nations, and upon particular conventions; on particular conventions by the 19th article of the peace of Utrecht; and by the fecond article of the treaty of commerce; and that this was ftrengthened by the 3d article of the treaty of Aix la Chapelle, which renews and confirms thofe articles in the preceding treaties. By thefe articles a protection is allowed to the refpective fubjects who may have fhips in the ports of either of the powers, because having no opportunity of knowing that a rupture is fallen out, they failed under the fecurity of peace, and under the faith of treaties. By a parity of reafoning, the fhips not actually in thofe ports ought to enjoy the fame fecurity; elfe, as they are included in the fame parity of circumftances, it would follow, contrary to the principles of humanity and right reason, that the fovereigns had provided for the prefervation of one part of their fubjects from the miferies of a fudden rupture, to which they expofe the reft. The particular conventions of thefe treaties, they faid, had their foundation in general equity, and the law of nations; fince, as it is impracticable for belligerent ftates to agree amongst themfelves which is the aggreflor, it is proper that the fubjects fhould receive previous notice of the rupture, in order that they may be able diftin&tly to know when they are, or are not in fecurity, or when they may, or may not rely on the treaties which fubfift between their fovereigns. Thefe topics were, as ufual, bandied to and fro with great heat and little effect; and as in fuch difcuffions the arguments on both fides are plaufible, and there can be no authorifed judge, the weight of the feveral pretenfions commonly depends upon the power of the parties to enforce them. On these two points, therefore, the renunciation of German alliances, and the reftitution of captures, the negotiation from the beginning was at a ftand; and on thefe, at length, to all appearance, it finally broke off. Not but we are fully fatisfied that the dilagreement even on these points might have been only the oftenfible caufe of the rupture. The true caufe of the breach feems to have been the unfeafonable interpofition of the Spanish claims. For could France be fuppofed in good earneft to defire peace, that is, to defire fuch a reasonable peace as her circumftances might demand, when the ofliciously mingled with our particular debate, the affairs of a foreign and neutral power, which had not the fmalleft connection with thofe that were at this time properly under deliberation. It was ridi-, culous to urge, that this was done from a prudent forefight, and to prevent a future war, which thefe difputes might poffibly occafion. The bufinefs was to put an end to the war, which then actually fubfifted; and nothing could be farther from affifting this defign than to increafe the fubjects of debate. France must be fenfible of the weight of. this argument, who herfelf propofed in the very beginning of this treaty, as a means almoft neceffary for carrying it on with effect, that their particular difpute fhould be feparated from thofe of their German allies, with which it certainly had a more natural connection than with thofe that fubfified between England and Spain: as all the former parties were then engaged di, rectly rely or indirealy in the war, to which Spain had then no manner of relation. The English miniftry finding the French immoveable on the two capital points above mentioned, and having no opinion of the fincerity of their procedure, fent directions to Mr. Stanley to return to England, and to defire that M. Buffy fhould, on the part of his court, re20th Sept. ceive the fame orders. An end was thus put to this negotiation, (from which Europe had conceived fuch fanguine hopes of the alleviation of her miferies) after it had continued near fix months. So far indeed was it from producing the happy effects that were propofed from it, fo far was it from appeafing the animofities of the powers originally engaged, or from extinguishing the old war, that the par ties feparated with intentions more hoftile, and opinions more adverse than ever; and the war was foon fpread to a much greater extent by the taking in of a new party, and may poffibly fpread, full more widely, by laying open new fources of contention which may gradually draw in other powers, and finally involve every part of Europe. It was also a means of producing changes in England, which at a time of lefs tranquillity, and in circumftances of lefs internal firength, might have been productive of the moft fatal confequences. But thefe matters are referved for the fubject of the enfuing chapter. The leading negotiation in London and Paris being thus broken off, that which was propofed at Augfburg never took place. CHA P., VIII. Conduct of Spain during the negotiation. Spanish minister's memorial. Treaty between Prance and Spain. Difference in the English ministry, Mr. Pitt resigns. Mr. Pitt's letter. Dispute concerning the resignation. Addresses. Parliament meets. The German war continued. in London, from whom no fort