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HISTORY OF THE WAR.

CHAP. XXX.

Riots in Cold Bath Fields-Disturbances arising from the Dearness of Bread—A Negotiation is Opened with France-Reasons of its Failure-Naval Exploits Unfortunate Expedition to Ferrol-Arrival of the English Fleet of Cadiz-It Retires from that Port-Proceedings in Parliament-Conclusion of the Union between Great Britain. and Ireland-Arrangements consequent upon that Event-Rise, Progress, and Ratification, of the Northern Confederacy.

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THE English parliament had scarcely been prorogued, before the inhabitants of London were alarmed by the indications of tumult and insubordination among the prisoners in Cold Bath Fields. They refused to submit in the evening to the usual shutting in of their cells, and uttered loud complaints of the miseries to which they were subjected. The multitude assembled round the walls of the prison, and threatened to force the gates. At this crisis the keeper Aris, a rigorous and hard-hearted man, sallied out and procured the aid of peace officers, while the volunteers of Clerkenwell, St. Sepulchre, and other adjoining districts, repaired from their shops to assist in quelling the disturbance; and peace and order were at length restored. The contagion of this example was the more to be dreaded, as the price of bread had risen to an height so exorbitant as to excite the murmurs of the people. This dreadful evil had progressively increased during the summer, but was borne with meritorious patience, in the belief that the growing crop, alleged to be generally promising, would remove the calamity. When harvest commenced the prices fell with considerable rapidity, but in September bread again rose, and convinced that so unexpected a circumstance could only arise from the monopoly of

VOL. I.

corn, the multitude determined to preserve themselves from famine by their own exertions, and take vengeance on monopolists, and forestallers. In the morning of the 15th of September, a mob, appearing in Mark-lane, insulted the corn-factors, and clamorously demanded the reduction of the price of bread. Mr. Combe, the lord mayor, justly and forcibly represented to the populace, that tumult and violence could only aggravate the evil of which they complained. Compelled by their perseve rance to read the riot act, he at length succeeded in dispersing them without recourse to military aid. The riot was afterwards renewed, and though the mob was violent, the chief magistrate, now supported by the volunteers, still hoping to quell them without bloodshed did not order the troops to fire. For several days the tumults were repeated in various parts of the city, but the firmness and ready attendance of the volunteers intimidated the populace, and, without the actual use of arms repressed the commotions.

The negotiation between France and. Austria drew from the British court expressions of a pacific tendency, and several communications passed between the two governments through the medium of M.. Otto, a French agent, resident in England,, for the exchange of prisoners. The French,

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insisted on a naval armistice, and an abandonment of our blockade of their ports, as preliminaries to its further discussion, Lord Grenville, as secretary of foreign affairs, after objecting to the principle of the armistice, as affording unequivocal and important advantages to France, proposed a counter-project, which prohibited all means of defence from being conveyed to the island of Malta, or to any of the ports of Egypt, but allowed the necessaries of life to be introduced from time to time. It provided for the discontinuance of the blockade at Brest, Toulon, and other French ports, but tended to prevent all naval or military stores from being conveyed thither by sea, and the ships of war in those ports from being removed to any other station. The French government, dissatisfied with these propositions, offered this alternative. If Great Britain would agree to a separate negotiation, her scheme would be adopted; but if she should insist on a general negotiation, the proposals of France must be accepted. Lord Grenville insisted on the terms already offered by Great Britain. After a fruitless discussion, M. Otto intimated that the joint negotiation was at an end, but added that the first consul was disposed to receive any overtures towards a separate treaty with Great Britain; an intimation to which the government, true to its ally, returned a decided negative.

