XXI. 1796. CHAP. munificent in public, liberal-in private, firm in resolution, she dignified a despotic throne by the magnanimity and patriotism of a more virtuous age. In the lustre of her administration, the career of her victories, and the rapid progress of her subjects under so able a government, mankind forgot her dissolute manners, the occasional elevation of unworthy favourites, frequent acts of tyranny, and the dark transaction which signalized her accession to the throne; they overlooked the frailties of the woman in the dignity of the princess; and paid to the abilities and splendour of the Semiramis of the North that involuntary homage which commanding qualities on the throne never fail to acquire, even when stained by irregularities in private life. Retirement ton from The end of the same year witnessed the resignaof Washing- tion of the presidency of the United States of America public life. by General Washington, and his voluntary retirement His perfect into private life. Modern history has not so spotless character ble valedic and admira- a character to commemorate. Invincible in resolutory address tion, firm in conduct, incorruptible in integrity, he to his coun- brought to the helm of a victorious republic the sim trymen. plicity and innocence of rural life; he was forced into greatness by circumstances, rather than led into it by inclination, and prevailed over his enemies rather by the wisdom of his designs, and the perseverance of his character, than any extraordinary Sept. 17, genius for the art of war. A soldier from necessity and patriotism, rather than disposition, he was the first to recommend a return to pacific councils when the independence of his country was secured, and bequeathed to his countrymen an address on leaving their Reg. 1796. governments, to which there is no composition of unpers, 293. inspired wisdom which can bear a comparison.1* He 1796. 1 See Ann. State Pa * This great man observes, in that admirable composition: "Towards XXI. was modest without diffidence; sensible to the voice CHAP. of fame without vanity; independent and dignified without either asperity or pride. He was a friend to liberty, but not licentiousness; not to the dreams of the preservation of your government, and the permanence of your present happy state, it is requisite not only that you discountenance irregular oppositions to its acknowledged authority, but also that you resist with care the spirit of innovation upon its principles, however specious the pretexts. One method of assault may be to effect in the forms of the constitution alterations which will impair the energy of the system, and thus to undermine what cannot be directly overthrown. In all the changes to which you may be invited, remember that time and habit are at least as necessary to fix the true character of governments, as of other human institutions; that experiment is the surest standard by which to test the real tendency of the existing constitution of a country; that facility in changes, upon the mere credit of hypothesis and opinion, exposes to perpetual change, from the endless variety of hypothesis and opinion; and remember especially, that for the efficient management of your common interests, in a country so extensive as ours, a government of as much vigour as is consistent with the perfect security of liberty is indispensable. Liberty itself will find in such a government, with powers properly distributed and adjusted, its surest guardian. It is indeed little else than a name, where the government is too feeble to withstand the enterprises of faction, to confine each member of the society within the limits prescribed by the laws, and to maintain all in the secure and tranquil enjoyment of the rights of person and property. "Let me now warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally. It is unfortunately inseparable from our nature, having its roots in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or oppressed, but in those of the popular form it is seen in its greatest rankness, and it is truly their worst enemy. The alternate dominion of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a most horrid despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of a single individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able, or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this des. potism to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty." What words to be spoken by the founder of the American Republic, the refuser of the American crown, at a time when the career of Napoleon had hardly commenced in Europe!-See Ann. Reg. xxxviii. 298; State Papers. 1796. XXI. 1796. CHAP. enthusiasts, but to those practical ideas which America had inherited from her English descent, and which were opposed to nothing so much as the extravagant love of power in the French democracy. Accordingly, after having signalized his life by successful resistance to English oppression, he closed it by the warmest advice to cultivate the friendship of Great Britain; and by his casting vote, shortly before his resignation, ratified a treaty of friendly and commercial intercourse between the mother country and its emancipated offspring. He was a Cromwell without his ambition; a Sylla without his crimes: and after having raised his country, by his exertions, to the rank of an independent state, closed his career by voluntary relinquishment of the power which a grateful people had bestowed. It is the highest glory of England to have given birth, even amidst Transatlantic wilds, to such a man; and if she cannot number him among those who have extended her provinces or augmented her dominions, she may at least feel a legitimate pride in the victories which he achieved, and the great qualities which he exhibited, in the contest with herself; and indulge with satisfaction in the reflection, that that vast empire which neither the ambition of Louis XIV. nor the power of Napoleon, could dismember, received its first rude shock from the courage which she had communicated to her own offspring; and that, amidst the convulsions and revolutions of other states, real liberty has arisen in that country alone, which