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stated the neceffity of speedily applying the only remedy 1778. remaining, for the cure of the many evils that afflicted or threatened Great Britain. This remedy he declared to be an acknowledgment of American independence, which he faid the United States never would part with. "A wife minifter," he added, " by refcinding the refolutions paffed to fupport that fyftem which no power on earth can establish, will endeavour to preserve so much of the empire in profperity and honor, as the circumstances of the times, and the mal-administration of those who ruled before him, have left to his governThe United States of America are willing to be the friends, but never will fubmit to be the flaves of the parent country. They are by confanguinity, by language, and by the affection which naturally fprings from these, more attached to England than to any other country under the fun. Therefore spurn not the bleffing which yet remains; instantly withdraw your fleets and armies; cultivate the commerce and friendship of America. Thus, and thus only, can England hope to be great and happy. Seek that in a commercial alliance; feek it ere it be too late; for there only you must expect to find it." The earl of Thanet produced this letter in the houfe; and after fome controverfy it was read; and the duke of Richmond moved that it fhould lie upon the table. The motion was rejected after a warm debate, to the concern of feveral, who flattered themfelves that the letter might have afforded an opening to a favorable accommodation.

The French ambaffador delivered a refcript to lord 13. Weymouth, in which he informed the court of London, that the king had figned a treaty of friendship and com

1778. merce with the United States of America. The know

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ledge of this tranfaction was communicated under the parade of cultivating the good understanding subsisting between France and Great Britain; and was accompanied with a declaration, that the contracting parties have paid great attention not to ftipulate any exclufive advantages in favor of France; and that the United States have reserved the liberty of treating with every nation whatever, upon the fame footing of equality and reciprocity. The refcript concludes with an intimation, that the French king being determined to protect effectually the lawful commerce of his fubjects, and to maintain the dignity of his flag had, in consequence, taken eventual measures for these purposes, in concert with the United States of America. No fooner was the account conveyed to the French court, of the immediate effects which the delivery of the rescript seemed to have produced in London, than orders were iffued for the feizure of all the British veffels in any of the French ports. The example was followed by a fimilar order in Great Britain. But there were few fhips in the ports of either. The French are still for preserving certain appearances, and therefore the king's ordinance, affording new and extraordinary advantages to the captors of prizes, although figned on the 28th of March, is kept dormant, without publication or effect.

The reception of this refcript was notified by the mi17. nifter to the house of commons on the 17th. The no

tice was accompanied with a meffage from the king, intimating that he should be under the neceffity of refenting fo unprovoked and fo unjust an aggreffion on the honor of his crown and the effential interefts of his king

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dom, and expreffing his firm confidence on the zealous and affectionate fupport of his faithful people. An addrefs was moved for in answer to it, to affure the king of the readiness of his people to ftand by him in afferting the dignity of his crown, and the honor of the nation, and to submit with cheerfulness and spirit to the expences that would be requifite for this neceffary purpofe; and was carried after a long debate. In the house of lords, the debates upon the like occafion were attended with an acrimony of language, and a freedom of thought, that seemed to fcorn all reftraint. In the course of them it was faid in fubftance-" The treatment we have received from France is mortifying; but if we are wife, we shall fupprefs our refentment at the prefent hour, and reserve it for a more convenient opportunity. In the continual viciffitude of political events on the continent of Europe, we need not wait long for a favorable occafion of returning the blow given us by France in the present inftance. Nor let us forget, that we have ourselves, on former occafions, acted a part fimilar to that of which we now fo grievously complain. When the Seven United Provinces of the Netherlands threw off the yoke of Spain, England befriended them in the fame manner France does now the United States of America. When France was torn by civil diffenfions, we made it our business to interfere, and to eípoufe the cause of one of the parties. The frequency of the practice has rendered it a common rule of European politics. Every nation is watchful of what paffes among its neighbours, to the well known intent of profiting by their divifions. It was by a ftrict and conftant obfervance of this maxim, that fome of the greatest princes and

1778. minifters had made fo fplendid a figure. Queen Elizabeth in England, and cardinal Richlieu in France, had ruled with so much profperity, and risen to fuch fame, by never lofing fight of it. The fafest way of revenging ourselves, will be by following their example." The queftion for an addrefs was carried by a majority of nearly three to one.

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Mar. A public audience and reception was given to the American commiffioners, Meffrs. Franklin, Deane and Lee, by the French monarch. They were introduced by Monf. Vergennes, and received by the king with the ufual formalities and ceremonials. This ftriking acknowledgment of the plenipotentiaries from the United States, must have mortified the miniftry and crown of Great Britain; and may be pronounced the political phenomenon of Europe. The day before it was exhibited, the French ambassador, in confequence of orders to quit London, fet out for Paris.

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An inquiry into the ftate of the nation had been proposed some time back, and continued with unabated asfiduity in both houses. In the house of peers, the duke of Richmond, its principal conductor, brought all matters relating to it into a clear and perfpicuous arrangeApril He at length, on the 7th of April, put an end to that intricate and laborious fervice, by one of the most refolute and animated fpeeches ever pronounced in that affembly. He moved for an address to the king, in which a representation of the ftate of his dominions was given, and the conduct of the minifters feverely cenfured, and his majesty urged to put an end to that fyftem, which had prevailed in his court and adminiftration. He infifted upon it, as he had repeatedly done

on former occafions, that the only measure of fafety was 1778 to recall the British forces from the colonies, and to conclude an accommodation with them upon the most advantageous terms that could be obtained. He would even agree to their independence. Oppofition was not however unanimous. The earl of Chatham refifted it with a strength of determination, and a vehemence of fpeech, that were peculiar. The earl of Shelburne embraced fimilar fentiments. They jointly protested against any measure that tended to the difmemberment of the empire, and to the acknowledgment of American independence. The latter emphatically ftiled it the " fetting for ever of the British fun." All dangers and all trials were to be encountered fooner than to fubmit to fuch a difmemberment. Great Britain was in poffeffion of ample resources to prevent fuch a difafter. The numbers and spirit of her people, their riches and their strength were greater than her foes fufpected, and even than she herself could well ascertain till they had been justly tried. During the debate of the day, the earl of Chatham, while engaged in his eager fpeech against the acknowledgment of American independence, was feized with that fainting which was the prelude to his death on the

eleventh of May, in the feventieth year of his age. He

has left behind him the character of one of the greatest orators and statefmen, that this or any other country has ever produced: with the fineft opportunities in his hands of acquiring an ample fortune, he left his family destitute of all fuitable provifion. The house of commons however, to testify their gratitude to him for his important and eminent public fervices, provided for the pay

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