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1780-Rioters tried-Lord George Gordon tried, and acquitted
-Dissolution of parliament-New elections-The armed neu-
trality-Coalition against us in India-State of domestic affairs
-Sir George Rodney's success against the Spaniards-Defeats
admiral Langara-His humane conduct regarding the prisoners
-Relieves Minorca and Gibraltar, &c.-Sails for the West
Indies-His actions with the French fleet, &c.-Proceeds to the
coast of North America-State of American affairs-Expedition
against South Carolina-Capture of Charleston, and reduction of
the province, &c.-General Gates appointed to the American
command-Battle of Camden-Conduct of lord Cornwallis-
Affairs at New York-Treason of general Arnold, and fate of
major André, &c.-Rodney returns to the West Indies-Mari-
time losses sustained by the British-Domestic affairs.
CHAPTER XXIII.
page 1
Meeting of the new parliament-Mr. Cornwall elected speaker-
King's speech-Fox's attack on lord Sandwich-Lord North's
reply-Rupture with Holland-Notice of it in the session of
1781-Associations appoint delegates-Mr. Burke brings for-
ward the rejected bills of last session-Mr. Pitt's first speech in
the house of commons-Other popular efforts-Altered prin-
ciples of whigs and tories-Supplies, &c.-Other popular sub-
jects discussed in the house-Mr. Sheridan's first speech-
System of associations and delegates approved-Evils in the
marriage act corrected-Debates on it-Different opinions of
Fox and Burke on the subject-Fox's motion respecting the
war-Pitt's speech, and defence of his father's principles-
Committees on East Indian affairs-Temporary bill continuing
the company's monopoly-End of the session, &c.-East Indian
affairs in the Deccan from 1778 to 1786-Attack on Jersey—
Gibraltar relieved-Attacked by the Spaniards-Attack on Mi-
norca-Combined fleets in the English channel-Naval action
with the Dutch-Commodore Johnstone attacked by de Suffrein
-Capture of St. Eustace-Confiscation of property-Farther
operations of the fleets in the West Indies-State of affairs in
America-Arnold's expedition to Virginia-State of the Ameri-
can army, &c.-Washington's resources-Lord Cornwallis's Vir-
ginian campaign-Large naval force despatched from France un-
der de Grasse-Siege of Cornwallis in Yorktown-His surrender
to Washington-Reflections on the events of the campaign.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Sentiments of foreign powers towards England-Prevailing dis-
affection at home toward ministers-Arrival of the news con-
cerning lord Cornwallis's surrender, &c.-King's speech-De-
bates on address, &c.-Attack on sir George Rodney and general
Vaughan regarding the capture of St. Eustace, &c.-Debates on
the army estimates-Motions of sir James Lowther for peace-
Declining influence of administration-Renewed debates-Mr.
Pitt's speech, &c.-Discharge of Mr. Laurens-Parliament ad-
journs Addresses to his majesty for a dismissal of ministers-
Admiral Kempenfeldt's action-Domestic events-Appearance
of the heir apparent at court, &c.-State of Spain and France-
Events in the West Indies-Capture of St. Christopher's, &c.—
Plan of attack on ministers-Fox's motions for inquiry into the
navy, &c.-Event discouraging to the ministers-Debates on
lord George Germaine's elevation to the peerage-Attacks on
administration-Lord North resigns-Rockingham administra-
tion-Mr. Pitt's situation-That of Fox and Burke-Sentiments
of the cabinet-Resolutions agreed on-Affairs of Ireland, and
establishment of its legislative independence-Bill passed re-
garding contractors and revenue officers-Resolutions regarding
Wilkes expunged from the journals-Borough of Cricklade dis-
franchised-Debates on parliamentary reform-Subject intro-
duced by Mr. Pitt, &c.-East India affairs-Passing of Mr.
Burke's bill for economical reform-Proposals for peace with
Holland-Low estimation of England at this time by the conti-
nental powers-Great Britain recovers her consequence by
Rodney's glorious victory-Honors bestowed on the admiral,
&c.-Tardy negotiations for peace
CHAPTER XXV.
page 106
Change in ministry through the death of lord Rockingham-Lord
Shelburne's administration-Prorogation of parliament, and
king's speech-Supplies-Anecdote respecting the regalia of
the crown- -Affairs of the war in America-Conduct of general
Greene, and evacuation of Charleston-State of things in New
York-Affair of captain Joshua Huddy-State of the war in the
West Indies-Plan of our maritime warfare-Admiral Barrington's
cruise-Brilliant affair of captain Jervis-Lord Howe's manœuvres
-Dreadful losses sustained by admiral Graves's fleet-Loss of
the Royal George-Siege and relief of Gibraltar-Prospect of a
general pacification-Mr. Fitzherbert sent as minister plenipo-
tentiary to Paris-Progress of negotiations-Attempts made by
lord Shelburne to strengthen his cabinet-Hostilities commence
between Pitt and Fox-Meeting of parliament in December-
King's speech-Debates on the address, &c.-Parliament ad-
journs-Preliminary treaties-Affairs of Ireland--Embarrassed
situation of the ministry-Commencement and conclusion of the
coalition between Fox and lord North-Discussion of the preli-
minaries of peace in the house of lords-Defence of himself by
lord Shelburne-Debates in the house of commons-Success of
the coalition-Interregnum in the ministry-Addresses to the
king for the appointment of a new administration-His majesty's
embarrassment-Various attempts to form a cabinet-The coali-
tion ministers forced on the king-Character of the coalition--
Mr. Pitt's prudent and honorable conduct
b
VOL. III.
146
CHAPTER XXVI.
Re-establishment of commercial intercourse, &c. with America-
Provision made for the American loyalists-Loan of £12,000,000
-Outcry against it-Mr. Pitt's motion for reforming the treasury
—Indian affairs brought before the house, and relief bill passed
-Mr. Pitt's bill for a reform of parliament-Rejected-Other
popular measures of Mr. Pitt-Petition of the quakers against
the slave trade-Settlement on the prince of Wales-Prorogation
of parliament-Execution of treaties, &c.-Effects of American
war-State of foreign nations—Mr. Adams arrives as envoy from
the United States-His interview with the king-Affairs of
America-Evils consequent on the reduction of the army-
Services of Washington-He bids adieu to his officers-Resigns
his command to congress-His subsequent good offices-Chosen
president of the United States-Re-elected to that station-His
final retreat from public affairs-English affairs-The king's
disgust at the coalition ministry-Fox gives notice of his cele-
brated India bill-Meeting of parliament-King's speech-In-
troduction of Mr. Fox's bill-Debates on it-Rejected-Pro-
ceedings of parliament in consequence-Ministry dissolved by
the king-Commencement of Mr. Pitt's administration. page 183
CHAPTER XXVII.
Situation of the king and the new minister-Mr. Pitt's determina-
tion not to dissolve the parliament-Reasons for that determina-
tion-Mr. Erskine's motion for an address to the king on the
subject-His majesty's answer-Motion of lord Surrey respecting
the duchy of Lancaster-Mr. Pitt's disinterested conduct re-
garding the clerkship of the pells-Domestic affairs-Conduct
of the prince of Wales in the affair of Fox's India bill, &c.—
Meeting of parliament-Great contest between Pitt and Fox for
supremacy-Attempts made to produce a coalition between
them fail-Firmness and moral courage of the king-The people
favor his cause against the commons-This, added to Mr. Pitt's
high character, occasions the triumph of that minister-Dissolu-
tion of parliament-Returns highly favorable to Mr. Pitt-Effect
on different parties-The minister's difficult situation. 209
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Meeting of a new parliament-Conduct of the high-bailiff of West-
minster canvassed-Acts to prevent smuggling-Budget of 1784
Bill for the regulation of the East India company introduced
by Mr. Pitt-Carried-Bill passed for the restoration of forfeited
estates in Scotland-Great popularity of Mr. Pitt-Domestic
events-Prince of Wales at Brighton-Attempt of the emperor
Joseph to open the navigation of the Scheldt-Opening of par-
liament-The minister left in a minority-Mr. Pitt introduces a
new measure of parliamentary reform-Is defeated-Financial
improvements adopted by the minister-Budget of 1785-Affairs
of Ireland-Resolutions for adjusting the commercial intercourse
between the two kingdoms passed in both houses-But not sanc-
tioned by the Irish legislature-Mortification of Mr. Pitt on this
occasion-Popular meetings in Ireland, and prosecutions by
government Affairs on the continent
.
