CHAPTER VIII.

Reflections on the natural enmity subsisting between Great Britain and France-its supposed origin, and its consequences-Treaty of Commerce between the two countries -Communicated to Parliament in the King's SpeechObjected to by Mr. Fox-- Mr. Fox's Antigallican principles commended as truly patriotic-He is answered by Mr. Pitt-Discussion of the Treaty-Its provisions explained, and its principles defended, by Mr. Pitt-Opposed by Mr. Fox, who combats the principles and opinions of Mr. Pitt, and justifies the Antigallican Spirit of our AncestorsTreaty supported by Mr. Grenville-Approved by a great majority of the House-Renewed discussions on the same topic Mr. Fox attacks the contracted notions of Mr. Wilberforce-Further debate-Mr. Grey's maiden speech -Adopts the Antigallican principles of Mr. Fox, and reprobates any connection with France-Mr. Burke takes the same side of the question-The address, opposing the Treaty, carried-The measure discussed in the House of Lords-Opposed by the Bishop of Llandaff-Supported by the Marquis of Lansdowne-Approved by the House-Mr. Pitt opens his plan for simplifying the collection of the Revenue, by consolidating the duties of Custom and Excise-Traces the existing plan of Commercial Taxation to its origin, and exposes its defects-Inefficiency of the remedies hitherto devised-Three thousand resolutions necessary for carrying the new plan into effect-Panegyric on Mr. Pitt by Mr. Burke.

[1786] The leisure afforded by the Parlia mentary recess was devoted by Mr. Pitt to the completion of a project which had long occupied his mind, and from the accomplishment of which he expected to derive the most important advantages to the country. In framing a commercial treaty with France, he had many difficulties to surmount, and many prejudices to subdue. The jarring interests of the two nations, in respect of numerous articles of commerce, and the jealousy which had, for ages, subsisted between them, presented obstacles sufficient to intimidate a mind less determined, and to baffle an understanding less acute and comprehensive, than his own. But Mr. Pitt was not to be deterred from the pursuit of any plan which offered essential benefits, by any difficulties which human perseverance could remove. It had long, indeed, been considered, that the natural enmity which subsisted between the two countries precluded the possibility of forming any treaty which could be productive of mutual benefits, and which could afford the smallest prospect of permanence, or even durability, in its operation. What that natural enmity was, few persons had taken the trouble to inquire, much less to define. The expression, however, had nothing so ridiculous nor so revolting in it as, at first sight, it might appear, to

a philosophic mind, to have. It was an enmity, of the existence of which no one could possibly doubt, because the evidences of it were so public, and so multiplied, as to satisfy incredulity itself. It had, probably, the epithet, natural, affixed to it, from the circumstance of its origin, in the relative situations in which the hand of nature had placed the two countries. They both had a considerable extent of coast, (each coast opposite to the other) which rendered. them great maritime and commercial powers; made them both anxious to acquire extensive colonial possessions, and foreign trade, and, consequently, solicitous to establish a naval superiority over the rest of the world. Hence, their interests, their pursuits, and their efforts, were similar, or, at least, had a tendency to the attainment of the same objects. But there was, at the same time, this essential difference between them. France had the means of subsistence, of independence, and even of greatness, within herself; and, though so situated by nature as to render the acquisition of maritime power, and of a great foreign trade, both easy and desirable, they were not at all necessary for her existence or support; whereas they were essential, not only to the prosperity of Great Britain, but to her political greatness, and even to her independence. What had been the effects

of this enmity upon the governments of the two countries, it would be foreign from our purpose here to inquire; that it had been productive of wars which, without it, might, and probably would, have been avoided, is a truth, unfortunately, too well established by history to admit of a doubt; but that it had been attended with any other bad consequences, to either nation, or that it was good policy to endeavour to destroy it, is a point which allows of much diversity of opinion, and is not so easily to be decided. Indeed, the progressive prosperity of both countries, while it existed in full force, affords strong grounds for the belief, that its effects were rather advantageous than pernicious; nor would it be a difficult task to trace its bene

ficial operation to its source. It was not, however, by any means, a necessary consequence of its existence, that the two kingdoms should remain, for ever, estranged from each other, as to all political or commercial intercourse; or that it was impracticable to frame a treaty of commerce which would be productive of mutual advantage.

Such a treaty Mr. Pitt had resolved to accomplish, and had, accordingly, consulted every document, and every person, from which, and from whom, he could derive any information or knowledge respecting the important

subject of his investigation. When he had sufficiently possessed himself of facts, and arranged his materials, in which he was materially assisted by lord Hawkesbury, (now earl of Liverpool) and by Mr. Eden, (now lora Auckland) he sent the latter to Paris, who concluded a treaty of navigation and commerce with the French minister, at Versailles, on the 29th of September.

[1787] This treaty was communicated to the two Houses of Parliament, in the King's speech, at the opening of the session, on the 23rd of January following. His Majesty, having ordered a copy of it to be laid before them, recommended them to take the earliest opportunity for adopting the necessary measures for carrying it into effect, and trusted, that they would find the provisions which it contained, to be calculated for the encouragement of industry, and for the extension of lawful commerce in both countries; and to be likely to give additional permanency to the blessings of peace, by promoting a beneficial intercourse between their respective inhabitants. It was not to be expected that a subject, at once so novel in itself, so important in its consequences, and on which such different opinions were known to prevail, would be suffered to piss sub silentio, even' on the mere mention of it to the House,