zeal ^^y^ of that great man and able financier, Mr. Pelham ; our fleet was in a respectable condition, and under the direction of a most able naval officer, lord Anson. The influence of the crown had not reached its present alarming and dangerous height. We had for the most part of the war, France alone to contend with; and when Spain commenced hostilities, France was reduced to the lowest ebb; her navy almost annihilated; and her principal colonies in the new world wrested from her. America then fought for us ; in the present exigency, instead of Great Britain and America against France and Spain; - France, Spain, and America, would be united against Great Britain. As lord Chatham had not only omitted to point out the means of sustaining so unequal a contest, but had acknowledged he knew them not, the duke adhered to his former opinion. No person more sincerely wished the perpetuation of American dependence; but being convinced of its total impracticability, he was anxious to retain the co lonists as allies, because if they are not on terms of friendship with Great Britain, they must throw themselves into the arms of France; and if war was commenced on account of the late treaty, they would consider themselves bound in honour to assist their ally. The noble earl, as a reason for Avar, had mentioned the inherent rights of the heir apparent and his brother: to recover those pos: sessions by force, was noAV totally impracticable, but he would join in calling to a severe account, those avIio had caused the loss of their inheritance. The provocation given by France, on account oi her conduct respecting America, did not compel the adoption of resentful measures ; Queen Eliza beth openly abetted the revolt of the Spanish Ne therlands, and assisted the insurgents for a series of years with men and money ; Philip the second, far GEORGE III. 81 far from resenting, scarcely seemed to notice the chap. circumstance. He Avas already sufficiently em- XXXIIL ba»rrassed; and did not consider himself bound, V"-J^g^' either in honour or policy, to create more enemies than he was able to contend Avith; yet Philip was, at that time, the most poAverful prince in Europe. At the close of this speech, lord Chatham, ani- Lord mated Avith disdain, and eager to reply, rose from ^dde^nlii- his seat ; but the effort Avas too mighty for his en- ness. feebled frame, and after repeated attempts to retain his position, he sunk in a sAvoon. The house became a scene of alarm and agitation, and the debate was closed. Although he soon recovered from the fit, and Death of the public entertained sanguine hopes of the re- h°armtChat~ establishment of his health, this stroke Avas the forerunner of death. He languished a few weeks at Hayes, Avhere he was conveyed by his own desire, and expired in the seventieth year of his 1Ith Mav> age. As soon as the event Avas known colonel Barr£ Honours moved for an address, requesting that the remains paid t0 h'sr of this illustrious statesman should be interred at the house1 the public expenee in Westminster Abbey. Mr. of com- T. Townshend seconded the motion, with a pathetic mons' eulogy on the extraordinary merits of its object. Mr. Rigby thought a monument to his memory would be a more eligible, as well as a more lasting testimony of the public gratitude, than defraying the expences of his funeral. Dunning combined both the propositions, by adding Rigby 's sugges tion to colonel Bane's motion, as an amendment ; and the resolution was carried, after a feAv approv ing words from lord North, who entered the house at a late period of the debate. The king readily agreed to the addresses; and '3th- , P J b , i .• i > Annuity many members pronounced erophatical encomiums annexed to on the deceased peer. Lord John Cavendish his title. hoped the first vote would not be the limit of pub- Vol. III. G lie S3 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. C H A P. lie gratitude. As that invaluable man had, Avhilst XXXIIL in the nation's sendee, neglected his own interests ; ^'^-/ and though he had the greatest opportunity of en riching himself, had not accumulated opulence for his family, he hoped ample provision would be made for the descendants of so honest and able a mi nister. This suggestion Avas cordially adopted, and *T»t May. a bill passed, in consequence of a message from the king, for annexing four thousand pounds a year to the title of earl of Chatham, while it continued in His debts the heirs of the deceased statesman. The muni- p:^;by ficence of parliament was completed, by a vote ment. of twenty thousand pounds for payment of his debts. ,5,i, Lord Shelburne moved, that the house of Proceed- peers should attend the funeral; but the motion .We of * was over' mled by the majority of a single vote.* 'c-.ds. The annuity bill, Avhich passed so harmoniously through the house of commons, occasioned a vio- 7,1 June, lent debate in the lords. The duke of Chandos m.itybfu opposed the grant as an umvarrantable profusion cppo»ed. of the public money, in times of urgent distress, and as a dangerous precedent; grants in perpe tuity, Avere taxes in perpetuity ; and ought to be cautiously ratified by parliament. The precedent might be extended to sanction applications of a similar nature, and proper objects would not be want ing ; lord HaAvke, lord Amherst, and prince Ferdi nand of BrunsAvick, Averecitedas instances Avhere the national bounty would be unexceptionablybestowed. In answer, the peculiar merits of lord Chatham were urged; and a sarcastic application Avas made to the possessors of sinecure places without merit, to deduct from their emoluments the provision proposed for the family of so illustrious an orna ment to the British name. In consequence of some observations by the lord chancellor, the Avhole political conduct of the deceased" ' Contents 16, proxies 3. Non. Contents 16, proxies 4. GEORGE III. 83 deceased earl came under review, and Avas by some CHAP. strenuously censured, as the source of all the sub- XXXIII. sequent disasters of the country; by some par- V-J^g^ tially defended, as founded on integrity, prose cuted with vigour, but occasionally deficient in consistency and wisdom ; by others it Avas extolled in all its parts, as the prodigious effort of a supe rior genius, who had forced his way at a critical emergency, raised the spirits of a desponding na tion, given energy to vacillating counsels, and raised the country to unrivalled glory. The sup posed errors in his conduct were ascribed to the rancour of party, and to that unextinguishable spirit of envy Avhich ought to have died with its object.1 The bill passed," A short protest is on Protest. the journals, signed by four peers." The posthumous compliments to lord Chatham Honours Avere not confined to the houses of parliament, Avhich paid him he had adorned, instructed, and dignified by his ^^on eloquence: the common council of London peti- council of tioned the house of commons, and the throne, for London- the honour of receiving his remains, and interring them in the cathedral of St. Paul's, thus rendering *°thand the noblest edifice in the British dominions, the 26thMay- depository of one amongst the noblest subjects of the empire. These petitions were unsuccessful; 2Stj,njay orders having already been given for the inter ment in Westminster Abbey. They also petitioned 6th June. for notice to attend his funeral in their gowns ; but taking offence at some point of conduct in the lord chamberlain, rescinded the resolution. They 7th and erected, however, a superb monument to his me- sen ju»e. mory in Guildhall. The body lay in state two Jj5 fune- 1 The principal speakers in this debate were the lord chancellor, the dukes of Richmond and Chandos, earls of Abingdon, Radnor, Shelburne, and Camden, lords Lyttleton and Ravenswarth. » 4-z to n. * The lord chancellor (Bathurst) the duke of Chandos, the archbishop of York (Markham) and lord Paget. G 2 days CHAP.XXXIIL 8th June. Debate re sumed on the duke of Rich mond's motion. 2d July. Adjourn*ment of parlia ment. King'sspeech, HISTORY OF ENGLAND. days in the painted chamber, and Avas interred Avithv great solemnity, though but thinly attended.7 The debate, interrupted by the illness of lord Chatham, Avas resumed the ensuing day. The contest Was maintained between two chiefs of the leading parties in opposition; the earl of Shel burne, and the duke of Richmond. The earl, Cordially adopting the principles of lord Chatham, that the moment Great Britain acknowledged the sovereingty or independency of Ameriea, her sun was set, and that a Avar with France Avas unavoid able, censured the arguments tending to inspire despondency. He spoke with confidence of the sufficiency of Great Britain, both in population and finance, to resist America, France, and Spain, united. The duke of Richmond fully acceded to our ability to cope with France and Spain, but America must be our ally, or at least neuter; he was for an immediate concession of independency : both agreed in condemningthe conduct of ministry, but they did not interfere in the debate, either to vindicate themselves or deliver an opinion on the' motion, Avhich Avas negatived. z Notwithstanding the length and extreme activity of the session, motions were made in both houses to prevent the adjournment. The king, in discharging the parliament from, Avhat he justly termed, a long and laborious application to busi ness, returned thanks for their zeal in supporting- the honour of his crown, and for their attention to the real interests of his subjects, in the Avise, just, and humane laAvs which had resulted from their deliberations, and which he hoped would be at- 7 Lord Chatham's funeral, Gibbon observes, was meanly attended, and Government ingeniously contrived to secure the double odium of suffering the thing to be done, and of doing it with an ill grace. Miscellaneous Works, vol. I. p. 533. The, other particulars are taken from the Pebates, and Appendix to the Chronicle in the Annual Register for 2 50 to 33. tended GEORGE HI. ¦ 85 tended with the most salutary effects in every part CHAP. of the British empire. His desire to preserve the Xxxiil tranquillity of Europe had been uniform and sin- ^^J*"^ cere ; the faith of treaties, and the law of nations, his rule of conduct, and his constant care to give no just cause of offence to any foreign poAver ; - " let that power, by Avhom this tranquillity shall " be disturbed, he said, ansAver to their subjects, " and to the Avorld, for all the fatal consequences " of war." He trusted the experienced valour and discipline of his fleets and armies, and the loyal and united ardour of the nation, armed and ani mated in the defence of every thing dear to them, would defeat all enterprizes of the enemy, and convince them how dangerous it was to provoke the spirit and strength of Great Britain. He had no other wish or object but to deserve the confix dence of parliament, and the affections of his people. G3 86 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 'CHAPTER THE THIRTY-FOURTH: 1778. Expeditions from Philadelphia. — State of the British army. — And qfa that under Washington. — Treachery . of Congress towards Burgoyne's army. — Drafts of the conciliatory bills sent to con gress.— Their resolutions. — Effects of the measure. — Arrival of the French Treaty. — Its effect. — La Fayette's expedition to Barren-hill. — Sir William Howe recalled. — Superb festival called Mischianza.— Arrival of the commissioners. — Passport refused to their secretary. — Terms proposed by them to congress. — Answer. — Explanatory letter of the commissioners. — Pretended offers of bribes. — Discussions respecting governor Johnstone. — Manifesto of the commissioners. — Resolutions. — And counter- manifesto of congress. — Evacuation of Philadelphia. — Severities exercised against loyalists. — Judicious retreat of Sir Henry Clinton.— Action at Monmouth-court-house. British army go to New York. — Disgrace of general Lee. — Sailing of the Toulon squadron under D' Estaing. — Pursued by Byron. — The Frendh arrive at the Chesapeak. — Expedition against Rhode Island. — Actions at sea. — The Americans repulsed at Rhode lisland. — Lord Howe resigns the fleet to admiral Gambier.— Expedi tion to Buzzard's bay. — Surprise of colonel Baylor. — Attack on Egg harbour. — Pulaski's legion cut to pieces. — Reduction of Georgia. — Destruction of Wyoning. — And other settlements. — Ditappointments of Byron. — D'Estaing sails to the West Indies. — Capture of Saint Pierre and Miquelon. — The French take Dominica.— -The English Saint Lucie. — Indignation of the Ame ricans against D'Estaing. — His proclamation to the Canadians. ¦ — Washington refuses to co-operate in attacking Canada. — Hatred of the Americans towards the French. CHAP. During the period of their continuance in winter quarters at Philadelphia, the British C^4I/ army confined their efforts to foraging parties; Ex'^df-' one unc^er tne gallant colonel MaAvhood, made a tionSe from successful excursion to New Jersey, and defeated riuiadei- superior detachments of Americans Avith great Mareh 10SS- Colonel Abercrombie and major -Sincoe 1778- surprised a portion of the American baggage, and *th May. retmneci t0 Philadelphia without disaster, though their GEORGE III. 87 their co-operation was not so complete as Avas originally projected. Major Maitland and cap tain Henry of the navy, destroyed a quantity of ^^^J* stores and forty-four American vessels, Avhich had 7th May. escaped up the Delaware after the capture of Mud Island. These unimportant exploits, hoAvever gallant Stateofthe and well conducted, Avere insufficient to atone for „,.„'* the A\rant of some capital enterprize during the long Avinter. The army exhibited a contrast of immoderate luxury, and excessive misery. Gam ing was carried to an unwarrantable extent; and the grave, staid inhabitants of Philadelphia, were shocked and insulted by some young officers, who introduced into their sober families, females of exceptionable character. The vigilance of Wash ington, and the extreme severity Avith Avhich he punished the peasantry for attempting to bring provisions to market, occasioned continual scarcity of necessaries ; and the inhabitants, offended by the dissipation of the army, and the pressure of calamity occasioned by their presence, became inimical to the British government. Individuals avowedly friendly to congress were, through neg ligence, allowed to reside in the city ; and by con veying intelligence to the enemy of intended movements, enabled them to impede supplies, and harass small foraging parties. Washington in his huts at Valley Forge ex- Condition perienced, Avith aggravations, all the difficulties ?fWasn- of the preceding Avinters. He was destitute of every ins oa\ necessary; disease consumed, and desertion thin ned his army ; at one period he Avas reduced to less than four thousand men, and his cannon fixed to the ground by the frost: but he made indefatigable exertions to remedy these inconveniences, of Avhich he gives an alarming picture in one of his letters to congress: "Our distress for arms and " clothing," he says, " is amazingly great; we g 4 " have 88 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. " have many men noAV without firelocks, and XXXIV. " many coming in, in the same predicament; and ^T^ " half" the army are Avithout shirts. Our condi- " tion for vvant of the latter, and blankets, is quite " painful, of the former very distressing. The " doctors attribute, in a great degree, the loss of " hundreds of lives to the scarcity of clothing; " and 1 am certain hundreds have deserted from " the same cause."* In vain experiments were tried to engage the Indians; in vain congress issued requisitions for the inrolment of forces in the different states; men could not be induced to encounter the severities of winter, without view of service or probability of relief; and the general did not expect any important accession of force tili tOAvards June.b The desertion of the troops was countenanced by frequent resignations of officers, of Avhom upAvards of two hundred threw up their commissions in the space of six months.' April. Nor Avas this distressing consequence of the short sighted parsimony of congress remedied, till, in compliance with the judicious suggestion of their general, they allottee! to the officers half-pay for seven years after the war; a bounty which was subsequently extended to the period of their lives.d Treachery Parsimonv Avas not the only vice of congress,. grecs°n" against which Washington ventured to remon-. towards strate. By the convention at Saratoga, Boston Bur" , Avas designated as the place Avhere the British army. troops Avere to wait for a conveyance home: Bur goyne applied to congress for leave to change this place for Rhode Island, or some other more con venient port; but the American representatives, a Washington's Letters, vol. ii. p. 289. See also a letter from the com mittee to congress, in Stedman's History of the American War, vol. i. p. 312. 1> Washington's Letters, vol. ii. p. 261, 374. « Idem. p. 252. d Ramsay, vol. ii, p. 98. recollecting GEORGE HL gg recollecting that if these forces were restored to CHAP. Great Britain, they might be rendered serviceable XXXIV. in garrisons, and an equal number detached to v*-^^/ their shores, not only refused the general's request, but prohibited the embarkation of the captive troops, until a distinct and explicit ratification of the convention at Saratoga should be properly notified by the court of Great Britain to congress. This infamous perfidy was palliated by pretended suspicions that Burgoyne's men would join the army at New York, and by allegations equally frivolous and false, of their having already broken the convention. Washington remonstrated with force and firmness against this national act of •dishonour, Avhich he represented alike injurious to the cause in the breasts of Bristons, foreigners, and even their oavii American adherents;0 but his reasonings were vain, the unfortunate army was subjected to great hardships and wanton indig nities, removed from place to place according to the caprice of congress, and notwithstanding the most explicit and candid offers and assurances, the terms of the convention were never complied with. Feeling the necessity of embracing the earliest Drafts of moment to counteract the views of France in her naetoc°nb"ijs late treaty with America, the British ministry, sent to before thev passing of the conciliatory bills, trans- conSress- mitted drafts to America, that the ratification of congress to the French treaty might not be ob tained by surprise, while the "country was yet ignorant of the terms on which an accommoda tion Avith the parent-state might be obtained. Sir William Howe circulated copies ; Washington also transmitted some to congress, with expressions of apprehension that the measure might be succesful in detaching adherents from their cause/ In pur« zist April. suance of his recommendation, the representative 2S»!" body fc See Washjagton's Letters, vol, ii . p, aW.. f Idem, p« 2W, J)0 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, body appointed a committee to investigate the XXXIV. bills, who Avithout hesitation rejected the propo- v-^^»-/ sals. The report of the committee, Avhich was produced in a single day, Avas more than ordinarily petulant and virulent ; the bills were analysed, and declared to originate in dishonest vieAvs, and to prove only the weakness of Great Britain : and it was decreed, that any individual, or body of men, making separate or partial conventions Avith commisssioners under the croAvn of Great Britain, ought to be treated as open enemies. No confe rence or treaty could be held Avith the commis sioners, unless as a preliminary, they either Avith- dreAV the fleets and armies, or, in express terms acknoAvledged the independence of America. These resolutions were accompanied with an exhortation to the colonies, to complete their quotas of men ; H pn ' and folloAved by a promise of pardon under strict restrictions, to those who had appeared in arms against them.s Eff.cts of These proceedings fully verified the predictions, sure.1™*" tnat tne minister's ductility would not be attended with the desired effect, and that he did not, like the spear of Achilles, possess the poAver of healing the wound he had himself inflicted.11 The American friends of Great Britain attempting to circulate these propositions, enabled their opponents to assert, that, instead of seeking peace by the ordinary modes of negotiation with poAvers legitimately constituted, government aimed at an undue in fluence over the people, and hoped to obtain by their impatient clamours, that which the sagacity of their rulers would withhold. 2d May. Shortly after these resolutions had passed, the'French Simeon Deane arrived, and notified the accom- treaty. • plishment of the treaty with France. The expec tation of this event had long animated the Ame- t See the resolutions in Almon's Remembrancer, vol. vi. p. 163. * Gibbon's Posthumous Works, vol. i. p. 531. ricans, GEORGE III. 91 ricans, and influenced the decision of congress. CHAP. The probability of a Avar between Great Britain XXXIV. and France, had long been maintained,1 and con- v^^g|^ gress asserted that the British cabinet proposed the conciliatory bills only in consequence of their alarm at such a juncture.* The hesitation of the French court in ratifying the treaty, did not per mit them to be too confident, but they knew they could always retract resolutions formed before the proposition to the house of commons had been sanctioned with all the legislative forms. The confirmation of the French alliance was re- **May. ceived with unbounded joy, as the test and guaranty of American independence. Congress madeapartial publication of the treaty, ascribing the most noble and disinterested views to the French king, who would rank among the greatest heroes of histoiy, and whoseexample Avould decide the rest of Europe. Spain and Germany would join without delay ; Russia and Denmark were not adverse to them ; and the king of Prussia had declared to their envoy, that he would be the second poAver in Europe, to acknowledge their independence.1 La Fayette, who flattered himself that his remonstrances had considerably influenced the decision of his court, communicated the event Avith childish transport, to the sedate general of the Americans ; the bri gades were assembled, the chaplains offered up pub lic thanks to Almighty God, and delivered discourses suitable to the occasion. A feu dejoie Avas fired, and, on a signal given, the air resounded with " Long live the King of France." La Fayette, from the moment of joining the La Fay- American army, impatiently desired to be intrusted "*?•*• ex" with some distinguished command. His conti- ^Barren nued solicitations occasioned considerable embar- H»l« ' Washington's Letters, vol. ii. p. 215. k Almon's Remembrancer, ubi sup. ' Idem. vol. vi. p. 167. rassment cjl3 HISTORY 0*F ENGLAND. CHAP, rassment to the American general ;ra on the present XXXIV. occasion, it Avas judged necessary to indulge him ^-p-"^ with the desired opportunity of displaying his sup- i.,th7May. posed military knowledge. General Washington therefore detached him, with nearly three thousand - men, to take post on Barren Hill, seven miles ad vanced from the camp of Valley Forge ; but on the opposite side of the river, for the purpose of moving betAveen the Delaware and Schuylkill, re straining the British parties, procuring intelligence, and acting as circumstances might require." This position was not judiciously chosen; it was too distant from Philadelphia, to effect any important purpose, and too near to be secure against a well- aoth. concerted enterprize. General Grant, at the head His immi- 0f fjve thousand select troops, Avas dispatched from pent an, pj1iiac]e]p]1ia) to surprise La Fayette, and reached, undiscovered, a point in his rear, between him and Washington's camp. Here the road forked ; one branch led to Barren Hill, at the distance of a mile; the other to Matson's Ford, across the Schuylkill, at the same distance. In the course of the night another detachment, under General Grey, marched from Philadelphia, along the western branch of the Schuylkill, and stationed themselves at a ford tAvo or three miles in front of La Fayette's right flank, Avhile the remainder of the British army advanced to Chesnut Hill. His retreat was thus cutoff from every passage but Matson's Ford; and as the line from his position formed the base of an obtuse-angled triangle Avith the tAvo roads, his distance from it was much greater than that of the British, The confused galloping of a re connoitring party of horse, ' indicated their having discovered the approach of the British* And La Fayette Avas soon observed retreating Avith pre- escape. cipitation and terror towards Matson's Ford, m Washington's Letters, vol. ii. p. 216, n Idem. vol. ii. p. 279, through GEORGE III. , and corrupt their integrity ; and demonstrated their highest and most pointed indignation, by pro nouncing it incompatible with their honour, to hold any correspondence with governor Johnstone, or to negotiate Avith him in affairs interesting the cause of liberty and virtue. u The other commis- 26th. sioners disclaimed all knowledge of the transac- Answer of , t 1 . • i the com- tion, * and governor Johnstone, in an angry de- mission- claration, ««• t When about to depart from America, governor Johnstone wrote to Dr. Adam Ferguson, expressly denying the truth of Mr. Reid's state ment, so far as it applied to him. Dr. Ferguson published the letter, and averred that the governor had deposited in his hands proofs of the truth of its contents, though he was prohibited by express injunctions, and the fear of exposing individuals to the cruel persecution of congress, from making them public. See Remembrancer, vol. vii. p. 336. " See this declaration, Almon's Remembrancer, vol. vii. p. 14. and governor Johnstone's Letters at length, same vol. pp. S, 9, 10. x In the course of this letter, the commissioners descanted at large on the mode in which the treaty with France had been granted ; they de scribed that nation as a known enemy to all civil and religious liberty, and observed, that on a review of her whole conduct, her designs, the un generous motives of her policy, and the degree of faith due to her profes sions, would become too obvious to need illustration. La Fayette, with characteristic petulance and absurdity, founded, on this joint public paper, a challenge to single combat, which he addressed to lord Carlisle : the H 2 English 100 CHAP. XXXIV. 1778. 7 th Aug. Corres pondenceabout Bur goyne's army. 26th. 3d Oct. Manifestoof thecom- fnissioners. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. claration, declined continuing to act in his com mission. He reproached congress with their per fidy toAvard the army of Saratoga; and their re sisting, through motives of ambition, the liberal offers of the British government; while they pub licly prostrated themselves before a French em bassador, and entered into a league Avith the in veterate enemies of both countries.7 The further correspondence with congress Avas of small moment : the commissioners had already made a requisition to fulfil the convention of Sa ratoga, Avhich was with equal perfidy and stubborn ness refused. After several unavailing efforts to attain this point, they published a manifesto and proclamation, addressed separately to the congress, the general assemblies and conventions of pro vinces, the people at large, the ministers of religion, and the lovers of peace. The members of congress Avere reminded of their responsibility to their country, to the Avorld, and to God, for the con tinuance of the war, and its concomitant miseries. The commissioners did not desire to obtain the ob jects of theirpursuit, by fomenting popular divisions, and party cabals ; but it Avas their wish, and their duty, to encourage. and support individualsor bodies in their return to loyalty and amity ; and if separa tion from Great Britain Avas pursued through the medium of a pretended alliance Avith France, the whole nature and future conduct of the Avar must be altered. Policy and benevolence had hitherto restrained the extremes of hostility, in distressing a people English nobleman said, he fot.nd it difficult to return a serious answer ; La Fayette ought to have known that he was responsible to his king and country alone, and not to any individual for his public conduct and lan guage. If his opinions or expressions were not retracted in public, he should never give an account of them, much less retract them in private. This deservedly contemptuous answer terminated the correspondence. The letters are in Almon's Remembrancer, vol. vii. p. 174; . y Remembrancer, vol. vi. p. 14. See also Stedman, c. xxvi. GEORGE III. 101 a .people still considered as British subjects, and CHAP. desolating a country, shortly to become again the XXXIV. source of mutual advantage ; but when that coun- v-^1*w try professed the unnatural design, not only of estranging herself from the mother-country, but of mortgaging herself and her resources to an in veterate enemy, the contest Avould be changed ; and the question Avould be, how far Great Britain might destroy, or render useless a connexion con trived for her ruin, and for the aggrandizement of France. Under such circumstances, the laws of self-preservation directed, that, if the British colo nies were to become an accession to France, the acquisition should be rendered of the smallest pos sible value. General pardons Avere proffered to all Avho should withdraAV from the service of congress within forty days, and to the colonies at large, or separately, a general or separate peace, Avith there- vivalof their ancient government, secured against future infringement, and protected from British taxation. Congress ansAvered this manifesto by resolu- iothOct. tions, exhorting, the people, when the king's troops Resoiu- should. begin burning or destroying any tovra, to retaliate on the houses and properties of all tories, and enemies to American independence, and se cure their persons ; abstaining, however, from Avanton cruelties, as congress Avould not imitate their enemies, or their German, negro, and copper- coloured allies. In conformity with these observations, they 30th. also issued a counter-manifesto, vaunting, with the tA"li"^n- ,. 11*1 lei ""TO 3 111** solemnity of a religious appeal, their clemency festoof and philanthropy, and reproaching the subjects of congress. Great Britain Avith devastating the open country, burning defenceless villages, and butchering Ame rican citizens. Their prisons had been the slaughter houses of soldiers, their ships of seamen, and cruel injuries were aggravated by gross insults. Foiled M3 in 103 Evacua tion of Philadel phia. 1 8th June, Able re treat of Clinton. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. in a vain attempt to subjugate the unconquerable spirit of freedom, the commissioners had meanly assailed the representatives of America with bribes, deceit, and servile adulation. They mocked hu manity by wanton destruction, religion by impious appeals to God whilst violating his sacred com mands, and mocked reason itself, by endeavouring to prove that the liberty and happiness of America, could safely be intrusted to those who had sold their OAvn. Stung by merited contempt, they had solicited individuals to break the bonds of allegi ance, and imbrue their souls with the blackest of crimes ; but fearing that none could be found suf ficiently wicked for their purpose, they had endea voured to influence the weak, by threatening more Avide devastation. In conclusion, congress declared, that if the British army presumed to exe cute their threats, or persisted in their career of barbarity, exemplary vengeance should deter others from similar conduct. If the treaty Avith France Avas calculated to raise the spirits, and confirm the pertinacity of congress, the evacuation of Philadelphia by the British troops tended to increase the effect. This measure Avas not unexpected, it was known to be in contemplation before the arrival of the commis sioners ;z and though the policy of the measure was evident, it Avas regarded as a proof of alarm and weakness. In contemplation of a French war, the British ministry ordered the removal of the troops from Philadelphia, which Avas situate a hundred miles from the sea, and accessible only by a Avinding river, to New York, a more central position, and a commodious and desirable residence for the army. Sir Henry Clinton never affected to con ceal his intention, but on the contrary, gave notice to Washington of the time and course of his re treat. * Washington's Letters, vol. ii. p. *8i. 286. GEORGE III. treat. He evacuated the city Avithoutthe slightest impediment, though the Americans took possession before the whole army had departed. Clinton's march Avas encumbered by a great body of loyalists, Avho, with their Avhole property followed the army; they Avere driven to this necessity by the cruel neglect of eongress, who, in opposition to the sagacious and humane advice of Washington, adopted no resolution for rendering their con tinuance in Philadelphia secure.* The apprehen sions of the fugitives were proved to be not un founded by the severe proceedings against the partizans of the royal cause, Avho ventured to re main ; their property Avas confiscated, their per sons banished or imprisoned, and tAvo respectable quakers, Roberts and Carlisle, suffered death. The British army, encumbered Avith baggage and provisions, embarrassed Avith difficult roads, and extending tAvelve miles in length, proceeded sloAvly. Washington had sent parties forward to break doAvn the bridges, and harass the march ; yet he kept a respectful distance, suspicious that the British general Avas endeavouring to lure him from his advantageous situation, and force an en gagement in the lower country ; or that by a rapid movement, the British general might possess him self of the heights. During the progress of Clin ton, the American detachments Avere constantly re-inforced with chosen men; Gates was placed on the opposite side of the Rariton river, im front of the British army, while Washington in the rear and on the left behind Milestone Creek, Avas ready to effect a junction with Gates ; but Clinton escaped the danger of this combination, by sagaci ously directing his course toward Sandy Hook, and passing to Rariton. 105 CHAP.XXXIV. 1778. Severities exercised against the loyalists. Slow march of the British army. the right instead of crossing the a Washington's Letters, vol. ii. p. a8 j. H 4t Ax 104 HISTORY OF ENGLAND, CHAP. At Freehold court-house, in the county of XXXIV. Monmouth, Sir Henry Clinton perceived the v**^**"'' enemy approaching to attack the baggage, com-. 28th June, mitted to the charge of the brave general Knyp- Monmouth hausen- He made a vigorous attack on their 'Court- front line, strongly posted under the command of house. general Lee, and compelled him to retire. He then drove back the second line from a position equally strong, while Knyphausen repulsed parties of the enemy Avho attacked the baggage. Here the affair ought to have terminated ; but the light troops, Avith ungovernable impetuosity, pursued the fugitives under Lee, till they Avere met and rallied by Washington, and to prevent them from being entirely cut off, Clinton Avas obliged to maintain his position exposed to a severe cross-fire. Having effected this purpose, and seeing no hope of making an advantageous assault on the enemy, who Avere protected by defiles and marshes, he Avith- drew from the field, to the same ground he had quitted in the morning. The loss on each side was nearly equal, amounting to about three hun-. died and sixty. b The British colonel Monckton Avas particularly lamented; during the heat of the engagement, and in the midst of a heavy can nonade, his brave followers dug his grave Avith their bayonets, and threw in the earth \v ith their hands. Embarka- Having permitted his troops to repose till ten tion of the 0'clock at night, the British general silently re- Bntish ar- . j . ¦ • T/ 1 8, . , ,. J , my for treated to join Knyphausen, and without further NewYofk. impediment worthy of notice, embarked at Sandy Hook, and reached New York. His orders Avere $u •*" y' to embark at Philadelphia, but by disobeying these b Frederick II. king of Prussia, on reading the account of the action, in general Lee's letter and general Clinton's dispatches, observed, th,at their narratives displayed more military knowledge than any which had been published during that war, instructions!, GEORGE III. 105 instructions, he saved both the army and navy CHAP. from imminent danger. The Americans,by artifi- XXXIV. cial colouring, made their partisans consider the v^v^' action at Freehold court-house as a victory ; but , ' their attempt on the baggage was frustrated ; and ad July. they did not venture to impede the further progress of the British general. While he was forming his embarkation at Sandy Hook, Washington appear ed in sight ; and Clinton waited in vain two days to give him battle. General Lee was sternly reprimanded by Disgrace Washington Avhen they met in his late retreat; °fseneral subsequently to the engagement, he Avrote some petulant letters in vindication of his own charac ter, which placed him at the mercy of his superior officer. Jealousy had long subsisted between these commanders. Washington was accused, ap parently Avithout justice, of having rejoiced at, and even clandestinely prolonged the term of Lee's captivity, and it is more than insinuated that Lee intended, in the late action, to cause the defeat of the army for the purpose of disgracing his rival. A court-martial found him guilty of disobedience of orders, of making an unnecessary, disorderly, and shameful retreat, and of Avriting disrespectful letters to the commander in chief. While this sen tence Avas under the consideration of congress, he Avas wounded in a duel with one of Washington's aids-de-camp; and after the sentence Avas confirm ed, his intemperance led him into a paper war Avith Drayton, a member of congress, and into scurrilous invectives against the government of America, and individuals composing it. His sentence amounted only to suspension for a year; but in consequence of his own ungoverned rashness, he never after- Avard attracted honourable notice ; and those who but a year before had doubted of the safety of the American cause, unless upborne by him, now con tentedly 106 CHAP. XXXIV. '718- The Tou lon squa dron sails. 9th June. Pursuedbya British fleet. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. tentedly consigned him to oblivion, or branded his name with contempt and execration.0 A squadron of tAvelve ships of the line and six frigates was equipped at Toulon, before the French announced to the British court their re solution to support the cause of America. Com manded by count d'Estaing, this fleet passed the Straights of Gibraltar the fifteenth of May ; and a British squadron of equal force, under admiral Byron, sailed from Plymouth as soon as undoubted intelligence determined the destination of the ene- 5th July. my. D'Estaing, not reaching the Chesapeak till French ar- tne day in which the British army embarked at rive at the Sandy Hook, pursued them to New York with an Chesapeak. apparent design of entering the harbour. Lord HoAve's force Avas considerably inferior to that of the French admiral ; consisting only of six ships of the line, four of fifty guns, and some frigates; but being amply manned, ably officered, and dis posed Avith judgment, they impatiently aAvaited the attack. D'Estaing, hoAvever, did not hazard the attempt, but Avith the first fair wind stood to the southAvard as far as the mouth of the DelaAvare, and steered for Rhode Island. Preparations made in the spring for expelling aid. Expedition against Rhode- Island. e See Memoirs of general Lee. Washington's Letters, vol. ii. p. 193. 297. et seq. Ramsay, vol. ii, p. 83. Lee's character is accurately de scribed by Stedman, vol. i. p. 227. JHis military knowledge was great, and he had been a soldier from his infancy : he had formerly possessed the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the Biitish service, and hail served all the last war in America and Portugal with reputation. His abilities were extensive, and his knowledge improved by an intimate acquaintance with every nation in Europe. His disposition was restless and romantic, and the possession cf an easy fortuue enabled him to indulge it. Having received some affront from the individuals who composed the British ad ministration, he emigrated to America on the commencement of the dis turbances, and offered his services to congress. His abilities and pro fessional reputation being well known, his offers were accepied with joy, and he was honoured with the rank of major-general. He had been emi nently useful in disciplining the American troops, and by his activity and skill had greatly contributed to the common cause. To these qualifica tions, however, the impartiality of history requiies us to add, that he was a man of most abandoned principles ; that he laughed at every attribute ef the Divinity, and turned into ridicule every tenet of religion. the GEORGE III. 107 the British troopsfrom this place, had been frustrated CHAP. by lieutenant-colonel Campbell and major Eyre, who XXXIV. destroyed the vessels, stores, and timber of the ene- v"^vg*"/ my, and rendered their artillery unserviceable; and ' the Americans were not now ready to co-operate with the French admiral. Lord HoAve having re- 9th Aug. ceived intelligence of his destination, appeared off ,3th. Rhode Island ; but the two fleets, on the point of Partial en- engaging, were dispersed by a storm. Several ftaf™ent spirited conflicts took place between single ships, in which the superiority of the British marine Avas illustriously maintained by captain Dawson in the RenoAvn, and commodore Hotham in the Preston; 16th. but by none more conspicuously than captain Raynor in the Isis, of fifty guns, avIio engaged the Cesar of seventy-four, compelled her to seek the harbour of Boston to refit, and Avas prevented from effecting a capture only by the injuries sustained in his masts and rigging. The Isis had but one man killed, and fifteen wounded ; the Cesar fifty, including the captain, the celebrated Bougainville, Avho lost an arm. Meanwhile the attack of Rhode Island was 9th Aug. conducted by general Sullivan, at the head of ten ™*nf "e"-" thousand men, detached from the main army. At pulsed at the approach of d'Estaing, the besieged dismantled f,od% and burnt seven British vessels, from thirty-two to sixteen guns, and concentrated the military force in the neighbourhood of Newport, which enabled Sullivan to land in the northern part of the island. The Americans formed their approaches with regularity ; but the return of d'Estaing's fleet, shattered by a storm, to refit in Boston har bour, damped the spirits of the besiegers; three thousand deserted, and Sullivan, despairing of suc cess, effected a judicious and timely retreat, check ing pursuit by Avell-fought skirmishes, and gaining the main land in the darkness of night. His es cape was truly critical ; as sir Henry Clinton was advancing with four thousand men for the relief of 108 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, of Rhode Island; and after being detained four XXXIV. days by contrary winds, reached the spot the very y^i^/ day after it Avas evacuated. September. The British fleet being reinforced, and rendered resign^'the6 supenor to that of France; and Byron daily expect- fleet to ed, lord Howe returned to England,- leaving the Gambier. command to admiral Gambier. Expedition, Sir H enry Clinton, disappointed in cutting zardVBay. off the retreat of the Americans, and prevented by stormy weather from completing an assault which he projected on New London, in Connecticut, de tached, Avhile he proceeded to NeAv York, general Grey on an expedition to Buzzard's Bay. This extensive and important service Avas performed Avith surprising celerity : the troops landed at six 5th and o'clock in the evening, and re-embarked by the 1 ei>t' ensuing noon, after destroying seventy sail of ships in Acushnet River, numerous storehouses, Avharfs, and tAvo large rope- Aval ks at Bedford and Fair- haven, and a fort mounting eleven pieces of heavy cannon, with a magazine and barracks. Proceed ing likewise to an island called Martha's Vine yard, they took or burned several vessels, destroy ed a salt Avork, disarmed the inhabitants, and le vied a contribution of ten thousand sheep, and three hundred oxen, Avith Avhich seasonable supply the fleet returned to NeAv York. lu^rUeof Another expedition of still more importance colonel Avas undertaken against Little Egg harbour on the Baylor. coast of New Jersey, a noted rendezvous for pri vateers, Avhich commanded all vessels going into New York. To favour this exploit, the whole army was put in motion, and Washington being- precluded by his situation from acting with his en tire force, could only send partial detachments to interrupt and confine the operations of the fo ragers. v One of these detachments occupied the villages of Old and NeAv Tapaan ; a company of horse commanded by lieutenant-colonel Baylor, lying in the first, and a body of militia in the other. GEORGE III. 10§ other. By a circuitou's route, and cutting off the CHAP. outposts without noise, general Grey reached XXXIV. Old Tapaan Avhile the Avhole party were asleep, ^^^g^ The soldiers rushed in, having been deprived of their flints to prevent firing, put several to death with the bayonet, and took many prisoners ; Bay lor himself was slightly Avounded and captured/ Colonel Campbell was, at the same time, to have at tacked the other village, but from a delay of the boats intended to transport hjm, the Americans Avere alarmed, and effected a retreat. ¦ When the squadron reached Egg harbour, the 5th Oct, country was alarmed, four privateers escaped, and E"achka°.tt the other vessels were conveyed up the river. Ce- hour. lerity being of the utmost importance, the troops were landed at Chesnut Neck, and destroyed ten 4th* prize vessels, which the enemy had previously scuttled;, but prudence forbad them to prosecute an enterprise originally meditated against the Forks, where a grand deposit of prize goods Avas estab lished. Re-embarking they fell doAvn the river, and destroyed three salt works, with some houses and stores, belonging to proprietors of privateers, or persons distinguished as unrelenting persecu tors of the loyalists. During this interval, a de- 15th- ^ tachment under captain Ferguson, guided by the J^^ information of deserters, surprised and cut to to pieces. pieces a part of the legion of the Polish count Pulaski ;. feAv escaped, and only five were made prisoners. On the return of the squadron to New York, the British army Avas withdrawn from its for ward position, and nothing further was undertaken in this quarter during the remainder of the winter. Soon after the departure of the commissioners, Expedition Sir Henry Clinton sent a detachment of three gainst thousand five hundred men, under colonel Camp- eorsia* a The number of American privates was 104—15 were killed, 13 left wounded, and 59 were taken prisoners, bell, CHAP.XXXIV. 1778. Reduction of Savan nah, and the re mainder of the pro vince. July.Destruc tion of Wyoming. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. bell, to reduce Georgia. Major-general Prevost, the commander in East Florida, had long main tained predatory hostilities against this colony, and now received orders to cooperate with Camp bell, who Avas supported by a fleet under admiral Parker. A few days after the arrival of the force from New York, Avithout Avaiting for intelligence from Prevost, Savannah, the capital, Avas attacked, and though defended by the American general Ro bert Howe Avith fifteen hundred men, and secured by many difficulties of approach, triumphantly car ried, and a large booty acquired, almost without loss*; Soon after this splendid action, general Prevost arrived, and assumed the chief command ; the re mains of the provincial army were driven across the river into South Carolina ; great part of the colonists took oaths of allegiance to the king ; rifle companies were formed, and prudent measures adopted for securing tranquillity and prosperity. In other parts of the continent the dissensions incident to civil war, aided by the native ferocity of the Indians, produced scenes of devastation and barbarity. The settlement of Wyoming Avas formed from the province of Cennecticut, not without considerable opposition from Pensylvania, Avhich occasioned a civil Avar between the provinces. It Avas situated on the banks of the Susquehanna, in a most beautiful country, abounding in all the necessaries of life, and in a temperate climate. To the rage of civil claims the disputes with Great Britain superadded a different motive of conten tion, and the loyalists and republicans persecuted each other Avith unremitted rancour. Many, driven from the settlement, on suspicion of being, Avhat their opponents termed tories, joined the Indians, and meditated dreadful revenge. A force of six teen hundred savages, and Americans in disguise, headed by an Indian colonel Butler, and a half Indian of extraordinary ferocity, named Brandt, K lulling 1778. GEORGE III. 1 1 1 lulling the fears of the inhabitants by trea- Chap. cherous assurances, suddenly possessed themselves xxxiv. of two forts, and massacred the garrisons. They next succeding in luring the commander in chief, with four hundred men, into the woods, under pretence of a parley, and sleAv all but seventy. The conquerors then invested the principal fort; the commandant, inquiring the terms of surrender, received an answer in two words, " the hatchet," and the bloody scalps of the late victims were sent in as an insult, or to excite terror. The comman dant Avas at last obliged to surrender at discre tion: and the garrison of another fort called Wilkesborough, in hopes of obtaining mercy, yielded without resistance; but all Avere involved in unsparing slaughter ; the militia Avere butchered with circumstances of refined cruelty; others were shut up in houses, and burnt. Dwellings, planta tions, and standing corn were indiscriminately given up to devastation ; even the brute creation were maimed and mangled, and left to expire in agonies. The fury of persecution reached its ut most height, devices of torment were exhausted, and numerous instances of parricide completed the scene of horror*. If the American Avhigs, as they styled them selves, cannot be proved to have commenced, they were never backward in retaliating these horrors. An expedition was undertaken under another co lonel Butler, from the upper parts of Pensylvania, against the settlements of Unadillaand Anaquago; the inhabitants had the good fortune to escape the vengeance denounced against them as friends of the destroyers of Wyoming, but their farms, mills, and standing crops Avere without mercy destroyed and laid waste. A detachment from Virginia, under colonel Clarke, after encount ering many difficulties, invaded some settlements planted • See Annual Register, 1779, p. 7. et seq. 11Q CHAP.XXXIV. ^78. 3d July. Disap pointmentsof Byron. 1 2 th Oct. 1st Nov- 3d Nov. D'Estaing sails to the West In dies. 14th Sept. Captuie of Saint Pierre and Miquelon. 6th Sept. TheFrenchtake Do- 3d Nov. Attack on Saint Lucie. 13th Dec. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. planted bj7 the Canadians, and compelled the in habitants to take oaths of allegiance to the United States. The fleet under Byron was peculiarly unfortu-* nate : the ships avo e scattered by a storm, and arrived singly or in small detachments at the American ports. When the admiral had col lected and refitted his squadron, he repaired to Boston for the purpose of blocking up d'Estaing,- but tempestuous Aveather drove him again to sea,- and compelled him to refit at Rhode Island. D'Estaing, whose squadron Avas completely repaired, availed himself of this opportunity to sail for the, West Indies, Avhich at the close of the year became the scene of active enterprise, As soon as the intelligence of d'Estaing's arrival was authenticated, vice-admiral Montague dis patched commodore Evans in the Romney, Avith a party of artillery and tAvo hundred marines under major Wemys, Avho took possession of. St. Pierre and Miquelon, expelled the French, and destroyed their settlements. The Marquis de Bouill6, governor of Martinique^ with equal facility made himself master of Domi nica, but did not venture to prolong his stay in the Island, or insist on such terms of capitulation as would occasion a protracted treaty, for fear of being intercepted by admiral Barrington; Sir Henry Clinton dispatched from New York five thousand troops under major-general Grant, escorted by a squadron of six ships under commodore Hotham, Avho speedily joined admiral Barrington near Sainte Lucie. The celerity of ge neral Grant's movements entitles him to the highest credit, Scarcely had the ships dropped anchor in the Cul-cle-Sac, when his troops were landed, and, to the surprise of the enemy, made themselves masters of the batteries on the height which commanded it; on the following day he captured the Morne, the Caienage, GEORGE III. 1 j 3 Carenage, and the Vigee, when d'Estaing, with chap. tAvelve ships of theline, a numerous train of frigates XXX iv. and American armed ships, and a military force of V"^"Y?W' nine thousand men, made his appearance. He ineffectual was, however, repulsed at the grand Cul-de-sac by ?ffortf°r Barrington, with only three ships of the line, three "s relief* of fifty guns, and some frigates, Avho with a skill and bravery equally admirable, effectually protected the transports and saved the provisions, ammuni tion, and stores of the army. D'Estaing was not more successful in an assault by land, making, jointly with de Bouill6 and count Lovendahl, three attacks on the British force, commanded by brigadier-general Meadows, at Vigee, in Avhich they were repulsed Avith the loss of one thousand three hundred men, and finally put to flight/ After »sth Dec; an inaction often days he reembarked, and left the Itls,caP- - i i . • ,• J i .... tured island to its fate; a surrender was inevitable, and by the the British commander granted such liberal terms Ellglish- as entitled him to the gratitude of the enemy. Thus the first efforts of France, in support of indigna- her neAV ally, did not equal expectation. The I0" of the , •> \ i ii l i . ! • , Americans northern provinces loudly murmured at being de- a^.inst serted by d'Estaing. The expedition against u,£swing. Rhode Island would not have been undertaken but in confidence of his cooperation: his aban donment was formally protested against, as a trai torous dereliction of the common cause, deroga tory to the honour of France, contrary to the intention of his most christian majesty, destruc- ' tive to the Avelfare of the United States, and highly injurious to the alliance between the tAvo nations.8 f In this affair the French felt their military glory tarnished ; in speaking to a flag sent to them to bury their dead, they threatened to take their revenge ; and added, they would send notice when next they meant to attack. General Meadows coolly sent for answer, that it would be unnecessary, as they would always find him prepared. The fifth regiment having been particularly distinguished, was ordered 'o wear, in their hats, the white feathers left on the field by the French grenadiers. S Ramsey, vol. ii. p. 90. Vol. III. I The the Cana dians. Canada. 114 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. The Americans soon perceived that the French, XXXIV. in espousing their quarrel, sought only then- oavh v-*"-'0*-/ interest. D'Estaing, Avhen about to sail for the Hisproc'la- West Indies, published a proclamation to the in- mation to habitants of Canada, exhorting them to renew their obedience to their native sovereign ; and Washington, through the ascendancy of the French party in congress, was strongly urged to under take, in conjunction Avith a French force, the re- Washing- duction of that dominion. The prudent general ton refuses gaw t|ie c[anger 0f the attempt, and instead of rate°inP communicating his instructions to La Fayette, as attacking directed by the committee for foreign affairs, wrote a long letter to congress, forcibly displaying the impolicy of the project, and urging sound poli tical and military reasons against its adoption.11 Hatred of If the question of French or British alliance theAmeri- could have been fairly submitted to the people, wa"a the divested of the tinsel declamations about indepen- Fiench. dence, and merely vieAved through the medium of comparative advantage, it can hardly be doubted that a great majority Avould have embraced Avith joy the splendid and beneficial offers of the parent-state. All the art and force of their governors were in sufficient to restrain, Avithin the desired limits, the contempt and hatred of the lower class for their new allies. Riots occurred at Boston, and at Charles-1 town, in South Carolina, betAveen the French and American seamen ; and, in fact, independently of any remains of British prejudice, no two races of men could be found on the face of the globe, less predisposed for a cordial association, than those whom artifice, intrigue, and treachery, had thus combined in one cause. h See Washington's Letters, vol. ii. p. 348. GEORGE III. 115 CHAPTER THE THIRTY-FIFTH: 1778—1779. State of the public mind. — Discordant views of Opposition. — System of lord Chatham. — Probability of his having intended to form an administration. — Public indignation against France. — Prepa rations against invasion. — Keppel commands the grand fleet — — captures two frigates — returns to port — is reinforced. — His engagement with d'Orvilliers. — Public discussion. — Publication by Sir Hugh Palliser. — Meetingof parliament — the late naval trans actions debated. — Altercation between Keppel and Palliser. — Court-martial ordered on Keppel — he ii acquitted — rejoicings and. outrages of the mob — the admiral thanked by both houses. — Palliser vacates his seaf and resigns his appointments — is fried by a court- martial — and acejuitted, though not without censure. — Keppel dissatisfied — resigns the command of the grand fleet. — Fox's mo tions against lord Sandwich. — The earl of Bristol's motion for his removal. — Motions respecting the navy and Greenwich Hospital. — Resignation of naval officers. — Insubordination oj (he navy. — ¦ Debates on the manifesto of the American commissioners. — ¦ Burgoyne's motion for papers — granted. — Similar motion by Sir William Howe — granted. — Committee formed. — Evidence ex amined. — Burgoyne's evidence. — Counter evidence to Sir William Howe. — Committee dissolved. — Affairs of Ireland discussed. — Partial relief granted. — Dissatisfaction of the Irish. — Non-im portation agreements. — Volunteer associations. — Motion by the marquis of Rockingham. — Relief afforded to protestant dissenters — Rupture with Spain. — King's message — address — amendments. moved. — Militia bill — altered by the lords-— passes in its amended state. — Bill for annulling seamens protections. — Termination of the session. — Rise and progress of the dispute with Spain. — Spa nish embassador withdraws. — Manifesto. — Letters of marque is sued. — French manifesto — ably answered by Gibbon. — Observa tions on the conduct of Spain. — Siege of Gibraltar commenced. — Ineffectual attempt .on Jersey. — Junction of the French and Spanish fleets — which insult the British coasts. eace with America began hoav to be the object CHAP. of general desire in England, but the means of XXXV. P - attaining, and terms of securing it, occasioned \^, great 116 CHAP. XXXV. State of the public mind. Discordantviews of opposition. System of lord Chat ham's adherents. Probability ot ins jormin;.; an iu'mini- stiation. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. great diversity of opinion. The plan of the ministry Avas more adapted to reason than hope ; it proffered concessions Avhich, if early held forth, Avould have been irresistibly inviting, but the American cause being not less strenuously espoused, afterthe assump tion of independence than at any previous period of the contest, it could not be expected that the leaders of congress would be backward in using those ar guments, and adhering to those resolutions, Avhich Avere defended with so much pertinacity in the capital and senate of the mother-country. Oppo sition, although divided in their sentiments, united in decrying the measures of government, and dis tressing administration ; but could not form a system of conduct Avhich would combine them in any direct or attainable project. A party, rather active and clamorous than numerous or popular, were desirous to concede the full extent of the American requisitions, and even to solicit, with humility approaching to abjectness, a preference in the favour of the late dependencies of the king dom. Another party adopted the opinion of lord Chatham, and strenuously resisted the claim of in dependence as fatal to the welfare of Great Britain. The eloquence of that nobleman, employed occa sionally for party-purposes, and procuring credence for exaggerated statements, had caused a general delusion, from which even the ministry Avere not exempt. The dignity of the mother-country Avas engaged in the American contest, but it affected her prosperity less than the public could be in duced to believe. Lord Chatham deceived himself as much as others on this subject, and perhaps sacri ficed his life to his patriotic feelings. Designs Avere probably entertained of engaging his assist ance as head of an administration, in directing the war, or giving efficiency to modes of conciliation, such an opinion, founded on the words of his last speech GEORGE III. 117 speech in parliament, was strongly maintained, a CHAP. and the measure would have been highly important XXXV. in reconciling great part of the nation to the '^j^f proceedings of government. The report of such an intention, created lively sensations in foreign courts, and the measure was supposed sufficient for the restoration of vigour to the councils, and glory to the arms of Great Britain. b But no ope rations, consistent Avith the opinions professed by lord Chatham, couldhave reconciled the Americans, unless absolutely vanquished, to the idea of depen dence. c The public regarded, with due indignation, the irdigna- treacherous interference of France. The possibi- tl0n. lity of a strict commercial union, attended with France. preference, added to the desire of avoiding expense and bloodshed, and enforced by the capture of Burgoyne's army, might have produced a more general desire to acknowledge the independence of America ; but the thought of making the small est concession to the hostile intervention, or threat ened invasion of the ancient enemy of Great Britain, Avas contemplated with abhorrence. The prepara- menaces of France, hoAvever unlikely to be realized, tions occasioned vigorous exertions ; the militia Avas Evasion. embodied, camps were formed, and the country resounded Avith the clamour of arms. Nor Avere the exertions of the admiralty defi- K>PPei cient in furnishing means to meet the approaching commands exigency. When apprehensions began to be en- fle^ran tertained of a rupture with France, d the first lord a See Lords debates, 8th April 1778. b From-private information. c On this subject I may quote the opinion of Thomas Pain. " Death," he says, " has preserved to the memory of this statesman that fame " which he by living would have lost. His plans snd opinions, toward ** the latter part of his life, would have been attended with as many evil «' consequences, and as much reprobated in America, as those of lord " North." Letter to the Abbe Raynal, p. 64. i In November 1776. I 3 Of 118 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, of the admiralty made application to admiral Kep- XXXV. pel, an officer knoAvn to be inimical to ministry, V-i778?^' Du^ wnom a high reputation, the love of the sailors, and the experience derived from forty years ser vice, indicated as most fit to assume the command of the grand fleet ; his appointment Avas frequently mentioned in terms of high approbation by mem bers of both parties in parliament, and when the hostile designs of France were indisputable, he Avas intrusted Avith ample discretionary powers for de fence of the kingdom. This unlimited confidence Avas highly honourable to administration, as Keppel declared to the king, that he was unacquainted Avith them as ministers ; and honourable to him, as he accepted the command Avithout making any difficulty, or asking any favour; serving in obe dience to the kjng's orders, and trusting to his majesty's good intentions, and to his gracious sup port and protection.' Mar.i778. On his arrival at Portsmouth, before the king's message respecting France was delivered to par liament, he found only six ships of the line fit for service ; during his stay, four or five more arrived, but, on his representation, the fleet Avas speedily augmented to twenty sail of the line, sufficiently equipped. f i3th June. With this armament, Keppel sailed from St. 17th. Helens, and soon discovered two French frigates, turesatwo *a Licorne, and la Belle Poule, reconnoitring his frigates, fleet. Although Avar Avas not declared, yet the admiral, in virtue of his full powers, gave orders to chase, and conduct them under his stern. The Licorne sailed with the fleet during the night, but in the morning, after attempting to escape and firing a broadside, accompanied Avith a discharge e Defence of admiral Keppel in his Trial, published by Blanchard, pp. 122, ^, 4. 1 idem, p. 124. of Its condi tion. i#8. GEORGE III. 119 of musketry into the America man of Avar, struck CHAP. her colours, and Avas captured. M. de la Cloche- XXXV. terie, commander of la Belle Poule, refused to at tend and speak to the British admiral, and after an obstinate engagement, having dismasted the Arethusa, escaped by steering into a bay among the rocks, and was toAved out of danger by boats from the shore. Keppel, apprized from the papers of the Licorne, and other intelligence, that ancho rage Avas ordered in Brest harbour for thirty -tAvo R^ns to sail of the line, and three times the number of port. frigates, retired into Portsmouth. There Avas, how ever, reason to believe that the papers and intelli gence were fabricated on purpose to deceive, nor did the admiral escape censure for disgracing the grand fleet by a retreat, without calling a council of Avar. The flight of a British admiral from the coast Sensation of France, in dread of a superior squadron, excited of the pub- general indignation. Some inveighed against the ministry for extreme negligence ;B others reproach ed the admiral,11 and the public prints even threat ened him Avith the fate of Byng.1 At this alarming crisis the exertions of the ad- 9th July. miralty were equal to the magnitude of impending ^etsPto sea danger. Lord Sandwich himself hastened to again. Portsmouth, reinforced the grand fleet Avith four ships of the line; Keppel put to sea, and Avas speedily joined by six others. The greater part of this force was in good condition and Avell appoint ed, and though deficient in the ordinary propor tion of frigates, the admiral did not hesitate to sail in pursuit of the enemy, avIio had already left Brest. k 5*« He soon fell in with the French fleet, consisting 2,dto27< of thirty-two sail of the line, Avith an ample com- Engage- plement of frigates, under the command of count ushant. E See Remembrancer, vol. vi. p. 233. 11 Gibbon's Posthumous Works, vol. i. p. 534* i Trial of Admiral Keppel, p. 125. * Idem. I 4 d'Orvilliers. 120 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. d'Orvilliers. Four days were spent in manceuvr- XXXV. ing, to counteract the disposition shewn by the V*i778*^ enemy to evade fighting, but at length a dark squall placed the fleets in a situation which render ed the conflict inevitable. The three divisions of the British fleet Avere commanded by Keppel, Sir Robert Harknd, and Sir Hugh Palliser : the French by d'Orvilliers, and the dues de Chaffault and Chartres. The engagement took place off Ushant. After several evolutions, shewing a determination in the French commander to shorten the engage ment, he began the cannonade while the English fleet Avas at too great a distance to receive material injury, and from the position taken by the French it Avas necessary for the British ships in passing them to form the line, to receive the fire of their Avhole force. The reserved fire of the British fleet did dreadful execution; but the French having in their usual manner directed their bat tery against the rigging, the divisions most ex posed were terribly torn and disabled. The fleets lay on different tacks, sailing in opposite directions; the engagement lasted near three hours, at the end of which they had passed each .other, and the fir ing ceased. Keppel used his utmost endeavours to reneAv the combat : Avith some difficulty he tack ed his own ship, but found that others in his divi sion could not perform the same monceuvre ; Sir Robert Harland, Avhose division bad suffered less, obeyed Avithout difficulty the signals to bear down into his wake ; but Sir Hugh Palliser, whose ship had been very much damaged, did not join the commander in chief. Captain Windsor in the Fox, Avas dispatched to direct the junction of Sir Hugh Palliser ; but he, engaged in repairing his damages, could not obey the order, till night put The a period to further attempts. During the dark- iwh te- nesS) the French, placing three frigates Avith lights to deceive the English admiral, made sail for their own tuat. GEORGE III. ' 1£1 OAvn coasts, and were by the next morning almost chap. out of sight. Keppel finding pursuit vain, return- XXXV. ed to Plymouth to refit, while d'Orvilliers unmo- v,^g^/ lested gained the harbour of Brest. The English KePPei re- had a hundred and thirty-three slain, and three tuorr"s to hundred and seventy-three wounded; the loss of the French Avas estimated at two thousand, includ ing killed and Avounded. The necessary repairs being completed, both 20th Aug. fleets again put to sea. The French pursuing their o^',. former policy of sheAving an ostentatious parade The but avoiding a conflict, kept aloof, abandoning Fiench their trade to the depredations of British cruizers,, new en- while the English fleets from both the Indies re- gagement. turned unmolested. In describing the engagement, the French, in a Accounts style of gasconade approaching to burlesque, of late ac claimed the victory, and expressed their utter Ion* astonishment at finding themselves in the port of Brest, when they thought they had been many leagues at sea pursuing the English. Admiral Keppel, in his dispatch, extolled, the conduct of his officers, particularly Sir Robert Harland and Sir Hugh Palliser ; in excuse for not renewing the at tack, he urged the disabled state of some of his fleet, many ships being unable to folloAv when he wore to stand after the enemy : he therefore, to use his own expression, suffered the French to form their line Avithout molestation, " thinking they " meant handsomely to try their force with him " the next morning." Such an apology, for the want of complete sue- Publiedis- cess in an engagement which fixed the attention cussions. of allEurope, could not be satisfactory to thepublic, and the zeal of party displayed itself in opposite statements, reflecting on the characters of the tAvo admirals Avith all the scurrility usual on such oc casions. Keppel and Palliser were of nearly equal age iu the service, both pupils and favourites of Sir 122 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. Sir Charles Saunders, and both indebted to his XXXV. testamentary munificence. Through the interven- ^'"g^ tion of Sir Hugh, the negotiation betAveen the mi nistry and the admiral bad been conducted; no circumstance before or speedily after the action indicated latent animosity, they returned to their stations Avith apparent cordiality, but the difference of their political connexions, and some transac- ' tions in the course of the day, g'ave probability to a conjecture that the general good of the service Avas sacrificed ; an extravagant and illiberal party feud Avas engendered, Avhich disgraced the naval service, and effected the ruin of a man as high in character, and able in his profession, as any officer in the naA'y. Pubiica- Although Keppel received the public appro- Hugh^Pal"- bation of the admiralty, and Avas graciously dis- liser." tinguished at court, yet the general agitation did not subside. In consequence of a scurrilous attack in a morning paper, Palliser published a vindica tion, which Keppel, though required by letter, pe remptorily refused to authenticate ; and was even suspected of dictating, or at least revising, a reply.1 Palliser charged his superior officer Avith Avant of consistency, conceiving-that, after highly approv ing his conduct in a public dispatch, he could not, injustice, refuse to screen his character from Avan- ton and malignant 'attacks. Keppel, on the other hand, considered his official approbation a mere matter of form, calculated to prevent the bad ef fects of disunion in the service, and subject to ex planation from the officer by Avhom it Avas con veyed ; he considered also that it related merely to the time' of actual engagement, and did not ac count for the acts of himself or any other com- J See these letters in the Remembrancer, vol. vii. p. 86 ; trial of admiral Keppel, Blanchard's Edition, p. 6, of the Appendix j and for the facts, see the trials of both admirals. "*" mander, GEORGE III.* mander, which frustrated the well-founded nation al hope of a renewed conflict. When the exer tions of party, and public disposition to inquiry on so momentuous a business, rendered immediate responsibility inevitable, Keppel refused to excul pate the vice-admiral, rather choosing to criminate him than stand in the situation of a delinquent himself. Such was the state of the dispute on the meet ing of parliament. The king, in his speech, ad verted to the critical conjuncture of affairs; men tioned, with dignified and becoming indignation, the proceedings of France, his OAvn desire of peace, and reluctant, though vigorous exertions for making reprisals and protecting commerce. He directed the attention of parliament to the arma ments of other poAvers, and deplored the continu ance of the troubles in America, which the Avisdom and temperance displayed in the late conciliatory measures, had not brought to a happy conclusion. In debating an amendment to the address, Fox introduced the great naval dispute, by stating the king's speech to be unfounded in fact, and its as sertions false, and by alluding with severity to the disgraceful and dangerous situation of the grand fleet, Avhen the admiral first took the command, of a force inferior by ten ships of the line to that of the enemy. The sea-fight off Ushant came more immediate ly under investigation on presenting the navy esti mates, when Temple Luttrel observed, that the transactions of that day loudly demanded inquiry : Keppel could not again serve Avith Palliser, the nation eagerly expected investigation ; the two admirals were in the house, and ought to give in formation, as Avell for their OAvn honour, as for the sake of public tranquillity. Admiral Keppel declared the glory of the, British flag had not been tarnished in his hands : he 1£3 CHAP. XXXV. 26th Nov. Meeting of parlia ment.King'sspeech. The late naval transac tions de bated. 2d Dec. Observations of Temple Luttrel. Of admiral Keppel. 124 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, he impeached no man; and Avas persuaded that XXXV. Sir Hugh Palliser had manifested no Avant of the v-"^'jJw requisite most essential to a British seaman — courage. He then read a paper, describing the manner of his appointment, and the nature of his situation, hoped he should not be compelled to ansAver particular questions relative to the action, or respecting individuals, but was ready, if duly. required, to explain his oavu conduct either in that house or elsewhere. Nothing was left untried to bring the French to a decisive action ; but unless both squadrons Avere equally desirous, it Avas im possible. He acknoAvledged his surprise, when an officer under his command appealed to the public by a letter in a neAvspaper, signed with his name, Avhen no accusation Avas made, and endeavoured by such means to render his superior odious and despicable. He resolved never again to set his foot on board a ship Avith that officer, because his conduct was fatal to all obedience and all command. OfPaliiser. $IR Hugh Palliser said, he was no less in different than his superior officer to inquiry ; on the contrary, it Avas his interest to desire it. He censured the admiral's reserve, and wished him to deliA'er his opinions without disguise, that a full ansAver might be given. If the newspaper publi cation Avas imprudent or Avrong, Sir Huo-h alone must bear the consequences ; but he complained that Avhile justice Avas rendered to his courage, he was calumniated for being deficient in other re spects as an officer. An unauthenticated insinua tion of neglect of duty Avas more injurious, because more difficult entirely to remove, than any direct crimination ; and he had ineffectually sought an explanation from the commander in chief. He had reluctantly appealed to the public, and stated facts by which he Avould stand or fall. Sir Hugh denied that he had refused to obey signals, and treated GEORGE III. un treated all low insinuations, and seeming tender- CHAP. ness, with contempt; conscious of his innocence, XXXV. he feared neither reports nor assertions, neither a V"*T1£**/ parliamentary inquiry, nor a public trial. Admiral Keppel thought the appeal to the Keppel's public fully justified his resolution not again to "P1?* sail Avith the vice-admiral, and asserted that the signal for coming into the Victory's Avake, was fly ing from three o'clock in the afternoon till eight in the evening unobeyed ; at the same time he did not charge the vice-admiral with actual dis obedience. Sir Hugh Palliser immediately presented Court- martial on charges at the admiralty against Keppel,upon which ™jgr'ed a court-martial Avas ordered. The compliance Avith Keppel. this requisition occasioned parliamentary animad- 9thDec version, and a strong memorial to the king, sub scribed by tAvelve admirals. m Temple Luttrel moved an address for the 30th; trial of Palliser, which only renewed the alterca- moJ£en]s tion betAveen the tAvo officers. Palliser accused his opponent of acting in an unbecoming manner, attributed the accusation he had preferred to the necessity of vindicating his slandered character, and deplored the breach of their long intimacy. Keppel retorted Avith asperity, charging the vice- admiral with mutiny, and thanking God, that in the approaching court-martial he Avas not the ac cuser, but the accused. The tide of popularity ran violently in favour of the admiral ; every sentence of his speech Avas received with applause, while Palliser was censured for conspiring with other members of administration to ruin his superior officer. In these proceedings the opposition dis played all the violence and rancour of party ; no m See the memorial in the Remembrancer, vol. vii. p. 288. The sub scribers were lord Hawke, admiral Moore, the duke of Bolton ; admirals Graves, Pigot, and Harland ; the earl of Bristol ; admirals Young, Bur ton, and Geary j lord Shuldham, and admiral Gayton. art 126 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, art Avas left unessayed to influence the public XXXV. opinion in favour of Keppel, Avho was treated with v-^^s^ a, prostrate homage, rarely shewn to those who achieve important conquests, and Avas considered as a sacrifice to the ineptitude of administration. On account of his health, an act was passed for enabling the court-martial to sit on shore, and the warrant for his trial Avas comprised in words of tenderness and respect. n 7th Jan. to Fia^e charges Avere preferred against him, sum- inhFeb. med up in a general proposition, that he lost by trialT misconduct and neglect a glorious opportunity of rendering a most essential service to the state, and had tarnished the honour of the British navy. And After sitting assiduously thirty-two days, the acqmtta. couj-t.jviartja^ by an unanimous verdict, fully and honourably acquitted the admiral, affirming, that far from having sullied the honour of the *navy, he had acted as became a judicious, brave, and expe- Rejoicings rienced officer. On this acquittal the cities of rages of London and Westminster were illuminated two suc- themob. cessive nights, in conformity to the injunctions of lithFeb. a moDJ wno shewed their resentment against those whom they considered as persecutors of Keppel, by acts of outrage. The house of Sir Hugh Pal liser was broke open, and the. furniture destroyed, and he himsslf Avas burnt in effigy. The dweL lings of lord George Germaine and lord North were subjected to the insults of the populace; the gates of the admiralty were thrown down, and the Avindows demolished ; and the houses of captain Hood and lord Mulgrave, Avhose evidence gave umbrage to the Friends of Keppel, Avere ex posed to similar ravages. The city not only illu minated the mansion-house and the monument, but voted thanks to the admiral, and presented him Avith the freedom of the city in an oak box. Both » See Parliamentary Register, vol. xi. p. 208. GEORGE III. 127 Both houses of parliament also voted thanks to CHAP. the acquitted aclmiral, for the conduct which had xxx\r. occasioned his trial : in the house of commons v^pp»-/ only one voice Avas raised in dissent ;° in the lords 12th and the suffrages were unanimous. *6th Feb- The acquittal of Keppel seemed to fix a stigma thanked by on the character of Sir Hugh PaUiser: he therefore both demanded a court-martial, and Avith dne magna- parser nimity resigned his seat at the admiralty board, vacates his his rank of colonel of marines, and government resitn"his of Scarborough Castle, and vacated his seat in appoint- parliament ; retaining only his appointment of me?tp . vice-admiral. This voluntary sacrifice frustrated *9 a motion Avhich Fox meditated for his removal. Admiral Keppel, though called on by the j2th April admiralty, having refused to bring any accusation ,0 5ll» against Palliser/ the Avarrant for his trial Avas HeYs tried founded on a general allegation of matters dis- by a court- closed during the late proceedings. Keppel Avas, inartia : hoAvever, a principal Avitness : the court-martial sat one-and-twenty days, Avhen they declared the be haviour of Palliser in many respects exemplary and And ac- meritorious ; but " they could not help thinking V*^' " it Avas incumbent on him to have made known wuhont " to the commander in chief the disabled state of ccusure. " his OAvn ship, Avhich he might have done by the " Fox at the time she joined him, or by other " means ; notwithstanding this omission, they " thought him not in anjr other respect charge- " able with misconduct or misbehaviour, and there- " fore acquitted him." Such Avas the result of 'this ill-judged contest: Thepublic those who in their predilection for admiral Keppel z?al sub" iii iii- i • 11 1 sides. rashly thought that his popularity Avould stand on a basis as permanent as the odium against his opponent was extensive, found themselves griev- » This dissentient was Mr. Sturt. Stedman, vol. ii. p. 18. P See Letters on this subject. Parliamentary Register, vol. xi. p. 239. ously 128 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, XXXV. »779- Kepple discontented. Resigns the grand fleet. Fox's va rious motions against lord Sand wich. 23d Feb. 3d Mar,ch. ously deceived ; the public reflecting ori all cir cumstances, inferred from the declaration of both parties that, " a proud day for England had been " lost j" and they soon began to discover that, granting all the misconduct imputed to Palliser to to have been true, it was not sufficient to prevent the beneficial consequences they had a right to expect. The admiral soon complained of the manner in Avhich he was directed to resume the command of the fleet, was displeased Avith his reception at court and various other circumstances, and resigned the command. Notwithstanding the merits of his character, and the value of his past services, the public voice was never raised to require his restoration. Various intemperate mo tions in both houses personally respecting the two admirals, Avere attended with no important results ; the curiosity of the people soon languished and the subject fell into complete disregard. During this contest several motions Avere made in both houses, tending to impeach the con duct of the admiralty, and particularly of its first lord. Fox conducted these attacks in the house of commons. For the purpose of obtaining a deci sion on the state of the armament which sailed under admiral Keppel, he moved for copies of all letters received by goA'ernment, containing intel ligence relative to the force under d'Orvilliers ; but the proposition Avas rejected on the usual allega tion, that it Avas dangerous to disclose the means of information.'1 The papers found on board the Pallas and Li corne were, however, presented to parliament : and on them Fox founded a motion that the sending admiral Keppel, in June last, to a station off the coast of France, Avith a squadron of twenty ships of the line and four frigates, Avhen a French fleet * 134. to 97. of GEORGE HI. . n . ¦ ¦¦ 129 of thirty-two ships of the line, Avitli a great num- CH A p ¦ ber of frigates, was at Brest, and ready to put to Xxxv° sea, was a measure greatly hazarding the safety u#^^0 of the kingdom, without prospect of adequate 1770- advantage. He at the same time announced his intention of folloAving this motion Avith another for removing the first lord of the admiralty, and intimated that the facts he had stated Avere suf ficient to warrant a parlimentary impeachment. According to the captured papers, the French government had issued orders to provide anchor age for twenty-seven sail of the line, and announced that five more Avould be speedily in readiness. The statements in admiral Keppel's defence, relative to the mode of his appointment to the command, and the condition in which he found the fleet, Avere also read. Admiral Keppel was required to give per sonal testimony on the subject, which he prefaced by a few observations on the delicacy of his situa tion; he avoAved the facts stated in his defence, respecting the condition of the fleet on his repair ing to Portsmouth in March, but acknoAvledged the subsequent exertions' of the admiralty board to be highly meritorious. He Avas never more distressed than when, in consequence of the infor mation acquired from the Pallas and Licorne, he Avas compelled for the first time to turn his back on the enemy. Lord North and lord Mulgfave defended the conduct of government. The Avritten documents, they said, were loose, indefinite, Avithout date, and did not prove the existence of the ships for.Avhich they requ ired anchorage, but rather the contrary, and admiral Keppel's evidence was of no weight, being founded only ori the information derived from these vague and deceitful papers. The testimony re specting the state of the fleet in March was extra- ijeoug, as the motion was limited to June, and Vol; III; K ftfflchrf J779- ISO HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, official documents proved that in July forty-eight XXXV. or forty-nine sail of the line Avere ready for service. When Keppel sailed with twenty ships, d'Orvilliers did not venture to encounter him, but remained at Brest till the eighth of July, and notAvithstanding the admiral's return, his sailing produced the ad vantage of facilitating the arrival of the homeward- bound fleets. The retreat Avas hoAvever censurable, being founded on false information, and adopted without calling a council of officers. Keppel made several explanatory replies; he urged that the information obtained from the French frigates Avas proved true, by the engage ment of the tAventy-seventh of July ; Avhen the very ships, manned and armed as described in those papers, Avere opposed to his squadron. Al though he had not formally called a council, yet he consulted several officers individually, Avho con curred in returning to port; and if he omitted that compliment to lord Mulgrave, who was a captain in the fleet, it Avas only because such young men, in their eagerness to fight, overlooked every con sideration of prudence. The motion was nega tived.1 jthMar. A similar fate attended another proposition offered by Fox, affirming, " that at the com- " mencement of hostilities Avith France, the state " of the navy was unequal to what the house and " the nation were led to expect, as well from the " declarations of ministers, as from the large ' grants of money, and increase of debt, and in- " adequate to the exigencies of so important a " crisis." In support of this motion he revievved the conduct and declarations of ministers, infer ring, as an alternative, that they were either igno rant or treacherous. " If ignorant, Avho Avould " trust his dearest and nearest concerns to such " men ? If treacherous, where Avas the person mad " enough 20^.10170. GEORGE HI. 13 ' *' enough to confide in them ? Fortune, and not CHAP. " the judgment of ministers, had saved the country XXXV. " from destruction." v"^£*^ Lord Mulgrave shewed the superior manage ment of the navy in the present, to any previous period. He denied that fortune had been pecu liarly favourable to this country ; France had been saved from destruction by a succession of escapes as extraordinary as unexpected. D'Orvil-' liers had escaped from Keppel; D'Estaing from lord Howe off Rhode Island, and afterwards from Byron to the West Indies. From the nature of the government, the first efforts of France Avere al ways more vigorous than ours, Avhich the frame of our constitution rendered dilatory and languid. When that impediment was removed, Ave had ahvays proved victorious. Our force would daily increase, while theirs, having attained the meridian, would decline. Admiral Keppel Avas a distinguished op ponent of administration; and lord Howe supported the same cause, by affirming he Avas deceived into his command, and deceived while he retained it ; tired and disgusted, he obtained permission to re sign, and would have returned, had not the pre sence of a superior enemy in the American seas prevented him, till the period of Byron's arrival. Recollecting what he felt and suffered, he would never return to a situation which might terminate in equal ill-treatment, mortification, and disgust. Past experience had sufficiently convinced him, that besides risking his honour and professional cha racter, he could, under the present administration, render no essential services to his country.' Returning to his subject, Fox moved, that *»- yyvv' ranean) M'ere instances of misconduct and neglect.1 OC-J/ He made these motions for the avoAved purpose of >779- involving administration in an'inextricable dilem ma ; his last proposition stood on the supposition that the navy was inadequate ; that being nega tived, he should pursue the line implied in the ne gation, though he knew it Avas untrue, and argue as if the navy had been adequate. The discussion was rather personal than of pub lic importance; lord North attacking his opponent with sprightly raillery, on his avo\red resolution to' argue on a principle he kneAv to be false. The first proposition Avas negatived;' the other withdraAvn Avithout division. ioth A ir ¦ After Tne Easter recess, Fox made his promised motion, for dismissing lord Sandwich from his majesty's presence and councils for ever. In sup porting it, no new argument or fact was adduced. The insufficiency of Keppel's squadron, the coolness- shewn to that officer, the conspiracy of ministers against his life, and their duplicity towards him on every occasion, were unsparingly advanced. The proceedings of the fleets in all parts of the globe A\Tere reviewed, their successes undervalued, and their failures or disappointments exaggerated. Lord Mulgrave professed astonishment, that after so many detections, Mr. FoX should perse vere in his endeavours to persuade the house, that Certain assertions, of Avhich he advanced not a single proof, Avere facts, Avhen most of them had been proved unfounded. Lord SandAvich, instead of censure, merited great praise for his official conduct. When he Avas raised to the- chief post at the admiralty, there was not a year's timber in any of the yards, no stores in the arsenals, and the whole navy in a perishing state. By his activity and sagacity he had broken a mercantile combina tion^ f 209 to 135, GEORGE III. 133 tion ; each yard now contained timber sufficient for CHap. three years consumption; the arsenals, were full XXXV. of stores ; the navy had a greater number of large V-J77'^"' ships than at any previous period ; and Avas not only in a respectable, but in a flourishing state. This testimony Avas fully confirmed by Mr. Boyle Walsingham, and the motion was rejected." A similar effort for the removal of lord Sand- ^' ApriI* wich, Avas made -by the earl of Bristol, Avho, in a hisVemo-^ speech of considerable length and ability, at- val by the tempted to sheAv that the naval service Avas neg- c'J,,, 1 1 ¦ * II • 1 1 -1 & Jinstol. Iected in. all its departments; the national treasure shamefully squandered, and no adequate provision made for defence; the navy had rapidly decayed since the resignation of lord Hawke, Avhilethe ex-< pence had increased beyond all precedent. Lord Sandavtcii observed, that he Avas not solely, but jointly, responsible for the employment of the naval force; which Avas determined in the cabinet, and finally sanctioned by the king. He was answerable only for the-use or abuse of the means placed peculiarly in his hands. He justified the increase of expence, by stating the increased magnitude of the ships in the royal navy, and ac counted for temporary Avants, by referring to the fires. in the dockyards at Portsmouth and Chatham. The stores were nearly six times as great as during the presidency of his predecessor; the ships at that period being built Avith green timber, Avere mostly rotten, and unfit for service, whereas they Avere now constructed of the best materials, and highly equipped. The motion being negatived;" a short protest was signed by tAventy-five peers, and one of considerable length, containing a recapitulation of his reasons, by the earl of Bristol. Other topics, collaterally relating to the navy, Motions were discussed in both houses, with no less Avarmth rfs vMms and eagerness. Temple Luttrel moved, unsuc- and&een- k 8 cessfully wich Hoi- « pital, * Z2i to n8. * 7S to 3ji 1S4 CHAP. XXXV. 1779- j 6th Mar. Resignations of officers. Insubordination in the navy. Debates on the mani festo of the American commisrsioneis.4th and 7th ©ec. 1778. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. cessfully, for a committee on the rapid decay of the British fleet, and to consider the means of seasoning and preparing the timber in the dock yards. In the house of lords, the duke of Rich mond made several motions, and examined many witnesses, tending to prove the mismanagement of Greemvich Hospital, and reflecting on the personal character of lord SandAvich. These repeated attacks were part of a grand system, for clogging the wheels of government, an nounced by the leaders of opposition at the begin-* ning of the session; the project was not confined in its effect to the legislative body ; several officers of high rank refused to serve under the present ad ministration ; and it was reported, that twenty naval captains meditated the dangerous resolution of resigning in a body: such dispositions could not be confined to the superior class ; insubordi-* nation became truly alarming, and before the end of the session, symptoms of mutiny appeared on board the grand fleet at Torbay, and Avere with difficulty suppressed. While such violent debates, attended with such alarming effects, were maintained respecting the navy, the conduct of the Avar in America, and other subjects connected with the army, Avere agi-r tated Avith no less heat. The manifesto of the com missioners, on quitting that continent, gave rise to motions by Mr. Coke, and the marquis of Rock ingham, for addressing the king to express disap^ probation of the threatening paragraphs. The speeches of opposition in both houses were rather declamatory than argumentative, and the debates extremely desultory. The ministry, expressing surprise attheperversness of their opponents, denied that the proclamation contained menaces Avhich were not founded on the ancient usages of the Avar, and justified by views of self-perservation. Tl\e motions GEORGE III. 1 35 motions were rejected by large majorities;7 thirty- CHAP. one peers protested. XXXV. GeneralBurgoyne, byhis previous conduct, v^£^'/ as well as by his mode of opposition in parliament, Parliamen- fully justified the opinion of Washington, Avho, in jr/tccfn" a letter to congress on the propriety of terminating general his absence on parole, considered him; in his pre- Burgoyne. sent frame of mind, not hostile to, but rather as an ally of America.'1 In opposing the address, 26th Nov. Burgoyne deplored the condition of the country, which exhibited every symptom of immediate dis solution. Her struggles, if such in their Aveakness they should be called, appeared the last struggles for existence. He severely censured the conduct of administration, and trusted the time Avas not remote, when the voice of the country, and the light of truth, would pierce the gloomy atmo sphere that enwrapt the throne, and shew things as they were. In a few days afterwards he moved, His motion that all the letters Avritten by himself and other for papers. commanders to government, since the convention of Saratoga, should be laid before the house, Avhich Granted. Avas granted without opposition. Sir William Ho ave adopted a line of conduct 4* Dec. somewhat similar, but more moderate. He com- matrons by plained of the disregard of his recommendations, the sir wn- restraints imposed on his exertions in America, and ll8raHowe- the neglect of supplying him Avith instructions. He exculpated from these censures lord North, but laid accumulated blame on lord George Ger maine, under Avhose conduct he Avas sure the Avar Avould never be advantageously conducted. He '^g^' also obtained, by a motion, copies of all letters Granted. between him and the secretary of state for America, during the period of his command. y In the house of commons, 209 to 12a. In the house of lords 71 to 37. z See Washington's Lttters, vol. ii. p. 3S j. K 4 The 1S'6 HISTORY OF ENGLAND, CHAP. The house being formed into a committee or\ XXXV.. the American Avar, Sir William Howe entered into v"^?"i/ a long defence, tracing every important step he 29th Apr. had taken, and endeavouring to shew that he had Committee never jjeen remiss in his endeavours, rarely Avrong formed. , . . . . , . n "¦ • -i" 111 his judgment; and if, on some occasions, ne had failed to realise, the sanguine hopes of the country, he had executed as much as could be reasonably expected ; and had been restrained by political reasons, which he did not think proper to disclose, from prosecuting some of his victories to the greatest advantage. In conclusion, he proposed to examine witnesses in support of his observations. Although the ministry had not objected to the delicacy of sentiment, Avhich induced the general to press on the house a vindication of his conduct, they could not regard with indifference an attempt to establish, by evidence, facts gratuitously stated; facts, which if designed to exculpate the general, were only heard through complaisance, as no cri minatory motion or proceeding existed; or if in tended to subject the ministry to censure, ought to be accompanied by a specific charge. The mo tion for receiving evidence, after many efforts at 3d May. amendment, Avas negatived ; but as the com mittee was not formallv dissolved, and great ob- loquy Avas thrown on administration for appearing to evade inquiry, it was aftenvards suffered to pass. Evidence Th e examinations were designed not merely to Cammed, elucidate the conduct of general Howe, but to esta blish enlarged principles relative to the future events, of the Avar. They tended to prove that the force' employed in America, was at no time adequate to the subjugation of the country; nor, indeed, could' any other force prove successful, Avhile the inha bitants were averse to I he British government. t* Flora GEORGE III. 137 From this circumstance, and the nature of the CHAP. pountiy, covered Avith wood, and intersected Avifh XXXV. i-avinfes, the troops could not act at any conside- V*T^^*^ rable distance from the fleet, and their operations were accordingly sIoav, and subject to interruption. General Howe's conduct Avas strenuously de fended; and several officers, particularly lord Cornwallis and general Grey, spoke in the highest terms of the personal affection with Avhich he Avas regarded by the Avhole army. From the unexpected latitude Avhich the exa- 13th May. minations had assumed, the ministry found them- ^°j"n*r" selves under the necessity of appealing to counter- ordered. evidence to disprove some of the statements. Ac cordingly, Mr. de Grey moved for a summons directing the attendance of ten Avitnesses, Avhich occasioned violent exclamations on the part of opposition, Burke decried the proceeding as ir regular and unfair; ministers, he said, affected to applaud the military conduct of Sir William HoAve, and noAV, by a side-Avind, in a lafe stage of the ex amination, endeavoured to invalidate and defeat evidence Avhich they cbuld not pretend to disbe lieve. Against this mode of argument the former declarations of the same party were successfully urged ; they had begged only for inquiiy ; if the inquiry proved merely ex parte, that Avould be the fault of administration ; they might call evidence in their OAvn defence, if they deemed it necessary ; but iioav, these improper objections Avere raised. The, American secretary declared he had no disposition to accuse general Howe; he principally desired evidence to disprove the statement, that America Avas almost unanimous in resisting the claims of Great Britain. Fox, triumphing in the apparent strength of the testimony already given, contemp tuously recommended that no opposition should be made to the production of further information, from every quarter, and through every channel ; v ' ' but 138 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, but Burke would not acquiesce, and when the XXXV. names of the parties intended for examination Avere v^v^ read, reviled them as refugees, and custom-house officers. The motion Avas, however, agreed to without a division. ¦iSthMay. During this interval, general Burgoyne pro- toistjune. ceeded in the examination of his witnesses ; they goyne's uniformly proved, that, in his unfortunate expedi- evidence tiorij ]ie had acted with uniform bravery and skill, examine . ancj en(jeareci himself to his whole army. These facts Avere never denied, and therefore no endea vour Avas made to impeach them. ssth June. The counter-evidence on Sir William Howe's evidence" incluiry' asserted, that the Americans were by no respecting means unanimous in their opposition to the British Sir vvil- government, and nothing but the most egregious e' neglect in the commander in chief, could have enabled congress to retain a single adherent. The force placed at his disposal Avas fully sufficient to effect the real purpose of his mission, Avhich Avas not the conquest of America, but the grant of pro tection to those who would join the British force ; and, under such circumstances, the strength of the country Avas not less favourable to the English than to the American general. Mr. Joseph "Gal loway,1 one of the tAvo Avitnesses examined, was extremely severe in his censures of Sir William Hoavc 24th June. The general expressed great disapprobation at objections. tjie effect Gf this testimony, Avhich, by givino- un due Aveight to the opinions of individuals, Avas calculated to injure his character Avith the public; he therefore required permission to call new evi dence. This proposition Avas strongly resisted, the intent of the examination being not to affect the general, whom no man had accused, but to clear the conduct of administration, Avhich he had loud- a Late speaker of the Pensylvanian assembly, and author of several able and well-written pamphlets on the subject of the American war. GEORGE III. ly censured. At his request, however, Mr. Gal loway was directed to attend again for cross-ex amination ; but on the day appointed, the general was not in the house, and, after waiting some time, Mr. R. Whitworth moved to adjourn. Both par ties were now wearied and, disgusted ; the opposi tion, the first movers in the business, Avere con vinced it could not tend to the advantage they expected, and administration having only meant to exculpate themselves, had no longer any ob ject to pursue ; the motion Avas therefore carried Avithout debate ; and thus the committee expired, Avithout forming any resolution. The next day general Howe complained of surprise; he attended the house, he said, at four o'clock, not expecting the dissolution of the committee at so early an hour ; he had no intention of putting further ques tions to Mr. Galloway, but meant to have pressed his former request for the examination of new wit nesses. A debate of some acrimony ensued, in consequence of a peremptory demand, from both Sir William and lord HoAve, of an express state ment, whether the conduct of the general furnish ed cause of crimination : the ministers refused a reply, but did not disavoAV the speech of earl Nu gent, Avho declared that no charge was ever in tended ; the general and his brother had the ap probation of their sovereign ; no confidence Avas AvithdraAvn, and, if offered, their services would be accepted. % An object of consideration, no less important and embarrassing, presented itself to the considera tion of parliament, when earl Nugent, early in the session, drew a deplorable picture of the calamities and distresses of the loAver class of people in Ire land, and lord Newhaven gave notice of his inten tion to move for a bill, allowing a general exporta tion from that country of all merchandizes except Woollens. The prohibition of commerce Avith America, jso. CHAP. XXXV. 1779. 