Page images
PDF
EPUB

54

Lamented Smart * I had I thy well-taught Come gentle maid, and with returning day

quill,

To future fame should live this charming vill.
The fcenes beneath, the groves above I'd fing,
And plant the Hop upon the Mufe's wing;
That fav'rite plant thy far-fam'd Georgics
praife,

Green in thy verse, and blooming in thy lays.
Poor Smart! ill-fated, bard, accept the tear
Which pity fheds to thy remembrance dear,
The little tribute all my Mufe can fhew,
Expreffive of her fympathetic woe;
While I, in outline, all thefe charms furvey,
The river scenery, and the vallies gay;
Or wander hence to where great Waller drew
His Sacchariffa's fafcinating view,
And noble Sydney decorates the page,
The admiration of each rifing age;

Who nobly acted what he boldly thought, "And feal'd by death the leffon that he ❝ taught."

[blocks in formation]

Not fo with him who's wrung by keen difeafe; He counts the tedious moments as they fly, And hopes in vain for soft repose and ease; With trembling, haply, dreads, alas! to die. Say then, what is't can foothe the flutt'ring foul,

Her fears allay, and her from doubt release? What is't can fix he rfirmly as the Pole,

When Death to Nature fond speaks awful,
"Ceafe l"

Religion 'tis! with her the foul may foar
To heav'nly realms, where pain is found no

more.

Brifol, Dec. 16, 1793.

To CONTEMPLATION.

HENCE vain delufive joys, nor lingʼring
drive
[breaft ;
Sweet Contemplation from my aching,
Whofe fober grace will peace and hope revive,
Nor tirefome languor leave, nor mind op-
pref.

Bring each calm bleffing thou art us❜d to

[blocks in formation]

There, ftretch'd fupine, on motfy banks I'll mufe, [meet, Where close-entwin`d above the branches The violet-purpled ground fhall shed profuse Delightful fragrance round and odour sweet. At eve I'll stray adown the painted vale,

Culling the meadow's odoriferous pride, Pale modeft flower, fweet'ner of the gale,

'Midít its more gaudy train thy beauties hide. So fhalt thou still escape the vagrant boy, Who careless laughs the tedious hours away, Regardless he of aught but idle joy,

While wandering wide his fleecy charge doth stray.

Or feated on the crag's tremendous height, I'll view th' extended landscape gradual fade, 'Till loft in mift, to cheat the eager fight,

Illufive Fancy lends her pow'rful aid. Then home returning o'er the founding heath, I'll liften to the echoes of my feet; Perhaps the cavern hid the turf beneath,

To patient fuff'ring gave a kind retreat. Perhaps fome ruffian band here shelter found, That wrung from Mis'ry's hand its hard

earn'd food;

Ah, cruel fate! when threat'ning ills around,
Made this the refuge of the brave and good,
What bitter pangs, muit rend the generous
mind,
[to wend;
When forc'd with ftern Opprettion's race
Banifh'd from fweet fociety they pin'd,
Nor pity ng folace knew, nor faithful friend,
The labour-tir'd woodman flow returns,

After his toil fevere, and rough employ,
To give him welcome glad each hosom burns,
And the gay village meet in focial joy.
Hail innocent delights, and pleafing toil!
Sweet Contemplation now I bid adieu:
I join the lively dance, the general smile,
So ftill thou lead'ft to peace and pleasure
J. G.

true.

Born at Shipbourne, near Seven-oaks, in Kent, anno 1726; author of "The HopGarden,” a much-admired poem, in three cantos; a man of much cultivated genius and poetical talent-unhappily loft almost as soon as known to the author.

JOURNAL

JOURNAL of the PROCEEDINGS of the FOURTH SESSION of the SEVENTEENTH PARLIAMENT of GREAT BRITAIN.

[blocks in formation]

THIS day his Majefty came to the Houfe of Peers, and being in his Royal Robes, feated on the Throne with the ufual folemnity, Sir Francis Molyneux, Gentleman Ufher of the Black Rod, was fent with a Meffage from his Majefty to the House of Commons commanding their attendance in the House of Peers. The Commons being come thither accordingly, his Majefty was pleafed to make the following moft gracious Speech:

"My Lords and Gentlemen, "The circumftances under which you are now affembled require your moft ferious attention.

"We are engaged in a conteft, on the iffue of which depend the maintenance of our Conftitution, Law, and Religion, and the fecurity of all Civil Society.

