CHAP. II.

Mr. Wardle's Motion relating to the Commander-in-chief-Earl of Suf-

folk's commendatory Speech respecting the Commander-in-chief- Mr.

Wardle's Motion-Mrs. Clarke's Letters to His Royal Highness the Duke

of York-Anonymous Letter to Mr. Adam, and Examination of that

Gentleman Duke of York's Letter to the House of Commons Mr. Whit-

bread's Speech on the Duke's Letter Mr Wynne's Notice of a Motion-

Debate on the Evidence against the Commander-in-chief—Divisions on the

general Question

70

CHAP. III.

Lord Castlereagh's Motion on the Militia-Lord Grenville's Motion on Ame-

rica-Lord H. Petty's Motion on the Convention of Cintra- Mr. Dundas

Saunders's Motion on India Affairs-Chancellor of the Exchequer on the

Sale of Places Mr. Ponsonby's Motion on the Conduct of the War in

Spain Sir Samuel Romilly's Motion on the Bankrupt Laws-Army

Estimates Mr. Whitbread's Motion on America-- Mr. Whitbread's

Motion on Imprisoned Publishers--Sir Francis Burdett's Motion respect-

ing a Grant of Land from Chelsea College

CHAP. IV.

128

Debate on the Bill for preventing the Sale of Places-Earl Grey's Motion

on the Campaign in Portugal-Lord A. Hamilton's Motion on the Abuse

of Patronage-Mr. Ord's Motion on the Dutch Commissioners -Lord

Auckland's Motion on Divorce Bills --Sir Thomas Turton's Motion in

behalf of Debtors—Mr. Curwen's Motion on the Purity of Election-

Mr. Madocks's Motion of Charges against Ministers-Mr. Martin's Mo-

tion on the Third Report of the Committee of Finance-The Chancellor of

the Exchequer's Motion on the Budget

CHAP. V.

175

Debate on Lord Erskine's Bill to prevent Cruelty to Animals-Mr. Ward's

Motion for a Monument to Captain Hardinge-King's Message-Sir

Samuel Romilly's Motion on the Criminal Code-Increase of the Judges'

Salaries-Lord Sidmouth's Motion respecting the Toleration Act-Debate

on Lord Erskine's Bill in the House of Commons-Sir Francis Burdett's

Motion on Parliamentary Reform-Mr. Wardle's Motion on public

Economy

CHAP. VI.

209

Introductory Observations-Brief recapitulatory Sketch of the Affairs of

Spain during 1808-Their melancholy State at the End of that Yenr—

Interest taken by the British Nation in the Cause of the Patriots-Their

Disappointment

Disappointment and Indignation at the Convention of Cintra-Board of

Inquiry on this Subject-- Proceedings of the Board-Their aportance as

affording a historical Document-Abstract of the Evidence laid Lefore the

Board-Transactions of Sir Arthur Wellesley till the Arrwal of Sir

Harry Burrard-First Point of Difference respecting the Plan of Orera.

tions between the two Generals-Reasons assigned by Sir Har Burva d

for the Army not advancing-Evidence respecting the Degree of the cut

sustained by the French at Vimeira-Arrival of Sir Hugh Dairympie--

Armistice proposed by the French General-Discussions on the articies of

it-Advantages supposed to result from the Convention Report of the

Board on the Conduct of the Generals - A more definite Opinion called jor

by His Majesty-General Nicholls's Reasons for disapproving of the

Convention-The Earl of Pembroke's-Lord Moira's Objections to the

Armistice and Convention-Remarks on the Issue of the Boards Pro-

ceedings

239

CHAP. VII.

General Remarks on the Character of the Session of Parliament-Interest

excited among the People respecting their Proceedings- Observations on

the State Papers laid before Parliament-Letters of Count Razof

and M. Champagny-of the Emperor Alexander and Bonapa. Mr.

Canning's Reply-Observations on the Reports of the Commissioners of

Military Inquiry Summary of the Facts and Circumstances stated in

their Report on the Office of Secretary at War of those stated in their

Report on West India Abuses--Introductory Remarks to the Proceedings

of Parliament respecting the Duke of York-Unpopularity of His Royal

Highness-Substance of the Charges brought against him-- First Charge,

and Summary of the Evidence Second Charge respecting Colonel French's

Levy--Strong collateral and circumstantial Evidence in Support of it

-Third Charge-Fourth Charge-Other Instances of Misconduct ·

brought to Light during the Invest gation-The Defence of the Duke con-

ducted in an injudicious and prejudicial Manner - Different Degrees in

which he was considered guilty by different Members of the House ---Re-

marks on the Duke's Letter to the Speaker-on the Mode and Time of

his Resignation-Concluding Remarks-On the Danger of employing

Men not really responsible-On the Character of the British Nation as

displayed during the Investigation

CHAP. VIII.

