proceeded to refute this anticipated opinion, by a number of remarks relative to the perfidy and delusory politics of the French ruler, not without some of those glowing sentiments relative to the maritime rights of Great Britain, and the honourable character of this nation, which are found to be popular in every assembly, from the highest to the lowest. He concluded with making a motion for an address to the Prince Regent, requesting the production of the correspondence which had passed on this occasion. Mr. Whitbread, after seconding the motion, expressed some surprise at the manner in which his right honourable friend had intro duced his observations, as if they were answers to some preceding speech of his against the honour and interests of his country-a supposition which was the mere work of his own imagination. He then, in his proper person, made a variety of remarks on the proposals for accommodation contained in the letter of the Duke of Bassano (Maret), and also upon former offers of negociation by the French government, which he was inclined to think sincere; and he maintained the general sentiments respecting the necessity of peace to this country, which he had expressed on many former occasions.

It cannot be necessary to give a sketch of the other speeches in the political conversation, as it may be rather termed than debate, which ensued. That nothing further could properly have been done by the English government in this negotiation, seems to have been the general opinion. The ques

tion for an address was put and carried. The correspondence thereupon laid before parliament will be found among the State Papers.

This long session was terminated on July 30, by the speech of the Prince Regent, delivered by commission. His Royal Highness, after his acknowledgments for the zeal and assiduity displayed by both houses of parliament in the display of their public duties, refers with warm approbation to the exertions made in the Peninsula, particularising the capture of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz, and expresses his confidence that the contest in that quarter will be brought to an issue which will secure the independence of the two nations. He then adverts to the new war kindled in the north of Europe, as an additional proof of the little security that can be derived from submission to the tyranny and usurpation of the French government; and he trusts that they will approve of his affording to the powers that may be united in this contest, every degree of assistance and co-operation consistent with his other engagements, and the interests of the kingdom. He assures them that he views with sincere regret the hostile measures which have been adopted by the United States of America, but is willing to hope that the accustomed relations of peace and amity may yet be restored; should his expectations, however, be disappointed, he relies on the support of every class of his Majesty's subjects, to enable him to support a contest in which the honour of the crown and the best interests of the country must be involved.

After

After the customary thanks to the House of Commons for their liberal supplies, and regrets for the additional burthens imposed on the people, his Royal Highness mentions the great concern with which he has observed the spirit of insubordination and outrage which has appeared in some parts of the country, and applauds the dili

gence employed by parliament in investigating its causes, and the wise measures taken for its suppression. He concludes with recommending to them individually the exertion of their powers for the preservation of the public peace, and for promoting a spirit of obedience to the laws, and attachment to the Constitution.

CHAPTER

motives by

public during the first half of the present year, was the expected changes in the administration, concerning which, at different pe riods, curiosity was kept on the stretch by negotiations, either openly carried on, or suspected to be secretly transacting, among the several parties regarded as candidates for the great offices of state. The Prince Regent had indeed left the reins of government in the bands of his father's ministers for a longer time than had been generally predicted; but it was thought that the commencement of the new era of his unrestricted regency could not fail to be marked by the accession to power of some, at least, of those to whom he had formerly given his confidence; and although the actual ministers had conducted the government with as little interruption from opposition as most of their predecessors, their tenure was commonly considered as temporary and insecure.

Early in the year, the cabinet sustained a loss, in the Marquis of Wellesley's resignation of the post of secretary of state for foreign affairs, which, on account of the influence and abilities of that nobleman, could not be regarded as inVor. LIV.

as they afterwards appeared in a statement made public by his friends, were such as augured more unfavourably than even the act itself for the duration of the ministry. His objections, it was there said, arose in a great degree from the narrow and imperfect scale on which the efforts in the Peninsula were conducted. He had repeatedly with reluctance yielded his opinions to his colleagues on many other important points; and he was convinced by experience that the cabinet possessed neither ability and knowledge to devise a good plan, nor temper and discernment to adopt what he thought necessary. To Mr. Perceval's judgment or attainments he could not pay any deference without injury to the public service. Entertaining these sentiments, the marquis bad, on the 16th of January, requested permission to withdraw from the cabinet, and this desire was notified to the Prince Regent and Mr. Perceval at the same time, with the expression of his lordship's wish that the precise time of his resignation might be accommodated to the pleasure of his Royal High ness, and the convenience of Mr. Perceval, as soon as the restrictions [K]

should

should expire.

