still lay before them, of making the terms of peace agreeabie to all the confederates. The earl of Strafford, who had been lately recalled from the Hague, where he resided as ambassador, was now sent back to Holland, with orders to communicate to the pensionary Heinsius the preliminary proposals, to signify the queen's approbation of them, and to propose a place where the plenipotentiaries should assemble. 18. The Dutch were very averse to begin the conference, upon the inspection of the preliminaries. They sent over an envoy to attempt to turn the queen from her resolution; but, finding their efforts vain, they fixed upon Utrecht as a place of general conference, and they granted passports to the French ministers accordingly. 19. The conference began at Utrecht, under the conduct of Robinson, bishop of Bristol, lord privy-seal, and the earl of Strafford, on the side of the English; of Buys and Vanderdusson, on the part of the Dutch; and of the marshal d'Uxelles, the cardinal Polignac, and Mr. Menager, in behalf of France. The ministers of the emperor and the duke of Savoy assisted, and the other allies sent also plenipotentiaries, though with the utmost reluctance. 20. As England and France were the only two powers that were seriously inclined to peace, it may be supposed that all the other deputies served rather to retard than advance its progress. They met rather to start new difficulties, and widen the breach, than to quiet the dissensions of Europe. Questions for Examination. 1. Was Sacheverel found guilty? What was his sentence? 2. Which party prevailed in the new parliament ? 3-5. What took place in Flanders? 6-10. What change in the ministry took place? 11. In what manner did the parliament act? 12, 13. What conduct was observed towards the duke of Marlborough ? 14. What was the resolution of the present ministry? 15. With what crime was Marlborough charged? 16, 17. What proceedings were now adopted? 18. Were the Dutch averse to the measure? 19 Where did the conference begin? By whom was it conducted? 20 What retarded its progress? SECTION V. No reign than Anne's in war more justly crown'd, Charles could a Milton boast; But Anne saw Newton high enthroned, 1. (A.D. 1712.) THE English ministers, therefore, finding multiplied obstructions from the deliberations of their allies, set on foot a private negotiation with France. They stipulated certain advantages for the subjects of Great Britain in a concerted plan of peace. They resolved to enter into such mutual confidence with the French as would anticipate all clandestine transactions to the prejudice of the coalition. 2. In the beginning of August, secretary St. John, who had been created lord viscount Bolingbroke, was sent to the court of Versailles to remove all obstructions to the separate treaty. He was accompanied by Mr. Prior and the abbe Gualtier, and treated with the most distinguished marks of respect. He was caressed by the French king and the marquis de Torcy, with whom he adjusted the principal interests of the duke of Savoy and the elector of Bavaria. 3. At length the treaties of peace and commerce between England and France being agreed on by the plenipotentiaries on either side, and ratified by the queen, she acquainted the parliament of the steps she had taken. 4. The articles of this famous treaty were longer canvassed, and more warmly debated, than those of any other treaty read of in history. The number of different interests concerned, and the great enmity and jealousy subsisting between all, made it impossible that all could be satisfied; and indeed there seemed no other method of obtaining peace but that which was taken, for the two principal powers concerned to make their own articles, and to leave the rest for a subject of future discussion. 5. The first stipulation was, that Philip, now acknowledged king of Spain, should renounce all right to the crown of France, the union of two such powerful kingdoms being thought dangerous to the liberties of Europe. It was agreed that the duke of Berri, Philip's brother, and after him in succession, should also renounce his right to the crown of Spain, in case he became king of France. 6. It was stipulated that the duke of Savoy should possess the island of Sicily, with the title of king, together with Fenis. trelles, and other places on the continent; which increase of dominion was in some measure made out of the spoils of the French monarchy. The Dutch had that barrier granted them, which they so long sought after; and if the crown of France was deprived of some dominions to enrich the duke of Savoy, on the other hand the house of Austria was taxed to supply the wants of the Hollanders, who were put in possession of the strongest towns in Flanders. 7. With regard to England, its glory and its interests were secured. The fortifications of Dunkirk, a harbour that might be dangerous to their trade in time of war, were ordered to be demolished, and its port destroyed. Spain gave up all right to Gibraltar and the island of Minorca. France resigned her pretensions to Hudson's Bay, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland; but they were left in possession of Cape Breton, and the liberty of drying their fish upon the shore. 8. Among these articles, glorious to the English nation, their setting free the French protestants confined in the prisons and galleys for their religion, was not the least meritorious. For the emperor, it was stipulated, that he should possess the kingdom of Naples, the dutchy of Milan, and the Netherlands. The king of Prussia was to have Upper Guelder; and a time was fixed for the emperor's acceding to these articles, as he had for some time obsti nately refused to assist at the negotiation. 