258

British Affairs continued-Abuses in East India Patronage - Abstract of

the Proceedings of the Court of Directors on that Subject, from 1793-

brought before the House of Commons--Committee appointed to inquire

into the Abuses-Their Report-Consequent Resolutions of the Directors

-Hardship, yet Necessity, of the Recall of the Writers and Caders-

Negligence of the Directors culpable-Facts relative to Lord Castlereagh

brought out before the Committee-Remarks on Lord A. Hamilton's Mo-

tion respecting him-The Defence advanced in his Behalf examined—Its

extreme

extreme Futility and Weakness pointed out-Remarks on Mr. Curwen's

Bill-Difference between it and the Bill as altered by Ministers-Sir

Francis Burdett's Plan of Parliamentary Reform--Difficulties in the Way

of a real and beneficial Reform from the Corruption of the Electors—

from the unavoidable Influence of Rank and Capital from the immense

Patronage of Ministers-Its good Effects either exaggerated or not clearly

stated Observations on Mr. Wardle's Speech on economical Reform-

Unsatisfactoriness of Mr. Huskisson's Reply-Decline of Mr. Wardle's

Popularity Inquiry into the Result of the Verdicts of the Jury-as they

affect Mr. Wardie's Character and Motives--as they affect the Charges

against the Duke of York

276

CHAP. IX.

British Affairs continued-Transactions of the British Navy-Escape of

the French Fleet-take Refuge in Air Roads-Lord Cochrane sent to

destroy them-- Admiral Harvey's improper Language to Lord Gambier—

His Trial on that Account-Attack on the French Fleet-Gallant and hu-

mune Behaviour of Lord Cochrane His Charges against Lord Gambier—

Evidence of the other Officers in Lord Gambier's Defence-Lord Gambier

acquitted-Remarks on his Conduct Gallant Action in the Baltic-

Assistance afforded by our Navy to Spain-Ships and Transports destined

for the Relief of Barcelona, driven on,Shore and destroyed by Lord Col-

lingwood's i leet-Affairs in the West Indies-Policy of taking the French

Islands inquired into-Capture of Martinique-Capture of Cayenne-

Victor Hughues, the Governor, censured by Bonaparte - Capture of

St. Domingo-Dispute between the Governor of Jamaica and the Provin

cial Assembly there-Affairs in the East-Indies--Bonaparte's Intrigues

at the Persian Court thwarted by Sir Harford Jones-A Persian Am-

bassador sent to England - Disturbances at Travancore-Unfortunate

Dispute between the Civil and Military at Modras--Rise and Progress of

it-The Memorial of the Military-Lord Minto's Letter to Sir George

Barlow-State of our Dispute with America-Mr. Erskine's unautho-

rized Arrangement--Mr. Jackson`s Mission unsuccessful

CHAP. X.

294

British Affairs concluled-Contrast between the Plan of Military Opera-

tions pursued by Bonaparte, and that of the British Cabinet-Expedition

under Sir John Stewart to Noples- attended with no Success-Causes of

its Failure-Ministers resolve to invade Holland - Remarks on that Plan

-On the Equipment of the Expedition-On the Character of the Com-

mander-Proceedings of the Army-Investment and Capture of Flushing

-Effects of the tardy Mode of carrying on the Operations- The principal

and ultimate Objects of the Expedition obliged to be given up-Pestilential

Sickness among our Troops in Walcheren - Indecision of Ministry with

respect to retaining the Island-Its Evacuation-Disappointment and

Indignation of the Country Duel between Lord Castlereagh and Mr.

Canning - His Lordship's Statement--Mr. Canning's Reply--Observa-

tions on them-The Ministry broken up-Lords Grey and Grenville

refuse to join it-New Ministry-Jubilee Meeting of Common Council

Their Address-His Majesty's Reply

CHAP. XI.

311

Affairs of Spain-Campaign under Sir John Moore-Its Importance stated;

as exhibiting the Character of the Spanish People, Army, and Govern-

ment-Discppointment of Sir John Moore with respect to the promised

Cooperation of the Spanish Army-Situation of the Etish from the

Defeat of the Spaniards---Sir John Moore prevented from retreating by

the Advice and Remonstrances of Mr. Frere-The British and French

Armies meet-A partial Engagement-Superiority of the British Cavalry

-Immense Force dispatched after the British-Sir John Moore compe led

to retreat-Dreadful Situation of his Army arrives at Lugo offers

Battle to the Enemy-which is refused--Arrival of the British at Corunna

-obliged to wait for Transports-Battle of Corunna - Exertions and Fall

of Sir John Moore-The French completely repulsed --The British embark

-Last Moments of Sir John Moore-His Character and Interment 329

CHAP. XII.

