Sivut kuvina
PDF
ePub

tation of the people in parliament; but which almost all parties, indeed all parties which have been in administration, seem inclined to support. In such a state, if the people will not generally, and perseveringly exert themselves, by publicly expressing their sentiments to the throne, and to the senate :-if they will not enforce their sentiments, by sending those men to parliament, and those men only, who will pledge themselves to promote by every means in their power a more frequent, and a more equal representation of the people, all hopes of radical, peaceable, and constitutional Reform must be dissipated, and the honourable house of Commons, will one day most assuredly witness the fulfilment of the terrible prediction of that great statesman the Earl of CHATHAM, the father of WILLIAM PITT:-" If the house of Commons will

not ere long reform itself, the people out of doors "will reform it with a VENGEANCE!"

We have to return our thanks to our friends who have supported this work, by communications or otherwise, and more especially to those who have recently expressed their solicitude for its continuance. The approbation of the virtuous part of mankind must at all times prove, to an independent, mind, a source of solid satisfaction. The principles of purity, and of genuine constitutional freedom which have hitherto characterised the POLITICAL REVIEW, will, we trust, form its distinguishing features to the last.

Harlow, July 16, 1810.

B. F.

[blocks in formation]

IN our Review for last Month, we laid before our readers the

usual proceedings of ministers, previous to the meeting of parlia ment; and various particulars of the conduct of the present prime minister, as "manager of the house of Commons." Our principal statesmen, both in administration and opposition, have been uncommonly active in preparing for the parliamentary campaign; it having been generally understood, that the address of both houses in answer to the speech from the throne, would not, as has been the case of late years, be agreed to without much debate, and the proposal of an amendment reprobating the conduct of ministers, more especially as relating to the campaign in Holland, Spain, and Portugal. We need not be surprised if ministers in their assiduities to procure their usual majorities in parliament, should scarcely have been able to attend to any other national business; that the war has been suffered to take its course, no plan having been formed for annoying the enemy, or even for promoting the long explored, and favourite object-" The deliverance of Europe." The expences of the war are however rapidly augmenting, and its bitter fruits,-additional debts and taxes will most assuredly be our portion.

On Tuesday last the sessions of parliament commenced, and the Lord Chancellor delivered the sentiments of our cabinet ministers in the usual form;-in the following written address, styled, "his MAJESTY's most gracious speech to both houses of par"liament."

THE CABINET SPEECH.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

"His Majesty commands us to express to you his deep regret that the exertions of the Emperor of Austria against the ambition and violence of France have proved unavailing, and that his Imperial Majesty has been compelled to abandon the contest, and to conclude a disadvantageous peace. Although the war was undertaken by that Monarch without encouragement on the part of his Majesty, every effort was made for the assis

[blocks in formation]

tance of Austria which his Majesty deemed consistent with the due support of his allies, and with the welfare and interest of his own dominions.

"An attack upon the naval armaments and establishments in the Scheldt, afforded at once the prospect of destroying a growing force, which was daily becoming more formidable to the security of this country, and of diverting the exertions of France from the important objects of reinforcing her armies on the Danube, and of controuling the spirit of resistance in the North of Germany. These considerations determined his Majesty to employ his forces in an expedition to the Scheldt.

"Although the principal ends of this expedition have not been attained his Majesty confidently hopes that advantages, materially affecting the security of his Majesty's dominions in the further prosecution of the war, will be found to result from the demolition of the docks and arsenals at Flushing. This important object his Majesty was enabled to accomplish, in consequence of the reduction of the island of Walcheren, by the valour of his fleets and armies.

166 His Majesty has given directions' that such documents and papers should be laid before you, as he trusts will afford satisfactory information upon the subject of this expedition.

"We have it in command to state to you, that his Majesty had uniformly notified to Sweden his Majesty's decided wish that, in determining upon the question of peace or war with France, and other continental powers, she should be guided by considerations resulting from her own situation and interests: while his Majesty, therefore, laments that Sweden should have found it necessary to purchase peace by considerable sacrifices, his Majesty cannot complain that she has concluded it without his Majesty's participation. It is his Majesty's earnest wish, that no event may occur to occasion the interruptions of those relations of amity winch it is the desire of his Majesty, and the interest of both countries to preserve.

We have it further in command to communicate to you, that the efforts of his Majesty for the protection of Portugal have been powerfully aided, by the confidence which the Prince Regent has reposed in his Majesty, and by the co-operation of the local government, and of the people of that country. The expulsion of the French from Portugal, by his Majesty's forces under Lieutenant-General Lord Viscount Wellington, and the glorious victory obtained by him at Talavera, contributed to check the progress of the French arms in the Peninsula during the late campaign.