"You must have obferved, with fatisfaction, the advantages which have been obtained by the arms of the Allied Powers, and the change which has taken place in the general fituation of Europe, fince the commencement of the War. The United Provinces have been protected from invafion. The Auftrian Netherlands have been recovered and maintained; and places of confiderable importance have been acquired on the Frontier of France. The Recapture of Mentz, and the fubfequent fucceffes of the Allied Arties on the Rhine, have, notwithstanding the advantages recently obtained by the enemy in that quarter, proved highly beneficial to the common caufe. Powerful efforts have been made by my Allies in the South of Europe. The temporary poffeffion of the Town and Port of Toulon has greatly diftreffed the operations of my enemies; and in the circumftances attending the Evacuation of that place an important and decifive blow has been given to their naval power, by the diftinguished conduct, abilities, and fpirit of my Commanders, Officers, and Forces, both by ica and land.

"The French have been driven from their poffeffions and fishery at Newfoundland; and important and valuable acquifitions have been made both in the Eaft and Weft Indies.

"At fea our fuperiority has been undifputed, and our commerce fo effectually protected, that the loffes fuftained have been inconfiderable in proportion to its extent, and to the Cap

tures made on the contracted Trade of the enemy.

"The circumftances by which the further progrefs of the Allies has been hitherto impeded, not only prove the neceffity of vigour and perfeverance on our part, but at the fame time confirm the expectation of ultimate fuccefs. Our enemies have derived the means of temporary exertion, from a fyftem which has enabled them to difpofe arbitrarily of the lives and property of a

numerous people, and which openly violates every restraint of Juftice, Humanity, and Religion. But thefe efforts, productive as they neceffarily have been of internal difcontent and confufion in France, have alfo tended rapidly to exhauft the national and real ftrength of that country.

"Although I cannot but regret the neceffary continuance of the War, I fhould ill confult the effential interefts of my People if I were defirous of Peace, on any grounds but fuch as may provide for their permanent fafety, and for the independence and fecurity of Europe. The attainment of thefe ends is ftill obftructed by the prevalence of a fyftem in France, equally incompatible with the happiness of that country, and with the tranquillity of all other Na. tions.

"Under this impreffion I thought proper to make a Declaration of the views and principles by which I am guided. I have ordered a Copy of this Declaration to be laid before you, together with Copics of feveral Conventions and Treaties with different Powers, by which you will perceive

how

how large a part of Europe is united in a caufe of fuch general concern.

preffed with the neceffity of defending all that is moft dear to us, and relying, as we may with confidence, on the valour and refources of the nation, on the continued efforts of fo large a part of Europe, and, above all, on the incontestable justice of our cause, let us render our conduct a con

tivating and practising the principles of humanity and the duties of religion, endeavour to merit the continuance of the divine favour and protection, which have been fo eminently experienced by thefe kingdoms."

"I reflect, with unfpeakable fatisfaction, on the fteady loyalty and firm attachment to the eftablished Conftitution and Government, which, notwithftanding the continued efforts employed to mislead and to feduce, have been fotraft to that of our enemies, and, by culgenerally prevalent among all ranks of my People. Thefe fentiments have been eminently manifefted in the zeal and alacrity of the Militia to provide for our internal defence; and in the diftinguished bravery and fpirit difplayed on every occafion by my forces both by fea and land: They have maintained the luftre of the British Name, and have fhewn themfelves worthy of the bleffings which it is the object of all our exertions to preserve. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons, "I have ordered the neceffary eftimates and accounts to be laid before you; and I am perfuaded you will be ready to make fuch provision as the exigencies of the time may require. I feel too fenfibly the repeated proofs which I have received of the affection of my fubjects not to lament the neceffity of any additional burthens. It is, however, a great confolation to me, to obferve the favourable state of the Revenue, and the compleat fuccefs of the me-fure which was last year adopted for removing the embarraffments affecting commercial cre

dit.

"Great as must be the extent of our exertions, I truft you will be enabled to provide for them in fuch a manner as to avoid any preffure which could be feverely felt by my people.

"My Lords and Gentlemen, "In all your deliberations you will undoubtedly bear in mind the true grounds and origin of the war.

"An attack was made on us and on our Allies, founded on principles which tend to deftroy all property, to fubvert the laws and religion of every civilized nation, and to introduce univerfally that wild and deftructive fyftem of rapine, anarchy, and impiety, the effects of which, as they have already been manifefted in France, furnish a dreadful but uleful Jeffon to the prefent age, and to posterity.

