GEORGE III. 1760-1820. his own territories, he imagined that he|1802, he directed his agent, Otto, to prefer could as easily silence the reproaches of charges against certain English public wriforeign countries. Having brought his ne-ters; and against Peltier, who conducted a gotiations in Germany, consequent on the journal in the French language, entitled peace of Luneville, to a successful termina- L'Ambigu. Although, as lord Hawkesbury tion, he had plundered at his pleasure the had pertinently observed, in his instructions ecclesiastical princes of the empire, to in- to Mr. Merry, who was then at Paris, the demnify those whose territories he had seiz- French press poured forth constant libels ed on the French side of the Rhine, and against the English government; libels, too, taken care amply to reward those wretched authorized by the French cabinet; although potentates who had displayed the most cow- Rheinhardt, the Jacobin representative of ardly subserviency to his interests. Among Buonaparte at Hamburgh, had violated the these the petty sovereigns of Baden and neutrality of the senate, and had compelled Wirtemberg were raised by him to the dig- them to insert a most virulent attack upon nity of electors, as preparatory to their sub- the English government in the Hamburgh sequent elevation to the rank of kings. He paper; although Buonaparte himself had had been equally successful in reviving the publicly uttered similar libels; and although, ancient jealousy between the Prussian mon- to use the words of lord Hawkesbury, it arch and the emperor of Germany; the for- might, indeed, with truth be asserted, that mer of whom was imprudently seduced, by the period which had elapsed since the conhopes of personal aggrandizement, to en- clusion of the definitive treaty had been large the influence and power of an impla- marked with one continued series of aggrescable enemy, and thus prepared the way for sion, violence, and insult, on the part of the his own destruction. In Italy, also, Buona- French government; so averse were the parte had assumed the sovereignty under the British ministers from any conduct which denomination of President of the Italian Re- could have even a tendency to produce a public; for such was the title now adopted renewal of hostilities between the two counby the Cisalpine republic. He had united tries, that they instructed the attorney-genthe kingdom of Sardinia and the dutchy of eral to file a criminal information against Parma to France; and he had taken effec- Peltier. The cause was tried on the twentytual means for riveting the chains of Swit-first of February, 1803, and the defendant was convicted; but the renewal of hostilizerland. Little solicitous to afford proofs of a pa- ties was allowed to secure him from punishcific disposition to the only enemy who had ment. At the very time when this trial was resisted him with effect, Buonaparte betray- pending, the difference between the two ed, in all his communications with the Brit- governments was such as to render hostiliish cabinet, an overbearing and insupporta- ties unavoidable. At the latter end of Febble pride. First to Otto, and afterwards to ruary lord Whitworth had an interview with his ambassador, general Andreossi, he sent Buonaparte, in which the latter so far forinstructions to complain of the freedom of got himself as personally to insult the Britthose animadversions which the public wri-ish ambassador, and to threaten his governters of Great Britain passed on his charac- ment in the presence of other diplomatic On this occasion he openly ter and conduct; and those complaints were characters. reiterated as well by Talleyrand, as by the avowed his ambitious designs, and clearly first consul himself, to lord Whitworth, who, developed his views upon Egypt, whither he in November, 1802, repaired to Paris as am- had dispatched Sebastiani, a Corsican offibassador to the French court. He could not cer, in the ostensible character of a combe persuaded that the British government mercial agent, to seize every opportunity for was unable to exercise over the press the promoting the French interest in the Lesame unlimited power, the same boundless vant; he boldly justified his unprincipled tyranny, which he himself exercised over usurpations in Switzerland, Piedmont, and every public writer throughout his vast do- Italy; and peremptorily insisted on the imminions. It was impossible to make him mediate evacuation of Malta, as the sine understand that, in England, the ministers qua non of continued peace. By the treaty were subject to the same legal restraints as of Amiens, the king had stipulated to rethe lowest subject of the realm; that they store the island within a given time to the could proceed only according to the forms order of St. John, under the express guarof law; and that, if what the law deemed antee of its independence and neutrality by a libel should be uttered or written against the principal powers of Europe. Circumthe first potentate in Europe, he must, in stances, however, tending to destroy the inorder to punish the offender, have recourse dependence of the order itself, by depriving to the same modes of proceeding which are it of a considerable portion of its revenue, prescribed to Englishmen themselves, under had subsequently arisen, which rendered it similar circumstances. In the autumn of highly imprudent to carry that article of the 41* SAGE RESPECTING FRANCE.