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papers, which Spain had adopted. vernment, or the French people, But these opinions were propa- for both disclaimed it: but to difgated by conversation. What then, claim was not enough. That the did a Frenchman, when he landed, crime was not prevented or folfind an audience to understand the lowed up by striking examples of terms of his philosophy, and imme- punishment, would be an indelible diately open a sort of Tusculan dif- disgrace to Paris and to France : putation? In short, if they were but were we to go to war on acpropagated at all, it must be by Eng- connt of these inhuman murders ? lifh agents, and these, if any such No war could be rational that had there were, would remain in the not tome object, which being obkingdom, if every foreigner was tained, made way for peace, sent out it.

The prerogative of the crown to The preamble of the bill was a fend foreigners out of the kingcomplete delusion, for it stated the dom, said to be left untouched by extraordinary resort of aliens to this the bill, ought not to remain in country, as the pretence of the bill, doubt. The fingle instance prowhile every body knew that extra- duced from the reign of Henry the ordinary resort to be occafioned by Fourth was counterbalanced by circumstances that had no connec- another in the same reign, when tion with it. With respect to the the king did the same thing by the emigrants, among wliom it was authority of parliament which he meant to make a distinction by the had done before by his own power. bill, he would protect those who He believed that the prerogative had fallen a sacrifice to their opi- did not exist, and if it did, that it nions in favour of the old govern- was too dangerous to be suffered ment of France; not because he to remain, If, on the other land, approved of their principles, but it was a prerogative for the good of because he respected their misfor- the people: if, indeed, the word tunes. With regard to those who people was not expunged from our suffered for their attachment to the political dictionary: the good of new constitution, he had heard it the people being the only foundasaid by a person of high rank, that, tion that he knew for any preroif La Fayette were here, he ought gative, it was fit that it ihould to be sent out of the country. Was be clearly defined and understood, this to be endured ? Was it fit to either by an enacting or a declavest any ministers with such a ratory law. power, merely in the hope that Mr. Pitt considered the present. they would not abuse it? The bill as a measure of precaution, no third description, those who had less fair when there occurred an Aed for fear of punishment, for be- occafion that called for it, than an ing concerned in the detestable augmentation of the naval or milimassacre of the 2d of September, tary force of the country: it was all men would wish to see remov- founded in facts of notoriety, and ed; but this was a sufficient ground the most evident deductions of reafor a particular law. The horrors foning. If he was called upon to of that day ought not to be men- state the particular grounds upon tioned as the act of the French go- which the bill was founded, the

only

propa

for both disclaimed it: but to ? hat then, claim was not enough. Tha e

landed, crime was not prevented ( 4 and the lowed up by Nriking example I imme- punishment, would be an inder

ay were but were we to go to war can by Eng- connt of these inhuman manis v such No war could be rational that is was tained, mave way for peace,

The prerogative of the crown

ed the dom, said to be left untouched to this the bill, ought not to remiz

extra- duced from the reign of Henna ed by Fourth was counterbalanced

adopted. vernment, or the French painly difficulty which he fhould country itself there had been found

ind was, that these grounds were persons who professed the same

magnitude of the measure. If he the councils of that neighbouring lan dif- disgrace to Paris and the foreseen and inevitable calamity of plause and imitation; nay, who in the not fome object, which bey without being brought for any pur- held a correspondence with the afwas a fend foreigners out of the this be should consider as affording vention, and had there been receive

themselves far greater than the principles with those maintained in hould only state, that by some ex- ftate, and held out the model of traordinary occurrence

, some fun their government as an object of apbeure, great numbers of foreign- had induftriously propagated, and es had come into this country publicly avowed, that they acted vithout the means of subsistence, with them in concert: they had poles of commerce, or without any filiated societies of jacobins; they poßibility of discrimination, even had presented addreftes to the cona fufficient object of jealousy and ed, enconraged, and cherished, and

attention : but when it appeared had, in return, met with offers of exbill, doubt. The fingle intrance le there came from a country fraternity and succour. Was there

whose principals were inimical to then not reason to suppose, that hotele another in the fame reign