"It only remains for us to perfevere in our united exertions: Their discontinuance or relaxation could hardly procure even a fhort interval of delufive repofe, and could never terminate in fecurity or peace. Im

[From the extreme preffure of other temporary matter in this Number, we are obliged to poftpone the account of the Debates which ensued in both Houses of Parliament on the above Speech, to next Month; and must content ourselves, at prefent, with obferving, that in the Houfe of Lords, Lord Stair moved the Addrefs of Thanks to his Majefty, which was fe conded by Lord Auckland; when Lord Guildford moved, as an Amendment to the Addrefs, "That his Majefty might be prayed graciously to take into confider ation thofe modes which to him feemed mot likely to obtain Peace on fuch terms as appeared proper, and that nothing in the exifting circumstances of the French Government might be any obstacle to the furtherance of the Peace." A long debate took place, in which the Duke of Portland, Earl Spencer, the Earl of Mansfield, Lord Grenville, and the Lord Chancellor, fpoke in favour of the Addrefs; the Duke of Norfolk, Farl of Derby, Earl Stanhope, Marquis of Lanidown, and, Earl of Lauderdale, for the Amendment. The Earls of Carlile, Kinnoul, and Hardwicke fpoke agamit the Amendment, and pledged themselves to fupport the Minister in the profecution of the war. The queftion being called for the Houfe divided, Contents for the original motion, 97, Non-contents 12.

The proceedings in the HOUSE of COMMONS took a fimilar turn to thofe in the Upper Houte, the Addrefs to his Majelty being moved by Lord Clifden, and feconded by Sir Peter Burrell. The Amendment was moved by the Earl of Wycombe, and feconded by Co. Tarleton. Several members spoke on each fide, and the debate continued till past five the next morning, when the Houte divided, for the Addreis 277) ag inft it 59.]

STATE

[ocr errors]

STATE

Subftance of a MEMORIAL addreffed by His Royal Highness the ARCHDUKE CHARLES to the STATES of the AUSTRIAN NETHERLANDS, requesting a SUPPLY from the SUBJECTS of the EMPEROR in those Provinces, for the Purpofe of defraying the EXPENCES of the WAR ̧ THE moment is arrived in which it

is become important to oppofe to a deftructive enemy, who is preparing to make a powerful and its laft effort, and of course the most vigorous refiftance. Reunited under their Sovereign who protects them, the inhabitants of these Provinces will never figh under the dreadful yoke of French Delpotifm! It is here, where that Defpotifm has already found, and always will find, its limits. It is to this country, perhaps, that Europe will owe the prefervation of its religious as well as its fo

cial fate.

The Emperor, undoubtedly, has already made, and will continue to make, ample facrifices, in order to keep the military chefts in the most affluent condition, a meafure effentially neceffary for the fuccefs of our caufe; but, whilft the other States of this vaft Monarchy, although lefs interefted than the Netherlands in the fuccefs of his Majefty's arms in the prefent war, have given him repeated proofs of their ardent attachment to the common caufe, by contributions in men and money; we fhould deem it a breach of confidence towards the good and loyal inhabitants of thefe Provinces, if we did not offer to them an opportunity to manifeft their zeal for the caufe of all nations attached to re

ligion, juftice, decent manners, and the fecurity of perfons and property, by voluntary patriotic gifts.

We therefore hope, that the Members of your Affembly particularly, will be the first who will fet an example by liberal contributions and facrifices as much as their private circumftances will permit; and you will point out in every town and village receiving-places, where fuch voluntary donations will be col

lected in our name.

We have appointed for that purpose a Central Committee at Bruffels, at the head of which we have placed Vifcount Defandrouin, Treasurer-General; and defire you to eftablish throughout the Provinces, other Committees in Correfpondence with the Central Committee for the reception of fuch donations, and VOL. XXV.

PAPERS.

delivering them to the Imperial and Royal Treasury.

Lifts of names of thofe who fhall make fuch Patriotic Donations fhall be printed every fortnight, &c. &c.

Tranflation of the PROCLAMATION iffued by LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WHITELOCKE; Commander of the Expedition from JAMAICA to ST. DOMINGO, on his arrival at that Ifland.

PROCLAMATION.

Lieutenant-Governor and Commander HIS Excellency Adam Williamson, in Chief of Jainaica, &c. &c. &c. having been pleafed to make choice of me, John Whitelocke, Lieutenant-Colonel of his Majefty's 13th regiment of foot, feffion of a part of the Colony of St. to command the forces fent to take pofDomingo, I have received his Excellency's orders to publish the following Proclamation :

[blocks in formation]

THE King of Great Britain has, for a long time, deplored the horrid dif. treffes which you have fuffered; his protection, repeatedly folicited by a number of you, would not have been folicited in vain, if Kings could at all times give way to their fenfibility. At length the time is arrived, when he can follow the emotions of his own heart, in receiving you among the number of his fubjects, and in adopting you as a part of his large family.

