1770
proved one of much political interest. The queen was under the necessity
of retiring a little from the apparent part she had taken in the affairs
of state; nevertheless, she was equally active; but, from policy, did
not appear so. Another plan to deceive the people being deemed
necessary, invitations for splendid parties were given, in order to
assume an appearance of confidence and quietness, which her majesty
could not, and did not, possess.
In this year, Lord Chatham publicly avowed his sentiments in these
words: "Infuse a portion of health into the constitution, to enable it
to bear its infirmities." Previous to making this remark, his lordship,
of course, was well acquainted with the causes of the then present
distresses of the country, as well as the sources from whence those
causes originated. But one generous patriot is not sufficient to put a
host of antagonists to flight. The earl's measures were too mild to be
heeded by the minions of the queen then in power; his intention being
"to persuade and soften, not to irritate and offend." We may infer that,
had he been merely a "party man," he would naturally concur in any
enterprise likely to create a bustle without risk to himself; but, upon
examination, he appears to have loved the cause of independence, and was
willing to support it by every personal sacrifice.
About this time, the Duke of Grafton resigned his office of First Lord
of the Treasury, in which he was succeeded by that disgrace to his
country, Lord North, who then commenced his long and disastrous
administration. Dr. Wilmot was a friendly preceptor to this nobleman,
while at the university; but it was frequently a matter of regret to the
worthy doctor, that his lordship had not imbibed those patriotic
principles which he had so strongly endeavoured to inculcate; and he has
been known to observe, that Lord North's administration called for the
most painful animadversions, inasmuch as he advocated the enaction of
laws of the most arbitrary character.
Mr. Wilkes, previous to the meeting of the Commons in January, was not
only acquitted, but had damages, to a large amount, awarded him; and the
king expressed a desire, that such damages should be paid out of his
privy purse. The Earl of Halifax, who signed the warrant for his
committal to the Tower in 1763, was finally so disappointed that he
offered his resignation, though he afterwards accepted the privy seal.
It was during this year, that the celebrated "Letters of Junius" first
appeared. These compositions were distinguished as well by the force and
elegance of their style as by the violence of their attacks on
individuals. The first of these letters was printed in the "Public
Advertiser," of December the 19th, and addressed to the king,
animadverting on all the errors of his reign, and speaking of his
ministers in terms of equal contempt and abhorrence. An attempt was made
to suppress this letter by the strong arm of the law; but the effort
proved abortive, as the jury _acquitted_ the printer, who was the person
prosecuted. Junius (though under a feigned name) was the most competent
person to speak fully upon political subjects. He had long been the
bosom friend of the king, and spent all his leisure time at court. No
one, therefore, could better judge of the state of public affairs than
himself, and his sense of duty to the nation animated him to plead for
the long-estranged rights of the people; indeed, upon many occasions,
he displayed such an heroic firmness, such an invincible love of truth,
and such an unconquerable sense of honor, that he permitted his talents
to be exercised freely in the cause of public justice, and subscribed
his _addenda_ under an envelope, rather than injure his prince, or leave
the interests of his countrymen to the risk of fortuitous circumstances.
We know of whom we speak, and therefore feel authorized to assert, that
in his character were concentrated the steady friend of the prince as
well as of the people.
Numerous disquisitions have been written to prove the identity of
Junius; but, in spite of many arguments to the contrary, we recognize
him in the person of the Rev. JAMES WILMOT, D.D., Rector of
Barton-on-the-Heath, and Aulcester, Warwickshire, and one of his
majesty's justices of the peace for that county.
Dr. Wilmot was born in 1720, and, during his stay at the university,
became intimately acquainted with Dr. Johnson, Lord Archer, and Lord
Plymouth, as well as Lord North, who was then entered at Trinity
College. From these gentlemen, the doctor imbibed his political
opinions, and was introduced to the first society in the kingdom. At the
age of thirty, Dr. Wilmot was confidently entrusted with the most
_secret affairs of state_, and was also the bosom friend of the Prince
of Wales, afterwards George the Third, who at that time was under the
entire tutorage of Lord Bute. To this nobleman, Dr. Wilmot had an
inveterate hatred, for he despised the selfish principles of Toryism. As
soon as the Princess of Mecklenburgh (the late Queen Charlotte) arrived
in this country in 1761, Dr. Wilmot was introduced, as the _especial
friend_ of the king, and this will at once account for his being chosen
to perform the second marriage-ceremony of their majesties at Kew
palace, as before related.
