royal parent; that he deliberately checked the course of public justice by the offer, of, what could only be considered a compromise. Nor was this all; far from allowing it to be, what in fact it was, the price of the relinquishment of a legal investigation, which was dreaded; he sought, under the specious pretence of a boon to the prince of Wales, to call it, the means by which the splendor and dignity of this august personage would be restored; yet, when the fallacy, and utter impossibility of the attainment of this desirable end, being accomplished without an inquiry into the actual state of the prince's affairs, was stated; he obstinately refused to entertain such inquiry; and persisted in giving the appearance of increased obligation, to what was, in fact, unjust in its principle, unsatisfactory both to the prince and to the public; and totally inade quate to its proposed ends. Such however is the usual fate, of the half measures of little minds. Contrasted with this line of conduct, the people observed in the whole of that of their future monarch, dignity, equity, and moderation; and when it was seen, that at the critical and awful moment we have already alluded to, he declined giving any farther trouble to the great council of the nation; that in such a moment, he could not think of adding to the burdens of the country, and that he declared himself perfectly satisfied with the liberality of parliament; gratitude and admiration universally prevailed; and his future subjects, beheld in this meritorious and exemplary conduct, ample promise of the greatest blessing providence can bestow-a patriot king! CHAP. CHAP. VII. King's message.-Probability of immediate war.--His majesty's message taken into consideration in the lords.-Address moved by Lord Hobart. -Debate.-Earl Spencer-Lord Grenville-Earl of Moira.-Address of thanks carried.—And in the Commons same day.—Address moved by Mr. Addington.-Debate.-Mr. Fox-Lord Hawkesbury—Mr. Windham-Sheridan-Grenville-Dr. Lawrence,-Address carried.-Message for the embodying the militia.-Motion for 10,000 additional seamen.- -Debate.—Mr. Francis-Chancellor of the Exchequer—-Mr. Dent -For-Burroughs - Lord Hawkesbury-Mr. Elliot - Canning — Trench. Increase agreed to.-Remarks. # N the eight of March, a message from his majesty,* was brought down to both houses of parliament; which was received all over Europe, as the signal of the approach of war between Great Britain and France. The sensation with which it was received was great beyond description; and from the moment it was delivered, every man of common sagacity or political experience knew a rupture to be inevitable. In this message, it was stated, "that considerable military preparations were carrying on, in the ports of France and Holland; and that it was therefore expedient to adopt additional measures of precaution, for the security of the king's dominions: that discussions of great importance, were carrying on between his majesty and the French government, the result of which was uncertain; and therefore, relying with confidence on parliament, to enable him to take such mea sures, as circumstances might require, for supporting the honor of his crown, and the essential interests of his people." This message was the fore-runner of the war; whether his majesty's ministers of the day were, or were not justified, by existing circumstances in sending it down, is a matter of the greatest importance for the historian of the times to consider; but here as a parliamentary transaction we shall confine ourselves to speak of it, from the effects it produced on the legislation. The further discussion of the prince of Wales's claims was abandoned indeed, at his own request; and every minor interest and lesser consideration, were absorbed in the great question, " shall we have peace or war with France ?" On Wednesday the 9th of March, the order of the day for taking his majesty's message into consideration being read in the house of lords; Lord Hobart rose to move the address. He thought there could not be a difference of opinion, when his majesty had communicated to them, that great military preparations were actually making on the coasts of France and Holland; and that important discussions were pending between him and the French government; the result of which was very uncertain. It was the earnest wish of ministers, that the tranquillity which subsisted between the two countries, should not be interrupted and he relied upon it, that the country would enable them to preserve it, consistently with the honor and interests of the nation. He then moved an address, which was nearly a recapitulation of the message. Earl Spencer rose, not to oppose the address, as he had been always a friend to vigorous measures. He rejoiced to find, that ministers were at length sensible, they had gone the full length of concession and negociation; that they were now determined to act a manly part. There was no other chance of saving the country, but by shewing the first consul, that we are not afraid of meeting France single handed, and that rather than suffer the smallest particle of the national honor to be tarnished, we were ready to recommence hostilities. He should wish however to know, whether the discussions alluded to in his majesty's message, were new, or of a long standing? Lord Grenville, perfectly agreed in opinion with the last noble lord. He rejoiced at this first instance of sound political wisdom in his majesnty's present ministers: they had seen the consequences of a system concession and meanness; and he hoped they would act with due energy and perseverance in that now proposed. The reasonings of this day, were warranted by the experience of the last eighteen months, and he therefore cordially assented to the motion. The carl of Moira delivered a very animated and impressive speech. He wished however to be satisfied, that sufficient cause existed for this appearance of energy; this sudden change in the conduct of his majesty's ministers. He hoped it was not a mere bravado, intended to cover some farther concession. The communication which had been made, had created a very general alarm, and materially affected those who had property in the funds. He hoped ministers would be able to shew at a future day, that they had not done this unnecessarily. He wished ministers would speak out, and not be afraid of offending the first consul of France: as for his part, he had no notion of talking longer with compliment towards this new Hannibal; who had sworn on the altars of his ambition, deadly and eternal hatred, to the interests and prosperity of this country. If we would consult our most im mediate interests, and uphold our national character; we must shew that man that we are not to be intimidated, by the menace of consequences. We must, in the language of our immortal bard, Be stirring as the time, be fire with <<< fire; "Threaten the threatener, and out"face the brow "Of bragging horror !" We must boldly look our danger in the face; and be prepared to meet it in its worst form.-No man could more sincerely wish for peace than himself; no man regreted war more as a great calamity; but constantly to submit to the domineering arrogance of an implacable rival, is positive ruin, to which war in its worst shape was preferable! He considered, that an uniform,consistent, manly tone, might prevent war, by throwing all the blame upon the transgressor; and there was no man, however great his power, that was independent of public opinion; and above all, of the opinion of the people he governed. Whoever considered the history of the man who now governed France, would not consider attempts impracticable, because they are difficult. We should prepare our minds for an attempt upon this country. If it could only produce mischief and confusion, the person at the head of France, is the man who would coolly calculate upon the total destruction of an army, to accomplish a mighty mischief. But when he said, that England was not able, single handed to contend with France, where did he get his information? Was it from the noble lords near him, whom he was proud to call his friends? (lords Nelson and Hutchinson) or at what period of our history was it, that he discovered England was not able to grapple with France? Should the enemy land, they would undoubtedly push for the capital; and certainly a pitched battle would be fought, which should end in the destruction of one army or the other, before he should be permitted to reach it. He concluded by exhorting ministers, in a very forci ble manner, to make a common cause with the people, in the defence of their common country. After some observations from lord Westmoreland and lord Auck land, in support of the motion, the address was carried nemine dissentiente. On the same day in the house of commons, after Mr. Erskine had, as already mentioned, given up on the part of the prince of Wales, any farther demand on parliament, in consequence of the situation of the country, Mr. Addington rose to move the address to his majesty, in consequence of the message: he felt convinced that the appeal made by his majesty to the wisdom and public spirit of the house, would not be in vain. Although the armaments now preparing in the ports of France and Holland, were ostensibly for colonial objects; yet, as there were important discussions between France and this country, the issue of which was very doubtful; no one could foresee, whether those armaments might not be diverted from their original object, to the attack of this country. He hoped still for the continuance of peace, but should that be impossible; every communication, that could throw light upon the subject and bring it level to the judgment of that house, should unreservedly be produced. The whole object of the preparations, which he now recommended, were for precaution and internal security; and not directed to offensive offensive operations. After again expressing the wish of his majesty's government, that peace should be preserved; if it could be preserved with honor; he concluded, by moving an address, promising to support his majesty, in those objects mentioned in the message. Mr. Fox said, after the message of yesterday, he could not oppose the motion; but he must say, no vote was ever required from the house, where they were left so completely in the dark. Whether the object of the discussions lay in Europe, Asia, Africa, or America, ministers had not told us. When how ever, his majesty stated those discussions to be of great importance, he could not doubt the allegation; but when we were called upon to afford additional means of defence, we should be informed of the particulars, which rendered such additional defence necessary. He concluded with the following remarkable words," that his majesty's ministers, would do well to consider the tendency of their measures. If through their negligence, rashness, or ill concerted plans, they involved the country in war, at this important period; he should pronounce the present administration to be the most fatal and destructive which ever directed the affairs of Great Britain!" Lord Hawkesbury agreed with Mr. Fox, that the present address, did not pledge the house to any thing specific but at the same time if the pending discussions, should unfortunately terminate in war, the house would certainly have a right, to the fullest information on the subject; and he himself felt perfectly prepared, to defend the conduct of ministers, either on every separate part of those discussions; or upon the whole plan of their national administration. Mr. Windham regretted, that the house was so completely in the dark, upon the subject which now called for another armament: he hoped that it would not be thought, that the opposers of the peace of Amiens, necessarily wished for a renewal of hostilities; for his part he should always consider a good peace as better than a war; but he contended ministers were equally responsible, for making a bad peace, or for making peace when it ought not to be made, as they would be for making war, without proper grounds, or where war ought not to be made. He thought Mr. Fox considered too exclusively, the evils of war; and did not sufficiently calculate the evils of a bad peace. Whether at the present moment, we ought to have peace or war, it was impossible for the house to judge without more information. Mr. Sheridan, in a very animated speech, reprobated an opinion delivered by the last speaker, on many occasions, and repeated to-night, namely, that the peace of Amiens had left the country in such a situation, that if our existence, as a nation, were at stake, we had not the means of maintaining the contest. contest. What, was this language to hold, at the present moment? The first consul of France had modestly proclaimed to the vassal thrones of Europe, that England is no longer able to contend, singlehanded, against France; but I little expected to hear that sentiment re-echoed in that house. He trusted, if war was unavoidable, he should |