of the greatest respectability and talents, whose attachment to the party, whose conduct we are describing, could not be doubted,went so far on this occasion as to say, that, "the whole ability of the nation was excluded from its existing councils!" One exception, however, appeared in the speech of Mr. Sheridan, to the union which otherwise distinguished those, with whom he had hitherto acted.-He took occasion to applaud the conduct of ministers to the skies, not only for their present activity, but for their former moderation; and with considerable energy and effect, called the attention of the house, to the approaching contest; which he insisted, we were fully equal to maintain, under the guidance of the councils which now directed the state. It was supposed, that though it did not now appear, this line of conduct would not be confined, of all the individuals of whom the party consisted, to this gentleman solely. Some other leaders of the

old opposition" were suspected of similar views; to which they might possibly be led, either by the allurements of official situation, which it must soon, from the threatening aspect of their affairs, be the object of administration to offer to their acceptance; or from the inveterate abhorrence with which they contemplated the return of Mr. Pitt to office; and which was a circumstance alike to be expected, both from the incapability and want of energy, of the present ministers, and from the apprehended extra

ordinary pressure, of foreign and domestic affairs. But by far the most unfavorable impressions to the credit and character of Mr. Addington and his colleagues, were made on the house and the public, by the speeches and arguments of those, who had with unceasing soli-. citude, and the most perfect consistency, exerted the whole force of the most splendid talents, and brilliant eloquence, (hitherto in vain) to open the eyes of the king's government, and the empire, to the impending dangers.

In vain had the most experienced statesmen, the most accomplished orators, individuals of the highest rank, and greatest interest in the public weal, with almost prophetic prescience, warned the country of the dangers of the peace of Amiens, of the encroaching disposition of the French ruler, and of their inevitable consequences. This little, but illustrious band, few in numbers, but of whom cach individual was qualified to lead; now found that they were no longer considered by the multitude as a "war faction,

"pack of sanguinary bloodhounds," whose objects were place and power, and whose lust of both were insatiable; but as the self-devoted, steady sentinels, over the public safety; who had descried the danger from afar, and who had sounded the alarm, with timely vigilance, in the cars of a nation, deluded, and lulled into the most profound and unsuspecting security! Were it possible for men, such as we have here described, to have triumphed

in the moment of their country's danger, at the complete fulfilment of their predictions; this would have been the period-the proudest that perhaps ever fell to the lot of statesmen to enjoy but as, in the hour when confidence took the lead of experience, they had not been awed or depressed by numbers into silence, so were they now, not betrayed into immoderate exultation Acting upon immutable and firm principles, they were found in their ranks, at this moment of consternation, cheering and encouraging their country to exertion:-congratulating the ministers on the appearance of vigour which they had shewn :and proffering their assistance and co-operation in every meritorious effort, that they might make for the restoration of the honor of the nation. It must however, have been matter of satisfaction to them, to

with some few shades of difference, of the remaining two great leading parties of the country to their opinions; and above all, that by a steady adherence to their principles, they should at last have the satisfaction of establishing, such an union of talents, political experience, and property, as might prove the best, perhaps the only defence, against the despotic machinations of the powerful and inveterate enemy to the British name.

But, however praiseworthy the moderation of the "new opposition," certain it is, from henceforward, in proportion as their popularity and their credit with the people increased, in that proportion did Mr. Addington and his colleagues decline in public opinion; and it was evident to all, that the moment when a junction should be formed between the three great parties, who seemed, though in different degrees adverse from their measures, that, that moment would witness their dismission or retreat from office,

CHAP.

N the 14th day of March, in the house of commons, Lord Castlereagh brought forward, the India budget, for the years 1800-1, as the accounts for the last year had not been yet received. He stated, first, the revenues on the average of three years; next he compared the estimated and the actual amount of the revenue of the last year; and thirdly, the estimated revenue for the succeeding year. The revenues of Bengal, for the year 1800-1, amounted to 6,650,000l. which exceeded, by 319,000l. the estimated revenue. The charges also exceeded the estimate, by 358,500l. The net revenue of Bengal was 1,877,0007. for that year. He estimated however the net revenue of the ensuing year, at nearly 600,000l. higher. The excess of the charges above the estimate, was owing to the war, and the Egyptian expedition; as to the Madras revenues, notwithstanding Vol. XLV.

that they had increased in that year 350,000l. above the estimate, yet the charges had also increased beyond the estimate, by near 260,0007. This was owing to this presidency having borne the principal burden of the Egyptian expedition. After going through a very minute detail of the affairs of the company, he stated the following, as the leading heads.

The army of India, now consists of 24,000 Europeans, 89,000 natives, and 10,000 lascars, making altogether, an army of 124,000 men. The debt of India was 18 millions and a half, of which near ten millions had been added, within the last ten years; but, on the other hand, it must be recollected, that those were years of war, and that the Indian empire had been doubled in extent; and the means of the company every way increased in proportion to its debt. If peace continued, the country would participate, next

year, to the amount of half a million, in the prosperity of the company; but if war should again break out, they must, for a time, forego this advantage. He then moved a variety of resolutions, conformable to the statements in the budget.

Mr. Johnstone thought, his lordship was not justified, by any past experience, in drawing such a flattering view of the future prosperity of the company: the fact was, that hitherto, notwithstanding the fine statements, annually made to parliament, the debts of the company were annually increasing; there had been no less than seven millions of difference between the estimates and the results, for the last three years; which prevented him from giving much credit to the calculations of the noble lord for the future. He then entered into a variety of calculations, to prove, that the financial statements of his lordship were much exaggerated. As to the extention of our territories in the East, it was not only contrary, in point of policy, to the opinions of every man of abilities and superior judgment, but contrary to a positive act of parliament; and they were obtained by violations of national faith, as disgraceful, as any of the most reprobated acts of the French go

vernment.

The chancellor of the exchequer denied, that our conquests had been made unjustly; as to the circumstance alluded to (the assumption of the territories of Arcot) he hoped that the house would not entertain any prejudice, against some of the most meritorious men the country could boast; but allow them time to explain and justify their conduct in that affair.

Mr. Francis, objected to the statements of the noble lord, as built upon estimates which might, or might not, be made good, and perhaps on false documents. Those estimates were nothing but promises, held out from year to year; and promises which, hitherto, had always failed. On the renewal of the charter, half a million annually was to be paid to the public; and yet the public never yet had received more than one year's profit from this. He contended that the whole statement of to-night, was fallacious, and not to be depended on; and that the accounts were not fairly drawn.

Mr. W. Dundas, and Sir Theophilus Metcalfe, replied to the arguments of Mr. Johnstone and Mr. Francis, and supported the statement, made by the noble lord, in the name of the East India company.

The resolutions were then voted, and the report received.

On the 15th, the house of peers resolved itself into a committee, on the prince of Wales's annuity bill.

The earl of Carlisle was still of opinion, that this bill was inadequate to the object it professed; but, in the present circumstances, it was perhaps better to be silent on that subject. He did consider the present times, extremely perilous; for though our soldiers and sailors were brave, we had but a weak administration. The spirit of the country could not fairly be called into effect, when its rulers were incapable of directing its energy. He said, that to the present bill, he must give a reluctant concurrence; but expressed a strong hope of a change being made in the administration.

Lord Pelham, defended the conduct of ministers, who had not

sought