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 GEORGE HIKING of GREAT BRITAIN 
 
 and IRELAND. 
 
 From an Original 'ncture in the 
 
 Roval Academy . 
 
 ]?ubV.jhulMa#i.ititi. Danes Jtnmd .
 
 C. K. OGDEN 
 THE 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 O F 
 
 ENGLAND, 
 
 FROM 
 
 THE ACCESSION 
 
 O F 
 
 KING GEORGE THE THIRD, 
 
 TO THE 
 
 CONCLUSION OF PEACE 
 
 IN THE YEAR 
 
 ONE THOUSAND SEFEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-THREE, 
 
 b y 
 
 JOHN ADOLPHUS, ESQ. E.S.A. 
 
 IN THREE VOLUMES. 
 V O L I. 
 
 LONDON 
 
 PRINTED FOR T. CADELL, JUN. AND W. DAVIES, 
 IN THE STRAND. 
 
 1802.
 
 Luke Han&rd, Printer, 
 Gttot Tucniliie, LincolnVInn Held*.
 
 V.I 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 Whex I undertook the Work which is 
 now fubmitted to the Public, I did not over- 
 look the difficulties of the execution, nor over- 
 rate my own powers. 
 
 I fully appreciated the delicacy of de- 
 tailing the annals of a living fovereign, and 
 of defcanting on the conduct and motives of 
 men whoyetfurvive, or who have been recently 
 removed from thebufy fcene. I was aware that 
 bitter calumny or fulibme adulation had disfi- 
 gured molt of their characters ; and that the 
 real image of perfons, as well as the true colour 
 of events, could with difficulty be difccrned 
 through the noxious mill or fplendid vapour. 
 I knew that other writers had executed the 
 fame tail:, and had even extended their labours 
 to a nearer, and confequently more interest- 
 ing period than that which it was my inten- 
 
 a 2 tion
 
 iv PREFACE. 
 
 tion for the prefent to occupy ; and as my 
 manner of enimating characters, and con- 
 fiderins: events, differed materially from theirs, 
 I did not difguife from myfelf the reafons 
 for apprehending, that my Work would be 
 expofed to fome difadvantages from the ef- 
 fects of prepoffeffion. 
 
 History has been termed, by a juft and 
 well known definition, Philofophy, inftrucl;- 
 ing by examples ; but the nature of the doc- 
 trine will always be confiderably influenced 
 by the temper, views, and prejudices of the 
 hiftorian ; and that writer mult be highly 
 culpable, who, before he undertakes the taik 
 of directing the opinions of mankind on the 
 moft important fubje<5ts, omits examining 
 with diligence and candour the feelings, limits, 
 and bias of his own mind, eftimating his 
 means of information, and earneftly feeking 
 to difcover, with a view of mitigating their 
 effects, the predilections, antipathies, hopes, 
 and fears by which he is actuated. If thefe 
 are fuffered to operate in difcolouring the 
 narrative, which ought to be given with the 
 utmoft candour, the Author is guilty of a 
 fraud in announcing his Work as a Hijtory ; 
 it is, at the utmoft, but an hiftorical Effay, 
 in which the Writer, afiumiiig the part of a 
 difputant, bends facts, characters, and circum- 
 ftances to his own views ; failirles, fupprelTes, 
 or perverts them, to fuit his purpcfes, and in- 
 K ftead
 
 PREFACE. V 
 
 ftead of informing, feeks only to perfuade, fe- 
 ci nee, or corrupt the reader. 
 
 Works written in this manner, and pub- 
 limed under the denomination of Hiftory, are 
 filled with redundant and indifcriminate praife 
 of fome perfonages; while others are loaded 
 with malevolent and unfparing abufe. To 
 juftify thefe extremes, Authors imagine, for 
 the perfonages of their narratives, a confident 
 uniformity of intention and conduct, which 
 truth never has been able to pourtray ; nor a 
 careful infpeclor of human life to difcern. 
 That men mould be Iteadfaftly patriotic, and 
 in their purfuit of the public good, always 
 temperate, juft, and felf-denying, is very de- 
 firable, but the hiftorian feels with fenfible 
 regret, the neceffity of recording the aberra- 
 tions of the moft elevated minds ; and that 
 work muftbe a romance, not a hiftory, which 
 fails to (hew that individuals, whofe general 
 views have been directed to the benefit of 
 their country, have been in occafional acts, 
 ram, vain, factious, arbitrary, or abfurd. 
 Such are the materials prefented by the courfe 
 of events, that a party writer, taking the 
 bright or the clouded parts of characters, re- 
 ceiving with avidity the vehement affertions of 
 panegyrifts or detractors, and fuppreffing the 
 facts or obfervations on the other fide, may, 
 for the moment, make almoft any imprefnon, 
 without foregoing the appearance of candour ; 
 
 a 3 but
 
 VI PREFACE. 
 
 but truth will, in time, forcibly appeal againft 
 fuch mifreprefentations, and the glofs of exag- 
 gerated applaufe, and the blots of unmerited 
 cenfure being removed, her interefting fea- 
 tures will be contemplated with a regard, 
 heightened in confequence of the temporary 
 concealment. 
 
 It may itill be doubted, whether the period 
 is yet arrived, when the conspicuous perfons 
 of the prefent reign can be fo impartially 
 reviewed. The heat of party conteft has ren- 
 dered the public fo familiar with calumniatory 
 declamation, that the hifrorian incurs fome 
 rifk in venturing to difmifs from his vocabu- 
 lary certain abufive phrafes, or in prefuming 
 to doubt of certain fuppofed political facts, fo 
 gravely advanced, andfo forcibly urged by the 
 wife and the eloquent, lie expofes himfelf 
 to a itill greater hazard in attempting to 
 refcue from long accredited imputations, cha- 
 racters, whom the enmity of faction, and 
 the greedy credulity of the public, have con- 
 fecrated to obloquy, and in venturing to ihew, 
 that in many inftances unbluthing calumny 
 has been miftaken for fober truth, faction for 
 patriotifm, and felfimnefs for public fpirit. 
 
 Such has often been the nature of my tafk ; 
 in the execution of which, it has been my en- 
 deavour to avoid a too common error ; I have 
 not, in order to illuftrate the principles and con- 
 duct of one man whom I thought injured, reta- 
 liated
 
 PREFACE. Vll 
 
 liated on his opponents. 1 have been flow 
 in imputing to individuals thofe bafe defigns 
 again ft either Liberty or Government, Avhich 
 have been fo profufely affigned to them. I 
 have generally found in the ftate of party 
 connexions, and the legitimate objects of 
 honourable ambition, fuflicient means of ac- 
 counting for the actions of men either pof- 
 fefled of, or ftruggling for power, without 
 feigning, as a caufe of their condu6t, an 
 excefs of mental depravity or political tur- 
 pitude, which is charaeteriftic neither of 
 the nation, nor the times on which I have 
 treated. 
 
 I will not affeel to conceal, that a regard 
 for the conftitution of my country, both in 
 Church and State, ever prefent to my mind, 
 has diffufed itfelf through my Work. I have 
 treated that conftitution not as a project, but 
 as an eftablifhment, entitled to veneration from 
 every obferver, and to fupport from all thofe 
 whom birth or accident has made partakers 
 of its bleffings. I have not therefore lent my 
 approbation to crude reforms, or to the con- 
 duct of individuals, who, for purpofes of am- 
 bition, have endeavoured to unfettle that 
 which was fixed, and more than once fucceeded 
 in exciting the public mind to a dangerous 
 ferment of difaffection. But in that attachment 
 for the conftitution, I have not, I truft, be- 
 
 a 4 t rayed
 
 Vlll PREFACE. 
 
 trayed an indecent violence againft thofe 
 whom I confidered its afiailants ; I have en- 
 deavoured to aflign to them and to their oppo- 
 nents, indeed to every man, whether exalted 
 or obfcure, illuftrious from merit, or degraded 
 by crime, his real motives, and true eourle of 
 conduct. 
 
 I have never been able, nor has the courfe 
 of my reading given me the inclination to 
 coincide with thofe authors or orators, who are 
 pleafed to inveigh, with almoft indifcriminate 
 feverity, againft the foreign and domeftic go- 
 vernment of Great Britain. Thefe highly 
 feafoned invectives may be gratifying to fome 
 readers ; and to them the more plain, tranquil 
 narrative of undifguifed fact may feem infipid : 
 but reputation derived from fuch fources has 
 never been the object of my defire ; I confine 
 myfelf with ftrict forbearance to the paths 
 where I expect to find certain truth, and do 
 not, in order to be thought courageous, attack, 
 where I am Aire not to be encountered, nor 
 calumniate thofe whom ftation, circum- 
 ftances, time, or death, render undefirous or 
 incapable of refentment. Far from envying 
 the applaufes obtained by thofe difciples- of 
 Therfites, who claim the merit of wit and cou- 
 rage by rancorous abufe on the fovereign, 
 government, and conftitution of the country; 
 I can without heiitation declare my opinion, 
 
 that
 
 PREFACE. IX 
 
 that in the period on which I have written, the 
 throne has been filled by a monarch who has 
 fought .the love of his fubjects through the 
 means of public fpirit and private virtue ; and 
 who has tempered a noble defire to preferve 
 from degradation the authority he inherits, 
 with a firm and juft regard to the conftitution 
 and liberties which conducted him to the 
 throne, and which will ever form its bell 
 fupports. Far from thinking that the aims of 
 fucceffive adminiftrations have been directed to 
 overthrow the liberties and conftitution of the 
 country; I am perfuaded that liberty has been 
 better underftood, and more erTe6tually and 
 practically promoted during this period, than 
 in any which preceded ; and that the affairs 
 of government have been always honeniy, 
 though fometimes imprudently, and in the 
 confpicuous inftance of the American war, 
 unfuccefsfully adminiftered. 
 
 But whatever credit may be given, or 
 whatever cenfure directed to the motives or 
 intention of an hiftorian, the information he 
 imparts will contribute more than any other 
 caufe, to the permanent eftabliihment of his 
 character. Opinions vary, fade, are forgot- 
 ten ; applaufe and blame arc transferred from 
 public characters according to the mutability 
 of general opinion ; but the narrative of facts 
 will ever claim attention ; and the hiftorian 
 who has beftowed the greateft portion of dili- 
 gence
 
 X PREFACE. 
 
 gence and judgment on this part of his fubjedfc 
 will be moft permanently efteemed. In the ho- 
 neil hope of this approbation, I have exerted 
 every faculty of my mind; adverted to every 
 attainable fonrce of intelligence within mv 
 knowledge, and omitted no labour of inquiry 
 or comparison, to furnifh a performance fatis- 
 factory to the reader and creditable to myfelf. 
 
 For the general mafs and outlines of events, 
 I have explored with diligence the diurnal, 
 monthly, and annual ftores of information ; 
 repositories in which, if there is much to re- 
 ject and contemn, there are alfo copious, 
 ufeful, and certain details, important records 
 of fentiments, tranfactions, and publications, 
 and an ample ftock of indifpenfable informa- 
 tion, though not in itfelf fufficient to form 
 the materials of hiftory. 
 
 In aid of thefe, I have referred to an ample 
 collection of pamphlets, narratives, hiftorical 
 and political tracts, which the freedom of the 
 prefs has copioufly afforded in gratification 
 of the public curiofity. 
 
 In teftimony of the authenticity of my 
 narrative, I have been fcrupuloufly exact in 
 citing my authorities generally at the page, 
 but at leaft at the chapter or feclion of the 
 works referred to. In this I confulled my 
 own reputation, not for exteniive reading, but 
 for veracity of narration; for had an oft en - 
 tuition of labour been my obje$, \- could eafily 
 
 have
 
 PREFACE. XI 
 
 have fuelled into tedioufnefs the catalogue 
 of works I have been obliged to perufe, with- 
 out deriving from them any faM fuiheiently 
 important for commemoration. 
 
 The principal exceptions to the rule of precife 
 citation, are the common facts which are well 
 known and undifputcd ; and which are pre- 
 ferved in all the periodical compilations. 
 
 An apology may perhaps appear necelTary 
 for the length at which fome of the parlia- 
 mentary debates are recited; but thofe who 
 confider the great efforts employed in the 
 fenate, during the whole of this reign, and 
 the effects of parliamentary eloquence in guid- 
 ing the public mind, will not think the nar- 
 rative of thefe difcuflions too minute. No 
 part of my talk has been more laborious, 
 more difficult, or delicate, than that of felect- 
 in"' the moft forcible reafons urged on each 
 iide, and impartially giving to both their 
 utmoft interefL In performing this part of 
 my undertaking, I have found much previous 
 mifreprefentation to correci ; many argu- 
 ments given as unaniVered, ably refuted ; 
 many alfertions and fpeculations attributed 
 to particular fpeakers, unrecorded, uttered by 
 Others, or accompanied by qualifying addi- 
 tions, which totally varied the fenfe from that 
 which is imprelfcd on the public. In general 
 J have preferred the hiftorical mode, in re- 
 Capitulating the chief arguments on each fide 
 
 in
 
 Xll P R E T A C E. 
 
 in a mafs ; but from this practice, the reader 
 will find occasional deviations; frit, where any 
 member has from peculiar circumftances, or a 
 celebrated difplay of eloquence, rendered him- 
 felf eminently confpicuous ; fecondly, where 
 the nature of the queftion has been foch as to 
 render the fentiments of each ipeaker, and 
 his mode of enforcing them, worth}- of fpecific 
 notice. The debates on thofe meafures a«-ainft 
 the town of Bofton which occafioned the 
 American war, are the moft confpicuous ex- 
 amples of the latter mode of detail. For 
 thefe difcufiions, I have been obliged to rely 
 on the collection of debates, publimed by 
 Almon and Debrett ; a work which is in many 
 inftances tinged with party prejudice ; and in 
 fome, disfigured by negligence, but which is 
 neverthelefs the only permanent and regular 
 record of thofe interefting exertions which 
 have given a character to the foreign and 
 riomeftic acts of the nation, and which the 
 hiftorian is indifpeniably obliged to relate. 
 The votes, journals, and reports of parliament, 
 have formed a valuable addition, and fre- 
 quently furnimed the means of correcting the 
 miftakes of the parliamentary resifter. 
 
 In narrating the progrefs of the American 
 
 ir, I have relied in great part on Stedman's 
 
 hiftory of that conteii ; but not fo implicitly as 
 
 to omit confulting other printed authorities, 
 
 which the reader will fee referred to in every 
 
 chapter,
 
 PREFACE. X1U 
 
 chapter. But I have been enabled to obtain 
 documents on this fubjecr, wbkh were never 
 before thrown open to the hiftorian, and pri- 
 vate infoimation from perfons of the f.rft 
 talent and character, who pollened the moil 
 ample means of imparting intelligence. 
 
 Many hitherto unnoticed narratives of 
 tranfactions in Ireland are preferved in peri- 
 odical compilations; of thefe I have dili- 
 gently availed myfelf, but have derived much 
 more important information from valuable 
 unpublilhed documents with which I have 
 been favoured. 
 
 On the affairs of India, I have diligently 
 con ful ted, and* placed my chief reliance on 
 the reports publiihed by parliament. The 
 events of Mr. Haftings's government are 
 omitted in the prefent work, as I confidered 
 their more natural and proper fituation to be 
 in the interval between the peace of 1783, 
 and the period when new regulations Were 
 adopted for the government of the Afiatic 
 territories. Thefe tranfactions will engage 
 my early attention, when I proceed in conti- 
 nuation of my prefent work. 
 
 I have on many occafions referred to pri- 
 vate information, and epiftolary documents. 
 On this head, I am peculiarly obliged to Henry 
 Penruddock Wvrulham, enquire, member of 
 parliament for the county of Wilts, for his 
 liberal communication of the Melcombe Pa- 
 
 pers ;
 
 XIV PREFACE. 
 
 pers, which afforded much new and interefting 
 information on the character and conduct of 
 lord Bute, and from which I have been enabled 
 to infert fome valuable letters in the appendix. 
 I am alfo proud to exprefs my grateful ac- 
 knowledgments to the reverend William 
 Coxe, for giving me unlimited accefs to his 
 valuable and extenfive collection of (late 
 papers and hiftorical documents. Nothing 
 could be more gratifying to my ambition, 
 or more honourable to my character, than 
 a diitincl; recapitulation of the other per- 
 fons to whom I am obliged on thefe fubjecls ; 
 but their delicacy forbids the public homage 
 of my gratitude, and I mould fhew myfelf 
 unworthy of confidence, if 1 fuffered hints 
 or defcriptions to efcape me which would 
 lead from conjecture to certainty, and indi- 
 rectly baffle the withes of thofe who in this 
 inftance have a right to command. I have, 
 however, in a fhort appendix to each volume, 
 given a few papers extracted from the prin- 
 cipal correfpondence to which I have had 
 recomfe, not as containing the whole body 
 of that evidence in fupport of the facts ad- 
 vanced, but as a teft of my veracity, and as 
 an object of reference, through which, by 
 confulting m itli living witnefies, the reality 
 of my authorities, and my fidelity in reciting 
 them, may be full v eftablifhed. 
 
 o 
 
 The
 
 PREFACE. XV 
 
 The length of this preface will mew, 
 that which I have no defire to conceal, my 
 folicitude for the favourable reception of this 
 work. I do not court the aid of party to 
 rcicue it from cenfure, for it is fo compofed, 
 that I know not to what party I mould apply; 
 but I depend with confidence, though not 
 without anxiety, on the candid judgment of 
 all parties ; retting my principal hope on a 
 confeioufnefs of my own good intentions, and 
 on a recollection of the pains I have taken to 
 procure accurate and copious information, and 
 to relate with proper temper the progrefs of 
 political contefts, unprecedented both in their 
 nature and effects.
 
 CONTENT 
 
 O P 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 CHAP. I. 1760—1761. 
 
 Th e King's acceflion, page 1. — Retrofpeft of his education 
 and connexions, 2. — Brief account of the principal perfons 
 compofmg the miniftry, 6. — Firft tranfaclions on the death 
 of George II. 10. — The King's addrefs to the Council, 11. 
 — The duke of York and lord Bute privy counfellors, 12. — 
 The King's friendfhip for lord Bute, 13. — Character of that 
 nobleman, ib. — New Syftem of Government planned, 14. 
 Popularity of the King, 15. — Meeting of parliament, 16.-* 
 The King's fpeech, ib. — AddrefTes, 19. — Civil lift, ib.—. 
 Supplies, 20. — Commiffions of the Judges made permanent, 
 and their falaries increafed, ib. — Speaker Onflow retires with a 
 penfion and honours, ib. — Difiblution of parliament, 21. — 
 The King's defire of peace, ib. — Caufes of the popularity of 
 the war, ib. — Arguments againft it, 22. — Mr. Pitt zealous in 
 profecuting the war, 25. — Changes in the miniftry, 26.—. 
 Lord Bute fecretary of ftate. 
 
 CHAP. II. 1 761. 
 
 State of the belligerent powers,/^ 29. — Congrefs propofed, ib. 
 — Progrefs of the campaign, 32. — Capture of Schweidnitz 
 by the Auftrians, ib. — Battle of Fillingfhaufen, ib. — Capture 
 of Belleifle, 33. — and of Dominica, 34. — Reduction of the 
 Cherokees, ib. — War in India, ib. — Capture of Mihie, ib. 
 — Invafion of Bengal by the Shah Zaddah, ib. — Exploits of 
 d'Eftaing, 35. — Tranquillity of Great Britain, ib. — The 
 King's marriage, ib.—- Coronation, ib, — Negotiations for 
 vol. i. b peace
 
 XVill CONTENTS. 
 
 peace with France, 36. — Terms propofed by the French, ib. 
 They introduce the difcufiion of Spanifh Affairs, ib.-— 
 Spirited conduct of Mr. Pitt, 40. — Anfwer to the French 
 propofitions, 41.— Family compact figned, 42. — Mr. Pitt's 
 inftruftions to lord Brirtol, embaffador at Madrid, 43.— 
 Lord Briftol's explanations with the Spanifh fecretary of 
 Hate, ib. — Mr. Pitt propofes to declare war againfl Spain, 
 46. — He and lord Temple determine to refign, ib. — Mr. 
 Pitt's refignation, 50. — Lord Bute confidered at the head of 
 the adminiftration, 53. — Meeting of parliament, 54. — The 
 Queen's dowry fettled, 56. — Recefs, ib. 
 
 cpiap. in. 1 76 1— 1762. 
 
 Progrefs of the negotiation with Spain, page 57. — Difpofition of 
 the Britifn cabinet, ib. — Lord Briltol makes repeated inquiries 
 refpecting the family compact, but without effecl, 58. — 
 Quits Spain, 65. — Memorial of De Fuentes, 66. — Declara- 
 tion of war, 67.— France and Spain attempt to engage Por- 
 tugal in their caufe, 68. — But failing, declare war againit 
 that kingdom, 70. 
 
 CHAP. IV. 1762. 
 
 Proceedings in parliament, page 71.— Motion for papers, 72. — - 
 Aihftance granted to Portugal, 73. — Prorogation, 74. — Dis- 
 union in the cabinet, 75. — The duke of Newcaflle refigns, 
 76. — Lord Bute's miniflry, ib. — He difcontinues the Pruf- 
 fian fubfidy, 77. — Death of Elizabeth, emprefs of Ruffia, rf. 
 —Peace between Ruffia and Pruffia, ib, — Report of lord 
 Bute's clandeftine negotiations with Ruffia and Auftria, ex- 
 amined and refuted, 78. — Revolution in Ruffia, 84. — Dif- 
 pofition of Catherine II. ib. — The king of Pruffia takes 
 Schweidnitz, 85. — Caffel taken, 86. — Expedition againfl 
 Martinico, ib. — Capture of Grenada and its dependencies, 
 S7. — The French take the town of St. John's, Newfound- 
 land, 88. — Which is recaptured, ib. — War in Portugal, ib. 
 Rapid fuccefs of the Spaniards, ib. — Arrival of the Britifh 
 Troops, 89. — General Burgoyne takes Valencia, 90. — 
 Beats up the enemy's quarters at Villa Velha, ib. — Retreat
 
 CONTENTS. XIX 
 
 of the Spaniards, 91. — Expedition againft the Havannah, 92. 
 Progrefs and fuccefs of the liege, ib. — Expedition againft the 
 Philippine Jfles, 95. — Manilla .taken, 96. — Capture of the 
 Santiffima Trinidad, and of the Hermione, ib. — Unfuccefs- 
 ful expedition againft Buenos Ayres, 97. 
 
 CHAP. V. 1 762—1 763. 
 
 Birth of the Prince of Wales, page 99 — Addrefs from the city 
 of London, 100. — Negotiations for peace, ib. — State ©f the 
 public mind, 101. — Honours conferred on lord Bute, ib. — 
 Changes in the Miniflry, 102. — Proceedings in the City of 
 London, 103. — B'.ckford made lord mayor, 104. — -Progrefs 
 of the treaty for peace, ib. — Preliminaries figned, 105. — 
 Examination of the terms, 106. — Objections and obfervatiors, 
 110. — Difcuffion of the preliminaries in parliament, 114. — 
 Definitive treaty figned, 117. — General pacification, ib. 
 
 CHAP. VL 1763. 
 
 Formation ofoppofition, page 118. — Proceedings in parliament, 
 119. — Cyder tax, 120. — Petitions of the city of London, ib. 
 — and other places, 121. — Relief granted to the Americans, 
 122. — Reftgnation of lord Bute, ib. — His character, 129. — 
 Virulence of political publications, 131, — The North Uri- 
 ton, 132. — General Warrants ilTued, ib. — Wilkes arretted 
 and committed to the Tower, 133. — Proceedings thereon, 
 134. — He is difcharged, 135. — and deprived of his commif- 
 fion, ib. — Lord Temple difmifled, 136. — Wilkes's intem- 
 perate proceedings, ib. — Death of lojd Egremont, 137.— 
 Negotiation with Mr. Pitt, ib. — Dujce of Bedford's minif- 
 try, 139. — Wilkes publifhes fundry libels, 14®. — and goes to 
 France, 141. 
 
 CHAP. VII. 1763 — 1764. 
 
 Meeting of parliament, page 142. — Proceedings refpefling 
 Wilkes, ib. — Riot on burning the North Briton, 147. — Fur- 
 ther proceedings in parliament, 14S,— Aftions tried againft 
 
 b 2 the
 
 XX CONTEXTS. 
 
 the MefTenger, ib. — Wilkes goes to France, 151. — Marriage 
 of the princefs Augufta, ib — Wilkes expelled the houfe of 
 commons, 1 51. — Debates on privilege, and no General War- 
 rants, 152. — Wilkes's trial and outlawry, 154. — Supplies, 
 155. — Refolutions for taxing America, ib. — Prorogation of 
 parliament, ib. — View of American affairs, 156.— Govern- 
 ment of Canada, 162. — Intrigues of the French in Canada, 
 163. — Indian War, ib. — Regulations for prevention of 
 fmuggling, 165. — Conduft of the New England Provinces, 
 168. — Dr. Franklin fent to England as Agent, 169. — His 
 character, ib. 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 1765. 
 
 State of Ireland,/^ 171. — Retrofpeftive view of its conftitu- 
 tion and government, 172. — State of parties at the King's 
 acceffion, 179. — Difputes in the cabinet, 1 80.— Conduct of 
 lord Halifax, the lord lieutenant, ib. — Outrages of the 
 lower clafs of people, 182.— The earl of Northumberland 
 lord lieutenant, ib. — Debates on the penfion lift, ib. — State 
 of foreign powers, 184. — The French feize and reftore Tor- 
 tuga, 185. — Spain commits irregularities, ib. — butmakes fa- 
 tisfaftion, ib. — Affairs of Poland and Ruffia, 185, — Meeting 
 of the Britifh parliament, 1 89. — Taxation of America, ib. — 
 Debates on General Warrants, 192. — On informations ex 
 officio, ib. — The Ifle of Man annexed to the realm, ib. — Re- 
 gency aft, 194. — Infurreftion of filk weavers, 195. — Nego- 
 tiations for a change of miniftry, ib. — Meeting of the minif- 
 try in Downing Street, and terms propofed to them by the 
 king, 197.— Rockingham adminiftration formed, 199.— 
 Death of the duke of Cumberland, ib. — and of prince Fre- 
 derick, 200. 
 
 CHAP. IX. 1765— 1766. 
 
 Examination of the motives for oppofing the ftamp aft, pugt 
 201. — Formation of parties in America, 203. — Exertions 
 of the Prefoyterians, ib. — Difcontents on the arrival of the 
 ftamp aft, 206. — Proceedings in Virginia, 207. — and in 
 New England, 209. — Preparations for holding a congrefs, 
 >jor> a 10.
 
 CONTENTS. XXI 
 
 210. — Combinations againft the ufe of (lamps, il. — Riots at 
 Bofton, ib. — Meeting, proceedings, and diffolution of con- 
 grefs, 21 1. — The delivery of ftamps prevented, 214. — Pro- 
 ceedings of the miniftry, 215. — Meeting and recefs of par- 
 liament, 217. — Confutation of the miniftry, ib. — Proceedings 
 in parliament, 218. — Debate on the addrefs, 219. — Meafures 
 for repealing the ftamp act, ib. — Evidence before the houfe, 
 233. — Debates on the declaratory and repealing acts, 234. — 
 Act of indemnity, ib. — Cyder tax repealed, ib. — General 
 warrants declared illegal, 235. — Other ads of the miniftry, 
 236. — Their feeblenefs, ib. — Duke of Grafton refigns, 237. 
 — Intrigue of lord chancellor Northington, 238. — Over- 
 tures made to Mr. Pitt, 240. — His quarrel with lord Tem- 
 ple, ib. — Mr. Pitt's miniftry, 242. — He is made a peer, ib. 
 Rockingham adrniniftraticn difmiffed, 243. — Compliments 
 paid to the marquis of Rockingham, ib. — Efforts to render 
 lord Chatham unpopular, ib. 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 Retrofpedtive view of the affairs of India, page 245.— Origin of 
 territorial acquifition by the Europeans, 246.— HofHiities 
 between the French and Englifh, 248. — Arrangements at 
 the peace, 249. — Difputes of the native princes, 250. — De- 
 ftruction of Delhi, 251. — Independence of the Nabobs efta- 
 blifhcd, 252. — Affairs of the Carnatic, ib. — and of Bengal, ib. 
 —Intrigues of Jaffier Ally, 25 3. — Siege of Patna by the Shah 
 Zaddah, 254. — Treachery of the young nabob, Jaffier's fon, 
 255. — His mifconduct and fudden death, 258.— Poll tioivof Mir 
 Jaffier's affairs, 259.— The Shah Zaddah declared great mo- 
 gul, 260. — Interview of the Britifh council with Coffim Al- 
 ly, Jaffier's fon-in-law, at Calcutta, 261. — Expedition to 
 Moorfhedabad, 263. — Revolution in Bengal, 264.— Jaffier 
 depofed, 265. — Coffim proclaimed nabob, 266. 
 
 CHAP. XL 1760— 1763. 
 
 Affairs of India continued, page 268.—- Conduct and character 
 of Mir Coffim, ib. — His efforts to deftroy the Rajah Ramnar- 
 ain, 269.— Differences in the council refpe&ing the revolu- 
 
 b 3 tion,
 
 XXII CONTENTS. 
 
 tion, 270.— Conduct of the Englifh to Coffim, 271.— His 
 efforts to diminifh their influence, 273.— -Mr. Vanfittart goes 
 to Monghir, 2,74. — Concludes an improvident treaty, the 
 enforcement of which occafions many complaints, ib. — De- 
 putation fent to Monghir, who are ill ufed and affaffinated, 
 276. — Pa*na taken by the Englifh, 278. — But recaptured, 
 and the factory made prisoners, ib. — Mir JafHer reftored, ib. 
 Succehful military operations of major Adams, 2.79. — Maf- 
 faae of the Britifh prifoners at Patna, 281. — Capture of that 
 city, 282. — Total conqueft of Bengal, ib.— -Flight of Cof- 
 fim, ib. 
 
 CHAP. XII. 1764—1766. 
 
 Affairs of India continued, page 2S4. — Difputes at the India 
 houfe, ib. — Lord Clive appointed chief governor, 285. — Cof- 
 fim received and protected by Sujah ul Dowlah, nabob of 
 Oude, ib. — who makes hoftile preparation againfl the Eng- 
 lifh, 286. — Death of major Adams, 287. — Mutinous ftate of 
 the army, ib. — Battle of Buxar, 288. — Shah Allum efcapes 
 to the Englifh camp, and enters ir.to a treaty, 289. — Sujah 
 til Dowlah folicits peace, 290. — which is refufed, ib. — Sur- 
 render of Chander Geer, 291. — Allahabad, the capital of 
 Oude taken, 292. — Death of Mir Jaffier, ib.—'T\\e council 
 declare Najim ul Dowlah his fucceflbr, 293. — Arrival of 
 lord Give, 294. — Final overthrow of Sujah ul Dowlah, ib. 
 He furrenders himfelf to the Englifh, 295. — An advantage, 
 ous peace concluded, ib. — Efforts of lord Clive to reitore 
 order and Economy, 298.— Mutiny of the military fuppreff- 
 ed by lord Clive, 299. — Profperity of the company, 301.-— 
 The dividends augmented, 302. 
 
 CHAP. Xilf. 1 766— 1 767-1 768. 
 
 Tranfaaions in America, page 303.— Effett of repealing the 
 ftampatt, ib.-- And of the declaratory atf, 304.— Contumacy 
 of the colonics, 305— Difafterain the Vgefl Indies, 307.— 
 Scarcity of grain in England, i^fimBargb laid bv order of 
 the privy council, ^.—Meeting of parliament, 3 o3.--In- 
 MKfty bill, i&;— L or a Chatham's efforts to gain adherents, 
 
 6 314-
 
 CONTENTS. XX11I 
 
 gi^ t — Partial change of the miniftry, 31c". — Embarraffments 
 of lord Chatham, 316. — -His ill health, ib. — Want of union 
 in the cabinet, 317. — Affairs of the Eaft India company dif- 
 cuffed in parliament, 318. — They declare an increafed divi- 
 dend, 320. — Regulating and retraining afts paffed, ib. — 
 Sufpenfion of the legiflature of New York, 321. — New du- 
 ties on exports to America, ib. — Attempts to form minifte- 
 rial arrangements, 322. — Projects and death of Charles 
 Towlhend, chancellor of the Exchequer, 323. — His charac- 
 ter, 324.— Lord North, chancellor of the exchequer, 326.— 
 His character, ib.— Grafton administration, ib. — Meeting of 
 parliament, 327. — Reftriftion of dividends on Eafl India 
 Stock, ib. — Nullum Tempus bill rejected, 328. — Occafion 
 of the motion, ib. — Prorogation and diffoluticn of parlia- 
 ment, 332. 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 1767— 1768. 
 
 Stateof Europe, page 333. — Power of the Jefuits, ib. — Their 
 expulfion from Spain and Naples, 335. — and final fuppref- 
 fion, 338. — State of France, ib.— Seizure of Avignon, 339. 
 . — War in Corfica, ib. — The ifland fubdued by the French, 
 342. — War between the Turks and Ruffians, ib. — Affairs of 
 America, 343. — Exertions againfr. the new taxes, ib. — Dif- 
 putes between the governor and legiflature of Mafrachuffet's 
 bay, 344. — Proceedings of the affembly, 345. — Their cir- 
 cular letter, ib. — Libels on the governor, 347. — Proroga- 
 tion of the affembly, ib. — Their inflexibility, 349. — and 
 diffolution, ib. — Temper of the people, ib. — Seizure of 
 Hancock's floop, 350. — Town meetings, ib. — Convention, 
 351. — Arrival of the troops, v 353. — Tranquillity of New- 
 York, 354. — Affairs of Ireland, ib. — Brief retrofpedr., /'£.«— 
 The lord lieutenant obliged to refide, 355. — Efforts of the 
 people to alter the conftitution of parliament, ib. — Lord 
 Townfhend appointed, 357. — An octennial bill is at length 
 paffed, and receives the royal fanftion, ib. 
 
 CHAP. XV. 1768—1769. 
 
 Retrofpect of the tranfaclions of the reign, page 360. — Condutt 
 and difpofition of the king, 362. — His patronage of the fine 
 
 arts,
 
 XXIV CONTENTS. 
 
 arts, 362.— Parliamentary cenfure on the magiftrates of Ox- 
 ford, 363. — Wilkes's return to England, ib. — He is elected 
 member for Middlefex, 365. — Meeting of parliament, ib. — 
 Proceedings againft Wilkes, ib. — He is committed to the 
 king's bench prifon, 366. — Refcued by the mob, /'^.—Surren- 
 ders, ib. — Daily riots, ib. — Soldiers fire on the people, 367. — 
 Increafing violence of the populace, ib. — Sentence of the 
 court of king's bench on Wilkes, 368. — Profecution of Mr. 
 Gillam, the magiftrate, by vvhofe authority the military 
 acted, ib.— Refignation of lord Chatham, 369. — Serjeant 
 Glynn elected for Middlefex, ib. — Meeting of parliament, 
 370. — Wilkes's petition, ib. — Various motions, ib. — He is 
 brought before the houfe of commons, 371. — His complaints 
 declared frivolous, ib. — His letter to lord Weymouth, 372.— 
 who complains cf a breach of privileges,372. — Wilkes expell- 
 ed, ib,— His charader, 374. — His caufe efpoufed by the free- 
 holders of Middlefex, 375.— He is re-elected, #.— Declared 
 incapable of fitting, ib. — Strenuoufly fupported by the free- 
 holders, 376.— Meeting of merchants on the oppofite fide, 
 377.— They are infulted, ib. — Their progrefs to St. James's, 
 ih. — Wilkes again elected, 378. —The ele&ion declared void, 
 if'^.— Colonel Luttrell oppofes him, ib. — Wilkes returned,379. 
 
 The return altered, ib. — Petitions of the freeholders, ib. — 
 
 Proceedings in parliament relative to America, /£.— Debates 
 on the conduft of the legiflature of MafTachuffet's Bay, 380. 
 — Dbate on reviving an obfolete ftatute of Henry VIII. 
 383. — Debate on the right of taxing, 385. — Refpe&ing Cor- 
 
 fica, 386. Nullum Tempus aft, ib. — Arrears of the civil lift 
 
 difcharged, ib. — Agreement with the Eaft India company, 
 387.— Prorogation, ib. 
 
 CHAP. XVI. 1766— 1770. 
 
 Affairs of India, page 389. — Conducl of lord Clive, ib. — State 
 of the company's poffefhons, 390. — Mode of letting lands, ib. 
 Reform attempted, 391. — Difficulties of the company, 392. 
 
 Mifmanagement in India, 393. — Immenfe exportation of 
 
 bullion, 394. — Gold coined,395- — Regulation of inland trade, 
 
 ,96. Lord Clive returns to England, 397. — Account of 
 
 Hyder Ally, 398.— His enmity againft the Englifh, 399. — 
 
 The
 
 CONTENTS XXV 
 
 The nizam of the Deccan declares war, ib. — but is compelled 
 to make peace, ib. — Progrefs of the war with Hyder Ally 
 till the peace, ib. — Effects of the war, 402.— Alarm in 
 England, 403. — Depreciation of India Stock, ib. — Supervi- 
 fors appointed, ib. — Claims of government, ib. — Final ad- 
 juftment, 404. — Perturbation of the public, ib. — Middlefex 
 petition, 405.-— London petition, /£. — Publication of Junius's 
 letters, 406. — His libel on the king, 408. — Beckford elected 
 lord mayor, ib. — Affairs of Ireland, ib. — Augmentation of 
 the military eftablifhrnent, 409, — Money bill rejected, 410.— 
 The lord lieutenants proteft,/£. — Sudden prorogation of the 
 Irifh parliament, 411. 
 
 CHAP. XVII. 1770. 
 
 Meeting of parliament,/^? 41 3. — King's (peech,ib. — Strenuous 
 debates on the addrefs, 414. — Speech of lord Camden, 423.— 
 Addrefs oppofed in the houfe of commons, 424. — But carried, 
 426.' — Second debate, ib.- — Strength of oppofition, 427.— 
 Conduit of lord Camden, ib. — His difmiffion, 428. — Mr. 
 Yorke appointed lord chancellor, ib. — His Death, ib. — and 
 character, 429— Great feal put in commiflion, ib. — Motion 
 in the lords for a committee on the flute of the nation, 430.— 
 Total change of miniftry, 436. — Lord North's administration, 
 ib.-— State of the nation debated in the houfe of commons, ib. 
 — In the houfe of lords, 438. — Committee diffolved, 441.— 
 Motion of the earl of Marchmont, affirming that the houfe of 
 lords had no right to interfere in the decifions of the houfe of 
 commons, ib. — Altercation refpecting the official conduct 
 of lord Camden, 442.— Lord Marchmont's motion carried, 
 443.— Bill for regulating the confequences of expulfion, 444. 
 Withdrawn, ib. — Turbulence of the city of London, ib.— 
 Proceedings of the common council and livery, ib. — Their 
 remonftrance to the king, 445. — Delivered to him on the 
 throne, 446. — His anfwer, ib. — Proceedings in parliament, 
 447. — Addrefs of both houfes, 448. — Remonftrances of 
 Weftminfter and Middlefex, /'<£. — Wilkes liberated, ib. — Lord 
 Chatham's bill for reversing the decifion of the houfe of 
 commons in his cafe, 449. — Rejected, 45 1 . — Lord Chatham's 
 motion on the anfwer to the London remonftrance, ib. — Re- 
 jected, 453. — Lord Chatham's motion for a di/Tolution of 
 
 parliament,
 
 XXVI CONTENTS, 
 
 parliament, /£.— Rejected, ib. — Mr. Dowdefwell's motion to 
 difqualify revenue officers, ib. — Rejected, *'£.— Law for an- 
 nulling the protections granted by peers to their fervants, ib. 
 —Mr. Grenville'sbill for deciding petitions on controverted 
 elections, 455.— Inquiry into the civil lift, 456.— Petition 
 from American merchants, 458. — Repeal of duties, ex- 
 cept on tea, ib.— Motion for papers, 459. — For examina- 
 tion of the inftruction to govenors, 460. — Motions in the 
 lords, ib. — Prorogation, ib. 
 
 CHAP. XIII. 1769 — 1770— 1 771. 
 
 View of America, page 462. — Effect of reviving the ftatute 
 of Henry VIII. ib. — In MafTachuflet's Bay, 463. — Proceed- 
 ings of the legiflature, ib. — Proceedings in other provinces 
 464. — Non-importation committees formed, ib. — Examina- 
 tion of the conduct of miniftry, 465. — Conduct of the peo- 
 ple cf Bofton towards the militiary, ib. — Riot in Bolton, 466. 
 —Town meeting, 469.— Soldiers removed, 470. — Efforts to 
 infpire revenge, ib. — Trial and acquittal of captain Prefton 
 and his foldiers, ib. — General court removed to Cambridge, 
 471. — Unpopularity of the non-importation agreement, ib. — 
 Which is renounced on the repeal of the duties, ib. — Re- 
 monftrance of the city of London to the king, 472. — Be- 
 haviour of Beckford, ib. — Approved by the city, 473. — 
 Addrefs on the birth of a princefs, 4.74. — Addrefs of the 
 city to lord Chatham, ib. — Death of Beckford, 475. — Com- 
 bination of France and Spain, 476. — Account of Falklands 
 iflands, ib. — Expulfion of the Englifh colonifts by the Spa- 
 niards, 484. — Exertions of miniftry, 486. — Conduct of oppo- 
 fition, ib. — Weftminfter meeting, 487.— Debates in par- 
 liament on the aggreftion of Spain, 488. — Progrefs of 
 negotiation, 492.— Unwillingnefs of France to engage in 
 war,496.— Difmifiionof Choifeul, 497. — Concefiion of Spain, 
 and final adjuftment, /^.—Changes in the miniftry, 498.— 
 Difagreement between the two houfes of parliament, ib. — 
 Arrangement with Spain approved, 500. — Trials of certain 
 printers for publifhing Junius's Letters, 501. — Difcuftion of 
 lord Mansfield's doctrine in cafes of libels, 504. — He leaves 
 
 a written
 
 CONTENTS. XXVll 
 
 a written document with the clerk of the houfe of lords, 506. 
 Disfranchifemcnt of the electors of New Shoreham, 507. 
 
 CHAP. XIX. 1 771 — 1 772. 
 
 Difpute between the houfe of commons and the city, page 51 1. 
 —Publication of debates, ib. — Colonel Onflow's complaint of 
 a breach of privilege, ib. — Printers ordered to attend at the 
 bar, 512, — Their contumacy, ib. — Order for taking them in 
 cuftody, 5 13. — Proclamation, ib. — They are arrefted and dif- 
 charged, ib. — Complaint againft other printers, 514. — Their 
 conduct, ib. — Conduct of the minority, ib. — The mefTenger 
 arrefted, 515, — Carried before the lord mayor, ib.— and 
 holuen to bail, 516. — Proceedings in the houfe of commons, 
 ib. — Alderman Oliver and the lord mayor committed to the 
 Tower, 517. — Zeal of the populace, 518.— Proceedings of 
 the common council, 519.— Addrefs of Wilkes including 
 the refentment of parliament, ib. — Committee appointed, 520. 
 Their report, ib. — Debates on the Durham-Yard bill, 521. 
 End of the feffion, 522. — City petition, 523. — The king's 
 anfwer, ib. — Divifions in the city party, ib. — Death of the 
 earl of Halifax, 525. — and confequent changes in adminis- 
 tration, ib. — Meeting of parliament, ib. — Augmentation of 
 naval eftablilhment, ib. — Petition for relief from fubfeription 
 to the articles of religion, 526. — Motion to bring it in re- 
 jected, 532. — Church Nullum Tempus, ib. — Doctor Nowell's 
 fermon on king Charles's martyrdom, 533. — Debates on ex- 
 punging the vote of thanks to him, ib. — Motion for abrogat- 
 ing the obfervance of the thirtieth of January, 534.— Efforts 
 of the difTentcrs, ib.-— Motion to repeal the teft laws, 536.— 
 Bill paffes the lower houfe, 537.— But is rejected by the lords, 
 538. — Marriage of the king's brothers, ib. — The king's 
 mefTage to parliament, /£. — Royal marriage bill, 539.— Paf- 
 fes the lords, ib. — Proteft, ib. — Paffes the commons, 540.— 
 Clofeof the feffion, ib. — Strength of adminiflration, ib.— Mif- 
 fortunes in the royal family, /'£.— Death of the princefs Dow- 
 ager of Wales, 541. — Revolution in Denmark, /'£.— Fate of 
 the queen of Denmark, 544.
 
 THE 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 O F 
 
 ENGLAND, 
 
 GEORGE the THIRD. 
 
 CHATTER THE FIRST: 
 
 1760 — 1761. 
 
 The King's accefjion. — Ret rof peel of his educa- 
 tion and connexions. — Brief account of the 
 principal perfons compojing the miniftry. — - 
 Fir ft tranfactions on the death of George II. 
 — The king's addrefs to the council. — The 
 duke of York and lord Bute privy-coun- 
 fellors. — The king's friend/hip for lord 
 Bute. — Characler of that nobleman. — Nezv 
 fy ft em of government planned. — Popularity of 
 the king. — Meeting of Parliament. — The 
 h ng\s fpeech . — ■ A ddrejfes. — Civil Lift. — 
 Supplies. — CommiJJions of the judges made 
 permanent, and their falarics increafed. — 
 Speaker Onflow retires with a penfion and 
 honours. — Diffolution of Parliament. — The 
 king's defire of peace. — Caufes of the popula- 
 rity of (he war. — Arguments againft it. — 
 Mr. Pitt zealous in pro fecu ting the zvar. — 
 Changes in the miniftry. — Lord Bute fecre- 
 tary ofjtate. 
 
 GEORGE the Second was fuceeeded by chap. 
 his grandfon, the fon of Frederick prince i. 
 of Wales, and of Augufta princefs of Saxe ^60^ 
 Gotha, who had recently completed his twenty- The kin § ,s 
 iecond year. £2f2.' 
 
 vol'i. b Since 
 
 Oft. 25th,
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. SrxcE the death of his father, the heir ap- 
 parent had refided intirely with the princefs 
 
 Rettofpeft dowager, Avho attended to his education with 
 cation and maternal folicitude. The party which, during 
 connec- the life of prince Frederick, had heen confider- 
 tions. ec | as d evo ted to his intereft, was, fince his 
 
 death, intirely dhTolved. The princefs herfelf 
 did not encourage any oppoiition to govern- 
 ment; and the individuals, whom hope or af- 
 fection attached to the late prince, had retired 
 from the field of politics, or formed new con- 
 nections. 
 
 Yet the education of a prince, who was in 
 time to govern a mighty kingdom, was not re- 
 garded with indifference hy thofe whofe in- 
 terefts might be affected by the afcendancy of 
 rivals, or who feared that if the princefs herfelf 
 obtained the influence, which from her fitiia 
 tion might be naturally expecled, new arrange- 
 ments would be made, unfavourable to their 
 views and prejudices. 
 
 Unfortunately, George II. entertained a 
 conftant jealoufy and fufpicion of the princefs, 
 which, long cherifhed, had grown into din 1 ike, 
 and made thofe who were defirous of retaining 
 his favour, carefully avoid all apparent inter- 
 courfe with his daughter-in-law; by which 
 means the young prince was wholly unac- 
 quainted with the fentiments and manners of 
 thofe who formed his grandfather's court. This 
 neglect extended even to the royal family; and 
 the duke of Cumberland and princefs Amelia, 
 ihewed no marks of attention and refpecj to 
 the heir apparent and his mother a . 
 
 Encouraged by thefe circumftances, and 
 actuated by views of ambition, lord Harcourt, 
 
 » Lord Melcombe's Diary, p. 175, 217. et paffim. 
 
 who
 
 G E O It G E Ilf. J 
 
 ^ 
 
 who had been appointed governor to the young cha: 
 prince, and Dr. Ilaytcr biihop of Norwich, r - 
 who filled the poft of preceptor, not only ex- 
 erted their influence to detach his affections 
 from all thofe who had enjoyed the favour of 
 his deceafed parent, but alio by their example 
 and difcourfe, imparted lentiments of difrefpect 
 towards the princels dowager; for which, at a 
 iubfequent period, the prince acknowledged his 
 error with honeft contrition, and iuitable apo- 
 logies b . In confequence of thefe efforts, di- 
 viiions arofe among thofe to whom the educa- 
 tion of the prince was intrufred. 
 
 By their means, a reprefentation was made to l7 ^ 
 the king, that Mr. Stone, fub-governor of the 
 prince, was an improper perfon to be intrufted 
 with his education: he Mas flated to be a 
 man of Jacobite principles, and accufed of 
 having, more than twenty years before that 
 time, drunk the Pretender's health in public. 
 The matter was referred by the king to the 
 cabinet council; the charge was frivolous, and 
 wholly unfupported; Mr. Stone was heard in 
 his own defence, as were alio Mr. Murray the 
 folicitor general, afterwards earl of Mansfield, 
 and Dr. Johnfon biihop of Gloucefter, who 
 being implicated in the fuppofed crime, foli- 
 citedand obtained perniiflion to vindicate their 
 o\\ n characters. They all acquitted themfelves 
 in a manner perfectly iatisfaetory, and the lords 
 unanimoufly reprefented to the king, that there 
 appeared to them no foundation for any part 
 of the charge . 
 
 Ix confequence of this decifion, lord Har- 
 court and the biihop of Norwich declared their 
 
 b Lord Melcombe's Di3ry, p. 29. 
 
 c From private information, and Lord Melcombe's Diary. 
 
 b 2 refolution
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 refolution to refign, unlets Mr. Stone, Mr. Scott., 
 fub-preceptor to the prince, and Mr. Creffet, 
 
 J 752. fecretary to the princefs do-wager, were dif- 
 Biifled. The allegation againft them was, that 
 they cheriihed Jacobite principles, and inftilled 
 arbitrary notions into the prince. The king re- 
 ceived this unfounded complaint with due in- 
 difference, and accepted the proffered refigna- 
 tions : lord Waldegrave was appointed gover- 
 nor, and the biihop of Peterborough d pre- 
 oeptor. 
 
 A most unjufrifiable attempt was made to 
 intereft the public in this difpute : an anonymous 
 letter to a popular preacher e , advifed him to 
 notice in the pulpit the prince's dangerous edu- 
 cation; and another was transmitted to gene- 
 ral Hawley, purporting to be a reprefentation 
 or remonstrance from the Whig nobility and 
 gentry, containing many injurious reflections 
 oil the manner in which the prince was inftrucl;- 
 ed, and on the principles of his attendants f . 
 The apparent motive for fending this letter was, 
 that the general mould give it to the duke of 
 Cumberland, and that he would lay it before 
 the king, and make fuch imprerhons as were 
 favourable to the views of the writers. 
 a*d March The accufation againft the biihop of Glou- 
 
 1753- cefter and Melfrs. Murray and Stone, was fub- 
 fequently dii cuffed in the houfe of lords, on 
 a motion for an addrefs to the king to fubmit 
 the whole proceeding before the cabinet to the 
 houfe. The bufinefs was fully and freely in- 
 
 d Dr. John Thomas, afterwards bifhop of Salifbury, and Win- 
 chester. 
 
 c Dr. Newton, of St. George's Hanover Square. See Lord Mel- 
 combe's Diary, p. 199. 
 
 f Lord Melcome's Diary, p. 18910201; and fee the memorial 
 in the fame work, p. 487, 
 
 veftigated,
 
 GEORGE III. 5 
 
 veftigated, as the king had granted difpenfa- chap. 
 tions to the members -of the cabinet from the ^J^'^ 
 obligation of their oath as privy-counfellors. 1753* 
 The debate was long and heavy, bat the 
 houfe perfe6tly coinciding in opinion with 
 the council, only three peers and one biihop 
 divided with the duke of Bedford, who made 
 the motion s . 
 
 The public, whom this difcufiion was prin- 
 cipally intended to alarm, eafily difccrned that 
 the chief object was to remove the Pelham mi- 
 niftry, and to feparate the prince from the perfon 
 and care of his parent; but all good men were 
 iatisfied, that he mould continue under her di- 
 rection, and that me fhould preferve that in- 
 fluence over him, which nature and policy 
 equally declared to be jiiftly her due. 
 
 From the fatisfaction with which the prince 
 received the infrruelions of his new preceptor, 
 the biihop of Peterborough, the moft fanguine 
 hopes were entertained that the royal pupil 
 would derive much advantage from his tui- 
 tion h . To impart a knowledge ot hooks was 
 not the difficulty, in that particular no defi- 
 ciency was complained of; but it was necef- 
 lary to imbue the mind of the future fovereign 
 with juft notions of the Bfitifh confutation 
 and jurifprudence, and enable him to eltimate 
 correctly the national wealth and refources, 
 and the means of preserving and increafinsr 
 them \ It was a great object of the princefss 
 
 care 
 
 t Lord Melcombe's Diary, p. 229. Holliday's Life of Lord 
 Mansfield, p. 98, 434. 
 
 h Lord Melcombe's Diary, p. an. 
 
 i It was the intention of the bifhop of Norwich to have procured 
 for the inftruftion of his royal pupil, fuch a treatifc as would convey 
 clear and comprehenfiye information on the fubjecl of national com- 
 
 B 3 rnerce j v
 
 tf HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 care to educate her fon in the principles and 
 conusant practice of religion ; and with this 
 view, fhe invited the learned and pious Dr. 
 Stephen Hales into her family, and appointed 
 him clerk of the clofet. Her good, intentions 
 were greatly favoured hy the difpofition of 
 the prince, who was affectionate, gentle, and 
 exempt from every appearance of vicious in- 
 clination. The dread which the princefs 
 conftantly entertained, that his morals would 
 be contaminated by the example of the young 
 nobility, prevented his mixing with them 
 in familiar interconrfe, and his acquaint- 
 ance was almoft confined to the foeial circle of 
 Leicefter houfe ; which was felect, cheerful, and 
 unreftrained k . 
 
 On attaining his majority, the prince took 
 
 his feat in the houfe of peers ; but there was no 
 
 debate in that feffion. 
 
 Characters The Jjjpg found, on his acceffion, an able ad-^ 
 
 cipafmi-" miniftration, ftrong from the combination of 
 
 fitters. parties, and popular from uninterrupted flic-* 
 
 eefs. 
 The duke The duke of Newcaftle was the oftenfible 
 of New- bead of this miniftry. A veteran in the fervice 
 of government, he was confidered the leader 
 ofthe Whig party, and during a period of forty- 
 three years, filled a high fituation at court and 
 in the cabinet. His princely fortune and ex- 
 tenfive influence rendered him a powerful co- 
 adjutor, and his uniform zeal in promoting the 
 fuccefuon of the houfe of Brunfwick, endeared 
 him to the great majority of the Whigs, as the 
 champion of that caufe. In his temper he was 
 
 rrterce ; and Dr. Tucker, the learned and celebrated dean of Glou- 
 cefter, was requited to prepare fuch a work : he engaged in it, but, 
 for very judicious rcafons, declined the accomplifhment of his talk. 
 (See preface to Tucker's Four Tracts, p. ix.) 
 k Lord Melcombe's Diary, p. 170, 188,255, z 89, azo. 
 
 4. fretful
 
 G EOR G E II L 
 
 fretful and capricious, and jealous of thofe who CHAP, 
 rivalled his political afcendancy. This jealoufy, 
 which formed the leading feature of his cha- 
 racter, was rcitrained by the fuperior talents and 
 authority of Sir Robert Walpole, hut on his re- 
 treat it became uncontrouled, and engendered 
 perpetual altercations withiuccceding minifters, 
 not excepting even his own brother, Mr. Pel- 
 3iam. Some peculiarities in his manner, and a 
 want of method in the tranfacfion of bulineis, 
 expofed him to ridicule. He was trifling and 
 embarraifed in convcrfation, always eager and 
 in a hurry, unbounded in adulation, and profufo 
 in promil'es. Yet the duke of Newcaftle pof- 
 fefled much greater abilities than areufually at- 
 tributed to him : he had a quick comprehen- 
 fion, was a ufeful and frequent debater, fpoke 
 a\ ith great animation, wrote with uncom- 
 mon facility, and was perfect matter of foreign 
 affairs. He filled the office of fecretary of itate 
 from the year 1723, to the death of Mr. Pelham 
 in i 754, when he became firft lord of the trea- 
 sury, Placed at the head of affairs, he was 
 diffracted with the multiplicity of bufinefs: 
 weakness of councils, fluctuation of opinions, 
 and deficiency of fpirit, marked his adminiftra- 
 tion, In 1744, he ftrengthened himfelf by a 
 coalition with the Tories and the "Whigs in op- 
 pofition to government, and formed the admi- 
 niftration which was ludicroufly termed the 
 broad bottom. The diicordant parts of this 
 motley combination, were principally cemented 
 by the conciliating manners of Mr. Pelham; 
 but on his death in 17-34, diilcnfions broke out, 
 and after many ineffectual attempts to form a 
 permanent adminiiiration, (during which the 
 duke made a temporary relignation in Novem- 
 ber 1756, and continued out of office till July 
 
 u i 1757)
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 1757) that cabinet was arranged which conti- 
 nued, without effential alteration, till the period^ 
 at which this hiftory commences. The duke of 
 Newcaftle ftill retained the controul of domeftic 
 affairs, and the patronage of the church ; but 
 the conduct, of the war, and the management 
 of the houfe of commons, were committed to 
 
 Mr. Pitt. 
 Mr. Pitt. Mr. Pitt commenced his political career as 
 a Whig, in opposition to Sir Robert Walpole, 
 and foon diftinguimed himfelf by the fplendour 
 and energy of his eloquence. He was an ad- 
 herent of lord Cobham; attached himfelf to 
 Frederick prince of Wales, and in 1737 was ap- 
 pointed groom of his bed-chamber. He con- 
 tinued in oppofition till the formation of the 
 broad bottom miniftry. In 1 746, he was nomi- 
 nated vice-treafurer of Ireland, and in the fame 
 year paymafter of the forces ; but the antipathy 
 of the king in confequence of his acrimony in 
 cenfuring German meafures, overcame the re- 
 peated efforts of the duke of Newcaftle to in- 
 troduce him into the cabinet. At length, the 
 irrefiftible fuperiority of his talents bore down 
 every obftacle: in 1757 the king, fenfible of the 
 weaknefs of the miniftry, and alarmed at the ill 
 fuccefs of the war, relu&antly confented to ap- 
 point him fecretary of ftate, an office which, 
 during the temporary retreat of the duke of 
 Newcaftle, he had held for about four months l ; 
 on his recal to office, Mr. Pitt, according to the 
 current exprefiion of the day, "took the cabinet 
 by ftorm," From this moment Great Britain 
 afiumed a formidable pofition. Mr. Pitt re- 
 linquished his oppofition to continental con- 
 nections: conftant fuccefs attended his mea- 
 fures: his commanding eloquence, the wifdom 
 
 I Dec. 1756, to April 1 737. 
 
 of
 
 GEORGE IIT. 9 
 
 of his plans, the vigour of his exertions, to- chap. 
 gether with the ftrength of his adminifrration, ^^ 
 filenced parliamentary oppofition: the people 
 viewed him with an admiration bordering on 
 idolatry; and George II. highly gratified at the 
 profecution of his favourite meafures, and the 
 unprecedented tranquillity of the kingdom, 
 yielded, with implicit confidence, the reins of 
 government to his direction. 
 
 Mr. Pitt was fupported in the cabinet by his r Lord 
 brother-in-law, lord Temple, who fucceeded to Te '"i ,lc r 
 the influence and cftate of his uncle, lord 
 Cobham. He was diftinguifhed for his parlia- 
 mentary abilities, and much reflected and be- 
 loved by his adherents. 
 
 Lord Granville, better known under the ^Lord 
 title of lord Carteret, was prefidentof the coun- Gianvjlle « 
 cil. At an early period of his life he was fecre- 
 tary of ft ate, and lord lieutenant of Ireland- 
 Being difmiffed in the reign of George I. he 
 joined the oppofition againit Sir Robert Wal- 
 pole ; and, on his refignation, was reftored to 
 the office of fecretary of ftate, became the fa- 
 vourite of the king, and took the lead in the 
 conduct; of foreign affairs. After an ineffectual 
 ftruggle with Newcaftle for pre-eminence, lie 
 refigned in Fubruary 1745. In 1751 he was 
 appointed prefident of the council, and retain- 
 ed that office till his death. lie was a man of 
 great talents and literary acquirements; indefa- 
 tigable in bufinefs, of commanding eloquence 1 , 
 and converfant in foreign affairs. To thofe 
 who confidered his eminent capacity, and arro- 
 gant difpofition, it was matter of furprize that 
 he fubmitted to the aftendancy of the PcihaniSj 
 and accepted a iituation which, though fupe- 
 rior in dignity, was lubordinate in import- 
 ance, 
 
 Mr.
 
 20 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. Mr. Fox, pay mailer of the forces, to a 
 *;^ friend and active fupporter of Sir Robert Wfll- 
 Mr. Fox. pole; and from his firft entrance into parlia- 
 ment, had almoft uniformly promoted the 
 meafures of government. Under Mr. Pelham, 
 he acted in the capacity of lord of the treafury 
 and fecretary at Avar, and was content to Jill a 
 fubordiuate department in the houfe of com- 
 mons; hut, on his death, thought himfelf in- 
 titled to manage the houfe, and contended 
 with Mr. Pitt for pre-eminence. After a long 
 feries of cabals, he gained a momentary afcend- 
 ancy, and on the fourteenth of November ] 755 
 was appointed fecretary of ftate; but in the 
 month of November 1756 he rehgned, and on 
 the fifth of July 175 7, became paymafter of 
 the forces. Mr. Fox was of an acute and pene- 
 trating genius, and active in buiinels. His 
 fpeeehes were replete with information, method, 
 and fenfe, but he wanted that nervous and ir- 
 refiftible eloquence which characterized Mr. 
 Pitt. His manners were conciliatory, and few- 
 men had more perfonal friends m . 
 
 Several of the remaining members of adnri- 
 niftration, were highly refpe&able for talents 
 and integrity ; amongit whom mult be noticed, 
 lord keeper, afterwards lord chancellor North- 
 ington, the duke of Devonmire lord chamber- 
 lain, Mr. Legge chancellor of the exchequer, 
 lord Anfon firft lord of the admiralty, and lord 
 Ilolderneiie fecretary of ftate. 
 l7 6o. Th o u g 11 the advanced age of G eorge II. ren- 
 
 Ffett tranf- ( [ crc( i hi s deceafe not improbable, vet that event 
 SdSbof was intirely uncxpeaed. He was afflicted with 
 George u. no difeafe, teftiiied no uneaiinefs of mind or de- 
 
 m In delineating thefe chara&ers, much information has been de- 
 rived from the Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole, and from the neribnal 
 communications of the author of that excellent work. 
 
 predion
 
 GEORGE III. 11 
 
 preffion of fpirits, but mewed his ufual cheerful- chap. 
 nefs and alacrity : aucl from the great fuccefs ^J^ 
 ■which had attended the. late meafures, the blaze 1760. 
 of conftaut victory, and the popularity of the 
 miniftry, perhaps there never was a monarch 
 ■whole death was lets dt tired. 
 
 The event occasioned much eonfternation at 
 court, and the intelligence was immediately 
 carried to the feeretaries of itate. The great 
 ofheers of the crown were convened, and Mr. 
 Pitt repaired to Kew for the purpofe of an- 
 nouncing to the new fovereign his acceilion. 
 The king having received fome intimation of 
 the event before. Mr. Pitt's arrival, was prepared 
 for the occafion, and immediately proceeded to 
 London. 
 
 Meanwhile a council, ailembled at Saville 
 houfe, was directed to attend at Carleton houfe, 
 the refidence of the princefs dowager, where 
 they met the kino-, and tranfacted bulinels of 
 form. The young fovereign appeared agitated 
 and embarralied bv the novelty of his fituation, 
 and want of acquaintance with the perfons by 
 whom he was furrounded; yet his conduct, 
 gave general fatisfaction, and afforded the 
 preiage of a prudent and happy reign. 
 
 His addrefs to the council, which was pub- Theking** 
 liihed by their requeft, is a fpecimen of digni- ^council, 
 fied modefty, and imaffuming firmnefs : " The 
 " lots that I and the nation nave fuftained by 
 " the death of the king, my grandfather, would 
 have been feverelv felt at any time: but 
 coming at 10 critical a juncture, and 10 un- 
 expected, it is by many eireumitances aug- 
 mented, and the weight now falling on me 
 " much increafed; I feel my own infufiieieney 
 ** tofupport it as I wiih : but animated by the 
 
 lt tendered
 
 a 
 
 i . 
 
 1<> HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. * tendered affection for my native country, 
 '• " and depending upon the advice, experience, 
 ^60. " and abilities of your lordfhips, on the fupport 
 " of every honeft man, I enter with cheerful- 
 " nefs into tliis arduous fituation, and mail 
 make it the bulinefs of my life to promote, 
 in every thing, the glory and happinefs of 
 thefe kingdoms, to preferve and ftrengthen 
 " the conftitution in both church and ftate: 
 " and, as I mount the throne in the midft of 
 " an expenfive, but juft and neceflary war, I 
 " mall endeavour to profecute it in the man- 
 " ner the moft likely to bring on an honour- 
 " able and lafting peace, in conceit with my 
 " allies." 
 ««rt»oa. T» £ king having been proclaimed in the 
 Kmg pro ufual form on the day after his acceffion, held 
 claimed. a counc ji a t St. James's on the enfuing day, 
 2?l h : when his brother the duke of York, and the 
 The duke ear } f Bute, where fworn in as members n . The 
 iord°Bu a te d liturgy was alfo directed to be altered in thofe 
 priyycoun- parts" where prayers are faid for the royal family. 
 ieiiors. Thefe circumftances in themfelves would not 
 claim any notice, but fome offence was taken 
 at the time, and it was afterwards a fource of 
 frequent animadveriion, that the duke of Cum- 
 berland and the princefs Amelia, who were 
 before particularly mentioned, were now only 
 included in the general term, and all the royal 
 family. 
 
 n The early introduction of lord Bute to the privy-council, has 
 been defcanted on by many writers as a lingular circumftance, but it 
 it is not in the leaft extraordinary : it was cuftomary for the king to 
 continue his houfehold fervants in the lame capacities which they held 
 under him while prince of Wales ; lord Bute being groom of the 
 dole to the prince, was therefore continued by the king, and the 
 holder of that office is always conftituted a privy-counfellor. 
 
 Although
 
 GEORGE III. IS 
 
 Although this alteration was not made in chap 
 eonfequence of the diflike which the princefs \ 
 dowager entertained againft the duke and 1760 
 princefs, but was merely a point of etiquette, 
 the popularity of the duke of Cumberland be- 
 came the medium through which much abufe, 
 vented againft the king and the princefs dow- 
 ager, was afterwards rendered agreeable to the 
 public. 
 
 The king's friendfhip for the carl of Bute, character 
 led to extenlive and permanent confequences. °f lor,J Bute. 
 John earl of Bute, was Ion of James fecond 
 earl of Bute, by Ann Campbell, daughter of 
 Archibald lirft duke of Argvle. He receiv- 
 ed his education at Eton ; and at an early 
 period of his life, was introduced to the houfe- 
 hold of Frederick prince of Wales, to whom he 
 was lord of the bed-chamber. On the death 
 of the prince he retired to the country, and 
 took no fhare in political tranfactions, though 
 he was often confulted by the princefs. On 
 the eftabliihment of the young prince's houi'e- 
 hold, he was appointed groom of the ftole, 
 in which place he was continued after his 
 acceiiion. He had not occupied any public 
 office; was unacquainted with the bufmefs 
 and intrigues of ftate ; and though he poll'elfed 
 an active mind, replete with elegant and ab- 
 
 • The words in the prayer referring to the duke of Cumberland 
 and princefs Amelia, were " Tbt Duke and VrinceJfesC but the rank 
 of the royal family (except the prince of Wales, who always (lands 
 next the king, as heir apparent) is regulated by their proximity to the 
 fovercign on the throne; thus the duke of Cumberland and princefs 
 Amelia, as children of George II. took precedence of the youngeft 
 children of prince Frederick : on the accefllon of George III. their 
 pofitions were altered ; the brother of the fovereign then preceded his 
 uncle in rank: confequently, it would have been abfurd to retain in 
 the prayer the words, M the Duke and Princeflls," without firft in- 
 ferting fome words equally delcriptive of the kings brothers and lif- 
 ters, which would have been nor only unufual, but inconvenient and 
 ridiculous, on account of it* length. 
 
 ftrufe
 
 14 HISTORY OF ENGLAND* 
 
 chap, ftrufe learning*, and was well acquainted witfl 
 
 L the theory of the Britifli conftitution, p he was 
 
 1760. not competent to the talk ot initructing a young 
 
 prince in the practical fcience of governing- a 
 
 kingdom, where the component parts of the 
 
 legislature are fo nicely balanced, and their 
 
 respective powers and operations fo nrictly 
 
 guarded. It could not afford around of fur- 
 
 • 1 - 
 
 prize that the king, young and unacquainted 
 
 with the pcrfons of thole who formed a fuc- 
 cefsful and popular adminillration, ihould place 
 among his confidential fervants, a nobleman 
 whom he had long eiieemed, and who poflefs- 
 ed the good opinion of his parent in ahi eminent 
 degree : it could not be a Subject of animadver- 
 fion, that fuch a pcrfon mould obtain an ample 
 portion of the king's regard ; nor would this cir- 
 cumftance have affected the courfe of political 
 affairs, had not a new fyftem followed his intro- 
 duction into the cabinet. 
 Kcvvfyftem The two lair, monarchs being foreigners, and 
 ot Govern- pp fed by a native prince who had numerous 
 planned, adherents, as well among the people as in fome 
 of the moft illuftrious houfes, confided a large 
 portion of their power to a few diftinguilhed 
 families, in order to fecute poifeilion of the 
 Crown. Thefe families; ftrengthened by union, 
 and excluiive influence, became not onlv in- 
 dependent of, but, in many refpects, Superior 
 to the throne. Swayed by a predilection for 
 their continental dominions, the two firft 
 Sovereigns of the houfe of Hanover, incurred 
 fevere animadverfkms from the members of op- 
 position. The neceffity of frequent juftifica- 
 
 P The king derived from the conversion of lord Bure> Ids prin- 
 cipal knowledge of the Conftitution ; and lord Bute obtained from 
 jitackttone the molt intereiting parts of his commentaries on the 
 laws of England while in MS. and laid them before the prince for 
 Uts inftru£Uon. 
 
 tions
 
 G E O R G E III. It 
 
 \ ions, rendered them it ill more dependent on the chap. 
 leaders of the minifteriai party, and seduced ^ 
 them almoft to a irate of pupilage. 1760 
 
 But the new king being exempt from foreign 
 partialities, afeending the throne at a period 
 when the claims of the exiled family were 
 fallen into eon tempt, was enabled to emanci- 
 pate himfelf from the reftraint to which his an- 
 ceftors had fubmitted. The earl of Bute form- 
 ed the plan of breaking the phalanx which 
 conftituted and fupported the miniftry, and of 
 fecuring the independence of the crown, by 
 a moderate exertion of the conliitutional pre- 
 rogative. This plan in itlelf was well con- 
 ceived, and neceilary; but the earl of Bute 
 was not a proper perfon to carry it into effect, 
 lie was not connected, either by blood or by 
 familiar intercourfe, with the leading families 
 in England : he was not veiled in the arts of 
 popularity, or ufed to the ftruggles of parlia- 
 mentary oppofition ; and his manners were 
 cold, referved, and unconciliating. Preju- 
 dices Mere eafily excited againft him as a na- 
 live of Scotland, and he could only oppofe a 
 popular and triumphant adminiftration, and a 
 long eitabliihed fyftem, by fuch friends as hope 
 or intereft might fupply, and by the perlbnal 
 eftcem of the king, which. was rendered lefs 
 valuable from the odium attached to the name 
 of favourite. 
 
 The conflicts of party did not immediately popularity 
 commence. The king at his acceflion was °* the king. 
 highly popular : his proclamations for reprefs- 
 in<>- vice and immorality, gave general fatis- 
 faction ; loyal and affectionate addreifes poured 
 in from every part of the realm, and all regret 
 for the late king feemed to be buried with 
 him. 
 
 The
 
 16 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. The parliament was to cloie in one more 
 
 ^^ fefiion ; but the feafon being inconvenient for 
 
 1760. a diffolution, it was refolded to aM r ait the 
 
 Payment. P er *°d 0T> its natural extinction. After a ihort 
 prorogation, 41 to give time for previous ar- 
 
 18th Nov. rangements, the king opened the feilion. It 
 was remarked, that there never was, in the me- 
 mory of the oldeft perfons, fuch a numerous 
 concourfe, of all ranks, on any fnnilar occa- 
 iion, nor fuch unanimous teftimonies of ap- 
 plaufe. The public prepolfeihon, increafed by 
 the king's affable and gracious demeanour, was 
 carried to the greateft height by the patriotic 
 fentiments contained in the fpeech. 
 
 The king's He began by expreffmg his regret at the 
 Speech, death of his grandfather, at fo critical and 
 difficult a conjuncture, as he was the great fup- 
 poit of that fyftem, by which alone the li- 
 berties of Europe, and the weight and in- 
 fluence of thefe kingdoms, could be preferved, 
 and gave life to the meafures conducive to 
 thofe important ends. 
 
 After declaring his reliance on the affec- 
 tion of his people, and the goodnefs of Provi- 
 dence, his majefty ufed thefe words: " Born 
 
 " AND EDUCATED IN THIS COUNTRY, I GLO- 
 
 "ry in the name of Briton; and the 
 " peculiar kapplnefs of my life, will ever conjiji 
 u in promoting the welfare of a people, whofe 
 " loyalty and warm affection to me I conjider as 
 " the greateft and mo ft permanent fecurity of 
 "my throne;' and I doubt not but their 
 
 " Head i nets 
 
 1 From the 8th to the 18th of November. 
 
 r After the draft of this fpeech had been fettled by the cabinet, 
 an addition was made to it in his majefty'sovvn hand, which became 
 the fobjeQ of fome animadverfion, and was compared by many of 
 the molt zealous of the Whig party, to" the concluding part of the firft 
 Jpeech of Queen Anne, after her acccellion. (See Journals, and 
 
 Smollett's
 
 GEORGE hi. 17 
 
 " ft'eadinefs in thofe principles, will equal the chap. 
 
 " firmnefs of my invariable reiblution to adhere l - 
 
 " to, and urengthen this excellent conftitution, 1760. 
 
 "in church and Hate; and to maintain the 
 
 u toleration inviolable. The civil and religi- 
 
 u ous rights of my loving iuojecis are equally 
 
 " dear to me, with the molt valuable preroga- 
 
 " tives of my crown ; and, as the fureit found- 
 
 " ation of the whole, and the belt means to 
 
 " draw down the divine favour on my reign, 
 
 Xi it is my fixed" purpoie to countenance and 
 
 " encourage the practice of true religion and 
 
 " virtue."' 
 
 In the progrefs of his fpeech, the king 
 ■defcanted, with becoming fat is faction, on the 
 profperous efforts of the Britifh force in Ca- 
 nada and India, and on the fuccefsful exer- 
 tions of the allied arms in Germany ; he men- 
 tioned, in ftrong terms of approbation, the bene- 
 fits which the national commerce had derived 
 from the judicious diipofition of the navy, and 
 paid a jult and honourable tribute of applaufe 
 to the valour and intrepidity of the officers and 
 forces, both at fea and land. 
 
 Having thus completely reviewed the ftate 
 of the nation, the king faid, " In tliis condi- 
 V tion I have found things at my acceffion to 
 " the throne of my anceftors ; happy in viewing 
 ** the profperous part of it; happier itill mould 
 " I have been, had I found my kingdoms, 
 u whole true interefl I have entirely at heart, 
 '•'in full peace: but, fmce the ambition, in- 
 jurious encroachments, and dangerous d<'- 
 
 Staollett's continuation of Hume, vol. i.p 44.7.) But at this diftance 
 of time, when the queftion may he more impartially confidere I, and 
 cliftinclly from other cii<"um!la:ices, there does not appenr ar.y reafb 1 
 for imputing to the declaration of the 10t : t , that " horn and taa- 
 I in this country he gloried i 1 the name of flritou," an intention 
 ot reflecting on the memory of his gran 
 
 VOL. 1. c •• figns
 
 18 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. " fio-ns of my enemies, rendered the war botll 
 ^^ "juft and neceflary, and the generous over- 
 j;5o. « ture made laft winter, towards a congrefs for 
 " a pacification, has not yet produced a iiiit- 
 " able return ; I am determined, with your 
 "' cheerful and powerful affiftance, to profecute 
 " this war with vigour, in order to that deiir- 
 " able object, a fafe and honourable peace. 
 " For this purpofe, it is abfolutely incumbent 
 " upon us to be early prepared ; and I rely up- 
 " on your zeal and hearty concurrence to fup- 
 " port the king of PruiTia, and the reft of my 
 " allies, and to make ample provifion for carry - 
 " in o- on the war, as the onlv means to brins: 
 " our enemies to enuitable terms of accom- 
 
 A. 
 
 " modation." 
 
 Then addrefling himfelf feparately to the 
 houfe of commons, the king, after lamenting 
 the grcatnefs of the national burthens, exprefs- 
 ed his reliance on them to provide adequate 
 fupplies, and to make a proper provifion for 
 fupporting the civil government with honour 
 and disunity. 
 
 In conelufion, his majefty reminded both 
 hoiiies, that the eyes of ail Europe were upon 
 them, and invoked a due regard to their own 
 reputation, and the protection of the Proteftarit 
 intereft. lie recommended vigour, unanimity, 
 and difpatch, as the beft means of fruftrating 
 the ambitious and deftructive views of his ene- 
 mies, and added, " In this expectation I am 
 " the more encouraged by a plealing circum- 
 <f name, which I look upon as one of the 
 " moft aufpicious omens of my reign. That 
 " happy extinction of divifions, and that 
 " union and good harmony, which continue 
 4t to prevail among my fubje£ls, afford me 
 " the moft agreeable profpect. The natural 
 8 " difpoiition 

 
 GEORGE III J 9 
 
 " difpofition and with of my heart, are to ce- chap. 
 "ment and promote them; and I promiie ^^.^ 
 " myfelf, that nothing will arife, on your part, i 7 6 °* 
 " to interrupt or difturb a fituation fo effen- 
 " tial to the true and laftm£ felicity of tliis 
 " great people." 
 
 The ientiments contained in this fpeech, 
 were no lets acceptable to the people at large, 
 than to the members of the two houfes. The 
 king's youth, dignity of deportment, and pro- 
 priety of enunciation, gave the higheft fatis- 
 la6tien, and thole who had been accuftomed to 
 the fpeeches from the throne in the former 
 reign, were relieved and gratified by hearing 
 the king's fpeech delivered in all the purity of 
 Engliih pronunciation. 
 
 Loyal addreffes were unanimoufly prefent- Addreffes. 
 ed by both houfes, ' and the commons exceed- 
 ed the ordinary manifeftatioris of attachment 
 by voting a feeond addrefs, thanking his ma- 
 jelly for the gracious manner in which he re- 
 ceived the firft. 
 
 The principal bufinefs tranfacled in this 
 fefiion related to the civil lift, and to the fup- 
 plies. * 
 
 The civil lift was fixed at eight hundred Civil Lift, 
 thoufand pounds, the king having iigniried 's^Nov. 
 
 • The following expreflion in the addrefs of the lords, was pecu- 
 liarly elegant and rappy : " VVc are penetrated with the condefcend- 
 •' ing and endearing manner, in which your majeity has expreffed 
 *' your fatisfaftion in liaviug received your birth and education 
 " among us. What a luftre does it cnlt upon the name of Briton, 
 " when you, lire, are pleafed to elteem it among your glories." 
 
 * No act of grace was brought into the houfe, but a bill was 
 palTed forthe relief of infoivent debtors, in which was a permanent 
 claule, compelling ihem to fnbfcribe, on die reqnifitioh of any cre- 
 ditor, a fchedule of their eh"e6ts, and upon doing fo, and giving them 
 up, they were to be diicharged. This provilion was Jiclated by 
 humanity, b'it its regulations were fo much abitfed by collufior.s, 
 that it was fliortly afterwards repealed. 
 
 C 2 Lis
 
 20 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 i 76 1 . 
 
 3d March. 
 Judges 
 made per- 
 manent. 
 
 chap, his confent, that fuch difoofition might be made 
 !_*•" , of the hereditary revenues ot the crown, as 
 Supplies, ihould belt conduce to the utility and fatisfac- 
 tioii of the public. 
 
 The fupplies amounted to nineteen millions 
 fix hundred and nxteen thoufand one hundred 
 r.nd nineteen pounds, to pay the intereft of 
 Which feveral taxes were continued, and anew 
 duty of three iliillings per Barrel impofed on 
 beer and ale. 
 
 Upon granting new commiffions to the 
 judges, the tenure of their office fell under 
 confideration. The king, anxious to infure 
 their independency and uprightnefs, recom- 
 mended, ill a fpeech from the throne, that pro- 
 vision mould be made for fecuring the judges 
 in the enjoyment of their offices, during their 
 good behaviour, notwithstanding the demife 
 of the crown ; and requeued, that he might be 
 enabled to grant and eftabliih upon the judges 
 fuch falaries as he mould think proper, fo as to 
 be abfolutelv fecured to them during the con- 
 tmuarice of their ccmmirTions. This truly pa- 
 triotic and wife declaration, was received with 
 merited attention ; and an act pafied fully pro- 
 viding for the important objecls of his majeily's 
 recommendation. u 
 
 When the end of the feffion approached, 
 Mr. Onflow, who for move than thirty years 
 had filled the fituation of fpeaker, with un- 
 maken integrity, fignified his determination 
 to retire : a vote of thanks was unammoufly 
 carried, and an addrefs prefented, requefting 
 the king to confer on him feme ngnal mark of 
 withapen- favour. A pennon of three thoufand pounds 
 fi-on and accordingly fettled on Mr. Onflow; with 
 
 And their 
 ftlaries 
 augmented. 
 
 itxh Mar- 
 Speaker 
 C n flow 
 retires, 
 
 ftonc's CommeEtaries, vol. t. p. 26E. 
 
 benefit
 
 GEORGE III. 21 
 
 benefit of furvivorihip to his fon. This tefti- chap. 
 mony of regard to experienced merits and ^.^ 
 Ion 2; fervices, was extremely agreeable to the 1761. 
 public; and the common council of Loudon, S th May. 
 complimented the late fpeaker, by prefenting 
 the freedom of the citv in a s;okl box. 
 
 The public bufmefs having been performed 
 with the utmoft unanimity, the king elofed the i9 l!l Mar - 
 feffion, and the parliament was immediately dif- ax ft, 
 folved. * 
 
 Although in the declaration to the council The kino' ; 
 at his accefhon, and in his fubfequent fpeeches defireot 
 at the meeting and prorogation of parliament, l ' Ld 
 the king expreiied a determination toprofecute 
 the war, it was his firii and molt earned wifh 
 to reitorc to his fubjecls the bleiiings of peace. Y 
 The paragraph in the declaration to council 
 referring to the war, was not originally exprefs- 
 ed in fuch a forcible manner ; but an altera- 
 tion was made by Mr. Pitt, which implied a 
 decided approbation of the German meafures, 
 inftead of mentioning them, as the king intend- 
 ed, in terms of coldnefs. r The king was thus in- 
 duced to give up his own opinion, and renewed 
 a fubiidiarv treaty with the kino- of Pruma, 
 fimiliar to thofe concluded by George II. a 
 
 The energy of Mr. Pitt, the celebrity of the cWes of 
 king of Pruma, the fuccefs of prince Fer- }a? it pop t l, 7 
 dinand, the increafing glories of the Biitifh w",, y ° * e 
 arms, and the depremoh of the French power, 
 contributed to render the Mar in the hiffheft 
 
 * No memorials are preferved of any debates in this feffion; the 
 account of the proceedings is derived from the hi ft or y and proceeding* 
 or parliament published by Debrett, and from the Journals. 
 
 Y The king's fpeech to parliament, Nov. 1763. 
 
 * From a memorandum by lord Mekombe. 
 
 * This treaty was figned i:th December, 17^0. 
 
 c 5 degree
 
 22 HISTORY OF ENGLAND, 
 
 chap, degree popular; yet many politicians appre-* 
 ^2^ hended the moft fatal confequeuces from its 
 17^1- continuance, even mould fuccefs ftill attend 
 the allied arms 
 Arguments They blamed the projecr of carrying on a 
 aga.mtit. G crmailj inltead of a maritime, commercial, 
 and colonial war, which was beft adapted to 
 the fituation of this country, and in which we 
 were always fuperior to our enemies. France, 
 they faid, could profecute the conteft in Ger- 
 many for ten years, without increafmg her debt 
 five millions fterling, while we could not carry 
 it on for the fame period, without increasing 
 ours upwards of fifty millions ; and all the ad- 
 vantages which might be gained over France, 
 would not compenfate for fuch an enormous 
 expenditure. They treated the popular enthu- 
 fiafm for a German war as a dangerous delufion. 
 The merchants, who greatly contributed to 
 raife it, particularly in London, were interefted ; 
 but the landholders furfercd. The glory and 
 advantage of fweeping the fea, coft the land 
 four or five millions a year. They fuggefted, 
 that when the merchants mould lofe the ad- 
 vantage of contracts and furnimments, they 
 would repent of their alacrity, and wiih they 
 had ufed their intereft in inducing government 
 to defift, when the national honour was vindi- 
 cated, and the national pofleifions fecurcd. b 
 
 The prefs too uttered, without referve, the 
 fame fentiments. The abfurdity of the man- 
 ner of warfare, which this country had adopt- 
 ed, was expofed in the moft ftriking colours, 
 it was a Anted, that France, bv making; Ger- 
 many the feat of hoftilitv, could ruin this coun- 
 
 b Thefe fentiments are amply detailed in lord Melcombe's Cor- 
 reij>ondence. 
 
 try*
 
 1761. 
 
 GEORGE III. 23 
 
 try, without materially injuring herfelf. The chav 
 quarrels of any two ftates of Europe, for what- 
 ever caufe, were always favourable to the in- 
 terefted and ambitious views of France; who 
 -would efpoufe the weaker fide with a partial 
 exertion of ftrength, increafmg her efforts in 
 proportion as other countries favoured^ the 
 caufe which me oppofed. The military force 
 of France was alleged to be fuperior to that 
 of anv other power in Europe ; and by her ad- 
 drefs in confining the war to Germany, Eng- 
 land, who was her only opponent, was re- 
 duced to fight, at an immenfe expence, in a 
 country where victory itfelf, while it weakened 
 and difpirited the friendly natives, could never 
 diftrefs the French : they only retired, after 
 defeat, to their own frontier, whither we durft 
 not follow them, and always returned to the 
 next campaign with a force fuperior to all the 
 efforts of Britifh gold, and German exertion. 
 Nor were our efforts really beneficial to the 
 Proteftant intereft,' which, in fact, was not en- 
 dangered. The defence of Hanover was alleged 
 to be a futile pretence for carrying on the war 
 in Germany: the French could not annex it 
 to their dominions, without taking poneffion of 
 feveral other electorates, whieh the conftitu- 
 tion of Europe would never pe'rmjtj and even 
 if they entertained inch a fcheme, the way for 
 England to opppfe it was not by fending armies 
 to Germany, but bv turning to the utmoft ad- 
 vantage her decided naval fuperioritv ; thus 
 fiie might obtain poifefiion of the French Weft 
 India iftands, and hold them as a depofit or 
 guaranty for the fecurity of Hanover, 
 
 The fiibiidy or tribute to the King of Pruffia, 
 was reprefented in a mofr injurious light: he 
 received fix hundred and fifty thoufand pounds 
 
 c 4 a year
 
 24 HISTORY OF ENGLAND, 
 
 chap, a year to hVht his own battles, and England 
 was bound to defend him without the flitihteft 
 
 *7 DI - ftipulationonhispart. This, Was coi trafted with 
 the important and valuable afliftance, which 
 kino* William had prudently fecured againft 
 Fiance, from themoft considerable powers of 
 Europe, for a lefs fum than was now paid to the 
 king- of Pruffia alone. c 
 The king's Such were the opinions profeffed in private, 
 patnuLic anf ] p a t, r onizcd in public by the earl of Bute. 
 edneis. and thole who were intimately connected with 
 him. The king had, from his infancy, been ac- 
 customed to hear the connection of this coun- 
 try with Germany condemned and reviled, by 
 men who were confidered the moft enlightened 
 and truly patriotic. He had fo little attach- 
 ment for his German dominions, that no doubt 
 was entertained of his being induced to abnn- 
 don the defence of them, and employ the 
 money which had hitherto been ufelefsly la- 
 vished on that object, in diftreffing the French 
 in other quarters, for thepurpofe of compelling 
 them to make peace. A propofal fo flattering 
 to the prejudices of Englishmen, it was fnp- 
 pofed would confer extenfive and permanent 
 popularity on thofe who mould have the virtue 
 to recommend, and the intereft to enforce it ; 
 and fome jealoufy was entertained, left the 
 ininiftry, who had hitherto conducted the war, 
 mould infure their continuance of power and 
 popularity after a peace, by firft adopting the 
 plan. d 
 
 c Confederations c r, the prefent G.erman war, by I. Maudnit. Efq. 
 '1 his production was generally read, and the author was afterwaids 
 rewarded with a pennon. Kiftory of die late Minority, p. 13. 
 
 d Lord Meicombe's Diary, p. 422. and the fame fentiments are 
 more fully expreded and enforced in a paper of lord Mel combed 
 dated 16th January, 1761, and indorfed, "Paper read to lord 
 Bute." 
 
 Mr. Pitt,
 
 GEORGE III. 25 
 
 Mr. Pitt, however, was not difpofed to be- chap. 
 
 come a candidate for increafed popularity, (if ^^ 
 an inci'eafe of his popularity was poffible,) on i~ 6 »- 
 fuch terms. He had concerted the war on a Mr - Plt * 
 fyftem fuggefted by the king of PrmTia, im- projecting 
 proved by hinvfelf, and fully fanclioned by the wai - 
 George II. who was fuppofed to be a compe- 
 tent judge of military matters. The fueeefs 
 of the allied arms had hitherto iilenced oppo- 
 htion, and excited univerfal admiration ; and 
 France was fo enfeebled and humbled, that her 
 further efforts were not confdered objects of 
 dread. The people, amufed by the iplendid 
 exhibitions attendant on victory, and flattered 
 by the merited encomiums bellowed on the 
 valour aud liberality of the country, difre- 
 garded the load of debt created by the war, 
 and defpifed the accumulation of taxes. The 
 capital, which by its exertions and clamours, 
 generally gives a political bias to the reft of 
 the kingdom, was implicitly devoted to the 
 nrmifter, and he was fo far from entertaining 
 a notion of abandoning the continent, that 
 the friends of that project pronounced him 
 madder than ever. e 
 
 From the king's acccff;on, the earl of Bute Tumuhu- 
 bccamc an object of iealoufy, and his conduct, ° u . s d,1 V"- 
 
 ,> • -j. 1 , ..iV ' • ... , liuonofths 
 
 was icrutmiled with proportionate vigilance, populace 
 As he was expected foon to obtain a place 
 in the miniftry, many efforts A\ere made to 
 
 inflame 
 
 f Lord Mtlcombe's Diary, p. 4.27. 
 
 fub '1 of fucctfsfiil ir,ve6rive and permanent mifreprcfen- 
 in the gift or th ifhip nf Richmond Park to 
 
 lord Bute. '1 hi? office was held by the" printefs Amelia ; and it 
 was h Idly alTerted, that the gratification of the fa u , and the 
 morti 1 of the princels, were equal motives for the chain : 
 
 but, in facl, the princefe held the appointment for her life, and 
 therefore could not l-. ( d or it but by her ov n content; The 
 
 pi unci's :,t firft purpofed to make Richmond her principal residence, 
 *t::A the great ltone ledge was directed to be prepared anJ ei.larsed 
 
 lor
 
 26 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 inflame the national prejudice againft the 
 Scots, and the people were taught to believe 
 that every unpopular acl was the refult of his 
 advice. The king had not completed the 
 fourth month of his reign, when he experienced 
 3 d Feb. the ungovernable and licentious fpirit of the 
 mob, by a riot while he was in the play-houfe. 
 They imputed the tax on beer to lord Bute, 
 and adopted this method of expreffing difap- 
 probation. * 
 Lord Bute Notwithstanping thcfe efforts, the king 
 iecretary appointed lord Bute fecretary of ftate, on the 
 f ihMar resignation of lord HolderneiTe, h difmiifed Mr. 
 Legge from the chanccllorfhip of the exche- 
 quer, and gave his office to lord Barriugton. 
 Changes in There were alfo feveral other removals and ad-^ 
 the mini- vancements of lefs importance. The duke of 
 Richmond, difgufted with a military promo- 
 tion which he confidered injurious to his bro- 
 ther, lord George Lenox, vefigned the poft of 
 lord of the bed-chamber. ' 
 
 When 
 
 for that purpose ; but, during the progrefs of the work, a decifion 
 at law was made contrary to her wifhes, relative to light of (top- 
 ping the foot-way; (lie then became <iilgufted, fulpended the exe- 
 cution of her orders, and, on receiving an ample equivalent, cheer- 
 fully religned an appointment which no longer gratified her ima- 
 gination, except as an objeft of emolument. 
 
 g The inhabitants of Hexham (9th March) evinced a more for- 
 midable difpofition to tumult j on the balloting for militia-men, they 
 alTembied in fuch, numbers, and committed fuch exceffes, that it be- 
 came neceffiry to employ the military ; and a Ipecial commidion hav- 
 ing been afterwards iffued, feveral of the rioters were tried, and one 
 executed. 
 
 h Lord Melcombe's Diary, p. 416. The retreat of Ir.rd Holder- 
 rcfft: appears to have, been a preconcerted marceuvre, arranged wit!> 
 more art and duplicity than becomes an exalted character, to make 
 room for lord Bute. Lord Holdemeffe was amply gratified by a 
 penfion and reveriionai y grant of the wardenfhip of the cinque ports. 
 
 • It is afferted in lord Melcomhe's Diary, p. 417, that the duke 
 cf Richmond, after fpeaking difrefpe£t fully of lord Bute and the 
 Sctt:h nation, had folicited the bed-chamber. The duke has denUd 
 
 theYe
 
 GEORGE III. 27 
 
 When lord Bute thus affirmed a refporifible ckap. 
 fituation in the cabinet, he was deluded, by in- ^^ 
 terefted individuals, into a belief, that he pof- 1761. 
 felled a confiderable portion of the public 
 efteem, and that the popularity of Mr. Pitt 
 was declining. They ftrongly reprefented to 
 him, that he was bound by every motive, both 
 of a public and private nature, to take an ac- 
 tive part in the government, k and he yielded 
 to fup-o'cftions which accorded with his views 
 of weakening the party, which in his judgment 
 maintained a dangerous afcendancy. 
 
 The prorogation and diifolution of parlia- 
 ment were delaved, to afford time for lord 
 Bute to make the arrangements ncceifary to 
 ftrengthen his intereft : but the influence he 
 expected to derive from the king's confidence, 
 was ingroffed by others, who had taken their 
 meafures unknown even to the king himfelf. 
 He was early apprized of this, and cautioned 
 againft it, yet he took no meafures to coun- 
 teract thofe minifters, who were rcfolved to 
 fecure parliamentary adherents by means of 
 government intereft, but intirely independent 
 of the crown. ! 
 
 theft- fafts in a letter printed in the fame work. (p. 500V The 
 tranfa&ion, in whatever light it is viewed, reflecTsno difgrace either 
 on the duke or lord Bute. If we refute lord Bute credit for mag- 
 nanimity in favouring the duke's wifhes, after lie had fpoken difire- 
 fpe&fully of him and his country, it appears at leaft that he did not 
 oppofe them, though his grace had declared his unwillingnefs to 
 connect himfelf with any miniltry. The duke's refignation, in com- 
 pliment to the feelings of his brother, was fpirited and proper. 
 
 k Lord Melcombe's Diary, p- 416, and his letters to lord Bute, 
 pafiim. 
 
 1 Lord Melcombe's Diary, p. 432- — In a letter to lord Bute, 
 dated the 26th November, 1760, lord Melcombe, after expreflin^ his 
 ?enl for the king's lervice, and anxiety to fee him intirely inde- 
 pendent, fays, " It is not my wifli that his majefty mould interpofe, 
 " directly or indirectly, where the intereft is in any private gentlemen, 
 
 " as
 
 28 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 " as fuch : but during the two laft reigns, a fet of undertakers have 
 " farmed the power of the crown at a price certain ; and under co- 
 " lour of making themfelvex refponfible for the whole, have taken 
 " the fole direction of the royal intereft and influence into their 
 " own hands, and applied it to their own creatures, without con- 
 " hiking the crown-, or leaving any room for the roval nomination 
 " or direction. This mould be prevented before any pretence of pro. 
 ii miie can be made," &c. 

 
 GEORGE III. 29 
 
 CHAPTER THE SECOND: 
 
 1761. 
 
 State of the belligerent powers. — France. — 
 Poland. — R uffia. — A uftria. — Congrefs pro- 
 pofed. — Pfogrefs of the campaign. — Cap- 
 ture of Schzceidnitz by the Auftrians. — Bat- 
 tle of Fillings kaufen. — Capture of Bellei/le 
 — and of Dominico. — Reduction of the Che- 
 rokees. — War in India. — Capture of Mihie. 
 ■ — Pnvafon of Bengal by the Shah Zaddah. — 
 His defeat. — Exploits of d'Eftaing. — Tran- 
 quillity of Great Britain. — The king's mar- 
 riage. — Coronation. — Negotiations for 
 peace with France. — Terms propofed by the 
 French.— They introduce the difcufion of 
 Spanijh affairs. — Spirited con duel of Mr. 
 Pitt. — Anfjccr to the French propo/itions. — • 
 Family compact fgncd. — Mr. Pitt's infrac- 
 tions to lord Brifol, embaffador at Madrid. — 
 Lord BriftoVs explanations with the Spanifh 
 feretory of fate. — Mr. Pitt propofes to de- 
 clare war againf Spain. — He and lord Tem- 
 ple determine to refign. — Obfervations.— - 
 Mr. Pitt's refgnaticu.- — Gracious behaviour 
 of the king. — Mr. Pitt receives a penfion — 
 Lord Bute considered at the head of the ad- 
 minitlration. — His fentiments on Air. Pittas 
 refgnation. — Meeting of Parliament. — 7 he 
 queen's dowry f 1 1 led. — li ccefs. 
 
 if peace was definable to the Eirgliih nation, 
 it was itill more neceiTar'v to the other 
 belligerent powers, except the 'emprefs queen, 1^61 
 France, in particular, felt the miferies of un- J ilteof 
 luccefsmi warfare, and was fallen from its 
 alarming power and gr< \ into the loweft 
 
 ftate 
 
 CHAP, 
 IL
 
 SO tllSTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, flate of diftrefs and impotence. Its military 
 J^l^s operations had been unfortunate in every quaf-» 
 1761. ter of the globe ; and the merchants and plan- 
 ters had, for more than twoyears, ceafedto derive 
 any advantage from the few colonial poffefuons 
 which yet remained. It was without trade, 
 and without credit; flopping payments, re- 
 turning bills proteftcd, and in every refpect a 
 bankrupt nation. a To fuch a degree of dif- 
 trefs were the people reduced, that the king, 
 the princes of the blood, the nobility and 
 clergy, were under the neceifity of fending 
 their plate to the mint, to furniih fpecie for 
 immediate ufe. The alliance with Maria Tlie- 
 refa had ceafed to be popular ; and the nation, 
 feeling the preffure of the war, loudly com- 
 plained of a fyftem, which involved them in 
 mifery, merely to benefit their ancient here- 
 ditary enemy, the houfe of Auftria. 
 
 Early in this year, the court of Verfailles 
 declared to their allies, that France, having for 
 four years, in conjunction with other powers, 
 profecuted the war in hopes of ruining the 
 kimr of Pruffia, but without fuccefs, was now 
 unable to fuliain for a longer period, the enor- 
 mous expences of the conteih They repre- 
 iented, that a continuance of the war would 
 complete the devaftation of Germany ; and in 
 conelufion, advifed the other powers to re- 
 nounce their views of aggrandizement, and 
 concur in the re-eftablimment of peace. 
 
 Tin. fame declaration was made, in terms 
 (till ftronger, at Stockholm, where the French 
 faction in the fenate had been vigorouily at- 
 tacked by the court party. 
 
 Pdantl. The king of Poland, tired of a definitive 
 
 war, liitenetl I with latisfaction to terms of peace, 
 
 a Later to Two Great Men. 
 
 and 
 
 Sweden.
 
 GEORGE III. 8! 
 
 znd hoped by negotiation to obtain fome in- chap. 
 demriity for his lories. w!^*»/ 
 
 Elizabeth emprefs of Ruftia, whom pride, r.^. 
 and the arguments of her counieilors, alone 
 induced to continue hoftilities, was not averie 
 to a pacification, as it would leayfe her to the 
 enjoyment of that repofe, which now coniti- 
 tuted her greateft pleafure. 
 
 The emprefs queen alone appeared dehrous Auflm. 
 of prolonging- hoftilities, by which me expect- 
 ed to deftroy her greateft enemy ; yet, in com- Congrefs 
 pliance withthe wifhes of r Vance, die propofed a f XmJ* 
 general eomnefs, to be holden at Aufffbourg. 
 
 Choiseul conveyed the proportion to the 
 Britiih conrt, through the medium of prince 
 Gallitzin, the Ruffian minifter. The Englifli 
 monarch, and the king of Pruftia, acceded with- 
 out hefitatiOiv. France at the fame time propofed 
 to Great Britain, that milliners ihould be fent 
 to their respective courts, for the purpofeof ne- 
 gotiating a feparate peace, to which, as the 
 king of Pruffia could offer no objection, the 
 Britiih miniftry agreed. 
 
 As it was the intereit of France to obtain 
 time for recruiting her armies, and refitting her 
 ileets, this propofal was accompanied witli 
 another for an immediate ceffation of arms 
 but England having already incurred the ex- 
 pence of a new campaign, and made im- 
 menfe maritime preparations, was not duped by 
 this infidious oiler. 
 
 France entertained great hopes of deriv- 
 ing advantage from the negotiations at Augi- 
 bourg; but the meeting was prevented by a 
 punctilious objection: tlie emperor, it was laid. 
 could not fend an embauador, becaufe war was 
 
 declared
 
 32 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, declared againft the emprefs queen, and riot 
 \*Jl^/ a g' a i n ft the head of the empire. b 
 1761. During the winter, a few trifling fkirmimes 
 
 only took place between the king Pruftia and 
 the allies, hut often five operations were now 
 ferioufly relumed. Frederick II. maintained* 
 with fpirit, vigour, and /kill, an unequal con^- 
 left againft the overwhelming armies of the 
 two empires. He was obliged to confider 
 fafety fortunate, and to maintain his political 
 iituation by addrefs in temporizing, rather 
 than rifque every thing by a defperate effort in 
 9th Sept. battle. His diftrefs was increafed by the un- 
 ScWki ° f ex P e ^ c< ^ capture of Schweidnitz, a ftrong city 
 nitz. in Sileiia, from which he had hitherto drawn 
 
 confiderable fupplics. His affairs were ge- 
 nerally unprofperous in Silefia, Pomerania, and 
 Saxony, and he kept the field with diiiiculty 
 xoth Dec. and difad vantage, till his troops went into win- 
 ter quarters. 
 Battle of Prince Ferdinand, on the other hand* 
 Fuhng- made a brilliant and fuccelsful campaign : at an 
 early period he fortunately cut off fome fupplies, 
 and availing himielf of the inaction occaiioned 
 by this event, ftrengthened his own pofjtion at 
 15th and Kirch Denckem. He was, however, attacked 
 i6rh July, by the French : the conflict was fevere, and con- 
 tinued two days : the enemy for a time feemed 
 victorious ; they compelled part of the Britiih. 
 troops under lord Granby to retire, and pof- 
 feffed themfelves of the Tillage of Filling" 
 ihaufen ; but at length, by a mafterly ma* 
 nceuvre, prince Ferdinand, and the Britiih 
 general, turned the fortune of the day, and 
 
 •> Ouvres complettes de Frederic II. Roi de PruiTe, v. iii. chap. 13k 
 — - Hiftorical Memorial of the negotiation', published in Paris by 
 authority. 
 
 fceuretl
 
 GEORGE III. 
 
 33 
 
 fecurecl a mod important vi&ory. c The career chap. 
 of fuecefs was uninterrupted till the end of the v^^ 
 campaign, which covered both generals with I ? 61 - 
 glory. d 
 
 Nor were the Britim arms lefs fuccefsful in capture of 
 other quarters. Among the moft promifmg Btrllei e * 
 entcrprizcs of .the year, was a fecret expedition 
 to the attack of Belleifle, near the coaft of 
 Lritanny. The fleet confided of ten mips of 
 the line, befides frigates, fire-lhips, and bombs, 
 and one hundred tranfports, which conveyed 
 nine thoufand men, with a train of artillery. 
 The fleet failed from Spithead in three divi- S9 thMar. 
 lions, under the command of commodore Kep- 
 pel ; and the troops were led by major-general 
 Hodgfon. 
 
 They attempted a landing on the fouth eaft sth April, 
 of the ifland, in a fandy bay, near Lomeria 
 Point, but were repulfed withlofs. After fome 
 time, they made another effort near the fame 
 point, but in a place where the enemy, trult- 
 ing to the natural impediments, had been lefs 
 folicitous to form an artificial drl'enee. Hav- 
 ing furmounted confiderable difficulties, thev 
 laid hege to Palais, tlie capital of the ifland, 
 and compelled the governor to capituiate, after 
 a rcfiftance of two months, in which he loir 
 two thoufand men. 
 
 The news of this conqueft occafioned gene- 
 ral exultation. A loyal addrefs was unani- 
 moufly voted by the city of London: and great t! «<% pf 
 expectations were formed, that the capture of London * 
 
 7th June. 
 
 17 th Jure. 
 \<lilrefs of 
 
 1 This battle, if we may believe Dumouriez, was loft through the 
 precipitation of Broglio^ who, in order to gairi tlTe viclory by his 
 own army alone, made the attack a day too foon, and through the 
 criminal jealotify of Soubife, who facnficed tne glorv and ir.icre.lt 
 of France to the nltnfuie of mortifying his rival. Life of Dumou- 
 riez, vol. i. p. 36. 
 
 d CEuvrcs du !*oi dc PrnflTe, voj. iii. chap. 14.. 
 
 vol. i p Belleifle
 
 34 
 CHAP, 
 
 ir. 
 
 1761. 
 j —tli Dec. 
 
 Capture of 
 Dominica. 
 6th June. 
 
 Reduction 
 of the Che- 
 rokees. 
 
 Indiai 
 
 Invafion of 
 Bengal by 
 the Shah 
 
 2^.dda.h ; 
 
 who is de- 
 feated. 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 Belleifle would procure more favourable terms 
 of peace. The demolition of the works feems 
 to have been the principal object of the enter- 
 prize, and that was effectually accomplished. 
 The French, afterwards, made an attempt to 
 burn the Britiifi fleet in Bafque Road, near 
 Aix : the project, was well conceived, but fail- 
 ed through the precipitation aticj unfkilfulnefs 
 of thofe to whom it was entruired. 
 
 In the Weft Indies, Dominica was taken by 
 lord Hollo ; and the Cherokee Indians having 
 taken up arms, at the inftigation of the French, 
 Sir James Douglas and colonel Grant, at the 
 head of two thoufand fix hundred men, ra- 
 vaged their country, and compelled them to 
 fue for peace. £ 
 
 Ix the Fait Indies, the Britifh power, which 
 had been itrengthened on the coaft of Coro- 
 mandel by the poffefTion of Pondicherry, f was 
 itill further fecured on the coaft of Malabar 
 by the capture of Milne, whieh was taken by 
 major Hector Monro. An adventurer, named 
 Law, nephew of the famous projector, excited 
 a momentary ftruggle, by fupporting with a 
 corps of French fugitives, the caufe of the 
 Mogul, who in the preceding year had been 
 known- bv the title of the Shah Zaddah. Initi- 
 gated by the advice of Law,. that prince enter- 
 ed the kinodom of Bengal at the head of 
 eiobtv thoufand Indians, and about two hun- 
 dred French. Major Carnac with twentv thou- 
 fand blacks, and five hundred Engliih fofdiefs, 
 totally routed this vaft army, and took the 
 Shah Zaddah and Law, prifoners. 5 
 
 e Beatfon's Naval and Military Memoirs, vol. iii. 
 
 f See Smollett's continuation of Hume, vol. v. p. 363. 
 
 t See chapter x. 
 
 D'pSTAIXG,
 
 GEORGE III. 35 
 
 D'Estaing, who in violation of his parole, chap. 
 in {'cited the Indian feas with two frigates, fail- ^^, 
 iug to Sumatra, reduced liencouli, Tappana- Exploits of 
 poli, and Marlborough fort. d'Eftaing. 
 
 While war was thus vigoroiifly, and with Tranquiiii- 
 various fuccefs, carried on in all quarters of VI 3t 
 
 i ii - i r> -r< i i • i Britain. 
 
 the globe, the people ot Lngland enjoyed not 
 only an abfolute tranquillity, but partook of 
 the pleafurcs incident to a new reign, and 
 iliared the feftivals to which the feafon gave 
 birth. 
 
 The king;', having fummoned a council ex- Sthjuty. 
 
 C? d? 'ill'" 
 
 traordinary, declared his determination to mar- 7 \ e ?■ 
 
 . J ' , declares his 
 
 rythe pnncels Charlotte of Meckleaberg Stre- intentions 
 litz. This communication was received with i::an > 
 fome furprize, as the king's intention was a 
 profound fecret. h His conduct, was highlv 
 prudent, for it prevented difcuihons which are 
 at all times indelicate, and which might, on 
 this occafion, have been attended by unpiea- 
 fant circumftances. The late king was, at one 
 period, fuppofed to entertain an intention of 
 marrying him to a princefs of Brunfwiek, 
 niece to the king of Prttffia ; but this match 
 was difagrceahle to the princefs of Wales 1 ; and 
 thole companions which the public interefl in 
 the event could not fail to produce, had the 
 king's intention been early announced, mult 
 have given great uneafmefs at court. 
 
 The proper arrangements being made, lord Hlsmarn - 
 Anion, firft lord of the admiralty, conducted JthAug. 
 the prince:'-. 6o England, where, after a dan- 
 gerous and difficult pallagc, iiie arrived in 8th Sept. 
 iafetv. The ceremonv of marriage was per- ^<i, and 
 
 coronation* 
 
 * Lord Orford's works, vol. v. p. 75. 
 1 Lord Mekombe's Diary, 3;*. 
 
 6 2 formed
 
 a 
 
 6 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, formed the fame day, and foon afterwards the 
 
 n - coronation. k 
 176'. One of the molt interefting and important 
 
 Ne-otia. tranfacdons of this year, was the negotiation 
 
 tions tor • . p _, 
 
 peace. for peace between Great Britain and r ranee. 
 
 In confequence of the defire expreifed by the 
 
 24th and court of Verfailtes, M. de Buffy was received 
 
 3 iit Mar. j fl L onc [ on) ailc } ]] ans Stanley at Paris, as mi- 
 
 nifters. After fome delay, the principles were 
 
 fully arranged. Thefe were, — That the con- 
 quefrs made on each fide mould be conlidcr- 
 ed as the property of the conquerors, and 
 either retained or exchanged according to 
 their value : certain periods were alfo fixed, 
 though not without oreat difcuffions, at which 
 the effect of this ftrjbu'ration was to begin : 
 And it was agreed, that all arrangements be- 
 tween the two crowns mould be conelufive, 
 independent of the fate of the congrefs then 
 expected to take place at Augfbourg, 
 
 Thefe propofals were made by France ; but 
 there is no room to believe, that lhe M'as at 
 this moment fincere in the wiih for peace. The 
 French cabinet entertained great hopes of in- 
 ducing Spain to engage in the quarrel, and 
 therefore oltentatiouily fubmitted to make hu- 
 miliating attempts at conciliation, judging this 
 to he the molt certain mode of alarming the 
 court of Madrid, and inducing the Spanilh 
 miniiier to prevent the concluiion of peace 
 with Great Britain, by an early avowal of hof- 
 tility. Spain had declared that France was 
 furhciently humbled, but in uft not be ruined ' ; 
 and therefore every appearance of immoderate 
 
 k For a fpirited account of thefe events, fee lord Orford's works, 
 vol. V. p. 80 and 83. 
 
 1 Lord OrfonPs works, vol. v. p. 82. 
 
 conceffion
 
 GEORGE III. 37 
 
 conceffion could not fail of exciting great cmc- chap. 
 tion. v ]I , 
 
 The Britifh miniftry did not entertain fan- i?^*. 
 guine hopes of a fucceisful iil'ue of the nego- 
 tiation, .is after the commencement of it, the 
 expedition agaiidt Belieifle was undertaken. 
 
 Choiseul conducted the bufmefs with great 
 art and addrds : he contrived to impreis on 
 Mr. Stanley's mind, the neceirity of keeping 
 the extent of the propoied compenfations an 
 intire fecret, not only from the minifters of the 
 allies of England, but even hem M. de Bully 
 himfelf; 1 " and, after much debate, agreed 
 that France mould make a fpecific propoial of 
 compenfations. 
 
 The articles delivered by the French mini- 
 fter were : 
 
 I. The ec Prion and guaranty of Canada to 
 England, under four conditions, viz. The 
 free exercife of the Catholic religion : free 
 leave for French fubjects to quit the colony : 
 the correct lettlement of the limits : and liber- 
 tv of riihing and diving fifh on the banks of 
 Newfoundland; for the benefit of which filli- 
 ery. Cape Breton was to be rcitored to France, 
 but no fortifications to be erected. 
 
 U. France to reftore Minorca and fort St. 
 Philip. 
 
 m. England in return to rcflore Gauda- 
 loupe and Marigalante. 
 
 IV. Dominica and St. Vincent to be in the 
 polfefuon of the Caribbs, under the protection 
 of France; St. Lucie to be rcitored to France; 
 and Tobago, under certain conditions, to re- 
 main in the poliel'iion of England. 
 
 ra Private letter from Mr. Stanley to Mr. Pitt, sSth Auguft 
 1761. 
 
 p 3 v. Assuming
 
 38 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. v. Assuming as a principle that it would 
 <^s^ be advantageous for the two countries to ab- 
 
 1 ? 61, main from all military views of conqueft in In- 
 dia, it was propofed that the treaty between 
 Godchcu and Saunders, in 1755, mould ferve 
 as a balls for the re-eftabliihment of peace in 
 Alia. 
 
 VI. England to retain either Senegal or 
 Goree, but to give up one of them to France ; 
 and alio to reitore Bellciflc, with the artillery 
 which was there at the time of the conqueft. 
 
 VII. In consideration of thefe ceffions, 
 France fripulated to evacuate Bene, Hanau, 
 and thole parts of the electorate of Hanover 
 occupied by them. 
 
 VIII. That the feparate peace might not he 
 prejudicial to any treaties, or difadvantageous 
 to the cm prefs queen, the king of England 
 mould undertake that no part of the forces, 
 compofmg prince Ferdinand's army, mould 
 join the king of Pruiiia; and, on the other 
 hand, that the armies commanded bv Broglio 
 and Soubife mould retire, liroglio occupying 
 Frankfort, and Soubife Wefel and Gueldres 
 
 The countries belonging- to the king of 
 Pruffia, on the lower Rhine, being conquered, 
 and actually governed in the name of the em- 
 prefs queen, the French king could not under- 
 take to evacuate them, till the clofe of the ne- 
 gotiations at Auglbourg ; but agreed to with- 
 draw double the number of troops withdrawn 
 by the king of England. 
 
 IX. Naval captures made before the war 
 to be reftored ; however, this was not inlifted 
 on as an effential flipulation, but offered to be 
 referred to the juftice of the king of England, 
 and the Engliih tribunals. 
 
 The 
 
 .-
 
 GEORGE III. 39 
 
 The other articles were not of much im- chap. 
 portance. 
 
 These propofals, though liberal in fome in- ob leiva . 
 fiances, could not form the bafis of an honour- tionson 
 able treaty, as in other refpeets the claims of them * 
 France were exorbitant, and displayed an extra- 
 vagant fliare of prcfumption, particularly in 
 the cafe of India, where it is propofed that 
 Great Britain ihould rciign valuable and ex- 
 tenfive conquefts, without an equivalent, and 
 merely in compliance with a principle of po- 
 licy, not of law or juftice, dictated by an ene- 
 my. The requisition for the rcftitution of 
 prizes, although recommended by fome mew 
 of moderation, is equally arrogant : it affects 
 to make a difrinction between the French na- 
 tion and individuals compoiing, it, and con- 
 cludes with a clamorous appeal to the law of 
 nations, and an ailertion that the arguments 
 advanced on the part of France are unanfwer- 
 able. The articles reflecting the conquefts 
 made from the king of Pruiha, is no lets .inii- 
 dious and prefumptuous ; if the congrefs oi' 
 Auglbourg failed of producing an immediate 
 pacification, that monarch, mult, in all proba- 
 bility, have been crulhed by the powerful com- 
 bination of his enemies, an event which France 
 well knew Great Britain could never permit. 
 
 It is very doubtful if thefe propofals could 
 have been fo modified as to produce a good 
 fyftcm of pacification ; but it is more probable 
 that the French minifter had previouily fecured 
 t lie co-operation of Spain, and had even plan- 
 ned the treaty which was afterwards carried 
 into effect, and the operations which refulted 
 from the alliance. 
 
 This conjecture is rendered ftill more pro- Affairs of 
 i>ablc, by the delivery of another memorial truduce'cT 
 
 D 4 from by Ranee,
 
 40 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP, from France on the affairs of Spain, in which 
 ^J 1 ^ tne Fvencb king more than equivocally inti- 
 1761. mated the hoftile difpofition of the court of 
 Madrid. n 
 
 After this arrogant infinuation, the French 
 king required, as' the means of fecuring a folic! 
 peace, — 
 
 I. The reftoration of fome captures made 
 during the war. 
 
 II. The privilege for the Spaniih nation to 
 fifh on the banks of Newfoundland. 
 
 III. The demolition of the Englifh fettle- 
 meiirs upon the Spanifli territories in the Bay 
 of Honduras. 
 
 These propofals, and this interference, were 
 fufhcient to evince that France was not in fact 
 defirous of peace : but to aggravate ftill more 
 the impropriety of their demands, a third me- 
 morial was delivered, ftating the confent of 
 the emprefs queen to a feparate pacification 
 between France and England, provided fhe 
 might retain poneffion of the countries con- 
 quered from Prufiia, and none of the auxilia- 
 ries in alliance with Hanover, mould join with 
 Frederick. 
 *4thjuiy. r l HE Britim minifter, with great fpirit and 
 Spirited propriety, declared, both in converfation and 
 SS?Ktt.° f m writing; that the king would not fuffer the 
 differences with Spain to be blended .in the 
 difputes then under difcufhon ; and added, it 
 would be considered an affront to his majeftys 
 dignity, and incompatible with the iincerity of 
 the negotiation, to make further mention of 
 
 n He fays, '* The kinr; will not difguife from his majefty (of 
 Great Britain) that the differences of Spain with England, nil him 
 with juft apprehenfion?, and give him room to fear, that, if they 
 are not adjulted, they will occafion a frefh war in Europe and 
 America." 
 
 fuch
 
 G E ORGE III. 41 
 
 fuch a circumftance : he, therefore, returned ch\p". 
 the memorials relating to Spain and the king ^J 1 ^ 
 of Pruffia, as totally inadmivuble. rf6i. 
 
 Mr. Pitt afterwards answered the French ? . 9 f, j„i y . 
 proportions, and infifted on terms more eon- AnfWer to 
 tiiteiit, perhaps, with trie hi nation m v. inch this pr01>0 fi. 
 country itood from the advantages of con- tions. 
 queft, than with the pacific fentimerrts 'which 
 were fupppfed to give rife to the treaty. If 
 France had acceded to them, me fubfefibed 
 to her own utter ruin, and gave up all iburces 
 of Avcalth, or political importance in America; 
 Africa, and Alia. The demolition of Dun- 
 kirk was peremptorily demanded, as the price 
 of liberty to fiih on the banks of Newfound- 
 land; and that permiffioii Was rendered lei's 
 Valuable by a refufal to cede Cape Breton. 
 Belleiile was offered as an equivalent for Mi- 
 norca. Guadeloupe and Marigalante were to 
 be reftored ; but as the minifter re'fiifed to part 
 villi Senegal or Goree, the French Weft In- 
 dia iilauds would have been of little value or 
 importance, from the difficulty of fupplying 
 them with negroes. Canada was to be retain- 
 ed, but the limits were left in a ftate of uncer- 
 tainty. The queftion concerning conquefts 
 in India, was left to the difc union of the Eng- 
 liili and French Fail India Companies. The 
 rcftitution of prizes was utterly refufed; and 
 the king declared he would continue, as an 
 auxiliary, to aihit the king of Pruffia in the 
 recovery of Silefia. 
 
 It might be (ably proved that the terms Obferva- 
 here infilled on, were no lets injudicious than tK 
 immoderate. The equitable end of war is not 
 the political annihilation of an enemy, but 
 the termination of difputes, and the fecuring 
 of an honourable and permanent peace. Nei- 
 ther 
 
 ions.
 
 4 2 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND, 
 
 CM A P. 
 
 II. 
 
 lySi. 
 
 Negotia- 
 tion conti- 
 nued. 
 
 £th Aug. 
 
 * 5 th Aug. 
 Family 
 
 'ompaft 
 lign'.d. 
 
 thcr of thefe objecls, however, could have been 
 attained by this pacification ; and France, 
 however reduced in point of finance, could 
 not be expected to receive fuch difgraceful 
 conditions, while flic had yet the means of pro- 
 longing a conteft, in which time might pro- 
 duce a turn in their favour, but could hardly 
 reduce her to a more deplorable ftate of ne- 
 ceffity. 
 
 The minifter, therefore, did not act. with his 
 ufual wilclom in allowing to France the ad- 
 vantage of complaining, that his haughtinefs 
 rendered the treaty inadmiffible: and he fur- 
 n lined Spain with a more plaufible pretence for 
 the mode of conduct the was now refolved to 
 adopt. The Spanifh minifter, without delay, 
 avowed the memorial delivered bv M. de Bui- 
 fy, relating to the interefts of Spain, and Span- 
 ill 1 gold began to be coined on the frontier 
 towns of France, for the benefit of that na- 
 tion. ° 
 
 But as matters were not yet ripe for an open 
 rupture, the farce of negotiation was con- 
 tinued : an ultimatum was delivered from the 
 court of France, replying to the proportions of 
 England ; and memorials were lent refpecting 
 the prizes ; which, with the dubious conduct 
 of Spain, neceiTarily occaiioned fome delays. 
 Choileul amufed Stanley with equivocal de- 
 clarations in regard to Spain, and even in- 
 duced him to believe, that the introduction of 
 Spanifh affairs by France, was not a voluntary 
 act, but extorted by the exigences of his iitua- 
 tion. p 
 
 At length the famous treaty, called the fa- 
 mily compact, was fecretly figned, and though 
 
 • Lord Orford's works, vol. v. p. 8a. 
 
 P Letter from Mr. Stanley to Mr. Pitt, 20th Aug. 1761. 
 
 it
 
 GEOR G E III. 
 
 it was not yet ratified, and the conditions were ciu 
 unknown, yet Stanley received qbfeure intel- .JL 1 *^ 
 ligei.ee on the fubje6t, which he communicated »^*« 
 to Mr. Pitt. The French ultimatum was pc- iftSept. 
 rcmptorily rejected, the negotiation abruptly 
 terminated, and Buffy and Stanley returned to 25 th Se P f - 
 their respective courts. q 
 
 The introduction of Spaniih affairs by the Mr.Pitt-j 
 French minifter, highly offended Mr. Pitt, ©"stolid 
 He immediately difpatched to the earl of Brif- Briftoi, 
 tol, the Britiili embaifador at Madrid, a letter 2Sth J ul T- 
 complaining, in the moft unqualified terms, of 
 the conduct both of Fiance and Spain. The 
 memorial delivered by Butiy, he fays, will bell 
 fpeak its own enormity, and the extreme offen- 
 Ji vends of the matter it contains. Lord Brif- 
 
 1 
 
 tol was inftrucled to apprize don Ilicardo Wall, 
 the Spaniih fecretary of ftate, of the memorial; 
 to rcmonitrate with energy and iirmnefs on the 
 irregularity of the proceeding; and to ftate, that 
 the king would by no means add facilities 
 for the Satisfaction of the court of Spain, m 
 confequence of any intimation from a hoi- 
 tile power of union of councils, or of pre- 
 fent or future con juciions. At the fame time, 
 considering it poilible that the court of France 
 might have exaggerated, lord Briftoi was in- 
 itructed, if he ihould perceive a difpohtiori in 
 M. Wall, to explain aw ay and difavow the au- 
 thorization of Spain, to this often live tranfac- 
 tion, to open lo the court of Madrid a hand- 
 fome retreat. 
 
 In purfuancc of thefe inftruclions lord Brif- Lord Brif- 
 tol waited on general Wall, and inforced all t( ' ls ex " 
 
 planation 
 
 vvitli gene- 
 <i For the hiftory of this negotiation have been confulted : The pa- ral Wall, 
 pers relative to a rupture with Spain, laid before thehouleof com- 
 mons, Tlie historical memorial publifhej by the court of France ; 
 tpgether with many pamphlets, and piiodical publications. 
 
 the
 
 44 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, the topics contained in Mr. Pitt's letter, with 
 l 1 ^ the greateft firmnefs and fpirit. The Spanifh. 
 1761. minifter, having previoufly received informa- 
 tion on the fubjeci from the French embaiTa- 
 dor, anfwered, that France had voluntarily 
 propofed to attempt an accommodation of the 
 differences between Spain and England, and 
 - had fpontaneoufly offered, in the event of a 
 rupture, an union of her forces with thofe of 
 Spain, to prevent the Engliih encroachments 
 upon his catholic majefty's territories in Ame- 
 rica: an ofier which the Spaniih monarch had 
 received with all the cordiality due to a friend, 
 who was determined even to involve himfelf 
 in a freih war in order to defend Spain. Ge- 
 neral Wall, however, allured lord Briftol, that 
 the king of Spain had no intention to pro- 
 voke Great Britain, efpecially at a time when 
 the court of London was in a moft flourifhing 
 and exalted (ituation, occafioned by a feries of 
 unparalleled profperities. He made many ge- 
 neral profeffions of pacific and amicable inten- 
 tions, and placed the interference of France in 
 a point of view mtively inofteniive. After dif- 
 cufling the complaints againft England, Wall 
 proceeded to fatisfy the doubts entertained 
 refpeciing the naval armaments carrying on in 
 various ports of Spain. He expreiied lurprize 
 that Great Britain mould take umbrage at 
 tills circumftanee, as the whole number, in- 
 cluding mips of the line and frigates, did not 
 exceed twenty; and they were employed in 
 failing backwards and forwards between Spain 
 and Naples, in convoying flotas and regifter 
 mips, and maintaining a check upon the Bar- 
 bary corfairs. • 
 
 The difpatch from lord Briftol containing 
 an account of thefe traniaciions, which are 
 
 the
 
 GEORGE III. 45 
 
 the fubftance of five conferences, was accom- chap. 
 panied with a paper delivered to him bv ge- ^JIl, 
 neral Wall, in which the complaints of Spain i? 6 *- 
 are inforceci, and the alliance with France 
 avowed, in a more fpirited manner, though pa- 
 cific inclinations are (till profeffed. After dis- 
 playing the j lift grounds of complaint, and the 
 moderation and candour of the court of Ma- 
 drid, the following expreffions are ufed: " The 
 " king of Spain will fay, as the king of Eng- 
 " land does, that he will do nothing on ac 
 " count of the intimation of a hoftile power, 
 a who threatens an union of councils, and 
 "gives to underhand a future war; for the 
 " catholic king approves of, and elteems in 
 " other nionarchs, thofe feritiments of honour 
 " he feels himfelf, and if he had thought that 
 " the delivery of the memorial had been con- 
 " ftrued as a threat, he would never have con- 
 " fented to it. Why has not England made 
 " the trial or concluding a peace with France. 
 " without the guaranty or intervention of 
 " Spain ? and adjufted her differences with 
 " Spain, without the knowledge of Franc 
 " Then me would have experienced that their 
 " union was not an obftrufction, but only tend- 
 ed, to tranquillity. With relpect to Spain, 
 " it is now repeated, that as the king of Great 
 " Britain, notwithftanding the memorial, was 
 4< inclined to fatisfy the catholic king, and 
 " ready to terminate, in a friendly manner. 
 " whatever might occafion a coolnels between 
 11 the two kingdoms ; his catholic majefty 
 " elteems and correfporids with fuch good pur- 
 " pofes." r 
 
 Tins letter from lord Briftol was dated the 
 
 * Papers relative to the rupture with Spain. 
 
 3 J ft
 
 46 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. Sift of Auguft, and received the l lib of Sep-* 
 J- 1 - , tember. It contained nothing which could 
 -761. juftify any hoftile intention againft Spain ; on 
 the contrary, it afforded ample room to hope 
 for an adjustment of all differences on advan- 
 . tageous terms. The Spaniih minifter did not 
 attempt to diiguife the terror of his court at 
 the vigour and energy of the Brit if h arms, and 
 feemed ready to give up every claim wfoich, 
 conhitently with the dignity of an indepen- 
 dent nation, could be furrendered, to avoid 
 a rupture with lb formidable an advcrfaiy. 
 *sth Sept. To the iurnrize then of all who were unac- 
 Mr. Pkt quainted with his motives, Mr. Pitt, in a week 
 SaTwhh a ft er tne receipt of this letter, propofed in the 
 Spain. cabinet to order lord Briftol to withdraw from 
 Madrid; and prefented a bold and extenhve 
 plan of operations againft the trade, the colo- 
 nies, and the wealth of Spain. This propor- 
 tion was delivered in writing, and Agreed by 
 Mr. Pitt and lord Temple, as advice to the 
 kin?-. It was debated with jyreat warmth at 
 three feveral councils, called for the exprefs 
 purpofe; but the cabinet remaining uncon- 
 vinced by the arguments adduced in favour of 
 LordTem- the plan, Mr. Pitt and lord Temple declared 
 Pht a de£r.' tbeh " refohrtioa to refign. Mr. Pitt laid, 
 mine to re- <l he was called to the miniftry by the voice 
 %n. u jp t ] ie p CO pie 3 to whom he coniidered him- 
 
 " felf accountable for his conduct ; and he 
 " would not remain in a iil nation which made 
 " him refponlible for meafures he was no 
 " longer allowed to guide." To this intempe- 
 rate and unwarrantable declaration, lord Gran- 
 ville, preiident of the council, replied, " I can 
 " hardly regret the right honourable gentle- 
 " man's determination to leave us, as he would- 
 3 " other wile
 
 tions. 
 
 GEORGE III. 47 
 
 <c otherwife have compelled us to leave him ; chap. 
 
 " but if he be refolved to afl'ume the right of '^ 
 
 " advifmg his majefty, and directing the opera- t,^. 
 
 " tions of the war, to what purpofe are we 
 
 " called to this council? When he talks of be- 
 
 11 ing reiponfible to the people, he talks the lan- 
 
 " giiage of the houfe of commons, and forgets, 
 
 " that at this board, he is only refponfible to 
 
 " the king. However, though he may poffibly 
 
 H have convinced himfelf of .his infallibility, 
 
 " ftill it remains that we mould be equally co'n- 
 
 " vinced, before we can refign our underftand- 
 
 " ings to his direction, or join with him in the 
 
 " meafure he propofes."* 
 
 Mr. Pitt*s refolution to refign, has been obferva- 
 varioufiy conlidered, and cenfured or defend- 
 ed with a warmth proportioned to the magni- 
 tude of the object : for certainly the character 
 of a great man, acquired by long and arduous 
 exertion, cannot be confidered as deficient in 
 importance or interell ; and the attempt to efta- 
 bliih the extraordinary principle, that a miniiter 
 is entitled to abandon the cabinet, becaufe he 
 is not allowed to guide it, requires more than 
 common fupport, both from fact and argument. 
 Mr. Pitt himfelf declared, " that his opinion 
 " was founded on what Spain had already 
 " done, not on what that court might further 
 " intend to do.'" This declaration muft ob- 
 vioufly allude to fome intimation he had re- 
 ceived of the exec u lion of the family com- 
 
 * Hiftory of the late minority, p. 32. 
 
 « Letter from Mr. Pitt to , in the city. See Hiftory of the 
 
 late minority, p. 37. Annual Regilter for 1761, p. 300. Gen- 
 tleman's Magazine, J761, p. 465. 
 
 vol. 1. d S pael,
 
 48 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP. P a &> and lord Temple afterwards declared this 
 
 II. to he the point on which their vindication 
 
 [ ^6^ reded. u In fact, the family compact was iigned 
 
 i 5 th Aug. anc i ratified, before Mr. Pitt propofed the at- 
 
 Sept. l tack on Spain ; and it is affirmed that lord 
 
 Marefchal, who not long before had been 
 
 in Spain, and who, at the interceffion of the 
 
 king of Pruffia, was reftored to his property in 
 
 Scotland, in gratitude communicated to Mr. 
 
 Pitt this remarkable treaty ; but this fact was 
 
 not difclofcd to the cabinet. 
 
 Mr. Stanley fent to Mr. Pitt, from Paris, 
 a letter, containing information that fome trea- 
 ty had been entered into between France and 
 Spain, and from memory detailed what he 
 unclerilood to be the tenth article of that trea- 
 ty ; but this information was fo vague and in- 
 definite, that no minifter could, by the produc- 
 tion of it, have juftified a declaration of war. * 
 Mr. Stanley, perhaps, thought this the tenth ar- 
 ticle of the family compact, but, in fact, no 
 fuch article appears. This letter was laid be- 
 fore the cabinet, and copies permitted to be 
 
 n Hiftory of the late minority, p. S3. 
 
 x Mr. Stanley's letter is in thefe words : " I have fecrtley feen an 
 ** article drawn up between France and Spain; in which the former 
 *' engages to fupport the intereft of the latter, equally with her own, 
 «' in the negotiation of peace with England. It was entitled, Article 
 <c 10th.— I am as yet a ftranger to the other nine, but mall endea- 
 " vour to get thtm. — This was on a feparate piece of paper — I read 
 «J it twice over ; but it was not left me long enough to copy. — I con- 
 " ceive it to be very recent ; for it was communicated in a letter, 
 " dated Auguft 10th, to M. de BufTy. He was directed not imme- 
 " diately to fign the peace' if it could be agreed with England ; per- 
 " haps in order to get off from Spain more decently. I queftion 
 «« whether this article has been figned, or fotally concluded ; but he 
 « was not allowed to proceed contrary to it. Spain has been pufh- 
 '.} ing her negotiation ever fince I came here, and had about thi§ 
 '* time gained great ground." 
 
 taken
 
 GEOK G E III. 49 
 
 taken by the minifters and their friends; they chap. 
 deliberated on it, and rejected the propofal it ^J}^ 
 was intended to iuftifv. Had this letter been l i$** 
 avowed as the only intelligence, which induc- 
 ed the court of Great Britain to commence 
 holtilities, all Europe would have been alarm- 
 ed : the violence of the meafure would have 
 deftroyed every principle of national fecurity ■ 
 and the faith of Great Britain would have re- 
 ceived an indelible {lain.. 
 
 Nor were the advantages to be derived from 
 fuch an effort, fo great as have been fuppofed. 
 The whole marine force of Spain was inade- 
 quate to oppofe the victorious and well ap- 
 pointed navy of England. The colonies were 
 open to attack, and the fmall portion of delay 
 requifiteto obviate the charge of precipitation 
 and injuftice, could make no effectual alter- 
 ation in that refpect. The flota, which it was 
 part of the project to intercept, might, at the 
 very period the propofal was made, have been 
 expected in port; but certainly there was every 
 reafon to iuppofc. that before lord Briftol could 
 receive orders of recall, and a force be dis- 
 patched to effect the capture, the intended 
 prize would have been out of danger. z And 
 even if the enterprize had fucceeded, the value 
 of the acquiiitioji would have afforded but 
 
 z Mr. Pitt's refignafcor. in confeqnence of hit propofal not being 
 complied with, took place the 5th October. On the z<S November 
 lord Briftol wrote a !s..t«r to his i'ucceflbr, containing this paragraph : 
 '- Two (hips have lately arrived at Cadiz, with very extraordinary 
 rich cargoes, from the Welt Indies ; lb that all the wealth that was 
 expetted from Spaniih America, is now fife in Old Spain." From 
 this it appears almoft impofiible that, had the utmoft celerity been 
 tried, either of ihefe (hips could have been intercepted. Indeed, their 
 being yet to arrive could hardly be expeQed, fince lord Briiiol, in 4. 
 cWpatch date! the z 1 It September, and received the 16, h October, 
 announced the arrival of the Hota in the l).iy of Cadiz, and mention- 
 ed the king of Spain's difappointment at the ftnali quantity oftrea- 
 rire on bo3r<!. 
 
 VOL. i. E fmall
 
 60 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 c h A P. fmall compenfation for the facrifice of national 
 V ^ I ^ / honour, by an act differing very little from 
 ?#Si. piracy. a 
 
 Spain had. committed no avowed ael which 
 could juftify Great Britain in a declaration of 
 war ; nor was the intelligence which had been 
 obtained of her private meafures, fufficient to 
 afford a pretence for hoftility. If a conjecture 
 may be hazarded, it feems no* improbable that 
 the communication made to Stanley, was a re- 
 fined piece of fineffe in the French miniitrv. 
 They were extremely anxious to engage this 
 country in a rupture with Spain, and perhaps 
 expected that the Britifh minifter would, imme- 
 diately on receiving the intelligence they had 
 permitted to tranfpire, take iteps which he 
 would be utterly unable to juftify, and thus 
 make the caufe of France and Spain the com- 
 mon intereft of Europe. 
 <tb oft. M r - P ITT ? m purfuanceof his refolution, went 
 
 Mr. Piti's to St. James's, and reiigned the feals. The 
 refigna- kino- received them with eafe and firmnefs, 
 Theking's without requefting him to refume his office. 
 behaviour. jj e expreiied concern at the lofs of fo able a 
 minifter; and to fhew the favourable fenfe he 
 entertained of his lervices, made him a graci- 
 ous and unlimited offer of any rewards m the 
 power of the crown to beft#w. His majefty, 
 at the fame time, cxprelfed himfelf not only 
 fatislied with the opinion of the majority of the 
 council, but declared he ihould have found 
 himfelf under the ereateft difficulty, had that 
 council concurred as fully in fupporting the 
 
 3 The king of PrufTia pays Mr. Pitt the compliment of having 
 penetrated the intentions of Spain, like a real itatefman ; but Mr. 
 .Pitt poffeiTed no information which could juftify him in declaring 
 war, and the king of Pruffia was totally unacquainted with the go- 
 vernment, parties, and politics of Great Britain. £Euvies du Ko$ 
 de Pru(Te, vol. IV. p. 60, 
 
 nieafuyc
 
 GEORGE III. 5 1 
 
 tneafure propofed by Mr. Pitt as they had chap. 
 
 in rejecting it. Mr. Pitt was fenfibly touched ^J}^ 
 
 with the grandeur and condefcenhon of this 1761. 
 
 proceeding : " I confels, Sire," he laid, " I had 
 
 " but too much reafon to expect your majeity's 
 
 " difpleafure. I did not come prepared for 
 
 " this exceeding goodnefs — pardon me, Sire, 
 
 " it overpowers — it oppreifes me." He burft 
 
 into tears. b At a fubfequent period, paying 
 
 a due tribute of gratitude to the generous de- 
 
 meamour of the king, he lays, " Molt gracious 
 
 " public marks of his majeity's approbation of 
 
 " my fervices, followed my resignation. They 
 
 " are unmerited, and unlblicited ; and I fhali 
 
 ■" ever be proud to have received them from 
 
 " the heft of fovereigns." c 
 
 The next day arrangements were made for 6th. 
 Mr. Pitt's retreat from office. A pennon of Mr. Pitt 
 three thoufand pounds a year for three lives, p en fion. 
 was fettled on him, and a title conferred on his 
 lady and her illlie. d Lord Egremont was ap- 25 th Nov * 
 
 pointed 
 
 b Copied verbatim from the Annual Regifter, ijGi,^. 44. See 
 alfo Gentleman's Magazine, 1761. p. 54.6. 
 
 c Letter to , in the city. 
 
 d The following circumftance would not deftrve notice, but it 
 ferves to mew how eafily calumnious reports are received, and how 
 carefully preferved and repeated, till the fources of hiltory rue intirely 
 polluted. The account of thefe tranischons was not published in. 
 the Gazette till the 10th of October, when it wa^ accompanied 
 with an article from Madrid, ikewing the pacific difpofition of the 
 Court of Spain. An anonymous author relates the event in thefe 
 words : " The Gazette ltfelf was jiroftituted to ferve his (lord 
 Jiute's) low and ball- artifices : be pHrpofely foflponed the account tf 
 Fir. PiiCs refignation j or fei>eral days, in order that one of the 
 foothing declarations of" the court of Spain might appear along with 
 it, by way of giving the lie to Mr. Pitt's opinion of the Spanifli in- 
 tentions." (Hiftory of the late Minority, p. 35.) The fame ac- 
 count, though not in terms quite fo harfli, is repeated in the Life of 
 lord Chatham, vol. 1. p. 327. The faft ftands thus: Mr. Pitt 
 waited on the king to refign on Monday, but the arrangements 
 were not finally made till fuelday, which being the day when the 
 .tie is regularly publilhed, Mr. Pitt's refignation and penlion 
 
 could
 
 52 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, pointed his fucceilbr; and, fhortly afterwards, 
 wJ^v- the duke of Bedford lord privy leal. 
 1701. Mr. Pitt might, perhaps, feel fome difap- 
 
 pointment on his refigtiation, when Ire found 
 that his example was not followed byfeveral of 
 his colleagues ; but, notwithstanding the great 
 weight he derived from his unbounded popu- 
 larity, he had few perfonal adherents in the 
 cabinet. The duke of Neweaftle in particular 
 had always been jealous of Mr. Pittls afcen- 
 dency, and faw with envy the fuceefs of tbofe 
 meafures, in which, though he held a diftin- 
 guiihed place in adminiftration, he was con- 
 sidered merely as an inferior co-acljutor. c 
 
 could not have been announced earlier than Saturday the 10th, un- 
 lefs it had been confidered important enough to iiiue an extraordinary 
 Gazette on the occafion. There vvas no neceihty to delay the intel- 
 ligence till a foothmg declaration from the court of Spiin (hould ar- 
 rive, fcr on the very day Mr, Pitt refigned, a letter vvas received 
 from lord Briftol, which was published among the papers relative to 
 the rupture with Spain, and amply lhewed that Spain, at that pe- 
 riod, was notdifpofed to affume an hoitile pofition. 
 
 Litter from the enrl of Briftol to Mr. Secretary Pitt, dated 
 Segovia, S'pt. 14th, 1 76 1, received O&obcr 5th. 
 
 " Sir, 
 
 " General Wall has acquainted me that M. Manfo, governor, at 
 Sanroque, had, in confequence of the orders tranfmitted to him, 
 been at Tariffa, where (after examining into the conduct of the in-, 
 habitants of that place, and reproving tho.e who connived at the 
 proceedings, which occasioned fuch repeated complaints from me 
 concerning the illegal protection granted to the French row-boats, 
 under the cannon of that port), he had taken fucli meafures as 
 would put an effectual Hop to any further remunit, anccs «.<n that 
 fubjeft. 
 
 " The Spanifli minifter likewife informed me of his h iving heard, 
 that feveral additional works are going forward in Older to ftrengthen 
 trie fortifications at Gibraltar; winch, he laid, would naturally con- 
 film the report, too univerfaily fpread, of an approaching rupture 
 between our courts. His excellency a(ked me, whether Great Bri- 
 tain could ferioufly entertain any apprehenfions of i'uch an event? 
 ami, without giving me time to anfwer, added, that the catholic 
 kin^ had at no lime been more intent on cultivating a good corre£» 
 pondence with his majefty than at prefenf," &c. &c. 
 
 • See lord Orfcrd's Work?, vol. 1. p- to. 
 