29th June. Committeedissolved 30th. 1 6 th Dec 1778. Affairs of Ireland discussed. 140 CHAP.XXXV. W9- 19th Jan. 1 ,oth Mar. 1 8th. Partialrelief granted. iGih Apr. Dissatisfaction of the Irish. Non-importationagree ment. Volunteer associations. endangered the existence of the sister king- HISTORY OF ENGLAND. America, he said, had driven the manufacturers..- and labourers to unexampled distress, lowered the value of lands, prevented the payment of rents,' and dom. Pursuing his original plan, earl Nugent gave notice of his intention to move for the establish ment of a cotton manufactory in Ireland, with leave of export to Great Britain, and of an open trade in that branch with America, the West India islands, and Africa. A committee Avas afterwards, formed on the motion of lord NeAvhaven, for taking into consideration the acts of parlia ment relating to the importation of sugars to Ire land ; but no effectual progress was made. The intended relief Avas counteracted by the opposition of many mercantile and manufacturing toAvns, and eventually amounted only to a pecuniary grant, in consequence of a royal message, and tAvo acts for encouraging the growth of tobacco and hemp, and the manufacture of linen. The merchants of Dublin expressed indigna tion at " the unjust, illiberal, and impolitic oppo- " sition of self-interested people in Great Britain, " to the encouragement of theircommerce. Such " opposition originated in avarice and ingratitude ; " and they resolved, neither directly nor indi- " rectly, to import or use any British goods, Avhich " could be produced or manufactured in Ireland, " till an enlightened and just policy should appear " to actuate those Avho had taken so active a part " in opposing the regulations in favour of the trade •' of Ireland." This example Avas 'followed by several counties and towns, particularly Cork, Kilkenny, WickloAv, and Roscommon. A mo he effective measure than the vote of an assembly at Dublin, Avas the establishment of arm ed corps of volunteers, Avhich now began to prevail throughout the country. A rumour of French in- vasion, .1779' GEORGE HL 341 Vasion, and the diminution of the national force CHAP. by drafts for American service, furnished a motive XXXV. for these associations, Avhich were conntenanced by the most eminent characters, and armed, dis ciplined, and accoutred at their own expence. Government knew not hoAv to regulate the con duct of the associated bodies, but sun^eyed them with alarm, as a neAv power introduced into a com munity already sufficiently difficult to govern. When the house of commons had ceased to dis- II,h May« cuss the affairs of Ireland, the marquis of Rock? quis ^ar" ingham introduced the subject in the lords, by Rocking- moving an address for such documents relative to ma^n re. the trade of Ireland, as would enable the national specting wisdom to pursue effectual measures for promoting lreland- the common strength, Avealth, and commerce of both kingdoms. He reviewed, with general dis approbation, the conduct of the revenue, trade, and government, both civil and military, since 1755 ; and inveighed against the ministry for suffering the late military associations ; the necessity for them should have been prevented, or the people should have been legally commissioned and en abled to take arms. Such associations would pro bably repel invasion, but the same spirit might be exerted in resisting oppression and injustice. The 27th May.- address was agreed to, but although two subsequent V^ zd debates arose, no effectual measure was adopted ; the ministry, however, entered into an implied agreement to prepare, during the recess, a satis factory plan of relief. A rill brought into the house of commons by IothMar. Mr. Frederick Montague, in- consequence of a mo- Relief af- tion by Sir'Henry Houghton, for further relief of f^J°nt Protestant dissenting ministers and school-masters, dissenters. passed after several debates, in which the nature z8tb AP1V of religious liberty, and principles of toleration, were amply discussed. The question was fairly and ably argued, and extremes were avoided in the 142 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, the decision, though advanced in debate. Wilke* XXXV. reprobated every species of religious restraint, and v"^"w' Dunning argued against the only restriction the 9' bill yet contained, that of requiring persons who preached in public, or Undertook the education of youth, to declare their belief in the doctrines of Christianity, as established by the holy scriptures. He contended that even such a test might be pro ductive of evil ; for those Avho could not sign it Avould be liable to the penal statutes still in force; and if one single prosecution arose, instead of be ing a bill for relief, it Avould be an act of oppress siom Sir William Bagot, Sir Roger NeAvdigate, and a few others, opposed the general principle of the bill as injurious to the established religion; lord North commended its tolerating principle as perfectly consistent Avith the spirit of the times, and the disposition of the Avhole bench of bishops; the test proposed Avas such as no Christian and Protestant dissenter could refuse to sign. As to deists, and persons denying the Trinity, or pro fessing other singular religious opinions, not being either Christians or Protestants, the bill had no thing to do Avith them ; but if the state could not regulate, it had a right to guard against authorizing men to teach such notions. No report is preserved of any debate in the house of lords. j 6th jure. At a late period of the session, when no further Rupture business Avas expected, lord North informed the announc-" house of commons, that count d'Almodovar, the ed. Spanish embassador, had withdrawn from London, after delivering to the secretary of state a manifes to, Avhich, with a message from the king, Avould be presented to parliament on the morroAv. This in- fbrmatiou occasioned several animated philippics from opposition, decrying the ignorance aud delu sion of ministers, and threatening exemplary pu nishment. A motion by Burke for a committee on the GEORGE III. 143 the state of the nation Avas, however, at the instance chap. of his own friends, withdrawn. XXXV. The king's message declared an uniform and v^i?"w/ sincere desire to cultivate peace and friendly in- i7thjune. tercourse with the court of Spain; good faith, Kir>g's honour, and justice alone had guided his conduct, and he saAv with surprise the grievances alleged in justification of intended hostility, all Avhich Avere misrepresented, or had never before been imparted. He relied therefore on the zeal and spirit of parlia ment, for means to defeat the enterprizes of his enemies, against the honour of his croAvn, and the rights and interests of the nation. In the house of commons the address Avas Addresses. unanimously acceded to, but lord John Cavendish ineffectually moved a second address, requiring the king to collect his fleets and armies,i and to exert the whole force of the kingdom against the house of Bourbon. b In the upper house, the earl of Abingdon de- Amend- clared he would never assent to any such address ; but would, though single, divide the house, till the grievances of the people Avere redressed by the expulsion of the ministers, Avho had Avantonly, openly, and in defiance of the majesty of the people of England, not only broken doAvn the fences of the constitution, but had now left the country ex posed to ravage, and threatened with destruction. He moved an amendment, praying for a change of sy tem, which was necessary to unite the people, and preserve the empire. Although the duke of Richmond, requested him to withdraw this motion, lord Abingdon per sisted in taking the sense of the house, by whom it Avas rejected.0 The duke then proposed a se cond amendment, not materially different in sub stance, though better arranged, Avhich he support ed by a long speech, decrying the conduct of ad-. mini' * Lost by 156 to So, f 6* to 23, meritsmoved. 144 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. XXXV. 1779. Protest. 2tst June. Militia bill. 36th June. Altered by the lords. 2d July- Passes in its amend ed state. ministration, as tending to create civil Avar in every part of the British dominions. He was ably sus tained by lord Shelburne. The ministry did not enter into the Avide field of argument to Avhich they were challenged, but contented themselves With ansAvering a few personal reflections, and with brief remarks on the occasion of the message. The duke, in reply, declared the real aim of his- amendment to be the withdrawing of the troops' from America, for the protection of Great Britain. His motion Avas lost, d but a long protest was sub scribed by twenty peers. One of the measures proposed by administra tion, for efficacious defence in the approaching crisis, Avas a bill for increasing the militia to a number not exceeding its present amount doubled, and enabling individuals to raise loyal corps. This bill Avas combated in all its stages, as indica tive of national Aveakness, oppressive to the country, and impracticable. The minister declared it was not his Avish to pursue the measure with obstinacy j but submitted it to the judgment of the house. During the progress of the bill, a motion Avas made by Sir Grey Cooper, for limiting the number of militia incorporated by ballot, to fifteen thousand four hundred and twenty-four; and the compliance of the minister, Avas only prevented by the remon strances of his friends, that such a dereliction of his original plan, would be a triumph to his oppo nents, already too apt to stigmatize his want of firmness. The bill passed the house of commons, according to the original project, but in the house of lords, the clause, enabling the king to double the militia, was rejected by a considerable ma jority.' On its being returned in this state to the house. of commons, the minister was sharply upbraided for the Avant of unanimity in the cabinet, whije he so; 0 57 to 32. 39 to 22, G E O R G E III. 145 so constantly recommended unanimity to the CHAP. house. He defended himself Avith great ability, XX x v. observing, that as minister of the house of com- S**^£*J mons, he had not thought it necessary, before he introduced the measure, to consult those, Avho not being representatives of the people, had no con stituents to support the burthen ; but Avhen the members of the upper house, Avho were lords lieu tenants of counties, took the proposition into their consideration, they rejected it- as impracticable. Although he did not agree in their judgment, he r could not controul it ; his own experience in the county Avhere he was lord lieutenant, induced him to recommend the measure ; but his experience could not regulate the opinions of the peers. What remained of the bill Avas highly important to the public service, and waving every consideration of pride, he Avas willing to accept the poAver of aug menting the national force by volunteer corps, even as " crumbs falling from the table of their " lordships." The house was twice divided, in consequence of attempts to reject the bill, as a money-bill, uncon stitutionally amended by the lords ; but these ef forts Avere ineffectual/ At a late hour in the night, after the debate on 1 3d June. the militia, Wedderburne moved to bring in a bill Bil1 *"r for removing difficulties in manning- the navy, by protections resuming protections granted to certain descrip- to seamen. tions of seamen, watermen and their apprentices, and by depriving of their right to a habeas cor pus, all persons of those classes Avho had been im pressed since the day Avhen the royal message re specting Spain was delivered to the house. His motive for making this motion at so late an hour, Avas, that the effect might not be prevented by dis closure, and that an ample supply of seamen might, f The numbers were, on the first 63 to 4.5 : on the second 51.ro 23. Vol. III. L Avithout 146 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. XXXV. »779- 59th June Protests. 3d July. Termina tion of the session. Avithout impediment, be obtained for the grand fleet. The principle of the bill did not escape se vere animadversion, as a violation of those rights of protection, Avhich Avere not less sacred, defined, and inviolate, than those by Avhich life and proper ty Avere enjoyed ; and the manner and time of in troducing the measure were inveighed against as pitiful, sneaking and treacherous, like a midnight irruption into a dwelling-house for the purpose of plupder, but Avith a*determination to commit mur der rather than abandon the spoil. The bill, how ever, passed both houses, after violent debates ; a protest Avas entered against the refusal to adopt some proposed amendments, signed by fourteen, and another against the general principles of the act, signed by four peers. The session Avas concluded by a speech from the throne, thanking parliament for their zeal in support of the Avar, and their attention to Ireland; the king's paternal affection for all his people, making him singularly anxious for the happiness and prosperity of every part of his dominions. The events of the Avar had not afforded France any just cause to triumph in the consequences of perfidy; and Avhatever colour Spain might endeavour to put on her proceedings, his majesty Avas conscious of having no cause for self-reproach ; he exulted in the demonstrations of loyalty and affection dis played in parliament, and considered it a happy omen of success in arms, that the increase of dif ficulties served only to augment the courage and constancy of the nation. From the moment that hostilities with France fh° dispute became apparent, many politicians sanguinely-pre- with Spain, dieted that Spain would interfere : on o-eneral principles, this supposition was far from self-evi dent, and the particular circumstances of the case warranted a contrary conclusion. If the probabi lity of war avus sanctioned by the family compact, and Rist and GEORGE III. 147 •and the natural disposition of Spain to Concur in chap. humbling the pride and diminishing the prosperity of XXXV. Great Britain, the nature of the American contest v^tl/^"/ afforded too many alarming topics of application, to permit the supposition that Spain would readily engage in the cause. The treaty between France and America was I773- so suddenly concluded, that Spain could not be consulted, and therefore, at the beginning of hosti lities, the court of Madrid, Avithout affecting to justify France, was anxious to restore tranquillity, and voluntarily offered her mediation. The' Mar- I7tI77""e' quis d'Almadovar, Avho delivered his credentials as embassador to the court of London after the cap ture of the French frigate by Admiral Keppel, gave the strongest assurances of his catholic ma jesty's desire to promote harmony, and cement the . union between Great Britain and Spain by all pro perties. The embassador observed, that he had received his instructions anterior to the late trans actions of the British fleet, but had no reason to believe that event would change the disposition of his court. France, nevertheless, consistently with her usual policy, assiduously circulated reports that Spain would accede to the treaty Avith Ame rica, and had authorised M. d'Aranda to complete the transaction.6 At several conferences Avith the secretary of state, the Spanish embassador urged the solicitude of his royal master to act as mediator between Great Britain and France, and pressed for some proposal from the British court, insinuating, tha^ the intended good offices were neglected. Lord Weymouth acquitted himself of this charge by observing, that Spain had not proposed to me- .diate, but merely professed an inclination to receive an application from either power. Al though France had offered an unexpiated insult £, Letter from Lord Weymouth to lord Grantham, 21st July, 1778. L 2 to U8 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, to Great Britain, still his majesty Avas earnestly XXXV. desirous of peace, but could not, consistently with ^-^^ the dignity of his crown, solicit the interference " of a foreign court, till the vieAVs and intentions of France, the aggressor, were known. These con- A'ersations Avere far from impressing a notion that Spain sought a quarrel, on the contrary, one of the subjects discussed Avas the means of forming a more intimate commercial connexion.11 i«th Sept. In compliance v/ith the intimation of lord Wey mouth, a paper was delivered on the part of his catholic majesty, offering to commence a negoti ation, Avhcrein the dignity of neither crown should seem affected by making the first advance, and therefore proposed that each court should remit to Madrid a state of its views and expectations, the king of Spain proposing to communicate to each »7th oa. the proposition of the other. The ansAver of the British court was comprized in a single article: " Whenever France should AvithdraAv all assistance " and support from America, notAvithstanding the " unprovoked aggression, the king. Avould be ready " to restore peace, and re-establish amity and har- " mony." France demanded that the king should acknowledge the absolute independence of the thirteen provinces, cede all their territories in his possession, and AvithdraAv all his forces. When these preliminaries Avere complied Avith, France proposed to settle and explain various points in former treaties, the previous discussion of Avhich Avould be useless and difficult. >6thNov. In imparting this proposal "the king of Spain hoped, notAvithstanding the Avide difference be tween the sentiments of Great Britain and France, to find means of adjustment, and in a subsequent dispatch requested a revision of the article pro posed by the British court, 'and the adoption of l> Letter from lord Weymouth ' to lord Grantham, 13th September, some GEORGE III. 149 some expedient or temperament, more adapted to C II A P. reconciliation. This the British ministry unani- XXXV. mously rejected. France, they observed, mani fested no desire of peace, but, by insisting on the independence of America, sought only to perfect the blow she had attempted to strike. Both courts persisting in their original senti- *<1 Jan. ments, the king of Spain, as an accommodating '779' expedient, proposed three plans : First, atruceAvith the colonies for twenty-five or thirty years, during Avhich a peace might be negotiated, and in the meantime the points in dispute betAveen the courts of London and Versailles might also be adjusted. Secondly, a truce with France, including the co lonies. Thirdly, an indefinite" truce with the co lonies, and France, Avhich yet should not termi nate Avithout a year's previous notice, during Avhich the plenipotentiaries of the three parties might meet in congress, with a fourth from the court of Madrid to mediate. Such a convention might be signed by the American deputies at Paris sub spe rati, the French court employ its good offices to obtain the ratification ; and the croAvns of Spain and France guarantee the stipu lations. In the meantime the colonies were to trade freely Avith all the world, and maintain inde pendence de facto ; such as it Avas supposed the king's commissioners had.power to offer them ; the British forces were to be AvithdraAvn, or at least much reduced, and their communications Avith the country regulated, In a long and well composed answer to this pro- iSth M»? position, the British ministry reviewed the whole conduct and pretensions of France, exposed the perfidy which dictatecTan interference in the con test, the fallacy of the jiretences advanced during the negotiation, and the futility of their argu ments Avhen they alleged their own hostilities as the source of their apprehensions, and their appre- l 3 hensions 1779- 150 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, hehsions , as the source of their hostilities. Con- XXXV. sidering the plans proposed by Spain as shortly and generally stated, according to the nature of an over ture, they Avere analysed with freedom, and the consequences accurately deduced, The grant of a truce for five-and-twenty or thirty years, or for an indefinite term, not to be determined without a year's notice, accompanied Avith an evacuation of the provinces (for nothing less could meet the terms proposed) and a free trade, Avould, in fact, be so effectual a concession of independence, that nothing could prevent the Americans from at taining that state, should the treaty terminate unfavourably. It Would be such a dereliction of all right of government, such a sanction of all past proceedings in the colonies, as Avould reduce his majesty's faithful subjects to the condition of rebels, and prevent any interference on their be half. The degradation of Great Britain would also be complete, for the king must treat Avith France for inducing the colonies to accede; the American deputies might sign the treaty sub spe rati, but the good offices of France must be ex erted to procure the ratification. After renouncing, or rather transferring to the congress and France, for so long a time, the allegiance and loyalty of his faithful subjects, his majesty was to treat Avith congress for the surrender of their public character and government, and Avith France for her concur rence in such a measure, and at the same time for her peculiar interests, consisting in unspecified demands. These, Avhatever they might be, must doubtless be adjusted before France would con cur in dissolving those states Avith whom she had contracted alliance and amity, for the purpose of obtaining her own point*; but as she neither spe cified her own objects, nor the endeavours she would use to re-establish the British constitution in America, the acceptance of such a truce could only GEORGE III. 151 only be viewed as an absolute, if not a distinct C PI A p. cession of all rights of the British crown in the XXXV. thirteen colonies, under the additional disadvan- v-JTl^*-' tage of making it to the French, rather than to the Americans themselves. To .remove all doubts from the mind of the king of Spain respecting the points on Avhich he might employ his good offices, the British ministry sug gested that France should propose her grievances, jealousies, or demands. Great Britain would then give an answer equally explicit ; or, a truce of aufficient duration might be made betAveen Great Britain and France, for the adjustment of their rival pretensions by the good offices of his catho lic majesty. And to obviate every pretence for continuing hostilities on the side of North Ame rica, the insurgents might also propose their griev ances, and the terms of security and precaution on Avhich legal government might be restored. Or a tryce might also take place in North America, that is, a real truce, an actual suspension of hos tilities, during which the liberty and property of all orders and descriptions of men might be re stored and secured, and every violence on their persons and estates Avholly intermitted on each side. During such truces the French ministers Avould be at liberty to treat for their own separate concerns, without incurring unavoidable suspi cions, by mixing their own peculiar advantages with the supposed interests of those pretended allies, and his majesty might settle the government of his OAvn dominions without the appearance of receiving terms from an enemy. On the basis of this proposition, the Spanish 3d April minister, M. de Florida Blanjca, suggested, as the best means of accommodation, a suspension of arms, and disarmament, the meeting of plenipo tentiaries at Madrid for the adjustment of peace, and settlement of a definitive treaty, plan of resti- L 4 itutions^ 152 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, tutions, and arrangement of all causes of com- XXXV. plaint between Great Britain and France, under v"*^!Y^' the mediation of Spain. A reciprocal disarma ment and suspension of hostilities Avas also to be separately granted to America through the same mediation, and American commissioners admitted to the negotiation ; the truce was not to terminate till after a year's notice. 4.A May. This plan was delivered as the ultimatum of Spain ; but as it was founded on the principles which had been disclaimed, the British court de clared it inadmissible ; acknowledging, at the same time, the benevolence of the king of Spain's inter position, and hoping, that should France be dis posed to offer less imperious and unequal terms, the same good offices Avould be renewed. 4-th Ma)'. In a private letter, whichaccompanied the above ansAver, lord Weymouth stated to the British embassador his alarms at the articles of the ulti matum, Avhich indicated the prevalence of French influence in the councils --of Spain. He had hitherto suppressed the suspicions Avhich many circumstances tended to excite, but a full expla nation was now necessary. Did Spain Avish and insist on the dismemberment of Great Britain, so earnestly as to engage in Avar for the purpose of effecting it? or, if not, Avhat means had the pro posal left for averting the event ? i9th May. ^ the behaviour of M. d'Almadovar did not jus tify the apprehensions expressed in this dispatch ; he expressed to the secretary of state the regret of the , catholic king in withdrawing his offered mediation, from a conviction that 'it could be attended Avith no effect ; but nothing transpired which sheAved a propensity to irritation on either side. At a sub- nthjune. sequent interview, the .Spanish embassador re newed these expressions, lamented that all the pro positions of Spain were refused, and no others sub stituted; and complained of the Avords "imperi ous 1779- -GEORGE III. 153 ous and unequal terms," in the dispatch of the CHAP. fourth of May, as harsh and unnecessary. The XXXV. explanation on all these points was full and satis factory : The king had been precluded from of fering terms of pacification, because the proposi tions made by France tended merely to secure the independence of the colonies by direct means, or the intermediate effect of a truce. The Avords which were complained of obviously referred to France only, and not, in the most distant manner, to Spain. By M. d'Almadovar's desire, lord Grantham Avas directed to convey, through M. de Florida Blanca, to the king of Spain, the ardent Avish of his Britannic majesty for the re-establish ment of peace, Avhenever it could be effected con sistently Avith the regards due to his crown and people ; his sincere sense of the friendly part taken by his catholic majesty, and his regret at *he tem porary failure of his efforts. If France had made demands immediately connected with her own interest, and those demands had been counte nanced by the Avishes of Spain, the king would have sheAvn, by his compliance, his desire of peace, and regard for so respectable an interference, but the communications of the French court having been confined to the interests of the rebellious colonies, with whom, injustice, they ought not to have had any connexion, the king could not renew pacific propositions : yet if any were made by his catho lic majesty, they Avould be received with the ut most regard, and examined with candour and attention. The re-establishment of peace, how ever desirable in itself, Avould receive additional value if effected by the mediation of Spain, as it would tend more closely to unite the two croAvns, and produce advantages to both*. Before these obliging expressions could reach 1 6th June. i For all these facts I have consulted the original correspondence, be^ pan,s tween the secretary of state and lord Grantham. *im as^?" the draws. 1779- manifesto. 154 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, the court for which they Avere intended, and before XXXV. any previous intimation could be received from any quarter, M. d'Almadovar received his instructions to quit London without taking leave, and deliver ed the paper Avhich accompanied the king's mes- His letter, sage to parliament. It complained of the rejection of the catholic king's benevolent interference, the violences committed on his dominions in the course of the Avar, and the neglect of his nume rous applications for redress ; and announced his resolution to seek reparation by the means Avith Avhich God had intrusted him. Spanish Besides this angry paper, and two royal sche dules to his own subjects, the Spanish monarch published a manifesto, long, desultory, and feeble, complaining of the conduct of Britain in innu merable instances since the conclusion of peace. Violations of territory in1 the bay of Honduras, exciting the Indians to attack Spain, and refusal of redress on repeated applications, formed the leading subjects of crimination. Naval outrages Avere enumerated Avith a degree of affected preci sion, and denounced Avith a pompous vehemence Avhich must have been ridiculous to all Europe. The insults offered by the British navy to the Spanish navigation and trade, from 1776 to the beginning of 1779, Avere "already eighty-six in number, including prizes taken by unjust prac tices, piracy, and robberies of various effects out of the vessels, attacks made by gun-firing, and other incredible violences : since that period other injuries of the same kind had been added, suffi cient to justify the assertion that the grievances of the late years did not fall much short of a hundred." After exhausting this topic, England Avas accused of endeavouring to effect a re-union Avith the American colonies, in order to arm them against the house of Bourbon ; the Avhole history of the negotiation was perverted and misrepre- +- sented GEORGE III. 155 sented in many essential particulars, and it was CHAP. asserted that Avhile the boon of American independ- XXXV. en ce Avas refused on the intercession of Spain,Engljsh v-*~v'^/ emissaries were clandestinely proposing terms still more liberal to Dr. Franklin at Paris. The king of Spain therefore announced the necessity of cur tailing and destroying the arbitrary proceedings and maxims of the English maritime power ; in the attainment of which end all other maritime powers, and even all nations, Avere become highly interested. To these empty publications, the court of Great betters of Britain replied, by ordering letters of marque and marque reprisals on Spanish property, andby ajudiciousand issued- temperate letter from lord Weymouth to the Spa- J3t,\Juljr" nish embassador. France also published a long Wey. historical manifesto, displaying the motives and mouth's conduct of the most christian king towards Eng- etter' land, which Avas artfully draAvn up, and Avell calcu- Fren.ch lated to deceive, but was answered in an eloquent justificatory memorial, the production of the cele brated Gibbon \ Thus was Spain, to use the expression, enlisted observa- in the cause of France. Besides the general ah- tions on sence of any sufficient ground of provocation,1 j^s""^10' the ordinary vieAvs of policy, offered many effec tual impediments against a rupture with Great k See all these last-mentioned pieces in the Annual Register for 1779, article State Papers. Gibbon's publication, though not official, called forth great exertions, both in France and among the adherents of AjS&rj- ca, to furnish an adequate reply. Some anonymous reflectionsTP^ere published ; some, avowed by the well known Caron de Beaumarchais and :others, were published by authority. See Remembrancer, vol. ix. p. 1. 83. 2or. vol. x. p. 116. I It is almost impossible, that in the state of British, and Spanish pos sessions in different parts of the world, cause of complaint should not arise on both sides. A motion was made and a petition offered to the English parliament, the 25th of February 1777, and in a conversation be tween lord Grantham and M. de Florida Blanca, in 1778, some of the complaints adverted to in the manifesto were discussed, but the Spanish minister did not express any impatience on the subject, nor any doubt of fair and equitable redress. Letter from Lord Grantham to lord Wey mouth, 23d November 1778. Britain. 156 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. Britain. The good sense of the emperor pointed XXXV. out the impropriety of a sovereign, arming in be- ^^T* half of rebels ; and Spain had, motives of interest, far more cogent, for adopting similar sentiments. A bigotted attachment to the Catholic religion, and the vicinity of her American possessions to the English colonies, Avere strong reasons against forming an alliance with, or in favour of America: no sufficient inducement could be advanced to counterbalance these arguments ; the Spaniards had no view of extending commerce, and their friendly disposition towards France, might have been more safely exerted in clandestine aids, in supplies of money, and agitating the English na tion by continual reports of preparation, and spe cious offers of mediatory interference. France had, Avith her usual dexterity, urged her ally to decide in favour of hostilities ; and before the resolution of Spain Avas formed, boasted of her suc cess in such a manner as to embarrass the cabinet of Madrid, whose final determination Avasnot marked with the promptitude of vigour, but the rashness of fear, flying into the arms of danger to escape the horrors of doubt. Five days before he deliver ed his orders to quit the British court, the count d'Almadovar had not the slightest suspicion that his diplomatic mission Avas likely to terminate; and while the French embassador at Vienna loud ly boasted the success of his court, in engaging a ng<| enemy against Great Britain, the Spanih em bassador unreservedly declared he had not re ceived any direct communication on the subject."1 siege of Probably France lured Spain on this occasion Guitar |,y tile pr0Spect of recovering Gibraltar, and mi- nuncel. litary operations Avere accordingly commenced by 2+lllju.ie. the siege 0f this fortress. Orders were dispatched n> Letter from Sir Robert Murray Keith to lord Weymouth, aid June 1779. for GEORGE III. 157 for discontinuing all commerce Avith the garrison, chap. and an attempt Avas made to impede supplies from XXXV. the coast of Africa, by a treaty Avith the emperor ^^^^ of Morocco, for farming the ports of Tetuan, Tan gier, and Larache. Soon after the declaration of hostilities, the l6'hJune. Spaniards formed a naval blockade, and com menced approaches by land. The garrison amount ed to near six thousand men, in good health, full of vigour, and not deficient in provisions; they Avere commanded by the brave general Elliot, Avho justified the confidence of the troops, by a regular performance of his duties, by a prudence and a penetration, Avhich overlooked no circum stance, however minute, tending to the Avelfare and safety of his troops, and by a firmness of mindAvhich rendered obedience easy, and command respectable. " No martial enterprize of the French in Europe, ineffectual no appearance of efficient preparation, served to T"1?s™pt °" encourage the Spaniards in their hostile determina tion. An ill digested and inefficient attack on ay ist" Jersey, was easily repelled; and the failure of the attempt, only exposed to ridicule the name of the- projector, who was called Prince de Nassau Siegen, and laid a disputable claim to descent from the illustrious house of Nassau. Before the declaration of war Avith Spain, the 4th June. French fleet, under d'Orvilliers, consisting of twen- Jj? "£"on ty-eight sail, but extremely defective in prafiara-, Frenchand tion, gained, in the absence of the British squadron, Spanish the Spanish coast, and after failing in an attempt to intercept a force under admiral Darby, effected a junction with the armament of Spain. The spirit of the English nation Avas not daunt- ^Engl"4 ed by the strong combination of enemies : a Spa- land. nish Avar Avas never unpopular, and the spirit of n In all details respecting the siege of Gibraltar, I have relied on the Historical Journal of captain John Drinkwater. enterprize 158 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. cba-P. enterprize Avas universally prevalent. Individuals XXXV. and public bodies entered into large subscriptions for raisingtroops, giving bounties to seamen, equip ping privateers, and other patriotic purposes ; vo*- lunteer associations were formed to repel invasion, and the East India company, Avith becoming libe rality, granted bounties for six thousand seamen, and undertook to build and equip three new ships, of seventy-four guns, for the royal navy. The com- But all these exertions Avere insufficient to give bined fleet the English fleet a requisite superiority over the ihTBriiish umted squadrons of the enemy : Sir Charles Hardy, coast. who succeeded Keppel in the command, cruized in the Channel, during the Avhole summer, with about thirty-eight sail of the line. The enemy in sulted the Channel Avith an irresistable force, shew ed themselves before Plymouth, Avhere they created general alarni, and captured the Ardent of sixty- four guns, whose commander mistook the united fleet for that of Sir Charles Hardy. Although terror and agitation preyailed in England, the enemy undertook no important enterprize; jealousy prevailed between the commanders of the combin ed fleet, sickness committed dreadful ravages on the crews ; and at an early period of the year, they ept- retired into Brest, leaving the British trade almost unmolested. GEORGE III. 159 CHAPTER THE THIRTY- SIX Til : 1779. State of the French and English fleets in the West Indies. — Byron convoys the homeward-bound fleet. — The French take St. Vincent's and Grenada. — Engagement between Byron and d' Estaing. — Proceedings in Georgia. — Corps of loyalists raised. — American force collected. — The American colonel Ashe routed. — Mea sures of the Americans for defence of the Carolinas. — Irruption of the British into South Carolina. — -Attack of the. Americans on St. John's Island. — D' Estaing' s ineffectual at tempt on Savannah. — Delays in reinforcing Sir Henry Clinton. — Various successful expeditions directed by him. — Siege and relief of Penobscot. — Miserable fate of the American besiegers. — Arrival of Arbuthnot. — Americans attack Paulus Hook. — Their expedition against the Indians. — Incursion of the Spa niards into West Florida. — Capture of Fort Omoa by the English — it is retaken. — Senegal' taken by the French — Goree by the English. — Sea fights between captain Pierson and Paul Jones. — Captain Farmer and a French frigate.— State of the ministry — changes. — State of Ireland. — Increase of Volunteers. — Session of the Irish parliament. — Debates on the address. — Popular measures. — -Limited Supply. — Riot in Dublin. 'east while the transatlantic war Avas car- CHAP. ried on Avith various degrees of activity and XXX VI. success. The passage of admiral Byron from North v— ^^-^ America to the West Indies Avas delayed by storms. 6th Jan'. His junction Avith Barrington gave an equality if stateofthe not a superiority to the British force, and reduced andEng- the French admiral to the defensive, and during }ish fleets five months neither insult .nor opportunity could inaisSWest draAV him from his retreat at Martinique. In this interval both fleets received reinforcements; the English under admiral Rowley ; the French under fith June. de Grasse, but both remained inactive till Byron Bcyron sailed for St. Christopher's to escort the homeward- the trade. bound fleet to a certain latitude. His absence Avas the signal for commencement Capture of of d'Estaing's operations; a body of four thousand *^.™£ and fifty men, commanded by Trolong du Ro- the.French. main, 160 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, main, was dispatched against St. Vincent's., This XXXVI. island Avas in a miserable state of distraction ; it v""^Cf'/ Avas recently created a separate government, under Valentine Morris, esquire, a gentleman of good family, benevolent spirit, and enlarged liberality.3 The island Avas not yet divided into parochial dis tricts, the means of government were incomplete, the fortifications out of repair, the Charribs sullen and intractable, anxiously expecting an oppor tunity to restore the sovereignty of the French ; while a rancorous party among the subjects of the crown impeded the exertions of the governor, fa cilitated the machinations of the Charribs, and even maintained a traiterous correspondence Avith the enemy. The colony refused all assistance to wards establishing a military force, and the English troops Avere composed, to use the governor's own expression, of " the very scum of the earth ; the " refuse of the metropolis, the sweepings of jails, " Jamp-lighters, gypsies, and men superannuated, " disabled, and discharged from other regiments." This motley force being ill calculated to oppose a numerous body of French troops, Avho landed and I7t1' June- were- joined by the Charribs, the governor Avas uy' obliged to capitulate Avithout resistance.b Grenada D'Estaing, again reinforced by a division also taken, under la Motte Piquet, commanded thirty-four ships of Avar, twenty-six of Avhich Avere of the line, and a number of transports sufficient for the convey- - < ance of nine thousand,, soldiers. He proceeded to the attack of Grenada, Avhich Avas defended only by a hundred and fifty regulars, and about four hundred militia, Avho, being principally French men, soon diminished the garrison, by desertions, to less than three hundred. Lord Macartney, the governor, considering this force suflicient for the a See an interesting account of Valentine Morris, in Coxe's Historical Tour in Monmouthshire, chap. 40. l> Principally from governor Morris's Narrative of his official conduct. defence GEORGE III. 161 defence of some strong posts tilt succours could CHAP. arrive, refused to capitulate. D'Estaing, unAvil- xxxvi. ling to sacrifice the time requisite for regular ap- v^'^-/ proaches, stormed the lines: the garrison defended themselves with skill and bravery ; once they re pulsed the assailants, but being obliged to yield to numbers, retired into the fort, and had the morti fication to see their own cannon turned against them. Lord Macartney noAV proposed terms* of capitulation, which the ungenerous victor rejected, and proffered others so dishonourable that the high-spirited governor preferred a surrender at h discretion to the baseness of subscribing them, and the French plundered Avithout scruple or re straint. A principal reason for pressing Avith such lstJu'y« rapidity the reduction of Grenada, was the intel- n"nt8be- ligence of Byron's return, which Avas retarded by tween winds and currents. He had formed, Avith general dEstain™'1 Grant, a project for the recovery of St. Vincent's; but receiving, Avhile at sea, information that the 3d ]uly, French squadron before Grenada Avas reduced to nineteen sail, and that lord Macartney could main tain his position during a fortnight, he changed his first destination, and attempted to succour that island. Having twenty-one ships of the line, beside transports, he arranged his signals for bring ing on a general action, and did not discover the 6th, fallacy of his intelligence till several of his vessels were engaged. D'Estaing, notAvithstanding his superiority of force, and the great advantages he derived from the excellent condition of his fleet, avoided a close and general conflict, and, foiled in all attempts to cut off the transports, and inter cept the disabled vessels, retired in the night to Grenada. The British admiral, conscious of his inferiority in strength, dispatched during the night his transports and disabled ships to St. Christo pher's, and calmly awaited the morning's attack, Vol. III. M* which CHAP. XXXVI. 1779- HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Proceed ings in Georgia. jth Jan. Capture of S unbury : and Au gusta. Corps of loyalists raised. Avhich judging by his oavh character, he deemed' inevitable. The returning dawn discovered to him the retreat of the enemy, and seeing the Avhite flag mounted on the forts of Grenada, he followed the transports to refit at St. Christopher's.* A general panic Avas now diffused through the Bri tish West Indies; d'Estaing had boasted his resolu tion to conquer every islandj and that he was even prepared with articles of capitulation for each;c but he soon relieved the inhabitants from their ap prehensions, by retiring from Grenada to Cape. Francois in Hispaniola. After taking Savannah, in Georgia, and driv ing the American troops across the river into South- Carolina, general Prevost and colonel Campbell. assiduously employed themselves in receiving the inhabitants under protection, forming military corps, and framing regulations for the peace and security of the province. Their efforts, however, Avere not confined to these operations : a successful expedition was undertaken against Sunbury, a fort which surrendered at discretion, yielding to the. victors a considerable quantity of ordnance and stores, Avith tAvo hundred and twelve prisoners. This exploit was only preparatory to the capture of Augusta, the second town in the province, by colonel Campbell, the inhabitants generally taking- oaths of fidelity, and forming military corps, under the British government. Colonel Hamil ton, with a detachment of two hundred men, made a circuit of the province, for the purpose of en couraging these dispositions, and disarming the dis- * P'Estaing_*s alarm was so great, that he would not even venture to take possession of the Lion of 64. guns, commanded by captain Corn wallis, and the Cornwall of 74, captain Edwards, which were dismasted and lying helpless between the two fleets. He afterward appealed off St. Christopher's, bin would not venture to attack the British fleet which was drawn up in readiness to receive him. Valentine Morris's Narrative, p. 73. affected ; 1779- GEORGE III. 1 68 affected ; he niet with considerable success, though chap. he occasionally discovered latent treachery. When XXXVI. his circuit was nearly completed, a body of five hundred South Carolina militia, under colonel Pickens, encountered him, but Avere put to flight: a number of loyalists from the interior of North Loyalists Carolina, embodied under colonel Boyd, en- JJ"rl'h m deavoured to ..force their way to Georgia, to join Carolina. the royal forces, but Pickens defeated them at Kettle Creek, with considerable loss, including their commander; about three hundred reached Georgia; others returned and threw themselves on the mercy of their country, but Avere prosecuted as traitors to the new government; seventy Avere condemned, but only five executed.'1 It was soon found that Augusta could not be American retained Avithout great difficulty and danger, as it [j^ Avas a hundred and fifty miles distant from the main army. The Americans, alarmed for the fate of both Carolinas, hastily collected about three thousand militia, under generals Ashe and Rutherford, but distrusting the ability of these commanders, soon aftenvard placed the force under the direction of general Lincoln, a native of Massachusets. They issued proclamations for preventing the people from joining the royal standard, and securing the cattle, and stretched their positions along the northern banks of the Sa vannah river, parallel to those of the British on the opposite side. General Ashe, Avith a detach ment of fifteen hundred men, Avas ordered to strengthen the post opposite Augusta, but finding that fort abandoned, he crossed the river, in pur suance of his instructions, to streighten the British * The American writers describe these loyalists as mere outlaws ; but their application "of the word tory was so descriptive of every thing base and wicked, that other circumstances of guilt might be superadded with- uut much intention to violate truth. See Ramsay, vol. ii. p. 113. m 2 quarters-. 164 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, quarters. Lieutenant-colonel Prevost, brothel XXXVI. of the general, crossing the Brier Creek fifteen ^-^V miles above Ashe's encampment, stole on his 3d Mar. rear unperceived, and totally touted and dis-> A°sbenel Persed his force, Avith the loss of seven pieces of routed. cannon, several stand of colours, almost all the arms, artillery, and baggage; a hundred and fifty killed on the field, a far greater number droAvned in endeavouring to escape, and two hundred prisoners. The Avhole patty had been augmented, by rein forcements, to about tAvo thousand, but not morfe than four hundred and fifty rejoined Lincoln. Measures Alarmed by approaching danger, the legis- Americans lature °f South Carolina invested their governor, for the de- John Rutledge and his Council, with unlimited fenceofthe poAvers to act for the public good. This autho- Carohnas. l . . , ' i ,°. ¦ r- 23d April, nty Avas vigorously employed in reinforcing ge neral Lincoln, who soon found himself at the head of five thousand men. Leaving one thousand under colonel Mackintosh and general Moultrie, to garrison Purysburg and Black SAvamp, he be- irruption gan his march up the Savannah. Prevost, in °J}he. hopes of inducino- him to return, crossed over British .r a , . ' into South Avith the greatest part of his army into South Carolina. Carolina, the detachments under Mackintosh and Moultrie retiring before him, or offering only a feeble resistance; the American general, hoAvever, proceeded on his march, notAvithstanding the fre- " quent expresses which arrived demanding his ineffectual presence. Lured, by intelligence of the defence- attempt on less state of CharlestOwn, the capital of South Charles- Carolina, Prevost resolutely advanced, reached ' loThMay. the suburbs, and summoned the town ; the inha bitants, who during his approach had been assi duously employed in improving their fortifications, and Avere reinforced by Moultrie's retreating de tachment, by bodies of militia, and Pulaski's le gion, contrived to consume a clay in messages and answers relative to the terms of surrender, but their GEORGE III. 165 their ultimatum being declared inadmissible, they CHAP. passed the night in the horrors and consterna- XXXVI. tion of an expected storm. Fear was however ^^C^ the only injury they sustained. Prevost, calcu lating the strength of the Avorks, the insufficiency of his force, his Avant of artillery, ammunition and forage, and the probability of Lincoln's inter cepting his retreat, wisely dreAv off his forces in the night, and Avithout molestation, gained John's Island, Avhere he awaited supplies from New York. Lincoln having established a post at Augusta, re tired by hasty marches to CharlestoAvn, and till the departure of the British troops established his head-quarters at Dorchester. ColonelPrevost having fortified Stonyferry, Attack of which maintains the communication Avith the theAme- main land, soon left St. John's Island to be de- st. John's fended by colonel Maitland, with only five hundred island. effective men. Lincoln, Avho had already once l6t *we' failed, now advanced Avith near five thousand men 20th> to dislodge the British troops from their post at Stony Point. For a time his success appeared indubitable, but the judicious and resolute exer tions of this disproportioned force repelled the in vaders. In the course of the action the garrison were destitute of ammunition, but captain Mon- crieff of the engineers obtained a supply by a spirited sally, and at the close of the engagement their last charge was actually in their pieces. Soon after this attack, the American militia, disheartened and impatient of a longer absence from their plantations, quitted the army; the hot and sickly season rendering repose indispensable, the Americans retired to Sheldon; the British force evacuating the post at Stony-ferry, established a new one at Beaufort, in the island of Port Royal^ and the main body returning into Georgia, con-t tinued upward of tAvo months in unmolested inac tivity. The advantages attending the expedition pato South Carolina were the establishment of a, m 3 post 166 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, post at Beaufort, and the acquisition of provisions, XXXVI. the Avant of Avhich began to be severely felt. v- p<— ^ While hostilities Avere thus suspended, the Ineffectual Americans made application to d'Estaing, Avith d'Eswin°f ^ie noPe tnat ^'s ^eet wou^ destroy the advan- on Savaif- tages Avhich accrued to the English from their na- nan- val superiority. The French admiral speedily ar- September. rjved wit]l twenty sajl 0f tne yme, tWO of fifty guns, eleven frigates, and a considerable number of transports, and surprised the Experiment, of fifty guns, Avith two storeships, and the Ariel frigate. The Americans made great efforts to co-operate Avith the French, and the British general spared no exertion to repel an attack which he expected on Savannah; the garrison Avas Avithdrawn from Sunbury, colonel Maitland Avas ordered to evacu ate Beaufort, and the small naval force Avas judi- nth. ciously disposed by captain Henry. When the French troops Avere disembarked, d'Estaing, with out awaiting the junction of his provincial allies, in language ridiculously boastful, summoned Sa vannah to surrender to the French king. Prevost gained four-and-tAventy hours for deliberation, dur ing which colonel Maitland arrived Avith eight hundred men, after surmounting incredible diffi culties; and the governor thus reinforced, an- 23d, nounced his resolution to defend the fort. Twelve days Avere consumed in preparations, before the French broke ground, during which the garrison annoyed them by two vigorous and successful +th to 9th sorties. The French and American troops, amount- % ct0 er' ing to upward of ten thousand, continued an ineffectual cannonade during five days, Avhile the whole garrison, even to the African slaves, vied in zeal and perseverance in strengthening the works, and mounting artillery. ¦>tii. Weari ed at length Avith the delay of regular ap proaches, considering the dangers of the hurricane season^ GEORGE III. '1 87 season, and the possibility of a British squadron chap. attacking his fleet, Avhile so great a part of his ar- XXX vi tillery Avas employed on shore, d'Estaing attempted v"^™ to take the place by storm. Four thousand five hundred men, more than double the number of the garrison, Avere divided into two columns, one of Avhich, under d'Estaing, assisted by general Lincoln, Avas to attack in front, Avhile the other, under count Dillon, Avas to gain the rear of the British lines. They Avere put in motion several hours before clay. Dillon's division fortunately mistook the road, became entangled in a sAvamp, and Avas so galled by an incessant and Avell-di- rected fire from the garrison, that they could not form. The column led by d'Estaing was repulsed, after maintaining a severe conflict, hand to hand, for possession of the principal redoubt. The ad miral was slightly Avounded, and the Polish vo lunteer, Pulaski, killed.1 The siege Avas forthwith raised; the Americans retired to South Carolina, and the French regained their shipping Avithout molestation, as the garrison was not sufficiently numerous to adventure a pursuit. Their fleet Avas shortly afteiAvard dispersed by a storm; part re turned to the West Indies'; and d'Estaing regained his native land. This boastful and vain-glorious commander Avas always distinguished by injustice^ and cruelty. His presumptuous mode of sum moning the garrison disgusted the Americans ; and his brutality in refusing to permit the women and children to take refuge on board English ships in hjs OAvn custody, Avas rendered additionally contemp tible by his endeavouring, after defeat, to throAv the blame on his allies, and offering the very favour he had before Avithheld, which Prevost rejected Avith e Pulaski was one of the conspirators who attempted to carry off the king of Poland in 1771. See Coxe's Travels in Poland, Russia, Sweden, and Denmark, B. 1. c. 3. jx 4 becoming 168 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, becoming disdain. The raising of this siege ter- XXXVI. initiated hostilities in the south/ v-^^' During this Avhole campaign Sir Flenry Clin- Deiaysin ton remained in anxious expectation of reinforce- cimwn!"2 ments> the arrival of Avhich Avas delayed by an »d May. extraordinary occurrence. They Avere proceeding down the British Channel, under the convoy of admiral Arbuthnot, but on receiving intelligence of the French attack on Jersey, he ordered the transports into Torbay, and sailed for the relief of that Island. On his arrival off Guernsey, he learned the repulse of the enemy, and hastened to accomplish his original destination, but Avhen he returned to Torbay, the Avind became unfavour able, and the troops arrived in America too late for the performance of any considerable enterprize. April. Admiral Gambier .being recalled in the successful spring, the command of the British fleet in Ame- expedjtiors rica devolved on Sir George Collier, an officer himTe y who had honourably distinguished himself on the Halifax station, in restraining the Americans from invading Nova Scotia, alarming- their coast, May. and distressing their trade. With this brave of ficer, Sir Henry Clinton judiciously planned an expedition to the Chesapeak, where large stores of tobacco, the chief means of maintaining the credit of congress, Avere accumulated, and from Avhich place the army in the middle colonies Avas princi- f While the siege of Savannah was pending, a remarkable enterprise was effected by colonel John White, of the Georgia line. Captain French jiad taken post with about a hundred men, near the river Ogechee, some time before the siege began. There were also at the same place, forty sailors on board five Biitrsh vessels, four df which were armed. AH these men, together with the vessels and 130 stand of arms, were surrendered to colonel White, captain Elholm, and four others one of whom was the *oloriei"s seiVant. In the night, this small party kindled a number of fires in different places, and adopted •be parade of a large encampment, by which and other deceptive stratagems, they impressed captain French with an opinion that nothing but an instant surrender, in conformity to a peremptory summons, could save his men from being cut to pieces by a superior force. Ramsay, vol. ii, p. 11:. pally, GEORGE III. 160 pally, if not Avholly, supported by salted provisions, C HAP. the produce of Virginia, and North Carolina. A XXXVI. detachment, amounting to eighteen hundred men, '^^f^/ Avas embarked on board transports, and convoyed by the Raisonnable of sixty-four guns, four sloops, a galley and some private ships of Avar. Their first attack Avas directed against Portsmouth, where they demolished a fort; expeditions Avere then made to Norfolk, Gosport, Kemp's Landing, and Suffolk, Avhere great quantities of stores were seized, many vessels taken, and several destroyed. To prevent a capture, a marine yard was burned, h j^. with all its timber; and the fleet returned in tAventy-four days to New York, having destroyed and taken a hundred and twenty-seven vessels, and other property, estimated at half a million sterling. When the detachment returned from Virginia, 30tj,, they were joined by troops already embarked on board transports, and proceeding up the North river, succeeded in capturing Stony Point, Fort La Fayette, and Verplank's Neck, without loss. These posts were situate on opposite sides of Hud son's river, about sixty miles from New York, and the expedition Avas sufficiently important to claim the presence of "Sir George Collier, and the com mander in chief. Tavo thousand six hundred men, under major- 4th July* general Try on and Major Grant, Avere next em ployed in an expedition against Connecticut, a principal source of strength to congress, well peopled, and abounding in provisions. The motives of the attempt Avere to convince the enemy that this favoured province Avas not unassailable, and to force Washington from his strong situation on the North river, into the Ioav country, for defence of the sea-coast. The troops possessed themselves of Newhaven, the -capital of the colony, seized the artillery, ammunition, and public stores, and all the vessels in the harbour. A proclamation, in viting »779- 170 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, viting the people to return to thei» allegiance, Avas XXXVI. disregarded; the troops Avere fired at from the Avindows, after they were in possession of the tOAvn, and even the sentinels placed to protect private property Avere Avounded on their posts; yet the toAvn was spared, and no punder alloAved; after dismantling the fort, the troops re-embarked, and proceeded to Fairfield. At this place they found a resistance more ran corous than at Newhaven, and as their lenity pro duced so bad a return, Fairfield, Norwalk, and 13th July Greenfield, Avere successively destroyed,5 and in ' nine days the commodore returned to confer Avith Sir Henry Clinton, on a projected operation against New London. 16th. The people of Connecticut Avere dissatisfied at the apparent neglect of Washington and indif ference of congress, while these ravages Avere ef fected, and apprehensions Avere entertained of a revolt, but their hopes were reanimated by the surprise of Stony Point. General Wayne achieved this exploit Avith great judgment and valour; he stormed the works, and although the nature of the opposition Avould have justified extremities, he generously forebore his rights as victor, and no man Avas killed but in battle. Fort la Fayette Avas also attacked, but before any considerable progress Avas made, the Americans, alarmed at the vigorous preparations of Clinton, evacuated Stony Point, after doing as much damage as their short isthjiiiy. possession Avould allow. The attention of Sir George Collier and Sir toVenob- Henry Clinton Avas now diverted from the medi- «ot. tated attack on New London, by the necessity of g In resentment of these ravages, congress resolved " To direct their marine committee to take the most effectual measures to carry into execution their manifesto of October 30th 1778, by burning or destroying the towns belonging to the enemy in Great Britain, or the West Indits :" but their resolve was never carried into effect. affording GEORGE III. 1 7 1 affording succour to a British establishment in the CHAP. Bay of Penobscot, made by general Francis Mac- xxxvi. lean, Avith six hundred and fifty men, and three ^*^r**s ships of Avar. The intent of this settlement Avas ,7th June. to check the incursions of the enemy into Nova Scotia, and obtain ship-timber for the king's yards at Halifax and in other parts of America. The July. executive government of Massachuset's Bay, by laying an embargo on all the shipping at Boston. and offering large bounties, levied a squadron of nineteen armed ships and brigantines, carrying from thirty-tAvo to ten guns, twenty-seven trans ports, and three thousand troops. Maclean was 21st. only apprized of the designs of the enemy four days before their arrival ; he had not completed any part of his fortifications, but by the indefa tigable industry and zealous emulation of the sea and land forces, he succeeded in keeping this for midable and disproportionate equipment at bay, during twenty-one days, perfecting in the mean time, his defences, and harassing the invaders by 13th Aug. continual alarms and frequent enterprizes. At length he received information from a deserter, that on the ensuing clay, a general attack would be made by land and sea : every preparation was adopted for repelling the assailants, but in the morning the garrison had the satisfaction to per- I+th* ceive that the invaders had deserted their works, and were shipping their artillery, and evacuating the place. The Avelcome cause of this sudden move ment Avas the fleet under Sir George Collier, to which the Avhole American armament would have been an easy prey, but most of the vessels were burned to prevent a capture. The creAvs and ^ofth" soldiers thus landed in a desert country, aboA^e a Ameri- hundred miles from human habitation, without cans* provisions, soon proceeded to contentions ; fifty or sixty Avere slain in a pitched battle, and a much greater number perished miserably in the av'oocIs. h This h See the Journal of the'Siege of Penobscot, 8vo, 172 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. This exploit terminated Sir George Collier's XXXVI. command. At the period Avhen admiral Arbuthnot S-^^,B*' arrived, a rumourthat d'Estaing intended to attack An-ivai of NeAv York, compelled Sir Henry Clinton to con-. Arbmh- centrate his forces, and even evacuate Rhode Island., The inactivity of Washington, during the Avhole Summer, is not satisfactorily explained.1 It has been, Avith some probability, ascribed to the evapora tion of the original enthusiasm, and the mortifica tion of the Americans at perceiving hovv little they were benefited by the assistance of a French fleet. k 20th Ang. The only enterprize attempted by Washington's attackc.311* army was an attack on Paulus Hook, on the Pauius Jersey shore, from Avhich, after a temporary success Hook. they Avere expelled Avithout effecting any material injury; the whole proceeding is described by a judicious expression in Clinton's official dispatch : " their retreat Avas as disgraceful as their attack " had been spirited and Avell conducted." They carried off forty prisoners. Tbeirex- Several expeditions were made against the a'ainsTthe lnc^ans' in which the Americans took severe re-. Indians, venge for the injuries of Avhich they complained, and proved that they had nothing to learn in the art of savage and deliberate cruelty. August. As soon as the war Avith Spain Avas announced, of"theyon °'011 Bernardo de Galves, governor of Louisiana, Spaniards made an incursion into West Florida, Avhich was £,oWest but thinly inhabited, and for the protection of which against the Americans, a force of eighteen. hundred men had been collected under general John Campbell. The Spaniards, Avith two thou sand men, invested a fort built- for defence of the jjst Sept. frontier, near the mouth of the Ibberville, garrison ed with five hundred troops, which they captured i It is to be regretted that the publication of Washington's official cor respondence terminates with the year 1778, !t Ramsay, vol. ii. after GEORGE III. 1 n iffter a siege of nine days, and in its fall Avas in* chap. volved the fate of all the British settlements on xxxvi. the Mississippi, from the Natches downward : v-*^-^*^ honourable terms of capitulation were granted. It will prevent the necessity of recurring to this topic, to anticipate, that in the ensuing year the Spa niards made a fresh incursion into the province, fy- f° and captured Fort Mobille, after an honourable 1780°. ' resistance. With equal eagerness, they commenced hosti- Theyat- lities against the British logAvood- cutters in the J***^ Bay of Honduras, many of whom they took pri- cutters in soners, and treated Avith great 'barbarity, expel- ^e Bay of ling the remainder from their principal settlement at St. George's Key : governor Dalling dispatched captain Dalrymple Avith a small party of Irish volunteers, to the Musquito shore, to collect a force, and convey arms for the assistance of the <-, . , s 11 J xin iii r i , • Capture of logwood-cutters. When he had perfected this fortOmoa, part of his task, he met at sea a squadron of three j|7 *.e, frigates under commodore Luttrel, and as St. ,"s ls George's Key had already been recaptured, the 1779. commodore and Dalrymple projected an attack on fort Omoa, the key to the Avhole settlement of Honduras. The land force, Avhich, including the xfithOct. marines and musquetry-men from the ships, did not exceed five hundred, endeavoured to surprise the fort, but being discovered, Avere reduced to the necessity of making regular approaches. After some days fruitlessly expended, it Avas resolved, notwithstanding the great strength of the fortifi cations, to attempt an escalade. Hardly Avere the ladders pitched, A\hen the assailants, only one hundred and fifty in number, were discovered, and a tremendous fire opened ; one ladder Avas de stroy ed> but by means of the others, tAvo seamen gained the summit of the Avail, and presented their pieces, without firing, till the rest ascended. No persuasions of their officers could keep the astonished 174 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. XXXVI 1779. It is re taken. CHAP, astonished and terrified Spaniards to their station^ and the governor, at length, humbly supplicating for his life, and that of his folloAvers, surrendered the keys and his sword. The prisoners were three hundred and thirty-five; the treasure had been removed, but a galleon captured in the harbour Avas valued at three millions of piastres. The Spa niards offered to redeem, at any price, two hundred and fifty quintals of quicksilver, Avhich were on board their vessels, and made liberal proposals for ransoming the fort : both Avere refused by the vic tors, Avho preferred the public good to private emolument, and generously restored the church plate, whichformed a considerable part of their booty, to procure the emancipation of their country men taken at St. George's Key, and detained in oppressive captivity at Merida. All these acts of heroism and disinterestedness produced, however, 110 permanent advantage. The victors could not afford a sufficient garrison ; on the departure of the ships of Avar, the Spaniards assailed the fort, which an epidemical fever, and the fatigue of duty, obliged the English to evacuate,' after spiking the guns, and destroying the military stores. Early in the year, the settlement of Senegal was captured by a French squadron, under M. de Vaudreuil. Goree being evacuated for the pur pose of fortifying Senegal, Avas occupied by a British force, left for that purpose by Sir Edward Hughes. In general the -British commerce was amply protected, Avhile that of the enemy suffered griev ously in every quarter. The Baltic fleet, convoy ed by captain Pierson, in the Serapis of forty-four, and captain Piercy, in the Countess of Scarborough of twenty guns, was chased on the northern coast of England by a squadron consisting of the Bon Homme Richard of forty guns, tAvo frigates of thirty - Feb. Senegal^ taken by theFrench.Goree by the' English. r 23d Sept. Sea-fight betweencaptain Pierson and Pad Jones. •779- GEORGE III. 175 thirty-six and thirty-tAvo, a brig of twelve guns, CHAP. and an armed cutter fitted out at l'Orient, and XXXVI. commanded by a desperate outlaAv named Paul Jones, Avho had obtained a commission in the American service. When this armament came in sight, Pierson made a signal for his convoy to dis perse and gain the nearest ports, in which they fortunately succeeded ; Avhile the tAvo brave com manders with their disproportioned force encoun tered the enemy. Paul Jones did not evade the engagement, but having been foiled in some at tempts to board, brought the Bon Homme Richard and the Serapis into such a situation that the muz zles of their guns came in contact Avith the sides of the opposed ships. The conflict lasted three hours: Jones fought Avith the resolution of a cri minal, whose life being forfeited to the laAvs, death in battle was the most eligible fate : captain Pier son displayed valour not less determined, but in fluenced by nobler motives, and tempered by a merciful regard to the lives exposed under his command. After the Serapb had been several times set on fire by combustibles throAvn from the Bon Homme Richard ; all the officers and men stationed abaft the main-mast bloAvn up by the explosion of some cartridges, and the guns in that quarter rendered unserviceable; captain Pierson, seeing himself raked fore and aft by another frigate, to Avhich he could oppose no resistance, struck his colours. The Countess of Scarborough, after a conflict not less resolute, though not equally dreadful, against an enemy of • far superior force, Avas also obliged to yield. The loss on board the Serapis was not perfectly ascertained, but undoubt edly very great : captain Pierson estimated it at forty-nine killed and sixty-eight wounded, and the main-mast went by the board immediately after the action ; but the carnage on board the Bon, Homme Richard Avas almost unprecedented ; her. quarter 176 CHAP. XXXVI. »779- 6th Oct. Resolute action of captainFarmer. Stateofthe ministry. HISTORY OF ENGLAND, quarter and counter on the lower deck were en* tirely driven in, and all the guns on that deck dismounted ; she was on fire in two places, and had seven feet water in the hold ; while the decks streamed with the blood of three hundred and thirty-six men, being three-fourths of the whole creAv, Avho were killed and Avounded in the action. The ship sunk in two days, and the inhuman com mander suffered several of the wounded to be' buried Avjth her in the ocean : he Avas received with his prizes in the ports of Holland.1 Another naval action, redounding to. the ho nour of the British flag, Avas fought by captain Farmer of the Quebec, assisted by the Rambler cutter, against a French frigate and cutter, of superior force ; in Avhich the Quebec was burnt, and her brave commander persisting in his resolu tion to be the last man to quit the ship, lost his life. With due attention to such merit, his son Avas created a baronet, and pensions were settled on the Avidow and children. While such Avas-the varying aspect of the war, the ministry Avere embarrassed, dispirited, and dis satisfied. From motives of liberality they had em ployed in the military and naval service men hos tile to their measures, Avho, instead of palliating the miscarriages of the Avar, increased, by their own complaints, the public uneasiness and the clamour of party. Thus, while the extent and importance of the contest Avere continually augmenting, the friends of administration Avere daily becoming more lukewarm, or even deserting their cause. Some felt consternation at the magnitude of the crisis, some gave ear to prophecies of final ill-suc- i The French minister, M. de Sartine, publicly expressed the king's: approbation of Paul Jones, and disgraced the cross of merit by conferring it on him. Congress, with far greater propriety, acknowledged his zeal, prudence, and activity, by a vote of thanks, and promoted him to the- command of a new ship called the America. Remembrancer, vol. xiii. p. 107. cess, GEORGE III. 177 cess, and some changed their party from motives CHAP. of fickleness, or from a conviction that the minis- XXXVI, try would not be long able to pursue their present ^^^/ -measures. Several changes were made in the cabinet: 3d June, ThurloAv receiving the great seal, Avith the dignity change, of peerage, sate during the late session as chancel lor. His vigorous mind and stern manly sense rendered great service to government, and his firmness and ability often gave a beneficial impulse to the decisions of the cabinet, Wedderburne ob tained the vacant situation of attorney-general, and Wallace succeeded him as solicitor-general. Mar.1779. -The office of secretary of state for the northern department had continued unoccupied since the decease of lord Suffolk, though its duties Avere per formed by lord Weymouth, secretary for the south ern department; that nobleman now resigned his post, to which lord Hillsborough was appoint- 24th Nov. ed ; the office of lord Suffolk Avas conferred on z?th °ct' lord Stormont, late embassador at Paris ; and the earl of Carlisle Avas nominated first lord of trade and plantations. Ministers Avere dissatisfied at the failure of increase of the operations which they intended to promote Jnshvo- by sending succours to the West Indies : the con duct of Arbuthnot was generally applauded ; but the consequences were highly unfortunate, and ministers grieved that a campaign of such great expence would be consumed almost in inaction." The insults offered to the coast, and alarm excited by the combined fleet in the channel, were in themselves sufficiently distressing to administra tion ; but they produced another effect not less embarrassing, by the encouragement they afforded to the volunteer associations in Ireland. Com bining the alarm of invasion with the hope of pro-» m Gibbon's posthumous Works, vol. i. p. 540, Vol. III. N curing- 1779- 178 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, curing from the Aveakness and distraction of XXXVI. Great Britain some important concessions, the po pular leadersof Irish politics gave every encourage ment to these establishments ; the duke of Lein- ster accepted the command of the Dublin corps, men of fortune and family bore muskets in the ranks, and contempt and derision were the portion of those Avho refused their services. The number of volunteers Avas exaggerated to sixty thousand, for such Avas the policy of that country as well as of America ; and the utmost tranquillity prevailed in all parts of the kingdom. " n Lord Sheffield, in his " Observations on the present State of Ireland," published in 1785, gives the following account of these extraordinary associations : " It is necessary to notice a phenomenon which now began " to appear. The like never has heen observed in any country, at least " where there was an established government. To describe it strictly, it " may be called an army unauthorized by the laws, and uncontrolled by " the government of the country j but it was generally known by the " name of Volunteers of Ireland. Their institution bore some semblance " of a connection with the executive power. Arms belonging to the ** state, and stored under the care of the lieutenants of counties, were «' delivered to them, upon the alarm of foreign invasion. So far they " seemed to be countenanced by government ; but in a short time they " caused no little jealousy and uneasiness. The arms issued from the " public stores were insufficient to supply the rapid increase of the volun- " teers. The rest were procured by themselves, and rlie necessary a '779- GEORGE III. 181 pelled those Avho had not sufficient firmness for re- CHAP. sistance, to bind themselves by that solemn obliga- XXXVI. tion to support the favoured measures. Several were insulted and maltreated ; but the great storm of popular fury fell on Mr. Scott, the attorney- general : he was called by name in each of the courts of law and equity, for the avowed purpose of being put to death; his house was broke open, and reduced to a ruin ; and Avhile his dwelling was filled with the yells and execrations of the furious rabble, anonymous letters assured him that he should not survive the hour of his vote against fiie short money bill. The civil arm A^as insufficient to restrain the tumult; the blameable inefficiency of the government suffered the military to be super seded by the volunteers, and these did not interfere further than by a deputation from the lawyers corps unarmed, persuading the mob, Avhen satiated with their own excesses, to disperse. The attor- l6th Nov* ney-general complained to the house of commons, but had the mortification to hear the sentiments of the populace espoused, and their conduct partially defended ; the debate was hardly less tumultuous than the occasion of it ; the house at length agreed to address the lord-lieutenant to issue a proclama tion for apprehending the rioters. The short mo ney bill, however, passed, and, mortifying as such a proceeding must have been, received the sanction of the privy-council. N3 183: HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAPTER THE THIRTY-SEVENTH: 1779 — 1800. Meeting of parliament. — King^s speech.— -Violent debates on (lie addresses. — Relief afforded to Ireland. — Efforts on the subject of economy. — Motion by th& Duke of Richriwnd. — Burke givei , notice of bringing in a bill for economical refortn.-^-Meeting of the freeholders of Yorkshire. — Corresponding committees appoint ed. — The example of Yorkshire generally followed. — London com mittee formed. — Burke introduces his plan of reform. — His cele brated speech. — Resolution for abolishing the board of trader — Commission of accounts appointed. — Bills for excluding con tractors — and suspending the votes of revenue officers, rejected. — Account of places — and of pensions payable at the exchequer, laid before the house. — Duels between members of parliament. -De bates on the raising of volunteer regiments. — Altercation between lord North and Sir Fletcher Norton. — Numerous county and city petitions. — Intemperate language on introducing them. — Discussion of the petitions. — Resolutions passed on the influence of the crown — the expenditure of the civil list — and the relief of the people. — The resolutions reported. — Motion for account of monies paid to members of Parliament. — Vote for rendering cer tain officers incapable of sitting.— Illness of the speaker. — Ad journment. — Motion against dissolving parliament— rejected.^1- Indignation of Fox. — Further proceedings on the petitions. — Re port of the committee refused. — General observations. Such Avere the general circumstances of disaffec tion and alarm at the commencement Of a ses- v^t^ii/ *ion of parliament, which in its progress Avas un>- •779- usually turbulent, distinguished for acrimonious Mee\ingof violence in debate, formidable attacks on the sta- jpariiament. bility of government, and delusive speculations on economy and reformation ; attended Avith un usual associations among the people, and a dread ful explosion of popular violence which, in the very seat of government, braved its authority, and left no measure for preserving the constitution and defending life and property, but that, ever ab horrent to the principles of freemen, the military aim. The G E O R G E III- 1S,S The king in his speech, said, the parliament was CHA P. called on by every principle of duty, and every ^^^ consideration of interest, to exert united efforts in i.779« support and defence of the country, attacked by ™%£ an unjust and unprovoked war, and contending with one of the most dangerous confederacies ever formed. Aided by %he protection of Provi dence, the zeal of the nation, and the justice of his cause, he Avas firmly resolved vigorously to prose cute the Avar, for the purpose of compelling the enemy to equitable terms of peace. He had not been inattentive to the addresses of last Session respecting Ireland, but had ordered papers to be laicP before parliament* and recom mended to their consideration what further be nefits might be extended to that kingdom, by re gulations most effectually promoting the com mon strength, Avealth, and interests of all his do minions. 'In opposing the address, the marquis of Rock- ^"f^be ingham censured the facility Avith Avhich the two address embassadors, lord Grantham and lord Stormont, r?0V1eJdm had suffered themselves to be deceived by the craft of Spain and France, and the confidence with Avhich ministers had assured parliament that trea ties inimical to the interests of Great Britain Avere •not in existence or even in embryo. The address -recognized the blessings of his majesty's govern ment; bht that recognition was unfounded in truth, and an insult to the house. No bias, no prejudice, no temptation, could so far confound truth and reason with their opposites, as to convert the very cause of our misfortunes into blessings. There was a time, indeed, at Avhich he could have congratulated the king on the blessings enjoyed under his government. He remembered when his majesty ascended the throne of his ancestors with glory and lustre ; but for the last seventeen years those blessings had gradually decreased, and the n 4 -nation 184 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, nation was reduced to an unexampled, state of Ss^ii/ degradation. This change he attributed to a 1779. baleful and pernicious system of unconstitutional controul and advice. As the system was wrong in its first concoction, so its effects were extended to every department. The greatest officers were • driven from the' service, and proscribed, in a pe riod of the most imminent danger; and lord Sand wich was not ashamed to retain his office, although hekneAvthathis continuance precluded naval com manders of the most exalted character and abili ties from serving their country. From the unpopularity of the first lord of the admiralty, the marquis turned to its cause, his per sonal incapacity, Avhich he instanced in the negli gent defenceofthenorthernshores of the kingdom: the tOAvn of Hull Avas kept in continual alarm by apprehensions of Paul Jones ; captain Pierson Avas relied on as sufficient in force for their protection; but to the utter disappointment of the inhabitants, he was unable, Avith the most resolute valour, to prevent his own capture. The discontents in Ireland were ascribed to the bad faith of ministers, who promised to produce measures for their relief before the rising of par* liament ; but, although the session continued seven Aveeks, paid no further attention to the sub ject; the people Avere consequently left in su^ spence, the associators were permitted to become important, and concessions, which would then have been received as favours, were now demanded as rights not to be resigned, modified, or qualified. The marquis then adverted to the progress of hostilities in America, censuring with unrestrained severity the proclamation issued by the commis sioners, as an accursed manifesto, the forerunner of a Avar of the most horrid and diabolical nature ; a Avar not merely contrary to the Christian religion, to the acknoAvledged principles of morality and humanity, GEORGE III. 185 humanity, to the laws of Avar, and the modes of CHAP. carrying onhostilities,observed even amongTurkish S^XI*; and other sanguinary nations ; but to the last degree J779« bloody, malignant, and diabolical. It Avould be a precedent and a justification to France and Spain in landing on the least defended parts of the British coast, and committing ravages, Avithout hope of benefit. He accordingly moved an amendment, omitting the whole address except the title, and beseeching his majesty to reflect on the extent of territory, the power, the opulence, the repu tation abroad, and the concord at home, which distinguished the, opening of his reign, and marked it- as the most happy and splendid period in the history of the nation ; and on the endan gered, impoverished, enfeebled, distracted, and even dismembered state of the whole, after all the grants of successive parliaments, liberal to profusion, and trusting to the very utmost ex tent of rational confidence." Nothing could pre vent the consummation of public ruin, he observ- ' ed,, but new councils, and new counsellors, and a real change, from a sincere convictjon of past er rors, and not a mere palliation, which must prove fruitless. The debate engaged an extensive discussion on the state of the kingdom and all its dependencies, which Avas represented as most deplorable by the dukes of Richmond and Grafton, lord Shelburne, lord Camden, lord Effingham, lord Townshend, and lord Lyttleton, who again appeared in the ranks of opposition, and decried the American war, as a mad Quixotic sally. The cause of government was ably defended by the lords in administration, to whose particular departments the specific com plaints applied. Lord Stormont denied that the calamities Avhich surrounded the nation ought to be ascribed to the confederacy in arms, the situ ation of Ireland, or the conduct of ministers ; but they 185 CHAP. xxxvn. 1779. In the bouse of commons. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. they arose from internal division, and the violent and incautious language too often held in par liament. Lord Mansfield declared, that from the distressed and perilous situation of the country, he was persuaded nothing but a full and compre hensive union of all parties, and all men, could effect its salvation : he Avas old enough to remem ber the realm in very' embarrassed situations; he had seen violent party struggles, but no previous time presented an image of the present. Hoav far the temper of the nation and state of parties might admit of a coalition, he could not decide ; but the event Avas devoutly to fbe Avished. Such Avas the alarming state of affairs, that the country loudly claimed the assistance of every heart and hand ; and though such a co-operation might prevent despair, yet the most confident and resolute of mankind must discern sufficient motives to stag ger his confidence, and shake his resolution. The amendment Avas negatived.' Lord John Cavendish moved an amend ment to the address of the house of commqps, agreeing verbatim with that of the marquis of Rockingham. The debate Avas conducted Avith great asperity, and few instances are found in history of so great an intemperance of speech. The mover of the amendment, adverting Avith a sneer to the mention of Divine Providence in the speech from the throne, observed, Providence Avas indeed the great ally to whom alone the kingdom OAved its preservation ; an inferior fleet, a defenceless coast, an exhausted treasury, presented an easy prey to the enemy; ministers supine, negligent, and divided, had brought the realm to the verge of destruction ; but' Providence interposed, and the danger bleAV over. Such were the glaring ab surdities, criminal omissions, and scandalous in consistencies of administration, that, unless they were . 1 8* to 41. GEORGE III. 187 were banished from the royal presence, and this CHAP. system totally overturned, the nation must inevi- xxxvrr. tably fall under the power of its enemies. i77g. The king, it Avas observed, had not in his speech once mentioned America : the accursed Avar with that country had cost many millions of money, may thousands of lives, yet it Avas not noticed by the king, unless included in the general term, "all " my dominions,"' though by the omission of a more particular mention, it might be supposed the king saw the necessity of renouncing all claim to sovereignty over the colonies. The internal defence of the kingdom, and. the protection of its external possessions, the guaranty of trade> and the honour of the national flag, were shamefully and wickedly neglected. Enormous sums had been voted for the army, and expended without an appearance of economy ; instead of detaching parts for occasional services, the* un wieldy machine Avas kept idle and inactive at home. The modelling of the military body Avas scandalous and unjust: the experienced veteran was super seded by the raAv subaltern, who had the advantage not of superior merit, but superior patronage; and thus the quick sense of honour, irritated at undeserved indignity, Avas exhausted in complaints and murmurings. The terrified merchant trusted Avith reluctance his properry on the sea, while the channel Avas covered with the fleets of France and Spain, and the intercourse with the ocean in a great measure intercepted. These considerations de pressed the spirits of all who were engaged in com merce, and affected the manufactures of the na tion. The lower class of people were unemployed, and the value of land suffered an alarming and rapid decrease, In the West Indies, Dominica captured, St. Vincent's wrested from us, and Gre nada once more under the obedience of France. •Misfortune and dejection were impressed on the countenance ISS HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, countenance of every gentleman who had property - ^J^, in those islands ; their fortunes had been crushed,. 1779. if not annihilated, by the shock. The coast of, Scotland was naked and defenceless ; Paul Jones might have destroyed GlasgoAv, Leith, Greenock, and Edinburgh : the people of Dumfriesshire had petitioned for arms, but sustained a mortifying re fusal. Plymouth, the second naval arsenal in the kingdom, had been left undefended. Providence alone had protected it ; for such was the superi ority of the combined fleets, that the British navy skulked in the channel, hiding among the rocks. for safety, and stealing out Avithout daring to fire signal guns ; v/hile the artillery of the enemy thun dered in the ears of the people, and kept Plymouth in continual alarm. The garrison was so Aveak, and so little capable of resistance, that had the enemy landed, they must have destroyed the tOAvn : " We Avould have met them," said Mr. Minchin, " with the spirit of Englishmen, but sure I am that to a man Ave must have perished." In the course of debate, an assertion was at tributed to the friends of administration, that the king Avas his own minister, his OAvn admiral in chief, his own general, his OAvn secretary, his own president of the council, and his own financier. Although lord North denied the assertion, Fox ani madverted on it as a doctrine dangerous to the constitution, tending to remove responsibility from those Avho ought to bear it, to him Avho can do no wrong, and cannot be called to account. But though in general the evils of a reign might be at tributed to Avicked ministers, still when those amounted to a certain height, the ministers Avere forgot, and the prince alone encountered the indig nation of the people. Charles I. and James II. paid for the crimes of their ministers, the one Avith his life, the other Avith his crown : their fate pre sented a salutary admonition for succeeding so vereigns, GEORGE III. 189 vereigns, to restrain and not blindly follow the chap. dictates of their servants. It was not a secret, nor xxxvir. should it be a moment absent from the king's 1779^ recollection, that he OAved his croAvn to the de linquency of the Stuart family. The pretensions of that unfortunate and detested race could occa sion no alarm ; but Avere one of them remaining, , what scope for upbraidings and remonstrances could he not find in the present reign. " You " have banished my ancestors," he might ex claim, " from the throne, and barred the sceptre " against all his progeny for the misconduct of his *' ministers, yet your present ministers are tea ~" times more wicked and ignorant ; and whilst " you give your sovereign the title of best of *' princes, his ministers have rendered his reign, " beyond comparison, the most infamous that ever " disgraced the nation." " No period in the history of the country," he observed, " furnished a parallel to the present, ex- " cept the reign of Henry VI. His family, like that " of the king, did not claim the crown by heredi- " tary descent; both owed it to revolutions; *' both were amiable and pious princes. Henry " Avas the son of the most renoAvned monarch that *l ever sat on the throne ; George was grandson of " a hero : Henry lost all his fathers conquests, and " all his hereditary provinces in France; George " had already seen the conquests of his grandfa- *' ther Avrested from him in the West Indies, and his " hereditary provinces of America erected into an " empire, that disclaimed his connexion. Brighter " prospects could not be imagined than those " which distinguished the commencement of his " majesty's reign: possessed of immense domi- *' nions, and the Avarmest affections of his people, *' his accession was highly flattering to himself li and his subjects. Hoav sadly Avas the scene re- " versed J his empire dismembered, his counsels " distracted, 190 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. " distracted, and his subjects abating their fond- xxxvie «¦ ness for his person. The patience of the people 1779. " was not unlimited : they Avould at last do them- " selves justice by insurrections ; and though the " attendant calamities could not be justified, or " compensated by any resulting good, yet they " Avere inevitable. Treachery, and not ignorance, " must have prevailed in the national counsels, to " reduce the nation to so miserable a condition ; " the minister might flatter himself in the protec- " tion of a majority, or security of the laAv ; but " when a nation was reduced to such a state of " wretchedness and distraction that the laws could " afford the people no relief, they Avould afford the " ministers, Avho had caused the evil, but little pro- " tection. What the laAv of the land could not, " the laAV of nature would accomplish; the people " would inevitably take up arms, and the first " characters in the kingdom would be seen in the " ranks !" Lord George Gordon, whose intemperate fanaticism, and audacious virulence, had often dis graced the house, insisted that the king's speech abounded in impropriety, and Avas deficient in common-sense : the ministry Avere no less odious in Ireland than in England ; and the people of Scotland Avere almost equally prepared to rise in opposition. Adverting to the refusal to permit the arming of the inhabitants of Dumfriesshire, he read a letter to the duke of Queensbury from the secretary at Avar : then suddenly apostrophising that minister, " and you; Charles J enkinson," lift exclaimed, " how durst you Avrite such a letter \ " Robert Bruce Avould not have dared to Avrite " such a one : and yet the secretary of an elector " of Hanover, has had the presumption to do it ; " the royal family of Stuart Avere banished for not " attending to the voice of their people ; and yet " the elector of Hanover is not afraid to disregard 2 " it. GEORGE III. 191 " it. Sit Hugh Smithson, earl Percy, (dulce of CHAP. " Northumberland) armed' cap-a-pie, marches at ^^J^, " the head of all the cheesemongers and grocers 1779* c£ from Temple Bar to Brentford, and the great " earl Douglas of Scotland is not to be entrusted " Avith arms. The Scotch are irritated at this par- " tiality ; and in point of religion they are ex- *' asperated, as they are convinced the king is a £c Papist." This torrent of ribaldry Avas arrested by the inr terposition of the speaker, but unlimited acrimony prevailed during the Avhole debate. The adherents of administration were loaded Avith personal abuse, and national reflections were not spared. " Three ¦" northern oracles of the long- robe, recommended, " no doubt, to favour by the singular loyalty oi " their houses, had introduced," Temple Luttrel said, " a baleful policy into the government. " 'Taxation or starvation,' was the laconic and " energetic expression of the lord advocate of " Scotland : ' Let loose the savage Indians, more ; ' " fierce than the blood-hounds of Columbus, and " employ the nego servants to butcher, their mas- " ter,' exclaims the attorney-general: 'The Ru- ¦" bicon, the Rubicon,' is the word of the chief *" justice of the King's Bench, the last of this Avor- *l thy, amiable triumvirate, ' We must go forward il through proscriptions, devastation, and carnage.' " And this our modern hero of the Rubicon, who " must soon render an awful account before a " judge far mightier than himself, instead of leav- ¦" ing commentaries on the kws and constitution " of England, Avill bequeath commentaries on the " American campaigns, from which future leaders " under avengeful commissions, may learn their " best lessons of barbarity, and improve in every " art of increasing human wretchedness. And " yet the day is not far distant, when (in the " words of their countryman Macbeth) they shall " call 192 HISTORY OF ENGLAND; CHAP. " call out in a woeful concert — 'Ave but teach x*^^, " bloody instructions, Avhich being taught, return •1779. " to plague the inventors'." Perhaps this unusual virulence of invective, enabled ministers to make their defence more rea dily than a temperate opposition, joined to the cir cumstances of the times, Avould have allowed them .to expect. The extreme irritability and indecent violence of the minority, justified the observation of Mr. Adam, that these days exhibited the politi cal phenomenon of an unsuccessful ministry, and an unpopular opposition. All the ministers concurred in denying that they had endeavoured to evade responsibility, by implicating the personal character of his majesty in their measures; such an attempt would not have been less absurd than unconstitutional, since the law annexed to their situations a responsibility, which no artifice could compromise or avoid. The principal defence of administration rested on lord North, who reduced the Avhole matter of com plaint against the cabinet to the single fact, that the house of Bourbon possessed a greater naval force than. Great Britain. That they had been permitted to collect this force unmolested and un disturbed, could not be imputed as a crime ; but a revieAV of the campaign, would sheAv that dis grace, not honour, had accrued to them from its progress. They had equipped a formidable arma ment, threatened, performed nothing, and retired : their professed object Avas invasion, they had not dared to make the attempt, and Avere therefore foiled ; their armaments had paraded to no pur pose, and their millions Avere squandered in vain ; he almost wished they had landed, convinced that a British militia would have added defeat to their present disgrace. It was not candid in opposition to attribute the protection of our trade entirely to Providence ; it could not escape their penetration, that GEORGE HI. 19s that for an admiral with thirty-six or forty sail of CHAP. the line, to keep in check a fleet consisting of six- xxxvn. ty-six sail, required more than common abilities ; 1779. nor could they refuse to acknowledge, that by keeping together such an immense armament, which might otherAvise have been separated and employed on specific operations, the British admi ral had rendered an important service to trade, and merited admiration and applause. It was asked, Why the junction of the two hostile fleets had not been prevented ? Such had been the in tention of ministers, but the French, in order to anticipate it, had put to sea in so bad a state of preparation, that many of their ships Avere after wards obliged to return into port. The British fleet, on Avhich the existence of the nation depend ed, could not, for the sake of avoiding delay, sail in an imperfect condition, but had Sir Charles Hardy known in the summer the internal state of the combined fleet, he Avould have desired and Sought an engagement, Avhich, from the health, spirit, activity* and superior naval skill of the British squadron, could only have terminated glo riously for the country. Plymouth had been rein forced at the moment of danger, and Avas noAV in a condition to defy the united efforts of the house of Bourbon ; the navy was daily augmenting, and though he Avas averse to render disappoint ment dreadful, by sanguine predictions, he had the firmest hope of ' a brilliant campaign in the spring. The secretary at war, vindicated or palliated several imputed acts of misconduct in the manage ment of the army ; and the attorney general and Mr. Dundas, reinforced lord North's general ar guments, with many judicious and apposite obser vations. The amendment was negatived. \ ' 433 to 134.. Vol. III. O In 194 CHAP. xxxvir. 