, siger ernment ; and though many of country, with a view of carrying

the peace and order of every other persons might have been fent to this Was authority of parliament with jer to find a refuge from the vious to the understanding and feel

sword of perfecution, there was but ings of every honourable gentleman too much reason to suspect, that present? He should state nothing among these bad mingled emiffa- from his own personal information, ties for prey, regard for our own as he confidered that there was, in interefts, and for the safety of the the present instance, fufficient country, enforced the necessity of ground of action and decision withpeculiar vigilance.

out such information : le mould In addition to all these circum- only, in general, fay, that, as far fiances, we find, that, in the coun as he had opportunity of knowing,

cils of that country, from which he had reason to be confirmed in ght gative, it was fit that it thodl

these persons had come, there had every suspicion, which arose from Was be clearly defined and underfor,

been adopted a fyftem of propagat- that situation of affairs which he had t to either by an enacting or a deck

ing, by every means of art and now described.

force, principles inimical to the go Mr. Pitt expressed his surprise, a ratory law. hat Mr. Pitt confidered the present

vernment of every country, and that that Mr. Fox, in the present inThe bill as a measure of precaution, zo

they were now actually carrying on ftance, fhould separate domestic nad less fair when there occurred 11

a war against the established go- from external danger. He thould be- occafion that called for it, than a

vernments of other countries, un- have considered the domestic alarm

der the specious pretext of pro- as sufficient ground for the present ole augmentation of the naval or milie

moting the cause of freedom. bill; much more when the consideer, tary force of the country: it was v- founded in facts of notoriety

, and

When he had stated these circum- ration of external danger was ada

fances, woald it be said that the ded to it; yet, after all that has nd the most evident deductions of rez:

present bill had been brought for- been stated,' there are some who rs foning. If he was called upon to - ftate the particular grounds upca

ward without any evidence, or pretend to tell us, that they fear na

ground of danger. But he now internal alarm, that they see no Do which the bill was founded, the

canse to the climaş of all. In this cause of danger. Notwithstanding only

the

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-y the had done before by his own porte who He believed that the prerogation

opi- did not exist, and if it did, tett 'ern- was too dangerous to be fufari

he to remain. If, on the other bal but it was a prerogative for the gender sfor- the people: if, indeed, the wel who people was not expunged from se

the political dictionary: the good a d it the people being the only found hat, tion that he knew for any prez

who had hitherto acted upon a lyf- trifling opposition from Mr. M. A. ATTE 44 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1793. the general sentiment of the coun- December 26th, for leave to bring try, and of that House, they have in a bill to prevent the circulation the hardihood to treat the whole of atlignats, bonds, promiffory as the effect of ministerial artifice. notes, &c. issued under the authóa Had ministerial artifice made those rity of France; which, after some