 Their
 
 GEORGE III. S3 
 
 Their union, had never been fincere, and. pro- chap* 
 bably the duke hoped, on Mr. Pitt's refigna- y*|^, 
 tion, to refume that power which conftituted 1761* 
 his greateft ambition. f 
 
 His views were not gratified; lord Bute Lord Bute 
 was conlidered the head of adminiitration, and confidered 
 thofe who expected to obtain favour by con- ofadmirrt- 
 necting themfelves with the favourite of their ftration, 
 fovereisro, were extremely ailiduous in their 
 court to him, and profufe in their expreffiona 
 of attachment. Lord Melcombe was among 
 the foremolt to congratulate him on being de- 
 livered from a molt impracticable colleague; 
 his majeftyfrom a molt imperious fervant; and 
 the country from a molt dangerous minifter. s 
 But lord Bute did not exult m the event, and Hisfentt- 
 whatever motives of uneafinefs lie had in the merits oi| 
 late adminiftration, he was far from thinking ^L^ s 
 the dilfolution of it, in the prefent minute, fa- tion. 
 vourable to the king's affairs. h 
 
 The 
 
 f Hiftory of the late Minority, p. '74. 
 
 2 Letter from lord MJcombe to lord Bute, 6th October, 1761. 
 
 h Lord Bute's anfwer to lord Melcombe, 8th O'&ober. This 
 letter is replete with feniiments of prudence and moderation, and 
 gives lb ciear a view of the principles. and politics of the writer, that 
 a copy is fubjoined for the purpole of illuftrating his character. 
 
 " My dear Lord, 
 " Whatever jm ivnte motives of uneafinefs I might have in the lift 
 adminiitration, I am far from thinking the dilfolution of it favour** 
 able in the prefent minute to the king's atFairs. Without entering 
 lino the caul'es of the war, it is fufficient to obferve, that it was a 
 national one, and that the honour of the nation is pledged to fup- 
 port its allies. You, my dear lord, cannot diflike it more than 1 
 do ; but as we have to du with a molt treacherous Sneifiy, whole ift- 
 famous prevarications, &c. have been (o lately experienced, we 
 mutt act with redoubled vigour and fplrit, before we can hop? to 
 bring them to fuch a peace asj from our repeated corlbuefts, this 
 country has a right to expect, — fuch a p:ace as 1 (with this load of 
 rcfponiibility) durlt put my name to. This beirtg fi), the change 
 of a mini Iter cannot at prefent make any remarkable change in mea- 
 i'ures. I figti tor peace, but will not foe ior it; not out ol pride, or 
 fox motive; of kit' pcefervation, ( t!l ugh both might, without clif, 
 
 L 3
 
 54 frlSTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. Th e prefs teemed with publications on tM 
 late unexpected change, and Mr. Pitt and lord 
 
 1761. Bute were aifailed by their refpective opponents 
 with ail the virulence of defamation, and ran- 
 cor of abufe. Mr. Pitt was reviled for accept- 
 ing a penfion andfionours, though thefe could 
 lefs be coniidered an adequate reward for his 
 Services, than a tribute of refpect to his virtues 
 and exertions : and lord Bute was cenfured for 
 having occafioned a refignation, which, in fact, 
 filled him with uneafmefs. Mr. Pitt's popu- 
 larity fuffered a momentary abatement, and 
 might have been transferred to another, had a 
 competitor appeared ; but as there was none, 
 it foon flowed back into its accuftomed chan- 
 zzd oa. nei - The common council of London prefent- 
 9th Nov. ed a vote of thanks : and on the lord mayor's- 
 day, when the king and queen dined in 
 the city, they were received by the people 
 with indifference, and lord Bute was ailailed 
 with all the infolence of vulgar malignity, 
 while Mr. Pitt was gratified with unbounded 
 marks of applaufe. 
 3d Nov. The new parliament met while the public 
 
 Meeting cf mind was thus agitated; and the houfe of com- 
 mons unanimoufly elected Sir John Cuft, ba- 
 6th ' ronet, their fpeaker, whofe integrity and 'abi- 
 
 lities, rendered him highly worthy of that im- 
 portant office. The king, in his fpeech from 
 
 the 1 
 
 honour, be urged) but from a thorough conviction that begging it 
 from France, is not the way to procure it.' Indeed, my good lord, 
 my fituation, at all time perilous, is now become much more Co - y 
 for I am no ftranger to the language held in this great city: our 
 darlings t'efignation is owing to lord Bute, who might have prevent- 
 ed it with the king, and he rriuft anfwer for all the confequences j 
 which is, in other words, for the mifcarriage of another's fyftem, 
 that he (Pitt) himfelf could not have prevented. All this keeps up 
 my attention, ftrengthens my mind without alarming it, and not 
 only yvhilpeis caution, but fteadiniefs and refolution*-"
 
 GEORGE ill. &> 
 
 the throne, after mentioning his happy marri- CHAP, 
 age, adverted to the failure of his efforts at pa- ^J}^ 
 cification, and ftated, as matter of confolation, *?*»• 
 that the continuance of war, and further eftu- 
 fion of Chriitian blood, could not, withjuftice, 
 be imputed to hi He fpoke in animated 
 
 terms of the fucceilcs which had dif ingmfhed 
 the year ; and was perfuaded bothhoufes would 
 agree with him in ©pinion, that the heady ex- 
 ertion of our moft vigorous eforts, in every 
 part where the enemy might 1 iil be attacked 
 with advantage, could alone be productive of 
 fuch a peace, as might with re be expected 
 
 from our fucceifes. " It is, therefoi con- 
 
 tinued, "my fixed • ' ■ : >on, with you. m- 
 " currence and fupport, to carry on the war in 
 " the moil effectual manner for the advantage 
 " of my kingdoms, and to maintain, to the ui- 
 " moft of my power, the good faith and ho- 
 " nour of my crown, by adhering firmly to 
 " the engagements entered into with my al- 
 " lies. In this I will perfevere until myene- 
 " mies, moved by their own loiles and dif- 
 " trefles, and couched with the mjferies of lb 
 u many nations, iha!l yield to the equitable 
 " conditions of an honourable peace; in which 
 " cafe, as well as in the pr.ofecution of the war, 
 " no confideration whatever mall make me 
 *' depart from the true intereft of my king- 
 " domSj and the honour and dignity of my 
 a crown." 
 
 To the houfe of commons, befides the other 
 necell'ary fupplies, his majetty recommended an 
 adequate ami lionourable provifion for the fup- 
 port of the queen, in cafe ihe mould furvive 
 him; and in conclufion, added, "there never 
 " was a lituation, in which unanimity, firmnefs> 
 " and difpatch, were more neceil'ary for the 
 
 e 4 " fafety,
 
 56 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. " fafety, liouour, and true intereft of Great 
 
 :s J^ "Britain." 
 *7&*' Loyal and affectionate addrefles were una- 
 
 J+thNov. ninaouily voted in both houfes, and an addrefs 
 
 Addrefles. of congratulation was alfo prefented to the 
 queen. 
 
 i 9 th. Taking into coniideration that part of the? 
 
 Queen's king's fpeech which related to the queen's 
 
 tleT y L " furvivorihip, the houfe of commons refoived, 
 that in fueh cafe ihe mould enjoy a penfion 
 of one hundred thonfand pounds per an- 
 num, together with the palace of Somerfet 
 Houfe, and the lodge and lands at Rich- 
 mond Park. An act was framed to this effect, 
 and palled unanimoufly. When it received the 
 royal aifent> the queen was in the houfe of 
 lords, and teftified her fatisfaction and grati- 
 tude, by a graceful obeifance to the king. 
 
 Supplies were voted for the fervice of the 
 current year, to the amount of eighteen mil- 
 lions and upwards; twelve millions of which 
 were raifed by annuities, chargeable on the 
 
 Recefs. linking fund. Having difpatched the bufinefs* 
 before them, both houfes adjourned for the 
 Chriftm'as holidays. 
 
 ad Dec.
 
 t E O R G E HL "7 
 
 * 
 
 Chapter the third: 
 i 70 1 — 1762. 
 
 Pfogrcfs of the Negotiation with Spain. — Dif~ 
 pofition of the "Bfitifh cabinet. — Lord BriC- 
 tol makes repealed inquiries reflecting the 
 fatnily compart, but without effect. — Quits 
 Spain. — Ale mortal of De Fuen tes. — De- 
 claration of tear. — Spain and France at- 
 tempt to engage Portugal in their caufe. — 
 But jailing, declare tear againjt that king- 
 dom. 
 
 F 
 
 poR a inert period after Mr. Pitt's refignation, chap. 
 
 the letters from the earl of Brifto! eon- I[ ]- 
 
 tinned to give proof of the moft amicable dif* 1761. 
 
 pohtions in the court of. Spain. The embaf- * e 5 t *" H 
 
 \. , . -. , n i , ,„r , , t , and 28 th. 
 
 lador even declared, that general \v all had ever Pacific ap- 
 acted in too ingenuous a manner to jnftify a pearanceotf 
 iufpicion of duplicity, and intimated that oq,L 
 every difpute between Great Britain and Spain 
 might eaiilv be adiufted, if a flight eoneellion, 
 not ineoniiiieut with juftice, or national dig- 
 nity, was made, by yielding fome of the moit 
 recent encroachments on the Spaniih poffef- 
 fions in America. The court of Spain express- 
 ed regret at the termination of the treaty for 
 peace with France, but indicated no difplea- 
 iure, nor the flighteft defign of interfering in 
 the war, 
 
 The Britifh cabinet was difpofed to culti- Difpofitioti 
 rate the amity of Spain, and gratify the pnnc- of theBri., 
 tilioufnefs of Caftilian honour: but as, accord- tlfticabl - 
 ing to the affertions induitribufly circulated by 
 France, Spain was on the point of engaging 
 in the war, and the purport of the treaty enter- 
 ed 
 
 net.
 
 55 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, ed into was hoftile to Great Britain, it be- 
 ^JJb, came rieceffary to require an explicit declar- 
 1761. ation. Had thcv omitted this demand, the 
 miniftry would have been expofed to juft cen- 
 fufe ; and if they had proceeded in a negoti- 
 ation, while a treaty of fuch fuppofed impor- 
 tance remained in a ftate of infcrutable myf- 
 teiy, their pufillanimity would have been with- 
 out juftification or excufe. 
 -sihoa. Accordingly, lord Briftol was directed to 
 Lord Bin- u f e his moftpremng inftancesto obtain a com- 
 lomakfin- munication of the treaty, acknowledged to 
 quiriescon- have been latelv concluded between the courts 
 ceming the of Madrid aW Terifallles, or of fuch articles as 
 
 family . 1# . 
 
 eanpaa. could, by particular and explicit engagements, 
 immediately relate to the intereits of Great 
 Britain. At the fame time, lord Egremont, 
 who wrote thefe inftruotions, hated, that al- 
 though the king, confiding in his catholic ma- 
 jefty's affurances of friendihip, was unwilling 
 to iuppoie the treaty prejudicial to Great Bri- 
 tain ; yet, as the declarations of France had 
 been diligently and fuccefsfully propagated, his 
 majefiy coniidercd an explanation, with regard 
 to this already too much credited report, equal- 
 ly necenary to the honour of his crown, and 
 the intereits of his people. Lord Briftol was 
 directed to urge this matter in themoft friendly 
 terms, and after gently inhnuating the argu- 
 ments contained in the difpatch, to mew that 
 hismaiefty ouoht to be fatisiied in this before 
 he mould proceed to other points : But, on the 
 other hand, he was directed to give the Spanilh 
 miniiter the itron gelt aiTurances, that this obfta- 
 cle once removed, his majefty was cordially 
 difpoied to enter into an amicable difcuruon of 
 other matters in difpute, trufting that a con- 
 firmed reciprocal confidence, would indicate 
 
 expedients
 
 G £ O R G E lit. 59 
 
 expedients to lave the honour of both kings, chap.. 
 ett'cct a fatisfactory adjuftmcnt, and eftabliih ^J^ij 
 an advantageous and permanent harmony. *7*J» 
 
 In a " fecret and confidential" dii'patch, it 
 was left to lord Briftol's judgment to decide 
 the mode of commencing this important and 
 delicate difcuffion. He was alfo informed, for 
 his private direction, that mould he find in- 
 fuperable objections to the required communi- 
 cation ; and if it fhould be propofed, in lieu of 
 it, to give his majefty folemn ailurances of the 
 innocency of the treaty with reipect to the 
 king's mterefi; he was not utterly, to reject 
 the alternative, but take it ad referendum, to 
 be transmitted to the court of London ; " Pro- 
 " vided always, that the faid alfurances be 
 * given upon his catholic majefty's royal word, 
 " hgnitied in writings either by the-Spanith 
 " fecretary of ftate to lord Brittol, or by the 
 " Conde de Fuentes to the fecretary of Hate 
 " in London, and not otherv/ile." 
 
 Before the arrival of this difpatch, lord Altered b,?- 
 Briftol had found lb great an alteration in ge- h»T»ur of 
 neral Wall's behaviour, that he felt it neceffary miniiUi.' 
 to fend a meiienger exprefs to London. This **Novi 
 alteration arofe, raoft probably-, from the intel- 
 ligence of Mr. Pitt's reiignation, and its mo- 
 tives, which occasioned great fermentation. 
 The court of Madrid v a lofs to conceive 
 
 how the declaration of war againft Spain, 
 ihould ever have been moved in his majefty's 
 councils, lince they always eonlidered. them- 
 felves the aggrieved party, and never could 
 imagine that the Englilh would commence 
 hoftilities. 
 
 Lord Bristol, alarmed at the prevailing 
 reports of an approaching rupture betwe< 
 
 Spain
 
 CO HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. Spain and Great Britain, and entertain mpf 
 ■^j^j feme apprehenfions of an agreement to that 
 *7<>i. effect between their catholic and chriftian ma? 
 jetties, declared to M. Wall, that he could 
 neither hear fuch reports with indifference, nor 
 give credit to them without an explicit avowal 
 from himfelf. 
 
 Instead of a fpecific an Aver, Wall began a 
 recapitulation of the Spanilh complaints. lie 
 affirmed that Great Britain, intoxicated with 
 fuccefs, had contemned the reafonable con- 
 ceptions of France, with a view to ruin that 
 power, that me might more eafily feize all the 
 •Spanilh poffeffions in America, and thus gra- 
 tity her unbounded thirft of couqueft. He 
 then added, with uncommon warmth, that 
 iince the king's dominions were to be over- 
 whelmed, he would advife him at lealt to arm. 
 his fubjeCts, and not continue the paflive vic- 
 tim he had hitherto appeared; 
 
 Lord Bristol was aitoniihed at this dif- 
 eourfe, and convinced he mould obtain no ef- 
 fectual anfwer to his inquiries at that confer- 
 ence, delifted, but again introduced the fubject 
 at a moment when M* Wail was not fo much 
 exafperated, and by dint ofperfeveran.ee, obtain- 
 ed an avowal, that " his king thought it time 
 
 to open his eyes, and not fuffer a neighbour, 
 
 an ally, a parent, and a friend, any longer to 
 " run the rifque of receiving fuch rigid laws, 
 " as were preferibed by an infulting victor;" 
 and further acknowledged, that his catholic 
 majefty had judged it expedient to renew his 
 family compacts with the molt chriftian king; 
 but refuted an anfwer to lord Briftol's inqui- 
 ries concerning the nature and extent of thof© 
 compacts. 
 
 Tits 

 
 GEORGE III. 6X 
 
 The British miniftry could not, after Mr. chap. 
 Pitt's resignation, receive this intelligence with ^J}}^, 
 indifference. By refilling- his advice, they had CoruU , aof 
 exported themfelves to the charge of timidity theBntifa 
 and want of forcfight, and in the iaft difpatch minilb T- 
 to lord Briftol, had taken particular pains to 
 obviate the elfecT; of fuch a ftrppofition in, Spain, 
 by obferving, that the meafiires of government 
 Mould fuller no relaxation on account of Mr. 
 Pitt's quitting the cabinet ; and fo far from its 
 being; true that the whole fpirit of the war had 
 fubfidedwith him, the prefent miniftry were re- 
 folved, by a vigorous exertion of their powers, 
 to avoid every imputation of indecifion or in- 
 dolence, and \\ould ftretch every nerve to- 
 wards forcing the enemy to accede to a fafe, 
 honourable, and, above all, a laiting peace. 
 The difpatch alio ftated, that the molt perfect 
 harmony, mutual confidence, and unanimity, 
 reigned in the council ; with a thorough de- 
 termination to pufh the war with fuch vigour 
 as would, under Providence, procure frill far- 
 ther fuccels. 
 
 Influenced by thefe fentiments, which 
 were no lefs juil than dignified, lord Egre- , 9 -hNor, 
 mont, in a difpatch to lord Briftol, after i\ue 
 commendations on his moderation, and fome 
 pointed remarks on the intemperance of the 
 Spanifti feeretary, obierved, that the refult of 
 his inquiries was unfatisfactory ; and he was 
 exprefsly commanded, without lofs of time, 
 to demand an ilnmedi Lte, clear, and cate- 
 gorical explanation Of the intentions of Spain, 
 and to affure M, Wall, in the mod expli- 
 cit terms, that any procraftination, ambiguity, 
 or evafion, would be eonfidered fivfficient 
 ground for authorizing; his maiefty to take 
 proper meafiires for the honour of his crown, 
 
 and
 
 tions m 
 
 6% HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, and protection of his people. At the fame 
 * n - , time, lord Briftol was directed to be particu- 
 1 761. larly cautious in avoiding harflmefs of man- 
 ner, and not to mix any thing* in his conr 
 verfation with the Spanifli minifter, which 
 could have the lead tendency to indifpofe or 
 irritate him; as the king's defire of peace 
 was fmcere, and the 1 continuance of it would 
 t>ive him unbounded fatisfaction. 
 
 This difpatch, which lord Briftol was in- 
 ftructed to ufe as he mould think proper, was 
 accompanied by two others. The embaliador 
 was directed, if he did not receive the fatisfac- 
 tion required in the letter of the 28th of Octo- 
 ber, or the explanation which he was then per- 
 mitted to take ad referendum; or if the Spaniih 
 minifter iliould acknowledge having entered 
 mto any agreement with, or entertaining any 
 intention of joining France in this war; to quit 
 Madrid without taking leave. And lie was 
 directed to fignify to M. Wall, that a pe- 
 remptory refufal of giving" fatisfaction, or of 
 difavowing any intention to take part with our 
 inveterate and declared enemies in the pre- 
 fent conteft, could not be conlidered by his 
 majefty in any light, but as an aggrcffion 011 
 the part of Spain, and an abfolute declaration. 
 of war. 
 
 jtapara- Meanwhile great exertions were made, 
 
 throughout Spain, for increafing the military 
 and naval eftabliihments; and great quantities 
 of warlike ftqres were embarked for the Weil 
 Indies. Lord Briftol continued to prefs for 
 fatisfaction on the fubjecl of the treaty with 
 France. He had fucceeded in reftoring Wall 
 to his accuftomed temper; and aifuraiices of 
 pacific difpolitions were reciprocally given. 
 fs fpeech at the opening of the feffion 
 
 ( -
 
 GEORGE III. 63 
 
 of parliament, and the addrefs of the houfe of chap. 
 commons in anfwer, were communicated to ^J}1^, 
 the Spanifh miniiter, who approved highly of 176J. 
 the patriotifm, moderation, and wiidom, whieh 
 they difplayed, 
 
 Still no fatisfaelion could be obtained on 
 the principal fubject. of inquiry. A memorial ajftDec 
 vas tranfmitted from Spain to their embaifa- 
 dorhere, which he delivered to lord Egremont, 
 and in which the claim of Great Britain to be 
 informed, of the nature of the treaty, and the 
 manner in which that claim had been urged, 
 were treated with great loftinefs. 
 
 Soox after receiving the difpatches of the 3d Dec, 
 28th of October, lord Briftol held a confer- ^wSf 
 pnce witji Wall on the topics to which they 
 referred. The fecretary, on this occaiion, 
 affumed a cold and diftant deportment; treat- 
 ed the ailurances of a pacific difpoiition with 
 difregard ; and faid, although inch exprcilions 
 could never be received but with tin cere fatis- 
 faction, yet as the Britifh embaffador had been 
 fo often directed to hold the fame language: 
 unaccompanied by any proofs of thole difpo- 
 fitions, it could not fcem extraordinary if 
 Spain hill preifed for the redrefs of grievances 
 fo long depending-. With regard to the treaty, 
 he faid his royal matter deemed it inconiiiient 
 with his dignity, to grant-either the communis 
 cation of it, or to fatisfy the Britifh curiofity 
 in relation to any of the articles ; yet his excel- 
 lency added, as from himfelf, he could give a 
 pofitive anfwer to what lord Briftol afked with 
 the utmoft facility; — here he abruptly termin- 
 ated his difcourfe, nor could lord Briftol obtain 
 any ailhrance of the innocency of the treatT 
 but received, inftead, a copy of general Wall • 
 ditpatch to the Conde de puentes. 
 
 Turst
 
 64 
 
 HISTORY Or ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 If!. 
 
 1761. 
 
 Lard Erif- 
 tol's final 
 interviews 
 with Wall. 
 5 tli B.c. 
 6th. 
 
 •;ch Dec. 
 
 These circumftances made a ftrons: irrmreft 
 fion on the mind of the Britifh embarTador, and 
 he was preparing difpatches on the fubjecr, when 
 a mefieiiGrer arrived with lord Eqxemont's laft 
 official letters. Lord Briftol immediately wait- 
 ed on general Wall, who was confined to his 
 chamber, ami ftated the effect which his angry 
 declarations had produced in London ; but, in 
 purfuance of the discretion ary power with which 
 lie was intrufted, to avoid irritating the Sp&niih 
 minifter, dwelt only in general terms on the 
 intentions of Spain with regard to England. 
 The reafon he gives for this conduct, marks his 
 good fenfe and moderation : " I perceived 
 " general Wall's tone to be of lb conciliating 
 fi a nature: he ^xpreffed his willies ib itrongly 
 " that fome method might be found out for an 
 u amicable adjuftnaent of our differences* and 
 {i was to far from dropping the ieaft word, that 
 "" could make me imagine Spain intended to 
 ■' act hoftilely againft lis, — that I began to flat-. 
 ii ter mytelf I might obtain the categorical 
 <l aniwer 1 was ordered to demand, without the 
 *' Spanifh minjftef's fufnectins; mv ultimate or-- 
 ; ' tiers. When I was geiii«' out of his room. 
 " iie took me by the hand, and laid with a 
 
 '* anile, he hoped ; but there he hopped. 
 
 '•'• I afketl him what he hoped, that I might alio 
 "hope, and that all might concur in the lame 
 f< hopes: but his excellency only then bowed, 
 u and took his leave of me," 
 
 These pi eating illusions fooia van I mad ; for 
 late in the evening of the next day, lord Briftol 
 received from the hand of M. Wall, a communi- 
 cation of the king's anfwer in writing, which, 
 helides general exprcfllons of efteem for the 
 king of (neat Britain, contained only a refer- 
 ence to Wall's dii'patc.h to Fuentes, and this 
 
 was
 
 GEORGE 1IL 65 
 
 Was -declared to be the only anfwer the catlio- CHAP, 
 lie king judged it expedient to give. Lord ^^ 
 Briftol reminded the Spaniih minifter of the m>^ 
 preffing endeavours he had employed to pro- 
 cure a fatisfaclory explanation ; and obferved, 
 that as he found himlelf unable to obtain a 
 communication of the treaty, or the alterna-* 
 tive which he had propofed, he was now au- 
 thorized to afk, — Whether the catholic king- 
 intended to join the French, or to act hofrilely? 
 or would in any manner depart from his neu- 
 trality? To thefe interrogatories he j-equired 
 a categorical anfwer ; adding, that a refufal 
 would be deemed an aggreffion on the part of 
 Spain, an d a d e c 1 a r at 1 o n c f w ar» 
 
 The min liter was unprepared for this re- 
 fblute appeal. " I cannot deicribe," lord Brif- 
 ftol fays, " the furprize M. Wall expreffed. 
 " He only brought out thefe words, What is to 
 "follow? you are, then, directed to withdraw 
 " from hence ?" The embaffador acknowledged 
 that fuch were his orders. He omitted, how- 
 ever, no reprefentation which might induce 
 Spain to prevent the miferies of war, and even 
 prelfed M. Wall to conquer the effecls of his 
 indifpofition, lb far as to attend the king 
 himfelf, and fet forth the fatal confequenccs 
 which mud refult from not giving a precife 
 reply. 
 
 Lord Bristol's demand being reduced to LordBrif- 
 writing:, M. Wall, in conformity to his advice, * oll . e:ives 
 
 ii ,ii- i i ' /> n Spam. 
 
 attended the king, and returned ior anhver, 
 that the fpirit of haughtinefs and difcord which I0th Doc ' 
 dictated this inconnderate demand, and which, 
 for the misfortune of mankind, full reigned 
 fo much in the Britiih government, was what 
 made, in the fame inftant, the declaration of 
 vol. i. f war,
 
 66 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CI ?^^' war, and attacked the kind's dignity. Lord 
 
 in 
 ^^j Briftbl was allowed to retire when and in what 
 
 176 *• manner might be rnoft convenient, and no 
 other anfwer was to be given. 
 Memorial These tranfactions were announced to 
 ofFuentes. jj e F lie ntes from his court, with directions to 
 depart from London : but he fir ft delivered a 
 15th Dec. memorial to the Britiih miniftry, declaring 
 that the horrors into which the two nations 
 were going to plunge themfelves, mull be at- 
 tributed only to the pride, and unmeafurable 
 ambition, of him who formerly held the reins 
 of government, and who appeared ftill to hold 
 them, although by another hand. He juftified 
 the king of Spain for not giving an anfwer 
 refpecting the treaty, on account of the infult- 
 ing manner with which all the affairs of Spain 
 had been treated, during Mr. Pitt's adminiltra- 
 tion : that minifter, he faid, finding himfelf 
 convinced of the juftice which fupported 
 the catholic king's prentenfions, vehement- 
 ly afferted, " that he would not relax in any 
 *' thing, till the Tower of London-was taken 
 " fwofd in hand." De Fuentes voluntarily 
 declared the obnoxious treaty had no rela- 
 tion to the prefent v r ar; and, although his 
 catholic niafefty had reafon to be offended by 
 the irregular manner in which the memorial 
 was returned to de Buffy, he had diffembled, 
 and, from his love of peace, caufed a me- 
 morial to be delivered to lord Briftol, evi- 
 dently demonstrating that the proceedings of 
 France which oecaiioned fo much ill humour 
 in the minifter, Pitt, did not affect the laws 
 of neutrality, or the fmcerity of the two fo- 
 vereion's. 
 
 The king of Spain had offered to wave tilfe 
 family compact for the prefent, if it was 1< rtmo 1 an 
 
 impediment
 
 G £ O II G & IIL 67 
 
 impediment to peace : but when the French mi- chap. 
 n ifter continued his negotiation, without men- ^ s ^ e , 
 tioning Spain, and propofed conditions greatly 17 61 * 
 to the advantage anil honour of England, 
 Pitt, to the great a'ftonimment of the univerle, 
 rejected them with difdain, and mewed his ill- 
 will againft Spain, to the great fcandal of the 
 Britiih council. 
 
 Tins feeble attempt to create difcord in War Ac* 
 the cabinet, and excite difcontent in the na- clare ^ 
 tion, tailed in producing thole effects. It Spain. 
 Was anfwered in a maiterly manner by lord 31 it Dec. 
 Egreraont. War was declared againft Spain, *<i Jan. 
 and a counter declaration iiiued in that coun- 1?62 " 
 
 . a 16th Jan, 
 
 It is eafy to perceive, from the conduct of 
 this negotiation, that Spain was, in fact, defir- 
 ous to avoid a war ; but, duped by France, 
 adopted thofe meafures which could not fail 
 of producing it. Spain, anxious that the power 
 of France ihoulcl not be too much reduced, 
 would have attacked Great Britain, in order 
 to obtain favourable terms of peace, if ihe 
 could have hoped to do it with advantage. 
 But the Spaniili miniiter was not convinced 
 that that period was arrived : even his anger 
 bore the characreriitic marks of fear and pre* 
 cipitation, and his molt violent declarations 
 feemed to be produced lefs by hope than de- 
 fpair. France, by the terms in which the 
 claims of Spain had been mentioned in the 
 courfe of the laft treaty for peace, fucceeded 
 in exciting a jealoufy of the court of Madrid, 
 and the colour oiven to the family compact, 
 
 * See papers relative to the rupture with Spain. The tranfac- 
 tions thus minutely recorded, Hiew that Great Britain was not 
 open to ccnture, on the one hand, For wantonly and unneceflarily 
 engaging; in a war, or on the other tor deterring hostilities till it 
 was too late to piokcute them with effect. 
 
 f c i completed
 
 68 HISTORY OF ENGLAND, 
 
 chap, completed the miftruft, and rouzed the vigi-*, 
 iri - , lanee of the Britiih court. Nothing: remained 
 1762. but to exafperate the two countries to a fuf- 
 ficient decree. To inflame the courage of 
 
 courage 
 
 Spain, the king of Pfuffia's affairs were repre- 
 fented in trie moft unfavourable light ; and the 
 admonitions of prudence were repelled by aflur- 
 ances, that Great Britain would never dare to 
 contend againft the united efforts of the houfe 
 of Bourbon. The family compact obliged 
 Spain to guaranty the fafety of all fuch pof- 
 fellions as mould remain to France after the 
 war ; b and to give the utmoft beneficial effect to 
 the treaty, the court of Verfailles, with crafty 
 policy, iniiantly involved Spain as a principal 
 in the conteft. 
 Conduaof Spain, having thus thrown herfelf into the 
 Spam to- arms of France, adopted all meafures cal- 
 tugal. dilated to forward the interefts of her ally. 
 It was hoped that, by producing a rupture 
 with Portugal, Spain would have the tempt- 
 ing inducement of an eafy conquer! to en- 
 gage with fpirit in the war; and the injury 
 done to the commerce of Britain, would more 
 than counterbalance thofe advantages which 
 made the Englifh miniftry infift on terms fo 
 humiliating as the price of peace. * 
 
 As there was no pretence of jufticfe for this 
 attack", little attention was paid to appearances 
 in the mode of commencing it. Large armies 
 were afiembled on the frontiers of Portugal: 
 and the commerce of corn with Spain, waspro- 
 i6ihMar. hibited. The Spanifh embaiiador, and French 
 plenipotentiary, fuddenly delivered a joint me- 
 morial to Jofeph king of Portugal, ftating that 
 
 »> See Article II. 
 
 « CEavres du Roi de Piufie, vol. iv. p. 59. 
 
 the
 
 GEORGE III. 69 
 
 the two monarchs had found it proper to eftabliih ch A p. 
 reciprocal obligations, and to take other indii- ^i. 1 ^ 
 pemable fteps to curb the pride of Britain; 176*. 
 and the lit It meafure they agreed on was, to 
 include the moft faithful king in their al- 
 liance: they, therefore, required him forthwith 
 to declare himfelf united with their catholic 
 and molt chriftian maieitics, in the war agahift 
 England; and to break of all porrefpondence 
 and commerce' with that power, as the com- 
 mon enemy of all three, and of all maritime 
 nations. To this requilition a categorical an- 
 fwer was demanded in four days, and a delay 
 Mas to be coniidered as a negative, 
 
 On this memorial it is unneec ll'arv to make Portugal 
 a fingle comment ; in the language of Mr. compelled 
 Pitt, " it fpeaks its own enormity." Within v° a j. ecare 
 the time limited, the king of Portugal return- 2Q thMar. 
 ed an anfwer; declining, with decent firm- 
 nefsj all interference in tire exifting quarrels, 
 unlefs his perfeverance in the line of neu- 
 trality, Ihould intitle him to the character of 
 mediator : he difplayed his motives with can- 
 <lour and temperance, and in the whole paper 
 gave not the llighteft inftance of irritation, or 
 oftentatious inflexibility. The Bourbon mini- x ft April 
 fters in reply prefented a fecond memorial, in . 
 which they attempted, with defpicable fophif- 
 try, to invalidate the i'ublilting treaties be- 
 tween Great Britain and Portugal and to 
 convince his molt faithful majefty, that juftice, 
 no lefs than intereft, ought to induce him to 
 engage in the war. The anfwer to this infidi- 5t h_ 
 ous and inlblent paper, breathes the fpirit of 
 an indignant monarch: after refuting the ar* 
 guments adduced, the king concludes, " His 
 " molt faithful majefty declares, finally, that 
 *' it would affect him lefs (though reduced 
 
 I 3 " to
 
 
 
 70 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, "to the laft extremity, of which the Sn- 
 " preme Judge is the fole arbiter) to let the 
 1762. « laft tile of his palace fall, and to fee his 
 a faithful fubjects fpill the laft drop of their 
 " blood, than to facrifice, together with the 
 " honour of his crown, all that Portugal holds 
 " moft dear, and to fubmit, by fuch extraor- 
 dinary means, to become an unheard-of ex- 
 ample to all pacific powers, who will be no 
 " longer able to enjoy the benefit of neutrality, 
 u whenever a war ihall be kindled between 
 " other nations, with which the former are 
 "connected by defenfive treaties." This re- 
 *3<i April, folution decided the allied monarchs, who 
 z 5 th. concluded an angry memorial by requiring 
 2 7 th - paflports for their embalfadors. The king of 
 8 h m Portugal was not deterred by menaces from 
 purfuing his fyftem : he delivered a juftificatory 
 paper, and without delay granted the requir- 
 36th and ed fafe-conduct. The embalfadors left Portu- 
 gal; and Jofeph iffued a declaration of war, 
 aoth June, -which produced counter declarations from the 
 kings of France and Spain.
 
 G E O II G E III. 71 
 
 » 
 
 CHATTER THE FOURTH: 
 1762. 
 
 Proceedings in Parliament. — Motion for pa- 
 pers. — Affi /lance granted to Portugal. — ■ 
 Pro i -oga tlo n .' — Dijlin ion of the ca b in e t. — 
 The duke of Newcastle rejigus. — Lord Bate's 
 mini fry. — He difcontinues the Pruffian 
 fubfidy. — Death of Elizabeth empfefs of 
 Ruflid. — Peter III. friendly to the king of 
 P raffia. — Peace between Rujffia and Prufjia. 
 ■ — Report of lord Bates clandejiine nego- 
 tiations with Raffia and AuJ'tria, examined 
 and refuted.' — Revolution in Raffia. — Dif- 
 pofition of Catherine II. — The king of 
 P raffia retakes Schzceiduitz.—Caffcl taken, 
 — Expedition againji Mart'uiico. — Capture 
 of Grenada and its dependencies. — The 
 French take the town of St, John's, Nezc- 
 Jbundland 1 : Which is recaptured. — War in 
 Portugal. — Rapid fuccefs of the Spaniards. 
 ■ — Arrival of the Britijh troops. — General 
 Burgoyne takes Valencia, — Beats up the 
 enemy's quarters at Villa Velha. — Retreat 
 of the Spaniards. — Expedition againji the 
 Havannah. — Progrefs and fuccefs of the 
 Jiege. — Expedition againji the Philippine 
 J lies. — Manilla taken. — Capture of the 
 Santiffima Trinidad, and of the IJermione, 
 ■ — Unfucccjful expedition againji Buenos 
 Ayres. 
 
 CHAP. 
 IV. 
 
 t t;t n ex parliament met after the recefs, the 
 king, in afpeech t'r>m the throne, inform- 
 ed the htuilVs of t he rupture with Spain, and with proceed-' 
 great force and propriety difculpatcd hi mi elf higsin.jw 
 
 ' f 4 from Uaraent *
 
 72 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, from all blame in the tranfaction. The houfe 
 ^1^, of commons made a dutiful anfwer, and pro- 
 1762. mifed their firm fupport. 
 Motion for Before the recefs (nth Dec.) amotion 
 papers. was mac j e i n the houfe of commons, to addrefs 
 the king for copies of all memorials delivered 
 by the Spanim embafiador. This motion was 
 fupported by Mr/ Pitt, whole conduct in re- 
 figning was thus rendered an object of difcuf- 
 fion. He preffcd the laying of every paper be- 
 fore the houfe, which had pafTed during the fix 
 years negotiation with Spain, relative to the 
 exifting difputes; but the propofal was re- 
 jected. 
 
 Motions to the fame effect were now re- 
 newed, and the fame topics were neceifarily 
 introduced. Lord Temple vindicated the con- 
 duct of himfelf and Mr. Pitt in refigning; and 
 intimated that a knowledge of the exiftence of 
 the family compact, was the foundation of 
 their advice. Lord Bute pofitivclv afferted 
 there was no intelligence of fuch a fact fo con- 
 ftituted, at that time, that could be depended 
 on; challenged him to produce it, and requir- 
 ed to know where it might be found, that he 
 might requeft the king to order it to be laid be- 
 fore the houfe. Lord Temple upon this quitted 
 his feat, and faid, he was not at liberty to pub- 
 lish that intelligence, but would refrefh his 
 lordihip's memory in private. A fliort whif- 
 pering took place between the two peers. It 
 is averred, on the one hand, that lord Bute was 
 perfectly fatisfied of the eorrectnefs of lord 
 Temple's affertion ; on the other, and with 
 more appearance of probability, that the re- 
 fult of their converfation was not productive 
 of fuch conviction. It naturally occurs on 
 fuch occafion to afk, why lord Temple did mot 
 
 juftify
 
 GEORGE III. 73 
 
 juftify himfelf in his place? why he did not chap. 
 perfevere in fiating to the whole honfe that he ^J^ 
 had the means ot" proving what he advanced, i7 6a « 
 if lord Bute would procure his majefty's dif- 
 penfation from the effect of his oath as privy 
 coimfcllor? It is even averred, that the fame 
 affertion was often made in the courfe of the 
 debates on the production of papers ; but ne- 
 ver in any manner repelled by lord Temple. a 
 The papers were laid before parliament, and 29th Jan. 
 printed. 
 
 The conduct .of the war did not efcape ani- 5th Feb. 
 madverfion. Amotion was made in the houfe J^JJJJ 1 ™" 
 of lords, when the king's fpeech came under the war in 
 confideration, reprobating the expence of cam- Germany. 
 paigns in Germany ; affirming, that the 
 French force was greatly fuperior to any that 
 could be maintained bv Great Britain: and re- 
 
 c J 
 
 commending that thole troops mould be brought 
 home for the protection of Great Britain and 
 Ireland, and for the purpofe of diminifh- 
 ing the national burdens. The arguments 
 by which this queftion was fupported or op- 
 pofed, are not preferved, but it was nega- 
 tived bv a lars>;e majority. b It occalioned a 
 ftrong proteft, which was fubferibed by feven 
 peers ; among whom was the duke of Bedford, 
 lord privy feal. c 
 
 The progrcls of French and Spaniili aggref- Affiftance 
 Con againft Portugal, determined the king to g rai ««ito 
 
 • See Hiftory of the late Minority, p. 33. The contrary ftnte- 
 ment is taken from a paper of memorandums among the MSS. of 
 Lord Melcombe. 
 
 b Contents 16. Noncontents 105. 
 
 c A fimilar queftion was debated in the houfe of commons (Dee. 
 oth) ; when the houfe was fo crowded with (hangers, that the mem- 
 bers found difficulty in taking their feats. The order for not ad- 
 mitting ftrangevs was enforced during the remainder of the feffion. 
 
 afford
 
 74 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, afford the afli (lance clue to the merits and 
 J v - neceflities of fo faithful an ally. Aecording- 
 1762. ly, a meiiage was delivered to the houfe of 
 
 jitbMay. commor , Sj to enable hismajefty to defray any 
 extraordinary expences of the war, and take 
 necefiary meafures for defeating the enterprizes 
 of the enemy. 
 
 13th May. When this menage was taken into confider- 
 ation, a grant of a million was propofed. It 
 was objected., the firm was too large for the 
 fuppofed purpofe, and the king of Portu- 
 gal bad no right to expect any affiftance 
 from Great Britain, becaufe he had violated 
 his engagements with the Engliili wine-mer- 
 chants. Mr. Pitt, with great fpirit and pro- 
 priety, defended the fupply ; vindicated the 
 king of Portugal, and afferted that the fum 
 intended was not more than futneient. He 
 defended the conduct of the German war; 
 and ridiculed the notion of Great Britain be- 
 ing rendered incapable of profecuting the con- 
 teft for want of fupplies. France, he affirm- 
 ed, was a ruined nation, and if his advice 
 had been adopted, one campaign would have 
 fulficed to bring the war to a fortunate con- 
 clufion. After * fome further obfervations, 
 moftiy of a perfonal nature, the fum required 
 was voted. 
 
 2d jure In clofmg the feffion, his majefiy mentioned 
 the hopes lie ftill entertained of feeing the con- 
 flieis which agitated Europe happily termi- 
 nated ; and allured the parliament he would 
 return their zeal and afleclion for his perfon 
 and government, by a conftant attention to 
 whatever might contribute to the eafe of his 
 fubjeefs; and it was his ardent wiili to found 
 the glories of his reign on the union of his 
 5 people, 
 
 Proroga- 
 tion.
 
 GEORGE III. 75 
 
 people, and the welfare and profperity of his chap. 
 kingdoms. vJ^^r 
 
 Since the retreat of Mr. Pitt, the miniftry Difynioo 
 had preferved no appearance of unanimity. «f th e C a- 
 Great jealoufies fubfiited between the duke of 
 Newcaftle and lord Bute, occafioned no lefs 
 by the defire of pre-eminence, than by a radi- 
 cal difference of principles and politics. The 
 duke of Newcaftle, on his entrance into public 
 life, cnlifted under the banners of party, and 
 was fupported through the long period of his 
 ministerial career, by party and family alli- 
 ances: lord Bute, purfuing, or perhaps di- 
 recting:, the fyftem of his fovereien. was defir- 
 ous to free the tin-one from exclusive domina- 
 tion, and to acquire independency, by re- 
 fitting claims derived from family and ad- 
 ventitious connections. The duke of New- 
 caftle, habituated to Mr. Pitt's afcendency, bore 
 it without repining ; but could not endure to 
 be confidered inferior to lord Bute. For this 
 reafon, while the people carried their idolatry 
 of the late minifter to the grcateft excefs, 
 and attributed to his forefight all the fuc- 
 ceifes which adorned the annals of the new ad- 
 miniftration ; thofe men in office who, from 
 their foliation and character, were beft able to 
 counteract the effect of thefe reports, furvey- 
 ed their progrefs with indifference, and if 
 not actually in league with the opposition, 
 yet formed a combination among themfelves, 
 which left lord Bute weakly fupported to 
 ftruggle againft the united efforts of a party 
 formidable from numbers, abilities, and popu- 
 larity. d 
 
 The means of profecuting the war, formed 
 
 <* Leller from lord Melcombc to lorJ Bute, 13th April, 1762. 
 
 a prin-
 
 76 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, a principal ground of difference between lord 
 vJ^, Bute and the duke of Newcaftle. Lord Bute 
 *?s*. determined to withdraw all pecuniary fupport 
 from the kina* of Pruffia, and to relax the 
 efforts which this country was making in Ger- 
 many. The duke of Newcaftle refolved on an 
 oppofite mode of conduct : he therefore waited 
 on lord Bute, and in a peremptory manner 
 infilled on two millions for carrying on the 
 German war, and paying the king of Pruffia's 
 fubfidy. Lord Bute ihewing himfelf averfe to 
 the meafure, the duke of Newcaftle declared 
 his intention to reiign, unlets the money was 
 raifed. His lordihip anfwcred, drily, " that 
 tl if he resigned, the peace might be retarded; 
 " but never requefted him to continue ia 
 M office, nor faid a civil thing to him after- 
 " wards while they remained together. The 
 " duke went immediately to St. James's, de- 
 " manded an audience, and announced his 
 " unalterable refolution to reiign, if the fub- 
 il ikly of Prufiia was not continued. The 
 " king replied, he mould regret fuch a deter- 
 " mination, becaufe he was perfuaded that he 
 " wiihed well to his fervice ; and thus the con- 
 " ference ended." e 
 aJMaj. The duke of Newcaftle immediately re- 
 
 c?1£l- e % nc d> refuting a penfion, which was ottered 
 cattle re- as the onl) T reward in the power of govern - 
 %ni. ment to beftow, for his long fervices, and the 
 diminution of his large eftate in the uniform 
 r , ., fupport of the ho ufe of Brunfwick. Lord 
 
 26th May. ,-, 1 * 1 i • /* • -it i c 1 
 
 XorjBate's Bute took lus lituation at the head ot the trea- 
 miniiiiy. fury; Mr. Grenville was appointed fecretary 
 
 of itate, and Sir Francis Daihwood chancellor 
 
 of the exchequer. 
 
 e This account is taken from a letter written by the duke- of 
 Newcaftle to lord Hardwicke, 7th May, 1762. 
 
 If
 
 I 
 
 GEORGE III* 77 
 
 If the fituation of the king of Prufiia had chap. 
 been fo defperate at this period, as at the end ^J^, l 
 of laft campaign, policy and juftice would have D *jJ*%' 
 been equally repugnant to the refufal of his fub- ^^th ] 
 fidy; but an incident which human foreught emprefstf 
 could not divine, and againft which all the wif- Ruffiju 
 dom of man would have been exerted in vain, 
 had greatly meliorated the condition of Fre- 
 derick, and even enabled him to retrieve his 
 former loffes. This event was the death of 5 thjan. 
 Elizabeth emprefs of Ruffia, one of his moil 
 formidable enemies. 
 
 Her nephew and fucceilbr, Peter III, f had, Peter in 
 from motives of jealous policy, been kept at friendly » 
 
 i-n c A x Ti- l n r the king of 
 
 a difranee from the court. His undemanding Pru iiia. 
 
 was below mediocrity, and his habits diflipat- 
 
 ed and indolent. He had formed a friend! 
 
 attachment to the king of Prufiia, who, wit 
 
 his ufual addrefs, turned that circumftance to 
 
 great advantage. He congratulated Peter on 
 
 his acceffion, and received an anfwer chelated 
 
 by the warmth of fmcere friendihip: a nego- l6l i 1 j^ ar , 
 
 tiation was fpeedily commenced between tliem, 
 
 and after fome time a treaty of peace was fign- 
 
 cd : an alliance was afterwards entered into, 5th May. 
 
 in confequence of which the army under Czer- c £S°bel 
 
 nichef, amounting to twenty thoufand men, tweenRuf. 
 
 was transferred to the fervice of Frederick. s £ aa " d 
 
 Ffi-fc retulai or Lord Bute to continue the 
 Pruffianfubfidyhas been ievcrcly arraigned, and 
 many falfe representations made of his conduci 
 and motives. It is afi'erted that, foon after the* 
 acceffion of Peter III, he empowered prince 
 Gallitzin, the Ruffian envoy extraordinary, to 
 
 t CEuvres chi Roi de PrufTe, vol. iv. c. 15. Coxe's Travels in 
 Poland, Ruflia, &c. vol. iii.c, i< ]£.ife of the emprefc Cath 
 vol. i. c. ?, 
 
 infoi .
 
 78 HISTORY OF ENGLAND* 
 
 chap, inform his fovereign that whatever ceflions he 
 *^, might require from Frederick, England would 
 1762. enfure compliance; and advifed the new em- 
 peror to keep the king of Pruflia in check, by 
 means of the corps under Czernichef. Peter, 
 the fame accounts add, indignant at this du- 
 plicity, tranfmitted the difpatch to the king 
 of Pruflia. It is alfo averred, that fimilar over- 
 tures were made to Auftria, but failed through 
 one of thofe refinements in policy which often 
 lead ftatefmen into miftakes. Kaunitz, the Im- 
 perial prime minifter, apprehending that lord 
 Bute's view in making thefe propofals, was to 
 create diffentions between the courts of Vienna 
 and Verfailles, haughtily anfwered, that the 
 emprefs queen was fufnciently powerful to do 
 juftice to her own claims, nor would me de- 
 grade her dignity by acceding to a peace me- 
 diated by England. h 
 
 Both thefe accounts are abfolutely devoid 
 of foundation, and moft probably originated 
 partly in miftake, and partly in the refentment 
 felt by the king of Pruflia at the refufal of 
 his fubfidy, though in this alfo the minifter was 
 perfectly j uftifiable. 
 
 At the conclusion of the laft campaign, the 
 difadvantageous circumliances of Frederick 
 were truly commiferated by the king; and it 
 was refolved to afford him the ufual Fuccours. 
 The terms of the former treaty were open to 
 fome objections, but the fubftance was not dif> 
 puted. The negotiations on. this fubject were 
 carried on till the beginning of the year l?n~, 
 when war was declared againft Spain, and the 
 ncceflity of defending Portugal was foreieen. 
 
 h CEuvres du Roi du Pruffe, ubi fup. See alfo Hiftoi y cf the lata 
 Minority, C. v. 
 
 The
 
 G E O II G E III. 79 
 
 The Britim mininry then directed Mr. Mitchell, chap. 
 envoy extraordinary, to recommend in -the J^^j 
 king's name, that his Pfuffian majefty lhould 1762. 
 endeavour to commence a pacific negotiation 
 with the court of Vienna : he was defued to 
 communicate the terms on which he would he 
 willing to treat, with an a 'durance of the king's 
 defire to aflift in bringing fo falutary a defign 
 to perfection. The king of Pruftia was alio re- 
 quefted to itate the means On which he could 
 rely, after fo many misfortunes, and fuch a 
 diminution of his power, for carrying on the 
 war, if that were his intention. This eclaircifle- 
 jfnentj though anxiouily expected, was ftill re- 
 filled : the king, hurt at fo unexpected and fo February. 
 unjuftiiiable a filence, made his complaints on 
 the fubjeel, but ftill perfevered in the intention 
 of applying to parliament, at a proper time, for 
 a renewal of the lubiidy. 
 
 In this interval the news arrived of the death 
 of Elizabeth, which was fpeedily followed by a 
 manifefto of Peter, 1 in which he exhorted the 
 king of PrufftVs enemies to put a fpcedy end 
 to the war, and declared his own reiblution of 
 restoring to thaj prince all the important coii- 
 quefts of his predceeflbr. Still the Britifli mini- 
 ray waited for fuch a communication from the 
 kino- of Prufiia, as would juftifv them, in times 
 of fuch extreme difficulty, for applying to par- 
 liament to increafe the national burdens bv a 
 renewal of the fubfidy ; and it was hot till af- 
 ter a long term of fruitleis expectation, that 
 Mr. Mitchell was directed to hold fuch lau- 5 thAprii. 
 guage as would prepare Frederick for a total 
 (reflation of pecuniary fuceour. 
 
 I Dated 28ih February. 
 
 F R <3 VI
 
 80 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP. From the moment of the acceffion of Peter ltt j 
 J^' the king of Pruffia had maintained a referv* 
 J762. ed and unfriendly behaviour towards Great 
 Britain. He clandeftinely entered into a tie* 
 gotiation with the Czar ; the objects of which 
 were extremely detrimental to the Britifli in- 
 terefts, and prejudicial to the engagements of 
 this country with Denmark. The intention 
 of this treaty was, that Peter mould guaranty 
 to the king of Pruffia the duchy of Silefia; 
 in return for which Frederick was to allure 
 to him the poffeffion of Slefwick. While this 
 negotiation was proceeding, and conducted 
 with the utmoft fecrecy, the king of Pruffia 
 . flill directed his rninifters in London to prefs 
 for a continuance of his fubfidv, although he 
 knew that the meafures in which he was en- 
 gaged, tended to counteract the pacific inten- 
 tions of the king, to fpread the flames of war, 
 and increafe the miieries of mankind. 
 
 The refufal to continue the fubficly was not 
 refolved on, till an armiftice was concluded 
 between Pruffia and Ruffia, and it was extreme- 
 ly probable that Sweden would accede to the 
 lame meafure. 
 
 Under fuch circumftances, Frederick had 
 no right, according to his own declarations, to 
 expect from this country any further pecuniary 
 lupplies. At an early period of the war, k he had 
 ftated to Mr. Mitchell, who officially communi* 
 cated the information to lord Holderneffe, then 
 fecrctary of ftatc, that if England would only 
 engage to prevent his being attacked by Rut- 
 fia, he mould have lb little occafion for any 
 afliftance, that he might even be ready to fur- 
 mm a body of troops for the defence of Han- 
 
 k June and July, 1756. 
 
 over.
 
 GEORGE III. 81 
 
 over. At this period Great Britain had a CHAP. 
 powerful additional enemy ; Pruffia a new ^^ 
 and powerful friend : the weight of Ruffia and J 7 6 *» 
 Sweden was fubducted from the fcale of his 
 opponents; that of Spain was added to ours: 
 Frederick had Pomerania and Brandenbourg, 
 "which were no longer in danger, to defend, 
 betides Saxony and Silelia ; England had to 
 maintain a moft extenfive war in Germany, 
 and to provide for another in Portugal. This 
 companion could not efcape the obfervation 
 of the king of Pruffia, nor could he reafonably 
 expect that, without a certainty of its being ap- 
 plied towards leffening the objects of war, it 
 was poffible to propofe the fubfidy to parliament 
 With any hopes of fuccefs. 
 
 The accufations alleged againft the Britifh 
 minifter, refpecting clancleftine negotiations 
 with the emperor of Ruffia, and the emprefs 
 queen, are founded either in total miftake, or 
 wilful mifreprefentation. Frederick, at the time, 
 complained to the king of the reports which 
 had reached him on the fubje6t ; and although 
 his majefty did not think it fuitable, either to 
 his own dignity or that of the king of Pruffia, 
 to enter perfonally into iuch altercations, he 
 permitted lord Bute to explain the facts, and let 
 them in their ti at light. 
 
 In a dilpatch, written to Mr. Mitchell for 26th May. 
 the exprefs purpofe of being communicated to 
 count Finkenftein, the Pruffian prime-mini- 
 fter, lord Bute terms the report of his en- 
 deavouring to enter into a feparate treaty 
 with Aui'tria, as a groundlefs and lhameful 
 falfehood, tranfmitted to the king from his 
 minifters in England. This explicit and 
 ftrcnuous difavowal, communicated directly 
 from the prime-minifter of England to Pruffia, 
 
 vol. 1. g was
 
 83 HISTORY OF EtfGlANB. 
 
 chap, was amply fufficient to deftroy the credibility 
 
 .^ v - of unauthentieated hearfays, which formed the 
 
 ^6^ only ground of the fufpicion then entertained, 
 
 .and fmce perpetuated by the publication of 
 
 Frederick's pofthumous works. 
 
 With refpeet to his iuppofed intimations to 
 prince Gallitzin, lord Bute explains himfelf 
 more amply, and in a mariner abundantly fatis- 
 factorv: he declares the reports which reach- 
 ed the king of Pruffia from the Ruffian envoy, 
 to be in no refpeet conformable to the fenti- 
 ments he had imparted ; and he imputes the 
 mifreprefentation either to miftake, failure of 
 memory, or to the known attachment of the 
 prince to the court of Vienna, which might 
 induce him to give fuch a turn to his relation 
 of lord Bute's difcourfe, as he might think moft 
 likely to ferve that intereft. 
 
 Mr. Keith, Britifli minifter at Petersburg, 
 judged, from the particular coldnefs of the 
 Czar, and from hints which he dropped, that 
 fomething written by prince Gallitzin refpecr- 
 ing the king's difpojfition towards Frederick, 
 had given him offence. The Ruffian monarch 
 probably communicated the intelligence re- 
 ceived from Gallitzin to the king of Pruffia, 
 
 to had been before difpofed, by the malig- 
 nant and mifchievous iniinuations of his mini- 
 
 rs, to give it, however incredible, implicit 
 
 ief. 
 
 I3ut, at the time of his interview with prince 
 Gallitzin, lord Bute had before him his firft 
 difpatch to Mr. Keith, after the death of the 
 
 prefs : his difcourfe with the envoy was per- 
 fectly conformable to that difpatch, which con- 
 tained the ing'st own fentimeiits. Inftead of 
 . Ivifing the Czar to continue his troops upon 
 the king of PrumVs territories, the king there 
 
 expreffed
 
 GEORGE III. 83 
 
 expreffed particular plcafure and iatisfaclion in CHAP, 
 the orders given to thofe troops to advance y^3w 
 no further, to abftain from holtilities, and to *7 6z > 
 accept an armiftice if offered : far from defir- 
 ing that the court of Ruffia mould prefer an 
 Aufrrian to a Pruilian alliance, Mr. Keith was 
 directed to execute himfelf certain inftnuStions 
 fent him by Frederick, which were not favour- 
 able to the emprefs queen. 
 
 The king of Pruffia might probably take 
 umbrage at the ftrong preference given in 
 that difpatch to pacific meafures, and at the 
 reftrietion laid on Mr. Keith from concurring 
 in any propoial tending to protract the war : 
 this however was no fecret instruction ; for Mr. 
 Mitchell was directed to make the fame de- 
 claration, and fhape his conduct by the fame 
 rule. 
 
 For the fatisfaciion of the king of Pruffia 
 on this point, lord Bute tranfmitted to Mr. 
 Mitchell, in extenfo, every word in the dif- 
 patch to Mr. Keith relating to the general 
 affairs of Europe, or to the king of Pruffia in 
 particular. He forcibly difplayed the extreme 
 improbability of his holding to die Ruffian 
 mini fter a language, not merely different, but 
 abfolutely contradictory to the orders he had 
 jutt fent from the king to his own minifter 
 at that court ; and that with thofe very orders 
 in his hand, he fhould declare, oreven infinuate, 
 that his majefty's fentiments were diametrically 
 oppofite. ' 
 
 Besides the advantageous change which 
 had taken place in the politics of Ruffia, 
 fome other circumfrances contributed to 
 reitore the affairs tof Frederick. The emprefs 
 
 1 From two difpatches from lord Bute to Mr. afterwards Sir 
 Andrew Mitchell, dated 9th April and a6th May, 1761. 
 
 g 3 queen
 
 $4 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, queen, confident of* being able to achieve all her 
 vjs^ projects, and inftigated by a fpirit, of parfi- 
 ^£? mony, never lately Indulged in war, difmined. 
 7 th Mar. twenty thoufand of her troops. The king of 
 Pruffia alio agreed to a ceffation of arms with 
 Sweden"'; and, being thus difembarraficd, was 
 enabled to enter on the campaign with a 
 inge in the fcale of forces, amounting to 
 fixty thoufand men, in his favour ; a greatei 
 advantage, as he himfelf obferves, than he 
 could have derived from gaining three pitched 
 battles. n 
 oiution Under thefe favourable circumftances, Fre* 
 inRuffia. derick began his operations in Silefia; but, be- 
 fore he had made any confiderable progrefs, 
 another revolution in Ruffia deprived him, in 
 part, of the benefits he expected to derive front 
 the fortunate turn in his affairs. The new em- 
 peror, fafeinated with the character of his friend 
 the king of Pruilk, and impelled by an abfurd 
 inftincl of imitation, made him his model- in 
 ■ try particular. Not content with joining 
 htm' in war, he introduced the Prulhan difci- 
 pline into his army, and the Pruffian, or, as it 
 is called, Frederician Code into his fenate. 
 He was obftinately bent on a war with Den- 
 mark ; attacked the property of the clergy; and 
 formed a project for repudiating his contort 
 marrying his miftrefs, and declaring his fon 
 illegitimate. ° Thefe acts rendered him highly 
 unpopular ; and felf-prefervation, as well as am- 
 bition, ftimulated Catherine to a timely and 
 vigorous exertion. The feeble character of the 
 
 "> Peice was concluded the sad May. 
 
 n CEuvres du Roi de PruflTe ubi lup. 
 
 See Coxe's Travels in Rufiia, &c. vol. iii. c. i. which contains 
 the eariieit and mod authentic account, of this revolution. 
 
 y - emperor
 
 G £ O R G E III. 85 
 
 emperor faciliated her defigns ; his great projects chap. 
 required talents for their execution, which ^^ 
 he did not poflefs: a confpiracy was formed *?& 
 agamflhirh; he was depofed, figned an abject lothjuiy. 
 inftrument of abdication ; was imprifoned, treat- 
 ed with neglect and har-fhnefs, and at length, 
 if we mav believe an uncontradicted report, 17th. 
 privately afiaffinated. p 
 
 The king of Prufiia expected this revolution 
 to be highly prejudicial to his affairs, and that 
 Catherine would entertain an hatred againft 
 him, proportioned to the friendship of Peter : 
 but that princefs fhewed nofymptoms of a vin- 
 dictive difpbfitioh ; on the contrary, finding 
 from the correspondence which came to her 
 hands after her hufband's dethronement, that 
 Frederick had ever oppofed his rage for re- 
 formation, and counfclled him to treat his con- 
 fort with due tendernefs, the was fen'fiblv af- 
 leered. It was not continent with her policy 
 tb excite difguft in her fiibjecls, by compelling 
 them to ferve on the oppofite iide to that on 
 which thev had been fo main \ ears engaged ; 
 or to give offence to the courts of Vienna and 
 Verfailles. She therefore withdrew the Ruffian 
 auxiliaries from the kins; of Prnllia's army, 
 but rcftored the conqueits which had been 
 made by Elizabeth, and contented herfelf 
 with obferving a prudent neutrality. Fre- 9 th oa. 
 deriek, though deprived of this aihftance, ^ h p k !!? s 
 made a faccefsful campaign, recovered the for- retakes 13 
 
 trefs of Schweidnitz. and convinced his ene- Schweid- 
 nitz. 
 
 P See life of the Emprefs Catherine II, vol. i. c. 2. Hiftory of 
 the Revolution in Ru(]ia by M. de Rulhiere. — It is to be cbierved 
 pf this unfortunate prince, that although his imprudence, levity, and 
 pufdlanimity, e::pci'ed him to cenfare and contempt, he polfefiid 
 many amiable qualities, and rendered lbme ellential fervices to his' 
 country, 
 
 g 3 mies
 
 86 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, mies that their project, of deftroying him was 
 not advanced by all their exertions. q 
 
 1762. The campaign of the allied armies under 
 
 taken. prince Ferdinand, and the marquis of Gran by, 
 
 was brilliant and fuccefsful: they fucceeded 
 
 in preventing the Trench from obtaining pof- 
 
 feffion of Hanover, and took from them the 
 
 7th Nov. city of Caffel. 
 
 Expedition A continuance of the war produced no be- 
 agamft nefit to France ; the vigour with which hofti- 
 
 Martimco. ... .' ° ... 
 
 iities were carried on, iJiewed that the minifter, 
 who ardently defired peace, was fenhble that it 
 could be effectually obtained only by fuccefs 
 in the field. A formidable land force of twelve 
 thoufand men, under the command of general 
 Monckton, with a fleet of eighteen ihips of 
 the line, befides frigates and inferior veiTels, 
 
 5th. Jan. under rear-admiral Rodney, was equipped for 
 the attack of Martinico, the chief of the French 
 leeward iflands, the rehdence of the governor- 
 general, and the fovereign council. The fleet 
 
 8th, anchored in St. Anne's Bay; where* the Kaifon- 
 
 nable man of war was loft, through the unfkil- 
 fulnefs of the pilot. This place being deemed 
 improper for a difembarkation, two brigades 
 
 a 6th. landed at the bay of Petite Anfe, and the reft 
 of the army at a creek called Cas des Navries, 
 without lofs. The ifland was defended by few- 
 regular troops, but had a numerous and well 
 armed militia, and was in itfelf a natural for- 
 tification, from the number of ravines and ri- 
 vulets with which it was interfered ; and the 
 French, with great judgment, pofted guards 
 and erected batteries to impede the progrefs of 
 invafion. The general refolved to befiege the 
 town of Fort Royal, but found himfelf under 
 
 S CEuvres du Roi de Prufle, vol. iv, c. 16. 
 
 the
 
 GEORGE III. 87 
 
 the neceflity of attacking two eminences, call- chap. 
 ed Morne Tortenfon, and Morne Gamier. ^^ 
 Tortenfon was aflailed with irrefrftible impe- 1761. 
 tuofity, and, though defended with fpirit and z+th. 
 pertinacity, finally captured. The greater dif- 
 ficulty remained in Morne Gamier, which was 
 equally ftrong, much higher, and overlooked 
 and commanded the other. Three days were 
 neceflary to make the difpofitions for the af- 
 fault ; but while they were lb employed, the 
 enemy made a furious fully, and attacked the 
 Englifli in their out-pofts : they were received 
 with great bravery, and not only repulfed, but 
 the party attacked became ailailants in their 
 turn, palled the ravines, fcaled the hill, feized 
 the batteries, and obtained complete poffeluon 
 of Morne Garnier. The pofitionswhich.com- 
 manded Fort Royal being thus obtained, the 
 enemy waited only till the batteries again ft 4th Feb, 
 them were completed, to capitulate. St. Pierre, 
 the capital of the iiland, was (till in thepoffeffion 
 of the French, and from its natural and arti- 
 ficial means of defence, murht have made a 
 longreiiftanee; but the enemy was intimidated, 
 and as general Moiickton was preparing to 
 embark with his troops for the attack of the 
 capital, the whole iiland iiirrendered by capi- i 2t h. 
 tulation. r 
 
 The capture of Martinico was fpeedily fol- Capture of 
 lowed by all its dependencies; Grenada* and Grenada, 
 the Grenadines, Tobago, St. Lucie, and St. +t hMar. 
 Vincent, immediately furrendered : and thus 
 the whole property of the Charibbee Iflands 
 centered in Great Britain. s 
 
 r The thanks of parliament were voted to the commanders on this 
 expedition. See debates, 6th May, 176a. 
 
 s BeatfWs Naral and Military Memoir^, vol. iii. p. 149 to 
 
 c 4 To
 
 May, 
 The 
 
 Frenchfake 
 the town of 
 St. John's, 
 Newfound- 
 
 24th June. 
 
 88 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. To counterbalance thefe advantages, France 
 made only one temporary conquest A fqua- 
 dron under M. de Tournay efcaped from Breft 
 in a fog, failed to Newfoundland, entered the 
 Bay of Bulls, and captured the town of St 
 John's, where they took prifoners a company 
 of foldiers who constituted the garrifon, cap- 
 tured a {loop of war and feveral other veffels, 
 destroyed many ftages for curing cod, and did 
 considerable damage. Orders were iiinnedi? 
 ately irTued for fitting out a fquadron to recon- 
 quer this place, but the effect was anticipated 
 by the vigilance of Sir JefTery Amherft : he dif- 
 patchecl lord Colville and colonel Amherft 
 from Hallifax, who immediately expelled the 
 invaders. l 
 
 When Spain was induced to enter into the 
 war, the project of afuccefsful attack on Por- 
 tugal, was a confolation for the lofl'es Hie might 
 expect to fuftain in other quarters. Portugal 
 appeared intirely helplefs and diffracted; the 
 feebleness of its government, the effects of bi- 
 gotry, the melancholy remains of a dangerous 
 conspiracy, and the horrors of a recent earth- 
 quake, all contributed to render this unhappy 
 kingdom an object of generous compaffion, ra- 
 ther than of unprovoked aggression. 
 
 The vicinity of the Spaniih troops to the 
 frontier, gave them great advantages: they 
 paffed the boundary before war was declared, 
 and an army, commanded by the marquis de 
 Sarria, laid fiege to the town of Miranda. A 
 powder magazine blew up by accident, and, be- 
 sides destroying five Hundred of the garrifon, 
 
 9 th May. made fuch breaches in the wall, that the Spani- 
 ards marched in without difficulty, before they 
 
 Which Is 
 recaptur- 
 ed. 
 
 1 8 th "Sept. 
 
 War in 
 Portugal. 
 
 Rapid fuc 
 cefs of the 
 Spaniards, 
 
 t BeatfoiVs Naval and Military Memoirs, vol. iii. p. 204. 
 
 had;
 
 GEORGE HI, m 
 
 }iad raifed their firft battery. The city of Bra- chap. 
 ganza furrendered without renifance : Mon- ^J^j 
 corvo Mas taken with equal facility ; and, on 176a. 
 the approach of count O'Reilley, the city of I5th " 
 Chaves was evacuated. Thus Spain over-ran H tlu 
 almoft the whole province of Tra los Montes, 
 and Oporto was confidered in fo much danger, 
 that the Britilh admiral was preparing to carry 
 pff the factory. The Spaiiim army, however, 
 in attempting to crols the Douro, were oppof- 
 ed by the pcafantry, and compelled to retire to 
 Tone de Moncorvo. u 
 
 A second body of Spaniards entered the 
 province of Beira, at the villages of ValdeMula 
 and Val de Coelha, and being joined by ftrong 
 detachments from the divihon in Tra los Mon- 25th July, 
 ti's, laid fiege to Almeida, which, after an ho- 
 nourable refiftance, capitulated on favourable 2 5 thAl, s- 
 terms. 
 
 The troops which arrived from Great Bri- Arrival of 
 tain for the fuccour of Portugal, were com- theBrmfli 
 manded by lord Tyrawjev (who alio acted as 
 cmbaifador), the earl of Loudon, x lieutenant- 
 general Townfend, and under them lord 
 George Lenox, and brigadiers Crawford and 
 Burgoyne. They amounted only to eight 
 thoufand, and were ill feconded by the Por- 
 tuguefe, who could not eafily conquer their 
 bigoted averfion to heretics. Lord Tyrawley, 
 incenfed at the apparent iniincerity of the 
 court of Lilbon, retired in difguft, declaring, 
 •without referve, that the war between Spain 
 
 8 In this acYion the king; of Spain accufes the Portuguefe of having 
 cruelly maimed and mutilated his fubjeels, — conduct which was af- 
 terwards fcVerely revenged. See the king of Spain's manifefto, 
 25th June. 
 
 x The carl of Loudon, who was appointed fecond in command, 
 attended the troops from England j lord Tyrawley had previouily 
 arrived. 
 
 and
 
 90 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP, and Portugal was a mere collttfion to dupe the 
 .^^ Britifh government. Fortunately, at this pe- 
 j?6z. riod, the command of the Portugude forces 
 was given to the count de la Lippe Buckbourg, 
 an active and intelligent oiiicer, who had com- 
 manded the artillery of the Britifh army in 
 Weftphalia during the prefent war, and Mas. 
 exempt from all participation in the feuds 
 which occahoned the retreat of lord Tyrawlev. 
 The count and the earl of Loudon began their 
 operations without delay, againlt a third de- 
 tachment of Spaniards, who were preparing to 
 enter Portugal. 
 General Large magazines of flour and forage were 
 
 B k rgo v f fuppofcd to be collected at Valencia d\Alcan- 
 kneia. ' tara, on the frontiers of Portugal. The attack 
 of this town was entrufted to brigadier Bur- 
 goyne, who having collected a futiicient force, 
 proceeded in the intention of furprifing the 
 place : in this he was difappointed, by not be- 
 ing able to make his approaches before day- 
 57th Aug. light, but he carried the town by a vigorous 
 coup de main, with inconsiderable lofs, taking 
 a Spanish major-general, upwards of twenty 
 officers, fifty-nine foldiers, three pat! - of co- 
 lours, and a great quantity of arms and am- 
 munition. He kvicd a contribution amount- 
 ing to the fum of the king's revenue for one 
 year, in confideratipn of fparing the churches 
 and convents, and brought away hqftages for 
 the care of the wounded, and the due pay- 
 i of the ftipulated fum. 
 And b^ts The army under the conde d'Aranda, hav- 
 Mp - t s he uar- in &. Ieic garrifons in Almeida and Caftel Bo- 
 lerigo, marched to Caftel Bianco, forcing 
 Velha. la Lippe to retn it, and intending to crofs the 
 Ta. ; Villa Vclha, It was of the utmoft 
 
 importance to e . uaet this attempt, and 
 
 prevent
 
 GEORGE III- 91 
 
 prevent their forcing a paffage through the chap, 
 mountains. Count de St. J ago occupied the ^J^, 
 pais of Alvito, deemed impregnable, and Bur- 17^ 
 goyne was encamped on the fouthem bank of 
 the Tagus, over againft Villa Velha. The 
 enemy placed fix thoufand men in front of the ift oft. 
 count St. J ago, attacked the old Mooriih 
 caftle of VillaYelha on his right, and alfaulted 
 a poll on his left at the defile of St. Simon. 
 Burgoyne for fome days protected the caftle 
 by his cannon acrofs the river ; but it was at 
 length taken, St. Simon was reduced, and the 
 enemy obtained pofleffion of the paffes of the 
 mountains. Perceiving the danger in which 
 St. Jago was placed by thofe fuccelfes, la Lippe 
 ordered him to retire, and lord Loudon was 
 directed to advance through the mountains 
 to protect the retreat. The enemy pene- 
 trating into this intention, detached a ftrong 
 body over the river Alvito, to harrafs lord Lou- 
 don's rear. This effort weakened their corps 
 at Villa Velha fo much, that Burgoyne was en- 
 couraged to attempt heating up their quarters : 
 the enterprize was judicioufly conceived, and 
 boldly executed: colonel Lee palled the Ta- 6t hoa» 
 gus in the night, and while the Spaniards were 
 amufed by a feint in front, entered their en- 
 campment unperceived, and routed them with 
 great daughter; moft of the Spanifh officers 
 were killed, the magazines dcitroyed, and fome 
 prifoners taken, belides a valuable booty. Not- 
 withftanding this fuccefs, la Lippe found it 
 impofiible to defend the palfes, and therefore 
 affembled his forces at Macao ; but the Spa- Ren-eatof 
 niards, fruftrated in all their endeavours to theSpani- 
 crofs the Tagus, partly by the vigilance of aids# 
 la Lippe, and partly by the heavy rains, evacu- 
 ated the province of Eftremadura, where they 
 
 could
 
 g<Z HISTORY OF ENGLAND, 
 
 chap, could not maintain themfelves during I 
 ^ v - winter. They difmantlcd the caftle ofAmeida, 
 6a. caftle RoderiffO; and caftle Berri: and thus ter- 
 minated a campaign, from which they (lern \ 
 neither honour nor advantage. 
 
 Expedition In other quarters their ill -for tune was ' \ 
 
 againft the more confpicuous. The Britifh mio i fry deter- 
 ' mined, at the beginning of the war -. ith Spain, 
 to frrike terror by vigorous and effectual opera 
 tions : difdaining, therefore, all attempts at 
 fubordinate acquifition, they meditated acon- 
 fjueft -of the greateft importance in itfelf, a 
 the moft extenfive effect in its consequences ; 
 this was the reduction of the liavannah, I 
 principal town of the ifland of Cuba, where the 
 Spanifh galleons and the flota ailemble before 
 they finally fail for Europe. The preparations 
 
 5 th Mar. were commenfurate to the object : a eonlicler- 
 able fleet tailed from Portfmouth, under the 
 command of admiral Pococke, having on 
 board ten thoufand men, commanded by lord 
 Albemarle, the friend and pupil of the duke 
 K of Cumberland. They were joined, off Cape 
 
 »?thMay. Nicola, by part of the fleet which had been fo 
 hii sful in the operations again:: iinico, 
 
 under the command of Sir James Douglas, 
 Thus united, they conliliecl of nineteen fail of 
 the line, eighteen fmaller mips of war, and 
 near a hundred and fifty tranfports. To avoid 
 the tedioufnefs of the common voyage, the ad- 
 miral refolved to explore a perilous way through 
 the old ftraighfs of Bahama, a narrow paifage 
 • ncarfeven hundred miles in 'length, bound- 
 ed en both tides by dangerous fands and flioals : 
 his it: ' and judicious conduct were re- 
 
 warded with complete fuecefs ; he made good 
 his attempt without the tiightcft accident, and 
 
 5 th jane, arrived before t*he liavannah. 
 
 Though
 
 (iEOUGE lit. 93 
 
 Though no immediate attack was expected, chap. 
 yet the 'town was of fufiicient {Strength, both v^^O 
 from art and nature, to make a vigorous rcfi ft- Difficulties 
 ance. By favour of a judicious feint, the JthjuST' 
 troops were landed wijthout lofs or oppofition. 
 They were divided into two corps : one, under 
 the command of general Elliott, advanced a 
 eonfiderable way into the country ; the other, 
 under general Keppel, was employed in befieg- 
 ing the Moro, a fort which commanded tho 
 town, and the entrance into' the harbour. The 
 difficulties attending this operation were deem- 
 ed infurmountable. The earth was fo thin that 
 the befiegers could not cover their approaches 
 without the affiftance of bags of cotton, form- 
 ing part of the cargo of ibme mips brought 
 from Jamaica by Sir James Douglas. There 
 was no fpring or river in the vicinity ; the 
 fupply of water from the country was preca- 
 rious and fcanty, and they were obliged princi- 
 pally to depend on the Shipping. The labour 
 of cutting roads for communication through 
 the woods, and drawing the artillery was fo 
 
 ceflive, that many dropped down dead with 
 fatigue. But every thing yielded to vigorous 
 perfeverance ; batteries were raifed to aiiail the 
 Moro and ihipping ; the Spaniards, fifteen a §thj 
 thoufand in number, were repulfed in a rcfo- 
 lute lally; and three Britiih men of war brought 
 their guns to bear on the Moro. Thefe effyrts 
 did not make the expected impreffion : the men 
 of Mar fuftained great injury from the lire of 
 the fort ; the capital battery, which was made ^ j u - ;r# 
 of wood, took lire, and was totally confumed ; 
 half the army, and three thoufand ieamen, were 
 ill from the effe6t of the climate, from fatigue 
 and fcarcityof provilions and water; the hur- 
 
 ine 1'cafon was rapidly approaching, and a 
 
 rein-
 
 04 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, reinforcement of four thoufand men expected 
 ^13^ from North America, did not arrive. Still no 
 176a. murmur, no relaxation of exertion was ob- 
 ferved in this army of heroes, and the feamen 
 «oth. acted in cordial unifon. A lodgment was at 
 zzd. length made in the covered way; a body of 
 
 twelve thoufand men, who attempted to drive 
 the befiegers from their works, was repulfed ; 
 a8th. part of the fuccours from America arrived ; the 
 30th. mines were fprung ; and the breach in the Malls 
 TheMoro being deemed practicable, though difficult, 01- 
 ftormed. ders were immediately given to ftorm the 
 fort. This dangerous enterprize was hailed 
 by the Britifli as a termination of their la- 
 bours ; they mounted with intrepid gallantry, 
 and, after a fhort but warm conteft, drove the 
 enemy from every part of the ramparts : they 
 then formed with coolnefs and refolution ; the 
 Spaniards tied on all fides; four hundred were 
 killed and drowned, and as many laid down 
 their arms. The marquis de Gonzales, who 
 was fecond in command, fell in making brave, 
 but ineffectual efforts to rally the troops. Don 
 Lewi:; de Velafco, the governor, to whofe va- 
 lour the long defence of the fort was princi- 
 pally due, collected a hundred men in an en- 
 trenchment which he formed round the co- 
 lours, refolved to defend them to the la ft extre- 
 mity. He faw his little band flaiurhtered or dif- 
 ['lied, and was himfelf killed by a random 
 fhot, while offering his fword to the victors. 
 The humanity which ever attends true courage, 
 fympathized in this deplorable catafuophe of a 
 high fpirited enemy. 
 Capture of The Moro being thus reduced, and a fecond 
 the town, divilion of the troops from America arrived, 
 *d. '\u g . licnr wor ] <s were begun for the attack of the 
 ietfa. town. Lord Albemarle iummoned the go- 
 vernor
 
 G E O R G E III. 95 
 
 vcrnor to furrender, but being- answered by a chat. 
 civil though firm refufal, opened his batteries ^J^, 
 with fuch effect, that flags of truce foon appear- i 762. 
 ed on every iide. A capitulation was entered 
 into, by which the Havannah, with a daftricl; of 
 a hundred and eighty miles weftward, was ceded 
 to the conquerors. ' The fleet, which alfo fell 
 into the power of England, confifted of nine 
 fliips of the line, and four frigates ; and the trea- 
 fure in ready money, tobacco, and other valu- 
 able merchandize, belonging to the king of 
 Spain, was eftiuiated at three millions fterling. 
 The garrifon, reduced to feven hundred, was 
 allowed the honours of war, and a fafe convey- 
 ance to Spain. y 
 
 In another quarter of the globe, the Spanifh Expedition 
 wealth was expofed to an attack no lefs hazard- again (t the 
 ous and fuccefsful than that of the Havannah. ifl e V. ppm5 
 An expedition was difpatched from Madras 
 againft Luconia, the principal of the Philippine 
 liles. The land troops, compofed chiefly of 
 Indians, confided of two thoufand three hun- 
 dred men, under the command of brigadier- 
 general Draper; the naval force of eleven 
 ihips, forming part of admiral Cornifh's fqua- 2+t h Sept, 
 dron. The troops effected a landing without 
 lois, though not without oppofition, and com- 
 menced vigorous operations againft the town. 
 Their firength was inadequate to the extent 
 of the enterprise; but their gallantry made 
 amends for every deficiency, and in fpite of 
 a violent l'torm, which threatened deftruc- 
 tion to the fleet, they completed their bat- iftand *d 
 teries, iiniilied a parallel and communication, prober, 
 and eftablifhed a place of arms. A ftrong 4l h, 
 body of Indians in the fervice of the garrifon, 
 
 r Beatfcn's Naval and Military Memoirs, vol. Hi. p. 170. 
 
 made
 
 pQ HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, mp.de a {ally, and fought with incredible feto- 
 lv - city ; they were repulied by the fteady valour 
 i76i. of the befiegers, and many died, gnawing, like 
 wild beafts, the bayonets with which they were 
 transfixed. A. breach was at length effecled, 
 and the garrifon, inftead of endeavouring to 
 repair the works, reiigned to a fallen defpair, 
 fituoa. awaited the event. No propofal to capitulate 
 Capture of being made, the town was fuccefsfully ftormed, 
 and for fome hours unavoidably expofed to the 
 licentioufnefs of the military, The archbiiliop 
 and governor, with the magiftrates, retired in- 
 to the citadel, which, being in no condition of 
 defence, they were foon obliged to furrender 
 at discretion ; a capitulation was, after fome 
 objections, agreed to, by which the town of Ma- 
 nilla and port of Cavite, with feveral mips and 
 a large quantity of military ftores, were furr.en- 
 dered to the king, and four millions of dollars 
 covenanted to be paid as a ranfom for the pri- 
 vate property in the town. This important 
 conqneft was achieved with little lofs. z 
 Capture of Ix confequence of information contained in 
 * heS * n * lf : fome letters, which fell into the hands of the 
 
 firm 1 nm- . _ . . rr . -it, 
 
 daj. victors, captains Parker and King, in the Pan- 
 
 ther, ail up of the line, and the Argo frigate, 
 were difpatched to intercept the galleon Phi- 
 30th. lippina. Inftead of the expected prize, they 
 captured the Santifftma Trinidad Acapulco 
 ihip, with a cargo valued at three millions of 
 dollars. 
 Capture of These important conquefte, by which the 
 the Her* refources of Spain were effectually deftroyed 
 tnione. i ri i e f s tnan teil mon t ns after the declaration of 
 war, left her in no condition to attempt re- 
 trieving the affairs of France. Even the hope 
 
 z Beatfon's Naval ar.d Military Memoirs, vol. iii. p. 131. 
 
 Of
 
 GEORGE III. 97 
 
 an immediate fupply of fpecie was fruftrat- chap, 
 ed early in the conteft by the capture of ^^^ 
 the Hermione, a regifter iloop, bound from *7fo- 
 Lima to Cadiz. This veffel was taken off Cape 21ft May, 
 St. Vincent by two frigates, and contained 
 treafure and valuable effects to the amount of 
 a million fterling. 
 
 The only attempt againft Spain which fail- Unfuccefs- 
 ed, was a joint expedition planned by Great fu 1 «cpedi- 
 Britain and Portugal to attack the colony of Buenos" 1 
 Buenos Ayres. A fleet confifting of three fri- Ayres. 
 gates, beiides fmall armed veflels and ftore 30thAu S- 
 mips, failed from the Tagus, carrying with 
 them five hundred foldiers, under the com- 
 mand of captain Macnamara. They reached 2d Nov, 
 the river Plata without difficulty ; but were al- 
 failed by a dreadful ftorm, accompanied by 
 thunder and lightning, and greatly embar- 
 raffed by not knowing the -.Hidings. The 
 Spaniards were not only prepared to receive 
 the alfailants, but had acted with advantage 
 on the offenfive, by poifefling themfelves of a 
 Portuguefe fettleraent called Nova Colon ia. 
 The recovery of this place was firft attempted : 
 they engaged an Englifh pilot, acquainted 
 with the river and coaft, who undertook to 
 carry the commodore's ihip within piftol-motof 
 the principal fort. After a vigorous cannonade, ift Jan, 
 which lalted four hours, the enemy's batteries *7 6 * 
 were nearly filenced, and the Britilii expecled 
 to reap the fruits of their valour, when the 
 commodore's Ihip was discovered to be on tire : 
 the flames raged with unconquerable violence, 
 and thediitrefs was augmented by a renewal of 
 the enemy's cannonade; the other veflels, for 
 their own fafety, were obliged to keep too 
 great a diftancc to afford fuccour : and, finally, 
 of three hundred and forty men, only lev 
 
 vol- i, ji eight
 
 9S HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, eight efcaped the flames and the fea : the corny 
 vJ^^/ niQflorr was drowned. The other veffels, reduc- 
 *7^- ed ahnoft to wrecks by the enemy's mot, with 
 difficulty reached the Portuguefe fettlement at 
 Rio Janeiro. The Spaniards, with charac- 
 teriftic gallantry and humanity, fuccoured and 
 relieved the unfortunate men who were driven 
 on more, forgot their enmity in their misfor- 
 tune, and treated them rather like brethren, 
 than foes.
 
 G E O R G E III. 99 
 
 CHAPTER THE FIFTH: 
 
 1762 — 1763. 
 
 Birth of the prince of Wales. — Addrefs from 
 the city of London. — Negotiations for peace. 
 — State of the public mind. — Honours con- 
 ferred on lord Bute. — Changes in the mini-, 
 fry. — Proceedings in the city of London, — 
 Bedford made lord mayor. — Progrefs of 
 the treaty for peace. — Preliminaries Jtgnea, 
 — Examination of the terms. — OhjeStions, 
 and obfervations. — DifcuJ/ion of the preli- 
 minaries in parliament. — Definitive treaty 
 Jigned. — General pacif cation. 
 
 'here are periods in the hiitory of nations, chap. 
 as in the lives of individuals, when, by a v^L, 
 concurrence of fortunate events, every dehre 1762. 
 feems gratified, and no reflection occurs to rev ^' ; rt ' 10 ^ he 
 
 r? » < prince or 
 
 {train an unbounded hilarity : fhort and uih Wales. 
 frequent are fueh periods, but ever remember* 
 ed with delight, and recorded with exultation. 
 The birth of the prince of Wales, gave the , st h Aug. 
 greateft fatisfaction to the inhabitants of the 
 Britiih metropolis, who Juftly looked up to a 
 perpetuation of the Brunfwick line, as the molt 
 favourable pledge which Providence could af- 
 ford, that their religion and liberties would be 
 fixed on an immutable bans. "While the can* 
 lion which announced the joyous event yet 
 founded, the public were further gratified by 
 the arrival of the treafurc captured in the Her*! 
 mione, which in ftately procefiion moved be- 
 fore the palace in its progrefs to the tower. 
 The king and principal nobility appeared at the 
 windows of the royal abode, and crowned the 
 raptures of the people on two fueh felicitous 
 
 11 2 circum-
 
 100 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, circumftances, by joining heartily in their ao 
 
 ^^^ damnations. 
 
 ^62. A loyal and dutiful addrefs was prefented 
 
 23$ ad " ^y tne c ^y °^ London, in which it was not for- 
 gotten that the aufpicious day of the prince's 
 birth was facred to liberty and thefe kingdoms, 
 in having given the prefent illuflrious family to 
 the throne. Similar addreffes were prefented 
 from all parts of the kingdom. 
 
 Megotia- Tiie glorious fucceffes of the war had no 
 
 peac» fol power to divert the m miller's attention from the 
 great object of peace ; he was anxious to re- 
 fume the negotiations, and for that purpofe 
 engaged the king of Sardinia, as a neutral 
 power, to propofe to the court of France a 
 termination of hoitilities. Thefe propofals. 
 could not be difasreeable to the French na- 
 tion, enfeebled and defpondent as they were, 
 and convinced., by the experience of a moft ac- 
 tive campaign, that the union of Spain far 
 from bringing with it the aulitance and relief 
 they had fondly hoped, was in fact a dangerous, 
 affociation, or at belt a liftlefs incumbrance. 
 
 s&th Ayg. To prevent the effects which might arife from 
 interefted fpeculations, the minifter fent no- 
 tice to the lord mayor of his intention to 
 
 5thSepf. open a negotiation for peace. The duke of 
 Bedford was deputed from England as minifter 
 
 sjth. plenipotentiary, and the due de Nivernois 
 from France. * The fmal adjuftnient pf the 
 
 a The due de Nivernois is thus defcribed by the chevalier d'Eon, 
 who attended him on this embaffy: " Ce feigneur qui, dans toutes 
 ces ambaffades. a toujours paru, comme Anacreon, couronne de mir- 
 thes & de rofes, & chantant ]es plaifirs au ilin de fes infirmitc3 
 tc des pkis penibles travaujc, feroit un des plus grands rniniftres 
 de la France, fi a. la bor.te, a Televation de fon cccur, a la i'ublimite 
 de Ton ge"nie & des fes talents, iljoignoit autant de fermete que de 
 delicattfie dans l'efprit. Le ieul petit deffaut qui jVjie rerr.arqut; 
 dans M. le due de Nivernois, ell la coquetterie de plaire a tout le. 
 jnende. Coquetterie ! qui nous fait fouvent plus d'ennemies que de 
 vrais amis." See Lettres, MemoiresJ &c ; du Chevalier d'Eo.i, 
 Pifcpurs preiiminaire, p. r. 
 
 pbjejS^
 
 OEOR Q E IIL 101 
 
 nbjecls of treaty was referved to lord Bute and chap. 
 the earl of Egremont in England, and M. de w " 
 Choifeul in Paris; their medium of communi- *76a7 
 cation being through the comte de Viri, the 
 Sardinian mihifter in London, and the Bailli 
 de Solare, minifter from the fame court in 
 
 1~< b 
 
 trance. 
 
 Every reafonable purpofe which could be The public 
 hoped from war, was now abundantly grati- averfe to 
 fied ; and yet the public was not cordially dif- 
 poled to hail the return of peace. The con- 
 ltant fucceffion of important conquefts and 
 brilliant victories, infpired exaggerated notions 
 of our martial prowefs, and hopes of extend- 
 ing the colonial acquisitions, no lefs abfurd 
 than extravagant. Many perfons in power, 
 and a ftrong party in oppoiition, could not en- 
 dure that lord Bute mould enjoy the honour 
 of making a popular peace, and every effort 
 was tried to excite difguft againft the mea- 
 fure. 
 
 Lord Bute feemed to rife in the king's good Honours 
 opinion, and had the difpofal of all honours ^"okI 
 and dignities in the ftate. Befides his appoint- Bute, 
 ment to the rangerfhip of Richmond Park, he 
 was inftalled a knight of the Garter ; an ho- 
 nour which was greatly enhanced by the affo- 
 ciation of the duke of York, brother to the 
 king, in the fame ceremony. Yet lord Bute 
 could not fucceed in infpiring perfonal friend- 
 ihip ; his benefits were received without grati- 
 tude, and his omiffion to gratify every intereft- 
 ed application produced fulien dillatisfacrion, 
 or open oppoiition. c 
 
 After 
 
 b From private information. 
 
 c In anfwer to an angry remonftrance, occafioned by his having 
 omitted to provide tor a dependant of lord Me'.combe, lord Bute 
 thus exprefl'ed himfelf ; " In tliort, my lord, though I cannot prevent 
 
 H g umbragt 

 
 102 HISTORY OF ENGLAXJ). 
 
 chap. After the refignation of the duke of New* 
 ^^ cattle, the difunion of the miniftry became 
 *t?6^ daily more apparent. The duke of Devon- 
 S^Se fhil ' e > during the negotiation for peace, abfent- 
 of Devon- ed himfelf from the council board, and when 
 fi,ire - fummoned, refufed to attend ; in confequence 
 of which he was difmiffed from the office of 
 gift oa. lord chamberlain ; and the king, with his own 
 hand, ftruck his name from the lift of privy 
 other re- counfellors. This difmiflion produced the re- 
 gions* Agnation f i or d George Cavendiih, comp- 
 troller of the houfehold, and lord Beihorough 
 joint poft mafter-general. Several noblemen 
 and members of diftin6tion, openly disclaimed 
 all connection with the minifter, and an oppo- 
 fition was forming, of great extent and influ- 
 ence, headed by the duke of Cumberland. d 
 An d The force of the miniftry was refpe&able, 
 
 changes, but not proportioned to this weight of oppoii- 
 tion. The death of lord Anion created a va- 
 cancy at the head of the admiralty, which was 
 iil led' by lord Halifax. This nobleman had ac- 
 quitted himfelf With diftinguifhed propriety as 
 lord lieutenant of Ireland, and the fituation of 
 firft lord of the admiralty was beftowed as heft 
 fuited to his merits and talents ; but he was de- 
 firons to obtain the place of fecretary of Kate. 
 
 6th June. 
 
 ith to 
 
 16th 08. An exchange was therefore arranged with Mr. 
 
 umbrage being taken at my not fatisfyisg every wifh, I ihall certainly 
 hinder any realbnable grounds of complaint concerning tilings I have 
 once promii'ed j I own, and without bluihing, I have been very un- 
 fortunate in the means I have for years taken of cementing friendfhip, 
 and procuring attachments; others, with much lefs trouble, perhaps 
 without niv iincerity, fucceed better : but I repine not, conicious of 
 my own feelings, confeious of deferving better treatment. I mail 
 go on, though fingle and alone, to iervemy king and country, in the 
 bell manner my poor talents will allow me, happy, too happy, when 
 the heavy burthen that I bear ihall be removed, and placed on other 
 moulders." 
 
 d See lord Orfard's Works, vol. v, p. 94.. 
 
 Grenvilles
 
 G fi It G E lit; 103 
 
 Grenville; Mr. Fox, who ftill retained the chap. 
 fituation of paymafter of the forces, was deftin- ^^ 
 ed to lead the houfe of commons. I ~ 62 - 
 
 The mere propofal of peace on any terms Conduaof 
 was odious to the city of London. The pro- J^f 
 tection afforded to trade by a fuccefsful mari- 
 time war, prevented their feeling* the buthens 
 which opprelled the reft of the nation : the 
 money expended by government gave alacrity 
 to mercantile exertion, and was miftaken by 
 the interefted and fuperficial for an increafe 
 of beneficial commerce. e During* the nego- 
 tiation of laft year, the city had inftrutted their 
 representatives to oppofe any peace in which 
 the whole, or the greater part, of the conquefts 
 made by Great Britain ihould not be retained. 
 The arrogance of one city thus prefuming to 
 lay down a rule of Avar and peace for the whole 
 nation, is not lefs remarkable than the wild- 
 nefs and abfurdity of the terms they attempted 
 to dictate. f If fuch were the fentiments of 
 the city during the laft negotiation, the bril- 
 liant tranfacfions of the prefent campaign did 
 not induce them to moderate their pretentions, 
 or to ailume a more humble tone. The cap- 
 ture of the Havannah produced the moft ab- 
 furd expectations; and while they attributed all 
 the fnccefs of the war to Mr* Pitt, they con- 
 iidercd the propofal of peace as a bafe derelic- 
 
 e The Political Conduct of the earl of Chatham, p. 12. 
 
 * Their inftmclions on this head are in thefe words ! " That you 
 entertain juft fentiments of the importance of the conquefts made tbfS 
 fear by the Britifti arms, at the expence of much blood and treaiure j 
 and that you will, to the utmolt of your power and abilities, oppofe 
 all attempts for giving up fuch places as may tend to lefien our pre- 
 fent fecurity, or by reltoring the naval power of France, render 
 us fubjeft to frefh hoftilities from that natural enemy ; particularly, 
 that thefole and cxclufive right of our acquifmons in North Ameri- 
 ca and the fisheries be preferved to us." Lord Oriord's Works, 
 vol. v. p. 86. 
 
 h 4 lion
 
 T04 HISTCRY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, tion of liis plan, and a facrifice of the natioriai 
 y^^j honour to the i'afety of the miniiter, or, as he 
 
 1762. was invidiouflv termed, the favourite. 
 Beckfoid Mr. Pitt was not unmindful of thefe ap- 
 madeiord pearances ; he faw that, by fecurmg a ftrong 
 party in. the city, he ihould bell be able to 
 make a feparate oppofition, and harrafs the 
 miniftfy. The appointment of the new lord 
 mayor appeared an object of importance. Al- 
 derman Beckford was fixed on for this office : s 
 he was a native of Jamaica, of a haughty and 
 turbulent difpoiition ; but refpecled from the 
 independence of his character, and the incor- 
 ruptibility refulting from unlimited wealth, 
 and popular from his devoted adherence to Mr. 
 aSth Sept. Pitt. On the day before his appointment, he 
 attended the common council, requeuing to 
 refign his gown ; but the court poftponed the 
 conlideration of his demand, and elected him 
 mayor. 
 
 Till the meeting of parliament no effectual 
 oppofition could be made, but innumerable 
 pamphlets, and every other fpecies of publica- 
 tion, conceived in the mod malignant fpirit of 
 virulence, and containing the moft atrocious, 
 and even treafonablefuggeitions, were profufely 
 circulated. 
 Progrefsof The negotiation was proceeding at this 
 
 fwpeacfc tnlie w * tn a ra pi f hly and harmony which 
 gave certain promife of ultimate fuccefs. By 
 prudently difmiffing from confideration ail 
 matters relating to Germany, not immediate- 
 ly affecting the intercfts of the contracting 
 powers, much of the jealoufy which had pre- 
 vailed during the late treaty was difpelled, 
 and the progrefs of accommodation facilitated. 
 
 .1 See lord Orford's Works, rol. v. p. 93. 
 
 The
 
 GEORGE IH. 10 
 
 The greateffc obftacle to its completion arofe chap. 
 from the triumphs of the Britifh arms, which ^^^j 
 inflamed the pride and cupidity of the people, *76*» 
 and, by making the Situation of the enemy ap- 
 pear more deSperate, encouraged them to infill 
 on retaining more than juftice or found policy 
 required. The miniftry were by thefe means 
 reduced to an aukward dilemma: if they pre- 
 tended to retain their recent acquisitions they 
 could not hope for a peace, but merely for an 
 iniincere and full en truce ; if they gave them 
 up, not only the efforts of the preceding ad- 
 ministration, but their own exertions and the 
 expences of the current year, would bealledged 
 as a crime. 
 
 Preliminary articles were at length fign- s^Nor. 
 ed. In the examination of thefe it would be nesfiSS 
 eafy to prove, from the courfe of Succeeding 
 events, that the Britifh miniftry retained too 
 great a portion of their conquefts ; but it is 
 molt candid to Survey the tranfacfion as it muft 
 have appeared at the time, and to judge of the 
 peace-makers by the aelual knowledge which 
 they might poflefs, and on which they could 
 lately and confidently aef, without abandon- 
 ing theml'elves to Speculation, and mcaiuresof 
 contingent and remote advantage. It may, 
 however, be proper to premife, that indepen- 
 dently of the common motives of humanity, 
 which ought never to iofe their influence in 
 the affairs of nations, — independently of fifcai 
 considerations, which weighed with great force 
 at that period ; the want of men began to b6 
 Severely felt. The State of Europe prevented 
 the engaging of foreign mercenaries in the 
 Separate caul'e of Britain; and ihe numerous 
 expeditions in which the military and naval 
 force of the country was diffufea, exhauftfed 
 
 the
 
 106 
 
 CHAR 
 
 V. 
 
 3/6z. 
 
 loxamina- 
 tion of the 
 tellitutions. 
 Xn Europe. 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND, 
 
 the ftrength of the nation. The bounties to 
 recruits were grown to an unexampled height, 
 and it was fuppofed that neither intereft nor 
 compulfion could have procured men for 
 another extenfive expedition. The unhealthy 
 fituations in which the foldiersand failorswere 
 placed by the progrefs of hoftile operations, de- 
 manded continual fupplies \ every frefh con- 
 queft increafed the evil, and far from produc- 
 ing means to defrav, augmented the expences 
 of the war, and proved disadvantageous and 
 burthenfome. To retain too great a portion 
 of thefe conquefts would have perpetuated the 
 evil, and finiihed in peace the depopulation 
 begun by war. 
 
 In Europe there was not much to arrange h . 
 Minorca was reftdred, together with all coun- 
 tries belonging to the elector of Hanover, the 
 Landgrave of Hefle, the duke of Brunfwick, 
 and the count de la Lippe. Cleves, Wefel, 
 Gueldres, and all the territories belonging to 
 the. king of Pruffia, were to be evacuated, and 
 the fortifications of Dunkirk demoliihed. The 
 troops of France and Spain were to retire from 
 all places which they occupied in Europe be- 
 longing the king of Portugal. Great Britain 
 agreed to reftore Belleifle. l 
 
 Several objections were urged againft this 
 arrangement. It was alleged that Belleifle 
 was more than equivalent to Minorca ; but the 
 fuller! anfwer to this was givtn in the former 
 negotiation, when the French minifrer laid, 
 
 Keep Belleifle then, and we will retain Minor- 
 Some objections were taken to the 
 
 «( 
 
 "ca." k 
 
 h This examination of reftitutions is founded on the articles of 
 the definitive treaty. 
 
 i See definitive treaty, articles 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, ir. 
 
 k See Hiitorical Memoir of the court of France, No. xxii. 
 
 dereliction
 
 GEORGE III, 107 
 
 dereliction of the king of Pruflia's interefrs ; chap. 
 but no complaint could be more deftitute of ^^ 
 foundation. The reduction of his opponents, *762. 
 and the aufpicious events of the campaign, had 
 rendered him an object of terror rather than 
 pity, and the balance of power was now en- 
 dangered by his preponderance, much more 
 than by any efforts towards his political anni- 
 hilation. Applying to Pruflia the obfervation 
 made by Mr. Pitt in the debate on the fupply 
 to Portugal, the ininiiter might have laid, 
 " We did not mean to bear Pruffia on our 
 " ihouklers, but only to fet him on his legs, 
 " and put a fword in his hand." ' This was 
 now effectually performed ; and if, as lord 
 Bute was afterwards reported to have fuggeft- 
 ed, the countries evacuated were to fee fcrdm* 
 bled for, no power but Pruffia could derive 
 advantage from the for 'amble. m 
 
 In Alia the enemy had little to relinquish ; in Afia, 
 it remained therefore only to fix on fueh cef- 
 iions as might effectually eftablifli the peace 
 and fecurity of India. Great Britain itipu- 
 lated to feftbre the factories which France pof- 
 fcttcd on the coaft of Coromandel, Grixa, and 
 Malabar, and in Bengal, at the beginning of 
 the year 1749; and the French king renounc- 
 ed all pretentions to conqueits made lince that 
 period. He further agreed to give up Natlai 
 and Tapanoully in the iiland of Sumatra, and 
 to acknowledge Mahommed Aii Fhan, Nabob 
 of the Camatic, and Salabat Sing lawful Su- 
 bah of the Decan. As Luconia was not ex- 
 prefsly mentioned in the treaty, it was under- 
 ttood to be relinquiihed. n 
 
 l See Debiett's Tebites, vol. iv. p. 94. 
 m Life of lord Chatham, vol. i. p« 401, n. 
 * See definitive treaty, articles 11 and 23. 
 
 If
 
 108 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. If the fcale of compenfation alone moula 
 v^^ ^e confidered, the enemy had much the ad- 
 *76j. vantage in this part of the treaty; but if that 
 principle had been rigidly adhered to, no treaty 
 could have taken place ; on the contrary, 
 they muft in general have received fuch terms* 
 as Great Britain chofe to impofe : but if the 
 real welfare and profperity of the Britim Em- 
 pire alone was in contemplation, that was 
 abundantly and fagacioufly provided for. The 
 atfumplion of the intire power and commerce 
 of India was not yet within the reach of Great 
 Britain : to maintain the polfeffions me held 
 "before the war, with the iufluence which fuo 
 cefs enabled her to alfnme over the native 
 powers, was all that could reafonably be de- 
 manded ; and this was amply fecured. 
 f n Africa. Af r i c a prefented few objects of contention, 
 and thefe were amicably and cafily adjufted : 
 Great Britain, in purfuance of the propofal 
 made bv France in the negotiation of laft 
 year, ° retained the factories and rivers of Se- 
 negal, and gave up Goree. p 
 
 On this lubject it has been remarked, that 
 lord Bute ceded more than Mr. Pitt would 
 have agreed to; and that Goree ought, to have 
 been retained, fince France had declared that 
 the one was elientially connected with the 
 other. But in fa6fc neither of them was very 
 deiirable, except as a fource of commerce. Of 
 the African trade Great Britain had furficient ; 
 and by the poilefiion of Senegal, was enabled 
 fo to impede the effectual profecution of it by 
 the French, that from Goree and all their 
 other territories in Africa, they did not aftcr- 
 
 o Seethe Hiftorical Memorial of France, No. xvii. 
 P See definitive treaty, article 10. 
 
 wards
 
 GEORGE III. 109 
 
 wards obtain annually more than three or four chap. 
 hundred Haves. q v^O 
 
 America, the primary caufe of the war, 1761. _ 
 and the great fcene of conqueft, afforded the J^ Amcn 
 mod ample grounds of conccflion, reftitution, 
 and difcuffion. Thefe objects may be divided 
 into three heads : the continent, the Weft In- 
 dia Iflands, and the filheries. 
 
 On the continent, France, after unequivo- 
 cally resigning all pretentions to Nova Scotia, 
 or Acadia, ceded and guarantied to Great Bri- 
 tain, in full right, Canada, with all its depen- 
 dencies, together with Cape Breton, and all 
 other iflands in the gulph and river of St. 
 Lawrence, referring to the Roman Catholics 
 the right of exercifmgr their religion, and leave 
 to quit the country within a limited time. 
 The boundaries were fo clearly and exprefsly 
 defined, as to prevent the pollibility of difpute, 
 and fo advantagcouily, that much of the terri- 
 tory of Louiiiana, in which France had hither- 
 to maintained a difputed pofienion, was relin- , 
 qutihed without referve. Spain yielded Florida, 
 and all other potlcflions on the continent 
 of North America to the eait or to the fouth- 
 eaft of the river Miflifippi r . And thus the Bri- 
 tifh empire was confolidated in this quarter of 
 the globe. 
 
 France and Spain received compenfation 
 for thefe ceflions in the Weft India Iflands, 
 Great Britain reitored to France Guadaloupe, 
 Marie Galante^ Delirade, Martinique, and St. 
 Lucie ; retaining Grenada and the Grenadines, 
 St. Vincent's, Dominica, and Tobago. To 
 Spain, Great Britain ceded all the territory 
 conquered in the ifland of Cuba, with the for- 
 
 1 Raynal's Hiftory of theEaft and Well Indies, vol. v. p. 239. 
 f Sec definitive treaty, articles 4, 7, 2Q. 
 
 trefs
 
 i 10 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP, trcfs of the Havannah, and all other fortreffes 
 *■ in the ifland. s 
 
 ^2. Ac a i n s t thefe articles many objections were 
 
 raifed: It was alleged that, although the cef- 
 lions on the continent werejample and honour- 
 ahle, yet the benefits to be derived from them 
 were remote and contingent, the commerce 
 feanty, and the return diftant ; that as an in- 
 demnity for the expences of the war, Marti- 
 nique, Guadaloupc, St. Lucie, or fome other 
 important ifland, mould have been preferved, 
 which would have opened a valuable and im- 
 portant feurce of commerce, and contributed, 
 by a rapid circulation, to give energy to trade 
 and vigour to indul'try. It was arTerted, that 
 by permitting France to refume thefe poffef- 
 fions, we afforded her the means of fpeedily 
 repairing all the lories occalioned by the war, 
 and of reftorinor her trade and marine in all 
 their former fplendor. Thefe arguments are, 
 in part, true ; but the application of them er- 
 roneous : if generally adopted, they would re- 
 duce war between nations to a mere piracy ; 
 the pretence that what had been acquired 
 would be advantageous either to the con- 
 queror or the enemy, could never be wanting ; 
 peace could only be hoped from unconditional 
 fubmiffion, and war muft ever be continued 
 to extermination. It is even doubtful whe- 
 ther permanent advantages would accrue to 
 Great Britain from the polfeiuon of thefe co- 
 lonies : thofe which were retained languiih- 
 ed for want of cultivation, and became the 
 caufes of litigation between the fovereign and 
 the fubject, rather than productive of imme- 
 diate benefit to the country. l The fyftem pur- 
 
 ' See definitive treaty, articles 3, 9, 19. 
 
 'See Fryan_ Edwards' Hiftory of the Britifh Colonies in the Weft 
 Indies, book iii. c. 2 and 3. 
 
 ^ fiied
 
 GEORGE III. 1 1 1 
 
 fued by fome merchants and proprietors of chap. 
 land, fince the capture of Guadaloupe, inflii- ^^ 
 encedthem to make a clamorous demand that «7S». 
 it mould he retained: they had overstocked the 
 market with goods, fold them at a long cre- 
 dit, and made the ifland, in other refpeels, an 
 exception to the rule of Weil India commerce ; 
 they had, in fact, fo much improved the re- 
 fources of the colony, that it might perhaps 
 have been advantageous to Great Britain to 
 have maintained the pofTeffion. u But the cafe 
 was far different with Martinique : the contra- 
 band trade with the Spanifh coafts was almoft 
 intirely loft. The cefllon of Louifiana and Ca- 
 nada had precluded all hopes of again opening 
 a communication ; and the value of the refu- 
 tation was diminimed hy the lofs of the pro- 
 duce of the Grenades, St. Vincent, and 
 Dominica, which was formerly brought into 
 their harbours. x St, Lucie might poflibly 
 have produced more advantage ; but that was 
 the only neutral ifland pofleffed by France, and 
 policy appeared to dictate that the tafk of 
 keeping the Carrihbs in fubjection, ihould in 
 part devolve on them. 
 
 With refpect, to the fifhery : France was 
 permitted to catch and dry fifh on part of the 
 coaft of Newfoundland, and to fifli in the 
 gulph of St. Lawrence, on condition of not 
 approaching within three leagues of the more; 
 on the other coafts of the illand of Cape Bre- 
 ton, they were fullered to rilh at the diftance 
 of fifteen leagues from the ihore ; and the 
 fimery on the coafts of Nova Scotia and Aca- 
 dia, was left on the fame footing as in other 
 
 u See Raynal's Hiftory of the Eaft and Weft Indies, vol. vi„ 
 p. 104.. 
 
 * Idem, p. §6, 
 
 treaties.
 
 112 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, treaties. The ifles of St. Pierre and Miquclon 
 vJT^; were ceded to France, but exprefsly toferve as 
 s ? 62 » a inciter to fifhermen ; they covenanting to 
 creel no buildings, except for the convenience 
 of iiihery, and to keep on- them a guard of fifty 
 men, only for the police. The king of Spain 
 waved all pretentions to any right exifting in 
 himfelf or the Guipufcoans, or any other of 
 his fubjects, to fifh in the neighbourhood of 
 Newfoundland. y 
 
 In objecting to thefe particulars of the treaty, 
 it was affirmed as a principle that this coun- 
 try ought to monopolize all the fisheries, for 
 the purpofe of preventing France from ever 
 re-eftab liming her naval power, and of aug- 
 menting our own. The want of juftice in fuch 
 an objection is eafily perceptible, and its want 
 of true policy is no lefs certain. The fair end 
 of peace is fecurily and focial intercourfe : but 
 it is too much to prefume that thole objects are 
 only attainable by crippling and plundering 
 thole with whom we treat : peace is more en- 
 dangered by the indignant feelings of another 
 nation, excited by fevere terms, and by a 
 jealoufy of difproportionate aggrandizement, 
 than by the hope which can be entertained of 
 making war with advantage, when theftrength 
 of both parties is nearly equal. The concef- 
 fions in regard to the fiiheries had no ten- 
 dency to increafe the naval power of France 
 in any formidable degree: an eftablimment 
 where fifty foldiers are fufricient for the police, 
 and where the rival nation is reftrained from 
 frilling within nine or forty-five miles of the 
 more, ean occafion no well grounded alarm, or 
 prudent jealoufy. 
 
 Y See Jefinitire treaty, articles 5, 6, iS, 
 
 The
 
 GEORGE III. 1 1 3 
 
 The difputes with Spain refpeeting prizes, chap. 
 were referred to the Britiih court of admiralty. ^^ 
 And it was agreed that the fortifications erect- 176*. 
 fed in the Bay of Honduras mould be demolifh- 
 ed; the king of Spain confenting that the Bri- 
 tiih fubjects, or their workmen, mould not be 
 moleited in loading, cutting, and carrying 
 away logwood, but might build and occupy, 
 Without interruption, the houfes and maga- 
 zines neceii'ary for them, their families, and 
 etTeas. z 
 
 Such were the terms of peace procured by 
 the conquelts of Great Britain. If the people 
 were ever induced to expect a complete indem- 
 nification for the expences of the war, or any 
 confidcrable diminution of their burthens, from 
 the terms of a treaty, they who deceived them 
 were alone refponfible for the effects of the de« 
 lufion. No war mould ever be protracted a 
 dav beyond the period which offers a fecure 
 and honourable peace; for conqueft can no 
 more reitore the funds diihpated by war, than 
 peace can give life to thole who have fallen 
 Victims in the conteft. 
 
 The peace of J7o'2 was wife and juft, be* 
 baufe it fo clearly ascertained points in difpute, 
 as to leave no pretence for future litigation ; 
 becaufe it deftroyed every pretence for charg- 
 ing the Britiih nation with rapacity, and an 
 overbearing fpirit; and becaufe the moderation 
 of the terms tended to obviate every ungraci- 
 ous fentiment, which a fuccefsful and protract- 
 ed war might have generated in the bofoms of 
 our opponents. A\'ith all the advantages gain- 
 ed by Great Britain, more important ceifions 
 might doubtlefs have been obtained from 
 
 e See definitive treaty, articles 16,17, 
 
 vol. i. i France
 
 114 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHA.P. France and Spain; but in every view of the 
 % JJ^, fubject., the conditions feem to have been judi- 
 1762. cioufly and prudently arranged, and the ter- 
 mination of the conteft was no lefs advan- 
 tageous than honourable to Great Britain. 
 25th Nov. When the parliament aiTembled, the king* 
 Meeting of j n ^{ s fpeech adverted to the circumftances of 
 the war during the laft year, and fpoke with 
 becoming animation in praife of the glorious 
 achievements of his forces, both by fea and 
 land. He bore honourable teftimony to the 
 unwearied pevfeverance, and unparelleled bra- 
 very of the officers and privates in the military, 
 as well as naval fervice ; and faid, that next to 
 the affiltance of Almighty God, it was owing 
 to their conduct and courage that the enemy 
 had been brought to accept of terms, which, he 
 hoped, would give intire fatisfaction to parlia- 
 ment. His majefty lamented that, notwith- 
 standing the conclufion of hoftilities T the ex- 
 pences could not be fo fpeedily and effectually 
 lefTened as he defired : And concluded by ob- 
 ferving, that we could never have carried on 
 this extenlive war without the greateft union 
 at home; that the fame union would be ne- 
 ceffary in order to make the beft ufe of the 
 important advantages acquired at the peace, 
 and to lay the foundation of that economy, 
 which could alone relieve the nation from the 
 heavy burthens brought en by a long and ex- 
 pen five conteft. 
 15th. The preliminaries of peace were laid before 
 
 Prehmma- fo^ houfcs ; but the oppoiition was not pro- 
 difcuffed. ~ portioned, either in ability or numbers, to the 
 expectation which had been raifed. In the 
 ?th Dec. houfe of peers, on the motion for an addrefs, 
 many objections were made, and fome fevere 
 reflections thrown out agaiuft the earl of Bute, 
 * with
 
 GEORGE III. 115 
 
 TVith appearances of heat and animofity. That CHAP, 
 nobleman defended his own conduct, with tern- ^^ 
 per and decorum, in a well connected fpeech, 176*. 
 delivered with great propriety, to the furprize 
 of many, who did not think him fo well quali- 
 fied in the art and faculty of elocution. He 
 gave a detail of the negotiation, and not only 
 avowed himfelf a warm promoter of the peace, 
 but even exprened a dehre that his having con- 
 tributed to the celfation of hoftilities, ihould 
 be engraved on his tomb. He was feconded 
 by the earl of Halifax, and fupported by a 
 great majority. a 
 
 In the houfe of commons, Mr. Fox princi- 9th Dec, 
 pally defended the peace ; and Mr. Pitt, though 
 in a Hate of extreme pain and weaknefs from 
 the gout, attended, to lay before parliament 
 his objections to the preliminaries. His fpeech 
 lafted three hours ; it embraced every topic of 
 objection, and was expretfed in glowing lan- 
 guage. He declared, although he was at that 
 inftant fuffering under the moft excruciating 
 torture, yet he determined at the hazard of his 
 life to attend this clay, to raife up his voice, 
 his hand, and his arm, againft the preliminary 
 articles of a treaty which obfeured all the glories 
 of thj war, furrendered the deareft interefts 
 of the nation, and facrificed the public faith 
 by abandoning our allies. He firft challenged 
 the miniftry to compare the prefent treaty with 
 the terms he could have obtained from Bulfy ; 
 but that producing no reply, he proceeded to 
 
 * Smollett's complete Hiftory of England, vol. xvi. p. 161. No 
 traces of this debate are preferved in Debrett's CcllecYion. Lord 
 Bute did not often fpeak in parliament : his delivery was very How 
 and folemn ; in allufion to which Charles Townfend, during a 
 fpeech which lord Bute made on the fubjeft of the cyder tax, hu- 
 moroufly exclaimed, '« minute guns." 
 
 i 1 analyze
 
 116 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, analyze every part of the fripulations, whjcl! 
 v - he ftigmatifed, in general, with unqualified cen- 
 J7 6^ fure. The only particulars which met his ap- 
 probation, were the dereliction of North Ame- 
 rica by the French, and the reftitution of 
 Minorca. He expatiated at great length on 
 the German connection ; and affirmed that the 
 defertion of the king of Pruffia, the moft mag- 
 nanimous ally this country ever had, was'in- 
 fidious, tricking, bale, and treacherous. In 
 concluuon, he laid the terms of the propofed 
 treaty met his moft hearty difapprobation : he 
 faw in them tlie feeds of a future war. The 
 peace was ihfecure, becaufe it reftored the 
 enemy to her former greatnefs : the peace was 
 inadequate, becaufe the places retained were no 
 equivalent for the places fufrendefed. 
 
 These obfervations made greater impref- 
 fionj and were productive of more general ef- 
 fect, from the circumftances under which they 
 were delivered. Mr. Pitt was fo feeble af the 
 • beginning of his harangue, that he was fup- 
 ported by two of his friends ; during its pro- 
 gress his pain increafmg, he was allowed the 
 unprecedented indulgence of delivering his 
 1 .timents fitting. 3 towards the conclufion his 
 ftrength intirely failed, his voice became in- 
 diftinet, and he was obliged to omit the remarks 
 which he was prepared to make on the articles 
 relating to Spain. 
 
 The arguments of Mr. PHt were combated 
 by general conhderations of policy, and dii- 
 cuffions of the value of the ceded conquefts; 
 which it was truly affirmed, w r as greatly di- 
 minimed by the privation of thofe retained. 
 On a diviiion, the motion for the addrefs was 
 . carried by a great majority. b 
 
 b 319 to 65. 
 
 No
 
 G E ORG E III. 117 
 
 No other bufincfs of importance was brought chap. 
 before parliament till after the recefs. ^^^j, 
 
 In eonfequenee of the execution of the * ,f t-.. 
 
 ... . l ... , . /. ill Definitive 
 
 preliminaries, a ceiiation 01 arms had been tre atyfign- 
 proclaimed, and paifports were ill ucd former- ed. 
 chants deli ring to trade to any part of France. jf h Dec * 
 The definitive treaty was, in due time, ratified,- Iot hFeb. 
 and peace eftablifhed. c J 7 6 3- 
 
 When the belligerent powers on the con- The other 
 tinent law Great "Britain and France feri- P owers 
 oufly difpofed to effect a pacification, they be- p eace . 
 came convinced of the propriety of defifting 
 from further operations. A propofal of the 
 imperial court for a congrefs was readily ac- 
 ceded to by the king of Prufiia. It was held 31ft Dec 
 at Hubertfburg; and, after fome' previous dif- I76? * 
 cuffionSj a treaty was arranged between Auftria, I5t hFeb. 
 Pruffia, Saxony, and Poland, which reftored 1)63. 
 the peace of Europe. By this treaty few points 
 of great importance were regulated, and no 
 extenfion of territory was acquired by any of 
 [he contracting parties; 1 
 
 c Much of the oppofition which this treaty encountered in parlia- 
 ment, was tlie mere rei'ult of paity fpirit ; as I am informed, 
 from indubitable authority, that feyeral eminent ftatefmen were 
 known to exprefs high approbation <■! it in private, though they 
 decried it in public. The terms were, en the whole, more judicious, 
 and really more advantageous, than thole which, in the preceding year, 
 were demanded by Mr. Pitt. The bpini n of an individual, how*. 
 ever eminent, cannot decide fuel) an extei.fue and important ques- 
 tion ; but the following anecdote, related by Wood in his pic face 
 to the Eflay on the Original Genius and Writings of Homer, is de- 
 ferring of attention : " Being diitele i to wait on lord Granville,'' 
 he lays, " a few davs before he died, with the preliminary articles 
 " ot the Treaty of Paris, I found him lo languid, that I propo&d 
 " poftponing my bnlineis for another time, but he infilled that I 
 " ihould itay, faying, it could not prolong his life to neglect, his 
 " duty. lie then deiired to hear the treaty read, to which he liftened 
 " with great attention, and recovered iuiiits enough to declare 
 {£ the approbation of a dying- Itatefman, (I ufe Ins own words) on 
 5< the molt glorious war, and the molt honourable peace, this nation 
 64 ever faw." 
 
 $ CEuvres du Roi de Prufle, vol. iv. p. 139, 149, 
 
 I 3
 
 ilS HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAPTER THE SIXTH: 
 1763. 
 
 Formation of 'opposition. — Proceedings in par- 
 liament. — Cyder tax. —Petitions of the city 
 of London — and other places. — Relief 
 granted to the Americans. — Resignation of 
 lord Bute. — His character. — Virulence of 
 political publications. — The North Briton. 
 — General warrants ijfued.— Wilkes arreft- 
 ed and committed to the Tower.— ~ Proceed* 
 ings thereon. — He is difcharged — and de- 
 prived of his commijjion. — Lord Temple dif 
 miffed. — Wilkes^s intemperate proceedings. 
 — Death of lord Egremont. — Negotiation 
 with Mr. Pitt. — Duke of Bedford's mini- 
 fry. — Wilkes publijhes fundry libels — and 
 goes to France. 
 
 chap, 'tthe inefficient opposition made to the ad- 
 ^]^j dreffes on peace, fhewed plainly that, with- 
 
 1763- out general concord, the various parties dif-* 
 of oppofi- P°^ e ^ t0 thwart the meafures of government, 
 tion. would be fruftrated in every attempt. Some 
 ftill entertained hopes of regaining a fhare of 
 power, by not difplaying an open oppoiition. 
 to the minifters ; and, therefore, when the debate 
 was expected, feigned ficknefs, quitted the me- 
 tropolis, or abfented themfelves from the houfe 
 without affigning a reafon.* It was therefore 
 jieceflary to unite all the difcordant members 
 of the minority by a general coalition, if they 
 hoped to make an effectual attack on the power 
 of lord Bute. The effect of the obje&ions to 
 
 3 Hiftory of the late MinoVity, p. 83. 
 
 the
 
 GEORGE III. Jig 
 
 the peace promifed no inconliderable fuccefs : chap. 
 the counties of York and Surrey refufed to pre- Jl 1 ^, 
 Jent addrefies ; and it was laid that thofe which *76j. 
 were lent from all quarters of the kingdom, 
 were not procured without much addreis and 
 great difficulty. 1 ' 
 
 The coalition was confolidatcd at the houfe March. 
 of the duke of Newcaftle c ; and their refinance 
 of every effort to divide them, convinced the 
 minifter that their union would, in time, be 
 fatal to his afcendency. 
 
 Parliament bad refumed its fittings be- aothjan, 
 fore this coalition was formed; but no bufmefs p^[a" g ° f 
 of importance claimed their attention, till the mc-nt. 
 fupplies for the current year were fubmitted 
 to the houfe of commons. The fum to be railed 
 by loan was tbree millions and a half. In 
 this moderate financial exertion, the miniftry 
 •a ere expofed to virulent cenfure. It was al- gth Mafo 
 leged that they privately difpofed of the loan, 
 which in a few days role to eleven per cent, 
 premium; and thus, at the expence of the 
 public, gratified their own creatures with be- 
 nefits to the amount of three hundred and 
 fifty thoufand pounds. d General objec- 
 tions, however, would have produced little 
 effect beyond the pafhng moment, had not a 
 more fpecious object of attack prcfented itfelf 
 
 b The city of London prefented a t3rdy and relu£tant addrefs 
 (May i ath) but the lord mayor did not attend with it at St. James's, 
 and the bells of feveral parifhes were mufHed during the pro- 
 ceffion. 
 
 c The party is ftated to have confifted of the following perfons: 
 the dukes of Devon (]) ire, Bolton, and Portland ; marquis of Rock- 
 ingham ; earls Temple, Cornwallis, Albemarle, Aihburnham, 
 Hardwicke, and Befboiough ; lords Spencer, Sondes, Grantham, and 
 Villiers ; Mr. Pitt, Mr. J. Grenville, and Sir George Savile. Hif- 
 tory of the late Minority, p. 89 to 93. 
 
 •* See Mr. Legge's fpeeches in the debates. North Briton, Hif- 
 tsry of the late Minority, p, 107. 
 
 1 4 m
 
 120 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, in one of the modes of fupply: this was the 
 lv ^JI^ a6l for impohng a tax on perry and cyder. 
 
 1763. The raimfter at firft intended to lay a duty 
 
 Cyder tax. Q £ ^ Q fjjillirig^ per hogfhead on the liquor 
 fold by retail, confining the tax to the vic- 
 tualler : the next project was to lay the fame 
 afleffment on the hi ft buyer. e Neither of 
 thefe propofals was agreeable to the country 
 gentlemen, and therefore the mode was- alter- 
 ed to an imppiition of four millings per hogf- 
 head on the grower; and the regulations of. 
 the excife were extended to the collection of 
 this duty. 
 ObWonc Against this fyftem it was not difficult to 
 raife a loud and diffufive clamour. The fame 
 arguments and efforts which in 17 33 had near- 
 ly driven Walpole from the helm, could not 
 fail of being again employed. In the houfe of 
 commons Mr. Pitt, as the leader of oppofition, 
 detailed the accuftomed topics, inveighed 
 againft the admifhon of excife officers into pri- 
 vate dwellings, and, adverting to the excellent 
 maxim that every man's houfe is his calile, 
 deprecated the extend on of excife laws to in- 
 dividuals, who, by their birth, education, and 
 profeihons, were intirely diftinct from the tra- 
 der. A petition w r as prefented from the city 
 of London, but without effect, f and the bill 
 aSthand finally palled. In the lords it met with equal 
 30th Mar. oppohtion ; forty-nine peers divided againll it, 
 and two proteits, each ligned by three peers, 
 were entered on the journals. Thefe protefts 
 were couched in ftrong terms; and thetranfac- 
 tion is rendered more remarkable from the un- 
 
 • Debretfs Debates, vol. iv. p. 131. 
 
 f Not only, to the commonsj but to the lords, and the throne- 
 
 prece^
 
 GEORGE III. iSl 
 
 precedented facl, that the lioufe.of lords divid- c a A i% 
 ed on a money bill. ^Zl^ 
 
 It was a capital error in lord Bute's admin},- *7<>2. 
 fixation, to perfevere in a meafure which gave 
 ib much dinatisfa&ion, and afforded eafy means 
 of extending the influence of oppoiition. Not 
 the city of London alone, but thofc of Exeter 
 and Worcefter, the counties of Devon and 
 Hereford, and feveral other towns and places, 
 inftructed their reprefentatives to refift the tax, 
 fent letters of thanks to thofe who had diftin- 
 guifhed themfelves in oppoiition ; formed affo- 
 ciations, and even entered into combinations, 
 to let their apples rot under the trees, rather 
 than make them into cyder, iubject to fuch 
 impofitions. In a word, no public meafure 
 JTmce the excife act propofed by Sir Robert 
 Walpole, had excited fo great a ferment in the 
 nation. Prudence mould have dictated to lord 
 Bute an imitation of Walpole : he faw he could 
 neither ftem the popular torrent, nor mitigate 
 its fury, and mould have withdrawn" himfelf 
 from its effects, bv renouncing the obnoxious 
 meafure. s 
 
 Besides the determined efforts of a precon- Obfcrva- 
 certed oppoiition, and the general invectives uons * 
 againft the extenfion of the excife laws, many 
 fpecious reaibnings were adduced againft the 
 cyder tax. It was faid to be enormous in 
 amount, and unequal in application. It was 
 computed to equal the rent of the land from 
 which it arofe; and the occupier, being obliged 
 to pay the whole fum within fix weeks from 
 the time of making the cvder, remained ex- 
 pofed, without allowance or drawback, to all 
 {;he lofs arifjng from thofe accidents to which 
 
 o 
 S See Coxe's Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole, chap. 41, 
 
 f(?
 
 122 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP, fo hazardous a commodity is fubjecr. Tq 
 
 ^^ prove the inequality of the tax, it was alleged 
 
 ' 1763. that all the different forts of cyder were fubjeci; 
 
 to the fame impohtion : of their there were 
 
 computed to be four ; the wont of which was 
 
 made from the windfalls, and could only be 
 
 ferviceable for family eonfumption ; this, and 
 
 the other three forts, varying in value from 
 
 eight to fifty ihillings a hogmead, were taxed 
 
 alike, by which means the common drink of 
 
 the day-labourer was fubjeci to as heavy a 
 
 charge as the luxurious beverage of men of 
 
 ample fortunes. The affertion that it is im- 
 
 poffible to discriminate the piaffes of cyder, fo 
 
 as to impofe a proportionate duty, was more 
 
 ftrongly decried as difplaving the impolicy of 
 
 the tax. h 
 
 :4th Ma r . Ix this feflion, in confeqnence of a meffage 
 
 theAme- fr° m tne king, the houfe of commons voted a 
 
 rican:. compenfatioii to thefubjeets of North America, 
 
 for the expences incurred during the war, in 
 
 the levying,, cloathing, and pay of the troops 
 
 *9th April, raifcd by the respective provinces. 1 The pub- 
 
 ^roroga- ^ hufniels bejng early difpatched, parliament 
 
 was prorogued. ' 
 
 Change of Soon after the paffmg of the cyder tax, 
 
 maiiil J- w } ien lord Bute's friends and enemies' eonfider- 
 
 ed him fo permanently fixed in office, that the 
 
 long labours of a well united oppoiition, would 
 
 sth April, be requifite for his expullion, he aftonifhed the 
 
 public by a fudden rehgnation. Sir Francis 
 
 Dafhwood followed his example. Mr. Gren- 
 
 ville fncceeded them both as nrft lord of the 
 
 h See cafe of the county of Devon, published by the direction 
 of the committee. 
 
 ' By an afl pafled this feflion, John Harrifon received a reward 
 of 5,000 1. for his ingenious labours towards the difcovery of the longi- 
 tiide. 
 
 treafury,
 
 GEORGE III. 123 
 
 treafury and chancellor of the exchequer; and chap. 
 notice was given to the foreign minifters, that v^JiJ, 
 his majeiVy had confided the executive powers i?6j: 
 of government to Mr. Grenville, lord Ilali- 
 fax, and lord Egremont. A place in the cabi- 
 net was offered to Mr. Pitt, but he infilled on 
 fuch extravagant terms, that the king could 
 not in honour comply: he demanded the re- 
 moval of every peribn who had in any man- 
 ner been engaged in making the peace ; and 
 even required that the terms of the treaty 
 mould be meliorated. The king anfwered, he 
 would never withdraw his protection from 
 thofe whofe conduct he approved, or reprobate 
 meafures which he had ianclioned with his 
 approbation. k 
 
 The fudden termination of lord Bute's mini- obferva- 
 fterial career, and his dereliclion of that power \ 10n , s ^ n t ^ 
 
 ,.,. 7 , 1 ..;:,. r ,. * lord isute % 
 
 which it was thought his chief aim to acquire, refigna- 
 and his principal labour to extend, gave rife ^ oa - 
 to various contradictory fpeculations. By fome 
 it was attributed to fear of impeachment, aug- 
 mented by the profpeel of the duke of Bed- 
 ford's return from Paris, and the expectations of 
 fome important difclofures. ) Some weakly 
 imagined, that the perfevering attacks of the 
 North Briton drove him from the helm ; m and 
 others believed that he ftill retained his power, 
 though he did not openly appear to exercife it. 
 The reafons ailigried by a writer, who probably 
 did not make his itatement without thepriviiy 
 of lord Bute, are thefe : " His refignation is in 
 81 confequence of a refolution early taken, and 
 f invariably adhered to by this extraordinary 
 
 fc From private information. 
 
 1 Life of lord Chatham, vol. i. p. 425. 
 
 ■» Kiltory of the Lite Minority, p, 127. 
 
 perfon ; 
 
 a
 
 i24 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. " perfon ; who, feeing the nation involved r. f 
 vt. u a con f umnl o- war, which for various reafons 
 1763. " no minifter but himfelf would put an end to, 
 "thought himfelf called upon, not only as the 
 "friend of his fovereign, but as the friend of 
 " his country, to undertake the difficult and 
 • " dangerous tafk of making peace : this he 
 " happilv accompliihed, and made a peace 
 " which fpeaks for itfelf. In the profecution of 
 " this great work his life has been often threat- 
 " ened, and fometimes in danger from an ex- 
 l: afperated multitude: 11 his character has been 
 " attacked with a virulence, till now, 1111- 
 " known : his relations, his friends, the place 
 " of his nativity, have been reviled, and every 
 " pofhble method taken to difcred.it him with 
 " the public, and to ruin him with the king 
 " his mafter. This ftorm he endured, and per- 
 " fevered with inconceivable conftancy, till the 
 " peace was ratified and approved by parlia- 
 " ment, and the bufmefs of the feihon brought 
 " to a conclufion : then he refigned, leaving 
 " the new miniflry, fupported by a great ma- 
 " jority in both houfes, and not obftrucled by 
 " thofe prejudices which had been fo induf- 
 " trioufly railed up againft him. 
 
 " Tins opinion of his having early taken 
 " a refolution to retire, is confirmed by the 
 " mildnefs of his administration, and his total 
 " neglect, of the libels againft him. fie has ac- 
 " cordingly retired without place or penlion, 
 
 n This afTertion was verified in two remarkable inftances : the 
 firft, as he was going to the lord mayor's entertainment at Guildhall, 
 when he was attacked by the pbpslace, his carriage broke, and him- 
 felf very narrowly efcaped :he Itroke of a club ; the other, as he was 
 going to the parliament houfe, when the civil power preierved him. 
 — Hiitory of the late Minority, p. nj. 
 
 " difdaining
 
 GEORGE HI; 125 
 
 "'• difdaining to touch thofe tempting fpoils chap, 
 u which lay at his feet * J' 1 - , 
 
 There is too great ail appearance ot preci- 176$. 
 pit;ition in lord Bute's retreat, to fanelion thefe 
 lYippofitions ; even the I was not early ap- 
 
 prized of hi^ intention, and from his good 
 ooinion of the earl, lamented that he had loft 
 a friend as well as a minifter. p It is abfurd 
 to fuppofe that fear of impeachment induced 
 him to rcfign. Fear .is a ftrange motive to 
 afugn for yielding" up that which conftitutes 
 ftrength, efpecially when no meafures were 
 taken to make that facririee a bribe for for- 
 bearance. The terms of peace have already 
 been fo amply difcufled, as to leave no necef- 
 iity of again entering into their merits. Ano- 
 ther charge, however, was brought againft the 
 minifter,— that of having received a large fum 
 of money from France. q After having for 
 fome years amufed the public, and ferved as a 
 theme to thofe virulent declaimers who are al- 
 ways ready to repeat the groneft fables, if of a 
 ilanderous tendency, this allegation met its 
 • ath in the houfe of common >. It was 
 brought forward by Dr. Mufgrave, who, in a 
 long examination betrayed fo large a portion 
 of credulity, with fo fmall a fhare of judgment, 
 
 Letter from a Gentleman in Town to his Friend in the Country, 
 occafioned by a late Refignation. 
 
 P From private information. 
 
 «? In fupport of this unfoundeJ allegation, the public attentions 
 was often invidioufly dire&ed to lord Bute's extenfive buildings at 
 Luton, and in Berkeley Square. Such magnificent undertakings 
 proved his difiegard of money, but they were not too great for his 
 ample fortune. By his marriage with Mary, daughter of Edward 
 Wortley Montague, he acquired an eftate of 25,000 1. a year, befides 
 4.50,0001. in the funds. Far from fupplying his expences by 
 means of the public money, he railed 90,0001. by mortgage, and 
 long enough to redtem the eltate by frugality.— -From private 
 rtnation, 
 
 * that
 
 326 JIISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 cha?. that the houfe, after a minute inveftigationj 
 v^Z!^ votec ^ h* 3 information in the higheft degree fri- 
 ^763- volous, and unworthy of credit. r 
 
 It is improbable that lord Bute, who had 
 patiently endured the mod virulent inve&ives, 
 mould be driven from the helm by ^0 vapid a 
 production as the North Briton, Burke pro- 
 perly characterized this weak and malicious 
 feries of libels, by calling* it a milk and water 
 paper, as much inferior to Junius in rancour 
 and venom, as in ftrength* wit, and judg- 
 ment. ' 
 
 In iafifc, the principal caufe of his refignatiori 
 was the want of fupport in the cabinet. In a 
 private letter to one of his friends, before he 
 retired from the helm, he more fully explained 
 the real motives of his conduct: " Single," he 
 laid, " in a cabinet of my own forming ; no 
 " aid in the houfe of lords to fupport me, except 
 " two peers, (lords Denbigh and Pomfret) ; both 
 " the fecretaries of itate filent, and the lord chief 
 "juftice, whom I my felf brought into office, 
 " voting for me, yet fpeaking againft me; the 
 " ground I tread upon is fo hollow, that I. 
 " am afraid, not only of falling myfelf, but of 
 "involving my royal m after in my ruin. — It 
 " is time for me to retire !"* 
 
 The continuance of the ex-minifter's fecret 
 influence in the clofet, /or a conjiderable period, 
 has been fo repeatedly and confidently alfert* 
 ed, that to doubt it would feem ramnefs ; yet, 
 perhaps, if we except the negotiations for the 
 minifterial changes foon after his refignation, 
 in which he was occaiionally the medium to 
 communicate the king's intentions, no report 
 
 ' See debates, January 29th, 1770. 
 » See dabates, 27th November, 1770. 
 1 From private information. 
 
 *&3
 
 GEORGE III. 127 
 
 was ever lefs confonant to truth : for it was CHAP: 
 liis conftant and repeated complaint to his in- ^^ 
 timate friends, both in his travels and at home, v$s 
 that he was neglected by his fovereign. This 
 avowal from a man fo cautious as lord Bute, 
 outweighs all the vague avfertions of thofe 
 who maintained the exiftence of a myfterious 
 agency, and proves that the lofs of his influ- 
 ence had funk deep in his mind. u 
 
 Lord Bute's fhort administration was 
 rendered additionally unpieafant by his own 
 errors. His undertaking to make peace when 
 the nation was eager for continuing the war; 
 and his offending all thofe who, by popularity 
 or family connection, were enabled to co- 
 operate effectually in his views ; were rafli 
 though laudable exertions ; and his danger- 
 was augmented by his negligence of public 
 applaufe, and ignorance of the means by 
 which it might be acquired. He was advifed 
 to contemn the clamors of the city, for on the 
 lead threat of the king's difpleafure, thofe who 
 were then at his throat, would foon be at his 
 feet" ; and though he neither efteemed nor re- 
 fpected the man who gave this council, the 
 tenor of it feems agreeable to his mode of 
 thinking : the confequence was, that the city 
 conne6ted with the admiration of Mr. Pitt, 
 a factious and overbearing fpirit of refiftance 
 to the exertions of government. Even the 
 virtues of lord Bute were not calculated to in- 
 jure refpc£t, or conciliate affection. It is faid 
 of him, " No man could complain, during his 
 '* adminiitration, of a promife broken, or of 
 " hopes given and not fulfilled. No inferior 
 
 From private information. 
 
 * Letter from lord Melcombe to lord Bute, 8th O&ober, 1761. 
 
 " perfon
 
 128 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. " perfon i n any department where he had ferved, 
 \-^i»j " wno <^ no * pafiionately regret the lofs of 
 1763. " fo eafy, fo kind a fuperior." y In diminution 
 of this eulogium, it is to be remarked that lord 
 Bute made no promifes, and gave no hopes, 
 except to perfons whofe devotion he meant 
 to fecure; and that under him the pernicious 
 precedent v/a: introduced, of removing every 
 dependent of government, even to the loweifc 
 clerks in the public offices, to introduce others 
 of his own nomination. z This proceeding ne- 
 ceflarily created many enemies, and if it gave 
 him fome claims to gratitude, thofe claims Avere 
 too flight and precarioufiy founded to be much 
 relied on. His patronage of literature and the 
 arts, was lib era i and honourable: with what 
 judgment it was beftowed, is not the province 
 of hiftory to difcttfs ; but it does not appear 
 open to the imputation of corrupt or linifter 
 motives. a 
 
 The character of this miniffer, as connected 
 with his refigriation, is well pourtrayed by a 
 contemporary writer : " The fupport of the 
 " prince, the acquiefcence of the people, the 
 M complaifance of parliament, and the baffled 
 " efforts of his rival, feemed now to have rivetted 
 " and eftablifhed the earl of Bute as a permanent 
 iC minifter. A feeble clamour without doors mult 
 " have foon died away, with the hopes of forcing 
 " his Ion Vom his high department. To the 
 
 aitonifhmciit of the world, to the certain ruin 
 
 *i 
 
 y Letter from a Gentleman in Towntohis Friend in the Country* 
 p. n. 
 
 z Serious Corifulcratigns on the Meafures of the Prefent Admini- 
 ftration, by Dr. Butler, brfrfop of Hereford, p. 10. The fame fact 
 is afierted in innumerable other publications. 
 
 a Lord Bute's private virtues and Ibcjal qualities are not defcanted 
 on, they do not form the fubiecl of hiftory j but they were numerous 
 and ettimable. 
 
 "of
 
 GEORGE III. 129 
 
 u of his character as a politician, he fuddenly chap. 
 " refigned. The furprize of his enemies pre- ^J 1 ^ 
 " vented them from taking advantage of the 1763. 
 " consternation among his friends. The former 
 " abided him: the latter blamed: both def- 
 " plied his conduct. 
 
 " Tins conduct, however, arofe more from 
 " the character and difpoiition of the man, than 
 " from any public oppofition to his meafures, or 
 w private circumftance of intimidation. Though 
 " born with good parts, and a good heart, he 
 " was poil'elfed of qualities which fullied the one, 
 " and made the other doubtful, in the eyes of 
 " the fuperficial and prejudiced. Surrounded 
 " \\ ith men whole weak 11c Is was known to the 
 " world, his judgment of mankind became fuf- 
 " peeled; and it was difficult tp reconcile bene- 
 " volence of temper, with a pride that rendered 
 " him inacceffible. Attached by nature to a re- 
 " tired manner of life, he contracted a ihynefs 
 " of difpoiition, which ought never to be carried 
 " into the higheft department of the ftate. Ha- 
 " bit eftabliihed the companions of the obfeure 
 " part of his life fo firmly in his mind, that he fa- 
 " criliced his reputation with others, to an ap- 
 " pearance of an inattention to them. They 
 " were, however, his companions, but not his 
 " counfellors: he loved them for their good na- 
 " turc ; his good feni'e forced him to defpife 
 " their underftandings. Intelligent, penetrat- 
 u ing, and lhrewd, he ftudied the theory of go- 
 " vernment withfuceefs; circumftances attend* 
 w ing his youth, and a habit of retirement, cir- 
 " cumferibed his knowledge in the practice. 
 " Miltaking the attention paid to his office and 
 " utuation for actual attachment to his perfon, 
 M he was deceived by the defigning ; and he 
 " looked upon political delation as a lingular 
 
 vol* I*. K " inftance
 
 110 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP. 
 VI. 
 
 1763. 
 
 Chara&er 
 of Mr. 
 
 Grenville. 
 
 e< 
 
 c: 
 
 <i 
 
 <( inftance of depravity in the age. The noife 
 and clamours of an interefted rew, he took for 
 the voice of the public ; and, thinking- he had 
 deferved well of the nation, he was offended 
 " at its ingratitude. He retired with chagrin ; 
 " and his enemies owed the victory, which they 
 " afcribed to their own fpirit and conduct, to 
 " an adventitious miftake in his mind." fc 
 
 Mr. Grenville, who was at the head of 
 the new adminiftration, was fon of George 
 Grenville, efquire, of Wootton in the county 
 of Bucks, by Either lifter of lord Cobham. He 
 was bred to the law; and in the year 1741 was 
 initiated in parliamentary and official bufinefs. 
 He was fucceffively appointed lord of the trea- 
 fury and admiralty, and treafurer of the navy, 
 under George II, and fecretary of ftate, and 
 firft lord of the treafury, in the prefent reign. 
 To a mafculine underftanding, and refolute 
 mind, he joined an unwearied application, and 
 confidered bufinefs not as duty which he was to 
 fulfil, but a pleafuve he was to enjo} 7 . He won 
 his way to power through the laborious grada- 
 tions of public fervice ; and fecured to himfelf 
 a well earned rank in parliament, by a thorough 
 knowledge of its conftitution, and a perfect 
 practice in all its affairs. ' A conftant atten- 
 tion to the forms of bufinefs, rendered him 
 methodical in debate ; but, although he was not 
 diftinguimed by the graces of eloquence, his 
 fpeeches were replete with found knowledge, 
 and difplayed a thorough acquaintance with 
 his fubjecl. His political life was chequered 
 by diveriities of connection and oppofition : he 
 came into office under the aufpices of lord Cob- 
 
 k Political Conduft of the Earl of Chatham, p. 13. 
 r Burke'* works, vol. I. p. 54.1. 
 
 ham.
 
 GEORGE III. 1S1 
 
 "ham, and continued under the ftandard of his chap. 
 brother, earl Temple, till the beginning of the ^^ 
 preient reign. Jealoufy of his brother in law, 1761- 
 Mr. Pitt, and other concurrent circumftances, 
 broke the family phalanx ; and although Mr. 
 Grenville afterwards coalesced with lord Tem- 
 ple, he was never reconciled to Mr. Pitt. 
 
 Lord Bute is accufed of having begun a Virulence 
 paper war, by hiring writers to fupport his ad- ^JjJ™ 
 miniftration, and vilify his opponents. d There tions. 
 is fome truth in the fuggeftion that certain 
 writers were liberally, or rather extravagantly, 
 paid for their exertions in hehalf of govern- 
 ment ; e but lord Bute did not begin the paper 
 war, and the authors on his fide did not equal 
 their opponents in fcurrility. If the practice 
 of employing men of letters to defend the pro- 
 ceedings of government has any jultification, 
 it mult be found in the circumftances of the 
 times, when, ■ from an extreme ftri&nefs of re- 
 gulation, no accounts of the debates in either 
 houfe were given to the public, and their chief 
 information on the topics agitated in parlia- 
 ment, was derived from the lord's protefts, and 
 fuch pamphlets as detailed, in a partial and 
 equivocal manner, the arguments ufed by the 
 members. However it might originate, the 
 licentioufnefs of the prefs now became un- 
 bounded, and difgraceful to the nation. 
 
 d Hiftory of the late Minority, p. 77. 
 
 * '1 his does not I'eem to have been a meafure of lord Bute's own 
 fuggdtion, nut to have flowed principa.'v from lord Melcombe, 
 See his' Diary, p. 419, 24.5. In a letter to lord Bute, dated 8th Oc- 
 tober, 1761, Lord Melcombe fays, " Mr. Pitt may think, by going 
 out upon a fpirited pretence, tu turn the attention and diflatisfac- 
 tion of the public on thofe, who, at a ruinous expence, are to carry 
 on his wild rr.eafures, and whom they have been taught to diflike, by 
 a total abandonment cf the prefs to him and his creatures, which I 
 humbly hope you will think, proper to employ better." 
 
 k 2 It
 
 132 IIISTOliY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. It was at length thought necefiary to at- 
 ^+.^ tempt retraining this intolerable torrent of 
 *7. 6 3: calumny. The late minifter endured, with great 
 tion ofVhe equanimity and forbearance, the abufe to which 
 North Bri- he was fubjected, and did not ufe the lam of 
 power againit a man, who had openly avowed 
 his refolution, " to try how far it was practical 
 " ble to carry the licentioufnefs of writing, un- 
 " der pretext of cxercifmg the liberty of the 
 " prefs. f This individual was John Wilkes, 
 member of parliament for Ayleibury, the avow- 
 ed author of the North Briton, a periodical 
 paper, in which every public meafure was ar- 
 raigned and ridiculed, with coarfe invective and 
 33d April, fcurrilous ribaldry. This licence was carried to 
 fuch an extent in the obfervations on the king's 
 fpeech at the prorogation of parliament, publifh- 
 ed in the forty-fifth number of the North Bri- 
 ?.cth. ton, that it was judged expedient to ilfue a war- 
 warrant rant ? Yom tne fecrtftery °f ftate's office, requir- 
 iffued. ing four meffengers in ordinary to make ftriet 
 fearch for the authors, printers, and publishers 
 of the above feditious and treafonable produc- 
 tion, and apprehend and feize them, together 
 with their papers, and bring them before the 
 49th. fecretary of ftate. Under this authority, one 
 Leach, a printer, to whom the meffengers 
 had been erroneoufly directed, was apprehend- 
 ed, but discharged. Kearney, the avowed 
 publiiher, was next taken into cuftody, and 
 voluntarily avowed, before lord Halifax the 
 fecretary of ftate, that one Balfe was the prin- 
 ter, and Mr. Wilkes the author of the paper. 
 Balfe confirmed the fame facts, and the crown 
 lawyers being of opinion that the publication 
 . of a libel was a breach of the peace, and there- 
 
 * .Smollett's complete Hiftory of England, vol. xvi. p. 212. 
 
 fore
 
 GEORGE- HE 1S3 
 
 fore not a cafe of privilege, the mefiengers were chap. 
 directed by virtue of the fame warrant to bring ^^ 
 Wilkes before the fecretary of (tate. The offi- tafi> 
 cers were inftrucred to execute their warrant 
 the fame night; but Wilkes objecting to the 
 general terms in which it was worded, and 
 threatening the metfengers with his vengeance, 
 if they offered violence to his perfon at that un- 
 feafonablc time, thev defifted till the next 
 morning, when he was arretted, and, having jothApriL 
 in vain demanded a copy of the writ, carried ™ted 
 before lord Halifax. 
 
 When Wilkes was fir ft apprehended, he re- Habeas 
 ceived a vilit from lord Temple, who bv his re- Cor P lls 
 queft applied to the court or Common rleas 
 for a writ of habeas corpus. The motion was wilkes 
 granted ; but before the writ could be prepar- committed 
 ed, Wilkes, having refufed to anfwer all quef- x ^^ u 
 tions, was committed to the Tower, and de- 
 tained in inch clofe cuitodv that his friends, 
 and even his counfel and foiicitor, were refilled 
 admittance. 5 
 
 These were the cireumftances, which brought obferva- 
 nnder public difcuilion, one of the molt im- tions. 
 Bortant points, relative to the liberty of the 
 Subject, agitated fince the Revolution; namely, 
 the legality of General Warrants. The impor- 
 tance of the object communicated itfelftothe 
 parties concerned in the tranfaction, and made 
 fome parts of their conduct, which would other- 
 wife have efcaped obfervation, worthy of par- 
 ticular attention. The miniftry could nor. 
 juftly incur blame for exerting the power with 
 which they were inyeiied, in punifhing a libel 
 fo audacious as the forty-fifth number of the 
 North Briton : it became a very diltinct mat- 
 
 % Wil.'ici's letter to the duke of Grafton, Dec. 12, 1766. 
 
 k .3 tcr
 
 154 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, terfrom perfonal forbearance, to tolerate the 
 VI ^ circulation of a writing, in which the king was 
 
 % ^ki. accufed of having uttered a lie from the throne. 
 Of fuch a crime it is no extenuation to diftin- 
 guifh (as Wilkes afterwards did, h and in fact 
 did in the very publication) between the king 
 and his minifter: the treafonable fuggenion is 
 not mitigated by fuppofmg the king the mere 
 engine through which the minifter deludes the 
 people. It is a point of propriety and delicacy 
 in the courfe of parliamentary debate, when an 
 addrefs to the throne is under clifcuffion, to fhew 
 refpect to the king, by confidcring his fpeech 
 as the production^ of the minifter, in order to 
 take away all appearance of often ce from the 
 free manner in which it is canvaffed : but 
 when, in order to ftigmatize the minifter, the 
 fovereign is involved as an accomplice in a 
 charge fo meanly criminal as that of uttering 
 a direct falfehood, fuch a difcrimination is ra- 
 ther in the nature of guilty fubterfuge, than of 
 reipectful diftinction. 
 
 With refpect to the warrant: common 
 fenfe, the conftitution, and the fubfequent de- 
 cifion of the courts, concur in pronouncing it 
 illegal ; but the miniftry who ufed it were no^ 
 liable to cenfurc. It lay before them as a 
 cuftr mary procefs, which had been reforted to, 
 even recently, by the moft popular minifters; 
 nor was their attention directed to the warrant 
 jtfelf, but to its effect : the opinion of crown 
 lawyers was not taken on the extended quef* 
 tton, whether a general warrant was legal; but 
 whether Wilkes's offence was fuch as juilified 
 the ufe of it, and whether his privilege pro-? 
 tested him againft its operation. 
 
 h See his fpeech in the court of Common Pleas, 3d May. 
 
 The
 
 GEORGE III. 135 
 
 The nrft habeas corpus was directed to the CHAP. 
 meflengers, but riot being iflued till Wilkes was ^^ 
 out of their cuftody, was rendered ineffectual, 17*3- 
 and a new one ordered, directed to the ™* e 5. 
 eonftable of the Tower. In obedience to this ings. 
 writ, Wilkes*was brought before the court: he 3<iMay v 
 made a flippant fpeech, in which he expofed his 
 grievances, and accufed the miniftry of having 
 recourfe to this mode of persecution, becaufe 
 they had failed in their attempt to corrupt him. 
 The court took time to coniidcr of the argu- **• 
 jnents adduced, and at length the chief juftice difcharged. 
 delivered their joint opinion, that the writ was 
 not illegal, but that Wilkes was entitled to a 
 ilifcharge, by virtue of his privilege ; a benefit 
 which he owed intirelv to the gratuitous ad- 
 million of the counfel for the crown, that he 
 was a member of parliament. * A profecution 
 was immediately inftituted againft him by the 
 attorney general for publishing the North 
 Briton. 
 
 Lord Temple in thefe proceedings ftood Conduflof 
 forward the avowed Supporter and patron of X 
 Wilkes, and more than ihared the popularity 
 rcSultiug from the contrlt. The king having Wilkes 
 deprived Wilkes oShis commiifion as colonel deprived of 
 in the Buckinghamshire militia : it was the h, . s /r com " 
 
 r»- /» i i >k- i ii i- million. 
 
 oflice or lord temple, as lord lieutenant, to 
 annouce that refolution, which he did in the 5* n - 
 
 * In delivering judgment on this point, the chief juftice ufed 
 thefe words : " It remains to be considered, whether Mr. Wilkes 
 ought not to be difcharged : the king's counfel have thought fit to 
 admit that lie was a member of the houfe of commons, and we are 
 bound to take notice ol it. In the cafe of the leven bifhops, the 
 court took notice of their privilege from their defcription in the 
 warrant: in the pr.efent cafe there is no fuit depending; here 
 no writ of privilege can therefore iflue, no plea of privilege can be 
 received ; it refts, and mult reft, on the adiniflion of the counfel for 
 the crown ; it is fairly before us upon that adiniflion, and we are 
 bound to determine it." Digeft of the Laws Concerning Libels, 
 p. 49. 
 
 k 4 moll
 
 13(3 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, mod gentle terms, accompanied with affur- 
 ances of regret, and complimentary tcftimonies. 
 
 *j£?" This behaviour on the part of lord Temple was 
 pledifmiff- f° offenfive, that he was ftruck off the lift of 
 e(1 - V riv y counfellors, and difmiffed from the lord 
 
 lieutenancy of Buckingham/hire, which was 
 given to Sir Francis Daihwood, who had re- 
 cently attained the title of lord le Defpenfer. 
 
 But although, from an opinion that Wilkes 
 was improperly treated, lord Temple fupported 
 him with warmth which plainly relulted from 
 conviction, and with vigour fufficient to pro- 
 tect him from fuffenna- under any wanton 
 effort of malevolence, or even under a mif- 
 conftruction of the law, he did not approve 
 the violence and malignity which characteriz- 
 ed his paper, or the national reflections with 
 which it abounded. He advifed Wilkes to re- 
 main in a ftate of dignified refignation, and 
 await the deciiion of parliament, and the award 
 of the courts of law. This line of conduct ;* 
 would have fuited lord Temple in fimilar cir- 
 cumftances ; but the only aim of Wilkes was 
 to court perfecution, for the fake of acquiring 
 popularity. lie no fooner obtained his dii- 
 charge, than he wrote a fcurrilous letter to the 
 fecretaries of ftate, afferting that his lioufe had 
 been robbed, and the itolen goods were in 
 their polfelTion. lb render this infult the more 
 infupportable, he printed the letter, and dif- 
 tributcd feveral thoufand copies. The fecre- 
 taries of ftate, inftead of treating this defperate 
 
 k It is of the utmoft importance to the memory of lord Temple, 
 to make a (trojig dilcrimination between his character, and that ci* 
 Wilkes, which is repiefented in ihe blacken colours of profligacy, 
 inhumanity, meanneis, and venalty. See letter to lor.! Temple, 
 &c. &c. And it is proper to obierve that there is not the k.iiv. 
 ftiadow of truth in Wilkes's allegation, that ihe miniftry penecuted 
 btcaufe they could not corrupt him, 
 
 effort
 
 GEORGE III. 137 
 
 effort with merited contempt, by returning an chap. 
 
 anfwer gave to Wilkes an opportunity of ap- ^^ 
 pealing to their feitfe of propriety for an ob- 1763. 
 iervanee of thole laws of decorum which he 
 had fo utterly neglected. ' 
 
 The cabinet, which had always been con- Death of 
 
 fidered extremely weak, was fti'll further en- ^ c i t Egre " 
 
 feebled by the death of lord Egremont, whofe 21ft Aug. 
 great abilities and influence gave weight to his 
 
 meafures. Lord Bute, feniible the miniftry a 5 th. 
 
 could not continue, waited on Mr. Pitt, and ?? e B ot! *; 
 
 . ,. r , . . . . -1 tion with 
 
 obtaining* a clear itatement or his opinions with Mr. Pitt. 
 refpeft to men and meafures, procured tor him 27th. 
 an interview with the king at Buckingham 
 Houfe. Mr. Pitt's fituation was thus rendered 
 extremely delicate : to refufe advice and aflift- 
 ance when folicited by the king, was imperii- 
 ble ; but the jealous vigilance of opposition 
 was ever ready to take alarm : a certain degree 
 of publicity was, therefore, the heft means of 
 avoiding fufpicion. He went through the 
 Mall in bis gouty chair at noon-day, the boot 
 of which (as he faid himfelf) made it as well 
 known, as if his name was written upon it. 
 His majefty received him moil gracioufly, and 
 heard him with great patience and attention. 
 The audience lafted three hours. Mr. Pitt 
 defcanted on the infirmities of the peace; the 
 things neceifary, and hitherto neglected, to im- 
 prove and preferve it; the prefent ftate of the 
 nation, both foreign and domeftic ; and fpeci- 
 Jied the great Wilis families who had been 
 driven from his majefty's fervice, whom it 
 would be for his intereft to reftorc. The king 
 
 1 The ftatement of proceedings againft Wilkes, and the reflec- 
 tions on them, Form the fubject of iome hundreds of pamphlets, and 
 occupy a confideranle portion of all the periodical works oi the 
 day, from which this runitive ha$ been extia&ed. 
 
 made
 
 13$ HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, made no ohjeclion to any of thefe ftatcmcnts, 
 ^Tiw exce pt by faying, that his honour muft. he pre- 
 1763. ferved ; and directed Mr. Pitt to attend him 
 again on the twenty-ninth. 
 *sthAug. Mr. Pitt well fatisficd, from his jijajefty'.S 
 apparent acquiescence, that a cabinet would 
 be* formed, according to his fuggeftions, on a 
 Whig bans, repaired without a moment's delay 
 to Claremont, and arranged with the duke of 
 Newcaftle the new adminiftration. Mr. Pitt 
 undertook to apprize the duke of Devonfhire, 
 and the marquis of Rockingham: the duke of 
 Newcaftle was to inform lord Hardwicke. 
 »9th Aug. The next audience fubverted thefe hopes; 
 for, when Mr. Pitt named his co-adjutors, the 
 king mentioned fome perfons whom he wiihed 
 to introduce into the adminiftration, and laid 
 down a plan for a general arrangement. Mr. 
 Pitt, without circumlocution, told his majefty 
 that a miniftry could not be carried on without 
 the noble families who had fupportcd the re- 
 volution government, and other great perfons 
 in whofe abilities and tried integrity the pub- 
 lic confided from experience, and who had 
 weight and credit with the nation. His majefty 
 iuddenly terminated the conference, by fay- 
 ing, " Well, Mr. Pitt, I fee (or I fear) this 
 " will not do. My honour is concerned, and 
 " I muft fupport it." 
 
 This remarkable tranfaclion furnimed am T 
 pic materials for animadverfion and conjecture, 
 It was fuppofed by the earl of Hardwicke, from 
 whofe letter the information on this topic is 
 principally derived, that in the day which in- 
 tervened between Mr. Pitt's firft and feeond 
 audience, fome ftrong effort was made which 
 produced the alteration. 
 
 But with great deference to this opinion, 
 
 * the
 
 GEORGE III. 139 
 
 the change of the king's fentiments may be CHAP. 
 afcribed to other caufes. The only perfon JH^j 
 who could he luppofed to influence the royal '7 6 3' 
 mind was lord Bute, and he had no mo- 
 tive to adopt fuch a line of conduct; for in 
 both thefe conferences, Mr. Pitt expreifed no 
 objection to unite with him, and the miniftry 
 could not a6t with cordiality towards one who 
 had attempted to difplace, without confulting 
 them. It is more probable, that at the rirft in- 
 terview, the king, tranfportcd with Mr. Pitt's 
 rapid and commanding eloquence, overlooked 
 the inevitable tendency of his arrangement, — - 
 that of fubjeeting the throne to the domination 
 of certain powerful families ; but in the inter- 
 mediate day, he had reflected on the fubject, 
 and when the fecond conference took place, 
 though he was willing to allure to Mr. Pitt 
 and his friends a complete afcendeney in the 
 cabinet, by making lord Temple firft lord of 
 the treafury, lord Hardwicke prefklerst of the 
 council, and Mr. Pitt fecretary ft ate, yet 
 he would not fubmit to the efccluiive fpirit 
 which induced Mr. Pitt to attempt filling the 
 whole council board 'with one ftrong, compact, 
 weighty influence. This opposition of princi- 
 ple terminated the difctrffion, and Mr. Pitt 
 declared, that if examined on oath, he could 
 not tell upon what the negotiation broke 
 off, whether upon any particular point, or upon 
 the general complexion of the whole. m 
 
 Tins treaty having failed, the duke of Bed- * d « I0th 
 ford was appointed lord prehdent of the coun- pJkeof 
 
 Bedford's 
 n See lord Hardwicke's letter to a near relation (lord Royfton) miniftry. 
 on the fubjeft of a minifterial negotiation in 1763, printed for Jcr- 
 vis and Dehrett, 1785. See 3lfo, Anatomy of a late Negotiation; 
 and a general abltract of the accounts of this interview, which 
 were given to the public in the Gentleman's Magazine for 1763, 
 
 Cll,
 
 140 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP, cil, lord Sandwich fecrctary of ftate, lord Eg- 
 
 y^l^, mont was placed at the head of the admiralty. 
 
 *7 6 3- and Mr. Grenville retained his fitiiation of-fiift 
 
 lord of the treafury and chancellor of the ekn 
 
 chequer : this was called the duke of Bedford "s 
 
 miniftry. 
 
 Their, career began at an inaufpioious mo- 
 ment, when the whole nation teemed replete 
 with jealoufy, alarm, and difcon tent Mr. Pitt 
 alone could have effectually atliiaged the po- 
 pular irritability; but the king- was precluded 
 from benefiting by his popularity. 
 Wilkes One great fource of uneaiinefs was for a 
 
 pubises -while removed in the perfon of Air. Wilkes, 
 bZLP l " wno difgraced his character, and forfeited all 
 profpecl of fupport from perfons of respectabi- 
 lity. After his liberation from the Tower, in* 
 Head of following the advice of more difcern- 
 ing; friends, and acting; with the dignity be- 
 coming a champion of popular freedom, he 
 adopted a line of conduct equally violent and 
 mean: finding the printers averfc to incur 
 the danger of publishing his productions, he 
 ellablimed a prefs in his own houfe, and diitri- 
 huted propofals for printing by fubfeription, at 
 the price of one guinea, " The Proceedings of 
 Adminiftration on his Cafe;" but, to his great 
 difappointment, very few fubferiptions Mere ob- 
 tained. n lie next committed to his prefs a 
 mod obfeene and blafphemous poem, called. 
 " An Eflay on Woman," deiigned as a parody 
 on Pope's Effay on Man. A meet was com- 
 municated through one of Wilkes's journey- 
 men printers to Mr. Kidgell, chaplain to 
 lord March; and was at length laid before the 
 
 » Hiitoryof the late Minority, p. 203. 
 
 fecretaries
 
 GEORGE III. l 4 4l 
 
 fecretaries of ftatc. ° Meanwhile, Wilkes's chap. 
 prefs was employed in a new edition of the firft ^i^ 
 forty-five numbers of the North Briton, with 1763. 
 notes and corrections. This meafure was 
 equally repugnant to the advice of his friends, 
 as it furniihed more certain means of convic- 
 tion in the profecution inltituted againft him. 
 Wilkes, however, was inflexible to advice, and 
 having put his work in a ftate of forwardnefs, t ^p d ra g n ° c " 
 went to pais a few weeks in France. p 
 
 ■ 
 
 • See Kidgell's Narrative, publiftied by Robfon and Wilkie, 1763. 
 It is alleged in mitigation of Willis's crime, that no more than a 
 dozen copies were printed. Hiltory of the late Minority, p. 206. 
 — Anfwer to Kidgell's Pamphlet, p. 8. 
 
 P Hiftory of the late Minority, p. an. During his ftay in 
 France, Wilkes was intuited by a Scottifti gentleman of the name of 
 Forbes, and wss, in order to prevent a duel, put under an arreft.
 
 14« HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAPTER THE SEVENTH: 
 1763 — 1764. 
 
 Meeting of parliament. — Proceedings refpect- 
 ing Wilkes, — Riot on burning the North 
 Briton. — Further proceedings in parlia- 
 ment. — AHions tried againji the meffengcr. 
 — Wilkes goes to France. — Marriage of 
 the princefs Augufta. — Wilkes expelled the 
 houfe of commons. — Debates on privilege, 
 ami on general warrants. — Wilkes's trial 
 and outlawry. — Supplies. — Refolut ions for 
 taxing America. — Prorogation of parlia- 
 ment. — View of American affairs. — Go- 
 vernment of Canada. — Intrigues of the 
 French in Canada. — Indian war. — Regu- 
 lations for prevention of fmuggling. — 
 Conduct of the Nezv England Provinces. ■ — 
 Dr. Franklin fent to England as agent. — 
 His character. 
 
 chap. \M R. Wilkes's cafe was the firfl object which 
 
 J^w/ engaged the attention of parliament. 
 
 176 3- The commons, after hearing the king's fpeech, 
 
 Meethl°of nac * no fooner returned to their own houfe, 
 
 parliament, than Mr. Grenville anticipated any other 
 
 ? rocew J* motion,* by informing them that his majefty 
 
 fpfaing having received information that John Wilkes, 
 
 Wilkes. efquire, was the author of a moft feditious 
 
 and dangerous libel, publimed fmce the lait 
 
 feffion, had caufed him to be apprehended 
 
 and fecured, in order to his being tried for 
 
 a The addrefs on the king's fpeech was moved the 17th, and car- 
 ried without debate : it contained the congratulations of the houfe 
 •on her majefty's fate delivery of a fecond fon, which took place the 
 1 6th Auguft. 
 
 his
 
 GEORGE III. 14S 
 
 his offence. He then dated the proceedings c h ap. 
 in the courts below, and laid on the table the 
 
 libel, with the examinations of the bookfeller 1763. 
 and printer. An addrefs of thanks was voted, 
 and the houfe on a divifion b retblved, that the 
 paper intitled the North Briton, number forty- 
 rive, is a falfe, fcandalous, and feditious libel, 
 and that the laid paper be burned by the hands 
 of the common hangman. 
 
 When this motion was difpofed of, Mr. ^^ 
 Wilkes, prcmifmg that in his perfon the rights of ^2 
 of all the commons of England, and the pri- of pri- 
 vileges of parliament, had been highly violated, le S e - 
 ftated the circumftances of his arreil and dis- 
 charge, and the proceedings againft him in the 
 court of King's Bench by lubpoena. He re- 
 qucfted the judgment of the houfe on his pri- 
 vilege; declaring, however, that if they de- 
 cided in his favour, he would wave the ad- 
 vantage, and put himfelf on a jury of fife 
 countrymen. The farther oonfideration of 
 the king's menage, and the cafe of privilege, 
 was adjourned to the twenty-third. 
 
 On the fame day a complaint was made in Comphim 
 the houfe of lords'', of the Eil'ay on Woman, ^£& b 
 which was produced. Lord Sandwich dwelt the'hoafe 1 
 with great force on the profanenefs and ob- ofiords. 
 feenity of the production, and Warburton bi- 
 iliop of Gloucefter, complained of a breach of 
 privilege, as the author, to render the parody 
 more complete, had affixed the learned pre- 
 late's name to one of the notes. 
 
 This 
 
 b 237 againft i n. 
 
 « Hiftory of the late Minority, p. »33. It has afforded fome 
 ground of i'urprizc, and furniftied topics of ridicule and cenfore,. 
 that the earl of : Sandwich fhould ftand forward as Wilkes's principal 
 accufer on this octafian, becaufe lord Sandwich's conduct was not 
 cjr.lidcred fufficiently moral to render him a fit champion in fuch a 
 
 caufc.
 
 144 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. This attack was quite unexpected to the 
 
 vJ^iL/ delinquent ; he faw at once the effects to be 
 I?6 J' apprehended from his imprudence, and now 
 
 Wilkes?' S* ave wa y t0 tne violence fuggefted by defpair. 
 
 duel with In the courfe of debate in the lower houfe, Mr. 
 
 Martin. Martin* member for Cameiford, who was at- 
 tacked in fome of the early numbers of the 
 North Briton, declared that the author (who- 
 ever he might be) was a malignant and infa- 
 mous coward. Wilkes fent a letter to Martin, 
 in which he acknowledged that the para- 
 graphs complained of were written by him. 
 This produced a menage, in confequence of 
 which the parties met in Hyde Park, and 
 fought with piftols ; Wilkes was dangeroufly 
 wounded. 
 
 23d and The queftion of privilege was debated with 
 
 s+th Nov. o-reat warmth during two days. On the fe- 
 
 JDebatfs on - v .-i /. » 3 1 1", r -» r 
 
 hiscaie. coiul, the Ipeaker produced a letter from Mr. 
 W T ilkes, wlio requeued the further confidera- 
 tion mio-ht be deferred till he was able to at- 
 tend ; but the houfe refumed the debate, and 
 finally refolvcd, " That the privilege of parlia- 
 -" ment docs not extend to the cafe of writ- 
 " ijig and publiihing feditious libels, nor ought 
 " to be allowed to obftruct. the ordinary courfe 
 " of the laws, in the fpeedy and effectual pro- 
 " fecution of fo heinous and dangerous an of- 
 " fence." d The refolutions made on the iirit 
 day of the fefiion were alio confirmed ; and as 
 the concurrence of the lords was deemed of 
 great importance, a conference was defired. 
 No debates on this fubject are preferved, except 
 
 caul'e. I have reafon to believe, that the fame motives impelled the 
 noble earl and the learned bifho ( >; and that as Wai burton was the 
 iuppofed annotator on the Eflay on Woman, Sandwich Aipplied in 
 the text, the place allotted to Bolingbroke in the Eifay on Man. 
 d 258 againft 133,. 
 
 a fpeech
 
 GEORGE III. 145 
 
 a fpecch of Mr. Pitt, who vehemently repro- chap. 
 bated the facility with which parliament far- ^^ 
 rendered its own privileges ; but he carefully 1763- 
 impren'ed on the houfe, that he was merely de- 
 livering a conftitutional opinion, and not vin- 
 dicating either the libel or its author. " With 
 " refpect to the paper itfelf" he laid, " which 
 " gave pretence for this requeft to furrender the 
 " privileges of parliament, the houfe had al- 
 " ready voted it a libel ; he joined in that vote. 
 " He condemned the whole feries of North 
 *■ Britons, as illiberal, unmanly, and detefta- 
 " ble. He abhorred all national reflections. 
 " The king's fubjecls were one people. Who- 
 " ever divided them was guilty of fedition. 
 " His majefty's complaint was well founded ; 
 " it was juft ; it was necelfary. The author did 
 " not deferve to be ranked among the human 
 " fpecies, he was the blafphemer of his God, 
 " and the libeller of his king. Pie had no 
 " connection, nor did he affociate or commu- 
 '* nicate, with any fuch writer." 
 
 The refolutions of the commons were at the 25th Nor, 
 firft conference left with the lords, and pro- { n .? c 
 duced an animated debate. None of the 
 fpeeches are preferved except that of lord Lyt- 
 tleton, who defended the proceeding of the 
 commons with great ability and manly elo- 
 quence. He entered into the hiftory of pri- 
 vilege, and analyzed the powers of the crown 
 and parliament, combating the application of 
 the doctrine of inviolability in certain cafes ; 
 among the moft atrocious or' which, he placed 
 the dilTemination of feditious libels, He par- 
 ticularly infilled on the malignant and danger- 
 ous tendency of publications calculated to 
 ■weaken the connection between England and 
 Scotland ; and contended, with great force 
 
 VOL I. L Of
 
 ?46* HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, of argument, againft the appreheniions en- 
 J^l^j tertainecl of unduly extending the power of 
 *7*3- the crown, by the deciiion of the prefent 
 queftion. He faid, as the offence was bail- 
 able, there was no reafon to fear that the 
 power vetted in the fecretary of ftate, could 
 be abufed to any dangerous purpofe ; on the 
 contrary, both government and liberty were 
 as fafe, as the imperfection of human policy 
 would allow. Acknowledging the purity of 
 the principles which animated the lords in 
 oppofition, he concluded by faying, " In order 
 " to preferve the independence of parliament 
 " againft any future violations on the part of 
 " the crown, it will be necellary to preferve. 
 " the reputation of parliament in the minds of 
 *' the people, and the love of it in their hearts. 
 " How, mv lords, can this be done, if thev 
 " rind it an obftacle to that equal juftice which 
 " is their birthright, and their i'afety ? Upon 
 4< the whole, I am confident your lordfhips will 
 " on no account depart from that maxim, which 
 " is the corner ftone of all government, That 
 "juftice ihould have its courfe, without ftop or 
 " impediment. Jus, fas, lex, potentiffima Jint. 
 " This, my lords, is the very foul and elfence of 
 " freedom. Obitruct this, and you immediate- 
 " Iv ooen a door to all violence and confuiion : 
 " to all iniquity, and all the cruelties of private 
 " revenge, to the deiiruciion of private peace, 
 *' the dii'iblution of public order, and in the 
 " end to an unlimited and defpotic authority, 
 " which we muft be forced to fubmit to as a 
 " remedy againft fuch intolerable evils. The 
 " dominion of law is the dominion of liberty. 
 " Privilege againft law, in matters of high con- 
 " cernment to the public, is oppieffion, is ty- 
 " ranny, wherelbever'it .exifts." 
 
 The
 
 GEORGE lit. 147 
 
 TiiK lords concurred in the resolutions of chap. 
 the commons ; but a long and fpiritcd prote.fr, ^^ 
 figned by feventcen peers, replete with coniti- 1763, 
 tutional Warning and ingenious argument, was Proteft * 
 entered on the journals. 
 
 At a conici ence, an addrcls to the king was ift Dec. 
 voted. It was cxpreffed in moft dutiful and Addreftto 
 aneeiionate terms; and blamed with proper 
 afperity the wantdn indignity lie had fuftained. 2 ,j. 
 Wilkes was alio ordered to attend at tile bar wiikes 
 
 ■ >ii /» c ' ' i - i'i* ordered to 
 
 of the houfe ot commons, 111 a week, it his attend at 
 health would permit. the bar. 
 
 The execution of that part of the feiitenee -1. 
 which related to the burning of the Xoilh Bri- Rjoton 
 ton, was committed to the fuperhitendence of [i!'!'^'J th 
 alderman Harley, one of the city members and Briton, 
 iheriff of London. This operation was ren- 
 dered extremely difficult and dangerous by 
 the tumultuous difpoiition of the populace, 
 who combining the names of Wilkes and li- 
 berty, eonfidered the puniihmeni of the one, 
 a death blow to the other. The iherifrs and 
 other officers being aflembled at the Royal 
 Exchange to perform their duty, were alfailed 
 by a furious mob, pelted with tilth and ftones, 
 and intuited in the groffeft manner. The glafs 
 of llarley's chariot was broken by a billet of 
 wood, plucked from the fire and thrown at his 
 peribn. Alarmed at this appearance of preme- 
 ditated violence, he went to the manlion houfe, 
 and apprized the lord mayor of his danger ; 
 the Executioner followed, and the coniiables 
 Were obliged to retire, after their ftaves had 
 been broken by the populace. The pieces of 
 the libel were refeued, and carried in triumph 
 to Temple Bar, where a bonfire was made, and 
 a large jack-boot committed to the flames. e 
 
 « In ridicule of John earl of Butt. 
 
 l a These
 
 148 
 
 CHAP. 
 VII. 
 
 1763. 
 6th & 7th. 
 Vote of the 
 commons 
 onthefub- 
 
 7th. 
 
 Proceed- 
 ings on 
 Wilkes's 
 cafe de- 
 ferred. 
 
 36th. 
 
 Anions 
 igainft the 
 meiTengers 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 These proceedings being reported to both 
 houfes, they voted that all .perfons concerned 
 in the riot, their aiders and abettors, were per- 
 turbators of the public peace, dangerous to the 
 liberties of the country, and obftructors of na- 
 tional juftice. Thanks were voted to the 
 fheriffs, and the king was addreffed to give di- 
 rections that the moil effectual methods might 
 be taken for discovering and profecuting the 
 offenders ; one of whom was afterwards con- 
 victed. 
 
 In confequence of the order for the attend- 
 ance of Wilkes, an eminent phyfician and fur- 
 geon f appeared at the bar, and ftated that he 
 could not, on account of his health, obey the in- 
 junction. The time was then enlarged for a 
 week ; at the expiration of which, the fame per- 
 fons again making a fimilar report, the period 
 Avas extended beyond the term allotted for the 
 Chriftmas recefs; but to prevent collufion, a 
 phyfician and furgeon* named by the houfe 
 were directed to attend Mr. Wilkes, and report 
 their opinion on his cafe on the nineteenth of 
 January. The difcuffion of his complaint 
 of a breach of privilege, was adjourned to the 
 fame day. 
 
 Numerous actions had been commenced 
 again!! the meffengers, by perfons arretted under 
 the general warrant, to recover damages for 
 falfe imprifonment. They were all tried in 
 the court of Common Pleas, and verdicls of 
 various amounts recovered. Wilkes had alfo 
 brought actions againft the two fecretaries of 
 ftate, and againit Mr. Wood under-fecretary of 
 ftate, for injuries fuftained on the fame 00 
 
 f Dr. Brocklefby and Mr. Graves. 
 
 8 Dr. Hcbciden and Mr. Cxfar Hawkins. 
 
 cafion.
 
 GEORGE III. 149 
 
 canon. The proceedings againft lord Egre- chap. 
 mont abated by reafon of his death. Lord Hali- J^^j 
 fax, by various exertions of privilege, and at 1765. 
 length by handing out in contempt of the 
 court, procured delay till Wilkes was out- 
 lawed. h The action againft Wood was tried 
 before a fpecial jury at Guildhall, and after 6th> 
 a hearing of fifteen hours, a verdict was given 
 for a thoufand pounds damages. Bills of ex- 10th. 
 ception were tendered and allowed in this and 
 the caufcs againft the meflenger. The lord 
 chief juftice, on this occafion, extended his 
 former opinion lb far as to declare the warrant 
 nnconftitutional, illegal, and abfolutelv void. 
 
 ■* n *- r 
 
 " If it be good," he faid " a fecretary of ftate 
 " can delegate and depute any one of his mef- 
 " fengers, or any even from the loweft of the 
 " people, to take examinations, to commit or 
 " releafe, and, in fine, to do every act which 
 " the hiffheft judicial officers the law knows 
 " can do or order. There is no authority 111 
 " our law books that mentions thefe kind of 
 
 k In a tranfa-ftion of this nature, hiftory can hardly be too minute j 
 the means of delay u fed by lord Halifax are therefore exacliy fpeci- 
 fied ; they appear ungenerous and difcreditable to the caufe in which 
 they were employed. Original was iflhed, tefted the firlt day of 
 June, and returnable from the firlt day of the Holy Trinity, in 
 three weeks, (19th of June, 1763); and the earl being fummoned, 
 C3ft an eflbign, which was adjourned until the 18th of November. 
 Then he availed himfclf of his privilege; which being at an end, and 
 all the eflbigns expired, a diftringas was taken out, tefted the 9th of 
 May, being the firlt day of Ealter Term 1764, returnable from the 
 day of Ealter in five weeks, (T7th of May) ; the flieriff returned for- 
 tv (hillings ifTues. The eatl did not appear : The court directed 
 fifty pounds ifl'ues. An alias diftringas was taken out, tefted the 
 30th of May, and returnable on the morrow of the Holy Trinity, 
 (18th of June) ; the flieriff returned his ifl'ues. The earl ftill refilled 
 to appear : The court ordered five hundred pounds ifl'ues. Apluries 
 diftringas was taken out, tefted the firlt day of Trinity Term, (the 
 zadof June) and returnable in three weeks of the Holy Trinity, (the 
 8th of July). In November following Mr. Wilkes was outlawed 9 
 then the earl appeared and pleaded the outlawry. — Hiftory of the late 
 Minority. 
 
 l 3 " warrants,
 
 
 150 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. " warrants, but in exprefs terms condemns 
 vii. u them. Upon the matured confederation, I 
 1763. " am bold to lav, this warrant is illegal ; but I 
 <; am far from wiihing a matter of this confe- 
 :; quence ihould reft folely on my opinion. 
 " It may be referred to the twelve judges, and 
 M there is a ftill higher court, before which it 
 ■ may be eanvaifed, and whole determination 
 is final. If thefe fuperiorjurifdierions ihould 
 declare my opinion erroneous, I fubmit as 
 " will become me, and kits the rod ; but I 
 ' : muft fay, I fhall always confider it as a rod 
 M of iron for the chaiiifement of the people of 
 " Great Britain." 
 
 The judgment refpecting the illegality of 
 general warrants was afterwards, on arguing 
 the bills of exceptions, affirmed by lord Manf- 
 field. s 
 Fnnticat- Soon after the verdict in Wilkes's favour, a 
 aSVate nian callt '^ at his houfe ; but being refufed ad- 
 Wilkes, mittance, went to a coffee-houfe in the neigh- 
 bourhood, and declared that he and ten more 
 were determined, " to cut Wilkes off, let the 
 " event be what it might." He again applied 
 to fee Wilkes, and was taken into cuftody, 
 when a new pen-knife was found in. bis pocket, 
 9th. A complaint, was made in the houfe of com- 
 
 mons, but his infanity being clearly proved, 
 the houfe difcharged him from further attend- 
 i9 th - ance : the court of King's Bench, however, 
 thought proper to commit him for want of fe- 
 curities to keep the peace. k 
 
 Wilkes refufed to admit the vihts of the 
 lical men appointed by parliament ; 
 
 ' See 3 Burrow, 1762. Holliday's Life of Lord Mansiield. 
 p. 136. 
 
 k Fh'H man's name was. Alexander Dun. The fa£t is recorded 
 in evei;. ;>.. iodical pul it an. 
 
 but
 
 G E O R G E III. 1 5 \ 
 
 but in vindication of his own friends, called in c hap. 
 two others. His cafe, however, does notfcem ^^ 
 ib dangerous as reprefented, iinee in a few days fl- 
 atter the recefs he let out for Paris, *4th Nov. 
 
 In the courfe of this fefnon, the king an- S9 tb. 
 nouneed to parliament, bv metfage, a propo- Man-iage 
 ial of marriage horn the prince ot Brum wick ce f s X u - 
 •and Lunenburg, to his eldeit lifter the princefs gutfa. 
 Augufta. The houfe of commons, in confe- 
 quence, voted the Aim of eighty thoufand 
 pounds as the princefs's dowry. The prince 1764. 
 came to England early in the cnfuing year, and icnh jTan * 
 the marriage was foJcmnized. 
 
 Vv'hp'.x parliament met after the recefs, the 19th. 
 order of the day he in a: read for the attendance w,ll f es 
 
 •/ o expelled* 
 
 of Mr. Wilkes, the fpeaker produced a letter 
 from him, inclofing a certificate of one of the 
 
 J CD 
 
 French king's physicians, and an army furgeon, 
 importing that from the ftate of his wound and 
 its probable confequences, he could not, with- 
 out danger, leave Paris. This certificate was 
 not authenticated before a notary public, nor 
 were any other regular means taken to infure 
 its credit in England ; and as the whole of his 
 conduct appeared calculated to baffle and de- 
 ride 1 he authority of the houfe, they were per- 
 fectly iuftified in refilling a motion to adjourn 
 the conlideration ot' the matters againft him. 
 and in proceeding to an immediate hearing or 
 evidence on the charge. The examination 
 occupied the houfe till three o'clock in the 
 morning; when it, was refoived, that numbci 
 foity-iis e of the North Briton, which had been . 
 voted a feditious libel, contained expreffions of 
 the mofl unexampled infolence and contume- 
 ly towards his majefty, the grolfeft afperfiops 
 upon both houfes of parliament, and the molt 
 audacious defiance of the authority of the
 
 152 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, whole legiflaturc ; that it had a manifefl ten- 
 
 J^l^j dency to alienate the affections of the people 
 
 1764. from the king; to withdraw them from their 
 
 obedience to the laws; and to excite them to 
 
 traiterous infurrcciions ao-ainft government. 
 
 It was further refolved that Wilkes mould be 
 
 40th. expelled ; and a new writ was iflucd for Aylef- 
 
 bury. 
 j 3th, 14th Wilkes's complaint of a breach of privi- 
 i 7 th,Feb. } e g- e? notwithltanding his expulfion, came on 
 the bieach m due courfe to be debated in the houfe ; and 
 of privi- occupied their attention during feveral days, 
 lege. 'phe cn ief object of adimniftration was to 
 
 feparate the fuppofed delinquency of Wood 
 and Webb, the under-feeretaries of ftate, 
 againft whom complaint was made, from the 
 queftion on the legality of general warrants, 
 and to confine themfelves to the difcuflicn of 
 the mere act of thoie gentlemen, fo as not to 
 prejudice the queftion yet undecided in the 
 courts of law. ' After examining evidence, and 
 hearing the parties in their own defence ; the 
 And en complaint was difcharged. A motion was 
 general made to produce the warrant under which 
 they had acied, but rejected. A general quef- 
 tion wasfubmitted to the houfe, ' That a war- 
 " rant for apprehending and leizing the au- 
 " thor, printers, and publishers of a feditious 
 " libel, is not warranted by law." This motion 
 was afterwards amended by adding, " Al- 
 " though fuch warrant has been iimed aceord- 
 " ing to the practice of office, and has been 
 " frequently produced to the court of King's 
 " Bench ; and fo far as appears to this houfe, 
 " the validity thereof has never been debated, 
 
 ' The chief juftice of the Common Pleas had given an opinion at 
 nifi prius, but the decifion on the bills of exceptions was yet re- 
 Itrved. 
 
 " but 
 
 warrants.
 
 GEORGE III. 153 
 
 " but the parties have thereupon been bailed chap. 
 " by the court." The principal point of de- yJL l iz*j 
 fence urged by miniftry, and, in fact, their beft i7<H- 
 ground for exculpation, was long eftabliihed 
 precedent, and they cited two in fiances in 
 which Mr. Pitt iffued general warrants. 
 
 Mr. Pitt faid, all the crown had dcfired, 
 and the minifters wiihed, was accompliihed 
 in the conviction and expulfion of Mr. Wilkes, 
 and therefore it was now their duty to do 
 juftice to the nation, the conftitution, and 
 the law ; but the minifters and law officers, 
 by evading the difcuffion, appeared confeious 
 that the warrant was illegal, lie denied that 
 precedent afforded any justification : and faid 
 when he himfelf ill'ued iuch warrants he 
 knew them to be illegal, but preferring the 
 general fafety in time of war and public 
 danger to every perfonal consideration, he 
 ran the rifque, as he would of his head, had 
 that been the forfeit, upon the like motive, 
 and did an extraordinary act againft a fid- 
 pieious foreigner, juft come from France, 
 and who Mas concealed at different times in 
 different houfes. He diftina-uiihed ftronffly 
 between his cafe and that before the houfe : 
 " What was there in a libel fo heinous and 
 " terrible, . as to require this formidable in- 
 " ftrument, which, like an inundation, bore 
 " down all the barriers and fences of happi- 
 " nefs and fecurity? Parliament had voted 
 " away its own privilege, and laid the per- 
 " fonal freedom of every reprefentative of the 
 " nation at the mercy of his majefty's attorney 
 " general. W the houfe negatived the mo- 
 " tion, they would be the diigraee of the pre- 
 " lent age, and the reproach of pofteritv ; 
 
 " who,
 
 154 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, "who, after facrificing their own privileges, 
 
 VI ILz " * iac ^ a bandoned the liberty of the fubjecr, 
 
 1764. " upon a pretence wilfully founded in error, 
 
 " and manifestly urged for the purpofe of de- 
 
 " lufion." 
 
 The mimftry in general avoided the quef- 
 tion of legality, confining themfelves intirely 
 to precedent, and the impropriety of deciding 
 a fubject which was yet to be difcuffed in the 
 courts below. The opposition had arranged 
 their motions with great care, atfeveral meet- 
 ings held at the houfe of Sir George Saville. a 
 ^They began the debate, it is faid, in full con- 
 fidence of victory n ; but after a long difcurnon, 
 the queftion of an adjournment for four months 
 was carried by a fmall majority. ° 
 nth Wilkes having entered an appearance, was 
 
 wnkes found guilty on both the profecutions for pub- 
 lishing the North Briton and the EiTay on 
 Woman. His popularity was neverthelefs un- 
 diminifhed, and the fpirit excited by the pro- 
 Proceed- ceedino's ao-ainft him unallaved. On the very 
 1™™ « cla V of his trial, the common council voted 
 
 common i_ » « 1 r • 
 
 council, thanks to the city members, for their zeal- 
 ous and fpirited endeavours to aflert the 
 rights and liberties of the fubjecr, by their 
 laudable exertions on the late queftion ie- 
 fpecting general warrants, and exhorted them 
 to perfevere in the fame courfe. At the fame 
 time, in manifestation of the fenfe they enter- 
 tained of the inflexible nnxinefs and integrity 
 
 o J 
 
 01 Kiftcryof the Minority, p. 270. 
 
 * Life of Lord Chatham, vol. i. p. 548. 
 
 2 34 againft 220. General Conway voted in this minority, though 
 in every other inftance he fupported the minillry. This fingle a6l 
 g.we lo much offence, that ai the riling of parliament he was de- 
 prived of all his civil and military employments. See lord Or- 
 ford's works, vol. ii. p. 547. vol. v. p. 105. 
 
 of
 
 GEORGE III. 155 
 
 of lord chief juftice Pratt, they voted him the chap. 
 freedom of the city, and requeued that lie ^ l Jj 
 would fit for his picture, to he placed in Guild- 176+. 
 hall, in gratitude for his honeft and upright 
 decision on the validity of the warrant. Wilkes J 763 , ov " 
 was afterwards outlawed for not appearing to Wilkes 
 receive judgment out,awed * 
 
 TiiE*fupplies amounted tu 7 : 771,OOOl; the Supplies, 
 deficiency was raifed without new taxes or 
 a lottery, by the renewal of the bank char- 
 ter, for which government received a hundred 
 and ten thoufand pounds; by the produce of 
 Trench prizes taken before the war, amounting 
 to feven hundred thoufand pounds ; and by two 
 millions from the finking fund. Thefe liuan- 
 cial details would not have been thought worthy 
 of enumeration, but the miniftry deemed it ne- 
 ceffary this year to contemplate America as a 
 fource of future revenue. A feries of refolu- 
 tions was brought into the houfe for regulating 
 the trade, and impofmg duties on certain arti- I0 th Mar. 
 cies of American commerce : they formed the Refolu- 
 bafis of an act, which afterwards palled the le- t a^ng° 
 ariflature, and directed that the new duties America, 
 add be paid in fpecie into the Englilh exchc- 5 th April, 
 quer. Thefe refolutions were accompanied 
 with one for introducing a ftamp duty into 
 America; but the minifter withdrew it for the 
 prefent, in order to allow time for the coloniits 
 to petition againft it, when brought forward in 
 another fefiion. 
 
 In the fpeech on proroguing parliament, the i 9 thAprii. 
 kino- adverted to the mealures refpeclinff Ame- I ' roro .g a - 
 rica in thele terms: I he wile regulations i iame ,it. 
 " which have been eftabliihed to augment the 
 " public revenues, to unite the interefts of 
 * the moft diftant poflemons of my crown, and 
 
 " to
 
 American 
 affairs. 
 
 156 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. " to encourage and fecure their commerce 
 vn - " with Great Britain, call for my hearty appro- 
 1764. " bation." 
 view of The affairs of America affirmed from this 
 
 period an unexpected importance ; and this at- 
 tempt to derive from the colonies a revenue for 
 the relief of the mother-country, laid the foun- 
 dation of one of the molt extraordinary and 
 eventful contefts recorded in hiftory. 
 
 The great accellion of territory acquired by 
 the peace, demanded no lets wildom than ge- 
 nius for its government; and it feems almoft 
 to exceed the art of the politician to frame 
 fuch a fyftem as would, without impofing the 
 voke ofilavery, preferve the tie of dependence 
 over an immenfe tract of colony, fo far remov- 
 ed from the parent ihore. The inhabitants of 
 great part, of North America, were ftrorigly 
 imbued with the fpirit of liberty which cha- 
 racterizes the natives of Britain, from whom 
 they derived their origin, and with that jealous 
 irritability which is the companion and belt 
 guard of un contaminated freedom. 
 
 Without penetrating into the remote pe- 
 riods of hiftory with critical exaclnefs, it will 
 be proper fuccinetly to point out the differ- 
 ences in the inhabitants of various parts of the 
 Britiih-American dominions, and their habits 
 and propensities, fo as to form a clear eftimate 
 of their motives and fprings of action. The 
 colonies were refolved into three grand divi-. 
 lions, the Northern, Middle, and Southern. 
 
 The Northern or New England Provinces, 
 comprehending New Hampihire, Maflachuf- 
 let's Bay, Rhode Illand, and Connecticut, pof- 
 fefs a lefs fertile foil than the other parts of 
 America ; but their land produces excellent 
 
 timber,
 
 GEORGE III. 157 
 
 timber, and affords pafture for innumerable 
 herds ; and their feas abound with tiih. The 
 natives are healthy, ftrong, and vigorous; keen, 
 penetrating, active, and cnterprizing. Their 
 origin, derived from the fanatics who in the 
 reign of Charles I. tied from perfccution in 
 England to exercife it in America, was ft ill 
 difeernable in their manners, conduct, and 
 
 habits. 
 
 The Middle Provinces, which include New 
 York, New Jerfey, Penfylvania, and Dela- 
 ware, afford the means of agriculture, and are 
 favourable to the breed of cattle. Their foil is 
 rich ; and they were enabled to export wheat, 
 flour, and furs. The inhabitants are robuit, 
 frugal, perfevering, and induitrious; plain and 
 honeft in their dealings, but of rude unpliant 
 manners, with little penetration, and lefs know- 2 
 ledo-c. The greater part of their country had 
 been ceded to the crown of Great Britain by 
 the Dutch and Swedes. Penfylvania was a 
 fettlement of quakers, for whom the celebrated 
 Penn had framed a wife and confillent code of 
 laws. Their profperity and unobftrufive cha- 
 racter rendered them eafy to govern ; and, until 
 feduced or irritated, faithful in their attach- 
 ment to Great Britain. 
 
 The Southern Provinces, under which deno- 
 mination are included Maryland, Virginia, 
 North and South Carolina, and Georgia, ex- 
 hibit a coniiderable variety of climate and man- 
 ners. In the molt fouthern parts, where the 
 intenfe heat renders labour impracticable to 
 any but the Africans, the people are pallid, 
 tall, liender, indolent, voluptuous, and often- 
 tatious; yet fhrewd, intelligent, and extreme- 
 ly hoipitable. The inhabitants of Maryland. 
 Virginia, and South Carolina, were diftiriguim- 
 
 ed
 
 ioB HISTORY OF U'GLAND. 
 
 ghap. ed for their imitation of the people of Great 
 Britain, which extended to every particular 
 of their furniture, drefs, and manners. The 
 natives of North Carolina were hardy and ro- 
 Imft, chiefly employed in rearing cattle, and 
 remarkable for their expertriefs in mooting at a 
 mark with rifle-barrelled o-uns. 
 
 Virginia, the earliclt Britiih colony in 
 America, which owed its name to Elizabeth, 
 and its eftablrlimient to James I, had rifen 
 from a miierable handful of emigrants, not ex- 
 ceeding a hundred, to a ftatc of great wealth 
 and profperity. The inhabitants, as ftrongly 
 marked in their character as thole .of the New 
 England colonies, were exemplary in their at- 
 tachment to monarchy ; they were the laft of 
 the Britiih iubjec~ts who yielded to the fuccefs- 
 ful arms of Oliver Cromwell, and the firft of 
 the colonies who proclaimed Charles II. Mary* 
 land, ever profperous, free, and happy, was ori- 
 ginally a colony of Catholics, whom Charles I 
 reluctantly perfecuted, and who retained an af- 
 fectionate allegiance to the crown. North and 
 South Carolina were granted by Charles II to 
 i'ome noblemen and pcrfons of rank, who em- 
 ployed Locke to form a conftitution ; but this 
 great gift of an immortal genius, was no blefs- 
 ing to the colon ifts ; th y did not thrive till 
 the government of England annulled their 
 conliitution, and fubjected them to the more 
 practical fy item of Virginia. p 
 
 Such were the people whom Mr. Grenville 
 propoied to fubjeet to taxation, for the purpofe 
 of eafing the burthens of England. In the firft 
 view of this proje6t, it is only necefiary to ex- 
 
 P Chiefly from Stedman's Hiftory cf the American War, In- 
 rroduftion. See alio Chalmers's Political Annals. Raynal's Hit- 
 tory or' the^ Eaft and Weft Indies, books 17 and 18. Morfe'a 
 Ameiican Geography, &c, &c. 
 
 6 amine
 
 GEORGE III. I. '9 
 
 amine its general expediency, ox impropriety, chap. 
 leaving the various meaiures originating from JJ^ 
 it, to be difcuiled in the periods which produced 
 them. 
 
 The participation which America claimed and 
 enjoyed in the benefits of the Revolution, ren- 
 dered it merely reafonable that the colonies 
 mould contribute towards the difcharge of a 
 debt, incurred in fupport of the government 
 which was to them the fource of liberty and 
 profperity. The laf war was undertaken prin- 
 cipally on account of America, and a great part 
 of the debt contracted in the preceding war, had 
 originated in the defence of that country. 4 
 The practice of impofing taxes by authority of 
 parliament on the Tranfatlantic dominions 
 was not new ; it had been ufed ever fince their 
 eftablimment ; not to an extent fufficient to 
 afford great advantage to the country, yet 
 abundantly fufficient, fo far as precedent can 
 be required, to iifpport the right of the mother- 
 country to draw pecuniary relief from her de- 
 pendancics. r The principle at the period -of 
 palling the refolutions in parliament was not 
 deemed open to an objection ; and it -was eon- 
 iidered necellary, as well as juft, to realize the 
 advantages which had been proniifed from the 
 colonization and protection of that diitant 
 continent. s 
 
 In oppofition to the rights of Great Britain, 
 thus fupported by precedent and every known 
 principle of colonization, certain abltraei pro- 
 portions were ailumcd, and ddcanted on with 
 a violence adapted to a caufe already fecure of 
 
 q Smith's Wealth of* Nations, vol. iii. p. 459. 
 
 r See the Rights of Great Britain aflerted, p, ici, and the Statutes 
 there enumerated from 12th Charles II to 6i.li George II ; alio 
 Siedman's Hiftory of the American War, vol. i. p. 10, and p. 44. 
 
 » Smith's Wealth of Nations, vol. iii p. 466. 
 
 partizans,
 
 160 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, partizans, and requiring only a plaufible vin* 
 VIL , dication. Among thefe were the axioms, that 
 in every free ftate every man is his own legis- 
 lator ; that all taxes are free gifts for public 
 fervices; and that no one community can 
 have any power over the property or leg-illa- 
 tion of another community, that is not incor- 
 porated with it by ajuft and adequate repre- 
 fentation. l Without difcuffingthe abftracl truth 
 of thefe pofitions, as applied to independent 
 flates, it muft be obvious that, with refpeci to 
 colonies, they can never be founded on gene- 
 ral principle, but merely on peculiar and ad- 
 ventitious circumftances. No man can be 
 rath enough to alfert, that when the firft Britifh 
 emigrants eftabliihed themfelves in Virginia ; 
 when their diminutive colony of a hundred, 
 reduced by ficknefs and the climate to one 
 half of that number, hung with all the weak- 
 nefs and all the folicitude of infancy on the 
 protecting fupport of the parent land; that 
 then thefe fifty individuals, ftationed in a de- 
 fert, and occupied chiefly in the purfuit of 
 food, were defrauded of their privileges as 
 Britain fubjects, becaufe no provifion was made 
 for their reprefentation in the national coun- 
 cils. When afterwards by numerous emigra- 
 tions, the colonifts had acquired a more re- 
 fpeclable eftablifhment ; when their charters 
 had given permanence to their polfeffions, and 
 the force, and wifdom of the mother-country 
 were liberally exerted in favouring their pro- 
 fperity ; when, as a title to thefe benefits, they 
 induftriouily procured the infertion of a clauie 
 irt their charters, importing that they were ftill 
 to be confidercd as Englifhmen ; and when, in 
 
 t Price's Obfervatiom on the Nature of Civil Liberty, p. 6, — 19. 
 
 return
 
 GEORGE III. 161 
 
 return for fuch protection, they fubmitted to chap. 
 thofe impofitions which, though not profitable ^^J 
 to Great Eritain, fully cttabliihed the princi- 
 ple of taxation by parliament ; at thefe periods 
 no one can aflert that their rights were invad- 
 ed, or not duly confulted. u But when the 
 mother- country, exhaufted by a protracted 
 war, looked to its wealthy and flouriming co- 
 onies for relief; then thefe pleas were advanced, 
 which never were, which never could have 
 been before reforted to, and which now could 
 only be juftified by the populoufnefs and 
 ftrcngth which America had derived from the 
 protection of Great Britain. The fame argu- 
 ments, if true in the abftrae~t, would equally 
 apply to the lfle of Man, to Nevis-, or the moft 
 diminutive of the colonies ; if the applica- 
 tion depended merely on force, they would 
 either fupprefs the fpirit of colonization, or 
 indicate fo clearly the only means of fecuring 
 fubjection, that it would become a rule of po- 
 licy to abandon colonifts to their fate, with 
 unlblicitous apathy, or to prevent their future 
 independency by damming up the fources of 
 profperity. 
 
 Such principles had never regulated the 
 practice of the Britiih Government; and the 
 miniltry, who thought of impaling a tax on 
 America, coidd not be expe6ted to forefee the 
 effects which afterwards refulted from the at- 
 tempt. Crown lawyers could only reafon from 
 the ufage and experience of pad ages ; the 
 cabinet had no other guide : no warning voice 
 railed itfelf in the houfe of commons ; but the 
 meafure was fuffcred to pals through in filence, 
 as one of thofe plans of external regulation* 
 
 ■ See Chalmers's Political Annab, chap, ii, 
 
 vol, i. M which
 
 .162 
 
 C H A. P. 
 VII. 
 
 Govern- 
 ments of 
 Canada. 
 
 7 th oa. 
 1763. 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND 
 
 which proceeded rather from the executive 
 than the deliberate power, and where concur- 
 rence is o-iven without deadfall examination. 
 
 Whatever cogency may now be afcrihed 
 to deductions drawn from ifolated proportions, 
 in a cafe where fuccefs is reibrted to as the moli 
 convincing argument, the right of taxing 
 America feemed at this period fo inconteftible, 
 that any perfon who had inlinuated the poihbi- 
 lity of oppofition before the meafures were ac- 
 tually adopted, would have been derided as 
 the wildeft of fpeculifts. Whether the miniftry 
 acted wifely, under all the circumfl.ances of the 
 times, in their attempt to tax the colonies, will 
 be better gathered from the fubfequent narra- 
 tive, and the obfervations to which it gives 
 rife, than from an accumulation of objections 
 and replies. 
 
 The expulfion of the French from North 
 America, which afforded fo much fatisfaction 
 to all parties in the treaty of peace, was, in 
 fact, an error in politics, which foon produced 
 its own puniihment. Canada having been re- 
 tained as more than equivalent to the conquefis 
 ceded in the Weft Indies, government was 
 anxious to prove the choice judicious, by 
 forming fuch eftabliihments as would molt 
 fpeedily and effectually produce advantageous 
 returns to the country. The conquered terri- 
 tory was divided into three governments, Que- 
 bec, Eaft Florida, and Weft Florida, x each of 
 which had its boundaries precifely afhgned, 
 and its functions fo regulated as to prefent the 
 greateft probability of eventual benefit. With 
 becoming moderation and prudence, the Bri- 
 
 • x There was befides a new Weft India Government, called the 
 Government of Granada, extending over that Ifland, the Grcna- 
 alines, Dominica, St. Vincent?, and Tobago,
 
 'GEO II G E IIL 3 65 
 
 hili tniniftry did not include great part of the chap* 
 ceded lands in thefe governments : left the J^P^y 
 Indians, who were extremely irritable, mould 
 take umbrage at feeing their country minutely 
 parcelled out by the colonifts. 
 
 But when the authority of the French ceafed intrigues 
 in Canada, neither their influence nor their ° e , . 
 
 ,7, » rn1 111 French in 
 
 enmity leittne ihores. 1 hey had always con- Canada, 
 ciliated the a;ood-will of the Indians in a de- 
 gree fuperior to the Engliih fettlers. Their 
 eftabli iliments were military, and their fpirit of 
 commerce not being fo extenfive, they had 
 merely participated in the rights of hunting 
 with the natives. The Britim Americans, ar- 
 rogating to themfelves an exclufive polfeffion 
 of the territory ; by force, by fraudulent con- 
 veyances, and other acts of chicane, grounded 
 on the abufe of treaties, expelled the Indians, 
 not only from their hunting grounds, but even 
 from their homes. Y The French jefuits had 
 acquired a confiderable afcendency over the 
 minds of thefe lavages, and, foon after the 
 peace, began to exert it to the prejudice of 
 the Britiili fettlements. 
 
 Instigated by thefe emiiTaries, the In- 1?6 ^ 
 dians presented fome well founded complaints inuian 
 of incroachments made by the colonifts, and 
 protefted againit any title to the lands occu- 
 pied to their prejudice, which might be derived 
 Jrom deeds, which they alleged to have been 
 fraudulently obtained. The governors to whom 
 thefe complaints were addrelfed, evinced a dif- 
 pofition to treat them with due attention ; but 
 
 Y See Pownall's Adminiftration of the Britifh Colonies, vol. ii. 
 p. 174, 186, et feq. And imputations very difcieditable to the ho« 
 now and humanity of the Britifh Americans, in their conduct to* 
 wards the Indians, are advanced by Dr. Tucker in the Epiftle De- 
 dicatory to his fifth Traft on Arrierican Subjects* 
 
 m $ the 
 
 war.
 
 164 HISTORY OF ENGLAND, 
 
 chap, the Indian deputies after dating their griev- 
 
 J^l^j ances departed, and prepared to commence an 
 3763. extenfive plan of hoftilities, which they had 
 previoufly concerted. Their project Avas to 
 aflemble all their forces to make an attack on 
 the back fettlements in harveft-time, and to 
 complete the ruin of their enemies by fire and 
 indiscriminate (laughter. This enterprize fail- 
 ed in part, through the too great ardour of 
 fome young Indians; but was executed to a 
 dreadful extent, and with a perfeverance and 
 combination which evidently proved they had 
 European advifers. They fpread fuch terror 
 and deftruction through the back fettlements, 
 that all the frontier country of Penfylvania, 
 Maryland, and Virginia, was deferted ; and 
 by plundering and murdering the itinerant 
 dealers, and intercepting convoys of merchan- 
 dize, did great injury to the trading towns in 
 America. Thev fucceeded in taking; feveral 
 forts in the Canadian territory, and butchered 
 the garrifons without mercy. 
 
 Recovering from their confternation, the 
 Britiih prepared for defence, and fent rein- 
 forcements to feveral forts, which were regu- 
 larly blockaded. The lavages difplayed un- 
 wonted refolution and perfeverance : they were 
 well disciplined, never afforded an eafy con- 
 qireft, and fometimes gained the victory,, 
 though oppofed by the fuperior tactics of 
 
 30th July. European troops. Captain Daly el, who at- 
 tacked them near Fort Detroit, was killed, his 
 detachment compelled to retire ; and colonel 
 
 sthAug. Bouquet, marching to the relief of Fort Pitt, 
 formerly Fort du Quefne, was furioufly aflail- 
 ed by the favages, whom it required all his (kill 
 and refolution to repulie, and, though victori- 
 ous, he was glad to reach the place of his def- 
 * tinatioii
 
 GEORGE III. 165 
 
 tination after facrificing his baggage, and chap. 
 great part of the fupplics intended for the gar- vj^ 1 ^ 
 rifon. Near the carrying place of Niagara, 1765. 
 five hundred Indians furrounded an efcort, 
 and flew feventy privates, beftdes ferjeants and 
 commiflioned officers, Notwithstanding thefe 
 fuccefles, when the forts were put in a pro- 
 per itate of defence, all apprehenhon of danger 
 fpeedily fubfided. 
 
 Governor Sir William Johnfon elifpkiy- 7th Sep. 
 ed great addrefs in detaching the Indians 
 of the fix nations from the confederacy, and 
 gaining their affiftance againft thofb who {till 
 perfifted in hoftilities. Having furrounded and Mar. 1764. 
 taken prifoners a party of Delaware Indians, he 
 brought the Senecas to terms of peace; and $d Apn1, 
 after fome few infignificant contefts with de*- 
 tachments of the other tribes, the flames of 
 war were finally extinguished. z 
 
 While this conteft was raging in America, Refohnion* 
 a regulation made in Great Britain for impof- f<> rt heprc- 
 ing a reitraint on fmuggling, was extended to Sggibg, 
 their coafts. The revenue being greatly de- 
 frauded by the arts and pcrfeverance of con- 
 traband adventurers, it was judged expedient, 
 at the termination of the war, to put in com- 
 miflionfeveral fmall ihips, with cutters and ten- 
 ders, which were ftationed on the different 
 coafts of Great Britain and Ireland. The offi- 
 cers who commanded them were invefted with 
 powers fimilar to thofe delegated to revenue 
 officers, and took the fame oaths. 
 
 In Great Britain and Ireland, where an en- 
 larged fpirit of commerce produces a juft fyftem 
 of conduct, the diftinction between the fair mer- 
 chant and the fmuggler is ftrongly maintained, 
 
 * Smollett's complete Hiftory of England, vol. xvi. p. 264., 
 409. Bouquet's Hiftorical Narrative of the Expedition. 
 
 m 3 and
 
 166 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, and whatever penalties the illicit trader may 
 ^^ incur, he meets neither pity nor countenance 
 17^4- from the refpeelable part of the community. 
 In America and the Weft Indies, the no- 
 tions were widely different; nor was their 
 judgment intirely founded on felfiihnefs or 
 difhonefty. The trade from the Weft Indies to 
 the Spaniih fettlements, though totally contra- 
 band, not only fupplied the colonies with fpe- 
 cie, which could not be derived from Great 
 Britain, but formed a capital market for nume- 
 rous commodities received from the mother- 
 country, and enabled the North Americans to 
 traffic advantageoufly with the Weft India 
 Iflands, and to pay in money their taxes and du- 
 ties. The extent to which the practice of fmug- 
 gling was carried, both in America and the Weft; 
 Indies, was in a certain degree prejudicial to 
 the revenue, and demanded regulation ; but the 
 total fuppreffion of contraband trade was in- 
 confiftent with the intereftof the colonies or of 
 the mother-country. Any fvftem, long and ad- 
 vantageoufly purfued to fuch an extent as to be 
 faiictioned by the majority both in numbers and 
 refpectabiiity, is not to be contemplated as a 
 mere abiiract queftion of propriety ; but the ha- 
 bits, powers,- and difpofitions of the parties con- 
 cerned, mould be ftudioufly examined, and leni- 
 c ;tly confidercd, in all regulating acts. The 
 powers of government ought alio to be correctly 
 appreciated. Such meafures mould be adopted 
 as will not occaiion fullen difcontent, or violent 
 and durable oppofition; and in all cafes, even 
 when pofitive crimes are to be reprefied, fuch a 
 line of conduct mould be adopted as will leave 
 to the fufferers no juft ground of complaint. 
 
 The extenfive coafts of America were pecu- 
 liarly favourable to the practice of illicit trade; 
 
 and
 
 GEORGE II!. 167 
 
 and the difpofition of all ranks of men com- CHAP. 
 bining with their habits and necefTities to en- ^^J 
 courage it, force alone could effect its fuppref- »7H- 
 lion. It may be fairly doubted if force, ufed 
 to deprive an individual of his acquisition, 
 where no Sharnc attends the lofs, is a fit inttru- 
 ment of commercial regulation ; but where 
 fuch unpopular means are employed, they 
 ihould be only intrufted toperfons fo carefully 
 Selected as to prevent the imputation of undue 
 exertion. Naval men, though moft fit in one 
 refpect, were utterly unqualified in another; 
 the Spirit of enterprise which made them ufeful 
 in war, rendered them dreadful in peace, and 
 the fame difpofition which conirituted their 
 glory when employed againft the enemy, was 
 the foundation of numerous complaints when 
 ufed againft the citizen. It was fpeedily al- 
 leged, that the fair and clandestine trader were 
 equally expofed to violence; that the naval 
 officers were unacquainted with the cufrom- 
 houfe laws, and therefore made many illegal 
 leizures ; while the American traders having 
 no redreSs but from England, the tedioufnefs 
 and difficulty of obtaining it, left them, in 
 fact, without relief. The merchants com* 
 plained of the Stagnation of commerce occa- 
 sioned by the fufpenfion of intercourse with 
 the Spanifh fettlements: an enmity againft the 
 officers of the navy, originating in their new 
 employ) gained ground, and was affiduoufly 
 maintained by the abuiive and infulting para- 
 graphs which daily ifTued from the preSs. 
 
 While fuch was the State of the public mind Effeft of 
 in America; while the yell of Indian carnage the pro- 
 was yet in their ears, and the fmoke of their J n d ^ n x * 
 mined habitations yet before their eyes; their f heAmerU 
 ■ age and defpair were further inflamed by the cans - 
 
 m 4 arrival
 
 168 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP, arrival of the Britifh refolutions for impofing 
 l>- X i J^, taxes. A more unfavourable moment could 
 3176+- not have been felected. The unaccommodat- 
 ing regulations on trade, gave no hope of com- 
 promife or evafion of the new duties. The 
 Americans faw in thcfe refolutions the firft ap- 
 pearance of a general and extenfive plan of 
 taxation, the limits of which being concealed 
 from their fight, were magnified to their appre- 
 henfion. They determined therefore not to 
 wait for the gradual expcfure of the plan to 
 combat it by parts, but to ftrike at once at the 
 bafis, by denying the right of the mother- 
 country to impofe taxes on the colonies, which 
 not being reprefented in parliament did neither 
 really nor virtually confent to the impofition. 
 Condua In thefe, and all the fubfequent tranfactions 
 oftht- New of the American revolution, the New England 
 provinces, provinces, and Maffachuffets in particular, took 
 the moft active and leading part. They palled 
 refolutions againft the propofed laws, which 
 were tranfmitted to their agents, and to the 
 sithDec board of trade, and laid before the privy coun- 
 *7«4. cil. * From thefe circumftances it has been 
 atTerted and believed, that the natives had 
 formed, long before this period, a deliberate 
 fyftem of feparation from Great Britain. This 
 opinion is in part true; but the defire of inde- 
 pendence was limited to perfons fo inconfidera- 
 ble, both for number and iituation, as not to 
 afford reafonable grounds of apprehenfion. The 
 inhabitants of the northern colonies never loft 
 the original inflexibility of their republican 
 anceftors, nor the captious fpirit of the ancient 
 fe6taries. So early as 1754, there were men in 
 
 » Stedmarfs Hiftory of the American War, vol. i. Introduction. 
 — Almon's Collection of Papeis, &c. relative to the war wi>h Ame- 
 rica, vol. i. ' , 
 
 thefe.
 
 GEORGE III. 169 
 
 tliefe, and fomc of the other colonies, who held chap. 
 independence in profpect, and who were deter- ^^ 
 mined to feize every opportunity of promoting 1764- 
 it, and increasing their numbers. b The propofed 
 taxation afforded thefe malecontents an op- 
 portunity of combining tbe inhabitants of all 
 the colonies in fuch meafures, as would ulti- 
 mately favour their views; and this opportuni- 
 ty they diligently and affiduoufly improved. 
 They had now a pretence for appealing to the 
 fenfe of the country at large, againft the exer- 
 tion of authority by Great Britain, without 
 hazard of offending the molt loyal or refpect- 
 able Americans. They eafily engaged their 
 fellow citizens to defift from the ufe of thole 
 luxuries, with which they had been hitherto 
 fupplied from the mother-country; and thus 
 uniting the fpirit of revenge and injury with 
 the plaufible pretexts of economy, eftablim- 
 ed a principle of oppofition and refiftance, 
 which could not fail of producing, in time, 
 the moll permanent and extenfive effects. c 
 
 It was alio refolved to fend Dr. Franklin to Dr. Frank- 
 England, as agent for America, to exert his £ n lbr,tt0 
 talents and influence in defeating the meafures nsan( ' 
 complained of. d This choice of an agent had 
 great effect on the fubfequent tranfactions of 
 the colonies. Franklin, bred to the trade of a Kis cha- 
 printer, and at an early period of life obliged ra 
 to rely on himfelf alone for fubfiftance and ad- 
 vancement, was rendered cautious, attentive, 
 and circumfpect : though his efforts had been 
 rewarded by a competent fortune, and the poii- 
 
 h Examination of Jofeph Galloway before the houle of commons,, 
 p. 2 — Andrews's Hirtory of the American War, p. 1 1. 
 
 « Andrews's Hiltoryof the American War, vol. i. p. 36. — Sted- 
 man's Hiflory, vol. i. p. 23. — Almon's Collection of Papers, &c. 
 vol. i. p. 5. 
 
 * Life of Dr. Franklin, 
 
 maftermip
 
 HO HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP, mafterfhip of America, he did not rcfign him* 
 v.iX^ ielf. to indolence, butftill purfued the emplby- 
 
 i7 6 4- ments of his younger years with unabated per^ 
 feverance. An affectionate attachment to li- 
 terature and natural philofophy acting upon a 
 hold and ardent genius, rendered him daring 
 and adventurous; but left him all that minute 
 attention and patient calmnefs, which combines 
 trifling accidents, and little caufes, in the pro- 
 motion and perfection of the grcatcft defigns. 
 His eloquence was fimple, but nervous and 
 commanding, and both in fpeaking and writ- 
 ing abounded with thofe brief apophthegms, 
 which make a forcible imprefiion on the mind, 
 fubjugate the judgment, and are never eradi- 
 cated from the memory. The projects of 
 Franklin, which in another would have teemed 
 exaggerated and prepofterous, were by him fo 
 well planned and lb induftriouily purfued, that 
 they never failed to produce the moft exten- 
 sive, and, to all but himfelf, unexpected refults. 
 His fortune, his knowledge, and his great 
 work the American revolution, are con vine* 
 ing and incontrovertible proof of the immenfe 
 labours which may be achieved by the union 
 of genius, judgment, and perfeverance.
 
 CEO RG E III* 171 
 
 CHAPTER THE EIGHTH: 
 
 1765. 
 
 State of Ireland. — Retro fpetlive view of its 
 conftitution and government. — State of par- 
 ties at the king's accejidn. — • Difputes in the 
 cabinet. — ConduB of lord Halifax the lord 
 lieutenant. — Outrages of the lozver clafs of 
 people. — The earl of Northumberland lord 
 lieutenant. — Debates on the penfion lift. —- 
 State of foreign powers. — The French fche 
 and reftore Tortuga. — Spain commits irre- 
 gularities — but makes fatisfaS ion. — Af- 
 fairs of Poland and Raffia. — Meeting of 
 \he Britijh parliament. — Taxation of Ame- 
 rica. — Debates on General Warrants. — ■ 
 On informations ex officio. — The Ijle of Man 
 annexed to the realm. — Regency aft. — In* 
 furrection of Jilk weavers. — Negotiations 
 for a change of miniftry. — Meeting of the 
 minijlry in Downing Street, and terms pr 
 pofed by them to the king. — Rocking; 
 adminift ration formed. — Death of the duke 
 of Cumberland — and cf prince Frederick. 
 
 np he uninterrupted feries of events has hither- chap, 
 •*■ to prevented a due attention to the affairs JL n i 
 of Ireland, which from the beginning of + hc *£*• 
 reign excited an unufual degree of intereft. inland. 
 The government of Ireland, as connected with 
 Great Britain, was daily becoming more dim- 
 cult: an enterprizing fpirit of liberty on one 
 hand, and an equitable defire to temper the 
 itrictnefs of rule by the mild operation of 
 beneflcient laws and ufages on the other, oc- 
 ^dioned many perplexed queftions of right 
 
 and
 
 17S 
 
 CHAP. 
 VIII. 
 
 Retrofpeft 
 of the con- 
 (litution 
 and go- 
 vernment. 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 and policy, and favoured the views of men 
 who aimed, by means of popularity, to attain 
 the heights of political elevation : as the dif- 
 putes to which their efforts gave birth are of 
 confiderable intereft, a brief retrofpect will be 
 necelfary. 
 
 From the firft conqueft of Ireland to the 
 reign of Henry VII, the mutual intercourse be- 
 tween the countries was not eftablifhed by a 
 fyftem of extenfive and permanent utility; 
 chance and force directed the operations of the 
 crown and of the fubjecl, and though the laws 
 of England were declared the rule of govern- 
 merit, itill the people were bu£ imperfectly re- 
 trained or protected by them ; and no recur- 
 rence to the king was neceflary to fan&ion the 
 laws which originated in Ireland. 
 
 This anomaly in legiflation was productive 
 of much inconvenience and opprelhon; and Sir 
 Edward Poynings, lord deputy in the tenth 
 year of the' reign of Henry VII, framed, at the 
 requeft of the parliament and the people, the 
 celebrated ftatutes known by his name. That 
 part which related to the formation of laws, or T 
 dained that before a parliament ihould be con- 
 vened, the chief governor and council ihould 
 certify to the king, under the great leal, the 
 eonnderation and caufes, and the articles oi 
 the acts to be propofed : and when the king in 
 his council of England mould have approve4 
 or altered fuch acts, and certified them back 
 under the great feal of England, and given 
 leave to fummon a parliament, then the lame 
 ihould be held, and the acts fo certified, and 
 no other, propofed, received, or rejected. 
 
 This act save liability to the conftitution, 
 facilitated the intercourfe between the fove- 
 reign and the fubject, and reconciled the dif- 
 ferent.
 
 GEORGE ill. 173 
 
 ferent views of the two nations, by preventing chap 
 precipitate determinations on their mutual or J™ 
 peculiar interefts; but as its reftriclions were 
 found too fevere in precluding the framing of 
 any law fuggefted after the fitting of parlia- 
 ment, the ftatute of third and fourth of Philip 
 and Mary, C. iv. enacted that new proportions 
 mio-ht be certified to England in the ufual 
 forms, even after the fummons and during the 
 feffion of parliament. * Thus a benelicial re- 
 laxation took place ; the parliament aifembled 
 if a fmgle bill was forwarded to England, and 
 the heads of fubfequent ftatutes were tranf- 
 mitted during the feilion. b 
 
 From this period, the benefits of the Britifh 
 conititution were rapidly extended to Ireland, 
 till the rebellion in the reign of Charles I, and 
 the cruel maifacres and confifcations which 
 took place during the commonwealth. At the 
 reitoration, Charles II generoufly waved his 
 right to the forfeited lands, and the parliament 
 of Ireland, in grateful return, vefted the re- 
 venue, which was in general fully fiifficient to 
 anfwer all exigencies, in the crown for ever. 
 
 The billmoft ufually fent over from Ireland 
 to the king in council, was a money bill; and 
 the practice was fo generally adopted, as to be 
 conlidered merelv of courfe. Once only an 
 attempt was made, in a critical period of the 
 Engliih hiftory, to impede the operations of 
 government by a popular pretext of exerting 
 the conltitutional right of the houie of com- 
 mons to hold the national purfe. This was 
 
 a See lord MontmorreVs Hiftory of the Irifh Parliament, vol. i. 
 p. 4.7, et feq. Hiltory of the Political Connection between England 
 and Ireland, p. 91. Hume's Hillory of England, vol. iii. p. i6r- 
 Blackltone's Commentaries, vol. i. p. 99, and Chriltian's Nute o\\ 
 tins part of Blackftone, p. 103. 
 
 b Lord Montmorres. ubi fup. 
 
 four
 
 174 HISTORT OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, four year.' after the Revolution, when lord 
 Sydney, chief governor of Ireland; A\as fent 
 over for the purpofe of holding a parliament 
 to regulate the affairs of that kingdom, which 
 had fallen into great riiibrder. The parlia- 
 ment was fummoned in the ufual manner, ac- 
 cord.' v to Poynings"s law: feveral bills were 
 tranfmitted from the governor and coun- 
 cil to England, and returned under the great 
 feal, two of which were bills of fupply. 
 One of them granting an additional excife 
 was paffedj but before the firft reading the 
 houfe came to the following refolutions : Firit, 
 That it was the undoubted right of the com- 
 mons of Ireland, in parliament alfembled, to 
 prepare the ways and means of railing money. 
 Second, That it was and is the fole and un- 
 doubted right of the commons to prepare heads 
 of a bill for railing money. Third, That, not- 
 withstanding the aforefaid rights of the com- 
 mons, they think fit, in consideration of the 
 prefent exigencies of affairs, and the public 
 neceffity of fpeedily railing a fupply for their 
 majefties, to order a bill tranfmitted out of 
 England, intitled, " An act for an additional 
 " excife," &c. to be read, but that it fhould 
 not be drawn into precedent. — The other bill, 
 " For granting to their majeities certain duties 
 " for one year," was rejected, and a resolution 
 entered on the journals, Hating as a reafon for 
 its reje6Hon, that it did not take its rife in the 
 Iriih houfe of commons. 
 
 Lord Sydney confidering the conftitutron 
 violated by this proceeding, foon afterwards 
 prorogued the parliament, having firft animad- 
 verted on their proceedings with coniiderable 
 feverity, and entered a protelt againft them 
 
 c la 163s, 
 
 on
 
 george iif.- r;s 
 
 6n the journals. The judges, both of Ireland chap. 
 and England, on a folemn confutation, de- vji 1 ^ 
 clared the claim of the Iriih houfe of commons 
 unfounded in law. 
 
 Tins parliament never fat again; but a 
 new legislature fully recognized the principle 
 againft which their predeceifors liad contend- 
 ed. The practice of patting money bills tranf- 
 mitted by the privy council, and returned from 
 England, was afterwards invariably followed; 
 and the Iriih parliament lo implicitly recog- 
 nized the principle, that on the 29th of 
 November 16 14, the houfe of commons en- 
 tered on their journals a note to the lord de- 
 puty, " The houfe of commons, acknowledg- 
 " ing the folc power and authority to tranfmit 
 " fuch bills as are to be. propounded in Parlia- 
 " ment doth reft in the lord deputy and coun- 
 i£ cil, do onlv defire to be as remembrancers 
 " unto his lordihip and the reft, touching the 
 " acts following, which they humbly oiler as 
 " meet to be tranfmitted with fuch other acts 
 " as his lordihip and council mall think fit to 
 " be propounded in the next feflion." 
 
 The principle thus acknowledged was not 
 icon again brought into difpute; but during 
 the reign of George I, the turbulent difpoli- 
 tion of an oppoiition in Ireland gave great em - 
 barraffment to the miniitrv, and in the affair 
 of Wood's patent for the coinage of copper, d 
 completely triumphed over the exertions of 
 government. In this conteft the Britiih mini- 
 it er, Sir Robert Walpole, was highly fenfible of 
 the difad vantage accruing to government from 
 permitting the important offices of lord pri- 
 mate and lord chancellor to be occupied by na- 
 
 4 In 1725. 
 
 tlVC5 ;
 
 176 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, lives; and therefore, when lord Midleton re- 
 >Hi!iL-» figned the great leal, Weft, an Englifhman, 
 was appointed in his ftead, and on the death 
 of Lindfay in 1724, Boulter bhhop of Briilol, 
 an Englifhman, filled the fituation of lord 
 primate. 
 
 This prudent arrangement gave more ap- 
 pearance of unanimity to the proceedings of 
 government, till the appointment of Dr. 
 Stone* to the primacy in 1747; loon after 
 which a conteft for power between him and Mr. 
 Henry Boyle, fpeakerof the houfe of commons, 
 and afterwards earl of Shannon, embroiled the 
 cabinet. 
 
 Residence was not at that period a part 
 of the lord lieutenant's duty, and therefore, 
 except on urgent occafions, the public bufinefs 
 was tranfa6led under the aufpices of great men 
 in office, who held a commiflion as lords juf~ 
 tices. 
 
 Boyle was a man ""whole underflanding, 
 naturally of the firft clafs, was improved by a 
 long acquaintance with the laws of his coun- 
 try, and whofe experience was matured by 
 having long retained a prominent part in the 
 conduct of public affairs : the number of his 
 friends was augmented, and their adherence 
 fecured by his affable manners, and the ho- 
 nourable inflexibility of his attachment. Stone, 
 who rofe to his dignity under the patronage of 
 the duke of Newcaftle, united a fupple in- 
 fill uating addrefs with a prefumptuous mind, 
 and infatiable ambition. He was defirous im- 
 mediately to feize the reins of power, which 
 
 « The Reverend George Stone, D. D. was brother of Andrew 
 Stone the confidential lecretary to the duke of Newcaftle, and by 
 his grace's intereft, was appointed dean of Derry, bifhop of Femes 
 in 1740, and, after fucceffive tranflations to the lees of Kildare and 
 Derry, was railed to the primacy, 
 
 Bovle,
 
 GEORGE III. 17? 
 
 febyle, who maintained his pre-eminence with chap* 
 firmn d dignity, was* unwilling to refign. J^i 
 
 In i 7.3 1, the duke of Dorfetwas appointed 
 lord lieutenant; and he, acting under the in- 
 fluence of the duke of Newcaftle, in fupport 
 of Stone, formed a new junto, of which he' was 
 theofterifible leader. This innovation convulfed 
 the cabinet; and the rage of |>arty extending ' - 
 itfelf over the whole nation, almoft every in- 
 dividual ranged hirrifelf on one or the other 
 tide. The talents and exertions of Boyle were 
 fufficient to embarrais the proceedings of go- 
 vernment^ and on One queftipn, in the year 
 175:3, he facceeded in obtaining -a majority 
 againit the mJuilby ; but perhaps Ins influence 
 Was left confpicuous in this advantage, than 
 in preventing the numbers, which Were not 
 greatly in his favour, f from beine; inferted on 
 the journals. Upon this occafion he was dif- 
 mified with all his adherents. 
 
 These diifentions, however, fo weakened 
 and impaired the energy of government, that 
 the marquis of Hai'tington, afterwards duke r of 
 Devon/hire, who was appointed lord lieutenant 
 in 175.5, effected a compromife with Boyle, 
 v. hole friends were re-inftated in their offices* 
 and himfelf, in 17<5(>, advanced to the peerage 
 by the title of earl of Shannon. The pri- 
 mate being thus in a fort of difgrace, made 
 overtures to his rival, and a coalition was 
 effected. 
 
 In 1757, the duke of Bedford was appointed 
 lord lieutenant: He found the houfe of com- 
 mons principally governed by certain indivi- 
 duals of family and influence, who return- 
 ing a majority of members, were enabled to 
 make their own terms with government, and 
 
 i 1 ?z to 117. 
 
 vol. r, >" m>y
 
 it? HISTORY OF EKGLAKD, 
 
 chap, may be dh'tinguiihed 037 the description of 
 VIIL Men of Influence. Dining the duke's admini- 
 fixation, a new party arole in the houfe of com- 
 mons, who arrogated to themfelves the name 
 of The Patriots. It was formed, in general, of 
 men of moderate fortunes, but exteniive am- 
 bition, of middle rank, and great abilities. 
 They profeiied a decided antipathy to govern- 
 ment, s.nd to the overhearing authority of the 
 men of influence, and occasionally lent their 
 aid to one or the other party, as bell fuited 
 their views of diminiihing the power of each. 
 When government was at variance with the 
 men of influence, they ranged on the fide of 
 government; but finding themfelves abandon- 
 ed, and the men of influence readily received 
 Into favour, they entered into open hoftiiitie* 
 < I h both. 
 
 The hereditary revenue granted to the 
 crown, .would, if difereetly managed, havs 
 been fufiicient to anfwer all the neceifary 
 charges of itate : the patriots, fenfible that their 
 caufe would be more effectually promoted by 
 fuhjefting the fervants of the frown to tifcal 
 embarraiiments, made their chief effort to load 
 this revenue with charges, under plaufible pre- 
 tences ; nothing anfwered the purpofe better, 
 during the administration of the duke of Bed- 
 el, than an ad; for granting a bounty on 
 corn and flour brought by land carriage to 
 Dublin, which at the lame time was a gratifying; 
 in favour of landed men in diftant coun- 
 ties. Whether through treachery, fupinenefs, 
 the fear of oppoiing fo popular a meafure a& 
 of fuppfying the capital with proviuons, 
 of influence lent their aid, and the lord, 
 ratenaajt was, at length, induced to fanclion 
 - It In ordinary years, this bounty amount- 
 ed to 50,000 L but in great harvefls to a much 
 
 larger
 
 GEORGE III. 179 
 
 larger fmn. The duke of Bedford, fenfible of CHAP, 
 the diminution which would thus be effected ^^J 
 in the revenue, was delirous to limit the dur- 
 ation of its pro virions to a term of years; but 
 the popularity of the meafure, and the urgent 
 inftances of its promoters, induced him to grant 
 it his fupport. They alfo promifed to eftablifh 
 a fund to repair the deficiency in the permanent 
 revenue; but when they had attained the de- 
 lired object, never thought it neceil'ary to ful- 
 fil their engagement. This bounty was capa- 
 ble of becoming extremely embarraffing to go- 
 vernment, as it was not made payable out of the 
 treafury, but out of the revenues in tranfitu in 
 the hands of the collectors of cuftoms in the 
 port of Dublin. 
 
 At the aeceffioii of the king, the primate, Conduaof 
 lord Shannon, and Mr. Ponfonby fpeaker of ^f,^ ha f n " 
 the houfe of commons, were lords juftices; the tiie.exche- 
 lord lieutenant had refided only one year; q ucr « 
 the lords juftices governed the countrv in fub- 
 ferviency to their own views, and regulated 
 every department without controul. They now 
 attempted to obtain popularity by introduc- 
 ing a new practice, and were joined in this 
 effort by Mr. Maione, chancellor of the ex- 
 chequer, who in oppofition had been highly po- 
 pular, and refolved to embrace this opportunity 
 of regaining the influence over the public mind, 
 which he had loft by accepting a n.iniileriai 
 filiation. The privy council being arTembled, 
 a doubt was fuddenly fuggefted concerning 
 the propriety offending over a money bill, as 
 the rejection of it by the Irifh houfe of com- 
 mons was anticipated, which would occafion 
 the diifolution of the new parliament, and thus 
 give rife to much diffatisfaction : in fupport 
 this. opinion, aftanding order of the Iriih houfe
 
 ISO HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, of commons made in the year 1727 was cited. 
 VIIL ^ s tne * orQ * cn in ceIlor (lord Bowes) had been 
 previouily referred to, and given his opinion 
 that, according to cuftom, a money bi! ! fhould 
 be fent, this objection was in fact a furpri. 
 It was obvioufly a mere attempt to gain popu- 
 larity; but as a itrong party in the council 
 iiipported the objection, it became neceffary 
 the chancellor and his friends to maintain 
 their opinion. Debates were carried on with 
 great virulence, and party rancour inflamed 
 to its higheft pitch. The popular parly at 
 length prevailed fofar, as to alter the eitabiiih- 
 ed ufage, by fending a bill, not for a fupply to 
 the king, but relating to a vote of credit for 
 Ireland." Tins was open to every objection 
 which applied to the ufual bill, and was befides 
 unneceifary, as the appropriated duties already 
 voted b} r parliament, would not expire till De- 
 cember 176 1. 5 
 Arrival In this pohtion of affairs the duke of Bed- 
 
 and con- f on j was recalled, and fucceeded by the earl of 
 !o!xJ Hail- Halifax. The exalted chara6ier of this no- 
 hx as iord bleman, his integrity, independence, and in- 
 [uxiteaant. tre pjjj t y 7 warranted fanguine expectations of a 
 &th GEt vigorous and fuccefsful adminiltration. On 
 1761. his arrival, he received the ufual compliments 
 with dignified gracioufnefs, and his deport- 
 ment, joined to the reputation of his talents, 
 inftantly gained a degree of popularity which 
 his iubiecsuent conduct enabled him to retain. h 
 
 a 
 
 sad Oft. He met the parliament with a judicious and 
 fenfible fpeeeh, in which he ftrongly recom- 
 mended unanimity, and a forbearance of pub- 
 lic heats and private animofities. He fecured 
 his popularity by earnestly inforcing the ne- 
 
 S Lord Bowes' Letters to DodJngton. 
 
 * L&itst from lord Bowes to Mr. Dodington, s£th Oft. 1761. 
 
 ceffitv
 
 GEORGE HI. 183 
 
 ccHity of attending to the natural advantages chap. 
 of the country, agriculture and the linen ¥111 - 
 manufactory ; and recommending a proper re- 
 gard to the Proteftant eftablifhmeiit, by en- 
 couraoins the charter fchools. 
 
 While lie perfevered in this line of conduct, 
 there was no probability that he would become 
 fubfervient to the views of any party : an in- 
 fidious attempt was therefore made to diminiih 
 his reputation for independence, by a refolu- 
 tion carried in the committee of accounts, and 
 afterwards palled in parliament. It iiated the 26th Feb. 
 appointments of the lord lieutenant to be in- 3 ? 6a * 
 
 quate to the dignity of the office, and the 
 houle therefore requeiled his majefty to grants 
 inch an augmentation as would make them. 
 amount to fixteeri thoufand pounds. The li- 
 berality of this vote claimed the thanks of lord 
 Halifax, lie applauded their motives, but faid, 
 as it had been his duty in the courfe of the 
 fell ion to propofe plans attended with great 
 public expence, and to tnf >rce economy, he 
 could not, without pain, i'ubmit that the efta- 
 bliibment, already hurthened in confequence of 
 his fuggeftions, mould be further charged for 
 his particular profit: but while he disclaimed 
 the application of their liberality to himfeif, he 
 recommended that the augmentation ihould be 
 provifionally made, and conferred on his fuc- 
 celfor. This dignified and manly conduct dis- 
 armed faction ; the bufinefs of the feffion .pro- 
 ceeded with uninterrupted harmony ; liberal 
 votes were palled refpecling the feyeral objects 
 mentioned in his excellency's fpeech, k and 
 he declared himfeif perfectly fatisfied with 
 
 * See proceedings of the Ivifn parlir.raent in the d?ffercr.t jperic. - 
 <al publications, 
 
 N 3 . -
 
 183 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, his fituation, fuperior to party, and reiblvect 
 J^ 1 ^ that the king's authority mould not fuffer in 
 
 his hands. k 
 Outrages The internal tranquillity of Ireland was 
 of the difturbed by a band of defperadoes, fometimes 
 pTpeofale/ called Levellers, from their levelling the Avails 
 and ditches under pretence of reftoring the 
 commons to the poor ; and at other times 
 White Boys, from wearing a fhirt or white gar- 
 ment over their eloaths. The union of thefe 
 banditti was fecured, and the increafe of their 
 numbers favoured, by oaths of fecrecy, and by 
 wreaking their vengeance on thofe who refufed 
 to concur in their meafures. They continued 
 to harrafs government for many years, and the 
 civil and military power were alternately em- 
 ployed agai nit them in vain. 
 3763. Lord Halifax wasfucceeded in the vice- 
 
 royalty of Ireland by the earl of Northumber- 
 land. The infurgents in different parts of the 
 kingdom, and even in Dublin, increafng to 
 an alarming degree, and committing many 
 31ft o£t. dreadful atrocities, a committee was infiituted 
 by the honfe of commons to examine into the 
 caufes of their outrages: but their inauiries 
 produced no beneficial effects. Lord Shannon 
 was grown old, and appeared defirous only 
 
 of '. : the primate was united with the 
 
 lord lieutenant, and the fpeaker ilill acled in 
 general under his influence. 
 Difcuflions But although this difpofition in the leaders 
 onthepen- G f the men of influence appeared to promote 
 tranquillity, the violence of party continued 
 to augment ; and among other topics of popu- 
 lar inve6tive, the pennons on the Iriih eftablifli- 
 ment, furnimed a cqnitant theme of cenfure. 
 A copy of the penfion lift was obtained, and be- 
 
 * Letters from lord Halifax to lord Melcombe. 
 
 5 came
 
 GEORGE Eh 1 I \ 
 
 rme the fubjt 
 ki 
 
 crame"the fubject of virulent di-fcuffion in hot 3AIV 
 kingdoms: it was defcri bed as a never-failing .*^i"» 
 
 fource of undue influence ami carroptto 
 A motion was made in the houfe of comnif 
 to addrefs the king for a writ of Jfczrejfaciets, 
 to inquire into the legality of the patent by 
 which the office of chancellor of the exche- 
 quer was held, This motion was Iofl, hut Vim 
 amount of the pendens was pre! Ted on, the 
 houfe; and one of athoufand pounds, granted 
 in the name of George Charles, but in fact 
 paid to M. de Viri, the Sardinian embaffad. 
 for his fervices in the negotiation for peace, 
 was feleeted as a peculiar topic of disapproba- 
 tion. Mr. afterwards lord Pery, in an able 
 fpeech, moved for an addrefs. lie Hated the 
 increafe of penfions fince the reign of George I f 
 and the augmentation of that and the military 
 euablimment (ince the year 1756, which had 
 been more than doubled. The arguments 
 on the other fide tended to prove that the 
 kingdom of Ireland had feareely fuffered by • 
 the war, while her territory and commerce 
 had been protected at the expence of Great 
 Britain, and therefore it was reasonable to ap- 
 ply her funds in time of peace to relieve the 
 burthens of England, The motion was loft 
 on adivifion; and a loyal addrefs carried in so^Dec* 
 both houfes, expreffing disapprobation of the 
 daily libels, which violated every rule of de- 
 cency, order, and government, and tended to 
 excite a fpirit of difcontent and difobedience 
 to their ibvereign, the laws, and the confuta- 
 tion. ' 
 
 1 Debates of the Irifb Parliament, SmoJIet's Hiftory of Eng- 
 land, vol. xvi. p. 23a et fcq ; Inquiry into the Legality cf Pen- 
 sions, by Alexander M«Aulay ; Thoughts en the Person Lift ©f 
 Ireland, with the lilt annexed ; — and many other publications* 
 
 n 4 Although
 
 184 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. Although .the efforts of oppofition failed 
 y^l^j in parliament, the public mind was violently 
 Agitation agitated. The infurgents, under various names, 
 of the pub- ag LeY ei lerS) White' Boys, Oak Boys, Hearts of 
 Steel, continued their exceifes, and directed 
 their perfecutions againft all who by exacting 
 or paying tythes in kind, became obnoxious 
 to them ; and in many parts of the kingdom 
 the fields were deferted. In Dublin, the to- 
 pics which agitated the metropolis of Great 
 Britain found an equal intereft ; the guild of 
 50th jan. merchants voted their freedom to Mr. Pratt, 
 1764- afterwards lord Camden, and the corporation 
 prcfented him with the freedom of the city 
 in a gold box. m 
 state of The European powers whofe con duel; was 
 
 powS. likel y t0 affe61 Great Britain > prefented no ap- 
 pearances which could afford ferious difquie- 
 tude. The French king, immerfed in fenfu- 
 ality, and incapable of providing refources 
 for the numerous debts which fwailowed up 
 his revenues, was obliged to employ thole ar- 
 bitrary a6rs of injuftice which fliew the wtak- 
 nefs of government, and tend rapidly to its 
 deitruciion. The difputes between the crown 
 and the parliaments were now arifmg, which 
 afterwards begat a fpirit of political difputa- 
 tion, productive in the end of the moft bale- 
 ful eiiecls. 
 The Some events, however, in the courfe of the 
 
 SizeTor- y ea1 "' ^ eeme ^ to threaten the tranquillity of 
 tuga: 0I Great Britain. A French iliip of fixty-four 
 jitjune. guns, and three frnaller veffels, fuddenly ap- 
 peared before Tortuga, or Turks Ifland, an in- 
 
 m In this view of the affairs of Ireland, beficies the authorities 
 cited, and the ordinary "fources of intelliger.ee, I have been fur- 
 pifhed with much interesting private information. 
 
 confiderable
 
 GEORGE III. 185 
 
 jronfiderable poffeffion in the Weft Indies, chap. 
 valuable only for its fait ponds, took the Eng- J^^, 
 liih inhabitants prifoners, and alfumed pof- 
 feffion of the place. The intelligence of this 
 iinjuftiriable attack, occahcned a great fenfa- 
 tion in London ; but the court of Verfailles, on Butreftore 
 a reprefentation by the Britiih embalfador, dif- iU 
 avowed the proceedings in the moft explicit 
 manner, and promifed an honourable indemni- 
 fication, the terms of which were to be adjuft- 
 ed by the French governor of St. Domingo, 
 and the Britiih governor of Jamaica. Some 
 j buiics were entertained that the French had 
 encroached on Newfoundland, and were for- 
 tifying St. Pierre, contrary to the treaty of 
 peace j but on the inquiry they proved to be 
 unfounded. 
 
 Complaints werealfo made of the Spaniih Spain com. 
 governors, for interrupting the Britiih logwood jJJJI^-**. 
 cutters, and of a Spaniih commodore for the 
 feizure of a Britiih ihip in the Mediterranean; But makes 
 but in both cafes ample fatisfaction was afford- J^ fac " 
 ed without delay. 
 
 The king of Prufiia, whom the defection of Affairs of 
 England had left without an ally, was anxious Poknd. 
 not to offend the houfe of Auftria, and, at the 
 fame time, defirous to ftrengthenhis intereftby 
 new connections; he therefore made no efforts 3 d April, 
 to prevent the archduke Jofeph from being 
 elected king of the Romans, and preffed the 
 completion of a treaty with llufua. The death oa. 5 th, 
 ofAuguftus in, opened new views to the am- 1763' 
 bitious mind of Catherine, who determined 
 to fecure her afcendency in Poland, by railing 
 her favourite, count Staniilaus Poniatowiky, to 
 the throne. With great dexterity ike preclud- 
 ed the interposition of France and Auftria, and 
 
 prevailed
 
 19/5. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, prevailed on Frederick to fecond her views, by 
 Jli'-L' concluding a treaty of guaranty and alliance, 
 Mar.i7t^ offenfive and defenfive: the emprefs and the 
 kinsr of Pruffia jointly eno-asfed to prevent the 
 crown of Poland from becoming; hereditary, 
 and by a fee ret convention, the king; cove- 
 nanted to promote the election of Staniilaus 
 Poniatowiky. All opposition being fuppreifed 
 by the entrance of the Ruffian troops into Po- 
 land, and the march of the Pruflians to the 
 frontiers, the election took place. 
 
 The Polifh nobility enjoyed a privilege 
 called liberum veto, by which a Single noble- 
 man was enabled to Ttop the deliberations 
 of the diet, and even diilblve it. To avoid 
 the impediments which might arife from the 
 *&M«. exercife of this right, the aiiernbly convened 
 for the election Of u. kin«- was changed into a 
 diet of confederation, m which the liberum 
 veto was fufpended, and the queftions were de- 
 rided by a majority of voices. n Poiiialowiky 
 was not chofen by the Poles on his ftrft nomina- 
 tion without confiderable oppoiition i the vio- 
 lation of their ancient rights, occafioned a 
 ilrong proteft, which was Signed by twenty-two 
 fenators and forty-live nuncios ; feme of them 
 -d I'd even took up arms, but were defeated by the 
 Ruffian troops. Another confederation for 
 7diSept. the final election being ailembled, PoniatowSki 
 was unanimoufly chofen, and crowned by 
 the name of Stan ill aus Auguitus. ° 
 Aud A political event which occurred this year 
 
 Ruffia, in Ruffia, though it did not affect the State 
 
 « For an account of the conftitution of the Polifh d?et, the li- 
 berum veto, and mode of electing a king; lee Coxe's Travels in 
 Poland, &c. vol. i. c v and vi. 
 
 ° CEuvrcs du Roi de Prufle, vol. iv. p. 169, et feq. Life of 
 Catherine II, vol. i. c. iv. Wraxall's Memoirs of the courts of 
 Berlin, &c. vol. ii. letters joand so. 
 
 Of
 
 GEORGE III. 187 
 
 £f Great Britain, is yet too interefting to be chap. 
 palled over in fiience. Ivan Antonovitch, J£ l 2j 
 grandfon of Ivan V, joint heir of the crown 1764. 
 of Ruffia with Peter the Great, was confi- 
 dered at the death of the emprefs Anne, un- 
 do' bted fuceeffor to the ei pire, His in- 
 fancy favoured the ambitious projects of Eli- 
 zabeth, who depofed Him when only a year 
 old. He was afterwards removed from one 
 ce of confinement to another, according to 
 the dictates of fear or convenience, till a^ 
 length he was lodged in the fortrefs of Schluf- 
 felburg, in a final! vaulted prifon where the 
 tio-ht oi da\ never entered. Two officers were 
 pfaced in the room as a guard, and they were 
 for foine time forbid to converfe with him, 
 c\ en to anfwer the flighted queftion. He was 
 kept in a ftat.e of ignorance fo deplorable, as to 
 give room for a report that he was an idiot; 
 yet his claim to the throne was the fource of 
 many confpiracies, It was faid, that the late 
 empc r vifited him in prifon, and, convinced 
 of the injuftia done to his underftanding, and 
 the validity of his claim to the throne, pro- 
 mised to make him his fuceeffor. The infe- 
 curity of Catherine's title gave fufficieht en- 
 couragement to plots, and formed a reafomabie 
 baiis of alarm and extraordinary precaution; 
 and thci'e fentimeiits received a new impulfe 
 from the detection of a confpiracy in the ham- 
 mer of 1 7 64. Though there v, as no appearance 
 that the prince had countenanced thefe at- 
 tempts, it was judged neceffary to order his 
 guards, in cafe an infurrection mould be ex- 
 cited, which threatened danger, to put him in- 
 ftantly to death. One Vaffily Mirovitch, fe- 
 ( cprrd lieutenant in a regiment, part of which 
 was in garrifon at the tower of Schluffelburg, 
 
 formed
 
 18» HISTORY OF ENGLAND, 
 
 Chif. formed a wild project of retelling- the prince 
 „3^i^ from captivity, and placing him on the 
 * w&h throne. In profecution of this defign, he 
 corrupted about fifty of his foldiers, and made 
 an affault on the prifon, with fome appear- 
 ance of fuccefs. The confpirators had fe- 
 cured the governor, and were going to force 
 the door of Ivan's dungeon, when it was 
 thrown open, and Miroviteh permitted to en- 
 ter umnoleited. The officers placed with the 
 prince had confulted together on the emer- 
 gency, and thinking themfelves unable effec- 
 tually to oppofe the infurgents, embraced the 
 dreadful alternative with which they were in- 
 Irufted. Their unfortunate victim was aileep ; 
 txut being waked by the noife of firing, and 
 Rearing the threats of his two affailants, en- 
 deavoured to move them with prayers and en- 
 treaties. Finding thefe ineffectual, he gather- 
 ed ftrength and courage from defpair, made 
 a vigorous refiftance, feized one of their i words. 
 and broke it i during the ftruggle, the other, 
 itabbed him behind, and threw him down ; he 
 who had loft his fword, now plunged his 
 l>ayonet into the prince's body, and both re- 
 peated their blows till he expired. Such was 
 the fpecracle which fainted the eyes of Miro- 
 viteh when he entered the dungeon. He Mas 
 fcruck with horror, and no longer thought 
 of fe 1/- prefer vation, but yielded up his fword 
 to the governor, who was yet his prifoner, ex- 
 claiming that he had now nothing; to do but 
 die. The confpirators were tried before the 
 ienate : Miroviteh was fentenced to death, and 
 »SA Sfpt. executed; the inferior agents were doomed to 
 different degrees of punifhment proportioned 
 to their activity in the enterprize. The fer- 
 mentation of the public mind on the deatl} 
 
 of
 
 GEORGE III. 189 
 
 of Ivan, mewed that Catherine's fears of a chap. 
 fuccefsful inftirreeYion were not ill-founded, ^^j 
 and fome authors have endeavoured, though *7H» 
 without the lea ft apparent foundation, to prove 
 that the whole transaction was a fcheme of the 
 emprefs, and that fhe facrifieed her engines to 
 her own reputation. p 
 
 The events of the continent, furnifhed the i°th>». 
 leading topics of the king's fpeech to parlia- JXjTngrf 
 ment. He inferred from them that the nation Paria- 
 had reafon to expert the duration of that peace * nerffi * 
 which had been ib happily eftablifhed, and 
 which it was his refolution Uriel iy to maintain. 
 In the following ohfervations, his majefty al- 
 luded to the ftate of America, -and the project 
 of taxing that part of the Britim dominions: 
 " The experience I have had of your former 
 con d uft, makes me rely on your wifdom 
 " and firmnefs in promoting that obedience 
 to the laws, and refpect to the legiflative 
 authority of this kingdom, which is efien- 
 tially neceifary for the fafety of the whole ; 
 ' and in cftabliming iiich regulations as may 
 " beft conned); and ftrengthen every part of my 
 " dominions for their mutual benefit and fup- 
 " port."' 
 
 The miniftry made an offer to the Ameri- Ta»m 
 cans, that any other mode of contributing c^^^ 1 ***" 
 thefum intended to be railed would be accept- 
 ed, and the ftamp duty laid ande ; bu t the colo- 
 nial agents rejected tins accommodating pro- 
 pofal, replying, that they were ordered to op- 
 pofe the bill, if brought into the hou fe, by pe- 
 titions, queflioning the right claimed by" par- 
 liament to tax the colonies- Thev were , in fact. 
 
 P See Life of Catherine IT, vol. i.ehnp. t and 4, and Appcr.dix 
 No. x. Coxc's Travels in Poland, &c. vol. iii. 
 
 tsger 
 
 u 
 
 u 
 
 a
 
 190 HISTORY OF ENGLAND, 
 
 chap, eager to enter into a difcufuon of the prmci- 
 VIir - pie in difpute, and not to permit any compro* 
 1765. mife. The minifter was determined not to 
 rectrde from the claim of the Britiih legiflature 
 to impofe and ascertain the quantum of tax- 
 ation ; but he was willing to leave the mode of 
 contribution to the decifionof thofe who were 
 to contribute. q 
 
 7thFeb. Fifty-five refolutions of the committee of 
 ways and means were agreed to by the houfe, 
 and afterwards incorporated into an act of par- 
 liament for laying nearly the fame ftamp duties 
 on the colonies in America, as were payable in 
 England. This act palled the houfe of com- 
 mons almoir. without debate, two or three 
 members fpoke againft it, but without force or 
 apparent intereft, except a vehement harangue 
 from colonel Barre, who in reply to an ob- 
 fervation of Mr. Grenville, in which he 
 defcribed the Americans as children of our 
 own, planted by our care, nouriihed by our 
 indulgence; faid, " Children planted by your 
 care? No! your opprefhon planted them in 
 America; they fled from your tyranny, into a 
 then uncultivated land, where they were ex- 
 pofed to almoft all hardmips to which human 
 nature is liable, and yet, actuated by princi- 
 ples of true Engliih liberty, they met all thefe 
 hardfhips with pleafure, compared to thofe 
 they fuffered in their own country, from the 
 hands of thofe who mould have been their 
 friends. They nouriihed by your indulgence ? 
 They grew by } T our neglect of them : as foon 
 as you began to care about them, that care 
 was exerciied in fending perfons to rule over 
 
 1 Almon's Collection of Papers, vol. I. p. 5. Remembrance^ 
 voi. iii. p. 253. See alio Burke's Works, vol', i. p* 365, 545. 
 
 them,
 
 GEORGE ITT. 1 9 I 
 
 tliem, who were, perhaps, the ■' ■ ties of chap. 
 forae deputy, fent to fyy out their liberty,' to yJ^J^, 
 mifreprefent their actions, and to '. prey upon 1765- 
 them; men, whofe behaviour, on many occa- 
 fions, has caufed the blood of thofe forts of 
 liberty to recoil within them. They protected 
 by your arms ? They have nobly taken up arms 
 in your defence, have exerted their valour 
 amidft their coniiant and laborious induury, 
 for the defence of a country, whofe frontiers, 
 while drenched in blood, its interior parts 
 have yielded all its little faviflgs to your en- 
 largement; and the fame fpirit which actu- 
 ated that people at firft, will continue with 
 them ftill ; but prudence forbids ine to explain 
 niyfelf further." 
 
 Tkere was but one divilioii during the 
 |)rogrefs of the bill, and then the minority did 
 not amount to more than forty. r The peti- 
 tions piefented againft it, though recommend- 
 ed by an order of council, were not attended 
 to,* and the houfe rcfufed to receive four peti- ,5th F«». 
 tions from the agents of Connecticut, Rhode 
 I {land, Virginia, and Carolina, befides one 
 from the traders of Jamaica. * In the houfe of 
 lords the act pafi'ed without debate, divilion, 
 or proceiV-; and having thus received the 
 fanclion of both homes, was ratified by the zadMsr. 
 royal affent. 
 
 Early in the fofiion, an attempt was made 29th Jan. 
 
 * Burke's Works, vol. 1. p. 559. It is (0 be obferved, colonel 
 Barre's (beech above quetfrl is not pieferved in Debrett's Parlia- 
 mentary Collection ; and Burke avers, that he fat in the gallery dur- 
 ing the progrefc or" the bill, and' never heard a mors languid debate. 
 
 See Burke's Works, ubi lup. 
 
 * Burke's Woiks, vol. i, p. 36^. 
 « I dan, p. 5+7. 
 
 * WtiA. p. <S9« 
 
 to
 
 192 illSfORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP, to obtain a refolution of the houfe of common's 
 
 Vi1 '- on the illegality of general warrants : but after 
 
 Debates on a long and violent debate, the queftion was? 
 
 general loft by a majority of forty only. x Another 
 
 warrants, * o *j */ «j 
 
 4th Mar. motion of a popular nature, for retraining the 
 Oo *° . practice of riling informations ex officio by 
 txtfickiT the attorney general, was alfo negatived. 
 i ' ieof It was found expedient for the prevention" 
 Man an- f fiauds committed by fmugglers, to annex 
 
 !£E!. wthc the Ille of Man t0 the realm - This fma11 
 territory formed a domain of a fingular te- 
 nure: 7 it was part of the crown, but not 
 of the realm of England ; it was under the 
 allegiance of the king, but governed by its 
 own laws and cuftoms. In thefe refpecis it 
 refembled Jerfey and Guernfey; but in thofe 
 iflands the king appointed governors, and re- 
 tained the jurifdieiion of the admirality; the 
 fuperintendence of civil jufiice veiled in the 
 king in council, and he could profecute a 
 fuit in his own name in any of the courts 
 of England ; in a word, the prerogatives, 
 royalties, and jurifdieiion of thofe iflands reli- 
 ed in the crown, and the writs from the fu a 
 perior courts at Wefiminfter were allowed to 
 operate in them. But in the Ille of Man the 
 king had no courts, no officers ; and no fuits 
 arifing there, whether at the inftance of the 
 party or of the crown, were determinable in 
 England. It was even doubted if the great 
 prerogative or mandatory writs, which ifliie 
 to all places under fubje6tion to«the crown of 
 
 * 224. to 184. — Debrett's Collection of Debates, vol. Iv. p. 1149. 
 This debate cauled a confiderable feniation out of the houfe* and a 
 handbill was circulated, in which an eminent lawyer was afierted to 
 have faiil, " I think it better to fall with the laws than to rije on the' 
 ruins ofthenv' Gentleman's Magazine, 1765^.04.. 
 
 r 4-th Inftit. 2S3. 
 
 England,
 
 GEORGE III. 193 
 
 Falkland, would run there. 2 This lingular chap. 
 inheritance had been for nearly four centuries ji ~*j 
 verted, by parliamentary charter, in the family «6s« 
 of the duke df Athdl. 
 
 In purfnance of an order of the lower houfe, "ft Jan, 
 the chancellor of the exchequer introduced a 
 bill for more effectually preventing the mif- 
 chiefs arifing to the revenue, froni the illicit 
 trade to and from the Hie of Man, by which 
 the ifland was intended to be put intirely 
 under the powers of the revenue laws of Eng- 
 land. 
 
 Before the fecond reading of the bill, the I3 thFebv' 
 noble proprietor and his duchefs preferrted a 
 very moderate and energetic petition : after 
 ftating their reluctance to dilunite, from the 
 honours of their family, this ancient and 
 princely patrimony, the reward of the fer~ 
 vices and monument of the virtues of their 
 anceftors, they threw themfelves with duti- 
 ful fubmitTion upon the pleafure of their fovc- 
 reign, and the difpofal of parliament, and 
 only requefted fuch a compenfation, as the 
 importance of the facrince to themfelves, and 
 of the acquifition to the nation, ihould feem to 
 demand. They Mere beard by council on this 
 petition, and in confequence of a communi- 
 cation with government, it was thought ad- 
 visable that the ifland ihould be revefted in 
 the crown. The fum of feventy thouiand 6th Mar. 
 pounds was given as a full compenfation; 
 and a bill for the purpofe of revefting the 
 ifland was paffed, whereby the whole iile, with 
 all its jurisdictions and intereils, and ail its de- 
 pendencies, were veiled in the crown, referving 
 
 * There is no iiiftance of a prerogative writ having been lent 
 and returned from thence ; there is no officer to whom it could 
 be directed. 
 
 vol. i. o only
 
 194 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, only to the proprietors their landed property 
 VIIL , and rights in and over the foil, as lords of the 
 i7c's- manor, together with the patronage of the 
 himopric, and other eccleiiafrical benefices in 
 the illand. * This act was immediately fol- 
 lowed by one for protecting- the revenue. 
 Regency During the fefiion, the king was attacked 
 
 aa * by an alarming illnefs : on his recovery, in a 
 
 a'^th April, fpeech from the throne, he propofed to the 
 confederation of parliament the expediency 
 of vefting in him the power of appointing, 
 from time to time, by inftrnments under his 
 iign manual, cither the queen, or any other 
 perfon of the royal family ufually refiding 
 in Great Britain, to be guardkin of his fuc- 
 ceffor, and regent of the kingdom, under pro- 
 per reirrictions, till the fuccellbr mould attain 
 the age of eighteen. 
 
 To this fpeech a loyal addrefswas returned, 
 and a bill palled the houfe of lords framed 
 according to the terms of the king's pro- 
 6th May. pofition. In the houfe of commons, a mo- 
 tion was made for an addrefs requiring the 
 king fpeciiically to name the perfon or per- 
 ions to whom, in cafe of his deccafe, he 
 would leave the care of his fucceifor, and the 
 regency of the kingdom ; alleging that it 
 was not warranted by precedent, or agree- 
 able to the principles of the confutation, to 
 veft thofe important offices iii any perfon 
 not particularly named and approved of in 
 parliament. This motion being negatived, a 
 qneftion was railed on the conftruCcion of the 
 words, " or any other of the royal family. 1 ' 
 
 a See Bhckftone's Commentaries, vol. i. p. 105. — I have been 
 afhftcd in this account by i'ome accurate private informatics, and 
 am indebted to the lame perfon tcr the appendix, which contains a 
 snore clear and ■ -• detail of the ancient ftate of the liie of Man. 
 
 The
 
 GEORGE III. 195 
 
 The anfwer given and fanclioned by the mini- chap. 
 ftry \ras, that it meant the defcendants of J^ 1 ^ 
 George II. Such an interpretation having 1765. 
 an obvious tendency to exclude the princefs 
 dowager of Wales, could not be fuppofed 
 agreeable to the kino- ; and on the next read- 9 tn « 
 ing of the bill, the name of the princefs 
 was exprefsly inferted as an amendment. The 
 debate on this occafion was fo violent and 
 acrimonious, that the friends of the princefs 
 did not think proper to produce another mo- 
 tion for enabling her to be one of the council 
 of regency. The bill thus amended was re- 
 turned to the lords, and palled, though not 
 without opposition. b 
 
 0\ T the day when the king in perfon gave ch- 
 ilis alfent to the regency bill, a mob of jour- tionoffilk- 
 neymen hlk-weavers went to St. James's, with weavers. 
 black flags, for the purpofe of petitioning 
 for relief, under pretence that they were re- 
 duced to a ftate of famine by the encourage- 
 ment of French fdks. They behaved in a 
 molt tumultuous manner, furrounding both 
 houfes of parliament, and infulting many of 
 the members. They again alfembied on the 
 two following days, and proceeded to commit 
 other outrages; but were at length repreiTed 
 by the pone comitatus and the military, who 
 were called in to aid the civil power. A pro- 
 clamation was iflued for the iuppreffion of 
 riots, and fome of the parties were brought to 
 condign punifhment. 
 
 The miniitry had never been popular; and Negotia- 
 they had now perceptibly loft the king's con- t,OIlsfor * 
 
 . 1 i • 1-1 i o change or 
 
 hdence : their conduct on the regency act, n.mittry, 
 betrayed an inclination, if not to oppofe, at 
 
 b Parliament was prorogued the 25th of May. The debates are 
 not detailed in a fatis factory manner in any publication. 
 
 o Q, leaft
 
 virr. 
 
 190 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. Icaft not to favour the inclinations of the fo- 
 vercign. It is even averred, that feveral pofts 
 of honour and emolument were bcttowed in 
 oppofition to their advice, and without their 
 knowledge, which produced ofTenfive ' reninii- 
 itrances, in confequcnce of which the king, 
 by the recommendation of lord Bute, deter- 
 mined to difmifs the nii'nifters. c This account 
 forms part of the fable of lord Bute's fee ret 
 influence, which was fo long implicitly be- 
 lieved, and which frill affords- an eafy folutioii 
 . of every political problem, for which no fa- 
 tisiactory explanation can be found in the or- 
 dinary details of diurnal occurrences. 
 
 Although it may not be true that lord 
 Bute interfered in the tranfaclions of the cabi- 
 net, yet the jealous apprehenfion on thatfub- 
 ject probably oceafioned the miniftry to do 
 many things ofTenfive to the king. Lord Tem- 
 ple, both in the houfe of lords and in private, 
 had repeatedly condemned lord Bute's fee ret 
 influence; he was about this time reconciled 
 to his brother Mr. Grenville, and though they 
 profeffed the reconciliation to be merely a 
 family transaction, it could not fail of pro- 
 ducing a considerable effect on the political 
 conducl of Mr. Grenville. d 
 
 35th May. Such was the ftate of the ministry and their 
 adherents when- the duke of Cumberland en- 
 tered into a negotiation with lord Temple and 
 Mr. Pitt, refpecring a change, and iirit ap- 
 plied to lord Temple for his conditions. The 
 duke did not object to them; but required 
 that the earl of Northumberland mould be a* 
 the head of the treafury : this propofal was not 
 
 c Life of lord Chatham, vol. i. p. 4,66. 
 * Life of lord Chatham. 
 
 agreeable
 
 G E ORGE III. 3D7 
 
 agreeable to lord Temple, and the conference chap. 
 broke off. The duke, however, did not yet JL 11 ^, 
 re&inq-uim the hopes of fuccefe : he waited on 1765. 
 Mr. Pitt at Haves, where he was met by lord 19lh# 
 Temple, and the fubjeef; renewed. Mr. Pitt 
 declared he had no objection to go to St. 
 James's, " if he could cany the eonftitutionwith 
 him,*' but declined all connection with the earl 
 of Northumberland. The next day, lord 
 Frederick Cavendiih was lent from the duke 
 to Mr. Pitt, with a modification of the propofal 
 lelpecting the carl of Northumberland, and 
 Mr. Pitt returned the fame anfwer which 
 lie had given to the duke of Cumberland. 
 The iituation of firft lord of the treafury was 
 then offered to lord Lyttleton, who deiired to 
 cohfult lord Temple and Mr. Pitt; and the 
 duke convinced that no advantage could be 
 .derived from a new negotiation, reported thefe 
 transactions to the king, adviling him to con- 
 tinue his prcfent fervants. e 
 
 In confequence of this counfel, the king- 23d May. 
 required the miniftry to itate the conditions ^The'^ 
 .on which they would remain in office. A minify. 
 meeting was held in Downing ftreet, at which 
 the firft lord of the treafury, the lord chan- 
 cellor, the duke of Bedford, and the earls 
 •of Halifax and Sandwich, were prefent. At 
 •the conelufion of this conference Mr. Grcn- 
 ville was directed to wait on the king, and 
 itate five proportions as the terms of re- 
 taining their tit nations ; 1. That lord Bute 
 jliould not interfere directly or indirectly in the 
 -affairs of government ; 2. Mr. Stuart M'Ken- 
 zie, lord Bute's brother, mould be difmiffed 
 
 e Hiltory of the late Minority, chnp. xxi. The public prints 
 at the time noticed the duke of Cumberland's vilit to Mr. Piit at 
 Hayes. See Gentleman's Magazine, 1765^.245. 
 
 3 from
 
 193 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, from the office of keeper of the privy feal for 
 
 vj^ii/ Scotland ; 3. Lord Holland mould be depriv- 
 
 1765- ed of the paymafterihip of the forces, which 
 
 fhould be bellowed on a member of the houie 
 
 of commons ; 4. The marquis of Gran by fhould 
 
 be at the head of the army; and 5. The o-o- 
 
 yernment of Ireland mould be left to the dif- 
 
 cretionary arrangement of the miniftry. f 
 
 Difficulty The difficulty already experienced in form- 
 
 of forming m o- a new adminiftration, rendered it neceifary 
 
 a new ad- © . . ' , J 
 
 miniitra- to comply m part with tbele proportions. 
 
 iion. Stuart M'Kenzie was difmified from the privy 
 
 feal of Scotland, which was given to lord Fre- 
 derick Campbell; Charles Townfend was ap- 
 pointed pay mailer of the forces ; and lord Wey- 
 mouth lord lieutenant of Ireland. Still the 
 difunion between the king and the miniftry 
 exifted in all its extent : a fpirit of violence 
 feems to have poffeffed fome members of the 
 cabinet, and urged them perfonally to infult 
 their fo vereign, in a manner which rendered 
 their longer continuance in office impoiiible. g 
 All previous attempts to form a new admin i- 
 
 90th. ftration failing of fuccefs, the king himfelf 
 fent for Mr. Pitt, and held a conference with 
 
 -5 th * him at Buckingham Houfe. In confcquence 
 of this interview, Mr. Pitt and lord Temple 
 had a joint audience, and the king eon- 
 defcended to lay before the two brothers cer- 
 tain proportions for their acceptance. Mr, 
 Pitt feemed difpofcd to comply with the moft 
 important, but required time to deliberate. 
 Lord Temple declared his repugnance to ail 
 the conditions, and Mr. Pitt afterwards adopt- 
 ed the fame fentiments, 
 
 f From private information. 
 
 5 Junius, Letter xxiii. J3urkt"s Wcrks, vol, i, p. $5j, 
 
 The
 
 C EORC E III. 199 
 
 The duke of Cumberland was again applied chap. 
 to, and negotiated with the duke of Newcaf- JL IT ij 
 tie for the formation of a new miniftrv, which 1765. 
 was fpcedily ad j lifted. The marquis of Rock- J^jJk 
 ingham was placed at the head of the treafury ; fh-yform- 
 general Conway Mas appointed fecretary of ^ 
 ftate, and had the management of the houie jui y ' Ist 
 of commons,* the other fecretary was the 
 ■duke of Grafton ; the duke of Nevvcaftle was 
 lord privy leal ; Mr. Dowdefwell chancellor of 
 the exchequer ; and the earl of Hertford lord 
 lieutcnan t of Ireland. Thefe were the leading 
 men in thenewadminiftration, though changes 
 took place in every department. The high 
 popularity of the duke of Cumberland, who 
 formed this miniftry, and the characters of the 
 principal members, promifed a great degree of 
 public favour, and one of their firft acts, that 
 of making Pratt the chief jufti'ce of the Com- 
 mon Pleas a peer, by the title of lord Camden, 
 was highly gratifying to the peoplo 
 
 The duke of Cumberland, perfectly fatisfied Death of 
 with this adminiftration, contributed to their c^ber-^ 
 pennanency by conftantly attending the coun- i an d': 
 cil, thus, affifting them with his advice, and 
 fanctioning their meafures by his fplendid re- 
 putation ; but of this refpectablc co-adjutor 
 they were foon deprived, by his fudden death. 31ft °^» 
 His great popularity, the deferved meed of 
 tried valour 3 and undoubted patriotifm, render- 
 ed his lofs peculiarly afflicting at this period, 
 when a new miniftry was preparing to try the 
 effect of new meafures; as their operations were 
 intended to contravene the prejudices and 
 opinions of all other parties, they required, in 
 ii peculiar manner, all the fupport which could 
 
 b Lord Orford's Work?, vol. v. p. 136. 
 
 o 4 be
 
 200 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, be derived from perfonal eftimation. Thedc- 
 
 viii C eafe of the duke was generally deplored as 
 
 1765. well by the nation as the royal family ; and the 
 
 5 9th Dec. king fultained an additional lofs by the death 
 
 princeFre- of his brother, prince Frederick, who expired 
 
 (knelt. i n the lixteenth year of his age.
 
 G E G It G E III, £01 
 
 CHATTER THE NINTH: 
 1765 — 1766. 
 
 Examination of the mot ires for oppojing the 
 ftamp acl. — 'Formation of parties in America. 
 
 — Exertions of the Prefbyteria'ns. — Dif 
 coii tents on the arrival of the ft amp act. — 
 Proceedings in Virginia — and in New Eng- 
 land. — Preparations for holding a con- 
 grefs. — Combinations againft the life of 
 ft amps. — Riots at Bofton. — Meeting, pro- 
 ceedings, and diffolution of congrefs. — The 
 delivery offiamps prevented. — Proceedings 
 of t'hd miniftry. — Meeting and recejs of 
 parliament. — Confutation of the miniftry. 
 
 — Proceedings in parliament. — Debate on 
 the addrefs.— Mea fares jar repeating the 
 ft amp act. — Evidence before the houfe. — ■ 
 Debates on the declarator)/ and repealing 
 acts. — Act of indemnity. — Cyder tax re- 
 pealed.— General rear rants declared illegal. 
 
 — Other acts of > the miniftry. — Their fec- 
 blenefs. — Duke of Grafton refigns. — In- 
 trigue of lord chancellor Northington. — 
 Overtures made to Mr. Pitt. — His quarrel 
 with lord Temple. — Mr. Pitfs miniftry. — 
 He is made a peer. — Rockingham admini- 
 stration di fluffed. — Compliments paid to the 
 marquis of Rockingham — Efforts to render 
 lord Chatham unpopular. 
 
 HpHE (tamp acr. if confideredby itfclF, and not chap, 
 incumbered with the queftion relative to 
 
 the right of Great Britain to tax her colonies, Examina- 
 
 was a Wife and equitable mealure, and pro- tives°f<rf°' 
 
 rnifed a productive revenue. It enjoyed the oppofmg 
 
 advantage of being- fimple, eafy of collection, ^ ltam P 
 
 founded
 
 £02 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 founded on the extended trade and commer- 
 cial tranfanei ions of individuals, jnftly diftri- 
 butcd, and eifcctualiy carrying" its own powers 
 into execution, without the teaming infpection 
 of officers. The only plaufible objection (ex- 
 clufrve of the general principle) arofe from the 
 difficulty of obtaining ftamps in the interior of 
 the country : it was alleged that the expence, 
 if they were fent by pott, would in many cafes 
 connderably exceed the value of the ftamps 
 themfelves ; and as many inhabitants could 
 only obtain them by travelling, they would 
 probably be compelled to expend three or four 
 pounds that government might gain fix- 
 pence. a This objection is ftrained to the ex- 
 treme verge of poiiibility, in order to gain 
 ibmething like a plaufible reafon for oppof- 
 ing the duty on the ground of expediency. If 
 the perfons refiding in remote parts of the 
 country were numerous, their tranfactions 
 would afford employ to adifuibutor of ftamps, 
 within a diftrici of moderate extent; if the 
 fmallnefs of their numbers rendered that ap- 
 pointment unneceiVary, their oecafions for 
 ftamps muft have been few, and the return of 
 the demand periodical and certain, fo that a 
 provifion might without inconvenience be 
 made in advance, like any article of manu- 
 facture or confumption. Unexpected ev&nts 
 which create a hidden call for {tamped papers, 
 can only arife in a mixed fociety, where rapid 
 changes in circumftances give birth to multi- 
 plied tranfactions, and the hidden and occa- 
 sional transfer of property, requires conftant 
 means of legal fecurity. b 
 
 2 See Franklin's examination before the houfe of commons, De» 
 trett's Debates, vol. iv. p. 3*4. 
 
 b It fnould be recollected, that at this period the (lamp duties 
 which affeS the meft frequent ttanfaftions of fociety, fuch as agree- 
 ments and receipts, -were not unpofed, 
 
 'A E I T
 
 GEORGE III. 203 
 
 But admitting- the impoffibility of fupplying chap. 
 the back fettlemerits, or of adj lifting the de- S JJ^ -| 
 mauds of ftate to the peculiarities of their 
 fituation ; the meafures adopted to relift the in- 
 troduction of the ftamp duty, demonftrated 
 that not the confederation of its practicability, 
 or of the duty itfelf, but of the principle of im- 
 pofmg it, formed the fole ground of objection, 
 and that thofe Avho had proceeded to the verge 
 of rebellion in their fyftem of oppofition, 
 fought for this mallow fubtcrfuge as a plaufible 
 vindication of their factious conduct. 
 
 The miniftry ■ <tc-d imprudently in giving a Formation 
 year's notice of their intention to impofe the of parties 
 
 - . , ., . .. c .\ in Amen- 
 
 itamp duly : they allowed time tor the accu- ca> 
 nidation of difcon tents in America, and for 
 the arrangements of factious men to oppofe the 
 law. c The firft effort towards an union of in- Exertions 
 tercfts was made by the Prefbyterians, who ofthePrrf. 
 were eager in carrying into execution their b )' tenans - 
 favourite project of forming a fynod. Their 
 churches had hitherto remained unconnected 
 with each other, and their union in fynod had 
 been confidered fo dangerous to the communi- 
 ty, that in 17 ( -J5 it was prevented by the ex- 
 prefs interference of the lords juftices. Avail- 
 ing tbemfeives, with great addrefs, of the ril- 
 ing difcontents, the convention of miniiters 
 and elders at Philadelphia, inclofed in a cir- 
 cular letter to all the Prefbvterian eono-rega- 
 tions in Penlyivania, the propofed articles or 
 union. 
 
 In this letter the writers complained that, 
 notwithftandino; their numbers, " they were 
 confidered as nobody" and their eflential and 
 charter privileges were, expofed to the en- 
 
 c Burke's Work vol. i. p. 366. 
 
 croachments
 
 2$4 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, croachments of evil-minded perfons. Oilier 
 . lx - , religious ibeieties infulted them for their want 
 1765. of union, and charged the ill-conduct of in- 
 dividuals on the whole body. They, therefore, 
 Solicited the adoption of Some fyfrem which 
 would enable them to act as a body, for the 
 purpofe of defending and augmenting their 
 civil and religious privileges. They digefted 
 a plan by which a i'cw gentlemen of Philadel- 
 phia, with the Prelbyterian miniiters, ihould 
 be chofen to correSpond with their friends in 
 different parts, to give and receive advices, and 
 to confult on meafures tending to promote 
 their welfare either as a body, or as connected 
 in particular congregations. A number of 
 what were termed the moft prudent and public 
 Jpirited-"p_etifoii$ in each difhict of the province, 
 and three lower counties, were lobe elected for 
 the purpofes of corresponding jointly with the 
 miniiters in thofe diftriefs with one another, 
 and with the gentlemen of Philadelphia. A 
 perfon was to be nominated in each committee 
 to Sign and receive letters in the name of the 
 whole, to convoke the committee, and for their 
 deliberation impart the advice they mould ob- 
 tain. Deputies were to be fent by the com- 
 mittee in eacii county or diStricl, yearly or half 
 yearly, to a general meeting of the whole body, 
 to confult and give advice; and each commit- 
 tee to tranfmit to that in Philadelphia their 
 names and numbers', with periodical accounts 
 of alterations. 
 
 In confequence of this letter, an union of all 
 tile Pieibyterian congregations took place in 
 Peniylvania, and the lower counties, A iimi- 
 lar confederacy was eitabliihed in all th<3 
 Southern provinces, in purfuance of Similar let- 
 U vs, written by their refpe&i-yc conventions, 
 
 Thcfc
 
 GEORGE HI. 203 
 
 The fc m oaf u res ended in the establishment of chap. 
 an annual fynod at Philadelphia, where all the Ix - 
 Prefbyterian congregations in the colonies 1765. 
 were represented by their refpective miniiters 
 and elders, and where all general affairs, poli- 
 tical as well as religious, were debated and de- 
 cided. From this fynod orders and decrees 
 Were iffued throughout America, and to them 
 a ready and implicit obedience was paid. 
 
 The discontented in New England recom- 
 mended an union of I he congregational and 
 Prefbvterian interett throughout the colonies. 
 A negotiation took place, which ended in the 
 appointment of a permanent committee of cor- 
 respondence, and powers to communicate and 
 confult, on all occafions, with aiimilar committee 
 eftablimed by the congregational churches in 
 New England. Thus the Preibyterians in the 
 fouthern colonies, who, while unconnected in 
 their feveral congregations, were of little im- 
 portance, were railed into weight and con 11 - 
 quence ; and formed a dangerous combination 
 of men, whofe principles of religion and po- 
 licy were equally adverle to that of the eita- 
 blifhcd church and government. 
 
 By this union a party was prepared to diiplay 
 their power by refiftance, and the ltamp law 
 prefented itfelf as a favourable object of hosti- 
 lity. Yet fenfible of their own incompentency 
 to act effectually v, ithout atliftance, and appre- 
 henlive of counteraction from the members of 
 the church of England, and thole diflenters 
 who were averfe to violence, they drove with 
 the utmoft affiduity to make friends and con- 
 verts among the difaffectcd of every denomina- 
 tion. d 
 
 * Iliftorical ami Political Reflections? on the rife and progrcfe of 
 the American Rebellion, bv Jofeph GaUeway, 
 
 The
 
 206 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. The prevailing difcontent which extended 
 
 \J?^ to the moit refpectable ranks of fociety, was 
 
 *t&$* favourable to their hopes, and when the news 
 
 tartsontta arr * vec l tnat tne ft am P a< ^ had palled in Great 
 arrival of Britain, the meafures adopted were conform- 
 the Ramp a ki e to | ne } r m oft fanguine wiflics. This act. 
 was received with great abhorrence; it was 
 printed with a death's head affixed inftead of 
 the king's arms, and hawked in the ftreets at 
 New York, by the title of " England's Folly, 
 and the ruin of America." The guns at Phila- 
 delphia, both in the town and in the barracks, 
 were fpiked by offenders who remained unde- 
 tected. At Bofton, the colours of the Shipping 
 were hoiited half-mail, the church bells were 
 muffled, and tolled a funeral knell, and an 
 alarming ferment generally prevailed. e 
 
 It muft afford matter of furprize that thefe 
 tranfa6tions were viewed with indifference, and 
 * in a certaki degree fanclioned, by men in the 
 fuperior claffes of life; but the htuation of 
 the colonies, and the manner in which thev 
 had been of late confidered in England, ac- 
 count for the prevailing fpirit of prcfumption. 
 During the late war, and fince the peace, the im- 
 portance of America had been magnified by 
 all the arts of eloquence, as if the exiftence of 
 Great Britain, as a commercial nation, de- 
 pended on that trade. The colon iits naturally 
 eliimated themfclves at no lefs than the} 7 were 
 appreciated by the Britiili parliament. They 
 loudly claimed a total exemption from taxation, 
 which they refolved to obtain by force, if ne- 
 ceffary, and were induced bv various circum- 
 fiances to expect fuccefs. They hoped to in- 
 creafe the diicon tents in England, by forbear- 
 
 e Alrnon's CollecYicn of Papers, vol. i. p. 7. Andrews's Hiffbry 
 of the American War, vol. i. p. 41. 
 
 in a;
 
 GEORGE III. C07 
 
 ing to import goods, and by encouraging their chap. 
 own manufactures. The caufe aftigned for ^^ 
 taxing the colonies, a deficiency of refources, J 7 fc 5- 
 led the Americans to expect that it would be 
 impofiible for the mother country to provide 
 and maintain a handing military force: thev 
 calculated on a great acceffion of population 
 from the emigration of unemployed manufac- 
 turers; on their own rapid growth, and on the 
 neceffary diminution of a Britifh army by de- 
 finitions ; considering alfo that the army would 
 be employed, not in conqueft, but in main- 
 taining the law againft a general and wide 
 fpreading difatfection, they entertained hopes 
 that it would in time relinquish its fidelity, and 
 procure the independency of America. f 
 
 A cogent motive for the attachment and 
 dutiful fubmiflion of the colonies was removed, 
 by the ceflion of Canada and the Floridas. 
 The Americans, no longer alarmed by the vi- 
 cinity of the French and Spaniards, found 
 their own force adequate to their own defence, 
 and felt no weakness or terror to diminifh that 
 fenfe of their importance which numbers, 
 profperit}^ and the opinions held in England, 
 contributed to infpire. The virulence of fac- 
 tion in Great Britain produced a correfpondent 
 chert in America, where a bold diiYefpeetful 
 mode of eloquence, not deficient in vigour, 
 though totally exempt from politenefs, was 
 generally adopted. 5 
 
 To the aitoniihment of thole who confidered Proceed.. 
 only the ancient habits of loyalty which had 1 " gs - n 
 
 J J J Virginia. 
 
 f Tliefe fentiments are forcibly expreffed in a letter from a well 
 informed gentleman at New York K) a nobleman in London, dated 
 8th November, 1765. The whole letter is highly important and in- 
 tereiting from the ability and camlour with which it is written. It 
 :s referred to in fubfequent parts of the chapter. 
 
 8 Siedman's Hiltoryofthe American War, vol. i. p. 31. 
 
 hitherto
 
 208 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, hitherto prevailed in Virginia, that colony lit 
 Ix - the firlt example of authorized oppohtion to 
 1765. government. This is partly attributed to ac- 
 cident; but the manner in which their debates 
 were conducted, and the refolutions finally 
 fanctioned, indicated a moil; alarming and 
 dangerous difpofition. The leading men in 
 the affembly, which then happened to be fit- 
 ting, were anxious to ihew their conftituents, 
 that they would not difavow, in their legiflativc 
 capacity, thofe fentiments which as individuals 
 they had inculcated. Though the operation 
 of the ftamp act did not commence till No- 
 vember, the fubject was eagerly introduced, 
 and occalioned a violent debate, or rather a 
 feries of virulent harangues. One of the 
 members, Patrick Henry, after declaiming 
 with bittemefs againit the fuppofed arbitrary 
 meafures of the prefent reign, faid, " Caefar 
 " had his Brutus, Charles I his Oliver Crom- 
 
 " well, and George the Third ."' A civ 
 
 of " treafon !" was uttered, the fpeaker call- 
 ed Mr. Henry to order, and declared he 
 would quit the chair, unlefs he was fuppo'rted 
 by the houfe in reftraining fuch intemperate 
 ipeeches. h 
 a 9 th May. W h e n tranquillity was in fome degree reftor- 
 ed, the houfe proceeded to frame a let of refolu- 
 tions, importing, That, the firft lettlers in Vir- 
 ginia had brought with them, and tranfmitted 
 to their pokerity, all the privileges and im- 
 munities enjoyed by the people of England. 
 By the two charters of James I, the colonifts 
 were intitled to ail thofe privileges and im- 
 munities. They had enjoyed the right of be- 
 ing thus governed by their own affembly, in 
 
 " S:cJm-r. , s Hiltcry of the American War, tol. i. p. 32. 
 
 the
 
 GEORGE TIT, 209 
 
 the article of taxes and internal police, which chap. 
 right had never been forfeited or relinquiihed, ^J^^, 
 but constantly recognized by the king and 1765- 
 parliament of Great Britain. x Therefore the 
 general arYembly of Virginia, together with his 
 ma jelly or his fubftitutes, had in their repre- 
 sentative capacity the only exclusive right and 
 power to tax the inhabitants of Virginia ; and 
 every attempt to veil inch a power in any per- 
 form or perfons whomfoever, except the general 
 aifemblv, was illegal* unconftitutional, and 
 nnjufl, and had a manifeft tendency to deftroy 
 Britifh, as well as American independence. 10 
 
 The governor of Virginia, informed of thefe Their af- 
 proeeedings, diflbrVed the allenvhly; but this %£&*** 
 ineafure was adopted too late : their refolves 
 fanefioned oppoiitioii in their own province, 
 and formed a precedent which was followed 
 by other legislative bodies. 
 