1779. Affairs of Ireland discussed. 1st Dec. Lord Shel- burne's motion. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. In these debates frequent allusions were made to the state of Ireland, and the miseries and expec tations of the people : the members of administra tion in both houses, gave positive assurances, that plans and arrangements were in contempla tion, Avhich Avould give entire satisfaction to that branch of the empire. Before these intentions could be put in execution, lord Shelburne, having obtained a summons of the house, recapitulated the proceedings of the last session, blamed the de lay of- ministers in affording relief, and attributed to that circumstance, the prevalent disaffection and formidable front of resistance in Ireland. The government had been abdicated, and the people were justified, by the principles of the constitution, and the laAvs of self preservation, in resuming the pOAvers. He would not, however, gather their sen timents from the proceedings of cbunty and tOAvn meetings, the language of associations, and the general spirit, but confine himself to an authentic state paper ; the address of both houses of parlia ment, Avhich declared that " nothing less than a " free trade Avould rescue the kingdom from " ruin." This Avas the united voice of the nation, conveyed to the throne, through the proper consti tutional organs ; in it, all parties and descriptions of men concurred ; Church of England men, Ro man Catholics, dissenters and sectaries of every class ; whigs and tories, placemen, pensioners, and country gentlemen ; Englishmen by birth, in short, every man "in and out of parliament : such Avas the present temper of Ireland. When, during the last session, their affairs Avere submitted to parliament, moderate concession, and the hope of obtaining more in future, Avould have satisfied them ; but now, from the misconduct, incapacity, and, above all, the shameful inattention of ministers, Great- Britain was driyen to the melancholy terms of sub mitting to the dictates of Ireland, or oflosing Ireland GEORGE III. 195 Ireland as Avell as America. He attributed much CHAP, of this misconduct to lord North, who eternally ££^™ slept when he should be awake, was scarcely ever 1779. attentive, but Avhen alacrity led to error{ and. Avho never moved with more than his accustomed pace, however pressing the exigency or imminent the peril : similar, in this, to the French general, Avho, though he received intelligence that forty thousand men Avere in danger of being surrourided, could not be prevailed on to put his horse into a trot. His lordship reviewed the complaints and griev ances of Ireland, attributing them chiefly to the poAver of the croAvn, in disbursing the hereditary revenue, and the mischievous disposal of church preferment, and to the rejection of bills calculated for relief, by the interference of the minister in the house of commons. From these causes, instead of ten or tAvelve thousand association, full four times the number Avere well armed and accoutred, and daily improving in discipline. The honour and dignity of the crOAvn Avere disgraced. The swordi was dropped ; and the people had taken it up, on the double motive of defending themselves against a foreign enemy, and obtaining by arms justice, which, as in the case of America, had been denied to their humble applications, and the repeated nar ratives of their calamities and distress. He con cluded by moving a vote of censure on ministers, for neglecting to take effectual measures for the relief of Ireland, in consequence of the address Of the 1 lth of May, and suffering the discontents to arise to a. height which endangered the political connexion of the tAvo countries. Lord Hillsborough defended the conduct of administration, and proved that no delay could be fairly imputed ; measures for relief of Ireland could not be ^adopted by government, but must floAV from the legislature, and could not be enter ed on Avithout proper information. A letter had O 2 been 196 CHAP. XXXVII. 1779. 1st Dec. Motion in the house of com mons. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. been written in May to the lord-lieutenant, and aft ansAver received only in July, replete Avith import ant information ; since which time, ministers had been indefatigably employed in making arrange ments, and the result would be speedily communi cated to parliament. Much extraneous matter Avas introduced into the debate, as Avell by lord Shelburne, as those Avho folloAved him, tending to convey censure both on particular members of the cabinet, and on the col lective body of administration. Lord Abingdon recited a threat of lord Lyttleton, Avho died since the beginning of the session;' importing, that he would reveal matters respecting the ministry, Avhich all their arts of imposition, and hitherto unshaken effrontery, could not countervail. The marquis of Rockingham related an anecdote, respecting the purchase of the clerkship of the pells from Mr. Fox to bestOAV it on Mr. Jenkinson, Avhich loaded the Irish establishment Avith an addition of three thousand pounds a year. Lord GoAver opposed the motion, though convinced that the censure Avas Avell founded ; " he had presided," he said "for " some years at the council table, and had seen " such things pass there of late, that no man of " honour or conscience could sit any longer." The times required explicit declarations ; he had supported the American Avar, on principle, and Avas still confident that the resources of the country were sufficient to resist the dangerous confederacy by which it was opposed ; but to profit by those resources, energy and effect must be restored to government. Lord Shelburne's motion Avas negatived. [ On the same day in Avhich this motion Avas dis cussed in the upper house, lord North communi cated to the. commons additional papers on the subject of Ireland, promising the remainder Avith all • 27th November 1779. 82 to 37. GEORGE III. 197 all convenient expedition, and that in eight days CHAP. he would introduce a plan Avhich Avould convince ^^J^, the sister kingdom of the genuine good-will to- 1779. wards her, which governed his majesty's counsels. 6th Dec This intimation did not prevent the earl of Upper Ossory from introducing to the house a motion of censure, exactly similar to that of lord Shelburne, which he enforced by nearly the same arguments. The \rote was opposed on the general prin ciple that no neglect had been proved, and that the charge was not specifically pointed. The grievances of Ireland did not originate with the present ministers ; nor Avas any act of theirs in cluded in the complaint, which embraced a series of acts of parliament from the tAvelfth of Charles II. to the beginning of the present reign, but none since his majesty's accession. The Irish desired a free trade. Had the ministry restrained their trade ? on the contrary they had enlarged it ; they had given bounties on the NeAvfoundland fishery, encouraged the groAvth of hemp and tobacco ; per mitted the exportation of Avoollen for clothing the troops of that country, and of several articles to the West Indies and the coast of Africa : they had conferred more benefits on the Irish nation in the compass of a few years than all the 'Other ad ministrations since the Revolution. Earl Nugent, though he loved his native country, disapproved the. motion. He had proposed (and he considered the proposition founded hi wisdom and liberality) to relieve Ireland from the restrictions on com merce. His views were to produce equal benefits to both countries (for God forbid he should ad vance any local interest to the general prejudice of the British empire) and grant to Ireland every indulgence which could promise substantial bene fit Avithout injury to Great Britain. Many branches of manufacture and commerce were mo nopolized, to the great detriment and impoverish- O 3 ment 198 History of England. CHAP, ment of Ireland, Avithout material benefit to Eng- xxxvil iand. 1779. In discussing the mere merits of the motion, few opportunities occured of blaming or distress ing administration ; but the most perverse and malignant mode Avas adopted of drawing parallels betAveen Ireland and America; stating the con duct of the one to be no less rebellious than that of the other, aad braving the minister to exercise similar vengeance. " Ireland," it Avas said, "spurn- " ed at the British claim of dominion; consider- " ing herself free and independent, and was deter- " mined to maintain the principle. A mob had " risen in Dublin, and non-importation agreements " had taken place ; why not, like ill-fated Boston, " shut up the port of Dublin, burn Cork, reduce -•" Waterford to ashes ? Why not prohibit all popu- " lar meetings in that kingdom, and destroy all " popular elections ? Why not alter the usual mode " of striking juries, as Avas done by the Massachus- " sets charter act? Why not bring the Dublin " rioters over to this country to be tried by an " English jury ? Why not shut up their ports, and " prevent them from trading with each other? " And lastly, A\hy not declare them out of the " king's peace ? In short, Avhy not proscribe the " principal leaders Avho held commissions, not " under the crown, but by the election of the " very corps which they commanded, and declare " the Avhole kingdom in rebellion ? The answer " Avas plain and direct : ministers dare not : sad " and dear-bought experience had taught them " the folly as Avell as impracticability of such " measures ; the danger of the present aAvful " moment made insolence and arrogance give " Avay to fear and humiliation i'' The motion Avas rejected. u u 173 to 10c. Lord GEORGE III. log Lord North, in pursuance of his promise, in- CHAP. troduced three propositions for the relief of Ire- ^F^\ land, alloAving a free export of wool, Avoollens, and 1779. A^ool flocks ; of glass and all kinds of glass ma- ^ * f^f" nufactures; and a free trade with the British plan- forded to tations on certain conditions ; the basis of Avhich Ireland- was an equality of taxes and customs. The mi nister's speech Avas one of the most able, intelligent, and satisfactory, which had ever been delivered in parliament. The first tAvo bills passed Avithout de lay; the third Avas arrested in its progress till the sentiments of the Irish could be ascertained. But although great pains Avere taken to inflame the pride, and increase the pretensions of that nation, by re presenting the concessions as matter of right not of favour, as a tribute to their military spirit, not as a spontaneous effusion of affection, the Irish par liament Avas too Avise to depreciate present gain, by remote and useless speculation, both houses re ceived the acts Avith great satisfaction, and ex pressions of loyalty to the king, and esteem for the British legislature : and the people declared the utmost cordiality and friendship towards England." Lord North, Avith only a feAv impedi- zdFeb. ments from lord George Gordon, and other sub- I7So" alterns of opposition,, perfected bis original plan; adding to the measures already enumerated, a repeal of the prohibitions on exporting English gold coin, and importing foreign hops, and en abling the Irish to become members of the Turkey company, and trade to the Levant. •While, the minister Avas thus endeavouring to Efforts on restore tranquillity to the sister kingdom, the spirit thfe subiect of disaffection Avas studiously excited in England, my. by appeals on a subject which never fails to inte rest the feelings of a commercial nation, the ex pences of government, and the necessity of econo- x See lord Irnham's speech in the house of commons the 34th January 1780. O 4 my. 200 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, my. A jealous vigilance over the national purse is xxxvii^ one 0f the most sacred duties of amember of parlia- 1779. merit; and every exertion apparently instigated by that motive gains credit and regard from the most sedate and prudent part of society. It is easy to combine with the performance of this duty a harsh and coarse appeal to the prejudices of the vulgar and inconsiderate, by declaiming against the splen dour of royalty, the expensiveness of sinecure and other places, and the luxury of the dependents of the court, compared Avith the penury of the people at large. These umvorthy efforts rarely fail of their effect, especially in a costly and un^ successful Avar. To these topics the opposition UOav had recourse, and blended Avith this dangerous and fallacious mode of discussion, the inference, still more dangerous and fallacious, that all these expences Avere not only detrimental to the pe cuniary interest of the people, but that their liber ^ ties Avere bought aiid sold with their OAvn plunder, as all the supplies extorted from them Avere eim ployed to extend the undue influence of the croAvn, Phis Avas the political text of the Avhole session, and was dilated in such a manner as to occasion more danger to the safety of government than a successful rebellion, and a hostile foreign confeder racy had been able to effect, In conformity with this principle, the estimates and supplies Avere censured Avith peculiar acrimor ny ; and no argument left unessayed Avhich could beget uneasiness in the public mind, and convert a wholesome attention to pecuniary interest intq a feverish solicitude about economy. 7th Dec. , Th e first attempt to give to this dangerous prinr tiKdukedf c'P'e *ts desired direction Avas made by the duke Richmond, of Richmond, Avho moved for an address, in- treating the king to reflect on the manifold disr tresses of the country; that profusion was not vi- 1 gour, GEORGE III. ©01 gour, and that it became indispensably necessary CHAP, to adopt that true economy, which by reforming all SfYF^ useless expences creates confidence in government; 1779. submitting to his consideration, that a consider-* . able reduction of the civil list would be an ex ample Avell worthy his affection for his people, and would extend through every department of the state ; and assuring him, that any member of the house would cheerfully submit to such reduction in the emoluments of office as his majesty should think proper. In support of this motion the duke recapitulated the large war establishment which Great Britain was obliged to maintain, the immense expence Avith which it was attended, and the frightful increase of the national debt. He contrasted the state of this country with that of France, where Necker had borrowed near four millions sterling in two years Avithout imposing any taxes, but providing for the interest by savings; thus our inveterate enemy was adopting the Avise system of economy, while we Avere daily plunging deeper into boundless extravagance. The whole landed property of Great Britain was mortgaged for an annual pay ment of eight millions, and the land and sea force to be maintained for the current year Avas already announced at tAvo hundred and seventy-three thousand men. He did not wish to abridge the dignity and splendour of the cioavii ; but the king ought to set the example of retrenchment, Avhich he had no doubt the lords would cheerfully follow. In an explanatory speech he said, " I do not " intend to deduct from the stipends settled on '¦' persons Avho have wasted fortunes in the service " of the country: the Pelhams, the Walpoles, and (i the Pitts, are names remembered Avith sufficient " gratitude to make their pensions sacred." In the debate other popular topics were intro duced : as the influence of the crown, and the ne cessity 202 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, cessity of a radical reform. The objections to the vS^iL motlon were, that none of the facts it recited 1779. Avere authenticated ; a considerable reduction con veyed no specific meaning, nor could any minister presume to advise the king under such a vote. Even should the address be presented, his ma jesty Avas not bound to pay regard to it; the civil list was established by act of parliament, and could not be retrenched by the decision of one house; nor could any thing but an act of parliament, founded on information, Avhich it would be labo rious and difficult to obtain, effect a reduction in every species of official emolument. The civil list would not in fact bear any diminution, and it Avould be a baseness in parliament, after so recently voting an augmentation, to declare their inability to make good their oavh grant. The motion was considered as intended only to effect the removal of administration, and an explicit avoAval of that purpose Avould have been more candid and honour able. It Avas rejected. y 15th Dec. The subject of economical reform Avas intro- B.ulke duced into the lower house by Mr. Burke, Avho gave gives no- . _ , . . . J pi ticeof his notice of his intention to propose, after the recess, intention some, important regulations. Like the duke of bills fof '" Richmond, he vaunted the beneficial retrenchments economical of Necker, to Avhich he attributed the creation of re orm. a maruie from the rubbish, wrecks, and fragments of the late Avar. The British minister, on the con trary, neA-er gave a hint, never directed a glance towards the important subject of economy, though the Dutch practice and the Roman principle might have taught him that old and true lesson, mag num vectigal est parsimonia ;z but if ministers Avere y 77 to 37. ^ In quoting this apophthegm Burke inadvertently used a false quan tity, pronouncing the word vectigal vectigal. The classical ear of Fox immediately caught the error, and in a whisper he corrected his colleague. Burke, with great presence of mind, turned the incident to advantage s " My honourable friend informs ire," he said, " that I have mistaken " the GEORGE III. 203 were thus negligent, it was the duty of the house chap. to comply with the general wish of the people. ^^YF^ He anticipated a cold reception of his propositions, »779- as they would tend to Aveaken the influence of the court; men out of office could only offer; the people much achieve the rest ; if they were not true to themselves, no other poAver could save them. All the grievances of the nation arose from the fatal and overgroAvn influence of the crown; and that influence itself from the enormous prodi gality of the commons. Formerly the operation of influence was confined to the superior orders of the state; it had of late insinuated itself into every creek and cranny in the kingdom. There was scarcely a family so hidden and lost in the ob scurest recesses of the community, which did not feel that it had something to keep or to get, to hope or to fear, from the favour or displeasure of the crown. Some degree of influence was neces sary for government ; but for the sake of govern ment, for the sake of restoring that reverence which was its foundation, the exorbitancy of in fluence ought to be restrained. Every one must be sensible of the increase of influence, and the degradation of authority. The reason was evident : government should have force adequate to its functions, but no more ; if it had enough to sup port itself, in abusing or neglecting them, they must ever be abused or neglected : men would rely on power for a justification of their Avant of order, vigilance, foresight, and all the virtues, all the qualifications of statesmen. The minister might exist, but the government Avas gone. " It is thus," he exclaimed " that you see the " same men, in the same power, sitting undisturb- " ed " the quantity of a principal word in my quotation : I am glad, however " to repeat the inestimable adage," and with increased energy, he thun dered forth, " magnum vect-I-gal est parsimonia.". 204 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. " ed before you, though thirteen colonies are lost, x^y^, " Thus the marine of France and Spain has quiet- 1779. " ly groAvn and prospered under their eye/and been " fostered by their neglect. Thus all hope of al- " liance in Europe is abandoned. Thus three of " our West India islands have been torn from us , " in a summer. Thus Jamaica, the most import- " ant of all, has been neglected, and all inquiry " into that neglect stifled. Thus Ireland has been " brought into a state of distraction, that no one " dares even to discuss ; the bill relating to it, " though making great and perplexing changes, " is such, that no one knoAvs what to say, or Avhat " not to say respecting it. Our parliamentary " capacity is extinguished by the difficulty of our " situation. The bill has been mumbled over Avith " rapidity ; and it passes in the silence of death. " Had government any degree of strength, could " this have happened ? Could the most ancient *' prerogative of the croAvn, Avith relation to the " most essential object, the militia, have been an- " nihilated Avith so much scorn as it has been, even " at our doors ? Could his majesty have been de- " graded from the confidence of his people of Ire- " land in a manner so signal, and so disgraceful, . '¦' that they Avho have trusted his predecessors in " many particulars for ever, and in all, for two " years, should have contracted their confidence " in him to a poor stinted tenure of six months ? " Could the government of this country haA-e been " thus cast to the ground, and thus dashed to " pieces in its fall, if the influence of a court was " its natural and proper poise ; if corruption was. " its soundness ; and self-interest had the virtue " to keep it erect and firm upon its base ?" The disease of government, he observed, Avas a repletion ; the over-feeding of the stomach had destroyed the vigour of the limbs. He had long ascertained the nature of the disorder, and the spe-» cine GEORGE ill. 105 tific remedy; but had restrained his thoughts, chap. partly from want of personal importance, partly *^^» from the effects of his own disposition ; he was »779- not naturally an economist, and Avas cautious of experiment, even to timidity. But the temper of the times was favourable to reformation ; there was a dawn of hope ; and though the powers of a ministry Avere best calculated to give effect to such a plan, the present auspicious moment was not to be neglected. He would not yet disclose all the particulars of his plan, he Avould reserve the means of executing it, and state only the end, objects, and limits. He intended a regulation, substantial as far as it extended, which would give to the public ser vice tAvo hundred thousand pounds a year, and annihilate a portion of influence equal to the places of fifty members of parliament. Such a reform Avas more to be relied on for removing the means of corruption than any devices to prevent its ope ration : an abrogation of the sources of influence would render disqualifications unnecessary ; but Avhile the sources remained, nothing could prevent their operation on parliament. No other radical attempt at reformation need, hoAvever, be impeded : the present plan could not make a careless mini ster an economist ; but it Avould be a check on the Avorst, and a benefit to the best. ^ He then detailed the limits of his scheme: the first was founded in the rules of justice; nothing should be invaded Avhich Avas held by a private in dividual under a legal tenure. The next limit Avas in the rules of equity and mercy : Avhere offices might be suppressed which formed the Avhole maintenance of innocent people, it Avas hard, and hardship Avas a kind of injustice, that they who had been decoyed into particular situations' by the prodigality of parliament, should be sacrificed to its repentance. The removals therefore embraced in 206" HISTORY OF ENGLAND* CHAP, in his intended plan, Avould fall almost entirely on x^x™- those Avho held offices from which they might be .1779- removed to accommodate ministerial arrangements, and surely the accommodation of the public Avas' a cause of removal full as important as the conve nience of any administration, or the displeasure of any minister. The third limit would be found in the service of the state : no employment, really and substantially useful to the public, should be abolished or abridged of its laAvful and accustomed emoluments. The fourth limit Avould be, to leave a fund sufficiently solid for the reward of service or merit; and the fifth, to reserve to the crown an ample and liberal provision for personal satisfac tion, and for as much of magnificence as suited the burthened state of the country ; perhaps, some might think Avhat he should propose to leave, more than Avas decent. Hoavea'er presumptuous his attempt might ap pear, it Avas made with humility and integrity : he trusted it Avould give confidence to the people, and strength to government ; that it would make Avar vigorous, and peace really refreshing and re- cruithig. Several members of opposition, and no others spoke, bestoAved high encomiums on the plan of Burke. He had mentioned, Avith some expressions of shame, that a scheme of economical reform had been first mentioned in the upper house and not in the commons, Avhose peculiar office Avas the guardianship of the national treasure. Mr. Fox declared he Avas just come from the house of lords, Avhere the first men of abilities and public estima tion in the kingdom, Avere libelling the commons, Every instance they gave (and many strong ones Avere given) of uncorrected abuse with regard to public money, Avas a libel on the house of com mons. Every argument they used for the reduc tion of prodigal expence (and their arguments were various GEORGE III. 207 various and unanswerable) Avas a libel on the CHAP. house of commons. Every one of their statements, ^JYF^ on the luxuriant groAvth of corrupt influence (and 1779. it never Avas half so flourishing) Avas a libel on the house of commons. The same principle Avhich pro moted private friendship, he observed, created the affection of the people to their sovereign, but that must cease when his interests became totally dis sociated from theirs. Could any thing be more unseemly, than to find, that when landed estates Avere sunk one-fifth in value, rents unpaid, manu factures languishing, and trade expiring ; burthen upon burthen, piled on the fainting people; Avhen men of all ranks Avere obliged to retrench the most innocent luxuries, and even such as Avere rather grown by habit into a kind of decent convenience, and draw themselves up into the limits of an austere and pinching economy; — that just the beginning of that time should be chosen, that a period of such general distress should be snatched at, as the lucky moment of complimenting the croAvn Avith an ad dition of no less than a hundred thousand pounds a year; that the king should rise in splendour on the very ruins of the country, and amidst its deso lations should flourish Avith increased opulence, amidst, the cries of his afflicted subjects ; it Avas something monstrous, something unnatural : an outrage to the sense ; an insult on the sufferings of the nation. During the Christmas recess, a public meeting 30th Dec. of the freeholders of Yorkshire, voted a petition to ^etlentf_ the house of commons, representing the circum- tion of the stances of the war, the accumulation of taxes, freeholders and the rapid decline of trade, manufactures, and "hire.0' " rents; although rigid frugality Avas become indis pensably necessary, many individuals enjoyed si necure places, or efficient offices Avith exorbitant emoluments, and pensions unmerited by public services, Avhence the croAvn had acquired a great uncon- ids CHAP. XXXVII. 1779- Corresponding committees appointed. The ex ample of - Yorkshire generally followed. 10th and 1 2th Feb. 1780. Londoncommittee formed. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Unconstitutional influence, portending destruction to the liberties of the country, The true and le gitimate end of government, was not the emolu ment of any individual, but the Avelfare of the community; and as the national purse was pecu liarly entrusted to the house of commons, it Avould be injurious to the rights and property of the people, and derogatory from the honour and dig nity of parliament, to grant any additional sum of public money beyond the existing taxes, until ef-> fectual measures Avere taken for inquiring into, and correcting the gross abuses in the expenditure of public money, reducing all exorbitant emolu ments, rescinding and abolishing all sinecure places, and unmerited pensions, and appropriating the produce to the necessities of the state. A permanent committee of sixty-one indivi duals Avas appointed to carry on the necessary cor respondence for effectually promoting the object of the petition, and to prepare a plan of associa tion on legal and constitutional grounds, and support a laudable reform, and other measures conducing to restore the freedom of parliament. This example Avas folloAved by many other counties and cities throughout the kingdom i public meetings were convened by advertisement ; violent harangues Avere made against the proceed ings and persons of the administration, correspond ing committees were appointed, and the transac tions Avere only marked by some slight shades of variation in the degrees of violence. The city of London, though somewhat late, proceeded Avith equal ardour; their vote, besides establishing a corresponding committee, ordered the publication of their resolves in all the public papers. To those acquainted with the mode of managing such transactions, it is well knoAvn, that the names of multitudes may be easily obtained to petitions, and that the overbearing proceedings usual GEORGE III. 209 usual at public meetings, will prevent the atten- CHAP. dance of almost all but those who assemble for £^J^ the purpose of carrying particular measures by i7go- means of abusive declamation and clamour, or of giving the colour of general approbation to cer tain measures and resolutions. In some counties, particularly Sussex and Hertfordshire, protests were signed by a great majority of the most re spectable of the nobility, and landed interest, in direct contradiction to the resolutions of the county meetings. In many other places, counter- meetings were held, counter-petitions framed, and protests subscribed, but the system, combination, and popularity of the associators, seemed to pre vail, every endeavour having been used to turn into ridicule the exertions of their opponents.1 The petitions were daily presented to the house Burkein- of commons, and increased the public expecta- his plan of tions which the eloquence and reputation of Burke reform. had excited, when he introduced his plan of reform, nVs^de-* with an apology for the undertaking: it Avas cal- brated culated, he said, to effect a considerable reduc- sPeecn- tion of improper expence, a conversion of unpro fitable titles into productive estate, and to repress that corrupt influence which was itself the perennial spring of all prodigality and disaster; but he ad vanced to it with a tremor which shook him to the inmost fibre of his frame ; he anticipated all the odium attending the exercise of that necessary virtue — parsimony; and all the resentment of in dividuals, Avhose emoluments, patronage, and ob jects of pursuit, must be diminished. He was not inclined to depreciate the successes or undervalue the finances of the country; the one might be unlimited, the other unfathomable, as they were represented. Taxing was an easy business. Any e See the details of these meetings, copies of the petitions, reports of f he speeches and motions in the Remembrancer, vol. ix. at the places referred to in the Index. Vol. III. P projector S10 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. :hap. projector could contrive new impositions, any ^^ bungler add to the old; but it Avas altogether un- 1780.- wise to set no bounds to imposts, but the patience of those avIio Avere to pay. Resources Avere not , augmented by waste, nor Avould frugality lessen riches. He strongly pressed on the house the example; of France, which he said reminded him of the ob servation of Pyrrhus, on reconnoitring the Roman camp; "these barbarians have nothing barba- " rous in their discipline." In the proceedings of the French king, there Avas nothing of the cha racter and genius of arbitrary finance ; none of the bold frauds of bankrupt poAver; none of the Avild struggles and plunges of despotism in distress ; no lopping off from the capital of debt; no sus pension of interest; no robbery under the name of loan ; no raising the value, no debasing the sub stance of the coin. Nothing of Louis the XlVth or Louis the XVth. On the contrary, by the very hands of arbitrary power, and in the very midst of Avar and confusion, rose a regular methodical system of public credit; a fabric Avas laid on the natural and solid foundations of trust and confi dence among men ; and rising by fair gradations, order over order, according to the just rules of symmetry and art. He expatiated on this topic at great length, exhorting the house not to let economy be the only French fashion Avhich Eng land refused to copy. An eminent criterion for distinguishing a Avise government from a Aveak and improvident- admi nistration was this; " well to know the best time " and manner of yielding what it is impossible to " keep." Some Avould argue against every desire of reformation on the principles of a criminal pro secution, and justify their adherence to a perni cious system, by alleging it was not of their contri vance: that it Avas an inheritance of absurdity derived GEORGE III. 211 derived from their ancestors, and by making out CHAP. a long and unbroken pedigree of mismanagers <^^, Avho had gone before them ; but there was a time 1780. when the hoary head of inAreterate abuse would neither draw reverence nor obtain protection, Avhen a minister, by impeding reform, would make the faults of his office become his own. Early refor mations were amicable arrangements with a friend in power; late reformations, terms imposed on a conquered enemy; the former Avere made in cool blood, the latter under a state of inflammation. But as it was the interest of government that re form should be earby, it was the interest of the people that it should be temperate; because it would then be permanent, and contain a principle of growth. In hot reformations, in Avhat men, more zealous than considerate, called making clear work, the whole was generally so crude, so harsh, so in digested; mixed with so much imprudence, and so much injustice; so contrary to the whole course of human nature, and human institutions, that the very people who Avere most eager, were the very first to grow disgusted at Avhat they had done. Then some part of the abdicated grievance was recalled from its exile, in order to become a corrective of the correction. Then the abuse as sumed the credit and popularity of a reform. Thus the very idea of purity and disinterestedness in politics Avould fall into disrepute, and be consi dered as the vision of hot and inexperienced men ; and thus disorders Avould become incurable, not by the virulence of their oavii quality, but by the unapt and violent nature of the remedies. We must no more make haste to be rich by parsi mony than by intemperate acquisition. He objected to a place tax, as a measure not calculated to produce, but prevent reformation; a composition to stay inquiry ; a fine paid by mis management for the reneAA'al of its lease. Such a ¦p t measure 212 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, measure could never be proper till useless offices v^lil> were abrogated, and those which remained, classed 1780. according to their respective degrees of impor tance, so as to admit an equal rule of taxation, and the civil list revenue so managed that the minister - should no longer have the power of repaying Avith a private, whatever Avas taken by a public hand. Unwilling to proceed in an arbitrary manner, in any particular Avhich tended to change the settled state of things, he had laid doAvn general prin ciples, Avhich could not be debauched or cor rupted by interest or caprice, and by them he regu lated his proceedings : These Avere, First, The abolition of all jurisdictions contri buting rather to expence, oppression, and corrupt influence, than to the administration of justice. Second, The disposal of all public estates which were more subservient to the purposes of vexing, overawing, and influencing the tenants, and to the expences of receipt and management, than of benefit to the revenue. Third, That offices bringing more charge than proportional advantage to the state, or which might be engrafted on others, ought, in the first case, to be taken away ; and in the second conso lidated. Fourth, The abolition of all offices tending to obstruct the operations, or enfeeble the foresight of the general superintendant of finance. Fifth, The establishment of an order inpay ments, which Avould prevent partiality, and reo-u- late receipt not by the importunity of the claimant, but by the utility of his office. Sixth, The reduction of every establishment to certainty. Seventh, The dissolution of all subordinate treasuries. 7 First,. GEORGE III. 213 First, with regard to the sovereign jurisdictions, chap. he observed, that England was not, as a mere cur- xxxvn. sory examiner Avould suppose, a solid, compact, 1780T"' uniform system of monarchy; it Avas formerly a heptarchy, noAV a sort of pentarchy. The king, like a chief performer in an itinerant dramatic company, acted not only the principal, but all the subordinate personages in the play. Burke ex emplified this comparison, by shewing the king of England in the various characters of king, prince of Wales, duke of Lancaster, earl of Chester, count palatine of Lancaster, and duke of Corn wall. In each of these principalities, duchies, palati nates, was a regular establishment of considerable expence, and most domineering influence ; the apparatus of a kingdom, and the formality and eharge of the exchequer of Great Britain, for col lecting the rents of a country squire. Cornwall, which was the best, furnished no exception from the general rule : the duchy and county palatine of Lancaster did not yield more on an average than four thousand pounds a year, and it Avas doubtful if Wales and Chester, made any returns. Wales had eight judges, Avhile all England had but twelve; an exchequer like the rest, according to the very best and most authentic absurdity of form, and there were in all of them a hundred more dif ficult trifles and laborious fooleries, Avhich served no other purpose than to keep alive corrupt hope and servile depend ance. The duchy of Lancaster Avas not worth four thousand pounds a year to the revenue, but worth forty or fifty thousand to influence. After entering into an historical account of the annexation of the different fiefs to the croAvn, and shewing that neither dignity nor family attachment could give the king the least partiality for them, he proposed to unite the five principalities to the crown, and to its oi> p 3 dinary 214 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, dinary jurisdiction; to abolish all those offices xxxvii. which produced only an useless and chargeable se- 1780.. paration from the people; to make compensation to all who did not hold their offices at the pleasure of the croAvn; to extinguish vexatious titles by a short act of limitation; to sell the unprofitable estates which supported useless jurisdictions, and turn the tenant-right into a fee on moderate terms, beneficial bbth to the tenant and the state. The judicial economy of the duchies should fall into the county administrations, and with respect to Wales, he had doubts whether to add a fifth judge in each of the courts at Westminster, or to suppress five only of the Welch judges, and let the remain ing three perform the business. On the second head, he proposed to sell all the forest lands, extinguishing the rights of vert and venison, and with them the expensive office of sur veyor-general, and two chief juflices in eyre, with all their train of dependants : from these sales, only an inconsiderable profit Avould arise, the chief be nefit Avould.be drawn from improved agriculture and increased population. Professing to approach the civil lift, the third division of his subject, with the awe and reverence incident to a young physician Avho pre scribes for the disorders of his parent, Burke sa- tyrized, with unrivalled wit and humour, the dif ferent establishments and expences of the royal household ; formed on the gothic syftem of feu dality and purveyance, and. still retained, though the royal household had shrunk into the polished littleness of modern elegance and personal accom modation. " It has evaporated," he said, "from the " gross concrete into an essence and rectified spi- " rit of expence, where you have tons of ancient " pomp in a vial of modern luxury." Pursuing the same mode of description and reasoning, throuo-h various other objects, he made propositions, the sum GEORGE III. 215 sum of which was, as enumerated by himself, to c H A P. fake aAvay the Avhole establishment of detail in tho xxxvii. household ; the treasurer ; the comptroller ; the "^g^ cofferer of the household ; the treasurer of the chamber ; the master of the household; and the whoje board of green cloth ; and a vast number of subordinate offices in the department of the stew ard of the household ; the Avhole establishment of the great wardrobe ; the removing wardrobe ; the jewel office ; the robes ; the board of works ; and .almost the Avhole charge' of the civil branch of the hoard of ordnance; then, he observed, the public might begin to breathe. He went on proposing re gulations in the offices of paymaster of the forces, and treasurer of the- navy, by reducing them from banks or treasuries to mere offices of admi nistration. All the money formerly impressed into these offices, he would have impressed' into the bank of England, to which he would also transfer the charge of the mint, and the remittances to the troops on foreign service. He recommended the abolition of the office of paymaster of pensions, and reduction of the pension list to sixty thousand pounds a year. If any case of extraordinary me rit should emerge, he Avould leave an opening- for an address of either house of parliament; to all other demands, the firm though reluctant ansAver must be, "the public is poor." He did not mean to abrogate any existing pension, or even to in quire into the merits of the possessor ; the discre^ tionary poAver vested in the crown was liable to perversion, and he Avould limits the quantity of poAver that might be so abused. The pensions granted within seven years amounted, on an .ave rage, to a hundred thqusand pounds a year : by his regulation an annual saving of foity thousand pounds Avould at some future period be made to the public, and it were better to let it fall natu^- rally, than tear it crude and unripe from the stalk. p 4 The 216 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. The public he knew expected a considerable re- Xj^xyi1- form in the great patent offices of the exchequer; 1780. he thought the profits enormous, and proposed limiting the great auditor to three thousand pounds, the inferior auditors, and other principal officers, to fifteen hundred pounds a year each; but though he considered them as sinecures, he would not consent to their abolition ; they Avere given for life, and it Avas fit the crown should have the poAver of granting pensions, out of the reach of its OAvn caprices, — the possibility of con ferring some favours which, v/hile received as re wards, do not operate as corruption. What an unseemly spectacle Avould it afford, what a dis grace Avould it be to the commonwealth that suf* fered such things, to see the hopeful son of a meri torious minister, begging his bread at the door of that treasury, from Avhence his father dispensed the economy of an empire, and promoted the hap piness and glory of his country ? Why should he be obliged to prostrate his honour, and submit his principles at the levee of some proud favourite, shouldered -and thrust aside by every impudent pretender, on the very spot where a feAV days be fore he saAV himself adored ? Obliged to cringe to the author of the calamities of his house, and to kiss the hands that are red Avith his father's blood? These things are unfit. They are intolerable. Conceiving himself bound to give as full and clear reasons for stopping as for proceeding in the course of reformation, Burke laid doAvn some indisputable political axioms, no less ho nourable to his judgment and sagacity than his candour. He did not think the great efficient offices of the state overpaid. What Avould be just remuneration for one kind of labour, full encou ragement for one species of talents, was fraud and discouragement to others. Even if men could be found willing to serve in high situations Avithout salary, GEORGE III. 1 17 salary, they ought not to be permitted : ordinary CHAP. service must be secured by the motives to ordi- xxxvn. nary integrity ; that state Avhich lays its founda- 1780. tion in rare and heroic virtues, Avill be sure to have its superstructure in the basest profligacy and corruption. An honourable and fair profit is the best security against avarice and rapacity ; as in all things else a kiwful and regulated enjoy ment is the best security against debauchery and excess. It would be expected, that in giving reasons for limiting himself in the reduction of employ ments, he should advert to those which seemed of eminent utility in the state, the officers attendant on the person of the king : these he determined not to lessen in number or emolument, as they prevented the court from being deserted by all the nobility in the kingdom : he proposed, how ever, to abolish the keepers of buck-hounds, stag- hounds, fox-hounds, and harriers ; the}' answered no purpose of utility or splendour, and it was unfit for noblemen to be keepers of dogs, even though they were the king's dogs. He concluded this part of his plan by proposing the abolition of the office of the third secretary of state, or secretary of state for the colonies ; and the board of trade and plantations ; the office Avas so useless, that lord Suffolk held it long after he was Avholly disabled by bodily infirmities, and it continued vacant a year after his decease. The board of trade he described as a mere job in its original formation and regeneration, costing the public near forty thousand pounds a year, Avithout the least utility or advantage; its functions might be performed as Irish business of the same nature, by the coun cil, with a reference to the attorney and solicitor- general. He next proceeded to the subject of arrange ments, 218 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, ments, a part of his plan on Avhich he principally xxxvn. relied for bringing up and securing the whole, by y^iy^T/ fixing an invariable order in all payments from which the first lord of the treasury should not, on any pretence,- depart. He divided the civil list payments into nine classes : the first Avas occupied by the judges; the last, by the commissioners of the treasury, and chancellor of the exchequer : the reason for assigning each specific, position was ably given, and that for placing the first lord of the treasury and his colleagues at the bottom of the list, was to protect all the other classes against the effects of profusion and mismanagement; on this part of his subject, Burke expatiated in a vein of humourous raillery, enlivened by poignant wit, and diA7ersified with solid argument. He then presented to the house five bills for carrying into effect the objects indicated in his speech, though he acknowledged he had not the frantic presumption to suppose his plan contained all the public had a right to expect in the great work of reformation. He described the situation of the house of commons with regard to the peo ple, under the allegory of a jealous husband, and a Avife Avhose conduct, if not stained Avith guilt, was at least tinted Avith levity. " Let us return" he said "to our legitimate home, and all jars and " all quarrels will be lost in embraces. Let the " commons in parliament assembled, be one and " the same thing Avith the commons at large. " The distinctions that are made to separate us, " are unnatural and wicked contrivances. Let " us identify, let us incorporate ourselves with the " people. Let us cut all the cables, and snap the " chains which tie us to an unfaithful shore, and " enter the friendly harbour, that shoots far out " into the main its moles and jettees to receive " us. 'War with the' world, and peace with our " constituents,' GEORGE III. 219 " constituents.' Be this our motto, and our prin- CHAP. " ciple. Then, indeed, we shall be truly great. "b xxxvii. The progress of the inquiry into this plan en- ^^78^ gaged the attention of the house during a great Vote for part of the session ; the debates on various clauses ^°]^g of the bills were animated, and replete Avith unu- oAradc. sual wit and eloquence ; but the only result of the scheme Avas a vote for abolishing the board of trade, Avhich fell a victim to the Avit of Burke, directed against some topics urged in its defence, much more than to its oavii want of utility, cum- brousness of expence, or extent of patronage. The lords of trade Avere but eight, the net produce of their salaries between seven and eight hundrea pounds a year ; and their labours Avere comprized in tAvo thousand three hundred folio volumes, a circumstance Avhich Burke ridiculed Avith incon ceivable effect ; but alloAving that each of these folios should contain the fair proportion of dul- ness, still it could not be denied that; many sane principles Avere discussed, many important facts authenticated, many sagacious projects recom mended, and many erroneous speculations expos ed. Perhaps the period Avhen this board Avas sub sequently abolished, Avas the very moment Avhen its active functions could have been most beneficially exerted ; Avhen commerce Avas about to receive a new impulse, and Unprecedented extension; en couraged by circumstances never foreseen, yet embarrassed by litigations, involved in the dis cordant interests of rivals, and encumbered Avith questions both legal and political, respecting char- fc I have given an unusually copious extract of this celebrated speech, which is entitled to serious and frequent perusal, as containing the senti ments of an eminent sratesman, on many of the important topics, con nected with reform and economy. The zeal of party, and the state of the times, gave birth to projects not altogether consistent with propriety, or conrnensuraie to the dignity of the subject, but the general axiom=, and the political principles which extend to the whole system of government, are remarkable for their wisdom, temperance, and justice. The speech at length is in Burke's Works, 4to. vol. ii. p. 115. ters, 220 CHAP. xxxvn. 1780. 8th Feb. Commis sion of ac counts ap pointed. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. ters, monopoly, and paper credit, requiring the utmost calmness in investigation and firmness in decision.0 While Burke's project of economy and reform was yet depending, several auxiliary propositions were made in both houses ; among the most pro minent of which Avas the appointment of a com mission of accounts, in conformity to the practice in the reigns of king William and queen Anne, and almost regularly from the second year after the Revolution to the year 1715. This subject was introduced to the house of lords by the earl of Shelburne, in pursuance of a notice he had given before the Christmas recess. In a long and able speech, he accused the minister of deluding the public in respect to affairs of finance, misap propriating the sinking fund, misusing the votes of credit, and extending to an improper degree the confidence of the bank. He reviewed the mode of voting army exlraordinaries, and de scanted Avith severity on the supposed frauds of contractors : his project embraced also many of the topics included in Burke's plan, Avhich was not yet submitted to the house. It was ansAvered, that the bills passed in the reigns of William and Anne had been discontinued, because they were found to answer no good purpose, and owed their origin and existence to party. After the firm estab lishment of the house of Hanover on the throne, when faction, tumult, and sedition were crushed, and the continual fluctuation of counsels Avhich distracted and perplexed. the two preceding reigns, gave place to steadiness and stability, the annual e The reader, whose curiosity shall lead him to pursue the train of the debates on Burke's plan, in Debrett's Parliamentary Register, vol. xvii. will find enough of wisdom, wit, ond ingenious argument to repay him for tho time employed. The most instructive and entertaining debates will be found at pp. 127^156,195, 228, 237, 154., 295, 374, and 588,— See also aii account of this motion in Gibbon's posthumous Works, vol. i. p. 156 et feci. law GEORGE III, 231 law for examining, controlling, and stating the CHAP. public accounts Avas discontinued. The debate, *^™>, which was very long, and embraced many other 1780. topics of enforcement and objection, ended bj' a rejection of the motion"1; thirty-five peers sub scribed a protest. Ox the reception of Burke's propositions, colo- i4thFeI»« nel Barre suggested the necessity, of some addi tion ; he did not think the reform sufficiently extensive, which permitted men of overgrown wealth to hold unreduced offices in the exche quer, reaping advantages from the Avars and cala mities of their country. The extraordinaries of the army struck him with surprise ; and all his efforts had failed to procure satisfactory explana tions. He therefore proposed, on some future day, to move for a commission of accounts. Lord North heartily coincided ; he was ever ready to receive beneficial propositions from either side of the house, considered the course of the exchequer inimical to speedy and effectual controul, and •should for the sake of clearness and precision in the public accounts, sanction the measure of a committee, though convinced it would be impos sible to reduce all expences to an estimate. Colonel Barre', after being thus supported 2d March. by the minister, and giving him credit for the li berality and manliness of his sentiments, felt no small mortification Avhen lord North gave notice of his intention to move for- leave to bring in a bill, appointing a commission, not only to inquire into past expenditure, but into the current ac counts. The minister was chiefly impelled to undertake this measure, by the observations Avhich some members had made, respecting his declara tion on colonel Bane's notice of motion, that it was not sincere, but a mere parliamentary trick ; an attempt to gain momentary popularity by af fecting * 101 to 55. 322 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, fecting readiness to do what in realit}' he did not ^J^ intend. As an indisputable proof of his real sen- i78°- timents, he said, he should bring in the bill now suggested, and to obviate all objections respecting the nomination of a committee, from one or the other side of the house ; should propose for that - purpose, men who were not members. Colouel Barre" protesting that he did not believe the his tory of parliament afforded an instance of a simi lar transaction, declared himself ready to forego all complaints, and if the minister really meant a benefit to the country, he would cheerfully con cur and rejoice in it, though the merit due to him should be attributed to another. The bill was however opposed Avith considerable warmth, dur ing its Avhole progress. It was decried as tending to create new places in the gift of the crown with large salaries, extensive influence, and neAv patro nage, branching out into the lower departments of clerks, accountants, and messengers, at the very time that the people were petiti oning for reduction of expencesand contraction of influence. Thenomina- tion of commissioners occasioned a spirited debate. ist May. Sir G uy Carleton being the first named, many ludi crous animadversions were made on his change of employ from the truncheon to the pen. No part of the project escaped acrimonious censure; yet the bill was passed ; gentlemen of the first talent and respectability were appointed commissioners/ and their reports presented to the house, and given to the public in various forms, are highly honourable to their industry and ability, and an excellent body of political information. Bills for Among other popular measures recommended contractors ul Burke's speech on introducing his plan of re- andsus- form, were the revival of the bill of last year, for STSof excmding contractors from sitting in parliament, revenue • officers re ° Slr G"y Carelton> Thomas Anguish, Arthur Piggot, Richard Neave, iected " Samuel Ueachcroft, and George Drummond, esquires. and G E 01 G E III. 223 ahtl that for suspending the votes of revenue of- CHAP. ficers, Avhich Avas formerly moved by Mr. Dowdes- ^^^^ well. Sir Philip Jennings Clerke availed himself t78°- of the intimation, and reintroduced his former 24t e " unsuccessful bills, which passed the house of com mons almost unopposed, and apparently unnoticed. In the house of lords, it met with strong and effec- i4th Apr. tual opposition : to exclude tax-gatherers, it was said, might be reasonable and just, as they might be needy and liable to corruption ; but it was incompa tible with justice to exclude merchants of great property and respectability, merely because they happened to be engaged fairly and openly in con tracts Avith government: it would be unjust to deprive individuals of their right, without proof of their having abused it, an illiberal and cruel stigma on a respectable body of men, and a mean compliance with popular prejudice, unworthy the house of lords. Besides the regulation could not in all cases be effectual; contracts for secret expe ditions must be secretly made ; and the twenty days notice required by this bill, could not pos sibly be given, when a sudden expedition was thought necessary. In favour of the bill the usual ground was taken, the prodigality, igno rance, and imposition Avhich characterised, the parties to modern contracts, were displayed in the highest colours; and it was argued, that as the bill affected the commons alone, its rejection by the lords, Avould be an insult on that body ; such had been the reasoning of lord Mansfield on the Middlesex election, and if applicable then, it was equally cogent in the present instance. The re jection of the bill f occasioned a protest, to which twenty-six peers signed their names, as con curring partially or totally in the component articles. Mr. s 21 t0 14. 224 CHAP. xxxvn. 1780. Account of places. 15th Feb. And of pensions paid at the exchequer laid before the house. a i st Feb. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Mr. Crewe introduced the bill for preventing- revenue officers from voting, which was rejected; on the second reading :E the arguments were not new or important. All these debates, and many others which en gaged the attention of the house, had constant re ference to the petitions which were dailly received, and continually expatiated on the popular text, the necessity of economy, and the increasing influence of the crown. As pensions and places were the principal objects embraced in this plan of censure, Sir George Savile obtained, without opposition, an order that an account of all places, and the salaries annexed to them, should be laid before the house; but Avhen he proceeded to require an account of all pensions, whether paid at the ex chequer or out of the pm^y purse, for life, years, or at pleasure, the motion was strenuously resisted- This debate was interrupted by the indisposi tion of the speaker, Avhich occasioned a short suspension of business. When the sittings of par liament Avere resumed, lord North moved an. amendment, by Avhich the pensions payable at the exchequer only should be published. He exposed the delusion practised on the public in stating the pretended amount of the pension list, and affirmed. that, deducting the monies paid under that deno mination for real services, and as actual salaries, and the land tax on pensions, which returned into the coffers of the state, the Avhole sum did not amount to fifty thousand pounds a year, being ten thousand less than Avas proposed to be allowed by Burke's economical scheme. The debate ter minated in a violent uproar, occasioned by an umvarrantable personality of colonel Barre, who said, not one Englishman had risen to support the minister; his principal defenders Avere, the at-. tcrney general (Wedderburne), and the lord ad vocate s 224 to 195, GEORGE III, ' 225 vocate of Scotland (Dundas). When the ferment CHAP. occasioned by this national remark subsided, the ij^y^J-, amendment of the minister Avas carried by a ma- 170^^ jority of tAvo only.1' The same subject was introduced to the upper 10tnMar« house by the earl of Effingham, in a motion for a list of all pensions enjoyed by peers of parliament : the debate was conducted Avith some Avarmth; the state of the Scotch peerage Avas severely anir madverted on, and ably defended. The proposi tion Avas lost by a considerable majority.' In all the debates of this session, the most li- Duels be. rerftious invectives Avere indulged; and it ap- twee" peared the wish of political opponents to urge 0fpariiaS- parliamentary altercation to unpardonable extremes ment- of personal animosity. In consequence of some a9(hMar. Avoids spoken on the first clay of the session, I779, and misrepresented, through the ignorance or malice of a newspaper reporter, Mr. Adam en gaged in a duel with Mr. |'ox, and Avounded him slightly in .the body. On the removal of lord Carmarthen from the 6th Mar. lord lieutenancy of the East Riding of Yorkshire, ,78°* and of the earl of Pembroke from that of Wilts, lord Shelburne moved for an address to ascertain the advisers of those measures.k In the course of his speech the earl reflected in contemptuous terms on the appointment of Mr. Fullarton to the com mand of a neAv-raised regiment, with the temporary rank of lieutenant-colonel, mentioning him as a commis} Colonel Fullarton, Avitha warmth Avhich «°thMar. the occasion excused, though it may not be justi fied, vindicated himself, and highly resented the attack. Another duel Avas the consequence, in a2d. which lord Shelburne was wounded. Sir James Lowther made the transaction the subject of a con versation (for there Avas no motion), in the house- h 188 to 186. i 51 to 24. k It was negatived, 92 to 39. 1 He had been employed under lord Stormont in the embassy to Paris. Vol. III. Q of tl6 ' HISTORY OF ENGLAND CHAP, of commons, by declaring if questions of a public w^^iL nafure were tried by appeals to the sAvord, the 1780. British parliament Avould soon resemble a Polish diet. Mr. Adam explained, in the most handsome manner, his difference with Mr. Fox, but the dis cussion produced no consequences. ™ Debates on Colonel Fullarton incurred this attack ofevoiun-S hi consequence of having raised a regiment for teer regi- the service of government, an effort of zeal, Avhich menu. gave peculiar offence to opposition, and Avhich jthA-nil. they omitted no opportunity of decrying. In a debate on the army extraordinaries, Fox, Avith irreat bitterness, censured the manner of obtaiffinor these levies, and of giving and Avithholding pre ferment: he animadverted Avith severity on the appointment of the honourable George North, eldest son of lord North, to the command of the Cinque Port regiment, on the promotion of colonel Fullarton, and particularly on the conduct of co lonel Holroyd (hoav lord Sheffield), Avhich he had totally misconceived. The attack, hoAvever, produc ed an explanation highly honourable : colonel Hol royd replied with great spirit, that the members of opposition, so far from being Avilling to assist the public cause, could not repress their indignation against those Avho endeavoured to be useful, even at the moment of such an alarming crisis. He said, that when the French and Spanish fleets wereoff the coast, he had offered to raise light troops Avithout ex- pence to the country, Avhich he did in a very short time, and the circumstance it Avas intended to ar raign, so far from being advantageous to him, was. very much the contrary, and only beneficial to the service and the officers, Avho all came from old regiments. No situation in the army could be m Addresses of congratulation were voted by many of the correspond ing' committees to lord Shelbuine, and some pretty plainly insinuated, that he- owed his danger to the resentment of government, at the part he bad taken in behalf of the people. • more GEORGE III. more agreeable to him than that he already held chap. in the Sussex militia; nor could any remuneration ^£?^*, in the power of government compensate for the i;fo. neglect of his private affairs, and the desertion of his home: a home Avhich he had scarcely seen since the commencement of the Avar. His contempt for such insinuations, he said, Avould have kept him fcilent, had not the respect due to the house ren-r dered some explanation necessary ; no man in that house, or in England, Avas more independent in principle, disposition, or situation. He Avas not personally known to any member of administra tion, but in the present crisis, he considered it his' duty to support the servants of the public against those who Avere endeavouring to take the govern ment by storm. This happy and just expression was often afterward quoted with undiminished effect. An altercation 'of more political importance 13th Mar.* occurred between the minister and the speaker of t^erca" the house of commons. Sir Fletcher Norton had tween lord long been dissatisfied at the disappointment of North and some expectations of aggrandizement, and had Norton^"* in consequence formed an intimate connexion Avith the opposition. The first public display of this sentiment occurred in a debate on Burke's plan of economy. In a former discussion Mr. Iligby had attempted to establish as. a principle, that parliament had no right to inquire into the expenditure of the civil list, and Fox,. having pre viously secured the opinion of the speaker, took occasion to introduce the subject in a committee, and referred to him for a decision, Avhich was given in direct contradiction to the axiom of adminis tration. If the minister Avas astonished at this de sertion, he Avas not less surprised at the declaration Avith Avhich Sir Fletcher Norton accompanied it; that lord North and he were not friends, nor had q 2 any £28 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, any confidential or friendly intercourse subsisted w^£/ between them, since the time when, in fulfilling 1780. his duty, he had conveyed the sentiments of parlia ment to the foot of the throne; a recent transaction rendered it necessary for him and the noble lord to stand on the most unequivocal terms. Being pres sed to explain the last insinuation, he stated, that at the pressing request of the duke of Grafton, com municated through Mr. Rigby, he had consented, on the death of Sir John Cust, to accept the speaker's chair; but his compliance Avas accom panied Avith an express reservation, that an open ing should be kept for his return to Westminster Hall, on the first eligible vacancy. Although this promise Avas positively made, and although he Avas Avell entitled to a preference from his long standing at the bar, high professional character, and being the only lawyer at that time in the cabinet, he had now the mortification to find that a negotia tion Avas carrying on to prevail on Sir William de Grey, the chief justice of the common pleas, to resign, and place the attorney-general in his room. This he considered an injury, as the individual thus preferred Avas not by length of practice, or profes sional reputation, qualified to impede his claims. The minister denied that he Avas responsible for promises made by his predecessors in office; and after a long- personal altercation between lord North and the speaker, Wedderburne, Avith po lished wit, and irrefragable argument, showed the arrogance and absurdity of Sir Fletcher's preten sions. He said it Avas disgracing the profession, degrading his character, and betraying the interest of the country, to seek sinecure emolument as a compensation for quitting a practice in Avhich he could secure honourable independency; yet the speaker did not hesitate to avoAV, that he had received the most valuable sinecure he enjoyed, (the chief justiceship GEORGE III. 229 justiceship in Eyre) for transacting the business of CHAP. the privy-council. But it was not true, as he assert- ?^)^ ed, that there Avas then no person of the profession 1780. belonging to that board ; Sir Eardly Wilmot, late chief justice of the common pleas, Mr. Sewell, master of the rolls, lord Mansfield, lord Bath urst, the chancellor, and all the customary law officers, had seats in council. With respect to himself, he was as ready to allow as the speaker Avas to assert, that in point of character, standing, pretensions, and education, he Avas not equally Avith him qua lified for a common laAV court; but since Sir Fletcher had quitted Westminster Hall, to slide first into an ample sinecure, and next into the chair of that house, he could not be offended if many Avho continued to labour Avith industry and assiduity in the field he had deserted, looked forward also to the reAvards of their labour, and the gratification of their ambition. He considered the office of judge too delicate in its nature and execution, to be the object of solicitation; nor Avould he be so forgetful of propriety as to make personal dif ferences matter of public complaint; so lost to decorum, as to call on the house to interfere in a private negotiation; he Avould never so humble his own character as to make a disagreement Avith the minister the ground of his opinion, on a great and important political regulation. From this period Sir Fletcher Norton joined the cry of opposition, and spoke Avith all the fervour of party on the influence of the crown, the abuses of prerogative, and the rights of the people : a strong illustration of Sir Robert Walpole's recipe for making a patriot" n » Patriots," he said, " spring up like mushrooms : I could raise fifty of them within the four-and-twenty hours. I have raised many of them in one night. It is but refusing to gratify an unanswerable or an insolent demand, and up starts a patriot." See Coxe's Memoirs of SU- Robert Walpole, quarto, vol. i. p. 659. q 3 During 2M I-ltSTOtt.Y OF ENGLAND. CHAP. During these violent altercations, petitions v^Xif> were da>ly iaid before the house, in introducing " 1780. which many members used language showing a Numerous nim reliance on an extraneous interference, which petitions. s]10U|ci jegulate by terror the deliberations of par- 8th Feb. liament. Sir George Savile, on presenting the intempei York petition, said, the ministry Avould not dare ^uLeTn" to refuse hearing itj though the prayer might be introduc- eluded by artifice and juggling, yet if paiiiament >ng them, mocked the people, the people would learn not to respect parliament. The petition Avas not present ed by men Avith swords and muskets, nor instigated by a few incendiaries, operating on simple and credulous. individuals in hedge ale-houses : it Avas moved in an assembly of upward of six hundred gentlemen, in a hall, the Avails of Avhich enclos ed more property than the Avails of the house of *ith Mar. commons. Fox used language equally bold in offering the Westminster petition ; and Sir James 5th April. Lowther, in presenting that from Cumberland, said, " if the house should turn a deaf ear to so " respectable a body of subscribers, they Avould " do themselves justice by Avithholding the taxes. " Miuisters might think to dragoon" them into " the payment, but such measures of coercion " would be attended Avith consequences too hor-> ' rid for even them to venture. If a legal course " of enforcement Avere attempted, let administra- " tion reflect avIio Avould be the juries, and consider " whether they were likely to obtain a single ' verdict." Against several of these petitions, protests and counter-petitions were presented, which 8ih Mar. called down all the vehemence of opposition. On the protest against the Hereford petition, Mr. Bar- 1-oav petulantly observed, that it had been mostly signed by the gentry at and about the cathedral, with the bishop at their head. So long as these people were permitted to batten in idleness on the labour and industry of their fellow subjects, they 4 would G EO R GE- III. -, 231, would do well to conduct themselves Avith modera- CHAP. tion and decency, lest the rage of reformation ^^Y^h should forcibly inculcate those lessons. They en- 1780. joyed sinecure places, and were in the receipt of enormous profits and exorbitant emoluments ; it was therefore matter of surprise that they were not included in the letter, as they manifestly Avere in the spirit, of the petitions. He Avas adverse to partialities ; and though full and adequate rewards for services were but equitable, yet a parcel of idle, luxurious, proud, and overbearing felloAVS sleeping in their stalls, and supported by the toil, SAveat, and laborious industry of the middling and lower ranks of people, Avas an evil as repugnant to natural jus-r tice and sound policy, as it was disgraceful and injurious to true religion. The clergy were no less virulently and indecently abused by Mr. Tur ner, who called them friends of arbitrary power, enemies of the free constitution which fed and protected them, and dangerous engines of state in the hands of an ambitious prince or Avicked ad ministration. During the reigns of James 1. and that obstinate and perverse tyrant Charles, his son, they had preached the most scandalous and shame ful doctrines, and were the chief cause of the fatal end of that tyrant, whom their successors still af fected to deify. They still propagated the same ^dangerous doctrines. in their writings and discour ses, and there was no foundation on Avhich arbi trary power could be erected equal to a standing army and a dependent church. The efforts used to enforce the adoption of measures consistent with the petitions, Avere con formable to the violence of language Avhich ac companied their introduction. Sir George Savile 6thMar* intimated, that, until the petitioners received some assurance of relief, it Avould be advisable ta vote the loan piece-meal, according to the requisitions of the public service; and Avhen the committee 221I. q 4 brought petitions. isa HISTGRy 6t f:ngLano. C H A P. brought up the report of Avays and means, a motion $g*vn\, Avas made for deferring it till the day after that 1780 appointed for discussing the petitions, but the pro position Avas feebly supported, and rejected by a large majority. ° «th April. The important day destined for discussing the Discussion petitions, Avas anticipated Avith eager expectation* ™,;,h;!L and met Avith all the zeal and all the address of party. A meeting of the inhabitants of Westmin ster Avas convened by direction of the correspond ing committee, a report from that body read and descanted on by Mr. Fox, Avho was supported by the dukes of Devonshire and Portland, and many other antiministerial leaders. Government fore seeing the effect of this manoeuvre in over-aAving the proceedings of the legislature, dreAv forth the military, and stationed a considerable body in the neighbourhood of Westminster Hall.p A call of the house Avas also ordered, and petitions continued to be presented till the commencement of the debate. These popular missives amounted to forty, and Avere subscribed with so many names, that the mass of parchment seemed rather calculated to bury than cover the speaker's table.' Dunning opened the business of the day. In dependently of the great objects recommended to the attention of parliament by the petitions, vary ing according to the particular ideas of the several classes of petitioners, there was one great funda*- mental point, he observed, on which they all hing ed, that of setting limits to, and paring doAvn the 0 14; to 37. P This exertion of government was severely arraigned by opposition, and formed 1 lie subject of several conversations, and" at length of amo tion by Sir William Meredith : the debate was exceedingly warm. Burke, in a most violent speech, reprobated the Middlesex "magistrates as the scum of the earth, and Fox declared that if armed men were thus let loose on the constitutional meetings of the people, all who frequented them must go armed. See commons debates, 10th and 25th April, and loth May. s The expression in the Annual Register for 1780, p. 165. increased, GEORGE lit. §33 Increased, dangerous, and alarming influence of the CH a P- crown, and an economical expenditure of the pub- xxxvie lie money. In one vieAv, both these objects might 1780. be consolidated into one principle: if the public money Avas faithfully applied and frugally expend ed, that would reduce the influence of the crown ; or, if the influence of the crown was restrained within its natural and constitutional limits, it would restore that poAver which the constitution had vested in the house, of inquiring into and con- trouling the expenditure of public money. But, in pursuance of the objects held forth and recom mended in the petitions, he should divide the prin* ciple, and propose some remedy, or frame some resolution, which Avould serve as a basis on Avhich he might erect a system of measures to ansAver the purposes and comply Avith the Avishes of the pe titioners. He reviewed Avith great severity the conduct of ministers Avith respect to Burke's plan of economy ; they had received it with a shoAv of candour, a kind of mock approbation, but after- Avard declared all the material objects it proposed to attain fundamentally wrong. Colonel Bane's suggestion of a committee of accounts had been in an uncandid, ungentlemanlike manner, snatch ed out of his hands, and commissioners appointed who Avere not members of parliament, but mere no minees of the minister. The bill for excluding contractors had passed that house, but ministers and their friends confidently predicted its rejec tion in the house of lords, so that all which had been done in consequence of the pile of parchment on the table, containing the sentiments and peti tions of above a hundred thousand electors, amount ed to no more than the adoption of one single clause of Burke's' bill, which standing thus naked and solitary, was of little or no importance. He trusted, however, that the people of England would resent the insult they sustained, from those avIio to oppression 234 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, oppression and neglect had added mockery and; xxxvn. contempt. The great objects of the petitioners 1780. had been resisted in argument, and by the public avowals of the minister and his. friends. .They had asserted, in contradiction to the petitioners, that the influence of the crown was not too extent sive, and ought not to be retrenched; and that the house Avas not competent to inquire into the expenditure of the civil list. To bring these points fairly to issue, he Avould abstract tAvo propo sitions from the petitions, short, simple, and cal culated to draw forth a direct affirmative or nega tive. If the committee agreed in them, he should propose real, substantive, practical measures ; but should they disagree or dissent, or endeavour to evade or procrastinate, there would be, at once, an end of the petitions, and a full ansAver to the peti tioners. His first proposition Avas, " that the influence " of the croAvn has increased, is increasing, and " ought to be diminished." The opponents of this dangerous axiom argued that it was not fairly deduced from the petitions, unsupported by evidence, and of a nature too abr stract for the house to decide in the shape of a vote. It tended to no giA'en object, for it did not affect % to say, that the influence of the crown Avas in it self improper, or had been unfairly increased, but made a leap from two isolated assertions to an un founded conclusion, that the influence ought to be diminished. Lord Nugent observed, that Biackstone and Hume, Avho were quoted by Dun ning, had said that the influence of the croAvn be gan to shoAV itself in 1 742 : he sat in parliament before that period, and remembered that similar speculations and clamours had then long prevailed; he then, and still considered them totally un founded. Trie GEORGE 11L 2S5 The general events of lord North's administra- CHAP. tion were cited to prove, that by the corrupt influ- ^*^k ence of the croAvn he retained his office in opposi- 1780. tion to the sense of the nation. His Avhole busi- ' ness, for a series of years, had been to.make excuses, and devise expedients ; to find supplies from year to year, without inventing any method in finance, any scheme of supply, comprehensive or perma nent* The people Avould bear taxes, though enor mous, Avhen they heard of victories, and an exten sion of commerce and territory ; but were apt to jndge of ministers, not from ingenious excuses made for their conduct, either by themselves or others, but from the success that folloAved their measures. Sir Fletcher Norton also made a long speech, in support of the motion ; affirming the exorbitant power of the crown, and the increase of Corrupt influence. If members thought proper to Vote the petitions of so many thousands of the people false and unfounded, he .wished them joy in the prospect of meeting their constituents. It Avas already apparent, from the temper of the house, and the effect of many personal arguments, that the division would be hostile to the wishes of administration ; Mr. Dundas therefore moved, that \he chairman should leave the chair ; a proposition Avhich being understood to stifle the inquiry, was Hi received, and unsupported. Lord North vindicated his own conduct Avith great ability ; he neA^er had insinuated that his abilities were equal to his situation; he had always declared his readiness to retire whenever his sove* reign and the people should Avish it ; but if it were true, as had been asserted, that he Avas kept in office by the efforts of opposition, he could not but suppose he OAved his continuance in place to the exertions of those who had formerly contended against 236 CHAP. XXXVII. 1780. Resolu tions pass ed respect ing the in fluence of the crown. The expen diture of the civil lut: and the relief of the people. Resolutions re paid d. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. against the rights of the people of Great Britain, and Avere now knoAvn to be pursuing measures calculated to subvert the constitution. After the discussion had been protracted to a great length, Mr. Dundas obtained leave to Avith- draw his motion for vacating the chair, and to add, as an amendment to the original proposition, the words, "it is now necessary to declare." Fox, readily acceding to the amendment, enforced the principle of the original motion, by saying that if it was negatived, not only the committee, but the house should never sit again. It appears that the lord advocate's reason for this amendment was founded in a certainty of the superior strength of opposition ; and as his former effort Avas merely directed to gain time, his present aim Avas to con vert that Avhich Avas projected as a general assertion, to a temporary declaration, which might at any subsequent period be retracted or disavoAved. The amended motion Avas carried by a majority of eighteen. ' Dunning, pursuing his success, moved a se cond resolution, " that it was competent to the " house, Avhenever they thought proper, to ex- " amine into and correct abuses in the expendi- " ture of the civil list revenues." To this pro position only a feeble resistance Avas offered ; the minister, with more reason than probability of suc cess, deprecating the further proceeding of the committee. A third motion, made by Mr. Thomas Pitt, and similarly deprecated by lord North, also pass ed without a division ; affirming, that it Avas the duty of the house to provide immediate and ef fectual retlre&s of the abuses complained of in the petitions. As if afraid of giving the house a moment for recollection,' Fox moved, at pas? one oclock in the 233 tO lie. GEORGE III. the morning, that the resolutions should be imme diately reported; lord North in vain opposed the proceeding, as violent, arbitrary, and unu sual ; the report Avas brought up, and the house adjourned. On the next sitting of the committee, Dunning moved that, in order to secure the independence of parliament, and obviate all suspicions of its pu rity, the proper officer should, in future, Avithin seven days after the meeting, lay before the house an account of all monies paid out of the civil list, or any part of the public revenue, to or for the use of, or in trust for any member of parliament. However unfounded the suspicion might be, he said, the public firmly believed that large sums Avere conveyed into the pockets of their represen tatives. If any members did unduly possess them selves of" the public money, this proposition Avould distinguish them ; if not, it Avould be acceded to Avithout difficulty. Slight objections were made to the motion, as proposing a test Avhich might be unpleasant to the upper house, and beget differences; but it Avas carried1 Avithout a division. Dunning next proposed a resolution that the treasurer of the chamber, treasurer, cofferer, comp troller, and master of the household, the clerks of the green cloth, and their deputies, should be ren dered incapable of sitting in the house of commons. This motion encountered considerable opposition, and on a division of the committee, the majority in favour of the opposition Avas reduced to two.5 Before the next sitting of the committee, the indisposition of the speaker occasioned an adjourn ment of ten days, Avhich Avas moved by Dunning, and sanctioned by the general body of opposition, though objected to by lord North, as inconvenient, and detrimental to the pursuit of public business. When the speaker had sufficiently recovered to attend his duty, Dunning moved an address, requesting * »i5 to 113. 237 CHAP. xxxvn. 1 780?" 10th April. Motion for- account of monies paid to membersof pailia. ment. Vote for renderingcertain of ficers inca. pableofsitting, 14th. Illnessof the speaker. Adjourn ment. Motion again^r dissolving parliament, 258 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, requesting the king "not to dissolve the pariia- w^Zify " m6nt» or prorogue the session, till proper mea* 1780. " sures should be adopted for diminishing the in- " fluence of the crown, and correcting the other " evils complained of in the petitions." He sar castically alluded to the unusual fulness of the house, hoping the neAv comers would show their zeal for their country, their regard for the people, and their abhorrence of undue influence, by sup porting the motion, and that the two hundred and thirty-three of the sixth of April would receive an augmentation of twenty or thirty. Mr. Thomas Pitt, who seconded the motion, read resolutions of the Cambridge county-meeting, approving the late proceedings, and conjured the house not to repress the buckling confidence of the nation, and inspire popular rage; when the people Avere once inflamed, Avho could stop them, or say, " thus far " shalt thou go and no farther?" Mr. Adam was the most conspicuous opponent of the motion, and made a speech of extraordinary ability, showing the improper foundation of the petitions, and the error of those Avho had devised an appeal to the people. He painted, in terms no less animated than just, the dangers of beginning a reformation by means of the people, and cited the memorable clays of Charles I. to prove, that although human intellect and virtue were then at their greatest height ; though the patriots who be gan an opposition to the court Avere justified by the most imperious motives, yet thev Avere com pelled by increasing licentiousness to AvithdraAv from active interference, and doomed to view the overthrow of the constitution, and the establish ment of- the most oppressive and arbitrary despo tism that had ever cursed a nation. Fox made a spirited reply, ascribing the mis fortunes of Charles I. to the obstinacy and insin cerity of his character, and to the omission of an early attention to the Avishes of his subjects Avhichwould GEORGE III. 239 Would have prevented all the calamities of his reign CHAP. and mischiefs Avhich succeeded it. The ministry ^^^, and their prostitute followers, had spared no pains, 178a. scrupled at no means to traduce, calumniate, and vilify those Avho opposed them; personal Aveak- nesses, follies of youth, and foibles of age, had been exhibited to the public as enormous crimes ; some were abused for being too rich, others for being too poor, and slight indiscretions Avere converted into grievous accusations. But would these arti fices induce them to abandon their own vote, the glorious vote of the sixth of April ? A vote Avhich the present motion alone could carry into execu tion. The house Avas pledged, in the most solemn manner, to redress grievances ; like an individual Avho enters into a bond Avith a. penalty, they Avere bound to reduce the undue influence of the crown, and the penalty of non-perform ance would be a forfeiture of the affections of the people. The motion was reprobated by lord George Germaine, as an improper mode of abridging the royal prerogative ; Dundas ridiculed it as a recruit ing officer sent out by opposition to beat up for grievances and enlist motions. It was 'rejected by Rejected, a majority of fifty-one. ' After the division, Fox, in a philippic no less indigna- eloquent than severe, expressed his indignant re- t'°»°fF°** sentment at the vote, Avhich he termed treacherous, scandalous, and disgraceful. Not so in those Avho opposed the proposition of the sixth of April ; they acted consistently, and like men differing upon principle, and would have been guilty of the most shameful versatility, if they abandoned the mea sures they had once avowed. But Avho could con template, without mingled indignation and surprise, the conduct of another set of men, who after vot ing with him that the influence of the croAvn ought to 1 2j4 to 203, 240 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, to be diminished, pledging themselves to the xxxvn. house, the nation, their constituents, the people ^acT^ at large, to each other, and to themselves, for the redress of grievances, abandoned that solemn engagement by rejecting the means proposed : it was shameful, it Avas base, it was unmanly, it was treacherous. The contempt he felt for those Avho were at the devotion of the minister, Avas mingled sometimes with pity, and sometimes with so much respect as Avas clue to the solitary virtue of fidelity, gratitude, or consistency. They did not take in their patron or their friends Avith false hopes or delusive promises; they divided regularly Avith the minister, through thick and thin, on every question. To concur in general propositions, and refuse as sent to effective ones, Avas a paradox in party,' and in politics; he was taken in, deluded, imposed upon. He trusted, hoAvever, that such gross tergiver sation would never pass without detection, nor fail to be folloAved by the contempt it deserved * he did not despair' that the people Avould see and pursue their own interest at a general election, that they would learn to distinguish betAveen their open friends and foes, and their Avorst of enemies, the concealed ones. Lord North extended the protection of his eloquence to those Avho had draAvn on themselves this severe attack ; he said Fox's language Avas such as no provocation could justify; it Avas indecent, and improper ; an invective, and not a parliamentary speech. He bantered the leader of opposition with considerable humour and effect on his irritability at finding himself in a minority again, after having, for a short moment of his life, been in a majority, and contrasted it with his own philosophical calmness, Allien he stood in so unexpected and novel a situation. He did not think himself justified in rising in .-the anguish of defeat and disappointment, and accusing Furtherproceedings on the petitions. 26th. Report of the com mittee re fused. GEORGE III. 241 accusing those Avho had frequently voted Avith him, CHAP. of baseness, treachery, versatility, and other im- ?5?Yi^ proper motives, and he recommended Fox not to 1780. be, for the future, so rash and hasty. Although lord North truly observed on this occasion, that the petitions, and the resolutions framed on them, Avere still before the house, and the rejection of one single measure did not pre clude the right of further consideration, yet this defeat of, opposition did, in fact, conclude the discussion. A motion by serjeant Adair, for Avith- 19th May. holding the grant of further supplies, till the griev ances of the people Avere redressed, Avas negatived without a debate;1' and Avhen Dunning moved to receive the report of the committee on the tenth of April, the question for the chairman's quit ting the chair Avas carried by a majority of forty- three." Sue a Avas the termination of this famous con test, Avhich, considering the means used to in terest the people at large, the strenuous exer tions of opposition, the alarming tendency of the resolutions past on the sixth and tenth of April, and the menacing aspect of the times, may be safely pronounced one of the most critical strug gles Avhich the constitution had sustained since the Revolution. It will natnrally strike the reader with as much astonishment as it did the public, that a house of commons which had so warmly adopted the Ame rican war, and supported the measures of govern ment with so large a majority, should assent to Mr. Dunuing's extraordinary motion against the influence of the croAvn, and for the exclusion of persons holding certain offices of government from sitting in parliament. It will appear no less to s+. 177 to 134. Vol. III. R mcon- 242 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, inconceivable, that having manifested so decided a xxxvil resolution to overturn the ministry, the same 1780. 'house should, after a recess of only fourteen days, negative all the subsequent motions of opposition, thouffh intended to carry their former resolutions into effect. This sudden change in the conduct of the house, has been attributed solely to influence and corruption, and those independent members Avho thus thwarted the effects of their former vote, have been accused of inconsistency and treachery. But their conduct in both cases naturally resulted from the temper of the times, the state of the ministry, and the violence of op position. The distracted state of Ireland, the unsuccess ful progress of the Avar in America, aud the de graded condition of the English navy, Avhich had suffered the united fleets of France and Spain to ride triumphant in the Channel, and menace the British coasts, excited general alarm and indig nation. The divided state of the cabinet, the candid and easy temper of lord North, and the unpopularity of lord Sandwich and lord George Germaine, increased the ferment and apprehensions of the nation, and induced many independent members of the house of commons, Avho Avere Warm friends to government, to second the efforts of opposition. On the other hand, the marquis of Rockingham and Sir George Savile's charac- ' ter for integrity, the manly spirit of Fox, and the splendid falents of Burke, inspired hope and confidence, and the parliament, as Avell as the people, were inclined to any measure, not detri mental to the constitution, which Avas likely to ¦ substitute an efficient cabinet in the room erf a distracted ministry. Such Avas the general disposition at the time of GEORGE ill. S43 of Mr. Dunning's first motion, on the influence of CHAP. the croAvn, which Avas accordingly carried by a ^^J^ majority of eighteen. But on his second motion, 178°- for the exclusion of certain persons holding- offices under government, the violence of the op position had already disgusted many of their neAv adherents, and the question passed by a majority of only two. In this situation of affairs, the ill ness of the speaker occasioned an adjournment of ten days, and after the recess, the opposition being too eager to pursue their advantages, alarmed the moderate party by a motion which tended not to diminish, but to annihilate the poAver of the crown, and to revive the tyranny of the long- parliament. Accordingly the house threAV out, by a majority of fifty-one, the last motion of Mr. Dunning. u % 244 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAPTER THE THIRT Y'EIGHTH '. 177S — 1779—1780 — 1781. Effects of appeals to the people. — Origin and progress1 of the riots in Edinburgh and Glasgow on the subject of popery. — Formation of Protestant associations. — Discussions in parliament. — Cor responding committees established. — Lord George Gordon elected president of the Protestant associations. — Effects of debating so cieties. — Intemperance of lord George Gordon. — Petitions to parliament against the Catholics. — London petition. — Meeting at Coachmaker's Hall. — -Meeting of petitioners in Saint George's Fields. — Motion by the duke of Richmond for a reform of parlia ment.— The members insulted. — The house of commons interrupted. Chapels of embassadors burnt — Riots subside— and are renewed. —Privy council held. — Proclamation. — Riots more alarming. — Parliament adjourned. — Numerous conflagrations— Timidity of government. — Second privy council. — Exertions of themilitary. The riots quelled.— Lord G eorge G ordon committed to the Tower. - — King's speech on the riots. — Lord Mansfield's opinion on a military interference. — -Petitions rejected by parliament. — Judi cious speech from the throne on terminating the session.