d confidence, which a gu ferching every where, it was evi- lordship, has adduced many proofs

come forward with that Ml. He then said, that, after noble secretary of state, said his just cause naturally infpir kent to him that the real motive of of a concert between the levellers at

duke of Norfolk opple the conduct of administration was home, and persons in foreign parts. afure which was offered with infurrection, although parlia- tic documents, the reigning and confideration did not meat was allembled by that ma- avowed principles of the National ustified by the existinge pauvre, and he must defire them Convention. I will beg leave, said

and had nothing to do in fact He has also proved, by authen

to preserve peace; be understand how war,

event, was formed toping them. . And here he could

, I

they plunged the he, to add some uses of that alarm with went illegally affembled. The quoted, from Mont. Condorcet, a

country into a war, with a parlia- of the authors who have been just - fo general throughout bible marquis concluded with de- person of eminence among the lim. The fpeech total precating the war, in a particular terary characters of France. He

manner on account of the Scheldt, is now a legislator, and in an elas

and by recommending ministers to borate address to the Dutch, or Bawas every appearance patanend to grievances by redress- tavians, as he calls them, after ex

horting them to union, that is, to Lord Grenville supported the alter their fubfifting government, marking that it wasted conduct of adminiftration. He read and form a democracy like that of to determine on going extracts from a variety of papers to France, he says, “Such union beth any country for an i

that the apprehenfions of tween free liates is their primary ce with another, where ministry were well grounded, and want, their dearest interest, so long ambassador, or peliet wompletely justified the measures as the earth is ftained by the existription, to treat wike that had been adopted for the fe- ence of a king, and by the absur- and remonstrate on curity of the country. He then dity of hereditary government, so which displeased :

adverted to the motion for a par- long as this ihameful production t to war on account of liamentary reform at the conclu- of ignorance and folly remains unit would be a delen fin of the last feflion of parlia- profcribed by the universal consent

not to be justified. ment, which would serve as a de- of mankind." In another place arquis of Lansdowne, : melopement of the subsequent dif- he says, (bear with me, my lords, aching minifters for res contents. In consequence of this whilit I repeat it,) “George the swer the enquiry made

notice, focieties had been formed third fees with anxious surprise the noble duke, and e war the whole kingdom, who, by that throne totter under him, which his astonishment at their communication with the Nan is founded on fophiftry, and which ed assembling of pateticnal Convention of France, pro- republican truths have fapped to ent into a long des fed a disposition to fuperfede its very foundation." I translate n different reigns

, will parliament, and establith a new literally, and hold the original in afted with the present per Item of things. His lord ship my hand, if any noble lord wishes He went into the

then took a view of our situation to see it. To such language, this, Hociations in that and for

relative to the powers of Europe, and every succeeding day will furods, and commented a and concluded with a comparative nith the best reply. They will e terms on that whid

view of the conduct of Great-Bri- fhew that not only parliament, but Crown and Anchor tain and France.

a vaft majority of the people, (howugh he beffowed the

Lord Stormont supported minif- ever the minds of some may have ommendations on that d

tes in a speech of confiderable been poisoned) have the most nants of London, which leagth, in the course of which he grateful fenfe of the numberless , at Merchant Taylor

quoted two cúrious paffages from bleflings they have enjoyed under the writings of Condorcet. The the mild, provident, and benefiVol. xxxv.

с

3

cent government of the house of versal ruin. I know the blessings Brunswick. Every day will fhew of peace; I know the calamities we have learnt, from the uninter- inseparable even from prosperous rupted experience of more than a war: but, my lords, as much as I century, tirat limited hereditary value the blessings of peace, (no monarchy, poised and balanced as man can prize them more) I shall ours was at the glorious revolution, ever be of opinion, that even those is, for a great country like this, bleffings may be bought too dear. the best form of government that They must not be purchased by ever was framed. It unit's more the intolerable facrifice of the naof the different forms, as they are

tional honour." technically called, than was ever Lord Rawdon delivered his opicombined in one system. To the nion with great animation against vigour, energy, dispatch, and fe- ministers, on the same grounds as crecy of a Itrong executive power, the other lords who had preceded dire&ed by one governing mind, it him; and lord Stanhope, after a joins the fullest protection of the very exalted eulogiúm on the Brirights of the subject under the do- tish conftitution, defended thic minion of equal law: it unites, in character of Condorcet, execrated a word, the largest portion of real, that of the duke of Bruntwick, rational, civil liberty, that ever and imputed the mailacres of the has been enjoyed by man. Lord

