treaties which Montesquieu had signed with Geneva, speaks of him
as a man who "had put his name to many fraudulent and usurious
proceedings, and who appeared to regard the Revolution as a
speculation and a new kind of stock-jobbing."
[283] François Christophe de Kellerman (1735-1820) was the hero
of the battle of Valmy. In 1804 he was created Duc de Valmy by
Napoleon.
[284] Gibbon's surmise proved correct. On December 3, and again
on December 27, the _Représentants_ rose in arms, threatened to
call in the aid of the French army if they were opposed, and
replaced the Petit Conseil and the Conseil des Deux-Cents by two
committees, organized on a popular basis, who exercised all the
powers which were previously in the hands of the aristocracy.
[285]
Quà tamen usque potest, vires sibi demere tentat.
Nec, quo centimanum dejecerat igne Typhœa,
Nunc armatur eo: nimiùm feritatis in illo.
Est aliud levius fulmen; cui dextra Cyclopum
Sævitiæ, flammæque minus, minus addidit iræ:
Tela secunda vocant Superi.
608.
_To his Stepmother._
Lausanne, Nov. 25, 1792.
MY DEAREST MADAM,
My friend Lord Sheffield has just informed of your late illness
and happy recovery, and though I will not oppress you by a long
letter, I cannot refrain from writing six lines to express my
concern for the one and my joy for the other. It is my intention
(if any road be open) to reach England early next summer, when
I shall hasten to Bath, and hope to find you perfectly revived
in health and spirits. We have had some slight alarms in this
country, but they are now past, and amidst the general hurricane
we hope to sleep without any troublesome dreams. Adieu, my Dear
Madam; if your hand be too feeble to write yourself, could you
not employ that of a friend to send me a short and sincere
account?
I am
Ever yours,
E. GIBBON.
609.
_Lord Sheffield to Edward Gibbon._
Downing Street, 14 Dec., 1792.
Being harrassed in an extraordinary degree, I with ease persuaded
myself that it should be better to delay my letter till this
day, that I might say what passed in opening the Parliament
yesterday.[286] Your extraordinary effort to write so much
would have immediately forced me to answer if I had not known
that Maria had despatched a packet, and that My Lady threatened
another. I must acknowledge that Maria pressed me every post to
take up the political part of the correspondence. But you will be
satisfied with my occupation lately.
[Sidenote: THE CONSTITUTION IS THE FRENZY.]
Government had information (I know it to be very serious, and
not from them). The sudden withdrawing of the Troops from the
coast to the City, the extraordinary assembling of Parliament,
the calling out of a part of the Militia, of course caused great
alarm, but the effect was good. The middle ranks in town proposed
Associations.[287] I believe we began in Sussex. I instantly took
to it, gave a right direction, limited the business to support
of Constitution as now established, and of exerting the Civil
power which should be found necessary at this extraordinary
crisis instead of patchwork and partial association by Towns.
I have promoted one in each of the twelve Divisions of the
County. My Division meets first. The Plan ran like wild-fire.
The Constitution is the phrenzy more than Liberty, property and
no excise, or coalition ever was. All the parishes in London are
associating.
I had written the first page when the Princess d'Henin, who
left Boulogne yesterday, entered my room, and the now immediate
departure of post only allows me to say that Charles Fox on
moving the amendment of the Address[288] uttered the most
mischievous doctrines, principles, &c., that could at this
time be invented, declaring himself, however, a friend to the
Constitution, yet admitting the necessity of some changes. We
(Country Gentlemen) opposed him, 290 to 50.[289] Lord Lansdown's
men included in the latter. Most of the others were only with him
because they thought it better not to throw him out of all chance
of control. Just as I came into this house I met Lord Bute, who
told me the Irish Catholicks were in arms. Whether we shall have
war with France is far from settled.
I shall write by next post.
[286] On December 1 an Order in Council was passed, calling
out part of the militia. Another portion was called out on the
western and southern coasts by a second Order of December 5.
