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be adopted, when the complaint the effect of the proclamation had was not concerning any particular been to circulate more extensively grievance existing in the consti- writings of a feditious nature. He tution, when the redress demanded would not deny that nothing was was not to be accomplished by any more favourable to the success of partial remedy ; but when the con any work than to render it an oba ftitution itself was held out as a jećt of public curiosity, and that grievance, and nothing less was from this cause the very means aimed at than a total subversion of taken to suppress a publication had the present fyftem of government, often a direct contrary effect. But In this case, he asked, was it not this had not been the case in the proper for ministers to use every present instance; the people would means in their power to prevent never have heard of Paine's work, feditious notions from being in- in consequence of the proclama. 25,4 Itilled into the minds of the lower tion, if the utmost art and industry classes, and to guard them from had not been used by those who discontents which might be attend- firft promoted that publication, to ***) ed with such fatal consequences ? circulate it among them. In consequence of the pernicious The only subject of debate this doctrines which had been diffe- evening, was the existence of that - Cuore ninated with so much industry and alarm which had been stated to artifice, the lower classes had been prevail in the country. This alarm impressed with an idea of liberty had been represented as not founda: and equality, not flowing from the ed in any real danger, but merely privileges of the conftitution; but a device of miniftry to answer their on the principle that one man is own purposes. And here he could do as good as another, and that there not help adverting to the different to ought to be no diftin&ion of claims, and contradi&tory charges brought to fince the rights of all men were againti ministers, as suited the prefonnded on the same bafis. Nay, sent views of those gentlemen who it has not only been proposed to were hostile to their measures. At confound distinctions, but to in one time they were completely vi. vade the rights of property, and lified, and represented, 1o far from efablish an equal division of pot having any weight in the country, frflion among all the members of as difregarded and contemned, as the community. It has also been ditirafted in their meafures, and inailerted, that the time was come capable of giving any impression to for the people to affert their own the public sentiment. At another sights, and to follow the cxanıple time, they were described as have which France had given them. ing in their hands the wbole opi

These were faes, which heftated nions of the people, as capable to directly, either from his own ob- give them any direction they chofe, fervation, or information ; and and convert them to any use which would any one afterwards pretend might fuit the object of their temCoatiert, that there was no ground porary policy, and on this ground for alarm, or to deny the exittence it was that they were described as of darosi It had been faid that having created the late alarm. But

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eny that nothing te ftuation of the public mind, to with the factious of this country Eible to the fworklare from their own observation to subvert the constitution. He ain to render it

alesperience, whether such an then proceeded to describe the ferC curiolity, and had not exifted previous to card of Paime's been excited among the country

the prelama ini te pealed to the members com- confider it not only as justifiable,

ing from the country, and who had but absolutely neceffary, if France oportunities to be acquainted with continued to interpose in concert

ment that had appeared in various culing out the militia, and fum- kingdom, and confidered ministers sening the attendance of parlia- as fully justified in the measures

meat. The fact was, that an uni- which they had adopted at this imce; the people we well and most serious alarm had portant and alarming period.

Mr. Sheridan contended, that if most art and in stive measures were necessary on ous persons in this country, who

uted by tháo be part of government, in order to wished to overturn the constituthat publicatie tere confidence to the country, tion, their numbers were as small mong them. ubject of debere breatened its fecurity. and prevent the dangers which as their designs were detestable.

Ministers themselves had created The National Convention had the alarm; and it was the duty of had been ficted hewn themselves disposed to coun that house, before they should country. Thisze

tenance every complaint of grieve proceed farther, to go into an en-' sented as net is tics from the fa&tious and discon- quiry refpe&ting the circumstances danger

, but we kated in this country: in proof of which were alleged as the ground niftry to answer the which Mr. Dundas read addresses of that alarm. Ought they to rely

And here be orde dat they had received with great upon the information of minitters, ting to the dis plufé from several focieties in or ac in consequence of that inory charges bruge diferent parts of this kingdom. forination, when there was reason rs, as suited the Was not this then, he alked, a to think that they themselves had ofe gentlement time for juft alarm, when persons forged the plot. He hoped it was their measures wibed to subvert the conftitution not understood, that those who re.. were completare inconjonction with foreign powers, joiced in the rerolution in France, sented, fo ta en and when so many appeared to be approved likewise of all the subleght in the occasions to exchange the liberty quent excelles. The formidable and contemoedst the British constitution, for the band of republicans, who had been Er measures, arta medad ruinous licentiousness of mentioned to exist in this country, g any impredal frater: After stating that the fole Mr. Sheridan repieiented as nos ment. At actiewe France was the aggrandile thing more than men in buckram. described as he went d its dominions, he support- So far from its being the with of ds the whole oled that opinion by the conduct of any description of men, that a ple, as capable on the French, respecting Savoy, Ge- French army should be introduced

tera

, and the Netherlands. He into this country, it was his opin to any ute tid then contended, that the intereit nion, that were one French soldier vject of their te konour of this country equally to land upon our coast, with the ed on this great equired that we thould protect idea of effecting any change in our were describete Briland ; and while he prayed that government, every hand and heart e late alarm. But that might be averted," he ihould in the country would be fired by the

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indignity, and unite to oppose so mit to France, in order that ou insulting an attempt.

government might be reformed As to the question of a war, he upon the French system ; and that should vote that English minister to the French encouraged this fac be impeached,who thouldenter into tion, and were disposed to aid them a war,for the purposeof re-establish- in their views of overturning ou ing the foriner despotism in France, conftitution. To prove the truth who thould dare in such a cause of these ailertions, he read the ad to spend one guinea, or spill one dreises of the English and Irith re drop of blood. A war in the pre- fident at Paris, and of Joel Barlow Tent moment he considered ought and John Frost, deputies from the only to be undertaken on the Constitutional Society of Londor ground of the most inevitable ne to the National Convention. After ceßity. He did not consider the a train of firiking remarks on the opening of the Scheldt as a fuffici- detail of these proceedings, he de ent ground for war, nor did he be- clared that the question, at the lieve that the Dutch would on this time, was not whether we should account apply to this country for make an addrcís to the throne, but its hoftile interference, unless they whether we should have a throne had previoully received instructions at all, and recommending an una for the purpose.

nimous determination to emplos Mr. Thomas Grenville acknow- the most effectual means to stop the ledged himself to have been ftruck progress of the French arms. with the danger to which this Mr. Anftruther declared his first country had been exposed by a le- belief in the existence and realih ditious fpirit that had made its ap- of the public evils stated in the pearance, and he had accordingly speech; and that the measures 42 voted for the proclamation that contequently adopted by adminis. dio had bcen brought forward; but ftrations were neceilary and expo he did not think that any event dient. He desired the house to re:C: had since taken place, which could collect the mischiefs which had justity the calling out the militia, Lappened five years before the bill and attembling the parliament. had pated, authorifing his majesty

Mr.Burke comenced his ipeech to call out the nilitia, and summon with complimenting the lord parliament, in cases of infurrec o tome mayor of London for his public tion, from the want of similar pre: multe conduct, and congratulating the cautions to those which bad beer 5.3 metropolis, for the iervices, which, employed on this occasion. So fainali at different times, it had rendered from thinking that minifters hat to the conftitution, under whole excited a premature or groundlef auspices it bad risen to its present alarm, it was his opinion that these opulence and grandeur; when, after had been too late in adopting those glancing with his usual ardour at measures which the times to pero leveral topics connected with the emptorily required. debate, and the French Revolution, Mr. Erikine juftified himself as he attirmed, that there was a faction a member of the society for parlia. in this country who wished to lub- mentary reform, and blamed the

conduct

W5 of overtuoze kent representations Mr. Burke

lce, in order to conduct of ministers for their delay priety of his motion, deprecated might be in profecuting the author of The unanimity on the present

occafion ; rench syftem ; sed Bedts of Man, till a year and an and gave notice that he should atencouraged to it after its publication. He then tend on the morrow to propose re disposed to 12 raceeded to remark on the dif- other amendments on the report.

The house divided, - To prove the wa giren, at different times, of the

For the address 290 Ertions, be read

slite of France, and concluded For the amendment 50 e English and

Hib recommending the house to tis, and of Jeite govern the people by their affec Majority

240 roft, deputie

: trions, and initead of loading them In the house of lords the adtal Society of La sith abuse and calumny, to meet dress was moved by the earl of rial Conventice, their complaints, to redress their Hardwicke. He observed, that the iking remarks are prievances, and, by granting them moft striking part of the speech :proceedings, zifir representation, to remove the from the throne was the calling the question

