Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB
[graphic]

ft the queen ; pofterity. He was alo at alament

, Hawkesbury, Loughbo

“ His Majesty has been very iftrated by the from the strange and data, and Grenville. It was op deeply afilicted in receiving the

that princess affairs of France for fine med by the duke of Norfolk, information of the extent and the reading of the address himself

. His lord. Bedford, and lord Lauderdale ; troubles which have happened in by lord Gren- that he had another very find inally paffed without a divin Paris, as well, on account of his December, the tial objection to the men -As the subject of this bill personal attachment to their most de expressed a which was, that it contains debated in a more comprehen- Christian Majefties, and the intet would enter words, “ consistent with the manner in the House of Com- reft that he has always taken in

negotiation speết due to an independente nas, than in the Upper House, their welfare, as for the earnest vo important tion," which implied át let the abftract of the debates on it defire he has for the tranquillity opose to the cognition of the government which we shall think it necessary and prosperity of a kingdom, with t country to present subsisting in that bagire, will be taken from those which he is on terms of friendle whom they country. Besides, the opind the former.

thip. to banish, or this country concerning the While the House of Lords were " As it also appears, that in the eans of their ed monarch was already kon egged in considering this im- present state of aifairs, the exercise he other was France, and precluded all be pertant bill, the House of Com- of the executive power has been rested every of sending any minister or res, among other business of withdrawn from bis most Christian

and huma- ftrance thither.-— The de moment, had been employed, with Majesty,the credentials which have faid, to the Norfolk admitted that there that magnanimous and humane hitherto been made use of by your

king, whom ground for the abjections mai fpirit which is such a distinguished excellency can no longer be valid. every noble the noble secretary of fate feature of the British character, in His Majesty is therefore of opind of every thought that they might beftentemplating the horrid and mer- nion, that you ought not to remain o fave from ed as to be deemed unobjectives des catastrophe, with which the any longer in Paris, as well on this appeared to At the same time he thoughter bing and royal family of France account, as because this step apaccordingly a direct coinmunication wit was threatened, in order, if pof- pears to him the most conformable ns, recom- fons in power at Paris migt fle to avert it.-Mr. Sheridan to the principles of neutrality address his productive of the most happre til fuggefted such an interpofi- which he has hitherto observed. royal inter- sequences. He could not, tim, but without offering any spe- His Majesty's pleasure therefore is, negotiation, ever, but wish that the firit ne dis proposition: Mr. Fox fup- that you thould quit that city, and power of might be withdrawn, as ta puted his friend's fuggeftion, and return to England, as soon as you se of avert- perhaps to hasten the catali be conversation which the union thall have been able to procure VI. and to it was designed to avert.disch eloquence rendered truly the necessary passports for that

Tome provi- this proposition the noble marketing, ended in a motion from purpose. migrants in complied. The second resolut. Pitt, to address his majesty to “ In all the conversations that

relative to the French emiga omunicate the orders lord Gower you may have occasion to hold beed the first was opposed by Jord Longo maened when he quitted Paris, fore your departure, you will take

fpirit and rough, on the principle of safer de deposition of their moft care to express yourself in a mand the pro- ing impra&icable ; and by Chrifin majesties.-On the fol- ner conformable to the sentiments cribing the duke of Norfolk, as interius bwing day the communication herein communicated to you; and under the with the internal government from his majesty was brought up you will take especial care not to Louis XVI. France. It was accordingly to M. Dundas, and contifted of neglect any opportunity of declar2 was done tived.

tie copy of inftruétions sent to lord ing, that at the same time his Maping every

The alien bill, in its poor beer, dated August 17, 1792. jelly means to observe the princiorder to through the House of Lords, as "My Lord,

ples of neutrality in every thing ce of the supported by the dukes of Bath In lord Grenville's absence I which regards the arrangement of they had mond, Leeds, and Portland, bare zeceived and laid before the the internal government of France, m and his the lords Carlifle, Spencer, she tag your laft dispatches, he does not conceive that he des