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tem of oppofition, now concur in Taylor, was pailed into a law.
the opinion of this danger? Had it About the same time, another bill
made all the members of that House, was passed, to enable his Majesiy
except ten or fifteen, agree in the to restrain the exportation of naval
fame fentiment? Had minifterial stores, particularly falt-petre, arms,
artifice excited but one opinion in and aminunition.
the country with respect to this An order of council having been
danger? But it was said, that the issued for preventing the exporta-
alarm had been produced by the tion of corn to France, an act of in-
measures of calling out the militia, demnity, as is usual on such occa-
and allembling parliament. He fions, pafled the Commons on the
would ask whether the week before 26th of December, and afterwards
these measures had been adopted, received the royal asient.
the appearance of alarm had been We cannot be altogether inatten-
greater or less than the week before, tive to the oificial junction which
or at the present moment. He had Lord Loughborough now formed
expected that his exertions, on the with his Niajesty's ministers. Janu-
prefent occafion, would be second- ary 26th, 1793, this nobleman
ed by the efforts of the friends of was called by his Majelty to succeed
order ; but he could hardly expect Lord Thurlow on the Chancery
that the effe&t could be so great, as bench.
that the alarm, which had lately The momentous business which
prevailed in some places, to a de- next engaged the attention of par-
gree of defpondency, thould be so liament, was the following message
completely annihilated, that even from his Majesty, presented to the
the existence of the danger fhould, House of Commons, by Mr. Secre-
in a short time after, be called in tary Dundas, the 20th of January,
question At the same time he 1793
hoped, that the effect produced “ GEORGE R.
would not be a sense of security, His Majesty has given direc-
which must be fatal. Wliile vigi- tions for laying before the House of
fance was inaintained, he thonld Commons, copies of feveral papers
consider the country to be in a state which have been received from Mr.
of safety. The Alien bill was now Chauvelin, late minister plenipo-
read a third time and paffed. tentiary from the most Christian

While this bill was in its pro- King, by his Majesty's secretary of grefs through both Houses of Par- fate for foreign attairs, and of the hament, another meature, which answers returned thereto; and likemay be, in fome mcafure, confider- vile copy of an order made by his ed as connected with it, was brought Majeliy in council, and transmitted before the House of Commons by by his Majesty's commands to the the Attorney General, who moyed, faid Mr. Chauvelin, in consequence

of

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in a bill to prevent the -hole of affignats, bonds

, promisin

Coun- December 26th, for leare to bries of the accounts of the atrocious act ings, and those of the House, could fice. notes, &c. issued under the auch bis Majesty thinks it indispensibly stances, so full of grief and horror,

"In the present situation of affairs, event. It was, in all its circumChose rity of France; wbich, after se necessary to make a further aug- 'that it must be a wish, in which all = fyl- trifling oppofition from Mr. Amentation of his forces by fea and united, to tear it, if pollible, from ule, was passed, to enable his Mari Commons to enable his Majesty to for ever from the observation and

An order of council having bera rights of his own dominions; for Nocte tegi noftræ patiainur crimina gentis. he issued for preventing the expers fupporting his allies; and, for op

draw a veil over this melancholy din Taylor, was passed into a las nary and relies on the known af- their memories

, to expunge it from ad it About ,

ention and zeal of the House of the page of history, and remove it rial stores, particularly falt-pete

, alle prefent important conjecturea Excidat ille dies avo, ncu poftera credant

take the most effectual measures, in comments of mankind. in and ammunition. his the tion of corn to , an

Such, he continued, were the cia, demnity, as is usual on such co

poling views of aggrandizement and le fions, palied the Commons on the

mbition on the part of France, words applied by an author of their re 26th of December, and afterwards

which would be at all times danger- own, to an occasion (the massacre d, received the royal affent.

dus to the general interests of Eu- of St. Bartholomew) which had als en We cannot be altogether inatten

rupe, but are peculiarly so, when ways been deemed the standing re€, tive to the official junction which

connected with the propagation of proach of the French nation, and nd Lord Loughborough now formed

principles which lead to the viola- the horrors and cruelties of which

an of the moft sacred duties, and had only been equalled by those e with his Majesty's ministers

, Jazz1- ary 26th, 1793, this noblema sre utterly subversive of the peace atrocious and fanguinary pro

ceedings which had been witnessed of was called by his Majesty to fucced

and order of all civil society." 7 Lord Thurlow on the Chancery

The House agreed to take the in some late instances. But, what

above message into confideration on ever might be their feelings of inS bench.

the firft of February. That bufi- dignation and abhorrence, with refThe momentous business which

mais, however, was deferred to the pect to that dreadful and inhuman next engaged the attention of parliament, was the following mellage

following day, when Mr. Pitt com- event, to which he had set out with

menced this important debate. He calling their attention ; that event from his Majesty, presented to the House of Commons, by Mr. Secres

faid, amidft the many important ob- now was paft; it was impoffible

jects arifing from the mellage of his that the present age should not now tary Dundas, the 20th of January,

Majesty, which now came to be be contaminated with the guilt and 1793.

confidered, there was one which ignominy of having witneiled it, “ GEORGE R. “ His Majesty has given direra

particularly called for their atten- or that the breath of tradition thould

tion. That attention, indeed, could be prevented from handing it down tions for laying before the House of Commons, copies of several papers

not fail to be separately directed to to pofterity. They could now only

that calamitous event (the murder enter their folemn protestation which have been received from Mr.

of the French King) that act of against that event, as contrary to Chauvelin, late minister plenipotentiary from the most Christian

outrage to every principle of reli- every sentiment of justice and huKing, by his Majesty's secretary of

gion, justice, and humanity; an manity, as violating the most fastate for foreign affairs, and of the

ex which, in this country, and the cred authority of laws, and the

whole of Europe, had excited but strongest principles of natural feelanswers returned thereto; and like

te general sentiment of indigna- ing. Hence, however, they might wise copy of an order made by his tion and abhorence, and could not derive an useful theme of reflection Majefly in council, and transmitted

fail to excite the fame sentiments in -a lesson of falutary warning. by his Majesty's commands to the

every civilized nation. He thould, For, in this dreadful transaction, laid Mr. Chauyelin, in consequence

indeed, better consult his own feel- they saw concentrated the effect of of

those

those principles pushed to their ut- paper they disclaimed all views of most extent, which set out with dif- aggrandizement; they gave assursolving all the bonds of legislation ances of their good conduct to by which society was held toge- neutral nations; they protested ther, which were established in op- against their entertaining an idea position to every law, divine and hu- of interfering in the government man, and presumptuously relying of the country, or making any aton the authority of wild and delusive tempts to excite insurrection, upon theories, rejected all the advantages the express ground (stated in the of the wisdom and experience of paper) that such interference, and former ages, and even the sacred such attempts, would be a violation instructions of revelation.

of the law of nations. They had Mr. Pitt then proceeded to en- themselves, by anticipation, passed large on the advantages enjoyed sentence upon their own conduct ; by the inhabitants of this country, and the event of this evening's'diswhere equal protection is extended cussion would decide, whether that to all, and where there exifts so sentence would be confirmed by high a sum of human felicity. He those who had actually been injurthen briefly contrasted it with the ed. "During the whole summer, situation of France, and entered, while France had been engaged in without any preliminary obferva- the war with Austria and Prussia. tions, on the confideration of the his majesty had in no shape depapers which had been laid upon parted from the neutrality which the table.

he had engaged to observe, nor did It would appear, he said, from he, by the smallest act, give any the first paper, that the system on reason to suspect his adherence to which his majefty had uniformly that fyftem. acted, was founded on the very But what, he would ask, was principles which had afterwards the conduct of the French ?--Had dictated the necessity of making they also faithfully observed their preparations. His majesty had de- part of the agreement, and adherclined taking any part in the inter- ed to the assurances which, on the nal government of France, and had ground of his majesty's neutrality, made a positive declaration to that they had given, to reject all views effect. When he took that wise, of aggrandizement, not to interfere generous, and disinterested resolu- with neutral nations, and to respect tion, he had reason to expect, that the rights of his majefty and his the French would, in return, have allies? What had been their con respected the rights of himielf, and duct would very soon appear from his allies, and most of all, that they the statement of facts. They had would not have attempted any in- immediately thewed how little finternal interference in this country. cere they were in their first afsurA-paper on the table contained on ances, by discovering intentions to their part a positive contract to ab- pursue a system of the most unlistain from any of those acts by mited aggrandizement, if they were which they had provoked the in- not opposed and checked in their dignation of this country. In this career. The first inftance of their

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