land, but against Austria and Prussia;-thus affording the strongest of all proofs, and the best possible testimony, that the war, on the part of England, was sanctioned by principles of justice, of necessity, and of self-preser

vation.

CHAPTER XXIV.

A

Royal Message communicating to Parliament the French declaration of war--Debates thereon-Mr. Pitt's SpeechHis proofs of British neutrality and of French aggression-Established by authentic documents-Animadversions on the French Manifesto- Its falsehood demonstratedIts various charges examined and confutedThe French Government guilty of the very acts with the commission of which they reproached the English Government-Mr. Pitt's arguments supported and confirmed by the authority of French writers-Efforts of the French Government to produce an artificial scarcity in England, and to create Rebellion in this Country-Gold and silver purchased with assignats in England and exported to France-Mr. Pitt moves an address to the King, promising support-Mr. Fox objects to some parts of it-Insists that no specific demand of reparation had been urged by Ministers Accuses Ministers of an eagerness for warMoves an Amendment-Mr. Fox's charges against Ministers shewn to be groundless-Chauvelin's dismissal justified from his boasted intimacy with the leaders of the British opposition-Resolution of the French Regicides to exterminate all Monarchs, and to annihilate MonarchyMr. Dundas answers Mr. Fox, and proves that specific means for preventing a war had been suggested by the

British Cabinet-Mr. Burke ridicules the notions of Mr. Fox-Amendment rejected, and Address carried, without a division-Debate on the same subject in the House of Lords-Lord Lauderdale's boasted friendship for Brissot truly characterized by Lord Loughborough-The opposition seem to derive confidence from the diminution of their numbers-They resolve to harass the government by repeated motions for Peace-Mr. Fox moves a string of resolutions-His Speech in support of them-Censures Ministers and justifies France- Memorial presented by Lord Auckland to the States General of Holland-Reprobated by Mr. Fox-Misrepresentations of Mr. Fox corrected-Object and tendency of his resolutions, inferred from his past conduct, and from his known intimacy with M. Chauvelin-Mr. Burke affirms that all the sentiments in Mr. Fox's Speech had already appeared in the French papers as sentiments that would be offered to the House of Commons-His comments on Mr. Fox's constant defence of the French government-Marks the base ingra titude of Chauvelin-Mr. Fox's resolutions rejected by a majority of two hundred and seventy-four-Mr. Grey moves resolutions similar to those of Mr. Fox-They are rejected without a division, and without a debate-Discussion on the proposal for the erection of Barracks-The system censured by Mr. Taylor and Mr. Fox-Defended by Mr. Pitt-Proofs of attempts to seduce the Army from their duty-Mr. Dundas's statement of Indian affairsProsperity of that Country-Mr. Sheridan's motion for an inquiry into the existence of seditious practices-Opposed by Mr. Windham-Mr. Fox avows his disbelief of plots and conspiracies-Is answered by Mr. Burke - Motion negatived without a division-Mr. Pitt opens the BudgetWays and Means-The House concurs in his proposed resolutions-Bill for preventing traitorous correspondence brought in by the Attorney-General-Objects of the Bill

Attacked by Mr. Fox-Supported by Mr. Martin, Mr Frederick North, and Mr. Burke-Bill carried by a great majority-Discussed in the House of Lords-Opposed by the Duke of Norfolk, the Marquis of Lansdowne, and the Earls of Guildford, Lauderdale, and Stanhope Passes into a Law.

[1793.] The declaration of war, issued by the French government against England and Holland, was formally communicated to Parliament. The two Houses were informed that the persons then exercising the powers of government in France, had, without previous notice, and, on the most groundless pretences, directed acts of hostility to be committed against this country and the United Provinces ; that, under the circumstances of this wanton and unprovoked aggression, his Majesty had taken the necessary steps to maintain the honour of the Crown, and to vindicate the rights of his people; that he relied, with confidence, on the firm and effectual support of Parliament, on the zealous exertions of a brave and loyal people, in prosecuting a just and necessary war, and in endeavouring, under the blessing of Providence, to oppose an effectual barrier to the further progress of a system which struck at the security and peace of all independent nations, and was pursued in open

and on

defiance of every principle of moderation, good faith, humanity, and justice. His Majesty stated, in this message, that he had every reason to hope, in a cause of such general concern, for the cordial co-operation of those powers who were united with him by the ties of alliance, or who felt an interest in preventing the extension of anarchy and confusion, and in contributing to the security and tranquillity of Europe.

The royal message was taken into consideration by the House of Commons, on the 12th of February, when Mr. Pitt enlarged on the topics which had been discussed in the late debate, and entered into further proofs of the aggressive and dangerous conduct of the French government. It was no longer, he contended, a subject of speculation or opinion, whether, and on what terms, we should secure the continuance of an unsafe and precarious peace.--War had been declared against us, and was carried on at our very doors;-a war which aimed at an object of no less magnitude than the destruction of the freedom and independence of the country; nothing, therefore, was left but to oppose the efforts of our enemies, with adequate vigour and effect. He again proved, that his Majesty had observed the