 The refolutions, though preceded by fuch Conduct 
 a vehement debate, were too moderate to fa- ° { New 
 tisfy the inhabitants of New England, who ° ai 
 had in the preceding year manifeited a diipo- 
 fition to reiift the authority of Great Britain 
 
 * This third refolution wants connexion and explanation. The 
 right of being lb us governed is claimed without any previous de- 
 claiation of the mode of government. This is fupplied by a refo- 
 lution which, though rejected by the affembly, was published, and 
 mult have formed the third in the ferks originally moved. It is in 
 thefe words, " Refolved, That his majefty's liege people, the in- 
 ,! habitants of this colony, are not bound to yield obedience to any 
 «' law or ordinance whatioever, defigned to impofe any taxation 
 tc whatioever upon them, other than the laws and ordinances of the 
 •« general aflTembly aforefaid." Another refolution was alio pre- 
 i'ented and rejected, as follows ; " Any perfon who (hall, by fpeaking 
 • c or writing, maintain that any perfon or perfons, other than the 
 * l general alTembly of this colony, have any right or power to impofe 
 « c or lay any taxation whatioever on the people here, mall be deemed 
 •* an enemy to his majelty's colony." 
 
 k Almon's Colle&ion of Papers, vol. i. p. 6, 
 VOL. I. P ill
 
 210 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, in general, by a refolute affertion of the Rights 
 Ix - of Man ; the affembly of Virginia cautioufly 
 1765. appealed to their charters, proudly confidered 
 themfelves as Britifli fubjecra, and left the au- 
 thority of the mother-country without limits, 
 except in the particulars of taxation and in- 
 ternal police, tacitly acknowledging their right 
 to impofe duties on merchandizes, and to re- 
 gulate and reftrain commerce. 
 Auguft. At the fuggeftion of the houfe of reprefen- 
 
 fioXfor tatives at Bofton, feveral affemblies appointed 
 holding* deputies for a general congrefs at New York, 
 congrets. to ^j^ the legiflature of each province was 
 to contribute from two to five members, for the 
 purpofe of obtaining relief under the infup- 
 portable grievance of the ftamp acl. * 
 Combina- In this interval, every exertion which in- 
 ihTuieof* tere ^ anc * refentment could fuggeft, was em- 
 ftamps. , ployed to increafe the popular fermentation. 
 The pva6tifers of the law generally refolved to 
 forego their profeffion rather than make ufe of 
 Riots : ftamps. The officers appointed by govern- 
 ment to diftribute them were compelled by 
 mobs to refign their offices, and undertake 
 never to refume them. Thefe infurreclions oc- 
 curing nearly at the fame time in all parts of 
 America, and having the fame tendency, mant- 
 fefted a correfponding influence which govern- 
 ed all their motions. The immediate agents 
 were of the loweft clafs, but evidently guided 
 and protected by their fuperiors. 
 36th Aug. The proceedings at Bofton, which ferved as 
 AtBoftwn. a model for the reft, are thus defcribed. 
 About twilight, a fmall bonfire was kindled, 
 and furrounded only by a few boys and chiU 
 dren ; the fire-ward endeavouring to extinguiili 
 
 k See a lift of the firft congrefs, Almon's Papers, vol, i. p. «7» 
 
 it,
 
 GEORGE III. 211 
 
 it, was defired in a whrfper, by ah unknown chap. 
 pcrfon, todefifl; not regarding- this Intimation, yJJ^. 
 he received a blow on the arm, and fuch other »7fi£ 
 marks of violence as compelled him to with- 
 draw. Soon afterwards, a particular whittle 
 and whoop were heard, which ferved as a fig- 
 nal for the appearance of a great number of 
 perfons difguiied, and armed with clubs and 
 (ticks, who burned the records of the admiral- 
 ty, and deftroyed the houles, furniture, and 
 apparel of fuch public officers as had given of- 
 fence. The refpe&able inhabitants difavowed 
 fuch proceedings ; but rewards for the detec- 
 tion of the criminals were ten lered in vain, 
 and the governor attempted to induce the 
 militia to affifi; in prderving the peace with- 
 out effect. m 
 
 The intelligence of a change of miniflry in 
 England, which transferred the power of go- 
 vernment to thofe who were fuppofed adverfe 
 to the fyftem adopted towards America, is 
 fuppofed to have given energy to thefe tu- 
 mults n ; and the conjecture is rendered more 
 probable from the vote of the freeholders 
 of Bolton, that addrelfes of thanks ihould i8thSept«; 
 be prefented to general Conway and colonel 
 liarre, and their pictures be placed in the town- 
 hall. 
 
 Deputies from nine of the colonies met in 7 thO&. 
 congrefs. The four not reprefented were New Meeting of 
 Ilamplhire, Virginia, North Carolina, and con s refg * 
 Georgia. The atfembly of New Hampfhire 
 promifed concurrence in any petition which 
 
 ■» Almon's Colle&ion of Papers, vol. i. p. 1 3, et paflim,— Stedman, 
 vol. i. p. 39. 
 
 n Stedman, vol. i. p. 38. 
 
 • Almon's Collection of Papers, vol. i. p. id, 
 
 p s ihoul<J
 
 S13 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 mould be agreed on by the representatives of 
 the other colonies. The affemblies in the other 
 three provinces were not fitting when the let- 
 ter from Maffachulfets Bay arrived, and the 
 governors prevented their meeting, till the day 
 appointed for holding the congrefs was paft. 
 When the commiifioners of Bolton waited on 
 the governor of New York, he laid, fueh a 
 congrefs was unconstitutional, unprecedented, 
 and unlawful; and he mould give them no 
 countenance ; he did not, however, attempt to 
 hinder their proceedings. 
 
 The members were, in general, men of warm 
 paffions ; an impatience to return home, and 
 the pride of thofe who were intrufted with the 
 delicate commifiion of drawing up their re- 
 folves, had a bad effect on their tranfaclions. 
 Thefe perfons had not fought proper fourees 
 of information before they began to write, nor 
 indeed before the congrefs was diffolved ; and 
 their compositions betray evident marks of 
 hurry and imperfection. They determined on 
 fourteen refolves, a petition to the king, ano- 
 ther to the houfe of commons, and a memorial 
 to the houfe of lords. They would not be per- 
 fuaded to a full recognition of the authority of 
 parliament in matters of taxation, but profeifed 
 allegiance to the crown, and due fubordination 
 to the two houfes. By their rcfolutions, they de- 
 clared themfelves intitled to ail the rights of 
 fubjects born within the realm of Great Britain. 
 They pronounced it eSFential to the freedom of a 
 people to be taxed only with their own confent; 
 but the colonies neither were nor could, from 
 local circumftances, be reprefented in the Bri- 
 tish houfe of commons; their only reprefen- 
 tatives were in their colonial legislatures ; and 
 except by them, no taxes had been or could 
 
 be
 
 GEO R G E III. SIS 
 
 be confHtutionally impofed. They defined 
 fupplies to be gifts, and therefore inferred that 
 the commons of Great Britain could not con- 
 intutionally grant away American property. 
 They claimed trial by jury as the right of the 
 fubject; the iiamp act, and other ac's of trade, 
 tended to fubvert that right. The duties lately 
 impofed, they affirmed to he grievous, and the 
 payment impracticable: the profits of their 
 commerce centered in Great Britain, and there- 
 fore the inhabitants of America contributed 
 largely to all fupplies. The effect of the par- 
 liamentary reftrictions was fuch as to pre- 
 vent them from purchafng the manufactures 
 of Great Britain ; but the.profperity of the co- 
 lonics depended on the enjoyment of their 
 rights, and a mutual beneficial intercourfe 
 with the mother-country. They claimed, as 
 fubjecrs, the right of petitioning king, lords, 
 and commons, and declared it was their duty, 
 by a loyal addrels to the king, and humble ap- 
 plication to both houfes, to procure a repeal of 
 the ftamp aeT, and others reftrieling trade and 
 extending the admiralty jurisdictions. The 
 acts of the congreis concluded, by recommend- 
 ing the colonies to folicit their caufe by fpecial 
 agents from each. p 
 
 Although thefe proceedings were con- 
 dueled with a cautious attention to the exter- 
 nals of order and decorum, and therefore ex- 
 cited no immediate alarm, the convocation did 
 not fail in producing the moft extenfive and 
 prejudicial eilecls. Their refolutions formed 
 the bafis and model of petitions and addreiles, 
 
 P Letter from an American gentleman to an Englifli nobleman, 
 dated 3th November 1765. Sec alfo the proceedings at length, Al- 
 mon's Collection of Papers, vol. i. p. 26. — Stedman, vol. i. p. 39 
 to 4z. 
 
 p 2 which
 
 2H HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 ch af. which were procured throughout the colonies ; 
 **!■ and the interchange of opinion inflamed the 
 *7&5' fpirit of oppoiition, while it destroyed fear of 
 failure by the certain proipect of co-operation 
 and fupport " By the meeting of fo many de- 
 " puties at New York/' a judicious writer has 
 obfcrved, t( a communication was opened, and 
 " a correspondence eftabliihed, between the 
 *' leading men of all the colonies; and a 
 " foundation was thus laid for uniting their 
 " common efforts, whenever future circum- 
 " fiances, and the attempt of a future admini- 
 " ftration, mould render it neccffary. One 
 " effect of the mutual understanding which 
 " took plate amongft thefe leading men was, 
 " indeed, difcoverable; for, as foon as they re' 
 " turned to their refpeclxve homes, affociations 
 " were fet on foot in all the colonies againlt the 
 " importation of Britiih manufactures, q fuch 
 " importation to ceafe after the rirft of January 
 " following, until the ftamp aft Jhould be re- 
 " pealed ; a meafure which was probably con- 
 " certed before they left New York. r 
 The de- The effects of this determined fpirit of oppo- 
 
 livery of fition were fpeediiy difplayed. When ihips ar- 
 Temtd. Pie lived from England with ftamped papers on 
 board, the utmoft induftry was employed in 
 preventing the unloading of their cargoes, and 
 compelling the officers of government to place 
 the (tamps in the cuftody of perfons appointed 
 to prevent their being ufed. The ihips were 
 not fecure unlefs under the guns of men of war, 
 3ft Nov. or of forts. From thefe circumftances, and the 
 relignation of the appointed diitributors, on the 
 day appointed for the operation of the act, no 
 
 s This meafure did not fucceed in the degree that was fuppofed : 
 tkfigning men, however, took advantage of it, when ^hey had large 
 ftoresof Englifli goods on hand. 
 
 • Stedman,voJ. i. p. 4s. 
 
 itamps 

 
 GEORGE III. 215 
 
 {lamps could be obtained. The admin iftration chap. 
 of juitice was impeded, except in criminal w r ^ 
 cafes, and commerce was fufp< tided by the im- 17*5- 
 poilibility of obtaining- the necerlai v itamps for 
 entries and clearances at the custom hbufes. 
 Some merchants ventured to fend their mips 
 on voyages with certificates from the go- 
 vernors, that itamps could not be obtained; 
 and the council and aiTembly of Maiiachuifets, 
 entered a daring refolution in their books, de- 
 claring: it lawful to tranfaet buiinefs without 
 itamps. ■ 
 
 If the miniftry were not convinced that the obferva- 
 time was arrived, or nearly approaching, when tions - 
 the dependence of America on Great Britain ■ 
 m uft be diffolved, their conducT; in tolerating 
 the proceedings of the colonics was highly 
 culpable. If they deemed fuch a feparation 
 now unavoidable, they did not meet the occa- 
 iion with fuificient magnanimity, nor purfue 
 a fyftem calculated todiniiniih the danger and 
 injury attending fo great a divulfian from the 
 mother-country. It was obvious that two 
 millions of people, feparated by a wide ocean 
 from the immediate effects of refentment, and 
 encouraged by intereft, and even by the a\ow-< 
 ed approbation of a numerous and popu'ar 
 party in England, would not defift from a 
 courfe of oppofition, in -which their greateit 
 exceifes were fanctioned by impunity. 
 
 The minifters were embarrafled with the Proceeding: 
 difficulties of their fituation, and equally un- ft,.^ 11 "" 1 " 
 prepared for effectual rcliitance and dignified 
 conceffion. One of their firii meafures refpecT;- 
 ing America was prudent, and if followed by 
 others diitinguifhed for vigour, the refult might 
 
 • Stedman, vol. J. p. 4.2. Andrews, s Hiftory of the War, vol. i. 
 p. *». 
 
 p 4 have
 
 216* HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, have been haghly beneficial. A minute was 
 sj^"^j entered in the treafury books, importing;, that 
 gth July, in order to obviate the inconvenience of bring- 
 ing into Great Britain the money raifed in the 
 colonies, it mould be received by the deputy 
 paymafter in America, to defray the fubfiuence 
 of troops, and military expenccs. The refolu- 
 tions of the affembly of Virginia were laid be- 
 fore the board of trade, and by them reported 
 to be a dangerous attack on the confiitutioii 
 of Great Britain ; and they recommended that 
 orders ihould be immediately iliued for the 
 executive power, and all the officers of go- 
 vernment in Virginia, concerned in enforcing 
 the ftamp duty, to exert thcir.felves vigoroufly 
 in fupporting the authority of parliament, and 
 with becoming firmnefs in exacting a due 
 obedience to the law of the land. 
 
 A council was not held fpeedily after this 
 34.thSe.pt. refolution of the board of trade; but general 
 Conway, fecretary of ftate for the fouthern de^ 
 partment, wrote to the governor of Virginia a 
 letter of a weak and impolitic tendency. He 
 exprehvd hopes, that another aiiembly would 
 adopt cleciiions different from thofe tranfmitted 
 to England, and advifed him to make proper 
 reprefentations to the wife and fober part of 
 the people. But even thefe unimportant and in- 
 decilive directions were qualified by an obfer- 
 vation, that as the matter was before the privy 
 council, he ihould not pretend to give any 
 advice or inftructions on the fubject. The 
 fame irrefolution infected the council ; they 
 .„ , r%a reported to the kins:, that this was a matter of 
 
 3d Oct. I 7 , • , 1 1 -r- 
 
 tne utmoft importance to the realm and iegil- 
 lature ; too weighty for their determination, 
 and only to be difeulfed in parliament. r By 
 
 t See Almon's Colieclion of Papers, vol. i. p. 38. 
 
 this
 
 GEORGE III. 217 
 
 tills declaration, the council declined advifing, c H A.P. 
 becaufe the fui'jeet was of importance, and J^^l,. 
 referred to parliament for inftruerion, whether 1765. 
 obedience to itsov n a£ts ihould be enforced by 
 the executive power. After the holding of 24th oa. 
 the council, general Conway wrote a circular 
 letter to the governors in America, in terms 
 fomewhat more deciuve, but not fuificicntly 
 clear or dignified for the miniher of an intuited 
 government, who gives infti iicuons in a criti- 
 cal emergency. 
 
 If the advice of the two houfes was deemed 
 : effary to fari< rion the acts of government, 
 the 1 1 <»i: oogfet to liave been immediately 
 commenced, and proper meafures fpeediiy 
 adopted ; but thefe important arrangements 
 v 1 re utterlwneLrleeiecl. The parliament did *Z t '- Dec ' 
 not aifemble till the; 1 ?th of December, and andiecefi 
 Separated for the Chriftmas recefs, without °fpari»a- 
 t ran fact in g any bui'mels, except iifuing writs 
 to rill up vacancies. 
 
 In this interval, a meeting was held at. the *7ADec. 
 boufe of the marquis of Rockingham, for the tWfrof ■ 
 purpofe of arranging meafures againli the miniftry. 
 opening of 'the icliion, and particularly . wilh 
 refpect to the late trunfanctions in America. 
 Among the pcrfons prefent, were the marquis 
 of Rockingham, lord Egmont, general Con- 
 way, Mr. SqwdefweM, the earl of Dartmouth, 
 and Air. Yorloe*. The moft effective and dig- 
 nified advice was, to declare, by an act of par- 
 liament, the legillative power of (Treat Britain 
 over America, and inflict penalties of high 
 treafon on liiofe who ihould impeach that au- 
 thority, either by fpeaking or writing. The 
 fupremacy of the parent country being thus 
 afcertained, it was recommended to bring in a 
 bill to explain, alter, and amend the ftamp act, 
 
 in
 
 «18 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 C hap. in fuch a manner as would render the operation 
 y^J^, eafy, and its provilions unexceptionable. The 
 s7 6 j- principal alterations were, that duties iliould be 
 paid in currency, in head of fterling money ; 
 offences againft the acl tried in courts of re- 
 cord, initcad of the court of vice-admiralty ; 
 and the merchants relieved by taking off or 
 greatly reducing the ftamps on cocquets and 
 clearances. But this firm and manly advice 
 did not prevail ; the opinions previoufly de- 
 livered by fome members of adminiftration, 
 were incompatible with fuch meafures ; and al- 
 though Mr. Dowdefwell, chancellor of the 
 exchequer, produced letters from New York, 
 importing that the money collected from the 
 duty on molalfes, had been detained in the co- 
 lony by the threats and orders of the mob, yet 
 no vigorous meafure was refolved on. In fact, 
 nothing was decided, except the terms iii 
 which the kings fpeech ihould be comprized : 
 and the miniftry formed no regular or continent 
 plan of operation and mutual fupport. u 
 *+th Jan. When parliament met before the holi- 
 
 Meet'in of ( ^ a y s > tne k m S"> m n ^ s fp eecn > obferved that 
 parliament, matters of importance had occurred in fome of 
 the American colonies, which demanded the 
 mofl ferious attention of the legiflature. Af-^ 
 ter the recefs he refumed the topic, and hav* 
 ing obferved that he had directed the proper 
 papers to be laid before the two houfes, faid, 
 " No time has been loft on the firft advice of 
 " thefe difturbances to iffue orders to the go- 
 " vernors of American provinces, and com- 
 " manders of forces, for the exertion of all the 
 " powers of government in fupprefhng riots 'and 
 
 » From private information, and minutes of the conference. 
 
 " tumults,
 
 'GEORGE III. 219 
 
 ♦'tumults, and in the effectual fupport of law- chap. 
 " ful authority." Whatever remained to be ^J^, 
 done, was committed to the wifdom of the le- 1766. 
 giflature. 
 
 In the debate on the addrefs, the affairs of Debate on 
 America were amply difcuiled. The differ- tbeaddrea. 
 ence of fentiment which prevailed in the 
 cabinet now became apparent, and the conteft 
 was not properly between miniftry and oppo- 
 fition, bat between thofe who favoured and 
 thofe who difavowed the taxation of America. 
 Mr. Nugent (afterwards earl of Clare) infilled 
 that the honour and dignity of the kingdom 
 required a compulfory enforcement of the 
 itamp act, unlets the right of parliament was 
 acknowledged, and the repeal folicited as a 
 favour. He computed the expence of the 
 troops employed in America for their defence 
 at nine pence in the pound of the land tax, 
 while the produce of the itamp aft; would not 
 raife a milling a head on the colonifts; * but 
 a pepper corn in acknowledgment of right, 
 was of more value than millions without that 
 homage. 
 
 Mr. Pitt was confpicuous on the oppofite Argu- 
 fide. He informed the houfe, that he was 5J, ent p°* 
 unconne6ted and unconfulted ; and having 
 defired a fecond reading of the fpeech and 
 addrefs, farcaftically applauded both, becaufe 
 nothing was decided refpecring America, and 
 every one was left at liberty to afiume fuch 
 part as he fhould fee fit. lie difapp roved 
 of the tardinefs difplayed in giving notice to 
 
 * The gieateft funi propofed to be raifed by the ftamp aft, wat 
 100,000 1. per annum. One (hilling each from the inhabitants of 
 America, who were computed at two millions anil a half, would 
 give 115,000!. This calculation, however, is (hewn by lord Shef- 
 field, in hisobilrvationson the commerce of the American States, to 
 be grofsly exaggerated. 
 
 the
 
 220 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, the legiflature of the American troubles, which 
 Ought to have been imparted immediately, and 
 
 J7 6 6. condemned, without . referve, every capital mea- 
 fnre of the late miniitry. lie had no objec- 
 tion to the prefent admin iftration ; they v ere 
 men of fair characters, and fuch as he was glad 
 to fee in his 'majefry's fcrvice. He had never 
 been made a iacrifice by any of them : fome 
 had afked his opinion before they would en- 
 gage: he had advifed them to lake official 
 Situations, but could not give them his confi- 
 dence. " Pardon me, gentlemen,' he faid, 
 bowing to the miniftry, '" confidence is a plant 
 " of flow growth in an aged: bofoni'; youth is 
 " the feafon of credulity. By comparing events 
 u with eacli other, reafoning from effects to 
 " caufes, methinks I plainly difcover the traces 
 " of an over-rulino- influence. There is a 
 '* claufe in the act offettlement to oblige every 
 " minifter to fign his name to the advice which 
 "he gives to his fovereign. Would it were 
 $ obierved! — I have had the honour to ferve 
 f! the crown, and if I could have fubmitted to 
 " influence, I might have {till continued to 
 " ferve; but I would not be refponfible for 
 " others. I have no local attachments ; it is 
 '■ indifferent to me whether a man was rocked 
 " in his cradle on this fide or that fide of the 
 " Tweed. I fought for merit wherever it was 
 " to be found. It is my boaft that I was the 
 " firfr minifter who looked for it, and found it, 
 " in the mountains of the North. I called it 
 " forth, and drew into your fervice an hardy 
 " and intrepid race of men ! — men, who, when 
 "left by your jealoufy, became a prey to the 
 " artifices of your enemies, and had gone 
 " nigh to overturn the ftate in the war before 
 " the laft. Thefe men, in the laft war, were 
 
 " brou srht
 
 G F, O R G E III, 211 
 
 " brought to combat on your fide : they ierved c n ap, 
 " with fidelity, as they fought with valour; and ^J^, 
 " conquered for you in every part of the world ; »7*4, 
 " — detefted be the national reflections againit 
 "them! tliey are unjuftj ground ilb' al, 
 
 <: unmanly. — When I ceaied to fei his imt- 
 " jefty as a minifter, it \\ country 
 
 he man by which I was moved — but i ; s 
 "man of that country wanted wifdojn, and 
 I" held principles incompatible with freedom." 
 
 Mr. Pitt then laid, when the resolution was 
 adopted to tax America, he was confined by ill- 
 nefs, butib great was the agitation of his mind 
 for the conlequences, that if he could have en- 
 dured to be carried in his bed, he would have fo- 
 licited ibme kind hand to lay him down on the 
 floor of the houfe, that he might bear tefti- 
 mony againft it. lie hoped an early day 
 would be appointed to confider the ftate of the 
 nation with refpect to America, and that the 
 difcuffion would be conducted with temper and 
 impartiality. A more important fubjecl never 
 engaged the attention of the houfe ; that fub- 
 ject only excepted when, near a century ago, 
 the commons debated whether they themfelves 
 were to be bound or free. In the meantime, 
 as lie could not depend upon his health for a 
 future day, he mould fay a few words at prcient, 
 leaving the. juiiiee, the equity, the policy, 
 and the expediency of the act to another time. 
 He would confine himfelf to the right; a point 
 which feemed not generally underftood. He 
 reprobated the argument of Mr. Nugent, 
 which had a tendency to make it a point of* 
 honour. If gentlemen contiderecj it in that 
 light, they left all meafures of right and wroi g 
 [o follow a delufion, which migjijt lead | > de- 
 iiruetion. lie then declared his opinion th 
 
 Great
 
 222 HISTORY OF EX GLAND. 
 
 chap. Great Britain had no right to lay a tax upon 
 ijm^s the colonies ; though at the fame time he aflert- 
 *?66» ed the authority of Great Britain over them 
 to he fovereign and fupreme in every cafe 
 of legiilation. In fupport of this opinion 
 he laid, " The colon ifts are. fubjeels of this 
 *' kingdom, equally intitled with yourfelves to 
 " all the natural rights of mankind, and the 
 " peculiar privileges of Englifhmen; — eq.ua lly 
 " bound by its laws, and equally participating 
 " in the conftitution of this free country. The 
 " Americans are the fons, not the baftards of 
 " England. Taxation is no part of the go- 
 " verning or legiilative power. Taxes are the 
 M voluntary gift and grant of the commons 
 " alone. In leo-iflation the three eftates of the 
 realm are alike concerned, but the concur- 
 rence of the peers and the crown to a tax, 
 " is only neceffary to clothe it with the form of 
 " a law. The eift and grant is of the commons 
 alone. In ancient days, the crown, + he ba- 
 rons,, and the clergy, pofleffed the lands. In 
 " thofe days, the barons and the clergy granted 
 "to the crown; they gave and granted what 
 "'was their own. At prefent, fince the dif- 
 " covery of America, nd other cireumftances 
 " permitting, 'he commons are become the pro- 
 " prietors of the land. The church (God blefs 
 " it!) has but a pittance. The property ot die 
 " lords, compared with that of the commons, 
 " is as a drop of water in the ocean ; and this 
 " houie reprefents thofe commons, the pro- 
 prietors of the lands; and thofe proprietors 
 •' virtually reprefen -he reft of the inhabi- 
 tants. When, therefore, in this houfe we 
 " give and grant, w ; ve and grant what is 
 4 our own. But in an American tax, what do 
 " >ve do? We, your m ajefty's commons for 
 
 " Great 
 
 «« 
 
 «<
 
 John Earl of Bute 
 
 liil'i Lord aftheTreafiirv". 
 
 From 'in /hiHiiiii/'/'iiiiiri I'v H,ini.cii\ . 
 
 PubU. . floe, by CaddliBai'Ui Strand.
 
 GEORGE I1T. S23 
 
 Great Britain, give and grant to your majef- chap. 
 ty, what? Our own property? — No; wc -^J ^ L,, 
 give and grant to your majefty, the property 1766. 
 of your majclty's < ominous of America. It 
 is an abfurdity in terms. The distinction be- 
 tween legislation and taxation is client ially 
 ncceflary to liberty. The crown, the peers, 
 are equally legislative powers with the com- 
 mons. If taxation be a part of fimple legil- 
 lation, the crown, the peers, have fights in 
 taxation as well as vourfclves : fights which 
 they will claim, which they will exercife, 
 whenever the principle can be fupported by 
 power. There is an idea in Some, thai, the 
 colonies are virtually reprefented in tbchoufe. 
 T would lain know by whom an American is 
 reprefented here? Is he represented by any 
 knight of the (hire, in any county in this 
 kingdom? Would to God that relpeclable 
 reprefentation was augmented to a greater 
 number 1 Or, will you tell him that he is re- 
 prefented by any representative of a borough 
 — a borough which perhaps its own rep re- 
 fentatives never law. — This is what is called 
 the rotten part of the conftitution. — It can- 
 not continue a century. If it docs not drop, 
 it mult be amputated. The idea of a vir- 
 tual reprefentation of America in this houfe, 
 is the molt contemptible that ever entered 
 into the head of a man. It does not deferve a 
 ferious refutation. The commoners of Ame- 
 rica, reprefented in their feveral alien iblies, 
 have ever been in poifeflion of the exercife 
 of this, their constitutional right, of giving 
 and granting their own money. They would 
 have been Slaves if they had not enjoyed it. 
 At the fame time, this kingdom, as the fu- 
 1 preme governing and legislative power, has 
 
 " always
 
 §Ct HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP. w alway? bound the colonies by her laws, hf 
 Ix - . " her regulations and reftrictions, in trade, in 
 1766. " navigation, in manufactures; in every thing 
 "except that of taking their money out of 
 " their pockets without their confent. Here I 
 " would draw the line, " quam ultra citraqu6 
 " iieqult conjtflere recium." 
 
 General \ considerable paufe fucceeded this remark - 
 
 ° away * able fpeech, which was well calculated to pro- 
 duce an animated reply ; but no one riling, 
 general Conway declared his fentiments were 
 intirely conformable to thofe of Mr. Pitt- 
 He accounted for the tardy notice to parlia- 
 ment of the troubles in America bv faying, 
 the firft accounts were too vague and imper- 
 fect to be worthy of notice. y " An over-ruling 
 "influence," he laid, " has been hinted at. I 
 " fee nothing of it ; — I feel nothing of it; — I 
 " difciaim it for myfelf, and, as far as my dif- 
 " eernment can reach, for the reft of his ma- 
 ' ' j efty's minilters. ' ' 
 
 Mr. Gren- Although Mr. Pitt was fo for gratified 
 
 Title. y general Conway's co-incidence in opinion, 
 
 and by fome high compliments contained in his 
 fpeech, as to admit the validity of his excufe 
 if it. was true; Mr. Gije'nville, whofpoke in de- 
 fence of his own meafures, was not difpofed to 
 treat the matter with fo much lenity. He cen- 
 fured the miniftry with great feverity for delay- 
 ing to «ive earlier notice of the disturbances in 
 America. He laid, " Thev began in Juiv, and now 
 " we are in the middle of January ; lately they 
 " were only occurrences, they are now grown to 
 
 y This afTertion of the fecretary of ftate could hardly be correcT. 
 The lefolutions of the affembly of Virginia \Vere not vague informa- 
 tion •. the refoluticns entered into by ths other aflemblies to form 
 a congrets were clearly announced ; and the minute of council of the 
 3d October mews that the miniftry did not confider thefe matters of 
 iinall importance. 
 
 2 i; disturbances.
 
 GEORGE III. GC5 
 
 " difturbances, to tumults and riots. I doubt chap* 
 " they border on open rebellion; and if the ^i x ^ / , 
 " doctrine of this day be confirmed, that name 17^* 
 *' will be loft in revolution. The govern* 
 " ment over them being diffolved, a revolu- 
 " tion nuiit take place in America; I can- 
 " not underltaud the difference between ex- 
 u ternal and internal taxes. They are the fame 
 " in effect, and only differ in name* That this 
 * kingdom has the fovereign, the fupreme 
 legiflative power over America, is granted; 
 " it cannot be denied : and taxation is a 
 " part of that fovereign power: It is one 
 " branch oi' legiflation. It is and it has been 
 u exercifed over thofe who are not, who never 
 " were reprefented. It is exercifed over the 
 " India Company, the merchants of London, 
 *' the proprietors of the {locks, and over the 
 " great manufacturing towns. It was exer- 
 u cifed over the palatinate of Chcfter, and 
 '-* the. biflioprick of Durham, before they fent 
 " any reprefentatives to parliament. I appeal 
 ** for proof to the preambles of the acts which 
 " gave them reprefentatives 3 the one in the 
 " reign of Henry vm, the" other in that of 
 " Charles II." ]\Jr. GrenVille then quoted the 
 acts, and delircd they might be read \ which 
 eing done, he continued: "When I pro- 
 4t poled to tax America, I repeatedly afked the 
 tL noufe, if any objection could be made to 
 \* tile right ; but no one attempted to deny 
 it. Protection and obedience are recipro- 
 cal. Great Britain protects America: Ame- 
 rica is bound to yield obedience. If not, 
 " tell me when the Americans were emanci- 
 " • pated ? When they want the protection of 
 " this kingdom; tliev are alwavs readv to afk 
 "it; that protection lias always been afford* 
 vol. 1. <l M ed
 
 
 *2<26 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 Chap. '•' ed them in the moft full and ample manner. 
 N J5j^ / "The nation has run itfelf into an immenfe 
 1766. " debt to give them protection; and now they 
 " are called upon to contribute a fmall fliare 
 " towards the public expence, — an expence 
 " arifing from themfelves, — they renounce your 
 " authority, infult your officers, and break out, 
 *' I might almoft fay into open rebellion. The 
 " feditious fpirit of the colonies o\\ es its birth 
 " to the factions in this houfe. Gentlemen are 
 " earelefs of the confequences of what they fay, 
 " provided it anfwers the purpofes of oppofi- 
 " tion. We were told we trod on tender 
 " ground ; we were bid to expect difobedience. 
 " What was this, but telling the Americans to 
 " refill the law, — to entourage their ohftinaev 
 
 with the expectation of fupport from hence? 
 
 Let us only perfevere for a mort time, they 
 " would fay, our friends will foon be in power, 
 " Ungrateful people of America ! Bounties 
 " have been extended to them : — when I had 
 " the honour of ferving the crown, while you 
 " yourfelves were loaded with an enormous 
 " debt, you have given bounties on their lum- 
 •' ber, on their iron, their hemp, and many 
 " other articles. You have relaxed, in their 
 *' favour, the act of navigation, that palladium 
 " of Britilh commerce ; and yet I have been 
 '" abated in all the public papers as an enemy 
 " to the trade of America. I have been par- 
 '* ticularly charged with giving orders and in- 
 " ftructions to prevent the Spanifh trade, and 
 "•thereby ftopping the channel by whieh alone 
 " North America ufed to be fupplied with caih 
 " for remittances to this country. I defy any 
 ■' man to produce any fuch orders or initrue- 
 " tioris, 1 difeouraged no trade but what was, 
 / illicit, what was prohibited by act of par- 
 
 " liament.
 
 GEORGE IIL 227 
 
 * liament. I was above giving an anfwer to chap 
 " anonvmous calumnies; but in this place it . Ix 
 " becomes me to wipe off the afpernon.' 1766 
 
 When Mr, GrenviUe ceafed fpeaking feveral Mr. Pitt 
 members rofe, but Mr. Pitt appearing to be wreply. 
 one of the number, the others receded, and the 
 houfe clamoroufiy required that he ibould be 
 heard. In his exordium, Mr. Pitt obferved, 
 lie only meant to have thrown out a few hints 
 on the right of taxation, which was at lead 
 equivocal, but fince Mr. Grcnville had gone 
 into the juftice, the equity, the policy, the ex- 
 pediency of the ftamp act, he would follow him 
 through the whole field, and combat his argu- 
 ments on every point. This declaration pro- 
 duced an objection on the point of order, but 
 that quefHon being decided in Mr. Pitt's fa- 
 vour, he, by defne of the houfe, thus proceeded : 
 " I have been charged with giving birth to 
 <; fedition in America. Sorry I am to hear the 
 u liberty of fpeech in this houfe, imputed as a 
 11 crime. But the imputation mall not dif- 
 " courage me. It is a liberty I mean to exer- 
 " cife. No gentleman oimht to be afraid to 
 " exercife it. It is a liberty bv which the o-en- 
 "tlemanwho calumniates it might have profit- 
 " ed. He ought to have profited : he ought to 
 " have defifted from his projeci. The gentle- 
 ** man tells us America is obftinate ; America 
 •' is almoft in open rebellion. I rejoice that 
 " America has refitted. Three millions of peo- 
 " pie, fo dead to all the feelings of liberty, as 
 " voluntarily to fubmit to be flaves, would 
 " have been fit inftruirients to make Haves of the 
 " reft. I come not here armed at all points 
 " With law cafes and a6ts of parliament, with 
 " the ftatute book doubled down in dogs-ears, 
 " to defend the caufe of liberty. If I had, I 
 
 q q " myfelf
 
 £28 
 
 CHAP. 
 IX. 
 
 I766. 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 ' myfelf would have cited the two cafes of* 
 " Chefter and Durham: I would have cited 
 n them to ihew, that, even under arbitrary 
 u reigns, parliaments were amamed of tax- 
 " ing a people without their confent, and al- 
 " lowed them reprefentatives. Why did the 
 " gentleman confine himfelf to Chefter and 
 "Durham? He might have taken a higher 
 " example in Wales; — Wales, that never was 
 " taxed by parliament, till it was incorpo- 
 " rated." 
 
 Mr. Pitt then deprecated the confideration 
 of thequeftion as a mere point of law, for which 
 he acknowledged his inability, but wilhed it 
 might be difcuned upon a conftifutional princi-. 
 pie, that being a ground on which he fto'od firm, 
 and could boldly meet any man. He diftin- 
 guifhed between the Americans who were not 
 and could not be reprefented in parliament, and 
 the merchants, ftockholders, and manufac- 
 turers who were reprefented, or might be if 
 they would. He recapitulated the names and 
 characters of the chief minifters fmce the Revo- 
 lution ; none of whom, he laid, ever thought or 
 dreamed of robbing the colonies of their eon- 
 ftitutional rights. There were not wanting 
 fome who had endeavoured to perfuadc him? 
 when minifter, to burn his fingers with an Ame- 
 rican ftamp aft, and perhaps under the then 
 eircumflanCes they might have fubmitted, but 
 it would have been taking an unjuft and un- 
 generous advantage. 
 
 " I am no courtier of America; I (land up 
 " for this kingdom. I maintain, that the par- 
 " liament has a right to bind, to reftrain Ame- 
 " rica. Our legislative power over the colo- 
 " nies is fovereign and fupremc. When it 
 ceafes to be fovereign and fupremc, I would 
 
 " advife 
 
 tt
 
 GEORGE III. 229 
 
 '" advife every gentleman to fell his lands, if chap. 
 
 " he can, and embark for that country. When ^J^- 
 
 u two countries are connected together, like 1766. 
 
 " England and her colonies, without being; in- 
 
 " coiporated, the one muft neceiiarily govern; 
 
 " the greater muft rule the lefs ; but lb rule it 
 
 " as not to contradict the fundamental princi- 
 
 u pies that are common to both. There is a 
 
 " plain distinction between taxes levied for the 
 
 " purpofes of railing a revenue, and duties im- 
 
 " poled for the regulation of trade, for the ac- 
 
 K commodation of the fubjeet; although, in 
 
 " the confequences, fome revenue might inci- 
 
 " dentally arife from the latter. The gentler 
 
 " man afks, when were the colonies emanci- 
 
 "pated? I defire to know, when they where 
 
 " made (laves? But I dwell not upon words," 
 
 Mr. Pitt then aflerted that the profits to 
 Great Britain from the trade of the colonies, 
 through all its branches, was two millions a 
 year. " This was the fund whicji carried us 
 triumphantly through the laft war. This is the 
 price America pays for protection. And ihall 
 a miferable financier corrie with a boaft, that 
 he can fetch a pepper-corn into the exchequer, 
 by the lofs of millions to the nation ! I am 
 convinced," he added, " the whole com- 
 mercial fyftem of America may be altered to 
 advantage : you have prohibited where you 
 ought to have encouraged; and you have 
 encouraged where you ought to have pro- 
 hibited. Improper reftraints have been laid 
 on the continent in favour of the if lands. 
 Let the acts of parliament in consequence of 
 treaties remain, but let not an Kngliih mini- 
 iter become a cuttom-houi'e olliccr for Spain, 
 or for any foreign power. Much is wrong, 
 much may be amended for the general good 
 
 Q 3 " of
 
 230 HISTORY OF ENGLAND, 
 
 c h Aip. " of the whole. The gentleman muft not won- 
 • vJJ^L, " der he was not contradicted, when, as mini- 
 1766. lt fier, he alferted the right of parliament to tax 
 " America. I know not how it is, but there 
 61 is a modeftv in this houfe which does not 
 " chufe to contradict a minifter. Even your 
 " chair, Sir, looks too often towards St. James's. 
 <c I wiih gentlemen would think better of this 
 •" modefty. If they do not, perhaps the col- 
 " leciive body may begin to abate of its re- 
 " fpect for the reprefentative. A great deal 
 " has been faid without doors of the power, of 
 " the ftrength of America. It is a topic that 
 " 0112,'ht to be cautioufly meddled with. In a 
 " good caufe, on a found bottom, the force of 
 " this country can criifh America to atoms, 
 " But on this ground, on the ftamp ael, when 
 " fo many here will think it a crying injuftice, 
 " I am one who will lift up my hands againft 
 " it. In fuch a caufe, your fucceis would be 
 " hazardous. America, if the fell, would fall 
 " like the ftronp- man. She would embrace the 
 " pillars of the ftate, and pull down the con- 
 ?' ftitution along with her." Mr. Pitt depre- 
 cated too much fevericy in judging of the con- 
 duct of the Americans ; he laid, " I acknow- 
 u ledge they have not acied ia ail things with 
 " prudence and temper: they have been wrong- 
 " ed : they have been driven to madnefs by 
 " injuftice. Will you puniih them for tlie 
 " madnefs you have occafioned ? Rather let 
 " prudence and temper ccme firil from this 
 " fide, I will und rtake for America, that ilie 
 " will follow the example. There are two lines 
 " in a ballad of Prior, on a man's behaviour 
 4t to his wife, fo applicable to you and youy 
 W colonies that I cannot help repeating them ; 
 
 *' Be to her faults a little blind 5 
 " Be to her virtues very kind,'"' 
 
 S3
 
 GEORGE III. gg j 
 
 In conclufion, lie gave it as liis opinion, that chap, 
 the ftamp act mould be repealed absolutely, ^^ 
 totally, and immediately ; and the reaibn 1766/ 
 aflfignecl, that it was founded on an errone- 
 ous principle. At the fame time, let the fo- 
 vereio-n authority of this country over the 
 colonies he aiTerted in as ftrong terms as can 
 be deviled, and be made to extend to every 
 point of legillation. That we may bind their 
 trade, confine their manufactures, and exercife 
 every power, except that of taking their money 
 without their confent. 
 
 The addrefs was carried without divihon. y 
 In the courie of this debate, it was affirmed 
 that the miniitry encouraged the numerous 
 petitions which were prefented to the houfe for 
 a repeal of the ftamp act. The fame alfertion 
 has been repeated by other writers, z and wears 
 an appearance of truth, as the miniftry were 
 determined to effect; that favourite meafure, 
 although the manner of carrying it into exa- 
 cution was left iutirely undeeided. 
 
 Having; formed this refolutiou, they would 
 have aeled with greater dignity and propriety 
 in diifolving the parliament. The fame houfe 
 
 y This debate is given at an unufual lenrth from its great im- 
 portance. It is to he found in Debretfs Debates, vol. iv. p. a8S, 
 ami in die Life of Lord Chatham, vol, i. p. 497> where the edi- 
 tor Mates that the (peeches were taken by Sir Robert Dean, aflifted 
 by the earl of Charlemont. 1 he whole debate was published in 
 the year 1766, in the form of a pamphlet, imitied, " Political De- 
 bates," and 10 evade the reientmeni of the houfe, the place of im- 
 preflion was laid to be Paris. Mr. Pitt's fpceches do honour to 
 his abilities as an orator, lv.it not to I14S wildom as a politician'; 
 or his prudence as a fenator, Mr. Burke made his firft par- 
 liamentary exertion in this debate, and acquired the applaufe of 
 Mr. Pitt ; but no account of his fpeech is yet given to the pub- 
 lic. 
 
 b Sec lord Nugent's fpeech, Debrett's Debates, vol. iv. p, 2S8. 
 Stedman's Hillofy of die American War, vol. i. p. 45. 
 
 Q -4 Of
 
 £32 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 c h ap. of commons, by annulling all their former acts, 
 J^'^j expofecl themfelves to ridicule, and all thofe 
 J766, who had fupported from principle the meafures 
 of the late miniftry, would be ready to join in 
 a rancorous and inveterate oppohtion. Even 
 fome who voted with the adminiftration, and 
 declared opinions favourable to the repeal of 
 the ftamp act, attributed their conviction folely 
 to the arguments of Mr. Pitt, who accom- 
 panied thofe arguments with a declaration that 
 the minifters did not poflefs his confidence. 
 Hence a ftrong oppofition party was formed, 
 and the minifters were open to attack on all 
 fides. Their efforts for the repeal of the ftamp 
 act, were attributed to motives utterly incon- 
 fiftent with the independence which marked 
 their characters ; it was even afferted that they 
 were bullied into that meafure by Mr. Pitt. * 
 On the whole, although the Rockingham ad- 
 miniftration was compofed of men who, in 
 themfelves and their connexions in both houfes 
 of parliament, united a large portion of ability 
 and character, yet their ftrength was fo doubt- 
 ful, that the nation could not with confi- 
 dence expect their ftability and permanency. 
 They did not poflefs the efteem of the court, 
 were oppofed by a ftrong party in parliament, 
 and the refpeet of the people towards them as 
 individuals was dimjnifhed by the oppofitiori 
 of Mr. Pitt, and the notion which was care- 
 fully inculcated, that by fepar'ately accepting 
 official fituatiens, they diminished the true 
 Whig intereft. 
 
 The utmoft conception, agreeable to the 
 views of thofe who were ftrenuous in fupport- 
 ipg the authority of Great Britain, was a partial. 
 
 3 ^Rrkp's Work's, vol. i. p. 553. 
 
 repeal,
 
 GEORGE III. 233 
 
 repeal, or modification of the ftamp act Thofe chap. 
 who followed the principles laid down by Mr. ^}^ 
 Pitt, demanded a total relinquishment of the >7" 
 meafure, and that the affertion of the fuprcme 
 authority of Great Britain mould be accom- 
 panied with an humiliating declaration. The 
 miniftry purfaed a middle courfe: they re- 
 folvcd to repeal the tax, without fpecitying 
 their reafons, but at the lame time to declare 
 the undoubted right of parliament to make 
 laws binding- the Britiih colonics in all cafes. 6 
 
 To eftablifh the propriety of thefe mea- =iftjan. 
 fares, Witnelfes were examined, and particu- bJfo.elha 
 larlv Franklin. His teftimonv, which de- houfe. 
 ferves great attention, tended to prove the 
 ftamp duty in every reipect impolitic, and in- 
 mrious to the country ; that the Americans 
 would never fubmit to it, however modified, 
 unlefs compelled by force of arms. He was of 
 opinion that the colonifts would be fatislied 
 with the repeal, even though an act ihould be 
 palled declaring the right of parliament to im- 
 foofe taxes at pleafure; but the aiVcmblics 
 Would never be induced, either by kindnefs or 
 cpmpuMon, to refcind their rcfolut ions. 
 
 Ox application for leave to bring in a bill 
 to repeal 'the ftamp act, a motion to fubuitute 
 the words explain and amend was over- ruled. 
 The minority was numerous and reiijecial.de, 
 both for talents and property. ? Repealing and 
 declaratory bills were introduced ; thev were 
 carefully moulded in a committee, which fat 
 fix weeks ; and after palling the houfc of com- 
 mons, though not without iirong debates and 
 divifions, were lent up to the lords. 
 
 b Burke's Works, vol. i. p. 550. 
 
 c For the anieudment 167, ngninft 27 «.
 
 234 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHA-P, In the upper lioufe, lord Camden made a 
 Ix - ftrono- fpeech asjainft the declaratory bill. He 
 Debates in averred, that taxation and reprefentation are 
 onVhTde- m f e P a *able ; this, he laid, was no novelty ; it 
 curatory did not originate in Edward's, or in Henry's 
 aft. reign, but was coeval with the conftitution. 
 
 There is not, he faid, a blade of grafs, grow- 
 ing in the moil obfeure corner of this kingdom, 
 which is not, which was not ever represented 
 iinee the beginning of the conftitution ; there 
 is not a blade of grafs which, when taxed, was 
 not taxed by- the confent of the proprietor. 
 He fpoke with cnthufiaftic, but perhaps exag- 
 gerated admiration of Locke's principle, that 
 the fupreme power cannot take from any man 
 any part of his property without his own con- 
 fent, and refufed his affent to any bill for tax- 
 
 • if- 
 
 ing the American colonies, while they remain- 
 ed unreprefented. 
 On the re. Tiie repealing aft met with a ftill more de-» 
 aft. 1 " 2 termined oppofition. On the fecond reading, 
 jith Mar. a ftrenuous debate took place, and the ma- 
 jority on the divifion was by no means flatter- 
 ing to the miniftry. d A maftcrly proteft was 
 entered on the journals by thirty-three peers. 
 *7th. On the third reading there was a fimilar debate, 
 and a new proteft, of equal force and impor- 
 tance, figned by twenty-eight. 
 Act of in- In addition to thofe two bills, another was 
 demnity. p a (f ec | f or indemnifying thofe who had traiii- 
 ae~ted bufinefs, and giving validity to writings 
 executed without ftamps. Acls were likewife 
 framed for repealing feveral duties fecuring 
 the trade of America, and opening free ports 
 in Jamaica and Dominica. 
 26th Feb. Petitions were preiented from the coim-s 
 Cyder aa i\ eii affected by the exciie on cvder, praying 
 
 repeakd, ,; J ; x ^ ° 
 
 d Contents 105, non-contents 71.- 
 
 for
 
 GEORGE III. S35 
 
 for relief. Accordingly, in a committee of chap. 
 Mays and means, a bill was ordered for repeal- Jfc 
 ing ib mueb of that law as affected private 17^6. 
 pel fobs ; and afterwards paffed. e 
 
 Thjb cjLictUon of general warrants was re- 2a dApriL 
 Aimed under the auipices of the miniftry, and General 
 pecafioned feveral debates and motions. It ^ n ' a " ts 
 
 , .. , - .. . , declared 
 
 was at length rctolvcd, arter various amend- illegal. 
 ments, that " a general warrant for feizing 25th. 
 " and apprehending any perfon or perfons, be- 
 " ing illegal, except in cafes provided for by 
 " the aft of parliament, is, if executed on a 
 f l member of the houfe of commons, a breach 
 " of privilege." A bill to reftrain the iifuing z 9 th. 
 of warrants for feizing papers, except in calls 
 of treafon, or felony without benelit of clergy, 
 under certain regulations, went through the 
 houfe of commons, but was thrown out by the 
 lends. An attempt was made to introduce 
 another bill, for preventing the feizure of per 
 fons by general warrants, but failed of fuc-r 
 eels. The refult of thefe proceedings was, that 
 the houfe of commons agreed with the juclsrcs 
 on the illegality of apprehending any perfon 
 by a general warrant, in cafes of mere con- 
 
 e This repeal appears rather to have been an attempt to gain 
 popularity, than a meafure of found judgment. Lord North, at a 
 fiihfequcnt period (i 3th May, 1774.) 'peaking; of the opf olition to 
 this tax, and the motives for its repeal, ufed the following q:<~ 
 preffions, " Let gentlemen on the other fide of the houfe refleft on 
 <' a tax which was laid upon the mafurelt confideratio.' , upon a con-i 
 " fumption not taxed before, called for by every rule- of equality, 
 '< and fo light, though at the fame time productive, that fcarcely 
 t ( any body could feel it. Every gentleman will fee I mean the 
 " cyder tax. That tax, aga.init which there never were two fyilahlea 
 «« of common ( enfe urged, was repealed upon the cry of liberty be- 
 " ing in danger: the- excifeman will invade our houles, caftles if 
 v- you pleafe j yet a fmall compofirion would have kept out the ex- 
 
 V crfeman, fo that to a gentleman of four thou (and pounds a ye ir, 
 y the payment would have amounted only 10 forty (hilling* a year. 
 * ( Unhappily, however, for this country, the cyder counties gave 
 
 V U-: ftnanciers ? and ti.t tax was repealed,*' 
 
 ftructivc
 
 ^36 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, ftructive delinquency, and therefore declared 
 
 y^J^j that a member of parliament fo illegally ap- 
 
 1766. prehended, had a right to complain of a breach 
 
 of privilege. 
 
 Aft for re- An act for retraining the importation of 
 
 ftraining f orc i<r n fdks, occafioned a joyful and numerous 
 
 tation of proccinon of the Spital-fields weavers, and, as a 
 
 filics. fcarcity of corn was apprehended, meafures 
 
 14-th May. J . . r ri 
 
 were taken to miure a more copious provmon, 
 to prevent exportation, and to enforce the 
 laws againft monopoly, foreftalling, and re- 
 Cratinp". f 
 Other afts Besides thefe parliamentary tranfaclions, the 
 Zii£ mi ~ miniftrv concluded a commercial treaty with 
 ifcuffia; obtained from France a liquidation of 
 thofe bills, which fince the ceffion of Canada 
 were left in an unfettied ftatc ; revifed, and put 
 in a train of fatisfaelory adjufrment, the long 
 deferred Manilla ranfom, and made vigorous 
 remonftranccs to the court of France for the 
 demolition of Dunkirk harbour, which pro- 
 duced fome efreci. s 
 Their fee- But although many of thefe efforts were 
 important, and apparently calculated to gratify 
 the public, the adminiltration Mas not po- 
 pular. They were contidered by fome as offi- 
 cious intruders, who weakened the true Whig 
 interefr, by keeping Mr. Pitt out of place ; h by 
 others as mere engines, employed to annul 
 fome late unpopular meafures, but who dared 
 not purfuc an independent fyftem of conduct, 
 and who, in affecting to counteract lord Bute's 
 plans, did not venture to remove his agents 
 from their pofts. 1 
 
 f Debrett's debates. Journals. The parliament was prorogued 
 the 1 6th June. 
 
 i Burke's Works, vol. i. 254, 385. 
 
 h See Debrett's Debates, vol. iv. p. 358. 
 
 J Obfervations on the Late and Fitfcnt Administrations, 1765. 
 
 It 
 
 bleiieis.
 
 'ns. 
 
 GEORGE HI. 2.: 7 
 
 It was obvious, on the prorogation of par- chap 
 liament, that the miniitry would not long- rc - ^^ 
 tain their ftation. Even before that period 17*6, 
 they appeared to have adopted a fyftem, and a 
 mode of conduct, which was not agreeable to 
 the fovereijm. One caufe of offence was the 
 delay in applying to parliament tor a proviiion 
 for the king's younger brothers. The minifters 
 had given" ftrong hopes of obtaining it, but 
 afterwards, through inattention or embarraff- 
 ment, omitted carrying tlieir promifes into ef- 
 fect till the committee of iupply was clofed, k 
 
 Sensible that adminiftration poifefied t)vkao^ 
 neither extenfive popularity, nor the confi- Grafton 
 tlenee of the crown, the duke of Grafton re- ' 
 iigned the feals of fecretary of liate, which be- 
 ing refufed by lord llardwicke, were delivered 
 to the duke of Richmond \ lord llardwicke, 
 however, accepted a feat in the cabinet council, 
 and thus lent his aid to the adminiftration, al- 
 though he declined a fituation attended with 
 emolument. The duke of G rafton j uftified his 
 refignation by declaring that the miniitry want- 
 ed ftrcngth to guide the helm with fuccefs. 
 tie did "not, he laid, object to the perfons, or 
 the proceedings of thole whom he quitted, but 
 was convinced Mr. Pitt alone could give them 
 ftrcngth and iblidity. Under him he would be 
 willing to ferve in any capacity, not only as a 
 general officer, but as a pioneer, and would 
 take up a fpade or a mattock. Actuated by 
 the fame fentiments, feveral other perfons of 
 great talents and popularity refufed offices ten- 
 dered by the miniftry. Considering thefe cii- 
 cumftances, it ill became the Rockingham ad- 
 miniftration to attribute their lofs of power to 
 
 k From private information. 
 
 a cabal,
 
 4SS HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP, a cabal, a double cabinet, or a elofet junto, 
 IX - , efpeciallv after general Conway's declaration 
 x/46. that he neither knew, law, or felt a fecret in- 
 fluence. ■ 
 intrigue of The immediate catife of the difmiffion of 
 the lord the miniitrv is attributed to an intrigue of the 
 chancellor, j^ c h anC ell or Northin<vton, whohad long con- 
 templated their feeble ftate, and ■meditated their 
 June. overthrow. Soon after the prorogation of parlia- 
 ment, the affairs of Canada occupied the atten- 
 tion of the council. The proclamation ilfucd in 
 i 7(>4 7 by which all the laws of Great Britain were 
 introduced into the new acquifitions, occasion- 
 ed great confufion and difcontent. The na- 
 tives complained that their laws of property 
 ■were overturned, and new ones eilabliihed, to 
 ■ the principles of which they were ftrangers, and 
 even unacquainted with the language in which 
 the decihons of the judges were to be pro- 
 nounced. Lieutenant general Murray, go- 
 vernor of the province, had framed feveral or- 
 donnances in purfuance of the proclamation, 
 but the board of trade, in their report, confidcr- 
 ed them injudicious, .and fome new regulations 
 were evidently necellary. The papers relative 
 to thefe difputes had, according to cuftom, in 
 the courfe of the winter, been tranfmitt ed from 
 the council office to Meflrs. Yorkc and De 
 Grey, the attorney and folicitor general, who 
 from that, and other information which they 
 collecled,; prepared; a report for the conhder- 
 ation of the cabinet. This report contained a 
 plan for the civil government of Quebec ; the 
 principal feature of which was to leave to the 
 natives their ancient rights of property, or 
 
 I S;e Thoughts «>n the Caufeof the Prefenl Difcontents. Burke's 
 Works, vol. i.pajjim, and particularly p. 440. 
 
 civil 

 
 GEORGE lit. 239 
 
 civil laws, and to temper the rigour of their chap. 
 criminal code, by the more equitable and li- ^^ 
 beral fyftem of Englifh jurifprudence. At the »7^6. 
 firft meeting- of the cabinet to coufider of this 
 fubject, which took place at the lord chancel- 
 lor's houfe, he declared an entire difapproba- 
 tion of the report, objected to fome particular 
 regulations, and gave it as his opinion that no 
 proportion mould be fanctioned by the cabi- 
 net, till they had procured a complete code of 
 the laws of Canada ; a fuggeftion which would 
 occafion a delay of a whole year : the lord 
 chancellor alfo complained of fome (light iu- 
 ftances of inattention which he had experi- 
 enced : the meeting was difiblved without 
 forming any definitive refolution, and before 
 a new one could be convened, the lord chan- 
 cellor declared his refolution to attend no 
 more. The reft of the cabinet, confidering the 
 bufinefs of furhcient importance to demand 
 their immediate attention, held two more meet- 
 ings at the duke of Richmond's houfe at White- 
 hall. The attorney general, who had princi- 
 pally framed the report, and the folicitor ge- 
 neral, affifted ; Mr. Yorke gave the cabinet 
 ample information on the principles by which 
 he was guided, and obviated every objection to 
 its final adoption, by proposing that it ihould 
 be fent to Quebec for the infpection of go- 
 vernor Carleton, and the colonial crown law- 
 yers, and iubmitted to their confederation, with 
 Inft ructions to return it corrected according to 
 their judgment, with a complete code of the 
 laws and ordonnanoes of Canada. At the 4 f -Wul) r . 
 laft ofthefe cabinet councils every difficulty 
 appeared ; lord Egmout, who le- 
 
 gended the meafure of confulting the at 
 
 ton,./ and fo ir g tetal, went but of town, 
 
 declaring
 
 240 History of englani>. 
 
 chap., declaiing his willingnefs to confide his jucfgf.*- 
 
 \J^^j merit to their decifion ; and the attorney general 
 1766. himfelf, conceiving his pretence no longer re- 
 
 5^. qniiite, retired into the country. At this 
 
 period the liability of the miniltry was ex- 
 tremely doubtful; but as the private intentions 
 of the chancellor were not fully known, their 
 immediate difmiffion was not expected. 
 
 The day fucceeding the laft cabinet coun- 
 cil, the lord chancellor in an audience inform- 
 ed the king the miniftry could not retain their 
 iituations, that he would not attend any more 
 cabinet meetings, and ihould not think it pro- 
 per, under fuch circuinitances, to hold the great 
 ieal. m 
 
 Overtures The refolution to difnufs the miniftry was 
 
 MrVitt Speedily adopted, and the eyes of the court 
 were naturally turned to Mr. Pitt, whofe popu- 
 larity continued undiuiiniilied, and who had 
 recently acquired a large eftate from the be- 
 
 xzth, queft of Sir William Pynfent. The negoti- 
 ation was opened by offering a carte blanche / 
 and o-pneral Conway, who retained his iitua- 
 lion of fecretary of ftate, affined in making the 
 new arrangement. 
 
 » 5 th. When Mr. Pitt, thus affifted, had formed 
 
 an adminiftration, lord Temple was fent for, 
 and had a conference with the king, and with 
 
 16th. lord Northington. The next day he went to 
 
 Mr - p i ft Mr. Pitt, who faid, as he thought 'lord Temple 
 quarrels _ ' , , , , ,-11 1 • 
 
 withiord indiipentabie, he had requeued the king to 
 
 Temple. f efl( j for him, and to make him frit lord of the 
 treafury, and at the fame time produced a lift 
 of perfons who were to take places under them, 
 and which he added was not to be altered. 
 Lord Temple, hint at this peremptory declara- 
 
 w From private infoimatioru 
 
 tiofl,
 
 GEORGE III. G41 
 
 tion, complained of ungenerous treatment, and chap 
 intimated that he could not accept a fit nation lx j^ 
 of high relponlibility, without, at leaft, an 1766 
 equal fhare of power with Mr. Pitt. Daring 
 the conference, lord Temple exerted every ef- 
 fort to effect, an accommodation : he conceded 
 that his brother, Mr. Grenville, ihould iupport 
 the miniftry without either place or influence: 
 he nominated earl Gower and lord Lyttleton 
 to official fituations, but they were peremptori- 
 ly rejected. Lord Temple laid, this conduct 
 ihewed Mr. Pitt's determination to be fole and 
 abfolute dictator, to which he would not iub- 
 mit, and clofed the conference with fome fe- 
 vcre obfervations on Mr. Pitt's want of geue- 
 rofity and kindnefs." 
 
 Thus was diflblved, in anger, that con- 
 nexion between the two brothers which had 
 uibfiited lb many years ; which was fortified by 
 a participation of official honours and public 
 acclamations ; which was confidered too firm 
 for chance, and rather to be ftrengthened than 
 enfeebled by time. 
 
 Div e s t ed of fo refpectable a coadj u to r, 
 Mr. Pitt proceeded in the formation of a niini- 
 ftry, though aware of being cmbarrailcd by 
 difficulties hitherto unforcfeen. But the ffr'eateft 
 
 11 Lloyd's Inquiry into tlie conduct of a late right honourable com- 
 moner, from which the account of this tranfaclion is copied into the 
 life of lord Chatham. 
 
 o Their cordial intimacy was mentioned in n tjublicat : on at the 
 beginning of the year, in theft terms: " As to lord T. and Mr. P. 
 " they have ever fir.ee their d if million lived in fuch a (fate of the 
 * : warmelt fiicndfhip tor, and entire confidence in, each, Other, as 
 *• does honour to the gieatnefs of their minds, and that true love of 
 " their country which i:. the only ruling principle of both their ac- 
 " tions. And for the coYpfrrt and fatis fail ion of the public, I will 
 " add, tha"- the cordiality which fubfifts between them is (incere and 
 " unalterable, notwithltinding the many liniiter and infamous at- 
 " tempts to divide them, contrived by the favourite and the prefi ." 
 " minilters." 
 
 vol. i. it difficulty
 
 242 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, difficulty arofe from his own ardent and de- 
 Ix - cifive temper, aggravated probably by fuf- 
 1766. ferino's arifing from ill health. The confeiouf- 
 nefs of his extenfive abilities and uncommon 
 talents, which had fecurcd to him, for fo long a 
 period, an unlimited afcendancy in the coun- 
 cils of the nation, rendered him bold in his un- 
 dertakings, and confident in his powers ; but 
 he was at the fame time lofty, inflexible, and 
 ungracious. A kindnefs offered by him was 
 fcarcelv lefs mortifying than a refufal from 
 perfons endowed with greater fuavity of de- 
 meanor. The ill effects of this failing had 
 been counteracted by the move affable man- 
 ners of lord Temple ; but Mr. Pitt now found 
 itfubjeclecl him to many mortifications: in fe- 
 leeling a cabinet, he had no refource in his own 
 mind,^ and no mode of conciliating the efteem, 
 orfatisfying the expectations of his coadjutors, 
 but by the diftribution of penfions. 
 
 Mr. Pitt's The arrangements were at length made; 
 
 miniftry. t ] ie duke f Grafton, not deftined to carry a 
 mattock, but to appear as a general officer, 
 was placed at the head of the treafury. Charles 
 Townfhcnd was conftitutrd chancellor of the 
 exchequer, and entruffed with the manage- 
 ment of the houfe of commons. Lord Shel- 
 burne was appointed feeretary of fiate for the 
 fouthern department. Lord Camden, Mr. 
 Pitt's chofen friend, andconftant adherent, was 
 raifed to the high office of lord 1 iiancellor. 
 The earl of Korthington thus deprived of the 
 great feal, fucceeded the earl of Winchelfea as 
 prefidcnt of the council. The marquis of 
 Granby was placed at the head of the army. 
 3,eth. Mr. Pitt, though in fact the leader of the ad- 
 
 "'ie r made miniitration, took only the office of lord privy 
 
 fcal:
 
 GEORGE III. 243 
 
 feat : he was created a peer by the title of carl 
 of Chatham. p 
 
 On the conclufion of thefe arrangements the Rocking! 
 Itockino-ham aclminiftration were clifmiifed ; ham a< Jmi- 
 they retired from their offices at the exprefs dinSfiSL. 
 command, as they had accepted them at 
 the earned requeft, of their royal mafter.* 
 Their difmiffal was no lefs ungracious than 
 fudden, as they were deprived of their offices 
 without being accufed of any fault or error in 
 conduct. They had the mortification of fee- 
 ing many of their fubalterns, and thofe whom 
 they had brought into office, follow the ftand- 
 ard of their rivals; the example being fet by 
 general Conway. 
 
 The marquis of Rockingham's retreat pro- Compii- 
 duced fome exhibitions of regret, and a few ments P ai<1 
 attempts to render his exit illuftrious ; but Jj, ^ e ™ ar * 
 they were merely perfonal and local, being Rocking- 
 c on fined to thofe c lanes of fociety who were ham * 
 principally benefitted by his administration, and 
 to thofe diftricts where his influence particular- 
 ly prevailed. 
 
 Lord Chatham was affailed with all the Effort* to 
 virulence of party malice. He who was lately render 
 accufed of bullying Rockingham, was now de- Jrawjfwl 
 
 polar* 
 
 ? Lord Northington, as a compenfation for the difference between 
 the prcfidency of the council and the more honourable and lucra- 
 tive poll of chancellor, received a penfion of aoool. in addition to 
 ths falary annexed to his new fituation ; a penfion of 4.000 1. for 
 life from the period of his dilmiffion from the prelidencv, and a re- 
 verlionary gift of the office of clerk of the hanaper in Chancery for 
 two lives, after the death of the duke of Chandos. Lord Camden, 
 as an indemnity for the lofs he might fufiain by facTificing an efta- 
 blifhment for life as chief juftice of the Common Pleas to one of 
 more precarious tenure, obtained a revei fion of the firft tellerfhip of 
 the exchequer which mould become vncant, for bis fon, and a grant 
 or 1500I. a year on the lrifn eltablifnment, to commence from the 
 period when his fon became teller of the exchequer. Mr. dc Grey 
 xt-jTitnade attorney -general ; and Mr. Willes f«licitor»general. 
 
 1 Burke's Wjrks* vol. i. p. 255. 
 
 R 2 cried
 
 ( 244 HISTORY OF "ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, cried for crouching- to Bute ; he who had re- 
 , I?£ . fiq-ned an official (Ituation, becaufe he would 
 1766. not be refponfible for meal ures which lie could 
 not guide, was now fuppofed the willing agent 
 of men whom he did not approve. Though he 
 had recently declared in parliament, that he 
 could not fubmit to be itoimfter, where he felt 
 an over-ruling influence, and that his objec- 
 tion to lord Bute was perfonal, and not na- 
 tional ; he was now decried as the dupe of lord 
 Bute, and con tern ptuoufly reproached with 
 being caught in a Scotch trap. The city of 
 London, where he had fo lately been idolized, 
 repeatedly declined prefentin^ an addrefs on 
 his appointment. 1 Every engine of calumny 
 was emplo} T ccI to render his conduct odious : 
 his peerage was a uever-f ailing iburce of in- 
 vective ; his quarrel with lord Temple was un- 
 fuaringiy difcuiled, and a pamphlet of con- 
 siderable iize was formed by the republication 
 of paragraphs which appeared againft him in 
 thenewfpapers on this tingle occafion. 
 
 r Lloyd's Inquiry into the ConJuft of a Late Right Honourable 
 . .ntnoHer.
 
 GEORO £ III. £45 
 
 CHAPTER THE TENTH. 
 
 Retrofpeciive viezv of the affairs of India.-— 
 Origin of territorial acquijition by the Eii' 
 ropedns. — Hojlilities between the French 
 and En'glijh.- — Arrangements at the peace. 
 ■ — Difpuics of the native princes. — Deft ruc- 
 tion of Delhi. — Independence of the nabobs 
 eftablijhcd. — Affairs of the Carnatic — and 
 of Bengal. — Intrigues of J after Ally. 
 — Seige of Patna by the Shah Zaddah. — 
 Treachery of the young nabob, Jafjiefs fori. 
 — His mifconduft,and fudden death. — Poji- 
 tibii of Mir Ja/jier's affairs. — The Shall 
 Zaddah declared Great MoguL— Interview 
 of the Britijh council icith CoJJim Al/i/, 
 jaffiers /bn-in-lazc, at Calcutta. — Expedi- 
 tion to floorjhedabad. — Revolution in Ben- 
 gal. — Jaflcr depofed. — Cojjirii proclaimed 
 Nabob. 
 
 T 
 
 m; events of the laft war, the convulfcd CHAP, 
 iiate of India, and fome recent tranfac- ^^ 
 tions, produced a material change in the nature Reuojpe^ 
 and objecls of the Eaft India Company : a JJ fbe'af- 
 commercial fociety was railed into a territorial fairs of 
 penyer, and inftead of depending on the native lnJn * 
 princes for protection, or perinifiion to exerciie 
 commerce, became regulators of their polities, 
 and arbiters of their deitiny. 
 
 Seen a change, which gave unbounded 
 wealth to numerous individuals, and to large 
 a ihare of importance to a chartered commer- 
 cial aifociation, could not fail of exciting the 
 attention of the public ; and the affairs of the 
 Eaft India Company, from the early period of 
 the prefent reign, formed a leading fubject in 
 
 R 3 the
 
 246 HISTORY OF ENGLAND, 
 
 the contemplations of ftatcfmen, and in the 
 fpeculations of politicians. 
 Origin of The aequintion of territorial power in In- 
 territoriai ^ia, ^y {} ie European traders, was of recent 
 1 qui ' 10n ' date, and originated with the French. Du- 
 pleix, the governor of their forces in India, 
 about the year 1748, was anxious to fecure to 
 his country the commercial and political ad- 
 vantages arifmgfrom the potTeflion of a landed 
 fettlement. He commanded a larger number 
 of troops than was ufually employed by the 
 Europeans in India ; and having afcertained 
 the difpofitions and interefts of the native 
 fovereigns, commenced the execution of his 
 magnificent project. The fubahiliip of the 
 Deccan, and the nabobfhip of the Carnatic, 
 both becoming vacant, he eagerly embraced 
 the favourable opportunity of railing two 
 princes to thofe foliations, from whofe grati- 
 tude, dependency, or feebleneis, he formed the 
 greateft expectations. By the exertions of 
 Dupleix, Salabat Jing was made afubahdar of 
 the Decan, and Chunda Saib nabob of the 
 Carnatic. 
 Diftrac Since the death of the great emperor Au- 
 
 tionsofthe rengzebe, l the mogul empire had been torn by 
 mogu em- f j oirie .ftj c diftraciions, and defolated by fero-* 
 •cious invafions ; and thecircumiiances in which 
 it was placed at this period, were peculiarly 
 favourable to the defigns of Dupleix. The 
 people of Delhi were not recovered from the 
 dreadful devailations of Nadir Shah, the Per- 
 fian, b when new irruptions fucceeded, and the 
 authority of the defcendants of Timur was re- 
 duced to the lcweft ebb, by the afifiimed inde- 
 pendence of the governors of provinces,, who 
 
 a In 1707. b In 17.38. 
 
 refufed
 
 GEO RG E III. £47 
 
 refuted to yield tribute, or own fubjecHon, to chap. 
 the monarch from whom their power was ori- ^J^ 
 ginally derived. Thefe claims of indepen- 
 dence began in the reign of Mahomed Shah. c 
 The weaknefs of his fucceffor Alimed Shall, 
 combined with the embarrafiments to which he 
 was fubjecicd from the formidable attacks of 
 Achmet Abdalla, a fortunate and valiant rebel, 
 afforded the different fubahdars and nabobs 
 the means of confblidating their power, and 
 rendering themfelves fuperior to control. d 
 
 In the early years of Ahmed's reign, Dupieix 
 firft exerted himfelf in obtaining territorial pof- 
 feiuons in Hindoiian, and for that purpofe dif- 
 pofed of two governments to princes whom he 
 employed as mere engines to forward the 
 fehemes which flattered his ardent imagina- 
 tion. 
 
 His views were fullv anfwercd bvthe cefhon Ambition 
 of Pondicherry, j\Iaiulipatam, and various p^ l e h 
 provinces and illands, which made the French 
 Eaft India Company mafters of the coaft for 
 the fpace of fix hundred miles, and put them 
 in polfelfion of a tract of country more ex- 
 tcniive than all the dominions which their king 
 poileiled in Europe. Thefe important acqui- 
 iitions incrcaiing the ambition and cupidity of 
 the Trench, they meditated a monopoly of all 
 the Indian commerce, and formed projects for 
 the expuliion of the other European co- 
 lonifts. c 
 
 But the aequihiion of fuch great advantages 
 by a power fo reftlefs and intriguing as France, 
 could not be regarded with indiiference by the 
 
 c He died in 1747. 
 
 <3 Dow's Hiftory of Hindoft.in, vol. ii. Appendix. 
 e RaynaPs Hiltoiy of the Eaft and Weft Indies, vol. ii. b. 4. 
 Lord Give'* LeUei to the Piopri'-tors of India Stock, 1764, p. 4. 
 
 R 4 other
 
 <248 HISTORY OF ENGLAND, 
 
 chap, other European nations, who were equally in- 
 ^^ tereited in maintaining a certain ihare of in- 
 fluence in India, and who faw with regret and 
 terror the progrefs of a fcheme which tended to 
 make the whole mogul empire a dependency 
 of France. 
 Hoftiiities Hostilities were foon commenced be- 
 between tween the French and Britifh forces; but the 
 
 them and ■ L • i • . i i -,- ■, 
 
 the Eng- two countries being tften at peace they did not 
 lity. engage as principals, but merely as auxiliaries 
 
 to the different potentates of India/ whofe 
 quarrels they affected to efpoufe for the fake of 
 concealing their own views; In oppofition to 
 Chun da Saib, whom Dupleix had nominated 
 nabob of the Carnatic, Saunders, the Englifh 
 governor, fet up Mahomed Ally, and in the 
 names of thofe two native princes, the Euro- 
 pean rivals fought to diftrefs and fubdue each 
 other. 5 
 Anange- This war was carried on with uncommon 
 inentat- yjo-our, and with various fucccfs, for fix years : 
 wnen efforts were made, by the cabinets of 
 London and Verfailles, to terminate hoftiiities, 
 which it was ftippofed could not be much 
 longer confined to the continent of Ana. The 
 bafis of the propofed accommodation was a 
 project for eftablimmg a perfect equality of ter- 
 ritory, of itrength, and of trade, on the coafts 
 of Coromandel and Orixa. The terms were 
 arranged between general Saunders, and M. 
 Godeheu, but had not yet received a final 
 fanclion in England and France, when war 
 was declared between thofe countries, in con- 
 fequence of difputes relative to America.* 1 
 
 * Hiftory and management of the Eaft India Company, p. i ir>. 
 
 s In 1750. See Lord Clive's Letter to the proprietors of India 
 Stock, p. 5. 
 
 * Raynai's Hiftory of the Eaft and Weft Indies, vol. ii. b. 4. 
 
 DUPLEIX
 
 GEORGE III. 249 
 
 Dupleix was now removed, and replaced chap. 
 bv the unfortunate Lallv ; the flames of Avar x - 
 ap-ain rao-ed in India, and the Engliih, after Events of 
 fuftaining many reveries, finally fucceeded in tnewar * 
 reducing every place poU'elled by the enemy, 
 whofe power, after the capture and deftrucTion 
 of Pondicherrv, feemed to be irretrievably 
 loft. 
 
 Such was the fituation of Great Britain and Arrange- 
 Franee, with refpeel; to their Indian territories, SJJLkL 
 when the treaty for peace was commenced 
 in 1762. The importance of the acquiii- 
 tions made bv the En glim Eail India Com- 
 pany were fully appreciated by the ruin liter, 
 and he was properly tenacious of their interefts. 
 At an early period of the negotiation, he ap- 
 plied to the court of directors for inftructions 
 in fettling the affairs of India.' Before the 
 court gave the required determination, the 
 duke of Bedford figncd the preliminaries; and 
 an article contained in them relative to the 
 Carnatic, appearing to lord Bute fubvciiive of 
 the benefits to be expected from the fuceeifes 
 of the Britim arms; he immediately informed 
 the duke itwas inadmiiiible. "Worn out," he 
 laid, " as we are, and loaded with debt, we 
 " muft however continue the war, if that arti- 
 " c.le is not altered." This refolute rem 011- 
 ftrance had the defired eileet ; the treaty Was 
 reviled, and rendered agreeable to the Eaft In- 
 dia Company.* 
 
 Yet lord Clive animadverted on this part of Ofeferwr. 
 thc treaty with iome d ^approbation. tie ad- f 10 1 
 
 . - . . . . l l r . lord Clive. 
 
 mils that it is calculated to lecure to the com- 
 pany the benefits they had a right to expert 
 from their general's iuocefs, and that upon the 
 
 « Smollett's complete Hiftory of England* vol. xvi. p. 209. 
 * From private information. 
 
 whole
 
 £50 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 Pifputes of 
 the native 
 princes. 
 
 Influence 
 of theEng- 
 liih. 
 
 Subverfion 
 of the mo- 
 gul power. 
 
 whole it is highly advantageous ; but he ex- 
 pofes fome geographical and topographical 
 errors, and condemns the manner in which 
 Salabat Jing and Mahomed Ally are ac- 
 knowledged, as pregnant with future hofti- 
 lities. 1 
 
 The enfeebled ftate of the French did not 
 authorize the company to dread a fpeedy ac- 
 compli/hment of his lordfiiip's prediction ; but 
 the detractions and crimes which pervaded all 
 parts of India, engendered fuch extraordinary 
 and fuclden revolutions, that the Britifli fub- 
 jects could not, confidently m ith their own 
 fafety and well-being, debit from taking part in 
 thofe quarrels, which in their origin and con- 
 duel threatened the Britiih power with utter 
 ruin. Being once engaged, their activity, va- 
 lour, and importance gave them great influence, 
 and intitled them to high consideration ; their 
 aid was courted by all parties, and the over- 
 throw of the French power leaving them with- 
 out an adequate counterpoife, they became ir- 
 refiftible in feveral provinces of India. To 
 explain this afcendancy a brief rctrofpect will 
 be neceifary. 
 
 The fupreme authority of the mogul throne 
 was completely deftroyed. Allumguire, the 
 fuccelfor of Ahmed Shah, owed his acceffion to 
 the treachery of his vizier Ghazi ul Dien, and 
 he foon found that in receiving fo high a pro- 
 motion from the hand of a traitor, he made 
 liimfclf a tool to promote views of ambition in 
 which his own intcrcft was not confulted. The 
 infolence, cruelty, and rapacity of Ghazi were 
 exceillve, and his authority fo formidable, that 
 Allumguire was compelled to confpire fecretly 
 
 1 Lord Give's Letter, &c. p. 9. 
 
 agamfi
 
 GEORGE III. G51 
 
 againft him. m This meafure was not attended chap. 
 with fuccefs ; and Allumguire, together with x - 
 his fon Ally Gohar, were for ibme time de- 
 tamed priftxners. Ally Gohar, alfo known by 
 the title of the Shah Zaddah," at length 
 efcaped, and fignalized himfelf by ibme ex- 
 plots in Bengal, which will be related here- 
 after. His father was, in 1760, bafely and 
 cruelly allaffinated the by vizier Ghazi, who 
 placed on the throne a prince of the blood, 
 named Shah Jehan. 
 
 Tins treachery occafioned the ruin of the Deftmc- 
 city of Delhi. Achmet Abdalla taking ad- *° n ° £ 
 vantage of the feeble ftate of the empire, was 
 joined by Nidgib ul Dowlah, an officer of the 
 late mogul, who was highly incenfed at Ghazi's 
 treachery ; they invaded Delhi, plundered the 
 inhabitants, and after a maiuicre which laftcd 
 feven days without intermiflion, let the city on 
 fire infcveral places. The mii'ery of the Del- 
 hums was completed by an irruption of the 
 Mahrattas, who found, even in the leavings of 
 the barbarous Abdalla, Ibme fpoils which ex- 
 cited rapacity. They not only plundered thefe 
 unfortunate wretches of their remaining pro- 
 perty, but, after ftripping them naked, whipped 
 them through the itrcets, and left them vic- 
 tims to all the miferies of famine and defla- 
 tion, which produced fuch fcenes as cannot 
 be contemplated without horror and difgilft. 
 Thus the imperial city of Delhi, which in the 
 davs of its glory was laid to contain two mil- 
 lions of people, became aimofl a heap of rub- 
 
 01 In X757. 
 
 P Shah ZaiMnh fignifics ihe king's foT, and Ally Gohar was dif- 
 rlnguifticd by that title dining his father's life. See Dow's Hiitory of 
 Hindoitln, vol. ii. p._76. Af.pciidix. 
 
 c In 1761. 
 
 biih,
 
 252 
 
 CHAP. 
 X. 
 
 The inde- 
 pendence 
 of the na- 
 bobs ella- 
 fcliihed. 
 
 AffVirs of 
 the Carna- 
 ik. 
 
 Of Bengal. 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 biSh, and thus the Iaft remains of the mogul 
 power were extinguished. 1 * 
 
 After the depremon of the fupreme autho- 
 rity in Hindoitan, the claims, of the country 
 potentates, and even of the European fcttlers, 
 became more generally acknowledged, and 
 their afcendancy more firmly eftablifhed. The 
 anxiety and jealoufies attendant on a recent 
 acquiiition of Sovereignty, and the want of 
 liability which accompanies a contefted claim, 
 laid the foundations of future animohties, as 
 ■well between the native princes and pretenders, 
 as between them and the Ensrlim company. 
 
 Mahomed Ally, nabob of the Carnatic, 
 grateful for the fupport he conftantly received 
 from the English, was at all times already and 
 affectionate adherent to their interefrs. Dur- 
 ing the war, his liberality was difplayed in 
 the molt confpicuous manner, by ample dona- 
 tions and military aid, exceeding the fcope of 
 reafonable expectation, and were often ren- 
 dered additionally welcome and honourable by 
 being intirely unfoiicitcd. The friendship of 
 this prince was ever productive of the higheft 
 benefits to the company. q 
 
 In Bengal a more turbulent difpofition was 
 difplayed ; there the Britain power was not only 
 endangered, but brought to the very brink of 
 ruin. For fome time after the deposition and death 
 of Surajah Dowlali/ his fucccifor Mir Jafticr 
 Ally continued to exhibit the molt Friendly 
 Sentiments towards the English, to whom he 
 was confeions that he chiefly owed his cleva,- 
 tien ; but at length the derangement of his 
 
 P Dow", Hirtwy of Hindoftan, vol. ii. Appendix. 
 1 Hiftory rmd management of the Ealt Indi?. Company, p. !■$%.- 
 State of fafis relative to Tanjore, p. 19. 
 
 Ste Smollett's Iliilorv, vol. iv. p. 120. 
 
 finances.
 
 GEORGE III. 253 
 
 finances, and the intrigues of his fervants, act- chap, 
 ing upon a jealous and tyrannical difpolitiou, ^JH"*, 
 produced a feries of complicated altercations 
 on both fides, which terminated in an in- 
 veterate aver lion. 3 
 
 Mir Jaffier was feeble, treacherous, and intrigues 
 cruel; and his neccfiities compelled him to ¥,£?* 
 have recourfe to fuch oppreffive meaftires as 
 alienated the hearts of his fubjects. His fon 
 Miran, a weak and voluptuous youth, was 
 conftantly forming projects for making off all 
 connection with the Engliih; he reprefented to 
 h is father, that until he relieved himielf from 
 fuch dependence, his government was merely 
 nominal. 
 
 These remonftrances had the intended 
 effect and the En&lifh were in danger of being: 
 the victims of feme grand effort of force or 
 treachery, when the Shah Zaddah invaded ^759- 
 Bengal, and laid fiege to Patna. Mir J aider's 
 cruelty and injultice, together with Other mo- 
 tives of felfifhnefs and intereit, which have 
 confiderable influence among the Afiatic po- 
 tentates, induced many of his fubjects and de- 
 pendents to join the Shah Zaddah, who would 
 probably have fimhounted all refinance, had 
 not colonel Clive, by a mal'terly and rapid 
 march, arrived unexpectedly before Patna, 
 and compelled the prince to raife the liege with 
 precipitation. 
 
 Despairing of fuccefs while the Engliih Ori.rsof 
 were numbered among his foes, the Shah Zad- z^ddi' 
 tlah. more than once, wrote to Clive, offering 
 any terms for the company, and for himfelf, if 
 be would quit Mir Jarher, and join him. The Jan. 1750, 
 colonel, urged by every motive of policv and chve,e - 
 
 o j j 1 turns to 
 
 _ . _. . ,. England. 
 
 « Transactions in India, p. 37. 
 
 honour,
 
 25-1 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 honour, refufed thei'e offers, and at length re- 
 turned to Europe, where he was rewarded with 
 a peerage of Ireland. 
 
 The command of the army now devolved 
 on colonel Caiilaud, and the prefidency of the 
 council on Mr. Holwell till a new prefident 
 siege of ihould arrive. The Shah Zaddah, at the head of 
 l'ataa. thirty thoufand men, renewed his attempt on 
 Patna. The hatred in which Mir Jaffier was 
 held, combined with the abfence of the Eng- 
 liih forces, g-ave the Shah Zaddah reafonable 
 profpecls of fuccefs ; but the rajah Ramnarain, 
 who refolutely defended his port at Patna, 
 marched out, at the head of forty thoufand men, 
 to keep the prince in check. Colonel Caiilaud 
 and Mir Jaffier had forwarded exprefs inftruc- 
 tions to avoid an engagement till the European 
 troops with the colonel, and the intended rein- 
 forcements under the nabob's fon, could ad- 
 vance to his aid. But Ramnarain eager to dif- 
 tinguim himfelf, and relying on his iuperiority 
 of numbers, refolved to hazard a battle, which 
 he hoped would fignaiize his valour, and di- 
 mmiih the importance of the Engiiih auxili- 
 aries. Independently of the inftructions he 
 had received, common prudence fuggefted the 
 impropriety of this meaiure ; for the rajah was 
 acquainted with the treacherous difpofition of 
 many of his alfociates, and knew that from their 
 hatred of Mir Jaffier nothing could be more 
 probable than their inactivity at leaft, if not 
 their defertion. 
 
 The event was conformable to thefe ex- 
 pectations ; Hamnarain fought with great va- 
 lour, and was feverely wounded in the com- 
 bat; but was defeated. His ill fuccefs was, 
 in a great degree, attributed to three of tlie 
 principal rajahs who commanded under him, 
 6 and
 
 GEORGE III. 9.55 
 
 and by fignal a els of perfidy turned the fortune chap. 
 of the day. Ramnarain, too deiirous ofdiftin- ^J^, 
 guifhing hihifelf, polled the few Engliih troops 1760- 
 who formed a part of his army at a great dif- 
 tance from his perfon. One of the treacherous 
 rajahs attacked thefc troops, and thus diverted 
 their attention from the enemy: another of 
 the rajahs fell on Ramnarain's rear ; and a third 
 quitted the field in the heat of the action. 
 Ramnarain continued the engagement to the 
 lafl extremity ; but as the greater part of his 
 army was fled, and lie in danger of being 
 made prifoncr, he called in the alii fiance of the 
 Engliih, who fent fome feapoys to his relief, 
 and brought him in lafety off the field. The 
 Engliih made an orderly retreat and fuch was 
 the terror excited by their prowefs, that they 
 were fuffered to march off without interrup- 
 tion. 
 
 The prince, encouraged by fuccefs, again 
 laid iicge to Patna ; but Ramnarain, whole 
 wounds did not hinder him from adopting re- 
 quilite meafures for the protection of the city, 
 was now anxious to repair by prudence the 
 effects of his late mifconduct. To the ordinary 
 means of defence he added a linall ihare ot^ 
 (rentoo duplicity ; and by giving the bciiegers 
 hopes of a furrendcr, and fome oilier finches. 
 contrived to amufe him till colonel Caillaud 
 and the young nabob were arrived within a raort 
 diliance of Patna. 
 
 The Shah Zaddah, fenfible of his error in Treachery 
 fufferimr this delav, marched asrainftthe vouno- oi the 
 
 o *£--■. ^ *•' v young na- 
 
 nabob, and offered him battle. Miran. who bob. 
 on many occafions fhewed a fixed refolutior. to 
 impede the meafures propofed by the council, 
 delayed the engagement for two days. It ter- "J Feb. 
 minated advantao-eouilv to the nabob, al- 
 
 though
 
 256 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, though in the onfet, and throughout the whole 
 
 -J^, of the day, he difplayed fo little ■ fkill, and a 
 
 1760. difpofition fo intractable, that the valour and 
 
 conduct of the Englifh alone preferved him 
 
 from fallme a facririee to his own temerity and 
 
 want of j udgment. 
 
 At the concluiion of the battle, Miran, who 
 
 was (lightly wounded, obliinately rejected Caii 
 
 laud's proportion to detach a force in purfuit 
 
 of the defeated enemy ; but retired to Patna, 
 
 where he continued immerfed in fenfualitv, 
 
 and deaf to advice/ His more prudent ad- 
 
 verfary collected his fcattcred forces at Bahar. 
 
 and carried his arms into the heart of BengaL 
 
 Miran, after a week of indolent voluptuouf- 
 
 43th Feb. nefs, commenced his march, and was fnrprized 
 
 with the information that his adverfary had 
 
 preceded him by two days. 
 
 The shah The Shah Zaddah directing his courfe by 
 
 Zaddah an im frequented pafs, experienced many de- 
 
 Moonhe- lays. The Engliih troops, and thofe of the 
 
 dibad. nabob, clofely followed him, and fentj by a 
 
 more eafy route, ex p relies to Mir Jamer at 
 
 Mooriheclabad, who was no (boner apprized of 
 
 his danger than he collected an army for the 
 
 defence of his capital, and being joined by two 
 
 hundred Europeans from Calcutta, took the 
 
 Held. 
 
 In the latter end of March, the Shah Zaddah 
 advanced within thirty miles of Moorihecla- 
 bad ; but here his good fortune terminated. 
 The courage, promptitude, and wifdom, which 
 dictated his inroad, feemed fuddenlv to defer t 
 him, and he wanted vigour to take the ad- 
 vantage of this favourable pofition. Mir Jaf- 
 
 X Sue colonel Cailland'e evidence before the committee of the 
 houfe of commons. Reports of committees to the houfe cf com- 
 mons, vol. iii. p. 158. 
 
 fier.
 
 GEORGE III. 257 
 
 dew unaided by his fon, and the great body chap. 
 of Engliih troops, marched out of Moorfheda- ^J^L, 
 bad, and had lie been fudcefsfully attacked be- 1760. 
 fore the expected junction, the capital of Ben- 
 gal was loft. But the Shah Zaddah wafted his 
 time in unavailing confutations, till Mir- Jaf- 4-th April, 
 her and his fon formed a junction of their 
 forces near Burdwan. 
 
 Dispositions were immediately made for 6th April, 
 attacking the prince, and Caillaud again ex- Returns^ 
 perienced the mortification of feeing his advice patna ' 
 difregarded by the nabob and his fon. He pro- 
 pofed, if they would give him a body of ca- 
 valry, and fome fpare horfes to auift in carry- 
 ing the Europeans, who were cxhauited with 
 fatigue, to attack the prince in his camp that 
 night. This and other preffing felicitations 
 being uniformly rejected, afforded the prince 
 time to concert new meafures : finding him- 
 felf completely disappointed in his hopes of 
 gaining the capital, he fuddenly decamped. 
 Judging from this rapid and unexpected move- 
 ment that he meditated a new attack on Patna, 
 colonel Caillaud difpatched captain Knox, at 
 the head of a force which was deemed furh- 
 cient, to the relief of the city. Captain Knox 
 diiplaycd the greateft vigour and alacrity in 
 his inarch, which he completed in thirteen 
 days, although the diftanee was three hundred 
 miles, and he was under the neceffity of dull- 
 ing the Ganges twice. Yet the Sliah Zaddah, 
 having advanced three days before him, reach- 
 ed the place of his deftination, made two ge- 
 neral anaults, and meditated a third, when 
 Knox appeared. The ganifon was but feeble, 
 and great expectations were formed from this 
 lait aflault ; but the opportune arrival of the 
 Britilh troops inlpircd the belieged with fo 
 
 vol. 1. s great
 
 £5S HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 Chap, great a degree of confidence, and ftruck fuciT 
 x - terror into the befiegers, that the aifault was 
 17 jc. eaiil) r repelled ; and thus, for a third time, Patna 
 His defeat. ,was feved hi the moft critical emergency. The 
 next day captain Knox, at the head of his whole 
 detachment, attacked the prince, drove him 
 from his works, and compelled him to retreat, 
 in extreme want, to the banks of the river 
 Soane, fifty miles weft of Patna. 
 War with No foouer had the valour and prudence of 
 the rajah t | ie com p an y v s fervants refcued this province 
 jieah. from this formidable and perfevering enemy, 
 than another difcovered hi in f elf in the perfon 
 of Cuddeim Houifein, rajah of Purneah, who 
 having retained for three years the reve- 
 nues of his- province from Mir Jaffier, aifem- 
 bled a large army, intending to join the Shah 
 *5*h May. Zaddah j, but the young nabob and colonel 
 Caillaud utterly defeated, and put him to- 
 flight. 
 Negligence Ix this action, Mipan behaved with his ac- 
 of iMi;an. cu f t011ie( ] negligence and obftinacy. He halt- 
 ed near a mile in the rear of the Britifh forces, 
 left them uniupported to fuftain an unequal 
 conflict, anal after the fight refufed to rifque his 
 troops in a purfuit; by which means Cuddeim 
 efcaped with all his treaferes. When his troops 
 were refrefhed, and he had perfuaded Miran to 
 afiilt, colonel Caillaud commenced the purfuit; 
 they followed the route of the enemy five days, 
 with favourable profpecis of ultimate fuccefs, 
 ad July, when the ludden death of the young nabob, 
 Hisfuddcn who was ftruck by a flafli of lightning, ter- 
 death * minated the expedition. The fire pierced 
 through the top of his tent, and as he 
 flept, killed him, and one or two attendants. 
 Colonel Caillaud, apprized of- this event, . 
 3 fecured
 
 GEORG E IK. %5Q 
 
 fecurcd the adherence of the army, who would char 
 otherwife, according to their ufual cuftomon x - 
 the death of a chief, have plundered the camp ij$£l 
 and difperfed. Fearful of probable difafters, he 
 haftily meafured back liis fteps to Patna, and 
 diftributed the troops into winter quarters. 
 
 A shout time after this tranfaction, Mr. Colonel 
 Vaniittart arriving at Calcutta as prefident of Caillaucl 
 the council, colonel Caillaud was fummoned Calcutta, 
 from the army to report to the council the 
 Hate of Mir Jaftier's affairs. Before he obeyed 
 this order, he waited on the nabob, for the pur- 
 pofe of confulting with him on the untoward 
 appearance of circumftances, and recommend- 
 ing fuch meafures as would enable him to take 
 the field at an early period, with advantage. 
 Mir Jaffier promifed to life every requiiite 
 exertion, and the colonel proceeded to Fort 
 William. 
 
 Although the nabob's promifes were cal- Pmlnon of 
 dilated to fatisfy Caillaud, it was equally re- Mirjaf- 
 motefrom his power and his intention to give f a e ;i S s / " 
 them effect His tyranny increafing with his 
 years, became infupportable; while his feeble- 
 nefs was fuch that his tributary rajahs retained 
 his revenues, and if prcrYed to account for 
 them, vindicated their contumacy by rebel- 
 lion. The little money which came to Moorfhe- 
 dabad wasfquandered in licentious luxury; and 
 the troops, deprived of their pay, broke out into 
 frequent mutinies, which threatened the na- 
 bob's authority, and even his life. His minifters 
 rivalled their matter in rapacity and cruelty : 
 famine befieged the poor, and aggravated to 
 defpair the fenfe of their other calamities. The 
 Enplilh, who had a-reatlv exhaufted themfelves 
 in fupporting Mir Jaitier, and in fighting his 
 battles, were not only unrewarded, but hated : 
 
 s 2 the
 
 260 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 the jealoufy of the nabob was extended to ali 
 their tranfaclions, and while the}?- were itrenu- 
 1760. oufly occupied in promoting his intereft, he 
 placed no confidence in their councils, and 
 withheld his fupport from their military exer- 
 tions. 
 
 Under thefe circumflances, the council 
 fent for Colnm Ally, the nabob's fon-in-iaw, 
 a prince whofe talents were acknowledged , 
 and afterwards fatally experienced, to confer 
 on the exigencies of the occafion. The pro- 
 priety of a new revolution had already 
 been difcurTed in the council; but the pro- 
 ject appeared fo dangerous, and the choice of 
 a fucceffor to Mir Jaffier prefented fo many 
 difficulties, that the fcheme was never fanc- 
 tioned. 
 Miy. Before this period Allumguire was alfaf- 
 
 w' Au " miatec ^» anc ^ D }' the exertions of the invader 
 mogul. Abdalla, the Shah Zaddah was proclaimed king 
 of Ilindoftan by the name of Shah Allium. In 
 his favour a revolution might with propriety 
 have been effected; but, although this meafure 
 was juit and expedient, prudence forbad the 
 attempt. Shah Aulunfs enemies were numer- 
 ous and inveterate, and the fupport expected 
 from Abdalla precarious. Without the cor- 
 dial co-operation of Abdalla, the Knglifh 
 would have inereafed their enemies, but could 
 not derive any ellential beneiit from the mea- 
 fure. u 
 state of the Althou g ii a total revolution was not in the 
 Engidh. contemplation of the company's lervants when 
 
 u See colonel Caillaud's letter to Mr. Hoi well, 29 th May 1760, 
 published in Holwell's Addrefs to die Proprietors of Eaft India Stock, 
 1764, and in the reports of the houle o£ commons, vol. iii. 
 P- *59- 
 
 tl ' \
 
 GEORGE III. 261 
 
 they fent for Mir Coflim, they undoubtedly chap. 
 meditated fuel) a chanp-e in the administration 3* a 
 of affairs, as mould no longer leave them ex- 17^0. 
 pofed to the verfatility and weaknefs of J airier. 
 This change was rendered more urgent by their 
 own critical pofition ; for though the war 
 againft Shah Aulum, and his adherents', was 
 generally fucceisful, the company's affairs bore 
 an alarming afpecl. Their money and effccls 
 were considerably exhausted ; and J airier, far 
 from aiding, impeded all their etTorts to ob- 
 tain fupplies, and fee retry intrigued with their 
 enemies. 
 
 Before the arrival of Mr. Vanfittart, Col- interview 
 fim had often, in letters to Mr. Holweli, pro- £ jt i Mir 
 felled the ftrongeft attachment to the company, 
 and promifed the moil important compenfa- 
 tions, if by their exertions he mould be 
 promoted to the fuceeflion of the Dewan- 
 aee, and other poirs enjoyed by his late bro- 
 ther-in-law. At Calcutta, he had an inter- 
 view with Mr. Holweli, who was commiilioned 
 by the council to receive his propofals, which 
 took place at feven in the morning. He then 
 difcoyered unexpected views of ambition, 
 urged the repeated treacheries of the Subah and 
 Miran to their Englifh benefactors, and ex- 
 patiated on their cruelties and murders, and the 
 universal abhorrence in which they were held 
 by the people. He dwelt much on Jaffier's per- 
 
 tal ingratitude to himfelf, which had been 
 twice difplaved in attempts on his life; ex- 
 claimed againft the fecret negotiation which 
 he carried on with the Shah Zaddah and the 
 Dutch ; diielofed private orders by which he 
 himfelf, when lent againft the Dutch, was in- 
 Itructed to favour them, in contradiction to 
 the public mitruct ions imparted to Mr, Hol- 
 
 s 3 well, 
 
 *5th Sept.
 
 |$3 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. well. Ke concluded by declaring the fubah 
 
 ^J %_. incapable of government, as no fdith or tru ft 
 
 1760- could be repoied in him ; and if he was not 
 
 removed, it would never be in his own power 
 
 to render the company thofe fervices which he 
 
 ardently defired. 
 
 Mr. Holwell exprefTed aftonifhment and 
 abhorrence at this propofal, and infifted on an 
 immediate termination of the conference, un- 
 lefs Coffim totally relinquished his ambitious 
 views. Coffim having reluctantly agreed to 
 this reftriction, a considerable altercation en- 
 fued, from which at length the following terms 
 refulted : 
 
 I. Coss im to be in veiled with theDewannee, 
 to be declared Chuta Nabob, and fuccelfor in 
 the fubahihip to J airier, and to enjoy all the 
 pofts poffefled by the late young nabob. 
 
 II. All acrs of government to run under the 
 feal, and in the name of Jalher; but the exe- 
 cutive power to reft in Colfim ; the dignity of 
 the fubah to remain inviolable in the perfon 
 of the former, with an allowance of one lack 
 of rupees per menfem, for the fupport of his 
 houfehold and other expences. 
 
 III. Cossim to pay the balance of the Tun- 
 kas, as lately adj lifted with Omid Roy, on the 
 part of J arher. 
 
 IV*. The company to maintain a ftanding 
 force for the defence of the government and 
 provinces, confining of eight thoufand fea- 
 poys, two thoufand European foot, two thcu- 
 land country cavalry, and five hundred Eu- 
 ropean horie. 
 
 V. To enable the company to keep up the 
 above handing force, the countries of Burdo- 
 maan, Midnapour, Chittigong, and half the 
 
 annual
 
 GEORGE III. 663 
 
 Annual produce of the Chinam at Silhet, ihouid chap. 
 be ceded to the company in perpetuity. ^^ 
 
 Mr. Holweli was alfo dehrons of intro- Re- 
 ducing another article, importing that Shah 
 Aulum fhould he acknowledged ibvereign of 
 Hindoitan ; this was neither accepted nor re- 
 jected, but left to be adjufted according to the 
 train of future events. Thefe articles were ap- 
 proved by the council, and interchangeably 
 •executed by them and Mir Coilim. 
 
 To give effect, to this arran -emerit, major Expedition 
 Yorke was difpatched to Moodhedabad, with ^bad. 
 a detachment of two hundred Europeans, 
 four pieces of artillery, and five or fix hun- 
 dred feapovs, under pretence of reinforc- 
 ing the garrifon at Patna. Mr. Vanfittart 
 and colonel Caiilaud alfo went to Coiiimbazar, 
 near Moorfhedabad, for the purpoie of aiding 
 by their prei'enee the intended change of 
 government Mr. Vanfittart had two confer- Mr. Van- 
 fences with Mir Jaffier at Moradbaag; he re- tJviwV™" 
 monftrated with great force on the improper with Mir 
 meafures 1b long purfucd, and at the lalt in- JJ^" 
 terview, having reduced his advice to writing, 
 delivered it for perufal. Jafiier liftened with 
 attention, ami promifed to confult his friends 
 for the purpofe of afcertaining the proper means 
 of repairing his errors; con felling at the fame 
 time, that through age and grief for the recent 
 lots of his fon, he was incapable of ftrufffflinar 
 
 , ' So* o 
 
 a Lone again It io man v d-ithcultics. M r. Vanfittart 
 obferved that thofe he ufually confutted were 
 ratlier his enemies than his friends, and advifed 
 him to take the affiftance of one of his rela- 
 tions, on whole attachment and fide by he 
 could fafeiv rely. ir. Vanfittart named five 
 or hx, and among them Goffim Ally; but. 
 although Jafiier allowed him to be the molt 
 
 s 4 proper
 
 264 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, proper perfon to affume the government, yet 
 y^'^j fuch were his jealoufy anddiflike of his fon-in- 
 1760. law, that he was with great difficulty induced 
 to fend for him, but could not be prevailed on 
 to make him the depofitary of his authority. 
 Arrivaiof When Coffim arrived at Moradbaag, Jaffier 
 was already departed, excufmg himfelf on ac- 
 count of feeblenefs and fatigue, from continu- 
 ing a conference already much protracted. 
 Coffim declared his apprehenfions, that infccad 
 of intruding him with the manao-einent of his 
 affairs, his father-in-law would contrive means 
 privately to deftroy him; and Mr. Vanfittart, 
 already convinced that without compulfion 
 Jaflier would not adopt the propofed arrange- 
 ment, coincided in opinion with Coffim that 
 he mould not return to the nabob's houfc till 
 meafures were taken for his fecuritv. 
 Revolution Mr. Vaksittart having left with Jaffier 
 in Bengal. ^ e j e ^ ers containing the fubitance of his ad- 
 vice, was inclined to allow him the whole of 
 the next day to connder of their contents ; but 
 being informed that Jaffier had confuted with 
 his old adyifers, whofe fentiments could not be 
 favourable to the interefts of the company, he 
 made infiant arrangements for compelling Mir 
 Jaffier to adopt the mode of conduct which 
 was requifite to the welfare of the Engiiih. 
 j 9 thoa. The nineteenth of October was a feafon pe-. 
 culiarly favourable to his defign ; it was the 
 termination of a grand Gentoo feftival, at 
 which all the chief peribnages of the country 
 aflifted, and their wcarinefs would prevent vi- 
 gilance, and obviate oppofition. 
 
 In purfuance of Mr. Vanfittart' s orders, co-^ 
 lone] Cailiaud crofted the river with his detachi 
 ment between three and four o'clock in the 
 moaning, and, in conjunction with the troops 
 
 of
 
 GEORGE III. C5.> 
 
 of Coffim, furrounded the nabob's palace, chap. 
 They feizecl Jaffier's three principal min liter?, ^^i, 
 all men of low birth, and rendered infamous 1760. 
 by their rapacity and crimes. Having formed 
 his men, colonel Caillaud trar.fmilted to Jaf- 
 fier a letter, written by aniittart, inform - 
 ino-him of what was intended, and inftructino: 
 him in the line of conduct moft proper to be 
 purfued. 
 
 The old nabob, not expecting fo rapid and 
 refolute a movement gave way at firft to the 
 impulfe of rage; threatened refinance, and de- 
 clared that, while life remained, he would not 
 accede to the terms demanded. Colonel Cail- 
 laud, who had been inftrucled to avoid the effu- 
 lion of blood, gave time for this tranfport of 
 rage to fubfide, and in about an hour was 
 called into the nabob's prefence. He urged 
 ftrongly the inutility of further opposition, and 
 preiTcd him to adopt the meafures fuggefted in 
 the letter, but in vain. Jaffier rejected every 
 oiler, and at length, giving way to defpon- 
 dency, declared his refolution to relinquish the 
 government, Stipulating only for the preser- 
 vation of his life. To this determination he 
 inflexibly adhered ; in vain Mas lie allured that 
 not only his life, but his authority fliould be 
 fecured: he faid he too well knew the difpo- 
 lition of mankind, and of his countrymen 
 in particular, to truft himfelf near Coffira, from 
 whom he was convinced his life would be in 
 perpetual danger, and requeued permiffion to 
 :it Fort William, under protection of the 
 English, 
 
 Finding him inflexible, Mr. Vanfittart at M-lrj^r 
 length acceded to his requeft, and Jaffier, at- JfP avfsfor 
 
 v !ii s r r>W . 1 • Calcutta. 
 
 fended by a ltrong eicort or Europeans, taking 
 Tjvjth him all his eilects, women, jewels, and 
 
 treafure,
 
 labob. 
 
 266 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, treafure, repaired to Calcutta, where he was met 
 
 x - by a deputation from the council, and treated 
 
 1760. with every mark of refpect due to his former 
 
 Coffim dignity. The throne being thus abdicated, 
 
 proclaimed Coinm Ally was proclaimed nabob, and 
 
 received the cuftomary homage: his election 
 
 gaA r e general fatisfaCtion, and the tranquillity of 
 
 the citv remained uninterrupted. 
 
 Cossim inftantly fulfilled his agreements 
 with the Englifh. He put them in poffeffion 
 of the departments of Burdwan, Midnapour, 
 and Chittigong, a fertile and extenfive tracl of 
 country, the annual revenues of whicfe amount- 
 ed to fix hundred thousand pounds. He con- 
 cluded an alliance oiienfive and defensive, and 
 the affairs of the company promiled fboji to be* 
 come more ilouriihing than ever. x 
 
 x The preceding narrative is derived from Dow's Hifrory ef Hin- 
 -.dollar. ; Verelft's View of the .Rile and Progrefs 01 the "nglifii Go- 
 vernment in Bengal; Holwell's Narrative; His Addreis to ihe 
 Proprietors ot £a(t India Stock ; Vanfittart'' s Narrative, and his 
 Letters to the Board at Calcutta ; The Hiltcry and Management of 
 the Eaft India Company ; Tranfa&ions in India ; the Defence of 
 Lord Pigot ; and the reports from the committees to the houie of 
 commons, publifhed by authority. — The difcuiTions and narratives of 
 tails relative to the affairs of India, are fo perplexed with the dif- 
 ferent repreientations of individuals, refultii.g from their padions, 
 hopes, or prejudices, that no account can be given on the credit of 
 any authority, which is not contradicted, almoft diametrically, by 
 perfons whofe narratives are equally unexceptionable. The manner 
 of Mir Jaffier's abdication, or deposition and retreat, is thus related 
 in a letter from MefTrs. Coote, Amyatt, Camac, Ellis, Batfon, and 
 Verehl, to the fecret committee at the India Houie, dated the nth 
 March 1762, and printed in the reports from committees to the 
 houfe of commons, vol. iii. p. 252 : — In confequence of a treaty en- 
 tered into with Mir CoiTim, for the depojxiion of Mir Jaffier, Mr. 
 Vanfittart, under falle pretences, repaired to Moradbang, accom- 
 panied by colonel Caillaud, and two hundred European troops, and 
 fome feapoys, who, it was alledged, were intended to reinforce 
 Patna. After delivering his letters in the mod abrupt manner, and 
 prefTing Mir Jaffier to appoint his fon-in-law prime-miniltei, Mr. 
 Vanfittart flittered the old man to depart, and CofTim arrived. That 
 night and the day following were fpent by Mr. Vanfittart, CoiTim, 
 and colonel Caillaud, in concerting mealures for executing their 
 plan. " In confequence of thefe deliberations, our troops clandef- 
 tinely croffed the river the next night, under colonel Caillaud, and be- 
 ing
 
 GEORGE III. «67 
 
 ing joined by Coflim and his party, fuirounded the nabob's palace : 
 a letter from Mr Vanfittart was Tent in to the nabob, demanding 
 his immediate compliance with what had been piopofed to him j to 
 Wnich the nabob returned for aniwer, ' That iuch ufage was wlnt 
 he never expected irom the Englifh ; that whiiil a force was at his 
 gates, he would enter into no terms; and that it was his dellie our 
 troops might be returned to Moradbaag.' A ineflage was then 
 lent in, informing the nabob, that if he did not directly comply, 
 they fhould he obliged to ltorm the palace. Attonifhed and terrified 
 by this menace, he opened the gates, exclaiming, < That Jic was 
 betrayed ; that the Engiilh were guilty of perjury, and breach of 
 faith; that he perceived their deiigns againft his government 5 
 that he had friends enough to hazard at lead: one battle in his de- 
 fence } but although no oaths were lacred enough Co bind the 
 Englilh, yet as he had iworn to be their faithful friend, he would 
 never l'werve from his engagement, a. id rather foffer death tlna 
 draw his lword tgai il them.' So fufpicieus was lie of being 
 fold, that, * he delired to know what fum of money Coflim Ally 
 Khan was to give for the fubahfhip, and he would give half as 
 much more to be continued : he hoped however, if they intended 
 to dethrone him, they would not leave him to the mercy of his 
 fon-in-law, from whom he feared the worlt 5 hut rather wifhed 
 they would carry him from the city, and give him a place of 
 fafety in Calcutta.' This laft requelt of the nabob's, the effect 
 of his fear and defpair, was immediately laid hold of, and conftrued 
 in the light of a voluntary refignation. Accordingly, our troops 
 took pofleflion of the palace, Mir Coflim was raifed to the mulhud, 
 and the old nabob was hurried into a boat with a few of his women 
 and neceflaries, and lent away to Calcutta in a manner wholly un- 
 xvorthy ot the high rank he had fo lately held, as is alfo the fcanty 
 fubfdlence allowed him here by his fucceflbr. Thus was Jnffier Ally 
 Khan depofed, in breach of a treaty founded upon the moil iolemn. 
 oaths, and in violation of the national faith; a prince of whofe 
 friendfhip and attachment you have had many fignal proofs j in 
 whole caufe our arms have with much honour been employed ; and 
 by a firm adherence to whom the Englifh had acquired, through- 
 out the whole country, fo universal a character of fidelity and con- 
 ftancy, that the moll perfect confidence was placed by the natives 
 in them."
 
 263 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH: 
 
 1760 — 1763. 
 
 Affairs of India continued. — Conduct andcha^ 
 rafter of Mir Cqffim. — His efforts to de- 
 ftroy the rajah Pamnarain. — Differences 
 in the council rcfpecting the revolution. — 
 Con duel; of the Englijh to Cqffim. — His ef- 
 forts to diminijli their influence. — Mr. Van- 
 ft tart goes to Monghir. — Concludes an im- 
 provident treaty, the enforcement of which 
 occa/ions many complaints. — Deputation 
 feni to Monghir, who are ill-ufed and aj/af 
 Jinated. — Patna taken by the Englijh — but 
 recaptured, and the factory made prifoners. 
 Mir Jaffier reftored. — Succefsjul military 
 operations of major Adams. — Majfacre of 
 the Br iti/h prifoners at Patna. — Capture of 
 that city. — Total conqueft of Bengal. — • 
 Flight of Cqffim. 
 
 chap. '"The flattering profpecls opened by the ele- 
 xr. A vation of Mir Coffim were not long en- 
 joyed without alarm. If the welfare of the 
 company was endangered by the weaknefs of 
 Jaffier, it was foon expofed to greater' peril 
 from the fupeiior activity and intelligence of 
 his fuGceffor. Coffim was bold, fubtle, and 
 enterpriztng, and of a commanding genius j| 
 he felt with fhame and regret his fubjection to 
 the Englilb ; and determined, as foon as he 
 had fecured the benefits which he expected 
 from their affiftance, to retrench their power, 
 and perhaps ultimately deliver himfelf from 
 their prefence. He did not however indifcreet- 
 ]y betray his intentions to the prejudice of his 
 
 interefts, 
 
 1760. 
 
 Conduit 
 and charac- 
 ter of Mir 
 Coffim.
 
 GEORGE III. 269 
 
 niterefts, but maintained a cautious diiTimula- chap. 
 tion till his great views were accomplimed. XI - > 
 
 J3y the aid of major Carnac and the Eno-lilh 1760s. 
 forces, he defeated and took prifoner Shah Au- shahku- 
 lum, with whom he foon after made an advaii- lum. 
 tageous treaty; but although he reftoredto the 
 prince his liberty, and profefied good inten- 
 tions towards him, he oppofed with great du- 
 plicity, though with perfeverance and fuccefs, 
 Mr. Holwell's propofal for acknowledging and 
 fupporting his title to the Mogul throne; a 
 meafure which was rendered the more imprac- 
 ticable by ShahAulum's own imprudence. 
 
 Cossim next availed himfelf of the alliftance Coffim's 
 of the Englifh in reducing; to obedience the e , ff ° rts ta , 
 rajahs who withheld the revenues of his pre- rajahRam- 
 deceflfbr, and having accomplifhed this object, narain. 
 ibuo-ht bv a ftrict and well-reo-ulated economy 
 to prevent thofe neceffities which had rendered 
 his father-in-law's government unliable, and 
 facilitated its fubverfion. As a latt effort, be- 
 fore his difplay of hoftile intentions again ft 
 the Englifh, he prevailed on them to give up 
 the rajah Ramnarain, the firm friend of the 
 company, and for that reafon obnoxious to the 
 ambitious nabob. In this meafure he met 
 with confiderable oppofition from major Car- 
 nac and colonel Cootc. Ramnarain is de- 
 fcribed as a man of abilities, but avaricious, 
 and fuppofed very wealthy. He was protected 
 by lord Clive againft the rapacity of Mir Jaf- 
 fier; he owed his continuance in power intirely 
 to the Britilh influence, and the council 
 confidered it their duly for fome time to 
 peruft in the policy adopted by lord Clive. 
 The pretext for oppreinng this man was his 
 being in arrear to the nabobs, but he always 
 
 teftificd
 
 £70 HISTORY OF EKGLANIX 
 
 ckap. teftified the utmoft readinefs to come to a f&\t 
 Jfify. ■ and equitable account. 
 
 1760. After the defeat of Shah Aulum, who 
 
 immediately repaired to Sujah ul Dowlah, 
 the council propofed proclaiming him; Mir 
 Coffim appeared to confent, hut afterwards 
 adopted other views, and taking advantage 
 of the feeblenefs of the Britiih force at 
 Patna, attempted by bribery to gain the cuf- 
 tody of Ramnarain, and by treachery to ob- 
 tain poiieiiion of the city gates. He offer- 
 ed colonel Coote feven lacks and a half of 
 rupees (90,750 1.) to deliver up Ramnarain, 
 and afterwards endeavoured by terror and 
 treachery to fecure to himfelf the means of feiz- 
 ing him. Carriac, who commanded at Patna 
 before colonel Coote, refufed obedience to the 
 orders of council, which directed him to deliver 
 up the devoted rajah to his enemy, and thus 
 drew on himfelf a great mare of indignation. * 
 Coote magnanimoufly perlevered in the fame 
 line of conduct. Coflim had trie addrefs to re- 
 prefent the conduct of Coote in fuch a light, 
 that in confequence of fome fevere letters 
 from the board, he repaired to Calcutta 
 to vindicate his conduct. In the abfence 
 of colonel Coote, Cofum's malevolence was 
 gratified, and one of the firmeft friends of the 
 company was facrificed to a falfe, timid, and 
 interefted policy. Being now fecure againfl 
 all oppolition from his own fubjecrs and depen- 
 dents, Coflim difplayed lefs forbearance and 
 caution towards the more formidable objects of 
 his apprehenlions. 
 Differ- Although it appears that the members of 
 
 the^o'in- the council who were then prefent unanimously 
 
 -1 i* r\ 
 
 cu re pec - a g ee Appendix t0 $j e -j R e p 0r t f the Committee, numbers 13, 
 in ftbere. J £ 
 
 iancnoned
 
 GEORGE II!. 271 
 
 fanctioned the propofals Hated to them by chap. 
 Mr. Holwcll, as refulting from his private XI. 
 conference with Coifim, yet the other mem- , 7 6^ 
 bcrs did not approve of the revolution, which 
 depofed in fo iudden a manner, the prince 
 whom lord Clive and admiral Watfon had ele- 
 vated, and thus annulled an act which was 
 deemed the mod fortunate and glorious of the 
 Britiih exploits in India. The fituation of Mr. 
 Vaniittart was extremely critical : he was Se- 
 conded by a majority in the council, but the 
 minority was fufficiently formidable to fill him 
 with apprehenfion. He therefore endeavoured 
 by compliances to retain his intereft with Cof- 
 fim ; and as the Eaft India company had ex- 
 prelfed their approbation of his pail conduct, he 
 hoped, by fuccefs, to obtain the fame fanction 
 for his fubfequent proceedings. 6 
 
 In fact, Mir Coi'lim did not recur to hoftili- Condu&of 
 ties without provocation. The Engliih officers the En ?- 
 not only difputed his orders, but on all occafions r mu to 
 exhibited their fuperiority with an infolence 
 infupportable to an Aiiatic prince, who could 
 not brook a mode of conduct which tended to 
 render him and his commands contemptible in 
 the eyes of his own .fubjecls. The exemption 
 from certain inland duties granted to the Eaft 
 India company was enormoully abufed. Not 
 
 b See minutes entered in the books, at a confutation at Fort Wit- 
 Ham 8th of January 1761, by Me firs, Aniyatr, Ellis, and Harry- 
 Smyth ; alfo a letter to the fecret committee at the India houfe, dated 
 the nth March 1762, ligned by Meflls. Coote, Amyatt, Carnac, 
 Ellis, Batlbn, and Yerelft. Reports from committees to the houfe 
 cf commons, vol. hi. p. 251, c-l 1'cq. 
 
 c This and the fubfequent parts of the chapter, where no autho- 
 rity is exprelsly referred to, are taken from the Annual Regifter, 
 176+, 1765 and 1766; Smollett's complce Hiftorv of England, 
 vol. xvi ; Tranfactions in India ; Verellt's View of the Government 
 of Bengal ; the reports from committee* to. the houJe of commons} 
 and the periodical publications. 
 
 onlv
 
 o 7 2 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, only the Enigliih, and the feapoys in their ply, 
 XI - but natives afluming their drefs and character, 
 1760. fpread themfelves over the country ; oppreffed, 
 plundered, and maltreated the hufoandmen, 
 merchants, and tranquil inhabitants ; de- 
 frauded the revenue bv buying and fellinsr 
 the necelTaries and luxuries of life at their own 
 price, and without regard to the fifcal laws; they 
 defied the authority of the nabob, and terrified 
 his officers to fuch a degree, that they defifted 
 from exercifing their functions.* 1 Whatever pre- 
 tence 
 
 d The following extract of a letter from Mr. Haftings to the go- 
 vernor, expoies thefe enormities in a clear and mafteriy manner; 
 •* I beg leave to lay before you a grievance, which calls loudly for re- 
 •' drefs. I mean ihe oppiefiions committed under the fanftion of 
 ** the Englim name, and through want of fpirit in the na- 
 *' bob's lubjeSls to oppofe them. This evil, I am well allured, is 
 *' not confined to our dependants alone, but is pra&ifed over 
 " all the country by people aiTuming the habits of cur ieapoya, 
 ** and calling themlelves our gomaftahs (black agents or fac- 
 " tors). As on fuch occafions the great power of the Englilh in- 
 ** timidates the people from refinance ; fo, on the other hand, the in- 
 ** dolence or the Bengalees, or the difficulty of gaining accefs to 
 4< thofe who might do them juflxe, prevents our having knowledge 
 " of the oppreffions, and encourages their continuance, to the great, 
 " though unmerited, fc3ndal ot our government. 
 
 " I have been i"m prized to meet with feveral Enghfh flags flying 
 " in the places which I have palled, ;md on the river I do not believe 
 '* I patted a boat without one. By whatever title they have been 
 " affumed (for I could only traft to the information of my eyes, 
 " without flopping to afk queftions) I am fine their frequency can 
 " bode no good to- the nabob's revenues, the quiet of the country, 
 " or honour of our nation ; but evidently tends to lelTen each of 
 " them. 
 
 " A party of feapoys, who were on the march before us, afforded 
 " fufflcient proofs of the rapacious and infolent fpirit of thefe people, 
 *.' when left to their own difcretion. Many complaints againft them 
 <e were made to me on the road, and molt of the petty towns and 
 f 1 ferais (baiting-places for travellers) were deferred at our approach, 
 " and the (hops (hut tip, fiom appreheniions of the fame treatment 
 " from ns." 
 
 The nabob alio made his complaints on the fubjefr, with firmnefs 
 and dignity. " Every Bengal gomaltah makes a difturbance at every 
 *' faftory, and thinks himfelf not inferior to the company. In every 
 " purgunnah (the largeil divifion of land in a zemindary) every village 
 *' and every factory, they buy and fell fait, beetle-nut, ghee, rice, It raw, 
 " bamboos, fiih, gunnils, ginger, fugar, tobacco, opium, and many 
 ** other things, more than I can write, and which 1 think it ntedlefs 

 
 GEORGE III. 273 
 
 tence for this conduct might be found in the chap. 
 -wcaknefs or in juftice of CoiTnn's predeceifor, he ^!^. 
 afforded no fuch exeufe ; he had hitherto con- 1760. 
 ducted himfelf with great prudence, and fully 
 anfwered all his engagements with the coun- 
 cil. 
 
 With a view to emancipate himfelf from Heremoves 
 the infpe&ion of the Engliflr, the nabob re- j^ sco " r ;^ 
 
 1. i r n i 1 1 n» Monghir. 
 
 moved his court from Moorihedabad to Mon- 
 ghir, fituated on the Ganges, two hundred 
 miles further from Calcutta. 
 
 He furrounded this place with ftrong forti- In J5??: s 
 fications, increafed his troops, and introduced piineshis 
 a new fyftem of discipline; he invited into his "oops, 
 pay every wandering European who had borne 
 arms, and all the leapoys difmified from the 
 Britifh fervi'ce, and difti ibuted them among his 
 own regiments to impart a knowledge of the 
 European exercife. He changed the match- 
 locks of the Natives for firelocks, and formed 
 a train of artillery on the Englim model. To 
 render himfelf Hill more fecure, he deftroyed 
 or imprifoned every confiderable perfon in his 
 dominions who iiiewed attachment to the En"-- 
 lifli, and effectually interdicted all correfporfd- 
 ence between his fubjects and the company's 
 officers. He began to inforce againft the ^ rains 
 private traders the revenue laws from which theEngV 
 
 ifh. 
 
 " to mention. They forcibly take away the goods and commodi- 
 " Iks of the lyots, (husbandmen) merchants, &c. for a fourth part 
 *' of their value, and by ways of violence and oppreflion, they 
 " oblige the iyots, &c. to give five rupees for goods which are worth 
 •' but one rupee ; and, for the Cake of five rupees they bind and dii- 
 " grace an aflammee, who pays one hundred rupees malguzarree, 
 <; (rents or land tax) and they allow not any authority to my fer« 
 •• vants; the officers of each diftiic't have defifted from the e.xeicife 
 " of their functions, and everyone of thefe gomaftahs has fuch. 
 "« power, that he imprifons the collector, and deprives hiin of all 
 ' authority whenever he pleaies." 
 
 vol. r. t thev 
 
 ■I
 
 «74 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, they underftood themfelves to be exempt, and 
 yj^^*j flopped their boats throughout his dominions. 6 
 1760. These proceedings filled the council with 
 
 Alarm of alarm and apprehenlion ; but the complaints of 
 *ij e coun ~ the traders did not obtain much attention from 
 Mr. Vanfittart ; he was highly fenfible of the 
 injuries fuftained by the company from their 
 conduct, and improper ufe of their pais, or 
 duftuck, and had received inftructions from 
 the court of directors for reftraining thofe 
 abufes. 
 Mr. Van- g UT the violence of Mir Coflim's proceed - 
 toMon° eS i n o> tne peremptory manner in which he began 
 ghir; thofe innovations, and the order in which they 
 were accompanied, that all difputes with the 
 company's fervants, if beyond their own limits, 
 mould be tried by the nabob's magiftrates, in- 
 duced Mr. Vanfittart to repair to Monghir, for 
 the purpofe of arranging the differences. To 
 his expostulations the nabob anfwered in a firm 
 and decided manner, and argued, that if the 
 fervants of the Englilh company were per- 
 mitted to trade in all parts, and in all commo- 
 dities cuftom free, it would be his belt policy 
 to jmpofe no cuftoms, and thus give an active 
 impulfe to induftry, increafe his revenues b) r 
 augment in«: cultivation and manufacture, and 
 finally obviate all caufes of difpute. Anxious 
 to avoid hoftilities with a prince Whom he had 
 and con- himfelf elevated to the throne, Mr. Vanfittart 
 ciudfsan imprudently concluded a treaty, which ffipu- 
 demtreaty. lated that the Englilh traders ihould pay the 
 inland duties, amounting to nine per cent. 011 
 all articles not brought or fent in by fea, and 
 obtain paifes from the nabob's officers; and all 
 
 • See appendix to the third report made to the houfe of common; 
 on the nature, ftaie, and condition of the Eait India Company, No. 
 if to 26. 
 
 ' This conference took place in November, 176?, 
 
 their
 
 GEORGE III. 275 
 
 their difputes with his fubjects were referred to chap. 
 the decifion of his magiftrates. g ^^ 
 
 The regulations which extended to other 1762. 
 objects of commerce, had a tendency to ruin R'g> de "- 
 
 11 1 t n -It p m.' cution ot 
 
 all who, on the faith ot former treaties, en- t j. e treaty. 
 gaged in the inland trade. The fubahdar hav- 
 ing obtained this valuable conceffion, imme- 
 diately tranfmitted copies to the officers of his 
 revenue, with inftru&ions to conform to its 
 terms. As the treaty limited no time from 
 which its operations were to commence, the 
 vetTels paffing from one town to another, were 
 f abject to the effect of an arrangement with 
 which the proprietors were utterly unacquaint- 
 ed, and feveral boats with arms belonging to 
 the Engl i m were feized at Pattia, for non-pay- 
 ment of the duties demanded by the nabob's 
 officers. 
 
 The Englifh factory at Dacca remonftrated Com - 
 that the execution of the treaty, together with ESSon? 
 the injunctions of Coifim, would tend to fuch againttit. 
 a rapine and deftruCtion of the Britifh property, 
 
 5 Mr. Vanfitt^rt is (rated to have received from Mir CofTim a 
 donation of (even lacks of rupees, (81,24.9].) for concluding this 
 improvident and difgruceful contract. See reports ot committees to 
 the houfe of commons, vol. iii. p. 401, 4.02. In defending himfclt 
 a^aind this imputation, Mr. Vanfittart alledges, iir. That the jv- 
 ceipt of prefenis was lawful, and a fervantof the company rather in- 
 tiled to commendation than blame, who exercifed his opportunities 
 with moderation, idly. That the whole donation was not a prefent 
 to him, but included a payment of expences and purchafes ; and 
 3dly. That lord Clive fa I lined the ftatement of Bollacki -iats the Gcn- 
 too banker, to him; while the accufation is fubrtantiated by the de- 
 pofitions ©n oath or Bollackidafs, and another perfon. Such were 
 the examples which led lord Clive to obferve in a letter, dated the 
 17th of April 1765, " Give me leave now to lead you for a few 
 «* moments into the civil department. See what an Augean liable 
 " is to be cleanlVd. The confufion we behold ; what does it arife 
 '« from? Rapacity and luxury; the unwarrantable lelire ot many 
 ** to acquire in an inftant, what only a few can or ought to pofle('s. 
 " Every man would be rich without the merit of long iervii.es; and 
 ** from this inceffant competition undoubtedly fprings that dilorder, 
 " to which we mvift apply a remedy, or be undone; for it is no! only 
 M mahgnant but contagious." 
 
 t a as
 
 2? 6 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 crap, as would reduce them to the fame diftrefs they 
 , _ XL . had experienced in the memorable year 1756. 
 1761. The council of Calcutta voted it dilnonourable, 
 "'and as it was concluded without their acquies- 
 cence, a breach of their privileges, and an 
 unwarrantable dereliction of the advantages 
 granted by theorio-inalphirmaund of the great 
 iftFeb. mogul. Mr. Vanfittart entered a minute on 
 the books, in which he vindicated his proceed- 
 ings by circumftances, and by a forced ex- 
 planation of part of the council's letter of in- 
 ilruction ; at the fame time he avowed that his 
 treaty was not exempt from error, and protefted 
 againft the tyranny of the nabob's officers, and 
 their voluntary mifconilruCtions in executing 
 the authority which he had unwarily com- 
 mitted to them. 
 ■sth Mar. These difpofitions on both fides portended 
 Peputa- inevitable hoftilities, but as a laft effort to main- 
 
 tion lent . .... , . r , r 
 
 roMon- tarn tranquillity, a deputation was lent trom 
 § hir - Calcutta to Monghir. Mr. Amyatt, a member 
 
 of the council felected for the moderation of 
 his principles, and the fuavity of his manners, 
 was at their head. He had invariably oppofed 
 the revolution which placed Cofiim on the 
 throne, but without acrimony, or fuffering his 
 difapprobation to degenerate into a party feud. 
 Great hopes were entertained from his charac- 
 ter and manners ; but CoiTim was inflexible in 
 maintaining the ftricl tenor of the treaty ; he was 
 daily obtaining frcm fupplies of arms, and ap- 
 peared buoyed up with notions o,f his own 
 itrength, and fufrieieney to oppofe the Britifli 
 Their troops. He was not influenced by the de- 
 ueatment. lTiearior f Amyatt, againft whom he retained 
 an unrelentino- hatred: he even furrounded the 
 Knglilh deputation with guards, and inftead of 
 treating them as embafiadors, or commercial 
 6 miffionaries,
 
 GEORGE III. 277 
 
 mimonaries, detained them as prifoners, not chap. 
 only difregardinff their complaints but refuf- XI - ■ 
 ingthem permiflion to return. i7*j- 
 
 Mir Cossim, though able, vigilant, anden- 
 terprizing in the cabinet, Was a coward by na- 
 ture : his mind was not expanded by liberal 
 views of politics, but was felfifh, crafty, and 
 malio-nant. In his inftruclions for infbrcin^ 
 the treaty, he made a diilincrion between his 
 friends and thole who oppofed his elevation, 
 and his cruelty and perfidy were in conformity 
 with thofe low and ungenerous principles. 
 
 Amy att, failing in his negotiation, at 24-th June, 
 length obtained the necerTary paflports, and de- De P alturs ' 
 parted with all his fuite except two, from Mon 
 ghir, This apparent relenting of the tyrant 
 was, however, only a prelude to further cruelty, 
 accompanied with flagitious treachery. In 3d July- 
 paffitig the city of Moorffiedabad; the Englifh *££* 
 were attacked by Coffim's troops pofted on both 
 fides of* the river; and although they landed, 
 and produced the nabob's own pafs, were all 
 inhumanly maffacred. 
 
 Meanwhile the difputes at Patna were Alarm at 
 carried on with increafed acrimonv: Coflim Patna ' 
 was continually fending frefli troops into the 
 city, every thing v.oie an hoftile appearance, 
 the Engliiii factory apprehended that the place 
 would loon be given up to the plunder of the 
 rabble ; the fuburbs were entirely deferted, 
 and rhifery and alarm generally prevalent. 
 Mir Mindi Khan, the nabob's naib, omitted 
 paying to Mr. Ellis, the chief of the factory, 
 the ufual compliment of acquainting him with 
 his arrival : he carried on vigorous military 
 preparations, pofletied himfelf of the gates, in- 
 fulled the Britim guards, and it was generally 
 
 t 3 rumoured
 
 278 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, rumoured that he was fent for the purpofe of 
 XI - expelling the Engliih. 
 
 17*3-. In confequenceof a letter from the factory 
 5th April, ft^jjjg thefe circumitances, the council re- 
 T4th folved, in cafe of a rupture, and of the nabob's 
 
 marching towards Patna, the factory mould 
 endeavour to poflefs themfelves of the city, 
 and keep it till further inftru6tions. It became 
 daily more and more apparent that an attack 
 on Patna was intended, and Coffim declared 
 that peace or war depended on the removal of 
 The dty the company's troops. Under thefe circum- 
 theEng y - fiances Mr. Ellis affailed and took the city, 
 lift. notwithstanding- the ftrength of the fortifica- 
 
 tions, and the number of the garrifon. Un- 
 fortunately the conquerors neglected all cau- 
 tion, and betock themfelves to plunder in 
 every direction; the governor and garrifon, 
 Andre- Avho had fled, perceiving this un military con-» 
 captured, duct, returned, attacked the Engliih, who were 
 too much difperfed to make effectual refinance, 
 and, after a confiderable (laughter, compelled 
 the furvivors to retire within the fort; thus the 
 city was recaptured with as little oppofition as 
 it had been taken. The factory, deeming their 
 prefent fituation untenable, croffed the Ganges 
 in hopes of effecting a retreat into the territories 
 of a neighbouring nabob; but were overtaken 
 by a fuperior force, and though victorious in 
 jftjuiy. one engagement, were in a fecond intirely 
 Mr. Ellis routed; Mr. Ellis and the remainder of the 
 party made party were made captives, fome were fent to 
 prifoners. Patna, and others to Monghir. 
 7th July. In confequence of thefe difaftrous events, 
 Mir jaffier the council of Calcutta proclaimed the reftora- 
 tion of Mir Jaffier, and prepared to depofe Mir 
 Coffim. The fenfe of prefent danger quelled 
 
 ail
 
 GEORGE III. 279 
 
 all party dhTenfions in the council ; Mr. Van- chap. 
 fittart and Mr. Haftings both entered minutes, ^^ 
 in which, without renouncing their former fen- 1763. 
 timents, they declared their cordial acquiefence 8t h j u ] y . 
 in the prefent meafures. 
 
 The command of the forces being com- Com- 
 mitted to Major Adams, he took the field at mencemeni 
 the head of two troops of European cavalry, openuionZ 
 and ten companies of feapoys, h with twelve 
 pieces of cannon: and fuch was the improvi- 
 dence of the council, that at the commence- 
 ment of hoftilities, there was not above ten 
 thoufatid rupees (i,250l.)in the treafury at 
 Patna. Major Adams could not rely on the 
 natives for affiftance, as Coffim had deftroyed 
 all the partizans of the Engliih, exeited jea- 
 loufies a gain ft them, and rendered them gene- 
 rally odious. 
 
 Notwithstanding thefe difadvantages, Succefsful 
 and the fmallnefs of his force, Adams com- emerprizes 
 menced an active and vigorous campaign. By Adams' 
 two fkirmiihes he cleared the country, crofTed nth and 
 the Coflimbuzar river, and attacked the enemy, JJ^JS* 
 amounting to ten thoufand, who were drawn 
 up in a ftrong pofition atBallafara: they bore 
 his cannonade for fometime with unufual firm- 
 nefs, but were at length compelled to retreat 
 with precipitation ; in this action was (lain Ma- 
 hommed Tuckey Khan, commander of the de- 
 tachment which llauiihtered Mr. Amvatt and 
 his companions. 
 
 Adam- proceeding towards Moorfhedabad, 
 again encountered the enemy, well pofied in 
 an intrenchment fifteen feet deep, and defend- 
 ed by a numerous artillery. Unable to carry 
 this formidable pofition by florm, he made a 
 
 h Amounting to about fix hundred and fifty Europeans, anil one 
 thoufand or twelve hundred natives. 
 
 t 4 judicium
 
 280 HISTOUf OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, judicious feint, forced the enemy's ftrong hold, 
 yJ^l, put them to flight, entered \Ioorfhedabad, and 
 
 1763. again proclaimed Jaffier fubahdar of Bengal. 
 S3 cijuj y . ^ T lyxoorfliedabad he only waited a ihort 
 time to refreih his troops, and renewed his pur- 
 fuit of the enemy, penetrating into the heart 
 of the province, and pervading the utmoft re- 
 ceffes of Bengal, acrofs the numerous and wide 
 branches of the Ganges, through marines and 
 forefts. Mir Coffim, unwilling to rifque his 
 dominion and life on the event of a fingle bat- 
 tie, did not lead his troops in perfon, but made 
 a judicious difpofition of them to weary his 
 enemy by delay. 
 zdAug. At Nuncas Nullas, the English as;ain en- 
 
 Nuncas° countered the enemy, coniifting of twenty 
 Nullas. thoufand horfe and eight thoufand foot; here, 
 for the firft time, they experienced the effects of 
 CoffniTs new fyftern of tactics. The troops were 
 pofted with great judgment, divided into regu- 
 lar brigades, had a good train of artillery, were 
 clothed and accoutred upon the Engliih model, 
 and difplayed an order and fpirit which bore 
 fome anology to that of the Europeans. Tut 
 the Englim army, animated with refentment 
 and fluihed with fuccefs, furmounted every 
 obftacle, drove the enemy off the field, made 
 themfelves mailers of their whole train of ar- 
 tillery, and took a hundred and fifty boats 
 laden with grain and ftores. 
 siege and Discou r a gjd by this defeat, the nabob's 
 capture of troops did not again venture to face 'he Eng- 
 
 AudaNul- ][{li in the fiek]j but rdicd on their f ort ] fica „ 
 
 tions, as the fole means of defence; but neither 
 numbers nor lortiflcations availed. Adams. 
 next attacked them at Auda Nulla: a poft 
 ftrong by nature and art, protected in front hy 
 a fwamp , on one fide by mountains, and on thu 
 
 other
 
 G E O u G E III. £81 
 
 other by the Ganges. The Indians had thrown chap. 
 up a great work on which they mounted a hun- ^j^, 
 dred pieces of cannon, and it was defended in y6> 
 front by a ditch fifty-four feet wide, and full of 
 water in every part except towards the moun- 
 tains. The breadth of dry ground did not 
 exceed two hundred yards, and lay between 
 the fwamp and the river. The Britilh com- 
 mander at firft befieged this fortification in 
 form, but wearied with an inaction of fourteen 2I ft Aug. 
 days, proje&ed an attack on the fide of the to^ihSept. 
 mountains which was deemed fiifHciently fe- 
 cure. This bold and mafterly movement was 
 judicioufly executed by major Irwin ; the in- 
 trenchmenls were carried, a general rout en- 
 fued, and as many periihcd in the river as by 
 the fworck 
 
 The enemy now abandoned all the country; Capture of 
 Adams carried his victorious arms to Mon- Mo . n s h,r - 
 ghir, and after a liege of nine days, compell- 
 ed the garrifon, coniifting of two thoufand, 
 to furrender. To complete the conqueft of 
 Bengal, the reduction of Patna alone remain- 
 ed ; a detachment was lent from Monghir, 
 under captain Wedderburnc, with orders to 
 blockade the place, and to inform the Englim 
 prifoners of his approach. The military part Maflfccr* 
 of his infiructions was performed ; but the jJ^Eng- 
 
 i ,• /-i rv> r r ,1,1 • . l i hfli at Pat- 
 
 cruelty of Coilim truitrated the intended com- na . 
 munication to the prifoners. Enraged and dei'~ 
 perate at the progrefs of the Britilh aims, the 
 tyrant executed a horrible aei of unavailing 
 barbarilv. He commanded one Somers 1 to 
 
 * Somers, othcrwife Sumroo, othefwife Sliimro, was a German, 
 and a general office] - in the nabob's iervice ; he had been a ferjeant 
 in the French army, from which he defeated to the Britilh, and from 
 them to Coflim AH Khan: he undertook this horrible butchery 
 when no man in the nabob's army would engage in it but him- 
 
 murder
 
 282 
 
 CKAP. 
 XI. 
 
 1763. 
 
 Patna 
 
 taken. 
 
 6th Nov. 
 
 Total eon. 
 <?neft of 
 Bengal. 
 
 Flight of 
 Coilim. 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 murder Mr. Ellis, the head of the faclory, and 
 about two hundred Englifh prifoners captured 
 with him. The Indian foldiers required that 
 the prifoners mould be fupplied with arms for 
 their own defence ; but were compelled by 
 blows to fulfil the injunctions of Coilim. So 
 "unrelenting were thefe orders, that even an in- 
 fant child of Mr. Ellis k was facrificed, and the 
 only Englifhman who efcaped from Patna was 
 a phyfician named Fullarton, who a few days 
 before received a pardon from the nabob. Nor 
 was the tyrant content with this butchery: he 
 put to death upwards of thirty of his own fub- 
 jecls whom hefufpected of favouring the Eng- 
 lifh, and left their bodies to be devoured by 
 the wild beads and birds of prey; a peculiar 
 ignominy among the Geutoos: one of thefe 
 victims was the unfortunate Ramnarain. 
 
 Cossim, confidering Patna as alaft refource, 
 evinced a proportionate energy in the defence. 
 His troops exhibited unufual boldnefs and dis- 
 cipline, and made a reiblute fally, in which 
 they were fo fortunate as to blow up a princi- 
 pal magazine. But Patna not being regularly 
 fortified, the batteries foon deftroyed the works, 
 filenced the cannon, and made a practicable 
 breach, and after a iiege of eight days the city 
 was taken by ftorm. Thus in lets than four 
 months the whole province of Bengal M r as fub- 
 dued by major Adams; he was the firft European 
 wrro achieved that important conqueft. 
 
