CHAPTER XXV. FROM THE PEACE OF CAMPO FORMIO TO THE RENEWAL OF OCTOBER, 1797-MARCH, 1799. ARGUMENT. Views of the different Parties on the War-Fair opportunity afforded to France of pursuing a pacific System after the Treaty of Campo Formio-Limited Estimates for the year in Britain-Establishment of the Volunteer System in these Islands Its great Effects-Finances of France-National Bankruptcy thereExternal Policy of the Directory-Attack upon Holland-Its Situation since the French Conquest-Measures of the French Directory to Revolutionize that State→→ Tyrannical Acts of the Dutch Directory-Political State of Switzerland-Inequality of Political Rights in the different Cantons-Measures of the Discontented to bring on a Contest with the Swiss Diet-Powerful Impression which they produce in the Subject Cantons-First Open Acts of Hostility by the French-This is all done under the direction of Napoleon-Consternation in consequence excited in Switzerland-The Aristocratic Party make some Concessions-Hostilities commence in the Pays de Vaud Heroic conduct of the Mountaineers-Commencement of Hostilities in the Canton of Berne-Surrender of Soleure and Fribourg-Bloody Battle before Berne-Heroic Resolution of the Swiss, their dreadful Excesses after. Defeat -Capture of Berne, its Treasure, and Arsenal-Enormous Contributions everywhere levied by the French-New Constitution of Switzerland-Generous efforts of the Mountaineers-Arguments by which they were Roused by the ClergyAloys Reding First Successes, and ultimate Disasters of the Peasants-Heroic Defence of the Schwytzers at Morgarten Bloody Conflicts in the Valais-Oppressive conduct of the French to the Inhabitants-An Alliance Offensive and Defensive with France is forced upon Switzerland-Glorious Resistance of Uri, Schwytz, and Underwalden-Cruel Massacre by the French-The Grisons invoke the aid of Austria, which occupies their country-Extreme Impolicy, as well as Iniquity of this attack on Switzerland-Great Indignation excited by it in Europe-Attack on the Papal States-Miserable Situation of the Pope-Measures of Napoleon, and the French Government, to hasten the Catastrophe of the Papal Government -Duphot is slain in a Scuffle at the French Ambassador's-War is in consequence declared by France against Rome-Berthier advances to Rome-Revolution there -Atrocious Cruelty of the Republicans to the Pope-Their continued Severity towards him-He is removed into France, and there dies-Systematic and Abominable Pillage of Rome by the Republicans Confiscation of the Church Property in the whole Papal territories-These disorders excite even the Indignation CHAP. XXV. 1798. CHAP. 1798. Views of the ties on the war. of the French Army-Great Mutiny at Rome and Mantua-Revolt of the Roman Populace-Its bloody Suppression-The whole Papal States are Revolutionized— New Constitution and Alliance with France-Violent changes effected by the French in the Cisalpine Republic-Excessive Discontent excited by these Changes in Lombardy-The Spoliation of the King of Sardinia is resolved on-Cruel Humiliations to which he had previously been subjected-The King is reduced to the condition of a Prisoner in his own Capital-He is at length forced to Abdicate, and retire to Sardinia-Affairs of Naples-Their Military Preparations-The Court enter into Secret Engagements with Austria—And are encouraged to Resist by the Battle of the Nile-On Nelson's Arrival at Naples, Hostilities are rashly resolved on-Forces levied by the French in the affiliated Republics-Mack takes the Command at Naples-Dispersed Situation of the French Troops in the Roman States -The Neapolitans enter Rome-They are every where Defeated when advancing farther-Fresh Disasters of the Neapolitans-Retreat of Mack-The Neapolitan Court take Refuge on board the English Fleet-Championnet resolves to Invade Naples His Plan of Operations-And surprising Success-Critical Situation of the French Army in front of Capua-Mack proposes an Armistice, which is gladly accepted-Indignation which it Excites among the Neapolitan Populace—Advance of the French against Naples-Desperate Resistance of the Lazzaroni—Frightful Combats around the Capital-The French force the Gates and Forts-Bloody Conflicts in the Streets-Establishment of the Parthenopeian Republic-State of Ireland-Reflections on the Melancholy History of that Country-Original Evil arising from Confiscation of Land-Peculiar Causes which have Aggravated this Evil in Ireland-The Irish are as yet unfit for Free Privileges-Intimate Union formed by the Irish Malecontents with France-Revolutionary Organization established throughout the whole Country-Combination of Orangemen to uphold the British Connexion-Treaty of Irish Rebels with France-The Insurrection at length breaks out-Various Actions with the Insurgents-They are totally Defeated at Vinegar Hill-Imminent Danger from which England then escaped—Nagatory Efforts of the Directory to revive the Insurrection-Maritime Affairs of the Year-Disputes of France with the United States-Shameful Rapacity of the French Government Contributions levied on the Hanse Towns by the Directory -Retrospect of the late Encroachments of France-Their System rendered the continuance of Peace impossible-Leads to a general Feeling in favour of a Confederacy, in which Russia joins-Tumult at Vienna, and Insult to the French Ambassador-Who leaves the Austrian Capital-Progress of the Negotiation at Ra stadt The Secret Understanding between France and Austria is made manifestFinancial Measures of the Directory to meet the approaching hostilities—Adop tion of the Law of the Conscription by the Legislature-Reflections on this Event. THE two great parties into which the civilized different par- world had been divided by the French