9. Thus Europe seemed to be formed into one great republic, the different members of which were cantoned out to different governors, and the ambition of any one state amenable to the tribunal of all. Thus it appears that the English ministry did justice to all the world; but their country denied that justice to them. 10. But while the whigs were attacking the tory ministers from without, these were in much greater danger from their own internal dissensions. Lord Oxford and lord Bolingbroke, though they had started with the same principles and designs, yet, having vanquished other opposers, now began to turn their strength against each other. Both began to form separate interests, and to adopt different principles. Oxford's plan was the more moderate; Bolingbroke's the more vigorous, but the more secure. 11. Oxford, it was thought, was entirely for the Hanoverian succession; Bo lingbroke had some hopes of bringing in the pretender But though they hated each other most sincerely, yet they were for a while kept together for the good offices of their friends and adherents, who had the melancholy prospect of seeing the citadel of their hopes, while openly besieged from without, secretly undermined within. 12. This was a mortifying prospect for the tories; but it was more particularly displeasing to the queen, who daily saw her favourite minister declining, while her own health kept pace with their contentions. Her constitution was now quite broken. One fit of sickness succeeded another; and what completed the ruin of her health, was the anxiety of her mind. These dissensions had such an effect upon her spirits and constitution, that she declared she could not outlive it, and immediately sunk into a state of lethargic insensibility. 13. Notwithstanding all the medicines which the physicians could prescribe, the distemper gained ground so fast, that the day afterwards they despaired of her life, and the privy council were assembled on the occasion. All the members, without distinction, being summoned from the different parts of the kingdom, began to provide for the security of the constitution. 14. They sent a letter to the elector of Hanover, informing him of the queen's desperate situation, and desiring him to repair to Holland, where he would be attended by a British squadron to convey him to England. At the same time they despatched instructions to the earl of Strafford, at the Hague, to desire the states-general to be ready to perform the guarantee of the protestant succession. 15. Precautions were taken to secure the sea-ports; and the command of the fleet was bestowed upon the earl of Berkeley, a professed whig. These measures, which were all dictated by that party, answered a double end. It argued their own alacrity in the cause of their new sovereign, and seemed to imply a danger to the state from the disaffection of the opposite interest. 16. On the thirtieth of July, the queen seemed somewhat relieved by medicines, rose from her bed about eight o'clock, and walked a little. After some time, casting her eyes on a clock that stood in her chamber, she continued to gaze on it for some minutes. One of the ladies in waiting asked her what she saw there more than usual, to which the queen only answered by turning her eyes upon her with a dying look. 17. She was soon after seized with a fit of apoplexy. She continued all night in a state of stupefaction, and expired the next morning, in the forty-ninth year of her age. She reigned more than twelve years over a people that was now risen to the highest pitch of refinement; that had attained by their wisdom all the advantages of opulence, and, by their valour, all the happiness of security and conquest.* Questions for Examination. 1, 2. What circumstances preceded the treaty with France? 3, 4. After its conclusion, in what manner was it received? 5. What was the first stipulation? 6. What the next? 7. How did the treaty regard England? 8. Which article of the treaty was meritorious to the English nation? What were the stipulations regarding the emperor and the king of Prussia? 9. What appearance did Europe now exhibit? 10. What dissension took place between Oxford and Bolingbroke 11. What was thought to be their different views? 12. What effect had this disunion on the queen? 13-15. When the queen's life was despaired of, what measures were taken? 16. What immediately preceded the queen's death? 17. How long did she reign? What was the situation of England at her death? Pope. CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. ...... A. D. Achmet III.......... 1703 John V.................................. 1707 A. D. Clement XI......... 1700 A. D.1 King of France. King of Spain. Emperors of Germany. Louis XIV.......... 1643 Frederick IV........ 1669 .......... 1705 Joseph I.. King of Denmark. King of Sweden. ........ 1697 ·King of Prussia. Charles VI... .......1711 Philip V ............ 1700 Charles XII Emperor of the Turks. King of Portugal. Mustapha II ........ 1695 Pedro II.. .... 1683 Frederick I.......... 1701 *It has been a subject of general remark, that England flourished more under the reigns of Elizabeth and Anne, than under those of its most distinguished kings. Though the actions and principles of these princesses were widely differ. ent, yet their reigns were equally remembered with gratitude by their subjects, and both of them have acquired the endearing epithets of good queens. With a pleasing countenance and melodious voice, were united in the person of queen Anne those amiable virtues, which add so great a lustre to the charms of beauty, and place the female character in so admirable a light. Good-natured, affable and kind; she was an affectionate wife, a tender mother, a warm friend, a generous patroness, and a benevolent and merciful sovereign. Though she was deficient in the shining qualities of queen Elizabeth, yet she surpassed that princess in her fondness for her subjects; and as Elizabeth acquired the good will of the English by the greatness of her actions, so Anne was beloved by her people, because she evinced a maternal affection for them. Nor should the fact pass unnoticed, that notwithstanding the prevalence of factions and the dissensions of par. ties, during this reign, the blood of no subject was shed for treason. |