, around of their diflatisfaction. out of the militia, and their lordt whether we t The Attorney General, fir John Thips needed not to be put in mind, refs to the thing Scott, after stating the different that the power of calling them out should have a modes which feditious persons had was vested in the crown, whenever ecommending an adopted in order to work on the there were grounds for apprehenrmination to reminds of the lower claffes of the fion of any intended invasion by a tual means tot prople, ftated that the delay which foreign power, or internal insur

Lad taken place in profecuting a rection in the kingdom. In such ther declared list particular work (supposed to mean cases, it became the indispenfible existence and made rights of man) arote from the duty of ministers to advile that cevils stated it bagth of time necessary to be em- measure, and the law had wisely

that the replayed in taking the previous steps provided, that the parliament adopted by before a prosecution could be com- fhould be immediately atlembled; necellary and traced.

so if any weak or wicked adminitired the houke The Solicitor General, fir John, ftration were to do so from improvischicts whide Mitford, entered into a detail of the per motives, they must be amenayears before the way by which parliament had been ble to parliament for their conduct horifing his ter befuddenly called together. Cases within fourteen days ; but he was nuülitia, and it d'afurrection, he remarked, were confident it would appear, in the

cafes of inics why as had been stated, now for present instance, a very laudable want of ficism the frit time introduced into law inealure, and must be highly flatfe which bele a trborizing his majesty to call tering to the people. Because when his occafion. Na

cat the militia, and summon par- it was visible to all, that wicked that misites aliment

, the same power had been and ill-disposed persons were enature or grounds given in former laws, though in deavouring to disturb the tranquilis opinion that the home late instances the case of in-lity of this country, and the happite in adopting this futrecüon, which was now acted neis of all claffes in it, the militia, the times to

plan, was omitted; the phrase, were relied on, and from a contired.

kete bow or other had then flipt dence in them, no apprehension of ultified himleie act of the law, and was now only danger remained.

His lordihip gave an ample porand blamed Mt. Fox insisted on the pro- tion of praise to the ministers for

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the neutrality which had hitherto, then to come forward with that spibeen obferved respecting France, rit and confidence, which a good deprecated the ipirit of con- and a just cause naturally inspires. quest and aggrandizement which The duke of Norfolk opposed appeared in the conduct of its the address, because the very seriinfatuated rulers, deplored the ous measure which was offered to enormities which they commit- their consideration did not appear ted, and lamented that the con to be justified by the existing cirduct of nations should not be the cumstances of the country, and Tame in every view, as that of called upon ministers to unfold the individuals, and as ftri&ly guided real causes of that alarm which had by justice and honour. He then become so general throughout the proceeded to consider the other kingdom. The speech stated a topics of the speech, and conclu- desire to preserve peace; but he ded with professions of the most did not understand how war, and zealous attachment to the constitu- there was every appearance of tion of his country.

such an event, was formed to preLord Walfingham seconded the serve it. And here he could not motion. In such a crisis of affairs, help remarking that it was rather as the present, his lordihip asked, strange to determine on going to what was the most dignified part war with any country for an inwhich a great nation could take? terference with another, when we The answer, said he, is to be had no ambassador, or person of found in the speech. Be firm any defcription, to treat with that up and temperate in your conduct; country, and remonftrate on the preferve your faith inviolably; conduct which displeafed us. If adhere to your alliances; be true we went to war on account of the tu to yourselves, and take that part Scheldt, it would be a desperate which your interest, because your war, and not to be justified. honour, dictates. The noble lord The marquis of Lansdowne, afaris then went into a chain of ar- ter reproaching ministers for refully gument to prove his position.- ing to answer the enquiry made of <hal Suppose, said he, that we thould them by the noble duke, and ex- Engels forbear to atlert ourselves in the pressing his astonishment at the il manner that becomes us, how long unexpected assembling of parlia-d and under what circumitanccs, ment, went into a long detail on thould we be able to forbear? of cases in different reigns, which seria Should we not, in the course of a he contrasted with the present profew months, be dragged into the ceedings. He went into the hií- citi quarrel in spite of ourselves, and tory of affociations in that and forwith the disgrace of having aban- mer periods, and commented in the doned an ally whom it was our very levere terms on that which bounden duty to support? To which mei at the Crown and Anchor tamay be added, another important vern; though he bestowed conficontideration ; that in such a cale derable commendations on that of her force would become neutral, if the merchants of London, which Puric not employed against us. We ought afsembled at Merchant Taylor's

hall,

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