1795

"the spacious and opulent provinces on the left side of the Rhine, and "were preparing to cross it in great force: their deliverance from insur"rections at home, and the pacific treaties they had concluded abroad, had "strengthened their armies against the remaining members of the confeWere such deracy, to the amount of near three hundred thousand men.

"a people to be declared unfit to be treated with? Much had been hoped
"from the depreciation of their paper-money: but was it not strange that
"we would not take lessons from our own woeful experience? How had
"America combated and overcome us with paper, one hundred per cent
below par? The French were proceeding directly in the same track; pro-
"visions were cheaper in France than in England, and the republican
"armies had remitted nothing of their attachment to the principles of the
revolution, nor of their enthusiasm in its cause."-He then proceeded to
describe the difficulties which must attend the continuance of hostilities,
and the evils that might be expected to arise from them: and he closed his
pathetic speech by calling upon the assembly to pay the most serious atten-
tion to objects of such importance.-A warm debate ensued, in which the
premier took a distinguished part.-Among other things, he insisted on the
exclusive right vested in the executive power, of negotiating with foreign
nations, and the reasonableness of it on account of the superior degree of
information which it could not fail to derive through the various channels
of which it had the sole direction. "From sources of this nature," said he,
proceeded the reluctance of government to comply with the opinion of
"those who were desirous to shew a willingness to treat with the rulers in
France. From authentic intelligence the situation of that country was
"known to be more critical than ever: its resources were universally dimi-
"nished in every quarter from whence they had arisen or had been
"extorted. Disunion reigned in every department of the state, and dissatis-
"faction extended through all classes. Was this, therefore, a time to come
"forward with proposals to negotiate, when, if we patiently delayed but a
"short time, alterations might happen in the internal parts of that country
"more favourable to us than we could expect from the most advantageous
"treaties that could be framed at the present moment."-This description
"where the
of the state of France he contrasted with that of England,
"resources remained unexhausted, and where, though imposts had been

numerous,

numerous, they had not depressed the industry nor affected the general welfare of society."-The result of this debate was that the motion was rejected by a majority of 209 to 86.

Some events deserving our notice, unconnected with the war, took place during the present session of parliament.-Among these was the marriage of his royal highness the prince of Wales to the princess Catharine of Brunswick Wolfenbuttel, which was celebrated, april the fifth, in the royal chapel at James's.-Moreover, to enable the prince to maintain his dignity, his revenue was augmented to £.125,000, beside the rents of the duchy of Cornwall, valued at £.13,000.

Another event was the decision given on the trial of Mr. Hastings, which had been commenced in the year 1787.-After the charges had, as we have seen, been elaborately discussed, the merits of his conduct had been closely investigated, and every article had been answered by him, a great majority of the peers gave their voices in favour of his innocence: on which the lord chancellor solemnly pronounced him to be acquitted."

Another transaction deserving our notice was a defensive treaty with the empress of Russia.†-By this, among other articles, it was stipulated, that if his Britannic majesty should be attacked or disturbed in the possession of his dominions and provinces, so that he should think it necessary to require the assistance of his ally, the empress shall send him 10,000 infantry and 2000 horse. And, on the other hand, in case the empress should be attacked, his Britannic majesty shall send her a squadron of twelve ships, carrying 708 guns, with 4560 men on board. It was, moreover, stipulated that, under the same circumstances, should the party attacked prefer pecuniary succour, he shall be supplied by his ally with 500,000 rubles yearly during the continuance of hostilities.

Whilst the war raged on the continent of Europe and in the narrow seas, and the minister was straining every nerve to maintain it, and displaying such eloquence, such intellectual resources, such composure and firmness of mind, in support of the line of conduct adopted by the state, as commanded respect and admiration even from his opponents, the public distress

was

1795

Annual Register. 196.

+ February 18. Idem. 220. and 15 Chron.

h Annual Register. 205. iState Paper of Annual Register. 275.

VOL. III.

8 N

1795

was aggravated by the serious aspect of affairs in Ireland.-Preparatory to a narrative of the transactions in that kingdom it is proper to observe that, of its population, three-fourths are roman catholics; and that it had been for ages the grand object of these to free themselves from the restraints and disqualifications imposed on them at the reformation, and to obtain all the privileges enjoyed by the professors of the established religion.-Their great majority, favoured by the number of dissenters in the north of Ireland, who were supposed to be equal to those of the church of England, gave them confidence; and they embraced every propitious opportunity to attempt the accomplishment of their desires.-The commercial. disadvantages which the whole nation had laboured under were justly complained of during the American war, and were in some measure removed. Towards the close of that war, the malecontents availed themselves of the associations for national defence to seek a reform in the representation: but in this they were foiled in their persevering endeavours.-The present embarrassments of the state inspiring the roman catholics with fresh hopes, they boldly petitioned his majesty for a redress of their grievances and a participation in all the rights of their fellow-subjects.