"His Majesty directs us to state, that the Spanish government, in the name, and by the authority, of King Ferdinand the Seventh, has determined to assemble the general and extraordinary Cortes of the nation : his Majesty trusts that this measure will give fresh animation and vigour to the councils and the arms of Spain, and successfully direct the energies and spirit of the Spanish people to the maintenance of their legitimate monarchy, and to the ultimate deliverance of their country.

"The most important considerations of policy and of good faith require, that as long as this great cause can be maintained with a prospect of success, it should be supported, according to the nature and circumstances of the contest, by the strenuous and continued assistance of the power and resources of his Majesty's dominions; and his Majesty relies on the aid

of his parliament in his anxious endeavours to frustrate the attempts of France against the independence of Spain and Portugal, and against the happiness and freedom of those loyal and resolute nations.

"His Majesty commands us to acquaint you, that the intercourse between his Majesty's minister in America and the government of the United States, has been suddenly and unexpectedly interrupted. His Majesty sincerely regrets this event. He has however received the strongest assurances from the American minister resident at this court, that the United States are desirous of maintaining friendly relations between the two countries. This desire will be met by a corresponding disposition on the part of his Majesty.

"GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,

"His Majesty has directed us to inform you that he has ordered the estimates for the current year to be laid before you: his Majesty has directed them to be formed with all the attention to economy which the support of his allies and the security of his dominions will permit.-And lus Majesty relies upon your zeal and loyalty to afford him such supplies as may be necessary for those essential objects.

"He commands us to express how deeply he regrets the pressure upon his subjects, which the protracted continuance of the war renders inevitable.

"MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

"We are commanded by his Majesty to express his hopes that you will resume the consideration of the state of the inferior clergy, and adopt such further measures upon this interesting'subject as may appear to you to be proper. "We have it further in command to state to you, that the accounts which will be laid before you of the trade and revenue of the country will be found satisfactory.

"Whatever temporary and partial inconvenience may have resulted from the measures which were directed by France against those great sources of our prosperity and strength, those measures have wholly failed of producing any permanent or general effect.

"The inveterate hostility of our enemy continues to be directed against this country with unabated animosity and violence. To guard the security of his Majesty's dominions, and to defeat the designs which are meditated against us and our allies, will require the utmost efforts of vigilance, fortitude, and perseverance.

"In every difficulty and danger, his Majesty confidently trusts that he shall derive the most effectual support under the continued blessing of Divine Providence, from the wisdom of his parliament, the valour of his forces, and the spirit and determination of his people."

After the addresses, the echoes of the speech were moved, an amendment was proposed, reprobating the general conduct of the war, and enforcing the necessity of a rigid inquiry, respecting the expeditions to Spain and Walcheren more particularly. Long debates ensued, which were terminated by the following divisions:In the Lords-For the amendment, 92.-Against it, 144. In the Commons-For the amendment, 167-Against it, 263. Majority for ministers in the Lords, 52. In the Commons, 96.

In our last we ventured to predict, that "ministers would have "their majorities on this occasion, although not so large as on "similar occasions." The last division on the address, previous to that of the present session, was in June 1807, on the assembling of the new parliament, when the ministerial phalanx outnumbered their opponents in the Lords by 93, and in the Commons by 195 voices. In the recent divisions, Lord SIDMOUTH and his party were neutrals. His lordship is a very prudent man, who, duly attentive to the main chance, judges it best upon the whole, to wait till he is enabled by the course of events to form a tolerable judgment respecting the strength of ministers and their opponents: and such is the candour and liberality of the noble lord; so favourable an opinion does he entertain of both parties; so desirous that the state may enjoy the benefit of his services, that he will, we are persuaded, be ready to lend his assistance to either party for the desirable purpose of forming a " combined and extended administration" which shall include himself and his friends. As the majorities of ministers are comparatively small, should events turn out as they have done for some time past, it is not improbable, that they will be considerably diminished. Threats have been thrown out in the government prints of a dissolution of parliament. Dissolution is a word, which, in more than one sense, conveys very frightful ideas to men of such a description as usually constitute the majorities of modern senates; but the dissolution of the present house of Commons, although an event much to be desired by the whole nation, and although the constitutional term of its duration, as settled at the glorious Revolution is nearly expired,— such an event is not much to be apprehended. Ministers are already in possession of what are commonly termed the "government boroughs," which are always at the command of the existing cabinet; and as it seems to be generally understood throughout the country that our leading statesmen now in power, are as destitute of integrity as they are of talents; and that principles of despotism have marked the system of some, and hypocrisy that of others, there is little doubt that in popular elections, they would lose ground, and that in a new parliament, their majority would be succeeded by a minority.

A glance at the principal topics alluded to in the CABINET SPEECH, must convince the people, they have little ground to hope that the complicated calamities which they have so long suffered will be diminished, but that, on the contrary there is every reason to fear they will be considerably increased.

The War. The termination of the foolish and unjust war waged by Austria against France, however ministers may whine on the ●ccasion, was an event foreseen by every man in possession of a

« EdellinenJatka »