Lord 10th of August to his manifefto. Stormont concluded in the follow The marquis Townthend and ing manner: “When any danger Lord Portchester gave their dethreatens the existing government cided opinions in favour of ministee and constitution of my country, I ters. The marquis of Lansdowne am called by the voice of duty to then moved an amendment to the join in their defence. I cannot address, which negatived fhrink from, or elude that duty, without a division. The address by saying to myself, I do not was then put and carried in the like these ministers; I wish the affirmative. administration was in different, December 14.-When the lord and, as I may think, in abler mayor had brought up the report hands. It is not 'this or that of the address, Mr. Fox rose to minister, this or that denomination move an amendment, of which he passend of men, that I join upon occasions had given notice on the preced- nosa like these. I range myself under ing day. the broad banner of the constitu He declared it to be his opinion, tion. I add one to the great pha- that, from the moment ministers lanx that is to shield it from the knew that a league was formed of poisoned arrows directed against it. against France, this country ought tid I join in the defence of that, which, to have interfered. France had be whilft it remains inviolate, muit justice completely on her fide, and afford numberlels blettings and we, by a prudent negotiation with comforts to us all; but which, if the other powers, might have precovered ever it should receive a mortal vented the horrid scenes which wound, if ever it thould fall, must, were afterwards exhibited, and in its fall, bring immediate uni- faved too the necesity of being

was

lords, as much as ings of peace, in

de bought to eat

facrifice of the best

Stanhope, atz!

n, defended

ndorcet, electes

know the bleieroduced to our present situation to support the war, would certainnow the calamit Weihould have held out to Europe ly encrease them. He then urged, : from profperar aletion of moderation, of justice, in a very forcible manner, an im1 delivered his justice, which, when once support- majefty to employ every species of le fame ground:wnceived him to be of opinion, prevent a war with France.

ndof dignity, worthy of a great em- mediate negotiation with the exe

size : this was the conduct which cutive government of France, to che in more light to have been adopted, and prevent the approaching horrors of on, that even bei weichminifters had neglected. There war : when, after giving notice

13 general advantage, however, that he should, on the following be purchase muling from this : it taught the day

, offer a motion to the house to proudelt men in this world, that that effect, he nioved an amend

there is an energy in the cause of ment to the address, beleeching his animation aged, nothing can defeat. Whoever honourable negotiation in order to vho had precise that the aggrandiżement of France Mr. Sheridan feconded the a

was a matter of indifference to this mendment; which, if adopted, logium on the be cuntry, miftook him grossly; for would ftill, he believed, rescue the

the French had conducted them- country from a war.

felves in such a manner, as to induce Mr. Burke, considering it as adte of Bruni bim to believe that the power of mitted that France muit not be mafsacres ofte France might be formidable to this permitted to open the Scheldt, and

country. Though without allies, that she must also be either induced

and with almoft ruined finances, by negotiation, or compelled by + gave their the was more formidable than arms, to restore the conquests the

he had ever been; the was had made, thought it a very extrauis of Landone formidable now from her free- ordinary way of effe&ting either mendment to be dom, the animated effects of purpose, to represent our internas

was negative which were beyond human cal- situation as rotten, and our allies n. The added clation. All the inhabitants of not to be depended on. With carried in the Europe who felt any thing in the regard to our internal situation, he

cause of freedom, held a sympathy elteemed it far from being rotten, - When the led for them, and wished them suc- though the constitution was ceret up the report

dels

, regarding them as men ftrug- tainly affailed by persons whore Ir . Fox role

ogling with tyrants and despots, activity, if not checked in time, ent, of which is while they were endeavouring to may be likely to endanger it. As on the premt

firm for themselves a free govern- to the fidelity of our allies, if it was

Eat. Mr. Fox then took a gene- not now to be relied on, surely Mr. - be his opinica

,

Til riew of the fituation of Europe, Fox did i ot take the best mode of oment minifter andurgued from the actual state of confirming it, by acknowledging he was formed

it

, but particularly of those powers the sovereignty, and entering into 5 country ought

on whom we thould look for aid, negotiations with the new repub1. France had that war would be a very danger- lic of France, their most inveterate on her fide, and cus, if not ruinous, measure for enemy. But supposing the policy egotiation with this country. In support of this of such negotiation, were we sure night have pas

principle

, he entered into an exa- that the French would come to any

mination of the internal state of reasonable terms with us? Avd yet exhibited, and

the British dominions; and ar- this was the contingency for which effity of being

gued, if discontents did really exist, we were to renounce our present that the cases which must be raised friends, the ancient and ettablithed

62

to his manifets.

Townthend

favour of on.