of intimation had been previously received of fuch a design. That propofal not only marked out a want of fincerity on the part of France, but it manifefted fo ftrange and irregular a partiality on the part of Spain, that it would very little have become the dignity of the king of Great Britain, or his attention to the fafety of his fubjects, to let it pafs without a full and fatisfactory explanation. Accordingly, the Spanish ambafiador was called upon to difavow this irregular procedure; but he returned a verbal, a verbal, and foon after was authorifed by his court to return, a written anfwer, in which he openly avowed and juftified the ftep taken by the French agent, as entirely agreeable to the fentiments of his mafter. He declared that the kings of France and Spain were united not only by the ties of blood, but by a mutual intereft. He applauded the humanity and greatness of mind which his moft chriftian majefty demonstrated in the propofition that was complained of. He infifted much on the fincere defire of peace, the only motive which influenced the conduct of the two monarchs; and he added, haughtily, that if his master had been governed by any other principles, "his Catholic majefty giving full fcope to his greatness, would have fpoken from himself, and as became his dignity." It appeared evidently from the whole of this paper, that the court of Spain was regularly, as a fort of party, apprifed of every step that was taken in the negotiation; that her judgment was appealed to upon every point, and her authority called in aid to force the acceptance of the terms which were offered by France; in a word, that there was a perfect union of affections, interefts, and councils between thefe two courts; and the minifter of the former, fo far from denying or palliating this conduct, feemed to glory in it. Mr. Pitt, who then took the lead in the miniftry, was fully fatisfied the intentions of Spain were by no means equivocal, and that this partiality, which they ftrongly avowed not only by declarations, but by facts, would drive them into all the meafures of France. That a war on that account was abfolutely inevitable; and if, for the prefent moment, the Spaniards rather delayed their declaration of war, than laid afide. their hoftile intentions, it was in order to ftrike the blow at their own time, and with the greater effeet; that therefore their reafons for delaying to act were the very motives, which ought to induce us to act with the utmoft fpeed, and utmoft vigour. That we ought to confider the evafions of that court as a refufal of fatisfaction, and that refufal, as a declaration of war. That we ought from prudence as well as from fpirit to fecure to ourfelves the firft blow; and to be practically convinced that the early and effective meafures, which had fo large a fhare in reducing France to this dependence upon Spain, would alfo be the fitteft for detering or difabling Spain from affording any protection to France. That, to carry on this war with vigour, it was only neceflary to continue our prefent efforts; no new armament would be neceffary; and that, if any war could provide its own refources, it must be a war with Spain. That their flota had not yet arrived, and that the taking of it, would at once difable theirs and ftrengthen our hands. This procedure fo fuited to the dignity of the nation, and the infults it had received, would be a leffon to Spain, and to every other power, how they fhould prefume to dictate in our affairs, and to intermeddle with a menacing mediation, and an officioufnefs as infidious as it was audacious. That he would allow our enemies, whether fecret or declared, no time to think and recollect themselves. Thefe fentiments, fo agreeable to the refolute and enterprifing cha racter racter of this minifter, appeared of that deliberation it might be exfhocking to almoft all the reft of pected to be fafe in its harbour; and his collegues. They admitted that perhaps if we could fucceed in we ought not to be terrified from feizing it, we might perform a ferthe affertion of our juft demands, by vice not very agreeable to neutral the menaces of any power. They nations, and as little advantageous owned that Spain had taken a very to our own commerce. If Spain, extraordinary and very unjuftifiable blind to her true interefts, and mifftep; but that we ought to admit, led by French councils, fhould and even to with for, an explanation; give in a more decifive manner this court upon a fober, yet fpirited into the defigns of that court, and remonftrance, might recall that obftinately refuse a reasonable fa rafh proportion into which they tisfaction, it would be then the true had been perhaps unwarily fe- time to declare war, when all the duced by the artifices of France; neighbouring and impartial powers that to fhun war upon a juit oc- were convinced that we acted with cafion was cowardice, but to pro- as much temper as refolution, and voke or court it was madness. And, when every thinking man at home if to court a war was not in ge- fhould be fatisfied that he was not neral a