From scenes of internal commotion, and unavailing correspondence with an artful, and designing enemy, it is pleasing to retrace the exertions of national energy on its native element. A squadron under the command of sir Edward Pellew, on the 4th of June, attacked the south-west of the peninsula of Quiberon on the coast of Bretagne, silenced the forts, and cleared the shore of the enemy. A party of soldiers then landed and destroyed the forts. An attack was afterwards made on various posts, and six brigs, sloops, and gunvessels, were taken, a corvette burned, and a fort dismantled. This event was immediately followed by an interception of supplies destined for the use of the French

fleet at Brest. In this service, eight boats were employed under lieutenant Burke and other officers, who, amidst a severe fire of cannon and musketry, took three armed vessels, and eight ships laden with provisions, after driving several others upon the rocks of St. Croix. Some French ships having escaped to Quimper-river, boats were sent to attack them, but they removed to an inaccessible distance up the river. On the 8th of July, an attempt was made to take or destroy four frigates in the road of Dunkirk, and captain Campbell of the Dart, took the La Desirée ; the other ships escaping with considerable damage. An exploit performed by lieutenant Jeremiah Coghlan, excited general admiration, and exhibited a signal instance of the prowess, courage, and intrepidity, which peculiarly characterise the British sailor. This young hero was commandant of the Viper cutter, under the orders of sir Edward Pellew. While watching Port Louis, near L'Orient, he conceived the design of cutting out some of the gunboais stationed at the entrance of the harbor. With the permission of Pellew, he made the attempt in a ten-oared cutter, and, with a midshipman and 18 sailors. determined on boarding a gun-brig, mounting three 24 pounders, and four 6 pounders, having her full complement of men, and within pistol-shot of three batteries. On the night of the 29th of July, he and his valiant comrades undertook the enterprise. They boarded the brig, and, with the loss of one killed and eight wounded, including the commander himself, overpowered the eighty-seven nen who formed the crew of the brig, and made her a prize. Sir Charles Hamilton, making his appearance with a small squadron near Goree, the governor surrendered surrendered without resistance, and a British garrison tock possession of the forts, and of Joul, a dependant factory. In August, a fleet under the command of sir John Borlase Warren, with a military force under the orders of sir James Murray Pulteney, set sail on a secret expedition. Its first object was the conquest of Belleisle; but the strong works that had been provided for its defence, discouraged the

attempt. The armament, therefore, proceeded to the coast of Spain; and, on the 25th of August, appeared before the harbor of Ferrol. The troops landed without opposition, and advanced towards the heights which overlook the port. A skirmish ensued with a body of Spaniards, which terminated in favor of the invaders. Lieutenant-colonel Stuart, who commanded the British, was wounded. The next morning another engagement succeeded, and was attended with the same result. A hundred of the Spaniards were killed or wounded, and the loss of the English amounted to half that number. The opportunity of survey presented by the heights, did not give the British commander any hope of success; particularly when he learned, from the report of the prisoners, that the place was furnished with the means of effectual defence. He therefore ordered the troops to re-embark, and they retired unmolested. Of the sensation excited by this unfortunate event, the parliamentary discussions of the subsequent year, will enable the reader to form an estimate. It was even asserted by a noble lord in the house of peers, that at the very moment when the British army received orders to disembark, measures were taken within the town for its immediate surrender, and for presenting general Pulteney with the keys. About this period, sir Ralph Abercrombie, with an army of about 20,000 men, and a fleet of 20 ships of the line, commanded by lord Keith, appeared off Cadiz, where an epidemic disease raged with pestilential violence. The governor Morla, sent a letter to the British admiral, stating to him the situation of the inhabitants, and the universal odium which must attend an attack on a city thus afflicted by the visitation of Heaven.

To this letter the admiral and general replied, that, as the ships in the harbor were destined to be employed in increasing the naval force of the French republic, they could only avert an attack by sur rendering the vessels. This proposal was received by the governor with indignation, and the British general began to make arrangements for a descent. But, when

it was found that the precautions of the enemy, and the strength of the works, were adequate to the defence of the place, and that the health and existence of the besiegers would be endangered by the pestilence, the British armament withdrew from Cadiz.