-^-Poli- tical effect of the riots. — Trial of the rioters — And of Lord George Gordon.— Dissolution of parliament. CHAP. TT is a misfortune ever attendant on appeals to xxwin. X "the people in questions of government, that 1778^ tne first measures, however reasonable.and mode- f^ais'to iate-' become perverted in the harids of enthusiasts iheplopTe. °r intriguers. Extravagant or designing men, assuming the direction of the populace, find it easy to obtain a dangerous ascendancy; and through Avant of discretion, or Avant of integrity to guide aright the steps of the erring and giddy multitude, tremendous effects are the result of causes apparently inadequate, and in their origin contemptibly insignificant. While men of the first talent and fortune Avere, by means Avhich they considered constitutional and regular, attempting 5 to GEORGE III. 0,4,5 to excite in the minds of the real constituents of CHAP. the representative body, a disgust against the ^^i^ system of government, and urging them to clamour J77S> for changes, far top important to be so dictated, a rash fanatic uniting enthusiasm Avith obstinacy and unlimited impudence, produced all the mis chievous effects of madness, combined with wick edness. By his influence over the lower order of people, he Avas enabled to silence and disperse the legislature, paralyze the civil arm, and deliver up the metropolis of Britain, for several successive days, to the alarm of pillage, the honors of Avide- spreading conflagration, and the devastations of junbridled ferocity. The repeal or modification of the act of the Growth of tenth and eleventh of William III. for preventing f^Scot-"1 jhe growth of popery, Avas the means of adding land. the fury of religious bigotry to the rage of politi cal , discussion, and of engendering a dark and di abolical fanaticism, Avhich disgraced and disturbed the kingdom. The benefits extended to Roman JCathoiics by the repealing act* did not extend to Scotland; but as a loyal declaration of the people of that persuasion Avas supposed to have consider ably influenced government in affording relief to those in England, and as their peaceable and or derly behaviour on every occasion, rendered them .unexceptionable objects of legislative benevolence, measures Avere commenced for procuring, in their Proposals behalf, some relaxation of a. system of law uncom- £^oe,;*e monly severe, and frequently, even in modern » Tive benefits procured to Papists by this repeal were, an exemption «f bishops, priests, and instructors of youth, from prosecution and im prisonment, a security of the rights of inheritance, and permission to pur chase lands in fee simple j. but the Catholics were not to enjoy these privi leges except on condition of taking the oaths of allegiance, of renunciatioa of the Stuart family ; an abjuration of the positions that it is lawful ta murder heretics, and that no faith should be kept with them ; and of that principle which legalizes the deposition, or murder, of princes ex- .Communicated by the pope. They were also on oatrt to. deny the pope's authority, temporaj or civil, within this realm. b. 3 times, 246 CHAP. XXXVIII. Oct.Efforts of fanatics. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. times, enforced to the very extreme of rigour,1 Their claims being Avell founded, rational, and mo derately solicited, produced at first no sensation ; the general assembly of the church of Scotland seemed influenced by the prevailing spirit of libeT rality, and rejected, by a large majority, a proposal to remonstrate against the bill which Avas passing through the British parliament; but the gloomy rancour of fanaticism marked the opportunity, and soon found means to single out victims for popular rage. A scurrilous pamphlet Avas pro duced by a nonjuring clergyman in Edinburgh,' exciting the public animosity against the Catho lics; published at the expence of a society (to judge by this proceeding grossly misnamed) for propagating Christian knoAvledge, and circulated Avith industry and profusion among all ranks. No people on earth have a more zealous and honest regard for the interest of their church establishment than the Scots ; but the same fervour of spirit which, Avhen Avell directed, had enabled them to disregard persecution, and by passiveness alpne to triumph Over religious tyran ny, was now perverted to nefarious purposes, and rendered, among the loAver class, a motive for the commission of shameful crimes and outrages. The neAvs-papers, those ready vehicles of slander, in temperance, and sedition, were filled Avith recapi tulations and abstracts of the laAvs against Papists and popery, at once reminding the people of their great poAver over a part of the community, aud recalling, to memory the historical reasons on Avhich the grant of that power, now useless and op pressive, had been founded. The more ardent of the preachers appealed to the passions of their hearers, by incendiary declamations, and the synod of Glasgow adopted resolutions for opposing any bill which might be brought into parliament in favour of the Roman Catholics of Scotland. These GEORGE HI. 247 These resolutions were followed by several CHAP. other synods, but that of Lothian and Tweddale, ^^J; Avhich met in Edinburgh, and from Avhich great 1778- results were expected, refused to sanction any Forma- ' measure for impeding the humane intentions of tion of government in relievina; their innocent fellow sub- prote.sta« * 1 * 33SOC13.- jects. This laudable moderation afforded to tions. some zealots of Edinburgh, an opportunity of raising the cry, that the Protestant religion was abandoned ; and about a dozen tradesmen, clerks, and apprentices, erected themselves into a " com- " mittee for the Protestant interest." They pub lished in news-papers their resolutions to oppose the bill for relief of Papists,; invited general cor respondence, and through the medium of the press, endeavoured to inflame the populace against the objects of their jealousy. , Correspondence with' this new committee was speedily opened, and re solutions of boroughs, parishes, and private so cieties, together with inflammatory pamphlets, and scurrilous libels, were daily published, and circulated in every form, and in every direction. The Catholics, seeing the peril in Avhich their >779- first attempt had involved them, in vain endea- RlJtsnjn voured to retreat from the gathering storm, and Edinburgh regain their former tranquil, though insecure con dition. In a letter to lord North, which was pub lished in the London news-papers, they declined the intended application to parliament, chusing rather to sacrifice their OAvn advantages than endanger the peace of their country ; but the populace of Edinburgh, long instigated by every art in the power of misguided or designing individuals, had already prepared to execute summary vengeance, on men whom they considered the enemies of their faith. An incendiary hand-bill Avas scattered *#h Jan, about the city, inviting those Avho should find it, to meet at the Leith VVynd, on an appointed eA-ening, to pull down the pillar of popery, lately # 4 erected ; 24fe , HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, erected: such was the denomination given to a wxviii. suite of rooms, occupied by a Romish priest, one v~"^7^r/ of Avhich Avas set apart for the attendance of his congregation. This daring invitation Avas not issued till the popular mind was sufficiently pre pared ; already Avere the individuals of the perse-. cuted persuasion kept in constant terror, afraid to remain in their houses, and even hunted through the streets with derisive shouts, and threatening 2d Feb. exclamations. A numerous rabble effectually com pleted the recommended destruction, extending •their fury to another house of popish Avorship, and burning or purloining a valuable library be longing to the priest ; the dwellings thus demoi lished, Avere knoAvn to be -inhabited by various other families Of tradesmen and mechanics. The mob, unimpeded in their career, continued several days destroying the house and furniture of real or reputed Papists, insulting their persons, and threat ening their lives. Gathering courage from im punity, they extended their vieAvs, and denounced vengeance against all avIio had favoured sentii ments of toleration : in this number Avere included Dr. Robertson, the justly celebrated historian, who in his Avritings had recommended general be nevolence in matters of opinion ; and Mr. Crosbie the advocate, Avhose only imputed crime Avas that of professionally drawing up the bill intended for parliament, Reprehen- During such scenes, the inactivity of the sibiecon- civil power, if sufficiently strong in itself, or ade quately reinforced by extraneous assistance, would have seemed highly censurable; but the provost of Edinburgh av$s more than inacti\re ; his con duct Avas an indirect sanction, if not an incentive to a rabble, Avho being Avithout order, and Avithout partizans of any consequence, Avould have shrunk back from t,he first combined or regular resistance. Their intentions Avere manifested, not Only by the hand- ni'tt of the magistracy GEORGE m, . 249 hand-bills streAved in the streets, but by several CHAP, minor acts of outrage before the grand attack, xxxvhe yet' the prOvost only promised, on a formal appli-. 1779. cation, to convoke the deacons of the corpora-. tion, and caution them to use their influence in. dissuading the people from joining in the intend-. ed tumult ; and Avhen a lieutenant of the naA'y, commanding a press-gang, offered to quell the ribt, he Avas commanded by the provost to quit Edinburgh. The city guard Avas no more alert than the chief magistrate in repressing these cri minal excesses ; and when the military, under the duke of Buccleugh, generously offered to preserve the peace, they were not only prevented from in terfering, but the -prisoners, whom they took in the very act of burning a house, were discharged by the provost, and permitted to rejoin their fel- Ioav criminals. Terror at length effected Avhat a sense of public duty had failed in producing, and the magistrates claimed military assistance, by which the tumult was speedily quelled. The pro- 6 h - . vost and his colleagues filled up the measure of their absurdities by a ridiculous proclamation, in Avhich, from a desire to " remove the fears and apprehensions which had distressed the minds of many well-meaning people in the metropolis, Avith regard to the repeal of the penal statutes against Papists, the magistrates informed them, and the public in general, that the bill for that purpose. was totally laid aside : it was therefore expected that such (?. e. Avell-meaning) persons would care fully avoid connecting themselves Avith any tu multuous assembly for the future." They pro mised to take the most vigorous measures for re pressing tumults and riots which might after wards arise ; " being satisfied that future disorders Could proceed only from the Avicked vieAvs of bad and designing men." This acknoAvledgment of their past neglect, and appearance of coincidence C50 CHAP. XXXVIII. 1779. 9th Feb. Riots at Glasgow. j 5th Mar. Discussed in parlia ment. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. in sentiment Avith the rioters, was at once an in sult to the sufferers, and a triumph to the mob. The miserable victims of persecution remained unsupported, no attempt Avas made to redress their grievances, they were still afraid to appear public ly, and their subsistence Avas chiefly derived from the clandestine bounty of their friends. Edinburgh furnished an example sufficiently inviting to the fanatics of GlasgoAV, though the objects of persecution were so feAv, that they had not a chapel, or even a priest. The chief fury of the populace fell on the house and Avorks of Mr. Bagnal, a gentleman from Staffordshire, who had established in the vicinity a manufactory for the pottery distinguished by the name of his OAvn county. His property Avas utterly destroyed, and his Avife and family, after many indignities, com pelled to seek refuge in the city, the neighbours being afraid" to shelter them. The magistrates and clergy, however, Avithout delay repaired the de predations of the mob, by bountifully relieving the exigencies of the sufferers, and liberally re- fundina; Mr. Bagnal's Avhole loss.b These violences could not escape the attention of parliament. On the first appearance of the lord advocate Dundas in the house of commons after the riots, he Avas interrogated by Wilkes respecting the completion of a promise, made the last session, to bring in a bill for relieftff his Catholic country men. With his usual frankness, the lord advocate stated, that from the violences and insurrections in all parts of Scotland, it had been agreed, be tAveen him and the principal people of that per suasion, to defer measures of relief, till subsiding prejudice should leave room for the operation of * Taken principally from Considerations on the State of the Roman Catholics in Scotland: A Memorial to the Public in behalf of the Ca tholics in Edinburgh and Glasgow, containing an account of the riot against them in February 1779 ; ahd, Fanaticism and Treason, or a His, tory of the rebellious Insurrections in June 1780, first edition. cool GEORGE III. • 251 cool persuasion. V/ilkes made an animated reply, CHAP. decrying the sacrifice of the dignity of parliament ^^XijH. to the seditious populace of Scotland. London, 1779. he said, might, after the example of Glasgow and Edinburgh, prevent by insurrection any matter, hoAvever important, from being brought into par liament. He animadverted on the magistrates, their apology for the rabble, and their promise of concession, and did not hesitate to pronounce, that when the Catholics could not find protection 'for their lives and properties even in the capital,. there was a dissolution of all government. Burke introduced a further discussion on the 18th Mar. subject, by presenting a petition from the injured Catholics for compensation and further security. Fox, in supporting the prayer, said, the honour and humanity of the house ought not to be limited to compensation, but they should repeal the penal laAvs, undeterred by petty insurrections in a little corner of the empire. Umvilling to urge extre mities, lord North suspended the consideration of the petition, by the previous question ; declaring that voluntary compensation Avould be made, which Avas more eligible than compulsory. Such proceedings, both in England and Scot- Corre. land, could not be' expected to repress the active ^"^j"^ genius of fanaticism once let loose; politics min- I0imedj gled in the question, and eighty-five correspond ing: societies, similarly formed Avith that of Edin burgh, Avere speedily erected under the specious pretext of protecting the Protestant religion. Lord and Lord George Gordon, a wild, enthusiastic, moody fa- o^on natic, Avas elected their president: he replied to elected Fox's suggestions in the late debate, by declaring^ President- it highly inexpedient to tolerate the Catholics of Scotland, equally with those of England or Ire land ; and before the end of the session, moved, 5.th M^y. but his motion Avas not seconded, that the popish petition presented by Burke should " be throAvn " over societies. 252 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. " over the table." In his speech, he daringly as- xxxviii. Serted that the Avhole- people of Scotland, fit to ^79^ bear arms, except a feAV Roman Catholics, Ayere ripe for insurrection and rebellion, and had invited him to be their leader or privy counsellor. It was not in the power of parliament, consistently 'Avith the act of union, to alter the religious law of Scotland ; the natives Avere impressed Avith that opinion, and Avould perish in arms, or prevail in the contest. Effects of Although the active-spirit of fanaticism had debating ]ong subsided in England, sufficient means were not wanting to give birth and vigour to a dange rous combination, in which politics and religion might be united in the production of formidable commotions. Meetings of men desirous, either from the necessity of professional pursuit, the hopes of adventitious advantage, or the solicita^ tions of personal vanity, to excel in the arts of oratory, had long been established in the metro polis : they had been hitherto considered always harmless, sometimes useful, often ridiculous ; they had been satirized from the press, and on the stage, but ridicule alone was employed against them. The modern rage of discussion brought them into more conspicuous notice; they were resorted to by men of lively talents, though of confined in formation; public measures were debated before large audiences ; and, as little delicacy was pre served in, mentioning the names, or alluding to the conduct of exalted personages, all Avho found pleasure in gross abuse, and harsh raillery, occa sionally intermingled with Avit, and sometimes pre senting a scanty portion of information, frequent-. ed these assemblies, Avhich Avere termed debating societies. Religion occupied a portion of the topics debated on ordinary days, and separate societies Avere established for the- discussion of §acred subjects on Sundays. By means of these- clnbs* GEORGE HI. 253 clubs, lord George Gordon succeeded informing CHAP a "Protestant association" in England, of which, 3^XiJ^ as in Scotland, he Avas declared president. While 1779. a man of his birth and station could condescend to court such an assemblage, his countenance and protection was to them a subject of pride, and of individual gratification. His family Avas in a high degree honourable, he was a member of the British parliament, and though his absurd speeches fre quently thinned the house, still they often display ed abilities, and Avere mixed Avith no inconsidera ble portion of coarse sarcastic Avit. Opposition treated him with complacency, and something very like encouragement ; the most distinguished leaders called him in public their honourable friend, and often supported his arguments, and justified his conduct in the house. His success in forming these associations con- intem- stderably augmented, Avhat appeared to want no ££""" increase, his violence and gross buffoonery. On George the first day of the session, Avhile dilating in most °0T*??' uUAvarrantable term's on the disposition of the 2St people' of Great Britain and Ireland, he said the indulgences granted to Papists had alarmed all Scotland, Avhere the people Avere determined to guard against a sect in such favour Avith the mini stry : nor Avere these sentiments confined to him self; government should find a hundred and twenty thousand men at his back, Avho Avould avoAv and support them, and whose warmth of spirit was still greater than his own. They had Sent petitions to the ministers who had disregard ed, to the lord chancellor who had suppressed, and to the speaker who had incurred displeasure by not delivering them to the house of commons. They had now printed their sentiments and resolutions, which he Avas to deliver to the king and the prince of Wales, for their instruction On the manner in which the Scots would consent to be governed. The 254 CHAP. XXXVIII. >779- 1780. 8th Mar. Petitions to parlia ment against the Catholics. nth Apr. 1st May. 8th May. London petition. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. The people of Scotland, he said, Avere irritated, and in matters of religion exasperated, being con vinced that the king Avas a Papist. The indifference Avith Avhich these indecent and almost treasonable attacks Avere endured, probably arose, partly from respect to the family of this in temperate man, and partly from a notion that he Avas not free from insanity. During the Avhole ses sion, however, he continued the same course of ribaldry. He constantly boasted of the number of men attached to his person and subjected to his will, calumniated the king, and defied parliament. In a debate on Burke's reform bill, after fatiguing the , house with a series of absurdities, he asserted that he had in Scotland a hundred and sixty thousand men at his command, and if the king did not keep his coronation oath, they Avould do more than abridge his revenue, they Avould cut off his head. It Avould be much beneath the dignity of history to record the excesses of so coarse a fanatic, but for the fatal consequences with which they Avere atteuded.' A petition had already been presented to the house of commons, signed by nearly three thousand inhabitants of Rochester, and another from Maidstone, praying a repeal of the act allow ing indulgences to Catholics; Avhen lord George Gordon thought proper by public advertisement, as president of the Protestant association, to invite a petition from the inhabitants of London and its envirous, on the same subject. " If they united," he told them, " as one man for the honour of God, " and liberties of the people, the kingdom might " yet experience the blessing of divine Providence, " and the restoration of love and confidence c Numerous instances of his violence and ribaldry are not here com memorated 5 they may be found in the debates from 1778 to 1780, or a copious collection of them in the Political Magazine for June 1780, which contains the greatest details of the violent transactions of that month. among GEORGE III. 255 " among brethren. But if they continued obsti- chap. " nate in error, and spread idolatry and corrup- xxxvin. " tion through the land, nothing could be ex- ,1780^ " pected but division among the people, distrac- " tion in the senate, and discontent in the camp, " Avith all other calamities attendant on those na- " tions Avhom God had delivered over to arbitrary ", power and despotism." Lord George Gordon *6tn May- gave notice in parliament, of the clay Avhen this petition Avonld be presented, and of his design to require the attendance of all the petitioners, in an humble, decent, and respectful manner. For the purpose of collecting an increased ss»tn-. number of signatures, the petition Avas deposited «coadi- at his house, and, by another advertisement, he maker's called a meeting of the Protestant association at Hal1' Coachmaker's Hall, one of the most conspicuous spots Avhere debating societies were held. At this place he made a long harangue to a most crowded room, on a repeal of the act against Catholics, and therapidity AvithAvhich it had passed through parlia ment, decrying the measure as repugnant to the principles of the Revolution, and dangerous to the succession of the house of Hanover. To inflame still further the minds of his auditors, he read the catechism of the church of Rome, and an indul gence granted by the pope to his flock in England. ¦ The alarming growth of popery, he said, could only be resisted and quashed by going in a firm, manly, and determined manner to the house of commons, and displaying to their representatives their resolu tion to preserve their religious freedom with their lives. " For his part, he Avould run all hazards " with the people : and if the people were too " lukewarm to run all hazards with him, when . " their conscience and their country called them . " forth, they might get another president; he " was not a lukewarm man, and if they meant to " spend their time in mock debate, and idle op- . . " position, 256 HISTORY OF ENGLAND; CHAP. " position, they might get another leader." Lbua- xxxvin. acclamations followed this incendiary speech, at- 1780^' tended by a resolution that the whole body of the Protestant association Avould assemble in SL George's Fields, on the second of June, with blue cockades in their hats, to distinguish real Protes tants, and friends of the petition, from their enemies; The president declared that if the assemblage amounted to less than twenty thousand, he Avould not deliver the petition; a meeting of forty thousand was anticipated, and the advertisement of reso lutions assigned that as a reason for convening this petitioning army iii St. George's Fields. id June. On the day appointed, not tAventy thousand Meeting of only) but sixty, and some accounts extend them tioners to a huudred thousand, petitioners or associate!^ '" St- , met in St. George's Fields. They Avere marshalled Field?8 hi separate bands, and after an harangue from lord George, the main body made an unnecessary cir* cuit over London Bridge, and through the city, to the seat of parliament. They marched six a breast, preceded by a man carrying on his head the petition, signed Avith a hundred and twenty thousand names or marks. Motion by On this inauspicious and disgraceful day, the thedukeof t]L1ke of Richmond introduced to the lords a pro- Kicnuiond . ,, r . . . - .. * for a re- ject tor reforming the loAver house of parliament. form of fpe harangued, in the hacknied style, on the ment!" abases of government, the influence of ministers, the secret invisible power, Avhich directed the Avhole political machine, and the just complaints and pretensions of the people. His plan was to dissolve parliaments annually, abolish burgage tenures, and admit to a right of suffrage every man of full age, and not disqualified by law. The mem- This wild scheme of popular reform met with bersof a practical rebuke in the moment of its projec- wsuJeT" tion : before the sitting of the house, the mob, occupying all the passes to Palace Yard, rendered the GEORGE UI. 257 the approach difficult even to their favourites; CHAP. but those who had not acquired this disgraceful xxxvin distinction Avere robbed, beaten, and even threaten- 1780. ed with the loss of their liv^es. The mob Avere pre vented from rushing into the house by the activity and resolution of the door-keepers alone : several peers exhibited, on their entrance, incontestable proofs of the indignities they had sustained, and stated to the chair the danger of other members, while the duke of Richmond, in the genuine zeal of reform, complained of the interruption of his ha rangue, and seemed to consider his speech of more importance than the lives of lord Boston and the bishop of Lincoln, who Avere at that moment de clared to be in the hands of the rabble."1 In this ridiculous spirit of procrastination, and factious de lay, a generous proposal by lord Townshend for the house to issue forth in a body and rescue lord Boston, Avas converted into a debate Avhether the speaker should attend Avith the mace, Avhich was only terminated by the appearance of lord Boston, Avhose life might have been sacrificed to po pular rage, before assistance Avas obtained through so tardy a medium. One of the Middlesex ma gistrates Avas called to the bar, Avho declared that every exertion could only procure the atten dance of six constables, and that no civil force could quell so large and tumultuous a mob. A suggestion of the propriety of calling in the mili tary, under the authority of the civil power, Avas resisted by lord Shelburne, Avho declared, though ministers might be fond of such a measure, it should & The rage against the bishop of Lincoln, had no other foundation, than his being brother to the lord chancellor (Thurlow) : lord Boston Vas attacked on an untrue and wicked suggestion, that he was a member of the Romish church. Lord Boston effected his own liberation ; the bishop, after sustaining much insult and violence, was rescued by a young law student, received into a private house, and concealed in the Attire of a woman from the populace, (who swore they would cut the sign of the cross on his forehead) ; several other peers were maltreated. Vol. III. S never commons. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, never meet with his sanction. The original de- xxxvni. Date was interrupted;, and the peers separately re- Vi78cT'/ tired, leaving, at last, lord Mansfield, Avho had shewn, throughout the day, the utmost presence of mind, with no other protection than the officers of the house and his OAvn servants. Thepeti- Meanavhile the house of. commons exhibited doners in- a scene equally disgraceful. Many of the mem- ' tenupt the bers Avere no less ill-treated than the lords. The house of rabble took possession of the lobby, making the house resound Avith cries of "No popery," and knocking violently at the door : and Avhen it is considered hoAv powerful they then Avere, and that there Avas no resistance, it is, not easy to say Avhat prevented them from rushing- in. The motions for bringing up, and entering into the imme diate consideration of the petition,., were made by lord George Gordon, and seconded by alder man Bull : the former Avas granted of course, the latter being amended by a delay of four days; the house divided, and only nine members Avere found sufficiently flexible to consent to a delibe ration, under the influence of an outrageous mob/ During the debate preceding the division, lord George Gordon frequently Avent into the lobby, harangued liis noisy troop, and encouraged them to perseverance, by expressing hopes that the alarm would compel the king to give directions to his ministers for granting the prayer of their petition. He represented, or, to speak more correctly, mis represented, Avhat was said by the members, Avhich being observed by colonel Holroyd, he took hold of lord George Gordon Avhen he returned into the house, and said, "He had heretofore imputed his con- " duct to madness, but noAV found there Avas more of • Their names were, lord George Gordon and alderman Bull, tellers j earl Verney, Sir Philip Jennings Clerke, Sir Michael le Fleming, Sir James Lowther, Sir Joseph Mawbey, Mr. Polhill, and Mr. Tollemache. On the other side were 191. 3 " malice G E-O R G E III. 259 " malice than of madness in it, and if he repeated CHAP. " such proceedings he should immediately move xxxvin. ". for his commitment to Newgate." Lord George, 1780. With great mildness and puritanical cant, " la- " mented that a person for Avhom he had so much " respect, should consider him in that light. "-He desisted from going out at the door, but afterwards went up stairs, and spoke to the people in the lob by from a kind of gallery. General Conway in timated a determination to resist any attempt to intrude into the house ; and a member* declared, that on the bursting in of the first man his sword should pass through lord George, and not through the rioter. The house continued in this extraordinary state until about nine o'clock, when the serjeant at arms having communicated to the speaker that a de tachment of soldiers Avas drawn up in the court of requests, and the passages cleared, the house adjourned. Mr. Acklington, an active Middlesex magistrate, appearing with a party of light horse, prevailed on part of the mob to retire. Parties of them, ho Ave ver, • filed off in different directions, Chapels of and burnt and plundered the chapels of the Sardi- <;mbassa- nian and Bavarian embassadors; some Avere ap- burnt. prehended, and committed to NeAvgate. The early part of the ensuing day exhibiting no 3d June. appearances of a renewal of the late outrages, parlid- sid°rts sub" ment met without interruption. Lord Bathurst moved an address for " prosecuting the authors, " abetters, and instruments of yesterday's out- " outrages;" while the duke of Richmond im puted the AA'hole blame to the ministry, Avho al though timely apprized of the meeting, took no measures for preventing its pernicious effects. He had passed through the mob in his Avay to the house with little interruption; he heard no complaint against any laAv but the Quebec act, and he thought i Said to be colonel Murray, a relation of lord George Gordon. s 2 those 260 CHAP. XXXVIII. 1780. They are renewed. 4th June. 5*. Privylcouncilheld. Proclama tion. Riotsmorealarming. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. those complaints not ill-founded. Lord Shelburne drew a distinction between toleration and estab lishment, intimating that more than toleration had been obtained for the Catholics. Lord Bathurst's motion was agreed to, and the house having pro secuted, without interruption, a long debate on some dispatches lately received from admiral Rodney, adjourned till the sixth. Contrary, however, to all expectation, the riots were renewed in the evening; a party as sembled in Moorfields, and did some mischief under the very eye of Kennett, the lord mayor, a Aveak and ignorant man, totally void of spirit or mental resource, who might with the slightest exertion have crushed the tumult in its infancy.8 During the ensuing day, which was Sunday, their outrages were confined to Moorfields and its vicinity ; and the military, though called out, were not permitted to fire. The real damage Avas hitherto less considerable than the alarm, and government laboured under the mistake that the proceedings of the rabble portended nothing serious, but Avere mere irregularities.11 Before the draAving-room at St. James's, in compliment to his majesty's birth-day, a privy council Avas held, but the tumults yet appeared of so small importance, that no other measure Avas adopted, but a proclamation offering a reward of five hundred pounds for the discovery of those avIiq Avere concerned in destroyingthe chapels of the em bassadors. In the course of this day, however, the riots assumed a more formidable aspect; extend ing beyond the chapels of the obnoxious persua sion, and indicating a wild, ungovernable, and determined fury. The daAvn Avas ushered in by an assault on Sir George Savile's house in Leices- % See Wilkes's speech in the house of commons, 19th June 1780. * Such was the opinion expressed by lord Mansfield to Mr. Strahan. See Boswell's life of Johnson, vol. iii. p. 457. 8vo. edition. ter- GEORGE III. 261 ter-fields : he had moved the repeal of the statute CHAP. of William, and his patriotic exertions, and parlia- ^^J^, mentary renown, could not avert the fury of the 1780. mob, who demolished part of his dwelling, and burnt his furniture before the door. Ralnsforth and Maberly, tAvo respectable men of business, who had made themselves conspicuous by laud able exertions in apprehending the rioters, were for that reason singled out as victims, and their houses destroyed. In Wapping and East Smithfield, Romish ch'apels Avere rased, and the Avrecks being brought in parade before lord George Gordon's house, were burnt in the adjacent fields. This mischievous fanatic Avas now alarmed at Terror the effects of his own imprudence, and put forth Qe'°rd a hand-bill, in the name of the Protestant associa- Gordon. tion, disavowing the riots. When the house met, 6th. according to adjournment, he found some members determined to check his extravagances. Colonel Herbert, now earl of Carnarvon, called across the house, peremptorily commanding him to take from his hat the badge of sedition, the blue cockade, and threatening, if he refused, to do it himself: lord George tamely obeyed, and put the cockade in his pocket. Though the approaches Adjonrn- to the houses of parliament were as before ob- "X-* structed by the mob, no member was injured in mem. his passage, but lord Sandwich, Avho Avas Avounded, and his carriage destroyed. The house of lords, without attempting any discussion, adjourned to the nineteenth ; and the house of commons passed resolutions vindicating their own privileges, and an address for repairing the injuries done to the property of foreign embassadors, and prosecuting, by the attorney-general, those who had occasioned or abetted the disturbances. Some members of opposition seemed sensible of the dreadful emer gency to Avhich the country Avas reduced, and dis posed to strengthen government. Burke, who s 3 was 262 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. ¦CHAP, was implicated in the odium of having favoured xxxvin. Rornan Catholics, recommended unanimity and ^So. defensive associations; and Sir George Savile thanked the ministry for the assistance of the mi litary in protecting his chyelling ; Fox, however, refused his support to government, alleging that administration had dissolved every bond of society, and disgraced all Avho acted with them ; and an intimation that it Avould be proper to expel lord George Gordon, Avas received Avith marks of diap- probation. A concession was made to the rabble, which, if founded in prudence, was deficient in dignity, by a resolution, " That as soon as the " tumults subsided, the house Avould proceed to " the consideration of the petitions of his ma- " jesty's Protestant subjects." Excessive This second collection of the mob gave new rioierf the f°rce to disorder, as the former slight attempts to restrain the rioters, only served to make magi stracy ridiculous, and impart to guilt the hardi- .hood arising from impunity. While the houses were sitting, the minister's abode in DoAvning- street Avas attacked, but protected by the military. The insurgents, no longer undetermined in their purpose, or deficient in advisers, Avere marshalled 6th&7th. in bands, and sent on distinct expeditions, Avhich Numerous during tAvo davs Avere executed with rapidity and conftagra- o J . 11 tions.. success, spreading universal alarm, and threaten ing general devastation : religion Avas now hardlv a pretence, though the inhabitants of the metro polis and its vicinity Avere obliged, as a protection to their property, to chalk on their dwellings the words " no popery," and to pay Avithout re sistance the irregular contributions demanded by the rioters, Avhich were levied according to their caprice or rapacity. It Avere a vain and useless task to pursue methodically the train of Avaste and ha vock, and trace the mischief committed by this licentious rabble during their two days dominion, Avith GEORGE III. - 263 with any affectation of precision. The prisons of C H A P. • Newgate and Clerkenwell, the Compters, the Fleet, ™^>" the King's Bench, and the Marshalsea, and the 1780. gaols of Southwark, Avere emptied of their felons and debtors, and destroyed or greatly damaged.1 The houses of Sir John Fielding, Hyde, and Cox, magistrates of Middlesex, Avere plundered and burnt ; the dAvelling of the lord chancellor Avas saved by posting a few soldiers in the house ; but the abode of lord Mansfield met a different fate ; furniture, books, and pictures, and, Avhat Avas a still more irreparable loss, his manuscripts, formed during so long and active a jurisprudential and political life, all Avere sacrificed to the brute rage of a detestable rabble. The venerable chief justice escaped by a back way, and Avrapt in a cloak, safely arrived at the door of a friend, re questing admittance. His wine and liquors Avere poured out in profusion, and probably the hope of similar plunder, more than the circumstance of their being Roman Catholics, drew the attention of the mob to two houses of the Langdales, dis tillers in Holborn, which Avere burnt, Avith several neighbouring buildings. The rioters drank at the same time such quantities of spirituous liquors, that many were burnt and many overwhelmed in ruins. A reluctance, rather inexcusable than un- Timidity accountable, had enervated the arm of govern- °|ef°*eri1* ment, and prevented the due employment of the military during the progress of these disgraceful transactions. A general supineness seemed to per vade every department; no specific orders were issued, and without them no magistrate would venture to exercise the authorities confided to him by the riot act. The transactions of 1768, when 1 The assault of Newgate without arms, was the most desperate at tempt that could be conceived. A building so strong, that had a dozen men resisted, it seemed almost impossible to take it without artillery. s 4 a Surrey fi64 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 1780. 7th.Second privycouncil Chap, a Surrey magistrate was tried on a capital indict- ! • ment for such an exertion, and those avIio obeyed his order Avere prosecuted with all the malignity of party, Avere not yet forgotten, nor could the mi nisters dismiss from their ears those fulminations which had so recently sounded in parliament, when they merely appointed a military guard, at a time Avhen a mob Avas brought to their OAvn doors, during the discussion .of the popular petitions. The rage of opposition, and violence of invective which had prevailed during the Avhole session, and the many attempts Avhich Avere daily making to render the people active and efficient in govern ment, account, but do not apologize, for the ti midity of administration.11 In this emergency a privy council Avas con vened, at Avhichnot cabinet ministers alone, but all Avho had a seat Avere desired to attend : the king himself was present : -^-irresolution still prevailed ; nor Avas any thing decisive or effectual sug gested. The council had risen, AvheVi the king anxiously demanded, if no measure could be re commended. The attorney-general ansAvered he kneAv but of one — that of declaring the tumult rebellious, and authorizing the military to act where necessity required, although the magistrates should not attend. The king desired him to make out the order, which he did at the table on one knee, and a proclamation was drawn up, and orders from the adjutant-general's office issued accord ingly. It Avas confidently pronounced that this 1 k Lord Chatham, for the preservation of the country, committed two acts, which he considered illegal : he arrested a sAispicious foreigner by a general warrant, and he laid an embargo on vessels laden with corn ; his vindication of his conduct was a lesson, and ought to be a model to ministeis; " I know the illegality," he said, " but I exercised power for the salvation of the country, at the risque of my life, and were my life to be the certain forfeit, I would again, in similar circumstances, act the same part." ' From private information. See the proclamation and order, Annual Register, 1780. p. 265, 266. order GEORGE III. 265 order would immediately put an end to the riots. CHAP. The proclamation did not issue till the evening, ^*Y^ but the public soon experienced its good effects. 1780. Orders had been sent in various directions for troops to protect the metropolis ; a part of the Northumberland militia, Avhichhad marched tAven- ty-five miles during the day, reached Lincoln's Inn just as it became night. The conflagrations at th june Langdale's and at Holborn Bridge, Avere tremendous, and appeared to spread Avith alarming rapidity.™ A detachment went immediately, under the com mand of colonel Holroyd, to those places, and were the first to put a stop to the outrages of the mob, but not before several were killed in the act of breaking into and firing the houses." The guards soon dispersed the rioters at Blackfriars bridge, and several were pushed over the balustrades into the Thames. The resolution to use force, was adopted only in time to avert national ruin. The mob had formed the design of attacking the Bank, and cut- ing off the pipes by Avhich the town is supplied with Avater, but, fortunately, too late for execu tion. The military took possession of every avenue Thg ^ to the Bank, which was also barricaded and strongly queiierd°. guarded ; the populace made two attempts in dif ferent quarters, but were easily repulsed, and could not be rallied : feeble and hesitative shouts subsided into distant murmurs; and after a short space into total silence. The regular firing of the sol diery produced a tremendous effect, and the mobj m The night was uncommonly serene and fine, a perfect calm, other wise the conflagration must have spread over the close parts of the town, especially as the firemen were sometimes prevented from working their engines, and sometimes joined in the pillage themselves. " It was said there had been little combination or plan in the proceed ings of the mob, yet a standanl-bearer on horseback in their rear was shot, and the body and standard conveyed away in a hackney soach j and another standard, under a small escort, was met by the detachment on its way ts Holborn. attentive 266 CHAP. XXXVIII. 1780. 2th. Restora tion of tranquillity. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. attentive to their own safety, and employed in removing their wounded associates, fled regardless of the orders of their leaders. Similar success at tended similar exertions in other quarters ; and those who at night had been terrified by the shouts of an unnumbered populace, and distracted Avith the portentous gleam of six-and-thirty separate conflagrations, saAv in the morning no vestiges of alarm, but smoking ruins, marks of shot, and traces of blood, designating the route of the Avounded fugitives,* The house of commons met the next day, but declined proceeding to business, under the notion that the metropolis was subjected to martial laAv, and therefore adjourned to the day appointed by the upper house. The impression Avhich this sup position Avas calculated to produce, was removed by the publication of a hand-bill, expressly deny ing it : business soon fell into its accustomed course ; the courts of laAv, Avhich, on the first day of the term had been opened merely pro forma, noAV resumed their sittings, and alarm soon soften ed into mere measures of caution, and preparations for defence against the repetition of outrages. The soldiers ordered from the country, effected their march with zealous precipitation ; the inha bitants of every place at Avhich they halted, tes tified, by hospitable solicitude, a due sense of the • The return made to Lord Amherst on the occasion was, Killed — By association troops and guards 109 By light horse - - - - - - 101 Died in hospitals --.-_- - 75 Under cure in hospitals 2i,S 173 458 This account is undoubtedly defective, as many dead and wounded were removed by their friends ; and it is impossible to calculate how many were suffocated with spirituous liquors, and smothered in ruins.. impor- GEORGE III. 267 importance of their services : they were disposed CHAP. in camps in the parks, in the Museum gardens, ^Sil/ and Lincoln's Inn gardens. Volunteer associa- 1780. tions for the protection of liberty and property were formed, and supported with great spirit; and the temporary absence of government and secu rity, seemed to enhance their value, and inspire unusual zeal for their preservation. On" the second day after these outrageous trans- 9th- actions, lord George Gordon Avas apprehended by George virtue of an order from the secretary of state, and Gordon committed to the Tower, on a charge of high trea- ""the""6 son. In his examination before the privy coun- Tower. cil, he shewed great feebleness, and seemed sur prised at the results of his OAvn folly. He was escorted to his place of confinement by a nume rous guard ; but his discomfited adherents Avere intent on concealment from the pursuit of offended justice, and too sensible of their OAvn Aveakness to attempt his rescue.p Wilkes, whose name is so inseparably con- Spirited nected Avith the history' of the reign as to render bf'1^-'1°|"r his conduct, on such an occasion, Avorthy of re gard, behaved, during these transactions, Avith the intrepidity and judgment becoming a magistrate of the metropolis. At the height of the tumults, 6lh june. the publisher of a seditious periodical work, ad vertised a neAv paper, recommending the people to " persevere in resisting the infernal designs of " the ministry, designed to overturn the religion " and civil liberties of the country, and introduce " popery and slavery." Wilkes caused this mis creant to be apprehended, and assisted the mili tary in resisting the inroads of lawless violence. P For this account, besides the periodical publications, in many of which the facts are very accurately nai rated ; I have consulted Fanaticism and Treason ; Considerations on the Late Disturbances, by a Consistent Whig • the State and Behaviour of the English Catholics ; and several other pamphlets : the Trial of lord George Gordon, and the trials of the different rioters ; and hare received considerable private information. At 268 CHAP. XXXVII. 1780. 19th. King'sspeech to Parliament. LordMans field's opi nion on military interfer- HISTORY OF ENGLAND. At the adjourned meeting of parliament, the king, in a short speech from the throne, recapitu lated the measures he had adopted, and submitted to each house, copies of the proclamations. All parties concurred in approving his majesty's conduct; the only differences in opinion arose from the reflections on the ministry, for not sooner pro tecting the metropolis by the armed force, and a discussion on the legality of military interfe rence. This important topic Avas accurately and definitively illustrated by lord Mansfield ; and his opinion has ever since been regarded as consti tutional laAv. He disembarrassed the question from all doubts relative to constructive treason, by proving that the late riots amounted to direct overt acts of high treason. But besides these, the insurgents Avere guilty of felony, by burning pri vate property, demolishing and robbing private houses, and other acts of undisguised violence. This Avas the true ground of the proclamation for calling out the military. Every man might, and, if required by a magistrate, must interfere to sup press a riot; much more to prevent acts of felony, treason, and rebellion. What an individual might do, was laAvful to any number of persons assembled for a laAvful purpose : it Avould be needless to prove that magistrates might legally act in a manner not forbidden to other subjects ; constables Avere particularly charged to apprehend persons engaged in breaches of the peace, felony, or treason, and in case of resistance, to attack, Avound, and even kill those who continued to resist. A private man seeing another commit an unlaAvful act might ap prehend the offender, and by force compel sub mission, not to the assailant but to the law, and so might any number of men assembled or called together for the purpose. This doctrine the chief justice stated to be clear and indisputable, Avith all the possible consequences which might flow from GEORGE III. 269 from it, and the true foundation for calling in the CHAP. military to assist in quelling the late riots. The ^3iJi> persons who so assisted were, in the contemplation 1780. of law, mere private individuals amenable to the laws of the country, and the wearing of a red coat did not make a man less liable to be called on for his assistance than any other person. If a military man exceeded the powers Av;th which he was in vested, he must be tried and punished, not by the martial code, but by the common and statute laws of the realm. Consequently, the idea that the metropolis Avas under martial law, and that the military had more power since the riots than they had before, was an idle and ill-founded appre hension. The sentiments of lord Mansfield, on so im portant a topic, claimed the utmost attention, and the consideration of his years and sufferings in the late unhappy tumults, added to the interest with which he Avas regarded. In prefacing his opinion, he avowed that he had formed it Avithout having recourse to books, adding the pathetic ex clamation, indeed I have no books to consult : all his auditors seemed impressed with the sincerest sympathy, and to deplore the loss he had sustained as a national misfortune and disgrace. Notwithstanding the prevailing indignation City Pe- against the late disgraceful excesses, some indi- '";'°"t*he viduals in the house of commons pleaded the cause Catholics. of the associators. Alderman SaAvbridge brought wp a petition from the common council of the city, which Wilkes reprobated, as obtained during the height of the disturbances (7th June) and by sur prise, when most of the members had departed, in the belief that the business of the day was over. He reproached the lord mayor and alderman Bull for supineness and factiousness: had the chief magistrate taken proper care of the city, he said, the°tumults would have been suppressed in their origin ; 270 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, origin;9 and Bull had countenanced the insur- xxxvm. gents, by permitting the constables of his ward to V"^8o^ Avear the ensign of sedition in their hats ; and by appearing publicly, arm-in-arm, with the great instigator of the riots. Petitions The house resolved itself into a committee for. rejected. considering the petitions against the tolerating law, which Avere principally enforced by alderman Bull and Sir Joseph Mawbey. Burke distinguish ed himself in favour of toleration, avowing, at the same time, the firmest attachment to the doctrines of the church of England ; and on his motion, the house adopted five resolutions, expressive of their satisfaction in the laAv as it existed ; and their ab horrence of the late tumults, as Avell as the misre presentations Avhich had given birth to them. Bill for As in these debates some apprehensions Avere ex- preventing pressed relative to the influence Avhich Catholics from°each- might acquire by being intrusted with the autho- ing youth; rities of tuition, Sir George Savile brought in a bill for depriving them of the right of keeping- schools, or receiving youth to board in their Rejected, houses : it passed the commons, but Avas lost in the lords. 8th July. The king terminated the session Avith a judi- Endot the cjous speech, in the conclusion of Avhich he re commended to the members of the house of com mons to assist, by their influence and authority in their several counties, as they had by their unanimous support in parliament, in guarding the peace of the kingdom from further disturbances, and Avatching over the preservation of public safe ty. " Make my people sensible," he said, " of " the happiness they enjoy, and the distinguished " advantages they derive, from our excellent con- " stitution in church and state. Warn them of " the hazard of innovation ; point out to them q The lord Mayor was prosecuted by the attorney-general for his negligence, and convicted. " the GEORGE III. 27 1 " the fatal consequences of such commotions as CHAP. " have lately been excited ; and let it be your care ^^y^ " to impress on their minds this important truth ; 1780. " that rebellious insurrections to resist or reform " the laws, must end either in the destruction " of the persons Avho make the attempt, or in "the subversion of our free and happy constitu tion." The late tremendous hurricane had consider-1 Political able effect in clearing the political atmosphere : e,ffec' of trie riots* the public opened their eyes to the horrors arising from popular associations to awe, controul, or re gulate the proceedings of government, and became sensible that, however innocent or even lalidable such efforts might be in their origin, the example was easily capable of being perverted ; and unli mited mischief might arise from the perverseness or ignorance of a rash individual, giving impulse to so vast a machine as the populace. Favourable intelligence respecting the war contributed to the public satisfaction ; and the personal rancour Avhich had so long disgraced political contention, was in a great degree tempered by a better knowledge, Avhich the leaders of different parties acquired of the real sentiments by Avhich their opponents were actuated. The meeting of the privy council, at Avhich so many members of opposition attended, produced conferences, and a sort of intercourse between the two parties, which had been suspend ed during so many important years ; the ministry learned that the establishment of a republican system of government, formed no part of the scheme of their adversaries ; and the opposition discovered that, far from desiring to erect despotic poAver on the ruins of the constitution, the mini stry. Avere merely solicitous to sustain Avhat they considered just and necessary rights, and to sup port Avhat they deemed legal authorities of go vera r ment. The mutual benevolence thus introduced into 272 CHAP. xxxvin. »8th June. Trials of the rioters. 10th July- Trial of lord George Gordon. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. into the minds of many leading characters, though not immediately operative, was, afterwards, pro ductive of the most important consequences. The rioters in London and Middlesex were ar raigned at the Old Bailey. A special commission Avas issued for trying those in Surrey. The long depending arrangements with Sir William de Grey being completed, Wedderburne took his seat as chief justice of the Common Pleas, being at the same time raised to the peerage, by the title of lord Loughborough. He Avas the principal com missioner, and delivered a judicious, eloquent, and impressive charge. No harsh or intemperate zeal for vengeance actuated the judges or influenced the juries at either place : although these juries were composed of men whose properties were affected by the fines levied on the counties for reparation of damages, their proceedings Avere characterized by the humanity of British jurisprudence ; no man was convicted but on the fullest testimony ; no plea of extenuation or recommendatory circum stance Avas disregarded ; and, considering the ex tent and duration of the riots, the multitude of persons engaged, and the rewards for giving evi dence, the number of convictions Avas remarkably small : feAv parallels can be found of national in dignation so justly excited, and so easily appeased.' The sheriffs and other jailors were indemnified by parliament against any actions which might be brought for the escape of prisoners ; and the bene fits of an act of insolvency were extended to those who, after being set free by the mob, voluntarily surrendered. Lohd George Gordon Avas at first totally disregarded in his confinement ; he complained of being prevented from seeing his friends, but had ' At the Old Bailey 85 were tried ; of whom 35 were capitally con victed, 7 convicted of single felony, and 4.3 acquitted. In Surrey 50 were tried, of whom 44 were capitally convicted, and 26 acquitted. the GEORGE III. the mortification to hear that no friends had in quired for him. He aftenvard ineffectually pe titioned the house of commons to obtain his dis charge. He was tried for high treason, but, though some doubts prevailed as to the extent of his cri minality, he oAved his acquittal principally to the extraordinary zeal and talents of his counsel, Mr. Kenyon and Mr. Erskine. The societies of Glas- gOAV entered into a subscription, and remitted four hundred and eighty-five pounds for his support. He afterward fell rapidly into general disregard, though he made some desperate attempts to attract notice, by attending at St. James's to offer the declarations and resolutions of his associated rab ble to the king, and by publishing a letter on the subject of his reception. 3 In the autumn, parliament was suddenly dis solved ; the elections in some places Avere conduct ed with great spirit; in others with remarkable languor. Fox, after a long contest with lord Lin coln, was returned for Westminster: Burke Avas rejected at Bristol, having lost many friends in consequence of his supporting the trade of Ireland in opposition to the instructions of his constituents, which he wisely and magnanimously disregarded: Malton, which he bad formerly represented, again returned him, and the humble borough gained, by such a representative, an honour which that great commercial city might reasonably envy. 273 CHAP. xxxvin. 1780. Jan. 1781. 1 st Sept. 1780. Dissolu tion of pai>- liament. » See Remembrancer, vol. xii. p. 25 Vol. III. 274 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAPTER THE THIRTY-NINTH: 1780. Rodney dispatched to relieve Gibraltar. — Captures a Spanish fleet — Defeats Laugara.- —Siege and capture oj Charlestown in South Carolina.- — Clinton's address — and proclamations. — Formation of military force. — Expeditions against the Americans. — Bur- ford defeated by Tarleton. — Clinton quits Carolina. — Proceed' ings of lord Cornwallis. — Exertions of the Americans. — Treachery in South Carolina. — Crates commands the Americans. — Battle of Camden. — Tarleton defeats Sumter.— Severities of lord Corn wallis. — Colo.fel Ferguson routed and killed. — Effect of this dis aster. — End of the Campaign in Carolina.— Transactions at New York. — Incursion into the Jerseys. — Attack on Bergen Point. — Arrival of reinforcements from France. — Ineffectual attempt on Rhode Island.— Arrival of Rodney in the West Indies. — Inef fectual efforts and skirmishes. — Arrival of a Spanish fleet. — De Guichen returns to Europe — Rodney to America. — Disappoint ment of the Americans on the absence of De Guichen. — Defee- " tion of Arnold. — Fate of major Andre. — Arnold's proclamations. ¦ — Burgoyne's army at length exchanged — Naval transactions in Eureipe. — Capture of the British East and West India fleets. — Quebec fleet taken by the Americans. CHAP. XXXIX. 1780. Rodney dispatchedto relieve Gibraltar. Sth Jan. Captures a Spanishfleet. Gibraltar being reduced to the utmost distress for want of provisions, admiral Rodney Avas intrusted Avith the command of a squadron destined for its relief. The judgment and secresy of this expedition deceived the Bour bon courts : they could not imagine that so strong a force, comprising a part of the channel fleet, would be employed to convoy the transports to • the Straits, but conceiving the admiral would se parate from them in a certain latitude, selected eleven men of Avar and two frigates from the grand fleet of Spain, Avith which Don Juan de Langara proceeded, to intercept the supply. Rodney had the good fortune, soon after his departure, to take fifteen sail of Spanish merchant men, with valuable cargos, a neAv man of war of 3 sixty- GEORGE III. sixty -four guns, four frigates, and two smaller armed vessels. He afterward encountered Lan- gara off Cape St. Vincent's, and after a gallant action, maintained during- great part of the night, captured the admiral in the Phoenix of eighty guns, and three other men of war. Two more had struck, but Avere driven on shore by tempestuous weather, and one Avas lost ; the San Domingo blew up early in the engagement, and every man on board perished. Rodney departed, triumphantly to Gibraltar, and after landing his stores, and afford ing some relief to Minorca, sailed, agreeably to his original destination, for the West Indies. Admiral Digby, returning to England with the Spanish prizes, transports, and the ships belonging to the channel fleet, took the Prothee, a French sixty-four, and tAvo vessels laden Avith military stores, being part of a convoy, the rest of Avhich escaped. Rodney obtained the thanks of both houses of parliament, and Avas complimented with the freedom of the cities of London and Edin burgh. When the failure of the attack on Savannah, and the departure of the French fleet, removed the impediments to a long projected operation, Sir Henry Clinton sailed from Sandy Hook, to at tack CharlestoAvn in South Carolina, with a force of about five thousand men, convoyed by aclmiral Arbuthnot, leaving lieutenant-general Knyphausen to defend New York. The voyage was peculiarly inauspicious; the transports Avere scattered by -a' storm ; some fell into the hands of the enemy, others were lost ; one vessel, containing the heavy ordnance, foundered ; all the cavalry, and most of the artillery horses perished, and a passage, Avhich, in fair Aveather, m'ght have been completed in ten days, was protracted to seven Aveeks. The general, at one period, despairing of the accomplishment ofliis original destination, projected an expedition t 2 to 275 CHAP. xxxix. 1780. 16th. DefeatsLangara. 23d Feb. Digby takesFrench ships. 29th Feb. and 1st March. 6th and 15th Mar. 26th Dec. 1779. Siege and capture of Charles- town. 27(5 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. C II A P. to the West Indies, Avith a view to solicit the sanc- xxxix. tion of general Vaughan, Avho held the principal V^8o!*/ command on that station, in an attack on Porto Rico. A favourable change in the Avind, hoAvever, enabled him to reach CharlestoAvn, Avhich he in vested immediately on his landing. nth Feb. The Americans, in consternation, adjourned the assembly of the province, and intrusted their governor, John Rutledge, Avith all powers except privation of life. The alarm, hoAvever, Avas so great, that tAvo proclamations for the militia, and all men of property, to join the army, produced little effect. An attempt to negotiate with the Spanish governor of Havannah for auxiliary ships and troops Avas also unsuccessful; but by the assistance of French engineers, the works of defence Avere strengthened and extended, strong abbatis, deep holes dug at small distances, and a wet ditch raked by redoubts, and protected by a strong citadel, mounting eighty pieces of cannon, guarded the town on every side which was con sidered assailable. The entrance of the harbour was impeded by the bar, and secured by a squadron of nine sail, under commodore Whipple, occupying a station called Fiv;e-fathom-hole. Fort Moultrie and Sullivan's Island Avere also improved Avith new Avorks. Lincoln, the American general, placing the whole chance of protecting the province on the fate of the city, shut himself up in it Avith seven thousand men, resolved to resist to the last extremity. Clinton, Avith a due regard to the lives com mitted to his protection, made methodical ap proaches ; the harbour Avas blockaded by the fleet, and the troops slowly advancing, and constantly establishing or fortifying posts to maintain com munication with the sea, crossed Ashley river, and i st April, broke ground before CharlestoAvn, at the distance of eight hundred yards from the works. Arbuth- GEORGE III. 277 Arbuthnot had already passed the bar, unop- CHAP. posed by Whipple, who retired to Charlestown, viii^> after having sunk eleven vessels of different de- 1780- scriptions, across the mouth of Cooper riArer. The g°h April". admiral, hoAvever, with the first fair Avind, passed Fort Moultrie Avithout stopping to engage, and anchored near Fort Johnstone. A resolute refusal being returned to a sum- 10th April. mons to surrender, batteries were opened on the tOAvn, and as the advance of Arbuthnot obviated the necessity of maintaining a communication Avith the sea, Clinton was enabled to dispatch strong bodies, under colonels Tarleton and Web ster, to cut off the intercourse of the garrison Avith the country. Tarleton, Avith no less judgment 14th. than activity, surprised the American force at Monk's Corner, routed them Avith the loss of all their stores, camp-equipage, baggage, and four hundred horses, Avith their arms and accoutrements ; an acquisition of the greatest importance to the British army, Avhile the conquest secured the pas sage of Cooper river. Clinton Avas afterward enabled, by the arrival of a reinforcement from New York, to send another detachment across Cooper river, and lord Cornwallis commanded the Avhole force. Tarleton's enterprise, joined Avith the judi cious measures of Clinton, and the able movements of Moncrieff, chief officer of the engineers, pre vented all communication, and cut off from the garrison all hopes of retreat into the country. The approaches were carried on Avith vigour, the canal was gained by surprise, and the Avorks advanced to the verge of the ditch, a storm appeared inevi table, and the British flag Avas already flying 011 Fort Moultrie. The inhabitants now petitioned Lincoln to accept terms of capitulation, Avhich he had formerly refused, and a council of Avar con- 12th May. curring in the measure, the surrender "was signed, t 3 and 278 CHAP. XXXIX. 1780. Alarm of the Ame- Climon's address ; HISTORY OF ENGXAND. and the British commander took possession of the town. The Americans Avere allowed some of the honours of war, but the terms of the capitulation were, on the whole, sufficiently mortifying. The prisoners amounted to near seven thousand, in cluding the governor, council, military, militia, and about a thousand American and French sea men. The Avhole naval force Avas taken or de stroyed, with four hundred pieces of ordnance, and a considerable quantity of stores. The cau tious proceedings of Sir Henry Clinton are entitled to the highest praise, as they enabled Lincoln to collect all his force Avithin the toAvn, no part of Avhich could afterward escape. The British officers, in general, Avere highly extolled, and none more than major Moncrieff, who, in the defence of Savannah and this attack, sheAved the utmost perfection in the science of an engineer, and captain Elphinstcme of the navy, Avho commanded a di vision of the fleet, and by his judicious arrange ments secured the passage of the rivers Ashley and Cooper. Intelligence of this event, by far the most brilliant of the American Avar, Avas received in England, just at the close of lord George Gor don's riot, and greatly contributed to the re storation of calm and happiness at that critical moment. Nor Avas the alarm of the Americans inferior to the joy of the victors; their cause seemed abandoned by their new allies, and they despaired of being able to retain the rich and fertile Southern Provinces. a The judicious measures of Sir Henry Clinton Avere well adapted to produce this effect, and bring back to loyalty those important colonies. In an address to the inhabitants, he stated, that in consideration of the loyal blood spilt in former well-intended," but ill-timed efforts to assist the king's troops, he had hitherto abstained from ex citing 0 See the Crisis, No. ix. in the Remembrancer, vol. x. p. 233. GEORGE III. 279 citing tho inhabitants to arms. The time was now CHAP. arrived Avhen every individual might, Avithout ap- ^^]^j prehension, declare his sentiments ; and it Avas the i7 ties 284 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, ties of loyalists and revolutionists guided the con- SfEj duct rather than the sentiments of the Avealthy and 1780. quiescent. The capture of Charlestown reduced the American party to despair, and the loyalists were equally with their opponents included in the terms of parole in the articles of capitulation. The ob ject of the proclamation Avas therefore to eman cipate the loyal from a needless restraint, to en able those Avhom the pursuit of Avealth, and the love of ease, Avould attach to the predominating party, to folloAV the bent of their dispositions Avith out impediment, while the sturdy and incorrigible rebel, expressly exempted by the letter of the proclamation from the clemency of its provisos, was exposed to the same severities he had been instrumental in inflicting on the loyalists. In all public measures freedom and security are the principal objects, and that government must be pitifully tyrannical, Avhich affects by general re gulations to prevent the unreasonable complaints of party jealousy, or obviate the effects of hypo critical treachery. These ends can only be pro duced by the vigilance, caution, and discernment of those to whom the executive poAvers are in trusted ; they alone can restrain the artifices of the disloyal, and by the prudent use of authority, prevent the intrusion of traitors into posts of trust. With the view of conciliating the colony, and establishing the regal government in the hearts of the people, the proclamation Avas Avise and judicious ; no complaint Avas heard, as in the Jerseys, that those Avho sought shelter under it were plundered or treated Avith indignity, and if the arms of Britain had been generally prosperous, and her power generally respected, it Avould un doubtedly have produced beneficial consequences. But at that period, fortune seemed peculiarly malignant. A great force Avas preparing by the friends of congress, and exaggerated rumours Avere circulated GEORGE III. 285 circulated and generally encouraged of a hostile CHAP. armament, destined to co-operate with them. xxx*x. Britain was, at the same time, menaced by a hos- 1780. tile confederacy of neutral nations, riot and in subordination prevailed in Ireland and Scotland,; England was agitated with political discontents, the ministry Avere alarmed and insecure, and the cause of government, even in the seat of empire, appeared forlorn and helpless. What wonder then that a colony of America, divided among friends and enemies equally violent, and a third party selfish and lukeAvarm, should prefer the .cause of its neighbours, a cause which it had once avoAved as its own, in preference to the interests of a country opposed in every quarter, and apparently on the verge of domestic civil war? The principal force on the 'frontiers of South Canton- Carolina Avas at Camden, under the command of gritisifar-8 lord Rawdon, hutted against the heat of the my. weather ; major M" Arthur was advanced to Che- raw Hill in the vicinity of the Pedee river, to cover the country between Camden and George ToAvn. The chain to the westAvard, was connected with Ninety-six by Rocky Mount, a strong post on the Wateree, occupied by colonel Turnbull. Colonel Balfour, and afterward colonel Cruger commanded at Ninety-six. Major Ferguson's corps, and a body of loyal militia, traversed part of the province between the Wateree and Saluda, and sometimes approached the borders of North Carolina. Lieutenant-colonel Brown held posses sion of Augusta, the frontier toAvn of Georgia; Savannah Avas garrisoned by Hessians and Pro vincials under colonel Alured Clark. Three regiments, tAvo battalions, and a large detach ment of royal artillery, and some corps of Pro vincials were at CharlestoAvn under Brigadier- general Paterson, and the fatiguing duty of main taining the communication betAveen the principal posts of this extensive cantonment, was allotted to HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. xxxix, 1780. Gates com mands the Ameri- 3othJuly. Attack on Rocky Mount. 6th Aug. 10th Aug. Battle of Camden. to the legion dragoons. The grand magazine Avas formed at Camden, but, from the heat of the weather, the supplies were slowly forwarded. Congress having resolved to exert the most strenuous efforts for the recovery of South Caro lina and Georgia, the chief command of their forces in that, quarter was given to general Gates, Avho had gained his reputation at Saratoga ; while colonel Sumter, a refugee after the 'capture of Charlestown, raised a corps in North Carolina, which Avas augmented by other fugitives from South Carolina. The collection of such a force rendered it necessary for major McAr,thur to fall back from Cheraw Hill to Camden. Hostilities were reneAved by Sumter; rein forced by the traitor Lisle, he made an attack on Rocky Mount, but Avas in three separate attacks repulsed with considerable loss by the steady valour of colonel Turnbull, and a small garrison. ' He next assailed the post at Hanging Rock, oc cupied by a hundred and forty British, and several corps of loyal Provincials, under the command of major Garden. The Provincials, Avho Avere first attacked, gave ground Avith precipitation, and the British troops nobly sustained the Avhole av eight of the assailants, but superiority of numbers ren dered the day doubtful, till forty mounted infan try, on their return from Rocky Mount, by a judicious feint terrified Sumter's corps, and com pelled them to retreat in confusion, leaving a hundred killed and wounded. Lord Cornwallis immediately placed Hanging Rock in perfect se curity by a reinforcement under major Mecan. Intelligence of the formidable preparations of the enemy, induced lord Cormvallis to repair to Camden, where the effective force did not exceed two thousand, Avhile that, adA'ancing against them under Gates, together Avith the militia led by '-Cas well, Rutherford, Porterfield, and baron de Kalbe, amounted to six thousand, exclusive of a thousand under GEORGE III. 287 under Sumter. Notwithstanding this disparity, CHAP. the British general marched tAvo hours before mid- xxxrx. night to attack the enemy encamped at Clermont in South Carolina; his front division being com manded by lieutenant-colonel Webster, and his center by lord Rawdon. He had received intel ligence that Gates intended to move forward the same night, and at two o'clock in the morn- «<*. ing the advanced guards of both armies met. After a temporary confusion, and some slight skirmishes, both, as if by compact, betook them selves to repose, aAvaiting the dawn. On recon noitring, lord CornAvallis found his situation ex tremely eligible ; a SAvamp on either hand pre served him from being out-flanked, Avhile the nar rowness of the front diminished the advantages of superior numbers. At duwn, both armies formed in two divisions ; but Gates attempting, to change the situation of two brigades of militia, lord CornAvallis commenced a Avell-judged, rapid, and effectual attack. The American militia Avere broken, threw doAvn their arms, and fled ; the other division, and the reserve, maintained nevertheless a resolute and honourable conflict, but colonel Webster, instead of pursuing the fugitives, wisely directed the efforts of his di vision against them; the cavalry under major Hanger and colonel Tarleton poured in with irre sistible impetuosity, and determined the fate of the day. Rout and confusion could not be more complete ; during a pursuit of twenty-two miles, the cavalry found the ground strewed with arms, and men whom fatigue prevented from further flight. All the baggage, stores, and camp equi page, together with seven pieces of cannon, fell into the hands of the victors. Upward of eight hun dred were slain, and among a thousand captured, was the baron de Kalbe, mortally wounded. THrs 288 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. This important victory reflected great honour xxxix. on the whole British army, in Avhich lord Corn- ^ScT7 wallis, and lord Rawdon then only twenty-five years Tarleton 0f age, conspicuously shared. The advantages were routs sum- ren(jereti coraplete by the surprise of Sumter, Avhom 18th Aug. colonel Tarleton, with his usual ability and expe dition, overtook at Catawba ford, on the verge of a friendly settlement. With no more than a hun dred dragoons, and sixty of the light infantry, he vanquished more than eight hundred Americans, killing and wounding a hundred and fifty, and taking three hundred. He also rescued two hun dred and fifty prisoners, and recaptured several waggons laden Avith rum and other stores, which Sumter had taken in the course of his expedition ; and all the provincial stores, ammunition, bag gage, artillery, and a thousand stand of arms, rewarded the valour and diligence of the con querors. Severities Lord Cornavallis, awaiting the supplies oflord requisite for his expedition into North Carolina, wains. sought to restrain the perfidy of the Americans by severe edicts. The provocation was abundant, if the measure was Avise. His lordship sequestered the estates of all Avho opposed the re-establish ment of the royal government in South Carolina; death Avas denounced against those avIio, after receiving British protections, joined the enemy ; some of the most hardened were executed ; and many persons of superior rank, Avho being alloAved the benefit of parole in Charlestown, had main tained a traitorous correspondence with Gates, were shipped off to St. Augustine in East Florida, and again alloAved their parole, but under proper restrictions. The opinion formed of these mea sures depended too much on subsequent events ; could the British have retained their ascendancy, the punishments were merciful rather than severe, but in the course of succeeding transactions, they afforded GEORGE III. afforded a pretext of retaliation, which was urged CHAP. to the full extent of the precedent. xxxrx. At this period, Lord Cornwallis prepared a ju- 1780. dicious plan for overpowering all opposition in cth1Sep.t* North Carolina; he penetrated through the hostile Ferguson. settlement of WaxhaAvs, to a town called Char- ««t«i. lotte. One part of his plan Avas to detach major Ferguson Avith a corps of about a thousand loyal militia, for the purpose of approaching the fron tiers : the service was important ; but the militia, unsupported by regulars, could not be sufficiently relied on. Colonel Clarke, an inhabitant of Geor gia, had collected a force, and made an unsucces- ful attack on Augusta. Ferguson hoped to inter cept his retreat, and for that purpose advanced near the mountains, Avhere he was encountered by a select body of backwoodsmen, 'amounting to fifteen hundred. These men were almost in a savage state, collected Avith various views under different commanders, Avell mounted, unincum bered, and armed with rifles. They overtook Fer- 9th Oct. guson at King's Mountain : he defended himself with great skill and valour, but their mode of fighting prevented success. They attacked in dif ferent quarters, and wherever the major presented his front, the opposing party fled from the bayonet; but another corps at the same moment advanced and assailed his rear. After maintaining this un equal combat, during an hour, he received a mor tal wound ; his men were disheartened, and his successor reluctantly surrendered. The -victors, with characteristic inhumanity, maltreated the corpse of the dead commander, hanged several of the prisoners, and treated others with detestable cruelty. This fatal disaster disconcerted the plans of Effect of lord Cornwallis ; although abundantly supplied |^s dl!as" with provisions at Charlotte, he sustained great inconvenience from the inveterate hostility of the Vol. III. U natives, £90 CHAP. XXXIX. 1780. November, Tarleton disperses Sumter's forces. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. natives, and therefore gladly retreated for the protection of South Carolina, deferring the pro secution of his enterprise till he should receive some expected reinforcements from Sir Henry Clinton. This interval Avas employed by Tarleton in checking the inroads of an American partisan named Marion, Avho, after the retreat of the moun taineers, infested the province. Sumter, having again collected a force, ef fected a junction Avith Clarke and Brannen, com manders of straggling parties, and projected an attack on Ninety-six. Tarleton was recalled from his expedition against the eastern parts of the pro vince to oppose this force, and pursuing his ob ject Avith his accustomed celerity, would have ef fected a surprise, had not Sumter been informed ;othNov. of his danger by a deserter. Tarleton, hoAvever, learning his retreat, overtook him at Blackstock's Hill, Avith a detachment of eighty cavalry, and without waiting for the arrival of the infantry, gallantly assailed a force greatly superior, Avounded the commander, and dispersed his troop. The fact of Tarleton's being victor is disputed ; but all the benefits of victory undoubtedly resulted from this exploit. The defeat of Ferguson not only frustrated the hopes which lord CornAvallis had entertained, of being joined by a considerable body of loyalists, but animated the insurgents in both Carolinas. The ill-success of Gates at Camden, was a suffi cient motive with congress for superseding him, though the measure Avas accompanied with per sonal civilities : general Greene was his successor, but no new transaction of importance marked the residue of the campaign. d - riority. The count de Guichen had appeared ineffectual off St. Lucie, but Avas deterred from making an efforts and attack, by the judicious disposition of the naval s Irmis e£' and military force ; and in return, Rodney braved sd April. him during tAvo successive days off Fort Royal, Martinique ; but Avas unable to draAv him from his place of refuge. Rodney having returned to St. Lucie, de Gui chen ventured out of port Avith tAventy-three ships 15* April. of the line. The British admiral pursued Avith tAventy sail, and in two days brought him to ac tion, and compelled him to seek shelter in Guada loupe. Rodney appears to have been dissatisfied with some of his officers, who, not rightly under standing his signals, did not support him sufficient ly, as his flag-ship, the Sandwich, Avas for a con siderable time exposed alone to a djsproportioned*. u 3 fire. 294 CHAP. XXXIX. 1780. j 5th and 19th May. Arrival of a Spanish fleet, pisagree- tnents of the allied admirals. 5th July. J)e Gui chen rer turns to Europe.Rodney goes to America. Effect of these mea sures in America. Pefectionof Arnold, HISTORY OF ENGLAND. • fire. Another unimportant encounter afterward took place, but the French availed themselves of their superiority in sailing, to avoid a decisive action. Failing in these efforts to bring on a general engagement, Rodney occupied a Avindward station, for the purpose of intercepting a Spanish squadron from Cadiz; but the aclmiral, Don Solano, pru-r dently kept to nortfiAvard of the usual track, and, instead of proceeding to Martinique, put in at Guadaloupe, Avhere he Avas joined by de .Guichen, This reinforcement consisted of twelve sail of the line, beside frigates, and eighty-three trans ports, conveying twelve thousand troops, with a proportionate train of artillery. But this great superiority of force Avas unavailing; pestilence raged among the transports, and discord arose between the admirals. Solano repaired to the Havannah, and de Guichen, retiring to St. Do-. mingo, convoyed the homeAvard-bound trade to Europe, Rodney, deceived by this unexpected proceeding, sailed Avith eleven ships of the line and four frigates, to the coast of America, Aybeie he expected again 10 encounter his old opponent. The allied American and French army were not less surprised by this movement than the British admiral. In confident expectation of effectual aid from de Guichen, great preparations had been made for expelling the English from NeAv York ; but a neAv system of operation noAV becoming ne-. cessary, an interview Avas effected between Wash-? ington and the French commanders, at Hartford in Connecticut, situated in the mid-way between the two camps. In this interval occurred one of the most extra-. ordinary incidents of the Avar. General Arnold Avas, from his talents and approved valour, con sidered a chief supporter of the American cause : he embraced it with enthusiasm, and from the com- 9 mencemcnl GEORGE III. Q(j5 mencement of hostilities, had by his activity and CHAP genius, rendered essential services, at least equal to SXX1X any person engaged in the American revolt. He 1780 was descended from one of the best families in New England ; his ancestor, Benedict Arnold, being the first governor of Rhode Island. The su periority of his address and attainments rendered him an object of suspicion and dislike to the less refined members of congress. After the evacua tion of Canada in 1776, his merits Avere treated Avith disregard ; he Avas overlooked in a list of promotions, and subjected to the command of those who had been his inferiors. His accounts were at the same time left in an unsettled state, and reports propagated injurious to his character for integrity. In vain he solicited redress, and the appointment of a committee to revise his accounts; in vain Washington interested himself in his be half, and proved the justice of his requests, display ing with proper Avarmth his merits, " as a judi- 1 " cious, brave officer, of great activity, enterprise, " and perseverance ;" e congress seemed resolved on the disgrace of Arnold, and therefore did not take any measures for the adjustment of his de mands. After rendering several intermediate ser vices, particularly by the sagacious advice which enabled Washington to effect the surprise at Tren ton, Arnold Avas employed under Gates against Burgoyne; but notwithstanding his subordinate station, his activity and judgment directed the most important proceedings ; he Avas considered in the British camp as the efficient commander of the opposing army, and his promptitude in changing the disposition of a part of the American forces, unauthorized by Gates, was a principal cause of e See Washington's letter to congress, dated izth May, 1777. >'n Washington's Letters, vol. ii. p. 7a. The document is of considerable importance in estimating the character of Arnold, and the conduct of •ongress toward him. u 4 the 296 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, the capture of the British army. His conduot iii >S-5^ ^is situation was not exempt from cavil ; but the 1780- brilliancy of his achievements silenced for a time the clamours of malevolence. On the evacuation of Philadelphia, he was placed in an official situa-: tion for the protection of property, and securing that which was confiscated. Here his style of living' Avas imputed to him as a crime ; he received the French plenipotentiary, lodged, and entertain^ ed him in a manner Avhich disgusted the parsimo nious Americans ; the circumstances of his fortune Avtere minutely investigated, and reported to be un equal to the splendour of his establishment; re^. ports Avere spread that he had irretrievably deranged his affairs by desperate and unsuccessful exertions in trade and privateering ; and he was accused of July 1779. peculation. At the same time the freedom with Avhich he had expressed himself against the alliance Avith France, was implacably remembered. When his character Avas rendered suspicious and odious by such means, and his military exploits no longer the objects of immediate consideration, congress referred his accounts to a board of commissioners, who rejected above half his demands ; Arnold ap*- pealed against their decision to a committee of congress ; but their report Avas still more disad vantageous. It is also asserted that he Avas tried by a court-martial for embezzling national proper ty, and reprimanded in public by Washington, in pursuance of the sentence/ This account, hoAVr - ever, appears highly improbable, considering that Washington continued to repose in him the most implicit confidence, leaving in his charge the im portant post of West Point, in the high-hinds on the North river, essential to the communication betAveen. the northern and middle colonies, and denominated, from its unassailable strength, the Gibraltar of North America. Abnosw f Sec Remembrancsr, vol. xi, p. 200. GEORGE III. fig? Arnold solicited the command of this post CHAP, only Avith the view of rendering an eminent ser- ^H^r, vice to the English. He had been in correspon- 1780. dence with Sir Henry Clinton eighteen months, ^rof and in that period had supplied much valuable in-* Andnf. formation. He commenced the communication by declaring his resolution to renounce the Ame-r rican cause, in consequence of the French alliance, requiring only personal safety, and indemnity for the property he must sacrifice. Clinton readily embraced his proposal, hoping that by some signal and adequate benefit he would make atonement for the injuries he had done his country. The moment noAV seemed to have arrived, as the sur render of West Point, and its dependent posts, would have been a fatal blow to the American cause. A negotiation was accordingly commenced, and when the project Avas ripe for execution, major Andre, adjutant-general of the British army, an aistScpt, officer in whose prudence and address Sir Henry Clinton reposed the greatest confidence, and who had chiefly conducted the correspondence betAveen him and Arnold, was commissioned to adjust the final arrangement.8 He was conveyed from the Vulture sloop by night, in a boat dispatched by Arnold, landed on neutral ground, and held a con, ference Avith him till the approach of day. The American general, fearful of discovery, advised Andre not to return on board the Vulture, but «d Sept. conveyed him to a place of concealment Avithin the American lines, where he remained till nighti During the day, the. sloop had shifted her position and the boatmen refusing to convey Andre on board, he was compelled to attempt reaching New York by land ; and, by the direction of Arnold, phanged his regimentals for a plain suit, and re-* S Major Andre volunteered his services, and was permitted to go on the enterprise much against the inclination of Sir Henry Clinton. .eeived. 298 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, ceived a passport under the name of John Ander- J®j*J*\ son. In all these particulars he acted in contra- 1780. diction to the express injunctions of his general, who charged him not, on any account, to change his name or dress, or possess himself of Avritings by which the nature of his embassy might be traced j all Avhich major Andre" had the candour to avow after he had been arrested, in a letter to Sir Henry Clinton, full of gratitude and respect : h but Ar nold's life had already been endangered by the failure of a plan for meeting, and a repugnance to expose him again to similar hazard, probably SAvay- ed major Andre. » 3d Sept. Protected by the passport, he had already passed the lines, and conceived himself free from danger, when a patrole of three men sprang from a wood, and seized his horse. In a moment of surprise the unfortunate Andre" inquired of the soldiers " whence they came?" and to their answer, " from beloAv," replied, " and so am I," avowing himself to be a British officer. He dis covered his error too late; the captors searched him, and finding several papers concealed in va rious parts of his dress, carried him before their commander, resisting the offers of his Avatch and money, and promises of future advantages, if they would accompany him to New York. During his examination before the American colonel of militia, Andre continued his assumed name of John Anderson, and had sufficient address to obtain the transmission of a letter to Arnold, who escaped to the British head quarters. The captive had now no further occasion for disguise ; he Avrote to Washington a full and frank state ment of the circumstances Avhich occasioned his being Avithin the American lines, exculpating h See this well-written and most affectionate letter, Annual Register for the same year, himself GEORGE HI. <299 himself from the imputation of being a spy, and C H A P, demanding " Avhatever might be his fate, a decent xxixjx% " treatment" 178a Washington referred the case to a board of *9thSePt» fourteen general officers, all Americans, except la Fayette and the baron de Stuben, before Avhom major Andre" was compelled to appear. The facts alleged against him were chiefly drawn from his oavq letters, and supported by his own answers to inter rogatories unfairly administered, Avhile he was, by situation, precluded from the advantage of adduc ing explanatory testimony ; the board reported, that, agreeably to the law and usage of nations, lie ought to suffer death as a spy. From the moment of his capture no exertions >fi'h« were spared to avert his fate, Colonel Robinson, commander of the loyal Americans, and Sir Henry Clinton, who Avas sincerely attached to Andre, wrote to Washington, affirming that he had been sent to confer, under a flag of truce, Arnold cer tified the same fact, and further insisted, that every subsequent proceeding had been sanctioned by his authority, which he had a right to exercise accord ing to his discretion. These letters were produced before the board of officers ; but a previous ques tion was artfully put to the captive, Avho in ansAver is said to have denied coming on shore with a flag of truce.' After promulgation of the sentence, Sir Henry 30th Sept. Clinton deputed lieutenant-general Robertson, Avith Andrew Elliot, esquire, and the honourable William Smith, governor and chief justice of New York, to state such facts as could not be disclosed to the board. Washington Avould not receive them, but appointed general Greene, president of the court i The fact of Andre having given such an answer is only proved by the report published by congress ; but it may reasonably be doubted, con- *idering their report to be the only one extant, and that the prisoner had. neither advocate, witness, nor friend on the spot. which SO© HISTORY OF ENGLAND, CHAP. Avhich condemned Andr6", to meet general Robert-. xjocix. sori} the persons Avho accompanied him not being 1780, permitted to land. In this conference, general Robertson pleaded the cause of humanity, urged the friendship of the commander in chief towards the object of intercession, the hazard many Ame ricans would incur in case of retaliation, and the previous moderation of Clinton, Avho on several oc^ casions had shewn the most humane attention to general Washington's intercession in favour of avowed spies, and had still in his poAver many de linquents. Robertson offered to prove, by unex ceptionable testimony, that Andre Avent on shore in a boat, bearing a flag of truce, with the knoAV- ledge, and under the protection of Arnold, who Avas commander of the district :k and he strongly urged the injustice of considering major Andie as a spy, merely on the foundation of an improper phrase in a letter to Washington. None of these arguments or proposals had the desired effect; and an offer to exchange for the intended victim, any prisoner Avhom the Americans should select, Avas equally disregarded. Finding his arguments and offers encountered by an insurmountable ob-> stinacy, Avhich might be attributed to the rancour of the contest, Robertson proposed a reference to disinterested foreigners, acquainted Avith the laAvs of Avar and of nations, and indicated generals Knyphausen and Rochambeau; but this candid proposition Avasnot complied Avith. A letter Avritten by Arnold, repeating his explanations of Andre's situation, and threatening retaliation if the sen tence against him was executed, produced, as might be expected, no good effect; every senti ment of humanity and policy Avas absorbed in the base desire of revenge: Washington justified the k This uncontradicted assertion of the same fact, after the decision of the board of office! s, rendars Andre's pretended confession additionally doubtful. decision, GEORGE lit. 301 decision of the board ; and, to their indelible dis^ CHAP. grace, no French officer interfered, in a cause so xxxix. interesting to a polite and humane people ; on the 1780. contrary, la Fayette urged the fate of the unfor tunate captive with characteristic malignity. The compassion Avhich was banished from the breasts of the superior officers, was amply displayed by the subalterns and privates of the American, and by all ranks of the British army. They could not contemplate Avithout sensible emotion, a youth in the prime of life, brave, amiable, and highly accomplished, doomed to an ignominious death, for an act which could not be imputed to a dis honourable motive, and which if it might, by forced construction, subject him to sentence as a spy, left nevertheless a wide and honourable dis tinction between his conduct, and that usually pursued by persons in the like situation. The whole behaviour of this amiable officer Avas distin guished by magnanimity, and jealous regard for his reputation. During his examination, for it could not be called a trial, he studiously avoided every disclosure Avhich might affect the interests or characters of those with whom he had been eng-aeed. He received the sentence without alarm or dejection, acknowledged the politeness Avith which he was treated during his captivity, and only solicited the sad privilege of dying by the musket like a soldier, and not by the cord like a common felon. Uniformed Avhether his request »d Oct. would be granted, he Avalked with firmness, com posure, and dignity, toward the place of execu- , tion, arm-in-arm with the officers of his guard. At sight of the preparations which announced the disgrace reserved for his final moments; he ex claimed with emotion, "must I then die in this " manner !" — but soon recovering his composure, he added, "it will be but a momentary pang." With an unruffled countenance, he ascended the cart, 30% HISTORY OF ENGLAND, ChaP. Cart, desiring that the spectators would attest his xxxix. courage at the great moment of the termination of 1780. his existence.1 In the opinion of all liberal and generous-minded men, the manner of the execu tion was infinitely more disgraceful to Washing* ton and la Fayette, than to the unhappy sufferer* His general, Sir Henry Clinton, never ceased to lament the umvorthy fate of this amiable and ac complished young man, Avho Avas adorned Avith the rarest endoAvments of nature and of education, and (had he lived) could not but have attained to the highest honours of his profession. ?thOct. Arnold Avas promoted to the rank of brigadier- Arnold's general in the British service. In vindication of £ions.ama~ h's conduct, he issued " an address to the inha- " bitants of America," in AA'hich he unfolded the factious and false pretences by Avhich congress had effected the separation of the colonies from the mother-country j and established an arbitrary ty ranny over the lives and properties of their fellow subjects ; while Avith abject meanness they crouch* ed before the emissaries of France, their natural enemy, Avho had neither will or power to protect them- He considered the Avar, on the part of America, defensive till France joined in the com bination ; but denied that when the second pro* posals Avere made by British commissioners, Ame rica Avas entangled in the alliance with that country. The overtures were avowed by the whole continent to exceed the wishes and expec-* tations of the people, and if suspicion of the na tional sincerity existed, it could be founded only on the extreme liberality of the offers. He la-1 mented the impolicy, tyranny, and? contemptuous injustice, with Avhich congress had studiously neg-» Iected taking the collective sentiments of the people on the British propositions, as a dangerous 1 See the papers, letters, &c. on this subject in the Remembrancer* vol . xi. p. t and xoi . sacrifice GEORGE III. SOS sacrifice of the great interests of America, to the Chap. partial vieAVS of a proud, ancient, and crafty foe. xxxix. The pretended treaty of Versailles amounted only 17806 to an overture, the people of America had given no authority to conclude it, nor had they ever sanctioned its ratification; even the articles of confederation were not yet signed. Preferring, therefore, the sincere overtures of Great Britain, to the insidious offers of France, he had deter mined to retain his arms and command only till an opportunity should occur of surrendering them, and accomplishing an event of decisive impor tance, which in its execution Avould prevent the effusion of blood. The great political truths con* tained in this address Avere not capable of refuta tion; but the general's account of his OAvn con duct and motives Avas examined with great se verity.™ In a subsequent proclamation, addressed " to " the officers and soldiers of the continental army, " who have the real interest of their country at " heart, and Avho are determined no longer to " be the tools and dupes of congress or of France," Arnold made strong appeals to the interests, ne cessities, and prejudices of his countrymen. He offered those who Avould join the British standard, rank, bounty, and liberal alloAvance for their horses, arms, and accoutrements. He imputed their distress, want of pay, hunger and nakedness, to the negligent contempt and corruption of con gress. America, he observed, was now only a land of widoAvs, orphans, and beggars, and should the parent nation cease her exertions, no security would remain for enjoying the consolations of that reli gion for which the ancestors of the people had braved the ocean, the heathen and the wilderness. He himself had lately seen the mean and profligate congress at mass for the soul of a Roman Catholic * See Remembrancer, vol. x. p. 344.. vol. xi. p. 100. in 304 CHAP. XXXIX. 1780. Exchange of Bur-^ goyne'sarmy. Navaltransactions in Europe. May. July. gth Aug. Capture of the British1 East and West India Heef. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. in purgatory, and participating in the rites of a church, against Avhose anti- christian corruptions} the pious ancestors of the Americans would have witnessed Avith their blood." Contrary to all ex pectation, this proclamation produced no effect: the necessities of the American army Avere not re lieved, but shame and indignation produced a de cisive conduct; the ambition of sustaining a re spectable character in company Avith their new associates the French, contributed to give energy to the dictates of patriotism, and from this period, the desertions so frequently complained of occur red no more." No military transaction of note distinguished the remainder of the campaign ; but the exchange of the British army, captured at Saratoga was at length accomplished. The perfidious policy of congress toward these brave men, had long been undefended even by their warmest partisans, and the American prisoners taken at Charlestown, had friends sufficiently numerous and clamorous to compel their rulers to an act of justice, so shame fully evaded and delayed; In the European seas, several gallant and spirited actions redounded to the glory of the British flag. Beside these, admiral Geary, Avho succeeded to the command of the Channel fleet on the death of Sir Charles Hardy, made prize of twelve French merchantmen, part of a convoy from Port-au-Prince. This advantage Avas amply overbalanced by the capture of more than forty East and West India ships, Avhich foil irito the hands of the combined French and Spanish squa drons, and Avere carried into Cadiz. The value of ¦ See the proclamation, Remembrancer, vol. xi. p. 20. It can now be considered only on, the level of an ordinary recruiting handbill ; although it once derived, from the character and circumstances of the author, a mo mentary celebrity. • Rams3y, vol. ii. p. 204* the GEORGE III. 305 the acquisition Avas very large, and peculiarly inju- CHAP. rious to the British interests, as it comprised mi- ^^J^ litary stores essential to the defence of the settle- 1780. ments. The number of prisoners was two thousand eight hundred and sixty-five ; and the event oc casioned the most lively exultation in the enemy, and proportionate dissatisfaction in England : the mode of employing the Channel fleet was severely arraigned, and Geary soon resigned the command ; which being refused by Barrington, Avas conferred on Darby. The American's too were not without their share Quebec of naval success : some of their privateers inter- 'ble'JhteakeB cepted the outAvard-bound Quebec fleet, off the Ameri- banks of Newfoundland ; and though several cans- vessels were afterward recaptured, secured fourteen valuable ships. Vol. III. X 306. HISTORY OF ENGLAND* CHAPTER THE FORTIETH: 1780 — 1781. Meeting of the new parliament — election of a speaker — king'i speech — debates on the addresses. — Rise and progress of the dis pute between Great Britain and Holland. — Account of the armed neutrality. — Laurens taken. — Distovery of a treaty between Hol land and America — war declared — message to parliament — ap pointment of delegates. — Burke's plan of economy renewed— first speech of the honourable William Pitt — the bill rejected — other popular efforts. — Sheridan's motion respecting the military. — Petition of the delegates.— Motions respecting Sir Hugh Pallise'r — and for a committee on. the American war. — Close of the session, CHAP. /"XN" the meeting of the new parliament the XL. V-/ election of a speaker occasioned a strenuous ^y^ debate. The hostility of Sir Fletcher Norton 3istOct. during the last session precluded him from the Meenngof ]10pe 0f nomination by the ministry. Lord George ment. Germaine, lamenting that the declining health of Election of the late speaker rendered him no longer capable a speaker. 0f so laborious an office, proposed William Wol- fran CoriiAvall to fill the chair. Sir Fletcher Norton, in ansAver to these insincere condolences, declared, that his health Avas perfectly re-established, and complained of the unkind treatment which' he experienced from administration, after having, at their request, re tained so laborious a situation during tAvo Avhole sessions, contrary to the advice of his physicians, and at the peril of his life. The members of op position insisted that Sir Fletcher Norton was sacrificed to ministerial resentment, chiefly on ac count of his memorable address to the king, and divided the house on his re-election, which Avas negatived. GEORGE III. 307" negatived. * He was, however, gratified by a vote CHAP. bf thanks for his conduct, which Avas conveyed XL. to him, in flattering terms, by his successor. , v-^s^/ The king, in his speech, expressed unusual 20th Nov. satisfaction in meeting parliament at a period, "lf^" when the late elections would supply certain in- 1st Nov. formation of the wishes and disposition of the KI?8,°* people, to Avhich he Avas always inclined to pay the speech. utmost attention and regard. He complained of the unprovoked aggression of the Bourbon family; but hoped the late successes in Georgia and Caro lina would be attended with important conse-' quences in bringing the Avar to a happy conclu sion. Safe and honourable terms of peace could only be secured by such powerful and respectable preparations as Avould sIioav in Great Britain a firm resolution not to receive the law from any poAvers whatever, and to decline no difficulty or hazard in defending the country, and preserving- its essential interests. His majesty declared his entire confidence in the zeal and affections of par liament; conscious that, during his Avhole reign, the constant object of his care, and wish of his heart, had been to promote the true interests and happiness of all his subjects, and to preserve inviolate the constitution, both in church and state. In the upper house an amendment was moved p^°*' on the address, but the debate was not distinguish- on the ed by novelty or vigour. " The amendment in the address. commons was more ably supported ; though the 6th Nov" discussion was not so interesting as on many si milar occasions. The friends of administration inferred topics of consolation from the heterogene ous combination of France and Spain Avith Ame rica; the impossibility of cordiality in such an union, or of happy results to a cause, supposed to 1 203 to 1 34.. k The division was 68 to t%. x 2 be SOS HISTORY OF ENGLAND. be that of liberty and the- Protestant religioft, when protected only by bigoted Catholics, and powers from whose vocabulary the Avord freedom Avas expunged. It was represented as a great ad vantage that England Avas without allies; since no league against a power compact within itself, and combining its energies by unanimity of coun cil, had ever yet been crowned with success. The contest Avith America Avas represented as more prosperous than at any previous period since the convention at Saratoga. General Smith denied the assertion: the circumstances of the country, he said, were infi nitely worse ; and, since the affair of Trenton, every military man had clearly discerned that all attempts to subdue America Avere fruitless prodi galities of blood and treasure. Fox admired the gallantry and good conduct of lord CornAvallis and his officers at Camden ; but would not thank even his own brother, Avho was at that period serv ing in America, for laurels gathered in a Avar Avhich he hated and detested, regarding it as the fountain head of all the mischief and calamities Avhich op pressed this miserable nation. He ridiculed the hopes expressed in the speech, founded on the late victories. Expectation had been equally ardent Avhen the Americans were defeated at Long Island; the battle of Brandy wine was expected to occasion the immediate reduction of all the provinces, and extermination of American rebellion ; and the capture of Ticonderoga had produced hopes no less extravagant. Events had constantly belied these sanguine predictions ; and yet, in "spite of experience, parliament were taught to anticipate glorious consequences, if the late successes in Carolina were pursued Avith vigour. To him the capture of Charlestown conveyed only the alarm ing certainty that ministers Avere deceived in be lieving the majority of the Americans friendly to 7 the GEORGE III. 309 the British Government. The people of Carolina, CHAP. notwithstanding their oaths, had flocked, even XL. Avith their arms, to the standard of Gates. Every ^g^ gleam of success had hitherto been the forerunner of misfortune: the loss of the Avhole army suc ceeded the capture of Ticonderoga; the evacua tion of Philadelphia followed another success; and no sooner Avas the surrender of Charlestown announced than a new disaster Avas expected, and in part experienced, in the loss of Rhode Island, the only good winter harbour in all America. He had no objection to that part of the address which congratulated his majesty on a late addition to his family. ' Long might his domestic enjoyments increase; they Ave re the only enjoyments he pos sessed. Unfortunate in every other respect ; unfor tunate abroad, and. unfortunate in the conduct of civil affairs at home, he Avas happy, and entitled to congratulation in private life. Mr. Fox would not acknowledge the blessings enjoyed, under his majesty's government. " How long," he exclaim ed, " shall the sacred shield of majesty be inter- " posed for the protection of a Aveak administra- fC tion? The avoix! is made subservient to every " legerdemain trick, and every illusion dictated " by convenience. If by the blessings of his ma- " jestv's reign are understood the personal virtues " of the sovereign, I am ready to acknowledge " them Avith respect, and Avith reverence ; but, if " the phrase implies the acts, and projects of his " ministers, I detest and reprobate them : the " whole reign has been one continued series of " disgrace, misfortune, and calamity." He then descanted with great severity on the manner of dissolving the late parliament ; and compared the famous vote respecting the influence of the crown, to the death-bed confessions and mockTpenitence of other abandoned profligates, who, in their last moments, admonished others to avoid those courses which occasioned a premature and untimely end. x 3 The 310 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. The amendment was negatived. c No other business of importance was discussed till the recess; the ordinary transactions of supply, the. suspension 6th Dec', of the habeas corpus, the incidental complaints. respecting returns, and votes of thanks to the commanders in America, engaging the principal attention of the house. Dispute The time Avas now arrived Avhen Great Britain with Hoi- Was to rank Holland, her ancient ally, among the number of her declared enemies. 1775- At the, commencement of hostilities between thatdowe°/ Great Britain and her colonies, Flolland, in con- ' formity with the conductof other European powers, forbad the export of ammunition and stores for one year; but Avhen the success of the colonists, and the declaration of independence, afforded flattering hopes of acquiring a portion of that commerce which the English had hitherto mono'- polized, Holland began to grasp at the advantage and encouraged an illicit trade Avith America. Every motive arising from long and beneficial al liance, similarity in religion, and political interests, combined to deter Holland from a mode of con duct repugnant to the interests of Great Britain : but a faction, in the French interest, and inimical to the stadtholder, influenced all the proceedings aistFeb. of government. The open encouragement at- Firstme- fm'ded to American privateers in the Dutch West moHai of India islands, occasioned along correspondence, Sir Joseph wnjch terminated in the delivery of a spirited me morial by Sir Joseph Yorke, the British embassador at the Hague, Avho complained of the attentions paid by the governor of St. Eustatia to vessels under the American flag,4 and his refusal to re dress the complaints of the council of St. Chris topher's. He required a formal disavoAval of the ¦: 112 to 130. A The word corsaire in the original has been uniformly translated firate, when its fair meaning is only privateer. salute GEORGE III. 311 salute by fort Orange, in St. Eustatia, to a rebel ship ; and the recal of the governor, Van Graaf. The states-general Avere charged Avith duplicity, and violation of treaties ; and assured, that unless the required satisfaction Avas given, the king would not be amused Avith mere assurances ; or delay the adoption of measures, due to the interests and dig nity of his croAvn. The states-general returnecl 26th Mar. an humble and complying ansAver, denying an in- p.1777' tention to recognise the independence of America, and consenting to recal Van Graaf: but they complained of the harsh terms in the memorial; and, as a mark of indignation, ordered count Wel- deren, their envoy extraordinary in London, not to correspond on the occasion Avith Sir Joseph Yorke, or lord Suffolk, the secretary of state, but t-o deliver his memorial to the king in person, From this period a sullen civility Avas main- Memorials tained ; but in proportion as the conduct of France S^*e Avas more hostile, that of Holland became less am- Merchants. biguous, and the trade openly maintained, in con traband articles, to the French coast, occasioned the seizure of several Dutch ships. In consequence I2th ^pt. of three angry memorials presented to the states- I77 ' general by Dutch merchants, count Welderen, made complaints to the British court, not only of interruptions of commerce in the European, but in the American seas. The ansAver of the secretary i9th Oct. of state set forth, in mild language, the unprovok ed aggression of France ; from the suddenness of the event, and the necessity of restraining the exertions of that crafty power, too great rigour might have been undesignedly exercised in arrest ing neutral vessels.; but if any cargoes,, not con traband, had been seized by his majesty's cruisers, ample indemnification should be made. Sir Joseph Yorke had resided in Holland Second Ijwenty-seven years,- was thoroughly acquainted ™£°ml \yith the state and temper of parties, and. knew the Joseph X 4 .-<¦•¦' prep0n. Yorke. 312 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, preponderance of French interest, and the fatal XL. supineness of the stadtholder. He vindicated, in v-^lg'^-' an able memorial, the conduct of Great Britain; *3d Nov. and Avhile he displayed the moderation of the king in not plunging Holland into a Avar, by demand ing the succours stipulated in the treaties of 1678, and 1716, proposed to discuss the grievances in a conference, prefacing the offer with an assurance that the prevention of contraband trade should in the mean time, be subject to no interpretation unwarranted by the rules of equity, and the prac tice of perfect generosity. 8th Dec. This proposal occasioned violent exertions Exertions arnong- the French party ; the duke de Vauguyon, French embassador from the court of Versailles, eiidea- party. voured to pique the pride and interest of the Dutch> by demanding a clear and explicit determination to accept or renounce the advantages of com merce proffered by a decree of the French council of state, alloAving the traffic in naval stores during 14th Jan. tDe war- The proposition AVas not, hoAvever, ac- 1779- cepted; and the French court repealed the per mission given to Holland of trading with them duty-free, admitting to the exclusive enjovment of this privilege, Amsterdam alone, "in conside- " ration of the patriotic exertions made by that " city, to persuade the republic to procure from " the court of London, the security of that un- " limited commerce Avhich belonged to the Dutch 9th Apr. " flag."6 Sir Joseph Yorke did not fail to repel the calumnies advanced in these papers; he ex posed the dictatorial tone assumed by France, in prescribing a mode of conduct to be maintained by the states-general toAvard England, and ani madverted with proper severity on the attempt to make distinctions betAveen the different members e This favour was afterward extended to Harlem, and subsequently to the whole province of Holland. of GEORGE III. SIS of the same republic, so repugnant to the union CHAP. and independence of the states-general. ¦ XL. The arts and influence of France were, hoAvever, v^g^*' more effectual than the remonstrances of Eng- Succours land; and when Spain Avas added to the hostile com- ^e^* bination, the striking partiality of Hol-.and toward land. the enemies of Great Britain, rendered more deci sive explanations indispensable. Sir Joseph Yorke 22djuly. therefore, in pursuance of instructions from Eng land, demanded from the states-general the suc cours stipulated in the several treaties, of Avhich the casus foederis Avas fully explained in the separate article of 1716. This memorial descanted on the unjust proceedings of France and Spain, and their threats of invasion, and declared, that the mo ment Avas arrived to decide whether Great Britain, Avho had spilt so much blood, and expended so much treasure to succour others, and maintain liberty and religion, was to be abandoned by her most ancient friends and allies, and left unpro tected, except by her own courage and internal strength, to contend against the ambitious house of Bourbon, Avho endeavoured to crush all for the purpose of reigning over all. The states were re minded of a truth Avhich they appeared too fatally to have forgotten, that their history contained little more than a detail of dangers successively created by the ambition of France; and that their best clays began Avith their union with England. While the government of Holland evaded giv ing a definitive answer to this demand, the advo cates of the British and French connexions main tained a strenuous paper war. The people, in spite of the allurements Avith which France endeavoured to bias their judgment, did not relinquish their partiality for the English alliance, and the stadt holder Avas firmly attached to the same cause ; but an active and resolute party, Avho possessed- the greatest share of influence and power, were zealous adherents 314 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. adherents of France, and displayed a proportionate rancour against Great Britain. The increasing strength of the hostile confederacy, and the in sults offered to the British coast during the sum-, mer of 1779, gave additional spirits to the French faction, and encouraged them to represent Sig Joseph Yorke's demand as an indication of na-> tional weakness and despondency. October. At this juncture, a fresh cause, of dispute arose, Dispute in consequence of the reception afforded to Paul Paul CtnS J°nes and his prizes in the harbours of the republic. Jones. Sir Joseph Yorke demanded the detention of the ships and crews; as Paul Jones, though a pre tended American, Avas a native of Scotland, a pi- 25th Oct. rate, rebel, and state criminal. The states-general refused compliance, alleging their constant maxim not to decide on the legality of captures by the vessels of any other country ; they only opened their ports to afford shelter from storms or disas ters, but Avould compel them to put to sea again, Avithout unloading or disposing of their cargoes. 29th. In vain Sir Joseph Yorke, in a new memorial, ap pealed to the rules of equity, and the express stipulations of treaties; the Dutch government remained inflexible, and returned only a short answer, reiterating their former opinions. Conductof Great Britain, on the faith and fair con- Holland. struction of treaties, had a right, in case of Avar with the house of Bourbon, to call on the Dutch as allies for active aid; every demand of that kind was obstinately resisted ; neutrality Avas the utmost extent of their profession, and even that Avas attended Avith indications of partiality almost amounting to hostility. Yet the government of Holland claimed, and Avere allowed, all the advan tages arising from treaties of alliance, and ex pected protection in a commerce calculated to. raise the naval poAver of the enemy, and depress the interest of this country. To. terminate this, disgraceful^ GEORGE III. 3l5 disgraceful state of suspense betAveen alliance and chap. hostility, the British embassador again pressed for XL the succours stipulated by treaties. The Dutch v-"~~»-/ not only refused the demand; but renewing their 26^^. complaints on the interruption of trade, announced s,lcc°urs their intention of appointing a convoy with their refused' next fleet to the coast of France. The Enoligh ministry, having ineffectually remonstrated against this unfriendly resolution, encountered its effects Avith becoming vigour and spirit. A fleet bound for the Mediterranean, under the convoy of count Byland, Avas met by a British squadron under com- lst Jan- modore Fielding: the Dutch fired on the boats Eng7agei! preparing to search their vessels; and their admi- ment be* ral ansAvered a shot a-head from the British com- tw"nfom<' modore by a broadside. This act of hostility Fading being returned, Byland struck his colours; the and count greater part of the convoy escaped, but the few Bylansa?e the recess. The public indignation was* suffici- meihl • ently excited, by the malignity and ingratitude Of Holland, to lender the war popular, and the vigour and promptitude of the preparations afforded general satisfaction. The message Avas, neverthe less, debated with great warmth in both houses, and amendments riioved to the addresses. The members of opposition insisted that the insolence of the memorial presented by Sir Joseph Yorke, In 1777, had been more efficacious in alienating the, Dutch from Great Britain, than all the gold and intrigues of Fiance. They maintained, that the paper found in the possession of Mr. Laurens; was only a project of draft of an incomplete treaty, referring for its future accomplishment to events yet undecided. Ministers Avere blamed with as perity for the length of the recess, during which, they had added another to the formidable list of ©ppoiients,: while their supineness, ignorance, and want of judgment, left the coantry Avithout an ally. The ministry answered,- that the memorial de livered in 1777, was comprised in terms' sufficiently temperate for the occasion; a'nd his majesty would have been culpably negligent of the national ho nour had he omitted a forcible femonstance. The offensive treaty was not a draft, but formally ex ecuted by the pensionary Van Berkel, and. John de Neufville, citizen of Amsterdam, on the partof Hol land, and by Lee, on the behalf of America. The* United States had refused to disavow the transac- 1 Taken from the papers published by authority and official corres pondence. f 2 iicfEf/ S24 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, tion, and therefore sanctioned the construction XL. that they fully approved it. The recess of parlia- v^'8yw ment Avas not contrived for the purpose of secret proceeding; nor could the houses, if sitting, have received a communication on the subject till the negotiation Avas terminated. Mr. Wraxall made a long and able speech on the subject of alliances, unfolding Avith precision the vieAvs and resources of the principal European states, and recommend ing to government a close and immediate con nexion Avith the emperor of Germany. If that potentate declared war in our favour, the neces sity of providing an adequate opposing force, would frustrate all hopes of increasing the French marine ; and the shock Avould be felt no less at Madrid and the Hague, than at Paris. The em peror might be allured to our cause by a liberal subsidy for enabling him to take the field, by yielding, to him some important possessions in India, and by protecting him 'in opening the navi gation of Scheldt. This measure would be beneficial to him, and injurious to Holland; a nation Avhich owed its origin, progress, and protection, to the fostering hand of England, and yet joined the standard of the house of Bourbon against its only natural ally. The amendments moved in both houses Avere rejected;1" the lords entered on their journals two protests, one signed by nine, the other by eight peers. Popular Although the tremendous disorders of the delegates precerinip- year occasioned great terror at direct appointed ' ii , 1 • r t ,- - appeals to large bodies of the people, the political associations formed in all parts of the kingdom did not dissolve, but endeavoured, by incendiary resolutions, to reanimate the flame of opposition. m In the house of commons two amendments were moved ; the fir»t was rejected by 180 to 101, the other without a division. The num bers in- the upper house were, against the amendment 84. ; for it 19. In GEORGE III. 3%5 In many of their meetings strong complaints were CHAP. urged against the authorities supposed to be now XL. first granted to the military, and individuals were v"^g^"/ recommended to arm against the attack of sur rounding enemies, and all invasions of their rights and liberties. The meetings of these associations in the counties and towns were highly alarming, but the danger Avas increased by the novel and unconstitutional measure of appointing delegates, or representatives to transact their affairs in the capital, and by mutual aid and advice give sup port and efficacy to their petitions. Burke received from many of these bodies high compliments for his efforts in the cause of reform, and in com pliance Avith their requests, again brought forward the rejected bills of last year. He introduced his motion by reading the famous *5th Pfb- resolutions respecting the increased influence of Z?**: I o ccononu- the crown, the power of the house to correct abuses cai reform in the expenditure of the civil list, and the duty asu,n,n- of the commons to afford the redress required by the petitions of the people. He considered these resolutions a valuable legacy bequeathed by the late parliament, and an atonement for previous crimial servility. They Avere the result of long, de liberate, and sober debate, when the house Avas Avell attended, and a spirit of economy pervaded every coinei;. lie trusted the new parliament Avould consider it their duty to carry into effect the Avishes of the people, Avishes Avhich had been de livered in thunder and lightning. Although the people had not agreed in any system of complaint, or plan of reform, yet they had all stated either errors or calamities in the administration of go vernment and expense, Avhich ought to be rec tified. Though all their propositions Avere not prac ticable, they agreed in two points, the dangerous influence of the crown, and the necessity for re trenchment and economy. He then gave a nar- v s rative J7&!- 3®$ ^ HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, rafive of the introduction and fate of his former XL. bills, complaining of the versatility of parliament ; ' At first crowded houses were seen on every stage of the business, and they showed an apparent convic tion of having no objection to the abstract and general propositions; 'but when he proceeded to a specific reform, they deserted him and his cause, They first dwindled off from one question, then, silently stole away from another, till at last the whole was permitted to moulder and shrink im^ perceptibly from the vieAv; and he was obliged, after much fatigue and no success, to abandon the task, with the mortifying reflection that his labours and those of the house had produced no benefit to the county. He defended himself against all imputations on the revival of an un successful proposition, and vindicated his plan, as no less "useful to the king than salutary to the people. To maintain the parade and show ' of royalty, Avithout its power, Avas like the ab». surd vanity of robbing the manger to decorate a starved emaciated horse Avith bells and trap pings, while the poor animal, deprived of food, groaned beneath the Avretchedness of ornament. The advice and language he used coujd not be unseasonable or impertinent if addressed to an Alexander, or a Charles, since retrenchment might increase their powers for war, and enable them to diffuse horror Avith more rapidity. But to a king like ours, who hated Avar, and loved peace; who participated in the interests, joys, and disasters of the people, it must be at once proper. and Avelcome. A faction had crept in, and pre vented that happy sympathy which should prevail betAveen the head and all the inferior members of the body: this faction it Avas the business of par liament to crush, tp tear the veil interposed be tween the sovereign and his people, and dispel |hpse clouds which concealed the royal counte- 9 nance GEORGE III. sc? nance from his dutiful and affectionate subjects. CHAP. Again adverting to the example of France, Burke XL. pronounced high encomiums on the principles and ^"T^T""'' system of Necker. That excellent statesman, he said, had alone stood his ground amidst the cabals and intrigues of a court, though an unprotected stranger. Calumny might attempt to blacken him in the eyes of his sovereign ; but it was impossible to blind the discernment of that monarch so far as to obliterate from his memory this honourable truth ;— " he has given me a navy and has not laid " a tax on my subjects." When the resources of France were thought to be exhausted, and every common channel was known to be dried up, Necker dug into the mine of national treasure, Avent to the spring and fountain-head of revenue, and by demolishing the dams and dykes that stop ped the current of wealth, brought into the ex chequer the value of six hundred, useless places. France might be obliged at last to have recourse to buthensome taxes ; but she had three years fought Great Britain Avithout them ; and an ex ertion of three years might give her a decisive superiority through the Avhole contest; it might put her system in such a train as to give the tone and determine the complexion of a Avhole century. It would impart move solid and permanent glory to the reign of Louis XVI. than Avas derived from P r* all the illustrious deeds of Henry IV. Burke in- vok'ed the candour of the house, not to treat the pioposed measure with insidious respect in its out set, and tempt it to a death of sIoav and lingering- torture. He called on lord North as arbiter of its destiny ; entreating, that if he meant to deal the blow of death, he Avould save himself and the house much fatigue, and the nation much anxiety and disappointment, by determining the matter on tiiat day ; he Avould then be, for one day at least, a decisive minister. Y- 4 LEAVE. 328 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. Leave Avas given, Avithout opposition, to bring XL. in a bill for regulating his majesty's civil establish- v*^g'^' ments, limiting pensions, and suppressing useless aSthFeb. places. The second reading occasioned a long debate, in which the principles of the measure, and its probable effects, were amply and ably in vestigated. The principal opponents Avere Mr. De Grey, earl Nugent, Mr. RoseAvarne, Mr. Per- cival, Mr. Wraxall, and Mr. Dundas. They all concurred in Avarm eulogies on the character and talents of Mr. Burke, and expressed diffidence in resisting a measure so plausible, and so captivating to the public, as retrenchment of expenditure. Economy Avas never more necessary ; but its ad vantages Avere not to be purchased by the viola tion of sacred rights. In the first year of the king's reign the civil list AVas established at eight hundred thousand pounds; and the additional sum of one hundred thousand pounds per annum, was afterward given; both being settled on him for life. This was a bargain, and one highly advan tageous to the public, made in lieu of the crown lands; the revenue Avas therefore to be considered as positive freehold, as a personal estate, held under the faith and solemnity of an equitable contract. The power of parliament to resume its OAvn giants was undeniable; but it was impossible to divide the ideas of their omnipotence from those of their justice and discretion. Economy was undoubted ly desirable ; but thirty or forty thousand pounds a year would be too dearly purchased by the abo lition of places created by the Avisdom of our an cestors, to support the dignity and lustre of the British crown. The increase of influence was an unfounded assertion ; nor was the present bound by the vote of the last parliament on that subject, The established powers and influence of the crown had not been abused, or perverted to the prejudice Of liberty and the constitution. None of the places GEORGE III. 529 places proposed to be retrenched Avere created by CHAP. his majesty, and the acts of his reign had been XL. highly favourable to the liberties of the country, V^V*' and diminution of undue influence; witness those '7 '" for rendering permanent the salaries of the judges, and for trying controverted elections, Avhich ef fectually abrogated the poAver, if the inclination might exist, of biasing the courts of justice, and perverting the sense of the people in the returns to the house of commons. The reasonings found ed on the retrenchments made by the king of France Avere inapplicable to Great Britain; the civil list, as Avell as the goA^ernments, were essen tially different: France was a despotic, England a free country. In England -the throne Avas built on liberty ; in France it rested on the necks of two hundred thousand soldiers, and was upheld by far mers-general, by oppression, by servile parliaments banished at pleasure, by military rigour, and armed authority. If the conduct of France was to be cited, the Avhole should be considered, and unpro voked aggression brought into view as clearly as economical reform : bad faith was always bad po licy ; and the greater evil of unjust war Avould SAvalloAV up the lesser good of economical retrench ment, The dignity of the British crown Avas con nected Avith the dignity and opulence of the na tion, nor could the enormous expences into which Great Britain had been forced by the enemy be repaired by such an unimportant saving as the bill proposed, acquired at the expence of individuals Avho, relying on the good faith of parliament, con sidered their property as secure and permanent as freehold estates. This debate Avas distinguished by the first par- FJrst liamentary exertion of the honourable William speech Pitt, younger son of the illustrious earl of Chatham. ^/n*' On his rising in the house, mute attention prevail- pat. ed; the genius of the parent Avas recollected, and the 33.0 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. the most eager curiosity Avas excited to ascertain how great a portion of it was transmitted to the son. Such great hopes, and anxious expectations. Avere never more fully accomplished; the juvenile orator delivered himself Avith grace, facility, and animation; his manner, which has sjnce become so elegant, Avas deliberate, and equally remote from timid bashfulness, and over-Aveening presumption. His voice Avas rich and striking ; his periods harr monious and energetic, Avithout appearance of art or study : and his reasoning displayed all the fire pf his father, combined with that which his. father often wanted, methodical arrangement, and lucid, order. He gave hearty assent to the principle of the bill; and thought a proposition for retrenchment of the civil list revenue Avould have come Avith more grace, more benefit to the public service, if it had sprung from the royal breast. Ministers should have given to the people the consolation of knoAving that their sovereign participated in the sufferings of the empire ; they ought to have consulted the glory of their royal master, and seat ed him in the hearts of his people, by abating from magnificence what was due to necessity. Instead pf waiting for the sIoav request of a burthened people, they should have courted popularity by a voluntary surrender of useless revenue. But if ministers failed \n their duty; if they interfered betAveen the benignity of the sovereign, and the distresses of the public, and stopped the tide of royal sympathy, was -that a reason Avhy the house- of commons, his majesty's public counsellors, should desist from a measure so congenial to the paternal feelings of the sovereign, so applicable to \he wants and miseries of the people ? The house^ acting as faithful representatives, ought to seize pn every object pf equitable .resource; and surely flone W?ve so fair, so probable, or so flattering a* retrenchment GEORGE III. S3? retrenchment and economy. The obligations of CHAP, their character demanded an unhesitating pursuit XL. pf those objects, even to the foot of the throne! ^g? Actuated by duty, they should advise the king tp part Avith useless ostentation, that he might pre serve necessary power ; to abate a little of pomp, that he might ascertain respect ; to diminish some what of exterior grandeur, that he might increase and secure authentic dignity. It Avas their im mediate duty, as the commons house of parliament, to guard the lives, liberties, and property of the people : the last obligation Avas the strongest, be cause property was most liable to invasion by the secret and subtle attacks of influence. It could not derogate from the real glory of the croAvn to aecept the advice; it could be no diminution of true grandeur to yield to the respectful petition^ pf the people. Tutelage might be a hard term ; but the guardianship of that house could not be disgraceful tp a constitutional king. The abridg ment of unnecessary expence could be no abate ment of royalty. Magnificence and grandeur Avere not incpnsistent Avith retrenchment and eco nomy ; but on the contrary, in times of necessity, and uncommon exertion, solid grandeur was de pendent on the reduction of expence. It Avas ob served early in the debate, that the bill combined two objects, Avhich ought to have been separate ; reform and economy ; in his opinion, they ought to go hand-in-hand ; but the bill had a third pbject, more important than either, a reduction pf the influence of the crown ; an influence. more dreadful, because more secret in its at tacks, and more concealed in its operations than the poAver of prerogative. The proposed sav- , ing, it Avas objected, \va_s immaterial, a matter pf trifling consideration Avhen measured by the necessities or expences of the times. This was, surely, a most singular and unaccountable species. of reasoning. The calamities of the crisis were too, 332 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. great to be benefited by economy ; the public ex pences so enormous that it Avas ridiculous to at tend to small matters of account. So many mil lions had been expended that thousands were be neath consideration. Such Avas the language of the day, such the reasoning by Avhich the prin ciple of the bill was disputed. Much argument had been used to sIioav the impropriety of resuming a parliamentary grant, and the right of the house had ever been denied. The Aveakness of such a doctrine Avas its refutation. But it ought to be remembered, that the civil list revenue was grant ed for other purposes than those of personal gra--! tification. It was granted to support the dignity and interests of the empire, to maintain its gran deur, to pay the judges and foreign ministers, to maintain justice, and support respect, to pay the great officers necessary to the lustre of the crown ; and it was proportioned to the dignity and opu lence of the people. But the sum of revenue Avhich was necessary to sustain the common dig nity of the crown and people at the time of the grant, ought now to be abated, as necessities had increased. The people who afforded that. -revenue under the circumstances of the occasion, Avere jus tified in resuming a part under the pressing de mand of an altered situation. They felt their right but exercised it with pain and regret. They ap proached the throne Avith bleeding hearts, afflicted at the necessity of applying for retrenchment of the royal gratification ; but the request Avas at once loyal and submissive. When he considered the obligations of the house, he could not cherish an idea that they would dispute the principle of the bill, which Avas essential to the being and inde pendence of the country. He could not believe that economy Avould be condemned, or the means of accomplishing it abandoned, Skveral distinguished members of opposition exerted themselves in behalf of the measure; lord Maitland The bill rejected. GEORGE III. 335 Maitland made his first parliamentary essay on the CHAP. same side, and spoke Avith great ability ; and Burke, XL. in his reply, surpassed the expectations even of his v^g^*/ warmest admirers. The motion for a second read ing Avas, however, lost," and the bill rejected, by adjourning the further consideration for six months. The other popular efforts of the last session were 0tlier also revived ; the bills for excluding contractors popular and revenue officers from the house of commons, efforts- met their fate on the same clay ; both occasioned »»st Mar. some debate, but were rejected.0 Sir Philip Jen nings Clerke also reneAved the proposition which aIstM'T« Mr. Gilbert had abandoned, for imposing a tax on places and pensions, but his effort Avas unsuccess ful. p The loan for the current service of the year Avas exposed to censures unusually severe. The sudden rise in value of the subscription contracts, visually called scrip, to near eleven per cent, above their original purchase, formed the foundation for 7th, 8th, numerous imputations and motions against the aothMar. minister; though his conduct Avas ably defended, and sanctioned by the house. ** The third reading ustMar. of the bill in the lords, produced an able speech from the marquis of Rockiugham ; to which no reply Avas made ; and eight lords joined in a protest. These Avere not the only efforts to gain popu- Sheridan's larity by the discussion of questions calculated to "^-"J*" interest the public. The interference of the mili- the mili tary in suppressing the late alarming riots was in- tary* troduced to the house by an able speech from Mr. Sheridan. This gentleman, a native of Ireland, was advantageously knoAvn to the public by the * 133 to 190. 0 The contractor's bill by iso to 100; the other 133 to 86. P The bill was rejected on the second reading, 93 to 33. 1 The majority against a motion on the subject, made by Fox, was 169 to m, and on a motion for inquiry, by Sir George Savile, 209 to 163. exercise 334 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. exercise of extraordinary talents in dramaticand lyi ric poetry. His exquisite wit and refined erudition afforded great hopes of eminence in the senate; hopes Avhich Avere surpassed by the various excel lencies of his nervous, rich, and beautiful oratory. He took his seat for. the toAvn of Stafford, and had on more than one occasion, obtained the favour able attention of the house/ His motions were three; the first declaring that the military force Could not justifiably be applied in dispersing tu multuous assemblies of the people, without waiting for directions from civil magistrates, unless out rages had broken forth Avith such violence as to overbear civil authority, and threaten the subver sion of legal government. The other tAvo affirmed that the unprecedented order to the military, on the seventh of June, afforded strong presumption of the defective state of the police in Westminster; and required the appointment of a committee to inquire into the conduct of the magistracy and civil power during the riots, and report to th? house the state and government of the city of Westminster. In support of these motions, be made a severe philippic against government, delivered in glowing' language, and abounding in pointed invectives. He descanted on the miserable state of the police in Westminster, ascribing to it all the outrages which had raged without control in June, and occasioned the establishment of military poAver in the metropolis, and its extension to every part of the kingdom. But if the guilt of magistrates or deficiency of police had occasioned the adoptioa' of such an alarming expedient, Avhy had govern ment permitted the same justices to continue if* the commission ? Men of tried inability and con victed depravity ! Was this neglect a plan to ren der the country still dependent on the bayonet; and * He made his first speech the 20th of November, ^780. GEORGE Iii. 333 and must the military poAver still be employed in CHAP, aid of contrived Aveakness and deliberate inatten- XL. tion ? Some might Avish to see the subject fami- ^*^f** liarized to the use of soldiers, and that they might be resorted to on occasions less alarming. O^LTtAvo reasonable excuses-could be assigned for the conduct of government in the orders issued rfor the employment of the military. The first, that the riots were not produced by the persons who had assembled around the house, instigated by religious enthusiasm, or apprehensive zeal ; nof yet by a set of vagrants, Avho had taken advantage of the occasion ; but that they Avere the effects of deliberate and deep laid scheme; a conspiracy contriA-ed by the enemies of the country, to lay the metropolis in ashes, and strike at the very foundations of the national Avealth and credit. Such Avas the opinion maintained by the lord chief justice of the king's bench in parliament, and by another judge on the bench; but no proceeding in either house had shown that such a notion Avas entertained ; and if all the trials Avere perused, from the first unhappy man brought to the bar of the Old Bailey, up to lord George Gordon, it, Avould be found that he alone Avas charged Avitk' high treason. He Avas both leader and army in this great machination against the state ; not one of his subalterns having risen above the humble charge of felony. The progress of the riots, as well as the evidence on the trials, v/ould prove the futility of imputing them to a regular scheme, or deep-laid plot against the country. The other reason which might justify govern ment for the orders they had issued, Avas their be lief that the substitution of the military for the civil poAver was, in all cases of tumult and riot, safe, easy, and constitutional. If this doctrine was to be established, farewell to freedom ! If this was- laAv, the country Avould be reduced to a mili tary 535 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. tary goAjernment of the very worst species, includ ing all . the mischiefs of despotism, Avithout the discipline or the security. But it Avas said the best protection against this evil Avas found in the virtue, moderation, and constitutional principles of the sovereign. Though he contemplated those virtues -Avith as much reverence as any man, he trusted such a species of liberty would never dis grace the British soil. Liberty, resting on the virtuous inclinations of any one man, Av,as but suspended despotism ; the SAVord Avas not, indeed, on the necks of the people, but it hung by the small and brittle thread of human Avill. After a long debate, in Avhich the conduct of government in the suppression of the riots, and the indictment of lord George Gordon, were ably defended, the first of Mr. Sheridan's motions was Avi.thdrawn, the second negatived by a considerable majority,' and the third Avithout a division. Petitic-n of The associations and their delegates had, during the Avhole session, engaged much attention of par- i78o. liament. In the debate on the king's speech, lord 1st Nov. Abingdon expressed his expectations, that through them a new order of affairs would be introduced) which Avould render useless such minutiae as ad dresses. He Avished the people might obtain a new Magna Charta, a neAv declaration of rights; for the present government Avas arbitrary ; a sys-> tem of despotism ruling by will, and not by Uav. I.gi# Mr. Adam had justly stigmatized these commit- 13th Mar. tees for spreading baleful effects over the whole country, and affording encouragement to its ene^ mies. The American congress made them a prin cipal engine in encouraging the people of the colonies to persist in rebellion, and in their publi cations descanted on the distractions occasioned in Great Britain by the committees of association^ as inducements to perseverance. These committees, lie * 171 to.94. the dele gates GEORGE III, 337 he said, did not confine themselves to public trans- CHAP. actions, the encouragement of the enemy, the dis- XL. turbance of peace, or the prevention of domestic ~^{[ unanimity ; but basely and unjustifiably af tempted to ruin the characters of individuals who opposed their views. He verified the assertion by reading an advertisement of the Westminster committee, reflecting on himself so grossly and unwarrantably, that even those members of parliament avIio were most attached to the associations, disavoAved any share in the transaction. The principle and legality of these associations, ad April and particularly the dangerous system of sending delegates, came more fully into discussion, Avhen a petition signed by thirty-tAvo of these mock re presentatives of unconstitutional constituents, Avas offered to the house by Mr. Duncombe, and after- 8th May, ward, on the motion of Sir George Savile for re ferring it to a committee. The petition was found ed on that from Yorkshire, presented to the last > parliament, and supported by nearly the same ar guments, Avith the addition of those Avhich resulted from the famous resolutions on the increasing in fluence of the croAvn. Beside the objections to the contents of the petition, it Avas reprobated as being signed by men who had notoriously assumed the unconstitutional character of delegates and committee men, avIio assembled in that capacity, formed resolutions, and published them in news-papers ; alt which pro ceedings Avere founded in a design to aAve and controul parliament. The house Avas cautioned by lord Fielding, to beware of conjuring up a spirit which the tremendous events of last year alone had laid. How far that spirit Avould have extend? ed was difficult to say; but the discontinuance of its operation Avas sudden and remarkable. The associated bodies had adjourned or dissolved ; con versation had undergone a material change ; ap- Y6L. III. Z peals 338 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. peals to the people on the subject of recurring to first principles were no longer made, and even neAvs-papers ceased to be declamatory and violent. Mr. Courtenay attacked these confederacies v/ith poignant raillery ; comparing the associations- to self-erected political hand-posts, placed in all parts of the country, to sheAV the people Avhat path they should pursue. He animadverted with sevente en the characters of the delegates. " Their wise Divan, the best companions gracej •' Chiefs out of war, and members out of place* " Who fondly mingle in their hope-fill'd bowl " The feast of reason and the flow of soul." The defence of the committees and their dele gates Avas principally founded on the Avant of a positive prohibitory laAv. Sir George Savile's. motion was rejected. ' Motions The re-election of Sir Hugh Palliser to a seat lespicnng -n par]iament furnished a topic for several motions, Sir Hugh 1 . ,-i i ' i ¦ f ¦ Padiser. in which box displayed great bitterness of invec tive ; Sir Hugh answered Avith temper and dignity, and the transactions of the courts-martial on him and Keppel Avere often discussed ; but the subject had long ceased to interest the public. »j«h June. Late in the session, Fox moved for a commit- ^comirk-' tee to consider of the American Avar; and intimated; le* on the his intention of proposing a resolution, " that American " ministers ought immediately to take every mea- " sure for concluding peace Avith the colonies." In support of this proposition, he descanted on the circumstances of the Avar, including even the latest intelligence, and inferring the absolute impossi bility of conquest. The motion operated as a kind of test on the new members; most of the speeches contained1 some general principles, or professions of political faith, and many of them historical reviews' of the origin and conduct of the Avar. In answer to some observav s ii2 to 135. war. GEORGE III. 339 observations, reflecting on the political conduct CHAP. of the late earl of Chatham, Mr. Pitt made a XL. speech of extraordinary ability, vindicating the '**"{**'' Avhole parliamentary conduct of his father re specting America, as perfectly consistent. The earl had ahvays heartily reprobated the principle, progress, and ultimate objects of the Avar, and never gave a vote or opinion in contradiction to those sentiments. The only observation of lord Chatham, on which a contrary inference could be founded, was an assertion that Great Britain had a right to impose duties for regulation of com merce, duties incidental to the extension of trade, calculated for the mutual benefit of both countries; but not a tax for raising a revenue in America, to be remitted to England, and disposed of by par liament. After explaining his father's sentiments, Mr. Pitt stated his oavii. The American Avar had been defended, he said, Avith uncommon fervour; one member, in the heat of his zeal, had termed it a holy Avar, and several others had been reprehended for calling it a wicked, or accursed Avar. For his part, he Avas persuaded, and Avould affirm it to be a most accursed, Avickcd, barbarous, cruel, un natural, unjust, and diabolical Avar.; conceived in injustice, nurtured and brought forth. in folly ; its footsteps marked with blood, slaughter, persecu tion, and devastation. It contained every charac teristic of moral depravity and human turpitude, Avas pregnant Avith every species of mischief, and threatened Avith destruction the miserable people, Avho Avere the object of those black resentments by Avhich it Avas engendered. The mischiefs, however, recoiled on the unhappy people of Eng land, avIio were made the instruments to effect these wicked purposes. The nation Avas drained of its best blood and its vital resources in men and money. The expense Avas enormous, the return nothing z 2 but 40 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. but a series of ineffective victories, or disgraceful defeats ; victories, only celebrated with momentary triumph over our brethren, or defeats which filled the land Avith mourning for the loss of dear and valuable relations, slain in the impious contest for enforcing unconditional submission; or narratives of the glorious exertions of men struggling in the holy cause of liberty, though struggling under all the difficulties and disadvantages generally deem ed the necessary concomitants of victory and suc cess. What Englishman, on reading the narra tives of these bloody and well-fought contests, could refrain from lamenting the loss of British blood in such a cause ? or from weeping on which ever side victory might incline? to this melancholy consideration might be added, that we perceived only our natural and poAverful enemies, or luke warm and faithless friends, rejoicing in our calami ties, and meditating our ultimate doAvnfal. The motion Avas negatived. '' isth July. The king terminated the session at an unusual- the°sessk>n ^ advanced period ; thanking parliament for the ' faithful discharge of their duties, and expressing his earnest desire of peace, though he would not accept that blessing on terms inconsistent with the honour and dignity of the cioavii, and the perma? nent interest and security of the people. 11 172 to 39. • GEORGE III. 341 CHAPTER THE FORTY-FIRST: 1780 — 1781. Attack of the French on Jersey. — Progress of the siege of Gibraltar. — Misery, and relief of the garrison. — Brave sortie. — The enemy land in Minorca. — Naval actions in the Channel — and off the Dogger Bank. — Transactions in the West Indies. — Capture of Saint Eustatia — Demarary — Issequibo, and Berbice. — The French fleet reinforced. — Capture of Tobago. — Transactions in . America. — Lord Cornwallis reinforced. — Arnold's expedition to Virginia. — Mutiny in the American army. — Tarleton defeated at the Cowpens. — Lord Cornwallis's incursion into North Carolina. — Reiyal standard erected at Hillsborough. — Massacre of the loyalists. — Battle of Guildford. — Lord Cornwallis invades Virginia. — Lord Rawdon defeats the enemy at Hobkirk's Hill. — Camden evacuated. — Success of the enemy in South Ca rolina and Georgia.- — Suspension of operations. — Execution of colonel Haynes. — Battle at Eutaws. — Expedition of the enemy against Portsmouth. — General P/dllips ravages Virginia. — Ar rival of lord Cornwallis. — His pursuit of La Fayette. — Success of Tarleton and Simcoe. — Projects of the enemy against New York. — Clinton requires troops from Virginia. — Countermands the order. — Lord Cornwallis stations himself at York and Gloucester.- — -Arrival of the French — and English fleets. — Par tial action. — Arnold's Expedition to New London. — York town invested. — Progress of the siege — and capitulation. — Efforts of Clinton for relief of lord Cornwallis. EARLY in 1781, the French made a spirited CHAP attempt to gain possession of Jersey. The XLI. remainder of the legion Avhich had failed in 1779, ^{^ with another raised by the prince de Luxembourg, 6th Jan. were placed under the command of the baron de ^"*ck of. " ,~ 1 . _ ... . , the French Rullecourt. After sustaining some loss and many 0n Jersey. difficulties by tempest, the baron landed Avith eight hundred men at the Banc des Violettes; reached during night St. Helier's, the capital, and took prisoner major Corbet the lieutenant go vernor, Avho signed a capitulation for the Avhole z 3 island. 342 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, island. Fortunately other officers Avere not m- XLI. fected Avith the same spirit of timidity: major v-*V,w/ Pierson, on whom the command devolved, col lected the troops, assailed the invaders, who Ave re concentred in the market place, Avounded Rulle court, sIcav a considerable number, and compel led the remainder to surrender : but he did not survive to enjoy the fruits of his valour; almost the last shot fired by the enemy deprived him of life, and he fell in the prime of youth, and in the 6th June, moment of glory. Corbet Avas tried by a court- martial, and deservedly sentenced to be super seded in his commission of lieutenant governor.2 Progress Mean whiee the Spaniards continued to direct of GibraP a r>'reat portion of their strength against Gibraltar. tar. After the departure of Rodney they attempted, by 1780. means of fire-ships, to burn the fleet in the bay ; 7th June, but Avere repulsed by the valour and judgment of the British sailors, assisted by a Avell-directed fire from the garrison. NotAvithstanding this failure, they formed a blockade, and the probabilities of relief Avere diminished by a successful negotiation with the emperor of Morocco for farming the ports of Tangier, Tetuan, and Larache, from which sup plies and information had been hitherto frequently obtained. This advantage was gained by the Spaniards in consequence of a blameable negli gence of the British ministry. On the commence- , ment of hostilities, proposals Avere made to the emperor of Morocco for farming these ports, but far from acceding to a proposition so injurious to- the English, he imparted it to general Elliot, re quiring only, as the price of his friendship, naval stores for three vessels, to protect his coasts against the incensed Spaniards, the value of which did not exceed fifteen hundred pounds. Elliot, struck a Reside the histories, periodical,Works, and Gazettes, see the Life of General Dumomiez, vol, i, p. 445. -will* GEORGE III. 843 Avith this disinterestedness, advised the British government to double the emperor's demand, in •order to retain so valuable a friend ; but he had the mortification, on R,odney's arrival, to find that he brought no answer to the request. Ample time was afjenvard allowed for the ministry to repair their oversight; but after repeated applications to the British consul to learn the success of his ap plications, the Moorish monarch gradually Avith- drew his countenance and protection. He first permitted the Spaniards to capture British vessels within his ports, his officers answering the remon strances of Mr. Logic, the consul, Avith harshness and insult. Soon4 afterward the emperor com- 20th 0ct* manded Mr. Logie to be conducted into his pre sence, and after reproaching the English nation in terms of great bitterness, ordered him to make his abode at Sallee. The consul had the address to soften his resentment, and even obtained a tem porary protection for his felloAv- subjects; but the Spaniards still augmenting their offers, Avhile no counter-proposal Avas made by the British ministry, 26th Nay. the emperor at length consented to banish the subjects of the crown of England from his domi nions. He not only continued unmoved by the entreaties and remonstrances of Mr. Logie, but increased his seA^erity by alienating the port of Tangier to Spain, in consequence of Avhich the consul and all the English Avere made prisoners, and treated Avith great inhumanity, till the court of Madrid consented to their release. This event Avas a severe misfortune to the be- Distress of sieged .garrison, Avho had almost consumed the ,J?e_garn" supplies brought by Rodney, and were reduced to the utmost distress, Avhich the Spaniards increased by intercepting small vessels from Minorca and other ports, and by destroying tlie gardens Avithout the lines. The, scurvy made dreadful ravages, z 4 and sion. 344 CHAP. XLI. I781. 12th Apiil 1781. Relieved by Darby. The town bombarded. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. and the garrison experienced the most excessive misery .b From this extremity of Avretchedness they were at length relived by admiral Darby, Avho convoyed, with the grand fleet, near a hundred ships laden Avith provisions. The garrison had been apprised of his approach, and at day-break his fleet Avas descrie'! from the signal house, though not yet discernible from beloAv, by reason of a thick mist. But Avhen the rising sun dispersed the vapour, the anxious garrison Avere gratified with the view of the Avhole convoy, led by several men of Avar, steering tOAvard them in a compact body. The stores were landed in spite of opposition from the Spanish gun-boats and land-batteries, and Darby, having completed his task, sailed for the Chan nel. The joy of the garrison and inhabitants received, hoAvever, a severe check; for the fleet Avas scarcely moored, Avhen the Spaniards opened a severe battery and bombardment on the fortress and town. The fire impaired the fortifications, brought down large quantities of stone and rubbish from the rock, which blocked up the way aud rendered re pairs difficult, and by destroying the dwellings and warehouses, 'aid open those stores of provision which the merchants had amassed to deal out in b Asa proof of the extreme distress of the garrison during this period, ' trie following, are selected from a long list of articles which had advanced to prices proportionately exorbitant. Fresh Beef, veal, and mutton 4J. io\d.; corned beef u. Jid.; potatoes is. 6d.; Sugar 17 s. id,', and biscuit dust from iof the course of the year, many naval event* ment be- occurred highly honourable to the naval character Parkerand of the nation. Admiral Hyde Parker, returning Zouttman. fr0m the Baltic Avith a convoy, Avas encountered 5 "s- near the Dogger Bank by the Dutch admiral Zouttman, Avith a force considerably superior, both in number and condition. The Dutch did not, like their neAv allies the French and Spaniards, avoid an engagement.; but both admirals having taken the necessary measures for the safety of their convoys, commenced an action in which skill, judgment, and valour, were equally conspi cuous on either side. They did not fire till within musket shot, and continued with unremitting fury for three hours and a half. The disabled fleets lay-to for some time, repairing their damages, when the Dutch admiral bore away, unopposed, for the Texel, Parker not being in a condition to attempt pursuit. Both squadrons suffered severely ; the English lost one hunded and four killed, and three hundred and thirty-nine Avounded; the Dutch did not publish their official return, but- their GEORGE III. 349 their killed and Avounded Avere calculated at twelve CH A P. hundred. Their ships were dreadfully shattered ; the Hollandia sunk in the night after the en gagement, Avith all her Avounded on board, and the rest could with difficulty be kept above water till they reached the port. Although no advantage of capture resulted to the British fleet, the glory of victory Avas theirs, and the Dutch convoy Avas un able to proceed on its voyage. The brave admi- ¦ ral, on his return to the Nore, received the honour of a royal visit on board, his ship ; but no acts of civility or condescension could alter his resolution of resigning his command, which was imputed to indignation at the insufficiency and bad condi tion of his fleet. In the West Indies, the perfidy and ingratitude Unsuccess. of the Dutch received a severe chastisement. Sir ful attempt George Rodney returning tOAvard the close of the Vincent's. preceding year from New York, made, in con junction Avith general Vaughan, a fruitless attempt to recapture St. Vincent's. Being soon afterward 3j Feb. apprized of the rupture with .-Holland, he surrounded Capture of with his fleet St. Eustatia, an island of small extent, f;!j'Eusta" but strongly fortified by nature. The inhabitants composed of almost all trading nations could not be combined in views of defence, which the con sternation of so sudden an attack rendered hope less; the governor, M. de Graaf, surrendered the island, with its dependencies, St. Martin's and Saba, and the victors possessed themselves of an immense treasure. No small indignation was excited by a discovery that much of the merchan dise Avas the property of British subjects, and ap parently intended for the use of the enemy. Under the influence of this impression, the 'admiral re jected Avith disdain the application of the mer chants of St. Christopher's, the nearest English island, enforced by Mr. Glanville, their solicitor- general, for a restitution. His severity Avas sup posed 350 HISTORY OF ENGLAND, posed to exceed the limits of justice, and became the source of much subsequent litigation.'1 Beside the property on shore, valued at four millions, a frigate of thirty-six guns, five ships of war of infet rior force, and a hundred and fifty sail of merchant men, Avere taken in the bay, and a fleet of thirty sail richly laden, Avith their convoy a sixty-four, were pursued and brought back. The flag of Holland was kept for some time flying, and by means of this decoy, several French, American, and Dutch vessels became an easy prey. All the results of this acquisition Avere not hoAvever ad vantageous to England ; the necessity of disposing of the merchandise facilitated the purchases by the subjects of all neutral powers, who- notAvith standing every precaution, conveyed the articles to the enemy at a cheaper rate, and in greater plenty, than they could othenvise havre been procured* The captured treasure Avas dispatched to Europe Avith a convoy under commodore Hotham," but. twenty-five of the ships were taken by a French id May. squadron under de la Motte Piquet, and thus, the wealth of St. Eustatia continued to enrich theene- 26th Nov. mv -The island itself Avas surrendered to the French toward the end of the 3'ear, in a most dis-. honourable manner, -by colonel Cockburn. Dcmarary Anotheb attack on the property of the Dutch «uibo!Se~ was made by a squadron of privateers, mostly 14th Mar. equipped from Bristol, -who boldly entering the difficult rivers of Demarary and Issequibo, cap tured, under the very guns of the forts, several vessels of considerable value. The terrified inha bitants immediately surrendered these settlements, together Avith the island of Berbice, to the governor of Barbadoes ; they claimed only the terms allowed to St. Eustatia, but Avere treated with much greater lenity. 22dMar. Meaxavhile a French fleet of twenty-five ships '1^ , of the line, and one of fifty guns, sailed fr-otn Fivnch . j s> > run-forced d See the papers in the Remembrancer, vol. xi. p, 293. 317. 342. ^ Brest, GEO RG E III. 35 1 |9fest, commanded by de Suffrein and de Grasse ; CHAP, they had on board six thousand land forces, and XLI. convoyed a merchant fleet of nearly three hundred v-fc¥7^/ sail. Twenty of the vessels of the line, and the fifty-gun ship, proceeded for Fort Royal in Mar tinique, where a junction with the French fleet already in that quarter would give a decided su periority over the British force. Rodney detached Sir Samuel Hood and admiral Drake, with seven teen sail of the line, to cruize off Fort Royal Bay, for the purpose of intercepting the French admiral ; an engagementtook place, but although the French 29th. Apr. were augmented by reinforcements to a majority Partial en- of six, they remained at so great a distance, that not one in ten of their shot took effect. Some of the British ships, attempting to press into closer action, suffered severely, but the contest was, on the Avhole, undecisive and unimportant. On the arrival of the Russel at St. Eustatia, in Capture of a shattered condition, Rodney speedily completed T°^s°bf his repairs, and proceeded to Barbadoes. The French commanders having failed in an attack on St. ,oti, May, Lucie, Avere engaged in the reduction of Tobago* Rodney Avith his Avhole fleet came in sight of the 39th May. French squadron, but although they no longer. shewed their usual disposition to avoid an engage ment, and he had the advantage of wind, prudential reasons justified him in -declining a contest at tended Avith great risk and little probable advan tage. The island Avas valiantly defended and ad June. judiciously reinforced, and de Bouille only effect ed its reduction by the inhuman and unmi litary practice of burning four plantations every day, till the goA'ernor capitulated. This conquest termi nated the military operations of the year in the West Indies, and the French fleet being augmented Jth Aug. by five sail of the line at Hispauiola, de Grasse proceeded to the Chesapeak, while Rodney re turned to Europe for the benefit of his health, i.. leaving 1781. Transactions in America. 19th Dec. '1780. Lord Cornwallisreinforced. Arnold's expedition into Vir ginia. 352 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. leaving the command of the fleet to Sir Samuel Hood. The transactions on the continent of America since the close of the last campaign in the Carolinas, had been highly momentous. The spirit of disafr fection Avhich receiA^ed a rude shock by the vic tory at Camden, was revived by the defeat of major Ferguson; lord Cornwallis, though alarmed for the safety of South Carolina, obtained from Virginia a reinforcement of two thousand six hun-; dred men, under general Leslie, with Avhose assis-i tance he still pursued his project of penetrating into North Carolina. Incited by the state of Washington's army, and the desire of making a diversion favourable to lord CornAvallis, Sir Henry Clinton dispatched brigadier-general Arnold, at the head of eighteen hundred men, to establish a post at Portsmouth on Elizabeth river, and to. make an excursion into Virginia, to interest the natives on that side, in t+th Dec. order to favour lord Cormvallis's retreat, should it become necessary under the circumstances in Avhich he found himself engaged. Arnold was instructed only to strike at the enemy's maga zines if he could affect them without too much risk, and to conciliate the inhabitants by liberal proclamations. With a laudible prudence, Avhich, hoAvever, subsequent events proved to be unneces-: sary, Clinton sent Avith Arnold lieutenant-colonels Dundas and Simcoe, recommending them as offi cers of great experience and merit, in whom he placed implicit confidence, and Avith Avhom Arnold was enjoined to consult 011 every operation of con sequence. Lord CornAvallis Avas also apprized of the extent and motives of this expedition, and invested with poAver to supersede Arnold in the 30th Dec. command. That brave officer arriving Avith only a thousand men in Hampton road, proceeded up James river, and, in the course of a few daysj destroyed^ GEORGE III. destroyed a valuable cannon foundry, a large quan tity of public stores, and many vessels richly laden in James and Appomatox rivers, and succeeded in establishing the required post at Portsmouth. The discontents in the American army, of Avhich the British commander had gained intelligence by intercepted mails, now arose to a tremendousheight. They originated in the misery of the troops for Avant of pay, clothing, and even food ; congress Avas unable. to afford the requisite supplies, and the army proceeded from murmurs to open complaint, and at length to revolt. With the year the term of inlistment of several corps expired ; and the whole Pensylvania line, taking advantage of the period, dismissed their officers, and seizing six field- pieces, declared their resolution to obtain justice from congress at Philadelphia. Sir Henry Clinton, hoping to derive advantage from this critical re volt, offered protection and pardon, ^and a full liquidation of all demands, to those who Avould join him, stipulating only for allegiance and sub mission to the British government ; and not even requiring their service in the royal army, unless they Avould enter as volunteers. The revolters, hoAvever, instead of yielding to these promises, gave up the British messengers to general Wayne, their commanding officer ; and congress having sent commissioners to negotiate an arrangement, mutual concessions were made, and half the re volters returnecl to the service. Thus this great event produced no other consequence than that of facilitating general Arnold's progress, by pre venting Washington from sending detachments to oppose him. ' Such was the general result of operations de signed to favour lord CornAvallis. When that noble man commenced the campaign, general Greene Avas encamped near Hick's Creek, on the east side of the Pedee, wjtfi -a -force consisting- only of -two Vol. III. A a thousand 35. S I st Jan. .1781. Mutiny in the Ame rican army. ijth Jan. State of the armies. 354 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. thousand three hundred and seven men, of whom more than half were militia ; while lord Cornwallis "Cg^ had under his command, at Wynnesborough and adjacent places, five thousand five hundred regu lars, beside a numerous militia. Tarleton . G reeke detached five hundred and forty-men, defeated at uncjer general Morgan, to gain the Avestern fron- •pens. tiers of South Carolina, and threaten the British post at Ninety-Six, while the remaining force alarmed the country in front of Camden. Lord CornAvallis, preparatory to his inA'asion of North Carolina, detached colonel Tarleton Avith one thou sand men against Morgan, and to favour this de- 17th Jan. sign, himself moved tOAvard Turkey Creek, but Avas prevented from effectual co-operation. Tarle ton, after a fatiguing march, found the enemy at a place called the Cowpens, augmented by rein forcements to an equality in point of numbers with himself, but inferior in cavalry. He attacked them with his usual impetuosity, and having de feated the first and second line, Avas in hopes of a complete victory. Some mistake however appears to have prevented the charge of the British caval ry in time to hinder the Americans from rallying, they became in their turn the assailants, drove back the fatigued and unsupported infantry;' ter ror spread on every side ; the legion cavalry dis gracefully fled, regardless of repeated commands, Avhile the infantry were slain or captured to the numDer of seven hundred. Tarleton himself, at the head of fourteen officers, and about forty men of the seventeenth regiment of dragoons, cut his way through the opposing cavalry, and reached lord CornAvallis. The Americans gained great honour by this important and unexpected victory, and the defeat Avas additionally distressing to the British army, as it was attended with the irrepara ble loss of all the light troops. 29th Jan. This disaster, injurious and portentous as it was,f GEORGE III. 355 781. Lord Corn wallis pur sues Mor gan* 29th. 2d Feb. Passes the Catawba. was, did not deter lord Cornwallis from invading North Carolina. Animated by the hope of recap turing Morgan's prisoners, he rapidly advanced toward the CataAvba, but finding his march retard ed by his baggage, caused all that exceeded the limits of the most strict necessity to be destroyed. He reached the banks of the river two hours after the American general had crossed, but in that small interval, a rise of the water prevented his passage, and afforded time for Morgan to send forward his prisoners to Virginia, and collect the militia to dispute the fords. General Greene, judging this crisis worthy of his personal inter ference, ordered his army to join Morgan by forced marches, and himself repaired to the shores of the 31st Jan. Catawba with still greater expedition, riding a hundred and sixty miles across the country. Al though the river was nearly five hundred yards wide, and the fords defended by strong bodies of the enemy, lord Cornwallis passed, with only four kill ed and thirty-six wounded. Colonel Tarleton was dispatched in pursuit of the retreating militia ; and the cavalry under his command, by gallantly routing five hundred men at Tarrant's Tavern, re trieved a portion of the honour, though they could not regain the advantages, lost at the Cowpens. From the Catawba the British army pursued Arrives at the enemy to the Yadkin, a march, or rather a race of thirty-eight miles, rendered extremely dif ficult by bad roads and swelled creeks, and a se vere and rainy winter. The British troops bore Avith heroic, fortitude the privation of spirits, and even of food, but fortune again rescued the flying foe from their grasp, by an almost miraculous fall of the Yadkin to facilitate the passage of the fu gitives, while that of the pursuers Avas impeded by a sudden rise. The two divisions of the American army noAV effected a junction, and the British commander A A 2 still and crosses the Yad kin. 356 CHAP. XLI. 1781. The enemy retreat into Virginia. Royal standarderected at Hillsbo rough. 24th Feb. Massacreof the loy alists. 25th Feb. Further retreat of Lord Corn wallis. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. still hoped to impede their retreat into Virginia, though from the state of the river, he could not cross Avithout a circuitous march of fifty miles. He was deceived by reports of difficulties in pass ing the river Dan, but after a vigorous and inces sant pursuit, he had the mortification to find the enemy effected their retreat without impediment: general Greene acquired great applause by his ac tivity, judgment, and intelligence. Disappointed in the main object of his pur suit, lord Cornwallis returned by sIoav marches to 'Hillsborough, where he erected the royal standard, and by proclamation invited all loyal subjects to join him in arms, and with ten day's provisions.' Although the loyalists of North Carolina had been greatly diminished and depressed by persecutions, Greene repassed the Dan to prevent the effects of the proclamation. Colonel Pyle had collected a body of nearly three hundred loyalists, for Avhose protection colonel Tarleton was detached Avith the cavalry, and a small body of infantry. At the same time Greene dispatched lieutenant-colonel Lee to prevent the junction of this corps with the British army. The loyalists meeting Lee's detach ment, and mistaking them for friends, Avere sur rounded, and although they implored quarter on their knees, were all inhumanly butchered. The re-appearance of the Americans in North "Carolina, impeded the supplies of the British army ; and the country being nearly exhausted, lord CornAvallis retreated to a neAv position on Alla- mance Creek, betAveen HaAv and Deep rivers. This measure, though dictated by imperious necessity, did not escape censure, as the period limited in the proclamation for the junction of the loyalists, which had ^subjected the most zealous to punish- c Many came in, but, seeing the distressed state of the British army, retired. menl* GEORGE III. ment for having indiscreetly sheAvn their attach ment to the British cause, Avas not yet expired ; they afterward reluctantly joined the army. The Americans advancing as lord Cornwallis retired, an ineffectual attempt Avas made to beat up their quarters ; Greene, though greatly superior in num bers, cautiously avoiding an engagement till the arrival of expected reinforcements. At length, having received all his supplies, anc} chosen an advantageous position near Guildford court-house, he offered battle, and the British commander, Avith an army reduced to less than two thousand men, eagerly advanced to the con flict against five thousand. The engagement, which was long, and maintained Avith determined valour on both sides, terminated in a glorious and honourable victory to the British troops ; but the commander had to lament the loss of nearly one third of his force, fiAre hundred and thirty-two being killed, Avounded, and riiissing, including several meritorious and esteemed officers. His troops Avere exhausted Avith the fatigue of a long march, unprovided with tents, and so miserably destitute of provisions, that their alloAvance on the ensuing day amounted to no more than a quarter pf a pound of flour, and the same quantity of lean beef. The night Avas dark and tempestuous, the rain fell in torrents on the unprotected, fatigued, and famishing troops, while the cries of the wounded and dying aggravated t\ie horrors of the scene. General Greene retreated to the iron- works on Troublesome Creek ; but lord CornAval lis, finding pursuit impossible, retired by easy marches tOAvard Cross Creek, leaving seventy of Ifis wounded, under a flag of truce, to the hu manity of the enemy. Before his departure he issued a proclamation, reciting his victory, call ing an all loyal subjects to return to government, A A S and 557 CHAP. XLI. 1781. 6th March. 15th Mar. Battle of Guilijford, Lord Cornwallisretreats to Wilming ton x 1781. 358 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, and promising protection and pardon to those who XLI. obeyed. Far from being able to afford assistance to others, he found that Cross Creek could not supply his followers with necessaries ; they Avere worn down by the hardships and fatigues of a march of six hundred miles, in which they had forded several large rivers, and numberless creeks, several of Avhich would in any other country be reckoned large rivers, Avithout tents or covering against the climate, and often Avithout provisions. 7th April. He found himself, therefore, compelled to a further retreat, and preferred Wilmington, a sea-port, td Camden, where lord Rawdon Avas threatened with an attack. He invades After pursuing for some time the track of the Virginia, retreating army, general Greene marched toward Camden, Avhile lord Cornwallis, embarrassed Avith a choice of difficulties, and his force reduced to 29th Apr. fourteen hundred and thirty-five men, took advan tage of Greene's absence to proceed through North Carolina to Virginia. Lord Raw- Lord Raavdon Avas unapprized of the enemy's feats the approach, and Avhen Greene, with a force exceed- enemyat ing tAvo thousand men, encamped at Hobkirk's ft 1 i | -, K-s J 1 Hill> s Hill, his garrison at Camden Avas only eight hun dred, and reduced to a short alloAvance of provi- 25th. sions. He did not however wait to be attacked, but with officer-like decision sallied forth, and after a severe conflict routed the Americans, kill ing and wounding five hundred, but his OAvn loss amounted to tAvo hundred and fifty eight, Avhich, in the relative state of forces, was more than equi valent to that of the enemy. The attack Avas hoAv- ever not less judicious than spirited, for the supe riority of the invading army, and their force of artillery, must soon have rendered defence im possible. Activity.of The return of an American army to the pro- American vince of South Carolina, gave additional impulse partizans. a * GEORGE III. S59 to the spirit of disaffection, which had been assi- CHAP. duously encouraged by the partizans Sumpter and XLI. Marion. Aided by cplonel Lee, whom Greene de- V""V^ tached for that purpose, they reduced Fort Wat- 23d April. son, on the river Santee, a task which they accom plished without artillery or intrenching tools, by means of a work on an unusual plan, Avhich over looked the fort, and from which rifle men fired with unerring aim on every individual Avho ven tured to appear. By seizing the passes they re tarded, but could not prevent the junction of colonel Watson Avith lord Rawdon, Avho thus re- 7th May. placed the numbers he had lost at Hobkirk's Hill. Intelligence of this reinforcement being Camden conveyed to Greene, he shifted his position to evacuated. avoid an attack ; lord RaAvdon evacuated Camden, after destroying the least portable stores, and re tired to Monk's Corner, for the protection of lothMay! Charlestown, the defences of which were in a feeble state, lord CornAvallis having before his de parture demolished some of the old works, and the new not being yet completed. About the same nth and time Lee and Marion captured Fort Motte on the ^eVfort'' Congaree, Orangeburgh yielded to Sumpter, and taken by Lee reduced Fort Granby. the eneiny- Satisfied with these successes in the north Their suc- and north-east parts of South Carolina, general cess in Greene directed his views to the western frontier eoi'sia" of that province, and to Georgia. Godolphin, on the banks of the Savannah, soon surrendered, and Augusta Avas reduced by a repetition of the expe- . dient employed at Fort Watson, Meanwhile general Greene laid siege to 2IstMay# Ninety -Six, where the commander, colonel Cru- Failure at' ger, by the interception of lord Rawdon's messen- ^;'"ety" gers, Avas kept in ignorance of the recent transac tions. The defences of this village were incom plete, and the garrison consisted only of five hun dred and fifty provincial troops : but the spirit a a 4 and, 360 1781. Suspen sion of operations, Executionof colonel Haynes. J«iy. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. and ability of the commanding officer frustrated the attacks of the besiegers. Once he destroyed their Avorks by a masterly' saiHy, and interrupted, by similar efforts, the progress of neAv ones com menced at a greater distance. This hazardous de fence was continued Avith unremitting exerticm during three weeks, when the garrison were re duced to the greatest extremities for Avant of water ; but their spirits Avere revived by intelli gence from an intrepid loyalist, that lord RaAvdon was marching to raise the siege. General Greene had more precise information, and after an ineffec tual endeavour to carry the place by storm, retreat ed across the Saluda with sufficient celerity to evade pursuit. Lord Rawdon had, however, no intention to retain possession of Ninety-Six ; he was only anxi ous to rescue the loyalists from the vengeance of their countrymen, against Avhich he knew that neither sentiments of humanity nor the terms of a capitulation afforded sufficient protection. The division of his force for the escort of these unfor tunate persons to Charlestown, encouraged gene ral Greene again to hang on his army, till the heat of the season compelled both parties to seek repose. General Greene, being joined by the detachments under Lee, Sumpter, and Marion, encamped on the high hills of Santee, Avhile lord Rawdon retired to Orangeburgh, and shortly aftenvard the im paired state of his health rendered it necessary for him to revisit his native land. During the late disasters, the disaffection of the Americans, and the treachery of those who, under pretence of loyalty, had joined the British standard, were more than usually apparent. An example to deter others from similar attempts Avas among the last public acts of lord RaAvdon ; colo nel Isaac Haynes, Avho had taken the oath and served in the British army, being captured fight- 7 ing GEORGE III. S6l ing in the American cause, Avas condemned to CHAP. death by a court of inquiry at CharlestoAvn as a XLI. traitor. His execution occasioned a threatening v*^g^"/ proclamation from general Greene, and Avas the 4th Aug. subject of much public discussion in England, but 26th Aug. the conduct of lord Rawdon Avas deemed complete ly justifiable. f After the departure of lord Rawdon, the chief Battle at command devolved on colonel Stewart. Greene f"!-3^ had already achieved, by valour, judgment, and perseverance, the chief object of the campaign, recovering the principal part of South Carolina, and confining the English within the three great rivers Santee, Congaree, and Edisto. Being rein- a2d Aug. forced by a considerable body of militia and other troops, he marched, as soon as the weather Avould permit, to attack the British army, who fell back from Wateree to Eutaw. Although colonel Stewart m Sept. was apprized of Greene's approach by two deserters, he gave no credit to their intelligence, but sent four hundred unarmed men on that very road to procure vegetables, the greater part of whom were taken prisoners. The few Avho escaped spread alarm, not unaccompanied Avith terror. An obsti nate and bloody engagement hoAvever ensued, in which the artillery of both parties was several times taken and retaken ; both claimed the victory and nearly seven hundred were slain, Avounded, and missing on each side. The British having kept the field that night and the following day, retired to Monk's corner, and subsequently to Charlestown Neck, while - general Greene, too much enfeebled to make an attempt on, the city, regained his former encampment on the high hills of Santee ; thus terminating the eventful campaign jn South Carolina. 8 f See Papers on this subject, Remembrancer, vol. xiii. p. 121. S In the ensuing year, the provincial legislature recompensed the ser vices of general Greene by the donation of an estate of the value of ten thousand guineas. See Remembrancer, vol. xiv. p. 140. During 362 Expedition of the ene my against Ports mouth. 23d Jan. 26th Mar. General Phillips ravages Virginia. 7th May. 9th.His death. *orh May. Arrival of lord Corn wallis. HISTORF OF ENGLAND. • During these transactions, Sir Henry Clinton Avas prevented, by the reduced state of his force, from undertaking any distant enterprise. Early in the year he felt considerable apprehensions for the safety of NeAv York. The French having at tained a superiority of naval poAver in conse quence of the loss of the Culloden man of war in a tempest, Avhile the America was separated from the fleet, and the Bedford dismantled, their ad miral, availing himself of this accident, blocked up the port of Portsmouth in Virginia, Avhere general Arnold Avas established ; Washington em barked a large body of troops under La Fayette to act in that quarter, and entertained sanguine hopes of surrounding and capturing Arnold, but they were frustrated by the langour and inepitude of the French general and admiral ; and the dispatch of a reinforcement of two thousand men from New York, under general Phillips, enabled the British to resume offensive operations. After completing the fortification of Portsmouth, general Phillips ravaged the country, and destroyed a large quan tity of valuable stores, Avithout loss, and almost Avithout opposition. Having achieved the objects of his march, and left a garrison in the small fort at Mill Point, Phillips Avas preparing to rejoin Sir Henry Clinton, according to his original in structions, when he receiA-ed intelligence of the march of lord CornAvallis, accompanied Avith a re quest that the armies should unite at Petersburgh. Compliance with this demand Avas the last military act of general Phillips, Avho after a short illness, died of a malignant fever, and the command again devolved on general Arnold. The junction of the armies was effected without difficulty, lord Corn wallis having reached Petersburgh, Avith only slight opposition, at the head of sixteen hundred men, with four pieces of cannon. In this interval, the commander in chief, unap- prized of lord Cormvallis's movement, had sent a considerable GEORGE III. 36S considerable reinforcement to the army in Virginia, G'H A P, hoping to facilitate the return of all to co-operate XLI. in the defence of New York, which he considered in ^^-g^ danger of an attack. His further intentions Avere, if the city should be secure, to move as high as possible up the Chesapeak, and by the effect of an operation which had been preconcerted Avith general Haldimand, who commanded in Canada, to make an entire division between the united colonies, and, inclosing the armies, ravage on either side, as circumstances might require. Lord CornAvallis, however, unacquainted Avith Clinton's views, expeditiously crossed James river in pursuit of La Fayette, dispatching tAvo bodies of troops, under colonels Tarleton and Simcoe, in different , directions to destroy stores and provisions. La Fayette rested his only hope in meeting Pursmtof with general Wayne, Avho Avas advancing to join LaFayette. him Avith a body of troops from Maryland. He retreated Avith so much celerity that pursuit soon became hopeless, but thetwo detached expeditions were eminently prosperous". Tarleton, Avith his success of usual speed and intrepidity, reached Charlotteville, colonel and broke up the session of the general assembly Tarleton» of the province, taking seven of its members, and one member of the general congress, prisoners ; Mr. Jefferson, president of the province, narrowly escaped. Tarleton in his progress destroyed several waggons laden Avith clothing and stores, and at Charlotteville a thousand new firelocks, four hundred barrels of gunpoAvder, Avith considerable quantities of tobacco and cloathing. ColOnel Simcoe was equally successful : the andcoio- enemy, under baron Steuben, had removed to the neisimcoe. opposite side of the river Fluvanna, but by an ingenious feint he induced them to abandon their stores, which were destroyed by a small detachment under captain Stevenson and cornet Wolsey, Avho passed the river in canoes. r The 364. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. The progress of the British army in pursuit of La XLL Fayette, was attended with general destruction of v— ~{p-,/ stores and property. The distress of the Americans Despairof was now extreme; their operations retarded by theAmeri- the want of enthusiasm and public confidence, cans" their paper currency so much depreciated that it no longer answered the purposes of its emission, while the recent ravages in the hitherto favoured province of Virginia, completed the public despair. The incapacity of congress to proceed in the contest Avas ascertained by intercepted dispatches, and the prisoners taken by Tarleton represented, as the prevailing sentiment, that if Great Britain could hinder the intended co-operation of the French fleet and army Avith the native forces, during the ensuing autumn, the French alliance Avould be dissolved, and an union with the mother-country cordially embraced both by congress and the people. h No exertion Avas necessary on the part of the British armies ; a system studiously defensive, preventing all splendid advantages on the side of their opponents, would have reduced them to despair, and frustrated all hopes of ultimate success. Projects of Both the French and American commanders the enemy were sensible of the necessity of effecting some New York, great achievement to reanimate the drooping cause; and Avhen M, de Barras arrived Avith a squadron zistMay. of ships, Washington, in an intervieAv with him and Rochambeau, proposed an attack on NeAv York. This appeared to be the only exploit of sufficient importance to claim their exertions, as the march of lord CornAvallis to Virginia Avas not yet known. June. Sir Henry Clinton being apprized of these quireT "" intentions, by an express intercepted in the Jerseys, troopsfrom fonvarded dispatches to accelerate the return of Virginia, t^e detachments from Virginia. He did not, hoAvever, insist on their immediately quitting lord Cornwallis, 11 Tarleton's Campaigns, p. 297. GEORGE m. Corn wail i s, if he was engaged in a movement which required their assistance ; or if he would employ them in co-operating Avith the loyalists in the upper part of the Chesapeak, and upon the Sus quehanna, Avhich Avould have made an effectual diversion of Washington's force. This plan not meeting' the approbation of lord CornAvallis, he resolved to send back the troops, and according to his understanding of Sir Henry Clinton's dis patches, repassed James river, and retired to Ports mouth. As the British troops were about to embafk, La Fayette, Avho had joined general Wayne, made an approach to harass their rear, but, instead of gain ing the expected advantage, Avas himself attacked, and night alone saved him from destruction. Be fore the British troops could put to sea, Clinton wrote tAvo dispatches, expressing disapprobation at the abandonment of the neck of land at Wil liamsburgh, requiring lord CornAvallis to resume that position, and fortify himself in Old Point 'Comfort, as the best naval station Avhich he could protect, with or Avithout the addition of Yorlc town, as he should find most convenient ; and he was permitted to retain the troops which he had been required to return. In puTsance of Avhat he considered to be the -spirit of these instructions, lord CornAvallis sur veyed Old Point Comfort, and finding neither that nor Portsmouth a sufficiently defensive sta tion for ships, evacuated them, and fortified the 'towns of York and Gloucester. Meanwhile Washington having effected a junction with Rochambeau, appeared more than once in force before NeAv York, with the seeming- intention of making an attack as soon as the co operation of De Grasse could be ascertained; but on his arrival, his pilots refusing to steer his ships over the bar of New York, the attack was aban doned, IjSi. 30th June. 6th July. The 6Vder countermanded. ith July LordCornwallisstationed at York town.1 st to 22d August.6 th July. The ene my menace New York. 21st and 23d. 1 8th Aug. Arrival of De Grasse. 366 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 1781. 30th Aug. Arrival of Sir Samuel Hood. CHAP, doned, and the united French andAmerican armies, XL I. after several feints, marched across the Jerseys to Philadelphia. Although the intention of count De Grasse to visit America was well known, it Avas not con ceived that he would employ his whole armament in that expedition, and neglect the convoy of the homeAvard-bound trade. Sir Samuel Hood there fore followed him with only fourteen sail of the line, and, on his arrival, admiral Graves (Avho as 30th Aug. senior took command of the squadron) possessed only nineteen sail of the line, to oppose tAventy- eight. De Grasse having received proper infor mation from La Fayette, forwarded to the main army the land force he had conveyed from the West Indies, and blocked up York river, Avith four ships of the line, and several frigates, while the remainder of the fleet Avas anchored in LynhaAren Bay, Avithin the Capes of Virginia. In this position they Avere discovered by admi- ¦ ral Graves; a partial action ensued, in Avhich con siderable damage Avas done to both fleets ; no ship Avas taken, but the Terrible, a British man of war, Avas rendered incapable of future service, and burnt. The fleets continued in sight of each other several days ; but no advantage of numbers or wind could encourage the French to make an attack; and the admiral, at length, returned to the Chesa peak, Avhere de Barras had arrived Avith his squa dron, and fourteen transports laden with heavy artillery and military stores. The British admiral, finding the position unassailable, retired to New York to refit. Soon after the arrival of lord Cornwallis in ' Virginia, general Arnold returned to Sir Henry Clinton, who noAv employed him in an attack on NeAv London in Connecticut. Although deceiv ed in his information respecting the fortifications, Arnold took the toAvn, and a fort called Griswold, by 5th Sept. Partial ac tion be tween the fleets. loth. Arnold's expedition to New London. GEORGE III. 567 by assault, destroyed fifty pieces of cannon, and CHAP; an immense quantity of military stores, and burn- XLI. ed twelve ships, the flames of Avhich spreading to v^g7^ the toAvn, great part Avas consumed. - The allied armies, intent on the project of be- York town sieging lord Cornwallis, did not suffer their atten- invested. tion to be diverted by any other object. Their proceedings being arranged at a council of Avar 14th Sept. held on board the Ville de Paris, the flag-ship of count De Grasse, the forces- were landed in the 2Sth. neighbourhood of Williamsburgh, and being join ed by those under La Fayette, and M. de St. Si mon, encamped before York town. 28th Sept. Lord Cornavallis did not impede the ap proaches of the enemy, although La Fayette, Avith only two thousand men, was within a short dis tance of him, and unsupported; but appears to have relied Avith sanguine confidence on relief from New York, which Sir Henry Clinton ex pressed hopes might arrive by the fifth of October. In expectation of this succour, lord Cornwallis, to the astonishment of Washington, withdreAv his army within the works of the town, Avhich were immediately occupied by the enemy, and the post at Gloucester blockaded. ' The time hoAvever elapsed, and no, succours ar- 6thand9th rived ; the enemy rapidly advanced their Avorks 0ctober- and completed their batteries, maintaining an in cessant cannonade, which damaged the unfinish ed fortifications of the toAvn, silenced the artillery, and occasioned considerable slaughter. The gar rison Avere indefatigable in opening new embra sures, and particularly annoyed the invaders from two redoubts advanced three hundred yards in front of the works. These were stormed by parties *4-™ Oct, of French and Americans, separately employed on joXr" the service to excite emulation, and aftenvard stormed. 1 See Washington's letters to congress on that subject, dated October 1. by 368 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, by indefatigable industry, joined to the works of XLI. the besiegers. The defences of the town Avere at v-^g^' length completely ruined, and although vigorous 16th. and successful sorties, conducted by lieutenant- colonels Abercrombie and Lake, retarded the ap proach of the enemy, lord CornAvallis was convinc- Lord ed that his position was no longer tenable. He ^nen^tsa8 attempted to escape, by transporting his army ietreat. across the river in the night ; but after he had landed a part on the- opposite shore, a storm pre vented the return of the boats, and the feAv troops Avho had been ferried over, with difficulty rejoined the garrison. J9t". In this extremity, lord CornAvallis surrendered hues"" his Avhole army prisoners of Avar to general Wash ington, as commander of the combined force, and the vessels in the harbour to De Grasse; the troops as prisoners to the United States, the sea men to the French king. The garrison obtained the same honours of Avar as had been granted by Sir Henry Clinton at Charlestown ; private pro perty Avas retained, and the officers were allowed their freedom on parole. The tenth article of the capitulation, k was most exposed to censure, as it yielded up the loyalists, without protection, to the mercy of those who had already persecuted them with such unrelenting savageness ; but in exte nuation, it was alleged that the British commander secured the safety of these persons under another form, by obtaining permission for the Bonetta sloop of war to sail for New York, unsearched, with as many soldiers on boaid as he shotild think fit, provided they were accounted for in any future exchange. This article Avas devised, and used as the means of conniving at the safe conduct of the k The article, was in these words, " Natives or inhabitants of different " pans of this country, at present in York or Gloucester, are not to be " punished on account of having joined the British army." Answer, " This article cannot be assented to, being altogether of civil resort." loyalists. Clinton. GEORGE III. 369 loj'alists. ' The garrison at the time of the sur render amounted to five thousand nine hundred and fifty men, but only four thousand and seven teen Avere fit for duty, Avhile the besiegers were nineteen thousand. They acquired by the con quest a large train of artillery, Avith a considerable quantity of arms, ammunition, and stores, a frigate, tAvo ships of twenty guns, and a great number of transports and other vessels. During the progress of this disastrous event, Efforts of Sir Henry Clinton had used every exertion to as sist lord CornAvallis. He Avas deceived even at the moment of Sir Samuel Hood's arrival, in his infor- 'mation on the comparative force of the fleets ; nor could he believe the French admiral had left the West Indies Avithout detaching any part of his force for protection of the trade, or that Sir George Rod ney would, unless'assured of a superiority, have proceeded with three ships of the line for Europe, and left others in the West Indies, contrary to his positive orders from government to watch and controul the operations of de Grasse. Sir Samuel Hood contributed to Sir Henry Clinton's error, by a positive statement that he possessed a force su perior to that of the enemy; an assurance which was not knoAvn to be unfounded, till after the engagement between Graves and de Grasse on the fifth of September. Sir Henry justly consi dered an attack on lord CornAvallis at York ToAvn impossible, unless the British fleet was overmatched in the Chesapeak ; he knew that the original in tention of the combined forces Avas to attack NeAv York, and therefore considered their first efforts agai nst York ToAvn as a feint. Yet he imparted the I The plea of necessity, and the security afforded by using the Bonetta sloop as an asylum, did not tranquillize the feelings, or calm the appre hensions of the loyalistyhroughout America. The word punished, in the 10th article, was constAed as an a'dmission of guilt, and of consequent right in the victors to prosecute them for acts of allegiance to their lawful sovereign. Vol. III. B a " intelligence 1781. 570 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. intelligence he received to lord Cornwallis, coutv termanded his first order for returning the detach ments, and sent all the recruits and convalescents 27th Aug. he could spare from the defence of New York, Long Island, and Staten Island, Avhich required nine thousand men, for the augmentation of his lordship's force. When the intention to attack York Town became certain, Clinton prepared to dispatch a reinforcement of seven thousand men, but the condition of the fleet delayed their sailing till the nineteenth of October, the clay on Avhich the British army surrendered. On his arrival off the Chesapeak, Sir Henry Clinton received infor mation that lord CornAvallis had capitulated, Avhich rendered unnecessary the plans he had precon certed Avith the admiral for forcing the enemy at anchor, and taking up a position Avithin them in James river. The practicability of this attempt, was ascertained by captain Elphinstone in the Experiment, who had reconnoitred the enemy's position, and made the signal accordingly. Had lord Cornwallis not surrendered, it Avas Sir Henry Clinton's intention to land his forces on that river, and move toward the enemy, lord CornAvallis making a sally to favour their joint operations. The terms in Avhich lord CornAvallis announced and accounted for his capture, occasioned a series of discussions. On his arrival at New York, his lordship complained that his service Avas slighted in some instances, and in others not adequately supported by the commander in chief. His plan for reducing Virginia had been approved, he said, by the ministry, and Avas favoured by the king, but discouraged by Clinton; and in his public dis patch on the surrender of York Toavh, he accused Sir Henry Clinton of Avithholding a reinforcement which he had positively promised by the fifth of October. In GEORGE III. 371 In answer to these allegations, Sir Henry Clinton CHAP. alleged that the plan for invading Virginia, the XLI. most Avarlike of all the provinces, Avas improper as to v*Of|w/ time and circumstances, improperly forced on ad ministration by an inferior, without the privity of his superior officer, and undertaken in a rash and unadvised manner.™ His positive orders were to consider the preservation of South Carolina, and . safety of Charlestown, paramount to all other ob jects, both which were endangered and even lost to view, by the chase of G reene across North Ca rolina, and the subsequent incursion into Virginia. In that province Sir Henry Clinton had never projected any solid operation, convinced that the predatory and destructive excursions he had di rected, added to the general distress, Avould : have terminated the American Avar, if the British army could be preserved from any serious disaster. Washington's troops had no object but NeAv York to which their attacks could be directed, had not lord Cornwallis presented himself to their aim; and many errors were alleged against his mode of defence. He Avas blamed for posting himself injudiciously at York and Gloucester; for not attacking the enemy in detail as they were forming the siege, when the corps under the com mand of La Fayette at Williamsburg did not con sist of more than two thousand men, and might with ease have been dislodged or captured before the junc tion of the other troops; and for neglecting easy and certain means of escape from the overwhelming- force which ultimately engulphed him. The relief m It is presumed, however, his lordship's error arose from the circum stance of expecting to succeed to the command, as Sir Henry Clinton, after the capture of Charlestown, had requested leave to resign to him, which his lordship expecting would take place, transmitted his own plans to ministers (as being the most expeditious mode) without consulting with Sir Henry Clinton, whose resignation was not accepted. See letter from lord George Germaine, dated July 7, 1781, in Sir Henry Clinton's Narrative, page 36. b b 2 by HISTORY OF ENGLAND. by means of the fleet Avas only promised, if the ships could be enabled to sail by the fifth of Oc tober, and the promise Avas accompanied Avith an instruction to lord Cornwallis to use every exer tion for saving at least part of the army, should he have reason to apprehend that reinforcements could not arrive sufficiently early. These complaints and assertionson either side, have occasioned a difference of opinion on this event, Avhich was magnified by the Americans and their friends far beyond its real importance : con gress celebrated it Avith rejoicings and thanksgiv ings, their drooping cause appeared to revive, and « all past reverse's to be forgotten. Subsequent reso lutions in Great Britain justified these exhibitions of ardent joy ; but the capture of lord Cornwallis's army of four thousand men fit for duty, though felt Avith anguish and dejection by all loyal sub jects, might -easily have been repaired, had the spirit of the nation warranted an adequate exertion of its resources." n In these transactions I have consulted, beside the histories and Ga zettes, the pamphlets published by lord Cornwallis and Sir Henry Clinton, and Tarleton's Campaigns, and have been assisted by privatt information and correspondence. GEORGE III. 373 CHAPTER THE FORTY-SECOND: 1781 — 1782, Conduct of neutral powers. — Prussia admitted to the armed confe deracy. — Unsuccessful efforts for a mediation. — Altered conduct of the emperor of Germany — he joins the armed confederacy — his increasing partiality toward France. — State of the public mind — meeting of parliament — debates on the addresses — 011 the capture of Saint Eustatia. — Motion against the war by Sir J/imc.s Lowthcr. — Debates on the treatment of Mr. Laurens— he is discharged recess. — Proceedings in public meetings. — Petition of the com- mon-hall of Tondon, for peace and a change oj' ministry. — Admiral Kempenf elf s unsuccessful expedition. — Capture of Saint Christopher's— Nevis — Montserrat — and Minorca. — Fox's mo tions On the ill success of the navy. — Motions in both houses re specting the conduct and characters of individuals. — On the treat ment of colonel Haynes—for an inquiry into the causes of lord Cornwallis's surrender — on lord Sackvillc's peerage — on the promotion of general Arnold. — Fox's renewed motion respecting the navy. — General Conway's motion against the war. — Alterca tion between lord North and colonel Barre. — Debates on the new taxes. — General Conway's second motion. — The minister in a mi nority.-. — Bill to enable the king to make peace with America. — Lord John Cavendish's motion against the ministry. — Lord North declares the cabinet dissolved- '-his farewel address to the house. — Lord Shelburne 's intended motion. — Character of lord North. DURING these events, the administration were CHAP. in a continual state of alarm and solicitude; XLH. distresses were augmenting, Avhile hope and con- ^*~S£**S solation almost vanished from their vieAV. None Conduct of the continental powers sheAved a disposition to ofneutl4 make effectual exertions for the benefit of Great p°w Britain; and Avhile the efforts of hostility Avere open, earnest, and unremitting, those of friendship, if indeed a jealous neutrality could deserve that name, Avere languid, cold, and feeble. BBS T/he 374 CHAP. XLH. 1781. Prussiaadmitted to the armed confede racy. .January. Efforts at mediation. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. The king "of Prussia, still animated by his wonted aversion, used every intrigue and petty artifice to injure the interest of England. By a public letter to his minister of finances, he ordered all Prussian subjects to Avithdraw their money from the British funds, as a general bankruptcy Avas inevitable. He endeavoured to persuade the em press of Russia, that the accession of the Dutch to the armed neutrality, occasioned their Avar with England, and that the commencement of hostilities was the casus foederis of the league. Although the empress Avas not deluded by this insinuation, she cooled in her attachment toward England, and became proportionately desirous to extend and strengthen the obnoxious confederacy. The king of Prussia Avas at length included as a con tracting party, and permitted gross abuses to be practised under the sanction of his flag, Avhile in all his public acts, he bitterly inveighed against them. Meanwhile attempts were renewed, to termi nate hostilities by mediation; but even in these, a disposition to depress Great Britain Avas constantly visible. The first offer Avas, to arrange disputes by a congress of English, French, Spanish, and American ministers, under the auspices of Austria and Russia. It was understood that a general suspension of arms Avould be a preliminary propo sition. Although the British* ministry rejected so disadvantageous a measure, yet they exerted themselves to facilitate the mediation. Spain pre tended that a negotiation Avas already commenced, through the medium of Mr. Cumberland, then re sident at Madrid : this pretext Mas removed by his recal, but Spain gave no promise of acceding to the congress. The conduct of France Avas equally evasive, but both powers cajoled the em press Avith flattering compliments and unlimited 7 professions GEORGE III. 375 professions of respect. Great Britain returned the chap. first definitive ansAver, by declaring her readiness XLII. to meet in congress Avith France and Spain, but v^g"^i/ never to permit the interference of any foreign power between her and her rebellious subjects. This declaration served as a theme to the Bourbon February. courts, avIio declared they would never make a public sacrifice of their honour and good faith by abandoning the Americans. At length, after the interchange of numerous Mediation papers, prince Kaunitz, Avho had been principally 'ntffectuai. engaged in managing the conferences, declared, that the answers of France and Spain precluded all September. hopes of a favourable termination: the principles they strove to maintain, convinced him that all attempts at conciliation Avould be ill-timed. Spain manifested more passion and inflexibility than France ; the Catholic king expressing particu lar acrimony, and affecting peculiar causes of complaint. The Austrian minister accompanied this recital Altered Avithsome ambiguous expressions; he admitted the conduct of arguments of England to be fair and honourable, Austna- but too lofty for the force of the nation. When the determination not to permit the introduction of American affairs Avas disclosed, he sarcastically said, " whoever succeeds in making a peace for " you on these terms, Erit mihi magnus Apollo." He expressed his sentiments more fully when he announced the failure of the negotiation. " If " you have not strength enough,'" he said, "to " support your rights, you must yield- to superior " force, and dire necessity. I own when 1 hear " it alleged that the honour of France must not " be sacrificed by abandoning the Americans,. I " answer as an Englishman Avould, Avhat have I " to do with the honour of France; she herself " sacrificed it at the moment Avhen she contracted. " a traitorous and unwarrantable connexion Avith b b 4 " the. 1781. 376 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. " the king's rebellious subjects. We can afford XLII. " her no other. choice than that of the most proper " and becoming manner of receding from that " connexion. But these sentiments will be un- " availing, even in the mouth of an English mi- " nister, unless you can maintain them by force " in every quarter. Your present difficulties and " clangers seem to require important concessions ; " but I shall applaud the national spirit and vigour " if they render them unnecessary." This opinion of a foreign minister respecting the transactions of Great Britain, avouIcI merit little notice, did they not indicate the altered temper of the Austrian cabinet. At the decease of the empress Maria Theresa, in November, 1780, great expectations Avere formed from the vigour and spirit of Joseph II. But Kaunitz infused into his mind a partiality for France, to Avhich he had previously shewn a decided repugnance. Great Britain endeavoured to gain the friendship of the emperor by liberal offers, and among others, to open the navigation of the Scheldt; and it was strongly urged, that a connexion Avith England could alone bring back that political system Avhich would" give to Austria due Aveight in the general scale of Europe. Prince Kaunitz, however, con fined the first transactions of the hew reign, to that restricted policy Avhich he had marked out for the empress-queen ; Joseph lost an important period in petty internal regulations, and Avas soon characterized by an ardent attachment to trifling arrangements, a jealousy of Prussia, and a subser viency to France. Kaunitz possessed great talents and virtues; but he had formed an erroneous system, and Avas of a disposition too unbending to recede. The partiality of the emperor for France soon became apparent from the reserve of prince Kaunitz toward the English embassador, and his vindica tion GEORGE III. 377 tion of the enemy, if not always on the ground of CHAP. right, at least on that of expediency. He began XLIL also to display a predilection for the northern s^g^"/ league, and after a long and affectedly mysterious Theempe- concealment, avoAved the accession of his sovereign r°rJ°,ns , . . . ° the armed to that injurious compact. confede- A journey Avhich the emperor made to Paris ra?r- in the course of the year, seemed totally to have ingp™"" reversed the sentiments he had imbibed in his tiaiity to- former expedition ; his partiality was noAv as con- p^nce, spicuous as his contempt had been outrageous. His admiration of Louis XVI. and satisfaction at events favourable to France, excited surprise at Vienna, and consternation in the British cabinet. a The perplexities arising from the aspect of stateofthe foreign affairs, Avere augmented by untoAvard ap- p»o1'c pearances at home. Although Great Britain had mi " never before made such extensive military efforts; although no other country had ever conceived the idea of sending and provisioning so great an army across the Atlantic, the war, marked by ill success, had ceased to be popular ; national honour, or the jealous vindication of the rights of sovereignty, were no longer considered equivalent to the enor mous expenses, Avhich the arts of opposition had taught the people to regard Avith peculiar suspicion and malevolence. The authority of Great Britain over the colonies had been so often explained, qualified, and partially renounced, that its value was rendered almost insignificant, and the pompous accounts of beneficial commerce Avith America Avere generally discredited, since a long protracted suspension of intercourse had produced no alarm ing effects; but, on the contrary, the strength and resources of the country surpassed expectation, and exposed to ridicule the gloomy forebodings of theoretical financiers. The grant of American independence Avas therefore contemplated as a ' moderate * Chiefly from private information and official correspondence. 378 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, moderate medium for the acquisition of -peace; XLII. nor was the necessity of yielding to a formidable v^g/^/ combination considered derogatory to the national honour, Avhich had been so gloriously maintained during the struggle. Had it been thought expe dient to aim at exciting strenuous sentiments of enthusiasm, the state of the public mind Avas pe culiarly unfavourable. Long declamations and verbose complaints of speculative grievances, or unfelt oppressions, had rendered political discus sion odious, and public spirit suspected. The people of the metropolis, immersed in luxury, and abandoned to dissipation,1" surveyed Avith apathy the course of public events; while those in the country received as incontrovertible dogmas the rash speculations of their mock representatives, their delegates, and corresponding committees, who aimed at general reform, and, for the purpose of overthrowing the ministry, did not hesitate to shake the very basis of government. In the new parliament, the minority had gain ed a considerable increase of adherents, and added to their list several respectable orators, beside acquiring the valuable aid of Sheridan and Pitt. b The state of the British metropolis occasioned at this period severe animadversions against the police. Within sight of the palace, and in the centre.of polite residence, an impudent empiric, under pretext of a medical lecture, detailed every night the most detestable obscenities, which were collected by the underlings of literature, and sent forth to poison the minds of the rising generation, nauseously illustrated with disgusting prostitutions of the graphic art. A destiuctive mode of adventure called " E. O." was supposed out of the reach of the law, because not dis tinctly specified in any statute ; and tables were held in almost every street and alley in the metropolis. To these nqt only men of fortune, but the tradesman, the mechanic, nay even the apprentice and the menial resorted. Some were established in common broiliels, and exhibited disgraceful scenes of riot, drunkenness, and debauchery, while plunder, assassination, and suicide abounded. Late in the ensuing 'session, the attention of the legislature was directed toward these nui>ances, and it was stated in the house of commons, (see Debatts, 2.61I1 June 1782,) that in two parishes of AVestminsier alone, two hundred and ninety-six E.O. tables were maintained. Another member corioborated the assertion, adding, that five hundred more were on the stocks, and that they were now to be found in 'almost every country town. The GEORGE III. 37g The misfortunes of the war rendered the cause CHAP. of the ministry almost hopeless, their measures XLII. inefficient, and generally unpopular, were languid- ^^f*^ ly defended, even by their professed partizans; and assailed by reproach, and dejected by ill success, they met parliament with unusual anxiety and alarm. In the speech from the throne, the king repeat- 47thNov. ed his resolution to persevere in opposing the com- Meetingof bined poAver of his enemies, till he could obtain terms of pacification consistent with his own ho nour, and the permanent interests and security of his people. The restless ambition Avhich first ex cited the enemy to commence, still prolonged the Avar, but he could not consent to sacrifice, either to his OAvn desire of peace, or the temporary ease and relief of his subjects, the essential rights and permanent interests of the nation. He mentioned in terms of deep concern the unfortunate events of the campaign in Virginia ; -but trusted in the protection of Providence, the goodness of his cause, the concurrence and support of parliament, the valour of his forces, and a vigorous, animated, and united exertiouof the faculties and resources of the people, for the restoration of a safe and honour able peace to all his dominions. Lord Shelburne moved an amendment to Debates the address, and declared he was not surprised at °" the the language uttered from the throne ; it proceed- a ed from a valiant and generous prince, gathering- firmness from misfortune, and assuming an air of clignitv and resolution in the moment Avhen cala mity' pressed on him and liis people. Nor Avas he surprised that ministers, taking advantage of such noble sentiments, had fabricated a speech flattering to the personal feelings of their sovereign ; but the situation of the country required them to resist , the impulse of their master's sentiments, and ho nestly impart such advice as Avould tend to re trieve I7»l. S80 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, trie ve his affairs. He decried the whole conduct XLII. of the Avar, imputing its disasters to Avant of sys-* tem, combination, and intelligence. By uniform ly following the French, we had yielded to them every advantage: wherever they dispatched a large force, we tardily pursued with a small one. Such was the case at the Chesapeak, at Jamaica, Bar badoes, and all the West India islands ; nay, he expected another Chesapeak at Plymouth, and should not Avonder to find a Chesapeak in the river Thames. He decried the Avar Avith Holland as a war of perfidy. From the cautious concealment of the measure, he expected some great achieve ment to compensate for the loss of reputation in so shameful a surprise. But instead of an attack against the spice islands, Ce}don, or some other important place, St. Eustatia alone was captured, and he solemnly believed, the surrender of lord Cornwallis's army had been occasioned by the manner in Avhich the general and admiral had dis posed of the^stores. In conclusion, he quoted an observation of the late lord Chatham ; " If the " present system is pursued, I Avill not say that " his majesty Avill lose the croAvn, but his affairs " will be precipitated into such a state of ruin, " distraction, and calamity, that his croAvn will " be scarcely Avorth his Avearing." The duke of Richmond, coinciding in lord Shelburne's sentiments, carried his censures still further; the calamities of the reign, he said, should be attributed not to ambition in the enemies, but folly in the ministers of the croAvn. He vehement ly decried the representation of the people, and affirmed that the country Avas governed by clerks, each minister confining himself to his oavh office, and consequently, instead of responsibility, union of opinion, and concerted measures, nothing was displayed but dissension, Aveakness, and corruption. All these faults in government, originated in the interior cabinet, and as a proof that such an in fluence GEORGE III. 381 fluence existed, he quoted lord Chatham's decla ration, that " when he entered the king's closet, he found the ground rotten, and himself duped and deceived." The marquis of Rockingham drew a comparison between the king's accession and the present pe riod. On the death of that great and good prince George II. he said, triumph and success attended our arms in every quarter of the globe ; a Pitt di rected the political machine, a NeAvcastle the fi nances, a Legge presided over the exchequer, and an Anson over. the navy; forming not only an able and upright, but, which was far more import ant in this country, a popular administration. These men had been compelled one by one to re tire, and from that period every thing was con ducted by favouritism and secret influence. Se cret influence, and lust of unconstitutional poAver, had given birth to an attempt at rendering Ame rica as servile and devoted as England had proved herself. This had occasioned and prolonged the war, and the assertion in the king's speech, that it originated in the restless ambition of the enemy, was therefore an arrant falsehood. Lord Camden reprobated the conduct of the war, attributing its miscarriages principally to the deranged state of the navy, to irresolution and want of vigour in the cabinet, and above all to the fatal error of continuing to bend our principal efforts against America. The subjugation of the colonies should now be rendered a secondary ob ject; and all our exertions employed in restoring the navy to its pristine respect, effective strength and wonted superiority. Though late, the experi ment was worth making, and, if foiled, we must submit to Pro\ridence. In the last war, Ave retained the choice of attack, and confounded our ene mies, who knew not where or hoAv to defend them selves; panic and despair succeeded confusion, and victory Avas ours on every side. The 4. * 382 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. The measures of government were specifically XLII. defended by lord Stormont and the earl of Hills- '^y^ borough, but their arguments were not propor tioned to the vigour of the attack; and the lord chancellor, while he passed the highest encomiums on the judgment and eloquence of lord Camden, resisted the amendment, principally as it Avas con trary to the established forms of parliament. It Avas rejected by a considerable majority,0 and no more than three peers subscribed a short protest. In the house of commons, Fox moved an amend ment similar to that of lord Shelburne. He sar castically applauded the ministry for engaging very young members to move and second the address ;d a task which required the benefit of inexperience, the recommendation of ignorance. Though himself a young man, he could not be called a young member; he had seen the whole system of ministers, their progressive madness, impolicy or treachery: but their audacity in bring ing such a speech to the house, and moving such an address, was to him a subject of astonishment, nay of horror. Men unacquainted Avith the British constitution, and ignorant that the speech was contrived by a cabinet council, Avould pronounce it that of an arbitrary, despotic, hard-hearted and unfeeling monarch; who, having involved the slaves his subjects in a ruinous and unnatural war, to glut his enmity, or satiate his revenge, was de termined to persevere in spite of calamity and even of fate. The general expectation was, that the king would have avoAved, with regret, his having, been deluded, and requested the assistance of par liament in restoring peace, security, and happiness ; but instead of this, they had heard a speech breath ing vengeance, blood, misery, and rancour. c 75 t0 31* * Mr. Percival and Mr. Thomas Orde. • The GEORGE III. 38S The mover of the address had observed, that CHAP. there Avere members of parliament so lost to duty, XLII. honour, and shame, as to express warm Avishes for ^gjt^ the success of the enemy, to glory in their con quests, and boast of the countenance they had giA'en to rebellion; to such men -must the cala mities of the country be attributed. In reply to this observation, Fox quoted lord Chatham, Avho, at the very commencement of the dispute, " thank - " ed God that America resisted the claims of the " mother-country." " But all the calamities of " the country," he continued, " are ascribed to " the wishes, the joy, and the speeches of opposi- " tion. O miserable and unfortunate ministry 1 " O blind and incapable men ! Avhose measures are " framed with so little foresight, and executed " with so little firmness, that they crumble to " pieces and bring ruin on the country, merely " because one rash, Aveak, or Avicked man in the " house of commons makes a speech against them ! " What despicable statesmen, avIio frame their " measures in so feeble and Avretched a manner as " to make no provision for the contingences of " fortune, nor for the rash or even Avicked pas- " sions of individuals ! Could they expect there " would be no rash, no Aveak, no Avicked men in " the kingdom, or Avere they so rash, so Aveak, and " so wicked, as to contrive measures of such a " texture, that the intervention of any unforeseen " circumstance broke them to pieces and de- " stroyed the empire." Retrospective censures Avere deprecated, but ministers must bear to hear them; they must hear them on that day when the representatives of the people must recal to their ears the disgraceful and ruinous measures Avhich had brought the kingdom to its present state. They must not only hear them in parliament, but he trusted, through the indignation and vengeance of an injured and undone people, they would hear of them S84 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, them at the tribunal of justice, and expiate them XLII. on the public scaffold. They day was approach* v"Cg7T"' mSi ft was at hand> when the people would no longer submit, nor the ministry escape. He would not say he believed they were in the pay of France ; it Avas not possible for him to prove the fact; but they had served the grand monarque more faith fully and more successfully than ever ministers served a master. If the French king had ex hausted his exchequer and drained his resources for their emolument, he cheaply purchased the ag grandizement of his kingdom; they had promoted the French aim of universal monarchy more than all the preceding ministers France had ever em ployed, nay more than all the achievements of Louis le grand. In support of these assertions, Mr. Fox reviewed the origin and conduct of the war, affirming that the loss of the army in Vir ginia, and the loss of thirteen provinces, must be solely ascribed to the influence of the crown. All the calamities of the nation Avere connected Avith the system and Avith the men in poAver. By chang ing the one in toto, and removing the others, the fountain-head Avould be purified, and the Avhole stream no longer contaminated. Several other members in opposition spoke in reproachful terms of the condition of the navy, and the general system of government. Mr. Thomas Pitt did not hesitate to affirm, " that " there was no public, no parliament, nor could " government be conducted Avithout bringing to " an account those who had reduced the nation to " its present disgraceful situation." He did not desire a change of ministry; no matter Avhat puppets Avorked the dismal scene ! Whether one Ioav little set of men, on one or on the other side of the house, Avhile the secret poisoning influence remained, which had begun with and continued through the Avhole reign. He hoped to God GEORGE III. . S85 God the ministry would not be displaced till they CHAP. had brought the affairs of the nation to such a XLII. crisis, as would draw on them a suitable reward. v-%/^,/ He favoured the amendment, but if it were carried would not vote for the address, nor consent to a shilling of supply in support of a Avar to Avhich the country gentlemen had unfortunately afforded too much countenance. The reflections on the state of the navy Avere ansAvered by lord Mulgrave, who refuted many assertions by contradictory facts, and affirmed, that at no previous period had so ample a marine been provided, a marine which had employed a hundred and eighteen thousand men. In the course of his speech, he advanced the extraor dinary assertion, that Great Britain never Avas equal to France in a naval contest, Avhen that power applied all her resources and strength to the equipment of a navy. In the reigns of William III.' and queen Anne, France Was superior to Great Britain and Holland. The present Avar was cala mitous, but not disgraceful; nor could a period of history be produced, Avhen the honour and spirit of the nation had risen to a more glorious height. Lord North, in a short but able speech, answered the philippic of Mr. Fox, treating Avith scorn the insinuation that ministers received the pay of France; the leader of opposition did not believe it, nor did any man in the house, or in the kingdom. The misfortunes of the nation had been attributed to the misconduct, incapacity, or treachery of ministers ; but Avhatever might be their talents, their zeal in the service of their country was indisputable, and their errors those of the judg ment, not the heart. The American Avar Avas pro- c The views of William on the continent, turned his attention from a naval to a land force ; nearly the same continental politics pi evailed during the greater part of the reign of queen Anne ; therefore lord Mulgrave's argument cannot by any means be considered as conclusive. Vol. III. C c secuted, HISTORY OF ENGLAND. secuted, not with the infamous design of aggranT dizing the croAvn at the expence of the constitu tion, and making the subjects slaves that the king might be despotic, but with the view of preserving intire and unbroken the old and venerable consti tution of government, composed of king, lords, and commons, for Avhich our fathers had bled, and which Europe envied. The Americans had originally no objection to submit to the authority of the crown, but objected to the interference of parliament. They Avere adverse to the claims of parliament, and not those of the sovereign ; and for the preservation of those resisted rights the Avar was commenced. " A melancholy disaster has occured in Virginia," he said, " but are Ave therefore to lie doAvn and " die ? No : it ought rather to impel, to urge, to " animate ; for by bold and united exertions every " thing may be saved ; by dejection and despair " every thing must be lost." He would not be deterred by menaces of impeachment and the scaffold from striving to preserve the rights and legislative authority of parliament. The Avar had been unfortunate, but not unjust ; it was founded in right, and dictated by necessity ; he had al- Avays, thought so and should the share he had taken in maintaining the constitution lead to the scaffold, his opinions would remain unaltered. Burke rose indignant at this speech, which he termed not only imprudent but audacious ; it froze his blood and harrowed up his soul. If men Avere untaught by experience, if neither calamities could make them feel, nor the voice of God make them wise, what had this poor, fallen, miserable, undone country to hope? The war was not unfortunate but disgraceful: the former epithet could only apply to occurrences in Avhich fortune alone Avas concerned ; but the present Avar exhibited neither plan nor foresight. Victories and defeats, towns taken or evacuated, generals appointed or recalled, "*- all GEORGE III. 387 all were alike, all calamitous. Victory inspired CHAP. hope, defeat despair ; but both instigated us to go XLII. on, and both were therefore calamitous. The king's v^8^*' speech, however, was the greatest calamity of all ; for that shewed the disposition of ministers, not to retreat an inch, but to plunge deeper, and augment the disgrace and unhappiness of the nation. But who could patiently hear of rights, which had cost us so much, and Avhich were likely to cost us our all. " Good God" ! he exclaimed, "are Ave yet to be told of the rights for which we went to Avar. Oh, ex-cellent rights ! Oh, valu able rights ! that have cost Britain thirteen provinces, four islands, a hundred thousand men, and more than seventy millions of money ! Oh, wonderful rights ! that have lost to Great Britain her empire on the ocean, her boasted, grand, and substantial superiority, which made the world bend before her ! Oh, inestimable rights ! that have taken from us our rank among nations, our importance abroad, and our hap piness at home ; that have deprived us of our trade and manufactures; reduced us from the most flourishing empire in the Avorld, to one of the most compact, unenviable poAvers on the face of the globe ! Oh, Avonderf'ul rights ! that are likely to take from us all that yet re mains ! We had a right to tax America ; and as we had a right we must do it. We must risk every, thing, forfeit every thing, think of no consequences, take no consideration into view but our right, consult no ability, nor measure our right Avith our power, but must have our right. Oh, miserable and infatuated ministers ! Miserable and undone country ! not to know that right signifies nothing Avithout might; that the claim Avithout the poAver of enforcing it, was nugatory and idle in the copyhold of rival states, or of immense bodies. Oh ! says c c a " a silly 388 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. " a silly man, fullof his prerogative, of dpminion XLII. " over a few beasts, of the field, there is excellent ^Sk*"' " w9°l on the back of a, wolf, 'and therefore he ".must be sheared. What! shear a Avolf? Yes. " Pjut Avill he comply? have you considered the '.' trouble? hoAv Avill you get this avOoI? Oh; I il have considered nothing, and I -will consider "nothing but my right: a • wolf is an animal " that has avooI ; all animals that have av.ooI are to " be shorn, and therefore I will shear the wolf. " This was just the kind of reasoning urged by ". the minister, and this the , counsel he had " given." ¦ After a protracted discussion,' the 'amendment was, negatived/ , asth Nev. On bringing up the report of the address, the de bate Avas renewed, and principally distinguished by a most eloquent harangue from Mr. William Pitt, avIio acquired great applause from both sides of the house. He rose to vent those sentiments of indignation Avhich rendered his situation too pain ful to be endured in silence. Duty to his sovereign and his country impelled him to endeavour at preventing parliament from precipitately pledging, the house to prosecute the American Avar, and per: severe in that fatal system which had led a once flourishing and glorious nation, step by step, to a situation the most calamitous and disgraceful; a situation Avhich 'threatened the final dissolution of the empire. He "was unable to account for the confidence of ministers in proposing an address which pledged parliament to measures, of which, not even a plan or outline Avas submitted to their consideration. What could occasion so stedfast an adherence to the American Avar ? Was there any. national object in pursuit ? Certainly none I In real truth, the object of contest was an appen dage to the office of first lord of the treasury, too dear f 2l8 tO !?'n." The report Avas received,11 g Prinoe William Henry, now duke of Clarence, who then served in a subordinate station in the fleet. .- b 131 to 54.. Lord GEORGE III. 391 Lord Cornwallis was not alone exposed to CHAP. animadversion; Sir George Rodney and general XLII. Vaughan received early notice from Burke, that he ^g^ should demand copies of their instructions for pro- 30th Nov. ceedings at St. Eustatia; and both professing them- ^bareson selves ready to meet the inquiry, he made his ofst?P '"' motion. His speech was a series of sarcastic E"statia. reflections on the commanders, whom he repre- +t ec* sented as cowardly and cruel in their meditated attack on St. Vincent s, and wanton and rapacious plunderers of the inhabitants of St. Eustatia. He displayed the absurdity of selling the stores in such a manner as to furnish the enemy Avith sup plies Avhich they could no othenvise have obtained ; and accused the admiral of promoting their suc cesses, by lingering on the spot to which his in terest fixed him, while the French fleet was re inforced, and Tobago taken. He hoped the tAvo commanders Avould not rest contented with self approbation, and the support of friends : a man might say • Populus me sibilat at mihi plaudo, Ipse domi simul ac nummos contemplor in area. but justice and the public would require something more. He should persevere in urging inquiry : the character of accuser was odious only when the ^bject of inculpation was weak, oppressed, or in digent ; but it was not odious to prosecute guilt in stars and ribbons,1 guilt rewarded and counte nanced by the official and the opulent. THE.admiral said he appeared before Saint Eus tatia, for the purpose of cutting off supplies from the enemy, and with the fixed determination not to grant any terms to the inhabitants, avIio, though nominally friends to England, had been the allies of the enemy. Many residents, avIio called themselves Englishmen, were not ashamed ' I Rodney had received the Order of the Bath in November 1780. C C 4 ta 392 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, to supply warlike stores for the destruction XLII. of their country ; and as he considered such ^81^ men undeserving of favour, he determined to shew, them none. Far from suffering stores to be con veyed to the enemy's islands, directly or circui- tously, he had ordered them all to his majesty's dep6ts at Antigua ; and, to insure obedience, had deprived the ships destined to convey them of their provisions, save a bare sufficiency for the voyage. Instead of remaining inactive as had been insinuated, he had planned tAvo expeditions, one against Curafoa, the other against Surinam, when he received advice that a French fleet of ten or tAvelve sail, with about seventy transports, was sailing for Martinique, and dispatched Sir Samuel Hood Avith fifteen sail to encounter them. His intention afterwards to fight de Grasse was disconcerted by intelligence conveyed to the French admiral ; and he detailed, facts Avhich fully shewed him exempt from blame in not succouring Tobago, or preventing the catastrophe in Virginia. General Vaughan, protesting on his honour that he was not directly or indirectly One shilling enriched by the capture of St. Eustatia, asserted that he had treated the enemy Avith the utmost lenity ; the Jews, who were selected as peculiar. objects of commiserative complaint, had been shipped at thteij,' + own desire for St. Thomas's ; but when the general , learned they had been landed at St. Christopher's*, he caused. a restitution of their houses and. pro perty ; and in testimony of their satisfaction at his conduct, he produced to the house an address from the Avhole body in synagogue, expressive of their happiness in living under the mild govern-:, ment of George Hi." Upon the whole he had! acted, » The expulsion and plunder of the Jews was afterwards (4th February .„ 1781') referred to a committee on the petition of Mr. Hohen, arid motion ~" of Burke, and a report presented (14th May) reflecting great discredit op* the Q E O R G E III. 393 acted, to the best of his judgment, for his country's chap., good, and not his OAvn ; and as he was neither a XLII. lawyer nor a merchant, he should not again in si- v"^«>"' milar circumstances act differently. The motion* was negatived. * In debating the army estimates, the grand 3»* Not. principle of the war came again under discussion, fpffi opposition at first adopting the unprecedented measure of opposing the supply in toto. On the failure of this wild attempt," Sir James Lowther" >**. Dec. interrupted the order of the day for the army esti-, ^m°tStbe .mates,, by moving a resolution, "that the war war by sir " carried on in North America had been inefiec- Jamef " tual either in protecting the king's subjects, or " defeating the dangerous designs of his enemies." If this proposition was assented to, he promised to folloAV it with another, " that all further attempts " to reduce the revolted colonies were repugnant " to the true interests of the kingdom, as tending "to weaken its efforts against its ancient and " powerful enemies." Mr. Powys seconded the motion in a long and able speech, displaying the illusory and fallacious nature of every hope to subjugate America, and describing the declining state of the nation, and the ill-timed inflexibility of government, by pa rallels, in the glowing language of Gibbon, from the reigns of the Roman emperors Valentinian HI. and Honor ius. He exhorted the house to consider the nature of the war, which was not waged be tween rival states for a barrier or boundary, but so constituted thajt every conclusion must be un favourable to. Great Britain. The whole war had been conducted in delusion; every promise broken, every assertion falsified, every object relinquished. the character of the general and admiral. Actions at law instituted against Rodney, were subsequently decided to his disadvantage, and he was forced to refund large sums for property illegally, though not undeservedly seized. 1 ii j to 89. m It was oveiwruled by 171 to 77. It 394 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. It was now a war of revenue, now of supremacy ; XLII. now a war of coercion, then of friendship ; and v^^/ thus the people, the house, and particularly the country gentlemen, had been deluded, confounded, abused, and cheated. Evasion led but to evasion ; trick to trick ; repeated losses had converted firm ness into obstinacy, and an attachment to ancient principles of party would now be evidence, of frenzy. It was no longer time for men to group together, or indulge in narrow-minded distinctions, when every honest heart and hand in the kingdom should level the pitiful boundaries of separation, and unite to avert the wreck Avith which this unhappy nation Avas so imminently threatened. The country gentlemen, long deceived, could be deluded no more. No idea of American re\Tenue remained, no idea of alleviating the burthens of Britain by carrying on the war; there Avas no other idea, and could be no other motive, than to preserve the power, the consequence, and the emoluments that flowed from it. No inconvenience could result from declaring, that the continent of America should no longer be the theatre of war ; on the contrary, the European enemies of Great Britain would become alarmed for their numerous possessions, and a general consternation Avould spread among them for the safety of their Avide extended dominions. Lord North acknowledged the motions to be fair, moderate, free from passion, not founded in personal resentment, and as to style perfectly un exceptionable ; but refused to concur in them, chiefly because they formed a parliamentary adver tisement to the enemy of the manner in which the next campaign would be conducted; and moved the order of the day. He avowed, however, his opinion, " that it would neither he wise nor right " to prosecute the war in America any longer on w a continental plan ; that is, by sending fresh " armies to march through the colonies, in order GEORGE III. Sg5 " by those marches to subdue America to obe- chap. " dience." Even this acknowledgment he Avould XLII. have withheld, but it was plainly legible in the ^g^ estimates, the moderation of which sheAved that government had no intention of substituting an army for that of lord Cornwallis. Posts must be' maintained and defended, in case of attack, and the British commerce must be protected against American cruisers ; but Sir James Lowther's mo tions would prevent the accomplishment of all these objects. Lord George Germaine concided in opinion with lord North, but declared, that whenever the house adopted a motion which amounted to a dereliction of America, he Avould retire ; for in his opinion the moment American independence was acknowledged, the British empire was ruined. Dunning, though he acquiesced in Sir James Lowther's motions, asserted the same sentiment, adding, Avith uncommon warmth, that the propo sition to declare America independent, was little short of high treason." Many conspicuous members on both sides ad dressed the chair, but the motion for the order of the day was at length carried by a majority of forty- one only," twenty of the usual supporters of ad ministration having joined the opposing party. p This debate was renewed in the next sittingvof utuBee. the housev and was chiefly distinguished by an ^wtZ ** eloqudht speech from Mr. Pitt, tending to prove the total' disagreement in principle among the members of the cabinet. He described the two farts of lord North's statement as repugnant to each other; he first said it Avas resolved no longer to prosecute the war on a continental plan, and then, as if shocked at having uttered any thing; which seemed satisfactory, or which could] be ¦> Annual Register, 1782, p. 14-6. • »2o to 179. P Annual Register ubi sup. understood. 396 HISTORY.OF ENGLAND. CHAP, understood, startled at the sound of his own words, XLII. and apprehensive he had dropped an expression v-^g7^ by which fie might be bound, he added explanatory expressibn's Avhich defeated the meaning of his original declaration. Lord North said the War ^was no longer to be conducted oh its, original plan, or Avithan intention of '.su'bduiiig America by force; lord George Germaine, that 'all the minis ters Ave're agreed in not abandoning the objects of the war. , " The. secretary for America," he con tinued, '' 'is' of dpinion that Great ' Britain will be' " ruined if the .independence of that country is " granted, but he gives it only as his OAvn judg- " m,ent, without IcnpAving the opinions of others !, " Is it to be credited that a ministry, ignorant of " e.ach others . opinions, are unanimous ! The " absurdity is. too monstrous to be received, espe- " dally at a. moment Avhen they are more palpa- u ply. disunited than ever." FrOm a comparison, of their speeches, he strengthened his assertion of their disunion, and averred that one or both had the meanness to continue in office, and stand re sponsible for measures Avhich they 'disapproved. He vebernently invoked the. house to extricate themselves from the disgrace of being subservient to the despicable views of such mem In only one thing they were agreed, and that was, in their re solution to destroy the empire they were called ¦ ¦ . upon, to save ; and this he feared they would accom plish, before, the 'indignation of 3 great and suffer ing people should fall on their heads in merited punishment. " And God grant," he added, "that " that punishment be not so long delayed/as to " involve a great and innocent family, who, though '•' they can have had no share in the guilt, may, " and most likely will, suffer the consequences."' Sir George Savile ridiculed the address, and compared the crown and parliament to dancers of a minuet to a tune of the minister's composing. The ' G E 0 RG E III. 39^ The croAvn led off one Way, thq parlianient.in a CttXpJ similar step to; the opposite Corner; they then joinr,, ^XjC-- ed harids, and: 'the dance terminated as it began.1 |Vrfrk!*,/ If ministers were to put into the king's 'mouth the line " What [ beauties does' "Flora disclose," the liouse would echo " Hoa^' sweet are her smiles '* upon, Tweed." In a mOre serious,' tone, 'he. in sisted that the address, thbiigh demanded as mere ly complimentary, was intended to be Combined with Other measures,, and ultimately to delude par liament into a Continuance of the American war. He compared ministers to the Spartan, who in a sea engagement swam to 'a, galley and seized it with his right hand, which .Vas instantly chopped off. He then reneAved the'e'ffort with his left, and met a similar catastrophe. The sailors in the galley then asked if he meant to persevere ; the Spartan answered not in the same Avay, arid seized his object with his teeth. Thus administration had lost two armies (both their hands) in attempts on America, yet were they, like the Lacedemonian, determined to proceed. But they-should remem ber, and he warned them, that Avhen the LacedeT monian did proceed, he was deprived of his head. Although this debate Avas long and vehement, yet as the aim of the motion was to delay the sup plies, the division Avas less favourable to opposition than that of the preceding day. * An attempt' made by the marquis of Rocking- i9thDec. ham, to prevent the third reading of the malt*and Supplies land tax bills till after the recess, was also rejected, thTtordV* though well supported by the mover, and produc tive of a long debate. No other transaction in either house, previous 3d and to the recess, claimed particular notice, except a Debatfafon motion by Burke, on the subject of Mr. Laurens, thetreat- who was still detained in the tower. He painted ™«ntof the ill treatment of this prisoner in glowing colours, and 1 166 to S4. 398 CHAP. XLII. 1781. ioth. 31st. He is dis charged . Recess. Proceed ing in pub lic meet ings. 6th Pec. London petition for peace and- change of ministry. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. and made many sarcastic contrasts between his conduct, character, and pretensions, and those of his supposed oppressors ; narrating the efforts used for effecting his liberation by means of an exchange of prisoners, and reading to the house a correspon dence which had passed between himself and Dr. Franklin on the subject. Lord George Germaine refuted the charge of cruel treatment in the most satisfactory manner, by a letter from Laurens Avrit- ten early in his confinement,' thanking ministers for the indulgences he received. A petition from him was afterwards presented, complaining, in vague and general terms, of his rigorous confine ment, and praying relief. Burke declared his in tention to move for a bill regulating the exchange of prisoners, and amending the act suspending the habeas corpus ; but if Avas rendered unnecessary by the discharge of Laurens. Although the adjournment of parliament Avas as usual strenuously resisted, it was a measure be neficial to opposition. The fabric of administra tion was visibly tottering ; the country gentlemen bad shewn a disposition to desert the ministry, al though they Avould not impede the exertions of government. The opinion that divisions fatal to forcible exertion prevailed in the cabinet, daily gained additional credence ; and the people saw with impatience the protraction of an expensive Avar, the measures of which seemed to be blasted in their very commencement. The rage for public meetings, clubs, and com mittees of delegates, still continued, and projects of reform, and petitions, were generally agitated. Before the adjournment of parliament, a common- hall of the city of London voted an address, re monstrance, and petition to the king, reprobating his speech from the throne, and the conduct of ministers, recapitulating the disasters1 of the war, and r November, 1780. GEORGE III. 39fJ and their effects, declaring their abhorrence of it CHAP. as an unnatural and unfortunate contest, and re- XLII. quiring the dismission of all the king's advisers v-^g^/ both public and secret.' A similar address was nth Dec voted by the electors of Westminster, whom Mr. other petu Fox convened in Westminster-hall, and Avhom he twns* addressed in a long harangue formed on the popu lar model, that of comparing the sentiments and conduct of lord Chatham with the present admi nistration. The freeholders of. Middlesex and Surrey, the West India planters, and many other bodies, adopted the same measure, with only slight variations as to terms. Yet the principle of the war was not unpopular: the public burthens, and the general failure of success, occasioned great irritability in the public; but any appearance of vigour, or any important success obtained by the , arms of Britain, would have reconciled to its continuance many of those who were now most clamorous for peace. But although the ministry had adopted wise Kempen- and vigorous plans for restoring the preponderance ^^"fij of the British arms, the aspect of affairs at the expedition. close of 1 7 8 1, and during the first months of the ensuing year, was highly discouraging and unpros- perous. Intelligence having been received of the equipment and destination of a fleet from Brest, to reinforce and supply the East and West India squadrons, admiral Kempenfelt was dispatched to intercept it, with twelve sail of the line, one ship of fifty guns, and four frigates. The information received by government Avas correct in every par ticular, except the force of the enemy ; the British admiral met them at the distance of" fifty leagues » On the presentation of this paper, attempts were made to revive the eld contest, respecting the king's receiving it on the throne, and a com mon-hall passed a resolution on the subject. See Annual Register, 1 782, p. 19s. from 466 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, from Ushant, and asthey were scattered by a storm, vX'LIL" succeeded in taking twenty transports laden with ^bU^ ordnance, stores, and provisions, and conveying "/: near eleven hundred troops, and five hundred and forty-eight seamen. Perceiving the enemy form ing the line of battle, Kempenfelt prepared for the encounter; but discovering, on a nearer approach, that their force amounted to nineteen sail of the line, some of which Were of the largest dimension, tAvo ships armed en flute, and a great proportion of frigates, he reluctantly declined hazarding an attack, and returned to England; The value and quality of the prizes proved the importance of the expedition, and added to the disappointment of the public ; the ministry were loudly censured for their deficiency in information, or negligence of duty, and before the recess, the house of com mons had already resounded Avith the complaints of opposition. Capture of Subsequent events, the intelligence of Avhich topher"!" ai'rive*p~sjT*/ and medicine even to profusion, the garrison, in consequence of the privation of vegetables, Avere afflicted with the scurvy, Avhich, attended Avith putrid fevers and dysentery, raged with pestilen tial virulence. Their zeal produced acts of mi- common heroism ; a well-conducted and spirited sally put them in possession of Cape Mola, de Crillon's head quarters ; their batteries destroyed a poAvder magazine, and sunk a ship freighted with artillery, bombs, and stores ; but these tem* porary successes Avere unavailing, and some un happy differences betAveen the governor and lieu tenant-governor rendered defence still more hope less. Disease became at length too powerful for the efforts of medicine ; the effective garrison Avas reduced to six hundred, and even these could not long be kept from the hospital ; the surgeons re monstrated to the governor, that a further delav CD J t/ of capitulation Avould only occasion an unavailing sacrifice of a feAV devoted victims, Avhom an en larged scene of respiration, and Avholesome nutri ment, alone could rescue from the jaAvs of death. The besiegers readily granted honourable terms, and testified heroic regret at the sight of this brave band of invalids, marching through their disproportioned ranks to pile their arms. The in dignation expressed by the garrison in this last act of prostration, Avas recorded with honourable ad miration by the enemy, who soon forgot that title, and buried all semblance of hostility in generous cares for the health, and liberal supplies to the ne cessities of the vanquished. Before these transactions occurred, the sitting aotn j3n. of parliament was resumed, and the operations of Fox's mo- opposition commenced by a motion of Fox, for an jj°"u°"e*!?e enquiry into the ill success of the naval forces, ofthenavy. d d 2 If 404 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. If there remained in the house either nerve, honesty, XLII. or independence, Fox declared he would have re- V"Q£*"' quired the removal of lord Sandwich, but such were the evil effects of influence, that the under standing as Avell as the heart of parliament Avas poisoned Opposition had been accused, he said, of causing the continuance in office of the first lord of the admiralty, by their frequent efforts to ' remove him ; . they had also been accused of lea guing Avith Dr. Franklin, Avith America, with France, Avith Spain, and of contributing to the in dependence of the colonies. Better Avould it have been for Great Britain, that they had supported America, France, Spain, and Holland, than that they had leagued with administration. Without the uniform aid of such a ministry, in A'ain would Franklin have been Avisc, Washington brave, Mau- repas, de Sartine, and de Castries vigilant, crafty, and politic ; in vain might America have been firm, the house of Bourbon full of resources, vi gour, and energy ; and in vain might Holland, our ancient ally, have proved a poAverful adherent to our enemies. The inquiry for which he moved would resolve itself into tAvo parts ; Avhether the- first lord of the admiralty had the means of pro curing a navy equal to the exigencies of the state ; and Avhether he employed the force he reallv pos sessed with wisdom and ability. Fox then revieAved at length the Avhole conduct of the navy, since. the year 1775, shewing that in every instance, im portant expeditions had been neglected, deferred, or improvidently and inadequately undertaken. He dwelt on late transactions Avith peculiar severi ty ; Rodney had indulged the country A\'ith fre quent promises that he Avould give a good account of the enemy in the -West Indies, while all his achievements amounted only to a feAv draAvn bat tles. He had been employed in the despicable plunder of St. Eustatia, while Tobago Avas taken, and GEORGE III. 405 and the admiral could not find leisure to prevent CHAP. the catastrophe of lord CornAvallis. But Kempen- xlii. felt's expedition was the most abandoned of all : v-^"«w he was sent Avith an inferior force to intercept the *7 2" enemy, Avhile many ships of Avar A'/ere employed in the less important service of ' preventing the Dutch trade. Providence, our constant friend, threAv a fow transports into his hands, and dispersed others in a storm, and the admiral returned to port, instead of remaining to harass the French fleet, and impede their progress in an united com pact body. Parliament had too long acted from their hopes, but must noAV yield to their judgment, and no longer sport with the feelings of a great, suffering nation, nor presume to ruin a people for the sake of an individual. Captain John Luttrell explained several points in which the public had been misled and deceived. Lord HaAvke, he said, had not left the navy in so flourishing a situation as was represent ed ; neither Avas he in fault, his efforts having been cramped by the parsimony of parliament. During lord Sandwich's administration, large and liberal supplies had been granted, and Avere faithfully ap plied, for never, since England had a navy, Avere the yards so full of timber and stores. Yet he Avould not contend that no mismanagement ex isted ; there were abundant errors in the conduct of the navy, the first remedy for Avhich would be the restoration of harmony, confidence, and unani mity. Of old, Avhen an Anson, a HaAvke, a Bos- cawen, a Saunders, and a Keppel commanded, all Avas cordiality, affection, and zeal ; the admirals took pride in instructing their inferiors, the road to improvement was open for all, and the diffe rences of individuals Avere accommodated by the intervention of their superiors. Now all was party, disunion, and jealousy ; officers no longer had access to the tables of "their superiors ; they dd3 never 406 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, never met but on duty, and consequently had no XLII. confidence in each other. For this there was no ^TrSzT^ remedy but calling into service those veterans Avhose gallantry, skill, and experience Avere gene rally acknoAvledged ; as the present commanders of fleets were, Avith a few exceptions, but young captains at the termination of last Avar. He cen sured the inquiry as an impolitic measure, calcu lated only to keep alive the dissensions in the navy, and to delude parliament by the production of collusive Avitnesses, Avho Avould, as formerly, laugh in the lobby at their oavii successful im postures. Loud Mulguave defended the general con duct of the naval Avar; and Mr. Fitzherbert im puted the deficiency of the navy to the want of shipwrights. The French had three thousand of these artificers at Brest, Avhile the king's yard at Portsmouth contained only eight hundred. Thus the English ships Avere sloAvly built; and Avhile materials abounded, labourers could not be pro cured. The causes of this defect were the low prices, and the small wages afforded in the royal yards, compared Avith those of private shipbuilders. Lord North declared, that lord Sandwich was no less desirous than himself of a full and fail- investigation ; and the motion passed Avithout a division, captain Luttrel I interposing his single negative. Several animated debates were main tained respecting the papers to be demanded from the admiralty, in which Mr. Pitt displayed his wonted eloquence, with a surprising facility in the arrangement of business. All the documents re quired Avere furnished, and at the first discussion of the committee, a call of the house Avas ordered, After the papers had been read, Fox, in along 7th Feb. and eloquent speech, renewed the charges against lord Sandwich, and concluded by moving, that " during the year 1781, naval affairs had been k?> " grossly GEORGE III. 407 4C grossly mismanaged." After an animated de- CHAP. bate, the vote of the committee, though favourable, XLII. was by no means flattering to government, as an v-*V*ta/ attendance of three hundred and thirty-eight *7 *" members produced in their favour a majority of tAventy-tAvo only.1 Thf defection of the country gentlemen from the cause of administration noAv inspired opposi- persoriai tion Avith the most sanguine hopes, and questions motions affecting the conduct of administration ; and the hnJ^* characters of* individuals connected Avith them, were brought forward with diligence, and debated with increasing acrimony. The duke of Rich mond, in making a motion respecting the ex- 3ist Jan. .ecution of colonel Haynes, animadverted with p"^+th great severity on the conduct of lord RaAvdon The duke and lieutenant-colonel Balfour, respecting Avhich, ofRich- hoAvever, he aftenvards made satisfactory ex- "ectlng6" planations, The duke of Chandos demanded an colonel inquiry into the causes of the surrender at York Haynes- town, and copies of the ministerial correspondence Feb."11 Avith Sir Hejny Clinton in the year 17s 1 ; both Motions which propositions Avere, after violent debates, r°sPpeac^enr* agreed to, but no consequences resulted. America. Lord George Germaine, disagreeing with Resiana- the other members of the cabinet on the future tionofiord conduct of the Avar, resigned his office of secre- Gerofalne. tary of state for America, Avhich was bestowed on IlthFeb_" Mr. Welbore Ellis, and Avas raised to the peerage QthFeb.' by the title of lord viscount Sackville. On the His peer- report that this mark of royal favour Avas intended, *f,''Feb. the marquis of Carmarthen, not prevented by the Motions consideration of the severe prosecution of his an- |"tesPecuns cestor, the earl of Danby, moved, that " it Avas " derogatory to the honour of the house of " lords, that any person labouring under so heavy " a sentence of a court martial, and the consequent *' public orders, should be recommended to the t z»5 to 183, DD4, " croAvn 408 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. " croAvn as Avorthy the dignity of peerage." The XLli. lord chancellor declared this motion irregular and v-^g^' disorderly, and incompatible with parliamentary form ; and lord Denbeigh objected to it as unpre cedented. When the court martial thus impro^ perly alluded to Avas held, a particular complexion of politics prevailed in the cabinet; but only four years afterwards, the Rockingham administration, most of the members of Avhich were now in opposir tion, had desired the restoration of lord George Germaine to his seat in the privy council, a proof that they considered his advice of great importance to the state. Conceiving the motion derogatory to the prerogative of the croAvn, and altogether un necessary, he moved to adjourn. Several intent perate speeches Avere made, reflecting on the con duct of lord George, and threatening him Avith inw peachment ; the right of the house to interfere Avas maintained by lord Shelburne ; but the mor tion of adjournment Avas carried." iSthFeb. When lord Sackville took his seat, the debate Avas renewed on a motion by the marquis of Car marthen, in nearly the same Avoids as the former, and reciting at length the sentence of the court martial, and the consequent public orders. The marquis considered these sufficiently notorious to render specific proofs unnecessary. Lord Abing don supported the motion in a speech replete Avith ribaldry, declaring that the neAv peer Avas foisted in upon the house, in defiance of common sense and common decency, in contempt of public vir tue, and encouragement of every private vice. Lord Sackville declared he knew not to whose advice he Avas indebted for his peerage ; but as the sentence of a court martial did not amount to a disqualification, he Avas authorized tq accept it. The court martial, he proceeded, sat thrcti-arul-tAventy years ag0} wilcn tjie prevaience of u 75 " »8. GEORGE III. 409 of faction and clamour made him the victim of CHAP. unexampled persecution. He had been condemned XLII. unheard, and punished before trial. Although V-*"\T^"/ stripped of all his military honours and emoluments on mere rumour, on the malicious suggestions^ of his enemies, who were believed without proofj he had challenged his accusers, he had provoked in quiry, and in the pride pf conscious innocence, per severed in demanding a trial. Clamour and pre judice had been assiduously encouraged during the sitting of the court martial ; but it Avould not become him to revise its proceedings, and he had submitted to the sentence. He did not, however, object to a review of the transaction ; on the con trary, he would risk his honour and his life on the decision of the house, or even of the marquis him self, as a man of honour. At present, neither the charge, the defence, nor the evidence was before the house, and yet they were called on to enforce the sentence a second time. Such a proceeding- would add tenfold severity to the military laAv, by annexing to its judgments the censure of a civil court. But it Avas still more incompatible Avith justice, to combine with the sentence of the court martial, the comment added by the executive power. The court martial Avas competent to pro nounce, and by that he had been tried ; nor Avas he ansAverable for the terms in Avhich George II. had descanted on the sentence. Lord Southampton, Avho Avas one of the wit nesses on the trial, declared he Avas not actuated by faction ; and the duke of Richmond, Avho Avas at the battle of Minden, though not examined as a witness on the court martial, asserted that the time lost by lord George Germaine Avas an hour and an halt; a fact he was particularly able to ascertain, " as he had his Avatch in his hand the *• whole time." Lord 410 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. Lord Sackville was defended by lord Wah XLII. singham and lord Stormont; and the lord chan^. S-*VW' cellor declared, that whoever had advised the late king to issue the orders mentioned in the motion, advised him to act most unjustly, and to publish a stigma on the noble lord, more severe than could be collected from the sentence, or even from the charge against him. The proposition being nega tived by a large majority,1 a protest Avas subscribed by nine peers,7 stating the motion, sentence, and public orders, and declaring that the elevation of lord Sackville Avas a measure fatal to the interests and glory of the croAvn, and dignity of parliament; an insult on the memory of the late sovereign, and every surviving branch of the illustrious house of BrunsAvick. The hope of mortifying the new peer by this indecent protest seems to have been the chief object of the motion. Nothing but the extreme vindietiveness of party jage could have impelled the avoAved advocates of liberty, to the adoption of arguments favouring the unjust and slavish doctrine, that the opinion of a king on the judg ment of a military court, Avas of sufficient authority to bind his successor, and influence the proceed ings of the legislature, tAventy years after his de cease. ' 19th Feb. As another individual favoured by government, Censures general Arnold was exposed to severe censures. Arnold. On the commitment of the mutiny bill, Burke ex pressed strong disapprobation at employing that officer in the British army, as he was a rebel to rebels. His services might be properly rewarded by a pecuniary gift or a pension, but he ought never x 93 to 28. y They were, the marquis of Carmarthen, the duke of Rutland, the earls of Pembroke, Craven, Chatham., Derby, and Egremant, the duke of Devonshire, and earl of Abingdon. to GEORGE III. 4U to be entrusted with the power of committing fresh chap. treasons. XLII ' These personal attacks were preparatory to a *— v-«0 grand general system of assault, projected by op- j^SZt position, conducted with perseverance and ability, motion and finally crowned with success. Fox renewed [hSepecating in the house, the motion he had lost in the com- JdTI' mittee, respecting the mismanagement of the navy, declaring his effort was not personally directed against lord SandAvich, but against the whole ad miralty board. The motion was seconded by Mr. Pitt : the number of members present at the dis cussion Avas considerably greater than on the for mer day, and the division still less gratifying to administration, as the majority in their favourwas only nineteen. z While the members were in the lobby on this General division, Mr. Thomas Townshend gave notice that Con.way'B _ .o motion a question respecting the continuance of the against the American Avar Avould be speedily agitated. Ac- war- cordingly, on the next sitting of" the house, gene ral Conway moved an address, imploring the king azd. to consider the calamities, and heavy burthens occasioned by the war, and listen to the humble prayer and advice of the commons, that it might no longer be pursued on the continent of North America, for the impracticable purpose of reducing the inhabitants by force, and promising to assist in forwarding and rendering effectual a happy recon ciliation with the revolted colonies. In the pre sent moment, the general observed, Avhen there were certain indications of a design to continue the Avar, he thought it necessary to inquire of the neAv secretary of state, Avho, though not a young man, was a young minister, Avhat Avere his princi ples and sentiments respecting the American Avar r" The king in his speech had expressed a desire for peace, and itAvas said by persons of good authority, that z 136 to 217. 412 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, that America was in the same disposition; the XLII. house ought to give effect to such desires; for the ^X^ man Avho did not Avish for peace, not only was destitute of a heart, but did not possess a soul. Lord John Cavendish seconded the motion, with strong censures on the war, and a solemn appeal to the feelings of the house. Mr. Welbore Ellis, Avithout hesitation, ans wered the call of general Conway, and presented those opinions which he termed his profession of faith. He had always been firmly of opinion, nor could events change it, that the war was just in its origin ; but he never entertained a notion that obedience could be procured by force. His idea Avas, that in America there Avere many friends to the British government ; and that by strongly supporting them, the party or faction might be destroyed, Avhich from motives of ambition, or hatred of monarchy, wished for Avar. That our friends Avere still numerous Avas a fact for Avhich he Avould not pledge himself to the house, but he firmly, and for the best reasons, believed it. No man could be more sincerely desirous of peace ; he could endure Avar only as the means of making that more happy, stable, safe, and permanent. If a test was required of the views of ministry in continuing the war, if Avould be best afforded by the estimates, which made no alloAvahce for re-. cruiting the army.* But he could never consider as the best Avay of procuring peace, to withdraw the troops fiom the enemy's country, and rid them of those alarms by Avhich men are rendered soli citous for the return of tranquillity. Such con-: duct Avould be equivalent to a declaration of despair, an offer of a carte blanche ; but to make the Americans feel the inconveniences, hardships, and burthens of Avar, Avas the most certain Avay to inspire a Avish for its cessation. He exposed the absurdity of using so vague a term as American war GEORGE III. 413 war ; the whole continental army was fed, cloathed, CHAP. and paid by France. Mere locality did not give XLII. a name to a Avar ; and this might therefore be con- ^^{^ fidered a French Avar. If France Avas fought during the last Avar in Germany, Avhy notnoAv in America ? The motion seemed to imply that the British troops should be AvithdraAvn from America -. if the house considered the times ripe for such a declaration, they must make it, but the present motion was replete with ambiguity. Ministers could never act with effect, either in Avar or peace, unless they possessed the confidence of the house ; ministers Avho could not gain that confidence ought to retire ; but till that measure became ne- ceflary, they ought to be left to the free exercise of their discretion, to avail themselves of all con- tingencies, and not crippled by orders, which the interest of the public might compel them to dis obey. Burke ridiculed this " confession of faith," comparing it Avith other confessions of the same nature, intelligible only to those Avho Avere gifted with an internal light. A confession more obscure, confused, intricate, and absurd, was perhaps never framed and published for the delusios^and calamity of mankind : like other unintelligible confessions, it could be supported only by miracles. The only new idea was, that locality signified nothing in Avar; and thus a peerage was bestOAved on one avIio had dismembered his country, rnerely that an American might be converted into a French Avar. Burke expatiated on the delusion of this argument, and the ruinous consequences of opposing the arms of France on the continent of America, Avhere our expences Avere to her's in the proportion of twenty to one. The neAV plan of Mr. Ellis Avas in fact no other than the old system of his prede cessor. The late secretary, though called by pa tent to the upper house, Avas still to be> found in effisv 4U HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, effigy in his old seat. The new minister as his XLII. universal legatee, Avho inherited, on lord Sackville's v-^jf*"' political death, all his plans, projects, and mea sures, nay, his ideas, language, and words. He had succeeded to his hopes, "his intelligence, his knoAvledge of our numerous friends in America, and his ignorance of every thing tending to peace. Burke exposed, from experience at Saratoga and York Town, the folly. of relying on American friends-, and the absurdity was heightened by con sidering the manner in which they were abandoned by the last capitulation ; nor Avas he less seA^ere on the requisition of confidence by men still deter mined to persevere in this mad and impolitic war. He concluded by declaring that no contingencies favourable to great Britain could arise till a change was made in the system. Several other members spoke on the question with great ability, principally dilating the argu ments already used : the division afforded to mi nistry the melancholy majority of a single vote.* Anticipating a complete triumph, and con-» ceiving that financial arrangements alone could de lay the accession of opposition to office, Fox, im mediately after the division, censured lord North's delay in opening the budget, and Avas informed the business Avas fixed for the twenty-fifth. Aiterca- Colonel Barre' expressed surprise that lord tween Tord North could behave in so. scandalous and indecent North and a manner ; after having by every oppression Barre'!1 scourged the people to the last drop of blood, he Avished to scourge from them that also. His conduct Avas scandalous, indecent, and insulting ; he had attained such a pitch, that he seemed to think the house met for no other purpose than that of grant ing taxes. Lord North, unusually incensed at this unpro voked and unexpected attack, replied with great warmth j * .194- to 193.' GEORGE III. 415 warmth; he supposed the large minority of that CHAP. evening had inflamed the colonel's courageto such XLII. an intemperance of abuse ; his language towards v-^*fc/ him had always been far from decent, but now it was . insolent and brutal. The. clamour .of the house obliged the speaker to interfere, and the mi nister recovering his Avonted good humour, made handsome apologies, both to the house and the in dividual offended. Colonel Barre, equally sensi ble of his own intemperance, also apologized. He differed with the noble lord, he said, in politics, and contemned him as a minister; but as a pri vate gentleman sincerely esteemed him. i In that character, he should be less disposed to offer un civil language to him, than to any man living. Such were the effects pf intemperate party rage in a mind endoAved with honour, candour, and benevolence. Although the members of opposition were 2Jth Feb. anxious that the minister should complete the un- ^jd6[h popular task of taxation, before he Avas compelled Debate' to abdicate his situation, yet they omitted no en- t°ene* deavour to render his exertions unpopular, and to taxes' censure the manner, no less than the occasion of imposing burthens on the public. Fox, decrying the terms of the loan, and accusing the minister of making corrupt bargains for the purpose of afford ing douceurs to contractors, placemen, and mem bers of parliament, obsen'ed, that as he had brought the nation to the eve of a bankruptcy, it Avas of small importance for Avhat particular sum the insolvency should be declared. Burke, ani madverting on the difficulty of proposing taxes, observed, Avith his accustomed facility of satire, that on looking over the blessed fruits of lord North's administration, he found the country loaded with ten new taxes — beer, wine, soap, lea ther, horses, coaches, post-chaises, post-horses, stamps, and servants; recollecting that he had omitted son 416 HISTORY OF ENGLAND: CHAP, omitted sugar in this enumeration, he observed, XLII. that since St. Christopher's was lost, and Barba- v-^'-*-/ does and Jamaica must probably follow, the omis sion was of small importance, as we should soon have no sugar to tax. " What fresh burthen," he proceeded, " can the noble lord add to this uri- " happy nation? We are taxed in riding and inAvalk- " ing, in staying at home and in going abroad, in " being masters or in being servants, in drinking " wine or in drinking beer ; in short, in every Avay " possible." But, viewing the account in a mer cantile form, he must acknoAvledge that for a hundred millions of money, Ave had purchased a full equivalent in disaster. If we were debtor by loss in that sum of money, Ave Avere also creditor by loss in a hundred thousand men, thirteen con tinental provinces, besides St. Vincent's, Grenada, Dominica, Tobago, St. Christopher's, Senegal, Pen- sacola, and Minorca, worth, at a moderate compu tation, four millions and a half annually. a7thFeb. Five days after his first triumphant failure, ge- Generai neral ConAvay again appealed to the house on the ConwHV s ¦ second subject of the Avar, by moving, " that the further motion. " prosecution of offensive hostilities, for the pur- " pose of reducing the revolted colonies to obe- " dience by force, would Aveaken the efforts of " Great Britain against her European enemies, " increase the mutual enmity so fatal both to " Great Britain and America, and by preventing " a happy reconciliation Avith that country, frus- " trate the desire expressed by his majesty of re- " storing the blessings of peace and tranquillity." The general's introductory speech Avas chiefly com posed of ansAvers to the arguments against his former motion. He deprecated every mode of Avarfare hitherto carried on, and wished only for a Avar of posts, excluding all exertion, except for self-defence, illustrating this opinion by the sorties of general Elliot from Gibraltar, and general Mur ray 1782. GEORGE III. 417 i-ay from fort St.Philip. In this debateseveral of the CHAP. country gentlemen, and some official adherents, XLII. declared their resolution to divide against the minister ; and the opposition, confident of a ma jority, were already clamorous for the question, when lord North, Avith some difficulty, obtained a hearing. If the object of the motion Avas peace,, he ob served, the votes on the question Avould be unani mous ; the wish of peace Avas nearest to his heart ; but he Avas convinced the means hitherto suggested Avere more likely to retard than accelerate the event. No one had ventured to suggest that the troops should be withdrawn ; such a proposition Avould be generally condemned ; and the ministers had already declared they did not intend to replace the captured army. If,hoAvever, the house remained unsatisfied Avith this pledge, and suspected the sin cerity, ability, or integrity of the ministers, those sentiments Avere not to be expressed by the pre sent rhotion ; an address for their removal Avould be the only proper measure. A minister ought to be like Caesar's Avrte, not only exempt from guilt, but above suspicion. If the confidence of par liament was withdrawn, it Avould be his duty to re sign the seal of office into the hands of his sove reign and retire. He then explained Avith great ability the impediments to peace while the con nexion betAveen France and America still subsist ed. Even the proposition of a truce was replete Avith difficulty ; the existing acts of parliament, the necessity of legislative interference, the confiscation of American property ; all these were points re quiring the greatest delicacy. He admitted the motion to be constitutional, but recommended a short delay, to convince the house,, that ministers were sincere in their intention not to recruit the army in America. Vol. III. E e Mr,, 418 CHAP. XLH. Theminis- ter in a minority.4-th Mar. Second ad dress. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Mr. Wallace, the attorney-general, proceeded on the same principles, declaring his intention to bring in a bill enabling ministers to treat on the basis of a truce, and moved an adjournment of the debate. This attempt Avas combated, by several leaders of opposition ; Mr. Pitt was particularly severe on the motion of adjournment ; and on the ground of lord North's own declaration, urged the house, by every consideration of duty or prudence, to withdraw confidence from the present administra tion. " Was there a promise," he asked, " which " they had not falsified ? Was there a plan in Avhich " they agreed ? Did any tAvo of them accord in " any specific doctrine ? No ! there was an inces- " sant variation: a shuffling and tricking per- " vacled their whole conduct, and in them parlia- " ment could place no truft." The division on the motion of adjournment left the minister in a minority of nineteen, b and .the original question Avas carried Avithout a division. The king having returned an ansAver conformable to the terms of this address, general Conway, after echoing back the very words in a motion of thanks, made an experiment on the disposition of mini sters to resign, by moving, " that the house " would consider as enemies to the king and " country, all who should advise, or bj' any means " attempt the further prosecution of offensive Avar, " for the purpose of reducing the revolted colonies " by force." Lord North disappointed the hopes of oppo sition by declaring, that in pursuance of the ad dress, and of the king's ansAver, he should use every effort to fulfil their1 orders, relying on their further instruction if he appeared to misapprehend their intentions. He considered the motion unneces sary, * &34- to 215. GEORGE III. 419 sary, as it only reinforced declarations already suf- CHAP. fieiently strong. XLII. Fox rose in great indignation, to expose s^g7*-' the- impracticability of a cabinet conforming to the instructions of parliament, if contrary to. their oavh judgment. He thanked God the late resolutions of the house had broken, destroyed, and annihilated that corruption which formed the basis of the present system, a system which must now soon. crumble to pieces. Ministers surely could not be so profligate as to proceed after the late in telligence, that Minorca Avas captured; and that by the loss of St. Christophers,, Jamaica was become our only remaining West India possession. Where- did they mean to stop ? When would they confess they had done enough ? From his soul he believed, such was their accursed obstinacy, that even Avhen they had lost nine tenths of the king's dominions, they would not be satisfied till they had mangled and destroyed the last miserable tenth also. Ministers did not venture to divide the house, but the motion Avas agreed to. The efforts of both parties were noAV visibly di- Theat- • /%** tornty etc rected only to the acquisition or retention of offi- nerarWu cial situation. The attorney-general submitted to for peace. a committee of the whole house, his proposition st l ar* for a peace or truce with America, explaining the difficulties, and suggesting means of removing them. Fox declared the motion deserving on ly of contempt ; ministers had no wish for peace; nothing but flagellation and correction could drive them to entertain a thought on the subject. If they were sincere, what made them reject the proffered mediation of Spain ; Avhat made them reject the mediation offered in the course of the preceding year ? He would even inform them, that there were persons in Europe fully empowered to make peace between Great Britain and America* but who would' not negotiate with such an admini- e e 2 stration. 420 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, stration. Our affairs were so circumstanced that XLII. they must lose their places, or their country be un- y^yji2f done. He, as a friend to his country, would, if, properly authorized, conduct the transaction even as an Under commis or messenger ; but he desired it to be understood, that he did not mean to connect himself Avith any of the ministers; "from the " moment when he should make any terms with " one. of them, he would rest satisfied -to be " called the most infamous of mankind : he could " not for an instant think of a coalition with men, " who in every public and private transaction, as " ministers, had shewn themselves void of every " principle of honour and honesty : in the hands of " such men he xvouldnot trust his honour, even for " a minute'"' Lord North explained the manner in which mediations had been offered, and ansAvered Fox's insinuations against his honour Avith becoming disdain. He Avould not, he added, relinquish his office merely because so much eagerness was shewn to drive him out; but as he had hitherto retained it to prevent confusion, and the introduction of unconstitutional principles into government, he Avould not resign till commanded by the king, or till the house should, in the clearest manner, in dicate the propriety of his withdrawing. Fox, in handsome terms, explained the expres sions be had applied to lord North as not design ed to affect his private character, or the parts of his public conduct relating to pecuniary af fairs, which Avere free from every imputation. He then ridiculed the resolution to remain in office, and Avas surprised that so few days as had elapsed since he declared his Avillingness to resign when ever the confidence of parliament Avas Avithdrawn, should produce such a change in his sentiments. The attorney-general's motion was agreed to with out a division. The GEORGE III. 421 The next effort to bring this anxious contest CHAP.> for power to a conclusion was made by lord John XLII. Cavendish, who moved a series of resolutions de- ^^Q^ claratory of the duration, losses, and expences of sthMar. the war in Avhich Great Britain was engaged with- if rd John out an ally, and imputing all those misfortunes to dish's mo- the want of foresight and ability in ministers. A tjonagainst long debate produced no novelty of argument or try.'mWS~ assertion, but its termination was contrary to the hopes of opposition, as the minister had a majority of ten. c After the lapse of a week, Sir John Rous re- isth« neAved the attack on administration, by moving a resolution " That considering the expence, the " loss of thirteen colonies, and other losses incur- " red by the war, the house could no longer re- " pose confidence in the present ministers." Lord North was on this occasion strenuously supported, not only by his usual defenders, but by several country gentlemen. His abilities, integrity, and incorruption, were acknoAvledged on all sides ; and if the American war could be justly considered as the cause of all public calamities, neither the origin nor the ill success of that war, it Avas said, could fairly be attributed to him. Could parliament for get the stamp act, and the declaratory act, not less offensive to the Americans? Had not the Avhole nation maintained the right of sovereignty over America ; and all that Avas great in England sanc tified the idea with their suffrage and authority ? Had not lord Chatham himself declared, that if America should fnanufacture a stocking, or so much as forge a hobnail, he would let fall on her the whole weight of British power ? Thus had the principle of the Avar been held by Mr. Grenville in the stamp act, the marquis of Rockingham in the e The division was on a motion for the order of the day— Ayes 226, Noes 216. e e 3 declaratory 1782. 422 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. C HAP. declaratory act, and by lord Chatham in his speech XLli. on the latter subject. The great cause of ill suc cess Avas the countenance given in that house to American rebellion : general Washington's army had been called by opposition our army ; the cause of the Americans, the cause of liberty; .and they had been encouraged to persevere, under a confi dence that they had in the British senate a strong favouring party. Encomiums had been lavished on Dr. Franklin and Mr. Laurens ; some members would prefer a prison graced Avith their society, to freedom in company with those Avho supported the cause of England. d If the present ministers should retire, could' any man venture to surmise Avhat neAv system Avould be introduced ? Were their probable successors so thoroughly united among themselves as to form any system of government ? One Avas desirous of septennial, another of triennial, a third of annual parliaments. One member of the upper house recommended a diminution of influence Avithout infringing on the dignity, splen- , dour, or prerogative of the crown; Avhile another of equal character was for abrogating influence even at the expence of prerogative. Lord North, it Avas observed, whether he retired or Avas expelled from officej Avould exhibit to the nation the phe nomenon of an ex-minister lending support to government, and not endeavouring to tiiAvart, puzzle, and perplex public measures. Sir James Marriott contested the assertion that Ave had lost thirteen colonies ; they Avere not yet, but soon might be lost by eagerness and pre cipitation. Too much fonvardness to embrace peace would only further remove it from our grasp. The Avisdom of private life Avas applicable to public concerns, and surely a good bargain or i Alluding to an expression of Burke, in the debate on the treatment of Laurens. advan- GEORGE III. 423 advantageous purchase Avas never expected to re- CHAP. suit from the display of intemperate solicitude. He XLII. vindicated the characters of administration, re- v^8zT/ peating, on his OAvn knowledge, the observation of the earl of Bristol, two days before his death.6 that if any but a professional man was fit to preside at the admiralty, it was lord Sandwich. Sir James, it is said, subjected himself to considerable ridi cule by a technical proof of the justice of the Avar, implying that if representation was necessary to give the right of taxation, the thirteen provinces were represented by the members for the county of Kent, since in their charters, they were declared to be part and parcel of the manor of Greenwich. Lord North, in a most able speech, defended his OAvn character and administration. He did not object to the present motion so much as to that of the preceding week ; it Avas divested of anger, its terms moderate, and its intent clear and defined. He sincerely wished for peace, and for such an administration as could act Avith unanimity and effect for the national good. He would be no obstacle to a coalition of parties, for the formation and adjustment of a neAv cabinet in which he should have no place. This idea Avas strenuously enforced by Dundas, and warmly reprobated by Pitt, who defined a coalition to be a collection and combination of all the abilities, integrity, and judgment of several parties, and turning the united exertion to the ser vice and salvation of the country. The adminis tration had been one of influence and intrigue; he thanked God it was, likely to terminate, but trust ed the house Avould not contaminate their own pur pose by suffering the present ministers to manage the appointment of theh successors. It was the e It is to be remembered that the earl of Bristol was one of lord Sand wich's greatest opponents. He died in December 1779. e e 4 pre- 424 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, prerogative of the crown to appoint ministers, XLII. neither did it become the house to settle who were V"'i-8zw/ t0 k°^ places? or adjust and investigate the mea sures to be pursued. The motion Avas rejected by a majority of nine.f LordNorth Fox gave notice to his party, that a new propo- deciares a gition to the same effect Avould be speedily pro- rnin^try. posed ; and on the appointed day an unusual num- lothMar. ber of members, and a great crowd of auditors at tended. Lord Surrey presented himself for the purpose of making a motion, Avhich lord North, after some clamour, Avas permitted to anticipate, by declaring " That his majesty's ministers Avere no " more." After some further discussion, occasioned by a profession of doubting lord North's assertion, he obtained leave to move an adjournment for fiye days, Avhen lord Surrey might, if he deemecl it necessary, proceed Avith his motion. His fare- He then made his valedictory address, as minis- well speech ter, thanking the house for the kind, the repeated, the essential support he had so long received from the commons of England, while holding a situa tion to which he had at all times confessed him self unequal. To that house he oAved Avhatever he had been ; his conduct within those Avails having recommended him to his sovereign. He thanked them for their partiality on all, their, forbearance on many occasions. The mortifications he had lately experienced in the house could not make him forget their general support through a service of many years continuance ; the recollection of which he should ever cherish as the principal ho nour of his life. After dAvelling some time on these and similar topics, he said, Avhatever might be the extent of the motion intended by lord Sur rey, no evil could arise from a short delay. He was conscious of his responsibility for the trust which ' 136 to 427. GEORGE III. 425 which he had so long retained, and should neither CHAP endeavour to shelter himself, nor avoid enquiry. XLII The exultation testified by the opponents of ^g" the late administration, called forth the animad versions of Burke, Avho employed his eloquence in recommending a more temperate conduct,exhorting his associates to guard against their desires, their self-opinions, their vanity, their avarice, their lust of poAver, and all the Avorst passions which disfi gure the human mind, and pointing out the vast expectations which their own declarations had en titled the public to form, and the immense difficult ties they had bound themselves to achieve. Many of the former supporters of lord North shewed, as might be expected, at least coldness towards him in his altered fortune; yet many were not wanting who bpre honourable testimony to his merits, and vindicated their past conduct by honest and unsuspected professions of per manent esteem. Sir John Hussey Delaval paid a manly tribute of this kind ; and Mr. Courteney, though; frequently interrupted by turbulent cla mours, pronounced an encomium on lord North, mixed with severe sarcasms against the triumphant party. He had always supported the late minis ter, he said, from a persuasion of the rectitude of his intentions, and on that point his conviction had never been shaken. If from untoward circum stances some of his measures had not been crown ed with the expected success, his whole conduct had displayed a sincere anxiety for the" prosperity of the country. His amiable and engaging dis position had procured him many friends, his un rivalled Avit many admirers ; his unassuming man ners (though he had held so lofty a situation twelve years) had prevented his having any ene mies ; his forbearing temper Avas seldom irritated ; and when he was provoked, his manly warmth did honour to his feelings. " These panegyrics," he said, 426 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, said, "Cannot be censured as ill-timed at this XLII. " moment, 1782?"' 