Fearing the consequences of a refusal at such a period as the present, and yet thinking that an entire compliance would give dissatisfaction to the protestants and endanger the state, it was deemed advisable to make them certain concessions, by way of peace-offering; among which was the validity of marriages with protestants; the right of taking apprentices; that of keeping schools, and of pleading at the bar.-In a more tranquil age these concessions would, probably, have been thankfully received. But the malecontents were too sensible of the advantage which the present situation of state affairs afforded them to rest satisfied with them now. And the government entertained the most serious apprehensions that a treasonable correspondence was carried on by their chiefs with the French revolutionists, with a view to an insurrection in this country.

Such was the state of Ireland when earl Fitzwilliam arrived to take the reins of government in the room of the marquis of Buckingham. His popular character and his known inclination to conciliatory measures created

created an anticipation in his favour: and when he perceived the storm which was gathering over the kingdom, he made it his first care to adopt measures for averting it. With his consent, Mr. Grattan moved for leave to bring in a bill for the relief of persons professing the roman catholic religion. The motion being passed, and proper persons appointed to prepare the bill, universal joy prevailed, and murmurs were turned into testimonies of attachment to the government. The exultation which the roman catholics felt from the prospect of being gratified in their wishes was, however, soon damped by intelligence that the measure was not approved by the court. Either the lord lieutenant had taken this important step from a persuasion that it was absolutely necessary to prevent a revolt, without the express approbation of the administration, or there was a misunderstanding between them respecting it. And the consequence was that earl Fitzwilliam, being determined not to retract, or, in his own words, "to be the person to raise a flame which nothing but the force of "arms could keep down," was recalled, and lord Camden was appointed' his successor.'

The advocates of this measure in parliament now testified their dissatis-' faction by an address to the earl expressing their confidence in him: tumults took place in different parts of the kingdom, which could not be repressed without the interposition of a military force: and that settled, sullen discontent, which despair creates, prevailed throughout among the roman catholics and their partisans, and menaced the most dangerous consequences. This ferment was increased by the ill success of two motions. made by Mr. Grattan, soon after the arrival of lord Camden, "for an inquiry into the state of the nation, particularly into the reasons of earl "Fitzwilliam's recal:" and "for the emancipation of the roman catholics." -On this occasion the spirit of party was busily employed in raising a clamour against those members who had been seen to veer with the times, and to give their votes in conformity with the line of conduct adopted by the existing administration.

In the mean-time, an altercation had arisen between earl Fitzwilliam and the English ministry respecting the instructions given him before he was invested

1795

February 12.

1 Annual Register. 225.

1795

invested with the lord lieutenancy.-The merits of their conduct was, moreover, made the subject of parliamentary discussion by a motion of the duke of Norfolk," that ministers should be called on to give an account of so "inconsistent and mysterious a conduct."-The debates which ensued were interesting chiefly on account of the light thrown on the principles of the earl Fitzwilliam's policy by his reply to the earl of Westmoreland's charge, of having acted contrary to the instructions carried from England; and his assertion that the emancipation was repugnant to sound policy. To this his lordship answered, "that the most necessary policy called upon him to " act as he had done. Ireland," he said, "was in a state of imminent danger from internal feuds and external foes: the catholics were equally powerful and dissatisfied: the French were become masters of Holland; " and thirty-six hostile sail of the line were hovering on the western coast "of Ireland. In this perilous situation he had the happiness to unite all "parties in a determination to act vigorously for the defence of the "kingdom."-After much debate on this subject in both houses, the ministry found themselves supported by the accustomed majorities in rejecting the inquiry.TM

The recess which followed the prorogation of parliament on the twentyseventh of june was distinguished by indications of great national dissatisfaction, expressed by the populace in riots, and by the associations and assemblies held in different cities and provinces in petitions for putting an end to a war which had been seen to answer none of the ends proposed, and which threatened to involve the country in ruin by the enormous expence with which it was attended.

The populace, when under the pressure of distress, generally fly to the most obvious cause, especially if this be such as affords them an object against which to vent their spleen.-A scarcity of corn prevailing at this time, they received and cherished the idea of its originating in the war, which the leading malecontents were endeavouring to make them the instruments in opposing. Their anger increasing with their sufferings, they grew daily more enraged against those whom they were taught to consider as the authors of their calamities.-The public mind was in this state of irritation, when it was deemed advisable to assemble the legislature, early in

the

Annual Register. 226. 30.