Mr. Perceval is then accused of using all his endeavours to procure the removal of Lord Wellesley before that period, and proposing various persons to the Regent to supersede him in his office. The Regent, however, ontinued to press his lordship to retain his post; but when, at the expiration of the restrictions, it appeared to be the intention of bis Royal Highness to continue Mr. Perceval at the head of the government, Lord Wellesley again tendered the seals to the Regent with increased earnestness. Being commanded to state his opinion on the formation of a cabinet, he declared that in his judgment it ought to be formed on an intermediary principle between instant concession and eternal exclusion with respect to the Roman Catholics, and on an understanding that the war should be carried on with adequate vigour. He added, that he should be ready to serve with Mr. Perceval on such a basis; but would never again serve under him in any circumstances. The sequel of this proposal was, that in two days afterwards Lord Wellesley received, through the Chancellor, the Prince Regent's acceptance of his resignation, and accordingly delivered up the seals on Feb. 19.

While this trial of strength between Mr. Perceval and Lord Wellesley, with their respective friends, was depending, a remarkable letter, afterwards made public, was written by the Prince Regent to his brother, the Duke of York, dated Feb. 13, in which, after speaking of the motives of duty to their common father which had induced him hitherto to wave his privilege of making a change in the

executive government, and noticing the present crisis of affairs, in which he had no objects to attain, but such as were common to the whole empire, be said, "I cannot conclude without expressing the gratification I should feel, if some of those persons with whom the early habits of my public life wer formed, would strengthen my hands, and constitute a part of my government. With such support, and aided by a vigorous and united administration, formed on the most liberal basis, I shall look with additional confidence to a prosperous issue of the most arduous contest in which Great Britain was ever engaged. You are authorised to communicate these sentiments to Lord Grey, who, I have no doubt, will make them known to Lord Grenville."

A negotiation with these lords ensued, the failure of which, with its causes, are stated in our report of the debate on Lord Boringdon's motion in the House of Lords, March 19, for an address to the Prince Regent on the forming of an efficient administration. From that result it appeared that the differences on political opinion between the Grenville party (as it is commonly called) and the existing ministry, were such as pre-. cluded any coalition between their leading members.

Lord Castlereagh, on Feb. 28, received the seals of office as the successor to Marquis Wellesley in ̧ the foreign secretaryship; and from that time the ministry went on unchanged, and without any symptom of want of stability, till the assassination of Mr. Perceval, in the beginning of May. Of that atrocity, which will ever rank

among

among the most memorable and tragical incidents of the year, a full relation will be found in the Chronicle and the Parliamentary Debates. One conclusion universally drawn from it was, that a very considerable, if not radical, change in the administration was now become inevitable; and the ministers themselves seemed to regard their places as only held pro tempore till their successors were agreed upon. The Earl of Liverpool, on whom the post of leader now devolved, attempted to acquire an accession of strength by the association of the Marquis Wellesley and Mr. Canning. Upon the failure of this attempt, Mr. Stuart Wortley made that motion with respect to a strong and effi cient administration, the discussion of which will be found in the debates. Its result proving that the ministers were no longer supported by a majority of the House of Commons, the Prince Regent directed negociations to be opened for effecting the purpose of the address presented to him by that house. The Marquis Wellesley was the first person to whom this important and delicate commission was intrusted; but after a short interval, he tendered to his Royal Highness his resignation of the authority vested in him. For the curious and interesting account given by himself to the House of Lords, of the obstacles which rendered his negociation fruitless, we refer to the debates.

The same powers were next transferred by the Regent to Lord Moira, who treated with Lords Grey and Grenville upon a basis that seemed to remove all difficulties to a final adjustment. The fail

ure of this treaty in consequence of a difference respecting the household appointments, with the very extraordinary conduct of Lord Moira on the occasion, is recorded in our account of the debates. As it there appears, to his lordship is solely owing the continuance of a ministry, whose removal, he once said, if the only circumstance which could give the Roman Catholics of Ireland a prospect of obtaining a redress of their griev ances, I ought to be rapturously hailed by the whole country."

or

The Earl of Liverpool, on June 8, stated to the House of Lords that the Prince Regent had on that day appointed him first commissioner of the treasury, and authorised him to complete the arrangements for the ministry; and thus a termination was put to all expectations of a change of men measures, at least to any considerable extent. The majority in parliament, actuated either by the habitual concurrence with established power, or by the conviction that the past contests had been merely for place and emolument, immediately restored their support to the ministers, and no further cry was heard for "a strong and efficient administration." The principal accessions made to the ministerial list were, Lord Sidmouth, as secretary of state for the home department; Earl of Harrowby, lord president of the council; and Mr. Vansittart, chancellor of the exchequer.

During a great part of this year the country was kept in a state of alarm in consequence of the disposition to riot, which, commencing in the preceding auruina in the hosiery district of Nottingham[K 2]

shire,