constantly declared in favor of the British officers, who exhibited many memorable instances of skill and gallantry.-On the 13th of March, a British squadron, of fourteen sail of the line, under Admiral Hotham, fell in with a French squadron of fifteen, which was conveying a body of troops for the recapture of Corsica. The French endeavoured to avoid an engagement, but two of their ships being separated from the rest, they made an attempt to save them, and were, by that means, brought to action. The two ships, however, the Ca-Ira, of 80 guns, and the Censeur, of 74, with two thousand troops on board, were taken by the English, while the remainder of the fleet escaped to Toulon. While Admiral Cornwallis was stationed on the west coast of France, he was met, off Belleisle, on the 16th of June, by a French force of thirteen ships of the line, to which he had only five to oppose. He maintained, however, a running fight, during the whole of the next day, with a force so greatly superior, without suffering the enemy to gain the smallest advantage over him; and gained a British port in safety. A few days after, the French squadron fell in with Lord Bridport's fleet, off L'Orient, when an action ensued, which ended in the capture of three French ships of the line,-the Alexander, the Formi

dable, and the Tigre. The rest of the fleet were indebted to the proximity of the land for their escape into port L'Orient. An expedition had been planned for the reduction of the important Dutch settlement at the Cape of Good Hope, which was entrusted to the command of General Clarke and Admiral Elphinstone. After a short and ineffectual defence, it surrendered to the British arms, on the 16th of September.

Thus, at the close of the present campaign, the state of affairs was, upon the whole, more favourable to the allies than otherwise.— Though none of the conquests of the last year were recovered from the French, still they had been prevented, by the Austrians, from making any further progress; and they had rather lost than gained ground. The French navy, too, had sustained further losses, while that of Great Britain was strengthened; so that, though there was nothing in the aspect of things very encouraging, there was not any thing to excite despair.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

State of the Public mind-Growth of Discontent-The source of it - End and object of the clamours for PeaceMeans used for exciting dissatisfaction with the war-Scarcity of Corn falsely ascribed to it-The Press principally employed to promote disaffection-Inadequacy of exertion on the part of the Minister to counteract this effectCause and consequence of this inactivity-Importance of the Press, as an Engine for directing the Public mind, considered-Too much neglected by Mr. Pitt-Seditious Meetings in the neighbourhood of the Capital-Early Meeting of Parliament-Attack on the King in his way to the House of Lords-Attempt to murder his Majesty in Palace-Yard-The King again attacked on his return to Buckingham-House-These attempts traced to the adoption of French Principles- Consequent Proceedings in Parliament-Address to the King - Lord Lansdowne charges the Ministers with being the authors of the attack-Observations on that Charge-Firmness of his Majesty Speech from the Throne - Debates on the Address-Mr. Fox's Speech-Falsehood of his assertions exposed-Amendment Moved-Opposed by Mr. PittHe ridicules the Amendment-Comments on the recent change of form and principles in the French GovernRegards it as competent to preserve the relations of Peace and Amity with other NationsLord Grenville's Bill for the safety and preservation of his Majesty's Person and Government-Lord. Gren

ment

ville's Speech-Bill for the suppression of Seditious Meetings, introduced by Mr. Pitt-He explains its principle and object-Debates on the two Bills-Opposed by Messrs. Fox, Grey, and Sheridan, who charge Ministers with having provoked the attack upon the King-Mr. Grey represents the Ministers to be Traitors-Their indecent and unparliamentary language censured-Mr. Canning's Speech-He ascribes the attack on the King to the doctrines broached at Copenhagen-House-Speech of the Attorney-General-Produces several Seditious Publications

-Proves the extensive circulation of Treasonable LibelsDemonstrates the necessity of the New Bills-Bills supported by the Country Gentlemen-Speech of Sir Francis Basset-He proves the connection between the meeting at Chalk-Farm and the attack on the King-Angry reply of Mr. Fox-He asserts the design of the House of Stuart to restore Popery in England-Contrary assertion in his history of James the Second-Speech of Lord Mornington-He unfolds the views of the Seditious Societies Quotes passages from several of their Treasonable Publications-Answer of Mr. Sheridan-He refuses to believe what it does not suit his purpose to admit→→→ Substitutes ridicule for argument, and assertion for proofCalls the attempt to murder the King accidental-His revolutionary logic exposed-His whole speech inflammatory and calculated to excite a revolt-Direct tendency of the Speeches of the Opposition to rouse the people to rebellion-Mr. Fox reduces resistance to a question of prudence -Indignant reply of Mr. Pitt-Charges Mr. Fox with setting up his own opinion as the standard of truth, and the rule of conduct for Government-Taxes him with a breach of duty, and a determination to resist the law by force Mr. Fox re-states his position-Proved to be substantially the same-Its tendency to produce a Civil War demonstrated-Similar sentiments avowed by Mr. GreyVOL. IV.

CC

Admirable Speech of Mr. Grant-The Bills justifiable only by necessity-Their Provisions-Professor Christian's. opinion of them-Incidental questions arising out of the Debate-Mr. Sheridan's abuse of the Police MagistratesReflections on the Subject His list of their negative qualities enlarged-Mr. Reeves's" thoughts on the English Government."-Denounced as a Libel by Mr. SturtMr. Sheridan takes up the Question-His Speech upon it -Remarks on the novelty of his avowed attachment to the Principles of the Constitution-Ignorance of history, and puerile criticism displayed in the Debate-The Constitutional Lawyers, and Parliamentary Jesters, revile the Productions of the Reverend William Jones, the Reverend · John Whitaker, and Mr. Reeves-Mr. Sheridan charges the Pamphlet with being a Libel on the RevolutionHis own observations on that event shewn to be Libellous -Curious Remark of Mr. Erskine-Excellent Speech of Mr. Windham-He exposes the views of the Whigs in attacking Mr. Reeves-Analyzes the Pamphlet with great judgment and ability-Justifies the passage selected for censure -Ungenerous conduct of Mr. Pitt-Weakness of his argument-Validity of one of his positions contested-The King's power of making laws asserted by the Attorney-General-Absurdity of Mr. Sheridan's charge shewn The Whigs prove themselves enemies to the Freedom of the Press, and to the Trial by Jury-Mr. Sheridan's lenity and mercy proved to be tyranny and persecution The House pronounce the Tract to be a Libel

Address the King to direct the Attorney-General to prosecute Mr. Reeves as the author-He is tried and acquitted-Subsequent discussion of the subject through the medium of the Press-Disgraceful silence of the Whigs- Legislative measures for diminishing the consumption of Wheat-The Budget-The Loan-Message from the King on the subject of Peace- Debate upon itAddress carried without a division.