inherited in its veins the genuine principles of British freedom. CHAPTER XXII. CAMPAIGN OF 1797-FALL OF VENICE. ARGUMENT. Gloomy Aspect of Public Affairs in England in the beginning of 1797-Crisis of the Bank-Important order in Council suspending Cash Payments-Debates on the Subject in Parliament-Bill perpetuating this Suspension brought in and carried by Mr Pitt; at first temporary, then till the Conclusion of the War-Immense Consequence of this Change-Double Set of Causes which affect the Value of Government Paper-Parliamentary Reform is brought forward by Mr GreyHis Plan of Reform, and arguments in support of it-Arguments on the other side by Mr Pitt-It is rejected by Parliament- Reflections on this Subject-Arguments for and against a Continuance of the War-Supplies Voted for the YearNaval Preparations of France and Spain-Mutiny in the Fleet—Origin of the Discontents in the Navy-First breaks out in the Channel Fleet-Perfect Order maintained by the Insurgents-The demands of the Fleet are granted by Government, and Lord Howe at length succeeds in restoring order-Alarming Mutiny at the Nore-Dreadful Consternation in London-Firmness of the King and Government-Noble Conduct of Parliament-Bill against the Mutineers passes by a great majority-The Insurgents become divided-Patriotic Conduct of the Channel Fleet The Mutineers at length submit-Parker is Tried and Executed-Admirable Conduct of Mr Pitt on the occasion-Glorious Firmness of Admiral Duncan at this crisis-The Mutiny was totally unconnected with France-Battle of St Vincent's-First appearance of Nelson and Collingwood-Great Effect produced in Europe by this Victory-Birth and Parentage of Nelson-His CharacterBattle of Camperdown-Immense Effect of this Victory-Honours bestowed on Admiral Duncan and Sir John Jarvis-Abortive Descent in Pembroke BayCapture of Trinidad-Death of Mr Burke-His Character-Russia recedes from the contemplated Measures of Catherine-Plans of the Directory-Bernadotte's and Delmas's Divisions join Napoleon-Disposition of his Forces-Preparations of the Imperialists-Great Spirit in the Hereditary States-Napoleon anticipates the Arrival of the Austrian Veterans-Danger of that Plan-Description of the Theatre of War-Its Roads and Rivers-Napoleon resolves to turn the Austrian left- His Proclamation to his Soldiers-Great Interest excited in Europe by the approaching Contest-Operations of Massena on the left-Passage of the Isonzo by Bernadotte-Massena makes himself Master of the Col-de-Tarwis-Desperate Actions there-It is finally won by the Republicans-Bayalitch's Division is Sur CHAP. XXII. 1797. CHAP. 1797. rounded, and made Prisoners-Napoleon crosses the Ridge of the Alps-Occupies Klagenfurth-Successful Operations of Joubert in the Tyrol-Desperate Action at the Pass of Clausen, which is at length carried-Joubert Advances to SterzingGeneral Alarm in the Tyrol-He marches across to join Napoleon at Klagenfurth -Results of these Actions-Perilous Condition notwithstanding of NapoleonHe in consequence makes Proposals of Peace to the Archduke, and at the same time severely presses the retreating Imperialists-They are Defeated at the Gorge of Neumarkt-Napoleon pushes on to Judembourg, and the Archduke retires towards Vienna-Terror Excited there by these Disasters-Preliminaries are agreed to at Leoben-Disastrous State of the French in Croatia and Tyrol-Extreme Danger of Napoleon-Conditions of the Preliminaries—Enormous Injustice of this Treaty as far as regards Venice-State of Venice at this period-Its long continued Decline-Rapid Progress of Democratic Ideas in the Cities of the Venetian Territory, which are secretly encouraged by Napoleon - Democratic Insurrection breaks out in the Venetian Provinces, which soon spreads to all the chief Towns— Consternation at Venice-The Senate send Deputies to Napoleon-His duplicity and refusal to act against the Insurgents, or let the Venetians do so - Venetians at last resolve to crush the Insurrection-Hostilities break out between the two Parties The Counter-Insurrection spreads immensely-Continued Indecision of the Venetian Senate in regard to France-Affected anger of Napoleon-Massacre at Verona, which is speedily suppressed by the French Troops-Massacre at Lido -Efforts of the Venetian Senate to avert the storm-Resources still at the Command of Venice-War Declared by Napoleon against Venice-Manifestoes on both Sides-Universal Revolt of all the Continental Towns of the Venetian Territory-Anarchy in Venice itself The Senate abdicate their authority-The populace still endeavour to resist the subjugation of the State-But Venice fallsJoy of the Democratic Party-Treaty of 16th May between Napoleon and VeniceState of the Armies on the Rhine-Passage of that River at Diersheim, and Defeat of the Austrians-Operations cut short by the armistice of Leoben-Commencement of operations by Hoche on the Lower Rhine-Passage of that River forced at Neuwied -Defeat of the Austrians-Hostilities stopped by the armistice of Leoben -State of Prussia during this year-Its Policy-Death of the King-His Character-Accession of Frederick William III.-His Character-Early Measures and Policy-Retrospect of the Astonishing Successes of Napoleon-Commencement of the Negotiations at Udina in Italy-Splendour of Napoleon's Court there- Revolution at Genoa brought about by the French-The Senate defeat the InsurgentsThe French then interfere, and vigorously support the Democratic Party-Senate upon this submit-Violent Passions of the People-Rural Insurrection breaks out, which is suppressed-Deplorable Humiliation of Piedmont-Negotiations between England and France opened at Lisle-Moderation of England-They are broken off by the vehemence and arrogance of France-Progress of the Negotiations at Udina Terms are at length agreed to— Simulated arrogance and real fears of Napoleon-His Secret Motives for Signing this Treaty-The Directory had forbid the Spoliation of Venice-Its Infamy rests exclusively on Napoleon-Terms of the Treaty of Campo Formio-Its Secret Articles-Horror excited at Venice by the Publication of the Treaty-Great Sensation excited by this event in Europe-Infamous Conduct of Napoleon in this transaction-Important light which it throws |