scenes which

reduced

governments in Europe. France was the declaration of the rights had not yet been recognized by any of man, and universal fraternity; other power. And what was the 'and with the sword she was depeculiar time when we were de- termined to propagate her, doc. fired to address an ambaslador to trines, and conquer those whom the them? At the very moment, per- could not convince. He by no haps, when the merciless savages means withed to hurry the nation had their bands red with the blood into a war. He wanted to make of a murdered sovereign ; thus give the people see that France had reing sanction to an act which bar- ally declared war against them, barians would condemn, giving and that the two states might be currency to the crime of regicide, considered as actually engaged in and affording a preliminary to the it. France had passed a variety of murder of our own sovereign. The decrees, every one of which might French republic was fui generis, and fairly be confidered as a declarabore no analogy to any other which tion of war against every governever existed in the world. It there- ment. She had refolved to wage fore did not follow that we ought an eternal war against kirggs and to recognize it, merely because dif- kingly government; and the bad ferent powers in Europe had recog. actually received Englishmen at the nized the republic of England, un- bar of the convention, whom, in der Oliver Cromwell, England did contempt of the king and parlianot at that time attempt to turn all ment, the professed to consider as the states of Christendom into re- the representatives of the people of publics : it did not wage war with England. Was this no provoca. Tovereigns; it profefled no princi- tion? was this no attack upon the ple of profelytisin; and therefore, government of Great Britain ? whatever neighbouring nations Mr. Burke now passed at once into inight have to expect at that time Ireland, and concluded with some froin her friendship, they had no- strong observations on the claims thing to fcar for the existence of of the Catholics of that kingdom. thrones. The same might be said Mr. Yorke, after referring to the of America. But France wanted to speech of Mr. Burke, as conveying make profelytes to her opinions, all his sentiments on the subject and turn every government in the before the house, spoke of the opworld into a republic. If every position in terms of severe invece government was against her, it was tive. He allowed them eloquence beeause she had declared herself and talents, but denied that they hostile to every government. He posseiled either patriotism, moderaknew of nothing to which this tion, or candour. To these afferstrange republiccould be compared, tions, Mr. Adam replied, with but to the system of Mahomet, who great fpirit, and then proceeded to · with the Koran in one hand, and combat the reasonings of Mr. a sword in the other. held out the Burke. It was suppojed, he said, former to the acceptance of man- by that gentleman, that disregard kind, and with the latter compelled to property, immortality, and every them to adopt it as their creed. bad and vicious principle, were The Koran which France held out, necessary, to attach then selves to

e declaration of the 1, and universal fragen th the sword the way ed to propagate bei and conquer those while not convince. He has wilhed to hurry the var. He wanted to me ple see that Fracce clared war agant at the two states m red as actually engem ince had pailed a var

every one of which e considered as a di war against every gia She had refolved bal war against hita

received Englishmens!

he convention, when t of the king and 777

tis country, if it should enter into dangerous to neighbouring nations; a negotiation with France. Mr. and therefore the di facto governors Acini faid, he considered such an

were acknowledged, negotiations pinion as a libel upon the good entered into, and wars averted, by wie and virtue of Englishmen. the wise policy of considering the That he believed them to be too safety of the state as the supreme Luh attached to their constitution, law; not the passion, or violence, us to that system of sound, just or indignation, or disgust which marality which had been long the might actuate.

That befides this, cubiched characteritiic of this if all was done that could be done cventry

, to run the risk of any such by negotiating, and nothing recxruption : that they heard with sulted, the whole nation would be berror, and thuddered at the events satisfied, and with one heart and wäich crouded the present bistory one voice would encounter their of France : that the enjoyment of difficulties; and by that bravery a free conftitution gave them rights and spirit, the result of rational which were dear to them : that be- freedom, we fould maintain the

Bles it gave them the means of be- fame for which we had always stood government; and ing taught and instructed, by men conspicuous among the nations of

of ulents, education, and virtue, the earth.
in all the different public situations

After Lord Carysfort had made ci life. He said, that there was a some pointed observations on the e profeiled to con

bew and most dangerous doctrine conduct of the French, and the aught by Mr. Burke, that fenti, claims as well as loyalty of the Ca. axbt and passion, not fafety and tholics of Ireland, Mr. Dundas en kecurity, were to operate in pati- tered on a defence of himself and

mal intercourse; and contended, his colleagues. He stated, that a ent of Great Britan

tbat the latter alone thould be chief coincidence of circumstances which e now palled at one and concluded with

object of every government. He no human foresight could either fervations on the ca

tid, that it was the bounden duty foresee or prevent, had conspired to holics of that kingde

of the governors to use every means reuder our immediate interference

te avert the evil of war : but, absolutely neceilary in supporting rke, after referring ut

abere all, never to allow paflion to the honour and independence of Mr. Burke, as con

interfere with the important prin- Britain. There was every reason to atiments on the job

cşk of national safety: that upon apprehend, that the French medihoufe, spoke of to

this principle, all wise nations had tated an attack on Holland; and if terms of levere in

etui at all times : that, during the England were to abandon the treaallowed them elaqe

terli of the red and white roses, ty with Holland, the would lose at ş, but denied that is

the ling de facto, in this country, once the respect hitherto offered to ther patriotism, nuk

had been treated with, as well as her high character, and be no loninduur. To thefe alica

thoie de jure i that the Nether- ger considered by any other nation · Adam replied, Fit

lands, when they threw off the yoke as worthy of contidence. He then , and then proceeded

of Spain, as well as the seven unit- enlarged on the comparative profe reasonings of 3

ed Provinces and Cromwell, had all perity of this country with that of was supposed, be

been treated with. And why? Be- France, and from the general unaatleman, that disregard

taufc tat ailemblage of men call- nimity and the variety of refources in morality, andries

el a nation, whoever or whatever which England poteiled, he deriv. icious principle

, we?

adminiftered their affairs, became ed the most flattering hopes, that o attach thenüleires

fentatives of the per

Was this no pro s this no attack upea

C 3