Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

In the English and Irish Channels....

On the Downs and North Sea stations

At the West-India Islands and on the Passage ...

......

On the Jamaica station,

America and Newfoundland stations....

Cape of Good Hope, East-Indies,

and on the Passage

Coast of Africa .....
Portugal and Gibraltar..

Mediterranean and on Passage..
Hospital and Prison Ships ....

Total in Commission....

Receiving Ships..

[blocks in formation]

20

95

SUMMARY OF POLITICS.

We were strongly inclined to confine our political remarks of this week to the internal concerns of our own country; but, the Moniteur, the Official Gazette of the French government, of the 1st instant contains an ar

5 11 16 ticle (see p. 6), which absolutely commands our immediate attention. It is extremely

7 14 21

6 21 29 어 9 920

4 3 15

7 1

6 7 13

15 41

00

0

0

[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors]

13 46
2 S

3813107 141,299

painful and disgusting to us to be compelled to devote so large a portion of our scanty columns to a commentary on só base and infamous a publication, but base and infamous as it is, it, unhappily is the organ through which our degraded country must now learn its fate.-A sentence, in Lord Pelham's speech 5 of the 15th ultimo, the writer of this hostile manifesto has taken for his text. His Lordship said, (True Briton, 16 Dec.) that, "he "disclaimed the opinion advanced by the no"ble Lord [Ld. Grenville] as that of His Ma"jesty's ministers, that they wish to trust merely to time; as it was certainly their in"tention to take advantage of every circumt stance upon the continent, which could con"tribute to the security of this country."*Total...... 197 25 219 218 659 The translation into French, though not precisely correct, does not materially differ from the original. The Moniteur begins its comments by charging our ministers with an endeavour again" to disturb the peace of the

Serviceable and repairing for
Service....
In Ordinary
Building

State of the Ordinary at each Port. Portsmouth:

Plymouth

Chatham...

Sheerness
River ..

6 0 7114

23 1 10 2 36 10611 96 71273 24 0 9 3 34

39 3 28 15 85

48 1 21 21 91

43 7 18 270

1327 10 21 2 0.3027 59 Total...... 135|12|104 75326 Birth-On the 27th ult. the lady of the Hon. Chas. Grey, M. P. of a son.

Marriage-On Monday, Lord Andover, to the Hon. Miss Dutton.

Deaths-At Greenwich, Lieut-gen. Ayre, of the Artillery.At Altona, the Right Hon. Dowager Lady Clifford.-On Friday, at Ham, Sir W. Parker, viceadmiral of the red.--At Twickenham, Sir R. Perryn, kt. late one of the barons of the exchequer.

STOCKS.

[ocr errors]

continent," by employing, into every corner of it, emissaries for the purpose of " dissemi

nating the seeds of carnage and desolation." That this charge is most atrociously false we well know; but, that it will be so regarded by the nations of the continent, we have not the confidence to hope. The "mothers of Ger

many and Italy," that is to say, the old women of those countries, and not only the old women, but the young women and the men too, will believe every word that the Moniteur FRI. SAT. MON. TUE. WED. THU.says on the subject; and we wish that we

[blocks in formation]

could, without deceiving our readers, bid them hope, that the sovereigns of Europe would not participate in that belief, which the assertions of a dreaded power seldom fails to inspire. On the views, which the French have in circulating falsehoods of this sort, we have frequently had occasion to remark. They are extensive, they are grand, they strike at the very root of our existence, and they must be encountered, not by vain diplomatic attempts, but by force of arms, or, as Mr. Burke predieted, "down we go, and all the world cannot

save us!"-But, important, dreadfully important, as are the menaces relative to our expulsion from the continent, those which the Moniteur has now thrown out with respect to the British press and the British parliament are infinitely more so-As to the former, it is s to the

"Lord Grenville a tort de dire que nous voulons nous en rapporter au temps seulement. Notre intention est de profiter de toutes les occasions favorables qui pourraient survenir sur le continent pour contribuer à la sûreté de notre pays."

stated, that the sum of five bundred pounds to ward off his blows, that man cannot, as a is given" [by the government, of course] writer, he so very miserable. The fact is, that "to a miserable emigrant for publishing a libel the work in question is a chef-d'œuvre of po"against the grandson of Frederick II.-litical writing in the short compass of 80 "Against that wise prince, who is beloved by pages, it contains a most complete view of the his people, and to whom Europe is, in some state in which Germany will be placed by the "measure, indebted for the repose and tran- new distribution of the resources, the dignities, "quillity, which it begins to enjoy."+-Why and the power of that Empire; with irresisti this circumlocutive appellation of His Prussian ble argument, it maintains the cause of justice Majesty? If he has all the good qualities which and of honour, and, with eloquence no less the Moniteur has discovered in him, why not forcible, it calls for resistance against further call him Frederick the fourth? Why seek to insult, encroachment, and robbery. That the prop up his character by calling him" the Official Gazette of France, that the gazette grandson of Frederick I?" The little grand- which conveys Buonaparte's behests to Hol son of Frederick the great! We much ques-land and Switzerland, and that styles our gra tion if the "miserable emigrant," whoever he cious Sovereign the rewarder of assassins, that be, has written any thing more severe against this infamous vehicle, should call such a work the "quise prince," who has, it seems, been libellous, is perfectly natural, but, after having serving Europe in the capacity of nurse, and read it with the utmost attention, and with no who has, indeed, largely contributed towards greater attention than delight, we can perceive that repose, that sleep, from which, we greatly in it not a single phrase, to which the most fear she never will more awake.-The "libel," ingenious advocate would be able to give a liof which the Moniteur here complains, and bellous interpretation; and, for our own sakes against which it has, once before, at least, as well as for that of our readers, we are truly given way to its abuse, is, indeed, well worthy sorry, that it appeared too late for us to give a of all its infamous malice; it is a work, which convincing proof of our sincerity in this reevery statesman, legislator, and politician in spect, by inserting a translation of it in the Europe ought to learn by heart; it does, in Supplement to our second volume *.-But, it truth, give no very flattering picture of the is not falsehood and inconsistency that the French conduct of the court of Berlin, and that of the Official Gazette contains on this topic, which other princes, who have condescended to be most concerns us: it is its menaces. "What," come the creatures of Buonaparté, but it is says the Moniteur, "if the King of Prussia not a whit less true on that account; it de-" were to demand satisfaction for conduct so fénds His Imperial and Royal Majesty, the " strange from a nation with whom he is at august head of the empire, against the atro-" peace, and from a government to which he cious calumnies that the French government " has preserved the electorate of Hanover." ↑ and its English hirelings have bestowed on Why, without taking into consideration the him, it calls upon the Emperor of Russia to important circumstances of having preserved escape, in time, from the serpent, which will to our government the electorate of Hanover, finally devour him, and it shows, that, if the we scruple not to give it as our decided opi will be not wanting, Europe yet possesses the nion, that, if the King of Prussia were to means of salvation. All this may be libellous" demand satisfaction" from the Addingtons in the eyes of Buonaparté, but it is very true, and Hawkesburies, they would do all in their and very necessary to be said; and, as to the power to give it him, because they know, that author of the work, "miserable" as he may he has Buonaparté at his back, and for no be, we are much deceived by the nobleness of other earthly reason. Mr. Addington, in his sentiments if he would not despise five speaking about Mr. Peltier, is, by his own hundred pounds from the present ministry as news paper, reported to have laid great stress much as he despises the Corsican. and his slaves. on the circumstances of the latter being a Is there not, however, something evidently in foreigner; and, we repeat, that there prevails, consistent in the clamours of the Moniteur through almost the whole country, a disposi against this writer and his work? He may be tion to sacrifice the royalist French on the altar MISERABLE:" a loyal subject of the King of of peace with the republicans. For this disFrance must be miserable: but, in point of position, this base, this abominable disposition, mind and talent, that man, who can thus goad it will, indeed, be most severely and most justly and mortify the Moniteur, the Official Gazette punished; but, in the mean time, the sacrifice of France, the fore des destins; who can thus will be made, and we do most earnestly ex, and we do most earnestly exprovoke it to an attempt at recrimination, thus drive it to the most pitiful falsehoods in order † Dans le même temps, on donne jób liv, sterl, "un misérable émigré pour imprimer un libelle contre le petit-fils de Frederic 11, contre ce prince sage sime de tes peupler, Sigdel l'Europe doit en parte "la tranquillité et le tépos dont elle commence à "jouir,"