Revolution, entertained different sentiments in regard to the necessity of the war which had so long been waged by the aristocratic monarchies against its unruly authority. The partisans of democracy alleged that XXV. 1793. the whole misfortunes of Europe, and all the crimes CHAP. of France, had arisen from the iniquitous coalition of kings to overturn its infant freedom; that if its government had been let alone, they would neither have stained their hands with innocent blood at home, nor pursued plans of aggrandizement abroad, and that the Republic, relieved from the pressure of external danger, and no longer roused by the call of patriotic duty, would have quietly turned its swords into pruning-hooks, and, renouncing the allurements of foreign conquest, thought only of promoting the internal felicity of its citizens. The aristocratic party, on the other hand, maintained that democracy is in its very essence and from necessity ambitious; that the turbulent activity which it calls forth, the energetic courage which it awakens, the latent talent which it developes, can find vent only in the enterprise of foreign warfare; that being founded on popular passion, and supported by the most vehement and enthusiastic classes in the state, it is driven into external aggression, as the only means of allaying internal discontent; that it advances before a devouring flame, which, the instant it stops, threatens to consume itself; and that in the domestic suffering which it engenders, and the stoppage of pacific industry which necessarily results from its convulsions, is to be found both a more cogent inducement to foreign conquest, and more formidable means for carrying it on, than either the ambition of kings or the rivalry of their ministers. Had the revolutionary war continued without interruption from its commencement in 1792 till its conclusion in 1815, it might have been difficult to have determined which of these opinions were the better founded. The ideas of men would probably XXV. 1798. CHAP. have been divided upon them till the end of time; and to which ever side the philosophic observer of human events, who traced the history of democratic societies in time past, had inclined, the great body of mankind, who judge merely from the event, would have leant to the one or the other, according as their interests or their affections led them to espouse the conservative or the innovating order of things. tunity af forded to France of pursuing a tem after the peace of Campo Formio. It is fortunate, therefore, for the cause of historic Fair oppor- truth and the lessons to be drawn from past calamity in future times, that two years of Continental peace followed the first six years of this bloody contest, and that pacific sys- the Republican Government, relieved of all grounds of apprehension from foreign powers, and placed with uncontrolled authority at the head of the vast popu lation of France, had so fair an opportunity presented of carrying into effect its alleged pacific inclinations. The coalition was broken down and destroyed; Spain had not only given up the contest, but had engaged in a disastrous maritime war to support the interests of the Republic; Flanders was incorporated with its territory, which had no boundaries but the Alps, the Rhine, and the Pyrenees; Holland was converted into an affiliated republic; Piedmont was crushed; Lombardy revolutionized, and its frontier secured by Mantua, and the fortified line of the Adige ; the Italian powers were overawed, and had purchased peace by the most disgraceful submissions, and the Emperor himself had retired from the strife, and gained the temporary safety of his capital by the cession of a large portion of his dominions. Great Britain alone, firm and unsubdued, continued the war, but without either any definite military object, now that the Continent was pacified, or the means of shaking the military supremacy which the arms of France had there XXV. 1798. acquired, and rather from the determination of the CHAP. Directory to break off the recent negotiations, than any inclination on the part of the English government to prolong, at an enormous expense, an apparently hopeless contest. To complete the means of restoring a lasting peace, which were at the disposal of the French cabinet, the military spirit had signally declined with the vast consumption of human life in the rural departments during the war; the armies were every where weakened by desertion; and the most ambitious general of the Republic, with its finest army, was engaged in a doubtful contest in Africa, without any means, to all appearance, of ever returning with his troops to the scene of European ambi- 284. tion.' 1 Jom. X. timates for The estimates and preparations of Great Britain for the year 1798 were suited to the defensive nature Limited esof the war in which she was now to be engaged, the year in the cessation of all foreign subsidies, and the approach Britain. of an apparently interminable struggle to her own shores. The regular soldiers were fixed at 109,000 men, besides 63,000 militia; a force amply sufficient to ensure the safety of her extensive dominions, considering the great protection she received from her fleets which guarded the seas. One hundred and four ships of the line, and three hundred frigates and smaller vessels, were put in commission, manned by 100,000 seamen. Supplies to the amount of L.25,500,000 were voted, which, with a supplementary budget brought forward on 25th April, 1798, in consequence of the expenses occasioned by the threatened invasion from France, amounted to L.28,450,000; exclusive, of course, of the charges •Ann. Reg. of the debt and sinking fund.2 But in providing for these great expenses, Mr Pitt 1798, 181. |