--WAR. treaty into effect. Besides, the stipulation left London; and that his majesty had given had been made with a reference to the rela- directions for laying before the house of comtive situation of the contracting parties at mons, with as little delay as possible, copies the time of concluding the treaty. That of such papers as would afford the fullest situation had experienced a material change information at this important conjuncture. by the fresh acquisitions of territory which The message was taken into consideration Buonaparte had afterwards made, and by the in the house of lords on the twenty-third of consequent addition of power which he had May, when lord Pelham moved the address. secured. His intentions, too, to dismember The only question was, he observed, whether the Turkish empire, and to monopolize the a distinct and legitimate ground of war was commerce of the Levant, objects against established by the correspondence now on which specific provisions were made in the the table. Without going minutely into treaty, were too notorious not to call for these documents, he should briefly advert to measures of adequate precaution on the part the principal points in dispute between the of Great Britain, whose ministers, indeed, two governments; and, first, with respect to were almost to blame for having carried a Malta. It would be seen from the papers system of conciliation and concession to so on the table, that up to a given period his great a length. At last the inutility of every majesty's ministers had taken every step to attempt to induce Buonaparte to listen to carry into effect the provisions of the treaty the claims of justice became so obvious, that relating to this island. It was about the the British ambassador received orders to twenty-seventh of January that the French return to England; and he accordingly left government began to press, in a very perParis on the twelfth of May, 1803. emptory manner, for its evacuation; and it GRANT TO THE PRINCE OF WALES-MES- was about that period that ministers thought themselves bound to demand some satisON a message from the king, recommend- factory explanation of the pretensions ading the embarrassed state of the prince of vanced, and the views disclosed, by the Wales to the consideration of parliament, a French government. Circumstances then proposition was moved by Addington for existed which rendered it necessary to refer granting to his royal highness, out of the back to what had been the conduct of the consolidated fund, the annual sum of sixty First Consul from the period when the treaty thousand pounds, for three years and a half. was concluded; and in the course of this This sum, though the prince expressed his view the plain and intelligible inference gratitude for the liberality of parliament, was, that he had pursued one constant series was not sufficient to meet all his engage- of acts totally inconsistent with a sincere ments, and Calcraft moved that he should desire to preserve the peace of the two be enabled immediately to resume his state countries. The answers returned by minisand dignity; but it was rejected, and the ters to the complaints of the French govoriginal proposition passed unanimously. ernment regarding the liberty of the press, On the eighth of March his majesty sent the residence of the Bourbons, and the a message to parliament, announcing that countenance afforded by this country to very considerable military preparations were French emigrants, would be found in the carrying on in the ports of France and Hol- correspondence; and he entertained a conland; and that he had therefore judged it fident expectation that that language on expedient to adopt additional measures of those subjects was of a nature to meet precaution for the security of his dominions. with universal support and approbation. It was added that, though the preparations They had shown, his lordship said, the utreferred to were avowedly directed to colo- most reluctance to resort to any measure nial service, yet, as discussions of great which might hasten a renewal of hostiliimportance were then subsisting between ties; but the conduct of the French governhis majesty and the French government, the ment could no longer be tolerated, consistresult of which must be uncertain, it was ently with the honor, dignity, and safety of necessary to make such provision as circum- this country. War, then, had become instances might require. An address was evitable; and it was a war in which the naunanimously voted, and a resolution was tional spirit ought to be exerted in every afterwards passed for raising ten thousand way which would demonstrate, to a