*

This work is called, “ L'Empire Germanique di visée en Départemens sous la prefecture de l'Electeur de Published by Dulau, Soho Square "Eh! si le Roi de Prusse exigeait punition tion avec laquelle il est en paix, de la part d'un d'une conduite aussi étrange de la part d'une nas gouvernement auquel la conservó l'Ețat d'Has

[ocr errors]

hort all those loyal gentlemen to cease the ex---Mr. Windham and Lord Grenville, who ertion of their talents in so desperate a cause. have hitherto enjoyed exclusively, the honour The Moniteur proceeds :-"To insult all the of Buonaparte's hatred, have now, it seems, governments of Europe, they" [the English found an associate in Lord Minto. To these recur to the same principles with the Tuni- three, in particular, the Moniteur expressed sians and Algerines, who, although at peace, great dislike, because, as it observed in a former insult the flag of all nations. But these at- manifesto, their counsels would be dangerous tack only feble powers; and surely France, to England; and, as it perceives a possibility of “Russia, and Prussia, may, at last, become tired their coming into power as ministers, or, at with this excess of licence" [of the British least, apprehends some danger from their press], and say:-" YOU SHALL DO SO speeches as members of parliament, it has "NO LONGER !!!" Ah! says't thou so obligingly suggested a method of getting rid Now, in the name of "the birth-right of Bri- of them in both capacities, as thus:-" It tons," of "the palladium of freemen;" in the" would be a patriotic and wise law which name of patriotism, where are the ghosts, the" should ordain that displaced ministers should indignant ghosts of honest Russell and Sidney?" not, for the first seven years after their disand where is that living "champion of liber-" missal, be competent to sit in the English parliaty," Charles Fox?-This "hero of the press,' "ment. Another law, not less wise, would this" scourge of despotism," once amused the" be, that every member, who should insult a parliament and the nation, during the best part" friendly people and power, should be condemnof a whole winter, with notices and motions, "ed to silence for two years. When the tongue and resolutions, and bills and debates about the" offends, the tongue must suffer punishment."* law and the fact," and regarded it as a glo--Now, let it be once more noticed, and well rious victory, when, at last, he made juries, in remembered, that the Moniteur, the paper matters of libel, the judges of both. What will from which these words are taken, is the of he say now? What will now become of his ficial gazette of the French government, the law and his fact? And where are all his typo- London Gazette of France. It has, at the head graphical coadjutors, whose very veins seemed of each number, the following words :-"Nous to run with ink, and who, during ten whole" sommes autorisés à prévenir nos souscripteurs, years, have been pouring an uninterrupted tor-" qu'à dater du 7 Nivôse, an 8, le Moniteur, rent of malicious falsehoods on all those who eur" est le seul journal official:" that is, "We deavoured to prevent the success of the French" are authorised to inform our subscribers, revolutionists, that success which now threat-" that from the 7 Nivôse, year 8, the Moniens them with total and well-merited annihila-"teur is the only official journal."-This being tion? It will certainly be a mortifying circum-the case, our ministers cannot have the smallstance in our lives to see the press of England est pretext for regarding the manifesto, on destroyed by the mandates of France; but we which we are now remarking, as any thing will not deny, that, when we reflect on the other than the words of the French governconduct of that press for five and-twenty years ment; and, we are sure, that no man of compast; when we reflect on the large share, mon sense and common spirit will see, or afwhich it has had in the guilt of the two great fect to see, in the passage we have last quoted, rebellions, which have finally produced the any thing short of a direct attempt to interfere present state of things; when we reflect on in and to regulate the proceedings in parliaits seditious and disloyal principles and pre- ment, to restrain the liberty of speech amongst cepts, on its base and malignant aspersion of the members, to dictate the laws which they are the American loyalists, of the unfortunate King to pass, and to chastise those antongst thent of France and his Family, and on the rancour who may prove refractory to the will of France. with which, in many instances, it yet pursues Nor was this, even this, unforeseen or unforethe remains of that family and their adherents; told, as one of the consequences of the abject when we reflect on all this, we cannot but feel tone in which the peace of Amiens was negomuch less pain than we otherwise should; at tiated and concluded. To the pusillanimous its approaching dissolution.The next topic conduct of the last parliament itself, we must which presses itself upon our notice is, the re- also attribute a share of this indelible disgrace, vived charge against Mr. Windham, of having the almost inconceivable infamy, with whichi spoken degradingly of the Russians. This charge it is now attempted to mark for ever the cha. tve refuted before, (Vol. II. p. 859.) and, have only to refer our readers to what we then said.

"Pour in ulter tous les gouvernemens de l'Eu "rope, on s'appuie du même principe que les Tuni-" "siens et les Algériens, qui, quoiqu'en paix, insult

racter of this nation, once the first upon the scroll of honour. We remember, and so must

Une loi patriotique, sage, serait celle qui ordonnerait que les ministres sortans, ne pourraient siéger pendant les sept premières années de leur sorent le pavillon de toutes les nations; mais on doit tie, au parlement d'Angleterre. Une autre loi, non réfléchir qu'ils ne s'attaquent qu'aux puissances moins sage, serait que tout membre qui insulterain "faibles; et certes la France, la Russie, et la Prusse" à un peuple et à une puissance amie, fût condamné "peuvent enfin se fatiguer de cet excès de licence," au silence pendant deux ans. 1.orsque la langue * et dire que cela ne soit plus.” “pêche, il faut punir la langue.”.

[26 our readers, that-Mr.-Elliot was called to ac-" which the constitution of England is des count, by the late Attorney-General, for dar- tined to perish." (Register, Vol. I. p. 317.) ing to express his doubts of the sincerity of We shall be asked, perhaps, if we do really Buonaparte's intentions: Lord Castlereagh and think, that this prediction is in the way of Mr. Pitt pitched the key of submission, by in-fulfilment; if we really think, that the miniculcating (what was never done on any former sters are base enough to propose laws at the occasion) forbearance of language, in debate, as dictates of Buonaparté, and, if they were to do respecting the Consul of France, and, when so, that the people are base enough to approve the Moniteur abused Lord Grenville and Mr. of their conduct. To the former we answer Windham for the part they took in the dis- that we should hope not; to the latter, we say, cussions on the peace, the demi-official paper, NO. No: the people of England are not yet the True Briton, cried, well done: "Lord sunk to this dreadful state of degradation: "Grenville and Mr. Windham," said that pros. God grant that they never may! We would țitued slave, “are pretty roughly bandled in the rather see them extirpated to the last man; we French official paper, on account of their would rather, were it the will of Heaven, see violent anti-pacific principles, and, we must them swallowed by the earth, or crushed by confess, we think, with justice enough." (True- the thunderbolt, and share in their awful fate, Briton, June 8, 1802.) Where, then, is the than behold that day of everlasting sliame and wonder, that the Moniteur now more boldly infamy! But who shall assure us that that day interferes? Who can blame those, who speak will not come? Who that has observed the through that vehicle, for now dictating laws progress of Spain, of Holland, of Switzerland, to the British parliament, and for threatening of Germany; who that has observed our own to chastise its refractory members. Indeed, so progress, that recollects what we were, and evident was it, that the tone of the peace would that sees what we are; who that has seen how lead to this result, that we ventured to predict far we have fallen in the space of eighteen it at the time :Of his animadversions be" mouths, and how fast we are still falling, skall [Buonaparte] has been unusually liberal. say, that we shall not reach the bottom? No He has emitted his venom on all those, who great event, such as that of which we are now "have ventured to question the moderation speaking, was ever brought about all at and sincerity of his views, and has given us once. The empire of Germany has been no very unintelligible hint, that such disbe- for some time sinking to its present state; lief may, ere long, be followed with chastise-France did not, in a few months, acquire "ment. The ministerial print, (the True Bri- the power to regulate the legislative as"ton), has already cried peccavi, and this semblies of Holland and Switzerland. We circumstance, while it will, doubtless, serve have, considering the short space of time since as an example to other offenders, enables us our decline, or rather our fall, began, made a "to form a tolerably correct judgment of the greater progress than either of those once indisposition of those, who will, probably, dependent powers. First, his Majesty's Sehave it in their power to torture us into si-cretary of State for foreign affairs debased "lence. Nor has the Consul confined him- himself, or his office, at least, by beseeching an "self to a censorship over the language and audience of a commissary for prisoners; hext the "sentiments of our news-papers: he has shewn abandonment of the hour of the flag; next the at"a disposition to enter the chapel of St. Stephen; fair of Lundberg and Lauristen; next that of "and, as far as words can go, to be an imita- Napper Tandy; next that of Captain d'Auvergne; "tor of a great man' of our own country, next the prosecution of Mr. Peltier, while the nawhom, in more than one trait, he appears tional' exhibitions of Paris represent our go, "to have chosen as a model. Cromwell, in-vernment as the livers of assassin, and while the "deed, sent a troop of horse to silence those official gazette of France styles our Sovereigh who had the hardihood to dispute bis mode- the regarder of assassius; and who, then, shall "ration and sincerity. But, Buonaparté is assure us, that, after some few other interme "only a young man yet; and, we have no diate steps, we shall not at last come to that doubt, that he lives in hopes to see the day, which the Moniteur has now recommended? "when a second Pride's purge shall consum-Who that has heard the sentiment, that " 20 mate what the Moniteur has so happily be change ought to take place in our ministry, lest such guo. We are perfectly serious. It is the “change shaild furnish a neighbouring jener with a nature of such a man to be presuming, and,“ pretest for going to sear touth is "who that has it cannot be denied, that the experience heard this sentiment will dare to assert, that which Buonaparte has already had of our the assembly, in which it was uttered, and by baseness, is well calculated to encourage his which it could be tolérated, and even received presumption. The gross violation, the open with approbation, will never yield obedience and daring violation of the laws of cur to the mandates of that neighbouring country, committed, with impunity, by the power?" The practice of France is, to bearers of the preliminary treaty, was, we throw out to all nations hints of her distant infear, the beginning of a series of acts, under tentions. We are not, therefore, to conclude,

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

"

[ocr errors]

that the projet de loi, now announced to us is projects of the "safe politicians," which were a mere vapour, because she does not insist turned to such admirable account by Hardy upon its immediate adoption. She is profoundly and Horne Tooke. The truth is, that the skilled in the nature of the human mind, which Moniteur knows us well, much better than she first familiarises with her notions, and we know ourselves, and it very artfully when that is once done, the road to success and ably avails itself of that knowledge.is much less difficult than men generally ima- That war is ruin to this country is the maxim gine. She has talked of a "Western nation," on which all the operations of France proceed. consisting of the French, the English, the Ita-This secret she has learnt from ourselves; it lians, &c. She is inculcating the opinion, that was, on our part, the basis of the peace of such an union would prevent wars; and, who Amiens; it has, by clear implication at least, shall say, that that opinion will not be gene-been a thousand times declared by the mirally, as it already is partially, adopted? Who nisters, and is daily and hourly openly, and shall say, that this motive, at all times so power-in explicit terms, avowed by their adherents ful with a rich and enervated people (and par- all over the country; indeed, it is notorious, ticularly so with this nation at this time) co- that it was, and is the standing reply to every operating with the indignation and disgust argument urged against the peace. While which men must feel at being governed by this maxim continues to be held, we shall have such people as the Addingtons, will not pro-no war; nor can we ever hope to see any duce the effect which the rulers of France have check to the insults and encroachments of in view? With a constant dread and admira France. Let who will come into power, the tion of its enemy, and a constant distrust and situation of the country will, in this respect, contempt of its own government, no nation be the same: and, those who hope that Mr. ever did, or ever can, long maintain its inde- Pitt's return to the helm (which, by the-by, pendence: under such circumstances, the vo- Buonaparte's projet de loi renders impossible for tary of wealth sees, in the power of the foe, a five years yet to come) would save us, do not pledge for his security, while men of other seem to perceive, that we are in a calm inminds feel the consolation, that, in losing their stead of a storm, that we are in danger of country and its name, they also get rid of its perishing from a leak, and not from the inisdisgrace.-But, the Moniteur, at the same time management of the rudder. The minds of that it demands the expulsion, or the silencing, the people are debased; they have, by the of the parliamentary adversaries of France, conditions of the peace and by the arguments makes an appeal to the people, and, in a man-in justification thereof, been taught to believe, ner by no means equivocal, calls upon them to that war, for any cause, is ruin; that it is, as we revive their clamours for a reform of the parliament formerly expressed ourselves, the accursed thing, itself. These men" [Mr. Windham, &c.] and that it ought to be avoided at the risk even of "act according to neither the opinion nor the life itself. The consequences of this dangerous "will of the English people. That people so and degrading notion were predicted by Mr. "enlightened, so contemplative, have dif- Windham, and his prediction is now most am"ferent sentiments, and a different spirit: ply and awfully verified:-" What the condi"and, if they had had the choosing of their re- tion and feelings of the country would be in "presentatives, they would not have chosen" this latter case" a renewal of the war], "I "Lord Grenville, Mr. Windham, and Lord" need hardly point out. The dread, in fact, "Minto."-Mr. Reeves was prosecuted, by" of what they would be, will operate so order of the House of Commons, for 66 repre- strongly, that the case will never happen. senting the two houses of Parliament as no" The country will never bear to put itself in more than branches of the government of" a situation, in which the sense of its own England, and for saying that those branches" folly will press upon it in a way so impossimight be hewn off and cast into the fire, with" ble to be endured. At all events, with its out destroying the trunk. What will those" present feelings and opinions, the country jealous and zealous guardians of our liberties" never can go to war again, let France do now say to the Moniteur, who has struck at what she will: for, if we are of opinion, the very root of the tree? Mr. Wilberforce" that war, continued at present, must be and the other reformers will, doubtless, approve "ruin, in the course of a few years, what do of these hints from the other side of the water; 66 we suppose it must be, when, to replace us, nor should we at all wonder, if they were to" where we now are, we must begin by the furbish up, and give us a new edition of their" recovery of that list of places, which the old speeches at the Yorkshire meeting, and of" present treaty has given up? France, thereother documents, relative to those precious" fore, will be under no necessity of going to war "with us: and, nothing but her own intem"Ces hommes ne font ni l'opinion ni la volonté du peuple Anglais. Cette nation si éclairée, si me- our endurance and weakness, beyond even perance and insolence, and an opinion of ditative, a une autre marche et un autre esprit: et si elle eût cu à nommer ses représentans, elle n'au"what they may be found to deserve, can "rait pas choisi Lord Grenville, Windham, Minto."" force upon us that extremity. She has much

« AnteriorContinuar »