His Britannic Majefty having, with his usual goodneis, granted the prayers of a great part of your countrymen, on their Petition prefented to him the 25th of laft February, has fent orders to Major-General Adam Williamfon, his Lieutenant-Governor of Jamaica, to detach immediately the neceffary forces to St. Domingo, to take poffeffion of the Colony, or a part of it, until a general peace between the Allied Powers and the Government of France shall eftablished a decided Sovereignty in the Colony.

I am intrufted with this expedition. It is not as a conqueror, but as a father, that his Majefty is pleased to take poffeffion of this territory. For this purpofe his Majefty has intrufted me with the command of a body of forces adequate to enfure refpect to the British Flag; and at the fame time to punish thofe who may perfift in difturbing your

[merged small][ocr errors]

tranquillity. It is by perfuafion, rather than by force, I would conquer. A more formidable fquadron, and a greater body of men would have reduced the whole Colony; but it would have left me in doubt of the fincerity of thefe who furiendered. His Majesty will only have fubjects worthy of his protection, and of the favours and advantages which the British Government fecures to them. For this reafon I fhall exhauft every means of conviction before I employ the forces which I have under my command, or fend for others, ready to embark, in order to reduce thofe who refift, and punish the authors and agents of the revolt.

People of St. Domingo! the objects of all political inftitutions being the geheral interests of fociety, and the good of the Members of that fociety, an exact obfervance of the laws can alone accomplish thofe objects.

It is neceffary to convince you of this inconteftible truth, the inattention to which has been the caufe of all your misfortunes, viz. That while we with to exact the most abject fubmiffion from others, we ought not to be daily giving examples of infubordination in our own conduct. Union is neceffary among you; it will redouble your strength.

Very long experience must have informed you, that the most effectual tie you can have on your flaves, is the white people affording an example of obedience to their fuperiors. Call to your recollection the flourishing ftate of St. Domingo under this order of things, and with that compare the horrors of which it has fince become the theatre, by the neglect of those laws which formerly governed you.

It was not with a view to erect a theatre of Republican virtues, nor for the difplay of human knowledge, that colonies were established in the Weft Indies. The real profperity of a colony depends on the quantity of its produce; and the object of the parent state is to increase its exports with as little axpence as poffible. A colony depencent on its mother-country for its commercial advantages, for its protection and defence, can confequently have no exterior politics, and never fhould affect what belongs to Sovereignty.

To affefs the impofts, and watch over their application, this is the only fhare of Sovereignty that a colony can exercife; it ought to enact laws beneficial to the community, and not clashing

with those of the mother-country which protects it.

Admitting this fimple truth, his Majefty is willing to preferve to you all your rights. I accordingly declare to you, in his Royal name, that as foon as peace fhall be eftablished, you will have à Colonial Affembly, to regulate, eftablish, and enable you to exercife thofe rights. In the mean time all the old French laws will be enforced, as far as they are found not adverfe to the meafures requifite for the re-establishment of peace.

Every individual shall enjoy his Civil Rights, and the laws for the fecurity of property fhall also be enforced and maintained.

His Majesty is defirous to fecure to creditors the payment of their debts. But being fenfibly affected by the causes which have concurred to distress the colony, and wafte your property, and at the fame time anxious to favour your exertions to repair your shattered for. tunes, he has authorized me to declare to you, that at the exprefs prayer of the inhabitants and planters, he is graciously pleafed to grant a fufpenfion from prefecutions for debts, with a fufpenfion of intereft on fuch debts, to be computed from the ift day of Anguft 1791, and to continue from that for twelve years, under certain restrictions.

The local taxes for the expences of your protection, and the administration of Government, fhall be, until further orders, upon the footing of 1789. England will make the neceffary advances to make good the deficiency; fuch advances to be reimbursed at a future day by the Colony.

The municipal taxes for defraying the expences of Divine Worfhip, of the Interior Guards in the Quarters, and for the punishment of Negroes, fhail be alfo on the fame footing as in 1789, except the discharges to thofe whole plantations have been burned.

The inhabitants fhall enjoy the privilege of exporting their clayed fugars, fubject to fuch duties as fhall be deem. neceffary.

The Roman Catholic religion all be maintained, without prejudice to any other form of Divine Worship, the exercife of which fhall be alike permitted.

Your ports fhall be open to American veffels.

If any of the inhabitants know that any part of their property has been car

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »