The last line of this letter is written in an agitated hand, which the
circumstance that compelled Mr. Talbot to break off so abruptly
sufficiently accounts for. At that moment a note had arrived at the
embassy from M. de la Croix, giving Lord Malmesbury notice to depart
from Paris in eight-and-forty hours, adding that if the British Cabinet
were desirous of peace, the Executive Directory were ready to carry on
the negotiations, on the basis they had already laid down, by the
reciprocal channel of couriers.
1797.
DISCONTENTS IN ENGLAND--THE BREST SQUADRON--MOTION ON THE STATE OF
IRELAND--AFFAIRS OF THE CONTINENT--LORD MALMESBURY'S MISSION TO LISLE.
The result of Lord Malmesbury's mission was communicated to Parliament
as soon as it became known in London, by a message from the King, and
addresses were moved approving of the conduct of Ministers. Amendments,
condemning their policy, and demanding an investigation, were proposed
in both Houses, and rejected by large majorities. In the House of
Commons, notwithstanding an appeal of extraordinary eloquence and power
from Mr. Fox, the address was carried by a majority of 212 to 37. Mr.
Pitt's position, perhaps, was never stronger than at this moment,
although the affairs of the Bank of England, in consequence of repeated
loans to Government, were reduced to the most desperate condition, and
the lower classes of the population, feeling heavily the burthens of the
war, began to clamour against its prosecution. But the national spirit
sustained the Government. Possessing the implicit confidence of the
King, the two Houses of Parliament, the heads of the Church, the landed
interest, and the monied and commercial classes, Mr. Pitt persevered.
The greatest efforts were made out of doors to induce His Majesty to
remove his Ministers. Public meetings were held in several places to get
up petitions on the subject; and the energies of the Opposition were
incessantly employed in spreading alarm and discontent through the
country. Several unfortunate circumstances concurred to give effect to
these movements. The war had reached its most disastrous point. England
was left alone in the field to contend against the power of France, now
grown haughty and formidable by a long course of successes. The credit
of the country, under this pressure of events, was seriously affected.
The Bank had stopped payment. Two mutinies had broken out in the fleet,
one at Spithead, and another at the Nore. An organization of malcontents
had been formed in Ireland under the name of "the United Irishmen," and
had carried their insurrectionary views so far as to send deputies to
treat with the French for assistance to enable them to throw off the
English yoke. The year opened with the most gloomy prospects on all
sides; but the firmness of Ministers triumphed over all difficulties,
and conducted them to its close with the happiest results.
The first incident of the year to which allusion is made in these
letters, is the appearance in British waters of a French squadron. It
consisted of two frigates and two sloops, and its insignificance,
compared with the demonstration that was anticipated from the loud
threats of invasion by which it was heralded, excited ridicule rather
than alarm.