CHAPTER XXIX.
page 245
Meeting of parliament-Bill for the establishment of an effectual
fortification of the dockyards at Portsmouth and Plymouth
introduced by Mr. Pitt-Is lost by the casting vote of the
speaker-Mr. Pitt's proposition of an efficient sinking fund is
approved by both houses, and receives the royal assent-Bill
for the prevention of frauds in the revenue passed-East India
company empowered to make an addition to their stock-Im-
provements in the government of India-Impeachment of War-
ren Hastings-Close of the session-Margaret Nicholson's at-
tempt on the life of the king-Commercial treaty with France-
Convention with Spain-Dr. Seabury, bishop of Connecticut,
consecrated at Aberdeen-Scottish episcopalians transfer their
allegiance to the house of Hanover-Pecuniary embarrassments
of the heir apparent-Deaths of the princess Amelia and Frederic
of Prussia
CHAPTER XXX.
277
General affairs of Europe-Parliament re-assembles-Committee
of the house on the commercial treaty with France-Mr. Pitt's
measure for consolidating the duties on the customs, excise, and
stamps-Motion for a repeal of the corporation and test acts
-Payment of the prince of Wales's debts-Impeachment of
Warren Hastings voted by the house of commons-Prorogation
of parliament-Interference with the affairs of Holland-Meeting
of parliament-Continental engagements-Increase of military
establishments-East Indian declaratory act-Domestic occur-
rences, &c. 304
CHAPTER XXXI.
Trial of Warren Hastings-Burke's opening speeches, &c.-
Debates-First article of impeachment opened by Fox-Second
by Mr. Adam-Sheridan's speech-Burke's opinion of its elo-
quence, &c.-Charge against sir Elijah Impey-Additions made
to the bill for trying controverted elections-The budget, and
florishing state of the revenue-Mr. Pitt's plan for liquidating
the claims of American loyalists-Question of the slave trade
taken up by the public-Society formed, at the head of which is
Mr. Wilberforce-Petitions-Committee of the privy council
-Opposition to the design of abolishing slavery-The question
taken up by Mr. Pitt-Sir William Dolben's motion for allevia-
ting the suffering of slaves on the passage-Supported by Mr.
Pitt, and carried-Treaties of alliance between Great Britain,
the United Provinces, and Prussia-Object of them-Retire-
ment of lord Mansfield from the bench-Derangement of his
majesty-Conduct of the privy council and the two houses of
parliament on this occasion-Death of the speaker-Regency
bill introduced into the house of commons-The king's recovery,
and national demonstrations of joy
CHAPTER XXXII.
page 351
Plan of fortifying the West Indian islands adopted-Shop tax
repealed-Mr. Beaufoy's motion respecting the corporation and
test acts-Lord Stanhope's to repeal the penal laws-Mr. Wil-
berforce's motion for the abolition of the slave trade-Debates
on it in the house of commons-Opinions in the country at
large-Sir William Dolben's bill renewed-Lord Sidney resigns
his office of secretary of state- Mr. Grenville succeeds him-
Mr. Addington elected speaker-Mr. Pitt's financial scheme for
the year-Finances of the East India Company, &c.— Affairs in
the impeachment of Warren Hastings-Prorogation of parlia-
ment-The royal family visit the southern coast-Return to
Windsor, levees, &c.-State of affairs in the north of Europe, in
the Netherlands, and in France
CHAPTER XXXIII.
394
State of parties at the breaking out of the French revolution, &c.-
Meeting of parliament-Difference of opinion regarding events
in France between Burke, Fox, &c., leading to a grand schism
of the whigs-Quarrel between Burke and Sheridan-Motion to
repeal the corporation and test acts rejected-Part acted by the
dissenters in general polity-Mr. Flood's motion for a reform in
parliament withdrawn-Scheme of finance-State of East Indian
finances-Sums voted for services and losses-Evidence heard
on the slave trade-Mr. Hastings's trial-Affair of Nootka-
sound with the Spaniards-Session closes-Parliament dissolved
-Affair of Nootka-sound adjusted-Comments on it in both
houses-Proposed manner of meeting the expenses-Conti-
nental affairs-State of parties in England-Death of Howard
the philanthropist
426