 Deprived of his laft fortrefs, the nabob, 
 accompanied by the murderer Somers, crofled 
 the Ganges with all his treaiure into the pro- 
 
 k Meffrs. Elli?, Hay, Lufliington, and fix other gentlemen 
 were cut to pieces and thrown into a well, which was afterwards 
 filled up. The other perfons murdered were thrown into another 
 wtlJ. 
 
 since
 
 GEORGE III. 233 
 
 vince of Oude, where he received an afylum chap. 
 
 from Sujah ul Dowlah, vizier of Shah Allum, ^J^, 
 
 the great mogul, but was not permitted to in- 1763. 
 trod uce his army.
 
 £84 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHATTER THE TWELFTH: 
 
 CHAP. 
 XII. 
 
 1764. 
 Difputes at 
 the India 
 houfe. 
 
 1764 — 1766. 
 
 Affairs of India continued. — Difputes at the 
 India houfe. — lord Clive appointed chief 
 governor. — Coffim received and protected 
 by Sujah ul Dozvlah nabob of Oude — zuho. 
 makes hojtile preparations againji the Eng^ 
 lifh. — Death of major Adams. — Mutinous 
 fate of the army. — Battle of Buxar. — ■ 
 Shah Allum efcapcs to the Englifh camp, and 
 enters into a treaty. ■ — Sujah ul Dozclah fo- 
 nd ts peace — which is rejufed. — Surrender 
 of Chander Geer. — Allahabad, the capital 
 of Oude, taken. — Death of Mir Jaffier. — ■ 
 The council declare Najim ul Dozclah his 
 fucceffor. — Arrival of lord Clive. — Final 
 overthrow of Sujah ul Dozciah. — He fur- 
 renders himfelf to the Englijh. — An ad- 
 vantageous peace concluded. — Efforts of lord 
 (Hive to reftore order and economy.- — Mu- 
 tiny of the military fuppreffed by lord Clive. 
 -Profperity of the company. — The divi- 
 dends augmented. 
 
 'The rapid viciffitudes of the company's af- 
 fairs, excited a violent fenfation anion" 
 the proprietors of ilock m London, and the 
 India houfe was divided into two zealous and 
 rancorous parties. The deposition of Mir 
 Coffim gave rife to many animadversions, and 
 the fubfequent tranfaelions, which at one 
 period brought the affairs of the company 
 to the verge of ruin, occafioned fpirited de- 
 bates and vehement altercations. A detail of 
 the proceedings would at this diftance of time 
 
 afford
 
 GEORGE III. 1$5 
 
 afford neither pleafure norinftruction ; and the chap. 
 eloquence difplayed both at the India houfe, JJJfk^, 
 and through the medium of the prefs, only re- 1764- 
 minds us of the pertinacity with which the ad- 
 herents of Ciive and Sullivan fupported their 
 • cfpeerive opinions, but infpires no curiofity to 
 examine the arguments which were adduced 
 by either. 
 
 For fome time the interefts were almofl Lord aire 
 equally balanced ; Mr. Sullivan was continued re . ntto x "- 
 chairman of the court of Directors, and every v ™wr%~- 
 effort to give an afeendancy to lord Clive's n«ai. 
 party was unfucceisful. At length, his ad- 
 herents, after a long and anxious c.onteft, ac- 
 quired a fuperiority ; the perilous fituation of 
 India pointed him out as the only perfon capa- 
 ble of retrieving the affairs of the company: 
 he was nominated governor genera:, and com- id May 
 mander of the forces at Bengal, and, at the re- :764 ~ 
 queft of the proprietors, took his inftantaneous 
 departure for Calcutta, after receiving the order 
 of the Bath. Mr. Sumner and Mr. Sykes were at" 
 the fame time appointed counfellors at the prefix 
 dency, the former to fucceed to the govern- 
 ment. Lord Clive, Mr. Sumner, general Car- 
 nac, Mr. Vcrelit, and Mr. Sykes were atfo ap- 
 pointed a felect committee, with fpecial powers. 
 
 However irritated and indignant againft Cotftm re- 
 Coilim Ali Khan, the Er.gliih reipected the ter- ceiwd a a " d 
 ntories ot a neutral power, ana thererore, when bythena- 
 he had effected his efeape, rigidly abstained *»o^of 
 from purfuing him, and encamped during four 
 months on their own fide of the river. Sujah 
 ul Dowlah, the nabob of Oude, at fir ft dif- 
 piayed great moderation and prudence, in not 
 commencing hoftilities in favour of the refu- 
 gee tyrant of Bengal ; but the caufe of a na- 
 tive prince, expelled from his dominions by 
 
 Europeans, 
 
 Oude :
 
 £88 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. Europeans, without any complaint from his 
 own fubjeets, excited fympathy, and notwith- 
 
 1764. ftanding the remonflrances of the council at 
 Calcutta, on the impropriety of affording pro- 
 tection to Coflim while he profeffed tobe on 
 W k h f terms °f friendfliip with them, the nabob of 
 Sepreparl Oude not only perfevered in flickering him 
 ations from purfuit, but foon began to collect a for- 
 E?giifli. thC m i^ aol e army He anfwered the remonftrances 
 of the council by recriminatory manifeftoes, 
 terminating in extravagant threats, and even 
 endeavoured, by miireprefentations, to influence 
 Mir Jaffier to renounce the Englifh alliance, 
 and throw himfelf on the protection of Shah 
 Allum, who then refided with Sujah ul Dow- 
 lah. Coffim's troops, though they could not 
 obtain leave to enter the province of Oude, 
 till annoyed the company's forces, and the 
 Englifh commander openly profefied an in- 
 tention of carrying his arms into the domi- 
 nions of Sujah ul Dowlah. Alarmed at this 
 information, and anxious to retract his hof- 
 tile profeflions with the leaf! poffible in- 
 June. jury to his pride, the prince indirectly made 
 conciliatory overtures, and applied to the 
 Engliih government for terms of peace. He 
 rejected, however, mofl explicitly, the pro- 
 portion of yielding up Colfim and Somers, 
 which was made to him as the effential bafis 
 of a treaty. Soon afterwards fome of Coffim's 
 troops having furprifed a party of Englifh, 
 brought their heads in triumph to Shah Allum; 
 the real difpofition of Sujah ul Dowlah then 
 became apparent, and by his affiftance Mir 
 Cofiim was enabled to fend into the field an 
 army of fifty thoufand men, with a propor- 
 tionate train of artillery. 
 
 This?
 
 GEORGE III. 287 
 
 This hoftile movement was probably ae- chap. 
 celerated by the death of major Adams, whole ^i*, 
 name alone was fiuricient to excite terror. 1764- . 
 But the judicious choice of a fucceifor in ma- „lV hot 
 
 /v* t 1 1 major 
 
 jor Hector Monro, afforded the enemy no rea- Adams. 
 Von to triumph. His force was only ninethou- 
 fand men, of whom not more than twelve hun- 
 dred were Europeans, and this fmall army was Mutinous 
 in fuch a (late of infubordination and mutiny, ftateoftte 
 that he was compelled to punilh the ring- army * 
 leaders to the utmoft extent of military fe- 
 verity, by fentencing twenty-four of them to 
 be blown away from the mouth of cannon. 1 
 
 Actuated 
 
 » Sir Heeler's own account of this tranfaclion, given in evidence 
 before the committee of the houfe of commons, is fubjoined at 
 length ; it difplays the dreadful dilemma to which he w?o reduced, 
 and the vigour and refolution with which he extricated himlelf, and 
 faved the company. " I found the army" he fays, " Europeans as 
 *' well as Teapoys, mutinous, deferting to the enemy, threatening to 
 '* carry off their officers to the enemy, demanding an augmentation 
 " of pay, demanding large fums of money, which they faid had 
 *' been promifed them by the nabob, and difobedient to all order } 
 ** four hundred of the Europeans had gone off in a body, and joined 
 " the enemy fome time before I joined the army. This be.ng the 
 " fituation the army was in, I fully determined to endeavour to coti- 
 *' cjuer that mutinous difpofition in them, before I would attempt to 
 " conquer the enemy. — I accordingly went with a detachment of the 
 " king's and company's Europeans fromPatna, with four field piece* 
 " of artillery, to Chippeia, one of the cantonments j I think the very 
 " day, or the day after I arrived, a whole battalion of leapoys, with 
 ** their arms and accoutrements, went off to join the enemy ; I im- 
 " mediately detached about 100 Europeans, and a battalion of fea- 
 •' poys, whole officers told me they thought they could depend upon 
 " them not to defert, with two field pieces, to endeavour to come up 
 " with the deferters, and bring them back, to me ; the detachment 
 " came up with them in the night time, found them affeep, took 
 " them prifoners, and carried them back to Chippera. Tlie officer 
 " who commanded the detachment lent me an exprefs, acquainting 
 •' me with the hour he would arrive at Chippera with the prilbners. 
 " I was ready to receive them with the troops under arms ; upon 
 " their arrival at Chippera, I immediately ordered their officers to pick 
 «* me out fifty of the men of the worft characters, and who they 
 " thought might have enticed the battalion to defert to the enemy ; 
 " they did pick out fifty ; I defired them to pick me out twenty* 
 " four men of thole fifty of the worft characters : I immediately or» 
 •' dered a field court martial to be held by their own bla:k officers, 
 " and after representing to the officers the heinvus crime the battalion 
 
 »« had
 
 2SS HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. A c t u a t e d by the fame fpirit which dif- 
 
 xJ-^JL* tinguilhed his predecelfor, Monro made an ac- 
 1764- the and vigorous campaign. He firft cncoun- 
 
 Busar.° icre d the Indian army in an advantageous en- 
 campment at Buxar, on the river Gamnaflary, 
 above an hundred miles above Patna. They 
 were protected by a morals lined with cannon, 
 and a wood flickered them on the onlv fide 
 
 «d oa. which appeared available. Near this itrong 
 poll Monro Was attacked by the enemy, who 
 were defeated with the lofs of four thoufand 
 killed ; a hundred and thirty-three pieces of 
 cannon, a great quantity of military ftores, 
 and all their tents ready pitched ; while in 
 Monro's little army^ which confided but of 
 feven thoufand and feventy-two men, of whom 
 eight hundred and fifty -feven were Europeans, 
 
 *'■ had been guilty or, defired they would immediately bring me their 
 ** fentence ; they found them guilty of mutiny and delertion, ferf- 
 *' tenced them to i'ufter death, and left the manner to me ; I ordered 
 <£ immediately four of the twenty-four to be tied to the guns, and 
 * the artillery officers to prepare to blow them away : there was a 
 *' remarkable circumftance ; four grenadiers reprefented that as they 
 «< always had the poft of honour, they thought they were intitled to be 
 *• firft blown away; the four battalion men were untied from the 
 « guns, and the four grenadiers tied and blown away, upon which 
 ii the European officers of the battalions of feapoys, who were then 
 *' in the held, came and told me, that the feapoys would not fuffer 
 " any more of the men to be blown away. I ordered the artillery 
 «' officers to load the four field pieces with grape fhot, and drew u;> 
 «' the Europeans with the guns in their intervals ; defired the officers 
 " to return at the heads of their battalions ; ordered them immedi- 
 «« ately to ground their arms, and if one of them attempted to move, 
 « { I would give orders to fise upon them, and treat them the fame as 
 * ! if they were Strajah Dowlah's army. They did ground their 
 «* arms, and did not attempt to move, upon which I ordered fix- 
 <c fceen more of the twenty-four to be tied to the guns by force, and 
 « blown away the fame as the firft, which was done: I immediately 
 " ordered the other four to be carried to a cantonment, where there 
 " had been a defertion of the feapoys feme time before, with pofitive 
 *'• orders to the commanding officer at that cantonment to blow them 
 " away in the fame manner at the guns, which was accordingly 
 "done, and which put an end to the mutiny and defertion." See 
 alio a letter from captain William Jennings, dated izth February 
 1764., Reports, &c. vol. iii. p. 364. 
 
 no
 
 GEORGE III. 289 
 
 no more than eight hundred and feventy'-four CHAP, 
 were returned as killed, wounded, and mil- yjJJ^ 
 fing. * 764- 
 
 Th e mogul, who was detained by Sujah ul Shah Ai- 
 Dowlah, in an honourable captivity, efcaped l^Eng! 
 from his camp the night preceding this battle, life camp. 
 He now congratulated Monro on his victory, 
 and requeued the Englifli, whom he confidered 
 as the only power in India capable of effecting 
 that object, to affift in reftoring him to the 
 throne of Delhi ; offering as a compenfation 
 for this benefit, the province of Oude, or any 
 other gratification they might require. The 
 council of Calcutta confented: Shah Alluin 
 was received in the Engliih camp as emperor ; 
 a treaty was concluded between them, by 29th Dec 
 which he affigned to the company Ghazepoor, 
 and the zemindarry of rajah Bulwant Sing, 
 belonging to the nizamaut of Sujah ul Dow- 
 lah, and they agreed to put him in poneffion of 
 Allahabad, and the reft of the nabob's do- 
 minions. 
 
 Monro now proceeded to attack the fort Failure of 
 Of Chandcr-Geer, lituate on the Ganges, fup- Monro* 
 pofed to contain all the treafures of Coffim, Geer. 
 and the only remaining pofition on that fide 
 the river, retained by the enemy. This place, 
 iituated on a high hill, was impregnable by 
 affault, and needed neither fkill nor ammunition 
 for its defence ; the accefs was fteep and nar- 
 row, and the bcficged could with the ftones and 
 rubbiih of their own fortifications repel the 
 efforts of valour, and deride the machinations 
 of art. Two fuceeihve nights Monro led his 
 gallant followers to the attack of this fortrefs. 
 and was twice repulfed ; the Indians, taught by 
 experience, no longer abandoned themfelves to 
 negligent (lumber, and the major reluctantly 
 vol. 1. u abandoning*
 
 290 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 cha;p. abandoning the enterprize, formed his camp' 
 xj^iy under the walls of Benares. 
 
 1764. Here Beney Bahadre, the minifter of Sujalt 
 
 Dowlah fo- u ^ Dowlah, waited on Monro with overtures 
 licitspeace. of peace, but Monro inflexibly refufed to liften 
 to any terms, unlefs the furrender of Coffim 
 and Somers was firft granted. The fubahdar, 
 with an inflexibility equally honourable, re- 
 filled to betray thofe whom he had engaged to 
 protect; every method was ineffectually tried 
 to effect an accommodation ; bribes which 
 might have awakened cupidity in the moft ftoi- 
 cal mind, were refufed. b Sujah ul Dowlah 
 yielded fo far as to engage that he would caufe 
 Somers to be aifaffinated, but this expedient 
 being. alfo rejected, the treaty was broken off. 
 Harafies Sujah ul Dowlah was not inftigated by 
 
 the Bntifh defpair to folicit peace; he was itill at the head 
 
 troops. * • t • 
 
 of a formidable army ; yet though elated by 
 Monro's ill fuccefs at Chander-Geer, he did 
 not attack the Britim camp, but fent flying 
 parties of horfe to harafs the out pofts by re- 
 peated fkirmilhes, keeping his main body with 
 the artillery at the diitance of fifteen miles. 
 This conduct reduced the Britifli commander 
 to a critical dilemma ; he could not fafely re- 
 main before Benares, nor did he deem it pru- 
 dent to quit his poiition, though he was daily 
 
 b The offers were twenty-five lack of rupees (312,5001.) to defray 
 the expences of the war; the like fum to the army ; and eight lack to 
 Monro himl'elf, which with his mare of the twenty-five lack would 
 have made about twelve lack, or (150,000 1.) for himfelf. In refitt- 
 ing this fplendid temptation Monro displayed in impreffive colours the 
 gallantry and difintereftednefs of the military character. He faid, " If 
 " the nabob would give me all the lacks in his treafury, I would make 
 *' no peace with him, until he had delivered up thofe murdering rafcals, 
 *' for I never could think that my receiving eleven or twelve lack of 
 " rupees, was a fufficient atonement for the blood of thofe unfor- 
 *' tunate gentlemen who were murdered at Patna, nor a fufficient 
 " atonement to the weeping parents, friends, and relations of thofe 
 " unfortunate gentlemen." 
 
 more
 
 GEORGE III. 29 1 
 
 more and more ftraightened by the enterprizes chap. 
 
 *—^ VTT 
 
 of the enemy. uii^r, 
 
 While affairs were in this fituation Monro '764- 
 was recalled in confequence of the arrange- Monro re- 
 mentsmade by lord Clive before his departure 6th V'n- 
 from England. The command devolved, ad 1765- 
 interim, on major Sir Robert Fletcher. The Jj^Ji 
 honourable zeal of this brave officer to dif- bertFIet* 
 tinguim the brief period of his authority by cher * 
 brilliant and ufeful exertions, fortunately ter- 
 minated the difficulty in which Monro had 
 found himfelf involved. In oppofition to the 
 opinion of his principal officers, he left the 
 camp before Benares at midnight, and ad- 14th Jan, 
 Vanced towards the enemy, leaving a party 
 fufficiently ftrong to blockade the city during 
 his abfence. Three days were employed in whoputg 
 reaching the nabob's camp, although but fif- the enemy 
 teen miles diftant; twice they were drawn up tofl, g ht - 
 to receive him, and on his approach retreated 
 in good order, but the third time fled with 
 precipitation. Being thus delivered from the 
 immediate prefence of the enemy, the army 
 was enabled to extend its pohtion, and relieved 
 from the want of forage and provifions. 
 
 Fletcher, full anxious to fignalize himfelf, Surrender 
 refolved to attack the fortreis from which ° fc £ an - 
 
 ufr>w££r 
 
 Monro had been repulfed ; and the garrifon, 
 whofe pay was fix months in arrear, refufmg 
 to obey the orders of their governor, mutinoufly 
 compelled him to furrender. This gave birth 
 to a moft affecting and pathetic fcene. The 
 governor came forth, and, in fight of his troops, 
 delivered the key to Sir Robert Fletcher. 
 Then fhedding tears he complimented the vic- 
 tor, and apologized, not for his too refolute 
 defence, but for his too fpeedy furrender. " I 
 w have endeavoured," he faid, " to act like a 
 
 u 2 " foldier,
 
 292 
 CHAP. 
 
 xn. 
 
 1765- 
 
 Allahabad 
 taken. 
 
 14th Jan. 
 
 1765- 
 Death of 
 
 Mir Jaf- 
 fier. 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 11 foldier, but deferted by my prince, and left 
 
 with a mutinous garrifon, what could I do? 
 
 God and you, (laying his hand on the Ko- 
 " ran, and pointing to his foldiers) are wit- 
 nefles that to the faith of the Englifh I now 
 truft my life and fortune." 
 
 Profiting by his good fuccefs, Sir Robert 
 foon made himfelf mafter of Allahabad, the 
 enemy's capital, though defended by a ft ion g 
 wall, and capable of making a vigorous re- 
 fiftance. This conqueft feemed utterly to ruin 
 Sujah ul Dowlah's affairs, and to leave his do- 
 minions intirely at the mercy of the Englifh. 
 
 During thefe tranfaclions, the death of 
 Jaffier Ali Khan at Moofhedabad materially 
 affecled the ftate of Bengal. By the law of 
 inheritance, both in Europe and Hindoftan,' the 
 rights of .lather mould have defcended to his 
 grandfon, the offspring of his fon Miran, who 
 was about fix years old ; but Jaffier, by a tefta- 
 mentary paper, bequeathed the fucceffion to 
 his natural ion, d Najim ul Dowlah, then about 
 twenty years of age, and whom he had for 
 fome time aflbciated in the government with 
 him ; in his laft moments he alfo gave to his 
 appointed fuccelibr a letter of advice, enjoining 
 him to continue the rajah Nundcomar, his own 
 favourite, in the office of prime-minifter, and to 
 follow his inftruclions. Lord Clive was not yet 
 arrived, and the council, apprized of the mea- 
 furcs adopted in England to abridge their ju- 
 rifdiction, employed the laft moments of their 
 
 c It appears, however, that thefe laws were frequently fuperfeded 
 throughout the mogul empire. 
 
 d The fail of Najim ul Dowlah's being an illegitimate fon is flared 
 on the authority of a letter to the court of dire&ors, dated the 30th 
 of September 1765, figned by lord Give, W.B.Sumner, J. Car- 
 nac, H. Verelfr, and F. Sykes : it forms a material point in the 
 consideration of fubfequent events. 
 
 1 expiring
 
 GEORGE III. 293 
 
 expiring authority, for purpofes of avarice and chap. 
 ambition/ Although the importance of the JJJJ^ 
 crifis demanded great confidcration, and no in- 1765. 
 convenience could ariie from delay, yet the xhecoun. 
 council acted with unwarrantable precipitation, cil declare 
 and notwithstanding the debauched and profli- 2ow?aw 
 gate character of Najim ui Dowlah, and the hisfuc- 
 juft claims of the infant fon of Miran, affecled ceffofi 
 to fanction the will of Mir Jarher, without even 
 requiring the confent of the mogul. r rhus 
 they extorted large fees from the weaknefs and 
 diftrefs of the young nabob/ while their con- 
 duet towards him was replete with harfhnefs 
 and iniblcnce. 5 Inftead of Nundcomar they 
 compelled him to confer the naibihip or de- 
 puty government of the province on Mahom- 
 med Rhezi Khan, who was confidered both 
 by Najim and his father as their implacable 
 enemy. h Jealous of Nundcomar's influence, 
 they compelled Najim ul Dowlah to fend him 
 to Calcutta for trial as a traitor, refifting the 
 threats, prayers and importunities of the youth 
 they had exalted ; and in this initance even the 
 temptation of a large bribe which was offered 
 both by Najim and Nundcomar. Moil pro- 
 bably the rajah had excited his mailer to at- 
 
 c The company highly difapproved their conduft ; fee letter of 
 the 19th of February 1766. Reports, &c. vol. iii. p. 455. 
 
 { It appears that on this occafion 139,0001. fterling were diltri- 
 buted among the council, helides other iums fuppofed to have been 
 received, but of which no evidence could be obtained. 
 
 B See Najim ul Dowlah's letter to the felecT; committee at Calcutta, 
 Reports, &c. vol. iii. 409. It is however to be obferved, that after 
 lord Give's arrival, the icled committee, on mature inveftigation, 
 declared many of the charges in this letter void of foundation, idem. 
 p. 4.18. 
 
 h In order to obtain this elevation, and in compenfation to thofe 
 who afllfted him, Mahommed Rhczi Khan was laid to have diftri- 
 buted in gratification? twenty lacks of rupees. See on this fubjett, 
 {he reports of committees, vol. iii. p. 4.1 1, 4.12, 415. 
 
 u 3 tempt
 
 *94 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, tempt his emancipation from the oppreflive 
 x 11 - authority of the council, but the charge of 
 1765- treafon appearing deftitute of foundation, he 
 was afterwards difcharged.' 
 3d May On his arrival at Calcutta, lord Clive efta- 
 J*** . blifhecl the felecl committee, and formed regu- 
 sndregula- lations and covenants calculated to reftrain the 
 tionsof enormous and flagitious peculations of the 
 7th. VC ' company's officers.* An order was alfo iflued 
 for fecuring and bringing to Calcutta, all 
 Europeans who had no claim from indentures 
 to the protection of the company. 
 Military General Carnac, who was previoufly 
 proceed- difpatched to take the command of the army, 
 ,ig$ ' found Sujah ul Dowlah ftill meditating an in- 
 curfion into Bengal ; that aelive and fpirited 
 prince, although often defeated in the field, ex- 
 pelled from his beft fortreffes, deprived of his 
 vizierate, and abandoned by the mogul, was 
 not divefted of his fortitude, or deftitute of re- 
 fource. He made an alliance with Mulbar, a 
 chief of the Mahrattas, the mod warlike tribe 
 in India, and ftill indulged a hope of retrieving 
 his almoft defperate fortunes. General Carnac, 
 apprized of this intention, by a rapid march, 
 effected a junction with Sir Robert Fletcher in 
 the diftriet of Korah, attacked Sujah ul Dow- 
 
 * The character of Nundcomar was open to many reproaches ; 
 he was fuppoi'ed to have embezzled a great (hare of the revenues of 
 Mir Jaffier ; he was adverfe to the Englifh 5 and the army, by his 
 means, fuftered many inconveniences and privations. See Reports, 
 Sec. vol. iii. p. 305. 368. 
 
 k A letter from the court of directors, dated the 1 ft of June 1764, 
 requiring the execution of thefe covenants, was received in Bengal 
 on the 24th of January 1765, but had not, on lord Clive's arrival, 
 been executed by any one of the company's fervants j and it does 
 not appear that Mr. Spencer, who was then governor, ever brought the 
 matter under the confederation of the council board, or gave any no- 
 tire to the company's fervants that they were required to execute ftich 
 covenants. See Reports of committees to the houfe of commons, 
 Val. iii. p. 315. 
 
 lah
 
 GEORGE IIL 295 
 
 lab at Calpy before he could unite his forces chap. 
 with the Mahrattas, and routed his army with v3*L, 
 great (laughter. The Mahrattas ftill threaten- 3d May 
 ing an irruption into the nabob's province, !? 65 * 
 Carnac drove them acrofs the Jumnah, and s^h u\ 
 compelled them to feek refuge in the hills. Dowlah. 
 
 In this emergency, Sujah ul Dowlah dif- 22(1Ma y- 
 played genuine greatnefs of mind : ftill pre- Mahrattas! 
 ierving his word inviolate, he permitted Colfim sujah ul 
 and Somers to efcape, 1 and after explaining his Dowlah 
 delign to the general, 1 " came unattended to the h"JJJyf; rs 
 Britifh camp, and furrendered himfelf a pri- 
 foner, to accept peace on fuch terms as mould 
 refult from the juftice and courtefy of the vic- 
 tor. Carnac received him with the diitinclion 
 due to a brave and diftreffed prince. 
 
 Lord Clive deemed this crifis fufficiently Treaty of 
 important to attend in perfon at the fcene of F ace ne - 
 negotiation. An agreement had been previ- s 0113164, 
 oully made with the council, that Shah Allum 
 mould be put in poflefiion of the province of 
 Oude, but this project was fraught with great 
 and inevitable mifchief. Lord Clive was ex- 
 prefsly inftrucled by the felecT; committee to 
 exert his endeavours in conciliating the af- 
 fections of the native powers, in removing their 
 jealoufy, by convincing them that the Englifh 
 had no views of conqueft, but only aimed at 
 fecurity in carrying on a free trade, equally 
 benelicial to the natives and to the company. 
 He was alfo directed not to feek an extenlion of 
 territorial porTefnon, and recommended to rein- 
 state Sujah ul Dowlah in the full enjoyment of 
 all his dominions, without retaining any of his 
 
 1 The nahob found a refuge among the Rohillas, the German 
 among the Jats. 
 
 m See his letter, the anfvver, and proceedings thereon. Reports, 
 <fcc. vol. iii. p. 416. 
 
 u 4 ftrontr
 
 296 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 Chap, ftrong holds, or infifting on terms which might 
 *J^ l J^j be irkfome to his high ipirit, and imply a fuf- 
 
 1765- picion of his fincerity. 
 Terms ad- Lord Clive conducted the negotiation in 
 jufted. conformity to thefe inuruclions, and to his 
 own judgment, which was fixongly repugnant 
 to the fyitem of incroachment on the province 
 of Oude. Convinced that any eftabliihment 
 there, would only augment the number of fac- 
 tories, without increafing trade; he omitted 
 the word factories in the treaty," but did not 
 covenant againft eftabliihing them in fo pofi- 
 tive a manner as to preclude the company at 
 any future period from adopting the measure, 
 The greater part of the nabob's dominions was 
 therefore reilored, but Shah Allum obtained 
 the country of Korah, and part of the province 
 of Allahabad, with a grant of twenty-fix lacks 
 of rupees (325,000 1.) yearly, payable out of 
 the revenues of Bengal. In return for thefe 
 ceffions, the mogul granted to the company 
 the reverhon in perpetuity of lord Clive's Jag- 
 hire, or penfion, which amounted to nearly 
 30,000 1. a year, and the dewanny of Bengal, 
 Bahar, and OrifTa ; and Sujah ul Dowlah co- 
 Tenanted to pay to the company fifty lacks 
 (615,000 L) to defray the expences of the war. 
 The Dewanny was declared fubjecl to no 
 charges, except the fifty lacks to the mogul, 
 and fifty-three lacks (6fi<2,500l.) per annum to 
 Najim ul Dowlah for the fupport of his dig- 
 nity. 
 
 * Executed the 16th of Augnft 1765. See the treaty, and the 
 feveral firmauns confirming the various articles, in the Reports, &c. 
 vol. iii. p. 44.6, et fee/. 
 
 The word dewanny is not eafily rendered into Englifh. The 
 office of dewanny was anciently underftood to be the collecting of 
 all the revenues, and after the defraying the expences of the army, 
 and allowing a i'ufficient fund for the fupport of the government in 
 t]ie province, to remit the refjdue to Delhi. 
 
 This
 
 GEORGE III. 297 
 
 This arrangement was highly acceptable to chap. 
 the native princes; the nabob of Oude received vj^. 
 terms more advantageous than his moft fan- 1765- 
 <mine hopes could preface; the mogul obtained ^ Adva "" „ 
 
 «5 ■ 1 , i,. '. O . , tages to ail 
 
 the means ot marching an army to Delhi in parties, 
 fupport of his claim to the throne; and the na- 
 bob of Bengal, confidering the perplexities at- 
 tending his title, and the difgraceful ftate in 
 which he had been placed, was fatislied with 
 the pofleffion of an abundant revenue, and an 
 exemption from controul. 
 
 To the company the treaty was pregnant 
 with unlimited advantages. It tended to ex- 
 tinguiili the jealoufy of the native powers, to 
 infure the gratitude of three princes; and 
 mould they, contrary to expectation, endeavour 
 todiiturb the poiieflion of the Engliih, deprived 
 them, by the lots of the dewanny, of the 
 ftrength and riches requifite to make a formi- 
 dable attempt, either by force or corruption. 
 It promifed to terminate revolutions, as the 
 nabob could not gratify the expectations of the 
 venal and mercenary, and no longer poffeffed 
 a fund for fee ret fer vices, donations and gra- 
 tuities. The revenue thus obtained to the 
 company was ftated by lord Clive at near one 
 million feven hundred thoufand pounds per 
 annum, and his calculation was not exagger- 
 ated. 
 
 Thus happily and glorioufly terminated a 
 contelr, in the courfe of which the exiftence of 
 the Britifh name in India was more than once 
 threatened with annihilation. The motive for 
 hoftilities on our part was generally mere ne- 
 ceflity : the depofition of Mir Jafher has been 
 expofed to the greateft mare of cenfure : at- 
 tempts have been made to acquit him of the 
 
 murders
 
 £98 
 
 CHAP. 
 XII. 
 
 1765- 
 
 Efforts of 
 iord Clive 
 to reftore 
 order and 
 economy. 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 murders imputed to him, p but the arguments 
 in his favour are not fupported by adequate 
 proof. 9 But even ihould his acquittal on this 
 point be well founded, his incapacity and 
 treachery had a direct tendency to ruin him- 
 felf and the company, and juitified the refo- 
 lutions adopted by the council. As a proof 
 it is only necenary to obferve that the war 
 againft the Shah Zaddah, was by him and his 
 fon protracted to a ruinous length, which un- 
 der his more vigorous fuccelfor was terminated 
 in a fmgle campaign, and but for the indo- 
 lence or treachery of Miran, acting under the 
 inftructions of his father and his counfellors, 
 it might have been terminated long before. 1 
 
 Having thus fulfilled one important object 
 of his miffion, lord Clive affiduoufly applied 
 himfelf to reftore fubordination and economy ; 
 he prevented thofe rapid promotions to offices 
 
 P See the difpatch from the felecl: committee to the directors, 
 dated 30th September 1765. 
 
 <? See Vanfittart's letter to the proprietors of Eaft India ftock. 
 1767. p. 39. 
 
 r Whatever reafons may be advanced in vindication of the policy 
 of the meaiure, the council can claim no praife for diiinterefted- 
 nefs : they avowedly received 200,269 I. in prelents. 
 
 It is apleaiure, and fome relief from thedifguftoccafioned by fuch 
 venality, of which repeated inftances occur, to record the exemption 
 of one meritorous individual from the general contagion. " Com- 
 " mon juftice to the principles and conduct of general Carnac,** 
 lord Clive obferves, " obliges me further to add, that I found him 
 «« the only officer of rank who had refifted the temptations to which, 
 «« by his ftation, he was conftantly fubjeel, of acquiring an immenfe 
 " fortune ; and I queition much, whether he is not the only man 
 «.' who has, of late years, been honoured with the command of your 
 * c forces, without acquiring a very large independency. The letter 
 " from the great mogul to the governor and council, requeuing the 
 '* perrniffion for him to accept of two lack, which his majefty is 
 " defirous of bellowing on him as a reward for his difinterefted 
 <* fervices, will corroborate what I have faid in bis favour ; and as 
 fC this affair, agreeable to the tenor of the covenants, is referred to 
 f* the court of directors, 1 make no doubt, they will readily embrace 
 '< the opportunity of . mewing their regard to fuch diftinguimed 
 V merit, by confenting to his acceptance of his majtfty's bounty." 
 
 of
 
 GEORGE lit. £99 
 
 of great truft, by which many young men had chap. 
 fuddenly acquired immenfe riches, and ma- ^J^j 
 terially prejudiced the intereft and reputation »7 6 i- 
 of the company; he expofed to due reprehen- 
 fion thofe who by their fhamelefs peculations 
 had obtained unbounded wealth, while the 
 affairs of the company were confidered as irre- 
 parably deranged : s his exertions againft thofe 
 employed in civil capacities gave rife to un- 
 ceafing enmity and oppofition, which purfued 
 him during the remainder of his days, and his 
 efforts to reduce the military to a ftate of fub- 
 ordination, and to deprive them of fuperabun- 
 dant advantages, produced a dangerous mu- 
 tiny, which required all his courage and con- 
 duct to fupprefs. 
 
 The feditious difpofition of the army has Mutiny of 
 been already mentioned, and it was often fe- [J y mi 
 verely felt during the war. The military in 
 Bengal enjoyed an additional allowance for 
 fubliftence, called a double batta, which was 
 not granted in any other part of India: it was 
 obtained at the exprefs defne of Clive, after 
 the battle of Plafiey, but as the motive of ne- 
 cefhty had long ceafed, the court of directors 
 recommended its discontinuance: the council at 
 Calcutta made fome efforts for that purpofe, 
 which, from the feeblenefs of their authority, 
 were almoft ineffectual ; but the war being ter- 
 minated, a fuificient allowance provided for the 
 widows and children of officers, and the felecl 
 committee having admitted them to a parti- 
 cipation in the fait trade, Clive confidered 
 this a proper time to execute his inftruclions ; 
 
 » See his admirable letter to the court of directors. Reports of 
 committee to the houfe of commons, vol.iii. p. 391. 
 
 and
 
 $00 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, and iffucd orders for reducing the double 
 J^, batta. 
 
 May 1766. A spirit of refinance immediately mani- 
 fefted itfelf ; committees of correfpondence were 
 eitabliihed among- the officers, and a general 
 confpiracy formed, to compel a fubmiiiion to 
 their demands by reiigning all their commil- 
 fions. They bound themielves to fecrecy by 
 folemn oaths, executed bonds with coniidei- 
 able penalties to fecure fidelity to their en- 
 gagements ; and railed a fubfcription of eigh- 
 teen thoufand pounds to provide for thofe who 
 might be unable to obtain the reilitution of 
 their commiffions by adhering to the ailoeia- 
 tion. 
 
 It is afferted that this confederacy, firength- 
 ened by the acceffion of numbers, meditated 
 more than a redrefs of the immediate fource of 
 complaint. They determined to procure the 
 abolition of the new covenants reftraining the 
 company's fervants from receiving prcfents 
 from the princes of the country ; the annihila- 
 tion of the felecf committee, and an engage- 
 ment from government, with a (landing order 
 of the board, that no officer in Bengal mould 
 be fuperfeded by others appointed in England, 
 or nominated from either of the company's fet- 
 tlements in India. 
 
 Suppreffed Th is dangerous confpiracy was kept fo pro- 
 
 clive. d foundly fecret, that lord Clive, who was at 
 Moorihedabad, was only apprized of it a few 
 davs before the intended reiigrtation, bv a letter 
 from Sir Robert Fletcher. Accompanied by 
 two members of the feleci committee, he in- 
 ftantly repaired to Monghir, where part of the 
 European foldiers had taken arms. Aided by 
 the perfuafron of fome fuperior officers, and the 
 attachment of a black regiment, he brought 
 
 them
 
 GEORGE III. 301 
 
 them back to their duty, and proceeded to con- chap. 
 ciliate the army by a diftribution of honorary ^l^, 
 rewards to the non-commfiioned officers, by 1766. 
 judicious commendations of the black com- 
 mandants, and by an advance of pay for two 
 months. Thefe meafures were attended with 
 fignal fuccefs ; the officers who lately prefumed 
 to controul the government, were reduced to 
 the necefiity of departing for Calcutta ; after 
 feeing themfelvcs deferted by the privates, and 
 many of their ftations occupied by fubalterns 
 to whom lord Clive s^ave commiftions. The like 
 event attended the fame exertions in the two 
 other brigades who had alfo joined in the con- 
 fpiracy. 
 
 The mutineers, now defpondent and fub- 
 miffive, implored the reftitution of their com- 
 miffions ; fome of the leail culpable were -in- 
 dulged in their requeit., and others put under 
 arreft, preparatory to trial by a court martial. 
 This court, bv a lenient conftruclion of the act 
 for punifhing mutiny and defertion in India, 
 would not venture to pronounce capital fen- 
 tences, but inflicted puniihments of an igno- 
 minious nature. The governor and coun- 
 cil, however, compelled the culprits to re- 
 turn to Europe, and the houfes of fome of the 
 moft intractable were furrounded by a military 
 guard, till the mips were ready for their de- 
 parture. 1 
 
 The intelligence of this mutiny produced no Satisfac- 
 great fenfation in England, becaufe the ac- tionpfthe 
 count of its rife was accompanied with that of 
 its fupprefhon ; the company was now coniider- 
 ed exempt from danger, and ftanding on a 
 
 t See Strachey's Narrative of the mutiny of the officers of the army 
 in Bengal. VerelrTs View of the Englifh Government in Benga', 
 p. 57- 
 
 ba. • 
 
 Direcloi?.
 
 302 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP, bans of unrivalled affluence and commercial 
 ^J^ importance. 
 
 1766. In fuch circumftanees, the proprietors of In- 
 
 augment? ^* a ^ oc ^ became defirous to partake in the 
 ed« effects of that profperity which was produced 
 
 by fo imminent a rifque of their property. This 
 advantage they were intitled to expect, as in 
 the courfe of the war their dividends were re- 
 duced from eight to fix per cent, and ftill re- 
 xSth June, mained at that point. The directors for a time 
 September, evaded the propofition by a flnelfe, but a mo- 4 
 tion was afterwards carried for augmenting the 
 dividend to ten per cent. At the fame time a 
 meffage in writing was received from the firft 
 lord of the treafury, importing that the affairs 
 of the Eafl India company had been men- 
 tioned in parliament, in the laft feffion, and 
 would probably be again taken into consi- 
 deration, therefore with a view to enable the 
 company to prepare their papers for the occa- 
 sion, they were apprized of the time when par- 
 liament would meet.
 
 GEORGE 111, SOS 
 
 CHAPTER THE THIRTEENTH: 
 1766.— 1767- — 1768. 
 
 Tranfactions in America. — Effect of repealing 
 the ftamp act — and of the declaratory aft. 
 
 — Contumacy of the colonifs. — Dif afters in 
 the Weft Indies. — Scarcity of grain in Eng- 
 land. — Embargo laid by order of the privy 
 council. — Meeting of parliament. — Indent* 
 nity bill — Jirenuoujly and ably argued. — 
 Lord Chathains efforts to gain adherents. — 
 Partial change of minifiry. — Embarraff- 
 ment of lord Chatham, — his ill health.-— 
 IFantof union in the cabinet. — /Iff airs of 
 the Eaft India company difcuffed in parlia- 
 ment. — They declare an increafed dividend, 
 — 'Regulating and refraining bills paffed. 
 
 — Sufpenfion of the legijlature of Nezv York, 
 
 — Nezv duties on exports to America. — At- 
 tempts to form miniferial arr augments. — 
 Projects and death of Charles Tozcnfhend, 
 chancellor of the exchequer — his character. 
 
 — Lord North chancellor of the exchequer 
 
 — his character. — Grafton adminijiration. 
 
 — Meeting of parliament. — Refriction of 
 dividends on Eaft India Jlock. — Nullum 
 Tempus bill rejected. — Occafion of the mo- 
 tion. — Prorogation and diffblution of pa r- 
 liament. 
 
 he repeal of the ftamp ael diffufed great fa- ch a p. 
 tisfaetion through all parts of America ; yj^^j 
 but the rejoicings were calculated to infpire F J 766 v 
 uneafinefs and alarm in a prudent adminiitra- r e P eniing 
 tion. The repeal, whether conceded on the x ^ ftamp 
 ground of right or of expediency, was a tri- r,a ' 
 
 umph
 
 304 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, umph to the party in oppofition to the Britim 
 xji,/ government, and during the demonftrations of 
 1766. joy, the feeds of future refiftance were carefully 
 nouriihed. The courts of juftice refumed their 
 functions, and the provincial affemblies their 
 fittings; but there were not wanting many, 
 who "by pamphlets, and news-paper publica- 
 tions, prevented the return of cordial affection, 
 and cautioned the colonifts againft a too im- 
 plicit reliance on the moderation of the mo- 
 ther-country. 
 of the T HE declaratory aft, which, in the expec- 
 
 declara- tation of the framers, was to ftifle all differ- 
 ioiy aft. ences by the eftablithment of an undeniable 
 principle, was, on the contrary, exhibited to the 
 Americans, as evidence, that the repeal of the 
 ftamp a6t had been rather extorted than volun- 
 tarily conceded, and that the rulers of the Bri- 
 tim nation ftill eherifhed the hopes of deriving, 
 on ibme more favourable occaiion, a revenue 
 from the taxation of America. The people 
 were therefore exhorted not to forego the means 
 of eftablilhing their own independence ; they 
 were counfelled to encourage the breed ofiheep 
 for a lupply of wool ; to promote the culture of 
 flax, hemp, and cotton, and the fabrication of 
 fuch of the coarfer Britim manufactures as 
 would enable them on a future contingency to 
 fupport affociations againft importation.* Thefc 
 meafures obvioufly refulted from the declara- 
 tory acl, and fhewed the fallacy of Franklin's 
 declaration at the bar of the houfe of com- 
 mons, that the aftertion of right would never 
 give the Americans any concern, if not at- 
 tempted to be carried into pra6lice. b 
 
 * Stedman's History of the American War, vol. i. p. 48. 
 
 * See his examination, Debrett's Debates, vol. iv. p. 33»* 
 
 Thanks
 
 GEO R G E II L 
 
 305 
 
 Tiiaxks and addrefies to the kino- were 
 cheerfully voted by all the affemblies ; but they 
 ftudioufly avoided any expreffion which could 
 be conftrued to imply an obligation to parlia- 
 ment; and they foon evinced a difpofition not 
 to carry their compliances to any extent which 
 mould fanclion an opinion of continued obedi- 
 ence. The fecretary of irate, in his letter to 
 the governors, recommended that a requifition 
 mould be made to the colonial affemblies, for 
 compenfations to thofe who had been injured 
 by the late riots. The governor's meifage was re- 
 luctantly, and fome what contumaciously, taken 
 into confideration by the affembly of Mafla- 
 churTet's Bay: thev did not acl upon it until 
 the inhabitants fent exprefs inftruelions to their 
 reprefentatives on the fubjecr., and until they re- 
 ceived information that the lords of the treafury 
 in England refufed to pay the funis of money 
 voted by parliament in 1 763, unlefs the propoied 
 compenfation was made. At length, an acl to 
 this effect waspaued; but to (hew the fpirit of 
 the colony, it contained a claufe of indemnity to 
 the offenders in the riots, who were thus taught 
 to confider themfelves, equally with their vic- 
 tims, objects of the care and attention of their 
 legiflators. Rhode Ifland and New York 
 were equally dilatory : Maryland alone with 
 laudable eagernefs voted a compenfation, 
 though there was only one fufferer in their 
 province. 
 
 An occafion foon prefented itfelf for dis- 
 playing the real difpofition of the Ameri is. 
 
 c Stedmnn, vol. i. p. 50. This conduft of the afTemblv of Maf- 
 fachuffet's Bay affords another inltance of the fallacy of Dv. Franklin's 
 anfwers at the bar of the houfe.of commons. He iaid the ylfem- 
 blies had no difpofition to entourage the rioters; that they coniider- 
 ed them liable to pi rudiment, and would punifh them themfelves if 
 they could. See Debrett's Debates, vcl. iv. p. 337. 
 
 vol. r. x In 
 
 CHAP. 
 XIII. 
 
 1766. 
 
 Froceed- 
 ingjs ia 
 Maflk- 
 chuflets 
 Bay on the 
 compen- 
 fation ad. 
 
 In other 
 provinces. 
 
 TJnwilling- 
 neis of the 
 New York 
 affembly to 
 provide for 
 tlie mili- 
 tary.
 
 .106 HISTORY OF ENGLAND, 
 
 chap. In the la It feffioii of parliament, an alteration 
 Xi iS was made in the American mutiny act, enjoin- 
 1766. irig the eoloniits to fupply the loldiers with fait, 
 vinegar, and beer or cyder. The firft attempt 
 to obtain this moderate indulgence was made 
 in New York : the governor applied to the 
 aflembly to provide quarters for the troops who 
 were expected, and fpecified the additional ar- 
 ticles required. The aflembly were fo reluclant 
 in taking this meflage into confideration, that 
 an addreis in anfwer was not voted till the 
 fbldiers arrived, and were put to fome incon- 
 venience for want of quarters; and the addrefs 
 was not fatisfaexory to the governor, becaufe no 
 notice was taken of the demand to fup'ply the 
 military with the neeefhties required by the 
 act of parliament. Another merYage was there- 
 fore lent to the affembly, and after fcveral 
 meifages and replies, they finally refolved not 
 to comply with the amended mutiny ac~t. They 
 aifecled to confider the principle as not differ- 
 ing from the ftamp law, by Us tendency to im- 
 pofe anew burthen/ and at length palled an 
 v act which, on their own authority, new mo- 
 delled or repealed a regulation made by the 
 parliament of Great Britain. 6 
 c end.uaof j N f omc other provinces the ael was no better 
 other pro- ivefl md pro habfy the zeal of the mi- 
 
 litary, in fupport 01 government, occationed 
 this difplay of refentment in the affemblies. 
 In Duchefle county, being called in to afiift the 
 civil power, they were fired on by the mob, and 
 compelled, in their own defence, to wound fome 
 A» g .i 7 66. of the affailants.* In New York, fome loldiers 
 
 d Sredman, p. 51. 
 
 « Andrews's Hiftoiy of the American War, vol. i. p. 7S. 
 
 f Almon's Collection of Papers, vol. i. p. .101. 
 
 attempting:
 
 GEORGE III. 207 
 
 attempting to cut down the tree of liberty, chap. 
 creeled by the inhabitants as a token of triumph J^ 1 ^ 
 on the repeal of the ftamp act, the populace re- 1766. 
 lilted, and blood would have been ihed, had not 
 the moderate difpofition of the commanding 
 officer and magiftrates effected an amicable 
 adjuftment. 
 
 While thus, in America, a momentary con- patters 
 ciliation produced no beneficial effecls, the i n d;f s W 
 Welt India illands, where the inhabitants fym- 
 pathized with the American colonifts in refilling 
 the ftamp act, were reduced to great diftrefies 
 by the formidable devaftations of a hurricane, 13 thAu=r, 
 which began at Martinique, and extended its 
 ravages to feveral of the leeward illands. 
 
 Lord Chat ii a m's miniftry commenced Scarcity of 
 under inaufpicious circumftances. From an un- | ra, l? m , 
 interrupted fucceffion of rain, the harveft failed 
 in all parts of England ; the price of bread was 
 conuderably advanced; and as a fimilar fcarcity 
 prevailed on the continent, great alarms were 
 entertained, left by combination of monopolifts, 
 foreftallers, and regraters, and by an unlimited 
 exportation for profit, the country ihould fufFer 
 the mrferies of fam i ne. I n confequence of thefe 
 apprehenfions, tumults were excited in many 
 pails of the kingdom, which were not repreffed 
 without the aid of military. 5 A proclamation 10th Sept, 
 was iffued againft foreftallers and regraters, 
 but that meafure not being deemed fufiiciently a3 <] s ep t. 
 ftrong, and the city of London reprefenting to the 
 throne that orders were received for the exporta- Embargo 
 tion of large quantities of wheat, while the com- a " 
 pany of bakers had applied to the city magif- 
 trates to prevent a diminution of the fmall ftock 
 
 s Special commifrtons were afterwards ifTurd for the trial of the 
 rioters, and fome of them paid for their indifcretion with their lives, 
 though many received conditional, and fo:ue free, pardons. 
 
 X 2 of
 
 303 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. oF old corn left in the kingdom; the privy 
 villl^ council prohibited the export, and laid an em- 
 i7<>6- bargo on ihips preparing to fail with cargoes 
 of grain. Lord Chatham was prevented by Hi- 
 nds from attending the council, but in writ- 
 ing, recommended the meafure. h 
 
 Meeting of The fcarcity formed the principal topic of 
 
 i itii 'So!!' 1nc king's fpeech, and was ailigncd as a reafon 
 for lb early convening the parliament to deli- 
 berate on a matter fo important, and particu- 
 larly affecting the poor. " The urgency of the 
 " the heceffity," the king obferved, " called 
 " upon me, in the mean lime, to exert myau- 
 " fhority for the prefervation of the public 
 ' fafety, againft a growing calamity, which 
 " could not admit of delay. I have therefore, 
 by the advice of mv privy council, laid an 
 " embargo on wheat and wheat- flour going out 
 " of the kingdom, until the advice of parlia- 
 " ment could be taken." The king then re- 
 commended to make further provifions, if ne- 
 ceffary, with refpect to the deameis of corn, and 
 mentioned, with regret, the fpirit of infurrectioii 
 displayed in many parts of the kingdom. 
 
 The addrefs was oppofed in both houfes, 
 and amendments moved, importing an inten- 
 tion to bring in a hill for indemnifying thofe 
 who had advifed the embargo. 
 
 indemnity The amendments were rejected; but the 
 
 Kill • • ..... 
 
 miniftry having introduced a bill of indemnity 
 in favour of the officers who had acted under 
 the orders of council, feveral animated debates 
 enfued, in which their conduct was feverely 
 arraigned. The alfumption of a prerogative to 
 diipcule with an exiiting law, under any cir* 
 cumltances, or for any motive, was decried as 
 
 h Life of lord Chatham, vol. ii. p. 39. 
 
 uncon-
 
 G E O R G E III. 300 
 
 unconftitutional and dangerous, ami tending chap, 
 directly to eftabliih an unqualified and uri- X!H - 
 limited tyranny. Thofe who . advifed the mea- i 7 66. 
 fare were no lets open to cenfure than the offi- 
 cers who Carried it, into execution ; and there- 
 fore an amendment was moved, including the 
 mmrfters in the operation of the bill. 
 
 Lord Chatham alleged, in j unification of Miniftry 
 the miniftry, that the necefiity of the (late, to <J ef f d f' 
 which every confideration of a mere legal na- Chatham, 
 tnre mull bend, required the meafure. The 
 act itfelf, he contended, was wife and neceflary, 
 and the prohibition a legal exercife of a legal 
 prerogative. lie fupported his opinions by 
 reading fome pafifages from Locke on govern- 
 ment. He maintained, that neither he nor his 
 colleagues needed an indemnity; and declared 
 it to be the right and duty of the crown to fnf- 
 pend the execution of a law, for the fafety of 
 the people. 
 
 Lord Camden, in fiipporting the fame opi- Byioni 
 nion, argued ftrongly in vindication of thole, Camtlen ' 
 who, on an obvious necefiity, had done an acl 
 which no exifting law could he produced tojuf- 
 tify. The necefiity of a meafure, he obferved, 
 renders it not onlyexcufable, but legal : and con- 
 fequently a judge, when then eceffit) is proved, 
 may without hesitation declare that act legal, 
 which would be clearly illegal where fueh necef- 
 fity did not exit!. The crown is the fole execu- 
 tive power, and is therefore intrufted by the 
 Conftitution to take upon itfelf whatever the 
 fafety of the ftate may requirt, during the reeefs 
 of parliament, which isat mon but a forty days 
 tyranny. lie concluded by obferviim:, that the 
 power exercifed on this occafion was fo mo- 
 derate and beneficial, that Junius Brutus would 
 not have hefitated to intruli it, even to the dis- 
 cretion of a Nero. 
 
 X 3 TlILS £
 
 310 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. These arguments were combated by lords 
 .JKjj, Mansfield, Temple, and Lyttleton. They de- 
 Oppofed nied that any fufpending or difpenfmg power 
 
 Mansfidd, was or 0ll g n * t0 t* e melted in the crown ; on the 
 Temple, ' contrary, during the recefs of parliament, the 
 and Lyt. j^jjjg. himfeif was as muc h fubiecl to the law as 
 
 tleton. i • i- - i i it- i 
 
 any other individual, and could not alter or 
 impede its courfe. The danger of fuch a pre- 
 rogative had been frequently adverted to in 
 parliament, and particularly in the bill of rights, 
 the preamble of which exprefsly mentions the 
 evils refulting to the kingdom from the practice 
 adopted by James II, of affirming a power to 
 difpenfe with, and fufpend, the execution of 
 laws without the confent of parliament. Lord 
 Chatham was accufed of perverting the genuine 
 fenfe of Locke i in his quotation ; and the effect 
 of the paffage on which he founded his argu- 
 ment was forcibly contrafted with the ufe he 
 had made of that author in the laft feflion. 
 " The laft feflion of parliament," it was laid, 
 " fet out with the wildeit doctrines, extracted 
 " piece-meal from that fame Mr. Locke, in fa- 
 " vour of liberty ; of liberty run mad with no- 
 " tions extravagant, ridiculous, exploded, and, 
 *' thank God ! by the whole legiflature con- 
 " demnecl. This feflion begins with doctrines 
 " again extracted alfo piece-meal by the fame 
 " perfons, from the fame author, trumpeting 
 " forth a tone of tyranny, more hateful and 
 " more dangerous, becaufe more extenfive, than 
 " any promulgated in the worft reign of the 
 " worft of the Stuarts." That the aet in ques- 
 tion had for its object the good of the people, 
 was denied to be afurhcient argument to prove 
 no indemnity requifite. The wildeit bigot iir 
 the caufe of arbitrary power ceuld never pre- 
 tend that any prerogative could or ought to be 
 exercifed but for the good of the people, and 
 
 precedents 
 
 m5>^
 
 GEORGE III. 311 
 
 precedents were adduced to prove that fuch acts, chap. 
 
 unoueitionably founded on that motive, had X1IL , 
 
 in former times been the objects of pariia- 1766. 
 
 mentary indemnity. Lord Camdea's expref- 
 
 fion of a forty days tyranny Mas treated with 
 
 jyreat fe verity " Forty davs tyranny !" one 
 
 of the fpeakefs exclaimed, " my lords, tyranny 
 
 " is a harih found. 1 detcft the very word, be- 
 
 " caufe I hate the thing. But are thefe words 
 
 " to come from a noble lord, whole glory it 
 
 " might, and ought to have been, to have riien 
 
 " by iteps that liberty threw in his way, and to 
 
 " have been honoured as his country has ho- 
 
 tl noured him, not for trampling her underfoot, 
 
 " but for holding up her head. I have uied 
 
 " my belt endeavours to anfwer the argument 
 
 V which is the foundation of the diftinction to 
 
 u which the forty days alludes, by argument 
 
 ''founded in principles; I will now give the 
 
 " noble lord one anfwer more, and it thai! be 
 
 " argument 1M1 ad hominem. That noble lord 
 
 " has, I believe, laid on other ocealions, and 
 
 " he laid well, that the price of one hour's Eng- 
 
 " lilh liberty none could tell but an Engliih 
 
 " jury; and juries, under the guidance of a cer- 
 
 " tain noble lord, have eftimated it very high, 
 
 " in the cafe of the meaneft of the fubjects, 
 
 " when opprelfed only by the fervants of the 
 
 '• ftate. But forty days tyranny over the na- 
 
 ,; lion by the crown! — who can endure the 
 
 " thought ? My lords, lefs than forty days ty- 
 
 ft ninny, fuch as this country has felt in foine 
 
 ,k times, would, I believe, bring your iorcilhips 
 
 " together without afummons, from your fick 
 
 " beds, riding even upon pott horfes, in hot 
 
 " weather, falter than our great patriots them- 
 
 " felves to get a place or a penlion, or both ; 
 
 ; ' and, for ought I know, make the fuhjt-et of 
 
 x 4 " your
 
 it 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 312 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, "your confultations that appeal to heaven 
 J^Ij " w ^iP n has been fpoken of. Yet eftabliili a 
 *7t6. " difpenfing power, and you cannot be fure of 
 " either liberty or law for forty minutes." 
 
 Adverting to the defence which minifters 
 offered for their conduct, it was faid : " The 
 noble and learned lord fpeaks of meritorious 
 criminality as ftrange ; and it would be lb. 
 " But meritorious illegality is not fo ttranoe, 
 or an action meritorious in itfelf, and happy 
 in its efrecls, though againft law. The merit 
 " confiits in running the rifk of the law, for 
 " the public good ; as in the iniiance alluded 
 " to by the other noble and learned lord on the 
 " crofs bench, of the Roman general who 
 " fought againft orders, and "was rewarded for 
 " laving his country. On the other hand, if 
 " an act is authorized by law, there can be no 
 " fuch rifk, or confequently any other merit 
 " than that of doing one's duty. I agree with 
 f the noble lord who holds the feals of fecre- 
 tary of ftate, that he would be a poor mini- 
 fter indeed, who would not run fuch a rifk, 
 when the fafety of the ftate required. I will 
 fay, that without beina," a minifter, as an in- 
 " ferior magistrate, or even as a private fubjeel, 
 " I iliould not hefitate, upon good ground of 
 " public fafety, to ftop, if I could, any mip 
 " from failing out of port, to the deftruction of 
 "the ftate, although no embargo fubfiited; 
 -' and in this cafe, if miniliers had held to the 
 " juftification of the particular act upon the 
 ' c circumftances, they had done well. But they 
 " lmvejuftihed the act, by maintaining a power 
 " which I cannot acknowledge. I blame not 
 " the crown, nor the advifcrs of the crown, for 
 " difpenfing good, nor do I with to hold out 
 " to the people a violation of the conftitution; 
 
 " but 
 
 
 a
 
 it 
 
 .. 
 
 GEORGE III. 313 
 
 * c but I will blame minifters for afietting a pre- chap. 
 ros^tive in the crown, which, inftead ofdif- XIIL 
 peniing good, would difpenfe much evil ; and 1766. 
 if they will hold out a power unconftitu- 
 " tional, and detractive of the vitals of the 
 " conftitution, they muft excufe others for 
 " holding up the barrier againit fuch a power, 
 " and defending the conftitution. I think pre- 
 rogative is a power, and it is a duty alfo to 
 protect the people; but I think a difpenfing 
 power is no part of the prerogative, and 
 " equally againit the duty of the prerogative, 
 " and the fafety and protection of the people: 
 " and I am aitoniihed how a houfe of lords 
 " could have patience to fit and hear fo much 
 " of it. The difpenfing and fufpending power, 
 " and the railing of money without content of 
 " parliament, were declared to be precifely 
 "alike, and handing upon the very fame 
 "ground; they were born twins; they lived 
 " together, and together were buried in the 
 " lame grave at the revolution, patt all power 
 " of refurrection. If a difference were made 
 " between railing money, and the fufpending or 
 " difpenfing power, the fufpending and difpenf- 
 " ing power mult be considered as the moll 
 " dangerous, as that which might do molt 
 " univerlhl mifchief, and with the greateft 
 " fpeed, as it includes the whole. Raihly and 
 " wilfully to claim or exercife, as prerogative, 
 " a power clearly againit law, is too great bold- 
 " nets for this country ; and the fufpending or 
 difpenfing power, that edged tool which has 
 " cut fo deep, is the laft that any man in his 
 "wits would handle in England : that rock 
 " which the Englifh hiftoryhas warned againit 
 "with fuch awful beacons: an attempt that 
 fi loft one prince his crown and his head ; and 
 
 " that 
 
 n
 
 2 1 4 
 
 CHAP. 
 XIII. 
 
 1761 
 
 LordChat- 
 h a 111's ef- 
 forts to 
 gain ad- 
 herents. 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 i: that at length expelled their family out of 
 " this land of liberty to the regions of tyranny, 
 w as the only climate that fuited their temper 
 a and genius ; a power, the exercife of which 
 " frauds branded, as the fubveriion of the con- 
 " ftitution, in the front of that truly great 
 " charter of your liberties, the bill of rights. 
 " A miniftcr who is not afraid of that power, 
 " is neither fit for the fovereign nor the iub- 
 
 leer. 
 
 These juft and forcible objeerions to the 
 conduct of the miniftry, muft yield to the irre- 
 fiitible argument of public neceffitv ; but on 
 every conftitutional principal, an act of indem- 
 nity was indifpcnhbly requifite. The queltion 
 was, on the whole, a queftion of abftract theory : 
 the necefiily of the embargo was univerfally ad- 
 mitted, and though the debates were violent, 
 and the amendment rejected, no proteft appears 
 on the journals. The parliament, in fact, ianc- 
 tioned the proceeding of miniftry by an addrefs 
 to the king, requefting him to continue the 
 embargo, and to extend it to feveral other 
 fpecies of grain. 
 
 The oppofition to lord Chatham's miniftry 
 was not unexpected. The eftrangement of lord 
 Temple deprived him of many adherents, and a 
 formidable coalition of parties was formed 
 ac;ainft hint. Anxious to break this combina- 
 
 i No details are preferved of this debate. All that is known re- 
 fpec~ting the progrefs of the bill through the houfe of commons is, 
 that in his eagernefs to defend lord Chatham, alderman Beclcford 
 permitted himfelf to u'fe an expreffion, arTerting the king's dilpen- 
 fmg power in terms io unqualified, that his words were taken down, 
 and he was obliged to apologize. The account of the debate here 
 nivtfh is taken from a pamphlet called, " a Speech againtt the Suf- 
 pending a-nd Dilpeniing Prerogative." It was iuppeled to be pen- 
 red by lord Mansfield, but wa«, in fafr, written by a gentleman at 
 t! ■■(- bar, under the direction of lord Temple, and with the afiiftance 
 of lord Lyttleton. 
 
 k See Debates and Journals. 
 
 tion,
 
 GEORGE III. S15 
 
 tion, he made overtures to the duke of Bed- chap. 
 ford. In a conference at Eath, he ftated the , Xiil 
 principal meafures which he intended to pur- 1766. 
 fue, to maintain the inviolate obfervance of Se ? tember - 
 the peace, to avoid continental connections and 
 fubiidies, and to obferve a rigid economy. The 
 duke faid thefe were his own meafures, and de- 
 clared his refolution to fupport them, whether 
 his friends were in or out of office. The topic 
 of America was carefully avoided by both 
 parties. 
 
 This interview being underftood by the duke 
 as well as the minifter as merely preparatory 
 to another, the Bedford party took little (hare 
 ki the early debates of the fellion : yet the op- 
 poiition encountered by lord Chatham, formed 
 a (hiking contrail to the conltant approbation 
 which awaited the meafures of his laft admini- 
 ftration, and he felt this change with great fen- 
 fibility. He found it neceilary to gain new 
 friends, and enfeeble his opponents ; but his 
 endeavours failed of fuccefs. The harm man- ,.^h Nov. 
 ner in which he difmiifed lord Edgcumbe z ^ rlial 
 from the appointment of treafurer of the houfe- ^"fL . 
 hold, with a view to gratify the duke of New- 
 caftle by beftowing it on Sir John Shelly, the 
 duke's near relation, difgufted many refpectable 
 members of adminiftation. The duke of Port- 
 land, the earls of Befsborough and Scarbo- 
 rough, and lord Monfon, withdrew their fup- 
 port, and Sir Charles Saunders, Sir William a6tI, » 
 Meredith, and admiral Keppel, rehgned their 
 places at the board of admiralty. 
 
 To counterbalance this defection, lord Chat- chagrin of 
 ham renewed his overtures to the duke of Bed- gJ.r"j eof 
 ford, and, as an introductory meafure, offered 
 the fituation of lirft lord of the admiralty to 
 Jord Gower, who inftantly repaired to Woo- 
 
 burn
 
 316 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, burn for the purpofe of confulting the duke, 
 xiii. During his abfence lord Chatham made a dif- 
 1766. ferent arrangement. The place ot mm lord 
 of the admiralty was given to Sir Edward 
 Hawke ; the other vacant feats at the board 
 were filled by Mr. Jenkinfon and Sir Piercy 
 Brett; and lord Hillf borough and lord Lc Dei- 
 pencer were appointed joint poll m afters. On 
 his arrival in town, the duke of Bedford held a 
 conference with the minifter: he required places 
 for feveral of his friends, but was mortified 
 with the information that no offices were re- 
 ferved, and even that which had been offered 
 to lord Gdwer was difpofed of. 
 Enabarraff- Tn is whole tranfaciion is involved in im- 
 lordCh-t P cnetra ble myikry: the conduct of lord Chat- 
 ham, ham indicates embarranment and precipita- 
 tion. Although thefe appointments ierved to 
 fill up the vacancies, and complete the numbers 
 of adminiftration, no addition of ftrength was 
 acquired : the adherents of the duke of Bed- 
 ford were difgufted, and thofe who accepted 
 offices were not conciliated. Lord Chatham 
 was in a fimilar fituation to that of lord Bute 
 at the clofe of his adminiftration ; the creator 
 of a cabinet who neither loved nor refpec!ed 
 him, eppofed by a numerous, able, and active 
 party, divefted of popularity, and fultained 
 only by the king. 
 His ill These circumftances, fo new, and fo in- 
 fupportable to his ardent and commanding 
 fpirit, produced violent effecls on his confti- 
 tution. The gout tormented him incenantly, 
 and the agitation of his mind, no let's than his 
 corporeal furlerings, impelled him to frequent 
 Feb. 1767. change of refidence. From London he went 
 to Barb ; dhTatisned with Bath, he attempted 
 March. to return to London, but was detained by his 
 
 diforder
 
 GEORGE III. 317 
 
 difordeaf at Marlborough; lie next retired to chap. 
 Hampftead, but foon difliked that fituation, J^ 1 ^, 
 and repurchafed his former refidence at Hayes. 17^7. 
 His mind was agitated by pauions inimical to 
 his repofe, and his fpirits were oceafionally 
 depretied almoit to defpondency. He was un- 
 able to attend public bufinefs, and the other 
 members of the cabinet, confidering his health 
 irreparably injured, projected new arrange- 
 ments, and adopted meafures not only without 
 confulting him, but in direct oppofition to his 
 known opinions. 1 Such' was the fituation to 
 which that great minifter was reduced, who 
 had recently declared in the cabinet his refolu- 
 tion not to fanction meafures which he was not 
 allowed to guide. Such were the confequences 
 of forming, what Burke afterwards, with no 
 lefs wit than truth, defcribed as, " a checker- 
 " ed and fpeekled adminiftration ; a piece of 
 " joinery, lb crofsly indented and whimfically 
 "dove-tailed; a cabinet lb varioufly inlaid, 
 " here a bit of black ftone, and there a bit of 
 " white ; patriots and courtiers, king's friends 
 " and republicans ; whigs and tories ; treach- 
 " erous friends, and open enemies ; — that it was s 
 " indeed a very curious {hew, but utterly un- 
 " fafe to touch, and unfure to ftand on." The 
 fame author, purfuing the fubjecl, has ob- 
 ferved, " when he had executed his plan, he 
 " had not an inch of ground to ftand upon ; 
 " when he had accomplilhed his fcheme of ad- 
 " miinltration he was no longer a minifter. " m 
 
 The want of union in the cabinet was evi- wantof 
 dent in many of the proceedings in parliament. linio;1 [ n 
 When tlie chancellor of the exchequer pro- x ec 
 
 1 From the Life of lord Chatham, vol. ii. chapters 32 end 33. 
 ra Speech on American Taxation. Buriu's Works w\. i. 
 p. 564.. 
 
 pofed
 
 SIS HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, pofed the land tax in the committee, he ftated 
 nJ^ZL/ '* at ^ our killings in the pound : " A fum," 
 1767- he added, " neceifary for one year longer, to 
 " give room for the moft brilliant operation of 
 " finance ever feen in England ; to enfure to 
 " us dignity abroad, ftabilitv at home, and 
 " enable us to enter with advantage into any 
 " future war." The proportion was refifted by 
 the country gentlemen, who contended for 
 the reduction of the land tax, according to the 
 nfual praclice in times of peace, to three mil- 
 lings in the pound, and derided the mighty 
 confequences which were promifed to refult 
 from the additional milling, as it would pro- 
 duce only five hundred thoufand pounds. Mr 
 Charles Townihend not having prepared his 
 friends to fupport his proposition, the new ad- 
 herents of miniftry declared that the land tax 
 ought to be perpetuated at four millings in the 
 pound. This opinion was combated with much 
 afperity, and treated as a breach of faith. An 
 amendment, changing the fupply from four to 
 three /hillings, was moved by Mr. Grenville, 
 and carried by a majority of eighteen." Thus 
 the chancellor of the exchequer was in a mino 
 lity on a queftion of finance : an extraordinary 
 indication of weaknefs in the cabinet. 
 Affairs of The difunion of the miniftry was no lefs 
 theEaft perceptible in the affairs of the Eaft India com- 
 pany. P an y? which, in purfuance of the intimation to 
 the directors, early occupied the attention of 
 parliament; their charters, treaties with the 
 country powers, letters, and correfpondence 
 with their fervants in India ; the ft ate of their 
 revenues in Bengal, Bahar, OrhTa, and all other 
 places, were ordered to be laid before the houfe; 
 together with an account of all cxpcnces in- 
 
 206 agsinlt 188. 
 
 curred'
 
 GEORGE III. SI 9 
 
 Curred by government on the company's be- chap. 
 half. Violent debates enfued, and a petition ^}J^j 
 being presented from the company, the order >7 6 7- 
 for printing the private correspondence was 
 discharged. A queition of fo much extent as 
 the concerns of the Eaft India company, intro- 
 duced the difcuffion of many relative and col- 
 lateral topics, and among- others a doubt was 
 fuggefted concerning the right of the company 
 to the territories acquired in India. The agi- 
 tation of this queition produced many animated 
 Speeches ; the interference of thehoufe of com- 
 mons was Strongly deprecated; it was urged 
 that the difficulty might be refolved in the 
 courts below, and that houfe was not, by the 
 constitution, the interpreter oS laws, or the de- 
 cider oS legal rights. 
 
 The chancellor of the exchequer declared 
 his disinclination to try the queliion in the 
 houfe of commons, and recommended an ami- 
 cable agreement with the company. A large 
 party of the proprietors, though Strenuous in 
 maintaining their claim to thole poll'eiiions dur- 
 ing the remaining term of their charter, were 
 rather difpofed by a reafonable competition to 
 prevent litigations, and prepared propofals for 
 an adjustment of the difpnte. When this Scheme May. 
 was agreed to by the directors, and prefentedto 
 the miniStry, their want of mutual cordiality 
 occalioned new embarratSments : after the pro- 
 posals had been delivered to Several members 
 of administration in SucccStion, they all (. ■■ 
 dined taking any part in the negotiation out 
 of the houfe ; and a petition was prefented to , oth> 
 parliament, containing two Sets of propofals for 
 a temporary agreement during three \ ears. 
 
 On the baiis of one of thefe propofals a bill 
 was framed, binding the company to pay w 
 
 B'ovc'mm .
 
 320 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, government the fum of four hundred thoufand 
 3i*iO P 0linc ^ sa y ear ? by half yearly payments, and to 
 1767- indemnify the nation mould any lofs be fuf- 
 taiued in eonfequenee of the impoMtion of cer- 
 tain inland duties, and the allowance of fome 
 drawbacks granted at their rcqueil. The term, 
 inftead of three, was limited to two years, to 
 commence from the full of February J 767. 
 6th May. While this affair was under agitation, the 
 pividends CO mpany propofed, at a general court, an in- 
 create or dividend; 3 mutying tne meaiure by 
 the ftate of their finances, as they would be ena- 
 bled, before the m ith of February, to dis- 
 charge all their debts, and pay the increafed 
 dividend. The miniitry wifely confidering 
 this as a dangerous delufion, calculated to re- 
 new the fatal effc the South Sea Scheme, 
 
 by letter to the directors, recommended the 
 court not to augi; the dividend till their 
 
 propofals were ful difcuffed in parliament. 
 The proprietors, hi er, flighted the admoni- 
 tion, and declared a dividend for the enfuing 
 half year, at the rate of twelve and a half per 
 cent. 
 Regnb.t- In eonfequenee of thi| proceeding two bills 
 relrainin* were brought into pai liament ; one for regu- 
 biiis. lating the qualifications of voters in trading 
 companies, the other for reftraining the mak- 
 ing of dividends by the Eaft India company. 
 
 The latter bill refcinded the recent refolu- 
 tion, and reitrained them from making any 
 dividend exceeding ten per cent. This mea- 
 fure occafioned a fpirited oppofit-ion : the 
 company, alarmed at the incroachment on 
 their fuppofed privileges, petitioned the houfe, 
 and alfo propofed, if the bill were laid afide, to 
 
 Short view of the Laws fubfifting with refpeft to the Eavt In- 
 dia company, 1767, pi 9. 
 
 . bind
 
 GEORGE III. 321 
 
 bind themfelves for the time of their aa-ree- chap, 
 merit with ffovernment, not to extend their . xin - 
 dividends beyond the limits indicated in the 1767* 
 retraining bill. The petition and propoial 
 were equally difregarded, and the bill was lent 
 up to the lords, where it was no lefs ftrenuoufly 
 oppoled. The whole ftrengthof the anti-mini- 
 fterial parties was combined, and on the third 
 reading; the minority divided forty-four ao-ainft 
 fifty-nine. Along, learned, and argumenta- »6th June, 
 live protelt in lixteen articles was entered on Proteft. 
 the journals, and figned by nineteen peers. 
 
 The contumacious conduct of the lcgiilature Sufpenfion 
 of New York was defervedly reprobated, and gidVmre 
 in the houfe of commons fome rigorous coer- ot'New- 
 cive meafurcs were propofed, but at length it loik * 
 was thought fufficient to frame a law prohi- 15th June, 
 biting the governor, council, and arTembly of 
 that province, from palling or aflfenting to any 
 le^illative act, for any purpofe whatsoever, till 
 the terms of the American mutiny act mould 
 be complied with. This bill was oppofed in a 
 fpeech of conliderable length by srovernof 
 Pownall, whole arguments were fupported by 
 alderman Beckford, but without erieCt. 
 
 Another meaiure refpeciing America was Newduties 
 at leafr impolitic, becaiue it tended to revive on "P oru 
 and give a new diisectioh to thofediiputes which r i ca . 
 had compelled the legiilature of Great Britain 
 to repeal the i'tamp act under" circumitances not 
 honourable to the national dignity. This mea- 
 line was the imposition or certain duties on 
 glai's, paper, paiteboard, white and red lead, 
 painter's colours, and tea, payable upon the 
 importation of thofe articles into the Ameri- 
 can colonies, to be applied to the purpcies fpe- 
 citied in the ltamp aef. The bill alio contain- 
 ed a claufe For difcotftinuing the drawback on 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 tlie
 
 %..) £ -* 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP. 
 XIII. 
 
 1767. 
 
 Commif- 
 
 fioners 
 
 eftablifhed. 
 
 Attempts 
 to form 
 minitterial 
 arrange- 
 ments. 
 June. 
 
 July. 
 
 the exportation of china-ware to America, and 
 laid fome reftraints on the practice of {mug- 
 2,'lino;. Bv another acl thefe and all other cuf- 
 toms and duties, payable in America, were put 
 under the management of refident commif- 
 iioners. Thefe acts met with no oppolition in 
 either houfe ; the right of Great Britain was 
 looked upon as indubitable, and the expedi- 
 ency of the proportions was not coniidered 
 liable to objection. p 
 
 The principal remaining tranfactions of this 
 protracted feflion were, an addition to the 
 itipend of half pay lieutenants in the navy; 
 the fettlement of an annuity of eight thoufand 
 pounds on each of the king's brothers, the dukes 
 of York, Gloucefter, and Cumberland, and a 
 marriage portion of forty thoufand pounds to 
 the king's lifter, the princefs Caroline Matilda, 
 who had efpoufed the king of Denmark. 9 
 
 Before the prorogation of parliament, the 
 miniitry was coniidered on the eve of ditfolu- 
 tion. General Conway declared his resolution 
 to refisrn, though he confented to continue in 
 office till a fucceflor was nominated. He 
 affigned as a reafon his impatient defire to be 
 again united with his friends, and reluctance 
 in continuing to oppofethem. Lord Northing- 
 ton announced a iimilar determination, al- 
 leging his inability to attend public bufmefs, 
 on account of ill health. In confequence of 
 thefe intimations, the king wrote to lord Chat- 
 ham, informing him of his deiign to make 
 fome alterations in the miniftry, and requiring 
 his advice and alliftance. Lord Chatham re- 
 turned a verbal anfwer, excufmg himfelf from 
 
 P Sfedman'jS Hiftory of the American War, vol.i. p 52. 
 <J The parliament was not prorogued till the id of July; the de- 
 bates are not preferved at length, 
 
 interfering-
 
 GEORGE III. 323 
 
 interfering in any new arrangement, as his chap. 
 health was too much impaired for exertion. , XI11 - , 
 
 These fafts being known to the parties in 1767. 
 oppohtion, afforded hopes of a fpeedy and total 
 change in the cabinet. The duke of Newcaf- 
 tie, anxious to prevent the effect of feparate 
 overtures to the bodies compohng the oppoh- 
 tion, was ftrenuous to cement the union be- 
 tween the Bedford and Rockingham par- 
 ties. An offer was fpeedily made from the 
 duke of Grafton to the marquis of Rocking- 
 ham ; but he declined entering into any nego- 20th July. 
 tiation without the advice of his friends. The 
 leaders of oppohtion held a meeting, to prepare 
 neceffary arrangements; but they could not 
 agree in fome effential nominations; the con- 
 ference terminated abruptly, and though re- 
 newed on a fubfequent day, as none would 
 recede from their former opinions, the parties 
 again feparated. The miniftry therefore retain- 
 ed their lituations. 
 
 This inflexibility rendered it impoffible for 
 the king to employ either the duke of Bedford 
 or the marquis of Rockingham, for they had 
 refufed to accept official lituations feparately, 
 and could not agree on fuch terms as might 
 enable them to act together. The miniftry, 
 finding that no conditions they could offer 
 would enable them to acquire ftrehgth by a 
 junction with their opponents, were obliged 
 to conduct the public bunnefs unaffifted. 
 
 Loud Chatham's health was now deemed p ro j e a s 
 irrecoverable, and in fact, miniftry were neither and death 
 benefited by his advice nor fupported by his x«SSf le$ 
 popularity. They wanted a diftinguiihed leader, hend. 
 of talents, character, and reputation, to give 
 efficacy to their meaiures, and by force of hi- 
 penor powers, enchain thole minor pretenders, 
 
 y 2 who
 
 3'24 HISTORY OF ENGLAND, 
 
 chap, who in the abfence of fuch a chief difdained 
 XIIL , fubmiflion, and embroiled the cabinet. The 
 1767. • chancellor of the exchequer had before enter- 
 tained fnnilar views, and now projected a new 
 administration, of which he iliould be the 
 leader. liis talents were amply furficient to 
 iuftifv the intention, and he could have united 
 a body more nefpectable, more competent, and 
 more capable of a cordial and beneficial co- 
 operation than thole who were at the helm. 
 Under him the minillry would have aiiumed 
 at lcalt a more decided -character, and the pub- 
 lic no longer felt that they retained their litua- 
 tions merely by the want of union in their ad- 
 verfaries, and Hood only by their own weak- 
 nefs. He obtained for his brother, lordTownf- 
 hend, the vice royalty of Ireland, defignated 
 Mr. Yorke, Ion of the late lord Hardwicke, for 
 chancellor, and probably had made other ap- 
 pointments, when his life was unexpectedly ter- 
 minated by a putrid fewer. 
 
 Charles TowxsiiEXD, from whole fplen- 
 vaikr. did abilities government was expected to re- 
 ceive a new impulfe, and whole talents were 
 employed in an attempt to refcue the admini- 
 it ration from the feeblenels of fluctuating 
 councils, was defcended from Charles Vii- 
 couutTowniliend, the able and upright mini- 
 fter of the houfe of BiunlViek. He palled 
 through the fchools with diitinguimed repu- 
 tation, and Was celebrated for that pointed 
 and finifhed wit which rendered him the de- 
 light and ornament of parliament, and the 
 charm of private focietv. In his fpeeches lie 
 brought together in a ihort compafs all that 
 was neceliary to eftabliih, to illuftrate, and to 
 decorate that fide of the queftion which he i up- 
 ported. 
 
 4II1 Sept 
 His cha
 
 R!IION BU! CHARLES TOWNSHEND 
 
 Chancellor of the Exchequer. 
 
 From i/// <>>iuui,il'l'irtiiiY in /!/• pofsefsion ,</'///, 
 \l.ii -■(in . low ii •, Iii-ikI 
 
 RtbUshni May 1. iffo 7 . M thdefi Je Da\des, Strand.

 
 G E O R G E III. £3.5 
 
 ported. He ftated his matter fkilfully and chap 
 powerfully ; his ftyle of argument was neither J^ 11 ^ 
 trite and vulgar, nor fubtle and abftrufe. He 176:- 
 excelled in a molt luminous explanation, and 
 difplay of his fubjeet.' His defects arofe from 
 his lively talents and exquifite penetration : he 
 readily perceived and decried the errors of his 
 co-adjutors, and from the verfatilitv of his po- 
 litical conduct acquired the nick-name of the 
 weather-cock. He fat in parliament twenty 
 years, and fucceflively filled the places of lord 
 of trade, and of the admiralty, fecretary at war, 
 paymafter of the forces, and chancellor of the 
 exchequer, in which offices he executed bufi- 
 nefs with fuch accuracy and difpatch, as de- 
 monftrated that genius and induftry are not 
 incompatible. He was carried off in the me- 
 ridian of life, at the age of forty-two, at a time 
 when it might be hoped his lively talents were 
 matured by experience, and the irregular fallies 
 of his verfatile temper, fubjected to the re- 
 ftraints of judgment. 
 
 This event renewed the difficulty of effect- 
 ing a miniirerial arrangement: the chancellor- 12th Sept 
 ihip of the exchequer was filled ad interim by 
 lord Mansfield. It was offered to lord North, 
 who, for fome reafons which arc not precifely 
 known, declined accepting it. The offer was 
 fubfcquently made to lord Barrington, who 
 had discharged the duties of the fame ftation 
 with diftinffuifhed ability, under the admini- 
 ihation of the duke of Newcaftle, during a 
 period of no inconfiderable difficulty. Lord Bar- 
 rington expreffed great reluctance at being 
 placed in a iituation to which he thought lord 
 North's parliamentary talents more equal, but 
 declared his readinefs to undertake the office 
 
 » Burke's Works, vol. i. p. 566, 
 
 y 3 from
 
 326 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, from a fenfe of duty to his king and country, 
 vi!^0 ^ a renewed application to lord North mould 
 1767- fail; a negotiation Mas attempted with the 
 iftDec. c } Ll k e of Bedford, but without effecT, and at 
 chaBceHor ^ en ^ n l° r d North was prevailed on to accept 
 of the ex- the office. 3 
 
 chequer. Lord North, eldeft fon of Francis earl of 
 
 Hischa- Guilford, was now in the thirty-fixth year of 
 his age : he commenced his education at Eton, 
 and completed it at Oxford, with considerable 
 reputation for his proficiency in claffical liter- 
 ature. His elegant tafte as a fcholar was 
 eminent through a life fully occupied with the 
 molt momentous public concerns. On his tra- 
 vels he applied with much affiduity to the ac- 
 quisition of diplomatic knowledge, and ftudied 
 with great fucceis the Germanic constitution, 
 under the celebrated Mafcove. He com- 
 menced his parliamentary career in 1754, and 
 during Mr. Pitt's administration, in 1759, ob- 
 tained a feat at the treafury board ; he was re- 
 moved by the Rockingham miniftry in 1765, 
 but with lord Chatham came again into office 
 as joint paymaster of the forces. His talents, 
 erudition, and experience eminently qualified 
 him for the important fituation he was now 
 called upon to fill. His abilities for debate 
 were universally acknowledged, and had been 
 advantageoufly difplayed in the motions againft 
 Wilkes, and in the difcuffions on India affairs. 
 Mr. Thomas Townsiiend fucceeded lord 
 5th Dec. North as paymafter, and Mr. Jenkinfon was 
 adminMra- appointed a lord of the treafury ; lord Nor- 
 tion. thington and general Conway refigning, lord 
 
 Gower was made prefident of the council, lord 
 to t 7 g|?' Weymouth fecretary of ftate, and lord Sand- 
 wich joint poftmafter general. Thefe promo- 
 
 s From private information,. 
 
 tions
 
 GEORGE III. 3G7 
 
 tions indicated an accommodation between the chap. 
 miniftry and the Bedford party, and the cabi- J^io 
 net was further ftrengthened by the appointment 1768. 
 of lord Hilliborough to the office of fecretary 
 of ftate for America. The miniftry, thus mo- 
 delled, was called the duke of Grafton's ad- 
 miniftration ; for although lord Chatham ftill 
 retained his place, he was incapable of tranfacf- 
 ing bufinefs ; in confequence of which the February. 
 privy feal was for a iliort time put in com- 
 miftion, though it was afterwards reftored to March. 
 him. 
 
 These changes were effected during the 
 fittinu; of parliament, but as the kinsj in his 2 4- th Nov < 
 fpeech from the throne announced that they 
 were called together merely to tranfact the ur- 
 gent public bufinefs, that a diffolution might 
 take place at a time not inconvenient to the 
 people, no affairs of importance were agitated. 
 The king's fpeech principally recommended to 
 the attention of parliament, the relief of the 
 poor, who ftill fuffered from the high price of 
 provifions, and particularly of corn. Petitions 
 on this fubject were preiented from the city 
 of London, and from Devizes, and an acl was 
 paffed fimilar to that of the preceding feftion, Reftraint 
 prohibiting the exportation, and encouraging on s iam * 
 the importation of grain. 
 
 The aft of the lalt feftion, retraining: the Reftriflion 
 Eaft India company from increafmg their di- JJcndson 
 vidend beyond ten per cent, being expired, Eaft India 
 was now renewed. The company itrenuoufly ftoc , k \ 
 
 rn 1 .i /• /' 1 • 15th Jan. 
 
 reiiiied the interference ot government 111 their , 7 68. 
 affairs ; and prefented a petition againft the 
 bill. As a chartered body they claimed ex- 
 emption from fuch authority ; and as Brittfli 
 fubjects demanded relief from a reftiaint, 
 which, if urged as a precedent, would affect 
 
 y 4 all
 
 528 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP, all the public and private property in the 
 xnI - kingdom. The bill, however, palled the houfe 
 1768. of commons by a great majority ; in the houfe 
 , F b of lords it was vehemently oppofed, and a long 
 Proteft.' proteit was figned by eleven peers, 
 i 7 th. In this feffion a motion was made by Sir 
 
 Nullum George Savile, a confpicuous member in op- 
 bi5T PUS pofition, to bring in a bill for quieting the pof- 
 feffions of the fubject, and for amending, and 
 rendering more effectual an act palled in the 
 twenty-nrft year of James I, for the general 
 quiet of the fubjeer, againft all pretences of 
 concealment whatever. The intended law is 
 commonly denominated the Nullum Tempus 
 Kejefted. foil! r the motion was rejected after a violent 
 debate by a majority of twenty only, 8 and as 
 the occaiion and nature of the motion excited 
 a conhderable ihare of intereft, a fuccinct ac- 
 count is given of the traniactions by which it 
 was produced. 
 Occafion The Portland family, in confequence of a 
 of the grant made by William III. to their illuftrious 
 motion. ance f tor f the honour of Penrith, in the coun- 
 ty of Cumberland, with the appurtenances, had 
 been about feventy years in pofieffion of the 
 foreft of Inglewood, and the foccage of the 
 cattle of Carliile, the value of which is ftated 
 at about thirty thoufand pounds, or one thou- 
 fand pounds a year. Sir James Lowiher, con- 
 ceiving thefe premifes not to be included in 
 9 th July tne terms f the Grant, prefented a memorial 
 
 1 7 D 7 ^"^ • 
 
 to the treafury, praying a leafe of his majefiy's 
 intereft therein for three lives, on fuch terms 
 as fhould be thought proper. This memorial 
 7 th Aug. being referred to the furvrvor general ; he re- 
 ported, that, in his opinion, the duke's title 
 
 5 134 againft 1:4. 
 
 did
 
 GEORGE IIL 329 
 
 did not extend to the fubjeeVin qiieftion, and chap. 
 recommended that a leafe lhould be granted, XIlL 
 as requeftcd, at a referved rent of fifty pounds ^767. 
 per annum for the foccage of Carlifle, and 
 thirteen millings and four-pence for the forcfr, 
 and a third of the rent of fuch lands and here- 
 ditaments in cither place, as .Sir .lames ihould 
 recover. This demife was fuppofed to be in 
 conformity to the civil lift act. 
 
 The duke received no official notice of thefe 
 proceedings, but was no fooncr informed of * d L s 5P*- 
 
 Ii , r ■ ii 1 . , Slh Oil. 
 
 the traniaction than he entered caveats 111 the 
 proper offices, and requeftcd the treafury board 9th. 
 to poftpone the conlideration of the memorial, 
 and grant him permifiion to be heard by 
 council. 
 
 Ix confequence of this application the fe- 10th oa. 
 cretary of the treafury notified to his grace 
 that his claim would be referred to the furveyor 
 general, who would at the fame time he in- 
 Itructed to revile the report on the memorial ; 
 and the duke was allured no further proceed- 
 ings ihould be adopted till his title had been 
 ftated, referred to, and reported on by the pro- 
 per officer, and fully and maturely examined 
 by the treafury board. The duke's agents pro- 
 ceeded in their researches after documents to 
 i'upport his title, and to invalidate the report 
 of the furveyor general; for which purpofe they 20th oa. 
 deemed it necetlary to obtain an inflection of 
 certain deeds or evidences in the furveyor's 
 office; but this was peremptorily refilled. His zdDec. 
 grace prefentcd a memorial to the treafury, by 
 Avhich, in regard that all public records ought 
 to be iufpected for the benefit of the parties in - 
 tereficd ; the lords of the treafury were prayed 
 to clireel the furveyor general to permit the 
 duke's agents to infpec\ and take copies if ne- 
 
 ceffary.
 
 530 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, cefTary, of all the furveyor\s court rolls, and 
 \3I!iL/ °ther muniments and writings in his cuftody 
 1767- relative to the matters in queition. 
 
 The duke was informed that their lordihips 
 granted his requefr, as to the infpection of the 
 furveyor's office, not on the foundation of 
 right, but as a matter of candour and civility. 
 The order for this purpofe M'as not readily ob- 
 tained, and when the furveyor general Aias 
 informed of the permiihon given by the trea- 
 fury, he ftated to the board that the furveys 
 and evidences in his cuftody were not public 
 records, but kept there for the king's ufe only, 
 that permitting the king's deeds and evidences 
 to be infpected by agents of perfons who 
 avowed lv intended to conteft the rioh+s of the 
 crown, would be a bad precedent, and might 
 be detrimental to his majefty's intereft on fu- 
 ture occaiions. He added, that in his judg- 
 ment the ihorteft way Mould be to try the right 
 of the crown, which Sir James Lowther was 
 ready to do at his own ex pence, if the board 
 would grant him the requeued leafe. In confe- 
 quence of this letter, the treafury, notwith- 
 itanding the caveats which had been entered, 
 aid Dec. palled the grant to Sir James, and then ap- 
 prized the duke of its being done. 
 
 This leafe was confidered as an affair of par- 
 ty, and all the vehemence of party was exer- 
 cifed on the fubjecV The duke's friends con- 
 tended that the grant made by William HI. 
 comprized, in its general terms, the premifes 
 now leafed to Sir James Lowther, or, if not, the 
 length of pofleflion ought, as in the cafe of 
 private individuals, to be a bar againlt all 
 
 *■ Much rancour was difplayecf in attributing this grant to the 
 influence and exertions of the earl of Bute, in favour of Sir James 
 Lowther, who was his fon-in-law. 
 
 queftions
 
 GEORGE III. 331 
 
 queftions of title. The unpopularity, tyranny, chap, 
 and danger of refumption by the crown were J^[| 
 ftrongly urged, and the rniiiiihy accufed of 176s 
 attempting to revive that odious maxim nul- 
 lum tempus occurrit regi. 
 
 On the other fide it was contended, that the 
 general words in the grant did not convey any 
 thing more than was exactly defcribcd, with 
 its obvious and neceifary appurtenances. That 
 even admitting king William's right to grant 
 eftates in fee iimple to the prejudice of his fuc- 
 ceifors, ftill fuch grants ought to be read 
 with great ftri&nefs, and not in a manner fo 
 loofe as to permit an etlate of a thoufand 
 pounds a year to pafs in mere general terms. 
 The length of poifeinon, it was laid, inftead of 
 being an argument in the duke's favour, pre- 
 iented an inftance of the moderation of go- 
 vernment, who were content merely to try a 
 claim to a valuable eftate, without entering 
 into a q 11 eft ion refpecling the arrears incurred 
 by feventy years poilefhon, amounting at lealt 
 to feventy thoufand pounds. 
 
 These arguments do not appear fatisfac- 
 tory : it is obvious that there was a difpofi- 
 tion in the miniitry to gratify Sir James Low- 
 ther at the expence of the duke of Portland, 
 and in that view the trail faction was not ho- 
 nourable either to the miniitry, or to the per- 
 fon preferred. The length ofpofleffion, if not 
 a furhcient bar to every claim, ought at leaft 
 to have procured for the poifefibr a refufal of 
 the leafe on equitable terms. But on the 
 Avhole it was unbecoming the dignity of go- 
 vernment to enter into fuch a contcft with a 
 fubject.. The property was not of fuiheicnt 
 value to afford an excufe for impelling the 
 foveretgn to appear in his own courts as fuitor 
 
 againii
 
 3SQ. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, againftthe defcendant of a man whofe zeal in 
 •vJPiL ettablifhing the proteftant fucceffion, though 
 *7^3. liberally, was not fuperabundantly rewarded. 
 The repeated complaints of the duke's 
 friends that he was ill-treated, and trifled with 
 by the officers of government, feem utterly 
 void of foundation. They did their duty with 
 candour, temper, and propriety. Still lefs cre- 
 dit attaches to the alfertion that the motive of 
 pafling the grant was to feeure an influence at 
 the enfuing general election : the cftate was 
 not of fufneient importance to affect in any 
 great degree a county election, and as the 
 grant was avowedly expedited for the mere 
 purpofe of preventing the claim from being ar- 
 gued in council, where it could not be legally 
 decided ; the transfer could not be attended 
 with quiet poifefhon fo as to give the fuppofed 
 influence." 
 icthMar. After palling the fupplies, and fomc pii- 
 Proroea- vate m ^ s > t^ e king put an end to the fefuon. 
 tion. fc In his fpeeeh he thanked the parliament for 
 their fignal proofs of affectionate attachment 
 to his perfon, family, and government, faithful 
 attention to the public fervice, and earneft zeal 
 for the preservation of our excellent conftitu- 
 tion. 
 I2t , h *.^ Two clays afterwards the parliament was dii- 
 
 and dulo- r» i i i i , • 
 
 lutionof lolved by proclamation. 
 
 parliament. 
 
 u Thefe facts are taken from, " The cafe of (lie duke of Port- 
 " land refpecting two leafes lately granted to Sir James Lowther ;" 
 " A reply to the cafe of the duke of Portland/' and " Obferva- 
 '« tions on the Power of Alienation in the Crown."
 
 GEORGE III. SS$ 
 
 CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH. 
 
 1767. — 1768. 
 
 State of Europe. — Poiver of the Jcjuits. — 
 Their expulfion from Spain and Naples- — 
 and final fappreffion. — State of France. — 
 Seizure of Avignon. — J Tar in Corjica — « 
 the ijland fabdncd by the French.- — War 
 between the Turks and Ruffians. — Affairs 
 of America.-— Exertions againji the nem 
 taxes. — Dijputes between the governor and 
 legi/lature of Maffachuffefs. Fay. — Pro- 
 ceedings of the affembly — their circular let- 
 ter. — Libels on the governor. — Proroga- 
 tion of the affembly ■ — their inflexibility- — 
 and diffblution. — Temper of the people. — ■ 
 Seizure of Hancock's (loop. — Town meet- 
 ings. — Convention.- — -Arrival of the troops. 
 — Tranquillity of New York. — Affairs of 
 Ireland. - — Brief retro fpect. — The lord lieu- 
 tenant obliged to re/ig/L- — Lord Toxciijhcml 
 appointed. - - Efforts of the people to alter 
 the confutation of parliament. — An octen- 
 nial bill is at length paffed, and receives the 
 royal function. 
 
 A LTHOUGH the continent of Europe was 
 ^* at this period nurturing the principles 
 which have fmce produced the moil, important I " 6 
 changes, no tranfaelion yet appeared to inter- Europe. 
 fere with the immediate welfare or tranquillity 
 of Great Britain. 
 
 Tup: event which moli immediately affeclcd Power of 
 the interefts of mankind was the fall of the thejtfmti, 
 jefuits. That body, by their learning, activity, 
 intrigue, and federal union, had acquired an 
 unlimited authority in all catholic countries; 
 
 they 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 XIV.
 
 334 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, they regulated the confeiences of crowned 
 sJH l Zj heads ; at their fuggeftions treaties were con- 
 1767. firmed or broken, and war or peace prevailed. 
 Their influence extended to all parts; the 
 camp, the college, and even the cottage paid 
 implicit deference to their mandates. As pre- 
 ceptors they had the advantage of difcerning, 
 and giving an inflexion to the tempers, paffions, 
 and habits of youth, of acquiring an unlimited 
 afcendency over the mind; of enflaving the 
 timid, reitraining the proud, and bending even 
 the energies of courage and virtue to their own 
 peculiar views. Their orders, and even many 
 regulations of their fociety, were an infcrutable 
 myftery, but lb early was their intelligence, 
 and fo prompt their communication, that they 
 feemed every where to be the rirft apprized of 
 occurrences, and earlieft, and moft abundantly 
 benefited by them. Their activity and influ- 
 ence over the timid and fuperftitious threw 
 enormous wealth into their hands, and their 
 ambition was fuppofed equal to their power. 
 From their firft eitabliihinent as an order, they 
 were occasionally regarded with fnfpicion and 
 inquietude, and already feveral principal powers 
 in Europe had expelled them as a body dan- 
 gerous to government. 3 In lbme countries in- 
 trigue, fuperftition, or fear had procured their 
 re-admifnon, but the prefent period was marked 
 for their total expulfion and final fuppreilion. 
 De Choifeul, the French minilter, conceived 
 this great project, in which he was animated by 
 political confederations, and by an attachment 
 to the modern fyftems of free-thinking philo- 
 
 3 They were expelled from France in 1594, but re-eftablifhed in 
 1603 ; from England in 1604., from Venice in 1606, and from 
 Portugal in 1759, under pretence of having inftigated the families of 
 Tavora and d' Aveiro to aflaflinate king Jofcph I. 
 
 fophers.
 
 GEORGE lit. 535 
 
 fbphers. He procured in 1764 a fupprefnon of chap. 
 their order in France, although the members XIV - 
 were ftill permitted to continue their refidence ^i^i> 
 as individuals, conforming to the fpiritual and 
 civil ordinances of the realm. 
 
 In Spain and the tranfatlantic dominions of Theirex« 
 that country, their influence was moft exten- puifion 
 live, and from the bigoted attachment of the /p™^ 
 Spaniards to the catholic religion, and to the 
 jefuits in particular, their eftabliihment was 
 deemed perfectly fecure, and their government 
 as permanent and efficient as that of the king 
 himfelf. Yet in the midft of this fecurity, and 
 without any previous indication of jealoufy or 
 clifpleafure, their total ruin was effected. This 
 project was conceived under the influence of 
 De Choifeul, and conducted by means of the 
 marquis D'Offun, the French embaffador at the 
 court of Madrid, who concerted his meafures 
 with Charles III. king of Spain, and the count 
 D'Aranda his prime minifter. 
 
 The execution of the defign was fudden and 3» ft Mar, 
 decifive ; at midnight large bodies of the mili- 176? ' 
 tary furrounded the fix colleges of the jefuits 
 in Madrid, forced the gates, lecured the bells, 
 and placing a fentry at the door of each cell, 
 commanded the fathers to rife, fummoned them 
 into the refectory, and read the king's order for 
 inftant tranfportation. The royal feal was put 
 on all their effects, except a few neceiiaries 
 which they were permitted to carry away. All 
 the hired coaches and chaifes in Madrid, to- 
 gether with feveral waggons, being engaged 
 an 'hibuted in proper places, their journey 
 towards Carthagena immediately began. The 
 inhabitants of the capital, in the morning 
 lei ttcd the intelligence with furprize and con- 
 Iteination, but had not the power, if they had 
 
 inclination,
 
 336 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, inclination, to interfere in preventing the exc- 
 XIV - , cation of the king's command. 
 1767; Three days afterwards the jefuit's college 
 
 3d April. * n |3 arcc } ona wasfurrounded, and the members 
 tranfported in circnmftances exaclly iimilar. 
 The fame meaf tires were adopted at the fame 
 hour in every part of the kingdom ; ihips were 
 provided in the different lea ports for carrying 
 the jefuits to the eccleiiaftical ftate ; and the 
 moft effectual means were adopted for prevent* 
 1110* anv communication to the king's foreign 
 dominions. The royal ordinance for the ex- 
 puliion of the jefuits was then publiihed, by 
 which all their property was conhTcated. A 
 fmall pennon was affigned to each individual, 
 payable only while he refided in a place ap- 
 pointed, and ab framed from offence in his 
 writings and con duel, and the mifdemeanor of 
 one was declared fufheient to fubjecl the whole 
 body to a forfeiture of their ftipends. The 
 king's fubjects were forbidden, under penalties 
 of high treafon, to eorrefpond with the jefuits ; 
 they were enjoined to obferve ftricr filence, and 
 not to write, declaim, or make any movement 
 for or ngainlt thefe meafures. The fame re- 
 gulations extended to the Indies, where annu- 
 lar feizure and expulfion took place, and an 
 immenfe property was acquired by govern- 
 ment. 
 
 All men were unprized at the fecrecy and 
 rigour of this transaction, and were therefore 
 prepared to reeeive and credit the accounts 
 which might be o-jven of the motives of the 
 Spaniih court. Extenhve projects, and dan- 
 gerous machinations were imputed to the je- 
 fuits, and all the dread and jealoufy which 
 other nations entertained of their malignity 
 and influence were exerted in finding the 
 -4— caufes
 
 GEORGE III. S3? 
 
 caufes of their unexpected downfal. It was chap. 
 currently believed that they had fomented, and s- 2 1 ^\. 
 perhaps excited, a dangerous popular infurrec- »7*?. 
 tion, which the year before had agitated the 
 capital, and compelled the king to difmifs his 
 minifters. 
 
 But whether the crimes or intentions im- in treat- 
 puted to the jefuits were founded in fael:, or Inent « 
 the mere fuggeftions of a party inimical, not 
 only to their eftablifhment as a body, but to 
 the Chriftian religion in general, their fuffer- 
 ings intitle them, as men, to commiferation. 
 The horror of being fuddenly torn from their 
 homes, and all their focial connections, was 
 augmented by the terrors of an uncertain del- 
 tination, and the anticipation of an unwelcome 
 reception. Men who were for the greater part 
 advanced in years, all of them ufed to the in- 
 diligences of an honourable fituation, and to 
 the eafe of a fedentary life, were now reduced 
 to the allowance and treatment of foldiers in 
 tranfports. When they arrived before Civita 
 Vccchia, the Pope, Clement XIII, prohibited 
 their landing in his dominions : they were 
 therefore obliged to await frelh orders from 
 Spain. A negotiation was opened with the 
 republic of Genoa, for permifiion to land 
 them in Cornea : before the treaty was con- 
 eluded, the Spanifh admiral received orders to 
 fail for the port of Baftia; but the Corn- izdMay, 
 can governor would not fufFer them to dif- 
 embark. At length the fanction of the Ge- 
 noefe government was obtained ; the tranf- 
 ports were ordered to the ports of Calvi, Al- 
 gaiola, and Ajaccio, and the furviving jefuits, 8lh J une - 
 amounting to two thoufand three hundred, 
 were put on ihoxs. 
 
 VOL. I. 2 TH£
 
 338 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. The example of the king- of Spain was im- 
 ^J^^J mediately followed by his fon Ferdinand VI, 
 They are king of Naples, and afterwards by Parma : and 
 Sm n a- m l 77B tne order was fuppreffed by Clement 
 pies: XIV, who was elevated to the papacy on that 
 
 de?f he ° r " cxprefs condition. 
 
 pieiied. Although, by a refolute exertion of the 
 
 civil power, this formidable fociety was thus 
 reduced, there is great reafon to doubt that the 
 ftrength of the European governments was 
 augmented by their fail. If they were really 
 guilty of dano'crous and treafonable defigns, 
 fufficient means were not wanting, efpecially 
 in arbitrary monarchies, to puniih the guilty 
 and difperfe their adherents. Even the whole 
 order might have been reformed, their wealth 
 diminiihed, their power abridged, and their 
 numbers reduced. But the deftruction of a 
 fociety which included ib much learning and 
 ability, and refpeerable from connections and 
 able publications in literature and theoloav, 
 diminiihed the general credit of the eftabliihed 
 religion, and gave new fpirit to thofe who al- 
 ready meditated the deftruciion both of Chrif- 
 tianity and monarchy, 
 state of France was in a hate of the greateft poli- 
 
 tical and moral depravity. The king, im- 
 merfed in fenfual enjoyment, neglected the 
 affairs of government ; the kingdom was ruled 
 by his miftrelfes and m milters. The parlia- 
 ments impeded the exertions of government 
 by cavils and contexts, in which the fole aim 
 was to acquire undue authority. The treafury 
 was empty, although injudicious taxes op- 
 preifed the people, and famine was felt in many 
 parts of the country. Yet France was the cen- 
 tre of diflipation and infidelity. Already a feet 
 of pretended phiiofophcrs had obtained an ex- 
 
 tenfive 
 
 France.
 
 GEORGE III; 339 
 
 tenfive influence; who, avowing war again ft chap. 
 popery, aimed at the fubverfton of all religion, V ^ I ^J 1 
 and the deftru&ton of regal power. b The go- 1767. 
 vernment was infenfible of the approaching 
 danger; and Choifeul, intent on fchemes of 
 conqueft, and augmentation of territory, want- 
 ed only a well replenished treafury to embroil 
 all Europe. But the finances were fatally de 
 ranged : the Eaft India company bankrupt, 
 and the creditors of ftate anxious, diilktisfied, 
 and alarmed. 
 
 Restrained from entering into extenfive Seizure of 
 wars, the French took advantage of the full Avi s nun « 
 greater weaknefs of the Pope, and feized on his 
 dominions in Avignon, and the Venaiffin, 
 without the flighteft claim of right. 
 
 The ifland of Coriica alio offered tempta- War in 
 tion to the ambition of the French. Oppreifed Coific ** 
 by the Genoefe, the Corficans had long fig- 
 
 k A letter from Horatio Walpole, afterwards earl of Orford, to 
 general Conway, dated the a8th of Qclober 1765, contains full, 
 explicit, and undeniable evidence on this fubjecl: " The dau- 
 u phin," he fays, " will probably hold out a tew days. His 
 " death, that is, the near profpeSt of it, fills the philofophers with 
 44 the greater! joy, as it was feared he would endeavour the reftora- 
 44 tion of the jefuits. You will think the fentiments of the philofo- 
 44 pliers very odd Hate news — but do you know who the philofophers 
 " are, or what the term me ins here ? In the firft place it cdmpre- 
 " hends almoft every body : and in the next, means men, nuho a<vrw- 
 " ing war again]} popery, aim, many of them, at a fub<verfon of all 
 44 religion, ami fill many more, at the dejlrufiion of regal power. 
 41 How do you know this ? you will fay ; you, who have been but 
 «' fix weeks in France, three of which you have been confined to 
 *' your chamber. True; but in the firft period I went every where, 
 " and heard nothing elfe ; in the hitter, I have been extremely 
 44 vilited, and have had long and explicit conversations with many 
 " who think as I tell you, and with a few of the other fide, who are 
 44 no lefs perfuaded that there are fiich intentions. In particular, I 
 44 had two officers with me the other ni^ht, neither of them young, 
 44 whom I had difficulty to keep from a ferious quarrel, and who, 
 44 in the heat of the difpute, informed me of much more than I could 
 " k'.ve learnt with great pains." — See Lord Orford's Works, vol. v. 
 
 p. 122. 
 
 • e CEuvres du Roi de Prune, vol. iv. p. i?i. 
 
 z '2 jialized
 
 S40 HISTORY OF ENGLAND*. 
 
 chap, nalized themfelves by an obftinate, and often 
 vJ^ZL/ we ^ conducted refiftance. Under the govern- 
 ment of Pafcal Paoli, whom they elected ge- 
 neral of the ifland in 1755, they madeftill more 
 refpeclable exertions : their improvements in 
 civilization bore fome proportion to their in- 
 creafed energy in arms ; and they became fo 
 formidable that the Genoefe, defpairing of 
 achieving a conqueft, fought, in 1761, to lure 
 them into their priftine fubjeelion, by a con- 
 ciliatory manifefto. This alfo failed in its 
 effect; the Corficans came to a refolution never 
 to make any agreement with the republic, until 
 their liberties and independency were acknow- 
 ledged and fecured, and publimed a memorial 
 to the nations of Europe, calling upon them, 
 by the rights of humanity, to interpofe and 
 give peace to a nation which had made fuch 
 confpicuous exertions in the caufe of freedom. 
 This application procured them no afiiftance; 
 and even the Britiih miniftry, at the peace, iffued 
 a proclamation forbidding the king's fubjects 
 from affording afiiftance to the Corfican rebels. 
 This harm appellation hurt the feelings of 
 Paoli, who faid, " He did not expect that from 
 " Great Britain ;" but the miniltry acled wife- 
 ly in not interfering between another nation 
 and its dependency. 
 
 Th e Corfican general, without foreign aid, had 
 nearly completed the emancipation of his coun- 
 try, when France, in 1764, concluded a treaty 
 with Genoa, and fent fix battalions of troops 
 to garrifon the fortified towns for four years, 
 who being enjoined to acl; only on the defenfive, 
 were not oppofed but kindly received by the 
 ifianders. The comte de Marbceuf, their com- 
 mander, behaved with mildnefs and modera- 
 tion j he carefully preferved the towns en- 
 
 trufted
 
 GEORGE III. S4 1 
 
 trotted to his charge, but committed no in- cha?. 
 juries againft the inhabitants: and Paoli, re- J£J V " 
 (trained from making active war, employed 
 this interval in cultivating the arts of peace, 
 and ftrengthening himfelf for future contends.* 
 
 Unfortunately, the Corficans Mere not 
 unanimous among themfelves. A party headed 
 by two brothers named Abbattucci, was in con- 
 siderable force on one fide of the iiland, and 
 carried on open war againft Paoli.* When 
 the end of the four years approached, the 
 French minifter appeared defirous to terminate 
 the differences between the Genoefe and the 
 Corficans. He drew up propositions, which 
 were approved by Paoli, and contrived to pre- 
 ferve the libertv of the Corficans, without de- 
 rogating from the dignity of the fenate of 
 Genoa. 
 
 While this negotiation was yet pending, 1?67< 
 the Spaniili jefuits were, by the confent of the 
 Genoefe, landed in Cornea. The French mini- 
 iter, anxious for the destruction of the order, 
 appeared offended, and withdrew the troops 
 from the ports into which the jefuits were ad- 
 mitted. Paoli difpofed to derive advantage 
 from the retreat of the French, immediately pof- 
 feifed himfelf of the places which they had 
 evacuated ; but the minifter requeued him to 
 delift from hoftilities, and confider thofe places 
 in a (late of neutrality, as if garrifoned by 
 the French, till the expiration of the four years, 
 when the troops mould be withdrawn from the 
 ifland; and promifed, if a peace was not at that 
 time concluded, the Corficans fhould be at 
 full liberty to alfert their rights. 
 
 Notwithstanding thefe explicit ayowals 
 
 d Bofwell's account of Corfica, chap. il. 
 e Life of Duinoiu iez, vol. i. chap. iii. 
 
 Z 3 Of
 
 34'2 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, of Corfican independence, the French govern- 
 [yJ^Zj nient purchafed the ifland from the republic of 
 1767- Genoa, although the natives claimed, and had 
 an indubitable right, to be confidered as inde- 
 pendent, and had been acknowledged lb by the 
 power which now became the purchafer. 
 
 This meafure was expected to produce much 
 oppofition in Europe, but Choifeul made fuch 
 arrangements as prevented hoftilities. Great 
 Britain and Sardinia were the principal powers 
 who interefted thcmfelves in the fubject ; but 
 the reprefentations made to the cabinet of St. 
 James's, induced them toabftain from oppofing 
 the transfer, and Sardinia was too feeble fingly 
 to oppofe France/ 
 
 The Corficans, when informed of the fale, 
 held a general meeting, and fwore to defend 
 their liberties to the utmoft extremity ; but this 
 generous refolution, though maintained with 
 fpirit, did not avail. They were defeated in many 
 encounters, and after a gallant refinance, the 
 whole ifland was over-run: Paoli was obliged 
 to con f ult his fafety by flight; he retreated rirft 
 »*d Sep. to Pifa, and afterwards to London, where his 
 
 neceffities were relieved by a penfion. 6 
 War be- Mea n win le war raged between Ruffia and 
 tweenRuf- the I5 0r t e 1^ the events in no degre'e affected, 
 
 jia, and the . . .0 
 
 Forte. for the prefent, the interefts of England. Rui- 
 6 fia began to difplay unlimited power in Poland, 
 
 and thofe meafures were arranged between the 
 king of Pruffia and the emprefs, which led to 
 the fubfequent dil'memberment of the coun- 
 try 
 
 .. h 
 
 f See Life of Dumoun'ez, vol. i. p. ica. 
 
 s Life of 'Dumouriez, vol. i. chap. v. and vl. Defcription of Cor- 
 sica, &c. &c. by Frederic ion of the late Theodore, king of Cor- 
 fica. 
 
 b CEuvres du Roi de PruflTe, vol. iv. p. 167, et feq. 
 
 If
 
 G E O II G E III. S4S 
 
 If thefc transactions appeared of fmallim- chap. 
 uortance. to the welfare of Great Britain, the ^ l Zj 
 tale of her colonies became daily more and 767. 
 more embarrarhng and alarming-. When the Am *' r r f ca . 
 miniftry brought into parliament the aft for 
 laying duties on certain articles of commerce 
 exported to America, they eoukl not forefee 
 objections to the right. The authority of the 
 Britiili parliament to impofe what they deemed 
 external taxes, was generally admitted, 1 and if 
 the inflamed ftate of the public mind in Ame- 
 rica, and the triumphant confidence: refulting 
 from the fuccefsful oppofition to the ftamp act, 
 rendered it impolitic, the legality was unquef- 
 tioned. But the Americans were not dljpofed 
 to concede the minutelt objection in favour of 
 the mother-country. The inclination to con- 
 troverfy imbibed during the difcuffiori of the 
 forme/quellion, and the fyftems then firft pro- 
 mulgated, railed an infuperable barrier to the 
 reception of any new meal'ure tending to bene- 
 fit Great Britain at the expence of the co- 
 lon i Its. 
 
 On the firft intelligence of the taxes im- Exertions 
 pofed by parliament, the American prefies Jgj 1 ^ 
 teemed with invcelive againft the fyftem, and 
 the miniftry by whom it was recommended. 
 It was reprefented as originating in a pernici- 
 ous and illegal refolution to reduce the Ame- 
 ricans to an abject ftate of ilavery and diirrel's. 
 Thefe writings, though not abounding in elo- 
 quence and wit, were not fo defpicable as to 
 juftify total negligence: they daily filled the 
 pages of American newfpapers, while no 
 
 1 Even Dr. Franklin admitted (his principle in its fullefl: latitude, 
 and Teemed to nuke the eftablilhment of a diftinfrion between tlie 
 right of internal and external taxation, the ftrongelt point on which 
 the Americans founded their claim of relief from the ftamp acl. 
 See his examination, Debrett's Debates, vol.iv. p. 328, 330, 334. 
 
 z 4 writer
 
 344 
 
 CHAP. 
 XIV. 
 
 1767. 
 In Mafla- 
 chufll-fs 
 Bay. 
 
 Difputes 
 between 
 the legifla- 
 ture and 
 the gover- 
 nor. 
 
 aSth 061. 
 Non-im- 
 portation 
 agree- 
 ments. 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 writer was Efficiently hardy, or futticiently in- 
 terefted to efpoufe the contrary opinion. 
 
 The province of Maflachuifct's Bay, took the 
 
 lead 
 
 )fing the meafures of government. 
 
 m oppoung _ „ , B , 
 
 The meeting ot the firft congrefs had done ir- 
 reparable injury to the Britilh dominion, by 
 enabling the various provinces of America, to 
 unite in opinion and conduct, by making the 
 grievances of any tingle province a common 
 eaufe, and thus oblioino- the loyal or the timid 
 to relinquifh the dictates of their own judg- 
 ment or difpohtion, in favour of the rebellious 
 and turbulent. 
 
 The untameable republicans of MalTaehuf- 
 fet's Bay foon engaged in fuch a fyftem as im- 
 pelled the other colonies to join them in open 
 refinance to the mother-country. Sir Francis 
 Bernard, their governor, was held in great dif- 
 like for his vigorous efforts to fupport the or- 
 ders of government; he was rep relented as ex- 
 ceeding the authorities with v, hich he was in- 
 verted, and treating the public, and the coun- 
 cil and afiembly, with infupportable baughti- 
 nefs, and he irreparably offended the violent 
 party, by refilling to confirm the election of 
 Lome pcrfons whom he deemed unlit to be 
 members of the council. His-refufal was juf- 
 tified by the colonial charter, but the exer- 
 cife of this privilege was peculiarly offenlive. 
 To the unpopularity of their governor, and the 
 intemperate virulence with which he v/as op- 
 pofed, the perturbed ftate of the province may 
 be in a great meafure afcribed. 
 
 When intelligence of the new tax laws was 
 received, the people affembled at the town- 
 hall in Bolton, and entered into affociations 
 to encourage the manufactures of America, 
 and defift from the ufe and importation of 
 Britilh luxuries. 
 
 * Governor.
 
 GEORGE III. 345 
 
 Governor Bernard found it neceflarv to chap. 
 convene the Wiilature earlier than he in- XIV - 
 tended, but, having received information from 1767. 
 the ipeaker of the aifemblv, that remenftrancej p°^ D ? c " 
 agamft the late acts were in contemplation ingsofthe 
 Mas prepared to expect a feflion replete with g eneral 
 turbulence and difaffecliOn. The fifft eigh- 
 teen days of the iittin"- were confumed in 
 drawing up thefe rcmonitrances ; and a long- 
 letter was written to Mr. de Berdt, the co- 12th j an . 
 lonial agent in England, inftrueling him to '7<>s. 
 controvert the obnoxious acts on every ground 
 of right and policy. The legillature alfo 20th# 
 prepared a petition to the king, in which 
 they claimed, as rights of Britim fubjecls, an 
 exemption from taxation, unlefs they were re- 
 prefented in parliament, which, at the fame 
 time, they Hated to be impoffiblc. They alio 
 wrote to lord Shelburne, the tfiarquis of Rock 
 ingham, general Conway, lord Camden, and 
 lord Chatham, and to the lords of thetreafurv; 
 all thefe letters, although varied according to 
 the circumftances and iituation of the parties 
 to whom they were addreffed, fpoke but one 
 fentiment, diffatisfaelion at the late meafures, 
 and a determined fpirit of reiiitance. 
 
 Another proceeding of the affembly was ir thFeh. 
 {till more important in its confequences. A Their citv 
 circular letter was addrefled to the fpeakers j C e u r lai " leU 
 of the houfes of avTcmbly throughout the 
 continent, complaining of all the late acts, 
 inciting them to a ftrenuous opposition, and 
 inviting them to communicate Inch advice 
 as they mould think judicious. This letter, 
 which was conceived in moderate and im- 
 prchive terms, produced great effecl: all jea- 
 loufy between the different legislatures im- 
 mediately fubiided; the candour evinced by 
 
 an
 
 S46 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, an independent body in requeiting the fanction 
 vJ^ZL/ ancl advice of their fellows, quieted fufpicion, 
 176s. and made many of the aflemblies firm adherents 
 to their caufe. Several of the fpeakers; k by di- 
 rection of the bodies over which they prefided, 
 united in opinion with the alfembly of Mafl'a- 
 chuffet's Uav; and their fentimeats o-ained 
 , ground in all parts of the continent. 
 Difpute While thefe matters were under difcmTion, 
 
 reipeamg a topic of difpute occurred between the afi'em- 
 
 Joid bhel- * n ' . 
 
 bume's bly and the governor. In comequence or Sir 
 letter. Francis Bernard's refufal to confirm the no- 
 mination of members of the council, lord 
 Shelburne, fecretary of ftatc, expueifed high 
 approbation of his conduct, with many re- 
 proaches againft the fpirit exhibited by the le- 
 giflature. This letter the governor communi- 
 cated to the aifembly, but only permitted it to 
 be read by the clerk, and would not fuffer a 
 copy to be entered on the journals. The houfe, 
 diifatisfied with this proceeding, and anxious 
 to obtain documents which might inflame the 
 13th Feb. popular rtfentment againft Sir Francis, requir- 
 ed a copy, and alio his own letters to which 
 36th. it referred. The governor, in a laconic an- 
 isth. fwer, declined compliance ; but the affembly 
 itill perfevering, ftrenuoully reiterated their de- 
 mand ; and this meffage, which referred to and 
 cited, from the memory of the writers, fome 
 palfages of the fecretary of hate's letter, was 
 printed by pernhfiion of the affembly in one of 
 the newfpapers. It now became unneceifary 
 for the governor any longer to refufe a com- 
 munication of the original, it was therefore 
 %'A transmitted with a ihort indignant meHa^e, and 
 
 entered on the journals. The anembly wrote 
 
 k Virginia, New Jeifey, Conne&icur, Georgia, and Mary.- 
 
 hnd. 
 
 tQ
 
 GEORGE III. 347 
 
 to lord Shelburne, animadverting' on it with chap. 
 great afpcrity, and treated the conduct of Ber- J^^j 
 nard, which had been approved by the fecre- 1768. 
 tary of ftate, as an abufe, or at lead an unwar- 
 rantable exercife, of his legitimate authority. 
 
 The efforts ufed to render the governor's Z()th Fe!s# 
 fituation inlupportablc, were not confined to Libei on 
 the houfe of affemblyi A virulent incendiary ^ s ° vcr ~ 
 letter was publiihed in the JSofton Gazette, up- 
 braiding him in the coarfeft terms with his 
 conduct towards the colony, and particularly 
 with his fuppoled letters to lord Shelburne, by 
 which thelecretary of Date had been influenced 
 to cenfure the lesnflature. This flagrant and 
 atrocious infult appeared to endanger the fafe- 
 ty of government, and called for the immedi- 
 ate interpofition of the legiflative body. Sir ^ d March. 
 Francis communicated the libel, and required 
 advice. The council returned a loval and 
 dutiful addrefs, reprobating the publication and 
 its author, and declaring their readinefs to 
 concur in any meafures which the majefty of 
 the king, and the dignity of his government, 
 the honour of the council, and the true intereft 
 of the province, mould require. The afiembly 
 difplayed a contrary difpoiition: they alleged 
 that as no particular perfon, public or private, 
 was named in the publication ; it did not affect 
 the majefty of the king, the dignity of the go- 
 vernment, the honour of the general court, or 
 the true interefts of the province; and thought 
 themfelves fully juftified in taking no further 
 notice of it. 1 
 
 The next day, the governor in a fpeech of 4th March. 
 considerable length, reprobated their conduct Proio § a - 
 
 o ' i tion or the 
 
 1 The public agreed in this opinion, for when the libel was afier- afiembly. 
 wards prefented to the grand jury, they refufed to find t he bill. 1 he 
 libeller, encouraged by impunity, renewed his attack with increaled 
 acrimony. 
 
 in
 
 348 HISTORY OF ENGLAND 
 
 chap, in many particulars from the beginning of the 
 ^Zl^ feffion, particularly their animadverfions on 
 1768. lord Shelburne's letter, and permitting their 
 proceedings to be published in newfpapers: he 
 vindicated his own character and conduct, and 
 having expreffed a determination to perfevere 
 in the fame courfe, prorogued the court till the 
 thirteenth of April. 
 Inftmc- The conduct of the afiembly of MafTaehuf- 
 
 tions-from fet's Bay, in fending a circular letter to the 
 taryofftate °t ner provinces, was highly refented by the 
 to the go- miniftry. They juftly confidered it as evi- 
 vemor. dently tending to create unwarrantable com- 
 binations, to excite an unjuftinable oppofition 
 to the conftitutional authority of parliament, 
 and to revive thofe unhappy divisions and dii- 
 traetions which had operated fo prejudicially 
 to the true interefts of Great Britain and the 
 *.id April, colonies. Lord Hillfborough, fecretary of 
 ftate for America, wrote to the governor ex- 
 preffmg thefe fentiments, and requiring that 
 the refolutions which gave rife to the obnoxi- 
 ous letter mould be reminded. To afford the 
 afiembly an opportunity of complying without 
 injury to their feelings, the fecretary of ftate 
 confidered the meafure as obtained by furprize, 
 and contrary to the real fenfe of the majority ; 
 but in conclufion, Bernard was directed, if they 
 declined reminding the refolutions, to diflblve 
 the afiembly, and fend an aecojmt of their pro- 
 ceedings to be laid before parliament, 
 sift June. Sir Francis tranfmitted a copy of this let- 
 Procted- ter to the aflembly, omitting the latter part, 
 g{£§* the to obviate the imp utation of ufmg threats. The 
 23d. members, however, demanded a more complete 
 
 nth. communication, and the governor, in comply- 
 ing with their requeft, informed them of his 
 determination, if they diibbeyed the king's 
 
 commands.
 
 GEORGE III. S4<? 
 
 commands, to fulfil his inlbruclions. The af- chap. 
 lembly not returning an aniVer to this declar- x,v - 
 at ion, he fent a meifage defiring they would 1768. 
 com? to fome reiblution on his majefty's requi- ~ 8th J""*' 
 htion, and intimated that he mould coniider 
 a much longer delav as amounting; to a nega- 
 tive. The affembly attempted to evade this 29 th. 
 demand, by requefting an adjournment to con- 
 fult with their conltituents, but the governor 
 not acceding to the propofal, they at length loth, 
 ft-nt a long mellage, in which they defended I* fle3ubiI *- 
 their former refolutions, and refufed to recede 
 or apologize. A letter of great length, and to 
 the fame purport, was written to lord Hillf- 
 borough, and to prove that the former meafure 
 was not obtained by furprize, nor contrary to 
 the fenfe of the houfe, the numbers were 
 taken on the divifion, by which the quefcion 
 for rescinding the refolutions was rejected, r ftjuiy, 
 and were found to be ninety- two to feventeen. An ^ diflb- 
 In purfuance of his inftruciions, the governor theaffem- 
 diiTolved the affembly;" biy. 
 
 This ferment in the legiflature did not per- Temper of 
 mit a great degree of tranquillity in the people, the people, 
 Thofe who were before difpofed to exhibit a li- 
 centious difpofition, now fecure of impunity 
 and fupport, laid no reftraint on their conduct. 
 The d.61 for eitablifhing a board of cuftoms was 
 liable to no objection in argument, but as it 
 laid the fmuggling trade under infurmountable 
 difficulties, was felt and refented with great 
 
 m The account of thefe proceedings is taken from Stedman's 
 Hiftory of the American War, vol. i. p. 54. to 62 ; Andrews's Hif- 
 tory of the War, vol. i. 8o, et feq. j Almon's Collection of Papers, 
 Vol.).; The true fentiments of America in a Collection of Letters, 
 &c. including papers relating to a fuppofed libel on the governor ol 
 Maflaclwflec's Bay ; Letters and memorials to lord Htllfborough 
 from governor Bernard and general Gage, two collections, 1769 ; 
 The American Gazette, 1768 ; and the periodical publications. 
 
 acrimony.
 
 550 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, acrimony. The board palled feveral wife and 
 3^^ effectual regulations for accomplifhing the ends 
 1768. of their institution, and were therefore regard- 
 ed with peculiar malignity; and while the af- 
 fembly was yet fitting, this fpiritwas difplayed 
 in a manner which threatened to involve the 
 9 th June, whole province in rebellion. A fioop belong- 
 
 Hanc'ock's m » to J° nri Hancock, one of the principal mer- 
 iloop. chants, anived in Bolton harbour laden with 
 wine, and a tide waiter was put on board to 
 prevent the cargo from being landed until 
 entered at the cuilom-houfe, and a permit 
 obtained. The m after of the velfel having; in 
 vain tampered with the officer, forcibly locked 
 him up in the cabin, landed the wine, and 
 took in oil from the iliore. Information of 
 this violence being given at the cuftom-houfe, 
 the collector feized the floop, and placed it un- 
 der protection of the Romney thip of war, then 
 in the harbour. The mob on more aiTailed the 
 collector and comptroller of the cuftoms, beat 
 and pelted them with ftones ; threatened the 
 commifiioners, whom they obliged to feek re- 
 fuge on board the Romney ; and, feizing the 
 collector's boat, carried it in triumph, and 
 burned it before Hancock's door. The com- 
 miffioners applied for protection to the go- 
 vernor, who referred them to the legiflature, 
 but that body would give neither advice nor 
 affiftance, and the commifiioners being ilill 
 alarmed by threats, were obliged to fecure 
 themfelves in a fortrefs called Cattle William, 
 fituate on an ifland at the mouth of the har- 
 bour. 
 14th June. A town-meeting was next called, but the 
 Town- inhabitants of Bofton participating; in Han- 
 cock's intereft, preiented a remonftrancc to the 
 governor again ft the feizure of the floop, and 
 
 requefted
 
 GEORGE III. ,1 
 
 requefted him to order the Romncy to quit the ch ap. 
 harbour. The legiflature beheld the proceed- ^'J^, 
 ings with indifference, and took no mealures 1768. 
 for affifting the governor, or protecting the 
 officers. 
 
 In confequence of thefe tranfactions, and of Troops or- 
 the reprefentations made not only by the go- dered. 
 vernor, but the commiffioners of the cuftoras 
 to the miniftry, troops were ordered to Bofton, 
 in aid of the civil power. A rumour of thefe 
 orders having readied the inhabitants, they 
 were rilled with confternation and alarm : a 
 town-meeting was held, and a petition pre- = 2th -Jpt 
 fented to tlie governor, requefting him to call town . 
 an aflembly ; he anfwered ; " It was not in his meeting. 
 " power, as he had diffolved the late affembly 
 " by the king's command, to convene a new 
 u one without initractions ; and the affair was 
 " under examination." This anfwer increafed 
 the refentment of the people, and afforded am- 
 ple fcope to the exertions of the factious: it 
 was propofed to iummon a convention ; and to 
 «2;ive efficacy to this new and bold refolution, 
 they adjourned to the next day. 
 
 At this meeting the moil inflammatory Ian- 13th. 
 guage was held, and four perfons nominated ^^J"" 
 to reprefent Bofton in the intended convention ; e don. 
 one of whom was Hancock, the owner of the 
 (loop. The. feleet men of Bofton were directed 
 to write to the feleet men of other towns in the 
 province, inviting them to a convention on the 
 22d of the fame month. But the mod flagrant 
 meafute was a requilition to the inhabitants to 
 providethemfelves with arms, ammunition, and 
 accoutrements, in cafe of fudden danger. This 
 order was founded on an obfol w of the 
 
 province; the motive affigned was tl imour 
 of an intended Mar with France. 11 ter- 
 minated
 
 352 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, minated the meeting in a manner charac- 
 xiv. teriitic of the fpirit of their anceftors, by re- 
 1762^ quiring the minifters of the town to let apart 
 an early day for falling and prayer. 
 prudence j N confequence of thefe refolutions, a circu- 
 habitants" lar letter was written to all the towns in the 
 of Hat- province, in language perfectly correfpondent 
 with the temper and difpofition of thofe who 
 regulated the Bofion meeting. All the towns, 
 ninety-fix in number, appointed committees to 
 attend the convention, except Hatfield, to which 
 fpot it appeared all the loyalty and moderation 
 of the province were confined. The inhabi- 
 tants unanimoully refufed to fend reprefenta- 
 tives to the convention, and protefted againft 
 it as illegal. In a long and fenfible letter to 
 the felect men, they denied the facts alleged 
 as motives for the intended proceeding, and de- 
 clared their loyalty to the king, and fidelity 
 to their country ; but expreifed, at the fame 
 time, their firm refolution to maintain and de- 
 fend their rights in every prudent and reafon- 
 able way, as far as was confiftent with their 
 duty to God and the king, 
 aad Sept. The convention on their meeting, fent a 
 Proceed- petition to the governor, difclaimins;' every in- 
 
 ings of the ' . r r ■ ,1 • . , • 
 
 conven- teution or perrorming authoritative or govern- 
 tion. mental acts : they were chofen, they laid, by 
 
 the different towns and difiricts, and met in 
 that dark and diftrelhno- time to confult and 
 advife meafures for promoting the peace and 
 good order of his majefty's fubjects in that 
 province. They repeated their complaints of 
 grievances, and prayed that he would relieve 
 them by calling a general aHembly. When 
 the three members, appointed to convey this 
 petition, waited" on Sir Francis Bernard, he de- 
 clined receiving any meifage from the affem* 
 
 bly
 
 GEORGE III. 35$ 
 
 bly called a committee of convention, as that chap. 
 would be admitting its legality : he would not J^J^, 
 even fign the paper on which he wrote this re- 1768. 
 fufal ; but it was authenticated by thofe who 
 received it from his hand. The next day a d Sept# 
 letter from the governor was read in the con- 
 vention, in which, proceeding on a fuppofi- 
 tion that they might have ailembled by the 
 advice of fome perfon ignorant of the cri- 
 minality of his acl;, he admonilhed them to fe- 
 parate without tranfacling buhnefs, that they 
 might not incur the penalties due to their diO- 
 obedience. The convention fent another mef- ***• 
 fageby live gentlemen, which the governor, hav- 
 ing futhciently explained himfelf, and pointed 
 out their danger, refilled to receive. The 
 members of the convention, difconcerted by 
 this firmnefs, merely appointed a committee 
 of nine perfons to confider and report the moft 
 effectual method, confident with the exprefs 
 defigu of their convening, to promote the peace 
 and good order of his majefty's fubjeels. The 
 4 committee having made their report, the con- 
 vention drew up a petition to the king, and a 
 letter, inclofmg it, to their agent in London, 
 and then dilTolved. 29 th. 
 
 The troops arrived in Bofton on the day Arrival of 
 which concluded the fittings of the convention ; the Uo0 ^' 
 fome difficulties refpecting their lodging were 
 obviated by hiring houfes, to which the deno- 
 mination of barracks was affigned, to prevent 
 the eftablilhment of a precedent for lodging 
 foldiers in private habitations. The prefence 
 of the military for a time reftrained the inhabi- 
 tants within the bounds of order; the coin- 
 mi ffioners of the cuftoms refumed their func- 
 tions, and buhnefs followed its accuftomed 
 courfe. 
 
 vol. r. a a Nxw
 
 SfStf HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. New- York, effectually intimidated by the 
 J^^J fidpenfion of their legiflature, fubmitted to the 
 1768. terms impeded by the mutiny act, and the af- 
 iky 3 ?' lembly was again allowed to lit. Trancjuillity 
 NtwYoik. was reftored, and confidence would, probably, 
 have followed, but for the aflbciations formed 
 throughout the continent in eonfequence of 
 the circular letter written by the aifembly of 
 Mafiachulfet's Bay; Thefe affociations kept 
 alive the flame of difcord, and prepared for fur- 
 ther exertions detrimental to the welfare of 
 Great Britain." 
 
 Affairs of In 1 767, a material alteration was effected 
 Ireland. - n jj^ conltitution of Ireland, by the octennial 
 
 acl. 
 28th D 1 Durixg the vice-royalty of the earl of 
 
 1764.. ' Northumberland, the lord primate and lord 
 Shannon died. p Before this event, lord Shan- 
 non's heir and fueceffor had married the daugh- 
 ter of Mr. Ponfonby, Ipcaker of the houfe of 
 commons, Foftified by this connection, they 
 imagined themfelves iuiheiently powerful to. 
 furmount every other party, and to awe the 
 government. Their efforts during the adniini- 
 ftratiori of .lord Halifax were productive of lit- 
 tle eifeed, as the firmnels and addrels of the 
 lord lieutenant were fuperior to all machina- 
 tions. 
 
 In 17o4, new attempts were made to 
 srive to the houfe of commons the right of 
 originating mpney bills. Mr, Pcry made a 
 motion for expunging from the journals the 
 note to the lord deputy, dated the twenty-ninth 
 of November 1 6 14, by which the full operation 
 
 » Stedman's Hiftory of the American War, vol. i. p. 63 to 
 68. Andrews's Hiftory of the American War, p. 81 toyi. 
 •■ See chap. viii. 
 J> In December 1763* 
 
 Of
 
 GEORGE III. 35 
 
 K 
 
 of Poyning's law was recognized ; and fucceed- 
 ed in obtaining a vote to that effect. The 
 fpeaker, who had permitted this refolution to 
 pafs, being convinced, after a conference at 
 the caftle, of its impropriety, procured by his 
 exertions the annulling of the whole proceed- 
 ing ; and the entry was declared an error of the 
 clerk. 
 
 ' During the adminiftration of lord Wey- 1765-66, 
 mouth and the earl of Hertford, q no material 
 trail faction took place : the patriots had fo 
 often repeated their complaints on the enor- 
 mity of the peniion lift, that they no longer 
 excited curiofity, or obtained attention. Refo- 
 lutions were entered on the journals dating 
 facts reflecting penfions; but no meafures were 
 adopted to mew that they made any ftrong im- 
 prertion even on the movers. 
 
 The increafmg powers of the men of influ- Lord lieu. 
 ence, r at length induced government to alter |JJ^ dt 
 the fyftem with refpeci to Ireland. It was re- re fide. 
 folved no longer to abandon that kingdom to 
 the government of the lords juftices, but to 
 make refidence the duty of the lord lieute- 
 nant. This determination gave great fatis- 
 faction to the people, and proportionate alarm 
 to thofe whofe unpopular authority it was in- 
 tended to abridge. ; ' 
 
 One of the principal meafures from which Efforts to 
 the people expected their emancipation from alt ^[^ 
 the authority of the men of influence, was an tionofpar- 
 alteration in the parliamentary co'nftitution. Kament. 
 The parliament of Ireland was, at this time, dif- 
 folved only bv the death of the kino-, or by the 
 exereife of his prerogative. A change by 
 
 q The earl of Briftol was appointed lord lieutenant in 1765, but 
 did not go to Ireland. 
 
 r More commonly called parliamentary undertakers. See Dr. 
 John WaikinCon 1 * Fhilolbphical Survey ot'the South oflreland.p. 57. 
 
 a a 2 which
 
 556 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, which the conftitution mould be made more 
 ^Xj nearly to refemble that of Great Britain, had 
 occasioned many public mee lings, and ftrenu- 
 ous recommendations to parliament. The men 
 of influence, though fully fenlible of the dimi- 
 nution of their importance which muft refult, 
 Hurft not venture an open oppotition, but re- 
 lied on the effects of intrigue and management 
 . ; to prevent, while they appeared to favour, the 
 fuccefs of the meafure. 
 
 During the prefent reign, continual efforts 
 were made to obtain a feptennial law ; in the 
 year 1761, the houfe of commons agreed to 
 the heads of a bill for limiting the duration of 
 parliaments, which was tranfmitted to Eng- 
 land, but not approved. Even at that time 
 thejealoufy of the public was excited, and the 
 people were led to believe, that their reprefen- 
 tatives fent the bill to England in the hope of 
 its being altered, which would afford a pretence 
 for rejecting it, without offending their confti- 
 tuents. To acquit themfelves of this imputa- 
 
 a7th Apnl. tJ onj the I rim houfe of commons entered a re- 
 folution on their journals, exprefsly declaring 
 the report to be void of foundation. 
 
 Nov.1765. J v November 176.5, the iheriffand commons 
 of Dublin drew up a petition for a change in 
 the fyftem of reprefentation ; the lord mayor 
 and aldermen refuting to concur in the mea- 
 fure, the iheriff and commons paffed a refolu- 
 tion expreiiing difapprobation, and voted in- 
 structions to their reprefentatives to aft* their 
 utmoft endeavours for limiting the duration of 
 parliaments. 
 
 Feb. 1766. In Eebruary 1766 a bill for that purpofe 
 again paffed the Irifh parliament, but was re- 
 jected by the JBritiih cabinet, The news of this 
 
 event
 
 G E O R G E III. 357 
 
 event exafperated the people of Dublin, and chap. 
 
 the thelitis, and up wards of fix hundred iner- Ji 1 ^ 
 
 chants and traders, prefented an addrefs to 
 
 their reprefentatives, in which, after complain- ay I7 ' 
 
 ing, in acrimonious terms, of the rejection of the 
 
 hill, they di reeled their members never to alien?. 
 
 to anv money bill of a longer duration than 
 
 fix months, till a law mould pafs for a fepten- 
 
 nial limitation of parliament. 
 
 When lord Chatham's adminiftration was July 1766. 
 formed, lord Camden declared himfelf the ad- 
 vocate of a change in the reprefentation of 
 Ireland, but inftead of a feptennial, an octen- 
 nial bill was recommended. Charles Townf- 
 hend, chancellor of the exchequer, entered 
 into the fame views, and therefore obtained the 
 lord lieutenancy of Ireland for his brother the 
 marquis of Townfend. 
 
 Lord Townshend accepted the appoint- „ t hoa. 
 ment, fully approving the new lyftem, and 1767. 
 determined to maintain the royal authority 
 againft all oppofition. He was received with 
 great demonftrations of joy and refpect by the 
 magistracy of Dublin, and in three days after 
 his arrival, the lord mayor, Sheriffs and com- *4*h. 
 mons, came to a refolution that to obtain a 
 law for limiting the duration of parliament, 
 under proper qualifications, would be of the 
 higheft advantage to the kingdom in general, 
 and to the city of Dublin in particular, and 
 that it would be advifeable for the city to 
 adopt all conftitutional meafures for procuring 
 inch a law. 
 
 A i'. 1 ll to that effect fpeedily patfed the Iriili 
 parliament ; and being lent to England, ob- 
 tained the fanetion of the crown. It was re- 
 ceived by the people of Ireland, particularly 
 
 a a 3 the
 
 358 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, the lower clafs of voters, with unbounded joy, 
 and the lord lieutenant was highly popular 
 from the ihare he had taken in facilitating fo 
 defirable a meafure.* 
 
 ' Many of the above ftatements are derived from the periodical 
 publications : the reil from private information.
 
 O E II G E III. 159 
 
 C II A 1' T E 11 T 1 1 E F I F T E E N T 1 1 : 
 
 1768 — 17G9. 
 
 jRetrofpect of the -trim factions of the raign*—*- 
 Conduct and difpojttiqn ofihek'wg. — His pa* 
 tronage of (he fine arts. — Parliamentary 
 eenfure on the magiftratts of Oxford. — 
 Wilkes's return to England. — He is defied 
 member for Middlefex. — Meeting of parlia- 
 ment. — Proceedings againft If tikes. — He is 
 committed to the King's Bench prifon — ref- 
 cued by the mob — furrenders. — Daily riots. 
 — The foldiers fire on the people. — Increajing 
 violence of the populace. — Sentence of the 
 court of King's Bench on Will es. — Profecu- 
 tion of Mr. (1 ilium, the magi ft rate by whofe 
 authority the military acted. — Rejignaiion 
 oflordChatham. — Serjeant Glynn eiectedfor 
 MiddlefeSc. — Meeting of parliament. — 
 Wilkes's petition. — Various moiionfs. — lie 
 is brought be j ore the houfe of commons. — His 
 complaints declared fri\ olous. — His letter 
 to lord Weymouth, — zvho complains of a 
 breach of privilege. ■■ H died — His 
 
 character. — His cur e efpoitfed by the free- 
 holders of Middlefex. — He is re-elected — 
 declared' incapable oj titling. — Strenuoufly 
 fupported by the freeholders. — Meeting of 
 ' merchants on the oppoj\ tefide. — ; 'hey arc in- 
 putted. — Their prog refs to St. James's. — 
 ' II "dices again elected. — The election declared 
 void. ^-Colonel Put! yell oppofes him. — 
 ini/ces returned. — The return altered. — 
 Petitions of the freeholders. — Proceedings 
 in parliament relative to America. — De- 
 bales on the conduct of the legi/lature of 
 a v 4 Mcfffachuffefi
 
 360 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 Majfachuffefs Bay. — Debate on reviving 
 an obfoletejlatute of Henry VIII. — Debate 
 on the right of taxing. — Re [pectin g Corjica. 
 — Nullum Tempus act. — Arrears of the 
 civil lift difcharged. — Agreement with the 
 Haft India company. — Prorogation. 
 