A circumstance of rather a singular nature occurred to Dr. Wilmot, in
the year 1765, inasmuch as it was the _immediate_ cause of the bold and
decisive line of conduct which he afterwards adopted. It was simply
this: the doctor received an anonymous letter, requesting an interview
with the writer in Kensington Gardens. The letter was written in Latin,
and sealed, the impression of which was a Medusa's head. The doctor at
first paid no attention to it; but during the week he received four
similar requests, written by the same hand; and, upon the receipt of the
last, Dr. Wilmot provided himself with a brace of pocket pistols, and
proceeded to the gardens at the hour appointed. The doctor felt much
surprised when he was accosted by--_Lord Bute!_ who immediately
suggested that Dr. Wilmot should assist the administration, as _her
majesty_ had entire confidence in him! The doctor briefly declined, and
very soon afterwards commenced his political career. Thus the German
princess always endeavoured to inveigle the friends of the people.
Lord Chatham had been introduced to Dr. Wilmot by the Duke of
Cumberland; and it was from these associations with the court and the
members of the several administrations, that the doctor became so
competent to write his unparalleled "Letters of Junius."
We here subjoin an incontrovertible _proof_ of Dr. Wilmot's being the
author of the work alluded to:
[Illustration]
This is a fac-simile of the doctor's hand-writing, and must for ever set
at rest the long-disputed question of "Who is the author of Junius?"
The people were really in need of the advocacy of a writer like Junius,
for their burdens at this time were of the most grievous magnitude.
Although the country was not in danger from foreign enemies, in order to
give posts of command, honor, and emolument, to the employed sycophants
at court, our navy was increased, nominal situations were provided;
while all the means to pay for such services were again ordered to be
drawn _from the people_!
1771
was productive of little else than harassing distresses to the poor
labourer and mechanic. At this period, it was not unusual to tear the
husband from the wife, and the parent from the child, and immure them
within the damp and noisome walls of a prison, to prevent any
interposition on the part of the suffering multitudes. Yes, countrymen,
such tyranny was practised to ensure the _secrecy of truth_, and to
destroy the wishes of a monarch, who was rendered incompetent to act for
himself.
Various struggles were made this year to curb the power of the judges,
particularly in cases relating to the _liberty of the press_, and also
to destroy the power vested in the Attorney-General of prosecuting
_ex-officio_, without the intervention of a grand jury, or the forms
observed by courts of law in other cases. But the boroughmongers and
minions of the queen were too powerful for the liberal party in the
House of Commons, and the chains of slavery were, consequently, rivetted
afresh.
A question of great importance also occurred this year respecting the
privileges of the House of Commons. It had become the practice of
newspaper writers to take the liberty, not before ventured upon, of
printing the speeches of the members, under their respective names; some
of which in the whole, and others in essential parts, were spurious
productions, and, in any case, contrary to the standing orders of the
House. A complaint on this ground having been made by a member against
two of the printers, an order was issued for their attendance, with
which they refused to comply; a second order was given with no better
success. At length, one of the printers being taken into custody under
the authority of the speaker's warrant, he was carried before the
celebrated Alderman John Wilkes, who, regarding the caption as illegal,
not only discharged the man, but bound him over to prosecute his captor,
for assault and false imprisonment. Two more printers, being apprehended
and carried before Alderman Wilkes and the Lord Mayor, Crosby, were, in
like manner, discharged. The indignation of the House was then directed
against the city magistrates, and various measures adopted towards them.
The contest finally terminated in favor of the printers, who have ever
since continued to publish the proceedings of parliament, and the
speeches of the members, without obstacle.
In this year, the marriage of the Duke of Cumberland with Mrs. Horton
took place. The king appeared electrified when the matter was
communicated to him, and declared that he never would forgive his royal
brother's conduct, who, being informed of his majesty's sentiments, thus
wrote to him: "Sire, my welfare will ensure your own; you cannot
condemn an affair there is a _precedent for, even in your own
person_!"--alluding to his majesty's marriage with Hannah Lightfoot. His
majesty was _compelled_ to acknowledge this marriage, from the Duke of
Cumberland having made a confidant of Colonel Luttrell, brother of Mrs.
Horton, with regard to several important state secrets which had
occurred in the years 1759, 1760, 1761, 1762, and 1763.
This Duke of Cumberland also imbibed the _family complaint of_ BIGAMY;
for he had been married, about twelve months previous, to a daughter of
Dr. Wilmot, who, of course, remonstrated against such unjust treatment.
The king solemnly assured Dr. Wilmot that he might rely upon his
humanity and honor. The doctor paused, and had the courage to say, in
reply, "I have once before relied upon the promises of your majesty!
But"--"Hush! hush!" said the king, interrupting him, "I know what you
are going to say; but do not disturb me with wills and retrospection of
past _irreparable injury_."
The death of the Earl of Halifax, soon after the close of the session in
this year, caused a vacancy; and the Duke of Grafton returned to office,
as keeper of the privy seal. His grace was a particular favourite with
the queen, but much disliked by the intelligent and reflecting part of
the community.