very wife measure, to defire hurried into the hazards and exit with Spain, if poffible it could pences of war, froin an idea of chibe avoided, was to overturn the merical heroifm, but from inevitable moft fundamental principles of the neceflity; and that in fuch a cafe policy of both nations. That this we might depend upon the utmoft defire of adding war to war, and fupport which the nation could give enemy to enemy, whilft we had our to an adminiftration that depended, hands already as full as they could uron its ftrength, and yet dreaded hold, and whilft all our faculties to wafte it wantonly, or to employ it were ftrained to the utmost pitch, unjustly. The minifter, warmed was ill to calculate the national by this oppofition, declared that, ftrength of our country, which,This was the time for humbling, however great, had its limits, and "the whole houfe of Bourbon; that was not able to contend with all the "if this opportunity were let flip, world; that whilft we were calling" it might never be recovered; and for new enemies, no mention was made of new allies, nor indeed of any new refource whatfoever. To plunge into fuch measures, in the manner propofed, and upon better grounds, could not fail to fcandalize and to alarm all Europe; and we could poffibly derive no advantage from this precipitate conduct, which would not be more than counter-balanced by the jealoufy and terror it would neceiiarily create in every nation near us. As to the feizure of the flota, it was not to be reckoned upon, as at the very time no "if he could not prevail in this in"fiance, he was refolved that this was the laft time he fhould fit in "that council. He thanked the "minifters of the late king for their "fupport; faid he was himfelf "called to the miniftry by the, "voice of the people, to whom he "confidered himself as accountable "for his conduct; and that he "would no longer remain in a fitu"ation which made him refponfible "for measures he was no longer "allowed to guide.” The The noble lord, who prefided in this council, to whom years have added the wisdom of experience, without abating the vigour and fire of youth; and who was himself as bold a minifter as ever directed the affairs of this nation, made him this reply. "I find the gentleman "is determined to leave us, nor can I fay I am forry for it, fince "he would otherwife have certain"ly compelled us to leave him; "but, if he be refolved to affume "the right of advifing his majefty, "and directing the operations of "the war, to what purpose are we "called to this council? When he "talks of being refponible to the * people, he talks the language "of the houfe of commons,, and forgets, that at this board, he is "only refponfible to the king, "However, tho' he may poffibly "have convinced himfelf of his "infallibility, ftill it remains that .. On the divifion, the minifter himself, and a noble lord clofely connected with him, were the only voices in favour of the immediate declaration of war ; the rest of the board were unanimoufly against it. The reader will obferve, that together with thofe matters, which have been publifhed, relative to this very important deliberation, with fome appearance of authenticity, we have added fuch arguments as have been agitated among the people; a liberty neceffary to place the matter in its full light. Mr. Pitt and lord Temple, adhering to their firft opinion, and having delivered their reafons in writing, refigned their employments. This refignation feemed equal to a revolution in the state. An univerfal alarm was fpread; a thousand rumours flew abroad, and the first fuggeftions were, that this great minifter, endeavouring to avail himself by his firmness in negotiation of the advantages he had acquired by his vigour in war, was oppofed by the whole council, who were refolved to have a peace at any rate, and that this oppofition had driven him to refign the feals. But the true caufe of the refignation very foon came out ; and on this point a violent conflict enfied, in which the popular caufe was worfe fuftained, and the minifterial better, (that is, with greater effect) than is ufual in fuch difcuffions. Some circumftances contributed not a little to this fuccefs. When Mr. Pitt refigned the feals, the great perfon to whom they were delivered, received them with ease and firmnefs, without requesting that he fhould refume his office. His majefty exprefled his concern for the lofs of fo able a fervant; and to fhew the favourable fenfe he entertained of his fervices, he made him a moft gracious and unlimited offer of any rewards in the power of the crown to beftow. His majesty at the fame time expreffed himfelf not only fatisfied with the opinion of the majority of his council, but declared he would have found himfelf under the greateft difficulty how to have acted, had that council concurred as fully in fupporting the measure propofed by Mr. Pitt, as they had done in rejecting it. A fentiment (in the light in which his majefty confidered this measure) grounded upon the firmeft principles of integrity and honour, and which muft |