Affairs of Spain continued -- Movements and Operations of the French after

the Embarkation of the British-take Ferrol-Treachery of its Governor

-Second Siege of Saragossa - Its valiant Defence and Fall - Bonaparte

leaves Spain to make war against Austria-French Armies inactive after

his Departure-Capture of Oporto-The Patriots take Vigo, Tuy, and

Viana-Situation of the Armies in the Beginning of April-Battle of Me-

dellin-Cevallos sent Ambassador to London-Treaty of Alliance between

Britain and Spain-Sir A. Wellesley sent again to the Peninsula—

marches against Soult-attacks and defeats Part of his Army on the

Douro-returns to the South of Portugal-Baitle of St. Payo-- Opera-

tions of Blake's Army-Battle of Belchite-Disgraceful Behaviour of

the Spanish Troops-Joseph Bonaparte attempts to cross the Sierra Mo-

rena-fails, and advances to oppose the March of the united British and

Spanish Armies to Madrid-Battle of Talavera--Defeat of the French-

Sir A. Wellesley obliged to retreat-Cuesta leaves the wounded in the

Hands of the Enemy--Remarks

CHAP. XIII.

341

Affairs of Spain concluded-The War grows languid-French Power in

Spain very limited and precarious--Siege of Gerona rivals Saragossa

in the Bravery of its Defence-The French attack and take the Castle of

Mountjoi-Blake throws Supplies and Reinforcements into Gerona in a

most masterly and successful Manner-Assauit of the 19th September-

French repulsed-Augereau assumes the Command of the besieging Army

-gets between Blake and Gerona-defents the Spanish General and takes

the City-State and Position of the Spanish Armies in the Beginning of

November-Armies of the Centre, the Right, and the Left-Battle of

Zamames-The Spaniards victorious-Consequences of the Victory-.

The Spaniards gain Possession of Salamanca-The Battle of Albu del

Tormes--Operations of the Army of the Centre resolve to advance to

Madrid-Joseph Bonaparte leaves Madrid to oppose them--Battle of

Ocana-The Spanish Army completely defeated-Remarks on the Causes

of the Disasters of the Spaniards-The Duty and actual Behaviour of

the Supreme Junta contrasted--Character of their Proclamations - The

Marquis of Wellesiey sent to them -persuades them to assemble the

Cortes-Proclamation for this Purpose

-

CHAP. XIV.

355

Affairs of Austria-Remarks on the Conduct of Bonaparte towards the

Powers he conquers-The probable Motives and Objects of this Conduct

-Sketch of his Behaviour towards Austria from the Treaty of Presburgh

-Demands free March for his Troops through the Austrian Territories

Disputes about Cattaro-The Power of Austria in Germany attack d and

greatly weakened by Bonaparte-Prevented from further insulting and

degrading Austria by the War between France and Prussia-Bonaparte's

Conduct to Austria at the Treaty of Tilsit, and the Conferences at Er

furth-Proposes the Dismemberment of the Turkish Empire- Correspon-

dence betwixt the Austrian and French Ministers respecting the warlike

Preparations of Austria-The Revolution of Spain again interrupts Bona-

parte's Plans Fresh Complaints against Austria -That Power compelled

to go to War-Remarks on the Policy of her Conduct

CHAP. XV.

368

Affairs of Austria continued-Preparations for War on both Sides-The

Archduke Charles appointed Generalissimo-addresses his Army-Pro-

clamation of the Duke of Auerstadt-of the King of Bavaria-The

Austrians cross the Inn--Bonaparte joins his Army-forces himself be-

tween the different Divisions of the Austrians, and completely defeats

them in several Engagements-at Ebensberg-Landshut and Eckmuhl-

advances to Vienna-that City taken after a short Resistance-issues

a Proclamation to the Hungarians-- Movements and Proceedings of the

Archduke Charles--attempts in vain to save Vienna--entrenches him-

self on the North Bank of the Danube Bonaparte crosses the River

and attacks him- Battle of Aspern-Bonaparte repulsed

385

Affairs of Austria concluded - Comparative Credibili'y of the Austrian and

French Accounts of the Battle of Aspern-State of the War in Saxony,

Poland, and the North of Germany-Proceedings and Death of Schill-

Operations and Escape of the Duke of Brunswick War in Italy - Battles

between the Viceroy and the Archduke John -Retreat of the latter—

Battle of Raab-Capture of that City-- Preparations of Bonaparte for

crossing the Danube The Archduke Charles out-generalled-Battle of

Wagram-The Austrians defeated-Retreat, into Moravia Armistice at

Znaim-Protracted Negotiations-Peace between Austria and France—

Terms