I. trous consequences to the nation from the books, CHAP. the principles, the persons, and the conversation, by which the mind of the heir apparent was exposed 1759. to be biased. It was to the duke of Newcastle that his lordship and the bishop directed their first complaints of this noxious influence at Leicester house, hoping that the Pelhams, as one of the greatest whig families in the kingdom, would assist them in repelling it. The Pelhams, however, did not at first interfere. But the duke of Bedford, after the bishop's and his lordship's resignation of their respective trusts, attacked, in public debate, those persons by whom the lurking principles of arbitrary government were said to be infused into the prince's mind. Mr. Stone, the sub-governor, and Mr. Murray, afterwards Lord Mansfield, of principles and politics perfectly congenial with Stone, were the persons charged in the duke's motion with being jacobites, and with inculcating jacobitical doctrines. Scott, the sub-preceptor, and Cresset, the princess dowager's secretary, shared in the same imputation. But the motion being over-ruled by the opposition of the Pelhams, who in this affair were said to be blind to the rise of that secret influence which they and other whigs had afterwards so much cause to lament, all was settled to the satisfaction of the party of Leicester house, and Lord Waldegrave and the bishop of Peterborough succeeded to Lord Harcourt and his colleague. Stone, Murray, and Lord Bute, though not ostensibly, were confidentially in union. Lord Bath, and other supple statesmen, were admitted by the last into that inner-cabinet, which, in process of time, was accused of over-ruling the measures of the nation; for Lord Bute was known to coincide with Lord Bath in this political opinion, that official men were the 1753 CHAP. I. 1756. 1760. servants of the executive power, and not that C power itself.' Three years afterwards, the duke of Newcastle was known to regret his former supineness, in neglecting the rising influence of the party at Leicester house. Both the duke and Lord-chancellor Hardwicke avowed that their wish was now to get possession of the prince. As if awakened from a fatal lethargy, they found themselves duped by the very men 5 who owed their places at Leicester house to the Pelham family's recommendation. But although they invited his royal highness to change his residence, offering him a suite of apartments at St. James's and Kensington palaces, their caution was too late to remove the established intimacy and confidence of a tory favourite. The blossom was off, and the fruit was set. Such was the cause assigned by those who pretended to be best acquainted with the unavowed motives of his present majesty, for that change of measures and ministers which followed so close upon his elevation to the throne. But the conflicts of party, though silently prepared, did not immediately commence. The young king's address to the council was full of modesty and firmness. He was popular, and justly beloved for his private virtues, as well as for his first patriotic and affectionate address to the representatives Nov. 18. of his people. Born,' said he, and educated in this country, I glory in the name of Briton; and the peculiar happiness of my life will ever consist in promoting the welfare of a people, whose loyalty and warm affection to me I consider as the greatest and most permanent security of my throne; and I doubt not but their steadiness in those principles will equal the firmness of my invariable resolution to adhere to and strengthen this excellent constitution, 5 Stone and Scott. I. 1760. and to maintain the toleration inviolable. The civilR CHAP. and religious rights of my loving subjects are equally dear to me with the most valuable prerogatives of my crown; and as the surest foundation of the whole, and the best means to draw down the Divine favour on my reign, it is my fixed purpose to countenance and encourage the practice of true religion and virtue.' In the progress of his speech, he declared his resolution of maintaining the war with firmness and vigour, till the enemy should be brought to just terms of accommodation, and to support the king of Prussia with his warmest concurrence." Lastly, he recommended unanimity and dispatch as the best means of frustrating the ambitious views of his enemies. In this expectation,' said the king in conclusion, I am the more encouraged by a pleasing circumstance, which I look upon as one of the most auspicious circumstances of my reign. That happy extinction of divisions, and that union and good harmony which continue to prevail among my subjects, afford me the most agreeable prospect. The natural disposition and wish of my heart are to cement and promote them; and I promise myself, that nothing will arise on your part to interrupt or disturb a situation so essential to the true and lasting felicity of this great people.' The peculiar talent of elocution which his maty possesses gave additional grace to this popular effusion. The business of parliament was this session speedily and smoothly conducted. After loyal addresses from both houses, in return to the king's speech, the civil list was arranged and fixed at the sum of £800,000 per annum. A bill was intro The promise of vigorous support to the war in Germany, and of aid to the king of Prussia, was inserted, not spontaneously by the 1760. CHAP. duced (in lieu of an act of grace), humanely tem1. pering the severity of our laws against insolvent debtors: a measure which, although confined in its effects to temporary relief, gives an acknowledgment of the sympathy due to unfortunate fellowcreatures, and affords a promising pledge of that more unlimited mercy which, it is to be hoped, an enlightened policy will yet extend to them. The supplies for the year were voted at £19,616,119. To raise still higher the character of the crown for patriotic intentions, it was recommended, in the royal speech, to secure the independency and uprightness of judges, by extending their commissions, during good behaviour, notwithstanding the demise of the crown, and by making provision that the salaries should be as permanent as their commissions. This liberal proposal was duly received by the legislature, and an act passed to enforce its object. Before the end of the session, the venerable Onslow, who had been thirty years speaker of the house of commons, with great and just reputation, announced his intention of retiring from public life. He received a vote of thanks from the au gust body, whose interests he had so faithfully served, and a well earned pension of £3,000 a-year. After these few proceedings, parliament was dissolved. 17 CHAP. II. ... ... ... Mr. Legge's dismission.... Lord Holdernesse's resignation..... His offer to Lord Bute.... His large pension.... Lord Buté succeeds to him in the office of chancellor of the exchequer.... Prince Ferdinand's position at the end of the year 1760.... He sallies out from his winter-quarters.... Orders a rendezvous for his troops at three different points, on the Dymel, on the Rhine, and at Saverland.... His own army takes Fritzlar That under the marquis of Granby recovers Gudersburg. The French driven out of Hesse.... and lose sevėral large magazines. ... Battle of Stangerode ... Summer campaign between the French and Prince Ferdinand, commencing June 1761.... Battle of Kirch-Denkern.... Retreat of both armies, in November, to their respective winter-quarters.... Affairs of the king of Prussia after the battle of Tor gau.. Sends General Platen to relieve Colberg. Retreat of the Russians into Poland.... Frederic draughts 4,000 men from Schweidnitz...Laudohn avails himself of this intelligence ... He surprises and takes Schweidnitz.... Plan of Mr. Pitt's operations.... The island of Belleisle invaded and reduced.... St. Dominica taken.... The Cherokee Indians quelled.... Pondicherry and Fort Mihie taken in the East-Indies.. Shaw Zadda, now entitled the Mogul, and the French under Mr. Law, defeated and made prisoners by Major Carnac.... D. Estaing's ravages on the coast of Sumatra.... Riots upon the balloting for the militia.... King's marriage.... Negociations for peace.... A congress appointed at Augsburg... Another negociation opened at Paris and London.. Basis of the intended treaty... Epochs of the treaty... Terms proposed by France.... Counter-proposal of Britain.... Mr. Bussy's memorial presented, including the Spanish claims.... Returned with indignation by Mr. Pitt... The French immoveable upon two different articles of the treaty.... Messieurs Bussy and Stanley recalled by their respective courts.... Remon Vol. I. B |