 CHAP, at the dirToiution of the firft parliament called 
 ^JO^^j by George m, the afpec! of affairs prefent- 
 
 Rctrofpea ed no confolatory views to his mind. The 
 tranfae- king, from the beginning of his reign, had inani- 
 tions of the feftly fought the advantage and honour of his 
 reign. people; yetfuch were the erfe6ts of a conftant 
 and acrimonious oppofition, that not only the 
 prudence of his meafures, but the purity of his 
 intentions, was doubted. At his acceflion he 
 found a large portion of his fubjects, confpi- 
 cuous both for property and talent, exclud- 
 ed from all /hare in the government, and by an 
 affected ftigma rendered incapable of enjoying 
 confidence, or rendering fervice to the crown. 
 He relieved them from this proscription, and 
 fought, by abolifhing party and national dis- 
 tinctions, to reign, indeed, king and protector 
 of all his people. This meafure, fo wife and 
 juft in itfelf, was productive of endlefs feuds 
 and jealoufies. Every introduction of a new 
 fervant or family, occalioned diffatisfaclion 
 and difguft : the difappointcd formed new par- 
 ties, avowed new principles, and fought by 
 every device to diftrefs and impedethe operations 
 of government. Thus fo many fuccelfive mi- 
 niftries, who affumed the direction of public 
 affairs, were all feeble and inefficient, while 
 no fmgle oppofition was in itfelf ftrong or re- 
 fpectable. Every leader of a party commanded 
 his thare of influence, which, joined to the in- 
 fluence refulting from minifterial htuation, was 
 
 fufficient
 
 GEORGE III. 361 
 
 fuftieient to procure a majority. But the par- chap. 
 liament itfelf, deli vend to fo many oppoiite ^^, 
 leaders, making laws in one feffion, repealing 
 them in the next; affirming a principle at one 
 period, and retracting it at another; loft much 
 of the refpecr and confidence which ought to 
 flow from the people to their representatives. 
 
 The kind's benevolence was confpicuous in 
 every act which lie performed or fanctioned. 
 He found the country at war: it was the firft 
 wifh of his heart to rcitore the blefiings of 
 peace. In purfuit of this object, he made no 
 facrifice of the national honour, but railed the . 
 glories of the country by a campaign of 
 mat chiefs vigour and fuccefs. From this cir- 
 cumftance refulted much of the obloquy thrown 
 on the peace : the profperous progrefs of the 
 Britiih arms infpired exaggerated hopes, and 
 many who affected to deplore the miienes of 
 war, decried the peace becaufe it was not 
 founded on principles which would have fur- 
 nifhed an unanfwerable motive for future ag- 
 grefhon. 
 
 Against the private life of the king, ca- Private 
 lumny itfelf could not difcover an objection. «J»araa«r 
 Vice of every kind was not only unpractifed, £j ng . 
 but difcountenanced at court ; and it was not 
 poffibleto furvey without an accumulated fenfe 
 of refpect and admiration, the firft perfonage in 
 the realm, the molt confpicuous in the per- 
 formance of every focial law, and the moft 
 happy in the interefting centre of a domeiiic 
 circle/ 
 
 a It may be proper here to mention the ftate of the royal family 
 at this period. Beiides the prince of Wales, whole birth is abrady 
 mentioned, the king was parent of Frederick birtiop of Ofnabiugh, 
 fince duke of York, born 16th Augult 1763; William Henry, 
 now duke of Clarence, born Augult 22d, 1765; Ch^iictte Augulla 
 Matilda, now dutchefs of Wirtemberg, born 29th September 1766; 
 prince Edward, now duke of Kent, born 2d November 1767 ; and 
 the princefs Augufta Sophia, born 3th November 1768. 
 
 The
 
 36$ HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP. The king- v. as a patron, and liberal eft*. 
 \J^^L/ coura 8" er °^ the polite arts, and anxious to give 
 H's pa- them a permanent establishment in Great Bri- 
 tlieam tain. At an early period of tlie reign, lord 
 Bute afTertcd, from his own knowledge, that 
 rewards would never be wanting, provided pro- 
 per fubjeets occurred, worthy of the royal 
 protection 15 ; and the inftitution of the royal 
 academy difplayed at once the king's judgr 
 . ment, fpirit, and patriotifm. 
 
 Uneafinefs NOTWITHSTANDING, however, his blame- 
 
 in conie- lefs life, and conftant exertions to defer ve the 
 qoenceof a ff e ction of his fubiecis, the kin a; was not 
 happy, the unceaiing efforts ot oppontiori in 
 every part of his dominions, and the fuccefs 
 "which attended thole inlidious and baleful en- 
 deavours, deprived him of a great portion of 
 tranquillity. His firmnefs, fortunately, prevent- 
 ed him from relinquishing a mode of conduct 
 which his judgment led him to adopt; but al- 
 though he was enabled to break the firm eftar 
 bliihed phalanx, which, while it fupported, 
 obfeured the throne, the ftruggie was attended 
 with many painful circumftances. 
 D£athsand Even in his own family thofe feelings which 
 fepan-tions proved the fource of his enjoyments, gave alio 
 fan!iiy.° ya a poignancy to his grief. The death of his bror 
 i 7 th sept, ther the duke of York, a brave and meritorious 
 17 !i 7 V/r youth, and of his fifter the princefs Louifa 
 
 13th May J _ . * ill 1 
 
 a 7 68. Anne, occanoned great affliction; and although 
 the marriage of the princefs Carolina Matilda 
 to the king- of Denmark, white it ftrengthencd 
 the protectant intereft, promifed to increafe the 
 king's happinefs, yet the fplendid leftivals 
 
 b Letter from lord Bute to lord Melcombe, 28th May 1761. In 
 this letter was incloied a fum or 200 1. for a worthy literary chara£ler 
 in diftrels'. 
 
 c See Appendix. 
 
 which
 
 GEORGE III. So 
 
 which pervaded the capital, could not afluage cha, 
 the pain of reparation from fuch a beloved rela- J^, 
 tive. 
 
 As it was certain that parliament would be Effo . rts 
 diflblved at the end or the lemon, great efforts the general 
 were made to obtain an influence in the ap- eleft lon . 
 proaching general election. No art of corrup- 
 tion was left untried : adverlifements appeared 
 in the public prints, offering premiums for feats 
 in the legiflaturc ; and the magiftrates of the 
 city of Oxford even demanded from their re- 
 presentatives, Sir Thomas Stapleton and the 
 honourable Mr. Lee, a fum of money as the 
 price of their re-election. This demand being- 
 made during thefefiion, the members very pro- 
 perly preferred their complaint to the houfe. 
 The magiftrates were taken into cuftody ; but as, 
 by their petition, it appeared they were not 
 actuated by felfim motives, their only view be- 
 ing to obtain money for the reimburfeinent of 
 fome expences fuftained by the corporation, 9 AFeb. 
 they received onlya reprimand from the fpeaker *76$- 
 on their knees, and were difchargcd. d 
 
 All England was agitated by the tumults wilkes re- 
 incident to a general election, but particularly gJ n J^ 
 London and Middlefex, on account of the re- nsan ' 
 appearance of John Wilkes : he quitted Eng- 
 land under circumftances fo difgraceful, that 
 his offer to reprefent the metropolis, or the 
 county which includes the metropolis, was an 
 incalculable effort of impudence, while the 
 fupport he received feems to have flowed from 
 an unprecedented fource of popular delufion. 
 
 When Wilkes found it ncceifary to leave Retrofpeft 
 his native country, he repaired to France; on ° f Jj| scon " 
 
 d Debrett's Debates, vol. iv. p. 511. 
 
 his
 
 364 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, his arrival, he afferted that he was deputed 
 %J??Xj eni bafTador to Conirantinople, but he ibon re- 
 1768. linquifhed that preteiice, and profeiVed an in- 
 clination to reconcile himfelf with the mini- 
 ftry, and return to England. 6 The appoint- 
 ment of the Rockingham adminiftration flat- 
 tering him with hopes of fuccefs, he repaired to 
 London in May 1 766, and opened a negotiation 
 with the friends of the marquis ; but as he 
 could not obtain protection from them, nor 
 place his outlawry in a train of reverfal till 
 November, he again went to France. In the 
 courfe of thatfummcr lord Chatham's admini- 
 stration was formed, and Wilkes, conceiving 
 new hopes, folicited in earneft. and abject: terms, 
 the duke of Grafton's interference with the 
 king. 1 This application being rejected, Wilkes, 
 neglected and forgotten, remained in exile till 
 the approaching diflblution of parliament drew 
 him to England. 
 
 He 5s can- In his retirement, Wilkes reflected with anger 
 
 London° r on n * s re P ea t c d mortifications, and his fpirit 
 was inflamed to that degree of virulence 
 which made him brave every danger, and defy 
 every appearance of decency, in declaring 
 himfelf a candidate to reprefent the city of 
 
 10th Mar. London. In his addrefs to the livery, he claimed 
 credit for his attachment to liberty, and pre- 
 fented his contefts with government on the 
 two queftions refpeeting general warrants, and 
 the feizure of papers, as titles to protection and 
 encouragement. As the outlawry was {till in 
 full force, to prevent his being apprehended 
 
 " d * he wrote to the folicitor and deputy foiicitor of 
 
 e Lord Orford's Works, vol. v. p. 121. 
 
 f See the letter dated ift November 1766, A. R. vol. ix. p. iSij 
 and a fubiequent letter to the dulce of Grafton, daied 12th Decem- 
 ber 1766, publifiied by Almon. 
 
 the
 
 GEORGE III. 365 
 
 the treafury, pledging his honour as a gentle^- chap. 
 man that 'he would perfonally appear in the J^^ 
 court of King's Bench on the firit day of the 1768. 
 enfuing term. 8 
 
 Wilkes was not chofen for London, but Butrejea. 
 the populace fympathizing in his diiappoint- ed - 
 merit, and anxious to mew their zeal in his 
 caufe, took the horfes from his carriage, and 
 drew it through the city. He immediately 28th Mar. 
 prdented himfelf as a candidate for the county J^gg! 
 of Middlefex, and was returned by a large ma- f ex . 
 jority. h His friends, the populace, on this oc- 
 eafion, teitified not only their joy, but their 
 refentment, by breaking the windows of lord 
 Bute's ho ufe, and of the manfion houfe ; the 
 air refounded with the cry of ' Wilkes and Li- 
 berty,' and thofe who refufed to join in it were 
 beat and infulted. 
 
 The new parliament met according to the iothMav. 
 return of the writs of fummons, and Sir John Meeting of 
 Cult was again chofen fpeaker. The only pai lamcnt< 
 bulinefs tranfacted was a continuation of the 
 ftatutes refpecfing grain ; and a motion that the 
 proper crown officer might report to the houfe 
 why the laws Mere not immediately put in 
 force againft John Wilkes, an outlaw, when he 
 returned to England in February. 
 
 Wilkes was at this period already in p roceec ».. 
 cuftody. He appeared in the court of King's ing* 
 Bench according to his promife, and in a long wtikes. 
 fpeech complained of all the tranfactions in his aotiiApril. 
 cafe, but left the diicuinon of points of law to 
 
 l It was alio raid that lie addrtfled afenfible and humble petition 
 to the king, imploring paidon ; but this fa& is not fufEciemly au- 
 thenticated. See Gentleman's Magazine, 1768, p. 140. 
 
 & The numbers were, Wilkes 1292, Cooke 827, Sir William B. 
 Proclor, 807. Hiltory of the Boroughs, 8vo. 3 vols. vol. ii. 
 
 his
 
 566 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, his council. The attorney general moved for 
 xv. his commitment : caufe was ihewn as;ainft it, 
 1768. and a writ of error prayed. The judges cen- 
 ■" fured both motions, as M r. Wilkes was not 
 properly before the court, and refufed to corn- 
 He is com- mit, or admit him to bail. A writ of capias 
 mined. ntiagaiiim was at length iifued, and as no pre- 
 cedent could be found of a perfon in his cir- 
 cumitances being delivered to bail, he was or- 
 27th. dered into cultody. 1 he populace, however, re- 
 by[he Cd veri t ,( 5 the decree of the court ; they Hopped 
 mob. the coach in which he was proceeding, took 
 off the horfes, and dragged him through the 
 city to a public houfe in Spital-fields, where 
 the}' kept him till eleven at night, when he 
 Surrenders made his efcape, and furrendered himfelf to the 
 Wmfeif. marihal of the King's Bench, The next day 
 Riots. a mob aflembled near the priibn, pulled up the 
 rails which inclofed the foot- way, and made a 
 bonfire. At night they compelled the inhabi- 
 tants of the Borough to illuminate; but at 
 midnight were difperfed by a detachment from 
 the guards. 
 Daily re- From this period a tumultuous meeting was 
 peated. f } a jl v held at the King's Bench priibn, and many 
 outrages committed in various parts of the town. 
 Thefe proceedings alarmed government, and 
 they were properly on their guard againft the 
 prevalence of the riotous difpofition fo forcibly 
 difplayed. 
 
 3th Mav. ® N tne C ^ av °f * ne opening of parliament, 
 Dang reus an immenfe multitude aflembled in St. George's 
 
 lot 
 
 Dgerous an immenfe multitude aflembled in St. Geou, 
 tumult fields, expecting; that, by virtue of his privilege, 
 
 near t ;e \ ' . ^ ■ v i o " 
 
 King's their favourite would be liberated, and take 
 Bench pn- £jg f eat : n t i ie houfe. They demanded him at the 
 priibn with loud outcries, and foon grew ex- 
 tremely tumultuous. The juftices, attempting 
 to read the riot act, were ailailed with ftones 
 
 and
 
 GEORGE lit. 367 
 
 and bricks; great pains were taken to induce chap. 
 the people to difperfe, but in vain : the drums Jj^j^ 
 beat to arms, and the military affembled in *#*• 
 great numbers, but the rabble perievered in 
 their riotous behaviour, and even alfaulted 
 them. Some folcliers purfued a man who had A y outi>. 
 been forward in maltreating them to fonic dil- kllled - 
 tance, and iliot him dead in an out-houfe be- 
 longing to his father. The youth's name was 
 Allen, and it was alleged that he was a mere 
 fpechitor of the traniaci ions of the day, and had, 
 by miftake, been tingled out initead of fome 
 other peribn. Meanwhile the riot increafing, ThefoJ . 
 and every eifort to reitore tranquillity provin,"- diets fire 
 ineffectual, the foldiers received the word of ™^F»- 
 command, and fired ; five or fix perfons were 
 killed, and fifteen wounded. 
 
 The mob was difperfed ; but inexpremble Rage . 
 rao-e prevailed aeainft the foldierv. The regi- KlfL the 
 ment happened, unfortunately, to be principally 
 compoled of Scotchmen, which gave addi- 
 tional violence to the popular reientment. The nth May. 
 coroner's inqueft brought in a verdict of wil- 
 ful murder againft the foldier who ihot Allen, 
 and implicated another private, and Alexander 
 Murray, efquire, the commanding officer, as ac- 
 ccflaries. The principal, Donald Machine, was 
 conveyed to prifon, and the populace were 
 with difficulty reftrained from tearing him to 
 pice iiif'king, with great propriety, pro- 
 
 ed and fanetioned the proceedings which 
 gav v check to this daring fpirit of li- 
 
 een ;, and returned thanks to the com- 
 
 manding officer for his prudence and refolu- 
 tion. 
 
 Nothing could exceed the frenzy of in- Inerafing 
 
 ,'. . i • i -i i • ,i ii'. ■ I violence or 
 
 dignation winch prevailed m the public mind; thepeop!e< 
 if the moil dangerous nature were daily 
 
 excited.
 
 S68 
 
 C H AP. 
 
 XV. 
 
 V- ■ -J 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 3th June. 
 Sentence 
 of the 
 court of 
 King's 
 Bench on 
 Wilkes. 
 
 being al> 
 
 Profecu- 
 tionof Mr. 
 Gillam. 
 7th July. 
 
 Jith. 
 
 excited. Harley, the lord mayor, 
 ready obnoxious to Wilkes's party, for his 
 conduct while iheriff, in burning the North Bri- 
 ton, the maniion houfe was frequently affailed 
 by mobs, and at length it was found requifite 
 that a guard mould be conftantly ftationed 
 there.' A moll audacious and treafonable pa- 
 per was fluck on the walls of St. James's pa- 
 lace, and another of fimilar purport found on 
 the back flairs. All was terror, confufion, and 
 alarm, and under the mafk of patriotism, trea- 
 fon was actively employed ; combinations were 
 formed by workmen, coalheavers, watermen, 
 and labourers in the metropolis, and in different 
 parts of the country; the civil arm feemed too 
 weak to reflrain the general fpiritof licentiouf- 
 nefs, which, actuated by a defigning leader, or 
 ftimulated by a real caufe of complaint, would 
 have produced a total diffolution of focial 
 order. 
 
 Wilkes's cafe was argued in the court of 
 King's Bench, and the outlawry againfr him 
 reverfed ; but the verdict was affirmed, and on 
 a fubfequent day he was fentenced to be 
 imprifoned for two years, computed from the 
 time of his arreft, to pay two fines of five hun- 
 dred pounds, and find two fecurities in five 
 hundred pounds each for his good behaviour 
 for feven years. 
 
 The fpirit of revenge againft all who appear- 
 ed to fupport government in the late proceed- 
 ings, was carried to the greateft excefs. Gil- 
 lam, the magiftrate who authorized the guards 
 to fire, and difperfe the mob, was indi6ted for 
 murder. On his trial, the attorney and folicitor 
 
 » Three perfons were tried at the Old Bailey in July, for being 
 engaged in thofe violences, breaking the lamps, and affaulting the 
 lord mayor; two of them were found guilty, and fentenced to twelve 
 months imprifonmect in New-gats. 
 
 general
 
 GEORGE HI. S6S 
 
 general appeared as his counted, but no cxer- chap. 
 tion on their part v/as neceifary; the jury ac- ^^ 
 quitted him on the evidence for the profecu- 1768. 
 tion. A bill was alfo prefented to the gi'aiid- 2t i, Au 
 jury of the county of Surry, againft Maclane Andot 
 the foldier, and the two other perions impli- ^ wo tol " 
 cated in the coroner's verdict: after a deli- 
 beration of thirteen hours, they found a true 
 bill againft Machine only, who was tried and 9th. 
 acquitted. 
 
 Lord Chatham faw with ditTatisfaelion Refigmtion 
 many of the late minifterial proceedings; he J* lord 
 was (lifj)lcafed with their conduct respecting 
 America; indignant at the tranquillity with 
 which his colleagues fuifered the French 
 to poiTcfs themfelves of Cornea, and in many 
 other refpects difcontented; he alfo felt great 
 repugnance at feeing his name connected with 
 men and meafures fo generally unpopular, 
 and determined to refign. He would not even i 5 thoa. 
 attend at court to announce his refolution, 
 but fentthe privy-feal by lord Camden. This 
 event was not unexpected. Lord Briitd wasap- 2d Noy. 
 pointed in his ftead ; and as lord Camden frill 
 continued chancellor, no material alterations 
 took place.* 
 
 The tumultuous difpofition of the electors Serjear.t 
 
 of Middlefex might probably have fublided, G1 ? nn 
 
 114. f n 1 *. 1* 4. 4.- cl ^ c,J for 
 
 had not a new conteit renewed the termentation. Middlefex. 
 
 Mr. Cooke, Wilkes's colleague, died; Sir Wil- 5-^ J^.e. 
 liam Beauchamp Proctor, the unfuccefsful can- 
 didate at the late election, again offered himfeif; 
 and was oppofed by Serjeant Glynn, who being 
 the conftant legal defender of Wilkes, was 
 highly popular. Sir William loft the election : stli Dec, 
 
 k Life of lord Chatham, vol. !i. p. 2+. 
 
 vol. I. £ 13 during
 
 370 
 
 CHAP. 
 XV. 
 
 i?68. 
 
 1 4.th Jan. 
 1769. 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 during its progrefs, a man was killed in a riot, 
 begun by fome chairmen employed by his 
 party. As Sir William was underltood to be 
 a candidate on the court interell, this event 
 excited the sreateft indignation : two chairmen 
 were apprehended, tried at the Old Bailey, and 
 found guilty. The populace, animated with 
 the defire of vengeance, when the verdict was 
 pronounced, teftified their joy by fhouting 
 and clapping of hands ; but their fury was 
 not gratified in the expected victims ; for after 
 being refpited for a fliort time, they obtained a 
 pardon. 1 
 
 sth Nor. In his fpeech to parliament on the firft day 
 Mmino'of or * ne f emon > the king mentioned with fatis- 
 puriiament. faction the pacific difpofition of the con- 
 tinental powers, adverted to the rebellious fpi- 
 rit which prevailed in M attach uifet's Bay, and 
 recommended harmony and union. The ad- 
 drefs was ftrenuoufly oppofed, but carried. 
 
 Wilkes's affair early engaged the houfe 
 of commons : a petition was brought up by 
 Sir Jofeph Mawbey, in which all the pro- 
 ceedings a gai nil him fmce the year 1 763 were 
 briefly recited, and the juftice of the houfe 
 
 fun- 
 
 Wilkcs's 
 
 petition. 
 
 14th. 
 
 Proceed- 
 ings there 
 on. 
 
 was claimed in redreffina: his grievances 
 dry motions enfucd ; the proper officers were 
 directed to lay before the houfe a copy of 
 the proceedings in the court of King's Bench; 
 and a day being appointed for taking thefe 
 matters into confideration, it was ordered 
 that due notice ihould be given to Wilkes, 
 
 5 They were afterwards profecmed with uncealing refenlment 
 for other rmirdefs committed on the fame day, but acquitted. 
 
 and
 
 c the 
 
 GEORGE III. i,;i 
 
 and to feveral other parties who might appear chap. 
 as witneues. Anions; them was Mr. Webb, xv - 
 late fecretary to the treafury, who being in the »768. 
 petition accufed of highly improper conduct, 
 requefted an opportunity of vindicating him- 
 felr, and lie was allowed to be heard either in 
 perfon or by counfei. 
 
 Before the petition was difcufled, a motion 2^ Jan. 
 
 made for the purpofe of afcertainina; whether a IZ ?■' 
 
 1 • 1 r 1 i- 1 • i v ?i i • M-fon re- 
 
 member convieted or pubhining a hbel was in- rfpefting 
 
 titled to privilege, was debated with much P" vile ge. 
 acrimony, and at length decided in the ne- 
 gative. At the time appointed for eonfidering , 7t |,. 
 his petition, Wilkes bring brought before the w ')kes 
 home in cufiody, objected that, by an act of bUJ^J 
 parliament, he could not 'legally appear there honfcof 
 without taking the oaths; but this objection com,1,cns - 
 was overruled. On a fubfequent day, betook 3«A. 
 exception to the word blafphemous, ufed in 
 defcribing the EiTay on Woman ; which, after 
 a long debate, was expunged. The evidence 
 in fupport of the petition, fubftantiated only 
 the un denied fact, that lord Mansfield had 
 altered the record of his indictment the day 
 before the trial. It was clearly demonftrated 
 that the practice of altering records in the 
 manner complained of was ancient, and fup- 
 portcd by niunberlefs precedents from the be- 
 ginning of the law books to that period ; and 
 on a folemn argument of the fame objection 
 in Weftminfter Hall, the practice had been 
 confirmed by all the judges. The petition 
 accufed Mr. Webb of bribing, with the public 
 money, one Curry, Wilkes's domeltic, to Iteal 
 the Eflay on Woman; but this charge was ftF 
 not proved. A vote of fevere cenfure was Hiscom- 
 nioved, but afterwards modified into a deelara- plaints d*. 
 
 B B <i tion volous .
 
 372 
 
 CHAP. 
 XV. 
 
 Wilkes's 
 letter to 
 lord Wey- 
 mouth: 
 
 who com- 
 plains of a 
 breach of 
 privilege. 
 
 id. 
 
 3<1 
 Wilkes 
 
 expelled. 
 
 Obferva. 
 tion.'. 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 tion that the afperfions in the petition were 
 frivolous. 
 
 Another complaint againft Wilkes was 
 immediately prefented. Lord Weymouth, the 
 fecretary of ft ate, having in the preceding year 
 written to the magiftrates of Surry, recom- 
 mending them no longer to permit tumults 
 to alfume {o dangerous an afpeet, but to make 
 early application for a military force in aid 
 of the civil power; the letter came into 
 Wilkes's poffefhon, and he published it, with 
 an inflammatory and intuiting comment, de- 
 nominating the affair in St. George's Fields 
 a horrid maflacre, and the confequence of a 
 hellim project, deliberately planned. Lord 
 Weymouth complained to the houfe of lords 
 of a breach of privilege; and the printer of the 
 newipaper acknowledging that he received the 
 letter from Wilkes, a conference of the Lords 
 and Commons was held ; Wilkes, at the bar 
 of the lower houfe, triumphantly avowed the 
 publication, and claimed the thanks of the 
 country for having expofed, in a proper light, 
 " that bloody fcroll." 
 
 The houfe being thus in full pofTeffion of 
 the neceiiary evidence, a motion for his ex- 
 pul(ion m was made, and after a itrenuous de- 
 bate, carried by a coniiderable majoritv. n 
 
 In all the proceedings againft Wilkes, from 
 
 os The motion v.-us in thefe words : " That John Wilkes, Efq. 
 ** 3 member of this houfe, who hath, at the bar of this houfe, ccn- 
 •« fetTed biunlelf to be the authoi and publisher of what this houfe has 
 «« relblved to be an infolent, fcandalous, and fediticus libel, ami 
 «* who Ua« been con vi&ed in the court of King's Bench of having 
 « printed afi3 puhliflied a feditious libel, and three oblcene and im- 
 «« pious libels, and by the judgment of the faid court has been fen- 
 «« tenced to undergo twenty-two months imprifonment, and is now 
 ** in execution under the laid judgment, be expelled this houfe." 
 
 ■ 219 co 136. 
 
 the
 
 XV. 
 
 G E O R G E III. S7S 
 
 the moment of his return to England, the chap 
 minifhy difplayed great want of judgment and 
 prudence, but in this meafure their errors were 17*9 
 peculiarly manifeft. On his arrival in the month 
 of February his outlawry was in full force; had 
 they then iffued againft him a writ of utla- 
 g a turn capias, he would have been legally in 
 cuftody during the period of the eleclion, and 
 thus prevented from influencing, perfonaliy at 
 lead, the public proceedings at that crifis. 
 Such a meafure could not apparently have 
 created a divifion in the cabinet, iince even 
 lord Chatham was attacked in the letter to 
 the duke of Grafton with no lets virulence 
 than the duke himfelf. But if they were re- 
 folved not to add to the weight of Wilkes's 
 misfortunes by enforcing his puniihment, and 
 content to incur the rifque arifing from his 
 popular opposition to their mcafures, the moft 
 prudent proceeding would have been to in- 
 fluence the king to comply with, or even 
 anticipate Wilkes's petition, by a free par- 
 don. He could then no longer pretend that 
 he was a martyr in the caufe of liberty, nor 
 would the excefies of the populace have 
 been functioned by any plauuble allegation of 
 a grievance. By taking Wilkes into cuftody 
 after his eleclion, and when his popularity was 
 fo firmly eftabliihed, they placed the king in 
 direct oppofition to a great portion of his fub- 
 je&s, and expofed the nation to all the mil- 
 chiefs and ferments arifing from fuch a contelt. 
 In arguing the merits of his petition, the mini- 
 ftry were guilty of a great error: it claimed no 
 particular notice, made no fpecilic demand, and 
 might, with great propriety, have been left to 
 Jie on the table. In expelling him the houle, 
 
 BB3 their
 
 374 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, their conduct was uniuftifiable ; it might be 
 ^Xl* ^ e & a ^' but a m hiiftry i n a tree country, can 
 1769- never fupport themfelves by an appeal to 
 the letter of the law ; they miift alio do 
 what is expedient, and even gracious to the 
 people. In this inffance, they manifested no 
 lefs feeblenefs than rancour: as if afraid that 
 they were not fully juftified in expelling him 
 in confequence of a complaint from the other 
 houfe, the motion was loaded with extraneous 
 facls ; reciting an offence for which he was ex- 
 pelled by a former parliament, and others for 
 which he was then fuffering the fcntence of the 
 law ; and even alleging that fcntence and thofe 
 fufferino's againft him as new crimes. 
 CharaSer Through the medium of Wilkes fome im- 
 of Wilkes, portant popular queflions were difcirfied, and 
 it was fortunate for the country that fuch an 
 individual was found. The points ascertain- 
 ed by his means, are of the higheft confe- 
 quence both to liberty and government; and 
 Wilkes was, in every refpeet, the moft pro- 
 per man to act the part affigned to him. Too 
 enterprizing to be defpifed, too frivolous to 
 excite permanent apprehenfion, he was ever 
 ready to ensfage in fuch acls as required the in- 
 terference of the law, and always fufficiently 
 fubtle to make his errors popular, and his vices 
 venial. Too magnanimous to be actuated by 
 terror, and too venal to refift proffered advan- 
 tages, he was a fit champion for the people, 
 till his view's were ahfwered, but fo open to 
 gratification as never to be permanently dan- 
 gerous. His avowed vices precluded him from 
 the efteem of the virtuous ; and thus his po- 
 pularity, however apparently extcniive, could 
 never give alarm to a ftrong and well com- 
 bined
 
 GEORGE III. 375 
 
 bined miniftry. It would have been wile to chap. 
 let him take bis feat without refinance, for xv - 
 as his oratorical talents were not above me- 176a. 
 diocrity, he would foon have funk into dif- 
 regard, and his writings, ceafing to claim at- 
 tention as the effufions of an injured patriot, 
 would have been rated at their jult value, 
 and fallen rapidly into obfeurity. 
 
 II rs interetis were warmly and eagerly cf- 14th Feb. 
 pouted: at a meeting of the freeholders at I J is "j f * 
 Mile-end, his re-election was recommended, the free- 
 Alderman Sawbridge enforced it bv obferv- ! v , J l , ,c y sof 
 ing, that it once the miniftry mould be per- 
 mitted to fay whom the freeholders ihould not 
 chufe, the next ftep would be to tell them igth 
 whom they ihould chufe; he was accordingly He is re 
 re-elected without opposition. eieae^i. 
 
 This indication of the popular refolution 
 to fupport their favourite, might have taught 
 the miniftry the inutility of further refiftance, 
 and induced them tofubmit with a good grace; 
 but, on the contrary, they now appeared to 
 confider the credit and authority of govern- 
 ment at flake, and to have reiblved that the 
 (jueftion ihould be profecutcd to all extremi- 
 ties. On the day fucceeding Wilkes's re- 
 election, lord Strange moved, " That having , 7 th. 
 " been expelled, he was incapable of being Declared 
 " re-elected to ferve in that parliament." In U^Sng^n 
 fupport of this doctrine, it was alleged that parliament. 
 Robert Walpole having been expelled the 
 boufc, and re-elected for Lynn, the commons 
 declared his incapacity. The members in oppo- 
 fition made many diftinclions.bctween Walpole's 
 cafeand Wilkes's. Walpole was at the time of 
 bis re-election actually in the tower, for the 
 crimes which ocealioned his expulfion, and 
 
 e u 4 a rival
 
 376 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, a rival candidate appeared at the election, fo 
 that the terms of the precept could he com- 
 
 
 1769. plied with ; and the matter Mas taken up in the 
 houfe, not on the mere return of the writ, but 
 on the petition of his opponent. Should the 
 dangerous precedent, that a member once ex- 
 pelled is incapable of re-eleCtion to the fame 
 parliament, be cftabliihed, it might be carried 
 to an indefinite extent. " There is one zvor/i 
 "man in the houfe;"' Mr. Dowdefuell humour- 
 oufly obferved, "turn him out. Is there not 
 now a workman left? turn him out too. In 
 fhort, when will you flop ? You have turned 
 "one out for impiety and obfeenity ; — when 
 " half a dozen members meet over a convi- 
 " vial bottle, is their difcourfe intirely free from 
 " obfeenity, from impiety, or abufe of govern* 
 " ment? Even in the cabinet, that pious, re- 
 " forming fociety ; were Mr. Wilkes there to be 
 " adjudged, and the innocent man to throw 
 '"' the full frone, they would (link out one by 
 u one, and leave the culprit un condemned." 
 In more ferious argument it was ftated, that a 
 man might be expelled for a libel, but on trial in 
 a court of law, be found innocent; v hat mult 
 be the confequence ? is that perfon never to be 
 re-elected r or what amends could he receive 
 for his expulfion ? But, fay the miniftry, parlia- 
 ment will never expel a member but for a jufr. 
 caufe. When a miniftry are invefted with the 
 powers of judges, woe to their oppofcrs. — The 
 queftion was carried in the affirmative by a 
 large majority. 
 Wilkes lx' confequence of this meafure, the popu- 
 
 ?uppomd. y lai % of Wilkes increaied, and he was conli- 
 
 215 againft 89. 
 
 dered
 
 G E O R G ,E III. 377 
 
 dered the object of a vindictive perfecution.* chap. 
 Another meeting at Mile-end relblved again ^J^, 
 to fupport him, and tlie molt enthufiaftic fen- 1769. 
 timents were expreifed in his favour. aadFA, 
 
 All attempts to oppofe the prevailing fpirit Meetingof 
 were ineffectual. A meeting Mas called at the merchant*. 
 King's Arms tavern in London, for the pur- sihMar. 
 pofe of prefenting a loyal addict's to the king ; 
 but the adherents of Wilkes were lb numerous Theyare 
 and formidable, that thofe who convened the infuhedbj 
 meeting « ere obliged to leave the room to the J^^*"* 
 other party, who by their fpeeches and refolu- 
 %tions totally perverted and turned to ridicule 
 the original intent of the meeting. Thofe who 
 firft convened it, however, prepared an addrels, 
 which they left at a public office over the 
 Royal Exchange for fignatures. In their pro- «<*• 
 greis to prefent this paper at St. James s, they grefs t( ; Su 
 were alfailed with violence and infult: a Jame*-s. 
 hearfe preceded them, with paintings repre- 
 fenting the death of Allen, and the murder at 
 Brentford ; the coaches were flopped, and 
 thofe in them were beat, pelted with mud, 
 and many obliged either to deli ft from their 
 intention, or proceed to St. James's by pri- 
 vate ways. The hearfe full preceding the i'ew 
 who remained, attempted to pals into the 
 court yard, but was relifted by the guard ; the 
 mob perfevercd in their outrages, even with- 
 in the walls of the palace; two were fecured 
 by the intrepidity of lord Talbot, and fifteen 
 by the military.* The whole fpe&acle muft have 
 
 been 
 
 p A fubfeription war, opened for his benefit at the London Tavern, 
 (20th February), winch Arpplied a ftifficien: ftind to pay his iuks, 
 and to leave an ample relidile for his future fupport. 
 
 <j It is a remarkable fact, and fliews how general was the extent 
 
 oi
 
 573 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 Citap. been truly mortifying and diitrefhng to the 
 xv - , kino-, as it evinced the dangers to which his 
 i7h' fubjecls were expofed in prefuming to difplay 
 fentiments of loyalty and affection. 1 
 »6thjviar. A fecond election took place at Brentford, 
 Wilkes and Mr. Dingley, the principal promoter of 
 ckOed. * ne meeting of merchants at the Kings Arms 
 tavern, appeared for the purpofe of opposing 
 Wilkes, but he was fo ill-treated by the rn.ob, 
 that by the advice of his friends he retired be- 
 fore the nomination, and Wilkes was declared 
 duly elected for want of opposition, although 
 Dingley, in a letter to the iheriifs, pyoteftexi* 
 17th. againft the proceedings of the day. The 
 
 Tfeeefee- hottfe of commons, on the motion of the chan- 
 son declar- .. n , ' -liii 
 
 cdvorJ. cellor or the exchequer, again declared the 
 election null and void. 
 
 Colonel A new writ being iffued, colonel Luttrell, fon 
 
 ^""fc? of lord Irnham, vacated his feat, and declared 
 
 Wilkes, himftlf a candidate for Middlefex. This con- 
 duel was coniidered i'o raih and dangerous, 
 that policies of aifurance on his life were 
 
 20th. opened at Lloyd's Coirec-houfe. 8 Wilkes's 
 friends adopted their ufual meaftire of calling 
 
 7th April*, a meeting at Mile-end, and entered into 
 ftrenuous refohitions to fupport his caufe. The 
 houie of commons, apprehenfivc of riots, or- 
 dered the iheritfs to take fhefiecefTary meafures 
 for preferving the peace, by appointing an ad- 
 ditional number of contlables. 
 
 i^tTiApri?; The election was conducted with the utmoft 
 
 Ekclion. 
 
 cf factions fpirit at this period, that the grand-jury for Middlefex 
 leiufed to firsd bills of indictment againfttheie men. 
 
 r No exprefs authorities are cited for tbefe fn£ts ; they form the 
 contents of all the diurnal registers in the peiiodical publications, to 
 which reference may be made by the dates in the margin : particular- 
 ly the Annual Reg:fter, and Gentleman's Magazine. 
 
 * tliliory cf the Boroughs, &c. vol. ii. p. 235. 
 
 order,
 
 GEORGE III. 379 
 
 order, although a violent and outrageous mob chat. 
 occupied the roads to Brentford in every direc- ^^ 
 tion, and compelled all patVengers to ihout 1769* 
 " Wilkes and Liberty," and to permit his 
 badge, Number 4.5, to be chalked on their 
 cloaths and carriages. The numbers on the Wilkes. 
 poll producing a majority for Wilkes of eight 
 hundred and forty-feveri,' the ftieriff returned 
 him dulv elected. A motion however was x .~ 
 made in the houfc, and after being debated altered. 
 with great vehemence, and no fniall ability, for *4*J ai "i 
 two days, an alteration of the return Mas or- 
 dered bv a majority of fifty-four." The free- fft.-^ 
 holders of Middlefex prefen ted a petition againti the free- 
 this alteration, and were heard by counfel, but holders, 
 the houfe confirmed its previous resolution by 2th May. 
 a It ill greater majority/ 
 
 The recent tran factions in America produced f n ™ c f n J " 
 great debates, and ftrong meafures. The buli- pa ?iiament 
 nefs was forcibly adverted to in the king's jJjJT^ 
 fpeech, and afterwards introduced to the houfe Dec. 176*. 
 by amotion for an addrefs that all letters pa- 
 tent, charters, and coraraiffions, fubfifting and 
 in force relative to the American colonies, with 
 copies of all orders and inttructions given to 
 any officers civil or military, in regard to their 
 government, ihould be laid before parliament. 
 This motion was negatived, as was another on 
 the fame day for copies of all letters and alli- 
 davits received fince the firft of .January 
 
 After the recefs, a committee of the whole 15'h ?nd 
 houfe was formed, to whofe infpeclion a large J^ an " 
 quantity of papers was fubmitted. A petition Petitions. 
 
 * Wilkes 1143, Luttrel) jqfi. 
 
 u 197 to 14J. * in to *5 2 ' 
 
 was
 
 SBO HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, was tendered from MavTachufTet\s Bay, and one 
 "^L; ^ rom an individual named William Bollan : the 
 1769. former was received under the exprefs ftipula- 
 tion that it iliould be confidered merely as the 
 act of individuals, and not of a body, fmce 
 the council had loft their collective character 
 by diiibkition ; the other petition was re- 
 jected. 
 Kefoiu- The houfe then, in a committee, entered into 
 
 turns. a general difcufhon of" the American transac- 
 tions. The lords had already voted certain 
 refoiutions, reciting hiftoricallv ihe acls both 
 of the people and legiilature of M*ffachuffet*5 
 Bay; and an addrefs to the king, praying that 
 he would direct the governor of that colony to 
 tranfmit the names of the perfons moft con- 
 fpicuous in commencing illegal acts, fmce 
 the sift of December 1767, to one of the fe- 
 cretaries of ft ate ; and would, if the informa- 
 tion received appeared to afford fufticient 
 ground for fnch a proceeding, iffue a fpecial 
 commiffion for trying the offenders in Great 
 Britain, according to the provifions of the fta- 
 tute Soth Henry VIII. 
 Debate* on An animated debate enfued on the queftion, 
 the con- -^vVietli ei" the committee iliould concur in the 
 
 dr.ct of the . iii/> t-» i 1 • 1 1 
 
 legislature rctoiuhons and addreis. Both tne right and 
 ctMaiTa- expediency of taxing: the colonics were ably 
 ^ 3 y. argued ; and the particular acts of the legislature 
 
 of Maifachuflet's Bay d urine; the laft year, were 
 ftrongly arraigned and defended. Governor 
 Pownall, who fully underftood the affairs of 
 America, and had been entrufted with the 
 chief command in M^tTaehnffet's Bay, defend- 
 ed the proceedings of the colonifts, and denied 
 that the riots on the feizure of Hancock's Hoop 
 could have been pi evented by the council and 
 (j aifembly.
 
 GEORGE III. SB1 
 
 avTcmb1y. r With refpeft to the calling- of a chap 
 convention ; he admitted that if the iWeet men ^^ 
 of Bofton had iiliied wfrits," it would have been »7<>9 
 an ufurpation, if not treafonable: hut that, by 
 the laws of their country, confirmed by the 
 crown, they were authorifed to write letters 
 defiring other towns to appoint committees to 
 convene with their committee. Me maintained 
 that although a convention of ftates would 
 have been treafonable, a convention of com- 
 mittees was warranted by law, and their pro- 
 ceedings highly commendable. The conduct 
 of governor Bernard was warmly defended; 
 and after a long debate, which was carried oil 
 with great earneftnefs on bo+h fides, the reib- 
 lutions and addicts were agreed to. 
 
 Another difcuffion arofe on the fame fub- gthFe!* 
 left, when the report of the committee was 
 presented to the houfe. Governor Pownall 
 again diftinguiihed himfelf in oppofition to 
 the rcfolutions and addrefs : he entered at 
 great length into the conititutions and char- 
 ters of the different provinces of America, 
 and contended againft the right of internal 
 taxation : he dwelt with great force on the 
 impolicy of urging the Americans to acis of 
 rehftance; depicted, with truth and precifion, 
 the fpirit which animated the inhabitants of 
 Maffacnutiet's Bay, and warned the miniftry 
 againft giving a fpring to their fariaticifm, arid 
 uro-ing them to quit their native characters of 
 hulbaiidmeii and merchants, to difplay their 
 
 7 Admitting this to be true, which is not cxaclly Co, they could 
 have afforded protection to the ciulom houfe officers, or hive taken 
 meafures for effectually punifliing the infurgents ; neither of whish 
 was done. 
 
 x This expreflion was found in the reCokitions when firft Tent 
 down from the lords, but the words « writing letters," were i'ub- 
 ,'Htuted on a motion for an amendment, 
 
 energy
 
 ►S3 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP. 
 XV. 
 
 1769. 
 
 energy in acts of refinance, " that fpirit," 
 he laid, " which led their anceftors to break 
 off from every thing which is near and dear 
 to the human heart ; from every connection 
 which friendlhip, relation, blood could give; 
 which led them to quit every comfort that a 
 fettled and civilized country (their own na- 
 tive country) could afford, and to encoun- 
 ter every difficulty and diftrefs which a wild 
 wildernefs of lavages could oppofe to them, 
 to ftruggle even for their exiftence; that 
 fpirit, equally ftrong, and equally inilamed, 
 has but a flight and trifling facritlce to make 
 at this time ; they have not to quit their na- 
 tive country, but to defend it; they have 
 not to forfake their friends and relations, but 
 to unite with and to ftand bv them in one 
 common union. The only facrifke they have 
 to make is that of a few follies, and a i'ew 
 luxuries. Neceffity is not the ground of 
 their commerce with you, it is merely the 
 affectation of your modes and cuftoms, the 
 love for home, as they call England, that 
 makes them like everv thing which comes 
 from 1 hence ; but paffion may be conquered 
 by paffion, they will abominate as lineerely 
 as they now love you ; and if they do, they 
 have within themfeives every thing re- 
 quisite to the food, raiment, or dwell- 
 ing of mankind, and have no need of your 
 commerce/' He then defcribed the re- 
 fources of the Americans, and the facility with 
 which they could obtain all neceifaries with- 
 out applying to England. In conclulion, the 
 governor gave this fane and prudent advice: 
 " Do nothing which may bring into difcufiion 
 " queftions of right, which muft become mere 
 " articles of faith. Go into no innovations in 
 
 " practice,
 
 G EORG E III. SSS 
 
 " practice, and fuffer no encroachments on go- chap. 
 
 " vernment. Extend not the power which you xv - 
 
 " liave of impofing taxes, to the laying internal J769. 
 
 " taxes on the colonies. Continue to exercife 
 
 " the power, which you have ahead y exercifed, 
 
 " of laying" fubfidies, impofts, and duties, but 
 
 " exercife this as you have hitherto done, with 
 
 " prudence and moderation, and directed by the 
 
 " fpirit of commercial wifdoni. This fpirit 
 
 " and mode of government will cement again 
 
 " that union which is (nattered, if not quite 
 
 "broken; reftore that fpirit of obedience, 
 
 " which the lots of authoritv on the one 
 
 " hand, and of affection on the other, has inter* 
 
 " rupted ; and will re-eftablim the authority as 
 
 "well as force of civil government, which has 
 
 " almoit loft its force by loting its authority. 
 
 V Exert the fpirit of policy that you may not 
 
 " ruin the colonies and yourfelves by exertions 
 
 " of force." 
 
 The refolutions and addrefs were carried, R,r ] u _ 
 but amendments being macie, were lent back tiunscar- 
 to the lords for their aifent. This gave 
 rife to a motion to re-commit the addrefs 3 Debate m 
 and the propofal to revive the obiblete ita- «»»vinga» 
 tute of Henry VIII, came more particularly \^^ 
 under difcuiTion. The intention was repro- 
 bated with great ability by captain jPhipps," 
 who proved that the ftatute was not, as de- 
 fcribed, a tyrannical act; but, on the con- 
 trary, one of the leaft exceptionable a&s of a 
 tyrannical reign. It was made before the ex- 
 istence of the American colonics, and was in- 
 tended to fecure to the king's tranf-marine 
 iubjects at Boulogne, and other places, that 
 
 a Afterwards lord Mulgiavc. 
 
 benefit
 
 584 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, benefit of which, if revived, it would deprive 
 xv - the Americans ; namely, the trial by jury. He 
 1763. proved that an American, brought to England 
 for trial, could have none of the advantages 
 which the law intends to fecure to every one ; 
 he could not, with any effect, challenge jurors, 
 whofe characters and connections were un- 
 known to him ; he could not avail himlelf of 
 the afiiftance of eounfel, to whofe abilities and 
 fame he might-he a ftranger; and no procefs 
 could iffue to enforce an appearance of wit- 
 nefies from the other fide of the Atlantic. 
 " But, mould the culprit, ^with all thefe dif- 
 ** advantages, efcape ;" faid captain Phipps, 
 " and indeed I do not fee how it can happen 
 " otherwife, for the acl of the thirty-fifth of 
 " Henry VIII, is for treafons committed out of 
 " the realm, and the twenty-fifth of Edward III, 
 *' makes levying war within the realm treafon ; 
 " fo that whether America is in or out of the 
 " realm, it cannot be within the letter of both 
 " thefe acts, and I hope there is no latent, ob- 
 " folete ftatute, teeming with conftructive trea- 
 fon, to be brought forth againft thefe men ; — 
 ihould they, I fay, after all be acquitted, 
 " what reparation can be made to an ingenu- 
 " ous mind for fo foul an imputation as dif- 
 " loyalty ? What reparation can be made to 
 " men draped from the endearments of do- 
 
 DO 
 
 " meftic life, brought from the land of liberty, 
 " flowing with milk and honey, to drink at 
 " the bitter fountain of oppreflion ? Will they 
 "" return lefs poifeifed of the confidence of their 
 u feilow-fubjeets, and lei's inclined to abufe it? 
 " Will they return lefs convinced of the in- 
 " conveniences of a dependent ftate, or lefs 
 " folicitous to fliakc off the yoke from this new 
 
 " fe 
 
 ti 
 
 Mr. 
 
 outrage r 
 
 o
 
 GEORGE lit. $S5 
 
 Mr. Grey Cooper affured the houfe that 
 no intention was entertained of putting- the 
 net in execution, but the addrefs was moved 
 merely to mew the Americans what govern- 
 ment could do on an emergency. The motion 
 for a re-commitment was loft by a great ma- 
 jority." 
 
 The houfe was again engaged on American i 4 thMar. 
 affairs, in confequence of a reprefentation from Debate on 
 New York, denying the right of parliament to ofciwng. 
 tax them. Lord North oppofed the reception 
 of this paper ; which induced colonel Barre to 
 obfervc, " That he had predicted, on palling 
 " the ltamp a6t, what would happen, and feared 
 "lie could now prophecy further troubles; 
 " if the people were made defperate, finding no 
 " remedy from parliament, the whole continent 
 " would rife in arms, and perhaps thofe pro- 
 " vinces be loft to England for ever." Some 
 remarks were made on the unproductivenefs of 
 American taxes, and the enormous expence 
 attending the collection. Mr. Grcnville laid, 
 " There was no medium ; we muft either re- 
 " folve ftricily to execute the revenue laws in 
 " America, or with a good grace abandon our 
 "right, and repeal the declaratory and revenue 
 " laws." Burke anfwered, there might be and 
 was a proper medium ; the right of taxing was 
 undoubted, but a minifter ought to be well 
 convinced of the expediency before he at- 
 tempted to enforce it. The reprefentation was 
 not received. At a late period of the femon, May. 
 governor Pownall moved to repeal the revenue 
 ads affecting North America; and fupported 
 his motion by a long and able fpeech, but as 
 the difeuffion of fuch an important queftion 
 
 
 * 161 to 65. 
 
 vol. i. c c would
 
 386 
 
 CHAP. 
 XV. 
 
 1769. 
 
 17th Nov. 
 1768. 
 Debitfe re- 
 fpefting 
 Corfica. 
 
 Nullum 
 Tempua 
 
 Sill. 
 
 a8th Feb. 
 1769. 
 Arrears of 
 the civil lift 
 difcharged. 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 would protract the rifmg of the hoirfe to a 
 very advanced period, it was poftponed till the 
 next SeiTion. 
 
 The transfer of Cornea to France was an 
 early topic of debate, but produced no in- 
 tercfting remark, or ufeful information. A 
 motion for the correfpondence between the 
 Britiili and French miniftry, and for inftruc- 
 tions and other papers, introduced a difcuf- 
 fion on the value of the acquifition. The op- 
 pofttion maintained, that every acceinon of* 
 power to France was dangerous to this country ; 
 and as great attention had been paid for lb 
 many years to maintain a proper equilibrium 
 in the powers of Europe, the invalion of that 
 ifland by France ought to have been confider- 
 ed as a violent breach of treaty, and fubverfive 
 of that equilibrium. It was replied, that Cor- 
 fica was a place of no importance, deftitute 
 of a good harbour, and an acquifition that 
 Mould prove rather an evil than a benefit to 
 France: but at all events, loaded as we already 
 were with debt, folly and madnefs alone could 
 impel us to engage in a war for an object of lb 
 little confequence. The motion was rejected. 
 
 The Nullum Tempus bill of laft feflion was 
 paiVcd ; and on the motion of governor Pownall, 
 its benefits were extended to America. 
 
 A meilage from the king announced a defi- 
 ciency in the revenue of the civil lift, by which 
 he had been compelled to contract debts, 
 amounting to five hundred and thirteen thou- 
 fand five hundred and eleven pounds, which he 
 requefted the houfe would enable him to dif- 
 charge. A motion being made for papers to 
 account for this deficiency, they were pro- 
 mifed by the miniftry, but on condition that 
 the king's requeft mould not be delayed, as the 
 
 papers
 
 GEORGE III. 387 
 
 papers could not be readily prepared. After chap. 
 three clays of warm debate, the report of the xv - 
 committee was received, and the fum granted. 1709. 
 
 An advantageous agreement with the Eaft * d t j^j£ b 
 India company was concluded for five years, Agree- 
 during which term they were bound to pay '" en i,^ ith 
 four hundred thoufand pounds a year, and to i n di a a C om« 
 export a certain quantity of Britilh goods, pany. 
 They were at liberty to increafe their dividend 
 within that time to twelve and a half per cent, 
 provided the increafe in any one year mould 
 not exceed one per cent. : a deduction from 
 the fum payable to government, proportionate 
 to any decreafe of dividend which neceflity 
 might compel, was allowed, and if the divi- 
 dend fhould be reduced to fix per cent, then 
 the payment to government was to ceafe ; but 
 any furplus of the company's cam remaining in 
 England, after payment of certain fpecified 
 debts, was to be lent to the public at two per 
 cent. 
 
 These were the principal parliamentary P/oroga- 
 tranfaetions of the feflion, which was termi- ^May. 
 nated by a fpeech from the thorne of confider- 
 able length : " It gives me great concern," the 
 king faid, " to be obliged to recommend to 
 " you, with more than ordinary earneftnefs, 
 " that you would all, in your feveral counties, 
 " exert your utmoft efforts for the maintenance 
 " of public peace, and good order. You muft 
 " be fenfible that whatever obitrucls the reo-u- 
 " lar execution of the laws, or weakens the au- 
 " thority of the magiftrate, muft leffen the only 
 " fecurity the people can have for the un- 
 " difturbed enjoyment of their rights and li- 
 " berties. From your endeavours in this com- 
 " mon caufe, I promife myfelf the moft falu- 
 il tary effect : on my part, no countenance or 
 
 c c 2 " fupport
 
 3S8 
 
 CHAP. 
 XV. 
 
 (< 
 (< 
 n 
 « 
 
 a 
 a 
 u 
 
 <l 
 
 <( 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 fuppoft ihall he wanting ; for as I have ever 
 made, and ever mall make, our excellent 
 conftitution the rule of my own conduct, fo 
 fliall I always confider it equally my duty 
 to exert every power with which that confti- 
 tution has entmfted me, for preferring it fafe 
 from violations of every kind ; fully con- 
 vinced, that in fo doing I ihall moll effec- 
 tually provide for the true intereil and hap- 
 pinefs of my people."
 
 GEORGE IIL '38*9 
 
 CHAPTER THE SIXTEENTH: 
 
 17673 — 1770, 
 
 Affairs of India. — Conduct of lord Clive. — 
 State of the company's poffeffions. — Mode of 
 letting lands. — Reform attempted. — Diffi- 
 culties of the company. — Mifmanagement 
 in India. — Immenfe exportation of bullion. 
 
 — Gold coined. — Regulation of inland trade. 
 
 — Lord Clive returns to England. — Ac- 
 count of Hyder Ally. — His enmity againfi 
 the Englijh. — The nizam of the Deccau 
 declares war — but is compelled to make 
 peace. — Progrefs of the war with Hyder 
 Ally till the peace. — Effects of the war. — 
 Alarm in E)igland. — Depreciation of India 
 
 flock. — Supereifors appointed. — Claims of 
 government. — Final ad) aft men t. — Pertur- 
 bation of the public. — Middle fe.v petition. 
 
 — London petition. — Publication of Ju- 
 nius 's Letters. — His libel on the king. — 
 Bedford elected lord mayor. — Affairs of 
 Ireland. — Augmentation of the military 
 eftablijUmeni. — Money bill rejected. — The 
 lord lieutenant's protejl. — Sudden proroga- 
 tion of the Iri/h parliament. 
 
 y ord Clive difplayed the utmoft judgment chap, 
 ■*-' and prudence in framing and enforcing a ^ v ^j 
 
 fyftem of economy m India, which tended to 1766. 
 promote the intcirft, and replenish the coffers, ^f 
 of his employers, lint the vigour and r feint ion Clive. 
 with which he exerted himjelf again ft the pecu- 
 lations of inferior officers, drew on him virulent 
 cenfures, and his conduct was arraigned with 
 unufual fc verity. It was pecviihly alleged that 
 
 c c :j his
 
 XVI. 
 
 J766. 
 
 390 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 C vvi P ' nis reforms were not thought of till his own for- 
 tune was made, and bad the fame rigid princi- 
 ples, which he was now inclined to put in prac- 
 tice againft his inferiors, been enforced to the 
 prejudice of his interefts, he would never have 
 acquired that wealth which many contemplated 
 with envy, and few confidered as the reward of 
 equivalent fervices. He was accufed of ar- 
 rogance in affirming to himfelf the merit of the 
 late pacification : the fucceifes which enabled 
 him to make fo good terms, were all obtained 
 during his abfence, and he arrived only in 
 time to fanction meafures, which, without his 
 interference, would have been equally well ar- 
 ranged/ 
 State ofthe The acquifition of an extenfive and impor- 
 poff e fficn S S tant teri "itory, abounding in the means of 
 in India, wealth, promifed an ample and gratifying re- 
 turn, both to the company and their fervants ; 
 but they were too precipitate in their fpecula- 
 tions. The riches of that part of India are 
 the produce of laborious induftry, encouraged 
 by habitual moderation, and a facility of fub- 
 fiftence. The late revolutions, and the feeble- 
 nefs and vices incident to the government of 
 the nabobs, had exhaufted and impoveriihed 
 the country. The lands which fell into the 
 hands ofthe company by the late treaty, could 
 not be immediately let to advantage ; and the 
 neceffity of intrufting inferior agents with a too 
 great portion of authority, encouraged abufes. 
 Mode of The mode of letting lands in India, was 
 unfavourable to cultivation, and ill calculated 
 to produce benefit to the owners. The lands 
 ceded by Mir CoiTim were let, in 1762, b} 7 pub- 
 
 a See letter from Meflxs. Leycefler and Gray to the court of di- 
 rectors, 29th September 1765, with a parliament fpeech, and feveral 
 other letters publi/htd by authority. Transactions in India, p. 59. 
 
 lie 
 
 lettin^ 
 
 lands.
 
 GEORGE III. 391 
 
 lie auction to the heft bidders, for the fhort chap. 
 term of three years. Needy ad vent u rets; with- J^J^j 
 out character or integrity, outbid the old 1766. 
 farmers, who having offered the utmoit value 
 according to a well formed judgment, were 
 obliged to relinquish the habitations they had 
 long tenanted, and the fields they had long 
 cultivated. The new eoffeffors were enabled, 
 by the plunder of thofe whom they ejected, to 
 pay the firft year's rent according to agree- 
 ment, but afterwards had neither the means 
 nor the inclination. The natives who took 
 large tracts of land under fuch difadvantage- 
 ous circumitances, could not aiford to en- 
 courage the inferior farmers by loans of money, 
 according to the practice of former times : and 
 without fuch affiftance, even the implements 
 of huibandry were wanting. A conliderable 
 portion of the renters, incapable of fulfilling 
 their engagements, applied for a difcharge in 
 the feconcl year, glad, by foregoing their whole 
 property, to obtain relief from their unprofitable 
 contracts. Thus, under a nominal inereafe of Its cffe ^ St 
 revenue, the company fufTered a deficiency of 
 real product; and as the demands of miniltry, 
 and their ihited expences, required vaft iup- 
 plies, they were obliged to impofe an unprece- 
 dented tax on the bazee zemen, or charity lands. 
 
 A better adminiftration of the territorial Reform at- 
 property being indifpenfibly necetlary, a ftricl tempted, 
 icrutiny was made into the nature of feveral 
 tenures. It was diieovcred, that bidders had 
 been found for little more than two fifths of the 
 lands, and that the molt beneficial of thefe 
 were held in different names by officers of the 
 company, and by (ientoo agents acting clan- 
 deftinely for Europeans. The remander of the 
 lands in the immediate tenure of the govern- 
 
 c c 4 xnent,
 
 392 
 
 CHAP. 
 XVI. 
 
 1766. 
 
 Discon- 
 tents and 
 com- 
 plaints. 
 
 Difficulties 
 of the 
 company. 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 ment, fell under the care of collectors, who op- 
 prefied the people, and accounted, in a moft 
 difhonourable manner, to their employers. The 
 farmers, anxious to retrieve fome part of the 
 property which had been taken from them by 
 the hand of rapacity, offered, on condition of re- 
 ceiving a fmali proportion of the fpoil, to lay 
 open all the frauds of the collectors : the fir ft 
 object of the felect committee was to remove 
 the oppreffive and unjuft landholders, and to 
 rind good tenants in their ftead : this was 
 eafily accomplished ; for even at a bad feafon, 
 fubftantial natives were willing to take farms 
 on equitable terms, confenting at the fame time 
 to pay any general tax impofed on the whole 
 province. The officers of government were 
 alfo obliged to relinquifli the farms which 
 they had clandestinely obtained, or to forego 
 their offices. Thus each individual reaped the 
 benefits of his own labours; the lands became 
 highly cultivated and improved, and the net 
 receipts from the demcihes fubject to thefe 
 beneficial regulations, were largely augmented. 
 
 These meafures, however wife and falutary 
 in themfelves, created innumerable enemies to 
 the government. Every officer who returned 
 home, or correfponded with his friends, taught 
 difappointment to affume the language of phi- 
 lanthropy and patriotifm, and, conhderinghim- 
 felf the victim of reform, began to point out 
 faults in the conduct of thole who occafioned 
 his complaints. From the reports of thefe 
 people, and the eagernefs of proprietors to 
 realize advantages which they thought were 
 injurioufly withheld, the directors had been 
 driven to declare anincreafed dividend. 
 
 The revenues expected from India would 
 in time have juftihed their meafures ; but fome 
 
 delays
 
 GEORGE III. 39s 
 
 delays were neceffary : the government of the chap. 
 EnaTifh was new, and their acquaintance with xv *« 
 the territory, genius, and refourccs of the in- 1766. 
 habitants, incomplete. No leifure was allowed 
 to perfect their knowledge, or give beneficial 
 effect to their projects. The ftated demands of 
 the mogul, the nabob, and the army, the in- 
 creafed dividend voted by the proprietors, and 
 the fums ftipulated to be paid to the trcafury, 
 formed fuch a mafs of engagements, and re- 
 quired fucli eager and unremitting exertions to 
 obtain fupplies, as, in the end, proved highly 
 prejudicial : and the difputes between the com- 
 pany and their fervants breaking out into mu- 
 tual criminations, afforded means of cavilling 
 to the enemies of the eftabli/hment. The 
 great information which was thus afforded of 
 their conduct and proceedings, gave ib many 
 plaufible topics of c en lure, that their defence 
 always failed of making a due impreliion; 
 and the too great eagernefs of parliament and 
 the proprietors to derive immediate advantages 
 from the acquisitions in India, produced many 
 events which moderation and temperance might 
 have prevented. 
 
 These circumftances occafioned a large in- Mifma- 
 veltmcnt to be made by the company, or in jKjjjjg? 
 other words, large orders to be lent for the 
 manufactures of the country, while the price 
 was inereafed by a competition with the French 
 and Dutch, who now began to difpute a 
 priority and preference in the market. The 
 method of obtaining thefe fupplies or inveft- 
 ments, had hitherto been by contracts with cer- 
 tain merchants, who advanced to the labourers 
 fueh fums as were nect tl'ary for their fubliftence 
 during the performance of their tafks. Mith- 
 
 out
 
 594 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, out this accommodation, they would often be 
 s^?ZL unable to procure even the firit materials. The 
 J766. merchants were fometimes not fufficiently opu- 
 lent to lend all the monies required for thefe 
 purpofes, and as the demands of the company 
 were urgent and immenfe, the government at 
 Calcutta thought it confident with their in- 
 tereft to afford thofe fupplies, and enter into 
 contracts with the manufacturers, who muft elfe 
 have remained unemployed. This meafure, 
 though fufficiently prudent in appearance to 
 juftify the experiment, was not attended with 
 the defired fuccefs. A government feldom 
 makes contracts which are advantageous in the 
 detail, and frauds are practifed on them with- 
 out fcruple, which an individual would feel re- 
 pugnance in attempting towards his equal. 
 Thus the Indian manufacturers, after receiving 
 the fums advanced by the board, would, unlefs 
 ftrictly watched, fell the commodities for which 
 they had contracted to other perfons. The ne- 
 ceffity of employing vigilance, demanded the 
 fervice of numerous gomaftahs, or agents ; and 
 thefe men were neceifarily entrufted with ex- 
 tenfive powers, which they often perverted ; and 
 the authorities given to prevent fraud, became 
 a fource of oppreffion. The influence of thefe 
 agents proved lb deftructive of induftry, that the 
 board reverted to the old practice of contracting 
 with merchants, 
 immenfe The increafmg inveftments of Great Britain 
 exporta- arK ] otner nations, together with the China 
 
 tienofbul- 7 P ■ ^ • 1 
 
 lion* trade, which was at that time mtirely carried 
 
 on in bullion, contributed greatly to drain Ben- 
 gal of current fpecie. In five years next fuc- 
 ceeding the grant of the Dewannee, the fums 
 exported by the Englifh company only, 
 amounted to one million two hundred and 
 
 eighty-
 
 GEORGE III. 395 
 
 eighty-four thoufand and eight pounds fter- chap. 
 lihsj, and from the year 17-57 to the year )7<i(i, XVI * , 
 when a gold coinage was commenced, Bengal 1766. 
 had loft, by deficiency in the unufual imports 
 of bullion, and by the exportation of filvcr, 
 more than eight millions {sterling. In vain the 
 ielect committee reprefented this alarming fact 
 to the court of directors, and requefted them to 
 find means of alleviating the growling, difiii'efs s 
 the directors, alfailed by oppohtion, and urged 
 by government, were unable to apply their at- 
 tention to fo remote an object ; perhaps too 
 they, like others, were deluded by a belief in the 
 inexhauhible riches of lien gal, and did not give 
 full credit to the informations which reached 
 them : thus the exportation of bullion ftill con- 
 tinued. 
 
 To fupply the deficiency occafioned by <■*!«■* 
 this conftant drain on the filver of Bengal, ^ n 
 the fclecl; committee found it neceifary to efta- 
 bliili a gold coinage for their immediate pur- 
 poles. But as gold was not the ufual currency 
 of the country, the habits and prejudices of the 
 natives oppofed the eafy reception of it in pay- 
 ment: it could not be made ufe of in the 
 China trade, or exported to advantage: pro- 
 per meafures were not taken to infure its purity, 
 and therefore it Avas often fufpected, and fre- 
 quently much deteriorated in value*: ftill ne- 
 ceffity inforced the wfc of it as a circulating 
 medium ; and the exchange always againft the 
 poiiefibr, by its various fluctuations in d liferent 
 parts of India, gave birth to a dangerous traffic, 
 which increafed the di fuels of the company. 
 Silver at the fame ti:ne rofe in value, becaufe na- 
 tive officers were conftantly employed in pre- 
 ferring that coinage unadulterated, who melted 
 down the rupees once in three years. Thus the 
 introduction of gold coin, inftead of facilitat- 
 ing
 
 396 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, ing commerce, and rendering the tranfactjon 
 3^1^ of bufmefs more pleafant, introduced addi- 
 1766. tional inconveniences, and engendered new 
 difputes. 
 Reguia- Another regulation adopted by lord Clive 
 tionofthe anc | t }j e fele6fc committee, related to the inland 
 trade. trade. The infolence and injuftice with which 
 this traffic had been conducted, formed a prin- 
 cipal ground of the quarrel between the council 
 and Mir Coffim; and when, after the arrival of 
 lord Clive, thefelecl committee propofed to revive 
 the inland commerce in fait, tobacco, and bee- 
 tel nut, it is not fiirprifmg that the directors 
 expreifed their unqualified disapprobation of the 
 meafure. After the interchange of feveral let- 
 ters on the fubject, they agreed to permit it for 
 fome time, but afterwards expreifed a total 
 difapprobation. By the projected monopoly, 
 the neceffary article of fait was reduced in 
 price to the confumer, while great benefits ac- 
 crued to government from an augmentation of 
 the revenue ; nor was the native expofed to 
 infolence, injuftice, or extortion. The fuppofed 
 ordinary effect of monopoly, that of producing 
 fcarcity, was not to be apprehended in this cafe, 
 becaufe the advantage of the monopolies did 
 not confift in railing the price of a fmall quan- 
 tity, but in difperfmg a large quantity at a rea- 
 fonable rate. The article could, without diffi- 
 culty, be increafed to any amount, and the 
 greater the fale, the more ample was the re- 
 venue to government, and the more abundant 
 the profit and the praifc of the council, To- 
 bacco and beetel nut, do not appear fo much in 
 the light of necelfarics, but fuch is the effect of 
 habit among the Indians, that thefe two luxu- 
 ries are confulered no lefs indifpenfable than 
 fait, or even food itfelf. While the monopoly 
 of thefe articles remained In the hands of peri 
 
 fons, 

 
 
 G E Of R G E III. 307 
 
 fons appointed by, and under the fupcrinten- chap. 
 dence of the council ; while an immenfe capi- ^ V J^ 
 tal excluded all mean and narrow views ; the 1766. 
 fupplies Mere abundant, and the diftribution 
 general and eafy : but when the order of the Dec . I76 £. 
 court of directors arrived for the clifcbntinu- 
 anec of this trade by the council, it fell into 
 the hands of individuals, whofe interefts were 
 different, and whole modes of conduct were 
 alio eflentially diflimilar. Their object was to 
 produce the greateft poflible profit from the 
 fmalleft imaginable capital, and therefore to 
 take advantage of the wants and deiires of in- 
 dividuals, and even of bodies ; to alarm by 
 factitious fearcities, and reduce the quantity of 
 all thefe articles, that at a lefs expence in fu- 
 perintendence, carriage, and duties, they might 
 fecure an equal or fuperior return. 
 
 On receiving the company's orders, lord ?rvde1 £ 
 Clive carefully excluded their fervants from Io ° r d cure. 
 any mare in a traffic, which he forfaw would 
 become a fource of endlefs iniquities : he had 
 before relinquished bis mare in the benefits of 
 the trade, and now endeavoured to reftrain all 
 abufes which might enfuc from Europeans em- 
 barking in it, with too much avidity. His 
 efforts were net attended with the delired fuc- He return* 
 cefs ; but he did not continue in India to wit- \°^ g ' 
 nets their failure. His health was impaired, 
 and his life in imminent danger from a late i 11— 
 nefs. He had completed to the utmoft of his 
 power the object of his million, and returned j an> t7 c 7 . 
 to England not enriched, but five thoufand 
 pounds lei's opulent for his expedition. Mr. 
 Verelft was for a time his fucceiior. b 
 
 b For thefe particulars reference has been had to Verelft's View 
 of the Englifli Government in Bengal, vviih the Appendix ; the 
 papers published by authority j and the Hiitory of Tranfaftions rii 
 
 India. 
 
 Soox
 
 SC3 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. Soon after lord Clive's departure, hoftilities 
 
 vi^i^ were a 2,' ani commenced between the Britiih and 
 
 '767. tjie natives, in confequence of the intrigues 
 
 »f Hyder ar, d turbulence of a newly created potentate. 
 
 Ally. Hvder Aliv, or Hvder Naick, was fon of Fatty 
 Naick, an officer of diftinguifhed bravery, who 
 commanded a thoufand muiket men in the fer- 
 vice of Abdul llaflbul Khan, nabob of Sirpi, a 
 government bordering on the kingdom of My- 
 fore. Fatty Naick was (lain in an engage- 
 ment between the nabob of Sirpi and Cuttu- 
 lich Khan, fubah of the Deccan. Hyder Naick, 
 thiis left an orphan in his earl i eft years, dif- 
 claimed every other purfuit, and devoted him- 
 felf intirely to military duties. At the age of 
 twenty-five he appeared in the army of Carra- 
 foree Nanderauze, brother-in-law to the king 
 of Myfore, at the head of about three fcore 
 men, and affumed the name of Hyder Ally. 
 The discipline of his fmall troop, and his own 
 judgment and valour, were fo confpicuous, that 
 in three or tour years, he found himfelf enabled 
 to raife five hundred fepoys; armed and equip- 
 >ed in the European manner, and two hundred 
 torfe, with a fmall train of artillery. His force 
 "was lefs refpeetable in "point of numbers, than 
 of military fcience ; they were formed by his 
 own care, and exactly inftrucied in the Euro- 
 pean tacTics. His activity and judgment in 
 niins: all the advantages with which he was 
 lupplied by fortune, aideel by an ambitious and 
 treacherous difpofition, enabled him, after a 
 feries of contelts, intrigues, and treafons, to 
 depofe his fovereign, and aflume the govern- 
 ment of Myfore. This event took place in 
 1763. Hyder Ally, invefted with fovereign 
 authority, purfued his conquefls till he added 
 feveral other demefnes to his ufurped territory. 
 * Finding 
 
 h(
 
 GEORGE 111. 3{)9 
 
 Fj n'dixg the Britiih power a ftrong reftraint chap. 
 on the native princes, and an infarmountable ^ VI - 
 barrier againft his further encroachments, he 1767. 
 refolved to excite all the country powers whom JJ'JJJUJ* 
 he could influence to commence hoftilities; theEag- 
 and be<nin by prevailing: on the nizam of the |lj* . 
 Deccan to forego his connection with the com- oftbeDee- 
 pany, to enter into alliance with him, and de- can de- 
 clare war againit the Englifh. c dres war * 
 
 This combination was foon formed, but the They are 
 council of Madras were prepared to meet it ddcued - 
 with vigorous oppofition. Colonel Smith was 
 detached, at the head of a refpeclable force, to 
 encounter the allies. He engaged them at a6tiiF c b. 
 Erraur, near Trinomaly, and, notwithstanding 
 an immenfe fuperiority of numbers, and the 
 perfonal bravery and judgment of Hvder Ally, 
 routed them with great lots. The hizam of the The nizam 
 Deccan, no longer apprehenfive of his ally, con- makes 
 eluded a peace with the company, and ceded 
 to them the Dewannee of the Balagat Carna- 
 tic, which included the territory of Hyder. 
 
 But the vigour and valour of that prince Capture of 
 were not fubdued by one reverfe of fortune : M an g a - 
 
 lure 
 
 he retired to his own dominions, and prepared 
 to' carry on a protracted war in an inacccfhble 
 country. The Englilh fitted out a fquadron 
 from Bombav a&ainft Mangalore, one of Hy- 
 der Ally's principal lea ports ; took the fort h Feb> 
 with inconliderable lofs, and brought away 176?. 
 nine large veilels, belides feveral fmaller, but 
 from an injudicious anxiety to retain their ac- 
 quilition, left a few foldiers to garrifon the fort, 
 who were all fubiequently captured. 
 
 Colonel Smith proceeded in purfuit of Errorof 
 the enemy, but could not bring him to another Ae E »g llfi » 
 
 J ' T T 1 • . 1 • C'lmman- 
 
 engagement. He penetrated into his country, der. 
 took feveral fortreifes, and was advancing to- 
 wards
 
 40f) HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, wards the capital, when his attention was called 
 ^ VL to other objects by a mafterly manoeuvre of 
 i 176s. Hydei Ally. That prince taking advantage of 
 cSa U of tllc crror ^' mcn Smith had committed, in pro- 
 HyderAi- ceeding fo far from his own territory, by a 
 l J- judicious and dexterous plan of operations, got 
 
 between the Engliih forces and the Carnatic, 
 which he ravaged at pleafure. The company's 
 troops, now obliged to turn their attention to the 
 defence of their own dominions, and thole of 
 their allies, abandoned all their conquelts, and 
 haftened to meet Hyder Ally, Mho, indulo-- 
 nig his ancient animofity againft Mahommed 
 Ally Khan, nabob of Arcot, was committing 
 unbounded depredations in his country. Eager 
 to defend lb faithful and honourable an ad- 
 herent of Great Britain, colonel Smith ufed 
 every effort to bring Hyder to a <2,-en<eral en- 
 gagement ; but that cautious adverfary, juftly 
 appreciating the fuperiority of European tactics, 
 would not rifk a conflict : no majority of 
 numbers, no advantage of opportunity, could 
 for a long time tempt him to try his fate in 
 the field. 
 Failureof ^ T i cll p-th colonel Wood, with a final 1 de- 
 
 the Bntifh t L °, . i/« 1 • 1 
 
 at Mui- tachment, being repulled m an attack on a tort 
 
 baggie. called Mulwao-ide, Hvder with fourteen thou- 
 
 fand horie, twelve thoufand matchlocks, and 
 
 fix battalions of fepoys, attempted to cut off 
 
 4th oa. h^ re t r eat. Although colonel Wood had only 
 
 .Engage- 1 < 1 ■ * v '5* -n * * 
 
 mentbe. tour hundred and nxty Europeans, . and two 
 tweenco- thoufand three hundred fepoys, he felt no hefi- 
 Wood and tation in affailing the enemy. The engage- 
 Hyder Ai- ment was obftinately contefted, and lafted from 
 y ' eleven o'clock in the forenoon, till five in the 
 
 evening. The field was alternately won and 
 loft leveral times, but at length the fuperiority 
 
 of
 
 GEORGE III. 401 
 
 of Britim difcipline decided the victory; and chap. 
 Hvder Ally retreated, Leaving the ground co- XVI - 
 vered with dead. The Englifh loft a few i 7 6s. 
 officers, and about three hundred privates were 
 killed and wounded. Several officers were alio 
 taken priibners, and two pieces of cannon fell 
 into the hands of the enemy. 
 
 Hyder Ally, undaunted by this defeat, 
 again availed himfelf of his fuperior cavalry, 
 and leaving the Britim army in the Carnatie, 
 proceeded to the neighbourhood of Madras. 
 The presidency, fenfible of the ruinous confe- 
 quences attending the warfare, and apprized 
 that Hyder was forming an alliance with one of 
 the Mahratta princes, offered a negotiation for 
 peace. The continuance of war was not more 
 deniable to the Indian than to the Englifh ; 
 whatever temporary fuccefs might crown his 
 arms, he was fenhble that it was not in his 
 power to make any impreffion on the fortrefles 
 of his enemy, and that, while at a diftance from 
 his own territories, he was expofed to the dan- 
 gers of infurrection and revolution. In his 
 treaty for peace, he displayed the fame judg- 
 ment as in the conduct of the war: he refuted 
 to accede to a propofed truce for fifty days, 
 which would afford time for the Englifh to col- 
 lect new forces ; but agreed to equitable con- 
 ditions, whenpropofed within a limited period. 
 The forts ami places captured, were reftor- 
 ed; and no compenfations received on either 
 fide for the expenees of the war. The treaty 
 of peace was attended with an alliance often*- 
 five and defenfive: ftipulations were entered 
 into for mutual aids, and a free trade efta- 
 bliihed. c 
 
 c Robfon's Life of Hydei-A!Jy. Tranfaftions in India. 
 
 voi. i. d d Thus
 
 •402 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 c h ap. Thus terminated a war in which the Engfifh 
 
 vJ^ V iO acc l iure d neither glory nor advantage. The 
 
 1768. conduct of it was rendered difficult, and the 
 
 Obierva- e ff or t s f (kill - dn( \ valour were reftrained, bv the 
 
 tiori on the . . , / " 
 
 eonduftof appointment ot held deputies, an office un- 
 the war. known in the Englifh fervice. Thefe deputies 
 attended the armv, and regulated its mo- 
 tions ; they were interested in the contracts, and 
 therefore luppofcd to be more intent on private 
 emolument than the public good; they pro- 
 tracted the war, embarraffed the genius, and 
 reftrained the operations of the commanders. 
 Many brave officers retired in difguft, feveral 
 who remained ferved without fpirit, and fome 
 preferring to feck their fortunes in another fer- 
 vice, went over to the native princes. This 
 difguft and indifference proved of more advan- 
 tage to Ilyder Ally than numbers, difcipline, 
 or valour; it enabled him to retrieve his affairs, 
 and compel the Britilh government to fue for 
 peace. 
 Effe&sof The confequences of this war were incal- 
 t e war. culably injurious to the affairs of the com- 
 pany. The prefidency of Madras, unable 
 alone to fupport the expences, were obliged 
 to draw on the council at Calcutta for fup- 
 plies. The money remitted from Bengal, dur- 
 ing the depreciation of coinage, occafioned 
 additional difficulties; an immenfe lofs enfued 
 from the inhanced rate of exchange, and the 
 poiTeffors of filver which could not be adulter- 
 ated were \ fo tenacious, that very few ru- 
 pees were in circulation. The diftrefs intro- 
 duced by thefe means was fo great, that the in- 
 veftments could no longer be made from Ma- 
 dras to China, and the want of fpecie conr 
 curred with the dread of the enemy to fufpend 
 the labours of the manufacturers. In this crifis, 
 3 & ne\V
 
 GEORGE III. 403 
 
 a new fubject of alarm arofe in Sujah ul Dow- chap. 
 lah, who was augment i 112: and difcinliiiinff his XVI - . 
 forces ; but a deputation from the council at 176s. 
 Calcutta, fent to examine into his conduct, 
 eafily induced him to difband a great part of 
 his troops, and enter into a compact not to 
 increafe them beyond a certain ftipulated num- 
 ber. 
 
 Great alarms were excited in England by Alarm in 
 the apparent danger of the company's affairs ; England, 
 thofe who recently contemplated India as a 
 never failing fource of riches, and as a territory 
 fufficientlv opulent to provide for all the exi- 
 gences of Great Britain, now confidered it as 
 a precarious, and perhaps unprofitable tenure. 
 The diftance of the country, and uncertainty 
 of information, aggravated the horrors of ap- 
 prehenfion, and produced feniations of defpair. 
 India ftock fell in a few days fixty per May 176* 
 cent. Under thefe circumftances, the directors tiorTof in- 
 thought it neceffary to fend out new commif- <J'"a ftock. 
 fioners, whom they called fupervifors, with ^pe/vi^' 
 authority to examine and rectify the concerns fors ap- 
 of every department, and a full controul over P ointed * 
 all their fervants in India. This important, 
 trufr. was confided to three o-entlemen who had 
 already filled high fituations in India; Mr. 
 Vanfittart and Mr. Scrafton having diftin- 
 guilhedthemfelves in civil employs, and colonel 
 Ford in the military fervicc. 
 
 Still the ufual party difputes prevailed in Deputes in 
 the India houfe, and great debates arofe, not houfe? '* 
 only on the nomination of fupervifors, but on 
 their powers. Thefe differences were fcareely 
 terminated, before the proceedings of the court claim of 
 of directors were further embarratfed by a claim g nverf i- 
 of the miniftry, that a fervant of the crown 
 ftioukl be allowed to take a principal iharc in 
 
 d d 1 the
 
 404 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 c ii ap. the direction of their affairs. This demand was 
 kJ^J^j ma de in confequence of an application from 
 1769- the court of directors to government, to per- 
 mit the employment of a naval force of two 
 iliips of the line, and fome frigates, in their fer- 
 
 »7th July. vice. This petition not being immediately ac- 
 ceded to, was enforced by a rcqueft fanctioned 
 by the whole body of proprietors at a general 
 court. 
 
 nth Aug. Ant anfwer Mas received from lord "Wey- 
 
 Conefpon- mou th in which he pointed out fome objec- 
 
 dence on . . . . z . -,. /?'.i_' i» . • 
 
 thefuhjeft. tions 111 law to the commmion ot the iupervi- 
 fors, and requefted that it lhould be re-con- 
 ficlered ; and that the naval officers fent out by 
 government mould have unlimited power to 
 regulate all maritime affairs. The jealoufy of 
 the court againft any attempt to incroach on 
 their authority, on one hand, and their dread of 
 lofin<r the advantages to be derived from a 
 ftrong naval force, on the other, occafioned 
 numerous and violent debates, and a long cor- 
 refpondence between the directors and the fe- 
 30th Aug. cretary of ftate. At length a compromife was 
 jSe«t effe&ed, and Sir John Lindfay, the admiral 
 appointed by government, failed for the gulph 
 of Perfia, with full powers to make peace and 
 »idAug. war in Perfia only. The fupervilbrs departed 
 
 in a lhip belonging to the company. 
 Perttirha- The allufion in the king's fpeech, at the 
 "ubiif the c ^ oie of tne ieilion, to the perturbed ftate of the 
 P " 1C ' public mind, was ftrongly founded in fact ; for 
 at no period of hiftory was exhibited in a regu- 
 lar government, a more general, audacious, 
 and'clamorous oppoiition. Before the riling 
 of parliament, a letter was received by the 
 ^tbAprii, fpeaker of the houfe of commons, enumerating 
 *7«- fuppofed incroachments on the liberties of 
 the people, and threatening another revolu- 
 tion.
 
 GEORGE III. 405 
 
 t1on. 4 Every artifice was ufed to increafe the chap. 
 fury of the public, and incite them to make 
 
 ><«*• s-^j 
 
 the privilege of petitioning-, rcferved by the 1768. 
 bill of rights, the means of giving pain to the 
 kin p\ and conveying Sentiments of difloyalty 
 to the foot, of the throne. Among the engines 
 ufed to forward the views of faetion, and keep 
 alive the irritability of the populace, was Allen, 
 the father of the unfortunate youth who was 
 killed in the riot in St. George's Fields. A 
 tomb-hone M'as creeled, infcribed on all fides 
 with inflammatory narratives, verfes, and texts 
 from the holy fcripture, dcfcribing his fate 
 in acrimonious terms, and invoking ven- 
 geance on his murderers. 9 The parent was 
 alio induced to attend at St. James's with a 
 petition, which, in terms of reproach and cla- 
 morous inventive, demanded juitice againft 
 *- The cruel murderers of his beloved child, 
 " whole blood cried aloud for vengeance." 
 
 The rage of publiihing difloyai proclama- iM;? t nefcx 
 tions, under the form of petitions, was now ge- p ctitijn » 
 rieral. The county of Middlefex took the lead 
 in thefe tranfactions. Fifteen hundred and 
 fixty-fivc freeholders figned a petition 3 which 
 was prefented to the king, containing a feries H* M; 
 of afperfions on his conduct from the period of 
 his accefiion, accufing the miniftcrs of treafon, 
 and praying for their difmitlion. The citi- London 
 zens of London adopted a limilar meafure, ^ 
 and made their conduct ftill more confpicuous 
 by altercations with the fecretary of ftate, 
 and lord Huntingdon, on points of etiquette. 
 Their petition was an abftract of that from the 
 county of Middlcfex, with fome additions, and 
 
 d Gentleman's Magazine, 1769, p. 213. 
 e See Annual Rcgiikr, 1769, p. n6. 
 
 D d 3 was 
 
 leuuon.
 
 1769. 
 
 406 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, was prefented to the king at a levee. The 
 
 ,^l^j electors of Weftminfter petitioned for a diffolu- 
 
 1768. tion of parliament, and their example was fol- 
 
 5thjuiy. ] owet { Dv man y counties, cities, and towns 
 
 throughout the kingdom. Some iew addrefles 
 
 of an oppofite tendency were prefented. 
 
 PubKca- Among the moft confpicuous of thofe whom 
 
 uon of ^] ie r e j.- political difcuffion eno-a&'ed in 
 
 Junius s ■ ■ o . I 00 
 
 Letters. publications, was an anonymous author, who 
 Cent his productions to a newfpaper, under the 
 
 **JM an< fignature of Junius. His eifays commenced 
 with the prefent year, and, with occafional in- 
 terruptions, continued till the beginning of 
 1772. In him the miniftry found a fevere and 
 formidable cenfor: his information was exten- 
 five and minute, and applied to many objects 
 which were fuppofed to be fecret. He detailed, 
 without fcruple or delicacy, all the facts in his 
 polTeflion, and often fupplied a deficiency of 
 information by bold conje6iure or ihamelefs 
 fiction. His writings were diftinguiihed by 
 energy of thought, perfpicuity of ftyle, felicity 
 of images, and brilliancy of wit : but his wit 
 was fcurrilousand malignant; wounding, with- 
 out remorfe, the honour of a gentleman, the 
 feelings of a father, and the dignity of the fo- 
 vereign. Although he made perfonal topics 
 the principal vehicles of his fatire, his know- 
 ledge was not confined to mere anecdote, but 
 comprized a general acquaintance with the 
 laws and conititution of the country, the hif- 
 tory and ufages of parliament. Junius was 
 long the admiration of England, but perhaps 
 his talents were too highly valued. Many 
 political writers before him had poilefled 
 his advantages; and whatever opinion may 
 hcve been ftudioufly diffufed refpeeting his 
 knowledge, wit, and eloquence, in thefe requi- 
 sites
 
 George hi. 407 
 
 fites he did not excel the great party cham- chap. 
 pions of the late reign, Bblingbroke, Pulteney, ^^; 
 and Cheiterfield. The fecrecy in which he *ih> 
 effectually involved his real pcribn, was highly 
 advantageous to him as a writer. It furniihed 
 him with the opportunity of declaring i'uch fen- 
 tinients as would be agreeable to the public, 
 without reference to any opinions he might 
 previoufly nave entertained, and enabled him 
 to affail men in every rank and condition of 
 life, without poihbility of retaliation, or dread 
 of inquiry. Thole who aniwered, prefented 
 a full mark to his affaults, and their prin- 
 ciples, manners, profeflions, and even their ha- 
 bits, were unfparingly attacked, while he re- 
 mained impaflive to reproach, and exempt from 
 the necefiity of defence. Perhaps too, much 
 of the curiofity and eagernefs with which his 
 publications were received, refultcd from this 
 circumftance. A feries of fatires prefented fol- 
 io long a period, from one pen, would have 
 ceafed to excite regard, had any circumftance 
 refpecting the author been known. Thofe 
 who by his conversation could have learned 
 his fentiments, by his connections could have 
 divined his motives, or from his purfuits have 
 explored his means of information, would foon 
 have become languid readers, and the fenfa- 
 tion of indifference, fpreading from feveral 
 quarters, would have extended to a general 
 difregard. perhaps to contempt. Even with all 
 the advantages he pofleffed, Junius, in order to 
 ftimulate the public curiofity, was occafionally 
 compelled to affume a lone of brutal ferocity, 
 which reduced his compolitions to a level with 
 thofe of the molt profligate libellers, and func- 
 tioned the imputation of a motive for conceal- 
 ment, very remote from an honourable love of 
 freedom in the declaration of his opinions. 
 
 d d 4 Anxious
 
 efe&ed lord 
 mayor 
 
 403 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. A n x i o u s to gratify to the utnioft that licen- 
 ivJSSw ti.ous difpofition on which the fuccefs of his pro- 
 1769. elusions in a great meafure depended, this 
 Hifiibd' w nter thought lit to addrefs to the public, 
 on the through his aecuftomed channel, a molt viru- 
 kl "S- lent attack on the perfon, conducl, and govern- 
 ment of the king, and threatened general dif- 
 iatisfaction, rebellion, and revolution, as the. 
 refult of the prefent nieafures. By this letter, 
 the printer, and feveral others who re-pub- 
 li/he4 it, incurred the penalties of the law ; 
 but the popularity of the author was not dimi- 
 nished by the audacity which impelled him to 
 the verge of treafon. 
 Beckfct-d With a view to embarrafs government, the 
 city of London rcfolved again to nominate 
 Beckford lord mayor. An attempt was made 
 to prevent his election, by referring to fome 
 bye laws of the corporation, palled in the reigns 
 of Henry \T and Henry VIII, by which it was 
 declared that the fame perfon could not fcrve, 
 the office of lord mayor twice within feven, 
 years; but this objection was overruled by 
 29th Sept. precedents : I cckford declining the propofed 
 honour, was clamoroufly urged by the livery, 
 and at length agreed to accept it. Lord Hol- 
 land, who had been grpfsiy reilecicd on, in 
 the late petition of the livery to the king, 
 wrote to the late lord mayor, requeuing to 
 know the author of the aipejfipn: the livery 
 xoth Oct. now pulled refolutions avowing the intention 
 to apply thofe accufati.ons to lord Holland, 
 and recommending to their representatives ttt 
 procure his impeachment. 
 
 Affairs of While ftich was the temper of the public 
 
 Ireland, m! ml in England, Ireland was not more tran- 
 
 qui! or contented ; the ociennial act, from 
 
 which fo many beneficial effects were expected, 
 
 wag
 
 GEOR G E III. 409 
 
 was no longer an object of exultation than chap. 
 while it was recent. The meat expences at- , XVL , 
 tending elections were feverely felt; the eon- 1769. 
 ftant refidence of the lord lieutenant, which 
 now fir ft became a part of his duty, i>-ave of- 
 fence to many who found their power and in- 
 fluence diminished, and a ftrong oppofriion 
 wasfpeedily formed. The addrefTes, in anfwer 17'hoa:. 
 to the fpeech on opening the feffion of pari ia- ^dSTrf 
 liament, were loyal, and voted without much military 
 oppofition in either houfe. Encouraged by this cit - !,,llfll - 
 
 11 1 ment. 
 
 appearance, government ventured to attempt 
 augmenting the military eftabliihment from 
 twelve thoufand to fifteen thousand two hun- 
 dred and thirty-five men. The battalions on 
 tiicHritiih eftabliihment confiftcd, at this period, 
 of five hundred and twenty-nine men each; 
 thofe on the Iriih eftabliihment, of no more 
 than three hundred and twenty eight. In 
 Gonicquence of this difproportion, whenever an 
 Iriih regiment was ordered on foreign fervice, 
 it became neceflary, prcvioufly to its depar- 
 ture, to complete its numbers by drafts from 
 Other Iriih regiments; a mode of proceeding 
 equally mortifying and difpiriting to the offi- 
 cer and the private, and extremely detrimental 
 to the ferviee. To remedy this inconvenience, 
 it was now propofed to decreafe the numbers 
 on the Britiih, and augment thole on the Irifh, 
 eftabliihment. Jiy the new plan, inftead of 
 thirty battalions of infantry, twenty-feven ojily 
 Were to be maintained : live in their turn were 
 to be always employed on foreign ferviee; the 
 remaining twenty-two, which, together with 
 the cavalry, would amount to twelve thou- 
 fand men, were to remain for the protec- 
 tion of Ireland. It was alio propofed to 
 cfiabliih a regular rotation of the infantry, who 
 
 lkouid
 
 410 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. mould relieve each other in their refpective 
 XVL fituatioiis throughout the king's dominions. 
 J769. A hill to this effect, had been brought into a 
 former parliament, but mifcarried : it now came 
 recommended by an earneft menage from the 
 lord lieutenant, and although a ftrong oppoii- 
 tion Avas ftill made, ultimately paifed. 
 Money bill In another effort the oppofition party was 
 rcje&ed. more fuccefsful: a money bill had, according 
 to the ufao-e eftabliihcd for near four-fcore 
 years, originated and been framed in the privy 
 council. It was returned from England under- 
 the «'ieat feal, and read in the houfe of com^ 
 xRNov. mons. On thefecond reading, the bill was re- 
 jected, after a ftrenuous debate;' and the reafon 
 exprefsly affigned by the houfe was, its not hav- 
 ing originated with them. Yet to ihew, as they 
 faid, that they were not actuated by a factious 
 or innovating fpirit, they liberally and uncon- 
 ditionally provided for the exigencies of go- 
 vernment. The rejected bill only fupplied 
 three months expenditure ; but they palled an 
 act which allowed a fund for two years, and 
 amounted to two million one hundred and 
 fixty -eight thouiand fix hundred and eighty-? 
 one pounds. 
 Lord lku- This proceeding did not atone to the lord 
 tenant 1 * lieutenant for the invafion of the royal autho- 
 *ShDec 1U T by tne ejection of the former bill. In a 
 jpeech to both houfes, after returning thanks for 
 the ample iupplies, he condemned, in terms of 
 ftrong reproach, the rejection of the money bill 
 fent from the privy council, and afferted that they 
 had violated the law, and intrenched upon the 
 juft rights of the crown ; he made, in full par- 
 liament, a proteft again ft the relolution of the 
 commons, by which they claimed that' money 
 
 ' 94- to 7i. 
 
 bills,
 
 G EORC E III. 4 1 1 
 
 bills fhoukl originate with them ; requeuing chap. 
 the clerk of the houfe of lords to rend his pro- XVI * . 
 teft, and that it mould be entered on the jour- 1769. 
 nals of the lower houie. 
 
 The lord lieutenant's difpleafure Avas not Proceed, 
 unknown before he declared it in parliament, ,n g**tf»" 
 and both houfes prepared to meet it with ade- ° 1U 
 cjuate refiftan.ee. In the houfe of lords a mo- 
 tion was made, that directions be given to the 
 ipeaker, not to iufrer a proteit of any perfon, 
 who was not a lord of parliament, to be entered 
 on the journals. But the queftion was over- 
 ruled by a large majority, and confequently the 
 lord lieutenant's proteit was recorded. At the Proroga- 
 
 conclufion of his fpeech, the parliament was \ i0i l oi the 
 , . * ' . info par- 
 
 prorogued ; but the commons, 011 returning to foment 
 
 their own houie, forbad their clerk to enter the 
 fpeech, which they hadjuft heard, on the jour- 
 nals, as it implied a proteit. againft a pro- 
 ceeding in which they were determined toper- 
 fevere. 
 
 The fudden prorogation of parliament at a inconve- 
 period when they had done no bufinefs, except SITS*? 
 voting fupplies to government, excited much fure. 
 refentment. The temporary laws which re- 
 lated to fo many important objecls were all ex- 
 pired, and the regulations of trade, the public 
 fecurity, the iupply of the capital, and the pub- 
 lic charters, were left in an unprovided ftate: 
 confternation, diitrefs, and difcontent were 
 loudly expreiled in all quarters, and the whole 
 kingdom was in confuiion and diibrder.
 
 415 HISTORY OF ENGLAND, 
 
 CHATTER THE SEVENTEENTH: 
 
 1770. 
 
 Meeting of parliament. — King's fpeech. — 
 
 Addrefs oppofed by lord Chatham. — Sup- 
 
 ■ ported by lord Mansfield. — Lord Chatham 's 
 
 - reply. — Speech of lord Camden. — Addrefs 
 oppofed in the honfe of commons — but car- 
 ried. — Second debate. — Strength of oppojl- 
 tion. — Conduct of lord Camden — his dif- 
 tniffion. — Mr. Yorke appointed lord chan- 
 cellor — his death — and character. — Great 
 
 fcal put in commiffwn. — Motion in the lords 
 for a committee on the fate of the nation. — 
 The marquis of Rockingham's fpeech. — An- 
 Jicer of the duke of Grafton. — Lord Chat- 
 ham. — Total change of tninifry. — Lord 
 North's miniftry. — State of the nation de- 
 bated in the houfe of commons-— in the 
 houfe of lords. — Committee dijfolred. — 
 ' Motion of the earl of Marehmont, affirming 
 that the houfe of lords had no right to inter- 
 fere in the decifions of the houfe of commons. 
 
 — Supported by lords Mansfield and Eg- 
 mont. • — Oppofed by lord Chatham. — Alter- 
 cation reflecting the official conduct oj lord 
 Camden. — Vindicated by lord Chatham. — 
 
 - — Lord Marchmont' s motion curried. — Bill 
 for regulating the confluences of crpulfon 
 
 — withdrawn. — Turbulence of the city of 
 London, — Proceedings of the com?non coun- 
 cil and livery. — Their remonft ranee to the 
 king. — Delivered to him on the throne. — - 
 His anfucr. — Proceedings in parliament.— - 
 Addrefs of both houfes. — Remonftrances of 
 JVeftminjier and Middhfex. — // ilkes liber- 
 ated. — Lord Chatham's bill for reverjing
 
 GEORGE III. 4 IS 
 
 the dec i /Inn of the ho ufe of commons in his 
 cafe. — Debates on it — Rejected. — Lord 
 Chatham s motion on the anjwer to the Lon- 
 don remon ft ranee. — Debate. — Motion re- 
 jected.— Lord Chatham's motion for a dif- 
 folution of parliament. — Rejected. — Mr. 
 Dozvdefwell's motion to difqualify revenue 
 officers. — Rejected. — Law for annulling the 
 protections granted bi/ peers to theirfervants. 
 
 — Lord Mansfield's fpeech in fupport of the 
 meal are. — Mr. Grenvi lie's bill for deciding 
 petitions on controverted elections. — Inquiry 
 into the civil lift. — Petition from American 
 merchants. — Repeal of duties, except on Tea. 
 
 — Debate. — Act pa/fed. — Motion for papers 
 '—for examination of the inj rue lions to go- 
 vernors. — Motions in the lords. — Proro- 
 
 gation. 
 
 VffiiEx the Britifh parliament affembled, the chap. 
 king, in his fpeech, mentioned the affliction ^ l 2j, 
 he felt at being obliged to acquaint them that 9 th J an - 
 
 » • - • » X770 
 
 the diftreffes of the fubject Mere likely to be Meeting of 
 augmented by a diftemper, which had recently parUsiHeat. 
 appeared among the horned cattle* ; but, by the 
 advice of the privy council, he had ufed his 
 beft efforts to Hop the progrels of the contagion. 
 He obferved that the great burthens already 
 impofed oli his fubjec~rs, by the ncceftity of 
 bringing the late war to a profperous concilia 
 fion, made him vigilant to prevent the prefent 
 difturbances in Europe, from extending to 
 tliofe places where the fecurity, honour, and 
 intereu of this nation might make it neceffary 
 for him to become a party; and that he had 
 great hopes of maintaining the country in 
 
 * This fpeech was unfpiringly ridiculed in the public p:int», and 
 fkc felfion w.is nid< .named the borned-cattU fcjjian. 
 
 peace.
 
 414 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, peace. He adverted with regret to the difiatis- 
 xvii. factions (till prevailing in America, and the 
 1770. combinations tending todeftroy the commercial 
 connection between the colonies and the mo- 
 ther-country. In conclufion he recommended 
 both houfes to avoid heats and animofities, and 
 cultivate a (pint of harmony ; which would, 
 above all things, contribute to maintain, in 
 their proper luftre, the (Irength, reputation, and 
 profperity of the country, and (trengthen the 
 attachment of the fubjeel; to that excellent 
 conftitution of government from which they 
 derived fuch diltinimifhed advantages. 
 Thead- Lord Chatham, vvho was now fufficiently 
 
 dn -. (s °P" recovered to attend his duty in parliament, 
 ford Chat- oppofed the addrefs. He obferved, that his 
 ham. age and infirmities would have formed a fuffi- 
 cient excufe, if he had continued in retire- 
 ment, and never again taken a part in public 
 affairs ; but the alarming ftate of the na- 
 tion forced him once more to come forward, 
 and execute that duty which he owed to his 
 God, his fovereign, and his country; and 
 which he was determined to perform at the 
 hazard of his life. He gave his approbation to 
 the prudent meafures taken with refpecl to the 
 diftemper among cattle, and avowed his opi- 
 nion that there was a power, in fome degree ar- 
 bitrary, with which the crown was intruded by 
 the conftitution, fuch as he had himfelf exer- 
 cifed to (live the people from flawing. 
 
 With this observation lord Chatham's appro- 
 bation of the meafures of government ended. 
 He disapproved of the peace, and averred it had 
 been made fo improvidently, as to leave the 
 country without a fingle ally : from this cir- 
 cumftance we had, during a peace of feven 
 years, been continually on the verge of wan. 
 
 Fiance,
 
 J77Q- 
 
 GEORGE III. 41$ 
 
 France, on the other hand, had carefully cul- chap. 
 tivated her alliances, efpecially Spain, and that xvn. 
 thus the whole houfe of Bourbon was united 
 within itfelf, and fupported by the clofeft con- 
 nections with the principal powers in Europe. 
 
 But however important might be the con- 
 fideration of foreign affairs, he confidered the, 
 clomeftic fituation of the country as demand- 
 ing ftill greater attention. He lamented the 
 unhappy meafures which had divided the co- 
 lonies from Great Britain, and which he feared 
 had drawn them into unjufti liable excefies. But 
 as the ho life had no documents on this fubjecr, 
 lie could not concur in calling their proceed- 
 ings unwarrantable: to ufe fuch an exprefflon 
 was palling fentence without hearing the eaufe, 
 or being acquainted with the facts. The dif- 
 content of two millions of people deferved 
 confideration, and the foundation of it lhould 
 be removed ; but we fhould be cautious how 
 we invaded the liberties of any part of our 
 fellow fubjecls, however remote in iituation, or 
 unable to make refiftance. The Americans had 
 purchafed their liberty at a dear rate, fince they 
 had quitted their native land, and gone to leek 
 it in a defert. 
 
 His lordlhip proceeded to obferve, that the 
 parts of the addrefs already adverted to, bore 
 no companion in point of intcreit to thole 
 which remained. There never was a time 
 when the unanimity recommended bv the king 
 was more neeeifarv: and it was the duty of the 
 houfe to inquire into the caufes of the notori- 
 ous ditiiitisfachon expretfed by the whole Eng- 
 lilh nation, to ltate them to their fovereign, 
 and to give him their beft advice in what man- 
 ner he ought to act. The privileges or the 
 lioufe of lords^ however tranlcendent, however 
 
 appropriate
 
 416 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, appropriate to them, flood, in fact, on the broafl 
 v^yii^ bottom of the people. The rights of the greateft 
 1770- and meaneit fubjects had the fame foundation, 
 the fecurity of the law, common to all. It was 
 therefore their higheft intcreft, as well as their 
 duty, to watch over and guard the people ; for 
 when the people had loft their rights, thofe of 
 the peerage would foon become insignificant; 
 " Be allured, my lords/' he continued, " that 
 " in whatever part of the empire you fuffer 
 ".Slavery to be eltabliihed, whether it be in 
 " America, in Ireland, or at home, you will 
 " find it a difeafe which fpreads by contact 
 " and foon reaches from the extremities to the 
 " heart. The man who has loft his own free* 
 " dom, becomes from that moment an inftru- 
 " ment, in the hands of an ambitious prince, to 
 " deftroy the freedom of others/' He then 
 affirmed that the liberty of the fubject was 
 invaded not only in the provinces, but at 
 home. The people were loud in their com- 
 plaints, and would never return to a ftate of 
 tranquillity till they obtained redrefs : nor 
 ought they ; for it were better to periih in a 
 glorious contention for their rights, than to 
 purchafe a 11a villi tranquillity at the expence of 
 a (ingle iota of the constitution. He had no 
 doubt the univerfal difcontent of the nation 
 arofe from the proceedings againit Wilkes, and 
 therefore moved an amendment to the addrefs, 
 purporting, that " the houfe would with all 
 " convenient fpeed take into consideration the 
 " caufes of the prevailing difcontent, and par- 
 " ticularly the proceedings of the houfe of 
 " commons, touching the incapacity of John 
 " Wilkes ; thereby refufmg (by a refolution of 
 "one branch of the legislature onlv) to the 
 " fubject his common right, and depriving the 
 
 " electors
 
 GEO RG E III. 417 
 
 *' electors of Middlcfex of their free choice of a chap. 
 w reprefentative." 1 vj^il)- 
 
 Lord M a ns f i e r. d oppofed the a m end men ft 1770. 
 He had never delivered an opinion on the ^ M 
 legality of the proceedings in the honfe of Mansfield* 
 commons on the Middlcfex election, nor mould 
 he, whatever expectations might he formed, 
 now declare his fentimeiits. They were locked 
 up in his own breaft, and mould die with him; 
 he wiiliei! to avoid fpeaking on the fubjeei; but 
 the motion was of a nature fo extraordinary 
 and alarming, as to preclude the poffibility 
 of 'his remaining fdent. He acknowledged the 
 racted ftate of the nation ; but was happy 
 with a fafe commence to affirm, that it could 
 in no rei'pect be attributed to him. Declara- 
 tions of law made by cither houfe of parlia- 
 ment were always attended with bad effecls : 
 be conitantly Oppofed them when he had an 
 opportunity, and never in his judicial capacity 
 thought himfelf bound to honour them with 
 the flighteft regard; He conlidered general 
 warrants illegal, or rather no warrants at all, 
 but was forry the houfe of commons mould 
 declare it by their Vote. Had they been de- 
 clared legal, the courts at Weftminfter would 
 have adjudged otherwife, and thus the vote 
 of the houfe would have been treated with dif- 
 refpe- 
 
 He fhewed the diftinelion between general 
 declarations of law, and particular decifions 
 winch might judicially be made by either houfe, 
 on a cafe regularly iubmitted to their difeuiTion, 
 and properly the iubjeet of their jurifdietion. A 
 tjueltion relating tothe feat of one of their mem- 
 bers, could only be determined by that houfe; 
 nor was there an appeal from their deeiiion. 
 . vol. 1. e e Wherever
 
 413 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. Wherever a court of juftice is fupreme, and 
 v^iL their fentence final, as was the cafe of the 
 1770. houfe of commons, in matters of election, the 
 determination of that court muft he received 
 and fuhmitted to as the law of the land; for 
 if tli ere he no appeal from a judicial fen- 
 tenee, where fhall that fentence he queftioned, 
 or how can it he reverfed ? He avoided en- 
 tering into the merits of the late deeifion, 
 from a conviction that the lords had no right 
 to inquire into, or difcufs the fuhject. The 
 amendment threatened the molt pernicious 
 confequences to the nation, as it manifeftlv 
 violated every form and law of parliament, 
 was a grofs attack on the privileges of the 
 houfe of commons, and inftead of promot- 
 ing that harmony which the king had recom- 
 mended, muft inevitably throw the whole coun- 
 try into a flame. There never was an inftance 
 of the lords inquiring into the proceedings of 
 the houfe of commons with refpect to their 
 own members; mueh lefs of their aifuming a 
 right to cenfure, or advifing the crown to 
 notice fuch proceedings. 
 
 The amendment would inevitably occafion 
 a quarrel between the two houfes, or between 
 the king and the commons. If the lower houfe 
 had a£ted wrong, that wroug would not be re- 
 paired by the lords committing a ftill greater 
 error. Their proceedings would in fact be no 
 lefs ineffectual than irregular; for fuppofing 
 the king iliould diffolve the parliament, which 
 he pref umed to be the true object of the amend- 
 ment, the next houfe of commons, if they 
 knew any thing of their own privileges, or of 
 the laws, would undoubtedly, on the rirft day 
 of the lefiion, declare the proceedings a vio- 
 lation
 
 GEORGE III. 419 
 
 latiori of the rights of the commons. In aft- chap. 
 in"- otherwife, thev would ihamefullv betray /*?]!;. 
 their conftitucnts and themfelves. In con- 1770. 
 clufion, he objected to the amendment, as 
 irregular and unparliamentary, pregnant with 
 pernicious confequences, and not calculated 
 to produce any iingle advantage. 
 
 Lord Chatham began his reply by extol- Lord 
 ling the \\\'t of common fenfe, in oppofition to ^ e h ^ hamt 
 fubtilty and ingenious refinement. He com- 
 plained that the meaning of his amendment 
 had been totally mifieprefented, and denied 
 having, either in the amendment or in difcourfe, 
 laid one word touching the merits of the Mid- 
 tllefex election. 
 
 " The conuitution of the country," he 
 obferved, " has been openly invaded in facl; 
 " and I have heard, with horror and afto- 
 " nifhment, that invafion defended upon 
 u principle. What is this myfterious power, 
 " undefined by law, unknown to the fubjecr, 
 u which we muft not approach without leave, 
 " nor fpeak of without reverence, which no 
 " man may queftion, and to which all men 
 " muft fubmitf I thought the flaviih doctrine 
 li of paffive obedience had long fince been ex- 
 ploded ; and, when our kings were obliged 
 M to confefs their title to the crown, and the 
 " rule of their government, had no other 
 " foundation than the known laws of the land, 
 " I never expected to hear a'divine right, or a 
 " divine infallibility, attributed to any other 
 " branch of the legiQature. Power without 
 " right is the mod odious and deteftable ob-* 
 " jeet that can be offered to the human imagi* 
 " nation : it is not only pernicious to thole 
 "who are fubject to it/ but tends to its own 
 " deitruction. It is what Lyttelton has truly 
 
 t e o " defcribed
 
 4C0 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 C H A. ^. 
 XVII. 
 
 1770. 
 
 " defcribed it, res dctcftabilis et caduca. — - 
 " I acknowledge the ju ft power, and reverence 
 " the conftitution of the houfe of commons. 
 " For their own lakes, I would prevent their 
 " ail uming a jurisdiction which the conftitution 
 u has denied them, left, by grafping at an autho- 
 " rity to which they have no right, they ihould 
 " forfeit that which they legally poifefs. But I 
 " aliirm they have betrayed their constituents, 
 " and violated the conftitution. Under pretence 
 " of declaring the law, they have made a law, 
 " and united in the lame perfons the, offices of 
 " legidator and judge." 
 
 His lordihip then diftinguifhed between the 
 legiflative and jurifprudential functions of the 
 houfe of commons. He denied they had a 
 fupreme jurisdiction, or that their deciiion muft 
 be received and fubmitted to, as, ipfo facto, 
 the law of the land. " The noble lord aflures 
 " us he knows not in what code the law of par- 
 " Liament is to be found ; that the houfe of 
 " commons, when they aft as judges, have no 
 " law to direct them, but their own wifdom : 
 " their deciiion is law; and if they determine 
 " wrong, the fubjecl has no appeal but to 
 " heaven. What then, are all the generous 
 " efforts of our anccftors, are all thole glo- 
 " rious contentions, by which they meant to 
 " fecure to themfelves, and tranfmit to their 
 " poiterity, a known law, a certain rule of liv- 
 " ing, reduced to this conclufion, that inftead 
 " of the arbitrary power of a king, we muft 
 fubmit to the arbitrary power of a houfe of 
 commons? If this be true, what benefit do 
 we derive from the exchange? Tvrannv, 
 is deteftable in every ibape, but in none lb 
 " formidable as where it is affirmed and ex- 
 "ercifed by a number of tyrants. But, this 
 
 "is 
 
 u 
 
 n 
 
 it 
 
 1 .
 
 GEORGE ITT. 42 1 
 
 "is not the fac~r 3 this is not the confutation ; chap. 
 
 " we have a law of parliament, we have a J^ 1 ]^ 
 
 " code, in which every honeft man may find it. 1770. 
 
 " We have Magna Charta, we have the Sta- 
 
 " tute Book, and the Bill of Rights. The peo- 
 
 " pie when they clloofe their reprefentatives, 
 
 " never mean to convey to them the power of 
 
 " invading the rights, or trampling on the 
 
 " liberties ofthofe whom they reprefent. What 
 
 c ' feeurity would they have tor their rights, if 
 
 ** once they admitted that a court of judicature 
 
 " might determine queftiotls not by any known 
 
 " positive law, hut by foflie vague, indete r- 
 
 "• minate, arbitrary rule ?'• 
 
 Hi: denied precedents to be law ; they were 
 merely evidences of law, and of no autho- 
 rity, unlets founded in, and confirmed by 
 reafon : taken from good and moderate times, 
 not contradictory toanypofitive law, fubmitted 
 to without reluctance by the people, unquef- 
 tioned by the legislature, and not inimical to 
 the fpirit of the conftitution. " The firlr prin- 
 " ciple of the conftitution is that, the fubjeet 
 " rhall not be governed by the arbitrium of any 
 " one man, or body of men (Ids than the whole 
 " legiflature) hut by certain laws, to which 1 e 
 "has virtually given his confent, which arc 
 " open to him to examine, and not beyond his 
 " ability to underhand, hut the late decifion 
 " of the houfe of commons on the Middlefex 
 
 elecrion, is deftitute of every one of thofe 
 ( properties and conditions w] ii I hold to be 
 
 eiferrtial to the legality of fueh a decifion. 
 " It is not founded in reafon, it is not fupported 
 " by a tingle precedent, and it contra Mag- 
 
 '« na Charta and the Bill of Rights. Whether 
 ft it be queiuoned by the legiflature, will de- 
 
 JiE j " D( od 
 
 iC 
 
 (i
 
 a 
 a 
 
 
 425 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. " pcnd on your lordflaips' refolution ; but 
 v2^iiL> " *^ at ** v i°l a tes the fpirit of the conftitution, 
 J770. " will, I think, be dilputed by no man who has 
 " heard this day's debate, and who willies well 
 to the freedom of his country : yet, if we are 
 to believe the noble lord, this great grievance, 
 this manifeff. violation of the lirft principles 
 ■ of the conititution, will not admit of a re- 
 medy; is not even capable of redrefs, unlefs 
 we appeal at once to heaven. My lords, I 
 ' have better hopes of the constitution, and a 
 " firmer confidence in the wifdom and confti- 
 " tutional authority of this houfe." After 
 highly applauding the ancient nobility as 
 founders of the conftitution, and invoking the 
 houfe not to degenerate from the glorious ex- 
 ample of their anceitors, he faid, " Thofe iron 
 *' barons (for fo I may call them when com- 
 " pared with the filken barons of riiodern 
 " days) were the guardians of the people; yet 
 " their virtues, were never engaged in a quef- 
 " tion of fuch importance as the prefent. A 
 " breach has been made in the conftitution 
 " — the battlements are difmantled — the ei- 
 *■ tadel is open to the firft invader — the Avails 
 " totter — the conftitution is not tenable. 
 " What remains then, but for us to Hand fore- 
 " moil in the breach, to repair, or perim in 
 "it?" 
 
 Great pains had been taken, lord Chatham 
 faid, to excite alarm, by difplaying the con- 
 fequences of a difference between the two 
 houfes. He was fenfible of the importance and 
 difficulty of the crifis, but diitinguiihing be- 
 tween the reprefentatives, and the collective 
 body of the people, he was defirous, if the 
 houfe muft engage in a contention, to have the 
 
 nation
 
 GEORGE HI. 42S 
 
 nation on their fide. " If this queftion be given chap. 
 "up,' 1 be faid, " the freeholders of England Jj?^j 
 " are reduced to a condition bafer than the 177Q. 
 " peafanhy of Poland. If they defert their 
 " own caufe, they deferve to be (laves. 
 
 " I am not now pleading- the caufe of an in- 
 " dividual, but of every freeholder in Eng- 
 " land. In what manner this houfe may con- 
 " ftitutionally interpofe in their defence, and 
 lC what kind of redrefs this cafe will require 
 " and admit, is not the prefent fubjecl of 
 " confederation. The amendment, if agreed 
 " to, will naturally lead us to fuch an enquiry. 
 " That enquiry may, perhaps, point out tliene- 
 " ceility of an act of the legiflature, or it may 
 " lead to a conference with the other houfe. 
 " It is polhhie, that the enquiry may lead us to 
 '" advife his majefty to diflblve the parliament; 
 " nor have I any doubt of our right to give 
 M that advice, if we ihould think it needfary. 
 " His majefty will then determine whether he 
 " will yield to the united petitions of the 
 " people of England, or maintain the houfe of 
 " commons in the exercife of a legiflative 
 " power, which heretofore abolifhed the houfe 
 " of lords, and overturned the monarchy. I 
 " wHlingly acquit the prefent houfe of com- 
 " mons of having actually formed lb deteftahle 
 a defign ; but they cannot themfelves forefec 
 to what excelfes they may be carried here- 
 after ; and for my own part, I Ihould be forry 
 " to truft to their future moderation. Unli- 
 " mited power is apt to corrupt the mind ; and 
 4t this I know — that where the law ends, 
 " tyranny begins !" 
 
 The warmth of lord Chatham Itemed to i-"^ 
 communicate itfelf to lord Camden, lie faid, am c ** 
 
 a k 4 "I accepted
 
 424 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. "I accepted the great feal without condi- 
 [wKo "tions; I meant riot therefore to be tram- 
 1770. " nit'i!v j d hv his majefty; (I beg pardon) by 
 u his miuiliers ; but I have fiiff&Jfed nryfelf to 
 u be io too lon<>\ Fdi J forne time I have be- 
 " held with flit r^t iridignaxioh the arbitrary 
 " meafures of the minifter ;, I have often 
 " drooped and hung down my head in conn- 
 " cil, and difapproved, by my looks, thole 
 " fteps which I knew my avowed opposition 
 " could not prevent; I will do fo no long- 
 " er, but openly and boldly fpeak my fen- 
 u '.foments'.'' He coincided .in opinion with 
 lord Chatham rcfpecVmg the incapacitating 
 vote of thehoufe of commons ; and added, that 
 if in giving his opinion as a judge, he were to- 
 pay any reipeet to that vote, he mould look upon 
 himfelf as a traitor to his truir, and an enemy 
 to his country. The miniffrv, belaid, by their 
 violent and tvrannical conduct, had alienated 
 the minds' of the people from his majelfy's go- 
 vernment, he had almoft laid, from his maieffv's 
 peribh; and in confequence, a fpirit of dis- 
 content had fpread itfelf into every corner of 
 the kingdom, and was every day inerealino;; 
 and if fome methods were not deviled to ap- 
 peafe the clamours fo univerfally prevalent, 
 h£ did not know but the people, in defpair, 
 •mi lit become their own avengers, and take the 
 j - >s of grievances into their own hands. 
 1 line, he accufed the miniury, though not 
 in 1 , .. 's terms', yet by dirccl implication, of 
 having formed a confpiracy ap-ainft the liberties 
 the country. The amendment was ne- 
 gatived. 
 .;. In the hoitfe of commons the addrels was 
 e'" f no left ftrenuoufly oppofed, and an amendment 
 commons ; was
 
 GEORGE III. 425 
 
 was moved by Mr. Dowdefwell, "That the chap. 
 
 " houfe would take into confideration tip' xv\. 
 
 " caufes of the unhappy difcontents whi< li pre- ^jZ? 
 " vailed in every part of his majefty's domi- 
 
 " mons. 
 
 The debate on this motion lafted twelve 
 hours, hut the details are not preferved. The 
 mention of honied cattle in fo prominent a 
 manner, occasioned confiderable ridicule; and 
 it was reprefented as a great imprudence to 
 hold out to the refr of Europe the idea, that 
 this country was too much diftreifed to en- 
 « - aj.?;e in war. The conduct of the ininiitrv 
 with refpeet. to A ica was reprobated in 
 every particular. Colonel Bane obferved, that 
 uy were alienated from his inanity; the 
 miniftry had contrived to few difcontent in 
 almoll every part of the king's dominions ; 
 England in opposition to its own rcprefenta- 
 tives; in Ireland, the parliament prorogued 
 for its fupport of the true conftitutional right 
 of taxation ; the colonies in actual rebellion, 
 for a tax, which the miniifcry confeffed, was 
 not intended to bring in money, hut. only as 
 a left of obedience; and, perhaps, to crown 
 the whole, France at the eve of a war with 
 The marquis of Granby too was diffatisfied 
 with the vote he had ffiven on tire Middlefex 
 election; and wiihed the houfe would re-ex- 
 amine their refolution. 
 
 The miniftry expofed and defcant^d on the 
 means which had been ufed to obtain iigi. 
 tures to petitions and remonftrances ; which the 
 oppofition members, fai from denying', avowed 
 with pride. Lord North laid, he would never 
 confentto annul the refolutions of the houfe in 
 refpeet to the Middlefex election, and Sir Met - 
 cher Norton averred they -could not alter their 
 
 former
 
 426 
 
 CHAP. 
 XVII. 
 
 1770. 
 
 But car- 
 ried . 
 
 10th Jan. 
 
 Second 
 
 debate. 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 former resolutions, but by an act of the legif- 
 lature. 
 
 The amendment was rejected by a consider- 
 able majority.* 
 
 Ox reporting the addrefs, another debate 
 arofe, in confequence of an objection made 
 by Sir William Meredith, that to thank the 
 king for his approbation of the conduct, of the 
 houie, would imply an approval of the deci- 
 fion refpecting the Middlefex election. Sir 
 George Saville accufed the houfe of having be- 
 trayed the rights of the people. He was called 
 to order; and general Conway, in reproof of his 
 intemperance, obferved, it was an infultto par- 
 liament, and members had been lent to the 
 Tower tor fuch words. Sir George Saville was 
 defended by Serjeant Glynn. Burke fpoke on 
 the fame fide, and confeious of the popularity 
 of the caufe, challenged the miniftry to puniih 
 Sir George, if he was guilty of delinquency. 
 He laid, the people abhorred the prefent mini- 
 ftry, and afked the fpeaker if the chair did not 
 tremble under him. Sir George Saville often- 
 tatioufly repeated the offeniive words ; which 
 occalioned Mr. Fox to obferve that from the 
 licentious language of fome gentlemen, on 
 that and the preceding day, it feemed as 
 if the old decent freedom of debate was at 
 an end, and they were endeavouring; to eftabliih 
 new forms. The expreflion in the addrefs did 
 not allude to any particular meafure of parlia- 
 ment, nor to every meafure, as no one could 
 fuppofe his majehy approved of every reiolu- 
 tion adopted by the houie, but only of the 
 general tenor of their actions. Burke, replied 
 with a fnecr, it fignified little what the houie 
 
 * 254 to 138. 
 
 meant
 
 GEORGE III. 407 
 
 meant, but how the people would eftimate their c it a p. 
 conduct: he was, however, elad to hear that - xv,: - 
 nothing was meant by the addrefs. There 1770. 
 was no di'vi(ion. b 
 
 The ftrehgth difplayed by the oppolition, strengthof 
 and the popular ground on which they hood, °FP olltl0il - 
 were furhcient indications that great efforts 
 had been ufed during the reed's, to unite the 
 feveral parties into one confident uniform 
 body. The refignation of lord Chatham, and 
 his opportune recovery of health and faculties, 
 afforded him the means of asrain taking: the 
 lead of an active party, and or' reviving his de- 
 clining popularity. The reconciliation between 
 him and lord Temple, united Air. Grenvilleand 
 his friends in their interefts; a combination was 
 fpeedily formed between them and the Rock- 
 ingham party, which included many of the in it 
 characters for talents and reipectability in both 
 houfes. A dlvilion was alio effected among the 
 miniitry ; for befides lord Camden, whole con- 
 duct in the upper houfe was fo remarkable, 
 Dunning, the folicitor-general, and the mar- 
 quis of Granby, commander in chief of the 
 forces, divided with the minority in the houfe 
 of commons. 
 
 From lord Camden's intemperate manner of c^mua 
 declaringhis oppolition, it could not be expe cted L .,™den. 
 that he ihould retain his fituation of chancellor; 
 in fact his difmiffion was anticipated, and every 
 effort ufed to embarrafs the government, and 
 render it impoffible to find a fucceffor. On 
 the day the addrefs was debated in the houfe of 
 lords, the marquis of Rockingham moved that 
 they ihould befuminoned on the morrow, as he 
 wiihed to make a propofal of great national 
 
 k This debate is intitlcd to notice, as cortaining the fir ft recorded 
 farliameuiary eflay of th-: honourable Charles James Fox. 
 
 importance ;
 
 428 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 cha d . importance; but lord Pomfret moved an acta 
 xvii. joinnmcnt far a week. This delay was received 
 *j7o- with great indignation by the minority. Lord 
 Temple faid, the houfe knew for what purpoib 
 the minifiry wanted an adjournment . ; it was 
 to fettle the difordered Irate of the adminiilra- 
 tionj which was now mattered in a molt miie- 
 rable manner, and in all likelihood would jfdori 
 fail to pieces ; and particularly to diimifs the 
 virtuous and independent lord who fat on the 
 v/ooliack, and to fuppiy his place with fome 
 obfequious lawyer who would do as lie was 
 commanded. Lord -Shelburne alio obferved, 
 that alter the difmiffion of the prefent worthy 
 chai celior, the great feal would g'o a-begging ; 
 but he hoped there would not be found in the 
 kingdom a wretch ib bale and mean-f mited to 
 accept of it on-fuch conditions as would eratifv 
 the minifiry. 
 His<Ef- The feal was taken from lord Camden, and 
 
 aiiiSoa. offered to Mr. Yorke, who had twice filled the 
 office of attorney-general with the great e It re- 
 putation for talents' and integrity. The un- 
 settled ftate of parties, and the gloomy com- 
 plexion of afi tairs, naturally occasioned him to 
 feel conliderable reluctance at undertaking: the 
 high off: eeto which he was called, at that parti- 
 cular tin . Nothing probably could have 
 overcome his repugnance, but the earneft man- 
 ner in which his acceptance of the great feal 
 was preiled upon him, by the king himfelf, as 
 17* Jan. nioft eiiential to his, fervice. Thus ursed, Mr. 
 appointed Yorke determined to obey the commands of his 
 lord-chan- fovereign, without reverfionarv conditions or 
 ceiior. ftipulations, He was immediately railed to the 
 peerage by the title of Baron Morden, of Mor- 
 den in Cambridgeihire, an honour lie did not 
 ao\ii Jan.* live to pouefs, as the patent was not completed 
 
 before
 
 G EO H G E III. 4*9 
 
 before his death, which occurred three days chap. 
 after he had received the great leal. ^ vir - 
 
 Mr. Charles Yorke was leeond fon of r»- 
 Philip, firft earl of Hardwicke, and bom imthe A " dch *- 
 year 1723. He had ftudied the laws and con- 
 ftitution of his country, and their appli( 
 to the fcience of politics, in the beft fehool 
 the age: and was no lefs eminent at the 1 
 than iii the eftimation of* the moft enli ted 
 
 ftatefmen. His extenfive literary acquirements, 
 his great abilities, and the integrity of his cl 
 racier, were well known and univerfally rdpeet- 
 ed. • He was appointed foliei tor-general in 
 1756, and while he held the important office of 
 attorney-general, was defervedly high in the 
 confidence of the admin iftration, and of his 
 country. His probable elevation to the dig- 
 nity of chancellor had been long contemplated 
 with hope and expectation by the public, and 
 confequcntly his death Mas considered highly 
 prejudicial to the intereit of the nation, as, had 
 he lived, a more firm and comprehenfive fyftem 
 of admin iftration might have been formed, and 
 wifer and more conciliatory meafures adopted 
 towards the American colonic 
 
 After the death of Mr. Yorke the great Grcarfcai 
 leal was ottered to Sir Eardley Wilmot, and to J3E£"" 
 lord Mansfield, but both declining, it Mas put j^J. 
 in commiflion, and lord Mansfield was appoint- 
 ed fpeakerof the houfe of lords till there mould 
 be another chancellor. 
 
 The removal of lord Camden was follower! ; * ra " 
 by feveral resignations: the marquis of Granby 
 gave up all his places except the regiment of 
 blues ; the duke of Beaufort vacated his Situa- 
 tion of mafter of horfe to the queen ; the duke 
 of Manchcfter and the earl of Coventry re- 
 
 ligned 
 
 Uons.
 
 450 HISTORY 0$ it NG LAND. 
 
 chap, figned their pofts as lords of bedchamber ; the 
 k^J^J eai 'l °f Huntingdon his place of groom of the 
 1770. ftole; and Mr. James Grenville his office of 
 one of the vice-treafurers of Ireland. Dun- 
 ning, the folicitor-general, alfo refigned* 
 l d - c . During thefe tranfaetions the fittings of the 
 
 State of the . , r > 1 1 1 i- ° 1 
 
 nation de- lords were iuipended by adjournment, and no 
 bated in bufmeis of importance took place in the lower 
 faoufe, owing to the indifpohtion of the fpeaker, 
 Myrquisof Sir John Cuft. The marquis of Rockingham 
 fc.^ t " s " had given notice of his intention to move for a 
 day, for considering the ftate of the nation, and 
 after the adjournment made his motion. The 
 prefent unhappy condition of affairs, and uni- 
 verfal difcontent of the people, he laid, did 
 not arife from any immediate temporary caufe, 
 but had grown by degrees from the moment 
 of his majefty's acceffion. The perfons in 
 whom the king then confided had introduced 
 a total change in the old fyftem of govern- 
 ment, and adopted a maxim which mult prove 
 fatal to the liberties of the country, namely, 
 that the royal prerogative alone was fulficient 
 to fnpport government, to whatever hands it 
 might be committed: and the marquis review- 
 ing the acls of government from the beginning 
 of the reign, afcribed them all to the preva- 
 lence of that principle. Having expref fed his 
 difapprobation of many early tranfaetions, he 
 came to thofe of the laft preceding years ; fpoke 
 with great fe verity of the manner in which the 
 civil lift arrears had been paid ; cenfured the 
 grant of Inglewood foreft, which he affertcd 
 was made merely for the fake of carrying the 
 prerogative to its utmoit extent, and condemn- 
 ed the indecent hurry and precipitation with 
 which that affair had been concluded, to pre- 
 4 vent
 
 G E O R C E III. 431 
 
 vent the duke of Portland from vindicating chap. 
 his title ; and accufed the miniftry of re- -^ VI1 - 
 lilting the introduction of the Nullum Tern- 177°- 
 pus Bill. 
 
 The external affairs of the empire, the mar- 
 quis averred, had been conducted with the 
 fame want of wifdoin, and brought into nearly 
 the fame condition, with thole at home. In 
 Ireland the parliament was prorogued, which 
 probably led to a diflblutiou, and the affairs 
 of the kino'dom left, unprovided for, and in 
 confulion. He equally difapproved the pro- 
 ceedings with refpeet to America, which he 
 maintained were conducted on no fixed prin- 
 ciple. The king's fpeeches, and the language 
 of miniftry, had denounced nothing but war 
 and vengeance agaiuit a rebellious people ; 
 whilfi the governors abroad were inftructed 
 to convey the gentleft promifes of relief and 
 fatisfacHon. 
 
 The marquis, after condemning the lupine- 
 nefs of miniftry, in permitting France to obtain 
 fo valuable a dominion as Coriica, laid, he 
 avoided dwelling fo ftrongdy as he might on 
 the <»reat invalion of the conftitulion, which 
 had thrown the whole country into a flame. 
 When the conftitution is violated, he laid, we 
 (liquid not content ourfelves with repairing 
 the fingle breach, but look back into caufe.s, 
 and trace principles, in order, not merely to 
 reftore the conftitution to prefent health, but 
 render it, if poiflble, invulnerable hereafter. 
 Upon the whole, lie ftrongly recommended 
 the appointment of an early day for inves- 
 tigating the itate of the country in all its 
 relations and dependencies, foreign, provin- 
 cial, and domeftic. in conlequenee of that 
 coniideration the houfe would, he hoped, in- 
 dicate
 
 4BS HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 crap, dicate to the crown, the means not only of 
 JS^ii", correcting paft errors, but of etfablhhing a 
 *77o. fyftcm of govern men t more Mile, more per- 
 manent, better fuited to the genius of the 
 people, and, at leaft, confident with the fpirit 
 of the conftitution. 
 Buke of The duke of Grafton laid, he had no in- 
 Grafton. tention to oppoie the motion ; on the con- 
 trary, he engaged to fecoud it, and meet the 
 great queftion whenever the houfe ihould think 
 proper. For the prefent he only meant to 
 exculpate himfelf from reflections which feem- 
 ed to apply particularly and perfonally to 
 him. He vindicated the refumption of the 
 fuppofed grant of crown lands, which had 
 been raoft unfairly reprefented, and alferted 
 that if the duke of Portland, inftead of being 
 an opponent, had been the warmeft friend of 
 administration, the treafurv-board could not 
 have adopted a different mode of conduct, 
 without a flagrant violation of juftice. With 
 refpeel to the civil lift, he afl'erted the perfons 
 to -whofe offices it belonged, had been con- 
 ftantly employed in drawing up a ftate of 
 that account, and had received every poffible 
 light and information from the officers of the 
 crown, in order to fhorten and facilitate the 
 bufinefs, which was of infinite labour and 
 extent; and, notwithstanding the utmoft di- 
 ligence, could not yet be completed. With 
 refpect to foreign affairs, the conduct of mi- 
 iiiitry would, on the ftricteft examination, 
 be found irreproachable. He thought the 
 terms of peace not fo good as the nation 
 had a right to expect, but he would never 
 advife the king to engage in another war,, 
 as long as the dignity of the crown] and 
 
 the
 
 GEORGE III. 433 
 
 the real intcrefts of the nation could be pre- chap. 
 ferved without it. We had already fullered ( J^ V / JJ\ 
 fuflSciently by foreign connections to warn us 1770. 
 again ft engaging" lightly in quarrels, in which 
 we .had no immediate concern, arid to which we 
 might probably facrifice our own moft eiTential 
 interefts. 
 
 Lord Chatham followed the duke of Lord Chat.. 
 Grafton; he meant to have rifen imme- hara * 
 diately to fecond the marquis of Rocking- 
 ham's motion, but agreed that the charge 
 which the duke feerned to think affected him, 
 demanded an immediate anfwer. The conftitu- 
 tion, he faid, was violated ; and until that wound 
 was healed, and the grievance redreffed, it was 
 in vain to recommend union to parliament, 
 in vain to recommend concord among the 
 people. " If we mem ferioufly to unite 
 " the nation within itfelf, we mud convince 
 " them that tlieir complaints are regard - 
 " ed, and that their injuries fhall be redreifed. 
 " On that foundation I would take the lead in 
 u recommending peace and harmony to the 
 u people: on any oilier, 1 would never with 
 " to fee them united again. If the breach in 
 " the conftitution be effectually repaired, the 
 " people will of thcmfelves return to a ftate of 
 "tranquillity; if not, may difcord prevail for 
 " ever ! If the king's fervants will not permit a 
 " conftitutional queftion to be decided ae- 
 " cording to tiie forms, and on the \ rinciples 
 "of tlie conftitution, it muft then b 1 eided 
 " in fome other manner; and rather than it 
 tl lliould be given up, rather than the nation 
 " ihould furrender their birth-right to a del- 
 " potic minifter, I hope, old as I am, to 
 h fee the queftion brought to iflue, and fairly 
 
 vol. U f f " tried
 
 434 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, "tried between the people and the goverfl- 
 jcvil « ment." 
 1770. He diflented from the principle that nothing 
 
 lefs than an immediate attack on the honour or 
 intereft of the nation, could authorize an inter- 
 pofition in defence of weaker ftates, and in 
 flopping the enterprizes of an ambitious neigh- 
 bour. By the acquisition of Cornea, he laid, 
 France had obtained more in one pacific cam- 
 paign than in all her belligerent campaigns, at 
 leaft while he had the honour of administering 
 war againft her ; and he expreffed his fears thab 
 it was too much the temper of this nation to be 
 infenfible of danger, till it approached with ac- 
 cumulated terror. 
 
 He condemned the promife made by the lord- 
 lieutenant to maintain a certain quantity of 
 troops m Ireland ; it was incroaching on the 
 royal prerogative: and he remembered when 
 Minorca was loft for want of four batta- 
 lions, in confequence of the delicacy which 
 minilters felt in taking them from Ireland. 
 With relpeci to the arrears of the civil lift, 
 lord Chatham faid, the duke had given a Hum- 
 ber of plaufible reafons why the account was 
 not yet furniilied, but no reafon to hope it ever 
 would be laid before the houfe. 
 
 The wafte of public money was not of ft> 
 much importance as the pernicious purpofe 
 to which fome portion of it had been ap- 
 plied. The riches of Ada had poured in upon 
 us, and with them, he feared, not only Alia- 
 tic luxury, but Aliatic principles of govern- 
 ment. " Without .connections, without na- 
 " tural intereft in the foil, the importers of 
 " foreign gold have forced their way into patlLa- 
 " ment, bv fuch a torrent of private corrup- 
 
 " tiQft
 
 GEORGE III. 435 
 
 " tion as no private hereditary fortune can rcfift. chap. 
 " The truth of my allegations is within the know- xvn - 
 " ledge of the whole houfe; the corruption of the 1770. 
 "■ people is the great original caufe of the dif- 
 " contents of the people themfelves, of the en- 
 " terprize of the crown, and the notorious de- 
 " cay of tlie internal vigour of the conftitu- 
 "tion." Purfuing this fubject, his lordihip 
 offered fome fuggeftions on the propriety of 
 a reform in parliament. He cotifidered the 
 boroughs as the rotten part of the conftitu- 
 tion ; but, like the infirmities of the natural 
 body, they muft be borne with patience : 
 the limb was mortified, but amputation mio-ht 
 be death. To infufe new vigour into the con- 
 ftitution, it would be nccefiary to augment the 
 county and city reprefentatives, and extend 
 the regulation to Scotland, to prevent the jea- 
 loufy which might arife from an apparent vio- 
 lation of the act of union. 
 
 Having expatiated on this topic at much 
 
 length, he mentioned with great fatisfaction his 
 
 cordial union with the marquis of Rockingham, 
 
 and wifhed that an early day might be fixed 
 
 for conlidering the ftate of the nation. " My 
 
 ' infirmities," lie faid, "muft, indeed, fall hea- 
 
 ' y\\y upon me, if I do not then attend my 
 
 c duty. ^\'hen I confider my age and unhappy 
 
 1 irate of health, I feel how little I am perfon- 
 
 ' ally interefted in the event of any political 
 
 '' queftion : but 1 look forward to others, and 
 
 ' am determined, as far as my poor ability ex- 
 
 ' tends, to convey to thofe who come after 
 
 ' me, the bleffings which I cannot long hope to 
 
 ' enjoy." 
 
 The difculTion of the ftate of the nation was 
 fixed for the fecond of February, but before 
 
 !•' F % that
 
 43 G 
 C H A P. 
 
 xv i r. 
 
 -_8ih Jan. 
 Change of 
 mimltry. 
 
 a 2 J. 
 
 2.9th Jan. to 
 13th Feb. 
 
 19th Mar. 
 
 Debate in 
 tiie houle 
 of com- 
 mons on 
 the ft?.te of 
 the nation. 
 
 25th Jan. 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 that day the duke of Grafton refigned nil 
 iituation of firft lord of the treafury ; lord 
 North was appointed his fucceffor, and mea- 
 fures were taken to fill up the vacancies occa- 
 iioned hv other refi "'nations. 
 
 Sir John Gust's ftate of health having 
 induced him to reiign the chair of the houfe of 
 commons, Sir Fletcher Norton was called to 
 that dignity; lord Halifax was appointed lord 
 privy-leal, in lieu of the earl of Briftol, who be- 
 came groom of the ftole; Welhore Ellis was made 
 one of the vice-treafurers of Ireland, inftead 
 of James Grenville; Charles Fox was ap- 
 pointed a lord of the admiralty ; and after fome 
 time, Thurlow was made foliei tor-general, in- 
 ftead of Dunning ; who, notwithstanding his 
 refignation, held the office till a fucceffor 
 ihould be nominated. 
 
 The principal object of the late debates in 
 the houfe of lords, was to procure a decifian 
 favourable to the right of Wilkes to lit in 
 parliament as member for Middlefex. The 
 lame view influenced the oppofition in the 
 houfe of commons, where a committee on the 
 ftate of the nation was alfo formed, and a mo- 
 tion made by Mr. Dowdefwell, " That, in 
 "judging of eleelons, the houfe ought to be 
 "regulated by the 'law of the land, and the 
 " known and eftablifhed law and cuftom of 
 " parliament, which made a part thereof. ' r 
 This evident propofition was announced as a 
 prelude to a l'eries which would tend to re- 
 drefs the. mifchiefs of the Middlefex elec- 
 tion. This avowal reduced the miniftry to 
 an unpleaiant dilemma; if they agreed to 
 the motion, but rejected thofe by which it was 
 
 c Sir John Cuft died 011 the day his fucceffor was e'e&ed. 
 
 followed,
 
 GEORGE III. 437 
 
 followed, they would feem to relinquish the chap. 
 conclufions drawn from premifes which they J^^j_ 
 had conceded : if, on the other hand, they 177 °* 
 over-ruled the motion, it would appear that 
 the houfe of commons, not acknowledging 
 themfelves hound by law, and the ufage of 
 parliament, formed a court of judicature, guid- 
 ed only by caprice. Lord North dextetoufly 
 avoided the lhare, by moving as an amend- 
 ment, "And that the judgment of the houfe 
 " on the Middlefex election is conformable 
 " to law, and the ufage of parliament."' Af- 
 ter a ftrenuous debate, the amendment was 
 earried. d 
 
 The queftion propofed by Mr. Dowdefwell, 31ft Jan. 
 not having been rejected; he moved another q u en tmo- 
 refolution, founded on it : " That, by the law of tionofMr, 
 " the land, and the law and ufage of parlia- Do ™ def - 
 " ment, no perfori eligible of common right, 
 " can be incapacitated by a refolution of the 
 " houfe, but by an net of parliament only."" 
 
 In the courfe of this debate, colonel Bane 
 made an allufion to the power recently acquir- 
 ed by lord North. He compared the Male to a 
 veffel tolled in aftormy lea, whichhad juftparted 
 her main-mafl (the duke of Grafton) and now 
 fcudded under a jury-mall (lord North) ; they 
 now, he faid hung out lignals for pilots from 
 the other fide of the houfe, but none would 
 aflift them till the old men and crew had quitted 
 the ih.ip. In reply, lord Norlh acknowledged 
 the ftorms which had almoft overpowered the 
 vefTel ; but obferved they came from the other 
 fide of the houfe, and thofe alone who raifed, 
 knew how to lay them; but the fhip was not 
 yet in fuch diftrefs as to hang out lignals for 
 
 «■ 224 tO I?2. 
 
 f .» pil<
 
 43S HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP, pilots, thofe on board being very capable of 
 t J^IL 9 on du6ting her into port. He moved that the 
 
 tion. 
 
 lord Sand- 
 wich 
 
 1770. fpeaker fliould leave the chair; which was 
 carried. 
 
 MarqSisof °^ the a PP ointcc l day, the marquis of 
 Rocking- Rockingham made his motion m the corn- 
 ham's mo- mittee on the ftate of the nation, in nearly the 
 fame words as thofe ufed by Mr. Dowdef- 
 well. 
 Speech of The proportion was combated in a long and 
 able fpeech by lord Sandwich, who expreffed 
 furprize that the queftion fliould ever have been 
 entertained, as it related only to a privilege of 
 the commons. He quoted cafes of the expul- 
 fion of the earl of Middlefex, and of lord Ba- 
 con, in which inftances no alarm was created 
 by the other branches of the legiflature ; they 
 Hood filent and undifturbed, knowing their 
 interference to be improper and unneceifary. 
 Adverting to the fuppofed prevalence of alarm, 
 lord Sandwich, though he had' the higheft 
 opinion of the marquis's veracity in other 
 xefpecls, thought him miitakea in the afier- 
 tions fubftantiating thai la- : "I have been 
 "at fome pains," he faid, "to examine, ' ac- 
 " curately and impartially, into the real cir- 
 " ciimftances of the alarm; and I have found 
 " it to be nothing more than a riction, firfl 
 " fet on foot by the daring and ambitious ; 
 *' and occafionally fupported by the defperate, 
 " neceffitous, and ignorant. But let us take 
 " the fact as reprefented : we are told that the 
 " majority of the people of England have 
 " petitioned for redrefs of grievances. Now 
 " the whole people of England are contained 
 "within forty counties; of which thirteen 
 " only have petitioned. It requires no deep 
 
 " calculation^
 
 tc 
 a 
 a 
 (< 
 n 
 
 (C 
 
 a 
 c 
 tt 
 u 
 
 GEORGE III. 4G9 
 
 *' calculation, no abftract knowledge of nim> chap. 
 " hers, to tell that thirteen is not quite one- XVIL 
 third of forty, though it is roundly afiert- 1770. 
 ed, that the whole people of England have 
 " petitioned. If we will further fuppofe (which 
 we may very impartially) thai many who 
 have iigned petitions poffefs no freehold, but 
 are led either by the general prelTure of po- 
 verty, the want of an immediate meal, or 
 " the hope of better eftabliihment; if we will, 
 likewife, confider what a number have been 
 intimidated into it — I fay intimidated, my 
 * lords; for we frequently find in the Gazettes 
 " menacing letters, directed to thofe who had 
 " firmnefs of mind, and good fenfe fufficicnt to 
 " be guided by their own opinions — the num- 
 " her even in thefe thirteen counties will be fo 
 " lerTened, as not to constitute in reality a 
 " twentieth part of his ma jetty's fubjecrs. Let 
 il us then, my lords, be fuperior to thefe falfe 
 u alarms — the feeble echoes of defpondent 
 ic ambition. Let us ac~t like the real guardians 
 " of the nation ; ftcady in fujpporting the pri- 
 " vileges of the people, but not too forward 
 " to appear when no real danger preffes." He 
 concluded by obferving chat if the houfc of 
 commons were aggrieved by the intmhon of 
 colonel Luttrell, the means of red 1 els were in. 
 their own power. 
 
 Lord Chatham averred that the cafes Lord 
 citc/1 were inapplicable, as by the expulfion Chatham, 
 of lord Bacon and lord Middlefex, no franchife 
 was invaded, no freeholder deprived of his 
 right. He attempted to obviate the deduc- 
 tions drawn from lord Sandwich's calculations, 
 by obferving that many who individually felt 
 all the rigour of parliamentary proceedings, 
 were unable, for wan. 1 " of a few principals t-> 
 ..convene them, to make thejr complaints reach 
 
 ? F 1 the
 
 440 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, the royal ear. Great intereft had been made 
 •vi^iil/ ky government to fupprefs all petitions, and 
 1770. if to thofe efforts were added the influence 
 of placemen, it would be furprizms that out 
 of forty counties, thirteen had fpirit and in- 
 dependence fufficient to Item the tide of 
 venality. Lord Chatham then declaimed 
 againft the conduct of the houfe of commons; 
 denominated the vote which made colonel Lut- 
 trell reprefentative for Middiefex, a grofs inva- 
 fion of the rights of election,' a dangerous vio- 
 lation of the Enfflifli conftitution, a treacherous 
 furrender of the invaluable privilege of a free- 
 hold, and a corrupt facrifice of their own 
 honour. That houfe had Gripped the ftatute 
 book of its brighteft ornaments, to gild the 
 wings, not of prerogative, but of unprincipled 
 faction, and lawlefs domination. To gratify 
 the refentments of fome individuals, the laws 
 had been defpifed, trampled upon, and deftroy- 
 ed, thofe laws which Lad been made by the 
 Hern virtue of their anceftors, the iron barons of 
 old, to whom the nation was indebted for all 
 the bkffmgs of the conftitution; to whofe vir- 
 tue and whole blood, to whofe fpirit in the hour 
 of eonteft, and to whofe tenderness in the 
 triumph of victory, the filken barons of this 
 day owed their honours and their feats, and 
 both houfes of parliament their continuance. 
 Thefe meafures made a part of that unhappy 
 fyflem, which had been formed in the prelent 
 reign, with a view to new-model the conftitu- 
 tion, as well as the government. They origin- 
 ated, he would not fay, with his majefty 's know- 
 ledge, but in his iriaiefty's councils. The com- 
 mons had flaviihly obeyed the commands of his 
 majefty's fervants, and thereby proved, to the 
 conviction of every man, what before might have 
 
 beeii
 
 GEORGE TIT. 441 
 
 been only matter of fufpicioii, that minifters chap, 
 held a corrupt influence in parliament; it was j^JJv 
 demonftrable, it was indifputablc. It was there- 1770. 
 fore particularly neceifary for the lords, at this 
 critical and alarming period, fo full of jealoufy 
 and apprehenfion, to ftep forward, and oppoie 
 themfelves, on the one hand, to the juftly-in- 
 cenfed, and perhaps fpeedily intemperate rage 
 of the people; and on the other to the criminal 
 and malignant conduct of his majefty's mini- 
 fters ; that they might prevent licentioufncfs on 
 the one fide, and depredation on the other. 
 Their lordihips were the conftitutional barrier 
 between the extremes of liberty and prero- 
 gative. 
 
 At midnight, a motion for the fpeaker to re- Inquiry 
 fume the chair, in order to put an end to the teiminated - 
 difcufiion in the committee, was carried by a 
 majority of more than two to one. e 
 
 Notwithstanding the latenefs of the Motion of 
 hour, the earl of Marchmont moved " That any *f ea , rl of 
 reiblution of the lords, directly or indirectly mont . " 
 impeaching a judgment of the houfe of com- 
 mons, in a matter where their jurifdiction is com- 
 petent, final, and conclufive, Mould be a vio- 
 lation of the conftitutional right of the com- 
 mons, tending to make a breach between the 
 two houfes of parliament, and leading to ge- 
 neral confufion." 
 
 Tins motion was fupported by lord Manf- obferv*. 
 field, in afpeeeh of coniiderable length; and by tions of 
 lord Kgmont, who declared the people had Mansfield 
 no right to prefent fuch petitions as had been andEg* 
 lately laid before the king, for they were trea- munt - 
 jfonable. 
 
 Lord Chatham, after ironically thanking Lord 
 
 Chatham. 
 
 « 96 to 47. 
 
 the
 
 442 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, the noble lord for permitting the petitioners to 
 \2?Jlj retain their heads a day longer, afierted that 
 J770. the petitions were laudable and conftitu- 
 tional, and the right to prefent them un- 
 doubted. The houfe of lords had a jurifdicrion, 
 and ought to interfere in cafe of an in- 
 vafion of the people's liberties, or an uncon- 
 ftitutional determination of the houfe of com-, 
 mons; the cafe of the county of Middleiex 
 fell under both thofe denominations. He con- 
 jured their lordihips, by the noble ftruggies of 
 their anceftors in behalf of liberty, not to be- 
 hold with indifference a tranfaclion fp alarm- 
 ing. In conclufioii, he complained ftrongly of 
 the motion being fudden, and made at mid- 
 night, and preii'ed an adjournment for only 
 two days. " If the conftitution," he faid, 
 " mull be wounded, let it not receive its mortal 
 " ftab at this dark and midnight hour/' 
 Alterca- J N the courfe of the debate a perfonal alteiv 
 jp^aingthe ca tion arofe between lord Sandwich and lord 
 officiaicon- Camden, which throws coniiderable light on 
 twdln. ld the conduct of the ex-chancellor, while in 
 office. Lord Sandwich accufed him of dupli- 
 city, in permitting the proceedings againft 
 Wilkes to take place without remonltrance, and 
 of having refufed to give an opinion refpecfing 
 them. Lord Camden afierted, upon his honour, 
 that long before Wilkes's expulfion, and alfo 
 before the vote of incapacity, he informed the 
 duke of Grafton that he thought it both ille- 
 gal and imprudent; he had always enter- 
 tained, and frequently delivered that opinion. 
 The duke of Grafton admitted lord Cam- 
 den had, once before the expulfion of Wilkes, 
 intimated, but not in exprefs terms, that he 
 thought the meafure impolitic, or ill-timed ; 
 but that he had never given his opinion on the 
 M vote
 
 '77°. 
 
 GEORGE III. 443 
 
 vote of incapacity : on the contrary, whenever ch a p. 
 that iuhject was agitated in the cabinet, he re- 
 mained filent or retired; thus ret'uiing or de- 
 clining to deliver his fentiments. This affertion 
 -was corroborated by lord Weymouth; who ad- 
 verted Psly to one particular occafion, when 
 lord Camden had withdrawn his advice and 
 afiiftance from the conned on the mere men- 
 tion of expulfion and incapacity- The law- 
 lord, although contradicted by the firft wit- 
 nefs he referred to, perfevered in atferting that 
 lie had repeatedly given his opinions on the 
 inexpediency of the meafures, but finding them 
 rejected and defpifed, abfentcd himfelf from 
 the cabinet, where his prefence would only 
 •diftraet meafures already refolved on, and which 
 his fmgle voice could not prevent/ 
 
 Lord Chatham alio averred, that in con- Heisde- 
 verfation with him, lord Camden had declared fendedb^ 
 his opinion on thole fubjeets, and fupported it h ° : J in# 1J,t " 
 by cogent reafons. The houfe, tired of this 
 futile converfation, at two o'clock' called for 
 the queftion ; which was carried in the affirm- 
 ative. Protefts were entered againft both the 
 decifions, the firft iigned by forty-two, the laft 
 by forty peers. 5 
 
 f This difcuflion gave birth to n fimilar one in the houfe of com- 
 mons, in which it was infilled that the expulfion of Wilkes had been 
 debated and determined in the council ; and that the menfure was 
 therefore a mandate to the lower houfe which was implicitly obeyed* 
 Debates, February 5th. 
 
 £ Thefe protefts were printed in a newfpaper. Lord Gower, 
 on the 7th of February, complained of a breach of privilege, and the 
 printer was ordered to attend the houfe, but abfeonded. Loid 
 Sandwich thereupon moved (10th February) for an order to take him 
 into cuftody of the ufher of the black rod. The motion was 
 carried, although oppofed by the duke of Richmond an 1 lord 
 Temple. The printer either fled or kept himfelf concealed. — Debrett'i 
 Debates, vol. v. p. 171. 
 
 The
 
 444 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 C H A P. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 Bill re- 
 specting 
 cxpuliion. 
 5 th Feb. 
 to 1 ft May. 
 
 With- 
 drawn. 
 
 Turbu- 
 lence of the 
 
 eity. 
 
 The efforts of oppofition on the popular to- 
 pic Of Wilkes's expulfion did not yet terminate. 
 A motion was made for leave to brine' in a bill 
 to regulate the confluences of exptilfion from 
 the houfe ; it was read a firft time, and after- 
 wards frequently difcufied in a committee ; but 
 at length Mr. Herbert, the member with whom 
 
 further no- 
 
 5 ft March. 
 Proceed- 
 ings of the 
 connncn- 
 &uncil. 
 
 6th. 
 
 In the com- 
 mon -hall. 
 
 it from 
 
 it originated, withdrew 
 tice. 
 
 The members in oppofition were encouraged 
 and fupported in their exertions by a corre- 
 fponding turbulence which was generally pre- 
 valent in the city of London, particularly 
 among the lower clafs. A ftatement of their 
 proceedings becomes neceffary for the perfect 
 underhanding of the fubfequent tranfactions 
 in parliament. A memorial figned by fix livery - 
 ' men was laid before the common-council, 
 complaining that the petition prefented to the 
 king the preceding year, had not been an- 
 fwered, and requesting the convention of a 
 common -hall, for the purpofe of taking pro- 
 per meafures for the re-eitabli£hment and fe- 
 curity of their ancient rights and franchifes. 
 This memorial occahoned great debates in the 
 common-council : it w r as fupported by the 
 lord-mayor and the iheriffs, and oppofed by 
 all the reft of the aldermen ; but fuch was the 
 prevalence of the fentiments by which it was 
 dictated, among the lower order of members, 
 that the motion for calling a common-hall, 
 to addrefs a remonftrance to his majefty, Avas 
 carried by a confiderable majority. 11 
 
 The common-hall was attended by nearly 
 three thoufand of the livery. The lord -mayor 
 
 * 3 aldermen and 109 commoners, againft 15 aJdermen and 61 
 oomnfdnefs. 
 
 fpokq
 
 to 
 
 GEORGE III. 445 
 
 fyoke in the popular ft vie, of the violated Free- chap. 
 dam of election; of little, paltry, rotten bo- ^"^ 
 roughs ; of the number of placemen and ^cn- 1770. 
 fioners; and of the more equal reprefentation 
 of the people. A prepared remouftrance was Rcmon 
 then produced, analogous in its contents to thtking 
 the lord mayor's fpeech, and proffered for 
 fig-natures. It ftatedthat, under a fecret malign 
 influence, which through each fucceffive ad- 
 miniftration had defeated every good and 
 fuggefted every bad intention, the majority 
 of the houfe of commons had deprived the 
 people of their deareft rights. " They have 
 " done a deed/' it proceeded, " more ruinous 
 " in its confequences, than the levying of ihip- 
 " money by Charles the Firft, or the clifpenfing 
 " power affumed by James the Second. A deed 
 " which muff vitiate all the future proceedings 
 " of this parliament, for the acts of the legifla- 
 ." ture itfelf can be no more valid without a 
 " legal houfe of commons, than without a legal 
 " prince on the throne. Reprefentatives of the 
 iC people are effential to the making of laws; 
 " and there is a time when it is morally demon- 
 " Arable, that men eeafe to be reprefentatives. 
 " That time is now arrived. The houfe of cora- 
 " mons do not reprefent the people. We owe 
 " to your majefty an obedience, under the 
 " reftric'iion of the laws for the calling and 
 " duration of parliaments ; and your majefty 
 " owes to us, that our reprefentation, free from 
 " the force of arms or corruption, ihould be 
 " preferred to us in them. Had the parlia- 
 " ment under James II," the remonftrance ob- 
 ferved, " been as fubmiffivc to his commands, 
 " as it is at this day to the dictates of a minif- 
 " ter, inftead of clamours for its meeting, the 
 "nation would have rung as now with out- 
 
 " cries
 
 446 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, "cries for its rlivTolution. The forms of the 
 •,JL v i!', " conftitution, like thofe of religion, were not 
 »7;°. " eftablilhed for the form's fake, but for the 
 " fubitance. And we call God and man to 
 " witnefs, that as we do not owe our liberty to 
 " thofe nice and fubtle diftinctions, which 
 " places and penfions, and lucrative employ - 
 " ments have invented ; fo neither will we be 
 " cheated of it by them : but as it was gained 
 " by the ftern virtue of our anceftors, by the 
 " virtue of their defcendants it mail be pre- 
 " ferved." After other obfervations of the 
 fame kind, they concluded by praying for a 
 diliblution of parliament, and the removal of 
 the king's evil minifters for ever from his 
 councils. 
 Delivered Th i s arrogant paper was received by the li- 
 Im'th km ^ vei T w * tn tranfports and ihouts of applaufe, and 
 throne. ordered to be delivered to the king on the throne. 
 As it was intitled an Addrefs, Remonftrance, 
 and Petition, fome difficulties arofe at St. 
 James's refpeeling the mode in which it mould 
 >4tb Mar. De p re fented ; but at length the king granted 
 the required audience. 1 he lord-mayor, and a 
 train of common-council men, livery-men, and 
 city officers, amounting to upwards of two hun- 
 dred, were introduced : the common ferjeant 
 began to read the addrefs, but abamed and terri- 
 fied in his progrefs by a due confederation of the 
 infolence of its contents, was unable to proceed ; 
 the common clerk laboured under no fuch dif- 
 ficulties, he took the paper and read it to an 
 end. The king's anfwer was difcreet, and 
 Bis an- fpirited ; he faid, " 1 lliall always be ready to 
 fwer. a rece j V e the requefts, and to lifteii to the com- 
 " plaints of my fubjecls ; but it gives me great 
 " concern to find that any of them fhould have 
 " been fo far milled as to offer me an addrefs 
 
 " and
 
 GEORGE III. 447 
 
 "and remonftrance, the contents of which I chap. 
 ** cannot but consider as difrefpeelful to me, xvii. 
 injurious to my parliament, and irreconcile- 1770. 
 *' able to the principles of the conftitution. 
 " I have ever made the law* of the land the 
 " rule of my conduct, efteeming it my chief 
 " glory to reign over a free people: with this 
 " view I have always been careful, as well to 
 *' execute faithfully the truft repofed in me, as 
 "• to avoid even the appearance of invading 
 " any of thofe powers which the conftitution 
 " has placed in other hands. It is only by 
 " perfevcring in fuch a conduct., that I can 
 " either difcharge my own duty, or fecure to 
 " myfubjeets the free enjoyment of thofe rights 
 " which my family were called to defend ; and 
 " while I act upon thefe principles, I have a 
 " right to expect, and am confident I mall 
 *' continue to receive, the fteadv and affection- 
 " ate fupport of my people." 
 
 The proceedings of the city did not pafs Proceed- 
 without due animadverfion in parliament. The | n g sin P ar -' 
 day after the presentation of the remonitrance, 15th, 
 a motion was made in the houfe of commons 
 for an addrefs to the king, requeuing a copy 
 of that paper, and the anfwer. The lord-mayor, 
 the meriffs Townfhend and Sawbridge, and al- 
 derman Treco thick, who were all members of 
 parliament, avowed the fliare they had taken in 
 the tranfaction, and declared themfelves ready 
 to abide the confequences. The addrefs was 
 principally refifted on the ground of inexpe- 
 diency, and the arguments on this head were 
 ably and ingeuioufly urged by the marquis of 
 Gran by, Burke, Wedderburne, and George 
 Grenville. They were anfwered by general 
 Conway, who averred that the dignity of par- 
 liament required interference at all events : the 
 
 right
 
 448 
 
 CHAP. 
 XVII. 
 
 1770. 
 
 59th Mar. 
 Thehoufe 
 of com- 
 mons ex- 
 prefs dif- 
 approba- 
 tion of the 
 remon- 
 ftrancej 
 
 and joint- 
 ly with the 
 lords ad- 
 drei's the 
 ting. 
 
 Remon- 
 itrance of 
 Weftmin- 
 ttbr. 
 28th. 
 
 And Mid- 
 
 diefex. 
 
 V A\. 
 
 i2thApril. 
 Wilkes 
 difcharged. 
 18th. 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 right of the people to petition was undoubted) 
 yet iffuch petition contained treafon, or other 
 high offence, it certainly was punilhable ; and 
 if not punilhable in the common courts, yet in 
 parliament it certainly was. The motion be- 
 ing carried, 1 the papers were laid before the 
 houfe, and Sir Thomas Clavering moved, that 
 to deny the legality of the prefent parliament, 
 or to aifert their a els to be invalid, was unwar- 
 rantable, tending to deftroy the allegiance of 
 the fubject, by withdrawing him from obedi- 
 ence to the laws. A Ions; and animated debate 
 enfued, and at three o'clock in the morning the 
 houfe, on a divifron, decided in the affirma- 
 tive. 14 An addrefs was afterwards carried, 
 agreed to by the lords on a conference, and 
 prefented to the king, who returned a moll 
 gracious anfwer. 
 
 These proceedings were far from diminilh- 
 ing the ardour for perfecuting the fovereign 
 with petitions. The inhabitants of Weftmin* 
 fter prefented, under the fame title, an addrefs 
 fimilar to that of the city of London ; and their 
 example was followed by the county of Mid- 
 dlefex, on the recommendation of the reverend 
 John Home, who had already diftinguiihed 
 himfelf 011 the popular fide in the queftions re- 
 lative to Wilkes"s election, and on other occa- 
 fions. 
 
 The term of Wilkes's confinement was 
 now expired, and his lines being paid out of 
 the public fubfeription, he was difcharged, on 
 giving the required fecurit} 7 . He publiihed an 
 addrefs to the freeholders of Middlefex, accuf- 
 ing the minifters of perfecution and injuftice ; 
 and declaring his readinefs to die in the caufe 
 of liberty. 
 
 * *7I to 108, 
 
 k 384 to 127. 
 
 0>:
 
 GF.OR G E III. 449 
 
 On" the day that terminated the exiftence of chap 
 Mr. Herbert's bill, lord Chatham brought in xvii.. 
 
 one for n veiling the adjudication or the houfe 1770. 
 of commons in the cafe of John Wilkes. The jf^ch * 
 motion for a fecond reading was ftrongly fiijj- ham's bill 
 ported by lord Temple, lord Lyttelton, and f<r **«**' 
 the duke ol Richmond. Lord Chatham ftated judication" 
 the fact, of eleven hundred and fortv-three ofthecom- 
 freeholders having voted for Wilkes, and only ™»*£ 
 two hundred and ninety-fix for Luttrell; de- Wilkes, 
 rided the new kind of ftate arithmetic, which 
 made the fmaller exceed the greater number, 
 and laid, it was living in the face of all law 
 and freedom, robbing the freeholders of their 
 liberty, and making a mere farce of the birth- 
 rights of Engliihmen. " I am afraid," he con- 
 cluded, " this meafure has originated too near 
 " the palace: 1 am forry ; but i hope his ma- 
 " jelly will foon open his eyes, and fee it in all 
 u its deformity." 
 
 Lord Pomfret called to order ; but lord 
 Chatham refufed to retracl: he efteemed the 
 king in his perfonal, and revered him in his 
 political capacity ; but hoped he would redrefs 
 the exifting grievances, by diifolving the houfe 
 of commons. 
 
 Loud Mansfield cited many cafes where °w°ff 
 pcrfons had been expelled the lower houfe, with- Ma^fij* 
 out any attempt to interfere by the lords. Me 
 decried the argument drawn from the numbers 
 on the poll, as a grofs miftake. Mr. Wilkes, he 
 faid, was conlideied as nobody in the eye of the 
 law, and confequently Luttrell had no oppo- 
 nent. In all contefted elections, the party 
 complaining of illegal proceedings does not 
 apply for redrefs to the electors, or to the peo- 
 ple at large, but to the houfe of commons, who 
 
 vol. 1. © <* ar ?
 
 450 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 1770. 
 
 Supported 
 by lord 
 Camden. 
 
 ch^.p. are the only indues, and from whofe deter- 
 II - mination there is no appeal. The freeholder is 
 merely to determine on his object, by giving 
 his vote ; the ultimate power lies with the 
 houfe of commons, which judges of his being 
 a legal objecf of reprefentation in the feveral 
 branches of his qualifications. The people 
 were already fufficiently violent, but if the 
 fuperior branch of tbe legiflature ihould join 
 them, the- public encouragement of their pro- 
 ceedings would occafion fuch a fcene of anar- 
 chy and confufion, that he almoft trembled at 
 the thought. 
 
 Lord Camden declared he had referved 
 himfelf till that period, but would reply to 
 lord Mansfield, whofe opinions were pregnant 
 with unconftitutional doctrines. He combated 
 the arguments drawn from Wilkes's incapa- 
 city, and averred that the houfe had refufed 
 to receive him as a member, merely becaufe 
 they would act in an arbitrary dictatorial 
 manner, in fpite of law or precedent, againft 
 reafon or jultice : a fecret influence had faid 
 the word, " Mr. Wilkes ihall not lit ;.;" and the 
 fiat was to be obeyed, though it tore up the 
 heart-firings of the confutation . Compli- 
 mented lord Mansfield on his expertnefs in 
 referring to cafes ; he faid, the queftion fliould 
 be taken upon a more broad and general bot~ 
 torn, not as candidate againft candidate, not 
 as Mr. Wilkes oppoled to colonel Luttrell ; but 
 as the electors at large ao-ainft tbe alfumed 
 power of the houfe of commons. In the cafe 
 of fiiip-money, the people jufily joined in the 
 
 cry, 
 
 and it ccafed to be a cafe between Mr. 
 
 Hampden and the king, but the people of Eng- 
 land againft venal and pppreffive minifters. 
 
 Repeating
 
 GEORGE III. 451 
 
 Repeating the words of lord Chatham, he pro- chap. 
 ceeded, " I will join my feeble efforts to the xvii. 
 " voice of the people; and the louder I hear 1770. 
 " them cry, the move I {hall be pleafed." The 
 judgment on the Middlefex election had in- 
 flicted a more dangerous wound on the con- 
 ftitution, than any which were given during 
 the twelve years abfence of parliament, in the 
 reign of Charles I; mould this bill be re- 
 jected, he trufted in the good fenfe and fpirit 
 of the people, to renew their claims to a true 
 and free repicfentation in parliament, as an 
 inherent and inalienable right ; and if, feflion 
 after feilion, the fame fatal influence iliould 
 continue, Englishmen would not forget this 
 bill at the next general election ; but make 
 inch a compact with the elected, as to pro- 
 cure an equal reprefentation, and a full re- 
 drefs of the many difficulties under which they 
 laboured. 
 
 On the rejection of the bill, 1 a fhort proteft Rejefted. 
 was figned by thirty-three peers: and lord p ro teii. 
 Chatham required that the houfe might be fum- 
 moned for the fourth, on amotion of great im- 
 portance relative to the king. 
 
 Tins requeft being complied with, lord f hl ^y- 
 
 ,„ , l , ,. ■ ■ l .1 r Lord Out- 
 
 Chatham moved a refolution, on the anlwer hllll - sm() . 
 to the remonhrance of the city of London; tiononthe 
 affirming, that the advice by which the king j^f''^ 
 had aricd was of a moft dangerous tendency, remon- 
 inafmuch as the cleareft rights of the f bjecl; Ibaiice « 
 had been indifcriminately checked with re- 
 primand ; and the aMSted citizens had heard 
 from the throne itieif, that the contents of 
 their humble addrefs, remonftrance, and peti- 
 
 1 89 againft 43. 
 
 G g '1 tion,
 
 « 
 
 45t HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, tion, cftuld not but be conficlered by his ma- 
 v^Cli j eu y as difrefpeetful to himfelf, injurious t<* 
 *7?o- his parliament, and irreconcileable to the prin- 
 ciples of the conftitution. 
 
 This anfwer, lord Chatham faid, was fo 
 harfli, that to equal it baffled his reading in 
 the hiftory of the country. The king's judg- 
 ment or difpofition would not have per- 
 mitted fuch an anfwer ; and poor as his opinion 
 of the adminiilration was, he could not fup- 
 poie.it to be a joint advice; if many were 
 confulted fome one of them muft have iecn 
 the abfurdity. " For whoever the}' were, " (I 
 care not of what confequence) they were 
 either fools or knaves; if the latter, they 
 * deferved the contempt of an injured people ; 
 " if the former, they ought to have been lent 
 " to fchool before they were fuffered to take 
 *" the lead in public office." In the eourfe of 
 his fpeech, lord Chatham offered unbounded 
 adulation to the city, and averred, that colo- 
 nel Luttrell was no reprefentative of the people, 
 but a nominee, thruft in by foes to the laws 
 of the land, and the eftablifhed principles of 
 the conftitution. 
 Oppofed Lord Pom fret, in a iliort anfwer, obferv- 
 
 Pomfm. e ^> tna *" tne ^ ou ^ e ^ ac ^ °f ^ ate been almoft in- 
 iirely occupied by a popular nobleman on a 
 popular topic, to the great hindrance of other 
 bufinefs ; but tlie lords could not be expect- 
 ed, in fo ihort a fpace as fix weeks, to change 
 their opinions fo intirely, as to condemn a 
 meafure th.ey had then approved, and on which 
 they had, in an acklrefs to the king, applauded 
 the propriety of his anfwer. 
 
 It was the principal aim of the motion to 
 txtr&ct from the miniftrv fome defence or ex- 
 
 planatianp
 
 GEORGE III, 45$ 
 
 planation, which might afford means of In- chap. 
 flaming the difcontents of the city: but in . xvlL 
 defiance of much abufe and perfonality, they 1779. 
 
 maintained a prudent filence, and the motion 
 was loft. 
 
 Lord Chatham, not deterred by the ill 14th 
 fuccefs of this effort, moved for an addrefs **" "*** 
 to diiiblve the parliament. The honfe, ap» diffoiution 
 prized of the object of thefe motions, deiiroy- ° f i^ia- 
 cd the intended effect, by prohibiting the ! 
 admilhon of any perfons but members of the 
 houfe of commons, • and ions of peers. The 
 debates are not recorded, but the queftion was 
 negatived. 
 
 Several attempts were made in this feffion Mr. Dow- 
 to alter the laws refpecling parliament, and the dd ** fl * t 
 
 1 i'i 1 1 /> ,r . ■> i c- n • motion to 
 
 members 01 both houles. Mr. Dowdeiwell, m a difquaiify 
 committee on the ftate of the nation, moved revenue 
 to bring in a bill, difqualifying certain olii- ^u^b. 
 cers of the excife and cuftoms from voting 
 at elections. The motion was chiefly fup- 
 ported by ftatements of the inereafed num- 
 ber of revenue officers, and the danger ac- 
 cruing to liberty from their votes and influ- 
 ence On the other fide it was obferved, that 
 the principal officers were already disqualified 
 from fitting, and all peribns in the excife, 
 cuftoms, or pQit-omce, under fevere penalties, 
 injoined from intermeddling, hy peri'uafion or 
 diifuafion, in the election of representatives. 
 The propofed bill was therefore unncccvTarv, 
 and it would be an act of cruelty to deprive lb 
 many people of their franchise. The motion 
 was loft. 
 
 Ax act ^as palled for altering the law relating Lnw for 
 
 annulling 
 "> 263 to i88« 
 $ G jp tO
 
 454 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP. 
 XVII. 
 
 1770. 
 the protec- 
 tions 
 
 granted by 
 peers to 
 their fer- 
 van:s. 
 
 Excellent 
 ipeech of 
 lord Manl- 
 field. 
 
 to privilege, fo far as it extended to the effects 
 and doineftics of members of either houfe. Bills 
 of this nature had been frequently b sought 
 into parliament, but were always confidered 
 as mere attempts to engage, by an at e< ed felf- 
 denial, a temporary popularity, and therefore 
 rej( CUd. When the prefent 1 >i 1 1 had palled the 
 commons, and was brought into the houfe of 
 peers, it was warmly oppokxl by lords Sandwich 
 and Marehmont ; but defended with great 
 vigour by lord Mansfield, who made a molt able 
 Ipeech. He demonftrated from the beft princi- 
 ples, that the privilege was not fo valuable as 
 was fuppofed, and from his experience in the 
 court where he prefided, deprecated the rejec- 
 tion of a meafure calculated to relieve the prac- 
 tice of the law from many impediments and 
 embarraifments. Being: accufed of patronizing: 
 the bill for the fake of obtaining popularity, 
 he made this animated anfwer: " If the noble 
 ' lord means by popularity the applaufe be- 
 ' flowed by after-ages on good and virtue us 
 'actions, I have long been ftruggling in that 
 'race; to what purpofe all- trying time can 
 'alone determine: but if he means that 
 ' mufhroom popularity which is railed with- 
 ' out merit, and loft without a crime, he 
 ' is much miftaken. I defy the noble lord 
 ' to point .out a {ingle aC'ion in my life, 
 ' where the popularity of the times ever had 
 ' the fmalleft in faience on my determina- 
 ' tions. I thank God, 1 have a more perma- 
 nent and fteadv rule for mv conduet — the 
 ' dictates of my own breaft. Thole who have 
 ' foregone that plea-fin g advifer, and given up 
 ' their minds to the flavery of every popular 
 ' impulie, I fmcercly pity : I pity them ftill 
 
 " more.
 
 G E O R C E HI. 4l>:> 
 
 <: more, if vanity leads them to miftakc the chap. 
 
 ** ihouts of a mob for the trumpet of fame, ^^j 
 
 " Experience might inform them that many »??<»• 
 
 " who have been fainted with the huzzas of a 
 
 " crowd one day, have received their execra- 
 
 et tions the next: and many, who by the popu- 
 
 " larity of their times have been held up as 
 
 " fpotlefs patriots, have, nevertheless, appeared 
 
 " on the hiftorian!s page, when truth has tri- 
 
 " umphed over deluiion, theaffaffins of libcity. 
 
 " Why then can the noble lord think I am am- 
 
 " bitious of prefent popularity, that echo of 
 
 "folly, and ihadow of renown?" The bill 
 
 paused. 
 
 Anotpieu meafure of ftill o-reater import- Mr. Grer.- 
 ance and utility, was George Grenville's bill J-'/j'.Jj. 
 for regulating the proceedings of the houfe of ing peti- 
 eommons, on controverted elections. Since tI0ns °* 
 the famous Ayleibury cafe, in 1704, the houfe edele 
 of commons was confulered as lble judge of llons * 
 the qualifications of electors, and all other 
 matters relating to the return of members." 
 However well founded the claim, the practice 
 was attended with many inconveniences. At 
 firft the contested cafes had been tried in a feleet 
 committee, conhfting of ionic of the molt learn- 
 ed members ; but afterwards the practice pre- 
 vailed of hearing the petitioners by- counfel at 
 the bar. Petitions were frequently fo nume- 
 rous, as materially to impede public bufmefs ; 
 and fubftantial juftiee was feldom obtained. 
 As the judges were not bound by an oath, or 
 11 Miomife upon honour, to refill the impulfe 
 of partiality, their fuffrages were often Dialled 
 by party, or perianal confiderations. To re- 
 
 E Coxe's MemptfS of Sir Robert Walpote, vol. i. chap. 4. p. 20. 
 
 .lit. 
 
 p .. medy 
 
 lec-
 
 456 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, medy thefe evils, Mr. Grenville's bill provided 
 ^^J^ that every eafe of contefted election mould be 
 1770. referred to a committee of thirteen members, 
 chofen by the fitting member and the peti- 
 tioner, from a lift of forty-nine, the refult of a 
 ballot. Each party was empowered to nomi- 
 nate one perfon befkles thofe thirteen, to fit in 
 the committee ; which was authorifed to fend 
 for perfons, papers, and records, and bound 
 by oath to decide impartially. Such is the 
 outline of this celebrated and excellent law. 
 
 aid Mar. The different claufcs met with confidcrable 
 oppofition in the committee, and many were 
 
 30th. new modelled. On the third reading, a (ire* 
 nuous debate took place ; the rejection of the 
 bill was moved by Weibore Ellis, and feconded 
 by Fox ; the effort failed, although fupported 
 by lord North and feveral ministerial mem- 
 bers; it was oppofed by Dunning, Burke, Wed* 
 
 5th April, derburne, and Sir William Baggott. In the 
 
 ho ufe of lords the bill paifed without much 
 
 aninaadverfion, attended only with a pane- 
 
 gvric from lord Chatham. 
 c ... 
 
 Inquiry Ax inquiry into the ftate and expenditure 
 
 *?*?,£? of the civil lift was one of the popular topics 
 
 civil hit. - ' ' 1 
 
 aSthFeb. urged in both homes. Mr. Grenville moved 
 for an account of the civil lift expences for 
 one year, ending the fifth of January. The 
 late kin^ - , it was faid, left a faving of one 
 hundred and feventy thoufand pounds, which 
 came to the hands of his prefent majeffy; be- 
 fides which, and his own revenue, he had re- 
 ceived from parliament an aid of five hun- 
 dred and thirteen thoufand pounds; the civil 
 lift expences had greatly increafed in 1768, and 
 it was inferred that the money was employed 
 
 during
 
 GEORGE III. 457 
 
 d urine: the general ele6tion to the injury of chap. 
 the people. \J^^ 
 
 The motion was refifted on grounds of de- 1770. 
 cency. convenience, and expediency; and re- 
 jected. 
 
 Mr. Dowdeswell afterwards moved for i* th Mar. 
 certain accounts, relative to the king's debts 
 in 1762, 1763, 1765, and 1766, and the amount 
 of money in the exchequer at the late king's 
 eleceafe. The motion was oppofed by lord 
 North ; but Mr. Dowdefwell having, in the 
 courfe of his fpeech, reflected on lord Bute, 
 lord Mountftuart fuccefsfully requefted that 
 the accounts might be granted, to clear his 
 father's character. 
 
 In a committee on the ftate of the nation, * J April. 
 Mr. Dowdefwell required an addrefs, reciting 
 the excels of expenditure, and requefting the 
 king to retrench his expences, and enforce on 
 his Servants the practice of economy, which 
 would tend moft to the honour and dignity of 
 the crown, the fatislaetion of his own royal 
 mind, and the content of his people. Lord 
 North, after mewing the impropriety, want of 
 refpect, and indecency of the addrefs, moved 
 that the chairman mould leave the chair, and 
 the committee, (which had exifted eight months 
 without producing any good confequenee,) 
 ihould be diffolved. This motion Mas car- 
 ried. 1 ' 
 
 The next day, Mr. Dowdefwell inefrec- $<». 
 tually repeated liis motion in the houfe. Sir 
 Edward Aftley alfo moved for a lift of pen- 5^ 
 lions, which o'ccafioned a debate, but was re- 
 je&ed.' 
 
 • z6z to 165. p *o8 to 75» 
 
 1 164. to 108. 
 
 Similar
 
 458 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. Simitar attempts veie made in the upper 
 J^}Jj houfe : lord Chatham, in moving for an inquiry 
 1770- into the ftate and expenditure of the civil lift, 
 ln'theup- to °k * ne opportunity of vindiei ; himfelf 
 per houfe, againft the charge frequently made, of grant- 
 ing numerous penfions. He produced a lift, 
 and after fpeaking of feveral of the parlies in 
 terms of appropriate praife, men; ; lord 
 
 Camden, as one whofe integrity had made him 
 once more a poor and private man, be Mas 
 difmiffed for his vote in favour of the right of 
 election in the people. Thefe intemperate 
 Words were taken down, but no coniequences 
 enured. The motion was negatived. 
 Petition The affairs of America formed the moftim- 
 
 Arnencan poicant ohjcCi of parliamentary attention, and 
 merchants, were debated with the ufual zeal and vio- 
 lence. A petition was prefentcd from the mer- 
 chants of London trading to America, defcrib- 
 ing the importance and advantages of the 
 former traffic, and its total fupprefiion by com- 
 binations in coniequenee of the. lale tax-laws, 
 5th Mar. and praviug relief. Lord North having; con- 
 SK 1 troverted feveral ftatements in the petition; 
 ccpt tea. moved for leave to bring in a bill, repealing* 
 all the duties except thofe on tea. Cover- 
 nor Pownall, not fatisfied with this partial re^ 
 peal, propofed, as an amendment, that it ihoukl 
 extend to all the duties, and fupported his mo- 
 tion by a long fpeech, replete with confidcr- 
 ations of political expediency, and abitrac~t 
 right. 
 
 The debate was conducted in an extraor- 
 dinary manner ; as feveral opinions were avow- 
 ed, which did not accord either with the ori? 
 ginal motion, or the amendment. Mr. Gren- 
 vilie laid, lie had acted fyftematically in im- 
 poling the ftamp duties, which he had reafon to 
 
 think
 
 GEORGE III. 4 of) 
 
 think could and would be paid. The fucceed- c n ap. 
 ing miniftrv had alio purfued a fyftem which * vn - 
 then perhaps was the next belt, that of repeal- 177°' 
 ing the lav,-; replacing America in its pri'ftme 
 condition ; and at the fame time preferving 
 the power of the Eiiglifh parliament, by a law 
 declaring the right of taxation. The next mi- 
 nifterslaid atax diametrically repugriarittio com- 
 mercial principles, bringing in no money to 
 theftate ("the clear annual amount being under 
 lixteen thoufand pounds) and throwing- North 
 America into a tenfold flame. Although he 
 was of opinion the Americans mould be eafed; 
 yel as the mini ftry had formed no fyfterhatical 
 plan, he conlidered the intended partial repeal 
 as futile, and the amendment inadequate. He 
 did not think the firft propofal would be of 
 any real fervice, nor would he alhft in forcing 
 : mini ftry to adopt a meafure which he 
 thought very little better, and therefore ihould 
 hot vote. 
 
 (i e v 1 :: a I Coxway, Sir William Meredith, 
 and colonel Bane fupported the amendment; 
 while lord Barrington and Welbore Ellis op- 
 poled both th 1 and the amendment ; 
 
 they faw no probability that repealing the 
 tax would quiet America, and therefore were 
 defirous of putting the act in execution abfo- 
 iutely, and with the united powers of the na- 
 tion. The amendment was re 1/ and the 
 acl ultimately parted according to the minifter's 
 prft propofal. Anin A ion was after- 9 th a 
 
 yrards made, to repeal the duty on tea. 
 
 Alderman Trecothick, who failed in a 6th. 
 
 this attempt, fucceeded in obtaining papers re- Motionfor 
 
 1 4 • \ • it ■ 1 -n l ia l" 
 
 lative to American affairs. Uovernor row- l ' 
 
 r 204 to 142. 
 
 mill
 
 460 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, nail founded on them a motion for an ajdrefs, 
 JTil; praying for the examination of the feveral pow- 
 ^77°. ers and authorities contained in the eommif- 
 9 th May. " ons granted, and in the orders and inftruc- 
 Forex- tions iifued, to the provincial governors and 
 ofTir commanders in chief; to the end, that Rich 
 ftruftions commiilions, inftructions, and orders, might be 
 to gover- explained, corrected, am! amended, where they 
 clathed or interfered with each other, or con- 
 tained powers and authorities not warranted 
 by law, and the conititution. The governor 
 fuppprted his motion by a fpecch of great 
 length, in which he panegyrized the loyalty 
 and good difpofitions of the colonifts, and fe- 
 verely blamed the conduct of Sir Francis Ber- 
 nard. He was fecon ded bv the lord-mayor, 
 and a ft renuous debate enfued, which continued 
 two days, and in which fome recent tranfactions 
 in America were vehemently difcuiied; but the 
 motion was rejected. 3 
 jsth May. I N the houle of lords, the duke of Richmond 
 the lords!" *noved eighteen refoiutions, which, after fome 
 »9*« difcuffion, were difpofed of by amotion of ad? 
 W g3 journment; and on the next "day the king ter- 
 minated the feflion. 
 
 » Jf5T tO 75.
 
 GEORGE III. 4GI 
 
 CHATTER THE EIGHTEENTH: 
 1769 — 17/0— 177E 
 
 View of America. — Effect of reviving the 
 Jfatute of Henry VIII. — in Majfachujjefs 
 Bay. — Proceedings of the legijlature. — 
 Proceedings in other provinces. — Non-im- 
 porta twn com nut tees formed. — h, lamina- 
 tion of the conduct of mini fry. — Conduct of 
 the people of Bojion towards the military. — 
 Riot in Bojion. — Town-meeting. — Soldiers 
 removed. — Efforts to infpire revenge. — 
 7 'rial, and acquittal of captain Prefton and 
 his foldiers. — General court removed to 
 Cambridge. — Unpopularity of the non- 
 importation agreement — Which is renounc- 
 ed on the repeal of the duties. — Remon- 
 ftrance of the city of London to the king. 
 
 — Behaviour of Beck ford. — Approved by 
 the city. — Addrefs on the birth of a prin- 
 cefs. — Addrefs of the city to lord Chatham. 
 
 — Death of Bedford. — Combination of 
 France and Spain.— Account of Falkland's 
 I /lands. — E.ipul/ion of the Englijh colour. 
 by the Spaniards. — Information received in 
 England. — Exertions of mini fry. — Con- 
 duct of oppojition. —lifliminjicr meeting. 
 
 — Debates in parliament on the aggrcjion 
 of Spain. — Progrefs of negotiation. — L n- 
 willingnefs of France to engage in war. — 
 
 — Difmifwh of Choifeul. — Concejion of 
 Spain, and final adjufiment. — Changes m 
 the mini/try.— Di (agreement between the 
 
 tzr*
 
 452 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 tzco houfes of parliament. — Arrangement 
 zvith Spain approved. — Trials of certain 
 printers for publijhing Junius' 's Letters. — 
 Difcufjion of lord Mansfield's doctrine in 
 cafes of libels. — He leaves a written docu- 
 ment with the clerk of the houfe of lords. — 
 IJisfrauchifcment of the electors of New 
 Shoreham. 
 
 View of 
 America. 
 
 chap, p occupying themfelves about America, the 
 -*- Britiih parliament yielded only to the die* 
 tates of propriety and neceffity : the fituation 
 of affairs claimed interference, but the mea- 
 fures adopted were not judicious or falutary. 
 While the caufe of American infubordination 
 was fo vehemently defended by advocates of 
 unparalleled courage, credit, and ability, it 
 could not be expected that the exertions of 
 authority in reftrainino- the turbulent, and re- 
 fiorina- the rei«;n of order, mould be attended 
 with fuccefs. Every effort of coercion was 
 refilled as an illegal incroachment, while all 
 conciliatory attempts were considered as the 
 remits of timidity, and pledges of victory to 
 future oppohtion. 
 
 The meafure of the Grafton adminiftration, 
 which announced the revival of the obfolete 
 ftatute of Henry VIII, produced extenlive ill- 
 confequences ; the tyrannical fpirit of that pro- 
 ceeding was fo obvious, that in the provinces 
 where the inhabitants were tranquil and loyal, 
 it was felt as an invaiion of liberty, and the 
 people were obliged to thofe who, in the other 
 {tates, were willing to brave the ftcrm, and by 
 adiiplay of courageous hoftility, fecure their 
 freedom. 
 
 In 
 
 Efiva of 
 
 reviving 
 the ftatute 
 of Henry 
 VIII.
 
 GEORGE 111. 463 
 
 In Maffachuffet's Bay, againft which this chap. 
 meafure was principally directed, and where the ™ lL 
 prefenee offoldiers infpired fome little awe, a rnMafla- 
 tempqrary confternation enfued: the writers of g a u 
 feditious publications defifted for a few weeks, 
 but fpeedily refutned their labours. The new 31ft May 
 affembly, convened in purfuance of the king's J/ 6 ?- 
 writ, adhering to the fpirit of their predeceffors, ingsof the 
 ftated, in a ineffage to the governor, that they legiflature. 
 could not proceed with freedom, while mips of 
 war were in the harbour, and a military force in 
 the town of Bofton ; but the governor an- 
 fwered, he had no authority to remove either 
 mips or troops. The affembly proceeded to 
 the election of a council; carefully exclud- 
 ing every perfon attached to government, or 
 who, by his talents and influence, had contri- 
 buted to reftrain or oppofe the* turbulent pari 
 they then replied to the governor, that a mi- 13th June. 
 litary force affiftlng in the execution of laws, 
 was inconfiftent with the fpirit of a free confti- 
 tution: the unwillingnefs of a people in ge- 
 neral, that a- law mould be executed, v 
 ftrong prefumption of its being iinjuft: it could 
 not be the law of the people, as they muii con- 
 fent to laws before they can, in confeience, be 
 obliged to obey. They voted charges againft 27 th June, 
 their governor for mifcondwet, and a peti- 
 tion for his removal, which was tranfmitted 
 to their agent to be laid before the privy- 
 council ; and paffed a vote, declaratory of 8th. July, 
 their right, as Britim fubjects, to be tried for 
 treafon, felony, or any other crime, within 
 the colony; that they might nol be depriv- 
 ed of the benefit of a jury of the vicinage, 
 or of the advantage of fummoning and pro- 
 ducing witnelfes. Governor Bernard 'pro- 
 
 rogued
 
 464, 
 
 CHAR 
 
 xvrn. 
 
 1769. 
 
 Proceed- 
 ings in 
 ether pro- 
 vinces. 
 
 Ncn-ira- 
 jjortation 
 committees 
 formed. 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 rogued the general court, and during the rc- 
 eels returned to England.* 
 
 The example of the affembly of Maflachuf- 
 fet's Bay was followed in feVeral other pro- 
 vinces ; they patted fevere itriclures on the con- 
 duel of admin iltration, and entered into refo- 
 lutions declaratory of their rights in cafes of 
 trials for treafon ; which, itifoihe of the colonies, 
 were exprefled in terms fo acrimonious that the 
 affemblies were ditfolved. This meafure, far 
 from producing the intended effect, increafed 
 the fpirit of riifafT'ectioii : the members of the 
 legislative bodies returning to their homes, and 
 mixing with their conftituents, extended the 
 intluence of the opinions they had previously 
 expreffed and encouraged, and to which they 
 had the credit of appearing as martyrs. 
 
 The prevailing refentment againft the Bri- 
 ti'fh government, facilitated the operations of 
 thofe who were defirous of diftrefhng the mo- 
 ther-country by anti-commercial combina- 
 tions. Committees were appointed in the fe- 
 veral towns, whofe duty it was to examine ear- 
 goes on their arrival from Great Britain, and 
 report to their conftituents, in what manner the 
 terms of afibciation had been adhered to; votes 
 ofcenfure were patted on thofe Mho infringed 
 them, and their names were publiihed as ene- 
 mies to their country. Thefe proceedings 
 alarmed the merchants of London, and pro- 
 duced the application to parliament which has 
 already been mentioned. 
 
 a Almon's Collection of Papeis, vol. i. p. 226 to the end. Sted- 
 man's Hiftoryof the American War, vol. i. p. 60, et frq. While 
 in England governor Bernard was tried (28th Febru.>y 1770) at 
 the cock-pir, on the articles preferred againft him by the general 
 afH-mbly of MaflachufiVt's Bay, and acquitted. See annual Regifter, 
 I 77°> P« ?*>• Gentleman's Magazine, 1770, p. 139 and 265. 
 
 * Lord
 
 G E ORGE III. 465 
 
 Lord North's facility in yieidins; to this chap. 
 application Mas an unfortunate meafure. The ^^j 
 ailbciations in America were always framed or 1769. 
 ianctioned by mercantile fpeculators, who had t i^*SfSe 
 large flocks of Britiili goods in their pofiemon; conduft of 
 but according to the ftate of labour, and the m,mftl > 
 difficulties of commerce which then prevailed, 
 a perfeverance of two years would have re- 
 duced the Americans to the neceffity of apply- 
 Iiii>: ajniin with abject humility to Great Bri- 
 tain, or of living- on the produce of their own 
 foil, in a ftate of general privation of every 
 luxury to which they had been accuftomed : in 
 a ftate which would have reduced the moft 
 opulent of the aifociators to envy the condition 
 of a common mechanic, or day-labourer at 
 home. If it Mas deniable to the minifter to 
 coerce the Americans, they had furnilhed him 
 with the means ; for by taking advantage of 
 their combinations, and ifluing a prohibition 
 againft the exportation of drugs, and various 
 other neceifaries, except on terms of proper 
 fubmiffion, their own miferies would have pro- 
 duced fuch dillentions, and created fuch a ge- 
 neral abhorrence of the fpiritof refinance, that 
 a long period muft have elapfed before it could 
 again have been exhibited with effect If the 
 miuiftry were afraid to purfue this bold courfe, 
 they ought to have conciliated the colonifts by 
 a total repeal of the obnoxious law, and not 
 have left the Americans, without a pofllbility 
 of experiencing the leail inconvenience, in poi- 
 fefhon of a plaufible ground of complaint. 
 
 At the time when lord North was preparing Cor.duft 
 to reftofe, if poffible, contentment to the colo- "j^JJJJJ 
 nifts, they were again engaged in aels of out- toll ro- 
 rage, which demanded fevere correction. While w ?«*i the 
 four regiments were quartered at Bofton, the ' 
 
 vol. i. u u inlmbiUnts
 
 466 HISTOftY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, inhabitants were kept in awe by their imm- 
 c2?ib kcrs, ail ^ maintained a mileri tranquillity; 
 iiH- but the regiments being* removed, tbey loft all 
 fear, and difplayed their animoiity to govern- 
 ment by iniuits on the military, who were " 
 abufed and vilified in thenewfpapers, and every 
 opportunity taken to degrade and ex pole 
 to the hatred and contempt of the populace. 
 The foldiers were neither by education, nor the 
 habits acquired in the fervice, difpofed to bear 
 fuch treatment with patience, and the peace 
 was" frequently diiturbed by contentions and 
 affrays between them and the people. In this 
 ftate of mutual animofity, each party imputed 
 to the other views and deiigns which were pro- 
 bably never entertained. The Boftonians were 
 accufed of a project to expel the military by 
 force, and of having engaged a party from the 
 country to afhft in executing it. b The foldiers 
 were charged with a fyftematic defign to urge 
 the people beyond their patience, that, a mo- 
 ment of excefs might furnith a pretext for a 
 general marTacre and plunder. ' Of the lirit of 
 thefe accufations no evidence has ever appear- 
 ed : the latter refutes itfelf ; as the military, if 
 they had formed fuch a defign, would have 
 executed it before they were weakened by the 
 departure of half their force. 
 'Riot m The quarrels of individuals, and fmall par- 
 
 Boftoa. "ties, in procefs of time, produced a general fen- 
 ti. merit of rancour, which occafioued a more im- 
 id March, portant contefh A dilpute arofe between the 
 I77 °* foldiers and the rope-makers who worked in 
 Bofton, and many circumftances ' of irritation 
 having occurred, ineafures were taken on both 
 
 h Stednaan's Hiftery of the American War, vol. i. p. 75. 
 c Narrative of the horrid mafiaae in BoftoDi paflim. 
 
 fides-
 
 GEORGE IIT. 4fi7 
 
 fides for a general engagement. Unfortunate- en a p, 
 Iv, all the difputes between the towufmen and xvnr. 
 the foldiers were kept concealed from the of- *77^ 
 iicers : the military would not impeach them- 
 felves, and the people maintained a lofty and 
 fupcrcilious referve, difdaining to refer their 
 grievances to the arbitrament of men whom 
 they neither efteemed nor refpecred. In con- sthMarch. 
 fequence of the previous drfpofition of the 
 parties, and the fury excited by recent trans- 
 actions, a ferious riot was railed, the com- 
 mencement and conduct of which are dif- 
 ferently related, as prejudice or intereit pre- 
 vail, nor can any of the proceedings be re- 
 counted with the confidence arifing from a 
 clear and well-connected narrative. 
 
 It appears that an affray took place in the 
 evening- between two foldiers and a party of the 
 lower order of people, upon which a mob 
 was immediate: y railed. To increafe the num- 
 ber of their partisans, the Boftonians broke 
 into two meeting-houfes, and rang the alarm- 
 bells, which were the general fignals of fire: 
 they alio ran about the ftreets calling on the 
 people to leave their habitations and defend 
 themfelvcs. By thefe means an immenfe and 
 -exafperated multitude was col ed. Captain 
 Preilon, the commanding officer on duty, who 
 knew nothing of the late tr: ions, and con- 
 
 fidered the alarm to be really, as it: v appa- 
 rently, excited by fire, received information of 
 the commotion with furprize. lie repaired to 
 the main-guard, and feeing the crowd flock 
 towards the cuftom-houfe, and hearing the 
 threats of the populace, became appreheflfive 
 of fonie a1 t to obtain poffeffion of 1 he ch 
 
 containing the king's money: hewasalfo in- 
 
 h h 2 formed
 
 468 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, formed that the people had exprcfied a refo* 
 v^'iL/ m ** on t0 murder the centinel. He fum- 
 1770. moned to his aid, a non-commiflionod of- 
 ficer and twelve privates ; and, in order to 
 prevent violence, accompanied the party him- 
 ielf. The mob, who were obliged, by the 
 united efforts of the guards, to keep a certain 
 diftance, tried by abnlivc epithets and defiance, 
 and by throwing hones and ihowballs, to irri- 
 tate the military to a forgetfulnefs of their 
 duty. Prefton parleyed, and attempted to 
 convince the people from the manner in which 
 the men were drawn up, the polition in which 
 they held their arms, and the fituation in which 
 he himfelf flood, that no intention could poffi- 
 bly be entertained of firing. While he was 
 thus eno-a«-ed, one of the mob ftruck a foldier 
 with a cudgel; the man, irritated at this infult, 
 immediately tired. The captain turning to re- 
 primand him for firing without orders, received 
 a violent bknv on the arm with a club. Some 
 perfons from behind gave the word, "fire;"' 
 but the confufion was fo great, that no one 
 diftincf ly knew from whom it proceeded. Pref- 
 ton repeatedly ordered the men not to fire, but 
 about ten pieces were difeharged. The word 
 could not have been clearly underftood, nor 
 could it poffibly have been given by the of- 
 ficer, finee the men in their previous pofition 
 flood with bayonets fixed, and their arms half- 
 cocked ; there are feveral intermediate words 
 of command, which an officer could not have 
 omitted: befkles, had the word been given by 
 the ofiicer, the whole divifion would have fired 
 at once; whereas from every account it ap- 
 pears, that, after the man who had been (truck, 
 two fired, then three, and then five. The re* 
 
 fult
 
 GEORGE III. 4G9 
 
 fultwas that four perfofts were killed, and fix chap 
 or feven wounded : the populace immediately xvn ^* 
 fled with precipitation, but fliortlv afterwards »?7°. 
 returned to carry off their friends : the mill- 
 tary, apprehenfive of a new attack, were again 
 preparing to fire, but captain Prefton prevent- 
 ed them by throwing up their pieces with his 
 hand. The whole a (fair was a feene of hurry 
 and confufion, occupying about twenty mi- 
 nutes. The populace it 111 continued in a ftate 
 of infurrcction : they beat a drum about the 
 ftreets, calling- '' to arms;" feveral officers, 
 who, on a fimilar call to arms, were battening to 
 join their comrades, were beat, knocked down, 
 and wounded, and every appearance indicated 
 an intention of further hostility. Lieutenant- 
 governor Hutchinfon, and colonel Carr, at 
 length interfered, and the foldiers being ordered 
 to their barracks, the people were induced to 
 retire to their houfe.s. 
 
 The next day, a meeting of the inhabitants 6rhMarch. 
 of Bolton was held at, the town-hall, when, af- 1 9 w . n - 
 
 n i ,-, * /. • meeting. 
 
 teriome warm tpeeches, thc\ choie a committee 
 of fifteen to wait on the lieutenant-governor. 
 with a mevTage requeuing him, as the only 
 poiiible means of preventing further carnas 
 to remove the troops, lie replied, that vijji- 
 out orders from the general, who was at New 
 York, the commanding officers could not re- 
 move the military; but p.rorriifed thai meafures 
 ihoufci be adopted for keeping them in filia- 
 tions where no future inconvenience could 
 arife. This anfuer was declared to be not fa 
 tisfa&ory, and a freih committee of feven ap- 
 pointed to wait, on the lieutenant-governor, 
 witha mefiage to that ctlect. Mr. Hutchinfon 
 immediately made application to the council, 
 who voted", without hefitation or oppofition, 
 
 11 h . ; that
 
 470 
 
 HISTORY. OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP. 
 XVIII. 
 
 1770. 
 Soldiers 
 removed. 
 
 Efforts to 
 inipire re- 
 
 indict- 
 ment. 
 
 a4-th to 
 
 30th o&. 
 
 Trial and 
 acquittal 
 or the mi- 
 litary. 
 
 that it was effentially neeeifary for the good of 
 his majefty'.s fervice, to remove the foldiers 
 from the town. Colonel Dakymple, the com- 
 manding officer, gave his word that he would 
 comply, and they were accordingly removed 
 to Caftle William, the military duty at the 
 town-houfe and town-prifon being performed 
 by the militia. 
 
 Every advantage was' taken of this cir- 
 cumstance to inflame the public mind. At 
 the funeral of thofe who had been killed, a 
 general proceffioii was made through the town; 
 the lliops were all ihut, and flags exhibited 
 with emblematical devices and inferiptions, 
 calculated to infpire revenge. 
 
 A charge of murder was preferred againft 
 captain Prefton and the fokliers acting under 
 him, who immediately furrendered themfelves 
 into cuftody. Great efforts were ufed to procure 
 depotitions in corroboration of this accuiation, 
 and it is probable that had the trial been im- 
 mediately proceeded in, fuch was the popular 
 fury, they would have been all facrificed. The 
 proceedings were however deferred for fomc 
 months, and in the mean time the news of the 
 partial repeal of the tax act had refiored a cer- 
 tain decree of calm. The trial was neverthe- 
 
 -&* 
 
 lets conducted with great warmth, and con-. 
 tinued fix days. Upwards of fifty witneffes 
 were examined, and the counfel on both fides 
 exerted great ability. Captain Prefton was 
 honourably acquitted ; as were all the other 
 parties, except two, who were found guilty of 
 manflaughter. d 
 
 d Taken from Stedman's Hiftory of, the American War, vol. i. 
 p. 75 ; Narrative or the horrid maffacre at Bofton : printed by or- 
 der ot the town, and reprinted by Dil'y and Almon ; Account of 
 ihertot; Cafe or Thomas Prefton, and account of his trial, in- 
 ferred in the Annual Regi^er, 1770, p. 21 j, 
 
 The
 
 GEOR G E III. 471 
 
 The lieutenant-governor, aftei removal chap. 
 of the troops, proceeded to hold the general v^JJJ; 
 court of the province; but, juftly'appi ve «77<>. 
 
 of .the influence which their filling generally General 7 ' 
 produced among the people, he removed them courtre- 
 to the town of Cambridge. Irritated at this ™ vcdto 
 proceeding, and conicious of the motive, the bridge, 
 council and affembly, although the lieutenant- 
 governor's fpeech pointed out feveral important 
 
 ies of confideration, refufed to enter on any 
 
 [inefs unlefs the governor would convene 
 n at Bofton, the ufual place. 
 
 The patriots who compofed this general Unpopu- 
 c ...: uere, in fart, reduced to great difficul- 'fW * 
 ties. The felf-denial impofed by the non-im- impona- 
 portation agreement, had become extremely tion a s re ^- 
 
 • i r i j.' l1 • "V T 1 mem: 
 
 irklome in lev* ral ot the provinces. Newport, 
 in Rhode ifland, relinquiihed the confederacy, 
 and New York meditated a fnnilar proceeding; 
 Portimouth, the capital of New Hatnpihire, had 
 never acceded to the meafufe, and thefuperior 
 comforts enjoyed by the inhabitants of thefe 
 places were little diminifhed by the anathemas 
 Bofton, where trade was on the decline, and 
 where the merchants envied while they decried 
 the effects of a mode of conduct different from 
 their own. While the public mind was in this Which \t 
 fate, the law arrived for the repeal of duties: ~^ 
 the aflbciators gladly fejzed this opportunity of pealof4*> 
 making an advantageous compromife between ties * 
 their pride and their nec< ; they imme- 
 
 ' , corifented to renew their trade with 
 Greal ' itain, in every article except tea, and 
 orders of more than ufual extent were tranf- 
 piitted to the mother-country." 
 
 e Stedman, vol. i. p. 77, 
 
 11 u 4 The
 
 472 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 ch A P. The conteft of the city of London with the 
 xvin. C ourt was carried on with unabated acrimony 
 1770. and audacity. Before the riling of parliament, 
 rtranceof a common-council was held for the purpofe of 
 the city of framing another remonftrance to the king, in 
 ^Tm"* confequence of his anfwer to the former. This 
 meafure was ftrongly fupportcd by Beckford, 
 and voted by a great majority/ The paper was 
 carried to St. James's by the lord-mayor, 
 and a fuitable train of attendants: it exprefied 
 the deep concern of the city at the awful 
 fentence of cenfure lately palled upon it, in 
 his majefty's anfwer from the throne; and 
 after recapitulating the grievances complained 
 of in former addreiies, concluded with a prayer 
 to heaven, that his Majefty might reign, as 
 kings only can reign, in and by the hearts of 
 a loyal, dutiful, and free people. 
 anfwer" gS The king, in anfwer, faid, He mould have 
 been wanting to the public, as well as to 
 himfelf, if he had not expreifcd his diiiatif- 
 Beckford's f a &j on a t the late addrefs. The lord-mayor, 
 after obtaining permiifion to reply, begged 
 leave to declare on behalf of his fellow citizens, 
 how much the bare apprcheniion of his ma- 
 jefty's difpieaiure would, at all times, affect 
 their minds ; the declaration of it had lill- 
 ed them with inexpreffible anxiety, and the 
 deepeft affliction. lie f implicated the king not 
 to difmiis them from his prefence without fome 
 comfort, and proipecl at leaft of redrefs. No 
 anfwer being returned, the lord-mayor and 
 his fuite withdrew. 8 
 
 The 
 
 f 7 aldermen, 105 commoners, to 8 aldermen, 57 commoners. 
 
 S View of the hiftory of Great Britain during the adminiftration of 
 lord North, p. 19. — The recorder of London, Sir James Eyre, after- 
 wards chief-juftice of the common pleas, declined attending with this 
 addrefs j his conduct gave offbnee, and was (27th Sept.) made a ful>- 
 
 je$
 
 GEORGE III. 473 
 
 The birth of a princefs furnifhed another oc- chap. 
 cafion for the citv to difplay their zeal in <nv- SfilS 
 ing offence to the king. A court of common- ww 
 council being held at Guildhall, the conduct *| l)l# y ' 
 of the lord-mayor on the late cceafion was, af- ^eckftwd** 
 ter fome difcuffion, highly approved. Wilkes, conduft 
 
 .' p J rJr ' approved. 
 
 who had lately, in defiance of decency, and 
 not without fome doubts in point of law, been 
 made an alderman, bore a principal ihare in 
 this debate. Pie vindicated Bcckford ; and al- 
 leged, as a reafon for not attending at court 
 on the 23d, that from the eagernefs of miniltry 
 to murder the people, he was convinced if he 
 had gone to St. James's, and only a few boys 
 had mouted, it would have been a pretence for 
 another maiTacre. On the motion for an ad- 
 drefs of congratulation, he obferved, this did 
 not feem a time for compliments; the citizens 
 of London had been treated of late with great 
 indignity ; their petitions received with con- 
 tempt, their remonftrance with infult; itfeemed 
 to be the only ftudy of adminiftration to affront 
 the city, and provoke the people, as inftances 
 of which he adduced the favours conferred on 
 relations of lord Holland and lord Barringtpn, 
 and on governor Bernard, who had been made 
 a baronet, and received a penfion, merely be- 
 
 jec"l of investigation before the common-council. In his defence, he 
 alleged that his confeience would not futfer him to be prefent at the 
 delivery of, much lefs to read, an addrefs and rtmontirance couched 
 in fuch harfh terms ; it appeared to him an indignity to the fo- 
 vereicjn and the parliament. This apology was fo little fatisfac- 
 tory, that on a fubfequent day (nth Oct. fa vote pafled by a large 
 majority, that he mould be no more adviled with, retained, or em- 
 ployed in the affairs of the corporation, being unworthy of their 
 future tru(t and confidence. The violence and injuftice of this vote 
 was abundantly compenfated by the elleem and veneration in which 
 the obieft of it was held during twenty-feven years, the remainder 
 of his life, and by the public regret at the Jofs of a worthy, up- 
 right] and intelligent judge* 
 
 caufe
 
 474 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, eaufe he was a tyrant, and uuiverfallv detefted 
 xvni j )V 0llv brethren in America. For thefe reafons, 
 x77o- he obferved, the addrefs ought to be very 
 chafte, modefr, and referred, and confined to 
 ■ what he hoped would ever be a fubject of real 
 joy to.Englilhmen, an increafe of the Brunf- 
 wick line.* 
 Addrefs .An addrefs was framed in ftrict conformity 
 Sirthof a w *^ this advice, .and carried up by the lord 
 :?f*. mayor and feveral aldermen ; the populace did ' 
 not omit this opportunity to man'ifeft their 
 hatred of tliofe who were attached to the court. 
 The lord-mayor and ' three aldermen had no 
 fooner paffed through Temple Bar, than the gates 
 .Alderman were fuddenly mut againft alderman Harley : 
 £ m ~ the mob pelted him with hones and dirt, pulled 
 him out of his carriage, obliged him to take 
 refuge for the prefervation of his life, and 
 when he afterwards proceeded in a hackney- 
 coach, followed him to St. James's with freih 
 infults and renewed injuries. Having com- 
 mitted this outrage, they allowed the city mar- 
 ihai to open the. gales, and fuifered the reft of 
 the proceflion to pafs unmolefted. To protect 
 the king from the renewal of infult, the lord 
 chamberlain informed the lord mayor of his ma- 
 > jelty's deli re that no reply might again be made 
 to him : the lord mayor demanded a cony of 
 this menage in writing, which wasrefufed ; and 
 after fome altercation, the addrefs was delivered 
 and anfwercd. 
 sftjune. Far different was the manner in which an 
 Addrefs of addrefs was voted and prefented to lord Chat- 
 !ord Ciy t0 ham, who was thanked for his zeal in fupport of 
 Chatham, the right of election and petition, and for his 
 promife to ufe his endeavours that parliaments, 
 
 * Gentleman's Magazine, 1770, p. 273. 
 
 might
 
 is an- 
 
 G.F.ORGE III. 475 
 
 might be reftored to their original purity, by chap. 
 ihortening the period of their continuance, and xvm. 
 introducing a more full and equal repreferita-* 1770. ' 
 tion. To this compliment lord Chatham re- „. 
 turned a manly and dignified anfVer : he ap- fwer. 
 plauded the city for their perfevefance in de- 
 fending their rights, but informed them fomc 
 mifapprehenfion had prevailed with rcipect to 
 his opinions on the duration of parliaments; 
 for he was bound to declare he could not re- 
 commend triennial parliaments. He had ex- 
 preifed his earneft wifhes for a more full and 
 equal reprefentation ; but had thrown out that 
 idea with the juft diffidence of a private man, 
 when he prefumes to fuggeft any thing new oa 
 a high matter. The remainder of his fpeecb 
 contained expreffions of civility appropriate to 
 the addrefs. 
 
 Soox after this tranfa6tion, Beckford died; 21ft Jure. 
 and his deceale materially affected the ftatc [, )c: , h u ^ 
 ot parties in the city. His influence and tor- 
 tune enabled him to reftrain the diveriities 
 of opinion which prevailed among the heads 
 of oppofition, and unite them in a eompael, 
 confiftent body ; he was fucceeded by alder- 29th. 
 man Treeothiek, who being a ftrenuous fup- 
 porter of the fame irieafures, no difference was 
 immediately perceptible. 
 
 Sixer, the conclulion of the peace, continual 
 efforts were ufed to convince the people that 
 they Mere reduced to a mofl ignominious fit na- 
 tion, and unrciJH'cied among the powers of Eu- 
 rope: Great Britain was reprefented without 
 an ally, and daily threatened with the renewal 
 of hoftilities. Lord Chatliam, it is laid, pre- ^;f; ina 
 dieted, towards the clofe of the latefeflion, that Chatham, 
 a great blow either wee- or would foon, be ftruck 
 
 in
 
 476 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, in iome parts of the world . ik This aflertion was 
 xvni. founded in truth, and clearly ihews lord Chat- 
 ham's extenfive information, or his political 
 fagacity ; but if his intelligence was precife, he 
 greatly exaggerated the importance of an ex- 
 ploit, which though the remit of a profound 
 combination, was in itfelf of very Httb confe- 
 quence : namely, the expulfion of the Engliih 
 from Falkland's Iflands by a Spanilh force. 
 ^ombina- Tiik fole end of the family compact was to 
 franc! and recmce the power of Great Britain; and al- 
 Spain. though the vigorous progrefs of the campaign 
 in 1762 compelled France and Spain to accede 
 to a difadvantageous peace, Choiieui and Gri- 
 makli, the m in liters of thofe countries, refolved 
 to attack Great Britain, whenever a favourable 
 opportunity mould occur. The prefent mo- 
 ment feemed to afford the defired crilis, as the 
 navy, under the adminiftration of lord Hawke, 
 was left in a neglected ft ate. and utterly unfit 
 to protect the diftant poiTeilions of the country 
 againft the united efforts of two inch power- 
 ful enemies. It was therefore agreed, that 
 France and Spain mould at the fame time at- 
 tack the Britilh povTeffions in diftant quarters 
 of the globe; but the pacific difpofition of 
 Louis XV, anting from love of eafe and volup- 
 tuoufnefs, and the declining influence of M. 
 de Choifeul, prevented that minifter from carry-: 
 ing his part of the project into execution, 
 though he entertained hopes, when hoitilities 
 ihould be commenced, of inducing the king to 
 take up arms in fupport of his ally. 1 . 
 Account of Spain began the attack, by forcibly expch 
 hiuids!' lirsg; the Engiiih from Falkland's Iilands, a 
 
 5 '" Hiftory of lord North'? adminiftration, p. 21. 
 J From private information. 
 
 poffefiion
 
 GEO R'G E III. 47 7 
 
 pofiefiion which, in confeouence of this dif- chap. 
 
 * * r» ■ YV III 
 
 pute, was elevated to a degree of notice never 
 before beftowed, and which it has not retained. 
 The I/les Malouincs, called by the Engliih 
 Falkland's Illands, were confidered of lb little 
 importance, that their firft (lifeovery and ori- 
 ginal name are not clearly afcertained. Thev 
 have been fucceffively claimed by, and received 
 appellations from the Englifh, Dutch, and 
 French. Captain Davis, a companion of Ca- 
 vendiih, in 1592, is reputed the earlieft dis- 
 coverer; but he did not even afligh them a 
 name. Two years afterwards, they were de- 
 ferred by Sir Richard Hawkins, who in Honour 
 of queen Elizabeth and hhnfelf, called them 
 Hawkins's Maiden Land. In 1598, two Dutch 
 navigators, Verhagen and Sebaidde Wert, called 
 them Sebald's Illands. They then for more than 
 a century remained unnoticed to Inch a degree 
 that doubts were entertained of their cxifrence ; 
 but a voyage being made into that region in 
 io'89 by Strong, whofe journal is preferred in 
 the Britilh muleum, he is fuppofed to have dif- 
 tinguiihed them by the appellation of Falk- 
 land's Illands; the name was adopted by Halley, 
 and from that time inferted in the Engliih 
 maps. The privateers who vifited thole feas 
 in the reigns of William and Ann, alio law 
 thefe illands, but were deterred by their dreary 
 appearance from making particular obferva- 
 tions. Strong affirmed there was no wood, and 
 Dampier fuibefted they had no water. A 
 .Frenchman, named Frezier, alio noticed and 
 called them Les Malouines." 
 
 Hitherto changes of name, unattended 
 with events, improvements, or poifellion, were 
 
 •*> Deiived from St. Malo. 
 
 the
 
 478 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, the only circumftances which authenticated the 
 ^yiH; exiftence of Falkland's I (lands ; hut after An- 
 foil's return from his celebrated expedition, 
 commenced in 1740," they attracted fome at- 
 tention. The narrator of the voyage, anxi- 
 ous to convince the public that the high 
 opinion entertained of Anion, was not merely 
 founded on the capture of the Acapulco fhip, 
 defcanted, among other topics, on the na- 
 tional advantage of fecuring a fettlement in 
 Pepy's and Falkland's iflands, affirming it to 
 be effentiallv neceffarv for future operations 
 againft the Spanifh fettlements in Chili, as it 
 would produce many benefits in peace, arid 
 in war render the Engliih mailers of the South 
 Sea. 
 
 The credit and influence of lord Anfon 
 enabled him to procure, in 1748, the equipment 
 of a fquadron for the purpofe of obtaining a 
 fuller knowledge of Pepy's and Falkland's 
 iflands, and for making further difcoveries in 
 the South Sea; but Wall, cmbaifador from 
 Spain, making repeated remonftranc.es, the 
 project was finally abandoned, though no de- 
 claration was required, by which a right to 
 purfue it at a fublequcnt period might be con- 
 fidered as absolutely renounced. 
 Settlement The magnificent advantages promifed in the 
 made by account of Anion's Voyage, and the anxious 
 French • deiire entertained by the French to obtain an 
 equivalent for the ceded dominion of Canada, 
 induced M. de Bougainville, in Auguft 1763, 
 to lit out two vcilels, for the exprefs purpofe 
 of makinsc difcoveries, and effecting an eiia- 
 bliihment in the Malouines. In 176'4, betook 
 
 * See Smollett's continuation of Hume, vol. in. p. 41, 14*. 
 
 6 ' poileflion
 
 G E O tl G E III. 479 
 
 poffeffion in the name of die king of FtsaaiCe;* chap. 
 but. afterwards was difpatehed to Madrid, and J^ 111 * 
 not only relinquished the fettlement in favbur s 
 of Spain, but accompanied a SparJih governor toSpa ' 
 to an ifland, which tben received the name of 
 Port Soladad. 
 
 MfiA-NW«rx.E the admiralty) of England pre*- Settiemeai 
 pared another expedition, under captain Byron, /;.,?"** 
 who failed hi . and on the (2 
 
 January 1765, took poifefiion of one of the 
 iflands, in the name of the king of Gr< 
 Britain. On His return, a narrative of the 
 voyage was publimed. in new f - 
 
 ilement was defcribed as i . ■ ■• • -• 1 r the 
 molt importance ; the iflahd was laid to be ! 
 or feven-hundrcd miles in circumference, with 
 a fpacious and iecure harbour, which, in honour 
 of tlie tirft lord of the admiralty, was named 
 Port Egmont; it was well adapted for the 
 growth of wood; provi ith excellent \\ 
 
 ier; abounding in vegetables and wild fowl, 
 and iuppofed to contain iron, and perhaps more 
 valuable ores. 
 
 Influenced by this defeription, the Brifhh 
 government, early in 17 Go', lent captain M* 
 Bride to Port Egmont, where he 1 rdfcted a fm&H 
 block-houfe, and ftationed a garrifen. But 
 his report did not verity the hopes derived from 
 Byron's account; he round a tnafs of iflands, 
 and broken lands, the foil of which v. as a mere 
 hog, and fubject to perpetual ftofl ich ill 
 
 winter rendered the communication m i i h more 
 extremely difficult and precarious. Sea- lions 
 and penguins, animals of no worth, were abun- 
 dant; but there were no means of providing 
 fuftenance in winter, and fuihmer pfomifed 
 
 Se? hiftory of a vov:i<je to the Mai nine or Falkland's Illamlt, 
 particularly p. ai8, of the Engliili TranfLtion in 4:0. 1773- 
 
 nothing
 
 480 
 
 CHAP. 
 XVIII. 
 
 I 
 
 28th Nov. 
 1769. 
 Arrival ef 
 a Spanifh 
 •fchooner. 
 
 30 tli. 
 Remon- 
 ftrance of 
 the Spa- 
 niards, 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 "nothing more than a few geefe and fnipes, and 
 a crop of wild celery and forrel. Nor did the 
 foil yield to the efforts of cultivation : a gar- 
 den was prepared, but the plants withered ; and 
 even firs, the hardy produce of the bleakeft 
 regions, could not refill; the climate of Falk- 
 land's Iilands, but perifhed like weaker her- 
 bage. 1 ' 
 
 The garrifon continued in this fituation> 
 deriving annually, at a great and unprofitable 
 expence, their fupplies from England, unpro- 
 vided againft an affault, which, from the na- 
 ture of their tenure, they did not expect, when 
 a Spanifh fchooner, from port Soladad, was ob- 
 ferved hovering about the ifland. Captain 
 Hunt, of the Tamer, immediately warned the 
 Spanifh commander to depart from the coafr, 
 as belonging to the king of Great Britain, an 
 order which met with inftant compliance. 
 
 In two days the fchooner returned, with a 
 Spanifh officer on board, and letters from Don 
 Philip Ruiz Puenta, governor of port Sola- 
 dad, expreifed in terms of civility. The go- 
 vernor affected to be unacquainted with the 
 formation of an Engliih fettlement, and to 
 coniider the pretence of Hunt as accidental; 
 declared his altonifhment at the interruption 
 of the fchooner's voyage, and fuggelted that 
 the conduct of the pilot muft have been ir- 
 regular; for he was perfuaded that an officer 
 commanding a ihip of war, belonging to ib 
 civilized a nation, could not be 10 deficient in 
 the refpecl due to the Spanifh flag, in the king 
 of Spain's dominions. 
 
 P This account is taken principally from Dr. Johnfon's Thoughts 
 on the late Tranfa&ions refpefting Falkland's I {lands. Reference 
 hasalfo been had to Bougainville's and Byron's Voyages, and Pen- 
 rose's Account of the la(t Expedition to Falkland's Iflands in I272* 
 
 Iff
 
 GEORGE III, 481 
 
 In anfwer, captain Hunt aflerted, that the chap. 
 iflands belonged to his Britannic majefty, both xvin. 
 by difcovery and fettlcment, and warned the 1770. 
 Spaniards to quit them within fix months. 
 The Spaniih officer fent from Soladad pro- 
 tefted againft the pretenfions and con duet of 
 captain Hunt, who miift be refponfible for 
 the ill confequences likely to enfue ; the caufes 
 of proteft were Hunt's threatening to fire if the 
 Spaniard attempted to execute his commiffioii, 
 and particularly for oppofmg liis approach to 
 the Englim colony; it was finally declared 
 that captain Hunt's entering Soladad harbour, 
 though in an amicable manner, would be deem- 
 ed an iniult. Other letters, anfwers, and flro- 
 tefts enfued in the courte of the fucceeding 
 mouth; but were productive of no further 
 confequencvo. 
 
 At length, two Spaniih frigates, of eonfi- 20th Feb. 
 derable force, with troops on board for port ' 77 °; 
 Soladad, arrived at port P^gmont. The com- t wo Spa- 
 mander, Don Fernando de Hubalcava, wrote a niflifri- 
 lctter to Hunt, expreffing great furprize at gaus ' 
 finding a kind of fettlcment under the Britilii 
 flag: claimed the dominion as the right of his 
 mafter, the king of Spain, and accufed the Bri- 
 tiih commander of having violated the teynsof 
 thelaft peace; but he would abftain from all other 
 proceedings till lie had ac(piainted his .catholic 
 majefty with this difagreeable ail air. Captain 
 Hunt again aflerted the kings right to the 
 territory, but behaved with polite attention to 
 the Spaniih commander, and aflifted him to 
 procure a fupply of water, a want of which he 
 had alleged as a motive for touching at port 
 Komont. 
 
 The fituation of affairs was now bee 1. 
 
 VOL. I. II iO
 
 482 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, fo critical, that Hunt thought it advifablc 
 3^!i5 to retlirn to England ; and he left captain 
 177?- Maltby in the Favourite, of fixteen guns, chief 
 Huntfciiw m command : the Swift, alfo a (loop of fixteen 
 forEng- guns, which, with the Favourite, conftituted 
 land. tne w h i e naval force left after Hunt's depar- 
 ture, was unfortunately overfet in. the itraits 
 of Magellan ; three of the crew were drowned, 
 and the reft with the utmoft difficulty faved. 
 4th June. Shortly after this event, a Spaniih frigate 
 and pro- put into port Egmont, under pretence that fhe 
 ceedingsof nac i oeen fifty-three days from Buenos Ayres, 
 armament. g om » to P ort Soladad, and was diftrelfed for 
 7th. water. In a few days the remainder of the 
 
 force arrived ; and it then appeared that they had 
 been at fea but twenty-fix davs, and had failed 
 for the exprefs purpoie of expelling the Eng- 
 lish from port Egmont. For this exploit they 
 had equipped a formidable force ; they had on 
 board upwards of fixteen hundred men, a hun- 
 dred and thirty-four pieces of cannon, belong- 
 ing to the mips, and a train of artillery, and 
 other materials, i'ufficient for the invcftment of 
 a regular fortification ; while the Engliih force, 
 on more, confifted only of four pieces of can- 
 non, unfit for fervice, and a wooden block- 
 houfe. A Spaniih broad pendant was immedi- 
 ately hoifted ; captain Farmer ordered the men, 
 who had belonged to the Swift, to come on 
 more for the defence of the fettlement ; and 
 captain Maltby, intending to bring the Fa- 
 vourite hearer into the cove, was hailed by the 
 Spaniih commander, who threatened immedi- 
 ately to fire into him. if he weighed anchor. 
 Mail by, notwithstanding this menace, flood 
 out to fea ; two ihot were fired, which fell to 
 leeward, and three of the Spaniih frigates, in 
 
 imitation
 
 GEORGE III. 483 
 
 imitation of the Engliih commander's example, chap. 
 quitted the harbour. Maltby fent an officer xvni. 
 to the Spaniih admiral, to know why he had 177a. 
 fired, and received for anfwer, that the ihot 
 were merely meant as figjnals. 
 
 A correspondence now commenced be- 
 tween the Britiih and Spaniards, by a metiage 
 from captain Farmer, requiring the frigates, as 
 they had obtained the necefTary refreihments, 
 to leave the iilands without delay. The Spaniih 
 commander, John Ignacio Madariaga, wrote 
 the fame day to both the commanders, ad- 
 vifing them to coniider the immenfe fupe- 
 riority of his force, and the harmonv reigning: 
 between their refpective fovereigns, and to quit 
 the port immediately ; otherwise he would be 
 compelled, though reluctantly, to ufe hoftili- 
 ties. The enfuing day he wrote another letter 
 to the fame effect, requiring a categorical an- 
 lwer in fifteen minutes. In reply, captain 9 th * 
 Maltby infifted on the right of continuing; re- 
 monftrated again ft the Spaniards obliging him 
 to retire by means of their fuperior force, and 
 announced his refolution to maintain the ho- 
 nour of the Britiih flag. Madariaga returned, 
 that it was not then proper, nor was it his 
 bufinefs, to difcufs queftions of right ; but he 
 ihould do what he thought juft, fubmitting to 
 the Britiih and Spaniili courts the deciiion of 
 propriety; and he defired the captains to lVnd 
 an officer, who might view his force, and con- 
 vince them, of the inutility of refinance. 
 
 In the night, captain Maltby landed fifty 
 of the Favourite's men, with two fix-pounders, 
 ten fwivels, final I arms and ammunition: the 
 next morning the Spaniards difembarked part 
 of their troops to the northward. Having ad- 
 
 1 1 2 vanced
 
 4S4 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, vanced half way to the block-houfe, the reft of 
 ^ their boats, with the remainder of their troops 
 1770. and artillery, rowed into the cove, covered by 
 the fire of the f Vip-ates. The Enjylifh fired a few 
 TheEng- fhot; but finding refiftance ineffectual, hoifted 
 peiiel" a 8*S °^ tru ce, and defired articles of capitu- 
 lation. The terms were in themfelves fuffici- 
 ently haushty ; an immediate furrender and 
 evacuation of the ifland ; and this uncondi- 
 tional fubmifiion was rendered more irkfome 
 by a ftipulation, that the Britifh forces mould 
 not depart for twenty days. To enforce fub- 
 mifiion, the Favourite's rudder was taken off, 
 and carried on more. The obvious intent of 
 this proceeding was to allow ample time for 
 a Spaniih vellel to reach Europe with intelli- 
 gence before any could be received in Eng- 
 land, and the harfbnefs of the proceeding is 
 not palliated by the forbearance of Madariaga, 
 in not feizing the few unimportant effects pof- 
 feffed by the Engiiih. p 
 3 d Jane. Meanwhile captain Hunt arrived at Ply- 
 
 cajyiin mouth, and informed the admiralty that the 
 Hint in ifland had been claimed by the o-overnor of 
 a& an ' port Soladad ; but his intelligence being con- 
 iidered as the effect of a fplenetic quarrel, ex- 
 lnt d e)iu Ug ' cited no Nation. Mr, Harris, the Britilh 
 gence re- charge des affaires, who was left at Madrid on 
 ceived the departure of Sir James Gray in Auguft 
 Briiifli C 1769, next gave notice to lord Weymouth of 
 charge'des the arrival of a vefiel from Buenos Ayres, which 
 sS;« e ! ,n brought intelligence that an armament, fitted 
 out in" May from that fettlement, intended to 
 diflodge the Engliih from port Egmont : their 
 iaeccfo, however, was coniidered extremely pre- 
 
 * ? Johmbn's Pamphlet; Papers published by Authority ; Debrett's 
 I)eb.Ucs, vci. V. 
 
 carious.
 
 lions. 
 
 GEORGE III. 485 
 
 carious. The fa6l was, at length, rendered ch \p. 
 indubitable by the voluntary declaration of ^ O, 
 prince Maferano, the Spatliih embaiUidor in * 77 °- 
 
 tit 11 "vtt 12th be »t. 
 
 -London, who announced to lord v\ ey mouth, Ana Frooi 
 that Don Francifco Buccarelli, theSpattiih go- toeSpanifc 
 vemor of Buenos Ayres, had taken upon him- ^London, 
 felf to difpoifefs tlie Engliih of port Egmont. 
 Captain Alaltby arrived ihortly afterwards, and 
 tranfmitted from the Motherbank to the ad- 
 miralty, an account of the late events, fup- 
 ported by the proper documents. 
 
 Undoubtedly thecircumthmccs of the cafe obf«-va- 
 would have juftified immediate hoftilitics; but, 
 considering the internal affairs of England, it 
 was more prudent to exert every means of ar- 
 ranging the difpute by amicable negotiation. 
 The people were fired at the indignity offered 
 to the Britiih flag, by a nation whom they con- 
 fidered as the moft feeble of opponents, and 
 whole immenfe wealth they, in idea, fondly 
 grafped as an inevitable and ealy prey. There 
 is no principle fo juit as not to be perverted by 
 the adoption of exaggerated notions, and on 
 that account, popular reafonings are more fre- 
 quently delulive, when founded on fome un- 
 deniable axiom. A ftatefman cannot regulate 
 his conduct in conformity to all the de- 
 ductions made by the public, from incontro- 
 vertible data, but mult, in every in (ranee, be 
 guided by peculiar features of the individual 
 tranfaelion, not making himfelfthe flaveofa 
 fyftem which may often fail iu its application 
 to cafes apparently parallel. In the prefent 
 affair, the conduct of adminiftration could 
 hardly aflbrd general fatisfacrJon : if the minis- 
 try adopted a pacific courfe, the injured ho- 
 nour of the nation, the facility of revenge, and 
 the certainty of a glorious conteft, would form 
 
 i i s themes
 
 486 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, themes of inexhauftible declamation: if, on 
 xviii. the other hand, they yielded to the popular ar- 
 1770. dour, and engaged in hoftilities, however jufti- 
 fiable, the unimportance of the object in dif- 
 pute, the neceffity of allowing the fuffering 
 country a longer period to recruit after its late 
 exhaufting conflict, together with the common- 
 place topics, by which Avar is deprecated and 
 peace recommended, would have been incef- 
 iantly enforced, and placed in all the various 
 forms which party ability could fupply. 
 
 Conduaaf The miniftry had the misfortune to experi- 
 
 themimf- ence {i ie difficulties and discredit attached to 
 both thefe modes of conduct, without receiv- 
 
 13th Sept. ihg the approbation due to either. On the re- 
 ceipt of intelligence from prince ]\iaferano, 
 orders were iffued from the admiralty, for pre- 
 paring guardfhips ; and when the Favourite ar- 
 
 azd. rived, bounties to feamen were offered bv roval 
 
 proclamation ; mips were put into commiffion,- 
 and the ufual meafures adopted for making a 
 formidable and efficacious naval preparation. 
 
 Oppofi. g ut } 10we ver agreeable thefe exertions might 
 be to the temper of the nation, and however 
 important the crifis, the fpirit of faction was 
 earneftiy and inceffantly employed in render- 
 ing the efforts of government vain and abor- 
 tive. 
 
 . The failors, generally anxious to offer their 
 fervices in a war againft Spain, were now led 
 to believe, they had fuffered injuftice by the 
 diftribution of the Havannah prize-money, in 
 the preceding war, and evaded by every pofli- 
 ble means the call of the country to man the 
 royal navy.* They were taught to adopt the 
 prevailing fafliion, and attended the king 
 
 9 Hiitory of lord 3Jorth*$ administration, p. 2 ;. 
 
 with
 
 GEORGE III. 487 
 
 with a petition, wherein they cited acts of par- chaiv 
 liament, and reafoned prqft . n J von the impro- XVIir - 
 priety and illegality of recruiting the navy by »77»- 
 means of preiVwarrants/ The lords of tne X5th Scptf 
 admiralty applied to the lord mayor of Lon- 
 don, requiring him to fanction thefe authori- 
 ties, but he refufed to do it on their applica- 
 tion, alleging that it was not cuftomary, un- 
 lefs the requeft came from the privy-council. 
 And although afterwards the warrants were 
 properly backed by the chief magi urate,' the 
 execution of them was impeded by the fpirit of 
 faction, and Wilkes liberated a man who was 26th % 
 imprelled in the city. 
 
 This was not the only inftance in which Weftmin- 
 Wilkes mewed his inclination to impede the . ter m e «- 
 operations of government, and in create the in °' 
 ferment of the public mind. A meeting of the 30th. 
 members of two political tavern clubs was con- 
 vened for the purpofe of difcuffing the pro- 
 priety of giving inftruetioiis to the members 
 for Weftminfter to impeach lord North. On 
 this occafion the diflentions among the city 
 demagogues, which had been reftrained dux- 
 ing the life of Beckford, difpjayed therofelvt s 
 in public contention. On the day of meeting, 
 Sir Robert Bernard was in the chair; the in- 
 ftruclions for impeachment were fupported 
 by Wilkes, and combated by Sawbridge, who 
 recommended a remonftrance; but the opinion 
 of Wilkes prevailed. The next day a large v ([, 
 concourfe of people aflembled at Weftminiter- 
 hall, to hear the propofal difcmTed, but the re- 
 lblutiou of the preceding day was over-ruled, 
 
 «■ See Gentleman's Magazine, 1770, p. 401. 
 
 s TVecothick was expofed to grear cenfutc for this aft, ami at 
 the expiiation of his mayoralty, obliged to explain ami apologize to 
 
 the livery for his conduct. 
 
 1 i 4 and
 
 488 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, and the remonftrance voted. Though Wilkes 
 'sS^il/ arif ^ S&wbridge difagreed in the meafure they 
 i7?o. propofed, they feerned to entertain principles 
 perfectly congenial, and their efforts formed a 
 ftruggle for pre-eminence in vulgar and licen- 
 tious railing againft the king and his minifters. 
 •Wilkes oppofed the remonftrance, " becaufe it 
 u would only ferve to make a paper kite for the 
 " prince of Wales ;" and Sawbridge refilled tlie 
 impeachment, " becaufe lord North, by his in- 
 " fluence over the biihops and Scotch peers in 
 u the upper, and over the placemen in the 
 " lower houfe, would be infallibly acquitted, 
 and the people precluded from any further 
 complaint." The remonftrance required, 
 among other abfurdities, "That his maj city 
 " would for ever remove from his prefence and 
 " councils, all his minifters and fecretaries of 
 " ftate, particularly lord Mansfield ; and not 
 " admit a Scotchman into the adminiftra- 
 w tion." 1 
 15th Nov. Soo'nt after this ridiculous and indecorous 
 Meeting of tranfaclion, the fefiion of parliament com- 
 
 parhamtnt. . :_,, , . . ., \ , , r , 
 
 menced. The king informed the houics that 
 bv an acl of the governor of Buenos Avres, in 
 feizing by force one of his pofTeffions, the ho- 
 nour of the crown, and fecurity of the people's 
 rights, were deeply affeeled. He then ftated 
 the meafures hitherto purfued, and called on 
 the parliament for advice and affiftaiice in the 
 profecution of this important bufinefs; The 
 addrefs in the houfe of lords was carried with- 
 Debate on ou j. ^kate ; in the houfe of commons an op- 
 drefs. pofition was made, but no amendment moved. 
 The minifter was blamed for making Bucea- 
 
 u 
 
 » 
 
 1 See/Wilkes's Account of the proceedings at the late meeting of 
 the electors of Weftminfter, Gentleman's Magazine, 1770, p. 519} 
 5385 Annual' Regifter, 1770, p. 160, 
 
 6 relii.
 
 GEORGE III. 489 
 
 relli, the governor of Buenos Ay res, the object chap. 
 of complaint, inftead of the king of Spain, xvm. 
 when it mufi be obvious that the conduct ^70/ 
 of the governoi was fanctioned by the mo- 
 narch. In anfwer, lord North obferved, the 
 lntrinfic value of Falkland's Iflands could not 
 he deemed a fufficient caufe of war, and was 
 therefore a proper object of negotiation ; this 
 rendered it more prudent to allow the king of 
 Spain to avow, or djfavow, as he thought pro- 
 per, the acl of the governor of Buenos Ayres, 
 
 Tins was not the only animadverfion occa- Monona 
 fioned by the Spaniih difpute. A motion was for papa*. 
 made in each houfe, on the fame day, for an " d Noy * 
 addrefs, praying the king to give directions, 
 " That all papers received by the minifrry, be- 
 "tween the 12th of September 1769, and the 
 " 12th of September 17 70, touching hoftilities, 
 " commenced or defigned to be commenced 
 " by the crown of Spain, or any of its officers, 
 " mould be laid before parliament." The mo- 
 tion in the lords was made by the duke of Rich- 
 mond, who entered historically into the tranf- 
 action, and averred that the hpflile intentions 
 of the Spaniards were not limited to the mere 
 claim of Falkland's Iflands. In proof of this 
 he adverted to their preventing the departure 
 of the garrifon and ihip's crew immediately af- 
 ter the capture of the place; and ail'erted that 
 no lefs than three thoufand Bfitifh feamen were 
 then prifoners in ports belonging to Spain, 
 having been taken out of (merchants ihips by 
 guarda coftas, and condemned to perpetual 
 flavery, or confinement. In anfwer, lord 
 Hillfborough contended, the production of 
 the papers would embarrafs a negotiation 
 already in a prosperous train; deicanted ■ oil 
 the delicacy and punftiliouf/icfs of Spanim 
 
 honour,
 
 49« HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, honour, and infiftccl that miniftry' had con- 
 3Z!^; du&ed themfelves with prudence, vigour, and 
 "i7?o. vigilance. 
 
 Lord Chatham ridiculed the manner in 
 which mention had been made of Spanifh 
 honour, and afferted the Englifli to Ije a can- 
 did, ingenuous people, while the Spaniards 
 were no fefs mean and crafty than they were 
 proud and infolent. lie objected to any ne- 
 gotiation, and treated the fuppofed difavowal 
 by the court of Spain of their governor's acl, 
 as an abfolute falfehood. He faid, when the 
 French took poffevTion of the little ifland, call- 
 ed Tortuga, the minifter at the head of the trea- 
 fury did not negotiate: he fent for the French 
 embaiTador, made a peremptory demand ; a 
 courier was difpatehed to Pans, and returned 
 in a few days, with orders for inftant reftitu- 
 tion, not only of the ifland, but of all ef- 
 fects belonging to the Engiim. The prefent 
 negotiation might produce a temporary ar- 
 rangement, but the country would in fix 
 months be involved in a Spanim war. He dis- 
 claimed the imputation of being inclined to 
 hurry the kingdom, at all events, intohoftilities 
 with Spain ; he was defnous of peace, but let 
 it be honourable, let it be fecure: a patched- 
 np peace would not fatisfy the nation, though 
 it might be approved in parliament. He 
 then entered into a long ftatement, proving 
 that the naval fervice had been egregioufly 
 neglected; indicated the maritime exertions, 
 which, in time of war, would be requifitc ; and 
 afferted, that in more than two months, minif- 
 try had not railed above eight thouland fea- 
 men : they boafted of having put forty mips 
 of the line into coirhniffibn, but to his certain 
 knowledge: forty thoufand men would be ne- 
 
 ceflarv
 
 GEORGE III. 491 
 
 ceffary to equip fuch an armament, with its at- cha p. 
 tendant frigates." The Spaniards, he declared, xvr ^ 
 had in Ferrol a fleet completely manned and 1770. 
 ready to fail, which Great Britain was in no 
 condition to meet. We could not fend out 
 eleven fail completely equipped ; and if the 
 ho ufe of Bourbon were to make a wife and 
 vigorous ufe of their actual advantage, in a 
 month we muft be no longer a nation. After 
 many dcfultory remarks on the general ftate of 
 affairs, protracted to a confiderable length; he 
 concluded in thefe words, " The mimicry are 
 " now balancing between a war, which they 
 " ought to have forefeen, but for which they 
 " have made no provifion, and an ignomini- 
 " ous compromife. Let me warn them of their 
 
 u In this part of his fpeech lord Chatham exprefTed his fentiments 
 at length on the fubjett of impreffing feamen, and as they merit con- 
 sideration, the following extract is given. " The fubjeft on which 
 " I am fpeaking feems to call upon me, and I willingly take this 
 " occaiion, to declare my opinion upon the queftion, on which much 
 " wicked pains have been employed to difturb the minds of the peo- 
 " pie, and to diflrefs government. My opinion may not be very 
 " popular ; neither am I running the race of popularity. I am my- 
 « felf clearly convinced, and I believe every man who knows any 
 "■ t'uing of the Efiglilh navy will acknowledge, that, without im- 
 «< prefllng, it is impo'flible to equip a ref peel able fleet within the time 
 " in which fuch armaments are ufualiy wanted. If this faft be ad- 
 ** milted, and if the pecefTity of arming on a hidden emergency 
 " mould appear incontrovertible, what mall we think of thofe men 
 "who, in a moment of danger, would ttop the great defence of 
 " their country? Upon whatever principle they may acl, the acl: it- 
 « felf is more than faclion ; it is labouring to cut off the right-hand 
 «« of the community. I wholly condemn their .conduct, ami am 
 «< ready to fupport any motion that m?.y be made for bringing thofe 
 "aldermen, who have endeavoured to (top the execution of the ad- 
 " miralty warrants, to the bar of this houfe. My lords, 1 do not 
 " reft my opinion merely on necelfity. I am fatisfied that the 
 «* power of imprelling is founded on uninterrupted ufage. It is the 
 «' confueiudo regm, and part of the common-law prerogative of the 
 " crown. When I condemn (he proceedings of fome perfons on 
 '<■ this occafion, let me dg jullice to a man who'e character and con- 
 "riuft have been infamoufly traduced, I mean the hire lord-mayor, 
 «• Mr.Trecothick. In the mi 1ft ©f reproach and clamour, he had lirm- 
 ««o&fs to perfevere in doing his duty. I do not know in office a 
 <*more upright magi Urate; nor, in private lift, a worthier man." 
 
 "danger; 
 
 *o
 
 4$CJ HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. " danger : if they are forced into a war, they 
 xviii. « ftand it at the hazard of their heads ; if, by 
 1770. "a compromife, they mould ftain the honour 
 " of the crown, or facrifice the rights of the 
 " people, let them look to their conferences, 
 " and conilder whether they will be able to 
 " walk the ftreets in fafety." 
 
 Several other peers fpoke on the queftion ; 
 and lord Sandwich, with confiderable effeel, 
 retorted on oppofition the charge of dif- 
 agreement in opinions, which had been alleged 
 again ft the miniftry ; they difagreed, he ob- 
 ferved, at York meeting, and at Weftminfter, 
 and in that houfe he could trace difcordant fen- 
 timents among them, through the whole chain 
 of oppofition, down to Wilkes and Eldrige. 
 The previous queftion was loudly called for, 
 and rejected by a large majority.* The debate 
 in the houfe of commons, though long, ani- 
 mated, and fuftained by good fpeakers on both 
 fides, did not, as far as can be judged from the 
 publiihed reports, embrace any novelty of ar- 
 gumentation, or difclofe any new fact. It was 
 terminated by a vote againitthe previous quef- 
 tion/ ' 
 prcgrefsof ' One motive with the oppofition for preffmg 
 Hon? 13 " f° ftrongly the queftion relative to this unim- 
 portant capture, appears to have been the train 
 in which the negotiations were proceeding. 
 The tendency of general opinion to the period 
 of the recefs, was that war was inevitable, and 
 the minority were anxious to obtain from the 
 miniftry fome explicit declaration, fome un- 
 
 * 65 to 21. 
 
 V Carried by 225, agalnft 101. The reader muft obferve the ex- 
 treme difficulty of judging correctly of the debate on any public 
 queftion ?.t this period, as the documents are extremely /lender, and 
 the reporters ihamefu'.ly partial, 
 
 equivocal
 
 GEORGE III. 4QS 
 
 equivocal pledge 1 , that Ihould bind them in the chap. 
 cond uct, of holti 1 i ties; and retard, if not prevent XVI r - 
 the poffibility of peace. It has been already 1770. 
 itated, that before the arrival of captain Hunt 
 in England, with an account of his cxpuHion 
 from Falkland's Iflands, a letter was received , ot h $-* 
 by lord Weymouth from Mr. Harris at Madrid, 
 apprizing him of the intended expedition; and 
 about the fame time, lord Weymouth was in- 
 formed by prince Maferano, that he had reafon 
 to believe the governor of Buenos Ayres had 
 taken upon himfelf to make ufe of force in- ex- 
 pelling the Engliih from Port Egmont. Ma- 
 ferano faid he was directed to make this com- 
 munication to prevent the confequences which 
 miii'ht arife from its being dilcloibd through 
 another channel, and exprelTed his willies that 
 it might not be productive of meafures dan- 
 gerous to the good undemanding between the 
 \\vo courts. Lord Weymouth anfwered, if 
 the expullion had already taken place, he did 
 not think the fatal confequences could be 
 avoided : the king's initruCtions to the Britiill 
 officer, commanding at Port P^gmont were, to 
 warn the fobje&s of other powers from thofe 
 mores ; but if they would not depart to make a 
 joint fettlement with them, and refer the quef- 
 tion of right to be difcuvTed in Europe. He 
 inquired whether Grimaldi had initruCtions to 
 dilavow the conduct of Buccarelli. On receiv j 
 ing an anfwer in the negative, lord Weymouth' 
 applied for further initruCtions, and then de- 
 manded a difavowal of the proceedings at Port 
 Egmont, and alfo that the affairs of th ' le- 
 nient ihould be reftored to their priirine (late. 
 He alfo wrote immediately to Mr. Harris, ftat- i 2 thSepr. 
 ing thefe circumihmces, and requiring him to 
 wait on the Spanilh minifter, and inforce a 
 
 compliance
 
 494 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, compliance with thofe demands, as the only 
 ^ 1 I11j means °f fufpending the preparations then 
 J77 o. making in England. Mr. Harris, afterwards 
 earl of Malmibury, who was then a very young 
 man, began his diplomatic career with this de- 
 licate tranfaeiion, which he managed with great 
 
 «S*h. fagacity and addrefs. He waited on M. Gri- 
 maldi, and, in very proper language, delivered 
 the complaints and demands which he was 
 authorized to make. The anfwer was vague 
 and unlatisfaciory : Grimaldi afTerted the Eng- 
 liih had reafon to forefee the event, their efta- 
 hlimment was known to be difapproved by 
 Spain ; he teftiiied concern at the tranfaetion, 
 and faid he had difpatched a veffel from Co- 
 runna to prevent it, but unfortunately too late ; 
 ftill he could not blame the conduct of Bucca- 
 relli, as it was founded on the laws of America. 
 He declared Spain to be defirous of peace, as 
 fhe had much to lofe, and little to gain by war. 
 Mr. Harris having reduced his demands to 
 writing, the Spaniih minifter promifed to lay 
 them before the king: the defire of peace was 
 declared to be reciprocal, but Grimaldi was 
 tenacious of his matters honour, while Mr. Har- 
 ris infilled on a compliance with the terms of 
 his requifition as the only mode of doing juf- 
 tice, and fatisfying the honour of Great Bri- 
 tain. Two days afterwards, Mr. Harris was 
 informed by the minifter, that as the affair 
 could only be arranged in London, prince 
 Maferano was directed to lay before lord Wey- 
 mouth, " the feveral ideas," on this fubject, 
 truiling fome of them would be adopted. 
 
 Instructions were tranfmitted to prince 
 Maferano, to propofe a convention, in which 
 Spain Uiould difavow any particular orders 
 given to Buccarelli, and at the fame time admit 
 
 that
 
 GEORGE III. 493 
 
 that the governor had acted agreeably to ge- chap. 
 neral iuftruc'tions, and to his oath. Maferano £*2\ 
 v/as alio empowered to ftipulate the reftitution *77°- 
 of Falkland's Iflands, without prejudice to his 
 catholic majefty's rights, and to require the 
 king of England to difavow the menace of cap- 
 tain Hunt. When this proportion was made, oa. nth 
 lord Weymouth confidcredit extremely remote l0I 7t-i- 
 from affording fatisfaction for the injury com- 
 plained of, and anfwered with great fpirit, 
 That when the king's moderation conde- 
 fcended to require the court of Madrid 
 to difavow the proceedings of the governor 
 of Buenos Ayres, and reitore things pre-, 
 cifely to that iituation in which they ftood 
 before the rafh and unwarrantable undertak- 
 ing of the governor, as the fmalleil repara- 
 tion for the injury that could be accepted, 
 nothing remained for difcuffion, except the 
 mode of carrying the difavowal and reftitu- 
 tion into execution. He declared tbe king's 
 firm adherence to his firft demand, and the to- 
 tal inadmiffability of the propofed convention ; 
 adding, as the king had received an injury, 
 and required the molt moderate reparation 
 which his honour would permit him to accept, 
 that reparation would lole its value if condi- 
 tional, and to be obtained by any ftipulation. 
 Maferano declared he had no power to proceed, 
 except by convention, and muft apply for fur- 
 ther inu'ruetions. Lord Weymouth wrote to 
 Mr. Harris, defiling him to wait on Grimaldi, 
 and requelt an aniVer from the king of 
 Spain. 
 
 Such was the pofition of the affair at the 
 meeting of parliament. Mr. Harris waited fe- iithoa. 
 vera! times on Grimaldi, without obtaining a 
 fatisfa&ory aniVer; and at length was in- 
 formed
 
 496 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, formed, that a difpatch was fcnt to prince Ma 
 
 \3^i5; ferano, empowering him to renew the treaty. 
 
 1770. The imprefiion made on Mr. Harris's mind by 
 
 6th Nov. tf\- ls (lifpatci-,^ w hi c h Grimaldi read to him, was, 
 
 that the Spanim court appeared ready to agree 
 to every thing required ; the refufal to difavow 
 the menace of captain Hunt conftituted the 
 only difficulty. 2 
 
 But the conduct of Maferano did not juftify 
 thefe expectations, 3 and as little hope w'as en- 
 tertained of a fatisfaetory adjuftment, it was 
 judged expedient to warn the Britiih merchants 
 at Cadiz, Alicant, and in other parts of Spain, 
 of their danger, and to order all officers belong- 
 ing to the garrifon at Gibraltar, to repair im- 
 mediately to their poft. After the recels, war 
 sittDee. was deemed inevitable, and Mr. Harris was or- 
 J?deS r to S f * ere d by the Britiih government to withdraw 
 leave from Madrid, though not without taking the 
 Spain. urn al leave. 
 
 Unwilling- • To this period Grimaldi acted confidently 
 France to w ^^ tne P* an f ct ^ e ^ between him and de Choi- 
 makuwar. feul, and if the French minifter had been able 
 to carry into effect the projects he recommended, 
 hoftilities would have been commenced with- 
 out delay- But the French king; who had al- 
 ready experienced great difficulties in obtairi- 
 ing the Aims requilite for the fupport of his dig 1 
 nity, andthepurfnit of his pleafures, could not, 
 by any means, be induced to augment his in* 
 conveniences by entering into a war. The 
 turbulence manifested by his Adjects, on 
 many occafions, formed a ftrong motive with 
 him for avoiding a meafurc, which, by increaf- 
 
 2 The difjatch containing - this information was received the 19th 
 of November, only three days before the duke of Richmond's mo- 
 tion. 
 
 ? See Lord Weymouth's Letters, 23d and 28th Nov. 
 
 mg
 
 GEORGE KI. 497 
 
 lag their burthens, would alfo give additional chap, 
 force to their dilTatisfaction. * _ "'• 
 
 The king of Spain having held a grand J 77 ». 
 council, at which an ultimate propofition Mas 
 decided on, fent an account of its refult to the 
 king of France, inviting his co-operation, 
 mould war be inevitable. 15 ut the party who 
 acted in conjunction with madame clu Barry. 
 and who depended on her influence over the 
 king for the promotion of their views, now ac- 
 quired a fufficient afcendency to procure the 
 difmiffion of the Due de Choifeul, and thus 
 deftroyed every hope which the king of Spain 
 entertained of deriving affiftance from Fiance. 6 
 
 In confequence of information imparted by isth j.m. 
 Maferano of his having frefh propofals to make, c n«rtio* 
 Mr. Harris received orders to return to the ofSpainu 
 court of Madrid, inverted with the authorities a2d - 
 of miniiler-plenipotentiary ; and in a fhort time 
 it was finally agreed, that Spain mould reftore 
 to the king of Great Britain, the poffeftion of 
 the Great Malouine, or Falkland's Ifland, in 
 the fame lituation it was at the time when the 
 garrifon was expelled ; but this reftitution was 
 not to affect any claim of right which his Ca- 
 tholic majefty might have to the fovereignty 
 of that territory. The king of Spain in tins 
 declaration explicitly diiavowed the violent 
 enterprise of Buccarelli. c 
 
 During 
 
 b From private information. 
 
 c See Journals, and Debates for the papers referred to in the nar- 
 rative ; and lee Johnlbn's Pamphlet, and the Annual Reglltei for 
 1771. This unexpecled termination of the difpute gave rife to vari- 
 ous (peculations. The retignatio'n of lord Weymouth occasioned a 
 feport that he was diflalisfied with the want of vigour which pre- 
 Vailed in the cabinet, and refined becaufe the miniftry would not 
 comply with his fufggeftions, which tended to an immediate deel 
 tionof war: but this is abfolutely unfounded, for the firft meafure" 
 of lord Rochford wa-J to recal Mr. Harris. It is alio averred thai a 
 VOL. I, K K * ri ""«
 
 4J)8 HISTORY OF ENGLAND: 
 
 chap. During this negotiation feveral changes 
 viJiiL' took place, by which the miniftry acquired- 
 1771- additional ftrength. Lord Weymouth re- 
 Smfnit^ % neQl the teak, which were given to lord 
 try. Rochtbrd. Sir Edward Hawke religned his 
 
 Iath J an - I e of firft lord of the admiralty, and was 
 sad. ' fiicceeded by the earl of Sandwich; the earl of 
 Halifax taking the office of fecretarv of ftate 
 for the northern department, which became 
 vacant by this removal, and refigning his place 
 of lord privy -leal to the earl of Suffolk. Mr. 
 23d. Bathurft was created Baron Apfley, and ap- 
 
 pointed lord-chancellor; Sir William de Grey 
 was made chief-jultice of the common-pleas ; 
 Thurlow attorney-general, and Wedderburne 
 foli citor- general and cofferer to the queen; 
 feveral members of both houfes, who were per- 
 fonally attached to the late Mr. Grenville/ 
 and had been violent in oppofition, now alio- 
 joined the minifterial ■ftandard. 
 Difputebe- j^ ' mc ' 1( \ eil - c which occurred before the re - 
 
 tween tne 
 two houles. 
 
 private extra-official negotiation was conduced between the cabinets 
 of London and Verfaiiles, and terms of accommodation treated of by 
 means of a French agent; but this afiertion is alfo erroneous. See 
 governor Pownal's Speech in the houfe of commons, 13th February, 
 1771. The ifland was in confequence of this arrangement furrendered 
 in the moft honourable manner to the Britim forces (16th Sept. 1771)5 
 but as the nature and value of the poiTefEon were now thoroughly un- 
 derfoot!, it was in le(V than iwoyeaiscompletely evacuated, (lad April 
 1773.) This circum'itance has led to an infitfuation that the aban- 
 donment of the polTefilon was ftipulated by fecret articles, but thia 
 was not the fact; the Britim forces left their flag flying, and large 
 fheetsoflead fixed up, with engraved inferiptions, proclaiming to all 
 nations that Falkland's Iflands, with the flore-houfes and all their 
 appurtenances, were the fole right and property of the king of Great 
 Britain. It is indeed true that the intention of retaining this unim- 
 portant pofleilion was renounced by Great Britain, and the Spanifh 
 Biinilter was fo apprized ■• nding the negotiation. But there was no 
 fecret article on the fubjectj nor was the place* ever furrendered to 
 Spain. 
 
 ■* He died 13th November, 1770. 
 
 eeft,
 
 fcEOUGE III. 40,a 
 
 feels, occafioned an animofky between the two chap. 
 houfes, which continued during the remainder xvnr - 
 of the fcflion. The duke of Mancheftef made ioihD«c. 
 a motion for an addrefs for accelerating the I77 °* 
 preparations for war, and putting the Weft 
 India ponefiions, and Gibraltar, in a proper ftate 
 of defence. He was proceeding to deicant on 
 the infecure condition of that fortfefs, and ue- 
 flecting on the criminal negligence of minifters 
 tor their omiffion, when he was fuddenly inter- 
 rupted, and a motion made to clear the houfe. 
 The reafons for this meafurc were founded on 
 the impropriety of fuffering a proportion of 
 which no previous notice had been given, to be 
 difcuued in the prefence of ftrangers, when the 
 objects of it were fuch as to difctoie the naked- 
 nets and weaknefs of the nation. Lord Chat- 
 ham and the duke of Richmond refilled ; but a 
 violent clamour of, " clear the houfe," pre- 
 vented them from obtaining a hearing. Being 
 highly irritated, they, with their friends, in 
 number about eighteen, retired in a body, alleg- 
 ing the folly and idlenefs of attending there, 
 when they were denied the privilege of lords of 
 parliament, and not permitted the exercife of 
 free debate. Immediately afterwards feveral 
 members of the lower houfe, who attended with 
 a bill, were ordered to depart. In vain they re- 
 prefented that the performance of their duty 
 obliged them to remain ; they were compelled 
 to retire till their meifage was delivered, then 
 re admitted with their bill, and as foon as that 
 ceremony was performed, ordered again to 
 Withdraw. Inflamed with indignation, they re- 
 turned to their own houfe, and made an angry 
 reprelentation of the tranfaction ; the feceding 
 lords were prefent, hearing the debates, and I 
 firft effort of refentment in the commons, v. 
 
 k k 2 mcoiifiderately
 
 500 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, inconnderately directed againft them. The 
 
 xvni. (tanding order was read, and though the fug- 
 
 1770. geftion M ; as oppofed by a majority, they were 
 
 nth Dec. obliged to quit the houfe. Sixteen peers en- 
 tered a proteft on the journals, and feveral in- 
 effectual motions were made in the lower houfe 
 to procure an inquiry and difcuffion ; but the 
 only refult was a fallen hoftility between the 
 two houfes. The lords gave ftrict orders that 
 no ftrangers mould for the future be admitted, 
 except commoners who attended to preient 
 bills, and they were to depart when they had 
 made the ufual obeifanee. The commons in 
 the eourfe of the feffion abated the rigour of 
 exclufion, but the lords remained inflexible. 6 
 
 2 zd Jan. The negotiation refpecting Falkland's Iflands 
 
 T*TTI *"^ * *"- 
 
 p/bateon was adj lifted only a few hours before the meet- 
 theter- ing of parliament, after the recefs. Lord North 
 of "he' 6 " informed the houfe of the event, and on a fub- 
 Spanifti fequent day laid before them Maferano's de- 
 conteft. plaration, and lord Rochford's acceptance, 
 The oppofition frrenuouily difapproved of the 
 termination of the difpute, afligning to the 
 minifters and their friends, every fault and im- 
 propriety of conduct which could be alleged in 
 fuch a transaction. Among other things it was 
 averred, that the nation was not only expofed 
 to contempt abroad, but left a prey to jobbers 
 and (harpers at home. " A French fecretary," 
 colonel Barre obferved to the miniftry, " be- 
 " ing in your fecrets, has made near half a 
 " million of money by gambling in your funds ; 
 " and fome of the higheft among yourfelves 
 
 e Debates, journals, Annual Regifter, 1771. p. 37. The de- 
 bates were carried on with f"o much acrimony, and gave rife to finch 
 perlbnal reflections, as to occafion a duel between lord George Ger- 
 maine and governor Johnitone, in which lord George was iiightly 
 wounded in the hand. 
 
 " have 
 
 35111.
 
 GEORGE III. 501 
 
 c have been deeply concerned in the fame lean- c h af. 
 " dalous traffic." A motion was made and X ^ I1L 
 carried in both houfes for an addrefs to the 17-1. 
 king, requefting the communication or' pa- 
 pers for elucidating the tranfa&ion ; and the 
 production of thefe documents occasioned fe- 
 veral difcuffions. Amotion was made in the 14th Feb. 
 lords, by the duke of Newcaftle for an addrefs 
 of approbation, which was carried after a vehe- 
 ment debate, and aproteft, confifting of eleven, 
 articles, figned by eighteen peers, betides a pro- 
 teft figned by lord Radnor fingly, were entered 
 on the journals. 
 
 The debates were no lefs ftrenuoufly main- 13th Feb. 
 tained in the commons ; the motion of thanks 
 occafioned a very animated difcufiion, but 
 the queftion was at length carried/ A motion, 5th Mar> 
 introduced by a long fpeeeh, was afterwards ' 
 made by governor Pownall, to cenfure minif- 
 try for not having demanded an explanation 
 of the oath of office, taken by the Spanifh go- 
 vernors in America, in virtue of which they 
 justified the conduct of Buccarelli ; but jt was 
 over-ruled. 5 
 
 The popularity of Junius's Letters induced Trials of 
 feveral bookfellers, proprietors of periodical printer*, 
 works, tore-publiih them. \Voodfai; was tried 13 th June 
 for printing in the Public Advcrtifer, one of »77o. 
 thefe letters, which was deemed a libel, and 
 Ahnon was tried for re-publilhing the fame let- a djune 
 ter in a monthly Mifceliany, called the Lon- i7'/o- 
 don Mufeuni. Almon's cafe came firft under 
 investigation, and the .jury found him guilty of 
 publijhing. The verdict againft Woodfall was, 
 guilty of printing and publijhing only. Al- i 9 thjun« 
 ljion's counfel moved for a new trial, on the w* 
 
 f J.71 to 157- E 130 t0 43- 
 
 K K 3 ground
 
 50i HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, ground of the evidence being infufficient to 
 XV ^J prove any criminal intention, or even any 
 knowledge of the London Mufeum being fold 
 at his fhop. Affidavits were exhibited to prove 
 that the compilation in queltion was the pro- 
 perty of another bookfeller, named Miller; fent 
 to Almon's lhop without his privity ; fold by his 
 fervant without confulting him ; and that he 
 had immediately on discovering the fact, pre- 
 vented the further fale. One of the jury alfo 
 tendered an affidavit of his having joined in 
 the verdict under the influence of miftake, as 
 he had incorrectly conceived a point of law; 
 but this affidavit was of courfe refilled by the 
 court. It appeared from the report of the trial, 
 read by lord Mansfield, that in giving his 
 charge to the jury, he faid there was evidence 
 of the publication if they believed thewitnefs; 
 and directed them, if they were not fatisfied 
 that the blanks in the information were filled 
 up according to the true fenfe and meaning of 
 the writer, to acquit the defendant: the epir 
 thets falfe, fcandalous, and malicious, ufed in 
 the information were inferences of law, drawn 
 from the paper itfelf; and not facts to be proved. 
 After the cafe bad been ably argued by counfel, 
 ., - .' and time taken by the court to confider, they 
 j7?o. gave an unanimous opinion, that none of the 
 matters urged on behalf of the defendant, nor 
 all of them added together, were reafons for 
 aid June granting a new trial. In Woodfalfs cafe two 
 ? 77Q * motions were made : the rirft by the defendant 
 to flay the entering up of judgment on the 
 verdict; the other by the attorney-general, for 
 entering a verdict according to the legal im- 
 3 d July port of the finding of the jury. This latter 
 ami motion wasfirft difcuffed, and lord Mansfield 
 
 *° ov * in reporting the proceedings, hated his direc- 
 3 tiona
 
 it 
 
 it 
 
 GEORGE III. .505 
 
 tions to the jury in thef? terms : "To confider chap. 
 
 " whether all the inuendos, and all theappli- i^i^ 
 
 " cations to matter ami perfons made by the 
 
 " information were in their judgment, the true 
 
 " meaning of the paper : if they thought other- 
 
 " wife, to acquit the defendant: but if they 
 
 " agreed with the information, and believed 
 
 u the evidence as to the publication, they 
 
 "mould hud .him guilty. Whether the paper 
 
 " was in law a libel, was a queftion of law upon 
 
 " the face of the record, for after conviction a 
 
 " defendant might move in arreft of judgment 
 
 "if the paper was not a libel: the epithets in 
 
 " the information were formal inferences of 
 
 " law from printing and publifhing; no proof 
 
 " of exprefs malice was ever required, and it is 
 
 " in moft cafes impoffible to be given. A V here 
 
 " an act, in itfelf iiidirlcrent, if done with par- 
 
 -" ticular intent, becomes criminal, there the 
 
 " intent mult be proved and found ; but where 
 
 " the act is itfelf unlawful, as in this cafe, the 
 
 ■" proof of juftirication lies on the defendant; 
 
 " and in failure thereof, the law implies a cri- 
 
 " minal intent." The court agreed in this 
 
 .opinion, but from the ambiguous ufe of the 
 
 word only in the verdict, ordered a new 
 
 trial.* 
 
 The Sentiments delivered by lord Mansfield 
 on this and fimilar occafions, produced much 
 difcuflion among lawyers, as well as the public 
 at large, and loon became an object of parlia- 
 mentary animadveriion. The ground taken in 
 oppofition to the fentiments of the lord chief- 
 
 h See Burrow's Reports, vol. v. ?.66i, 2686; Reports of theft 
 Trials in feparate pamphlets 
 Letters to Mr. A.lmon in m: 
 Letter to Sir William Alton. 
 
 Trials in feparate pamphlets, and the periodical publications; 
 Letters to Mr. A-lmon in matter of libel 5 and Robert Morris's 
 
 a k * mft]
 
 504 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 ghap, juftice, promifed a great thare of popularity! 
 xvin. |} ie i v ' m \ by jmy i s generally and delervedly 
 dear to the nation, and every attempt to bridge 
 the powers, or relhain the decifions of that in- 
 eltimable tribunal, excites horror from its mani- 
 feft tendency to encroach on, and ultimately 
 deftrov, every valuable charter and fecial im- 
 munity. Libelling was the darling offence of 
 the day, and when in impeding a practice fo 
 dangerous, it became neceffary for the noble- 
 man at the head of the common law, to ailume 
 a technical principle exprefsly repugnant to 
 the courfc of popular predilection, and avail- 
 able by a number of fpeeious arguments cal- 
 culated for the level of every understanding, 
 lie expofed himfelf to a moft unequal and dan- 
 gerous conteft : his opponents were fecure of 
 popularity ; and the obloquy attending his 
 doctrine was fufficient to deter many from 
 efpoufing, or avowing in public their aifent to 
 his opinion. All the judges of the court of 
 King's Bench, and the majority of eminent 
 lawyers, agreed with lord Mansfield ; the pub- 
 lic was decidedly hoftile, and the tranfaetion 
 occafioned differences of opinion among the 
 profelfors of the law, which can never be 
 thorouidilv reconciled. 
 *«th Nov, J N the ripper houfe the difcuffion was brought 
 Difcuffion forward by lord Chatham, who took occafion 
 of lord to digrefsfrom a buiinefs then in agitation, for 
 field's" doc- the purpofe of expfeffing hisfentiments on the 
 trine in the modern manner of directing* juries from the 
 houfe or bench. Lord Mansfield candidly and expli- 
 citly avowed the practice, mewing it to be 
 founded on reafon, and ancient ufaa;e. Hede- 
 dared his opinion, " That a libel or not a li- 
 W JjcIj was a matter of law to be decided by the 
 
 " bench, 
 
 lords.
 
 GEORGE III. 505 
 
 "bench, and the queftion to be left to the chap. 
 "jurv, was only the feci; of printing and ^^jj 
 " publishing." Lord Chatham and lord Cam- 
 den both expretTed aftonifhment and abhor- 
 rence at this do trine, but the houfe re- 
 turned to the more immediate object of dif- 
 cuffion. 
 
 Perhaps this debate, thus irregularly intro- Serjeant 
 cluced, was principally defigned to extract; from 0| y. nns 
 
 • n • C« I i ■ 11 motion. 
 
 the lord cnief-jultice a clear and irrevocable 
 avowal of his judgment, in order to afford the 
 better foundation to a motion which ferjeant 
 Glynn had then in contemplation to make, 
 and of which in a few days he gavfe notice. It , d Dcc . 
 was for the appointment of a committee to in- 1770. 
 quire into the adminiuration of criminal juftice, 
 and the proceedings of the judges in Weftmin- 
 uer Hall, particularly in cafes relating to the 
 liberty of the prefs, and the conftitutionai 
 power and duty of juries. This motion was 6th Dcc « 
 Supported by all the talents of oppohtion, I77 ° 
 and no argument or mode of expreffion omitted 
 which could inflame the public mind, or call 
 difarace on the character of lord Mansfield; Ser- 
 jeant Gfynn affirmed, that a general belief pre- 
 vailed of the judges being unfriendly to juries, 
 encroaching on their conftitutionai power, and 
 laying down falfe law in order to miflead them 
 in their verdicts. A great difplay of legal 
 knowledge was made by the ferjeant and 
 Mr. Dunning in fupportmg the motion; they 
 were combated by Pe Grey, the attorney-ge- 
 neral, and Sir Gilbert Elliott; and lord Manf- 
 field's character was ftrenuoufly and honour- 
 ably defended by lord Clare and Mr. Jenkin- 
 fon. The conduct of Wedderburpe and Burke 
 was highly honourable; for while they nip- 
 ported the motion, they disclaimed and repro- 
 r " baled
 
 ,506 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP. 
 XVIII. 
 
 Lord 
 Mansfield 
 leaves a 
 paper with 
 the clerk 
 of the 
 houfe of 
 lords. 
 7th Dec. 
 1770. 
 
 jith Dec. 
 
 1770. 
 
 ith. 
 
 «Sth Mar. 
 1771. 
 
 bated all thofe afperities of diction which had 
 been ufed in fpeaking of the lord chief-juftice, 
 and paid the merited tribute of applaufe to his 
 extraordinary talents, and confpicuous inte- 
 grity. The motion was loft by a large ma- 
 jority. 1 
 
 It now became indifpenfibly neeeffary for 
 lord Mansfield to place his fentiments in fo 
 clear a view, that they mould no longer be 
 fubjecT; to mifreprefentaiion, and for that pur- 
 pofe he demanded a call of the houfe. As he 
 did not ftate precifely what were his motives 
 for this meafure, great expectations were en- 
 tertained, of his intending voluntarily to 
 ■defend his own conduct, and explain the 
 grounds and authorities which ferved as a balls 
 for his opinion. But he had no fuch intention, 
 nor was it requifite, or even prudent for him to 
 undertake the tafk : he delivered to the clerk 
 of the houfe, for the information of the mem- 
 bers, a copy of the unanimous opinion of the 
 court of King's Bench in Woodfalfs cafe ; a 
 paper drawn with great precifion, and contain- 
 ing in a fmall compafs the merits and the law. 
 Lord Camden inquired if this paper was to be 
 entered on the journals, but being anfuered in 
 the negative, on the following day attempted 
 to renew the difcuflion. He confidered the pa- 
 per left by lord Mansfield as a direct challenge 
 to him, and propofed fix interrogatories, which 
 the chief-juftice very properly declined an- 
 fwering. After foine inerfe&ual endeavours 
 to engage lord Mansfield in a difcuflion of 
 the queftion, it was left for the decifion of the 
 courts of law: a motion afterwards made 
 
 1 184 to 76. It is to be obferved, that this debate took place be- 
 fore the changes in the miniftry already noticed, 
 
 in
 
 GEORGE III. 507 
 
 211 the lower houfe, for leave to bring in a bill chap. 
 to aicertain the powers of juries in cafe of libels, J^iil/ 
 was over-ruled. k x 77»« 
 
 One of the moft extraordinary fubjecis Disfran- 
 which for a long time occupied the attention jKjJJ* 
 of parliament, prefented itfelf this feflion. A shortham, 
 petition was lodged againft Hugh Roberts, the 
 returning officer of New Shoreham, for return- 
 ing a candidate with only thirty -feven votes, 
 in prejudice of another who had eighty -feven, 
 although he had queried feventy-fix of the 
 number. In his defence the officer difclofed a 
 Shocking and difgufting fcene of venality, 
 perjury, and hypocrify. A majority of the 
 freemen formed themfelves into an aifocia- 
 tion, denominated the Chrijhian Club : the 
 pretended motives of their confederacy were 
 piety and charity ; the real purpoi'e, corruption. 
 They made a traffic of their oaths and con- 
 fciences, offered the bdrough for fale to the 
 higheft bidder, and utterly precluded the other 
 freemen from any beneficial exercife of their 
 f ranch ife. They were bound to lecreey and 
 to each other by oaths, writings, and bonds 
 with large penalties, and carried on their nego- 
 tiations by means of a lelect committee, who, 
 under pretence of fcruples of confeience, never 
 voted at elections themfelves, but having fold 
 the borough, and received the uipulated price, 
 directed the luff 'rages of the reft, relying on 
 this complicated effort of fraud to prevent de- 
 tection, and enjoy without remorfe the fruits of 
 their diihoncfty/ Al a late vacancy, occafion- 
 ed by lite death of Sir Stephen Cornifh, live can- 
 didates appeared for 1 he borough, and a com- 
 mittee of five was appointed by the club to 
 
 k 218 to yz. 
 
 treat
 
 508 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, treat for the fale. General Smith, one of the 
 2i r iil/ candidates, offered three thoufand pounds, and 
 1771. to build at Shoreham fix hundred tons of thip- 
 ping. Mr. Rumbold offered thirty-five pounds 
 a man, to all the freemen ; his propofal was ac- 
 cepted, but his agent was directed not to take 
 notice of voters who were not of the club. The 
 returning officer, who had been a member of 
 this fociety, and was well acquainted with their 
 meafures, having taken umbrage at fome of 
 their proceedings, determined to thwart and 
 oppofe them. He therefore obtained the opi- 
 nion of counfel, and all hough the majority of 
 voters took the oaths ao-ainft bribery and cor- 
 ruption, he conlidered them difqualiired, and 
 made his return accordingly. As the felect 
 committee appointed under Mr. Grenville's act, 
 could not take proper cognizance of thefe flagi- 
 tious tranfactions, they reported them to the 
 
 ythFeb. houfe, and Roberts was ordered to attend at 
 
 w- the bar. His defence not appearing fufticient 
 intirely to exculpate him, though his conduct 
 was acknowledged to be founded on proper 
 principles, he was reprimanded by the Speaker, 
 
 *8th. and difcharged. The circumftances thus dif- 
 clofed were afterwards taken into confideration, 
 evidence examined, and a bill brought in, by 
 which, after feveral alterations, amendments, 
 and debates, eighty-one freemen of Shoreham, 
 named in the bill, were disfranchifed, and ren- 
 dered incapable of voting at any election of 
 members of parliament, and the right of elect- 
 ing; members for that borough extended to all 
 the freeholders in the Rape of Bramber in the 
 county of SurTex, who had tenements of the 
 value of forty millings. This meafure was by 
 fome confidered too lenient, and propofals made 
 utterly to disfranchife the borough, but the 
 
 precedent
 
 GEORGE III. 50[) 
 
 precedent was thought dangerous; others, on chap. 
 the contrary, were defirous to limit thepuniih- xvin - 
 ment to the operation of law on the guilty in- 177** 
 dividuals, but this was rejected, as affording, 
 from the difficulty of obtaining legal evidence, 
 a profpect of certain immunity. 1 
 
 In the eourfe of the feffion, feveral attempts 
 were made by the oppofition to introduce po- 
 pular laws, and raife popular queftions. A bill 
 was brought into the houfe of commons for 
 repealing a claufe in the Nullum Tempus acl; 
 it was read twice, but loft on the third reading 17th Feb. . 
 by an inconfiderable majority." 1 The duke of 3othA P rii 
 Richmond moved the houfe of lords to reverie 
 its refolution of not impeaching, directly or in- 
 directly, the judgment of the houfe of commons, 
 in the Middlesex election; lord Chatham iftMay. 
 moved for an addrefs, praying the king to dif- 
 folve the parliament; and alderman Sawbridge, 
 in the lower houfe, made a motion, to ihorten 
 the duration of parliaments. All thefe efforts 
 were unfuccefsful ; but alderman Sawbridge 
 renewed his motion in every feffion till his 
 death. 
 
 1 Debates; Aunual Remitter, 1771, p. 54; Hiftory of the Bo- 
 roughs, &c. of Great Britain, vol. lii. p. 52 ; article Shore- 
 Ikiiti. 
 
 164 to 155.
 
 610 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHATTER THE NINETEENTH: 
 
 1771 — 1772. 
 
 Difpute between the houfc of commons and the] 
 city. — Publication of debates. — Colonel 
 Onflows complaint of a breach of privilege. 
 — Printers ordered to attend at the bar. — 
 Their contumacy. — Order for taking them 
 in cuftody. — Proclamation. — They are ar- 
 retted and dif charged. — Complaint againft 
 other printers. — Their conduct. — Conduct 
 of the minority. — The mejfenger arrefled. — 
 Carried before the lord-mayor — and holderi 
 to bail. — Proceedings in the houfe of com- 
 mons. — Alderman Oliver and the lord- 
 mayor committed to the Tower. — Zeal of 
 the populace. — Proceedings of the common- 
 council. — Addrefs of ' J Hikes in eluding the 
 refentment of parliament. — Committee ap- 
 pointed. — Their report. — Debates on the 
 Durham Yard Pill. — End oj the fcfjion. — 
 City petition. — The king's anfwer. — Divi- 
 Jions in the city party. — Death of the cart 
 of Halifax? — and confequent changes in ad- 
 minift ration. — Meeting of parliament.— 
 Augmentation of naval eftablijhment. — Pe- 
 tition for relief from fubfeript ion to the ar- 
 ticles of religion. — Motion to bring it in 
 rejected. — Church Nullum Tempus. — Dr. 
 NoweWs fermon on king Charles's martyr- 
 dom. — Debates on expunging the vote of 
 thanks to him. — Motion tor abro^atina: the 
 observance of the thirtieth of January. — 
 Efforts of the diffenters. — Motion to repeal 
 the tefl laws. — Bill paffes the lower houfe — 
 but is rejected by the lords. — Marriage of 
 
 the
 
 GEORGE III. 5 1 1 
 
 the king's brothers. —The Icing's meffage to 
 parliament. — Royal marriage bill. — Pa/Jes 
 the lords. — P roteji . —Pa]fes the commons. — 
 Clofe of thefeffion. — Strength of adminif- 
 tration. — Misfortunes in the royal family. 
 
 — Death of the prince fs dowager of Wales. 
 
 — Revolution in Denmark. 
 
 '-piiE difpofition to oppofe the proceedings of char 
 A the legislature, which had long diftinguifli- s^^J, 
 ed the city of London, ftill prevailed, and pro- jyj 7 
 
 71. 
 
 HJte 
 
 duced a conteft between the houfe of commons between the 
 and the lord-mayor, which is curious in its houle of 
 progrefs, and memorable from the refult. and the"' 
 
 Notwithstanding the known law and city, 
 privilege of parliament, the printers of certain J^^IL. 
 jaewfpapers were in the habit of detailing the debate*, 
 debates of both houfes. Thcfe communica- 
 tions were highly gratifying to the public, and 
 the fuccefs of a newfpaper was principally de- 
 pendent on the reports of parliamentary pro- 
 ceedings. But as all thefe papers were devoted 
 to the purpofes ofparty 3 little care was taken to 
 impart ajuft detail of the fpeeches, and they 
 were frequently mifreprefented in a manner 
 which could hardly be coniidered accidental. 
 The only effectual remedy for .this grievance, 
 w r as a general inforeement of the fenatorial pri- 
 vilege, for if the houfe admitted the right of 
 the printers to report correctly, and left to in-^ 
 dividuals the talk of appealing to the courts of 
 law, againft falfe ftatements, the proceeding 
 would have been found circuitous, uncertain, 
 and dangerous. The other mode had been 
 frequently followed ; the printers were fum- 
 moned to the bar, and lined or reprimanded 
 according to the nature of their demerit 
 
 In this feffion colonel George Onflow made 9th Fete 
 a complaint to the houfe, of two publishers of ! 
 
 newfpapers,
 
 £J2 
 
 CHAP. 
 XIX. 
 
 1771. 
 complaint 
 of a breach 
 of privi- 
 lege. 
 
 Printers 
 ordered to 
 aitend at 
 the bar. 
 
 Their con- 
 
 tumacy. 
 
 Jgth. 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 newfpapers, Thompfon and Wheebte, for ffiif- 
 reprefenting the fpeeches, and reflecting on fe- 
 vcral of the members. The obnoxious parages 
 being read bv the clerk, colonel Onllow moved 
 that the printers mould be brought tojuftice, 
 for infringing the ftanding order. This prac- 
 tice, it was obferved, had attained an infamous 
 height; members were represented to the world 
 as uttering fcntiments they never pronounced ; 
 and their characters were often bv thefe means 
 degraded in the opinions of their constituents, 
 The practice had not prevailed in former times J , 
 even during the molt violent oppofition to Sir 
 Robert Walpole, no tranfacHons or fpeeches 
 were pubhihed, except during the intervals of 
 parliament, and then only in a decent manner : ; 
 and it was now abfolutely neceffaiy, either to 
 punim the offenders Severely, or reverfe the 
 ftanding; order. 
 
 The motion was combated by an affertion, 
 that the minifterial papers were no lefs abufivd 
 than thofe devoted to the oppofition ; it was 
 argued that the imparting to constituents the 
 parliamentary behaviour of their reprefenta- 
 tives, was founded on the trueft principles of 
 the conftitution, and mifreprefentations ought 
 to be pun iih ed legally, on complaint from the 
 individual affecled, and not by the hand of 
 power, and weight of the lcgiilature, v. hole ex- 
 ercife of authority is always odious and oppref- 
 five. Colonel Onflow's motion was however 
 carried, a and the printers ordered to attend at 
 the bar of the houfe. 
 
 The execution of this order was adjourned 
 feveral times, and when the houfe demanded 
 the appearance of the printers, it was difcovcr^ 
 
 3 90 to 55. 
 
 £(£
 
 GEORGE IIJ. 513 
 
 ed that their laft order of adjournment had not chap. 
 been ferved. Another excufe of the fame kind . XIX - 
 
 was admitted ; but the parties ftill remaining in 1771- 
 a ftate of contumacy, the ferjeant at arms *jj h " 
 was directed to take them into cuftody. This Orderfor 
 order was not obtained without a violent |j^? 
 debate; the number of the minority was in- WU (iody. 
 confiderable, b but the arguments ufed in the 
 houfe, and the time which elapfed from the firft 
 agitation of the bufmefs, occafioned many dif- 
 cufiions both in conversation and in print, and 
 enabled the party in the city who were defirous 
 of oppoiing government, to concert a plan of 
 operations. 
 
 When - the ferjeant at arms \\ r ent to the Proclama- 
 houfes of the parties, they were conftantly de- x ^^' 
 nied, and the fervants accompanied their an- i ng them, 
 fwers with contemptuous fneers ; which being 4 thMar. 
 reported to the houfe, Mr. Onflow moved for 
 an addrefs to the king, to ilfue a proclamation, 
 with a reward, to any perfon who fhould appre- 
 hend the offenders. In confequence of this pro- 
 clamation, Wheeble Mas taken by one Carpen- «5tk 
 ter, aprinter, and carried before Wilkes, who not ^J^f* 
 only difcharged him, but took recognizances for and dif- 
 piofecuting the perfon by whom he was appre- cl,ar s eJ - 
 bended. Wilkes wrote in juftification of this 
 conduct to the earl of Halifax, fecretary of 
 ftate, obferving that the proclamation did not 
 charge Wheeble with any crime, and by taking 
 him mto cuftody, the rights of an Englishman, 
 as well as the chartered privileges of the city, 
 were grofsly violated. Thompfon, another prin- 
 ter, was Similarly arretted and difcharged by al- 
 derman Oliver- Both aldermen gave certifi- 
 cates to the perfons who apprehended Wheeble 
 
 b 17 to 160. 
 
 VOL. r. L L and
 
 514 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP, and Thompfon, teftifying that they had brought 
 
 \J^^J before them the perfons indicated in the pro- 
 
 1771. clamation, and were intitled to the reward; 
 
 but the collufion was fo palpable, that the lords 
 
 of the treafury refufed payment. 
 Complaint ^ s j t waSj DC f ore this period, apparent, from 
 
 ether prin- the conduct of Thompfon arid W heebie, that 
 ters. they would efcape the intended punilhment, 
 
 iat ar * colonel Onflow preferred a freih complaint 
 againft fix other printers for the fame offence, 
 and after a considerable opposition, they were 
 14th. ordered to appear at the bar. On the appoint- 
 
 Then- con- ec j c | a y ? f 0UY piefcnted themfelves; three were 
 reprimanded and discharged ; d the cafe of one 
 was adjourned; 6 a fifth could not attend, being 
 in cuftodv in Newgate by order of the houfe 
 Contu- of lords ; f the other, whole name was Miller, 
 macyof refufed to obey the fummons, and, on the 
 motion of Mr. Onflow, an order was iiiued 
 for taking him into custody, by the ferjeaut at 
 arms. 
 Conduaof j N |] ie f e tranfaetions the minority ihewed a 
 rhy. determined fpirit of opposition, and protested 
 
 a refolution to harafs the houfe by frequent 
 motions of adjournment and amendment ; on 
 the fiilt debate they divided the houfe three- 
 
 c Mr. Dowdefwell attempted to intereft the houfe of commons in 
 Carpenter's behalf, and received the following humourous anfwer 
 from Wedderburne : " As to the affair of Mr. Twyne Carpenter, 
 " lean fee no reafon for l'upporting him : as 1 underftand it, the 
 ** man is Mr. Wheeble's devil. Wheeble was aire (fed by his own 
 ** devil; he was difcharged out cf the illegal arreft of ( his devil j 
 ** the devil was bound over to anfwer: whether printer beats devil, 
 " or devil beats printer, is of no confequence ; there may be the 
 t( devil to do j there will be the devil to pay: if the devil has had 
 " the reward that was advert ifed, the devil has fairly outwitted the 
 ** noble lord near me: whether he ha?, 01 not, I do not know, but 
 " I hope this houfe will have nothing to do with him." 
 
 d Baldwin, Wright and Bladon. 
 
 e Evans. 
 
 * W. Woodfall. 
 
 and-.
 
 GEORGE III. 515 
 
 and-twenty times, on the laft thirteen. This chap. 
 proceeding gave additional courage to their ad- JjO?£j 1 
 herents in the city, and accordingly on the *77i- 
 next day the fineiTe of arrefting Thompfon and 
 Wheeble took place. The order for taking 
 Miller into cuftody being previoufly made, 
 could not therefore be prevented, and a plan 
 was laid for refitting the effect of the fpeaker's 
 warrant, and at the fame time, difgracing the 
 olficers of the houfe of commons. 
 
 Accordingly, when the meffenger appear- Themef- 
 ed, Miller refufed to fubmit to the arreft, and ^J"" 
 violence being ufed, a conftable prepared for 
 the purpofe took charge of the officer, and 
 carried him to Guildhall to anfwer for the 
 affault. Wilkes, the fitting alderman, having 
 finilhed the bufinefs of the day, refufed to take 
 cognizance of the affair, and the parties were 
 conducted to the manlion-houfe. The lord- 
 mayor, Brafs Crofby, was indifpofed, and there- 
 fore deferred the bufinefs till iix o'clock in the 
 evening, b in which interval, the meffenger fent 
 for Mr. Clementfon, deputy -ferjeant at arms. 
 At fix o'clock, the lord-mayor, attended by Carried 
 aldermen Wilkes and Oliver, admitted the par- l(ml . 
 ties; Miller made his complaint, and the lord- mayor; 
 mayor afked the meffenger what offence the 
 printer had committed, and bv what authority 
 he preiumedto affault him ? The officer pleaded 
 that he acted under the drre&ion of the fpeaker, 
 and produced his warrant. The deputy-ierjeant, 
 who waited to hear what were the circumftances 
 alleged as an allault, now announced himfelf, 
 and faid he came there by the fpeaker's com- 
 mand, to demand not only the meffenger, but 
 Miller his prilbner; and he did demand them 
 
 k It was about thret when they came to the manfion-houfe. 
 
 l l 2 in
 
 516 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 ghap. in the moft folemn manner. After fome obfer- 
 ^xix^ rations on the impropriety of arrefting a citizen, 
 1771- by any perfon who was neither peace-officer 
 nor conitable, and on the violation of the char- 
 ters by a caption, made without the knowledge 
 or authority of the lord-mayor, Mr. Clement- 
 fon's application was refufed, and Miller dif- 
 charged. The affault was next proved, which 
 conllfted in taking- Miller bv the arm, in order 
 to bring him before the houfe of commons. 
 The meflenger, by Clementfon's direction, re- 
 fufed to give bail to anfwerthis complaint, and 
 a warrant for committing him to the compter 
 was fio-ned bv the Lord-mayor and the two al- 
 t^Vi dermen. When the matter had proceeded to 
 
 holden to , . . , . . * 
 
 bail. tins extremity, and the officers were ready to 
 
 take away the melfenger, bail was given. 
 Proceed- The dcputy-ferjeant at arms immediately 
 
 houfeof he re ^ atC( l foefe tranfaetions, which were received 
 commons, with great indignation by the houfe. Orders 
 were iilued for the lord-mayor and alderman 
 Oliver to attend in their places, and Wilkes at 
 19th and the bar. Croiby, in his defence, alleged that 
 aoth. hjg oa ^] 1 as an alderman of London, obliged 
 him to defend the charters of the city, which 
 he produced, and required to be heard by coun- 
 fel. This proposition was ftrongly enforced by 
 Trecothick, Sir Joi'epli Mawbey, and others, 
 but rejected : 5 though an order was afterwards 
 made, that he might be heard by counfel on 
 all points which did not controvert the pri- 
 vileges of the houfe : the lord-mayor's clerk 
 was alio directed to attend with the book of 
 minutes, and the recognizance entered into for 
 the meifenger's appearance was erafed. 
 *5& After ibme delays, occaiioned by Cr.offyy's 
 
 illnels, he was heard in his own defence, havinsr 
 
 > 20a to 79. 
 
 refufed
 
 G E O It G E III. 5 1 7 
 
 refufed the indulgence of counfcl, on account chap. 
 of the limitation with which it was conceded, vj^JL, 
 and of the abfence of all thofe of whofe affift- Aaotthe 
 ance he was particularly defnous. The evi- ™~ 
 dence being concluded, the houfe, after a debate declared 
 which 1 ufted till near one o'clock in the morn- br ? a 5j" 
 ing, refolved, " That to releafe a perfon taken 
 " by virtue of the fpeakcr's warrant ; to appre- 
 " bend the meii'enger of the houfe for execiit- 
 " insr his warrant ; and to hold the melfenger 
 " to bail for fuch pretended alfault, were all 
 " breaches of privilege." 
 
 It was then propofed to proceed againft Oliver. 
 Oliver. A motion of adjournment was made 
 on account of the latenefs of the hour, but ne- 
 gatived." The alderman, being called on for 
 his defence, faid, " He owned and gloried in 
 " the fact laid to his charge ; he knew, that, 
 " whatever punifhment was intended, nothing 
 " he could fay would avert it; as for himfelf, 
 " he was perfectly unconcerned ; and, as he 
 * expected little from their jjuftice, he defied 
 " their Bower." A motion being made for 
 committing him to the Tower, colonel Banc, 
 after a violent and indignant fpeeeh, quitted 
 the houfe, attended by about twenty-five or 
 thirty members. An amendment was moved, 
 to place the delinquent members in euftody of 
 the ferjeant at arms, inftead of committing them 
 to trie Tower, which in all probability would 
 have pailhl, had not Oliver pertinacioufly re- 
 futed making the flightefi eoncetViou. 1 
 
 WHEN the lord-mayor again attended the J^J'^ 
 houfe, all the avenues were betet by a clamor- ^"d-mayor 
 ous and outrageous mob, who infulted fevcral conuattted 
 of the minifterial members, particularly lord fj^ 
 
 k 214 to 97. 
 
 I The qucftion for his cominitmcnt was carried 170 to 38. 
 
 L l 3 North
 
 518 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. North and Mr. Fox; and, defying the civil 
 •v^ 1 ^ power, would probably have proceeded to the 
 1771. greateft outrages, had they not been tranquil- 
 lized by fome of the popular members. Several 
 of the oppofition party refufed to appear in the 
 houfe, and Sir George Savilie and Burke re- 
 tired before the debate; faying, " they con- 
 " fidered the refufal to hear the lord -mayor, by 
 " counfel, as a prohibition of juftice." In con- 
 fideration of his ill health, it was moved that 
 Crofby mould be taken into cuitody by the 
 ferjeant at arms, but he difdained the intended 
 lenity. He faid, his health was confiderably 
 amended ; he had no favour to afk of the houfe ; 
 and, in juftice to his honourable friend, he ought 
 to be lent to the Tower ; he thought he had 
 acted rightly, and on a fimilar occafion would 
 adopt the fame mode of con duel;. An amend- 
 ment was then moved, and after a debate which 
 lafted till near midnight, he was committed 
 to the Tower. 
 Zeal of the The mob confiderins: the chief ma gift rate of 
 populace. t ne c ity as a martyr in the caufe of freedom, took 
 the horfes from his carriage, and drew it to 
 Temple Ear, where they ihut the city gates, and 
 infilled on the deputy-ferjeant at arms quitting 
 the coach, and proceeding no further: the lord- 
 mayor was obliged to interpofe, and quiet them, 
 by an aifu ranee that the gentlemen by whom 
 he was accompanied were his particular friends, 
 and were efcorting him home : at the manfion- 
 houfe the populace retired, and Crofby went 
 iftand5tb privately to the Tower. A few days after- 
 jipvii. wards, the populace mewed their indignation 
 by hanging and beheading on Tower Hill, with 
 many ignominious circum fiances, effigies re- 
 prefenting perfons of high rank, who were in- 
 imical to their favourites. 
 
 The
 
 GEORGE III. 519 
 
 The city zealoufly efpoufed the caufe of chap. 
 their masiftrates. At a court of common- XIX - 
 council, convened at Guildhall, Avhere Tre- 1771. 
 cothiek officiated as locum tenens for the lord- ? loce, v l1 " 
 
 ..... . . ings 01 the 
 
 mayor, public thanks 111 writing were voted om-tot 
 to the chief magiftrate and the two alder- common- 
 men ; a committee of tour aldermen and eight jothand 
 commoners was appointed to affift in their de- "ftMar. 
 fence before the houfe, and empowered to em- 
 ploy fuch counfel as fhould.be thought fit, and 
 to draw on the chamber of London tor any 
 fum not exceeding five hundred pounds. When 
 Croiby and Oliver were in cullody, and thefe 
 exertions could be no longer beneficial, the 3d April 
 committee ordered the expences of their table 
 to be paid by the city: writs of habeas cor- 
 pus were by their inftruetions fued out, and 5th, 
 the prifoners feparately conveyed before lord 
 Mansfield, and lord ehief-jultiee de Grey; 
 counfel attended, but after a full hearing, the 
 judges declared themfelves not authorized to 
 interfere, and the prifoners were remanded. In a*dand 
 the enfuing term they were again brought by 3 ° n pn * 
 writs of habeas corpus, before the courts of 
 Common Pleas and Exchequer, but in both, 
 the bench declared themfelves unable to re- 
 verfe the proceedings of the houfe of commons, 
 and the prifoners were therefore obliged to re- 
 main in cuftody till the prorogation of parlia- 5th May, 
 ment, which in courfe terminated their captivity. 
 •Their difcharge was celebrated b) illuminations 
 and public rejoicings; they were, by order of the 
 eomjnoiiTCOuncil, attended from the Tower to 
 themanlion-houfe by a magnificent proceffion 
 of city officers in their robes; while a large 
 concourfe of people teftilied unbounded exul- 
 tation. 
 
 Wilkes alone efcaped with impunity: by Addreft of 
 
 I l 4 a letter Wills*, 
 
 -
 
 &20 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, a letter to the fpeaker, he refufed to appear in 
 vi 1 ^ the houfe, unlefs called to his place as member 
 tfjii for Middlefex. Other orders for his attendance 
 loth. ar ' being likewife disregarded, the. houfe was em- 
 20th and barraffed : Wilkes's partizans urged the pro- 
 24th Mar. pnety of vindicating the dignity of parliament, 
 and not permitting him to efcape while his fel- 
 low delinquents were fubjecled to fuch fevere 
 punimment; but the minifters, apprehenfivc 
 of expofing themfelves in a further conteft with 
 fuch an opponent, evaded all further difcuffion 
 of the point, by an expedient in which con- 
 veniency was confulted more than dignity : an 
 order was paifed for the attendance of Wilkes 
 on the eighth of April, and the houfe adjourned 
 till the ninth. 
 *8th Mar. A sec eet committee of twenty-one members 
 Committee was appointed for the purpofe of aiferting and 
 appomte . ir)a -; n t a i n i n g t[ ie dignity of parliament: they fat 
 with great diligence and perfeverance upwards 
 of a -month. Great expectations were formed of 
 therefult of their deliberations, and the friends 
 of the lord-mayor and aldermen were preparing 
 themfelves accordingly ; but when the report 
 30th April, was prefented, it merely recommended that 
 Then- re- jyinier fhould again be taken into cuftody by 
 por " the ferjeant at arms. The report was fuccefY- 
 
 fully ridiculed by Burke, and a motion of 
 thanks to the committee made in fuch abur- 
 lefque ftyle, that lord North moved an adjourn- 
 ment. No further attempt was made againft 
 Miller, and from this period the publishers of 
 newfpapers and other periodical works have 
 been in the conftant habit of detailing the pro- 
 ceedings of both houfes of parliament. m 
 
 Another 
 
 » See debates on the days mentioned in the margin ; Annual Re- 
 gifter, for 1771, chapter vi. ; Hiftory of lord North's adminilira- 
 tion, p. 35 to 48 3 Reflections on the prefent difpute between the 
 
 * houfe
 
 GEORGE III. 521 
 
 Another occafion of conteft between the chap. 
 city and the legislature, arofe in the bill tor Jjj^^j 
 enabling* certain perfons to enclofe and embank 1770. 
 part of the river Thames, adjoining to Durham ^dUT* 
 Yard, Saliibury Street, Cecil Street, and Beau- ham Yard 
 fort Buildings. The proportion was referred blU - 
 to a committee, who reported m its tavour, and 
 recommended that the bill ihould be brought 
 in. The city, conlidering their property ex- 
 pofed to incroachment, were heard by counfel: 
 they produced a grant of Henry VII, of all the sthMar. 
 foil and bed of the river from Staines Bridge to 
 a place in Kent, near the Med way, and mewed 
 a leafe granted by them, fixty-iix years before 
 this period, of a nook of the river at Vauxhall, 
 under which they continued ftill to receive rent. 
 On the other fide, a charter of Charles II, to the 
 city, was produced, in which he referved the 
 bed of the river, and it was contended that the 
 city, by receiving the latter grant, abandoned 
 
 houfe of commons and the magiftrates of London ; and many other 
 pamphlets, and all the periodical works of the time. — Having re- 
 lated thefe tranfa&ions with a minutenefs proportioned to their iingu- 
 Jarity and the importance of the refult, it may be proper to make 
 a few obfervations. A broad ftatement, that it is bat right and 
 decent for the conftituents to have an opportunity of knowing 
 what is laid and done by their reprefentatives, appears almolt a 
 truifm : but the daily publication of debates on fuhjefts yet unde- 
 cided is often produaive of bad efft-as, by infpiring exaggerated hope« 
 and unfounded fears, and by inducing members to addrel's their fen- 
 timents rather to the galleries than to the chair. The dil'poiition to 
 debate on nil public affairs has perhaps been increal'edbythispraaice j 
 but the dilputants without doors are put much more on a level than, 
 formerly ; every paper which contains the arguments ot one lide, 
 gives alfo the reply; whereas formerly, political difputes were only- 
 judged of by party pamphlets, and occalional publications of pro- 
 tefls, and garbled debates. Every liberty may be perverted, and li- 
 eentioufnefs may refult from malice or from ignorance j but guarded 
 as the members of parliament are, both by equal laws and exclusive 
 privileges, they have little to fear from perfonal milreprefentation, and 
 a moderate and timely exertion of the Handing order to clear the 
 houfe, when particular debates are expeaed, will always inline the 
 nation againft the effeas of indifcreet publication of matters which 
 ought to be kept fecret. 
 
 the
 
 520 HISTORY- OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP, the former. The charter of Henry VII. extend- 
 
 ^J^J ec * on ^ to tne ^ °f tnc liver within the city 
 1771- and fuburbs ; the leafe of Vauxhall was a mere 
 jncroachment, and the right of the city was 
 utterly denied. Thefe arguments prevailed ; 
 the bill was committed, and palled both houfes: 
 a proteft was entered on the lords' journals, 
 figned by three peers only. A magnificent 
 pile of buildings, called the Adelphi, has been 
 erected on the ijte. 
 sthMay. In the fpeeeh from the throne which t.er- 
 feffion! * e minated this long and active feflion, the king 
 congratulated the houfes on thofe exertions, 
 which had averted a war, and enabled him, 
 with confidence, to promife a continuance of 
 peace. He exhorted them to employ their beft 
 endeavours in rendering the national happinefs 
 complete, by difcouraging and fupprefling all 
 groundlefs fufpicions and domeltic difturb- 
 ances. " I have no other object," he faid, 
 " and I can have no other interefr, than to 
 " reign in the hearts of a free and happy peo- 
 " pie : and it is my earneft wim, that my fub- 
 " jects may not be prevented, by any miitakes, 
 " or animofities amongft themfelves, from en- 
 " joying, in the fulleft extent, tire bleilings of a 
 " mild and legal government. The fupport of 
 " our excellent conftitution is our common 
 ■• duty and intereft. By that frandard I would 
 " wilh my people to try all public principle^ 
 " and profeiuons, and to look upon thofe as 
 " their moft dangerous enemies, who, under 
 u any pretence, would perfuade them to vio- 
 " late thofe laws, and undermine that autho- 
 u rity, which the conftitution has provided 
 4 ' for the purpofe of preferring the general 
 " liberty and happinefs." 
 
 During
 
 GEORGE III. 523 
 
 During the recefs, the city had recourfe to chap. 
 the aecuilomed meafure of addreumg and pe- x,x « 
 titionimr tlie throne. Their intention bcino- 177*' 
 announced, the lord-chamberlain wrote to the V^ y l ' eu ~ 
 lord-mayor, informing- him, the livery could 9 th July. 
 not be permitted to attend him to St. James's ; 
 and copies of this letter were pofted in various 
 parts of the city, under pretence of preventing 
 the livery from aflembling. A petition was »oth. 
 prefented, couched in the fame language with 
 others which had been previoufly addrelVed to 
 the throne; it complained of the arbitrary, 
 audacious, illegal, and wicked proceedings of 
 the houfe of commons, in imprifoning the city 
 members, and procurng the Durham Yard act; 
 and prayed the king to give peace to the na- 
 tion by a ipeedy diffplution of parliament, and 
 by removing his prefent wicked and deipotic 
 miniirers from his prefence and councils for 
 ever. The king, in anfw er, faid, he was always The king's 
 ready to exert his conftitutional prerogative in anW£r * 
 redrefling real grievances, and the city of Lon- 
 don mould ever find him ready to liiten to well- 
 founded complaints; but he felt concern at 
 feeing a part of his fubjects ftill lb milled and 
 deluded, as to renew in fuch reprehenhble 
 terms, a requeft with which he had repeatedly 
 declared his refolutionnotto comply. 
 
 At fome preceding periods, this tranfaeYion ^ v ^ t onof 
 would have created a confiderable fenfation ; pi ££/ 
 bet the public now obferved it without con- 
 cern ; the 1 oment of delufion was pall, and the 
 fchifm among the city patriots, which was in- 
 creafedto a great degree of perfonal animofity, 
 rendered their proceedings matter of indif- 
 ference to all but themfelvcs. Caufcs, which 
 it is no longer important to afcertain, had 
 created irreparable variances among the leaders^ 
 
 of
 
 524 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, of city politics, their public meetings were 
 
 *2S£* fcenes of hoftility, clamour, and recrimination: 
 rjft. and the prefs teemed with their mutual abufe. 
 The focieties which they had inftituted were 
 either diiYolved, or weakened by fecefiionsand 
 rivalihips ; while the popularity for which they 
 were thus indecently contending, was vifibly 
 
 uih ApnU anc l dailv diminifhino-. During the confine- 
 ment of the lord-mayor, the ward of Farring- 
 don ftrenuoufly recommended the election of 
 Wilkes asfhcriff, and he promifed to accept the 
 
 itth, office if chofen. He thought proper to wait 
 on Oliver, who was expected to be fheriff, and 
 announce himfelf as a probable co-adjutor. 
 The imprifoned alderman was decidedly adverie 
 to the meafure, and, after remonft rating* with 
 him for a confiderable time in vain, leift a letter 
 to Wilkes's deputy, frating the total difference 
 of their political views, and his refolution for 
 that, and many other reafons, not to ferve the 
 
 a 4 th June, office of iheriff with Wilkes. Notwithstand- 
 ing this intimation, Wilkes perfevered in of- 
 
 5*hjuly. fering himfelf a candidate, and at the clofe of 
 the poll, he and Bull were returned by a large 
 
 zothSept. majority." Before they entered on their office, 
 the new fheriffs appealed to the prejudices of the 
 people, in an addrefs to the livery, declaring 
 their refolution not to gratify an unprincipled 
 adminiftration, by permitting the military to 
 attend the execution of the law on criminals. 
 They afterwards attempted to attract notice by 
 fome factious frivolities, but the public no 
 longer appeared interefted in their manoeuvres. 
 
 There 
 
 B On this oecafion the mob teftified their approbation of Wilkes 
 by burning in effigy John Home, late rector of Brentford, who had 
 of late diftinguiffied himfelf as one of Wilkes's principal anta- 
 gonists. 
 
 c Wilkes lent a meflage (16th Oft.) to alderman Nafh, the lord- 
 mayor
 
 GEORGE III. 525 
 
 T here wasnow, infacr, no plaufiblc grievance chap. 
 to complain of; the miniftry appeared more ^Ji^j 
 firmly united among thenriclves, and better 1771. ' 
 iupported than any preceding adminiftration, JJj^S? 
 and daily ohtained new acceihons of ftrength. fax, and 
 During \he rccefs, the office of fecretary of c c ^ q " s cnt 
 ftate, vacated by the death of the earl of Hali- gth^uiTe. 
 fax, was conferred on the earl of Suffolk, and ■**• 
 his place of lord privy-leal was accepted by the 
 duke of Grafton; lord Hyde fucceeded, on the **th. 
 death of lord Strange to the chancetlorlhip of 
 the duchy of Lancafter; but thefe changes 
 made no alteration in the political fyftem of 
 adminiftration. 
 
 As no public bufmefs claimed particular at- 21ft Jan. 
 tention, the parliament did not meet before the Mating of 
 holidays. The king's fpeech contained no to- parliament, 
 pic of importance, and the addreffes in both 
 houfes were agreed to without a divilion. The 29th j an> 
 firft debate in the houfe of commons was occa- Aujsmen- 
 lioned by the motion to vote twenty-five thou- JJ^jJ 
 fandfeamen for the fervice of the current year, citable 
 In fupport of this large eftabli/hment, the (late mem * 
 of our polfefiions and relations in all quarters of 
 the globe was difplayed. In India the French 
 maintained a conliderable navy, which they 
 had recently augmented, and the defence of our 
 fettiements rendered it necetfary to create a 
 iuperior force. The apprehenfions for the Weil 
 Indies, during the late reported rupture, obliged 
 
 mayor eka, requiring him not to give any French ivine at the enter- 
 tainments at the Old Bailey; the alderman very properly fcnfwered, 
 that as Mr. Wilkes claimed a right of giving what be plcafed, be 
 could have no pretence for invading the privilege of another. The 
 (heriffs, at the beginning of the feflion (z^d October) affected to 
 gratify the populace l>v throwing open the doors and galleries st 
 the Old Bailey, and not permitting money to be received by the 
 door-keepers ; but this had no other efleft than difhirbiflg the ordci 
 of the court, and incommoding the grand-jury. 
 
 the
 
 626 IHSTOftY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, the miniftry to fecure Jamaica, by maintaining 
 XIX - an eftablimment fufficient to a6l as a check on 
 177*. Spain. The war between Ruffia and the Turks 
 made Britim property infecure in the Mediter- 
 ranean, unlefs protected in a more effective 
 manner than ufual ; and it was reprefented as a 
 great advantage to have a confiderable naval 
 armament always in a ftate of preparation. 
 These arguments were combated bv ad- 
 
 r * 
 
 mirals Keppel and Saunders, who affirmed the 
 equipment to be too fmall if there was a pro- 
 bability of war, too large if a certainty of 
 peace ; they arraigned and condemned the 
 whole difpoiition and management of the navy. 
 The miniftry were accufcd, by other members, 
 of making the king's fpcech full of peace, and 
 in a few days preparing for war ; the expence 
 of the additional eftablimment was cftimated at 
 500,000 1. and no argument could be adduced 
 in favour of this augmentation, which would 
 not, with equal propriety, apply to any other 
 vear. Lord North obferved, the armament in 
 India was neceffarv, not only to cope with the 
 French, but as a check on the conduct of the 
 company's officers, of whole peculation and 
 mifeonducl; he grievoufly complained; and he 
 promifed in a year to have eighty mips of the 
 line lit for fervice, which would at any time be 
 a fuperior force to the French and Spaniards 
 united. This meafure was adopted. 
 P«»tioiifor Several attempts were made in this feffion 
 fubfcrip- to effect general or particular alterations in the 
 tiontothe conftitution and regulations of the church. 
 rdig!on.° Among the earlieft and moft important of chefe 
 6th Feb. efforts, was the motion by Sir William Mere- 
 dith, for leave to bring up a petition from fome 
 of the clergy, and of the two profeffions of civil 
 law and phytic, praying relief from the fub- 
 
 fcription
 
 GEORGE III. 527 
 
 fc rip lion to the thirty-nine articles. The in- chap. 
 tention of the petitioners was well known ; J^i, 
 they had long held aifemblies at the Feathers «-7-. 
 Tavern, and by public advertifement invited 
 all who eoniidered themfelves aggrieved bv the 
 laws relative to fubfeription, to unite in their 
 efforts for obtaining redrefs. Their proceed- 
 ings occafioned fonie animadverhon, and the 
 prefs was employed in impugning and vindicat- 
 ing: their intentions. The members therefore 
 came to the home fully prepared on the fub- 
 jeer, aware of its introduction, of its import- 
 ance, of the toength of argument by which the 
 petition could be fupported, and of the influ- 
 ence by which it was to be fuftajned. 
 
 The paper prefented to the houfe, claimed 
 for the petitioners certain rights and privi- 
 leges, held of Clod only, and fubject to his 
 authority alone, but from which they Mere in a 
 great meafure precluded by the laws of fub- 
 feription, which required them to acknow- 
 ledge certain articles and confeffions of faith 
 drawn up by fallible men, to be all and every 
 of them agreeable to the fcriptures. Indepen- 
 dently of" the incroachment on their rights, 
 they reprefented the fubfeription as injurious 
 to the Chrrftian religion, by precluding inquiry 
 into the true fenfe of the fcripture; by enabling 
 unbelievers to reproach the clergy with pre- 
 varication and flexibility to objects of lucre or 
 political confederation ; by offording topapifts 
 the advantage of reflecting* on the religious 
 eitabliihment as inconiiftently framed; by di- 
 viding the clergy ; and by occafioning fcruples 
 and emjbarraflinent of confeience to thoughtful 
 and worthy perlbns, in regard to en trance into 
 the miniftrv, or cheerful continuance in the 
 exereife of i't. The clerical part of the petition 
 
 complained
 
 528 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, complained of being obliged to join [flue with 
 ^JKj the adverfaries of Ptcvelation, by fappofmg the 
 1772. true fenfe of fcripture to be exprelled in the 
 eftablifhed fyftem of faith, or elfe to incur the 
 reproach of having departed from their fub- 
 fcriptions, the fufpicion of infmcerity, and the 
 repute of being ill affected to the church, where- 
 by their utility among their flocks, and their 
 fuccefs againftthe enemies of Chriftianity, were 
 - generally obitru6ted. The petitioners educat- 
 ed with a view to the profeflions of civil law 
 and phyfic, complained of being obliged at 
 their firft admiflion or matriculation in the 
 univerfity, to fubfcribe unfeigned affent to a 
 variety of theological propofitions, which from 
 their immature age, and want of leifure, they 
 could not be fuppofed to have duly examined, 
 and they all complained of the injury pofterity 
 would fuftain in being irrevocably bound to the 
 tenets of an age lefs enlightened than their 
 own. In conclufion they profelfed a full re- 
 cognition of the king's fupremacy, and an ab- 
 horence of popery, and prayed to be relieved 
 from an obligation fo incompatible with the 
 right of private judgment, fo pregnant with 
 danger to true religion, and fo productive of 
 diltrefs to many pious and conscientious men; 
 fubmitting their caufe, under God, to the wif- 
 dom and juftice of a Britifli parliament, and the 
 piety of a proteftant king. 
 
 The motion for receiving this petition was 
 feconded by Mr. Thomas Pitt. Sir William 
 Meredith ftated it as repugnant to the liberality 
 of fentiment, prevalent in this age, to oblige 
 people to fubfcribe to the truth of articles 
 which they could not believe ; fuch a neceffity 
 produced habits of prevarication and licenti- 
 oufnefs in the church, and had a tendency to 
 
 deftroy
 
 G E O R G E III. 529 
 
 tleftroy Chi iftian charity. The eitablifhment, chap. 
 he contended, would, by the propofed reforma- Ji 1 ^, 
 tion, aoquire a firmnels which nothing could i77*« 
 ihake. 
 
 The reception of the petition was oppofed 
 on various grounds, and with great diverii 
 of argument, which occafioned a long and de- 
 fultory debate. Sir Roger Newdigate depre- 
 cated the meafure as tending' to deftroy tl 
 very being of the church of England ; re- 
 proached the clergy with figning fuch a peti- 
 tion, after they bad fubfcribeclt.be thirty-nine 
 articles; ridiculed their alleged fci tiples of con- 
 fcience, andfaid it was fuch tender confeiences 
 that, in the laft century, fubvertedthe church. 
 He denied the power of the hojfrfe to difpenfe 
 with oaths, or receive a petition which would 
 be a direct breach of the articles of union be- 
 tween England and Scotland. The king too 
 was bound by oath never to admit any altera- 
 tion in liturgy, or in the articles. 
 
 Hans Stanley delivered his fentiments 
 with great moderation. The petition appear- 
 ed to him to contain a fort of contradiction, 
 which rendered it an unfit iubject for delibera- 
 tion; a minority in number came to folicit 
 from the majority a material alteration in 
 
 igion. p He had beard it generally afiert- 
 ed, that the original intention of the peti- 
 tioners was to object to certain articles of 
 the thirty-nine, and to particular pails of the 
 liturgy; but not being able to agree amo 
 themielves in ail refpeds, they bad placed I 
 houfe, as well as themfelves, in a fituation of 
 confiderable embarralfment; they applied to b 
 
 P About *4*> perfons fubferibed the petition, of who 
 clergymen. The whole number of the cl rg) was calculated to be 
 
 ao,ooo. 
 
 VOL. I. M H me
 
 •'SO HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, come members of an ecclefiaitical community^ 
 XiA - namely, the church of England, vet defired the 
 3,773^ foundation on which that conftitution is buiLfe 
 to be removed. Profefling himfelf a warm 
 friend to toleration, he refitted the right of fe- 
 parate feclaries to teach fchifinatical doctrines, 
 under the gar]) of the church of England. No- 
 reformer, whole name has been transmitted witfe 
 honour and approbation, ever framed fo wild an 
 idea as that of putting all religious creeds on a 
 level. " If all the founders of religious fyftems," 
 he laid, " were alive at the fame time, I am- 
 " perfuaded they would compote as- numerous 
 " an army as that with which Alexander fub- 
 " ducd the Periiau empire ; yet every one of 
 " them would derive his tenets from the fcrip- 
 '• tures •: but the wifdom of all countries has ra- 
 " ther chofen to truit to explanations, derived 
 " from the mature labour and confideration of 
 " a venerable and pious hierarchy, than to the 
 " crude fancies and notions of every affirming 
 " dogmatizer, who deiir.es to make himfelf 
 " famous for the fmgularitv of bis fentiments : 
 on this account, fyftems and creeds have pre- 
 vailed all over chri trend om. ;r Denying that- 
 it was a great hardihip for pcufons who, from 
 ferupLes of their own, could not accept 
 church preferment to feek other virtuous 
 employments, lie concluded with faying, he- 
 thought the peace of mankind a fortieth ar- 
 trcky which he prized as much as the other 
 thirty-nine; and though many diiputes had 
 avifen in the civil admiaiftration of the coun- 
 trv, vet. refpecrins its eccleiiafticai affairs. 
 we had, iince the accefiion of the houfe of 
 Hanover, enjoyed more peace than any other 
 age or country could boatt. He pronounc- 
 ed it inconfiitent and dangerous to intro- 
 8 duce 

 
 GEORGE III. 531 
 
 *luce fuch a proportion to parliament; for chap. 
 though a free country may alter any law, for ^J^\ 
 law is the creature of the legiflature, and can be 1771. 
 altered, yet there are laws fo fundamental, 
 that they cannot be altered without fhaking the 
 bafis of the Hate. 
 
 Wf.dderburxe, in oppofing the petition, 
 denied that it contained any thing detrimental 
 to the compact of union between England and 
 Scotland, and cited precedents in which the 
 church government had been already very pro- 
 perly changed. 
 
 Burke refilled the introduction of the 
 petition, not becaufe the church of England 
 could not fubfift independently of the thirty- 
 nine articles, but becaufe the petitioners, by 
 the extraordinary latitude they had taken, 
 rendered their objects indeterminate. " What 
 are we to underhand," he faid, " by the 
 holy fcriptures, which thefe gentlemen de 
 fire to make a profeilion of their belief in ? 
 " The Romifh canon admits the books of 
 " the Apocrypha ; the canon of Luther ex- 
 " eludes fome parts of the Pentateuch, and 
 " the whole Epiftle to the Hebrews ; and fome 
 " ancient fathers have rejected the book of 
 " Revelations. Mankind are as little likely 
 " to he of one mind on this, as on an) other 
 
 " point." 
 Sir George Savile and Mr. Thomas Pitt 
 
 defended the petition, and the character of the 
 petitioners; vindicated their pretenfions to be 
 exempt from fubferiptionto complicated creeds; 
 and aliened, there was no argument urged 
 again ft the petition, which would not impeach 
 the reformation. 
 
 Lord North, Mr. Fox, and feveral other 
 members of talents, oppofed the reception of 
 
 11 m 2 the 
 
 (C 
 
 tt
 
 531 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, the petition, and were replied to by Sawbridge, 
 Jl'iL' Suttorij and Dunning-. 
 
 1772- The cafe was generally. argued, as it affeeTcd 
 
 the clergy, the houfe feeming to confider the 
 operation of the act, upon the profeftions of law 
 aiu| phytic, of final I importance to the public; 
 but a with was cxpreffed that the univerfities 
 would grant relief in that point, as well as to 
 young ftudents at the time of matriculation. 
 Lord George Germaine defcanted at confider- 
 able length on the impropriety of this reftric- 
 tion, Soame Jenyns defended the univerhties, 
 and particularly Cambridge, averring that they 
 couid not annul the practice of enjoining afub- 
 fcription, as it was founded on a royal ftatute, 
 ordained at the inftancc of king James I. 
 
 The debate was long and fpirited, the caufe 
 of the petitioners, and of the church, being de- 
 fended with equal zeal and ability : nor was the 
 fubject treated as a .party queition, but dif- 
 cufiecl entirely on its merits. The motion to 
 bring in the petition was loft by a great ma- 
 jority.* 
 Feb. 17th. Another attack on the ecclefiaitieal eiTablim- 
 Nii'ii'im men t was made by Mr. Henry Seymour, who 
 Temptis. moved for leave to bring in a bill for fecimrig 
 
 1 217 to 71. In detailing this debate, 1 have principally relied cm 
 the Hiitory of Lord North's Adminiftration j the author of whicb 
 afierts that he derived his information from minutes taken in the 
 houie, and never before pub'.ifned. The compiler of D.bretfs De- 
 bates has given two details, differing materially from each other, and 
 from that I have principally confultedj but of them I have made fome 
 wk. Some information has alfo been derived from a variety of 
 pamphlets, particularly Woollafton's Addrefs to the Clergy; 
 Thoughts- on the Dangers appr< bended from Popery and Sectaries, 
 by a&olifhing fufbfeWption to the thirty-nine articles; Letters on 
 the iubi;ct of S-ubt.cn pcion to the. Liturgy and Thirty -nine Articles, 
 published under -the fignature of Paulines ; A Letter to the Mem- 
 ber.; of the Houie oi Commons, refpeilinf; the Petition for Religion, 
 by a Chfiftian Whig; and Tucker's Apology for the Church of 
 England. For a curious .and characlerirlic letter on this fubjfift, 
 fee Gibbon's Podliumous Works, vol. i. p. 447. 
 
 the
 
 G E R G E III- 53S 
 
 the poflcffions of the fnbject againft dormant chap. 
 claims of the church : this was called the JL'i^ 
 Church Nullum Tempus bill. In fupport of '-'- 
 the propofition the common topics were al- 
 leged, tending to mew the impropriety of 
 tolerating long dormant claims, and the tyran- 
 nical and oppreflive ufe to which they might 
 be applied. On the other fide it was fhewn 
 that the Nullum Tempus claimed by the 
 crown, and put an end to by a ftatute law, 
 was an engine in the hands Of the fi toop- 
 
 prefs the. weak ; whereas the Nullum Tei 
 of the church was a defence to the w eak agaii.it 
 the ftrong. The motion was rejected.* 
 
 Dr. Nowell, chaplain to the houie of com- roth j™. 
 mous, in preaching before the members on the j^j™ " °" 
 anniverfary of king Charles's martyrdom, ex- Charles's 
 prelfed fuch fentiments as were confidered high- martyr- 
 ly repugnant to the liberties ot the kingdom. 
 eflablimedby the glorious revolution in i< 
 this gave rife to another debate, in which an 
 attempt was made to change the ecclefiaftical 
 regulations. As only the fpeaker and four 
 members were prefent at the delivery of Dr. 
 Nowell's difcourfe, 8 a motion of thanks, and 
 for printing the fermon, was carried without 
 difficulty; but when the fermon was trans- 
 mitted to the members, its contents excited 
 fevere animadveriions. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Townshend, it is Paid, mov- J 
 ed that the fermon mould be burned by the tl 
 common hangman, as containing arbitrary, *■"£ 
 Torv, high-flown doctrines ; and the motion icher . 
 would probably have been carried, had not 
 the h'otife recollected their previous vote; it 
 was then propofed, that in futui ?rmons 
 
 f 14.1 to 117. 
 
 « Gibbon's Pofthumous Works vol.i. p. 450. 
 
 M M 3 lhould
 
 .534 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, mould be printed before the preacher was 
 
 %J^!^L/ thanked; tin's was negatived by moving the 
 
 = 772. older of the day. Yet the difcufiion was not 
 
 *5»- permitted to end: the honourable Boyle Wal- 
 
 fingham, fupported by Thomas Townfhend, 
 
 moved to expunge the thanks given to Dr. 
 
 No well, which after a hrenuous conteft was 
 
 carried without a diyifion.* 
 
 In this debate many topics were introduced, 
 tending to involve general queftions of govern- 
 ment, and reflecting on the character of Charles I. 
 Lord Folkftone ironically justified the preacher, 
 becaufc his doctrines were conformable to the 
 fervice of the day, which was compofed by fa- 
 ther Petre, confelTor to James II. Sawbrido-e 
 defended the murder of Charles, which he faid 
 was a juft puniihment for his diflimulation, 
 oppreffion, and cruelty ; and at the fame time 
 farcaftically inquired if thefe were the virtues 
 which Dr. Newell meant to recommend to the 
 zdM*r. king. In purfuance of thefe fentiments, Mr. 
 Sga n ting Montague moved for a repeal of the acl for ob- 
 theobfer- ferving the thirtieth of January, which he ob- 
 vasceoi ferved was in fome meafure blafphemous, as it 
 Charles's conveyed a parallel between Charles I, and our 
 maityr- blevTed Saviour. The liturgy was defended by 
 Sir Roger Newdigate, and the motion loft on a 
 diviiion. u 
 Efforts of Xn this interval the proteftant difienting 
 tecs. mm liters were actively engaged m preparing an 
 
 application to parliament, for " A legal fe* 
 ( ' purity againft thofe penalties to which fuch 
 " of them were liable as could not confeien- 
 " tioufly comply with the terms of the tolera- 
 (i tion acl ; and alio to obtain relief for tutors 
 
 t In the coorfe of the dtbate th.e order of the day was moved and 
 negatived by 1 52 to ±\. 
 
 « 12 5 tO 97, 
 
 « and
 
 'G R O Tl G 'E m. 5 S3 
 
 *' aiKi Ichooim afters from thofe QpprefTrve laws chap. 
 "*' to which they were expofed, and from the yjjf^?*, 
 u inconveniences which they actually fuffered 
 "■ in endeavouring: 4s© get the natural courfc of 
 M thofe Jaws oblku'fied."" Hie penal laws 
 orio-jnallv cnacled againft difTenters were ex- 
 tremely levere.; but by the toieration act, paifed 
 loon alter the Revolution, ail cKifi nters were ex- 
 empted from the operation of the oil laws who 
 would fubferibe the cdoclrinal articles of the 
 church of England, which included thirty- 
 live and a half oat of J Mri y-iiinc. y This act 
 was trained with the full afloat of the -dill enters 
 of thofe days, who were iirkt Calviniiis ; but 
 in a ihort period afterwards fehifms arifing 
 among; them, many denied the right of a 
 Christian fociety to iinpofe articles of human 
 rompofitioR on any of its *»embei - Thefe 
 principles prevented many of the difTenters 
 from fubferibiag the articles, and frequent at- 
 tempts had been made in former reigns to re- 
 lieve them from the fubfeription and tell law s: 
 Although thefe efforts did not fucoeed, minifters 
 were highly fenfible of the merits of thediflenr 
 ters, in etiabliihing the houfe of Hanover on 
 the throne; and their orderly and exemplary 
 ■conduct occasioned the laws againft them to 
 he eonfulerevi as mere dead letter. 
 
 Ix the debate on the petition of the clergy, 
 and in the publications which it occasioned, 
 ufual acknowledgments were made in fa- 
 your of the diilbnters, and withes were expreffed 
 that they might lpeedily be relieved from the 
 neceiVity of fubfeription. Anxious to take ad- 
 
 * This account of the intention »f the dWTenters, is I rba- 
 
 tim from, A Free and Difp; flionate Account ot the late Application 
 to Parliament, by Dr. Stennetr, a very eminent diflemii r. 
 
 / Tiafe excepted are the 34-th, 35111,16111, and part 1 th. 
 
 m a 4 vautage
 
 536 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, vantage of a moment fo apparently favourable, 
 vJJ!i tne ininifters refiding in London, 1'oine of w horn 
 1772. were prefent at the debate, immediately enter- 
 ed into a confutation, and agreed that it was 
 highly eligible to fecure the benefit of the pre- 
 fent difpofition of the houfe, and petition for 
 that relief thev had fo Ions: defired, and had 
 been waiting for an opportunity to obtain. 
 The limitation of the period for prefenting pe- 
 titions \\as an infurtmountable Qbftaele to their 
 foliciting the co-operation of their brethren in 
 the country, and they therefore intended to 
 dci'cr the propofed application till another fcf- 
 60.i1., when, at one of the meetings, intelligence 
 was communicated of the favourable difpofi- 
 tion of government ; accompanied with the 
 offer of a perfon in high iiation to bring in their 
 bill by way of motion, which could be done at 
 any time in the.fefiion. 2 
 
 The hopes of the dhTenters Mere thus in- 
 famed to a moft faimuine confidence: thev 
 diftribtited among the members of parliament, 
 a partial and exaggerated ftatement of their 
 grievances, and anticipated complete fuqeefs. 
 5d April. -] j. iro ij Gn f or leave to bring in a bill for their 
 
 Motion to , 1 1 o • T T T . 1 1 
 
 repeal the relict was made by bir Henry Houghton, and 
 teftlaws. fecpnded by Sir Geor v ge . Sayile : on this occa- 
 fion the principle was fully debated ; the hard- 
 ships impofed by the law on proteftant diiTen- 
 ters, were dilplayed and defcanted on with the 
 utmoft force, and the generous and tolerating 
 principles of the Eritiih conftitution invoked 
 for their relief. In reply it was obferved, that 
 as the laws in queftion were never inforced, the 
 
 * See the Cafe of the Diflenting Minifters, by Tii::el Mavduit ; A 
 Free and Dilpaflionate Account of the late Application, by Dr. Sten- 
 rctt ; and Vindication of the Jriotdtant Diflenting Mnilteis, by 
 Dr. Kippis. 
 
 diffenters
 
 G F, O E G E ITT. 537 
 
 tlhTenters could have no room to complain; chap. 
 thev were demanding relief who never felt an XIX - 
 injury ; and as they were never called on to fub- 177^ 
 fcribe, they were never expofed to the rigours 
 of the law: to them then it was not an evil; 
 but, if repealed, all the barriers erected by the 
 prudence of former legiflatures, againft the 
 enemies of the church, would b< oyed : 
 
 enthufiafrn on the one hand, and infidelity on 
 the other, would afcend the pulpit, and diftri- 
 Inite their pernicious dogmas without poffibili- 
 ty of reftraint, or fear -or punifhment. Publi- 
 cations inimical to the church, or to theChrif- 
 tian religion, were dangerous only in a fmall 
 degree, becaufe thev could be anfwered in the 
 fame manner, and fell into the hands of per- 
 sons who were difmterefted and unprejudiced; 
 but the delufions of the pulpit could never be 
 too cautioufly guarded againft, becaufe they 
 were delivered to an audience prepared for the 
 molt part to receive the defired impreffion, and 
 thofe who uttered them could not be refuted. 
 If the dinenters, as a r< ble body, claimed 
 
 ;ard to the ten 1 f th< ir conferences, 
 
 the members of the eftablifhed church, more 
 numerous, and not lefs rcfpectable, had prior 
 claims on the regard of the legiflature. The 
 prefent ought, it wis Laid, to have been en- 
 titled an i : the encouragement of prefby- 
 i rianifm, and for weakening and deftroying 
 Church of England ; il tended to revive 
 extinguiihed animolities between the body of 
 the people and the diflenters, and bo eftablilh 
 a republican religion, which had been at all 
 times the fworn foe to monarchy. 
 
 The caufe of the diflenters, however, was B.n p.^s 
 fupported by the greater fliare of ability, and \^™ cv 
 the mm iitry mewing a decided predilection for 
 
 the
 
 53fc 
 
 CHAP. 
 XIX. 
 
 1771. 
 
 But reieft- 
 ed by the 
 lords. 
 
 Ma rriage 
 cf the 
 king's blo- 
 tters. 
 
 aoth. Feb. 
 King's 
 
 nieliage. 
 
 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 the meafure, the bill paflfed fpeedily, and al- 
 moft without further oppofition, through the 
 tower houfe. In the lords it met a different 
 fate : it was read a firft time, but, on the fecond 
 reading, the motion for committing it was re- 
 peered bv a very large majority.* 
 
 A message from the king, relative to the 
 marriage of princes of the blood, which was 
 delivered in the courfe of this feffion, pro- 
 duced feveral animated debates, and claimed a 
 coiiiiderabie mare of public intereft. In the 
 fummer of the year 1771, the duke of Cum- 
 berland, one of the king's brothers, privately 
 married Mrs. Horton, widow of Chriftophcr 
 Horton, efquire, of Catton II Jl, in the county 
 of Derby, and daughter of lord Irnham: when 
 the match was publicly announced, his ma- 
 jelly forbad them the court. The difpleafure 
 fhewn by the king on this occafion did not de- 
 ter the duke of Gloucefrer, in the enfuing fpring, 
 from avowing as his confort the counteis dow- 
 ager of Waldegrave, whom he had efpoufed in 
 1766. 
 
 The meiTage ftated that the right of approv- 
 ing all marriages in the roval family, had ever 
 belonged to the kings of this realm, as a matter 
 of public concern; and recommended to both 
 houfes of parliament to take into ferious con- 
 fideration, whether it might not be wife and ex- 
 pedient to fupply the defect of the laws, and by 
 i'ome new provision, more effectually to guard 
 
 a 102 to 29. The bill was fupported by the duke of Richmond, 
 lord Chatham, lord Sheiburne, and lord Lyulcton ; lord Mans- 
 field and lord Camden are nifo laid to have divided in the minority for 
 committing it : among the principal opponents of the bill were lord 
 Bruce, and lord Gowerj Dmmmond, arc'nbifhop of York; Ter- 
 rick, Bithop of- London ; Lowth, then bifhop of Oxford j Hinc!:- 
 eliffe, bifhop of Peterborough; and Banington, biihop of Lland- 
 daft - . 
 
 tlm
 
 GEORGE III. 539 
 
 the descendants of George II, from marrying chap. 
 without the confent of the king;, his heirs and X!x - , 
 fuccefibfs. In confequence of this meflage, a 1771. 
 hill was Drought into the houfe of lords, hy 
 which it was declared that none of the royal 
 family, being under the age of twenty-five 
 years, mould marry without the king's confent; 
 after attaining- that age they were at liberty, in 
 cafe of the king's refnfal, to apply to the privy 
 council, by announcing the name of the per- 
 fon they were defiroiis to efpoufe, and if, with- 
 in a year, neither houfe of parliament ihould 
 addrefs the king againft it, the marriage might 
 he legally folemnized ; but all perfons affifting 
 in, or knowing of an intention in any of the 
 royal family to marry without fulfilling thefe 
 ceremonies, and not difclofing it, ihould incur 
 the penalties of a premunire. 
 
 Tu rs bill was vehemently oppofed in all its l^\ mAr . 
 ftages ; the houfe divided, on the fecond reading, 1 iage bill, 
 on the preamble and on every one of the claufes, 
 and feveral propofed amendments were re- 
 jected. On the third reading the marquis of 3d March - 
 Rockingham oppofed the bill, on the fuppofi- 
 tion, that the royal family might in time be- 
 come foextenfiveas to include many thou fan d 
 individuals; the bill in all its parts was de- 
 fended by the lord chancellor; lord Cam- 
 den objected to it for the reafons afligned 
 by the marquis of Rockingham, and depre- 
 cated the annulling of a marriage between 
 perfons of mature age. The bill palled without 
 amendment ; b two ftrong protefts were entered Pratdb. 
 on the journals, the firfi figned by fourteen 
 peers, the latter by fix, two of whom had figned 
 the former, and an additional article by the earl 
 of Radnor alone. 
 
 k 90 to z6. 
 
 In
 
 540 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap. In the houfe of commons an oppofition 
 XIX - , equally ftrenuous was made, and every claufe in 
 1772- the bill was debated with acrimony and pertma- 
 » 3 thMar c *ty » mit at l cn g' tn it pafied without amend- 
 paffesthe ment. The king-, in clofmg the feffion, ex- 
 commons, preffed his fatisfaction at the temper and pru- 
 Ciofeof ' dence with which the deliberations had been 
 the feffion. conducted; thanked parliament for the ad- 
 ditional fecurity provided for the honour and 
 welfare of his family, and requefied them to ufe 
 their beft endeavours in cultivating and im- 
 proving a fpirit of harmony and confidence in 
 all ranks of the people. 
 Strength of The affairs of government were now con- 
 ducted with more regularity, and a greater ap- 
 pearance of concord and finnnefs, than had been 
 hitherto experienced fmce the firft refignation 
 of Mr. Pitt: the minifter, by the fuavitv of his 
 manners, attached many friends, and tranquil- 
 lized many opponents, while the increasing 
 profperity of the nation enabled him with con- 
 fidence to hold out the agreeable profpect of a 
 reduction of the national debt. The city pa- 
 triots, divided, enfeebled, and reduced both 
 in numbers and popularity, could no longer 
 give difquiet to the court, or agitate the peo- 
 ple/ 
 Misfor- j> vr w hen the courfe of public affairs no 
 
 rovgifa- longer prefented motives of difquiet, the king 
 «%. fuffered feveral afflictions in his own family ; he 
 
 adminiltra- 
 tion. 
 
 c Crofby, Oliver, and Wilkes received (7.4th June) by n vote of 
 the common' council, cups in commemoration of their exertions in 
 behalf of the printers, but the public expiefled no particular fenfation 
 on the occafion. Wilkes and Bull, the fheriffs, on completing; the 
 firft fix months of their office (6th April) affectedly addreffed the 
 livery, with a congratulation that the number of unhappy objects 
 under their care in jails and prifons, had not been increafed bvr.i.v 
 illegal royal {proclamation, or commitments during pleafure made 
 by either houfe of parliament. This manoeuvre was alio difro- 
 garded. 
 
 considered
 
 G E ORGE III. 541 
 
 confidercd his dignity injured by the marriage chap. 
 of his brothers, and found himfelf compelled XIX - 
 to terrify difapprobation by feverity, and apply 1771. 
 to the legislature for protection againft the re- 
 currence of fimilar acts. He had the misfortune, gth Feb 
 early in this year, to lofe his furviving parent, Death of 
 whom he loved and honoured with all the ar- the P rmce & 
 
 i i 1 • ,1 n-t- 1 i dowager or 
 
 clour and reverence becoming the filial cha- Wales. 
 racier. The (landers with which this amiable 
 princefs was afiailed, during the latter part of 
 her life, excited only a virtuous indignation 
 111 the king againft her factious calumniators, 
 and increased his affection for her, as he con- 
 sidered her cafe and happinefs a facririee lo the 
 turbulence of thole whole principal enmity Mas 
 levelled at the proceedings of his government. 
 Her death was fudden, and took place in the 
 fifty-fourth year other age. 
 
 A\ T event which occurred in another part of Revolu- 
 the world, affected the king in a m oft fenfible ~ on m . 
 
 , , ,, , s? r n . . . Denmark. 
 
 manner, as the honour ot his inter was involved 
 in fulpicion, and fhe was far removed from the 
 fphere of his protection, and from the ftill 
 greater bleffing of thofe equitable tribunals, 
 where every one, without protection, may defy 
 oppretlion, and, fortified with confcious inno- 
 cence, furmount the efforts of aflbciate malice. 
 The marriage of the princefs Caroline Matilda 
 with Chriftian VII, king of Denmark, was 
 hailed as an event which promiled to ftrengthen 
 the proteftant intereft, and produce com- 
 mercial benefits to the Britiih nation: in every 
 perfonal view it was ominous and inaufpicious, 
 being one of thofe alliances in which neither 
 fimilarity of difpofition, nor any other requifites, 
 were found to eni'ure felicity. Chriftian, cou- 
 temptible for his imbecility and credulity, aban- 
 doned himfelf to irregularities of every kind too 
 
 puerile,
 
 542 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 chap, puerile, effeminate, and diffolute for coin* 
 jax^ memoration. d Among his favourites was Stru- 
 J77*. enfee, of obfcure birth, but no inconfiderable 
 talent; he was bred a phyfician, but uniting 
 with his medical acquirements fome know- 
 ledge of the civil law, he obtained rapid pro- 
 motion at -the court of Copenhagen, and was. 
 raifed to the office of prime miniiter. His 
 principal co-adjutor was Brandt, a youth of 
 noble birth and confpicuous courage, but in- 
 ferior in talents to Struenfee. The queen dow- 
 ager of Denmark, Julia Maria, entertained a 
 diflike againft her daughter-in-law, arifing 
 principally from her with to direct the reins 
 of government, andfecure the fucceffion to the 
 crown to her younger fon, prince Frederick, in 
 both which objects fee confidered Matilda a 
 principal obftacle. The mental and corporeal 
 weaknefs of the king, rendered him abjectly 
 paffive> and it became the point of conteit 
 whether the queen confort, or the queen mo- 
 ther, fhould govern the kingdom in his name. 
 The emirlaries of Julia Maria exerted every ar- 
 tifice to prejudice the people againft the young 
 queen, and fitcceeded in exciting jealoufies 
 and fufpicions of the moft odious nature. The 
 favour enjoyed by Struenfee was a fource of 
 difiatisfaction to many of the courtiers, who 
 it lengthened the oppofing party: Struenfee "s 
 own imprudence, and the unfufpicious difpo- 
 iition of Matilda, afforded great advantages, 
 and at length a confpiracy was formed for feiz- 
 ingher majefty, Struenfee, Brandt, and all their 
 adherents. This project was executed after a 
 15th and grand malqued ball at the royal palace. Stru- 
 i6thjan. enfee and Brandt, precipitated in a moment 
 
 4 See Gibbon's Pofthumcus Works, vol. i, p. 4.4.5, 
 
 from
 
 GEORGE I IT. 5-t 
 
 r 
 
 from the fummit of power, were caft into prifon chap. 
 loaded with fetters, and finally, after under- . XIX * . 
 going great indignities, yielded up their lives •??». 
 on a icaffold. 
 
 Tup: unfortunate queen, having performed 
 the tendered ofmiaternal duties, was retired to 
 reft, when, at five o'clock in the morning, flic 
 was awaked by a female attendant, who pre- 
 sented to her the king's order to remove for a 
 few days to one of the royal palaces in the 
 country. The queen comprehending at once 
 the nature- and extent of her misfortune, rallied 
 from her bed, and fought the prefence of her 
 huiband; but at the light of count .Rantzaii, 
 one of her enemies, in the antichamber, Hie 
 recollected the neceffity of attending to her 
 dreis, which fhe had totally forgot, and retired 
 to her chamber to remedy the indecorum : 
 hut when me] again attempted to go out, 
 found her paffage impeded by an officer, placed 
 by Rantzau for that purpoie. She overcame 
 this obftacle, as well as the impediment of 
 two foldiers, who croiled their firelocks at 
 the door of the antiehaniber, but when, with 
 great difficulty, fhe reached the king's apart- 
 ment, he had been removed to another part of 
 tire palace. This precaution the confpirators 
 adopted from fear of the queen's influence; the 
 king was with great difficulty prevailed on to 
 Sanction their meafures ; a moment's inter- 
 view would have frustrated all their plans, and 
 lolled back the itream of ruin on themielves.. 
 Matilda's misfortune was now complete; ihe 
 was furrounded by enemies, who feeing her 
 intirely in their power, treated her with far- 
 eailic indolence; ihe was driven with the ut- 
 most rapidity to the caftle of Cronfburg, dis- 
 tant about twenty-four miles from Copen- 
 hagen, and there confined. 
 
 After
 
 544 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 CHAP. After the execution of Struenfee and 
 sJ^O Brandt, the queen dowager's party ihewed adif- 
 1772. pofition to proceed tofimilar extremities againft 
 Matilda, but they were deterred by the reiblute 
 interference of George HI. Articles were un- 
 doubtedly exhibited againil her, and examina- 
 tions taken, but to what thev amounted can- 
 not at preient be exactly known. The com- 
 mon report was, that the articles fuppofed to be 
 proved were fent to London, and lubmitted to 
 the examination of the moft eminent civilians, 
 who, though confulted feparately, unanimoufly 
 declared that the evidence, far from amounting 
 to legal conviction, did not fancrion a pre- 
 emption of guilt ; and they added, they did 
 not only refufe credit to the fa6ts, as lawyers, 
 but were obliged to disbelieve them as men. 
 
 This contemptible triumph over a depraved 
 and debilitated monarch, and an artlefs and 
 unfufpeeting queen, is called the Revolution iu 
 Denmark. The powerful and fpirited inter- 
 
 ^ Ia y« pofition of the Britiih crown procured the 
 queen's releafe in about four months after her 
 confinement in the fortrefs of Cronfburg. 
 She was conveyed, under the efcort of a Britiih 
 fquadron, to Stade, in the Hanoverian domi- 
 nions, and was afterwards removed to the 
 callle of Zell, where the liberality of the king 
 her brother, provided her a becoming houfe- 
 hold, and where flte lived in a ftate of honour- 
 able retirement till a premature death ter- 
 minated her days at the age of twenty-four.' 
 
 e Tenth May 1774- In the preceding account I have principally 
 confulted Wraxall's Memoirs of the Courts of Berlin, Dreidsn, 
 Wi'iTaw, and Vienna, in the years 1777, 1778, and 1779, vol- i. 
 letter 2. The following account of the unfortunate otieen s re- 
 moval and iubfequent conduct, given bv Mr. Coxe, in his Travels 
 in Poland, &c. bock ix, chap. i. isfufficiently in'terefting to fufpend 
 •for a moment the ltii6lduty of the hiftorian, and giatify the reader 
 by an affecling view of fuffeiing majefty. " During her confine- 
 " ment (at Croulburg) Die inhabited the governor's apartment, 
 
 " and
 
 GEORGE III. 545 
 
 *' and had permiffion to walk upon the fide-batteries, or upon the C H A P. 
 
 '* leads of the tower. She was uncertain of the fate that awaited XIX. 
 
 " her ; and had great reafon to apprehend, that the party which 
 
 *< had occafioned her arreft, meditated ftill more violent meafures. 
 
 " When the Englifh minifter at Copenhagen brought an order for 
 
 '« her enlargement, which he had obtained by his fpirited conduct ; 
 
 ** (he was lb furprized with the unexpected intelligence, that (lie in- 
 
 ** ftantly burft into a flood of tears, embraced him in a tranfportof 
 
 *< joy, and called him her deliverer. After a (hort conference, the 
 
 M minifter propofed, that her majefty (hould immediately embark 
 
 " on board of a fhip that was waiting, to carry her from a kingdom 
 
 " in which (he had experienced fuch a train of misfortunes. But, 
 
 " however anxious (he was to depart, one circumftance checked the 
 
 *' excefs of her joy : a few months before her imprifonment (he had 
 
 *• been delivered of a princefs, whom (lie fuckled herfelf. The rear- 
 
 " ing of this child had been her only comfort ; and (he had con- 
 
 " ceived a more than parental attachment to it, from its having been 
 
 «* the conftant companion of her mifery. The infant was at that 
 
 «« period afflifted with the meafles ; and, having nurfed it with un- 
 
 *' ceafing folicitude, (lie was defuous of continuing her attention 
 
 " and care. All thefe circumftances had fo endeared the child to 
 
 " her, rendered more fufceptible of tendernefs in a prifon than in 
 
 " a court ; that when an order for detaining the young princefs was 
 
 <c intimated to her, (lie teftified the ftrorgeft emotions of grief, and 
 
 " could not, for lb me time, be prevailed upon to bid a final adieu. 
 
 te At length, after beftowing repeated carefles upon this darling ob- 
 
 " jecTt of her aftHtion, (lie retired to the velfel in an agony of defpair. 
 
 " She remained upon deck, her eyes immoveably directed towards 
 
 «« the palace of Cronfburg, which contained her child that had been 
 
 •* her only comfort, until darknefs intercepted the view. The vefTel 
 
 •* having made but little way during the night, at day-break (lie ob- 
 
 *' ferved with fond fatisfa&ion that the palace was ftill vifible j and 
 
 ** could not be perfuaded to enter the cabin as long as (he could dif- 
 
 " cover the fainteft glimpfe of the battlements. Queen Matilda,"' 
 
 the fame elegant author continues, " was naturally of a lively 
 
 '« difpolilion, until her misfortunes brought on a fettled melancholy, 
 
 " which preyed upon her mind. In company (lie endeavoured to 
 
 " didenible her forrows, and afTume a clieerfulnefs to which her 
 
 '« heart was a ftranger. She became extremely fond of foliludej 
 
 " and, when alone, indulged her grief in the molt bitter lamenta- 
 
 " tions. She retained, to her lart moments, the meft unafFefted at- 
 
 " tachment to her children in Denmark : with all the anxiety of 
 
 11 a parent, (he made repeated inquiries after them ; and was de- 
 
 " lighted with receiving the minuted accounts of their health, 
 
 " amufement, and education. Having obtained their portraits from 
 
 " Copenhagen, (he placed them in her molt retired apartment j 
 
 <* often apoltrophized them as if they were prefent 5 and addreflcd 
 
 *.' them in the tendered manner." 
 
 vox. i. n n APPEN-
 
 [ 54? ] 
 
 APPENDIX I. 
 
 LETTERS between Lord Bute and Lord 
 Melcombe, on the Hate of Parties and 
 Politics, previous to and during Lord Bute's 
 Adminiflration. 
 
 Mr. Dodington to Lord Bute. 
 
 (Extract.) I2d December, I760. 
 
 *he more I think of the convcrfation of laft Satur- 
 day about fingle resignations, or even combined 
 aggreffions, the more I am confirmed in my opinion that 
 nothing ihould be done that can juftJy be imputed to 
 precipitation, nothing delayed that can be imputed 
 to fear of them. This' I fay in cafe of aggreffion, 
 which I think and hope will never happen. However, 
 as I think they will drop off 'ere long, you will be 
 p leafed to think only with yourfelf, and your royal 
 mailer, of proper perfons to fill up the firft rank with 
 you in cafe of death or defertion. 
 
 Remember, my noble and generous friend, that to 
 recover monarchy from the inveterate ufurpation of 
 oligarchy is a point too arduous and important to be 
 achieved without much difficulty, and fome degree of 
 danger; though none but what attentive moderation 
 and unalterable firmnefs will certainly furmount. 
 
 Paper read by Mr. Dodington to Lord Bute. 
 
 16th January, 1761. 
 
 If the intelligence they bring me be true, Mr. Pitt 
 goes down fait in the city, and falter at this end of the 
 town: they add you rife daily. 
 
 nn2 Tuts
 
 \ 
 548 APPENDIX. 
 
 This may not be true : but if he finks, you will 
 obferve his fyftem links with him, and that there is 
 nothing to replace it bat recalling the troops and leav- 
 ing Hanover in depofit. 
 
 If this fliould come to be the cafe, and you cannot 
 make a feparate peace upon the pre fen t foot, it feems 
 not far off, either from abfolute neceifity, or from the 
 arrogance of thofe whofe prelum ption and court to 
 the clofet firft plunged us into this diftrefs, or from 
 the united voice of the mod affectionate of his ma- 
 jefty's fubjects. Should not a meafure fo extremely 
 popular as the facrificing that country to this for a 
 time, to fecure an honourable and advantageous peace, 
 both which experience has fhewn cannot be done 
 by facrificing this country to that: Ihould not then 
 a meafure fo endearing, fo much bevond the moll 
 fanguine expectations three months ago, come imme- 
 diately from the king, and, by his order, be carried 
 into execution by the hands in which he places his 
 whole confidence ? Be pleafed to reflect a moment on 
 this, and prepare yourfeif for this event, if neceffitj", 
 prefum ption, or the voice of the nation Ihould force it 
 upon you. 
 
 Lord Melcombe to Lord Bute ; on Mr. Pitt's re- 
 
 fi gnat ion . 
 
 (Extract.) 6th October, 1761. 
 
 I sincerely wilhyour lordlhipjoy of being deliver- 
 ed of a moll impracticable colleague, his majeity of a 
 moll imperious fervant, and the country of a moll 
 dangerous minifter. I am told that the people" are 
 fallen about it. 
 
 Lord Bute to Lord Melcombe. 
 
 8th October, 1761. 
 My dear Lord, 
 Whatever private motives of uneafinefs I might 
 have in the late adminillration, I am far from thinking 
 the di Ablution of it favourable in the prefent minute 
 to the king's affairs. Without entering into the caufes 
 of the war, it is fufficient to obferve, that it was a 
 
 national
 
 APPENDIX. 549 
 
 national one, and that the honour of the nation is 
 pledged* to fupport its allies. You, my dear Lord, 
 cannot diflike it more than I do; but, as we have to 
 do with a moll treacherous enemy, whofe infamous 
 prevarications have been lb lately experienced, we 
 mult acl with redoubled vigour and fpirit before we 
 can hope to bring them to fuch a peace as, from our 
 repeated conquelts, this country has a right to expect, 
 fuch a peace as I (with this load of refponfibility) 
 durtt put my name to. This being lb, the change of a 
 minifter cannot, at prefent, make any remarkable 
 change in meafures. 1 figh after peace, but will not 
 fue for it : not out of pride, or from motives of ielf- 
 prefervation (though both might without difhonour 
 be urged) but from a thorough conviction that begging 
 it from France is not the way to procure it. Indeed, 
 my good Lord, my fituation, at all times perilous, is 
 become much more lb, for I am no ftranger to the 
 language held in this great city: our darling's re fig- 
 nation is owing to lord Bute, who might have pre- 
 vented it with the king, and he mult anfwer for all the 
 confequences ; which is, in other words, for the mil- 
 carriage of another's fvltem, that he (Pitt) himielf 
 could not have prevented. All this keeps up my 
 attention, ftrengthens my mind, without alarming it, 
 and not only whifpers caution, but lteadinefs and 
 refolution. 
 
 Juord Mdcombe to Lord Bute, (in anfwer.) 
 
 8 th October, 1761. 
 
 I look upon the late event as an obftacle removed, 
 not as added, when peace is to be treated. Your 
 iordfliip may remember fome months ago I faid I 
 thought Mr. Pitt would never make peace, becaufe he 
 could never make fuch a peace as he had taught the 
 nation to expect. I fiippoTe he now fees that we are 
 within a year or two of an impracticability of carrying 
 on the war upon the prefent footing, and may think, 
 by going out upon a fpirited pretence, to turn the atten- 
 tion and dilfatisfaclion of the public on thole, who, at 
 a ruinous expence are to carry on his wild meafures, 
 and whom they have been taught to diflike by a total 
 
 N N 3 abandonment
 
 550 APPENDIX. 
 
 abandonment of the prefs to him and his creatures, 
 which I humbly hope you will now think proper to 
 employ better. 
 
 1 can lay nothing to the treachery and prevarica- 
 tion of France in the late negotiation, being totally 
 ignorant of all thole transactions. I entirely agree 
 with you that we mull act. with redoubled vigour 
 in carrying on the war, to obtain a proper peace ; 
 but it may be a doubt whether carrying it on in 
 the fame manner may be prudent, or even long prac- 
 ticable. 
 
 1 also agree with your lordfhip that where honour 
 is pledged, it muft be maintained ; but whether, after 
 what we have done to Iupport our allies, we cannot 
 maintain it at a lei's expence than ruin to ourfelves 
 Without effect to them, may be worthy of conlklera- 
 tion. I am fenfible I am writing upon a f abject I am 
 no ways informed about. The mention made of it in 
 your letter drew me into it. I have done. As you 
 approve of the war, in what manner foever you carry 
 it on, I ihall never fay one word more againft it, public 
 or private, but will Iupport it whenever I am called 
 on, as well as my diftance from the fcene of bulinefs 
 will allow me. 1 told you I would do fo (after having 
 told you my opinion) when you did me the honour to 
 command me to be your friend. Indeed, my dear 
 Lord, I wilh and mean to ferve you, and am lure I 
 never will differve j t ou, which is, I fear, as far as my 
 poor abilities are likely to go-. I am glad the king has 
 given the feals ; and as you approve of it, I fnppofe 
 they are well difpofed of. The fooner it is public the 
 better. I wifh they had been given as loon as they 
 were refumed. 
 
 I think there can be nothing in the houie of com- 
 mons : if there fhould, Mr. Grenville, no doubt, willdo 
 his beft. I fear he is not very popular there ; but you 
 have friends there that are i'o, and very able too. The 
 infolence of the city is intolerable They muft, and 
 they ealily may be taught better manners. I was 
 bred a monarchy man, and will die i'o ; and I do not 
 underftand that men of that rank are to demand 
 reafons of meafures, while they are under his majelly's 
 conlideration. As to you, my dear lord, I am fure you 
 laugh at them, and know, that the moment they are 
 
 threatened
 
 APPENDIX. 551 
 
 threatened with the king's difpleafure, thofe who nere 
 at your throat will be at your feet. 
 
 Lord Bute to Lord Mehombe, in anjucr to a letter 
 of reproach on the refufal of a Reqiieji. 
 
 8 th February, 1762. 
 
 # # # j N fhort, my lord, though I eannot prevent 
 umbrage being taken at my not fatisfying every wilh, 
 I {hall certainly hinder any reafonable ground of com- 
 plaint concerning things I have once promifed. I own, 
 and without bluihing, I have been very unfortunate 
 in the means 1 have for years taken, of cementing 
 friendfhips and procuring attachments. Others with 
 much lei's trouble, perhaps, without my iincerity, fuc- 
 ceed better; but I repine not; confcious of my own 
 feelings, confcious of deferving better treatment, I 
 iliall go on, though (ingle and alone, to ferve my king 
 and country in the belt manner my poor talents will 
 allow me ; happy, too happy, when the heavy burden 
 that I bear ihall be removed, and placed on other 
 ihoulders. 
 
 Lord Melcom.be to Lord Bute. 
 
 13th April, 1762. 
 
 * * * The people are intoxicated with conquefts: 
 his partizans take effectual care to combine the idea 
 of Mr. Pitt with it. His party riles; they attack you 
 publicly, in all convcrfations, and now in writing, per- 
 ibnally, in the moft audacious manner, reproach you 
 with following his example. Does the body of office 
 affift them in all this ? No. — Does it lift a ringer againlt 
 them ? — Yet lefs. They obfervc a worfe than fpanifh. 
 neutrality, and though 'tis probable they may have no 
 compact with your enemy, yet they will not, moft 
 certainly, fliew you their compact among themfelves, 
 as they find they arc in no danger of your declaring 
 war. Would they then have Mr. Pitt again ? No—but 
 thev delire to have that phantom followed enough to 
 intimidate you, if you oiler to break through their 
 meafures of government, or interfere with their dif- 
 pofition of the emoluments or' it, by which alone they 
 
 N n 4 Jcnow
 
 552 APPENDIX. 
 
 know they can be defeated. But if you were to go 
 too faft in the one, or meddle at all with the other, 
 they would, "in my opinion, rather have Mr. Pitt than 
 you, becaufe they would think, in the firft place, that 
 he muft be a little humbled by adverfity, and, in the 
 next, that they could better ftruggle with his popularity, 
 tranfitory and ill-founded, than with your credit with 
 the king, built on the folid foundation of honour as 
 well as inclination. 
 
 # # # J DO indeed moft earneftly infift upon a totally- 
 new fyftem, and that cannot take place without new 
 hands ; for thefe cannot give up the old one without 
 pairing condemnation on themlelvesj the authors of it> 
 for fervile and interefted purpofes.
 
 [ 553 ] 
 
 APPENDIX II. 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE relative to the di$ 
 continuance of the Prussian Subsidy. 
 
 The King of Prujfia, to King George III. 
 
 & Breflaw ce 22 Janv. 1762. 
 
 Monfieur mon frere, 
 T a longueur dela Campagne derniere, et differentes 
 ■*^ fatalites furvenues de fuite, m'ont empeche 
 d'ecrire plutot a. votre majefte. A prefent voila l'im- 
 peratrice de Ruffle morte, ct le grand due qui 
 m'a temoigne en toute occaiion de l'amitie eft fur le 
 trone. Je fuis perfuade que pour peu que le fieur 
 Keith faehe profiter de ces circonftances, qu'il-en 
 pourra tirer un parti avantageux. Pour moi, je ne 
 doute pas que cette annee ci ne foit plus heureufe que 
 les precedentes, et ne nous mette en etat d'obliger 
 nos ennemis a des conditions de paix plus honorable* 
 pour nous que les loix arrogantes, qu'ilsvouloient nous 
 prefcrire. La declaration de guerre des efpagnols eft, 
 felon moi, avantageufe a l'Angleterre, en ce que la 
 grande fuperiorite delaflotte britannique trionfera des 
 efpagnols comme des Francois Quelle gloire pour le 
 regne de votre majefte de rendre par la fa nation la 
 dominatrice des mers, fans contradictions, et a nous 
 tous d'avoir reiiftes, et de nous etre foutenus centre 
 les forces reunics de toute 1'Europe! 11 n'eit queftion 
 que d'un peude conftance etdefermete pour terminer 
 cette funefte guerre a l'avantage de l'Angleterre et de 
 fes allies; mais il faut perfeverer jufqu' au bout; je
 
 554 APPENDIX. 
 
 vois encore difficultes fans nombre; elles m'encoura- 
 gent au lieu de me rebuter, par fefperance de les 
 vaincre. Perlbnne ne prend plnsd' interet que moi a 
 la gloire et a la profperite de votre majefte ; je la prie 
 d'en etre convaincu'e, ainfi que de la haute eftime avec 
 laquelle je furs, 
 
 Monfieur mon frere, 
 
 de votre majefte 
 
 le bon frere, 
 
 Fedcric. 
 
 Lord Bute to Mejjrs. Keith and Wroughton. 
 
 St. James's, 23d February, 1762. 
 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 All the letters which I have received from Keith, 
 fince the late great event, have been already acknow- 
 ledged. 1 congratulate you very fin cere ly upon the 
 fymptoms which have hitherto appeared of a change in 
 the meafures of your court, fo greatly to be wifhed, for 
 the good of Europe. At the fame time I cannot but 
 acquaint you with the particular pleaiure and fatisfac- 
 tion with which the kins; received vour accounts of 
 the very friendly difpofition of the prefent Emperor 
 towards his Pruilian majefty, his vifible difinclination 
 towards France, and above all, his intention to do all 
 in his power towards bringing about a peace between 
 the powers at war, upon reafonable terms. 
 
 This was the molt capital point in the inftructions 
 which his majefty commanded me to fend you, upon 
 the firft view of the late emprelVs death. And 
 it is ftill that which the king would have you recom- 
 mend with the greater! zeal, and in which we hope 
 that his imperial majefty will employ all his credit and 
 influence, and elpecially with the king of Pruffia. The 
 reports which you have made, and thofe which we 
 have received "from Mr. Mitchell, of the good prof- 
 peel: of a fpeedy reconciliation between thofe two 
 courts, muft undoubtedly give pleafure here; but I muft 
 at the fame time obferve to you, that it arifes chiefly 
 from the hope and expectation that his Pruflian majefty 
 will be earneillyexhcited by the emperor, rather to put 
 
 an
 
 APPENDIX. 555 
 
 an end, bv reafonable and proper terms, to his war with 
 the emprefs queen, than encouraged by him to per- 
 mit in it. 
 
 I am, with great truth and regard, 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 Your moft obedient humble fervant, 
 
 Bute. 
 
 Lord Bute to Meffieurs Knyphaufen and Mitchell. 
 a St. James's, ce 26 Fevrier, 176'2. 
 
 Meffieurs, 
 
 Com me vous fembliez fouhaiter d'etre mis en etat 
 de depecher votre courier ce loir meme, je n'ai pas voulu 
 differer de m'informer de la reponfe qu'il plairoit an 
 roi que je vous rendifle fur les initances preflantes que 
 vous avez faites dernierement au fu jet du fubfide ; et 
 Tayant fait ce matin je vais en coniequence, vous f'aire 
 part des intentions de fa majefte la deli'us, afin d'eviter 
 les meprifes qui fe peuvent gliffer dans les rapports de 
 ce qui ce traite en dcs conferences, et pour que vous 
 en puifliez rendre uri compteauthentique au roi votre 
 maitre. 
 
 Je vous dirai done que fa majefte fe trovrve encore 
 portee d'inclination, comme auparavant de fournir l'aide 
 pecuniaire en queftion au roi de Prude, mais comme 
 le grand evenement que nous avous vu arriver dans 
 le nord a opere un changfement qui ferable promettre 
 les plus grandes facilites a fa dite majefte pour l'ame- 
 lioration de la fituation prefente en la tirant de ces 
 dangers multiplies auxquels elle s'etoit trouvee expofee, 
 le roi fouhaiteroit que le fecours qu'il voudroit preter 
 a ce prince, dut plutot aider a la conclufion de la paix 
 qu' a la continuation de la guerre. 
 
 C'ES-f dans cette vuc que fa majefte a attendu avec 
 tant d'im patience la let t re que vous avez tant de fois 
 announcee de la part do roi de Pruiie, comme aufii 
 les eclairciffemens qu'elle avoit demandee par le canal 
 de fon miniitre a Magdebourg. 
 
 Les voila enlin arrives ces depeches de M.Mitchell, 
 mais fans avoir apporttS la moindre ouverture dans, 
 aueun des points eilentiels qui en font le fujet, qui 
 put fatisfaire a lajnfte attente du roi. Je iuis oblige d'eti 
 dire autant par rapport a ce que vous m'avez. fait 
 
 1'hcnneur
 
 S56 APPENDIX; 
 
 l'honneur de me communiquer des initructioris de fs 
 jnajeftePruffiennequi nes'ouvre lemoinsdu monde au 
 fujet des conditions particulieres, fur lesquelJes elle 
 voudroit concluie la paix ; fe born ant au contraire, 
 aux exprerhons generates de fa difpofition a concluie 
 fur un pied qui ieroit conforme a. fes interets et a, fa 
 gloire. 
 
 Il eft vrai que par une Iettre de plus fraiche datte 
 Mr. Mitchell nous apprend la million d'une perfonne 
 accreditee et nmnie des plein pouvoirs du dit roi a, la 
 cour de Ruffie, et que fa majefte a bien voulu lui 
 faire favoir que c'etoit pour s'en fervir fi Foccafion fe 
 prefentoit. Eiie ne s'explique pas d'ayantage, et ne 
 fait la moindre communication au roi des inllructions 
 partieulieres, qu'elle auroit donneesa ce minifhe. 
 
 Vous jugez bien, meffieurs, qu'un filence fi extra- 
 ordinaire par rapport a, un objet qui interefle les deux 
 eours a un tel point ne fauroit etre regarde qu'avec 
 beaucoup de furprife par fa majefte ; je vous allure 
 pourtant qu'il ne l'a nullement fait changer de refolu- 
 tion. Mais elle continue d'efperer qui le roi votre 
 maitre fe determinera enfin a lui faire part de fes idees 
 au fujet de la paix ; et elle fe flatte en meme terns 
 qu'elle les trouvera propres a, faciliter l'obtien de ce 
 but tant defirable. 
 
 Des qui le roi aura cu cette confolation, il ne fe 
 perdra pas un jour a moyennei* a fa dite majefte, la 
 remife des 670,000 livres fterling. Et corarae ces fen- 
 timens et cette intention du roi, ne font feulement 
 raifonnables en eux memes, mais qu'ils fe trouve aulli 
 marques au coin de l'amitie et de l'attention les plus 
 parfaites envers fa majefte Pruffienne, je me flatte 
 qu'une telle ouverture ne fauroit manquer d'etre recue 
 avec la meme cordialite, avec laquelle on la fait, et qu'il 
 y fera repondu d'une maniere a lever toutes des dif- 
 ficulies qui fubfiftent actuellement ; evenement qui 
 me rejouira infiniment en mon particulier. 
 
 J'ai l'honneur d'etre, 
 
 avec la consideration la plus parfaile, 
 
 Bute, 
 
 The
 
 . APPENDIX. 557 
 
 The King of PruJJla to King George III. 
 
 a Breflaw, ce 12 Mars, 17G2. 
 
 Monfieur mon frere, 
 Les nouvelies qui viennent de Peterfbourg dcpuis la 
 mort de l'imperatrice font fi favorables que je les com- 
 munique avec joye a votre majefte. Le nouvel em- 
 pereureft entierement difpofe a la paix. Les loins de 
 M. Keith ont heaucoup contribue a entretenir cette 
 difpofition avantageufe; J'ai envoye le baron Goltz 
 a Peterfbourg pour compJimenter ce prince fur fon 
 avenement au trone, et il eft en meme terns charge 
 de plein pouvoirs pour figner la paix,fi 1'empereur y 
 confent. Cette Negotiation paffe par les mains de M. 
 Keith : L'Angleterre n'a pas ete en guerre contre la 
 Ruilie, et les interets de votre majeiie ne peuvent 
 rien fouffrir de cette paix de forte que je n'ai aucun 
 reproche a me faire, et je fuis meme perfuade qu'elle 
 i'era bien aife de cet evenement : Voila la grande al- 
 liance feparee; c'eftun tres grand article; fi avec cela 
 nous parvenons a poull'er la cour de V ienne vigoureufe- 
 ment, il faudra bien qu'elle prenne enfin des fenti- 
 mens plus moderes qu'elle n'en a marque jufqu'ici, et 
 fon ccutentement a la paix entrainera infailliblenient 
 celui de la Fiance. J'ai regarde de tout terns la reine 
 de Hongrie comme la promotrice de la guerre prefente 
 et votre majeiie vena que la guerre ne finira que 
 lorfque cette princeil'e commencera a craiudre pour 
 fes propres etats. Je fouhaite d'avoir toujours des 
 nouvelies agreables a marquer a votre majeiie ; je la 
 prie cependant de croire que perforine ne prend plus 
 que moi de part a i'es interets, etant avec le plus grand 
 attachcment. 
 
 Monfieur mon frere, 
 
 JJe votre majefte 
 
 Ikj bori frere, 
 
 Federic* 
 
 George III. to the King of Prujfia. 
 (Anfwer.) 
 
 Monfieur mon frere, 
 En remerciant votre majefte' des deux lettres qu'elle 
 a pris la peine de m'ecrire le 22 ue Janvier, et le 12 
 
 du
 
 558 APPENDIX. 
 
 du courant, je la felicite tres fincerement de l'heureux 
 changement arrive en Ruffie et particulierement fur la 
 declaration, faite, le 23 du mois pail'e, par cet empereur 
 aux cours de Vienne, de Verfailles, et de Stock- 
 holm. La reiblution qu'a prife ce digne prince de faire 
 connoitre a tout le monde fes fentimens par rapport 
 a la guerre prefente, et fon intention de contribuer, de 
 tout lbn poftible, au retabliflement d'une paix generate, 
 m'a ete inhniment agreable; et ma facon de peni'er 
 fur ces grands objets y correfpond entierement, je ne 
 manquerai pas de cooperer, par tout ce qui pourra 
 dependre de mes foins, a tin deffein fi falutaire. £n 
 meme terns, je prie votre majeite d'etre perfuadee, que 
 je louhaite toujours egalement de pourvoir a. fon 
 affiftance. Elle voit pourtant combien mes facultes 
 diminuent de jour a autre, en fuite de la nouvelle 
 guerre, ou je me trouve engage, et des fecours indif- 
 penfables pour le foutien de mon bon et ancien allie le 
 roi de Portugal. Ce n'eft pas que des que votre majefte 
 m'aura eonfie les movens, dont elle propofe de fe fervir 
 pour l'obtentiondelapaix,jene foisrefolu de faire tout 
 ce qui fera en mon pouvoir pour aider a fa reuffite. 
 Je fuis, avec la plus parfaite eftime et affection, 
 
 Monfieur mon frere, 
 
 De votre majefte 
 a St. James, Le bon frere, 
 
 ce 30 Mars, 1762. George R. 
 
 Lord Bute to Mr. Mitchell. 
 
 St. James's, 26th March, 17&2. 
 
 * * The Pruffian minifters having yefterday ac- 
 quainted me that they had had information from their 
 court, of fome overtures fuppofed to have been pri- 
 vately made from hence to the court of Vienna, and 
 having deiired that I would communicate the parti- 
 culars for their matter's fatisfaction. In order to en- 
 able them to let the matter in a true light, I gave 
 them a fight of the precis of the king's order of the 
 12th of January laft, to Sir Jofeph Yorke. It is to 
 be hoped that Meffers. Knyphaulen and Mitchell will 
 make the proper ufe of this communication towards 
 removing any ill-grounded fufpicions which may have 
 ur> been
 
 APPENDIX. 55$ 
 
 been conceived by the king of Pruflia, with regard to 
 a ftep calculated for procuring, if poilible, an informa- 
 tion that might prove beneficial to the common caufe: 
 a ftep perfectly inoffenfive to every power engaged in 
 it, and which was fo far from being taken with a view 
 to prejudice his Pruffian majefty's particular interefts, 
 or even being attended with any neglect of them, that 
 it carried upon the very face of it a fuggeftion thrown 
 out with an eye to turn the emprelVs thoughts to ob- 
 taining in another part what might ferve as an equi- 
 valent to her pretenfions in Silefia. But to obviate 
 any failure therein on their part, the king has ordered 
 me to fend the above extract at all events to you, 
 that you inay reprefent in its true colours, andjuftify 
 the rectitude of his majefty's intentions. 
 
 For your own further information, and to put it 
 in your power to rectify, upon occafion, any miscon- 
 ception of the tendency and refult of the infinuations 
 that were made in confequeuce of the king's intima- 
 tion to Sir Jofeph Yorke, I enclofe copies of his 
 anfwer likewife,and of that which was returned through 
 the canal of M. Reifchach, on the part of the emprefs 
 queen. 
 
 Lord Bute to Mr. Mitchell. 
 
 St. James's, 30th March, 1762. 
 In my laft I acquainted you with the complaint 
 made here by Meffieurs Knyphaufen and Mitchell, of 
 fome fuppol'ed fecret overtures on our part to the 
 court of Vienna, and I then explained the matter to 
 you from the beginning to the end. I am now to add, that 
 though they gave that intelligence a turn as if they 
 had received it from their own court, yet we know 
 with certainty that they picked it up here. And as 
 itappears from their way of talking upon thatfubjeclto 
 me, but more efpecially from what they faid to the 
 duke of Newcaftle, that they wiil probably have made 
 a handle of it to inflame the mind of their mafter; 
 the king thinks it expedient for his fervice, as well 
 in refpe£t to this affair as to many others, that you 
 fhould repair forthwith to Brellaw, where you will lay 
 the whole of that bunnefs before the king of Pruflia; 
 
 commu-
 
 560 APPENDIX. 
 
 communicating to him the letters fent you by the laft 
 poft, as containing the king's original orders to Sir 
 Jofeph Yorke, which gave birth to it, and which you 
 may allure him are the very orders that were given, 
 and not a part only or abftracl of them : and you will 
 give his Pruffian majefty to underftand, that, fo far 
 from difavowing fuch a ftep, the king is fo fully per- 
 fuaded of its inorTenlivenefs, and of his right to take 
 fuch a ftep, that his majefty has no dell re to con- 
 ceal what palled in that tranfaclion, either from 
 him or any body elfe. Though you muft take care 
 that the communication which you make of it to his 
 Pruffian majefty may appear in its true light, viz. 
 that of a particular attention to his Pruffian majefty, 
 and totally different from an excufe, which the king 
 will by no means believe can be expected from him 
 on fuch an occafion. Neither does his majefty com- 
 prehend what title the Pruftian minifters had to com- 
 plain of any application which he may have thought 
 lit to make to the emprefs queen, of a nature like 
 this now in queftion, entirely foreign to any of the 
 king of Pruflia's concerns. The conduct therefore of 
 thole minifters upon the prefent occafion is juftly 
 difpleafing to his majefty, and it is his pleafure that 
 youfhouldexprefsto the king of Pruffia his defire, that 
 they may be inftrucled to proceed with a greater de- 
 gree of caution for the future. You will execute thefe 
 inftructions in your audience of his Pruffian majefty 
 in their fulleft fenfe, and without any foftening, fines 
 in the manner wherein the affair has been treated 
 here by the gentlemen above mentioned, the king's 
 honour is concerned. 
 
 Lord Bute to Mr. Mitchell 
 
 St. James's,9.th April, 1/&2. 
 Sir, 
 
 The referved and unfriendly manner in which the 
 king has been treated by his Pruffian majefty, in re- 
 i'pect to Mr.GoLtz's million to Peteribourg, cannot but 
 be very fenfibly felt by his majefty. It was deter- 
 mined at fir it without previous communication, we 
 were told, that he. went v.'ilh compliments, or at mofi 
 / With
 
 APPENDIX. 661 
 
 With general inftruenons for a reconciliation between 
 the two courts; and when it was owned that he had 
 full powers, ftill he was to open every thing to Mr. 
 Keith, and to take no ftep but in concert with him* 
 It now comes out, by Mr. Keith's letters of the nth 
 paft, that Mr. Goltze has been negotiating, upon af- 
 fairs of the higheil confequence, with the emperor, 
 and that, without the Ieatt degree of participation 
 with his majefty. No lefs a point than that of giving 
 his Pruffian majefty 's guaranty for Slefwick, in ex- 
 change for that of Silelia, was in agitation; and, by 
 Mr. Keith's account, we may expect to hear that a 
 treaty has been concluded upon that foot, fome weeks 
 fince ; a treaty wherein the kins: or Pruilia mult know, 
 that it would be impollible for his majeity to take any 
 part, confiftently with the engagements of his crown 
 to that of Denmark. 
 
 There is therefore no longer caufe for furprife, 
 though there is certainly a great one for complaint, 
 with refpeel; to the dead filence of your court, and 
 their concealment from his majeity's knowledge of 
 fuch meafures, as, inftead of promoting his pacific 
 views, according to thegeneral ailurances given of the 
 king of Prullia's intentions, have the greater! tendency 
 to fpread the flames of war, and increafe the. miferies 
 of mankind. 
 
 With the confeioufnefs, however, of this unjufti- 
 flable treatment of the king our mafter, his Pruffian 
 majefty has liill continued to direct his minifters here, 
 if 1 may judge from their conflant reprefentation, to 
 prel's the payment of his former fubfidy : but the condi- 
 tionupon which the king has declared, both by my letter 
 to them, and by his majeity's to that prince, that he 
 was ready to give it, was the employment of it to- 
 wards the procurement of peace, and not towards 
 the continuation of war; and 1 cannot conceal from 
 you, that to fee the bounty of this nation converted 
 to lb pernicious a ufe as that of fomenting new trou- 
 bles in Europe, would be of all tilings the molt dis- 
 agreeable to his majefty. 
 
 The king muft therefore receive farther intelligence, 
 and lee more clearly what ufe is intended to be made 
 of any fubiidy which he might be induced to give, 
 before he can determine to give any at all. And this 
 paufe on reiolving upon that important queltion, is lb 
 
 vol. i. o o much
 
 562 APPENDIX, 
 
 much the more neceflary, as, in cafe his Pruflian ma- 
 jefty's treaty with Ruffia be actually concluded, and 
 the weight of that empire taken confequently out of 
 the oppoilte fcale, he will then, if he continues in the 
 fame mind in which he was when you wrote your 
 letters to lord Holdernefle, of the months of June and 
 Julv 1706, have fo little occahon for anv ailiflance 
 from England, that he might even be ready to furnifh 
 a body of troops for his majefty's defence. This was the 
 king of Pruffia's language to you, upon the fuppolition 
 of our barely preventing his being attacked by Rnffiao 
 With how much more reafon then may the Englifli 
 fubfidy be difpenfed with, if he mall have obtained not 
 only the neutrality of the Ruffian emperor, but even 
 his guaranty for the duchy of Silefia. You are com- 
 manded therefore by his majefty, to reprefent the pur- 
 port and fubftance of what is above to the king of 
 Pruffia, but in the way of a cool and difpailionate re- 
 monftrance, and with very particular caution, in what 
 relates to his guaranty of Slefwick ; not to put it in his 
 power to hurt his majefty's intereft at the court of 
 Ruffia, by representing there, that his engagement, if 
 he has contracted one with the emperor for affifting 
 him in his defigns upon Denmark, is likely to coft 
 him his fubfidy from England; or if he has not, by 
 charging his refufal to do it, upon the king's with- 
 holding that fuccour. You will let me know very 
 particularly all that panes upon this execution of your 
 orders. 
 
 In regard to your notion exprefled in } T our laft, 
 both to count Finckenftein and me, of the king's foli- 
 citing his Pruflian majefty's affiilance in difluading the 
 Czar, by their joint good offices, from proceeding to 
 hoflilities againft Denmark; you will lee by the iri- 
 clofed copy of what I am writing to Mr. Keith, that 
 his majefty would willingly concur in fuch difluafion, 
 but he fees no hopes of any weight being added to them 
 from the reprefentations of a power, who, fuppofing 
 the guaranty of Selefia to have been purchafed by 
 him, at the expenceof a reciprocal one for Slefwick, 
 will have taken aftep fo well calculated to deftroy the 
 whole effeel of every pacific remonftrance. 
 
 I am, «3fc. 
 
 Bute. 
 TranfaHions
 
 APPENDIX, 56S 
 
 Tranfaclions with the Court of Vienna,* (inclofed in 
 Lord Bute's dif patch) of the gth of April, I762. 
 
 Precis des inftruclions donnees par la depeche de S. 
 E. le Cornte de Bute a. M. le Chevalier Yorke, du 
 12 Janvier, 1762. 
 
 A cette oceafion (viz. de la publication du paelede 
 
 famille entre la France et l'Efpagne, et du danger qui 
 
 menace le royaumede Portugal) le roi feroit bien aife 
 
 que votre excellence put trouver quelque canal con* 
 
 venable pour fonder les fentimens de la Gourde Vienne, 
 
 afin que fa maieite i'ache s'il y a lieu d'efperer de voir 
 
 revivre dans I'efprit de I'iniperatrice les craintes bien 
 
 fondces em'ont eongu Lous ies auguftes predecelieurs de 
 
 la pui fiance enorme et dangereufe de la maifon de 
 
 Bourbon : et fi clle ne s'alarmeroit pas a la vue de 
 
 1'invafion dont le Portugal elt menace aufli bien que 
 
 des dangers qui font juftement a apprehender pour les 
 
 propres etats en Italic : ou bien ii elle ne feroit pas 
 
 capable de fe laifler flatter de l'efperance de quelque 
 
 acquifition ulterieure dans ce quartier en cas qu'elle 
 
 refolut a. fe joindre aux puiflanees, qui pourroient vou- 
 
 loir oppofer les projets pernicieux de la France et 
 
 de TEfpagne. 
 
 Precis de la reponfe de M. l'ambaffadeur Yorke a la 
 lettre du Cornte de Bute, du i2 Janvier. — Date6 a 
 la Haye, 19th Janvier, 1762. 
 
 Par iecanal dont je me fuis fervi, felon les ordres de 
 v. E. du 12 de ce mois pour fonder les fentimens de 
 fa majefte l'imperatrice reine par rapport a 1' Un ion 
 formidable de la maifon de Bourbon, j'efpere d'appren- 
 dre quelque chofe : et il eft a prefumer qu'au cas que 
 cette princefle trouve a redire au pacle de famille elle 
 ne s'en cachera pas long terns. On en verra des indices 
 et il ne lera pas difficile en ce cas de trouver moyeix 
 d'etre mis au fait plus particulierement de fes inten- 
 tions. Et com me la guerre ou elle fe trouve engaged 
 avec le roi de Prufie fait le premier et principal objet 
 de fon attention rien ne conduiroit plus furement a. 
 la connoilfance que Ton fouhaite de fe procurer des 
 fentimens reels de cette ccur qui ii on etoit en etat 
 dc lui faire quelque ouverture fie la part de ia majeftS 
 Pruilienne. 
 
 o o 2 Extraii
 
 564 APPENDIX. 
 
 E.vtrait traduit dune apoftille a la lettre du Comte de 
 Kaunitz au Baron de Reifchach. — Dattee de Vienne 
 le 3 Mars, 1762. 
 
 Si l'on vent confiderer attentivement le content! des 
 memoires qui ont ete remis, de part et d'autre, a la 
 cour d'Angleterre, dans l'annee 1755, et fur toutfi l'ou 
 veut relire avec attention le plan que M. le Comte 
 Charles de Colloredo, a communique au miniftere, il en 
 refultera qu'on conviendra que nous avons deja com- 
 mence clans ce terns la a pre voir et a cormoitre notre 
 propre danger ; mais la conduite de l'Angleterre nous 
 a, dans le fuite, entierement ouvert les yeux ; et il n'y 
 rein de plus naturel, que chaque pu'iffance prenne 
 d'avance les mefures pour la propre confervation. Dans 
 ces circonftances je dois vous avouer, que fa majefte 
 imperiale et fon miniftre, ne peuvent point comprendre 
 ce que l'ouverture confidentielle des Anglois fignifie 
 proprement, et par confequent il eft aife a comprendre 
 qu'on ne fe trouve pas icy en etat de pouvoir y faire 
 une reponfe. 
 
 Lord Bute to Mr. Mitchell. 
 
 St. James's, May 26th, 1762. 
 Sir, 
 
 As this is the laft difpatcb, that it will fall to my 
 fhare to write to you, in quality of fecretary of ftate, 
 I think it neceffary, and efpecially as the pai-liament is 
 upon the point of breaking up without any grant of 
 fubfidy, as in the former years, to the king of Pruffia, 
 to enable you to juftify the king's conducT: from any 
 mifapprehenfions or mifreprefentations of what has 
 palled in that affair, and to fet forth his majefty's true 
 motives for withholding that fuccour in the prefent 
 circumftances ; that fo the natural confequences of 
 public events, and the effects of pure neceffity may be 
 no more imputed, as they have been very malicioufly, 
 to fuch a change of dilpofitions, or fuch a failure of 
 fxiendfliip, as have in truth never exifted ; fince the 
 gmg never had, nor has now the Jeaft thought of 
 abandoning his Pruflianjnajefty to his enemies, or de- 
 lerting his aTfiahce; 
 
 In
 
 APPENDIX. 665 
 
 In order to your being prepared to execute this 
 inflruction in a manner conformable to the king's in- 
 tention, I muft delire you to recollect with me the 
 feveral itages of the negotiation concerning the fub- 
 iidy, and what palled in the different periods of it. 
 
 IJpon the conclufion of the laft campaign, which 
 ended fo greatly to the king of Pruffia's disadvantage, 
 by his lofs of the two important fortrefles of Schweid- 
 nitz and Colberg, the king faw the diftrefs of his ally 
 with the utmoft grief and commiferation ; and upon 
 the preffing application of the Pruffian minifters here, 
 his majefty, notwithstanding the great load of expences, 
 from the continuance of military operations in fo 
 many parts of the globe, as well by fea as land, for 
 which the parliament could with difficulty make pro- 
 vifion, yet did not hefitate a minute in determining to 
 give the former fuccour to the king of Pruilia. The 
 term in which that bufinefs had been before tranfa&ed, 
 the treaty being then expired, was indeed objected to, 
 but the fubltanee was not difputed. 
 
 The negotiation for fettling the mode of that bufi- 
 nefs wastarried on through the months of November 
 and December. In the beginning of the prefent year 
 our war with Spain broke out, and the neceffity of our 
 undertaking the defence of Portugal againfl the am- 
 bitious views of that crown was forefeen. The addi- 
 tional weight of fuch vaft charges upon the moit ex- 
 haultcd rel'ources of this country could not but alarm 
 the warmed advocates for the continuance of war, 
 and the indifputable expedience of leffening the objects 
 of them was univerfaliy felt and acknowledged. In 
 that eireumitanee, you were directed to recommend, in 
 the king's name, to his Pruffian majefty to endeavour 
 to fet on foot fome negotiation of peace with the 
 court of Vienna: lie was defired to intruft his ma- 
 jefty with the terms upon which he would be willing 
 to treat, and allured of the king's defire to affift in 
 bringing any fuch falutary defign to perfection. You 
 were likewife ordered to alk a communication of the 
 means on which he would rt-ly, after lb many misfor- 
 tunes, and fuch a diminution of his power, for carrying 
 on the war, if that were his intention. 
 
 After fome weeks waiting for an eclaireilTement 
 upon either of thole heads, in the beginning of Tebru- 
 
 00" aty
 
 566 APPENDIX. 
 
 ary the king did indeed complain of fo unexpected a 
 {Hence ; but you were Hill told that his nuijetty was 
 thinking of the proper time for making the demand of 
 the fubfidy in parliament. 
 
 In this interval we had the great news of the deceafe 
 of the late Czarina, and a moft promifing prof peel, 
 from our very fiift accounts of that happy change 
 of meafures, which has fo greatly bettered the king of 
 Pruffia's fituation. 
 
 His majefty faw that amendment with the trueft 
 fatisfaclicn. He rejoiced in it as a fincere friend to 
 that prince, and as a well wifher to the public mterefts 
 of mankind; for he confidered the defection of Ruffia 
 from the contrary alliance, as what muft give his 
 Pruffian majefty a great advantage towards obtaining 
 a fpeedy peace; and though his majefty could not, con- 
 fidently with the intereftsof his people, whofe burthens 
 were increasing in proportion as thofe of his ally were 
 lefiened, think then of contributing by any ac't of 
 his to the prolongation of war; yet he full declared, 
 and has continued, till near the prefent times, declar- 
 ing, that if he might have afi'u ranee that the fubfidy 
 fhoukl be employed towards the procurement of peace, 
 his majefty? would Le ftijU ready to afk it immediately 
 of the parliament. 
 
 Tins was the language, as well of my letter of the 
 2.6th of February, to Meffieurs K-niphaufen and Michel, 
 as of one which his majefty was plealed himleif to 
 write a month after that to the king of Pruffia. 
 
 It was not till the ninth of lalt month that, after 
 a long and fiuitiefs waiting for fuch an overture from 
 Breflaw, as might have jultificd to his majefiy's own 
 paternal fentiments, and to the public, the laving again, 
 in fo different cirt umftances, fo heavy a charge upon 
 his people, that you were directed to hold a language 
 to the king of Pruffia, whicli might prepare him lor 
 a total cefiation of the former p< cuniary iuccour. It 
 was not till after the actual eouelufion of his armiftioe 
 with Ruffia, and when an agreement of the like kind 
 with Sweden was in view. It was when the former of. 
 thofc powers ieeraed on. the point of concluding a 
 definitive treaty (at leaft) with his Pruffian majefty, 
 and the latter, from her abfolute inability to continue 
 the war, and the univerfal cry of her people for peace, 
 7 was
 
 APPENDIX.. 567 
 
 was preparing to make the firfl itep towards liim : In 
 a word, it was fubfequent to our receiving here that 
 important declaration of the 0.3d of February, by the 
 new emperor, wherein he openly exhorts the king of 
 Pruffia's enemies to put a fpeedy end to the war, and 
 declares his own refolution of reftoring to that prince 
 all the important conqucits of his predeccilbr. 
 
 With thefe facts and dates in your memory, you 
 may venture to appeal not only, as you were directed 
 by my laft cited difpatch, to that prince's former 
 eventual declarations, but even to his own prefent judg- 
 ment, and that of his minifters, whether the king- 
 could have (till reafonably been expected to perfevere 
 in his intention of giving the former fubfidy. We have 
 a very powerful additional enemy to contend with ; 
 his Pruffian majefty has a new and very powerful 
 friend : the weight of Spain is thrown into our oppo- 
 lite fcale; that of Ruffia, and Sweden too, is taken 
 out of his: the king of Pruffia has Pomerania and 
 Brandenburg to defend, befkles Saxony and Silclia; 
 the two former are no longer in danger : we had, on 
 our part, a moft expensive land war to fupport in 
 Germany ; we muft now provide for another in Por- 
 tugal. 
 
 It feems hardly imaginable that this Unking com- 
 panion fhould not be fufficient to convince even the 
 court of Breilaw, that in fuch circumftances, without 
 a certainty of its application towards lelfening the 
 objects of war, it was impcjllible to pr.op.ofe the fublidy 
 to parliament with any hopes of fuccefs. 
 
 Having thus ftated to vou,in its true and genuine 
 colours, the whole of the king's proceeding in relation 
 to the Pruffian fubfidy, with the real motives of it in 
 ever}- ftep ; I come now to fay fomething upon ano- 
 ther affair, which concerns my fell" more particularly, 
 and in winch his majefty is very gracioufly pleated to 
 permit me to make my own difculpation a part of 
 this difpatch, written by his order, and with his ap- 
 probation. 
 
 I need not tell you, for you are fully apprifed of it, 
 that I have been charged with having held to prince 
 Galitzin, fome little time before his departure, a moil 
 unfriendly difcourfe with regard to the king of Pruffiaj 
 and with having in particular endeavoured to perfuade 
 
 4 the
 
 ■)6B APPENDIX. 
 
 the emperor of Ruffia, through the channel of that 
 minifter, in the firft place, not to withdraw his troops 
 from the Pruihan territories, but to keep them full 
 there, in order to force that prince to make ceffions to 
 the queen of Hungary ; and fecondly, to prefer an 
 alliance with the houfe of Auftria, to that of his Pruf- 
 fian majefty. Thefe are the chief points of accufation, 
 to which are added fome embeililhments of lefs con- 
 fequence; and in anfwer to them, what I have to ob- 
 ferve to you is, that I fee no refemblance in that 
 account to my real converfation with prince Galitzin. 
 If he did really therefore make Inch a report to the 
 emperor, lie mull either grofsly have miliaken my 
 meaning, or failed in his memory, or (what I am forry 
 to fuppofe poffible with refpect to a gentleman fo de- 
 fervedly efteemed) may have been prompted by his 
 known attachment to the court of Vienna, to give 
 fuch a turn to his relation of my difcourfc, as he 
 might think molt likely to ferve that intereft. 
 
 By a particular coldnefs (hewn by the Czar to Mr. 
 Keith, and by hints which dropped from his imperial: 
 majefty, there was realbn to think that fomethingwrit- 
 ten to him by prince Galitzin, with regard to the 
 king's difpcfitions towards the king of Prulfia, had 
 given him offence. 
 
 He without doubt communicated that intelligence 
 to his Pruffian majefty, who had been before diipofed, 
 by thofe malevolent and mifchievous infmuations, 
 which we have by a multitude of combined circum- 
 ftances but too much roafon to fuppofe he receives 
 from his rninifters here, to give an entire belief to it, 
 with the fame credulity with which he liftened to that 
 groundlefs and fhameful falfehood, tranfmitted to him 
 from hence, of his majefty 's having offered to treat 
 with the court of Vienna at his expence. 
 
 But, however that be, the fact is, that I held no 
 fuch difcourfe. I do perfectly recollect the interview 
 which I had with prince Galitzin before he left us, and, 
 I remember as perfectly that I had then lying by me 
 my firft difpatch, after the late emprefs's death, to Mr. 
 Keith, and that I talked to him from the contents, 
 and intirely in the language of it: and I mult add, 
 that in ufing that ftile, I fpoke not my own notions 
 only, but thofe of his majefty, and of all his fervants, 
 
 who
 
 APPENDIX. 5G9 
 
 who had feen and concurred in the inftruclions then 
 fent to Mr. Keith. 
 
 I communicated to you at that time what appeared 
 necefiary for your information of the contents of that 
 difpatch ; hut as it is now become of more import- 
 ance, I have his majefty's leave to fend you in extenfo 
 every word in it, that related to the general affairs of 
 Europe, or to the king of Pruilia in particular. 
 
 You will fee that inftead of advifing the Czar to 
 continue his armies upon the prince's territories, the 
 king's particular pleafure and fatisfaction is exprefied 
 in the orders given to thofe troops to advance no fur- 
 ther upon them, to abftain from all hoftilities, and even 
 to accept anarmiitice, if offered: you will lee too, that 
 fo far from defiling that the court of Ruffia fliould 
 prefer the Auftrian alliance to the king of Prullia's, 
 Mr. Keith was directed to execute the inftrudtions fent 
 him by the king of Pruilia him i'elf, which were cer- 
 tainly not in favour of the queen of Hungary. 
 
 It is true, that the preference is very ftrongiy given 
 to pacific meafures in that difpatch, and Mr. Keith is 
 r< {trained from concurring in any thing that might 
 tend to protract the war: but this was no fecret in- 
 i'truction, for you were directed to make the fame de- 
 claration, and to ihape your own conduct by the fame 
 rule. 
 
 You fee then, befides my own aiTertion to the con- 
 trary, how totally improbable it is that I fliould hold a 
 language to the Ruffian minifter, I do not fay fo dif- 
 ferent, but fo abfolutely contradictory to the orders 
 which 1 had juft fent from his majefty, to his own mi- 
 nifter at that court, and that, with thofe very orders 
 in mj- hand, I lhould declare or even insinuate to 
 prince Galitzin, that his majefty's real fentiments were 
 juft the reverfe of them. 
 
 I 7 0N this foot, therefore, I fliall leave it to you to 
 clear me from fuch an unworthy imputation, having 
 only juft to add to this letter, that, as one which his 
 (ty has received from the king of Pruilia leems to 
 adopt the fame ill-founded charge, and docs not vet 
 exprefs a full fatisfaction in the declarations made by 
 lii- majefty, with refpect to the idle ftory of our nego- 
 tiation with the emprefs queen, the king would have 
 you inlinuate civilly to count Pmkenftein, that his nia- 
 
 jeliy
 
 570 APPENDIX. 
 
 jefty had not thought it fuitable either to his own, or 
 his Pruffian majefty's dignity, to enter into fuch alter- 
 cations, but had chofen to enable you his minifter to 
 explain, and fet in their true light," thofe fads, which 
 have, either erroneoufly or maiicioully been mifrepre- 
 fented to the king of Pruffia. 
 
 I am, fyc. 
 
 Bute,
 
 L 571 ] 
 
 APPENDIX III. 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING IRELAND* 
 
 Lord Bowes, Chancellor of Ireland, to Mr. Dodington. 
 
 25 th December, 1760. 
 ## # qp HE orc j erg t diffolvc the late parliament, and 
 to lend over the bills as ufual, to certify to his 
 majefty the confederations for calling a new one, were 
 in confequenee of applications from the Lords Juttices 
 here, that the affair mult be fpeedPy over, and that 
 ■within the year of the prelent fheriffs. — The refoiu- 
 tions were jult and prudent. 
 
 Had the difficulties relating to the fending over the 
 bill for a i'upply (purfuantto precedent) occurred, they 
 ought to have been difciofed. Charity bids us hope 
 it did not. In fact the fubject was not mentioned, to 
 iny knowledge, till on the meeting of a council, called, 
 as I was then informed, to confider what bills iliouid 
 be lent, it was mentioned to me the initant before 
 we took our feats, requeuing me to name fuch as 
 might be proper. My anfwer was, that the notice 
 was (hort and unexpected: i prefumed we ihould fee 
 what had been done; and follow precedents. On my 
 memory i thought a money bill was always one. 
 
 The primate, who fpoke to me, and the attorney 
 general, who was prefent, Itemed to acquiefce. On 
 mentioning it to the chancellor of the exchequer, he 
 objected againft fending a bill for a fupply, as there 
 would be time after a meeting of parliament to pre- 
 pare one in form, and that it was not neceflary before, 
 as the duties wouid not expire till the 25th of Decem- 
 ber. \lQ\ J adding, thut fuch a bill would be rejected, 
 
 and
 
 572 APPENDIX. 
 
 and produce warmth, which was to be avoided in a 
 new parliament, and poffibly end in a diffolution, the 
 rather as they refolved in the year 1727, the day they 
 pafTed a like bill, on the meeting of that parliament, 
 '* That no money bill fhould be read before the report 
 from the proper committees of accounts, and that this 
 fhould be the Handing order." 
 
 These rcafons, to which I have given their full 
 ftrength, were reported inftantly at the board, urged 
 pathetically, and in my judgment, improperly at that 
 time and place. Departing from the fettled ufage in 
 affairs of government required temper to judge of the 
 neceflity and previous private deliberation with thofe 
 in the king's fervice, to fettle the manner in which 
 fuch a neceffary change can be effected. 
 
 This was not done, and the effects to be expe6ted 
 happened : — hafty refolutions, and declarations of 
 what they would or would not do, and that equally at 
 the upper and lower end of the table. My intimations of 
 what has fince been the cafe were to little purpofe, and 
 fpoke ftrongly to my underfranding, that each man 
 faw this would be a popular point, and ft rove which 
 fhould appear ftrongeft in fupport of it. The next ftep 
 was to guard againft refentment on your fide the wa- 
 ter. They were warned, and therefore the juftices 
 wrote the next day to the lord lieutenant apprizing 
 him of their fentiments, the improbability of chang- 
 ing them, the confequences of attempting the fending 
 inch bill, and, I think, fufficiently to be underftood, 
 that they could not do it; propoling the expedient of 
 other bills, which, if received, the affair would end— — 
 at leaft it gave time to deliberate. To which I (an 
 eye witnefs to the ferment) concurred, exprefting my 
 fenfe to comply, if the expedient fhould not be ac- 
 cepted. 
 
 You know the event on your fide — on ours, no an- 
 fwer to the fent letter increafed heats — more deter- 
 mined deliberations. — Debate blowed the coals. — They 
 were told, without effect, that the fending bills to his 
 majefty, to be by him returned to his parliament, to no- 
 tify from him the caufes of their meeting, and the 
 bufinefs they were to proceed upon, was peculiar to 
 Ireland, depended on pofilive laws enacfed by parlia- 
 ment during the reign of Henry vn. under which 
 
 they
 
 APPENDIX, 57S 
 
 they could not enter upon other acts than thofe tranf- 
 mitted by the king — that, fubfifting that law, fupplies 
 muft be fent to them as other acls. That the itatute 
 of Philip and Mary confirms the former, at the time 
 when it enlarges "the power of government here to 
 tranfmit to his majefty other caufes which might arife 
 during the feffion of parliament ; but the former re- 
 mained in full force as to luch caufes and confedera- 
 tions as were known before the meeting of parlia- 
 ment. That in fael a fupply was underftood to be the 
 primary caufe of calling parliament : — that the efta- 
 blifhment in Ireland made it neceilary to afk a fupply 
 from the next parliament, as it would certainly be 
 wanted. The time of afking the quantum and the 
 continuance were in the difcretion of the crown ; — 
 that this notification equally left to the houle of 
 commons their affirmation or negation; — that an- 
 cient laws were to be expounded by ufage; — that 
 this appears to have been ever the ufage from the 
 journals of parliament, and the records of the council, 
 efpecially fince the conteft in lGc)2, without a iingle ex- 
 ception—that conteits with the crown were to be avoid- 
 ed — that the nature of the fubjeel: made it lefs juitifi- 
 able in point of prudence, as no one attempted to urge 
 any real prejudice that might attend the following of 
 precedents ; whilft on the other it obftrucied the call- 
 ing of parliament. How long that might fublift could 
 not be known. That at that board they were to conii- 
 der what was their duty, and to reprefent and advife of 
 inconveniences which were expected from doing what. 
 had been done, and feemed required by law. Pru- 
 dential reafons were alio urged in vain — time taken for 
 conlideration. — Poffibly the event may be, that no fuch 
 caufe will be tranfmitted as yet : that if required to- 
 wards the ncceflary meeting of parliament, it may be 
 complied with; but what will be the fate of fuch bill 
 fent back, or the confequences of an unanimous re- 
 jection, is out of my ken. 
 
 This country is populous and wealthy. They have 
 been taught to think themfelvcs injured by their pre~ 
 fent conititution, forgetting Poyning's law was their 
 own requeit, and that if their form of government, 
 whilft in their prefent relation to England, be different 
 from that of England, the worit which can befall 
 
 them
 
 574 APPENDIX. 
 
 them is to force England to determine what power the 
 parliament of England (hall have over Ireland. 
 
 As to others who want not this information, their 
 bufinefs is and will be, to fecure fuch parliamentary in- 
 tereft as may render them neceflary to every chief go- 
 vernor. He may parade, but mull fubmit. This is 
 the prefent ftate of things, which occasions queftions 
 to be taken up here for the fake of popularity, that as 
 governors theyfhould difcountenance. 
 
 This will account for the great precaution that one 
 fhculd not get the ftart of the others, and keeping to- 
 gether empowers them to fay, " change hands as oft 
 as you pleafe, you can only be furnifhed from this 
 fhop." 
 
 Lord Bowes to Mr. Dodington. 
 
 2d February 1761. 
 
 I don't wonder my lafl feemed obfcure ; public dif- 
 turbances are with difficulty explained. Thofe we are 
 engaged in, become important rather from the fitua- 
 tion of government than the confequenee of the 
 matter. 
 
 To view them in a true light, it is necefTarv to look 
 back to the revolution, or rather to the Hanover fuc- 
 ceffion,iince which time Ireland has been the moft flou- 
 rifhing ftate in Europe, as is evident from the rife of 
 lands, and the great increafe of perfonal property; 
 and probably their reprefentatives in this parliament 
 have been pofleffed of more property than yours in 
 Great Britain, in proportion to numbers, without tak- 
 ing in the difproportion of wealth in the two king- 
 doms; whence you will conclude that power, or at- 
 tempts to acquire it, have accompanied opulence. — - 
 They have not had any real grievance from govern- 
 ment, and have therefore quarreled with its prefent 
 legal conftitution. The}' have confidered your houfe 
 as the model, and in general think themfelves injured 
 in the inftances wherein theirs, upon the legal confti- 
 tution, mnft differ. 
 
 In fact they are become the terror of govern orsfent 
 from England, who, for prefent quiet, and under un- 
 certainty of fupport from your miniftry, have rather 
 chofe to gratify by compliance, than contelt points, 
 
 which,
 
 APPENDIX 575 
 
 •which, when acquiefced in, become a foundation for 
 future fuperftructures. This gave rife to undertakers, 
 who infured quiet to the governor in exchange for 
 power, and are now in that itate of ftrength to tell the 
 lord lieutenant he muft come into their meafures, or 
 be rendered too uneafy for men of rank to remain 
 under. 
 
 You need not be told by me where that power now 
 refides, nor how neceflary popularity is to the keeping 
 of it, efpecially on the election of a new parliament. 
 
 But I muft obferve, that formerly Proteftant or Pa- 
 pift were the key words; they are now court or coun- 
 try; referring (till to constitutional grievances, for of 
 others they don't pretend to complain. 
 
 The chancellor of the exchequer (when in opposi- 
 tion) was the popular man, and (with his abilities) of 
 great confequence. His acceptance of his employ- 
 ment, with an added falary, had totally deprived him 
 of popularity, nor could it be retrieved by his being of 
 no life on the other fide. The parliament here being 
 dilfolved, the law required the council here to cer' 
 (in form of bills) the considerations for calling a new 
 parliament. — Ufagc had always fentabill for a fupply, 
 commonly called a money bill, as one. The commons 
 had received thefe bills with reluctance. The applica- 
 tions to council to lend over bills as ufual, gave the 
 chancellor of the exchequer opportunity to object 
 againft lending any money bill, which he enforced by 
 fpch reafons* as were the popular arguments againft 
 it. Prevailing in this point at that board mult have 
 merit, as the commons had not been able to fucceed, 
 and their attempt in l6<J<2, ended in their diffolution. 
 The intent was evident, as alio that what one gained 
 thereby, muft be loft to others, which probably occa- 
 fioned'that unprecedented warmth which followed. 
 
 Neither could truft the other with tins advantage, 
 and therefore joined inftanlly, and in fuch manner as 
 to become principals at once ; refolving and declaring 
 they were ready to fuller political martyrdom in fup- 
 port of it, and this before the council had given or 
 been alked their opinions on the fubject, though, in 
 fact, the majority loon efpoufed the fame fentiments. 
 To this united ftrength may be afcribed the letters to 
 the lieutenant, in terms unuiual, to fay no mere ; and 
 
 hence
 
 576 APPENDIX. 
 
 hence the difficulties arife as to the prudential part on 
 your fide the water,, and are, in truth, of great moment 
 with refpeci to the future government of this king- 
 dom. 
 
 There is a bill fent from hence in feeming compli- 
 ance with thefe refolutions on your fide, to which fome 
 names are wanting, becaufe they did not confider the 
 bill feat agreeable to former ufage, or the intent of it. 
 Not being a bill for a f up ply to his majefty, that it was 
 open to every objection made againft fending the ufual 
 bill, with many others arifing. from the nature of the 
 bill fent; as it related to a vote of credit, for which 
 the honour of the commons was engaged; not delired 
 by thofe who had lent their money, and could only be 
 neceffary on the fuppofed defedtive fecurity of that 
 vote — that it appropriated duties in the firit inftance, 
 and deprived the commons of confidering the amount 
 of the debt to be provided for, or the duties for re-pay- 
 ment, Sec. Sec. &c. That thefe added objections would 
 probably create contelts in another place, and the 
 meafure was therefore unfafe as well as unufual, and 
 fjeemed calculated only to afcertain in the event that 
 which they had faid would happen in fending a money 
 
 bill. 
 
 It is obfervable., and I believe true, that the opposi- 
 tion here is univerfally difapproved of, and the actors 
 fee their error, though not the way to get rid of the af- 
 fair. If this laft attempt fucceeds, they will rejoice 
 as on a victory — if not, their having, departed from 
 their fnft declaration, their doing what they ought to 
 liave.done, feems to beanecelfary confequence, if thole 
 on your fide infill upon it. 
 
 Lo>'d Howes to Mr. Dodington. 
 
 26th March, 17GI. 
 Lord Halifax comes here at a critical time, and 
 his conduct will probably fix the future government of 
 Ireland. 
 
 iGthOct. 1761. 
 
 * * * To me lord Halifax feems to have got the 
 itart of oppofition, and they will have no ealy talk to 
 pcrfuade the people that he is not their friend. The 
 
 return
 
 APPENDIX. 577 
 
 return of the money bill is likely to occafion differences; 
 but the train in which things are placed islikely to make 
 it eafy ;-^ — it was fent in wrath, knowing it mufr be re- 
 jected on its return. Your lordfhip well knows what up- 
 hill work itmuft be to carry fueh a queftion againftthe 
 inclinations, and in faclagainft utility and conveniency ; 
 what is therefore wifhed is, that it may be received 
 and read, and then postponed till a new bill may be 
 framed, which will take in the fubjecl of that act, and 
 which may be neceffary to anfwer the end propofed by 
 way of lupply and duration, and then drop the firft, 
 upon the reafon of the thing, without entering on any 
 further queftions. Queftions may, and probably will 
 be propofed, but I think rejected by a refpe&able ma- 
 jority. 
 
 The bill for feptennial parliaments will be introduc- 
 ed, and like your place bill carried in, though ftrongly 
 againft the inclinations of many who will be filent. 
 In what light that may be conlidered elfewhere, you 
 may know before I can. The queftion is, or rather 
 may be of importance to the crown, but infinitely 
 more to the quiet, &,c. &c. of the kingdom. 
 
 Lord Halifax to Lord Mclcombe. 
 
 15th December, 1761. 
 I am obliged to you for the favourable opinion you 
 exprefsof my government here, and I am lorry for the 
 picture you draw elfewhere. If I am quiet, it is not 
 that I am without a tribe equal in virtues to that you 
 defcribe at home, but 1 came determined to make the 
 proper ufe of them, and I luckily had an early oppor- 
 tunity of doing fo. It was always conlidered good ge- 
 neralihip to turn an enemy's cannon againfl them* 
 felves, and I took their battery as loon as unmaiked. 
 I will notfay what other lord lieutenants have been, but 
 I am as much mafter here as I can wifli to be, and as 
 much as my good royal mafter could ever have expect- 
 ed me to be. His authority, coute qu'il coute, thai. 
 never fuffer in my hands. The fellion is like to conti- 
 nue good humoured, and to be Ihort, as the edge of 
 oppolition is blunted. 
 
 vol. i. r p
 
 [ 578 ] 
 
 APPENDIX IV. 
 
 ON THE ISLE OF MAX. 
 
 *"p ii E early hiftory of the Ifle of Man is involved in 
 •*■ confiderable obfcurity ; on the expulfion of the Nor- 
 wegians, the ancient records of the illand were carried 
 to Drontheim in Norway, and on inquiry within 
 thefe thirty years, it has been difcovered that they 
 were accidentally deftroyed by fire. However, it feems 
 from the report of Calvin's cafe, that this ifland was 
 an ancient and abfolute kingdom. 3 
 
 The tradition of the illand points out the firft trace 
 of monarchy in the lateft itages of druidical hierar- 
 chy, when chriftianity was introduced, and bifhops 
 were placed there by St. Patrick, not only ad erudi- 
 endum, but, ad regendmn populum iftius Infulae. b 
 
 The, ifland was under an independent fovereign ; by 
 Edward II. it was granted to his favourite, Gavefton, 
 earl of Cornwall/ and was afterwards conquered and 
 held by Alexander III. of Scotland, and governed by his 
 thanes. By the aHiftance of Edward III. it again re- 
 turned to the Englilh line, and became the property 
 of Sir William Montacute, who, in 1393, fold it to 
 William le Scrope, on whole forfeiture it fell to 
 Henry IV. d 
 
 This monarch, in the firft year of his reign, grant- 
 ed the ille to Henry earl of Northumberland, who be- 
 ing attainted for treafon, e it was granted to Sir 
 John Stanley and his heirs/ Tenendam de Rege haere- 
 dibus et fuccefforibus fuis per homagium ligeum red- 
 dendo nobis duos falcones, 8cc. &c. from whom, by a 
 
 a Coke's Rep. 7. b Jocelin, Vit. Patric. 6. 152. c Rap. Hift. 
 
 Eng. vol. iii. 331. d 4th lull. 283. « 6th Henry IV. f 4th lnft. 184. 
 
 i lmeal
 
 APPENDIX. 579 
 
 lineal fucceffion, this noble inheritance defcended to 
 Ferdinand, fifth earl of* Derby. 
 
 In the year following his fucceffion, this nobleman 
 died, leaving three daughters co-heireiles, and his bro- 
 ther William, lixth earl of Derby, his heir male. 
 
 Ox the death of earl Ferdinand, a controverly arofe 
 between his three daughters and widow, on the one 
 part, and the faid earl William on the other. A re- 
 ference in confequence was made by queen Elizabeth 
 to fome of her privy council and judges. 5 
 
 This difpute continued feveral years, and in the 
 mean time the crown appears to have had poffeffion 
 of the illand. At length an agreement was made, va- 
 rious funis of money paid to earl Ferdinand's daugh- 
 ters and his widow, and the fucceffion of the iiland 
 regulated by an act; of parliament in the 7th of 
 James I. 
 
 By this act it was fettled, after certain limitations, 
 on the right heirs of James, then lord Stanley, after- 
 wards earl of Derby, with a claufe prohibitory of alie- 
 nation. 
 
 The iiland defcended to James, tenth earl of Derby, 
 on whole deceafe, the male line of heirs of James lord 
 Stanley becoming extinct, recourfe was had to Ame- 
 lia Sophia, the youngeit furviving daughter of James, 
 feventh earl of Derby, who was married to John, 
 marquis of Atholl, and from whom, by lineal fuccef- 
 fion, the iilaud has devolved on the prefent duchefs 
 dowager of Atholl, barouefs Strange, under the par- 
 liamentary entail of the 7th of James I. 
 
 It being conceived that the Britifh and Irifh reve- 
 nues were materially affected by illicit practices car- 
 ried onto and from the Iile of Man, acts of parliament 
 parTcd from time to time, regulating the trade of 
 Great Britain in refpecl: to the llle of Man ; which in 
 the year 1765, being considered infuffieient to carry 
 their purpofes into effect, after much negotiation and 
 correfpondence with the Atholl family, which was at 
 length dropped, the bill of 17 Qo, for inverting the iiland 
 in the crown, paffed. 
 
 The prefent duke of Atholl, who is heir-apparent, 
 ^nd on the deceafe of his mother will be heir genera] 
 
 l Andcrfon's Reports, vol. ii. 215, Dugdale's Baronage, 250. 
 
 p r 2 of
 
 580 APPENDIX. 
 
 of James lord Stanley, conceiving that this acl of par- 
 liament has been made in direcl violation of the par- 
 liamentary entail of 7th James I. and is, in a variety 
 of reflects, extremely fevere in its operation, from 
 the title to and value of the illand being totally mif-^ 
 underftood at the time the transaction took place, has, 
 fince he came of age, made feveral applications for 
 redrels, h which it has been found neceffary to difcon- 
 tinue, from new matter ariling in the courfe of his in- 
 veftigations relative to this ifland ; and his grace hav- 
 ing obtained from his majefty a commiffion for in- 
 quiring into the nature of his complaints, and the fi- 
 tuation of the illand, and a report having been made 
 generally in favour of his grace's allegations, it is un- 
 derftood that he is preparing to apply for a full con- 
 fideration of his cafe, in order to the attainment of 
 redrefs, from the honour, juftice, and equity of the 
 imperial parliament. 
 
 Com. Journ. 1780 — 1790.
 
 [ 581 ] 
 
 APPENDIX V. 
 
 LETTER from a Perfon in high Office in 
 America, to an Englim Nobleman; on 
 the Temper of the People, and Courfe of 
 Politics. 
 
 B 
 
 New York, 8th November, 1765. 
 
 y Davis, two days ago, I gave you a tedious (be- 
 cause I chofe it mould be a particular) account 
 of the violence that lately broke out in this town, and 
 which, it' the madnefs of the lieutenant governor had 
 not been reprefled by the prudence of the commander 
 in chief of the king's forces, would very probably 
 have involved the whole continent in a rebellion. 
 
 I am impatient to the laft degree, for the arrival of 
 Sir Henry Moore; not becaufe it will rid us of Co/den, 
 who, 'tis reported, thinks himfelf no longer i'afe in 
 America, and will remove to England ; but I have 
 fome hopes, a governor not obnoxious to the people, 
 may confide in the militia, and take proper meafures 
 to free us from a Itate of anarchy, and the dominion 
 of a mob, who not only terrify the magiftracy, but 
 may put the match to the powder of difcontent that 
 threatens to blow up all the provinces. Let us hope 
 there will be no recurring to force; if Britain prefers 
 it to policy, we are both ruined. For the Americans 
 feem determined to fulfil Bane's prediction in the 
 houfe of commons, and fight it out. 
 
 Depend upon it they will i'uffer no man to execute 
 any law to raife internal taxes unimpofed by their 
 own aflemblies. None of the diftributors durft acl: ; 
 and that man's heart mult be fortified with ten-fold 
 
 fteel,
 
 582 APPENDIX. 
 
 ileel, who ventures even to approve the doctrine, that 
 the parliament hath a right to give away the eftates 
 of the colonifts without their content. 
 
 In the chartered gover ments, where the offices are 
 elective, all things run on in the ulual channel ; and 
 even in the colonies where there is a more immediate 
 dependence on the crown, the lpirit of the people 
 countenances fuch a defiance to all officers, that I 
 make no douht of an equal neglect of the jiamp 
 acl. 
 
 The ordinary procefs of the law has not as yet been 
 iflued in this province ; but I fuppofe it will foon be- 
 gin without any reference to the parliamentary decree : 
 and indeed, if any durft to alk for them, there are 
 none to diftribute them. The merchants, I once 
 thought, would have been the firft purchasers; but 
 they venture out their vellels with unftamped cockets, 
 nor have the officers of the cuitoms the hardinefs to 
 refufe them any of the neceflary documents. The 
 newspapers alfo are difperfed as before, and thunder 
 out their weekly execrations againftall the authors of 
 the real or fuppofed grievances of the country, and the 
 printers, lure of an immediate gaol-deliveiy, inflame 
 the whole continent. 
 
 Blessed be the name of the man who finds means 
 to difpel the dark cloud that hangs over us, and bright- 
 en this troubled iky. I am aware of the difficulties. 
 The change of the miniftry gives a ray of hope to fome, 
 who prefume that the new ftate phyficians will na- 
 turally find fault with the prefcriptionsof the old doc- 
 tors. But I fear that the terror of the general voice 
 on your fide of the water, will, for a time, fupport the 
 doctrine here \'o utterly abhorred; nor do I fee any 
 middle way to lave the honour and claims. of the par- 
 liament. Regulations in trade to deftroy the Weft 
 India monopoly, fo deftructive to us and the mother- 
 country, with the reduction of the admiralty powers, 
 inay fvveeten men's minds; but the grand conteft 
 will fubfift even though the ftamp duty {hould be re- 
 duced, and better proportioned to the abilities of the 
 the people. 
 
 A total exemption from taxes, they were refolved 
 to force ; and befides the juftice of their caufe, they 
 are animated by various eaniiderations to expect fac- 
 
 cefs
 
 APPENDIX. 583 
 
 ce f s — your prefent confufions, which they hope to 
 increal'e by our own economy and encouragement of 
 home-made manufactures ; the fupplies you want 
 from us; the difficulty, if not impoftibility of fparing 
 a {landing army and fupporting it ; a prefumption of 
 the neceifarv flights over to us of your unemployed 
 manufacturers ; our other various accefiions,- our rapid 
 gr< wth, and that your own army may be wafted by 
 defertions. The project that the {landing force ade- 
 quate to the defign (not of a quick conqueft, but) of 
 maintaining the law againft a general, wide-fpreading 
 difaffection, while it flatters our hope, will, if it falls 
 from its fidelity, endanger an -American independency, 
 and provoke your natural enemies in Europe to lift 
 up a fuccefsful arm againft you : all infpire a confi- 
 dence that Britain will be too wife after all, to ven- 
 ture upon a meafure that will quicken her own down- 
 fall. 
 
 By thefe views our people are emboldened— add to 
 this, they are all united — every man infpires his neigh- 
 bour, and colonies echo to colonies, we are English- 
 men, and will be free. 
 
 At the late congrefs in this place, they came una- 
 nimoufly to a fet of refokes, of which the leveral de- 
 puties took copies, that their reprefentations and con- 
 duct may have a perfect harmony. 
 
 As I do not approve of the violences of my country- 
 men, fo neither could I agree with their wife men, 
 either in the principles they go upon, or the manner 
 of giving fuccefs to their claims. 
 
 The congrefs was appointed for the firftof October ; 
 opened a few days afterwards, and clofed on the 25th 
 or the fame month. — The members were, in general, 
 men of warm pathons — an impatience to get home, 
 and the pride of the draft j'men, againft which 1 forwarn- 
 ed feveral of them, had alio a very ill effect on their 
 transactions — all the conduits of information had not 
 emptied upon them, before they began to write, nor 
 indeed, before they broke up; and their competitions 
 therefore carry evident marks of hurry and imper- 
 fection. 
 
 YY hat they wrote is contained in fourteen refokes, 
 a petition to the king, another to the commons, and 
 a memorial to the lords.— But, why a memorial r — That 
 
 I cannot
 
 584, APPENDIX. 
 
 I cannot fay : I mentioned it to one of the members> 
 and thought he was furpriled at the obfervation. So 
 it remained when they broke up. 
 
 The refolves profeis allegiance to the crown, and * 
 all due fubordination to the two houfes of parliament ; 
 declare that we are entitled to all the rights of fub- 
 jects born within the realm; that it is elfential to 
 the freedom of a people, to be taxed only with their 
 own confent ; that the colonies neither are, nor can, 
 from local circumstances, be reprefented in the Bri- 
 tilh houfe of commons; that their only reprefentativea 
 are in their colony legiilatures ; and, except by them, 
 no taxes have been, or can be, conftitutionally impol- 
 ed upon them. — That fupplies being gifts, the com- 
 mons of Great Britain cannot conjiitutionally grant 
 away our property. — That trials by Jury are the rights 
 of the fubject. — That the ftamp act, and other acts of 
 trade, tend to fubvert that right. — That the duties 
 lately impofed are grievances, and the payment im- 
 practicable. — That the profits of our commerce center 
 in Great Britain ; and we, therefore, contribute largely 
 to all fupplies. — That the prefent parliamentary re- 
 ftrictions prevent us from purchasing the manufactures 
 of Great Britain — That the profperity of the colonies 
 depends on the enjoyment of their rights, and a mu- 
 tual beneficial intercourfe with the mother country. 
 —That it is the fubjects right to petition king, lords, 
 and commons, and our duty, by a loyal and dutiful 
 addrefs to the king, and humble application to both 
 houfes, to procure a repeal of the ftamp act and others, 
 reitricting trade, and extending the admiralty juris- 
 dictions. I give the fubltance. 
 
 You may, hence, collect the fcope of the petitions, 
 and will foon fee them at full length. The ads of the 
 congrefs conclude, recommending it to the colonies, 
 to folicit their caufe by fpecial agents from each. 
 
 What fay you to the American parliament, only to 
 meddle zcith jupplies, compofed of deputies from each 
 colony; a council during good behaviour; and a lord 
 lieutenant at pleafure. — Great Britain to ride miltrefs 
 of life, liberty, and commerce, and fo to retain all the 
 
 a They would not be perfuadeJ to a full recognition of the au- 
 thority of parliament. 
 
 power
 
 APPENDIX. 585 
 
 power flic can defire (leaving us a reafonable fecurity) 
 a power necefTary for fupreme direction. 
 
 This, 'tis true, is a novelty, but more in the form 
 than fubltance; and when a new adventitious itate 
 arifes, why not adopt new principles? Time alters 
 both laws and conftitutions of countries — we came 
 out from you freemen — a forfeiture we did not incur 
 —we had the royal licence to emigrate, and there is a 
 merit befides, in extending the trade and dominion, 
 and increafing the number of your fubjccls — fo your 
 king thought ; why then thefe little diiiinction .. begot 
 and foftered by the crown ? This numerous partition 
 of provinces Items now to render the machine of i 
 pire too complex — whofe fault is that ? But 'tis a fault 
 — agreed — provide then a new model correfpondent to 
 this new Itate — if the ancient cpnftitution did not 
 fore-fee this wide difperfion of its fubjects, nor confe- 
 qucntly make an equal and fuitable proviiion for their 
 government, let it be confeffed on both fides that fo 
 it is, and a proper one be contrived, in which the 
 millions abroad that are collecting honey for the hive 
 at home, and thole who never came out for it, may 
 both be fafe. Don't ftartle at a parliament in Ame- 
 rica — you have got two in Europe — have made above 
 twenty abroad — we confent that they may be confoli- 
 dated into one — nay ! But we are jealous of you, divid- 
 ed as you are, and have more to fear if your power is 
 united. Strange embarraffments — and fo, that your 
 jealoufies may be gratified — we mult be Haves! — De- 
 part from truth and right, and the wifefl nations will 
 be convicted of folly and in juit ice — Let reafon, un- 
 dazzled by the glare of power, decide between us. If 
 one lifter aiks the fole difpofition of the eftate of the 
 other, can fhe be juit? If the parliament of Great 
 Britain admit our right of representation, and fay, 
 we virtually have it, though We don't fend a member; 
 what is this but playing the fool, and flying to the 
 old confutation tor a covering too narrow to conceal 
 them from nakednefs ? Again, fuppofe fome ground 
 for your jealoufies ? Of two evils prefer the leaft. In 
 attempting to enllave us, you may fall yourfelves. 
 That your power will, one day, walk over the Atlantic, 
 'tis certain — your colonies will exhauft you. A thou- 
 fand motives excite your people to come hither — our 
 
 vol. i. oo condefcen/ioii
 
 586 APPENDIX. 
 
 condefcenfion (to fpeak like an American) will retard 
 the day of your final overthrow; permit you the plea- 
 fures of a more eaftern fun, 'till we have fet the houfe 
 in order, and fitted it for the reception of your king, 
 lords, and commons. This is the natural feat of your 
 empire, and if you will fall in with the propofal, drop 
 your pretence of a virtual reprefentation, and be honeft 
 and kind — our parliament, uninfluenced by the con- 
 tractions incident to little aflemblies, will be generous, 
 and fupport the government with all the trappings 
 and fplendour which the moll profufe liberality can 
 defire, and your zcij'e regulations for our commerce 
 will permit. — But I am infenfibly carried into an enor- 
 mous length — you fee how a profpecl; that iaves us 
 from the miferies of a civil war, pleales me. I wifli 
 your fenators would take a trip to thefe fhores. I 
 think we have no fecrets, and am lure an American 
 air would contribute to the clearing fome of their 
 beads. — Adieu !
 
 t 587 ] 
 
 APPENDIX VI. 
 
 ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ROYAL 
 
 ACADEMY. 
 
 ii e ftate of the polite arts in England at his ma- 
 jefty's acceffion bordered on national reproach. 
 In the preceding reign they had fuftained total neglect; 
 l>u t now a more than common attention to the arts 
 began to manifell itfelf, not only among the profefTors, 
 but among the higher ranks of fociety, which was 
 ftimulated by the favour ihewn to a new and popular 
 inftitution, the " Society for the encouragement of 
 " Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce," under whole 
 aufpices the annual public exhibitions originated. 
 
 To thisltandard rpodeft merit was invited for fupport 
 and protection, and ability acquired means of obtain- 
 ing diftinction and liberal reward. This bias in favour 
 of the liberal arts was not unnoticed by his majefty; 
 and when the artills formed their plan of uniting in a 
 body, to perpetuate their public exhibitions, and 
 aflumed a permanent character by incorporation, the 
 royal confent was *gracioufly conceded, and then- 
 charter granted, January 2fith 1765. 
 
 From this ,f Incorporated Society of Artifts of Great 
 " Britain," arofe the Royal Academy, in confequence 
 of a difpute between the directors and the fellows, 
 ■which oeeafioned a feparation of interefts. 
 
 On the loth of December 1768, the inllitution of 
 the prefeut Royal Academy was completed under the 
 immediate patronage of his majefty ; and Sir Jolhua 
 Reynolds, receiving the honour of knighthood on the 
 occafion, was appointed its firft prefident. 
 
 This new eftabliihment for the cultivation and pro- 
 motion of painting, fculpture, and architecture, is fup- 
 
 ported
 
 583 A P P E X D I X. 
 
 ported by the produce of an annual exhibition, a fourcr 
 which of late years has proved fully fuffieient; but 
 which at its commencement was affifted by roval 
 bounty to the amount of five thoufand pounds. 
 
 We have only to turn our eyes to the numerous pro- 
 ductions which have palled in review before the public, 
 fince thefe eftablilhments for the encouragement of the 
 elegant arts, to be convinced of the found policy of 
 giving all poffible energy to thofe exertions of native 
 genius, which in lb (hoi t a time have turned the tide of 
 public approbation, and added fignal glory to the 
 JBritidi name, by breaking through all the obftacle* 
 railed by prejudice, ignorance, or malice. 
 
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