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To alleviate the severe pressure of dearth, and prevent the danger of its recurrence, his majesty, in his opening speech on the 11th of November, proposed to the parliament, that the earliest and the ample encouragement should be given to the importation of every species of grain, and that steps should be taken for the permanent extension and improvement of agriculture. He also recommended an inquiry into the state of the laws respecting the commerce which took place in various articles of provision, that undue combinations and fraudulent practices might be checked, without encroaching on the rights. of the dealers in these commodities, or obstructing that established course of trade which appeared to be requisite for the proper supply of the markets.-Adverting to the late communications with the enemy, he remarked that peace was at present "unattainable without the sacrifice of those essential considerations on the maintenance of which all its advantages must depend."

The debate upon the address, in the upper house, was not very long or remarkable. Lord Hobart said, that economy was the best (because it was the most certain) remedy for the great evil of which the public complained, but which, he thought, did not arise from the war. Lord: Holland affirmed that war and scarcity were closely connected; and, having con demned the conduct of the king's advisers, moved an amendment, stating that a change of administration was necessary for the attainment of a safe and honorable peace. Lord Grenville wished for a peace of that: description; but, as the inconciliatory. disposition of the foe, prevented us from obtaining it, he was convinced of the policy of continuing the war. The amendment was rejected by a majority of 45 peers..

to suffer the same to exceed one quartern loaf for each person in each week; to abstain from the use of flour in pastry; and restrict the consumption of oats and other grain for the subsistence of horses." Many families attended to this advice; but it was not strictly regarded by the generality of the higher or middle classes.

The chief speeches in the house of commous were those of Mr. Pitt and Mr. Grey. The minister contended that the war was not the cause of the high price of corn, as this article bore a moderate price in several years of increased pressure from the weight of taxes required for the prosecution of the great contest in which we were engaged. The cause might more Three bills were prepared without delay, obviously be found in the deficiency of the prohibiting the use of grain, in distillation, last year's produce of grain; and the late and the exportation of provisions in general. harvest, though not so scanty as the pre- Bills grauting bounties on importation folceding, had not been remarkably abundant. lowed; and other regulations were adopted, The best expedients for reducing the price which did not sufficiently check the raseemed to be the encouragement of im- pacity or subdue the obstinacy of the great portation, the practice of economy, and dealers in corn. dealers in corn. The idea of fixing the the use of various articles in lieu of bread. highest price at which corn should be On the subject of negotiation, Mr. Pitt sold, was suggested by the earl of Warjustified the king's repugnance to a separate wick; but this proposal was rejected as treaty, and censured the arrogance of an inconsistent with the just freedom of enemy who insisted on the disjunction of property. These discussions also gave confederate powers before he would con- occasion for a bill calculated to asdescend to treat with them. Mr. Grey certain the extent of the demand for called upon the house to inquire into the which a supply was which a supply was to be provided, causes which had impaired the prosperity by ordering an account to be taken of of the country, and produced a rapid ac- the population of the kingdom: from cumulation of misfortune. He hoped that which it appeared on full inquiry, that, in a blind confidence would no longer be England and Wales, the males amounted reposed in men who were destitute of to 4,245,113, and the females to 4,627,867 ; political wisdom, and whose inability and and that, of these, 1,713,289 were emfolly threatened the ruin of the state. He He ployed in agriculture. The addition of had reason to think that peace wight have convicts, soldiers, and seamen, sweled the been obtained at the beginning of the year; number of males to 4,715,711. but the prospect was blasted by the obstinacy of the cabinet. The supposed strength and cordiality of our allies had produced that elation of mind which rejected the offer of a negotiation; and we could not now expect such favorable expect such favorable terms as we might then have commanded; yet, as the decline of our affairs and interests might be progressive, it would be prudent to expedite rather than postpone a treaty of pacification. The house, however, thought otherwise, and voted an address which re-echoed the royal speech. A proclamation, recommending economy, was issued by the king, who particularly "exhorted and charged all masters of families to reduce the consumption of bread by at least one third of the quantity consumed in ordinary times, and in no case