'When'interest calls off all her sneaking train, When all the qblig'd desert, and yet complain. ^ On this occasion he could freely pardon the exultation, triumph, and interruption of the con quering party ; but he could not form a more san guine Avish for the happiness' of the country, than that in this day of difficulty, calamity, ^and dis tress, an administration might be formed as able, disinterested, and upright, but more fortunate thau , that of lord North. azdMar. > IN this active contest the lords had yet taken Wnp-t'Tn" no share: the earl of Shelburne had obtained a L/illllC a 111" *j tended summons of the house on an intended motion for mouon. the removal- of ministers ; but before the appoint ed day the cabinet had surrendered. On his apo logy for not presenting the intended proposition, nothing remarkable occurred but a manly speech from lord Stormont, who, in lord North's name as Avell as his OAvn, defied crimination, and courtedj inquiry. He made an ardent eulogy on lord North, * Avhose character, he said, had conquered even ;envy : to the most splendid talents he added the most ardent zeal for the public good, and the glory of his sovereign ; the most, perfect disinter estedness, and an integrity Avhich even slander had not dared to tarnish. ofiorder * Such Avas the close of the first permanent ad- North, ministration formed during the reign of Gfbrge III. From the prime minister the acts of government took their character; and in speaking of him, his most inveterate opponents never accused his Avarm- est friends of exaggeration. ... Of his character and attainments when he Avas raised to the office of chancellor of the exchequer, mention has already . been made, and what remains for history to record has been in a great degree anticipated. His elo quence was less distinguished by peculiar splendour of : GEORGE III. 427 of diction, than by suavity, perspicuity, and ar- CHAP. rangement. The impression of his harangues was XLII. aided byvan extraordinary degree of candour, and ^^82!^ ingenuous confidence, which AvereknoAvn to be un- assumed, and convinced the hearers of the purity of his motives, even though they did not assent to the propriety of his measures. His temper was seldom ruffled; and though reiterated attacks some times extorted a sarcastic sally, his wit, of which he possessed an uncommon fecundity, never left on the minds, even of those whom he overwhelm ed Avith ridicule, a sentiment of rancour. His honour was unblemished, his integrity unquestion able ; and " in a long and stormy, and, at length, an unfortunate administration, he had many political opponents, almost without a personal enemy."* These estimable qualities were supposed to be in some degree counteracted by too great a facility in adopting the suggestions of others ; the ab sence of that strictness or severity which is often necessary to enforce and insure exertion, gave the appearance of procrastination; and a want of ener gy seemed to pervade the other departments of administration." s Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, vol. vii. Svo. Preface. 428 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAPTER THE FORTY-THIRD 1781 — 1782. View of the new ministry^mcasurcs they had resolved to execute before they came into office— Affairs of Ireland— Meeting of delegates of volunteers. — Motion of Mr. Eden in the British par liament. — King's message. — Declaration of rights voted by the Irish parliament.' — Consequent proceedings in England.— Efforts for liwiting influence.— Contractors Mil. — -Revenue officers bill. —Resolutions respecting tlie Middlesex election rescinded.^Dis-> franchisement of C'ricIclade.—^Bill compelling the holders of pa tent offices to reside. — Exertions of cluf>s and public bodies for a reform of parliament.— Mr. Pitt's motion. — Exertions respecting economy. — King's message. — Burke's bill passes in an altered state.— Arrears of the civil list discharged,— Efforts at pacifica tion. — Negotiation with Holland — its failure — offers to mediate renewed — Mr. Grenville sent to Paris to open a direct negotia- • tion^-terms proposed by him. — -Efforts of France in the West Inflifis,-^-Rfidney's victory over de Grasse— his recall-honours paid him. — Slow progress of negotiation. — Death of the marquis of Rockingham — Change of the ministry. — Prorogation of par liament. — King's speech. CHAP. r I ^HE neAv cabinet Avas thus composed: The XLIII. -*- marquis of Rockingham (from whom it was v— ^ST-* called the Rockingham administration) first lord ministry. View of" of the treasury ; lord John Cavendish, chancellor the new of the exchequer ; admiral Keppel, noAV raised to the dignity of viscount, first lord of the admiralty ; the duke of Grafton, lord privy seal ; earl Camden, president of the council ; the duke of Richmond, master general of the ordnance, and a knight of the garter ; the earl of Shelburne and Mr. Fox, joint secretaries of state ; general Conway, com mander in chief; and Mr. Dunning, created lord Ashburton, chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster. The only member of the late administration avIio retained a seat in the cabinet, was the lord chan cellor, Thurlow. Several GEORGE III. 4^9 Several other departments of state were filled CHAP. by persons of eminent rank and talent; among XLHI. the most conspicuous of Avhom were the duke of ^"^g^ Portland, lord lieutenant of Ireland; Mr. Burke, paymaster general of the forces, and a privy coun sellor ; Mr. Thomas Townshend, secretary at war ; colonel Barr6, treasurer of the navy ; Mr. Sheridan, under secretary of state ; Sir William Howe, lieu tenant general of the ordnance ; his brother, create ed a viscount, was appointed to command the grand fleet ; the honourable Thomas Pelham Avas surveyor general of the ordnance; the duke of Manchester, lord chamberlain ; and the earl of Effingham, treasurer of the household. Mr. Kenyon was attorney, Mr. John Lee solicitor general ; and Sir Fletcher Norton soon afterwards obtained a peerage, by the title of lord Grantly. This administration comprized sufficient inte- Theiropi- grity and talent to justify the ardent hopes of the ^*t™d public ; but many perceived, that from the hete rogeneous nature of the materials, the edifice could not be durable. The strange combination of par ties, had been described in the house of commons, by an expressive metaphor, a rope of sand ;a and even in the moment of their triumph over lord North, their discordances of opinion produced, in two instances, smart animadversions and explana tory declarations.6 Fox, though not nominally the head, was gene rally regarded as the principal person in admini stration ; his poAverful talents, acknowledged by all parties, and his unrivalled popularity, placed him at such a distance from his associates, that, had his disposition been infected- with the slightest taint of arrogance, he might have maintained, by the force of the public opinion, an uncontrouled sovereignty in the cabinet. Fox, however, sought '"» See Debates", 6th March, 1781, > See Debates, 4th and zoth March, J78*. no 430 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, no peculiar distinction; and his popularityreflected XLIII. on his associates a rich glow, which at once ani- v^^-r**/ mated the hopes, and fixed the regards of the na tion. But although he was superior to the little arts of exclusion, his impetuosity in enforcing, and inflexibility in maintaining his opinions were frequent subjects of complaint. Some members of administration were personally odious to each other; lord ThurloAV, by a long course of contest in both houses, had attracted peculiar dislike; and from his manly unbending temper, the ministry expected impediment rather than support. Per haps he was only suffered to retain his place from the difficulty of adjusting the rival claims of the jurisprudential members of the neAv ministry : Fox, some time before the overthrow of the late cabinet, acknoAvledged that his adherents detested lord Thurlow's sentiments on the constitution; but added, they did not mean to proscribe him. e Of lord Shelburne, Fox professed not to entertain a better opinion ; Avhile speaking in terms of affec tionate veneration of lord Rockingham, he de scribed lord Shelburne's character as the exact re verse, and declared that his repugnance to an as sociation in office Avith him and lord ThurloAV Avas only overcome by the satisfactory pledge for the integrity of administration, afforded by the ascen dency of the marquis. Measures The particular measures in Avhjch the admini- eoneerted. stration agreedbefore their accession to power, Avere stated by two of the principal members to be; first, an offer to America of unconditional indepen dence, as the basis of a negotiation for peace; secondly, the establishment of economy, by means of Burke's bill ; and thirdly, the annihilation of influence over either branch of the legislature.11 c 8th March. - A See the speech of the duke of Richmond and general Conway, De- bateSf 9th and 10th of July 1782. Before GEORGE III. 431 Before either of these measures could be CHAP. brought, forward, ministers Avere compelled, by XLIII. imperious circumstances, to adopt and mature a ^"Tys^ fourth, " that of securing the freedom of Ireland, Affairs of " in the most unequivocal and decisive manner."6 hehrA- The weakness of the British government in Ire land, and strength of the assertors of their inde pendence on the British parliament, inspired the party called patriots Avith ardent hopes of obtain ing important concessions. County and other popular meetings Avere held, addresses voted, and instructions given to members for extinguishing the poAvers reserved to the privy council under Poyning's law, procuringahabeas corpus act, estab lishing the independence of the judges, abolishing sinecure places, inquiring into the expenditure of the public money, securing the freedom of trade, *> and revising the act for equalizing duties ; and as •the best means of obtaining these ends, the members were enjoined to withhold their con currence from the grant of supplies for a longer period than six months. The volunteer associa tions Avere encouraged in proportion as they dis played a disposition to co-operate in these views. 9th °<*- In debating the address on the lord lieutenant's ^^Tthe speech to parliament, Mr. Grattan, a distinguished Irish par- patriot, adverted with spleen to the manner in hament- which the loyal exertions of the Irish were com mended from the throne, while the volunteers were not expressly mentioned. He Avished he could reconcile royal ears to that salutary and Avholesome name. When the address Avas carried, thanks were unanimously voted to the volunteers for their I0,-,'0ct- continuance and spirited exertions. A similar proposition was offered in the upper house, where lord Bellamont, the only dissentient, distinguished between their services and their establishment ; he honoured their zeal and admired their gallantry. He would lead them with confidence, accompany e General Conway's speech toth July. them 432 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, them Avith affection; with them he Avould be fore- XLIH. most in the breach, last on the mine; but he would ^^g^ not perpetuate a claim which Avas without legal foundation : he valuecf them as the purest bullion, but would not recognize them as sterling, until they received the stamp of majesty. 13th Nov. fn pursuance of the popular instructions, Mr. Grattan offered a bill to explain, amend, and limit the mutiny act. His motion Avas rejected, but re- neAved early in the ensuing month by lord Arran, and evaded by a motion of delay for six months. 8th Pec. g;x peers joined in a protest, declaring the measure equally beneficial to Great Britain and Ireland. isthgjb' 0N ^e failufe °f trus effort, the volunteers of Meeting of the province of Ulster assembled at Dungannon, the dele- assumed a deliberative character, of which they af- voiunteers. firmed themselves not to be deprived by associating in arms. Their resolutions affected to adjust many important points of government : the claim of any body of men, other than the king, lords, and com mons of Ireland, to legislate for that kingdom ; the powers exercised by the privy councils of both kingdoms, under colour of the laAv of Poynings; all burthens or obstructions impeding their trade with neutral countries, imposed by any other poAver than the parliament of Ireland ; a mutiny bill not limited in duration from session to session ; and the refusal or delay of the right to secure the in dependence of judges, and impartial administration of justice, Avere declared unconstitutional, illegal, and grievances. They further announced their unalterable determination to seek redress, and pledged themselves to each other, and to their country, not to countenance any candidate at any ensuing election, but those Avho had supported or would support their resolutions. They resolved the right of private judgment in matters'of religion, to be equally sacred in all; and therefore as Irishmen, Christians, and Protestants, rejoiced in the relaxa- * tion GEORGE III. 43S' tion of the penal laws against the Roman Catho- CHAP. lies, conceiving the measure to be fraught with XLlli. the happiest consequences to the union and pros- ^Q"1' perity of Ireland. They made arrangements for future meetings, appointed a committee to repre sent them in a general assembly of delegates of corps in Dublin, and voted an address to the mi nority of the Irish parliament, for their noble and spirited, though ineffectual efforts in defence of the great commercial and constitutional rights of the country. " Go on ;" they said " the almost un- " animoiis voice of the people is Avithyou; and in " a free country, the voice of the people must pre- " vail. We Iciioav our duty to our sovereign, and " are loyal : Ave knoAV ourselves, and are resolved " to be free." Deriving new hopes from these resolutions, F5b,?nd and the spirit they indicated, Mr. Grattan moved an address to the king, declaratory of the rights of Ireland to an independent legislature, notAvith standing the power of Controul assumed by the parliament of England ; but his motion Avas nega tived, as Avas another for a bill to quiet the propri etors of estates in Ireland under British acts of parliament. As this measure tended also to af firm that Great Britain had no right to legislate for Ireland, Mr. Yelverton, as a middle course, or temperate expedient, procured, by the con currence of all parties, an act for making several laAvs passed in Great Britain, and affecting Ireland, acts of the Irish parliament. At this period the struggle for power in England terminated in the recal of the Earl of Carlisle, who had held the viceroyalty since December 17 80. The Easter recess afforded ministers leisure for Motionof arranging the affairs of their departments, and Mr. Eden procuring the re-election of such as were members ".JjJ,^ of the lower house. On the meeting of parliament, ment re* colonel Luttrell introduced the affairs of Ireland, E5™* Vol. III. F f by 1782. 434 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, by stating the prevailing discontents, and the XLIII. desire of ministers to remove them, and requiring from Mr. Eden, who Avas a member of the house of commons in Ireland, and had filled the situation of principal secretary to lord Carlisle, an explanation of the affairs of that kingdom. Mr. Eden readily entered on the task, describ ing the conduct of government and opposition for the two last years, and descanting on the valour, loyalty, and popularity of the volunteers, Avhose desires and sentiments were the desires and sen timents of all Ireland. The declaration of rights, so unanimously and ardently cherished, could no longer be opposed Avith success : the attempt would be as vain as to make the river Thames flow up Highgate-hill. He did not believe the Irish Avould abuse the advantages they might obtain, and they would be restrained from adopting measures inju rious to England, since the king, Avith the advice of a responsible cabinet, must sanction all their acts. Besides the declaration of rights, the volunteers, or, in another av ord, Ireland had called for a habeas corpus, and obtained it; a bill for making commis sions of judges quamdiu benesegesserint, demanded by them, was in its progress through parliament; the required alteration of the mutiny act might easily be granted, and a modification of Poyning's laAv, Avhich Avould satisfy the people, could not be dan gerous to England. He then moved for leave to bring in a bill " repealing so much of the act of " the sixth of George L as asserted a right in the " king and parliament of Great Britain to make " laws binding the kingdom and people of lre- t( land." He did not Avish to be precipitate; but the recess of the Irish parliament Avould terminate in eight days, and Mr. Grattan Avould then renew and carry his motion for a declaration of rights. It Avould surely then be advisable to anticipate the wishes of the people, to afford them a pledge of the GEORGE Hi. 435 the sincerity of England, a security for the per- CHAP. jpanency of the constitution, and of that trade XLIII. they were so anxious to preserve. ^s""""' Three members, all natives of Ireland, rose to second Mr. Eden's motion ; but Mr. Fox declaimed with indignation against the indecenthurryof bring ing it foiAvard on the first appearance of the new ministry in parliament, before they had time to make arrangements, or digest measures more ef fectual and important than a little partial repeal, proposed only to acquire a small portion of popu larity. Had the late ministry displayed but a moderate share of that alertness which now so much misbecame the mover, England had not been involved in her present difficulties. Mode rate concession granted to temperate requests Avould have prevented those haughty claims-which would wrench the kingdom of Ireland from the legislation of Great Britain; but the nation Avas iioav reduced to abject unconditional submission. He Avished Mr. Eden to Avithdraw his motion; Avhich Avas agreed to, after a debate in which many reflections Avere made on the harsh manner of no tifying lord Carlisle's recal, and his removal from the lord lieutenancy of the east riding of York shire, Avhich ministers had restored to lord Car marthen. The next day Mr. Fox submitted to parliament 9* April. a message from the king, expressing concern at ^'"^ the discontents and jealousies of Ireland, and re commending to the serious consideration of the house the means of satisfactory adjustment. In moving the address on this message, Fox declared the resolution of ministers to act effectually, and not patch up a temporary cessation of claims, leaving to their successors the clangers of an unsettled con stitution. The pretensions of the Irish parliament and people, comprehended not only commercial rights and privileges, but legislative powers and f f 2 royalty. 436 CHAP. XLIII. nth. 1 6th Apr. Declara tion of rights voted by the Irish parlia ment. Grattan'scelebrated speech. HISTORY OF ENGLAND, royalty. The hasty step proposed by Mr. Eden, would be umvise and impolitic. Time must be alloAved for deliberation, and the acquisition of perfect information, which ministers Avould faith fully submit to parliament, hoping that the happy, Speedy, and permanent conclusion of so important an affair, Avould be fonvarded by all the ability, zeal, affection, and honesty of both kingdoms. The address Avas voted Avithout opposition; as Avas a similar testimony pf respect from the upper house, on the motion of lord Shelburne. The speeches of both secretaries of state were profuse in general acknowledgements toward the Irish, with a reserve of due consideration for the dignity of Great Britain. Their declarations Avere involved in studied mystery ; but it appeared from the observations of Fox, that the large concessions recommended by Mr. Eden were not intended to be made. Any hesitation or varieties of sentiment Avhich might have been entertained in the. British cabinet, were, however, abruptly terminated by the deci sion of the Irish house of commons, Avhere G rat tan, as Mr. Eden had predicted, moved an address to the throne, containing a full and' explicit de claration of the rights of Ireland as claimed by the people, and the delegates of the volunteers. His speech Avas uncommonly fervid : he remembered Ireland, he said, when she Avas a child, he had be held her progress from injuries to arms, from arms to liberty. The Irish were no longer afraid of the French, nor of any nation, nor of any minister. If men turned their eyes to the rest of Europe, they found the ancient spirit expired, liberty ceded, or empire lost; nations subsisting on the memory of past glory, and guarded by mercenary armies. But Ireland, quitting such examples, had become a model to them ; she had excelled modern, and equalled ancient Europe. The meeting of military delegates GEO R G E III. -437 delegates at Dungannon was a great event, an ork CHAP. ginal measure ; and like all original measures, mat- XLIII. ter of surprise till it became matter of admiration. v^8^t/ He compared it to the English convention parlia ment, or the assembly of barons at Runnymead; all were original transactions, not flowing from precedent, but containing in themselves precedent and principle. All great constitutional questions had been lost ; the public had been lost, had they depended only on paiiiament : but they had fallen into the hands of the people, and by the people would be preserved. The Irish volunteers Avere as sociated for the preservation of the laAvs, but the -claims of the British paiiiament Avere subversive of all layv. The volunteers had supported the rights of the Irish parliament against those temporary trustees avIio Avould have relinquished .them. But England had no reason to fear the Irish volunteers : they Avould die for England and her majestic race of men. Allied by liberty as well as allegiance, the two nations formed a con stitutional confederacy ; the perpetual annexation of the crown Avas one great bond, but liberty Avas a still greater. It would be easy to find a king, but impossible for the Irish to find a nation who could communicate to them a great charter, save only England. This made England a natural con nexion ; and every true Irishman would exclaim -—Liberty with England — but — at all events — Liberty J { The motion Avas carried Avithout a division, H>s4- though not Avithout debate ; and the gratitude of ward* the nation was sheAvn towards the popular orator, by a parliamentary grant of fifty thousand pounds, for the purpose of purchasing an estate, and erecting a mansion. Instructed by these resolves, and by the evi- %££?*?' dent determination throughout the country to sup- quent Pro- f See a report of this speech in the Remembrancer, vol. xiv. p. 18. the gj^" F F 3 port parliament. 438 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, port them to all extremities, ministers no longer XLlli. hesitated respecting the quality or mode of com s^^/ cession. Fox, in a committee of the Avhole house, expatiated on the claims of Ireland, allowing them to be founded injustice, and such as he, while out of office, had alAvays maintained. Ireland had clearly and plainly stated her wants ; he should be as plain ; and though perhaps he might have been better pleased Avith a different mode of asking, still he Avould meet her on her OA\m terms. Whatever blame might be discovered in the course of the business, he imputed to the late administration, and concluded by moving " for an act repealing that " of the sixth of George I. for securing the de- " pendence of Ireland." Mr. Thomas Pitt seconded the motion, and members of all parties concurred in applauding it ; lord Beauchamp alone expressed a doubt that the repeal, leaving the question of right undecided, Avould not satisfy the Irish nation. The motion passed Avithout a division, as did tAvo others, one for an address to the king, praying the adoption of measures for rendering the connexion between the two kingdoms solid and permanent ; and another declaring the interests of both inseparable. 17th May, The proceedings in the upper house were near ly similar, and no division arose. Lord Lough borough, however, pointed out several inconveni ences which might possibly ensue from the exten sive construction of the resolutions, and recom mended some delay, for the sake of preparation, and to .avoid that precipitancy Avhich Avould seem to result from fear. nth and , The repealing act passed both houses in general nth June. siiei,ce. Its reception in Ireland justified, in some degree, lord Beauchamp's anticipation ; for Mr. Flood, by maintaining that the concession was insufficient, inasmuch as the principle on Avhich the act of George I. was founded Avas not renounced, wrested GEORGE III. 4S9 Wfested from Grattan, who asserted the contrary, CHAP. a portion of his popularity.8 The Irish parliament, XI III. however, sheAved great satisfaction at the acqui- v~^g^*/ sition, and voted addresses of thanks, and a hun- Z7th June. dred thousand pounds for a levy of tAventy thou sand seamen for the British navy. . In prosecution of another avowed object, the 8th April. limitation of influence, the popular measures pre- ^-^"g0' sented in former sessions Avere revived. The bill influence. for excluding contractors, Avas in a committee be- CoM/.i}f" fore , the expulsion of the late administration ; it was noAV amended, and recommitted, and passed the house of commons Avith inconsiderable op- > position. In the lords, the principle was strenu ously, and with great force of argument, opposed by the lord chancellor and lord Mansfield. In the committee, lord Ashburton successfully proposed an amendment, exempting from the operation of the bill those Avho made contracts for the produce of their OAvn estates ; but the house of commons ***^y# disagreed, and the bill passed in its original form. With equal eagerness, the bill for preventing 8thtoi5th revenue officers from voting in elections of mem- AP£};ue bers of paiiiament was pressed on the house. It officers was strenuously though unsuccessfully opposed in bill. the commons ; but a rider Avas added to prevent its extending to those A\dio held places for life"; they, it Avas argued, could not be under the do minion of influence. On the third reading in the 3d June. upper house, lord Mansfield made an able and elo quent speech against the principle of the bill ; he was ansAvered by the bishop of Peterborough, and the marquis of Rockingham, who declared hissitu^ ation as first lord of the treasury would be extremely uneasy if the bill was rejected. In seventy boroughs, he said, the election depended chiefly on revenue officers. Nearly twelve thousand of these persons, % See reports of the debate an 'this subject. Remembrancer, vol. xiv. p-P- 307, 319! . j,- r 4 created 440 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, created by the late administration, possessed votes, XLIII. in other places ; and he could not without remorse v*i70^*' suDJect them by his influence, to the necessity, or at least the imputation of voting against the dic tates of gratitude and their consciences. This curious argument, Avhich implied that Unless the voters Avere deprived of the poAver of doing wrong, the minister could not refrain from compelling them, terminated the debate, and the bill passed. * Resd'ution Another sacrifice . to popularity, in the shape respecting of reform, Avas the expunction from the journals theMiddie- 0f j-}ie resolution of the seventeenth of February sex election . , , _. . , . . J rescinded. 1769,, respecting the Middlesex election ; the mo tion being made and seconded by Wilkes and Byng, members for the county. Fox opposed it, on the principle that the house of commons ought, for the advantage of the people, to have the pri vilege of expelling those whom they, as represen tatives, thought unworthy of a seat, and the privi lege was too valuable to be surrendered. In sup port of this doctrine, he framed an extraordinary case. " Suppose,"- he said, " the bill for exclutb " ing contractors had 'been rejected by the house " of lords, and the house of commons had come " to a resolution of their OAvn, that no person hold- " ing a contract should have a seat ; the contrac- " tors now in paiiiament Avould be expelled, but '¦' might be re-elected; and then, if the inherent ' privilege did not impede it, those very men " whom the house had declared improper to sitj " must remain amongst them." He acknowledged himself, however, indifferent to the event of the. motion, as the proceedings against the magistrates of London had demonstrated', that Avhatever privi leges the house might possess, they could not be, exercised in opposition to the voice of the people. h 34. t0 j g. There were several divisions in the house of commons in the proportion of 7 or S to 1 . ¦ * Dundas. GEORGE III. 441 Dundas, though on the same side, warmly re- CHAP. probated the unconstitutional doctrines of Fox ; XLIII. and the motion was carried by a great majority. * V-^*H' Elated Avith this final triumph, after an annual de^ feat, Wilkes published a letter expressive of his raptures, and his resolution to persevere in the cause of freedom and parliamentary reform ; but feAv people now participated his raptures ; the question had ceased to be interesting, and. the popularity attached to the name of Wilkes had been repeatedly transferred to others, and was in a state of daily fluctuation. Early in the session, a bill Avas introduced for 1 8th Feb. disfranchising the borough of Cricklade in the casement county of Wilts. A committee on the petition of of Crkk- an unsuccessful candidate, reported that great lade' abuses had been committed; and Sir Harbord Har- bord affirmed, that out of two hundred and forty voters, eighty-three had already been convicted of bribery, and actions for the same offence Avere pending against forty-three others. In the house of commons the disfranchisement Avas opposed 13th Mar. Avith considerable ability, but Avithout effect. It was justified on the same principles as that of the elec- 'tors of New Shoreham. " When that bill was shewn " to the late earl of Chatham," said Mr. Monta gu, " he expressed his joy at finding the borough " removed from Bengal to its ancient situation in H the county of Sussex."— -If the present were re jected, Cricklade would certainly be removed from Wiltshire to the East Indies. The progress of the bill through the house of 3dMay. lords was rendered remarkable by the zeal and ability with Avhich the lord chancellor, lord Mansfield, and lord Loughborough opposed, and lords Grantly and Ashburton supported it. The latter lords found a powerful auxiliary, or rather an 'able leader, in the duke of Richmond; but his grace IT.J to 47. 442 CHAP. XLIII. 1782. 8th May. Bill com pelling the holders of offices to reside. Exertions of clubs and public bodies for a reform of parlia ment. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. grace in the course of debate reproached the lord chancellor with indiscriminately resisting every measure of regulation or improvement. Lord Fortescue, enlarging on the same topic, bewailed the degraded dignity of the house, lowered and tarnished by a profusion of lawyers. It was no longer a house of peers, but a mere court of law, where all the solid, honourable principles of truth and justice were shamefully sacrificed to the low pettifogging chicanery and quibbles used in Westminster Hall. That once venerable, dignified, and august assembly, resembled a meeting of at* tornies in a Cornish court, acting as barristers. The learned lord on the woolsack seemed fraught Avith nothing but contradictions, and law subtleties and distinctions, and all that. Such remarks obtained no ansAver, and did not prevent the exertions of opposition ; evidence Avas called and counsel heard against the bill ; when the duke of Richmond again gave vent to his in dignation against what he termed the professional phalanx. , Attacked by laAvyers above the bar, and and interrupted by lawyers below, he considered himself unequal to the contest; and therefore ob tained the aid of counsel in support of the bill, Avhich finally passed, great majorities in its favour appearing on every division. k A more important and beneficial laAv Avas in troduced under the influence of lord Shelburne, for compelling future holders of patent places in the colonies or plantations, to reside and act in their offices. Hitherto all the reforms supported by ad ministration, had been sanctioned by the concur rence of parliament. One remained on which the public felt considerably interested, from the great pains which had been employed to procure, in all popular assemblies, votes and resolutions in its fa vour, k On the commitment, 13th May, the division was 4.7 to 12. GEORGE III. 44S vour, and to exhibit it to the people as a measure CHAP. on which their freedom and prosperity depended : XLIII. this Avas a reform in the representative system of >-^r*^ the house of commons. Measures for enforcing this reform were syste- March and matically adopted in the preceding year, by the Ap-1?8^ delegates of the associated or petitioning. bodies, comprizing pretended representatives of the coun ties of York, Surrey, Hertford, Huntingdon, Mid dlesex, Essex, Kent, Devon, and Nottingham, and the city of Westminster. They resolved, that the public evils were produced by the gross inadequacy in parliamentary representation, which the addi tion of a-hundred county members in due propor tions Avould tend to correct. The septennial act was declared a violation of the rights of the people, which impaired the constitutional connexion be tween them and their representatives, and exposed parliament to great unconstitutional influence; and its repeal Avould form a strong barrier against the inroads of parliamentary corruption, and the alarming influence of the crown. These resolves jvere enforced by addresses to the electors of Great Britain, urging the necessity of reform, by statements deduced from history, and arguments founded in right and policy. ' The livery of 31st Jan. London in a common-hall resolved, that the iyil' inequality of representation, and the corrupt state of parliament, had produced the Avar, the dismemberment of the empire, and all other grievances. The only adequate remedy would be found in re-establishing the constitutional share of the people in government, and in a frequent election of representatives, according to ancient usage. They also established a corresponding committee. Against this meeting, however, a pro test was signed by five of the common-council. The I See Remembrancer, vol. xiii. p. 193; 444 HISTORY OF ENGLAND, CHAP. The cause, thus espoused by these committees; XLIII. and public bodies, was introduced to parliament v-^r-w by the brilliant talents of Mr. Pitt. In a speech 7tfi May. °f g'reat ability, he described the evils which had Mr. Pitt's arisen, and might arise from the unequal represen- rootion. tation. Some boroughs Avere under the command, and others in the possession of the treasury. The influence of government Avas contested in others, not by the electors, but by some poAverful indi vidual assuming hereditary right. Some boroughs had no actual existence in property, population, trade, or Aveight, but only in the return of mem bers ; and others, in the lofty possession of English freedom, claimed no right but that of bringing their votes to market : they had no other market, no other property, no other stake in the country than the price of their votes. Such boroughs Avere the most dangerous of all. They never con sulted the interests of the public, but offered their representation to the best purchaser : they Avere properly within the jurisdiction of the Carnatic ; and it Avas a well-knoAvn fact, that the nabob of Arcot had seven or eight members in that house. Foreign influence had ever been considered dan gerous to a nation; and if the nabobs of India could acquire such an influence, Avhy might not a foreign power, at enmity Avith Great Britain, acquire a similar share by the same means in the councils of the nation ? Some persons had suggested, that the best means of effecting a nearer relation betAveen the representatives and the people, .- would be to; deprive the rotten and corrupt boroughs of a part of their members, and add them to those places Avhich had a greater stake and interest in the. country. Another mode recommended, was short ening the duration of parliaments. But all con sideration of these he should for the present entirely omit, referring the task of selection to a com mittee freely chosen. The matter of complaint Avas clear ; his oavii judgment was strengthened by GEORGE III. 445 by the advice of some of the first characters in the CHAP. kingdom, and of some on whom the grave had XLIII. closed. Of one of these, in particular, every mem- N^*\f*" ber in the house could speak with more freedom >7 ! than himself. That person Avas not apt to indulge vague and chimerical speculations inconsistent . with practice and expediency ; and the opinion of that person Avas, that unless first principles Avere, in this respect, recurred to, and a more solid and equal representation of the people established, by Avhich the proper constitutional connexion might be revived, this nation, with the greatest aptitudes for happiness and grandeur of any other on the face of the earth, must be confounded Avith the mass of those whose liberties Avere lost in the corruption of the people. He moved, and was seconded by alderman Sawbridge, " for the appointment of a " committee to inquire into the state of represen- " tation in parliament, and to report to the house " their observations thereon." The first opponent of the motion Avas Mr. Thomas Pitt, avIio anticipated and deprecated the constructions to Avhich his sentiments atouIcI be liable from those avIio considered him merely as proprietor and representative of Old Sarum. He objected to the time of introducing the subject, when government Avas already overloaded Avith projects of reform. Mere theorists attempted to establish the wild system, that nations could only be free where no individual Avas Bound but by laAvs to which he had consented, either in person or by a representative Avhom he had actually nomi nated. History sufficiently proved that such a principle never applied to the British constitution. Nothing like equality of representation could be found. Rutland, as 'a county, returned as many representatives as Devonshire or Yorkshire. At first counties alone were represented, afterwards great cities, towns, and places of note, and even inconsiderable 446 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Villages. The rule of their addition could not bd defined, but most assuredly it was not that of equal representation, or uniform importance; nor was it fit, at this period, to try chartered privileges by a new rule which never did apply to them. How ever plausible and popular the idea of equal repre sentation, it was of all other the most extravagant/ impracticable, visionary, and absurd. If such a principle Avas essential to a free government, there never had been, nor ever could be a free govern ment. The real origin and purpose of the parliament, was to balance the power of the crown. The members Of the lower house, however variously elected, stood, individually and collectively, as re presentatives of all the subjects of Great Britain. If they effected the great purpose of defending the people at large against the encroaching poAver and increasing influence of the crown; if, as faith ful 'guardians, they held the public purse; if they preserved the laAvs of the country from violation, they ansAvered every end of their institution, Avhat ever irregularities a speculist might fancy he dis covered in their appointment ; for that country truly enjoys the benefit of civil liberty, Avhere the laAvs hold an equal course to all, not where all are equally represented. " Is all influence on this house" he proceeded, " equally dangerous, equally alarming, equally " subversive of the great principle I have endea- " voured to establish ? What Avas the contest " with the crown before the establishment of the " lower house? A contest not for liberty, but " for power, between the king, the barons, and *' the clergy. What has been the change that " since its origin has thrown weight into the " balance of this house? Thetuistocratical Aveight " of property, Avhich increasing in this house, has " enabled it to resist the augmenting influence of " the GEORGE III. 44,1 " the crown. The house of lords can no longer CHAP^ " be relied on as a counterpoise ; the barons are XLIII. " no longer the barrier ., against the encroach- vO£^'/ " ments of the crown. Let us take care, that by " an innovation purely democratical, and which " shall remove from us that influence to Avhich we " owe so much of our importance, we do not re- " duce ourselves again to that state Avhen the " greatest influence of all may crush us under " feet." The motion, he observed, would place parlia ment in a cruel dilemma ; if negatived, the pre judices of the times would represent the house as partial, prejudiced, and corrupt ; shutting their ears against evils fatal to the public liberty, lest they should be obliged to confess the necessity of a remedy. If the proposition were adopted, they must launch into a sea without a shore ; a general inquiry Avithout any defined or specified object ; an inquisition into the state of every borough, which Avould alarm the feelings of every one interested in so extensive a consideration, Avhile it held out to the public, expectations Avhich the house never meant v to satisfy, nor ought to satisfy, nor could satisfy were it ever so expedient. The question Avas not, whether any specific alteration should be adopted; but Avhether parliament should open a general shop to receive all the projects of the Avildest of projectors ; to let loose the imaginations of the public on the most delicate, and yet most im portant of considerations. Bounds could never be set to the inquiry ; the torrent could never be restrained ; the principle must be carried to its ut most extent, or abandoned ; representation, if an inherent or natural, was. an universal right; there was no medium. To countenance so general, so undefined a measure, as that on the table, Avould be an act of madness and infatuation, tending only to tumult and disorder, and every confusion that ,,m 448 CHAP. XLIII. 1782. Rejected. *7th May, Saw- bridges annual mo tion. 24th. Lord Ma* hen's bill. HISTORY OP, ENGLAND. that expectation, followed by disappointment^ could operate on the passions of the multitude. During a long debate^^many conspicuous par^ liamentary characters delivered their sentiments j* Sir George Savile, Courteney, Fox, and Sheridan, supported the measure. Its chief opponents were the honourable Mr. Yorke, Rolle, M'Donald, Rig by ; and Dundas, Avho particularly distinguished himself by a speech, replete Avith sound sense and accurate information, and sparkling with genuine wit. The question was rejected by adopting the order of the day. m The conduct of ministry was represented to the public as insidious and treacherous ; they Avere accused of giving a negative, damning support to the proposition, while by indirect means they con curred in its failure. Against this charge, xvhich threatened fatal consequences to their popularity, Fox, at a subsequent period, took great pains to justify himself. He professed warm unalterable attachment to reform ; but some of his colleagues,- particularly Burke, and Thomas Townshend, he said, viewed the proposition Avith disgust and an tipathy. Such men he could not influence to speak or vote against their opinions, but Avhat he could, he did ; he persuaded them not to attend the dis cussion." Saavbridge reneAved his annual attempt to shorten the duration of parliament ; but his mo-1 tion, though eloquently sustained by Mr. Pittj Avas rejected by a large majority." Lord Mahon also introduced a bill for preventing bribery and expences at elections,, the regulations of Avhich were so strict, as even to prevent the candidate m 161 to 141. " See Fox's speech at the anniversary dinner, (icth October 1781.) Remembrancer, vol. xiv. p, 293. 0 149 to 61. from message; GEORGE ill. 449 from alloAving a carriage to a non-resident voter. CliAp; Mr. Pitt supported the bill, but it was opposed by XLlli. Fox, and the severest of its clauses being rejected, "^{^ it Was AA'ithdraAVll. zistjunei The hiinisterial undertakino- of economical re- *5'h ^Pr- e . , , ,. ~ . i-xertions rorm Avas introduced to parliament, by a message respecting from the king to each house, recommending the Konomy- consideration of an effectual plan Of economy, K,ns,s through all branches of the public expenditure. He had taken into consideration a form and regu lation in his civil list establishment, which he Avould speedily submit to parliament for their ad vice and assistance. " His majesty," the message proceeded, " has no reserves Avith his people, on " Avhose affections he rests Avith a sure reliance, as " the best support of the true honour and dignity " of his crown and government ; and as they " have hitherto been his best resource on every " emergency, so he regards them as the most " solid and stable security for an honourable pro* " Vision for his person and family." An address of thanks was voted Avith unanimous assent; Burke, in moving it, congratulated the house, and the kingdom, on the happy era Avhen his majesty, freed from that secret and injurious council, which stood between him and his people, how spoke to them in the pure and rich.beneA'o- lence of his own heart. The message Avas the ge nuine effusion of paternal carcand tenderness; it was what good subjects merited from a good king, and every man Avould fejoice in and bless the day, when, restored to the dignified independence of his elevated situation, the sovereign Avas able to participate in their sufferings, to praise and reward their fortitude. It Avas the best of messages, to the best of people, from the best of kings. Mr. Poavts in the name of the country gentle-* men, declared his warm exultation in the message^ Vol. III. G g and 450 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, and in language formed on Burke's model, extol- XLIII. led it as a noble and gracious instance of royal be- ^82^ nevolence, Avhich would reconcile the people to their burthens. Fox too spoke in terms of panegyric and confidence. " His majesty," he said, " came Avith " almost unparallelled grace to his parliament, and " desired to participate in the exertions and suffer- " ing of his people, by the reduction of his own " peculiar establishments, choosing and wishing to " find his support in the hearts of his subjects." „ , , But hoAvever confident might be the anticipa- Burke s. . . fc> r bill passes tion of ministers, the bill tor retrenching the ex- m an ai- pences of the household no lon°-er appeared before the public with all the captivating allurements which had been lent to it, while designed by oppo- 6th May. sition for the embarrassment of government. In the committee, Burke proposed a saving of seventy- two thousand three hundred and sixty -eight pounds per annum ; but he introduced his bill tardily and nth June, silently to the house. On the second reading, he Avas goaded into a speech, for the purpose of de fending his measure against the imputations it in curred by varying essentially from the original proposition, Avhen the public were taught to ex pect a golden harvest from economy, and a luxu riant vegetation of liberty, from the prunings of influence. He had omitted a regulation for sup plying the royal household by contract, he said, because the measure was generally unpopular. The regulations relative to Wales were abandoned, because they did not appear to please the people, who were taught by a faction to regard them Avith horror. The retrenchment in the ordnance office he had postponed, if not totally renounced, because that department was filled by a nobleman whose patriotism and frugality Avould supersede the ne cessity of restraint. The mint was not yet regu lated, because the directors of the bank Avere un willing 14th. GEORGE III. 451 willing to assume the execution of its duties. The CHAP, •offices of treasurer and cofferer of the household XLIII. were suffered to remain, because their possessors v"^g^' carried white wands, and their abolition would ap pear an encroachment on the splendour and dignity of the croAvn. The duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall, it appeared by a subsequent expla nation, were left unreformed, because the clamours which had been raised about Wales might ex tend to them also. These reasons appeared so trifling, that even colonel Barre" arid Mr. Powys expressed themselves not intirely satisfied, and the bill passed dully through the house, barely unopr posed, but wholly uncelebrated. The retention of appointments which had been formerly descanted on in glowing terms, as exr tremely onerous and injurious to the public, for no other reason than that they Avere held by the duke of Richmond and lord Ashburton, formed a stigma on the favourite measure, Avhich Avas riot removed by Burke's disinterestedness in bringing forward a bill regulating his own office, the intent of Avhich was to prevent enormous balances from remaining in the hands of the paymaster of the forces. The royal message respecting economy was IdMay. speedily followed by another, requesting a dis- Arrears of charge of arrears of civil list, amounting to nearly [^^ Lavo hundred and ninety-six thousand pounds ; charged, -the house voted the requisite sum, and the savings intended to be made by the reform bill were mort gaged for payment of the interest. This mode of 3d Ju] blending the two transactions Avas vehemently de cried in the upper house, as an infringement of their standing order made in 1702, that no bill of regulation should be alloAved to pass with the ap pendage of a clause for granting money. The lord chancellor and lord Loughborough supported this doctrine with great ability, but the house decided in contradiction to their judgment. p (SG3 452 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 1782. 25th June Mr. Kenyon's motion. CHAP. Some further economical regulations were pro- XLIII. mised, but none effected during the session. The attorney-general, Mr. Eenyon, distinguished him self by a motion for collecting into the exchequer, the balances in the hands of several paymasters; His original propositions extended to charge the holders of those balances with interest for the sums in hand ; but Fox, with equal ability and judg ment, observed, that by so doing, government would place its officers in the same situation with the guardians of a minor. " In the one case," he said, " there is an obligation to make the money *' superlucrate ; in the other none.: To claim in- " terest from an accountant Avould justify him in " placing the money out at interest, and conse- " quently render the public liable for losses." A motion Avas made for bringing in a bill to carry into effect some of the resolutions moved by Miv Kenyon, Avhich Avas, hoAvever, after a debate of some Avarmth, rejected, and the new ministry left in a minority.11 Some other unimportant essays Were made on the pension list, and some ineffectual attempts to render an object of censure a pension of a thousand pounds conferred on lord Lough-s borough. While the ministry were thus engaged in ful filling the expectations they had raised respecting domestic regulation, they pursued Avith equal ar dour the great object which made the nation soli citous for their attainment of power, the restora tion of peace. Soon after the commencement of hostilities with Llolland, the empress of Russia offered, through the medium of M. de Simolin, her embassador, to negotiate a renewal of the ancient intercourse betAveen the two countries; and prince Galitzin presented to the states-general a memorial to the same effect. The states of Holland and West Frieslandi 3 127 to Jlfr. Efforts at pacifica tion. March. 1781. Retrospect of negotia tion with Holland. GEORGE III. 453 Tries-land alone declared their acceptance of the CHAP. offer; but the British court, candidly explaining XLIIL the causes which led to the rupture, particularly ^{^ the ascendancy of the French party in the Dutch councils, observed, that during the Avar with France, and in the present disposition of the repub lic, all reconciliation must be merely superficial, as the Dutch would continue secret auxiliaries of , France, under the mask of a pretended alliance Avith Great Britain. But should any indications appear of a change in this disposition, his majesty would readily treat for a separate peace, under the sole mediation of the empress, avIio had been the first to offer her good offices/ Towards the close of the year, the negotiation was reneAved ; the English party in Holland gain ed more authority, and hopes Avere entertained of triumphing over the French faction, avIio strove to impede the treaty, without openly contravening the empress. Their first measure was, to procure from Sweden an offer to co-operate in the media tion, Avhich the British cabinet refused, alleging their former promise to the empress.3 Although isthSept.. the states general sheAved more favourable dispo sitions than formerly toAvards Great Britain, it Avas. obvious, that if France obtained many of their foreign settlements by compact or recapture, and an apparent naval superiority, no separate treaty, with England could take place. The Cape of Good Hope was already under the protection of France; and soon afterwards de Bouille recon-, quered their most important West India settle ments. The escape of M. de Guichen from Kempenfelt, and the great projects meditated by France and Spain in the transatlantic Avorld, to gether with the hopeless state of the British arms, in Europe, the capture of Minorca, and blockade, ' See Annual Register 1781. Article, State Papers. G G 3 Qi." 454 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. XLIII. 17-82. March. 4oth. &9th. Failure. April.Offer of the tmperor to mediate. 48 th Apr. of Gibraltar, gave a decisive turn to the politics of the Hague. Their answer to the offer of the em* press precluded the hope of peace; and an article in the new compacts between Holland and France prevented either from making a separate treaty. This intelligence had not reached England when the great change Avas made in the cabinet; The Rockingham administration had expressed in parliament, with the utmost confidence, the inten tion of effecting a separate reconciliation. Their endeavours were stimulated by alerter from prince Galitzin and M. de Marcow, the Russian ministers at the Hague, apprizing them of the prevailing system of the states-general, and urging dispatch in impeding the formation of a perpetual alliance between the courts of Versailles and the Hague. Mr. Fox assured M. de Simolin of the King's earnest desire to renew the friendship, so unhap pily interrupted, on the ancient footing of the treaty of 1674, and to give immediate orders for an armistice, and requested the mediation and good offices of the empress. The British cabinet entertained sanguine hopes of success, and direct ed foreign ministers to lose no opportunity of cul tivating a good understanding Avith those of Hol land ; but the republic persisted in the original design of fortifying the connexion Avith France, and rejected the proposed interference. As the pacific intentions of the neAv ministry Avere Avell knoAvn, the imperial embassador, count Belgioioso, again proffered the good offices of his court, in a missive, styled in the diplomatic lan guage, une insinuation verbale, to which the secre tary of state returned a cordial and comply ing answer. The king, he said, did not wish to prejudge any question, or to exclude any party from the negotiation; neither the states* general, nor the American colonies ; he was ar dently GEORGE III. 455 dently desirous of peace, and Avished that it should CHAP, be speedy, but it must be equitable. XLIII. Austria had, however, no right to presume '"To" that Great Britain should rely with implicit confi dence on her mediatory efforts. It had long been apparent to the English embassador, that prince Kaunitz entertained toAvarcls the cause of Great Britain sentiments nearly approaching to malevo lence. He predicted her failure in the contest, and the necessity of ultimately making large con cessions ; and Avhen statesmen publicly indulge in such prophecies, they Avill rather contribute to the event by their OAvn exertions, than suffer their pre science to fall into discredit. Kaunitz entered into the armed confederacy with almost as much zeal as Catherine herself, and Avas preparing, by the influence of the emperor, to make Venice adopt the same measure. His language to the English embassador Avas changed from extreme kindness, to a haughty, harsh, morose tone ; and on every misfortune Avhich attended the British arms, the reneAval of an offer to mediate Avas ac companied Avith revilings and taunts against the proud national spirit, Avhich had frustrated former efforts. This alteration of conduct Avas the more offensive, as the French embassador Avas treated Avith proportionate confidence, always preferred in audiences, and ostentatiously courted with pecu liar homage. The empress of Russia was also to be included R.uss!a in the mediatory commission, but she had from Joms* the beginning of the Avar, deluded Great Britain Avith false hopes, and her constant efforts, to ex tend the sphere of the neutral league, and her eager pursuit of personal aggrandizement, leading her to an intimate connexion Avith Austria, and giving her a bias toAvards France, made it impossi ble to expect from her partiality any beneficial re sults. The cause of Great Britain seemed degraded G G 4 to 4S6 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, to the loAvest state ; ill success, and the prevalent XLIII. opinion of mismanagement, rendered the espousal ""Cg"^ of' it among the selfish poAvers of the continent almost disreputable, and, probably, the hope of wringing from the distressed situation of the Country, concessions favourable to a system of neutral duplicity, occasioned the eagerness of the. _ imperial courts to assume the task of mediation. 2th May. Under these difficult and critical circufn- Mr. Gren- stances, the ministry acted with magnanimity an4 ville sent judgment. In conformity with the ansAvers Te- %o r^aris. Jo ' i - turned by the Bourbon courts, they empoAvered, Sir Robert Murray Keith, the embassador at Vi enna, to commence a treaty under the auspices of their imperial majesties. ' But as Mr. Thomas Grenville Avas already dispatched, though without any public character, to open a direct negotiation Avith M. cle Vergennes, and Paris was intended to be the principal scene of business, Sir Robert was instructed not to make, or even much encourage, an overture for negotiation at Vienna ; though he was not, by receding from the proposition, to dis gust the mediating powers, or create suspicions of the sincerity of Great Britain. Terms The basis of treaty communicated to Mr. ^"hirn. Grenville, consisted in two propositions. The independence of the thirteen American colonies i and, in return, a complete restoration of all other' matters to the state in Avhich they were placed at the last peace. If these terms seemed too advan tageous, after Great Britain had offered to concede to America so much of dominion, that hardly a claim to sovereignty was left, and at a period Avhen the enemy Avas in possession of almost all the islands in the West Indies, if should be recollected, that the Spanish and French treasuries were in the «fate of most abject state of distress. Spain Avas reduced iuainj to a dependence on the subscription of individuals, not iu aid, but as the chief support of govern ment : GEORGE III. 45.7 ment; her South American colonies were torn by chap, rebellion ; and if England had afforded only slight XLIII. succours to the insurgents, theAvhole Spanish ma- v^s^' rine, and a great land force, would have been re quired for their reduction. France too Avas be- Frances ginning to awake from the dream of financial de lusion, and to discover that Necker had proceeded in the war Avithout the imposition of taxes, by •«borroAviug every year, in addition to the current supplies, the interest of previous loans ; a system which would in time call for severe impositions, or general bankruptcy. The force and exertions pf the enemy were exaggerated by boasts, and the preparations of the late ministry for regaining a preponderance of power in the Charibbean seas, might have inspired hopes and confidence sufficient to aAvait the events of a canipaign, the expences of which were already incurred. The general impatience for peace in England, England, was founded on a despair of success in the prin cipal object of the Avar, the reduction of America, and a conviction that the whole force of the na tion Avas insufficient to resist the career of the enemy in other quarters. Success Avould have given a neAv impulse to popular energy, and frus trated the long labours of an almost successful op position ; but fortune declared against lord North, and the hasty combination of heterogeneous parties, arid their vigorous and persevering as saults on the cabinet, impeded every measure for preventing, and sanctioned the proposition for Conceding,' the independence of America After the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, the Stateof attainment of this object by force appeared no America. riiOre certain than at any previous, period. The resources of America Avere exhausted, the long interruption of commerce produced a lamentable Want of all necessaries, a want felt from the highest to the lowest classes throughout the colonies. No jirt or coercion could give circulation to the paper currency j 458 CHAP. XLIII. 1782. Objections to inde pendence. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. currency ; and not only the friends of Great Bri tain, but the Avarmest adherents of America, con sidered the maintenance of the army for another year, and still more the establishment of indepen dency, as utterly impossible, and hardly desirable.* Sir Henry Clinton himself, after the surrender cf lord Cornwallis, forwarded an assurance to admi nistration, that with a reinforcement of ten thou sand men only, he would be responsible for* the conquest of America ;tt but before this offer could be made, the ministers, who alone could be expected to give it effect, were shaken ; a new system Avas adopted, active hostilities Avere no more to be pursued, and Sir Henry Clinton being al- loAved to retire, Avas replaced by Sir Guy Carle ton. The latest struggle of the defeated administra tion was to avert from the country the disgrace of a hasty and compulsory concession of American independence, to this tended their desire to main tain a Avar of posts, and their overtures for a coali tion. The Rockingham party had long declared, and consistently supported the justice and inevi table necessity of granting independence; but lord Shelburne had been no less strenuous in assert ing that disgrace and calamity must ensue to Great Britain from such a concession. He had even made an explicit declaration in the house of lords, " that he would never enter into an official " situation Avith any man, however great his abili- " ties, avIio Avould either maintain that it Avas " right or consistent to alloAv the- independency " of America;"" and, even in the present session of parliament, Mr. Dunning, his confidential 1 See intercepted Letters of Silas Deane, Remembrancer, vol. xiii. p. 71. » From private information. " See Debates in the house of lords, 7th December 177S 5 the conclu sion of loal Siielburne's spe:ch. friend GEORGE III. 4*9 friend and adviser, had treated the proposition as chap. almost amounting to high treason. But lord xliu' Shelburne had either receded from his former v^/^> opinions, or Avould not venture to encounter such I78*' an opposition as he had Avitnessed and supported against lord North. If ministers were induced to concede, even be- viewof fore a treaty, the independence of America, by the ^heWest probability that the superior naval power of France and Spain in the American seas would insure it, an event whichhad been judiciously prepared by the late ministry, and Avhich occurred soon after they Avere driven from the helm, shewed the futility of such an expectation. When the conquest of all the LeeAvard islands, Efforts of except Barbadoes and Antigua, left the French p,a:ice- no further objects of attack in that quarter, they projected a joint expedition with the Spaniards against the important colony of Jamaica. For this the reinforcement was dispatched under de Guichen, Avhich Kempenfelt had failed in his en deavour to intercept, and anticipating the success of the enemy in their ultimate object, . opposition lavished censures on administration for permitting Rodney to sail directly for the West Indies with a reinforcement of twelve sail of the line, when he should have been employed conjointly Avith Kem penfelt, in preventing the arrival of supplies to the enemy. Ministers, however, Avisely judged that the important object of gaining a decided pre ponderance in the West Indies by the junction of Rodney and Hood Avas not to be endangered by the precarious pursuit of inferior advantage. Rodney i9thFeb. hoped by his early arrival at Barbadoes to have pre- Rodney'* vented the fall of St. Christopher's ; but while amval- sailing for the relief of that island, met Sir Samuel Hood, who imparted the tidings of its surrender, and the retreat of de Grasse to Martinique. After 460 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. jCH A P. After long watching the motions of the French, XLIII. fleet, in order to prevent their junction with the v*p^^/ Spaniards, the British admirals succeeded in bring? Hispursuit ing on a partial action off Guadaloupe ; but, such, 5>th April. was tJie state of the wind, that only the van of the British fleet Avas engaged, and the enemy Avas en abled to Avithdraw bis ships, and baffle all endear vours for renewing the conflict. Tavo of the French ships, jn consequence of this transient encounter, were obliged to seek shelter in Guada loupe, and after a vigorous, though for some time hopeless pursuit, the British commanders had the good fortune to perceive another far to windward irthApril. of the main force, repairing her damages. On this, ship they bore down, and the exertions, of de Grasse for her protection placed the two squadrons in a situation Avhich seemed to preclude the possibility ' of again avoiding the conflict. The night, Avhich, prevented an immediate engagement, Avas passed i*th. in anxious preparation on either side, and at half Tmf°~ Past seven U1 ^ie morning, the action was begun. victory The tAvo fleets, met on opposite tacks, and there being little wind, the British ships ranged slowly along, and close under the lee of the enemy's line, delivering a tremendous fire, which the French re ceived, and returned with the utmost firmness. At noon Sir George Rodney, in the Formidable, hav ing passed the Ville de Paris, the count de Gjasse's. ship, and her second, so close as to be almost in contact, and having made a visible impression on, them, by a quick and well-directed fire, stood athAvart the enemy's line, betAveen the second and' third ships, astern of- the Ville de Paris, followed and nobly supported by the Duke, Namur, and Canada ; the rest ofhis division coming up in suc cession. The Formidable Avore round ; and a sig nal being made for the van division under admiral pvake to tack, the British fleet thus gained the wind, over de Grasse. GEORGE III; 46l wind, and stood upon the same" tack with the CHAP enemy. By this bold manoeuvre the French line XLIH* was broken, separated, and thrown into confusion : ^^ * it decided the fate of the day, although it did not I?8a end the conflict. The rear of the British fleet being becalmed, did not for some time get into action, and at last Avas favoured only by a slio-ht breeze. The French ships being crouded Avith men, the carnage was prodigious : still, however, they fought Avith obstinate bravery. Count de Grasse with his own, and the other ships in the centre, withstood till evening all the efforts of the various ships that attacked him. At length captain Corn Avallis of the Canada, a seventy-four gun ship, hav ing compelled the Hector of equal force to strike, left her to be taken possession of by a frigate ; and assailed the Ville de Paris, ..which in two hours he reduced almost to a wreck. Still de Grasse re fused to surrender, till toAvards sunset, Sir Samuel Hood in the Barfleur, Avho had hitherto been be-= calmed, arriving, and pouring in a destructive fire, the French admiral in ten minutes yielded, after continuing his exertions till only three men Avere left unhurt on the upper deck, of whom himself was one. Besides the Ville de Paris, the Hector, Cassar, and Glorieux of seventy-four guns, and Ardent of sixty-four, were taken, and the Diadem, another seventy-four, was sunk by a single broad side from the Formidable. Night terminated the' engagement, when the British admiral collected his fleet, and took measures for securing the prizes. Unfortunately the Ccesar blew up in the night, OAving to the licentious conduct of the French sea men; and a lieutenant and fifty British sailors, with about four hundred prisoners, perished. The Ville de Paris was freighted with thirty-six chests of money, destined for the pay and subsistence of the troops in the designed attack on Jamaica ; and it seems to have been singularly providential, that the 462 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, the whole train of artillery, with the battering XLIII. cannon and travelling carriages meant for that s"*"g"^"' expedition, Avere on board the captured vessels." The loss of men sustained by the British fleet, in the actions of the ninth and twelfth of April, amounted only to two hundred and thirty-seven killed, and seven hundred and sixty Avounded ; while that of the French Avas computed at three thousand slain, and more than six thousand wound ed. The French ships that escaped Avere almost reduced to Avrecks. The British line consisted of thirty-six, and the French line of thirty-two ships: but six vessels of Hood's division, from the scan tiness of the Avind, never could be brought into the general action. Four of the ships which escaped took refuge in the Dutch island of Curacoa; but the re mainder under Bougainville and Vaudreuil steer* 19th April, ed for Cape Francois. Sir Samuel Hood afterwards captured the Jason and the Caton of seventy-four guns, and two frigates, in the Mona passage, be tween Hispaniola and Porto Rico. Rodney after an unsuccessful search for the fugitive enemy, re paired to Jamaica, where he was hailed Avith the exultation and gratitude due to a deliverer. Sit recal. Intelligence of this important victory was received in England Avith the utmost transport, and diminished the popularity of the new admini stration. The public recollected Avith indignation their late invectives against the skill and courage of Rodney, and heard Avith deep dissatisfaction, that an order was already issued for superseding him, and placing in his stead admiral Pigott. 17th ^ay. Lord Kepf.el moved in the house of lords Motions of three resolutions, thanking the commander in jthaiilcs and ° honours. * The Ville de Paris was the largest ship in the French king's servicei she was a present from the city of Paris to Louis XV ; and no expence war spared to render the gift worthy both of the city and the monarch. Her building and fitting for sea are said to have cost a hundred and seven ty-six thousand pounds sterling. chief) GEORGE III. 4G3 chief, Sir Samuel Hood, admiral Drake, com- CHAP. modore Affleck, Sir Charles Douglas,', and the XLIII. other officers and commanders of the fleet ; and WV*"'' approving the conduct of the seamen, marines, '7 : and troops. An altercation arose, not from op position to the motion, for in that all concurred, but from the eager desire of the late administra tion, to extort from their successors higher enco miums and greater honours than they were Avilling to bestoAv. Rodney's victory Avas extolled above that of lord HaAvke; the report of an intended peerage was considered not sufficiently explicit; his services would be inadequately rewarded with a rank inferior to that of viscount or earl; and the ministry were reproached for his intended recal. On each of these points many sharp retorts were used on both sides ; and lord Keppel evaded an avoAval of the intention to remove the popular commander, by stating that no evidence of the fact existed ; it was a vague report, and therefore improperly introduced in debate. In the house of commons, Fox moved thanks s*d» to Rodney alone, but, on the suggestion of lord North, added the flag-officers, acknowledging, with frank politeness, his obligation to the ex- minister for the correction, and for his moderation in leaving the amendment to the servants of the crown. In ansAver to a question from Mr. Rolle, he avoAved, Avithout hesitation or circumlocution, that Rodney Avas superseded. Mr. Rolle founded 30th. On this avowal two motions, affirming and censur ing the change of the commanders. Fox said, the resolution to recal the admiral had been adopted before the intelligence of the late glorious victory arrived ; his conduct at St. Eustatia had excited prejudices, and made the planters his enemies; but his neAvly-acquired glory Avas sufficient to balance his former demerits, and he was willing to bury m oblivion all inquiries, unless provoked by the intern- 464 HISTORY OF ENGLAN 1). fell A P. intemperate zeal of the admiral's friends. Burke XLIII. adopted the same sentiments, observing, that if ^^i^f there was a bald spot on the head of Rodtiey, he had no objection to covet it Avith laurels. These applauses, mixed with threats', Occasioned severe animadversions in the house, and were Avarmly re sented by the public. Mr. Rolle's first motion Was, hoAvever, evaded by the previous question, *3dMay. atl(\ hig second withdrawn. A monument was voted in commemoration of captains Bayne, Blair, and lord Robert Manners, who Avere slain in the late actions. Sir George Rodney obtained a pen sion, and Avas created a baron of Great Britain ; Sir Samuel Hood received the same rank in the Irish peerage ; and admiral Drake and Commodore Affleck wefe made baronets: Nfry- Mean avhile the negotiation for peace pro- gressof ne- ceeded Avith discouraging tardiness. The French aouation. availed themselves of the frankness of the British administration to injure their characters. Prince Kaunitz spoke Avith haughty indignation of the contempt shewn to the inediating poAversby com mencing a direct negotiation ; derided the British cabinet for begging peace at every door; refused to admit that France Avas equally blameable for accepting as England for making such overtures', and expressed no satisfaction at the late glorious victory. ?th June. If jealousy of the naval power of Great Britain occasioned this indifference, the ministry employ ed the most effectual means to refnove it, by a prompt declaration that the event made no alte ration in their desire for peace, or in the terms proposed as a basis. France however, still placing* sanguine reliance on exertions they had prepared- to make in the East Indies and before Gibraltar, sought to protract the treaty by artifice, Avithout precluding themselves from the means of advanc ing in it, should their hopes be frustrated. M. de' 9 Vergennei GEORGE III. 465 Vergennes remitted, through Mr. Grenville, a CHAP. papeV approving the peace of Paris as the basis of XLlli. negotiation, but proposing so many and such s"itg7h^ vague exceptions, relative to every quarter of the iist June. globe, tfrat alm'6s't every trace of that treaty waT obliterated.5' Before definitive measures c'orild be ac! opted, Death of an event happened Avhich occasioned ¦ a new re- th<; mar- volution in the- British cabinet. The marquis of ^"^fn _ Rockingharii'- had long been in a declining state of ham. health. The debate on the bill for disqualifying 3djfye. revenue officers Avas the last in Avhich he bore a part, and he then declared that a prevalent disorder* affected him so severely, that he Avas sometimes not in possession of himself. In less than a month' istjuly,* afterwards he expired, and the appointment of lord Sherburne to be his successor as first lord of the treasury, served asthe signal (for it was deniecf to' be the canse,)1 for the resignation of several conspicuous members of the Rockingham' party. The following changes were consequently made in Changes the ministry: lord Grantham and Mr. Thomas in.''?e Townshend Avere appointed secretaries of state, in- n srr>* stead of lord' Shelburne and Mr. Fox-; the honour able Wiltfaih Pitt, chancellor of the exchequer, resigned by lord John Cavendish ; Richard Jack son and Edward James Elliot, and the honourable' ] John Jeffries Pratt, and John Aubrey, esquires, obtained seats at the treasury aritl admiralty boards, Vacateclby lord ' Althorpe and Mr. Frederick Mbh- tagii, and lord Dungannon and Mr. John Town shend ; colonel Barre avrs appointed' paymaster of the forces, in the room of Mr. Burke, and Mr. Dundas received colonel Barre's situation of trea- y For all the particulars relative to this negotiation, I have consulted the official correspondence. z It acquired the name of influenza. » See Debates in the houses of lords and commons, 9th, 16th, and kith July, and 5th December, 1782. Vol. III. H h surer 1782. 466 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP; surer of the navy. Sir George Yonge became ^se- XLIII. cretary at war, by the promotion of Mr. Thtmas Townshend; earl Temple, lord lieutenant of Ireland, by the resignation of the duke of Portland; and the honourable William Wyndham Grenville, se cretary to the lord lieutenant, an office Avhich had been held under the duke of Portland by colonel Fitzpafrick. Thus a feAV months of prosperity dissolved in anger and mutual animosity, that formidable pha lanx, Avhich by strenuous parliamentary exertion had shaken the foundation of government, render ed every exercise of royal prerogative odious and dangerous; made the cause of insurrection popular, and taken the cabinet by storm. . This change made for the present no alteration 11th July. jn j-jjg conduct of affairs, for in a feAV clays the tionof?par- session of parliament was closed by prorogation. liament. The king declared, in his speech, that nothing ^ffifh could be more repugnant to his feelings than the long continuance of so complicated a Avar, but should the Avant of a corresponding disposition in the enemy, disappoint his hopes of terminating that calamity, he should still rely on the spirit, affection, and unanimity of his parliament and people, to support the honour of his crown and interests of the nation. "The most triumphant " career of victory," he said, " would not excite " me to aim at more than fair and reasonable terms '[ of pacification, and I have the satisfaction to " add, I see no reason which should induce me " to think of accepting less." speech. GEORGE III. 467 CHAPTER THE FORTY-FOURTH: 1778 — 1783. Transactions in America. — Murder of Huddy.— Recal of Sir Henry Clinton. — Proceedings on the arrival of Sir Guy Carle ton. — Discussion respecting captain Asgill. — Transactions in the West Indies. — War in India. — Capture of French settle ments.— Action between Sir Edward Vernon and Tronjolly. — Pondicherry taken. — War with the native powers. — Efforts of France. — Commodore Johnstone's expedition against the Cape of Good Hope frustrated ; — lie takes five Dutch East-Indiamen. — Dutch settlements captured.-~Engagements between Sir Ed ward Hughes and de Suffrein. — Siege of Cuddalore. — Naval ex ertions in Europe. — Fate of Rodney's prizes. — Loss of the Royal ' George. — Progress of the siege of Gibraltar. — Construction of ¦floating batteries.— -Defeat of the allies in the grand attack. Relief of thp, garrison by lord Howe. — Negotiations for peace. — Provisional treaty with America. — State of parties in ' England. THE continent of America no longer presented CHAP its accustomed portion of military interest: xliv. the blaze of war which Avas first kindled, also first v-rY^ languished in the colonies ; the surrender of lord Tr'anslc- Cormvallis having in effect concluded the martial tions >» contest. Soon after the action at Eutaws, colo- Amenca" nel Stewart retreated to the neighbourhood of Charlestown, and colonel Leslie, who Avas afterward appointed to command in that district, retired within the Avails of the capital. Slight excursions and trivial encounters alone marked the existence of hostility ; the British troops were AvithdraAvn from all their late extended possessions in the southern provinces, except Charlestown, Savannah, and afew dependent posts; while the enemy, re- assembling their legislature at Jacksonburgh, distant only «th Jan, thirty-five miles from the capital of South Carolina, ^ar^' h h 2 insulted \7%t. 468 HISTORY OF ENQLAND. CHAP, insulted the British government, and issued edicts' XLIV. of regulation, reAvard, and credit, and decrees of v^Tg^h/ confiscation against all friends of the royal cause.* The loyalists at New York being filled with alarm and indignation at the tenth article of the capitulation of York ToAvn ; Sir Henry Clinton attempted to tranquillize them by circular orders" to the different posts of the army, directing that the same attention should in all cases.be paid to the interests and security of American loyalists, as to those of the king's troops, and that no distinc tion or discrimination should prevail. This judi cious order, which was subsequently confirmed by the king, produced in a great measure the desired effect. Murder of But when the departure of de Grasse's fleet Buddy. for ^.jje West Indies, and the exertions of Clinton, had quieted all alarms, the inveteracy betAveen loyalists and republicans produced new conten tions, and threatened a mode of vengeful hostility more dreadful than any Avhich had yet been pur sued. The Americans had always affected to consider the loyalists taken in arms as traitors, amenable to their civil administration. Threats had sometimes restrained the excess of violence, but the Americans frequently refused quarter to loyalists, and often maintained prisoners of that description in a different state of confinement from. other military captives, loading them Avith injuries, depriving them of necessaries, and endangering their lives by inhumanity.b A board of directors of associated loyalists, under the presidency of governor Franklin, had been long established at New York, invested with administrative powers, the right of nominating a See Remembrancer, vol. xiv. p. 137. 140, > Sir. Henry Cli: ancer, vol. xiv. officers, 1> See letter from the board of loyalists to Sir Henry Clinton, dated New York, 17th April, 1782, in the Remembrancer, vol. xiv. p. 157. GEORGE III. 469 officers, and issuing regulations for their guidance CHAP. and government, subject to the ratification of the XLIV. commander in chief. They had'a prison for cap- v^Y*b*/ tives brought in by' their parties, and the poAver '7 2 of exchange or release, but with the express con dition of not killing- or mal-treating their prisoners "under pretext of retaliation. After the capitulation of lord Cormvallis, niany loyalists urged Sir Henry Clinton to threaten vengeance for injuries inflicted on those who had joined the royal standard. The prudent com mander, however, declined issuing a proclamation, the menaces of Avhich he Avas not authorized to fulfil, and Avas deterred, by the advice of the prin cipal refugees, from establishing the civil govern-* ment, Avhich would have permitted the trial of cap- tiA'e continentals as rebels. But while he Avas en^ gaged in projects of defence, and while commisi sioners appointed by him and general Washington, were negotiating for an exchange of prisoners, Joshua Huddy, a captain in the service of con gress, was taken by a party of loyalists, delivered Avith two others to captain Lippencott, one of their body, for the ostensible purpose of being ex changed, conducted into the Jerseys by virtue of an order from the board of loyalists at New York, and there hung on a tree, with a label denoting, that his fate Avas a retaliation for one White, an associator. j Clinton, highly resenting this audacious out rage on humanity, artd insult on himself as com-. mander,, arrested Lippencott, and with the concur rence of a council of Avar, ordered him to be tried for murder. The transaction seemed to indicate a resolution in the loyalists to force measures of revenge, A\'hich he had refused to sanction, and he anticipated the insults to which he should be ex-. posed from the resentment of the American general, and the danger of his commissioners, who were . ' - H. H J 1« 470 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, in the poAver of the enemy. Clinton soon received XLIV. from Washington an intemperate letter, demand- ""T^iz^ mS the delivery to him of Lippencott, or so ¦ai st Sept. many additional officers, as, in exchange, would be equivalent to Huddy, and threatening that in case of failure, he would resort to measures of re- 25llu taliation. Clinton expressed surprise and dis pleasure at this improper language ; he had taken due measures for bringing the delinquents to jus tice ; but would not consent to adopt and ex tend barbarit)7, by sacrificing innocence, under the notion of preventing guilt. If violations of humanity could be justified b}' example, those committed by Washington's party exceeded and «7thAprii. probably gave rise to that in question. The board of loyalists, corroborating this assertion, stated circumstances relating to the execution of Huddy, in Avhich, though Lippencott had exceeded his authority and their orders, he had merejy adopted the precedent sheAvn by the Americans in the case of White. They also recited many instances in which cruelties toward the loyalists had only been ' restrained by retaliation. Washington, however, was not deterred from seizing as deserters Messrs. Hatfield and Badgelev, though protected by a flag of truce. To an ap plication for their liberation, he answered that de serters, or characters Avhom crime rendered ame nable to the civil laAvs, could not be protected, MhMay. even under a flag. He announced at the same time, that he had designated a British officer as an object of retaliation for Huddy, and that the time and place of his execution Avere fixed. c Recal of Sm Henry Clinton Avas spared the pain of sir Henry -witnessing the progress of this transaction, by Clinton. -i. i i • i t • ii -». ~ . ^ his recal, which Avas solicited by his friends, and, after repeated refusals, at length granted. His whole command had been a succession of disap- c See Remembrancer, vol. xiv. p. 155, et seq. pointmenfcs' the GEORGE III. 471 pointments and mortifications; his projects Avere CHAP. countenanced, yet unsupported, and his supplies XLIV. withheld, or sparingly and tardily sent. He V^Y*"' sustained no inconsiderable share of the rancour of party, and was undefended, even by those avIio from principle ought to have been his supporters'. Yet he Avas above the Aveakness of throAving him self into the arms of faction for the elucidation of misrepresented facts. He received from the king, both through his ministers and in the closet, the fullest approbation of his conduct and plans, and this satisfactory testimonial Avas the only re ward of an arduous and severe struggle. Sir Guy Carleton,, the successor of Clinton, 7th May. accompanied the official intelligence of his arrival Proceed- with the pacific vote of the house of commons, '"^"'"j 1 1 - ii • r- 1 • • • ii- arrival of adding a declaration of his intentions to alleviate sir Guy as much as possible the horrors of war, and Carleton- requesting a passport for his aid de camp to com municate Avith congress at Philadelphia. The 9th May. ansAver of Washington was stern and even savage ; J78a. on the affair of Huddy, he had already expressed his fixed resolution, formed on the most mature deliberation, and from which he would not recede. He refused the passport, and limited admission of flags of truce to One single spot. His conduct was 2ist May, approved by congress,' and that body, and several provincial legislatures, as if apprehensive ,of a schism on the subject of peace, renewed or adopt ed resolutions against entering into a separate treaty with Great Britain.' Sir Guy Carleton, ( however, laboured to procure a cessation of hos tilities, and an exchange of prisoners, even on 2d Au terms advantageous to the enemy, and when. he was empowered to state the commencement of a negotiation Avith France, his applications ceased to be intirely unsuccessful. e See Remembrancer, vol. xiv. p. 144. f Idem, p. 143. i8z. II H 4 But "5* 472 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. But in the mean time, a more unsatisfactory XLIV. subject of negotiation claimed his attention. The ^82*-' British officer selected by Washington as an ex- Discus-' piatory victim for Joshua Hnddy, was captain sions.re- Asgill, son of Sir Charles Asgill, a prisoner under capta'ing the capitulation of York Town, and only iii his Asg'JL nineteenth year. Against the barbarous reson. lution of Washington, all intercession and ar- gument Avere unavailing. Captain Asgill Avas however rescued from the ignominious fate of Andrei, by the intercession of the queen of France, 13th Nov. influenced by the pathetic supplications of th§ captive's mother. Washington, in obeying the order of congress to liberate the prisoner, ar rogated to himself the honour of humanity, declaring, that in Avhatever light his agency might be viewed, he was never influenced by sanguinary motives, but was 'now happy in sparing the effu sion of innocent blood,* Proceed- After the great victory of the twelfth of April, WcVt'Yn! ^ie wai' was not vigorously prosecuted in the. dies. West Indies. Don Juan Manuel de Cagigal., 6th May, governor of Cuba, with three frigates and sixty J78a- sail of transports, conveying two thousand five mistaken" hundred troops, and as many seamen, fell sud denly on the Bahama islands, where lieutenant- colonel MaxAvell,the governor, had only a garrison of a hundred and seventy invalids. The conquest Avas achieved without bloodshed, and the captor granted liberal terms of capitulation. ^rstMay. A squadron also sailed from Cape Francois, unn'oftet- consisting of a seventy-four, and two frigates of tiemems. thirty-six guns, under the command -of the since c'clebrated la Perouse, Avhich after 'encountering. 8.th, nth, gTeat dilficulties, and Avorking a perilous passage through the ice, destroyed some defenceless set tlements on Hudson's, Hayes's, and Nelson's rivers. g Sep letters on the subject in the Annual Register, 1783. — Appendix, to the Chronicle. The 8th. GEORGE III. 473 The English captured some forts on the Mus- July- quito shore from the Spaniards, and took from the by'the"* Dutch, Acra, on the coast of Africa, with four English, pther forts. ' ' »sthgAPr. From these minute events our attention is call- war in ed to the progress of the Avar in India, a subject India" hitherto not narrated, as too remote from the ge- nearl scene of military operations to involve in its events any consequences materially decisive of the grand contest. When the delivery of the rescript £aPtu''e °f i i t-i i i i ii-i -i french set- by the rrench embassador, and the evident deter- dements. mination of the court of France to assist the re volted colonies, rendered hostilities certain, the East India company prudently procured the safety of their own settlements by attacking those of the enemy. The factories of Chandernagore, Yanam, J^y* Carical, and Masulipatam, with several ships in the Ganges, and on the coast of Coromandel, were taken in the beginning of the contest; and ten thousand five hundred troops, of whom fifteen -hundred Avere Europeans, were detached from Ma- August. dras, under the command of the brave and expe- siege ot rienced major Hector Monro, to form the siege of *^~ Pondicherry. While the operations were sloAvly proceeding Action be- by land, a sea force, under Sir Edward Vernon, ef- ^eenVet^ fected the blockade by sea, after a slight and inde- TronjoUy. cisive engagement Avith M. de TronjoUy, avIio iothAug, commanded a French squadron of superior strength, but cautiously avoided a close encounter. The defence of the fortress Avas ably and resolutely maintained by M. de Bellecombe, governor of the town, and commandant-general of all the French settlements in India. His garrison consisted of nine hundred Europeans, and tAvo thousand one hundred natives, and his loss in killed was nearly equal to that of the besiegers. To save the toAvn p^^e'r- froni the horrors of a storm, he Avas obliged to ry taken. papitulate, and the victor, Avith humane sensibility, granted 474 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Sentiments of Hyder Ally. 1779. Mihe taken. • War with tbenatives , CHAP, granted terms in Avhich the military pride and per- XLIV. sonal feelings of the garrison were attentively v""""v-~*~/ considered. The inhabitants were also allowed great and unusual privileges, Avhich, on a subse quent occasion, they did not hesitate ungratefully to turn against the victors. The French Avere always favoured by Hyder Ally, and the Avar in which he was engaged Avith the Mahrattas, alone prevented him from attempt ing to raise the siege of Pondicherry. In the en suing year, the settlement of Mahe, the last posses sion of the French, was captured, notwithstanding Hyder's remonstrances, who alleged that all foreigners holding factories under his dominion, Avere entitled to his protection. This annihilation of the power of France in India, was peculiarly auspicious at a moment Avhen the British posses sions were exposed to the most imminent danger from a contest Avith the native poAvers. It is not intended at this period, to recount the causes and progress of hostilities, but only to observe, that through a combination of Hyder Ally, with the Mahrattas and other native potentates, a general scheme Avas formed for the utter expulsion of the British from India. The French, not unmindful of the rising storm, sent great reinforcements to their settlements in Africa, hoping to co-operate Avith the poAvers of India against the English ; and Hyder Ally, relying on their assistance, and an immense army Avhich he had collected, commenced Avar in the Carnatic, and though disappointed in the ex pected co-operation, the treachery of the favoured inhabitants of Pondicherry, rendered some service to his cause, by distracting the attention and di viding the efforts of the British government. 1781- The Avar Avith Holland gave a more active im- Holiald'.11 Pulse t0 European hostility. A secret expedition Secret ex- was equipped, the fleet being commanded by com- pedition. modore -Efforts of France. 1780. GEORGE III. 475 modore Johnstone, the land forces by general Mea- CHAP* dows, to reduce the Cape of Good Hope. France XLIV. detached a portion of de Grasse's fleet, under M. de ^^f^ Suffrein, to counteract this enterprize, and reinforce the naval establishment in India. While commodore 16th Apr. JohnstonewasvictuallingandwateringatPortPraya, 9omT° . ** dors 1 uhn— in the Cape de Verd islands, belonging to Portu- stone at- gal, he Avas suddenly attacked by the French. This *acke('b7 act of treachery did not produce the expected e u iem' effect; the English, though unexpectedly assailed, combated Avith characteristic spirit, and compelled the enemy to retire Avith disgrace and disappoint ment. They gained, hoAvever, the advantage of securing the Cape of Good Hope. By the accidental capture of a Dutch East In- June. diaman, the commodore acquired intelligence that FiveDutch five valuable ships were lyiug in Saldanha Bay. men taken" On his approach, they were set on fire, but the July. flames being extinguished, four were taken, and the Middleburgh alone destroyed. An expedition hastily formed from Fort Marl- £^1 borough, on the coast of Sumatra, reduced all the tam and Dutch settlements on that island ; Negapatam, °|j^g in the Tanjore country, was taken after an active taken. siege by Sir Hector Monro ; and, early in the en- 2"f°^t,to suing year, Sir Edward Hughes, Avith a small de- ^n. I7°gv2", tachment of sepoys and artillery men, stormed the fort of Trincomale, on the island of Ceylon. The arrival of de Suffrein, and the indefatigable Arrival of exertions of the French, in sending out reinforce- ^J? ments to their African settlements, afforded flat tering hopes of crushing the British power. On ,the return of commodore Johnstone to Europe, his squadron was committed to captain Alms, Avhen a tempest separated and disabled several of the ships, and the Hannibal, of fifty guns, 'fell into the hands of the enemy. The remainder, consist- ins: of the Hero of seventy-four, the Monmouth ° ' ¦ of 476 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, of sixty-four, and the Isis of fifty guns, joined Sir XLIV. Edward Hughes in the open road of Madras. M. s^^/ de Suffrein, unapprized of their arrival, bore doAvn 8th Feb. to attack the English fleet, with twelve sail of the i5th Feb. ]jne six frigates, and eight large transports, but SirEdward . . °, . . *>. -, ,.™ ' , . 1 Hughes perceiving their augmented force, stood out to take six sea, and the English aclmiral recaptured five Eng- 'TthFeb.*' nsn' an(^ t0°^ ^ie Lauriston, a French transport of thirteen hundred tons burthen, Avith a train of artillery, and a large quantity of military stores; thus by one fortunate stroke, rendering abortive all the projects for assisting Hyder Ally. His first The efforts of de Suffrein to protect his con- engage- V0V) produced an engagement which Avas distin- deSuftVein. guished only by the gallantry with Avhich five English ships, separated from the rest by the weather, repelled the attack of the whole fleet. After repairing his damaged vessels, and being re inforced by two more from England, Sir Edward His^secon'd Hughes again encountered the French admiral, on engage. the same clay that Rodney gained unfading laurels roeilU in the West-Indies. This conflict Avas equally honourable, though less decisive, no ship being captured on either side, though both fleets Avere compelled to put into port for repairs. Their ef- Although these engagements produced no accession to the force of either party at sea, they contributed to make Hyder Ally desirous of peace, as his patience was exhausted by awaiting the de lusive promises of France, and his notions of British1 superiority greatly enhanced by the display of va lour and skill in such disproportioned encounters. The French strained every nerve to efface these impressions, by strengthening their force at Cud- dalore, on the coast of Coromandel, while the fleet, repaired, re- victualled, neAvly manned, and aug mented, again challenged the British commander \q. an encounter. Sir Edward Hughes, though. 