CHAPTER XVIII.

Opening of the Session of Parliament-Speech from the Throne Motion for the Address opposed by Mr. FoxApplies to himself a passage in the Speech-Condemns the interference of Government in the negotiation between Russia and the Porte-Is supported by Mr. Grey-Answered by Mr. Pitt, who imputes the failure of that interference to the arts of Opposition-Mr. Pitt opens the budget for the year 1792-Prosperous State of the Finances -Proposes the repeal of the taxes on female servants, on carts and waggons; on small houses, and on candles-His philosophical investigation of the causes of National Prosperity-Debate on the Lottery-Motion for the gradual abolition of the Slave Trade carried-New System of Police introduced-Discussion on the Subject; its beneficial effects demonstrated by experience, in the diminution of the number of capital punishments. Society of Friends of the People-Names of some of its MembersEstablished for the avowed purpose of procuring a reform in Parliament-Mr. Grey, a member of this Society, gives notice, in the House, of a motion proposed to be made in the next Session for a Parliamentary Reform— Mr. Pitt's speech on the occasion-Deprecates the discussion at such a time, and points out its evil effects-Declares his own sentiments on the question-Avows a change in his opinions-Explains its cause and nature-Expresses his

resolution to oppose all wild attempts at innovation-Is answered by Mr. Fox, who vindicates the New Society The Society censured by Mr. Burke and Mr. Windham· Approved by Mr. Sheridan-Danger of such attempts at this period-Democratic publications-The people asserted to be the sole source of power, and the only legitimate founders of Government--Consequences of this doctrine, as applied to the British Monarchy-System of representation reviled, and the House of Commons libelled-Similar opinions advanced by another writer on the French Revolution-Appearance of the second part of Paine's Rights of Man-The London Corresponding Society-Dissemination of dangerous principles-Mr. Pitt's repugnance to coercive measures-Cause of that repugnance-Is subdued by the very principle which gave birth to it-He resolves to issue a Proclamation against the seditious SocietiesCopy of it previously shewn to the leaders of the Whig Party-Mr. Fox's motion in favour of the Unitarians→→ Supported on abstract principles-Opposed by Mr. Burke, who reprobates such a mode of argument-Points out the dangerous principles and conduct of the Unitarians-Comments on their proceedings at a late meeting-Remarks on the speech of Doctor Towers at the Unitarian meetingMr. William Smith avows himself an Unitarian, defends the Society, declares them to be unconnected with all other Societies, and pronounces them to be the firm friends of Government-The motion opposed by Mr. Pitt-Rejected by the House-Mr. Whitbread's motion on the Birmingham riots-His, panegyric on the Dissenters-His censure of the Magistrates-Mr. Dundas answers him, and exculpates the Magistrates-Motion rejected-Object of the motion

Mr. William Smith's assertions, respecting the Unitarians disproved by authentic documents-Chauvelin's irregular correspondence with Lord Grenville on the King's Proclamation Falsehood of Mr. Chauvelin's statement VOL. III.

I

demonstrated-Is properly reproved by Lord GrenvilleDebates on the Proclamation in the House of Commons→→→→ Address Opposed by Mr. Grey, who proposes an Amendment-Proclamation condemned by the Opposition-Mr. Grey's virulent invective against Mr. Pitt-Treated with contempt by the Minister-Address supported by Lord North, and other members of the Whig Party-CarriedDebates on the same Subject in the House of LordsSpeech of the Prince of Wales in support of the Address -The Duke of Portland, Lord Spencer, and other Peers of the same Party, vote with the Ministers-The Lords concur in the Address-Mr. Pitt wishes for an Union of Parties Strange conduct of Lord Thurlow in the House of Lords Opposes Mr. Pitt's Revenue-Bill, and abuses the authors of it-Opposes the New Forest Timber-Bill— Charges the Ministers with having betrayed their Sovereign-Is answered by Lord Grenville-Mr. Pitt's representation to the King-Parliament prorogued-The Great Seal taken from Lord Thurlow-Mr. Pitt makes overtures to the leaders of the Whig Party-They fail through the arrogant pretensions of Mr. Fox-Remarks on Mr. Fox's conduct on this occasion-State of the Ministry-Political character of Lord Thurlow.

The

[1792] The Parliament was opened by the King on the last day of January. In the speech from the Throne, not the smallest allusion was made to the situation of France. treaties of peace between the Emperor of Germany and the Turks, and between the Empress of Russia and the Turks, were mentioned, and a hope expressed, that tranquillity would soon be restored to the British possessions in the

East. His Majesty observed, that the friendly assurances which he received from foreign powers, and the general state of affairs in Europe, appeared to promise, to his subjects, the continuance of their present tranquillity. And this consideration led him to think that some immediate reduction might safely be made in our naval and military establishments.* The speech concluded with an appropriate and seasonable eulogy on the British constitution. It was truly observed, that the continued and progressive prosperity of the country must operate as the strongest encouragement to a spirit of useful industry, among all classes of the community; and, above all, must confirm and increase their steady and zealous attachment to that constitution, which had been found, by long experience, to unite the inestimable blessings of liberty and order, and to which, under the favour of Providence, all our other advantages were principally to be ascribed.

The motion for the usual address to the King was strongly combated by the opposition,

The speech also announced the marriage of the Duke of York with the eldest daughter of the King of Prussia, which had been celebrated at the close of the preceding

year.

whose censures of the conduct of Ministers were principally directed to their interference in the negotiation between Russia and Turkey. Mr. Fox, in particular, accused them of having acted, on that occasion, neither with honour nor with delicacy; and complimented the minority on the resistance of that measure against which the voice of the nation spoke so loudly; a measure, however, most wise and politic, and the failure of which was solely imputable to his own unconstitutional and most unjustifiable conduct. He considered the praise of the British constitution, contained in the speech from the Throne, as conveying an indirect censure upon himself and his friends, as not sufficiently convinced of its freedom from all defects and imperfections, and as imputing disloyalty to every one who wished for a refor

mation of abuses. But he disclaimed all desire of imitating those who had overturned a constitution so radically bad as that of France, and who had justly run all hazards to destroy it. The constitution of Great Britain was, on the contrary, fundamentally good, and merited, therefore, the efforts of all honest and loyal subjects to preserve it. It was unjust, then, he contended, to insinuate that those who approved of the destruction of despotism in France,