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After various debates, a motion from Mr. Sheridan, recommending a separate treaty with France, as far as good faith would allow, and opposing all new engagements which might preclude such a negotiation, subjected the proposer to the animadversions of Mr. Windham, who wished that vigorous support might still be given to the house of Austria. Grey did not think that the conduct of our allies entitled them to so much respect or deference, as could render it prudent to sacrifice the hope of a speedy peace to their supposed interests: but Mr. Dundas remonstrated against what he regarded as an illiberal and impolitic desertion of our friends, and the house, by a majority of 121 votes, rejected the motion.

The last day of the eighteenth century

was likewise the last of the parliament of Great Britain. The next assembly of the peers and commons in the presence of his majesty, formed an imperial body, exercising the legislative, and executive power of the united realms. The 1st of January, 1801, was the day appointed for the consummation of that memorable union, which has so powerfully contributed to the peace, prosperity, and civilization of the Irish people, the stability of the empire, and the deliverance of Europe. Had this been the only splendid characteristic of Mr. Pitt's administration it would have deserved the gratitude and admiration of posterity; amidst the splendid and important services rendered to his country, it fades into insignificance. It is to his firmness, intelligence, and virtue alone, that we are indebted for the increase of personal industry, comfort, and happiness, and that notwithstanding the injudicious violence of the less able and respectable part of the Roman catholics, national prejudice and party spirit have given place to the more noble rivalship of patriotism and industrious exertion.

The subordinate regulations connected with the final adoption of this important measure were easily arranged. The title of king of France, of so little importance to the sovereign of England, yet so frequently productive of disputes, was wisely abandoned. His majesty assumed the style and title of Georgius tertius, Dei gratia, Britannorum rex, fidei defensor. The arms and flags of the united kingdom were subjected to appropriate alterations; and in addition to many subordinate changes, the house of lords was augmented by the introduction of an archbishop, and three bishops of Ireland, and of twenty-eight temporal peers elected by the body of the Irish peerage for life, and not removeable like those of Scotland at every dissolution of parliament. Into the house of commons, the union introduced 100 new members, of whom sixty-four were representatives of counties, nine of cities, twenty-six of boroughs and towns, and one of the university of Dublin.

Since the failure of his attempt to ne

gotiate a peace with England, Buonaparte had continued with increased importunity to represent to the maritime nations of Europe, the haughtiness, injustice, and rapacity of the British government. By his ministers and other agents at the courts of Petersburgh, Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Berlin, he insinuated that the present posture of the affairs of Europe, was peculiarly favorable to the revival of the armed neutrality of 1780, founded on the principle that free bottoms make free goods, and that the present was the only opportunity of supporting and securing the liberty of the seas.

The desultory and frantic mind of the emperor Paul, had been irritated by various circumstances against the courts of London and Vienna. Disputes had arisen even to the height of action, between the Russians and Austrians, after the reduction of the Ex-Venetian isles, in 1799; the Austrians had not duly supported the Russians during their joint campaign in Switzerland; and it was asserted, not without apparent justice, that a neighbouring and rival monarch was not actuated by the principles which had drawn the Russian potentate into the confederation against France, but by views of individual aggrandisement. When the emperor of Germany therefore announced his intention of sending an extraordinary ambassador to St. Petersburgh, to offer excuses for the disturbance at Ancona, Paul refused to receive him, and gave orders that no answer should be returned to the notification from Francis. With respect to England, mutual accusations had taken place, between the Russian and the English generals, after the unsuccessful and disastrous expedition to Holland The nascent resentment of Paul against the court of St. James's, was likewise inflamed by the failure of his plans in the Mediterranean.

The genius of the Russian government, amidst the caprices and singularities of individual character, preserves, on the whole, the impulse and determination that was communicated by Peter the Great, whose aim it was to obtain a firm footing in the Mediterranean, as well as on the northern

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