proud additional seamen, including three thousand and insolent foe, that, while the people of four hundred marines. A subsequent mes- England were not anxious for an opporsage to parliament announced the king's in- tunity of taking offence, they were sensibly tention to call out the militia; and, after alive to the least imputation of dishonor, and some succeeding weeks of suspense, it was determined on punishing insults with the stated in another, on the sixteenth of May, most exemplary vengeance. that the king had recalled his ambassador. The existing administration appeared at from Paris; that the French minister had this time to be highly obnoxious to what was called the Grenville party; and Pitt under ten years of age; and the fourth, all and his friends began to manifest towards under the age of fifty-five, not comprised in them unequivocal marks of coldness. the other descriptions. The different classes, who were to be trained and taught the use MILITARY PREPARATIONS.-FINANCE. of arms in their respective parishes, were, PARLIAMENT was chiefly occupied by sub-in case of actual invasion, liable to be called jects of finance, and with devising the out by his majesty, in the order specified, means of providing for the defence of the to co-operate with the regular army in any country against the threatened invasion. part of the kingdom, and to remain embodied The first and most obvious measure was to until the enemy should be exterminated or render the militia, the constitutional defence driven into the sea. of the country, as effective as possible, and VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATIONS.--PREPARA TIONS FOR INVASION BY FRANCE. On the thirteenth of June the chancellor a bill for that purpose was brought into the of the exchequer proposed to raise, by an inhouse of commons, by the secretary at war, crease of the customs' duties on sugar, exon the twentieth of May, which passed ports, cotton, and tonnage, about two million through its several stages without any ma- pounds annually; and by new duties on the terial opposition. But the militia being con- excise of tea, wine, spirits, and malt, six sidered inadequate to the defence of the million pounds more. He then presented a realm, a message from the crown was sent plan of a tax on income, imposing a duty on to parliament on the eighteenth of June, land of one shilling in the pound, to be paid stating that his majesty considered it im- by the landlord, and nine-pence in the pound portant for the safety and defence of the to be paid by the tenant, together with a tax nation that a large additional military force of one shilling in the pound on all other should be forthwith raised and assembled, species of income from one hundred and and it was recommended to both houses to fifty pounds upwards. The net produce of take such measures as should appear to be this revived property-tax was calculated at most effectual for accomplishing this pur- four million seven hundred thousand pounds, pose with the least possible delay. A bill and the whole product of the war taxes at was immediately brought into parliament twelve million seven hundred thousand for embodying a new species of militia, pounds annually, to expire six months after under the denomination of the army of re- the return of peace. In addition to these serve, to consist of fifty thousand men for grants the other taxes were continued, and England, and ten thousand for Ireland, to the whole of the supplies voted by parliabe raised by ballot, and confined to the de- ment for the service of the year 1803, fence of the united kingdom: the officers to amounted to upwards of forty-one million be appointed from the regular army and the pounds. half-pay list: all persons from the age of eighteen to forty-five to be liable to serve, with the exception of those who were ex- At this time the preparations for invading empt from the militia ballot, and such volun- Britain, made by France, called forth a siteers as were enrolled previously to the date multaneous burst of loyalty and patriotism of the last message of his majesty: all poor from all classes: and in a very brief interpersons having more than one child under val upwards of four hundred thousand men ten years of age were also exempt: the per- in arms appeared ready to defend their nasons composing this force to be allowed to tive coasts. So numerous, indeed, were volunteer into the regular army. On the these voluntary armed associations, that it sixth of July, this bill obtained the royal as- rendered the act for raising the levy en sent. But these measures of defence, how-masse perfectly superfluous. Buonaparte ever important, were only the precursors viewed with astonishment this extraordinary of one of the most gigantic magnitude, be- display of national energy; and though his ing no less than arming and training the preparations for invasion were continued, whole effective male population of Great the intention of carrying them into effect is Britain. This project was presented to the thought to have been secretly abandoned. consideration of parliament on the eighteenth In addition to the grand fleet at Brest, of July, and passed into a law, by receiving which was supposed to be destined for the the royal assent on the twenty-seventh of invasion of Ireland, an immense number of the same month. This general enrolment, transports and gun-boats had been ordered denominated the levy en masse, was divided to be built, with the greatest expedition, in into four different classes: the first compre- the French ports, under the idea that some hended all unmarried men between the ages thousands of them might force their way of seventeen and thirty; the second, unmar- across the channel, in spite of the British ried men between thirty and fifty; the third, navy; and, in the course of the year, a sufall married men between seventeen and ficient flotilla was assembled at Boulogne, thirty, not having more than two children to carry over any army that France might think proper to employ in this desperate en- ing his zeal at the head of his regiment; terprise. ACT FOR RELIEF OF CATHOLICS.-AT- but, upon public grounds, his majesty could never permit the prince of Wales to consider the army as a profession, or to allow of his being promoted in the service. REBELLION IN IRELAND-MURDER OF LORD KILWARDEN. IN the course of the session just termi- IRELAND once more became the theatre nated, an act was passed to relieve the Ro- of rebellion, the instigators of which were a man Catholics from certain penalties and band of political enthusiasts, whose director disabilities to which they were before sub- and principal mover was Robert Emmett, a ject, on subscribing the declaration and oath young man of specious and promising talcontained in the act of the thirty-first of the ents, the brother of Thomas Eddis Emmett, reign of his present majesty. An important who took a prominent part in the rebellion addition was also made to the criminal law of 1798. He had been so unguarded in his of the country: by an act introduced into conduct, while the late disturbances existed, the house of lords by lord Ellenborough, as to become an object of the vigilance of and on that account called the Ellenborough government, and had found it prudent to reAct, any person guilty of maliciously shoot-side abroad so long as the habeas corpus act ing, cutting, or stabbing, with an intent to was suspended; but on the removal of that commit murder, although death should not obstacle he returned to Ireland, and arrived ensue, was made subject to the punishment there in December, 1802. The death of Dr. of death. The same penalty was also at- Emmett, his father, one of the state physitached to all attempts to discharge loaded cians in Dublin, had placed the sum of two fire-arms with an intent to kill or wound. thousand pounds at his disposal; and with In the house of commons, Windham had this exchequer he proposed to himself the taken occasion to express himself in terms subversion of the government of Ireland. of great asperity and contempt towards the Though the persons immediately connected volunteer corps of the country, whom he with Emmett, Russell, Dowdall, and Coigtermed the "depositaries of panic." To ob- ley, the principals in the plot, did not exviate any supposition that these sentiments ceed one hundred, yet these infatuated men were generally concurred in, Sheridan, on were so sanguine as to suppose that the the tenth of August, moved the thanks of spirit of rebellion would, at their bidding, the house to the volunteer and yeomanry pervade the whole kingdom; and the usual corps of Great Britain, for the zeal and intimation, the stoppage of the mail-coaches, promptitude with which they had associated was to be the signal of revolt in the country, for the defence of the country. He also while the first object of the insurgents in moved that returns of the different volun- the metropolis was to secure the seat of govteer corps be laid before the house, in order ernment, and the principal persons engaged that they may be handed down to posterity, in its administration. For some days previ by being entered on the journals. Both ous to the fatal explosion, information had these motions were agreed to unanimously; been conveyed to government of threatenand on the twelfth of August this session ing assemblages of the people; and other was closed by a speech from the throne, on indications tended to awaken a suspicion which occasion his majesty expressed his that a rising, as it was termed, was in agitasatisfaction at the energy and promptitude tion. On Saturday the twenty-third of July, which had been displayed in providing for towards evening, the populace began to as the defence of the country, and for the vig- semble in vast numbers in St. James's street orous prosecution of the war; assuring the and its neighborhood, without having any house, at the same time, that as strict a re- visible arrangement or discipline. To arm gard would be paid to economy in the public the body thus collected, pikes were delibexpenditure as was consistent with the ex-erately placed along the sides of the streets, ertions necessary to frustrate the designs of for the accommodation of all who might the enemy. At this interesting period the choose to equip themselves. About nine prince of Wales addressed a letter to the o'clock the concerted signal that all was in prime minister, urging upon him the propri- readiness was given by a number of men ety of investing him with an efficient mili- riding furiously through the principal streets; tary rank, and of placing him in a situation but general alarm was not excited until where his example might contribute to ex- Clarke, the proprietor of a considerable cite the loyal energies of the nation. In re-manufactory in the neighborhood of Dublin, ply to repeated applications on this subject, and who had that afternoon apprized gov his royal highness was informed, that should ernment of the intention of the insurgents, the enemy so far succeed as to effect a land- was shot at and dangerously wounded. ing, he would have an opportunity of show- About this period a small piece of ordnance, GEORGE III. 1760-1820. which had been in readiness for the pur-law, were passed with uncommon rapidity A special commission being issued for the was the most important and lamented event trial of the rebels, Edward Kearney, a calof this rash and criminal commotion. This enderer, and Thomas Maxwell Roche, an unfortunate nobleman had, on the day of the old man nearly seventy years of age, were insurrection, retired to his country-seat, near executed in Thomas street, the focus of the four miles from Dublin, as was his custom insurrection, and several others experienced after having passed the week in fulfilling a similar fate; but the most important of the duties of his exalted situation. On the these judicial proceedings was the trial of first intimation of the circumstances which Robert Emmett, Esq. who was arraigned on denoted disturbance being conveyed to him, the nineteenth of September, and found his lordship, who, ever since the period of guilty on the clearest evidence. On the folthe outrages in 1798, had been in perpetual lowing day this misguided young man, only apprehension of being surprised and assas- in the twenty-fourth year of his age, was sinated by rebels, ordered out his carriage, executed on a temporary gallows in Thomas and taking with him his daughter and his street. In the ensuing month, Thomas Rusnephew, the Rev. Richard Wolfe, set off in- sell also expiated his offences under the stantly for Dublin. Unfortunately the car- hands of the executioner. Coigley and Statriage appeared in Thomas street immediate- ford were arraigned on the twenty-ninth of ly after the opening of the depôt, and was October; but, in consideration of their havsurrounded by a mob of armed persons. His ing made a full disclosure of all the circumlordship announced his name, and earnestly stances connected with the conspiracy, no prayed for mercy, but in vain. Both he and further proceedings were had against them, his nephew fell to the ground, pierced with or any of the remaining prisoners. innumerable wounds; but the lady was per- CAPTURE OF ST. LUCIA, &c.--FRENCH DRIVEN FROM ST. DOMINGO. mitted to pass through the whole rebel colAN expedition dispatched from Barbadoes umn to the castle without molestation. About half-past ten o'clock the rebels were on the twentieth of June, under lieutenantin their turn attacked, and their mighty general Grinfield and commodore Hood, capprojects were all discomfited, in less than tured the islands of St. Lucia and Tobago; an hour, by about one hundred and twenty and in September the Dutch colonies of soldiers. MARTIAL LAW.-EMMETT AND OTHERS EXECUTED. Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbice, also surrendered. The islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon likewise contributed to swell the THE privy-council issued a proclamation, conquests of Britain; and to these successes calling on the magistrates to unite their ex- may be added that of compelling the French ertions with those of the military power, to abandon the valuable colony of St. Doand offering a reward of one thousand mingo. The war with the insurgent nepounds for the discovery and detection of groes had been attended with horrid cruelthe miscreants who murdered lord Kilwar- ties on both sides; but so long as the French den. A reward was also offered to those fleet was master of the sea, their posts on who should discover the murderer of col. the coasts were effectually defended: on Browne; and a notice was issued by the the rupture with England, however, they lord-mayor, requiring all the inhabitants of were reduced to great difficulties; several Dublin, except yeomen, to keep within doors places successively fell into the hands of the after eight in the evening. At the same insurgents; and Fort Dauphin was taken by time, bills for suspending the habeas corpus the English. The Cape was soon afterwards act, and for placing Ireland under martial completely invested by Dessaline, with |