D3

parts

parts from those principles in ma “ the criminal law shall be rigidly nifesting, by every poffible means “ construed according to its letter ; in his power, his folicitude for the " that subsequent laws fhall be personal safety of their most Chrif “ adapted to crimes, but that all tian Majesties, and the royal fa “ persons shall be tried according mily. He most earnestly hopes “ to the laws in being, at the time that his wishes in that respect will of committing the acts charged not be deceived; that the royal “ as criminal.” If there was a family will be preserved from every point on which his opinion was act of violence; the commillion of more clear than on any other, it which would not fail to excite was upon the abstract rule of jufsentiments of universal indigna- tice with respect to the trial of tion throughout all Europe. persons for offences against law, “ I bave the honour to be, &c. &c. and he was sure it was impossible

“ HENRY DUNDAS." to keep up that rule without conMr. Pitt suggested to the House, demning, from the beginning to whether a vote pafled on the occa the end, the proceedings against fion, and framed in those indig- the unfortunate king of France. nant terms which became them On the second reading of the might not, in the present furious Alien bill Mr. Secretary Dundas temper of the French people, ferve rose to state the objects of it. He to disguise the atrocity of their con- observed, that so very great and duct, and hurry them on to the extraordinary an influx of foreigncommission of that very crime, ers into this country must, at any which it is the object of that time, have called for the attention House to avert. He should, there- of government, and rendered some fore, do no more than propose, measures on their part necessary, that the paper which had been That attention was still more re graciously communicated to them quisite, and the necessity of adoptmight be laid on the table of the ing some particular measures was House,

[ocr errors]

still more urgent, when it was Mr. Fox expressed his concur- considered that this influx of fo: rence with the minister's propofi- reigners had come from a country tion. It was better, he said, that which had lately been the scene we should proceed no further, than of very extraordinary transactions we should engage ourselves too where their constitution had been a deeply. He thought the proceed- overthrown, the most convulfive ings against the king of France to proceedings taken place, and ac be highly unjust, and not only re- tions of the most dreadful enormnity pugnant to all the common fecl. been perpetrated. In these tranli ings of mankind; but also con- actions a very great number of the trary to all the fundamental prin- people, either from compulsion of ciples of law : for he regarded it inclination, had taken an active as a principle of n?tural juice, an part. It was likewise to be construite effential part of ail human policy fidered, that the revolution which the diever to be departed from under had been brought about was not much any circumstance

or preicnce confined to the country itself where cu whatover in any country, That it had first originated; that it at-cui

feded

Om

[graphic]

ciples in malible means

“ construed according to its ! itude for the

arope.

ed from every point on which his opinia contry were influenced by those

the criminal law thall be defected the whole of Europe, and moment. If it was allowed that that fubfequent laws

Mwich were directed against every fures to be taken, it would then I moft Chrif adapted to crimes, but pernment, and consequently only remain to be determined how the royal fa

persons shall be tried acometinit the government of this far the measures brought forward nestly hopes t respect will of committing the all day e to the laws in being, at det kuntry. It became then a mat- by ministers, on the present occa

er of serious attention, if the fo- fion, were too strong or too exat the royal “ as criminal.” If there

rigners who had come into this ceflive.

He then briefly stated the seveEmmifion of more clear than on anis ole principles ; and it was his duty not ral active clauses of the bill. It I to excite was upon the abftra& Files conceal from the House, that was intended, in the first instance, al indigna- tice with respect to the many of those who had fled from to make all foreigners, arriving in o be, &c.&c. and he was fure it was aluspicion ; many indeed had fled themselves ; to make them explain persons for offences againd their own country

, were liable to the kingdom, give an account of DUNDAS." to keep up that rule withere from perfecution, and had come or give up such arms as they may on the House, demning, from the beginis liber for refuge from those scenes have in their poffeffion;

he did those indig- the unfortunate king of the they were compelled to witness in tural for men or gentlemen to -came them

On the second reading d their own country; but there wear, but such as might naturally fent furious Alien bill Mr. Secretary

Dwere likewise many of a different excite suspicion against the ownpeople, serve rofe to state the objects of it.

description; many who had been ers. It was also intended, that, in of their con- observed that so very greater engaged in those very transactions their several removals through the on to the extraordinary an influx of force of cruelty and outrage which, he country, they thould use passports, "ery crime, ers into this country mult

, ate

vs confident, none would set by which their actual residence, or ect of that time, have called for the atted their face to defend. And this occasional movements, might be could, there- of government, and rendered

tus not all: it became matter of notorious. For the same reafon it en propose, measures on their part heeft til more serious consideration, was alto intended to distribute - had been That attention was fill more

fince there had been found men those who received fupport into ed to them quisite, and the necessity of als

in this country so infatuated as to certain districts, where also they able of the ing fome particular meafers have adopted those very principles would be more liable to the cogni. fill more urgent, when it

which, in the country where they cance of the civil power. Finally, his concur- confidered that this influx d originated, had overthrown the it was proposed to pay particular er's propofi- reigners had come from a co militution, and which were ini- attention to those foreigners who e faid, that which had lately been the famiel to the principles of every have come within the present year, rther, than of very extraordinary tranlatie wernment. There existed like- or who may hereafter come withrtelves too where their constitution had les vie those, in the a&ing govern- out obvious reasons, and thus be le proceed- overthrown, the most coordi irit of that neighbouring coun- rendered more liable to suspicion. France to proceedings taken place, and s

ty, who encouraged the addresses He then entered into a detail of lot only re- tions of the most dreadful ebare:

of le discontented and difaffected the particular regulations of the mon feel been perpetrated. In thele ties in this againf our constitution, bill

, which he concluded with statalso con- acions a very great number oft and who publifhed decrees tend- ing, that he hoped the general ental prin- people

, either from compulfiva ing to farour their views, and flat- principles upon which it was garded it inclination, had taken an ade te them with hopes of support, founded would, in the present cirjuice, an part. It was likewise to be co When he had stated those circumstances, be considered as monan policy fidered, that the revolution vid cumftances, be trusted that it derate and requisite to the safety cm under had been brought about was en would not be thought that there of the date, and not giving a power

pretence' confined to the country itself where was not sufficient ground for fome to the executive government greater i ;;" That it had first originated; that its degree of caution in the present than the occasion justified. He

added,

[ocr errors]

But if no

[ocr errors]

added, that as this bill was ground- He founded his hopes of this on ed on fufpicion, and authorising his own opinion of the conftituthe executive governinent to act tion, and the attachment of the upon that principle, it would be people to it, and the event had jutimpossible with any degree of pro- tified his hopes instead of the fears priety, to lay open the particular of some other perfons. If real sources of information.

danger bad exifted, if those from The debate which ensued was whom it was apprehended had been chiefly interesting from the apolo-proceeding to action, if they had gies made by some of those mem been riting in arms, if they had bers, who now cealed to act toge- been going to take posseffion of the ther, and was very remarkable for tower, then indeed calling out the that very splendid, though defiil- militia would have been a wise and tory speech of Mr. Burke, in which, a necessary measure. to enforce his account of the three fuch act was impending, to what thousand daggers manufactured at purpose was a military force preBirmingham, he threw down one pared? To repel opinion? Opiof them on the floor of the House, nions were never yet driven out of and bid thein look to it as a fam a country by pikes, and swords, and ple of the fruits to be obtained by guns. Against them the militia an alliance with France. At the was no detence. How then were fame time, he exclainied with great they to be met if they exifted ? By vehemence, that he would, to iheut- contempt, if they were absurd; by most oi bis power, keep French in- argument, if specious; by profecu- melyn fection from our comtry, their tions, if they were seditious; al que principles from our minds, and their though that certainly was not a daggers from our hearts.

mode which he would recommend, On the motion for the third but it was a mode which ministers reading of the bill, it was support- had before resorted to, and which ed, by the marquis of Titchfield, they had ftill in their power. If, the lords Mulgrave, Beauchamp, then, no act, founded on these opisali na and Fielding, the hon. T. Gren- nions, was believed to be committed such ville, Mr. Windham, Mr. Hard- or intended, they who voted against sie inge, Mr. Mitford, and Mr. Pitt. the address on the first day of the It was opposed by lord Wycombe, feffion were right, for no good Mr. Grey, Mr. M A. Taylor, Major ground had been laid for the nea- the Maitland and Mr. Fox. As the fures which they were called upon de Dato speeches of Mr. Pitt and Mr. Fox to approve. Could not ministers may be supposed to comprehend have profecuted Paine without any the commanding firength of argu- army? Was any apprehenfionit ment on either side, we shall con- stated that the trial would not be a bit a fine ourselves on the subject of this suffered to go in the usual course? 55721 debate to extracts from them. He liad been asked by a learned Mr. Fox faid, that whatever pro- gentleman whether or not a book

TEST grets the doctrines of France might with an evil tendency was to be in the make in other countries, they would declared innocent, because not cou- piesa rest nake but little here, where rational pled with any act, and without 2iberty was enjoyed and understood, proof of extrinfic circumstances ?

ada

[ocr errors]

Driling his own opinion of the conte the evil tendency must be proved. external danger, he would ask how ound- He founded his hopes of this His aniwer was, certainly not, but ing discriminated the internal and

Sinetimes the evil tendency might the measures that had been adoptdanger had exifted, if thole

Santances; and where this was If connected, the remedy for the was whom it was apprehended bala the case, the extrinficcircumstances one was no remedy for the other.

ld be people to it, and the event evident from the book itself; ed were the proper remedy? If ! pro

pretimes it might not, without confidered disingly, either the ang coupled with extrinfic ciro measure of the mode did not apply.

act tion, and the attachment

tified his hopes instead of the icular of tome other persons. If

[graphic]

nem- been rifing in arms, if the ache jury before they were war- land, or refused an explanation of toge: been going to take profeffon

drested in pronouncing guilty. The the offenfive decree, calling out the for tower, then indeed calling odam then on the propagation of militia would be right; but for etila militia would have been a vile vinious could not justify the re- crushing objectionable opinions or ich, a neceffary meature. Bu is and which minifters had adopt, doctrines

, ati uredly not. He knew hree fuch ac was impending, to

ed especially when it was.coupled not how to fight an opinion, nor d at purpose was a military force with a falle affertion of infurrec- did history furnith him with inone pared To repel opinion bits; and therefore, if it did not ftruction. The opinions of Luther ufe, nions were never yet driven cerceat, it certainly augmented the and of Calvin had been combated am- a country by pikes, and fwords , a alarm.

by arms; there was no want of | by guns. Against them the mi Another ground of alarm was the war, no want of blood, no want of the was no defence. How then we progrels of the French arms. They confederacies of princes, to extirreat they to be met if they exited!! rio represented him as indifferent pate them. Were they extirpated ? ut- contempt, if they were absurd; w that progress, did him great in- No; they had spread and flourished in- argument

, if fpecious ; by pride ilice. He was by no means fo. by bloodthed and persecution. eir tions, if they were fedition: He thought the fame national spirit Melancholy, however, as the zeir though that certainly was het

that under Louis XIV. had threat- prospect was, Mr. Fox declared, mode which he would recommend

aed the liberties of all Europe, that he saw more danger from ird but it was a mode which mirile might influence, and actually had puthing the present alarm too far, it- had before resorted to, and with inficenced, the conduct of the making the people see the picture Id, they had still in their power. 1 Freach at present; and he might all on one side, the danger of an= P, then, no act, founded on these in perhaps think that this national spirit archy only, while they were inattenn- nions, was believed to be commia was more likely to collect and act tive to the abuses and encroachdo or intended, they who voted agaid

how than at the time to which he ments of the executive power on tt. the address on the first day of the aluded.

the other. If the bill was intended e, session were right, for no grad He was clearly of opinion, that to guard us against internal danger, or ground had been laid for the me the navigation of the Scheldt, if not while we were at war with France, ne lures which they were called up paranteed to the Dutch, by the we knew that in 1715 and 1745, x to approve. Could not minifer kter of the treaty of 1788, was the French had not been sparing of d have prosecuted Paine without to pitially guaranteed to them by attempts to low diffentions and ex- army? Was any apprehenfia det treaty; and, if they insisted cite rebellion in the country; and 7 stated that the trial would not be upon it, would be a good calus yet we had, by the commercial is suffered to go in the usual courle! federis for going to war. Nor did treaty, provided for the protection

He liad been alked by a leaned be kesitate to declare, that, how- of Aliens of both countries, even - gentleman whether or not a book ever he might disapprove any treaty after an actual declaration of war. ut with an evil tendency was to be the time it was negotiating, Did it guard againfi the introducd declared innocent, because not colm then it was to be as religioufly ad- tion of opinions ? No. We had I pled with any ad, and without bried to by those who disapproved not yet come to the measure of - proof of extrinsic circumstances dit as by those who made it. Hays prohibiting all French books and

papers,

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »