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CHAP. XXI. 1796.

Government.

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that notwithstanding his successes in the field, the enemy now began to feel his debility, and had in Answer of consequence evinced a disposition to accommodate, which he had never before done; that the French paper was now at little more than a hundredth part of its nominal value; and though the enormous sum of L.750,000,000 worth of assignats had been created, this quantity was hourly on the increase. That it was incredible that a nation reduced to such straits could long support a contest with the formidable enemies, who were preparing to assail it by land and sea; and that the system of maintaining war by the heinous method of confiscations and a forced paper currency, however successful for the time, must lead in the end to ruin. That the numbers of the French armies, and the desperate spirit by which they were animated, arose from the misery of the country, the stagnation of industry, and the impossibility of finding subsistence in pacific employments; but that this system, however successful, when a war of invasion and plunder was carried on, could not be maintained for any length of time, when the French armies were repelled to their own frontiers, and compelled to subsist on their own resources. That now, therefore, was the time, when the enemy's breath was so evidently failing, to press him hard on 1796, 12. every side, and reduce him to such a peace as might protect Europe from Gallic agression, and England from Republican innovation.'

1 Ann. Reg.

Parl. Hist.

1795, 1030, 1048.

Such were the arguments urged in public, both in the House of Lords and Commons, on the policy of continuing the war, and both Houses, by a great majority, supported the administration; the numbers being in the Lower House 240 to 59. But the real motives which influenced both sides were materially

CHAP.

XXI.

1796.

in view by

different. It was a domestic war which was really waged; it was the contest between aristocratic ascendency and democratic ambition, which at bottom divided the country, and excited the fierce and Real objects implacable passions by which all classes were actu- the different ated. The popular party perceived that their chance partics. of success was altogether nugatory, while the firm hand, which now held the reins, continued at the head of affairs, and that while the national spirit was excited by the war with France, the ascendency of the conservative party might be looked upon as certain; while the adherents to ancient institutions felt that the continuance of the contest at any price was preferable to the flood of democracy with which they would be deluged at its close; and that, till the excitement created by the French Revolution had subsided, no passion but that for war could be relied on to counteract its effects. Thus, though the ground on which the parties engaged was the expedience of continuing the strife, the object which both parties had really in view was the form of domestic government, and the passions which actuated them, in truth the same as those which distracted France and agitated Europe.

voted by

To enable Government to carry on the war, Par- Supplies liament voted supplies to the amount of L.27,500,000, Parliament. exclusive of the interest of the debt; and in this was included the enormous sum of L.18,000,000 contracted by loan, the annual charge of which was L.1,100,000, which was provided for by a considerable addition to the assessed taxes. But the total expenditure of the year amounted to L.37,500,000, and the remainder was raised, in spring, 1796, by exchequer bills and annuities, to the amount of

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XXI.

1796.

CHAP. L.13,500,000, which made the total loan of that year L.31,500,000. Mr Pitt stated it as a most remarkable circumstance, that in the fourth year of so expensive a war, this large loan was obtained at so low a rate as four and a-half per cent; and, without doubt, it was a signal proof of the profusion of capital and confidence in Government which prevailed in Britain. But he forgot the ruinous terms on which the loan was contracted for future years; that a bond of L.100 was given for every L.60 advanced, and posterity saddled with the payment of an immense debt which the nation had never received. This ob. servation, how obvious soever, was not then perceived by the ablest persons even of practical habits; no one looked forward to the repayment of the debt, and the Ann. Regnation reposed in fancied security on the moderate annual charge which the loan imposed on the country.

1796, 53,

108.

236 Geo.

III. c. 18.

and 26.

Another matter of the highest importance gave rise to the most vehement debates both in the legislature and the country; this was the bills which Government brought forward for additional security to the King's person, and the prevention of seditious meetings. No measure had been brought forward by Government since the Revolution which excited such vehement opposition both in the legislature and Bills against public meet the country as these celebrated statutes, which were stigmatized by the popular party as the Pitt and Grenville acts, in order that they might for ever be held in execration by the country. By the latter, it was required that notice should be given to the magistrate of any public meeting to be held on political subjects; he was authorized to be present, and empowered to seize those guilty of sedition on the spot; and a second offence against the act was punishable with transportation. On the part of the

ings.

XXI.

1796.

against and

opposition it was urged, that meetings held under CHAP. such restrictions, and with the dread of imprisonment hanging over the head of the speakers for any word which might escape from them in the heat of debate, could never be considered as the free and Arguments unbiassed meetings of Englishmen; that so violent for these staan infringement had never been attempted on the tutes. liberties of the people since the days of the Tudors; that if the times were so far changed that Englishmen could no longer meet and deliberate on public affairs without endangering the state, it would be better at once to surrender their liberties, as in Denmark, into the hands of a despotic sovereign; that it was evident, however, that there really was no such danger as was apprehended, but the alarm for it was only a pretence to justify the adoption of arbitrary measures; that it was in vain to appeal to the example of France, as vindicating the necessity of such rigorous enactments; every body knew that this revolution was not owing to Jacobin clubs, or the meetings of the people, but to the corruptions of the court, and the vices of the political system; and if this bill should pass, the people of this coun1 Ann. Reg. try, rendered desperate by the imposition of similar 1796, 22, fetters, would, without all doubt, break, in their own 27. Parl. defence, into similar excesses.'

On the other hand, it was argued by the administration, that it was necessary to consider the bill attentively before representing it in such odious colours; that it imposed restrictions only on public assemblies, and left unfettered the press, the great palladium of liberty in every representative monarchy; that public meetings required to be narrowly watched in turbulent times, because it was in such great assemblages that the passions took fire, and

Hist. 1796,

24, 37.

СНАР.
XXI.

1796.

men were precipitated, by mutual applause, into violent measures; that the great danger of such meetings was, that only one side was heard, and extravagant sentiments were always those which gained most applause; that the object of the meetings against which these enactments were levelled, was notorious, being nothing less than the overthrow of the monarchy, and the formation of a republican constitution similar to that established with such disastrous effects in France; that the proposed enactments were certainly a novelty in this country, but so also was the democratic spirit against which it was levelled, and extraordinary times required extraordinary remedies; and that no danger was to be apprehended to public freedom, as long as the press was unfettered, and juries regarded with so much jealousy, as they now did, all the measures into laws. which emanated from the authority of government. 1 Ann. Reg. The bill passed the House of Commons by a majo32. Parl. rity of 214 to forty-two, and the House of Lords by sixty-six to seven.'

Bills pass

1796, 23.

Hist. 1796,

49, 62.

withdraw in

So exasperated were the opposition with the success of ministers on this occasion, that Mr Fox, and a large part of the minority, withdrew altogether for Opposition a considerable time from the House; a ruinous measure, dictated by spite and disappointment, and which should never, on any similar occasion, be repeated by true patriots. The bill was limited in its duration to three years; and after passing both Houses, received the royal assent.

disgust.

* Ibid. 1796,

46.

On cooly reviewing the subject of such vehement contention in the Parliament and the nation, it is impossible to deny that it is beset with difficulties; and that nothing but the manifest danger of the times could have furnished an excuse for so wide a

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