6 inferior feets GEORGE III. 477 inferior in numbers, did not decline the engage- CHAR. ment, which was, for the first time, general, and a XLIV. complete victory Avas almost gained, Avhen a sud- "^^p** den squall saved the defeated enemy, and enabled 6th July. them to effect a retreat. The Severe, a French Third en. sixty-four, had struck her colours to the Sultan, s3^™1- but taking advantage of the change in the wind, treacherously fired a broadside into the English ship, and rejoined the French fleet Avithout colours flying. This violation of the laws of war Avas feebly vindicated by de Suffrein, and subsequently by the French government. Both fleets Avere again reinforced, and the August. French retaining a considerable superiority, recap- Trinco-* tured Trincomal6. Sir EdAvard Hughes made maa^rej great exertions for the relief of the fortress, but P arrived too late ; he fought, hoAvever, another en gagement Avith the French admiral ; the superior skill of the British fleet more than counterpoised FowtTen- the difference of force ; the action Avas unusually gagemenu bloody, and de Suffrein again owed his safety to flight ; he broke six of his captains, and sent them prisoners to Mauritius. No further transaction of moment occurred be- sieeeof tAveen the European powers during the remainder Cuddaiore. of the year, and their next campaign was chiefly employed in the siege of Cuddaiore, Avhich was valiantly defended by the marquis de Bussy, and assailed with great skill and valour by general Stuart. The English fleet was at this time re- T783« duced to a miserable condition by the scurvy, but 20th June! Sir EdAvard Hughes did not, decline a fifth and Fifth en- last encounter Avith his old antagonist; it was saSement« fought at a great distance, and, like the preceding, terminated Avithout a capture.11 * For these transactions, I have consulted the Gazette?, narratives of •ffrcerF, and memoirs ot the w..r in Asia, The 478 CHAP. XLIV. 1783^ Naval ex ertions in Europe. 13th Apr. 1782. Sundry captures. 19th May, TheDutch confined in Port. Junction of the French and Spa-- nish fleets. HISTdRY OF ENGLAND. The united enemies of Great Britain threatened, by a combination of their marine forces in Europe, to ruin commerce and desolate the country. But these menaces, however loudly sounded, Avere ren dered abortive by the vigilance and valour dis played by the English naval commanders, in pre venting the junction of the hostile squadrons. Ad miral Barrington, having sailed from Portsmouth Avith twelve ships of the line, met the French fleet at a small distance from Ushant, commenced a chase, and took tAvelve transports, with a great number of troops. Captain Jar\'is, now earl St. Vincent, in the Fouclroyant, of seventy-four guns, encountered le Pegase, of 'equal force, and after a spirited though short engagement, compelled her to strike. The most remarkable circumstance of the action Avas the disparity of loss ; the French having more than eighty men killed, Avhile the Fouclroyant had only three or four wounded, and not one slain. The prize, reduced to a mere wreck, Avas committed to the charge of captain Maitland of the Queen, Avho, in conducting her to England, captured the Actionnaire, a sixty-four, but armed en flute ; conveying a great quantity of naval and ordnance stores, and several chests of money. Captain Jarvis Avas rewarded Avith the Order of the Bath. Barrington beingobliged by stress of Aveather to return to port, admiral Kempenfelt, with nine sail of the line, repaired to the station he had quit ted, Avhile Lord Howe, Avith a squadron of twelve sail, terrified the Dutch into a relinquishment of their designson the Baltic and northern trade of Great Britain. Meanavhile, de Guichen had formed a junc tion at Cadiz with the Spanish fleet, under Don Louis' de Cordova ; their united squadron, amount ing to tAventy-five sail of the line, occupied the chops of the Channel, having in their cruize cap- 7 tured GEORGE III. 479 tured eighteen vessels of the outAvard-bound Que- CHAP. bee and Newfoundland fleets : But loid Howe XLII. being returned from his expedition against the ^^^f Dutch, accomplished, Avith only tAvelve sail of the Capture of line, the arduous task pf protecting the homeward- Quebec and bound Jamaica trade ; and thus an inferior naval landfleeLj force baffled all the projects of so mighty a com- Trade pro- bin ation. i tectedby But what the enemy could not effect to the y^™6* prejudice of the British marine, the elements in Rodney's their unsparing fury accomplished. Some of the Prizes- great prizes made by Rodney and Hood on the glorious tAvelfth and nineteenth of April, were dis patched Avith English ships to convoy the home- 20th June. ward-bound trade. On this fleet, fell the severest rigours of one of the most tempestuous summers ever experienced. The Ville de Paris, Centaur, Glorieux, Hector, and Ramillies, foundered under different circumstances, and the merchant vessels sustained a proportionate damage. The horror of these misfortunes Avas aggravated by an accident at home, which roused the sympathies of the na tion by a resistless appeal. Lord HoAve, returning from his Avell-conducted cruize against the united fleets, urged with the utmost celerity the equip ment of a squadron for the relief of Gibraltar. The Royal George, of a hundred and eight guns, 29th Aus- one of the ships destined for this service, was Royai° placed in an inclined position for the purpose of George. stopping a leak, Avhen a sudden squall of Avind intirely overset her, and buried nr the ocean the brave veteran, admiral Kempenfelt, and nearly, a thousand sailors, marines, women, and children. A victualler Avhich lay alongside, Avas swallowed up in the vortex occasioned by the sub mersion of so large a body, and it Avas some time before the small craft could be employed in assist ing those who escaped the general calamity. Not more than three hundred Avere saved, and the na tional 480 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, tional humanity Avas honourably displayed by aU XLIV. ample subscription for the relatives of those Avho ^nQf perished. This accident did not, hoAvever, impede the preparations for the relief of Gibraltar, the siege of Avhich engaged the attention of all Europe. 1781. For some clays after the destruction of their Progress of WOrks, by the Avell-judged sortie in 1781, the of Gioral- Spaniards did not even attempt to extinguish the tar- smoaking ruins, but seemed stupified by surprise. Recovering, however, from their consternation, they laboured with increasing assiduity, and again constructed . very formidable approaches. The bombardment continued Avith various degrees of vigour, and Avas answered by corresponding efforts April. from the garrison. But after the capture of Mi- De'criiion norca, the due de Crillon, Avith twenty thousand commands. French and Spanish troops, joined the besiegers, and assumed the command. The garrison re ceived information of these circumstances, and of the intention of the enemy to make their principal attack by sea, with battering ships of a new con struction, calculated to resist the effect of shells, and even of red-hot cannon balls. They displayed no alarm at these tidings, nor at the view of the formidable preparations in the port of Algeziras \ confidence and alacrity generally prevailed, and the privates even volunteered extra services to assist the artillery corps. In the adverse camp, fear and distrust Avere diffused; delusive as surances, encouraging promises, threats, and1 punishments, were insufficient to deter large parties from desertion into the country, and in* dividuals into the garrison. The vigilance and1 judgment of Elliot pervaded every part of his June. command, and the confidence of those under hirtl1 rose in proportion ; they sustained with unshaken*- intrepidity the tremendous and now unceasing cannonade, GEORGE III. 481 f ' ''. '" Cannonade, returning a well directed fire,. which CHAP. often destroyed the artillery, and demolished some XLiv, works of the besiegers. =. V*^782*i/ THE.ducde Crillon had formerly commanded Construct in the Spanish lines before Gibraltar, and was per- tion ;°f fectly acquainted with the state of the garrison ; batten^.' his operations were assisted by M. d'Ar^ou, an able engineer, and Dpn Jpan de Moreno conducted the fleet. The battering ships invented by d Ar gon, were vaunted as impregnable arid incombus tible.; They were fortified to' the thickness of six or seven feet on the larboard side, with great tim bers bplfed with iron, cork, junk, and raw hides ; they carried guns of heavy metal, and were bomb proof at the top, the' roof being constructed with a descent for the shells to slide off, termed in mill* : tary phrase, a dos dfane. Ten of these formidable J"1** floating towers the enemy designed to moor Avith- in half gun-shot, of the Avails Avith iron chains, while large boats, with mantlets formed Avith hinges to fall down and facilitate landing, were to be placed at a small distance, full of troops, tptake advantage of occurrences. , Forty thousand men were to be placed in the camp, but the principal at tack was to be made by sea, and. covered by a squadron of men of war, Avith bpmb-ketches, float-' ing batteries, gun and mortar boats. Such were the preparations on which the enemy, fondly relied, and which they loudly. boasted were sufficient to beat the fortifications to powder. , ., For some time after the floating batteries were P«p'ara: complete, the grand assault was deferred, the. inter- aefcnce? yal being employed in preparing and making ad ditions to the approaches by land. Elliot was with equal activity engaged, in the means of (defence, among the most conspicuous of which was a copi ous distribution of furnaces and grates, for heating cannon balls.' , He had a few days before the de- ?th Sept. • Injustice to Sir Robert Boyd} jt should be commemorated, that. Vol. III. I i * cisive 482 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, cisive assault, a pleasing presage of their genefal XLIV. effect, by burning one of tile most prominent and V"Tsz""'/ best defended works of the besiegers. 9thand This event precipitated the grand attack ; the ioth diic de Crillon, alarmed for the fate of the remain- Attack by jng w0rks, opened his batteries in an unfinished state, and maintained an incessant cannonade from an hundred and seventy pieces of ordnance, of the largest calibre. The ships of Avar, gun and mortar boats, also annoyed the garrison and the town. In the space of tAvo days, five thousand five hun dred and twenty seven shot, and two thousand three hundred and two shells, were expended from the land batteries alone, to which the garrison re turned only a few rounds, against Avorking parties employed in repairs. nth and The next day produced a still more Vigorous isth Sept. discharge, and on the ensuing morning, the garri son beheld the combined fleets of France antf Spain, anchored in the Bay betAveen the Orange Grove and" Alg-eziras. -Naval force The force Of the enemy was ostentatiously pa- "{the raded before the eyes of the garrison, as if intend ed to unnerve their exertions by terror, and an armament more calculated to produce that effect, was never perhaps draAvn forth. Forty-seven sail pf the line, ten invincible battering ships, carrying two hundred and twelve guns, numerous frigates, xebeques, bomb-ketches, cutters, gun and mortar Boats, with smaller craft for the purpose of dis-* nd embarkation, were assembled in the Bay. On the Force. land side were stupendous batteries and works,. mounting two hundred pieces of heavy ordnance, and protected by an army of forty thousand men, commanded by a victorious and active gene ral, and animated by the presence of two princes1 — ' -," - • i- •¦' i ' ¦ ' ¦ I. — . the plan of dsstroyfog the battering vessels- by red hot shot, originated •with hint. of GEORGE III. 483 Of the blood, a number of officers of the first dis- chap tinction, and the general expectation'of the world, x Li v" To this prodigious force was opposed, a garri- V^vw son of seven thousand effective men, including the F I? ' marine brigade, with only eighty cannon, seven the^ard- mortars, and nine howitzers. A. prevalent sense of aon' the importance of the station, and the glory which would reddund frorn the defeat of so power* fill a foe, raised enthusiastic ardour ; and the en couragement the enemy might derive from acting Under the eyes of the offspring of their sove reigns, was mOre than counterbalanced by the affection Avhiehthe garrison felt towards those of ficers, who had so long shared with them every hardship, toil, and privation, and whose affability, inoderation, and justice, niade all consider them selves a family, a " band of brothers." They an ticipated with animated confidence the arrival of that day which would relieve them from the tedi ous cruelty of a blockade. Having made requisite preparations for resist- * 3* Sept. ance, Elliot suffered the battering ships to range Swck. thernselves in order, the nearest nine hundred, the most remote about twelve hundred yards from the VallSi At three quarters after nine o'clock, the cannonade commenced ; the enemy were com pletely moored in less than ten minutes, and the spectators who crowded the neighbouring hills, witnessed a continued discharge on the garrison from four hundred pieces of the heaviest artillery. * The battering ships were found to be not less for midable than they were represented. Against them, the garrison directed their whole exertion, regardless of annoyance from the land batteries, but they observed with astonishment that the heaviest shells rebounded fronj their tops, while k The garrison afterwards learned with satisfaction, that at this crisis the Moors at Tangier repaired to their mosques and offered up fervent Supplications for the deliverance of their old allies. 1x2 thirty- 484 CHAP. XLIV. 1782. Destruction of the floating batteries. 14th Sept. Humane exertionsof captain C u 1 lis. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. thirty-tAvo pound shot made no visible impressiott on their hulls: a momentary fire was always ex tinguished by the application of Avater. The dis appointment of their first exertions only stimu lated the garrison to greater vigour; incessant shoAvers of red-hot balls ; carcasses, and shells flew from all quarters ; the masts of several ships Avere shot aAvay, and in the afternoon, the floating bat teries began to exhibit symptoms, that the skill displayed in their construction could not Avith- stand the furious cannonade to Avhich they Avere exposed. The confusion on board the admiral's battering ship and her second, and the increasing smoke, demonstrated that combustion raged un subdued j in the evening their firing was consider ably abated, and before eight o'clock it had in- tirely ceased, except from the two remotest float ing batteries, Avhich hadsustained and could effect the least injury. During the night, the cannonade from the garrison Avas also abated, from the necessity of allowing repose to the wearied artillery-men, and the impossibility of directing the guns with certain effect. This interval Avas rendered awful by the signals of distress thrown up from the Spanish fleet, and the indistinct clamour, the lamentable cries, and agonizing groans which proceeded from every quarter. A little before midnight a Avreck with twelve men, the survivors out of threescore, floating in, apprized the garrison that they had gained some advantage, but at one o'clock they saw with joy the effect of their perseverance, and the termination of the hopes of the enemy, in the flames which burst at once from every part of the admiral's battering ship, while another to the south- Avard burnt as fatally, though Avith less fury. ¦ The light of the conflagration enabled the gar rison to direct their artillery Avith unerring aim, and the calmness of the sea permitted captain Cur- tisj GEORGE III. 435 tis,1 Avith his gun boats, to flank the battering C H A P. ships, and intercept assistance. At four o'clock, XLIV. six other floating batteries Avere in flames ; all hope, '^u^ of assisting the sailors was abandoned by the ene my, but British humanity Avas gloriously exercised in this tremendous crisis. Captain Curtis, Avith tlje marine brigade, actively seconded by captain Sir Charles KnoAvles of the navy, Avas indefatigable in his efforts to rescue the miserable Avretches, no longer considered as foes, from the dismal alterna tive of meeting death in flames, or in the waves. The gallant Curtis exerted his pious bravery till the explosion of a floating battery imminently en dangered his oAVn life and those of his. folloAvers, and he gained the immortal glory of rescuing from the grasp of death three hundred and forty-five of his fellow creatures. The destruction of eight battering ships re moved every alarm from the garrison, and hopes were entertained of saving the two which remained as trophies, but one suddenly burst into flames and blew up, and after a survey, it Avas found necessary to burn the other. m The loss of the enemy in killed and prisoners, was calculated at two thousand, Avhile the garrison, in so furious an attack, had only one officer, two subalterns, and thirteen pr'} vates killed, and five officers and sixty-three pri vates Avounded; The damage sustained by the fortress itself Avas so small, that the Avhojp sea line was put in serviceable order before night. The failure of this unparalleled attack drew on ?l,bI,c n iii n i i !/*"'¦ honours those who had so confidently vaunted of certain tothegairi, success, the ridicule of their own countrymen, as son# of all other foreign nations, Avhile the applause of ' He received the occasional rank of brigadjer. m The destruction of these battering ships has been imputed to the thickness of the timber ; the red_ hot balls lodged in the sides, and it was impossible to get at, remove, or' quench them. If the sides of the ships had been of the ordinary thickness, and the red-hot shot had passed through, they might nor have been burnt. 113 Elliot 486 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, Elliot and his br^ve associates was universally cele? XLIV. brated in a tope so full and Clear, as to silence ^^g^ even envy and detraction. The officers and pri- 12th and . yates of the garrison were gratified with the thanks 13th Dec. of parliament ; general Elliot received the Order of the Bath, with Avhich he Avas invested by depu tation on the spot which he had preserved, and dig nified by his conduct and proAvess. He was after r wards raised to the peerage by the title of baron Heathfield, enriched Avith a pension, granted by parliament, and his paternal arms were enlarged by adding those of the fortress he had so ably de fended, nth Sept. Two days only before the gfand attack, lord relief Howe sailed* for the relief of Gibraltar with thirty: Gibraltar, four ships of the line and some frigates. " On his 10th Oct, arrival, a tremendous hurricane dispersed the ene my's fleet, and drove on shore, under the guns of Gibraltar, the St. Michael of seyenty-four guns, while the British squadron weathered the storni 1 nh. uninjured. The next morning r they entered the Straights in line of battle, and landed their stores With fifteen hundred barrels of gunpowder. The enemy, Avith sixty four sail, of which forty-tAvo )vere of the line, kept in sight of the British fleet for some days, but though they always' had the option, no superiority of strength or advantage of wind could tempt them to hazartl more than 'a partial action, and the grand fleet returned safely and prosperously. ' '''¦ The further prosecution of the siege affords no ciremfistance Ayorthy of particular notice." Negoiia-' ' The success of the British arms had great in- tions for fluence on the negotiations for peace. On the peace. resignation of Mr. Fox and his friends, Mr. Gren ville quitted Paris, and the new cabinet appointed Mr. Fitzherbert in his stead,' The French mi nistry Still temporizing, delivered only vague and inexplicably * From Dririkwater and the Gazettes. June. GEORGE III. 487 inexplicable proposals, and their agents insidiously CHAP. excited the pride and resentment of the imperial XLIV. courts, on the supposed contempt which Great ^^C^ Britain had shewn tOAvards their mediation. In the course of the summer, hoAvever, the failure of the attempts against the prosperity of England in India became apparent. The empress of Russia was conciliated by reasons assigned for the ansAver to the insinuation ver bale ; her ambition pointed in a direction remote from the quarrels between Great •Britain andthe confederate poAvers ; and before the September. relief of Gibraltar, France began to conduct the ne gotiation in a manner Avhich promised a favourable conclusion. Her terms, though too lofty for admission, were clear and definitive, and after the failure at Gibraltar, she Avas earnest in persuading Spain to renounce all hopes of obtaining that for tress by treaty. The French government observed, during the progress of the treaty, a cautious secre cy ; their own embassadors, and even those of the most friendly courts, were excluded from all in formation. Tup first authentic intelligence published on the „dNov. subject, was contained in a letter from the secre tary of sf/ate to the lord mayor of London, in which, for the purpose of preventing mischiefs occasioned by speculations in, the funds, he announced that the negotiations promised a decisive conclusion, either for peace or Avar, and that parliament would on that account be prorogued from the twenty-sixth of November, the intended day of meeting, to the fifth of December. Even at this, period, rninisters, could not form a decisiye qpinion on the final event- The treaty Avith France was most advanced, but that crafty poAver held the ultimate decisjon in her OAvn hands. If really disposed to make peace, she could influence Spain and Holland j if otherwise, she could throw 114' on 488 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, on them the blame of continuing hostilities. Mr. XLIV. Fitzherbert succeeded, however, by his ability and V-*^g2W judgment, in obtaining from the American coiri- 3oth Nov. missioners the signature of provisional articles." Provision- During the recess of parliament, the efforts of withAme- party Avere exerted with uncommon industry to rica- interest the public in the cause of those who ex- State of pected or possessed the direction of affairs. The parties, 1 . . r . • , . r .1 t ' July. curiosity to ascertain the precise causes of the late surprising change in the cabinet, Avas only gratifi ed by partial statements and general rumours. Mr. Fox declared in parliament, that he had some time before the death of the : marquis of Rockingham, resolved to resign^ from an Impossibility of con curring in the Opinions and systems of lord Shel burne ; many complaints Avere made, though not supported by specific allegations, of the predomi nating influence of that minister's counsels, Avhich drove his late colleagues from office; but neither the crimination nor the defence of the new" cabi net afforded authentic insight into the motives of disunion. The kingdom Avas divided into three parties,* who defended and attacked With equal zeal and acrimony. The acts of the late admini stration were reviewed with asperity, not more by those Avho considered their reforms too violent, than by those who had formed exaggerated hopes from their promises, and thought they had not ful filled the expectations to which they had given birth. p The sincerity of the ministry in the ne gotiations for peape, was questioned by both par ties in opposition, and the adherents of lord North seemed assured that the Collision of opinions, and exposition of the vieAVs of those avIio had excluded 0 From correspondence and private information. . t See particulars of a conversation at the anniversary of Fox's ejection. Remembrancer, vol. xiv. p. 290. him GEORGE III. 489 him from power, Avould effect a change in the pub- CHAP. lie opinion beneficial to his fame, and gratifying XLIV. to their hopes. q V"i78zT> 9 Gibbon says : a certain late secretary of Ireland, reckons the house of commons thus: Minister one hundred and forty, Reynard ninety, Boreas one hundred and twenty, the rest unknown or uncertain. The last of the three, by self or agents, talks too much of absence, neutrality, moderation. I still think he will discard the game. See Gibbon's mis cellaneous Works, vol. i. p. 561. CHAPTER THE FORTY-FIFTH: 1782 — 1783. Meeting of parliament. — Debates on the address. — Recess. — Pre liminaries of peace signed. — Substance of the treaties. — -America. ¦ — France.^-Spain. — Cessation of hostilities with Holland. — Af fairs of Ireland. — Coalition of lord North with Mr. Fox. — De bates on the preliminaries of peace — xohich are disapproved by the house of .commons. — Resignation of lord Shelburne. — Parlia mentary reflections on the coalition. — Sensation of the public. — Ministerial interregnum. — Motions on the subject. — New mini stry. — Commercial intercourse with America regulated. — Debates on the loan and receipt tax. — Economical reforms. — Pitt's mo tion for a reform of parliament. — First petition for abolishing the slave-trade — -Separate establishment of the prince of Wales. 1 — Close of the Session. — General peace. On the day appointed, the king addressed to CHAP. parliament a speech of uncommon length. XLV. He stated his exertions for a general pacification, ^^^^ in pursuit of which he had exercised the powers jthbdc'. vested in him by the legislature, and offered to Meeting declare the American colonics free and independent °ia£e'»t. states, by an article to be inserted in the treaty of King's peace. " In thus admitting their separation from speech. •" the croAvn of Britain," he said, " I have sacrific- " ed every consideration of my own to the wishes " and opinion of my people. I make it my hum- t( ble and earnest prayer to Almighty God, that " Great HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Great Britain may not feel the evils which might " result from so great a dismemberment of the empire; and that America may be free from those calamities which have formerly " proVed in the mother-country how essential " monarchy is to the enjoyment of constitutional " liberty. Religion' — language— interest^-affecr " tions, may, and I hope wilL yet prove a bond of " permanent union between the tAvo countries : to " this end, neither attention nor disposition shall " be wanting on my part." Among many other topics, the speech men tioned the valiant exertions of the army and navy, the favourable state of the negotiations, the re^ forms in economy Avhich would be necessary at home, and the attention Avhich must be employed in the government of Ireland and of India. Debate on The address in the house of commons was theaddress. moved by Mr. Philip Yorke, and seconded by Mr, Bankes,. No direct opposition was made; but Fox objected to the mode of granting American independence, and stated that a difference in opi nion with the present ministers on that subject, had induced him to quit the cabinet. He Avas in clined " to recognize the independence of Ame- " rica in the first instance, and not to reserve it " as the condition of peace;" lord Shelburne, he said, had fully, though reluctantly, agreed in this principle ; but afterwards swerving from it, occa^ sioned the division of the cabinet. Lord North did not agree Avith Fox, that the independency of America ought to be surrendered Avithout an equivalent. The country, he said, was not reduced to the abject situation of accepting such terms of peace, as the enemy might think fit to offer: the house would be unanimous in de-. manding an honourable peace, or a vigorous Avar. He would not oppose the address, but reserved the right of objecting to the provisional treaty when produced to parliament. 7 Burke GEORGE III. 401 Burke decried the speech from the throne as a CHAP. (dangerous species of delusion and insinuation, a XL v. collection of unmeaning professions, and of unde- V"^YW served self-praises; yet he expressed his readiness to thank his majesty for concluding a provisional Agreement Avhich ended the American war. In the upper house, the address also passed with- in fhe put a division ; a slight amendment, proposed by house of lord Radnor, ackttoAvledging with gratitude the lords" sacrifice made by his majesty to the Avishes of his people, being unanimously adopted. In the con versation which took place, lord Stormont vehe mently arraigned the irrevocable concession of in dependence, to American commissioners acting un-r tier the inspection and controul of France. Lord Shelburne denied that the proceedings of the Ame rican commissioners were so influenced, and affirm ed" that the offer of independence was not un qualified, unconditional, and irrevocable. If France did not agree to peace, independence would not be granted. This explanation occasioned severe animad ver- sthDec. sions, on 'reporting the address to the loAver On the re house. Several members seemed to repent their port' vote of the preceding day, and confined their ap probation to the grant of American independence. Burke described tiie king's' speech as a farrago qf hypocrisy and nonsense. Fox declared that he detested and despised it ; but no motion being hlade, the house Was not divided. Other questions and reflections on American nth and independence, occasioned debates in both houses, 'JthDec. in which duplicity and discordancy of opinion were imputed to ministers ; but no division took isth. place till Fox moved for copies of such parts of the provisional treaty as related to the recognition bf American independence, founding his argument on the diversity of language used by ministers in the various forms' of communicating instructions and intelligence. Mr. 4ga HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Mr. Thomas Pitt moA'ed for the order of the day; he was supported by lord North, and the division by which it was carried demonstrated the Aveakness of the other body of opposition, Avho could only produce forty-six votes, against tAvo I3dDec. hundred and nineteen. In a few days the house adjourned for the Christmas recess. 20th Jan. During this interval the preliminaries of peace Pre'limina- were executed by France and Spain. riessigned. America gained by her treaty a full recogni. Substance tjon 0f the thirteen provinces as free, sovereign ty whh"3" and independent states. The boundaries of their America : territory Avere accurately, and, for America, advan tageously settled. The people had liberty to take fish on all the banks of Newfoundland, but not to dry or cure them in any of his majesty's settled dominions in America; and the navigation of the Mississippi, from its source to the ocean, was free to both parties. It was also agreed that congress should recom mend to the legislatures of the respective states, to provide for the restitution of all estates, rights, and properties belonging to real British subjects, and to persons resident in districts in .the king's possession, who had not borne arms against them. All other persons were at liberty to remain a year in any of the provinces, for the purpose of obtain ing their confiscated estates, congress recommend ing to the several legislatures, a consideration or revision of the laAvs of forfeiture, and a restitution: of property, on payment, by the dispossessed pro prietors, of' the sums for which it had been sold to others. No future confiscations were to be made, or prosecutions commenced ; but all prison ers, military and political, to be liberated. France. By the treaty with France, the right of that nation to fish at NeAvfo und land, and in the Gulph of St. Lawrence, was re-established on the same footing as in the treaties of Utrecht and Paris, except GEORGE ill. , 493 except that, for the prevention of disputes, the CHAP. limits were more accurately defined and restrained. XL Vi St. Pierre and Miquelon Were surrendered to ^^s%^ France. In the West Indies, Great Britain restored St. Lucie, and ceded Tobago ; and France re stored Grenada, with its dependencies St. Vin cent's, Dominica, St. Christopher's, Nevis, and Montserrat. Great Britain ceded to France the river of Senegal in Africa, with its dependencies and forts, and the island of Goree ; retaining the possession of Fort James, and the river Gambia. The French regained all their establishments in Orissa and Bengal, with liberty to make a ditch round Chandernagore, and security for prosecut ing their accustomed commerce either by a com pany or individuals. Pondicherry and Carical were restored, with the reservation of a right to cer tain circumjacent dependencies. The French also regained Mahe and the Comptoir of Surat, with liberty of commerce in that part of India. Great Britain abrogated and suppressed all articles in the treaty of Utrecht relative to the demolition of Dunkirk. The treaty with Spain comprized but few ob- V'"- jects : Minorca and East Florida Avere ceded by Great Britain, and the Catholic king retained West Florida, but guaranteed the unmolested fight of cutting logwood in the bay of Hon duras, and restored Providence and the Bahama islands. * Holland also agreed to a cessation of hostili- Jwewith ties ; but trie preliminaries with that power were riot yet arranged; Holland. » See the preliminary treaties, and provisional articles, in the Debates, and the Annual Register for 178*. The Bahamas were recaptured be fore the execution of the treaty. Although 4S4 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. Although the public attention was chiefly XLV. absorbed by the terms on which peace was obtain- ^fyf ed, another object first claimed the interference of Affairs 'of parliament. Since the repeal of the declaratory Ireland. ^ Qf George L the Irish had been instigated to insist On further concessions, and cavil at the re strictions supposed to be implied in the last. "When the abrogation of that act was proposed, Mr. Flood insisted that the British government did not, dis claim the principle on Avhich it was founded, the renunciation of which Avas necessary. A long al tercation ensued between him and Mr. Grattan, who had pledgied himself to the English ministry that a simple repeal would be sufficient. The con test did not much agitate the public mind, but the popular opinion, though at first agreeing with;.- that of Grattan, afterwards inclined in favour of Mr, Flood's doctrines. The question, however, subsided; but lord Temple, Who succeeded the duke of Portland, during whose administration the discussion arose, thought it right that it should be settled in the most decisive manner, and fecom- igthDec. mended a bill of renunciation. The kirig men tioned the affairs of Ireland in the speech ffona the throne, and before the recess, colonel Fitzpatrick requited the immediate attention of ministers to the insufficiency of the repealing act. He found ed his application on a decision of the court of king's bench in England, on a long depending writ of error, brought before the repeal of the statute of George I. which the court had been obliged by the course of legal proceeding to de termine, but which served as a theme for popular animadversion. "i-Il"' ^n tne ^rst ^ay °^ transiting business after the recess, Mr Townshend, the secretary of state, moved for leave to bring in a biU for removing doubts concerning the legislative rights of the parliament and courts of Ireland, and preventing the 1783. GEORGi HL 405 the adjudication of any Av\rit of error or appeal CHAP. from that kingdom in the courts of Great Britain. XLV. The debate Avhich ensued did not originate in any v"*^g^w' opposition to the motion, but in the desire of many members to explain their political sentiments respecting Ireland, and the Conduct of the pre ceding and present administrations, which had given vigour to discontent, and rendered the people of that country incapable of being satisfied with moderate concessions. The debates in the 19th F«h- subsequent stages of the bill were animated, and ^arch. involved a discussion, whether treasons committed in Ireland could be tried in Great Britain, under the statute of Henry VIII. ? the prevailing Opinion Was in favour of the affirmative, that law having been confirmed by an Irish statute ; and the bill passed. Before its arrival in the upper house, Mf. -SthMar. Townshend was created a peer, by the title of lord Sydney, and again appeared the promoter of the measure. A lorig and acrimonious debate was' 14th Apr. maintained on the second reading, but it passed without a division. When the preliminary and provisional articles. 24* Jan. of peace were submitted to both houses, and every j^jj day produced queries or observations which sheAV- Preiimina- ed the utmost anxiety for discussion, a new politi- jj^p^ cai arrangement materially affected the state of Hament. parties. While those Avho Avere attached to the Coaiitiori opinions and principles of the ministry, of lord J^"^, North, and of Mr. Fox, Avere separate, the affairs and Mr. of government could not be efficiently conducted, P"** The terms of peace were likely to produce great diversities of opinion ; and unless the cabinet was strengthened by an alliance with one of the oppo sition parties, they could not hope to maintain their situations. Lord Keppel had retired Avith 3'°*i>«- disgust in the course of the negotiation, and was ,? 2 succeeded by lord Hawke ; but it Avas apparent, that 496 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, that among the remaining members of administra- XLV. tion, some entertained political opinions hostile to their colleagues. The most natural association Avas a re-union of the ministry with those who had lately seceded, and overtures for that purpose were made to Mr. Fox ; but in his bosom indignation against lord Shelburne Avas more lively than against lord North, to Avhom he had made advances for reconciliation. When, therefore, a proposition was conveyed to him from lord Shelburne, to accept an official situation, he peremptorily refused it, Avhen told that lord North was to be excluded. The ministry Avere therefore prepared for a new and strenuous opposition in discussing the treaties ; but the public, unapprized of the arrangement, were left open to every impression which Avondef and prejudice could excite. Debates on Although, on the day appointed for debating the peace. tjie preijmmary articles, no call of the house Avas" ordered, upAvard of four hundred and fifty mem bers attended. The address Avas moved by Mr. Thomas Pitt, and seconded by Mr. Wilberforce. Tavo amendments Avere proposed ; the one by lord John Cavendish, reserving to the house a power of disapproving the terms ; the other by lord North,- expressing the regard of parliament for the loyal ists; but both amendments concurred in maintain ing inviolate the articles for Avhich the public faith was pledged. In support of the original address, it was urged that the question should be reduced to this pointy whether such a peace as the ministry had made,' was preferable to the war in Avhich they found the country involved ? The interest of the public debt Avas increased from four millions and a half to nine millions and a half, and a permanent burthen Avas entailed on the land equal to ten shillings iii the pound. At the close of the last war, the ne cessity of peace Avas supported by the wisest au thorities, GEORGE III. 497 thorities, and their arguments avouUI be much chap. more . applicable to the present period. For a xlv. peace so necessary Ave paid to France and Spain, ^*~-?***' one small island in the West Indies, the two Flo- ridas, Minorca dismantled, and therefore useless, and some immaterial advantages in fishery, and East India settlements. Less it could not be sup posed they would exact, considering the humiliat ing terms imposed on them in 1 76a. Independence to America Avas no concession, since Great Britain could not deprive her of it, and the house had in the last session precluded every such attempt ; the extension of their boundary Avas to us no disad vantage ; but the limits were well chosen in lakes and rivers, for the prevention of future contests. We were Avithout an ally, and had knocked for peace at every door; the present terms could not be censured, unless it were proved that the differ ence between them, and those which Ave had a right to expect, Avas equivalent to the expence of six teen or tAventy millions, the charge of another year's contest. Sufficient was still left to render the country great and flourishing; but if the trea ties did not receive the sanction of parliament, no future administration could make such a peace, as the necessities of the country might require. The advocates of the amendments argued, that the true question to be discussed, Avas not whether the peace Avas preferable to the Avar; but Avhether, under the present circumstances, a better peace could not have been obtained ? And to this they would answer, a Avorse could not have been con cluded. It beggared all the treaties that ever had existed in infamy and disgrace, and rendered all quarters of the globe witnesses of the dismember ment and disunion of the British empire. From a perusal of the various articles, it Avould appear to be a peace patched up for the present, rather than one which promised permanence ; for the preamble of each treaty compared Avith the articles seemed Vol. III. K x not 493 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, not to have been penned at the same time, or die- XL v. tatecl by any concurrence or congeniality of senti- v"*^"g/^*^' ment. Fox in particular challenged the cabinet ministers to produce, or authorize him to produce the peace he had projected ; it was in the office, and if it could be exhibited to his disadvantage, he Avas content To be considered as a man capable of advising a Avorse peace than the present. In an able analysis of the treaties, lord North observed, that the permission to fortify St. Pierre and Miquelon, had been carefully avoided on all former occasions ; it Avould materially affect the Newfoundland. fishery, and enable France to carry it on, even in time of Avar. The importance of St. Lucie, Avas proved by the cession of fiA^e conquered islands as an equivalent. In Africa, Great Britain bad restored all ; and in India, the French were reinstated in their formef establishments, with many unusual advantages. And although Dun kirk Avas no longer to be held in the same estima tion as it Avas considered by the framers of the peace of Utrecht, still the restraint on France was honourable to Great Britain, and the abrogation of former treaties impolitic if not unnecessary. To keep an English commissary on the territories of an enemy, for the purpose of reporting and pre venting the erection of Avails or fortifications, or even the cleaning of a harbour for the admission of ships exceeding a certain burthen, perpetuated the former victories, and exalted the present power of Great Britain, Avhile it debased the dignity of the French. They had not, it Avas true, fortified Dunkirk during the war, because they had been obliged, at the conclusion of every former peace, to destroy fortifications, and had learnt by expe rience to avoid unavailing expence; but in a future contest, Great Britain Avould experience all the evils Avhich rendered the demolition of Dunkirk necessary. Lord North considered the cession of Mi norca GEORGE III. 499 jiorca to Spain unfortunate, that of East Florida CHAP. improvident; as it Avas rendered of additional XLV. value since the loss of West Florida. The per- ^\X£* mission to cut logwood, was a nugatory stipu lation, as no district was assigned. The Bahama islands were not comparable in value to the Florida lost, and the Florida ceded, as they afforded such abundant means of annoying the Jamaica trade. Minorca was of more value than even the impreg nable Gibraltar ; on account of its harbours, cli mate, and excellent water for shipping. By the cession of the Floridas and Minorca, we had given to Spain security for her commerce, particularly the •gold trade, and the means of enfeebling our OAvn. In his objections to the provisional articles Avith America, lord North was joined by many other members. The preamble of the treaty declared reciprocal advantage and mutual convenience to he its basis ; but it contained the most important concessions on our part, without the smallest ba lance or equipoise to support the boasted recipro city. If necessity compelled us to accept terms so disgraceful, the mention of reciprocity .was a wanton addition of insult to injury. The boundaries were not only new in their na ture, but so generous in their principle, that the Americans acquired a tract including tAventy-four Indian nations in Nova Scotia and Canada, a tract where many forts had been erected and retained at a vast expence. The boundary designated in the statute book, by the Quebec act, would, by keep ing the Americans at a distance, have preserved the permanence of friendship, but by the present boundary, they could approach within twenty-four miles of Montreal. As if naked independence was not a sufficient proof of liberality, ministry had cloathed it with the warm covering of the fur trade, and besides Charlestown, New York, Long Island, and Penobscot, had surrendered all the valuable forts in the back settlements. k k. 2 Iff 500 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. "In the spirit of pretended reciprocity, we had given the Americans an unlimited right to fish in NeAvfoundland, and the gulph of St. LaAvrence, even in the parts resorted to by British fishermen ; but as if every stipulation of apparent advantage to Great Britain had been studiously avoided, we had not contracted for the right of fishing on any of their coasts, or in any of their bays or creeks. Hoav could they claim, or Ave grant such a right, after the establishment of independency had separated them from the sovereignty of Great Britain ? Even in smaller objects reciprocity seemed a mere mockery : Ave Avere to withdraAV our fleets and armies, and evacuate the American states ; prisoners on both sides Avere to be liberated, and Ave to yield up the American fortifications Avith the American artillery; but no covenant Avas re served for restoring to Great Britain, British ar tillery. The pretended right of navigating the Mississippi, Avas entirely delusive. We Avere ex cluded by the northern boundary ; the Americans possessed the East ; the West had been ceded by the peace of Paris to the French, avIio had since granted it to Spain, and by the present treaty, that power obtained each shore at its mouth. Where then Avas this navigation so free and open to commence ? Or Avhat possession of it could Great Britain ever acquire, except the nomination in the treaty ? The situation of the loyalists and inhabitants of East Florida Avas descanted on Avith peculiar force. The abandonment of those unfortunate men, Avith out reservation of their civil and religious rights, to an incensed and vengeful poAver, Avas horrible and disgraceful ; never Avere the honour, humanity, principles, and policy of a nation so grossly abus ed. The degradation of sending unmanly peti tions from government to congress, on behalf of the wretched loyalists, Avas equalled only by the infamy GEORGE III. 501 infamy of unconditionally assigning over the loyal CHAP. inhabitants of Florida. XLV. It might be urged that parliament, in declaring 'S*Q$T^" the Americans independent, had made the peace, and were therefore responsible for any improper concessions or restorations ; but'parliament did not give instructions for the cession of CharlestoAvn, New York, Penobscot, i Rhode Island, Detroit, and the fisheries. Parliament did not order the desertion of the loyalists; parliament had not given countenance to those acts; and therefore not they, but the ministers, Avere accountable to the people. In reply it was observed, that the clamours against the treaties Avere loud in proportion to their injustice; as men in general, Avhen they complain without cause, complain without temper. On a candid consideration of the circumstances of the country, the peace would be found as good as Ave had a right to expect, and one that promised per manence. The fortification of St. Pierre and Mi quelon, had been declared by the most judicious officers a measure Avhich could give no just cause of apprehension. The position assigned for the French fishery at Newfoundland, Avas less ad van tageous that they held before ; and their greater distance from the British fisheries rendered dis putes less probable. The restoration of St. Lucie, and other cessions in the West Indies and Africa, were justified on pleas of propriety or necessity ; and those in India Avere made under the cogni zance, and Avith the consent of the East India company. This fact Avas incontestably proved by Sir Henry Fletcher, one of the secret committee of directors, who declared that the terms comprized in the articles of peace, were unanimously ap proved by that committee at the India house, and in an able speech specifically defended them. k k 3 With 502 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. With respect to America, the house was re- XL v. minded that a resolution of last year had put a N-^g-"«-' padlock on the British sword. The bill enabling 17 3" his majesty to grant independence, had pointed out the path to peace ; and as it Avas obviously the interest of Great Britain to establish as close a commercial union as possible Avith the United States, it would have been illiberal and impolitic to withhold any thing Avhich they might reason ably expect. Far from agreeing that the Ame ricans, by ceasing to be British subjects, had lost all right to the fisheries, it was the Avish of minis ters to make no such distinctions, but consider the Americans as brethren : and leave them no cause to regret that they were not British subjects. Their fishing terminated before our's began, and it would not be possible to prevent their full use of the right without maintaining a squadron conti nually on that station. The assignment of Boundaries Avas defended on principles of nature and policy : by their charters, several provinces had various degrees of extent ' northAvard, particularly Virginia; and the line drawn in the statute Book for Canada had been one cause of the American discontents, Avhich it Avas surely not our interest to revive. The fur trade Avas at best a matter relating to individuals only, and private considerations must give place to public good ; but in fact enough of Canada was retained to afford ample scope for that commerce. The forts, about the surrender of Avhich so much had been advanced, were improvidently built in situations where blockhouses or abbatis would have answered every purpose ; and for Detroit, another chief fort might, at a small expence, be erected on the other side of the river. Ministers A*ere not less affected than other individuals at the condition of the loyalists ;- but the GEORGE HI. 503 the utmost concession had been obtained for them, c il A P. which could be insisted on, Avithout foregoing all XLV. hopes of peace. If the recommendation of con- v,rf^8/^fc/ gress to the American states should be unsuccess ful, government would be in honour bound to af ford the sufferers a compensation. But on the other hand, the article which permitted the unin terrupted recovery of debts, was highly beneficial to Great Britain ; and Mr. Dundas declared that the merchants of Glasgow, to whom a full third, if not two thirds of the American debts Avere due, had transmitted their thanks to ministers for the Stipulation. At half past seven o'clock in the morning, the amendments Avere carried by a majority of sixteen.' In the house of lords the earl of Carlisle moved Debates in an amendment similar to that of lord North. The the home debate Avas long, and replete Avith person- of tot ality; but the attack and defence of the treaties was not distinguished by any particular varia tion from those in the lower house. In answer to an assertion, that the recommendation of con gress in behalf of the loyalists might be crowned with success, lord Sackville read a resolution of the legislature of Virginia, made in consequence of the provisional treaty, declaring all demands or requests of the British court for the restitution of confiscated property, unsupported by laAv, equity, or policy, and inadmissible. The Amendment was, however, rejected. d The united parties, now currently known by 2ist Feb the title of the coalition followed their victory by Resolu- ' producing, through lord John Cavendish, a series tions con- of resolutions, avoAving the determination of the ti^pe'icl house to preserve the peace inviolate, but declar ing the concessions to the adversaries of Great b The fallacy of this argument has been completely proved, c 224 to 208. k k 4 Britain, *?83- 504 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. Britain, more than they were entitled to claim XLV. from their individual or relative strength. A long and animated discussion ensued, in Avhich the public heard Avith surprise, those Avho during the war had been most eloquent in describ ing the reduced condition of Great Britain, and the inexhaustible strength and resources of the enemy, adopt a language diametrically opposite. Lord John Cavendish decried the gloomy imagi nations of those Avho could continually brood over our oavii losses, misfortunes, debts, and disgraces, Avithout taking a comparative view of the enemy. They Avere not less defective in finance than Ave ; nay, it Avas a question if they could find resources for another campaign ; Spain had exhausted her treasury in the unsuccessful attack on Gibraltar; America could only be formidable Avhile Great Britain employed armies on the continent of Ame rica; Holland Avas not in circumstances to claim sacrifices ; and France was equally, if not more distressed than ourselves. Fox adopted the same line of reasoning, and contended that France never supported a Avar with more difficulty; Spain was nearly bankrupt, and America in a state of national poverty. Lord North, Avith more consistency, urged similar topics, particularly Avith respect to America, contending, that if congress could not raise money for the maintenance of war in their OAvn country, Great Britain had nothing to fear from their external efforts ; and ministers might, Avithout danger of prolonging hostilities, have urged Avith more firmness the cause of the unfortu nate loyalists. In most of the states, he said, the people had refused to pay the tax levied by con gress for support of the Avar. In Rhode Island, the tax-gatherers Avere driven aAvay by popular in surrection, and in Massachussets, the tax Avas dis counted Avithin the province, and never carried to the public account. The resolution, expressing censure GEORGE III. 505 censure on the ministers, was carried by a majority CHAP. of seventeen'. XL A7". This contest decided the fate of administration. s""fsg"w/ Lord Shelburne resigned his office, though a sue- Resigna- cessor was not immediately appointed: nor did s£n1£flord other. members of the cabinet immediately follow his example. The character and conduct of lord Shelburne Avere vehemently attacked during the late debates, and he seemed abandoned to these assaults without a defender in the lower house, except Mr. Pitt, who, in the course of an eloquent speech, pronounced on him a warm and pathetic eulogy. That noble earl, like every other man of eminent ability, acting in the first department of a great state, was liable, he said, to the envy of some, as well as the admiration of others. The obloquy, to Avhich his capacity and situation had raised him, Avas created and circulated with equal meanness and address ; but his merits were as much above panegyric, as the arts to Avhich he owed his defamation Avere beneath attention. When, stript of power and emolument, he should once more descend into private life, the official superiority which irritated the feelings of his op ponents, and that capacity of conferring favours Avhich all men were fond of possessing, Avould not be obstacles to a just estimate of his character. He would retire firm in the dignity of his own mind, conscious of having contributed to the pub lic advantage; and, if not attended with the ful-, some plaudits of a mob, possessed of that substan tial and permanent satisfaction Avhich arises from the habitual approbation of an upright mind. To this transcendant consolation he had a title. which no accident could invalidate or affect; he had earned it dearly; and with such a solid under standing, and so much goodness of heart, as stamped e 207 to IjQ. 506 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, stamped his character, he was in no danger of XLV. losing it. v-'sgW Of his. OAvn approaching retirement, Mr. Pitt 17 3" spoke Avith equal dignity ; he had never, he said, been eager to gain, nor should he feel great re luctance at foregoing official advancement. He never had a Avish that did not terminate in the dearest interest of the public ; but he would con fess, he had also his portion of ambition. High situation and great influence were desirable to most men; and far from being ashamed to pursue, he Avas solicitous to possess them when they could be acquired with honour, and retained with dig nity. On these respectable conditions, he Avas not less ambitious to be great and powerful, than it Avas natural for men to be Avho had such brilliant ex amples. But even these objects he could relin quish, Avhen his duty, his country, his character, or his friends, rendered the sacrifice indispensable: he then should retire not disappointed, but trium phant. He might be divested of the privileges and emoluments of place ; but could not be de prived of those habitual and warm regards for the prosperity of Great Britain, Avhich constituted the happiness and pride of his life, and which* death only could extinguish. " With this consolation," he added, " though I affect not to despise, I hope " soon to forget the loss of poAver, and the Avant " of fortune." Laudo manentem ; fi celeres quatit Pennas, resigno qua; dedit— — — — Probamque. Pauperiem sine dote qiuero. Pariiamen- The coalition, though triumphant in a con- Softhe firmed majority, did not obtain ther conquest co^ition. without many severe animadversions, which called forth all their abilities in vindication of their con- 17th Feb. duct. Mr. Powys said, the present eraAvas remark able for strange confederacies ; great and arbitrary 3 despots GEORGE III. £07 despots stood forth the protectors of an infant CHAP republic, and in that house, the lofty and strenuous XLV. assertors of regal prerogative, united in alliance ^^Y* with the humble Avorshippers of the majesty of the 7 people, the most determined advocate of the in fluence of the crown, might be seen hand in hand with the great purifier of the constitution. Mr. Dundas also spoke in ludicrous ridicule, as well as pointed reprobation of the coalition, which was de fended with gr6at humour by Burke, Sheridan, and Lee ; they displayed the heterogeneous com position of the ministry, derided the lord advo cate for seating himself between Mr. Pitt and Mr. Thomas Townshend, his constant opponents, and reproached him for his early desertion of his old colleague lord North. Fox defended the coalition on more broad and liberal grounds. If men of honour, he said, could concur in points of great national concern, he saw no reason for calling such an event an unna tural junction. It was neither wise nor noble to maintain eternal animosities ; nor Avas it just or candid to retain enmity, Avhen the cause had ceased. The American war caused the hostility between him and lord North, that being termi nated, it became wise and candid to terminate also the ill-will, the animosity, the feuds, and the ran cour it had occasioned. " When I was the friend " of lord North," he continued, " I found him " open and sincere ; when the enemy, honourable " and manly; he never practised those subter- " fuges, tricks, and stratagems, those behind-hand " " paltry manoeuvres, which destroy confidence " betAveen human beings, and degrade the cha- " racter of the statesman and the man. It is not " in my nature to bear malice, or live in ill-will ; " my friendships are perpetual, my enmities not " so: amicitice sempiternx, inimicitice placa- " biles." Renewed 503 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. Reneaved attacks from Mr. Powys, Mr. Pitt, XLV. and Sir Cecil Wray, drew forth, in an ensuing de- v7787*"/ bate, more explicit and detailed vindications. am Feb. Lord John Cavendish cited as a precedent, the famous coalition of parties in 1757, Avhich rescued the country from the calamities of fluctuating counsels, and carried it to an unexampled pitch of glory. He avowed with pride that he was one of the authors of the present union, which he con sidered essential, to the salvation of the country. Fox repeated his former arguments, adding, that the coalition had arisen only from the necessity of uniting to preserve the constitutional vigour of the state from debilit}7. Lord North, before he entered into a defence of the coalition, vindicated his OAvn character against some members who asserted, that he was indebted only to an excess of lenity in his late opponents for his personal safety. He reminded them that he had never abandoned his character, connexions, or political principles; he had ever been willing fairly and honourably to meet the most scrupulous inquiry irito the minutest actions of his life, and Avas now ready to bid defiance to every species of investigation. Conscious of in nocence, he was under no apprehension of incur- ing censure, or deserving punishment. In the coalition, he saw nothing surprising. Lord John Cavendish had uniformly displayed an amiable and upright character, patriotic and disinterested principles, and a manly and engaging disposition. Differences of opinion had arisen respecting measures, which though Avell intended had un questionably proved calamitous; but there were times and circumstance, and emergencies, Avhen all honourable men should relinquish personal feuds and party animosities, to unite in gene rous exertions for the common interest. " It is " also GEORGE III. 509 ^ also true," he said, " that Mr. Fox, when warm chap. " in the cause he espoused, has not unfrequently xlv." made me the butt of those inexhausible poAvers v~*^^<' " of asperity, which so eminently distinguish his 1?Sh " eloquence, but he never charged me with Avant " of integrity. In the, early part of his career I knew him open, manly, and sincere, his temper " was warm, but his nature generous, and while " I admire the. vast extent of his understandings " I can rely on the goodnes of his heart. As an " enemy, I have always found him formidable, " but in proportion as I had reason to dread him, " while our principles Avere adverse, I anticipate " greater prospect of success now that we unite " Avith one mind and one heart in the cause of our " country. And let me hail it as an auspicious " circumstance in favour of our country, that " those Avho were divided by her hostilities, are " cemented by her peace." In parliament such arguments as these might Sensa.ion have produced their desired effect : coalitions of ot.^e political leaders, avIio had not been less violent in pu mutual opposition than lord North and Mr. Fox, were not unprecedented, nor even uncommon; and the judgment on the coalition Avould have been referred, as all such transactions should be, not to the causes but effects. If tAvo statesmen, from a situation of hostile exasperation, had formed an amicable union even for mere purposes of ambition, without a pretence to public spirit, it could not operate as a just motive for their instantaneous condemnation. A jealous vigilance might be reasonably exercised, and their actions scrutinized with the most scrupulous strictness, but their conduct in office or in opposition, and not their conjunction, should form the theme of censnre. Such is the liberal manner of considering such an -event; so had former transactions of similar ten dency been considered ; and the same candour would probably have been extended to the pre sent 510 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, sent case, had not the parties in opposition to XLV. lord North totally altered the frame of the public v-^g™*" ' mind on such topics. Formed themselves of he- 3' terogeneous and contending bodies, the residue of all parties and connexions, their alarms were ahvays excited by mutual jealousy and want of confidence. None trusted in the firmness of his associates ; but all were apprehensive that on a proper invitation, those with Avhom they were rather combined than connected, would desert their cause and unite with the ministry. Hence every intimation of the necessity of union among • public men, was received with violent resentment by the opposition ; and those Avho acquired, or were suspected of an intention to obtain situations under government, were assailed with clamorous invectives, as betrayers of public principle, and de serters from the eause of the country. Fox in particular, had expressed those sentiments Avith the warmth which marked his character ; and for Avhich, though alloAvances might be made by men of discernment, they could not be obtained from the public, Avho Avere constantly reminded of every rash or exaggerated expression, Avhich the heat of debate, or the necessity of adding force to a political union, might have engendered. The public had been made arbiters in every political dispute; to them Avere referred the characters, connexions, and motives of statesmen, and their observations Avere often directed to those when measures or systems alone should have engaged their attention. It Avas not therefore a difficult task to excite a loud and incessant clamour against the late mon strous (as it was called) coalition. All the vehicles of slander were employed to diffuse a hatred, hor ror, and contempt of the two parties; every un favourable impression, Avhich had been made current against lord North, Avas revived, and every adverse GEORGE HI. 5 , t adverse declaration of Fox ostentatiously dis- chap. played. In no action of his life had Fox displayed XLV." more greatness of mind, and less discernment, w-n^w than in the coalition, The small number of his 1?83* adherents afforded him little hope of a speedy return to power; but the vast extent of his popu larity, the lustre reflected on his character by his late magnanimous resignation, and the unpopula rity of lord Shelburne, rendered him more formid able as an opponent that any Other individual in the kingdom. It could hardly escape his penetra tion, that advantage would be taken of his intem perate declarations in parliament while lord North Avas minister, to sully the coalition : but perhaps he relied with too much confidence on his own powers, or on the predilection of the people, to think that such efforts Avould be attended with permanent success. Of the momentary disposi- 6th March. tion of the public, he had a mortifying sample at a public meeting of the electors of Westminster, where his conduct was investigated with uncom mon severity, and notwithstanding an eloquent defence by himself, and the labours of many of his friends, a vote, approving his general public conduct, was obtained Avith difficulty, and ano ther in the same words was passed in favour of Sir Cecil Wray, the distinguished opponent of the coalition/ Lord North made still greater sacrifices than Fox. His personal character was daily triumphing over the calumnies advanced against him while in office, and the number of his adherents Avas daily augmenting. He held the balance of political -power ; he received applications from both par ties, but made none. He was sensible that he would maintain a more exalted political situation by remaining unconnected Avith either of the other parties, but he perceived that government, ex- f See the proceedings in the Remembrancer, >ol. xv. p. 205, posed 512 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. posed to the mischiefs of a double opposition, dis tracted in its operations at so critical a period, and impeded in its progress tOAvard the restoration of calm and regularity, Avould cease to be efficient or respectable. He sacrificed, therefore, his private Avishes, and acceded to proposals which tendered the smallest hopes of advantage, accompanied with the greatest portion of inevitable obloquy. Ministerial ^H E violence which prevailed in appeals to interreg- the public, pervaded all societies, and occasioned num. an .uncomnion ferment throughout the nation. The first lord of the treasury had resigned, and the other members of administration declared they only retained their situations till a neAv cabinet could be formed ; but the arrangements Avere so beset Avith difficulties, that days and weeks elapsed without terminating the solicitude of the public. At an important and eventful crisis the kingdom was left Avithout an efficient or responsible ad ministration ; while confusion and discord bore sad testimony of the misery of that unconsti tutional state, Avhich in the language of the day ajthFeb. was termed a ministerial interregnum., Four days after the censure of the house of commons on the articles of peace, Dundas moved an adjournment for three days, to afford time for completing the new cabinet ; the motion Avas granted, but Avhen the house re-assembled, the subject Avas not men tioned. aSthFeb. After a long procrastination, Mr. Coke, mem- \jsth Mar. j-^,. for ^ orf0\h o-ave notice that, unless an admi- Motions . . „ 1 ¦ 1 ii on the sub- nistration Avas formed m three days, he Avould pro- Ject- pose an address to the king. He Avas induced to ** l ar" postpone his intention; but at length, in an un usually full house, he moved a request that his ma jesty would consider the distracted and unsettled state of the empire, and comply Avith the Avishes of the house, by forming an administration entitled to the confidence of the people, and such as might tend GEORGE III. 513 tend to terminate the unfortunate divisions and CHAP. distractions of the country. In a long and vehe* XLV. ment debate, the state of parties Avas discussed, V-"Y"—' the coalition reprobated and defended, and this >7 3* motion censured by some as an invasion of the royal prerogative. The imputation of secret in fluence was revived, and directly applied to Mr. Jenkinson, Avho made an able and candid reply. The prerogative of the crown, he said, Avas not so limited as to proscribe any privy counsellor from the presence of his sovereign ; no secret influence had ever existed ; but Avhen the king was gra ciously pleased to require his attendance he was obliged to obey the summons. He had more than once in the last five Aveeks been with his majesty, but never went except on offieial business, and when expressly required. The idea of secret in fluence was a popular trap for the multitude ; it existed only in imagination, and was brought forward for political purposes. He appealed to lord North,, with Avhom he had the honour of serving ten years, whether the secret influence so insidiously hinted ever had existence; he claimed an explicit declaration^ and from a welhfounded confidence in his lordship's innate principles of honour, would abide by his determination. Lord Thurlow, who Avas also alluded to as one of\tbe secret advisers, was equally exculpated by Mr. Jenkinson. Lord North answered this appeal with his usual integrity and candour, disdaining to swell the po pular cry against an opponent by false-or equivocal statements; heowned that,duringhis administration, he had never found any secret influence lurking behind the throne which frustrated his intentions. He had often received advice from Mr. Jenkinson, but never knew that he gave counsel to his. sove reign Avhich he could not publicly justify. He extended similar testimony to lord Thurlow, de- Vol. III. L l daring 3 1 st. 514 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. claring that he had always found him ari ableV honest, and upright man, and believed him Avorthy. ¦^g?^ of the office, he filled. The motion Avas carried with only four dissentient voices. 27th Mar. The king returned a gracious ansAver to the ad dress; but the difficulties which impeded the ar rangement were not yet obviated, and the earl of Surrey moved a resolution, declaring the interpo sition of the house necessary on this alarming crisis. Mr. Pitt reprobated the proposal, as con veying a disrespectful reflection on the king's pro mise ; lord John Cavendish and lord North also de claring disapprobation, lord Surrey Withdrew it, sub stituting a motion for an address, declaringthat de lay in a matter so momentous as forming an admini stration, would tend to weaken the authority of government, retard pacific arrangements, and per petuate distress and confusion. An acrimonious . debate ensued, in Avhich Mr. Dundas insinuated, tihat the chancellor of the exchequer having that -.dajv resigned his situation, no further difficulties would arise. Mr. Pitt had always declared that he only retained his office till a successor could be nomit'ated ; and it would not have been repugnant to- the Avishes of any party that he should retain his piac/e, could other consistent arrangements' have feeeii perfected. New pr{1'- TRE *n 0tlOn was withheld from a decision,' kury. """ and a ne.w administration Avas soon announced to the house. The cabinet Avas composed of the duke of Portland, .first lord of the treasury, lord North ;and Mr. Fox s ecretaries of state, lord John Caven dish chancelloi of the exchequer, lord Keppel first ilprd of the adm halty, lord Stormont president of tthe council, anc 1 the earl of Carlisle lord privy ¦seal The great seal was given in commission to lord Loughborough, ]V, Jr. Justice Ashhurst, and Miv baron GEORGE HI. 515 baron Hotham;' and lord Mansfield was ap- CHAP. pointed speaker of the houseof lords. Lord viscount XLV. Townshend was master-general, Mr. Courtenay V-"V'**/ surveyor-general, and Mr. Adam treasurer of the ordnance ; colonel Fitzpatrick secretary at Avar, Mr. Burke paymaster of the forces, and Mr. Charles Townshend treasurer of the navy. Lord SandAvich accepted the rangership of St. James's and Hyde Parks, the earl of Cholriiondeley was appointed captain of the yeoman of the guards, the earl of Jersey captain of the band of pensioners, and lord Hinchinbrooke master of the buckhounds, Mr. Wallace and Mr. Lee regained the offices of at torney and solicitor-general, Sheridan and Richard Burke were secretaries to the treasury, and the honourable Mr. St. John and colonel North under secretaries of state. The vice-royalty of Ireland was conferred on the earl of Northington, Mr. William Windham Avas appointed secretary, and Mr. Eden vice - treasurer of that king dom. One of the most interesting objects, the decision Commer- ' on which seemed partly suspended during the late clal intei.'". . . ... i ii-i r coursewitti ministerial interregnum, was the establishment of America a commercial intercourse Avith America. This regulated. subject claimed the early attention of the legisla ture, Mr. Hartley having, on the day after the pro- »sth Jan. visional articles were submitted to the house, re commended an instant repeal of the restraining act. But however pressing the consideration of the subject might seem, the most eminent orators in parliament did not appear to have formed a. just and Avell founded system, but evinced a readiness to risque the whole commercial welfare of the kingdom, for the sake of securing a preference in I The duke of Richmond made a motion, 3d June, to declare the ap pointment of- Judges to act as commissioners of the great seal, an in fringement of the 13th of William HI. ; which after a long debate wa* rejected without a, division. L L 2 the 5lfi HISTORY OF ENGLAND. chap, the United States, to Avhich an undue and even XLV. ridiculous value Avas affixed. The ministry wer^ ^lyg^ blamed for not submitting to the house a pro ject for securing the trade of America ; combina tions of other countries, to. the disadvantage of Great Britain, and frauds by the merchants.: of Canada and Nova Scotia, were apprehended ; and it Avas said that not only the restraining act ought to be repealed, but the navigation laws should be made subservient to the commercial intercourse betAveen the two countries. Bills Avere accordingly brought in for repealr ing the restraining act, and, establishing a provi sional intercourse Ayith America, The former passed Avithout. much difficulty : in discussing the other, some enlightened and judicious members gave opinions, Avhich rectified the judgment of the house on the value of American commerce, and inculcated a proper regard for the British na vigation laAv, the trade of the West India, islands, and the commercial intercourse with Russia and other nations ; lord Sheffield and Mr. Eden dis played great ability in these debates; and lord Sheffield, through the: medium of the press" ren dered an essential service to the country, by im-r parting minute, precise, and copious information, accompanied with sane and liberal maxims re specting general policy and colonial principles, tending at once to establish the real interests of the country, and to render her intercourse with her late colonies permanent, advantageous, and ho nourable to both. Finally, a temporary bill passed Avhich became annual, abrogating the requisition of certain instruments from ships belonging to the i> Observations on the navigation and commerce of Great Britain, and of the American States. Tljey gave a greater detail of the comparative state of navigation, manufacture, and trade, than had been published before. United GEORGE III. '517 ¦United States, and vesting in the king the power CHAP. of regulating the commercial intercourse. .XLAr. Another subject connected with America, v-^8^ which claimed the attention of parliament, was the May. case of the loyalists. Great commiseration of these unfortunate persons was expressed iii the debates on the provisional articles of peace ; the conduct of Philip III. of Spain Avas frequently cited in re proof of the British ministry. On concluding a truce Avith the United States of Holland in ] 609, he obtained for his adherents the enjoyment of their estates, Avhich Avas afterwards secured to them and their heirs by the treaty of Munster in 1648 ; but the loyalists of America, avIio had foregone their all for Great Britain, had no resource but a recommendation of congress to the provincial le gislatures. Parliament Avas informed in the course 24-th Jm-.c- of the session, that although congress had recom mended the loyalists, they Avould be obliged to quit for ever the American continent, to avoid the implacable fury of their republican countrymen. As an earnest of their further intentions, parlia- z7th' ment, in a committtee of supply, granted to the American officers, who had served in volunteer corps, their half pay. Some differences of opinion prevailed on the propriety of this measure, which was particularly supported by lord Sheffield, for the purpose of securing some immediate help for the military ; both sides of the house, hoAvever, concurring in cordial and generous sentiments towards the honourable victims of persecution, an act was passed, appointing commissioners to in quire into their losses and services, Avith a view of making compensation. The general proceedings of this sessio* Avere Debate on remarkable for the eagerness with Avhich the op- tneloan- posing parties contended in the race of popularity. The neAv ministry were compelled, by the exigen cies of the times, to negotiate a loan of twelve l l 3 mUlions 518 Economical re forms. joth June. 1 5th May. Pitt's mo- tion for a reform of parlia ment. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. millions for the service of the year, and to provide ways and means for paying the interest, with un usual dispatch. The terms Avere arraigned Avith great severity ; and lord Shelburne made a con demnatory motion, Avhich he supported with abi lity. An act Avhich imposed a small stamp duty on receipts for mony paid, was descanted on Avith peculiar invidiousness: and as it Avas easy to alarm the trading interest, a considerable clamour was excited. Fortunately the ministry were sufficiently firm not to relinquish, in consequence of an ill- judged resistance, a tax which has since been much improved, and found beneficial and pro ductive : it was, hoAvever, an inexhaustible theme of invective. Under the influence of Burke,an act Avas passed, amending the statute of last year for regulat ing the office of paymaster ; and under the auspices of Pitt a bill passed the loAver house for intro ducing economical reforms into the treasury offices, but Avas rejected by the lords. Several acrimonious motions on the subject of pensions, granted to lord Thurlow, colonel Barre, and other eminent public characters, displayed the activity of party without producing any permanent effect. A bill introduced by lord Mahon, for preventing bribery and corruption at elections, Avas also unsuccess ful ; and Saw bridge's annual motion for a reform of parliament met with its usual fate. From these efforts the public had not perhaps formed any sanguine expectations, but ever since the failure of Mr. Pitt's motion of last year, stre nuous exertions had been made to obtain strong declarations as Avell from chartered and political, as from self-constituted bodies, in favour of a par liamentary reform. Many petitions were presented to the house of commons, and as Mr. Pitt Avas the known patron of the measure, attempts Avere not wanting to impel him to introduce it before the change GEORGE HI. 519 thousand pounds- a year out of the civil list ; but, in consideration that the-revenue so-reduced could not bear any further burthen, parliament granted to the king an aid. of sixty thousand pounds to equip the prince in a manner suited to his dig nity. At an advanced period of the year, the king i6thjuiy. terminated the session, thanking the house of Close of commons for enabling him to make provision for * e8ess,0B' the prince of Wales. His. majesty also expressed regret at not being , Definitive able to announce, the completion of the definitive treatieso* „ . . r P i • • • peace exe- treaties ; bpt after the signature- of preliminaries Cuted. every difficulty vanished, except those which arosefrom the unsettled state of the British govern ment, and those which originated in a few captures made subsequent to the commencement of negotiar tions. For the sake of compliment, the emperor of Germany and empress of Russia. Avere admitted as. mediators; but the compacts, were arranged without their assistance, though formally, sanc tioned 526 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, tioned by the declaratory attestations of their XLV. ministers. Holland, under the influence of France, ^^gT^ acceded to preliminaries on the basis of mutual *d sept, restitution, except the toAvn of Negapatam, which was ceded to Great Britain. The definitive trea^ ties with France, Spain, and America, were exe- 3d Sept. cuted on the ensuing day. CHAPTER THE FORTY-SIXTH; 178 3, General view of the late belligerent powers : — America — loyalists provided for by Great Britain — condition of the American army, —Prudence of Washington — he resigns the command, and re tires with honours and acclamations. — Cincinnati. — -Debts and embarrassments of America. — State of France — Spain — Holland — Conduct of the imperial courts. — State of Great Britain. — Interview of Mr. Adams -with the king. — General remarks. CHAP. (~** REAT Britain having now emerged from XL VI. ^-*" tne most extraordinary contest in which a \-*v^ nation had ever engaged, and respecting the ter- Generai mination of which the most gloomy forebodings viewoftlje had been entertained, it only remains to review ge'rent"'" her situation in comparison with other powers, and powers. particularly those with Avhom she had been en gaged in hostilities. America. Among these, America first claims attention, as well because she Avas the original source of con test, as from the novelty of her political relation to other states. Colonies planted and established in peace, fostered, protected, and enriched by the mother-country, had emancipated themselves from her GEORGE ill. 527 ' her restraint, and formed a separate, and in some CHAP: respects hoped to become a rival establishment. XLVI. To catholic and despotic monarchs, protestant ^83^' republicans were indebted for that support, which enabled them to maintain principles of hatred and contempt of kings, to spurn at all rule but that of a legislative elective body, and to associate with the ideas of freedom and natural right, those of republicanism and national equality. If from motives of gratitude, the newly created states might be expected to court Continual alliance, and give exclusive preference to France and Spain, other causes, not less cogent, naturally tended to regenerate partialities tOAvards Great Britain. No part of the history of America Avas obscure or un certain ; the period to Avhich other nations are obliged to refer their origin, commonly called " the night of time," with them had no existence. Every record, every reminiscence brought back their ancient connexion, their indisputable ori gination ; and if the heat of party, or the per version of historical fact, for the purposes of sup posed advantage, sanctioned momentary misrepre sentations of the conduct and motives of the pa rent state, the more imperishable, and never fail ing records of language, customs, manners, and jurisprudential forms, Avould always certify that not only the establishment of the Americans as a people, but the foundation of their most valuable social institutes, were derived from Great Britain. To these, at every period of the revolution, and in1 every project of a neAv government, they inflexibly adhered. Trial by jury, senatorial representation, liberty of the press, and habeas corpus, Avere, in their definition, not modes of administration, but natural rights of man ; and when they had attain ed independence founded on these principles, it was natural to expect that every motive arising from similarity of principles,. Avants, feelings', and exertions, 528 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. chap, exertions, would induce attachment and preference* XLVI. for Great Britain. ^To"**"' But these causes could not be speculated on as likely to produce immediate effects. Although the terms of peace with the United States were remarkably liberal in the articles of limits, fisheries;, and indeed in every other respect, the condi tion of the country was neither settled nor en* viable.. In the eager desire of the British ministry and people to derive exclusive advantages from a new connexion with America, the wildest sallies of imagination were indulged. Instead of viewing the United States, in the situation they had elected, as. a foreign country, some persons defined them by the whimsical term of a people sui generis ; systems were preferred to experience, rash theory to successful practice; and attempts Avere even sanctioned for abandoning the navigation act, the guardian of British prosperity.* But the excellent deliberative, forms of British legislation, and the wholesome freedom of the press, prevented this fatal delusion from producing its worst effects. By wisdom in discussing the bills presented to parlia-* ment, the evils to be apprehended from a too hasty decision were averted ; and the temporary p©we* vested in the sovereign, afforded time for obtain ing the benefits of experience, instead of forming a rash judgment on the basis of mere speculation. The press Avas no less judiciously employed in obviating popular errors, and proving, by the best arguments drawn from analogy, comparison, and calculation, that the greatest advantages would be' derived from American commerce, not by wild! eagerness or imprudent sacrifices* but by liberality mingled with prudence, and by a firm tenacious- * Observations on the Commerce, of America, by lord* Sheffield, e. i. ness GEORGE III. 529 nesS of the rights of Great Britain, withdut too CHAP. jealously precluding the claims of America. b XL VI. Soon after the signature of the definitive treaty, v-p"o"***/ the British troops evacuated Charlestown, NeAv '7 3' York, and the feAV other remaining posts; Sir G'«y Garletofy for his services, received a peerage, with the title of lord Dorchester. The congress literally fulfilled the terms of the Loyalists provisional articles, by voting a recommendation provided df tfhe loyalists' in the very words of the treaty , ^ ^ but the manner of this cold recommendation was Britain, essentially different from those ardent recommen- otetSoris', Avhich in the beginning of the contest im- peltecVthe colonists to war against the parent state; it was in Course disregarded, and the care of pro viding- for its meritorious objects devolved on the mother- country. Claims Avere receiAred under the act passed hv the late session, from about three thousand heads of families ; two-thirds of which were* heard and determined in England, the re mainder in Nova Scotia or Canada, whither com missioners Avere deputed. The grounds of remune ration were losses of real or personal estate, and of irioome arising from offices, professions, and The amount of the first species of claims ex ceeded ten millions sterling, from Avhich deduc tions' Avere- made in small proportions, leaving al- Avays to the sufferer means of independent subsist ence; the liquidations were made by instalments, interest being in the mean time allowed on the Th E ¦> The most distinguished and useful production on this subject, was the" treatise by lord Sheffield, which 1 have already quoted. It was read with avidity at the time, and can never be perused but with advantage and insrructioAi. See also, Opinions on interesting Subjects, by George Chalmers, Esq. c The deductions from the gross claims were made as follows : From »ums not exceeding £.10,000 no abatement ; from £.10,000 to £20,000 Vol. III. Mm asmaU 530 CHAP. XLVI. 17S3. Condition of the American army. foth Mar. 15th. Prudence of Wash ington. azd Mar. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. The second species of claimants demanded £ hundred and fifty thousand pounds a year; about a hundred and twenty thousand of Avhich were alloAved, and vested in life annuities, from tAventy to five hundred pounds each. But although the American states had obtained the desired boon of peace and independence, and secured as public property the spoils of the loyal ists, they found their troubles not terminated but varied. The army, by which congress had been enabled to attain the favourite objects of their Avishes, and avIio had encountered incredible hard ships and privations, found themselves unrewarded and unpaid ; and did not obtain even the means of a decent subsistence. An anonymous publi cation proved a sufficient incitement to impel men thus situated, and in possession of arms, to active exertions for their OAvn benefit. The most formi dable effects Avere apprehended from a menaced combination, but averted through the temperance and judgment of Washington. He first mollified the minds of the officers, in separate interviews, and afterwards, in a general meeting, represented the infamy of adopting measures Avhich Avouid sully the glory of seven years service, in such glowing colours, that they unanimously declared, no circumstance of distress or danger should shake their confidence in the justice of their country, and that they viewed Avith abhorrence and rejected with disdain, the infamous proposition of the anonymous address. Washington Avas highly ap plauded for his conduct in this alamiing crisis ; and the legislative body, instructed by recent danger, offered to the officers the amount of five a small diminution, which was progressively augmented to the largest de mands. Yet after all drawbacks, some claimants received 50, some 70, and one £.100,000. An unparalleled instance of magnanimity and justice in a nation which had expended nearly a hundred and sixteen millions in the war. years George in. 531 years full pay in money, or in securities bearing CHAP. interest at six per cent, instead of the half-pay XLVL which had been promised them for life. v— "~-x?-/ When the officers were satisfied, a considerable a6thMay; difficulty still presented itself in dispersing so large a body of soldiers ; but this Avas evaded by grant ing furloughs, and never requiring those Avho held them to return. Thus the impatience of indivi duals to revisit their natlvehomes, diminished the risk of disbanding an unpaid army ; the men, Avithout means of meeting to confer on griev ances, resumed their situations as husbandmen of artificers, and forgot those demands which the country was unable to liquidate. All were not, idth. hoAvever, so easily satisfied ; eighty of the Pen- sylvania levies marched from Lancaster, and being joined by other malcontents, to the- amount of three hundred, repaired to the state-house at Philadelphia in martial array, placing guards at the doors, and threatening signal vengeance, unless their just demands Avere gratified Avithin twenty minutes. Congress, hoAvever, found means to temporize with these mutineers, until general Washington dispatched a superior force, which quelled the disturbance. Several Avere condemned to death and other punishments, but afterwafds pardoned. At a late period of the yeaf, Avhen the numbers ^tn 0ct< of the collectiA'e military body were greatly dimi- The army nished by permissive absences, congress issued a dlsbanded* proclamation, applauding their armies for having displayed, in the progress of an arduous and dif ficult war> every military and patriotic virtue, thanking them for their long, eminent, and faithful sendees, and declaring the third of November the day of their dismission. With great difficulty, four months pay, in part of several years of arrears, id Nor. Avere presented to them. On the day preceding Washing- ¦ ton s icirc- their separation, the general issued his valedictory weu. M m 2 orders, 532 CHAP. XLVI. 1783. 25th Nov. His retreat with honoursand accla mations. Cincinnati. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. orders, in endearing language, imploring " the " 'choicest favours of heaven on those Avho, under " divine auspices, had secured innumerable bless-; " ings to others ;" be announced at the same time his intention to retire from the service ; " the, " curtain of separation Avas soon to be draAvn, and " the military scene to him closed for ever." After assisting at a splendid festival on the evacuation of New York, the general took an affecting leave of his officers. At Annapolis, which Avas then the seat of congress, he resigned his commission, Avith an animated and eloquent compliment, into the hands of the president ; having previously delivered to the comptroller in Philadelphia, in his oavti hand-writing, an account of the public monies expended by him during the Avar, Avhich did not amount to fifteen thousand pounds, and persevering in his original intention to decline all pecuniary compensation. In his journey to his paternal estate at Mount Vernon, he Avas saluted at every town and village Avith acclamations, fireworks, bonfires, and other testimonials of joy and congratulation, and re ceived from a grateful and admiring people, the homage of numerous affectionate addresses. Per haps no personal character ever stood on a more elevated point of vieAV, than that of Washington at this period. The triumph of the American cause was justly attributed to his perseverance, prudence, and judgment; and his self-denial formed a noble and dignified example, rarely paralleled. Yet such is the natural jealousy of republican governments, that Avhen the general and his officers proposed to perpetuate their friendship by the establishment of a society called Cincinnati, the Avhole continent took alarm. It Avas regarded as an attempt to introduce into the state a military order; and the proposition to admit the progeny 1 of GEORGE III. 533 of the founders of American freedom into tHe CHAP. society, was considered as a first step toAvards the XLVI. establishment of an hereditary nobility : the sub- v^g^' ject Avas argued with so much heat, : that the ex tension of the association beyond the persons of the founders was abandoned ; and the project has no traces of existence, but in name and me mory.11 Although the gross siim of their debt appeared Debts am, trifling, yet the pecuniary embarrassments of the emban-ass- United States presented great difficulties, even in ments of temporary arrangement, ¦ and threatened to prove a permanent bar to their future prosperity. Their domestic debt was somesvhat above thirty-four millions of dollars, or seven millions six hundred thousand pounds sterling. To France America was indebted for pecuniary aids, eighteen millions of livres,* Avhich it Avas agreed to liquidate by instalments, Avith interest at five per cent, in tAvelve years. A further sum of five millions of florins, or ten millions of livres/ for Avhich the king of France stood jointly engaged with congress to the States of Holland, Avas to be paid, Avith similar interest, in five years. Their remaining foreign debts amounted to about five hundred thousand pounds sterling. The limited authorities of con gress, and the discretionary powers of the several provinces, formed great impediments to the fund ing of this sum : to a scheme formed by the gene ral legislature, some acceded totally, and some partially; while others Avithheld their consent from any measure which had a tendency to lodge the purse and the sword in the same hands, and resisted, by force of arms, the agents employed by * See Considerations on the Society or Order of Cincinnati, by Qassius, supposed to be .ffidanus Bnr'ke, one of the chief justices of South Caroli na ; and, Observations by an obscure Individual, both printed at Philadel phia in 1783. e 787,500 pounds sterling. ( 437)5°o. v ^r % congress 534 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, dbngress to collect the levies. In vain Avere ex-r XLVL hortations and pathetic addresses issued, invoking v"^tgT*-/ the public justice, and appealing to the honour of ' ¦* the country ; the disregaid of such motives, when incompatible with private interest, had been so long sanctioned, that such appeals met with little regard ; and the im potency of government and dishonesty of the people, afforded serious appre-: hensions of general bankruptcy. Under such alarms, increased by the violation of public faith, the force of private obligations was dreadfully di minished ; government contracts were sold for a tenth part of their nominal value, and all Avas speculation, fraud, injustice, and rapine. The eagerness of European powers to obtain a preference in the boasted commerce of America, added to these evils. An inundation of manufac tures, tendered on easy terms of credit, tempted the merchants to adventure in purchases much exceeding their poAvers of payment. Debts were contracted by some to the full amount of their claims on the American government ; while the daily depreciation of government security involved the demands of individuals in the general state of confused speculation. Those who were indebted to British merchants for contracts before the Avar, were additionally distressed. By the terms of the peace all these debts were to be paid ; money Avas the only medium, since no hope could exist that a depreciated paper currency Avould be accepted by the merchant whom a long and hazardous Avar had greatly injured by delay and risk. Thus specie rapidly disappeared ; while the means of restoring it Avere suppressed by the new circumstances of America, ju consequence of her separation from the mother-country. Commercial treaties were formed Avith Sweden, Prussia, and the emperor of Mo rocco ; but the. attempts to negotiate \vith Great Britain were for some time unsuccessful. The in tercourse GEORGE III. 535 tetcourseAvith the West Indiaislands, from Avhich,as CHAP. colonies, they derived large supplies of gold and sil- XLVI. ver, -was of course prohibited by the colonial andna- ^78^ vigation system of Great Britain ; their fisheries were unproductive in consequence oftheAvantofthe same favourable markets, and the discontinuance of British bounties ; and their maritime Aveakness rendered unavailing their liberty of traffic in the Mediterranean, where they could no longer protect themselves against the Algerine corsairs. Thus surrounded by calamity, terror, and poverty, the people viewed with disgust the independence which they had been taught so highly to appreciate ; they held a degraded and precarious rank among the poAvers of the universe, nor did they emerge from their disgraceful situation, till experience pointed out the necessity of a permanent and general government, sufficiently strong to coerce all the members of the commonwealth, and suffi ciently respected to restrain the effusions of vision ary theory. Then Avas Washington again called from his domestic retreat, to guide by his Avisdom those councils Avhich owed their authority to his valour;' and then the government of America assumed stability, and acquired respect. h Th e poAvers of Europe, Avho had joined without Powers of provocation in an infamous conspiracy against EvroPe* Great Britain, saAv, even in their success, no great cause for self-gratulation. They had brought the rival country to the necessityof accepting terms of peace, Avhich her own legislators had censured ; but their triumph Avas not attended Avith correspon dent advantages. If the hope of supplanting or eA-en rivalling Great Britain in the American trade animated their efforts; their expectations. s In 1789. • h Chiefly from Ramsay, vol. ii. chapters xxvi. and xxvii. I hav? also consulted Stedman, chapter xlvi. and the papers in the Annual Re gister and the Remembrancer. m m 4 received 536 HISTORY OF. ENGLAND. CHAP, received a severe shock, ever* in the progress of XLVI. the contest, Avhen Mr. Laurens expended the ^^f^ money lent by France in the purchase of British manufactures, justifying his conduct, by pleading his duty to buy the best and cheapest cbmmodK ties.1 If the expectation of reducing England ta bankruptcy, or despair, influenced their conduct,^ they must have seen with astonishment and an* guish the noble exertion of national justice in behalf of the loyalists, to whose claims was devoted a larger sum than the whole debt Avhich rendered America insolvent ; and have beheld with surprise those public and private exertions Avhich promised to efface the memory of a long contest, by pror viding ample funds for paying the interest .of the increased debt, and by giving unprecedented ex^ tension and vigour to commerce.,.' franee. . If the hope, of; ruining England instigat