CHAPTER XXVII.

Means adopted for supporting the Allies of Great BritainNegotiations for new alliances on the Continent-Designs of the French upon Holland-Dumouriez the supposed author of the plan for the invasion of the United Provinces -Precautions suggested by Lord Auckland, and taken by the Dutch Government, for defeating his plan-Dumou riez's proclamation to the People of Holland-Contradictory to his own avowed principles-Reprinted, with comments, by the States-General-The French enter Holland-Breda surrenders, through the treachery of the Governor-Gertruydenberg follows the example-Brave but ineffectual resistance of the garrison of KlundertGallant conduct of Boetzelaar, the Governor of Williamstadt Fruitless attempts of the French to reduce that Fortress-Memorial, presented by Lord Auckland and the Imperial Minister, to the States-General-Observations upon it-It is attacked by Mr. Sheridan, in the House of Commons-Animadversions upon his speech-The memorial is defended by Mr. Pitt-Stigmatized by Mr. FoxHis misrepresentations of the views of the Combined Powers exposed and corrected-Mr. Sheridan's motion for an Address to the King negatived by two hundred and eleven votes against thirty-six-Similar address moved in the Upper House by Lord Lauderdale-Opposed by Lord

Grenville-Rejected by the House.-The House adopt, by a vote of approbation, the sentiments expressed in the Memorial-Inquiry into the source of the interest taken by the Opposition in the fate of the Commissioners detained, as hostages, by Dumouriez-Character and conduct of the Commissioners-All of them shewn to be Traitors and Regicides-Reflections on the crime of murder, and the expediency of an universal compact of nations, for the punishment of murderers, suggestedTemporary distress in the commercial world-Effective measures adopted by Mr. Pitt for their relief-Mr. Grey's plan of Parliamentary Reform-Supported by Mr. Whitbread-His notions upon certain great events in English History examined-Mr. Pitt opposes the motion-Shews the radical difference between the plan of Reform which he had formerly suggested himself and that now proposed by Mr. Grey-He takes a view of the effects produced by the conduct of the French Reformers-Shews, from a similarity of sentiment and language, that all the petitions, presented to the House, had been the work of the same hands-Contends that the House cannot entertain petitions for a pretended right of Universal Suffrage-Ridicules the idea of abstract rights in a Social State-Accuses the present plan of being founded on French principles; and traces its consequences to the introduction of Frencla Anarchy-Proves all the modern theories of Reform to be calculated only to deceive and delude the people—Mr. Fox and Mr. Sheridan support Mr. Grey's plan, and tax Mr. Pitt with inconsistency-Motion rejected by 282 against 41.-New motion by Mr. Fox for promoting a peace with France-Opposed by Mr. Windham and Mr. Burke-Mr. Pitt's speech on the subject-Asserts the impolicy of any advance to the French Government, and the impracticability of making peace at the present junctureMotion negatived by 187 against 47-Parliament prorogued,

[1793.] The attention of Mr. Pitt was not limited, during this period, to the adoption of such measures as were necessary for the preservation of domestic tranquillity, nor to those financial and military preparations which a state of warfare requires, but was extended to the grand object of inspiring those powers who were already in alliance with us, with courage and confidence, by promises of active co-operation and effective support; and to the acquisition of new allies, in order to strengthen the grand confederacy against France, now justly considered as the general enemy of all thrones, of all regular authority, and of all established dominion. The arms of Republican France had kept pace with her principles. The King of Sardinia, attacked without the smallest pretence, had been dethroned, and his dominions annexed to France. The Independent States of Genoa, Geneva, and Switzerland, had not escaped the destructive rage of these general disturbers of the peace of nations, who already displayed the most determined resolution to carry into full effect their theoretic system for promoting the revolution of Europe.

On the side of Germany, Spires, Worms, and Mentz, had surrendered to the conventional troops; the Bishoprick of Liege had acknowledged their superiority; and the whole of the

Austrian Netherlands, overrun by their arms,had experienced the natural effects of French fraternity, in every species of violence, rapine, fraud, and oppression.-The invasion of Holland had been projected, long before the declaration of war against the Stadtholder; and it is highly probable that Dumouriez himself was the author of the project;-certain, at least, it is, that a mode of carrying it into execution had been devised, and suggested, by that general, early in the winter. The British ambassador at the Hague, however, whose vigilance and zeal had succeeded in gaining full information of this notable scheme, had, in concert with the Dutch government, adopted precautionary measures for the defeat of its object. Immediately after the declaration of war, preparations were made for the execution of the plan, and the active and sanguine mind of Dumouriez antici pated, in the conquest of Holland, the acquis sition of fresh laurels, and new and copious sources of plunder. He proposed to march, with the greater part of his army, to the shores of the Bies Bosch, an arm of the sea which he meant to cross at Moerdyke, with a view ta land at Daert, where he expected to be joined by a numerous body of Dutch rebels. Thus reinforced, he hoped, by a rapid march, by Rotterdam, Leyden, and Haarlem, to bear

down all opposition, and to enter the gates of Amsterdam in triumph. During this time, strong divisions were stationed to keep in check the Dutch fortresses, to his right and left, Breda, Gertruydenberg, Bergen-op-zoom, Klundert, and Williamstadt ;-while Miranda, with a powerful force, was destined to attack Maestricht and Nimeguen.

Before he embarked on this arduous enterprize, he issued, from his head-quarters, at Antwerp, a proclamation, addressed to the people of Holland, in the true style of those revolutionary and regicidal jacobins, whose principles he professed to abhor, and whose conduct he had long, privately, condemned. He told the Dutch, that their Stadtholder violated his duty, and held them in slavery and oppression; ---they had formerly, he said, appealed to the French nation for succour, but as France herself then groaned under the despotism of a perfidious court, they were made the sport of vile intriguers, who then governed France. Every hope that could excite to revolt, every argument that could animate to rebellion, was held out to seduce the people from their duty. French freedom, and French generosity, (which Dumouriez himself at this time knew, and soon after acknowledged, to be the most galling slavery, and the most degrading oppression) were extolled; and free