Parliament met on December 13 to ratify the step taken by the
Government, within the fourteen days required by statute.
[287] An association was formed, in November, 1792, at the St.
Alban's Tavern, of members of Parliament and other persons of
influence, including Lord Sheffield. A declaration was issued,
stating that, in the opinion of those who signed it, it was in
the present moment incumbent upon us "to give to the executive
government a vigorous and effectual support, in counteracting the
numerous efforts of sedition, in detecting and bringing to legal
punishment the persons concerned therein, and in suppressing in
their beginnings all tumults or riots, on whatever pretence they
may be excited." Another association at the Crown and Anchor,
presided over by Mr. Reeves, a barrister, and containing in the
list of signatures the name of J. T. Batt, Lord Sheffield's
friend, issued a similar declaration. Other associations were
formed with the same object by the merchants and bankers of
London, by the merchants, etc., at Lloyd's, by the general body
of Protestant Dissenters in London and Westminster, by many of
the Livery Companies, and by the Corporation of the City of
London. The declaration to be signed in the county of Sussex is
quoted in full at the beginning of the _Gentleman's Magazine_
for July to December, 1792. The following note is added:
"Association, on the best principle, is taking place throughout
England, and nowhere in a better form than in Sussex, under the
auspices of Lord Sheffield."
[288] Fox, on December 13, declared the calling out of the
militia to be a "ministerial manœuvre," and moved as an amendment
to the address, "That his Majesty's faithful Commons, assembled
in a manner new and alarming to the country, think it their first
duty, and will make it their first business, to inform themselves
of the causes of this measure, being equally zealous to enforce
a due obedience to the laws on the one hand, and a faithful
execution of them on the other."
[289] Lord Malmesbury thus analyzes the minority: "21 were
reformers, 4 Lord Lansdowne's members, and the rest people
personally attached to Fox, and who, from this feeling, and
_against their sentiments_, voted with him. Such were Crewe,
Lord Edward Bentinck, Lord George Cavendish, Lord Milton, Lionel
Damer, and others" (_Diaries and Correspondence_, vol. ii. p.
476).
610.
_Lord Sheffield to Edward Gibbon._
Sheffield Place, 20th Dec., '92.
[Sidenote: JACOBINISM IN ENGLAND.]
I wrote in much haste to you last Friday, and I know not at this time
what I wrote. I suppose I mentioned to you that Fox had, contrary
to the opinion of all the considerable and respectable men of the
Party, uttered everything that his worst enemy could wish, and
avowed everything which he seemed to keep back last Sessions. It is
impossible to imagine anything more injudicious or more mischievous
at this time. Every man in the street asked, "Is he mad?" On the
report of the address he maintained still more extravagant language
than the day before. The next day, Saturday, he moved an Address to
the King to acknowledge and send an Embassy to the Republic, or to
that effect.[290] I had been considerably _elevated_ by his speeches
of the preceding day, and just before I came down to the House, I
heard that Brissot had announced in his newspaper of the 10th, as a
measure of Opposition, the acknowledgment of the Republic and an
Embassy. I did not suppose that Fox had any communication with him,
but it seemed that somebody who was in his councils had connection
with Brissot. Thus figged, the moment Fox sat down, I burst, and
expressed myself pretty vigorously, and I was not sorry for the
opportunity, as I knew the country gentlemen were properly disposed,
and I was glad to shew a _good example_. Some followed strongly
against Fox's conduct. The speeches are wretchedly given in the
common newspapers, but there is a good report of what I said in the
Diary and Morning Chronicle, and if there should be room, Maria shall
copy it at the end of this letter, as it is not long.
Your last letter of the 26th Nov. is not the 6th, but the 5th
Bulletin of affairs in your neighbourhood. While you continue to
write you shall have frequent accounts from hence.
I had not an opportunity of learning distinctly whether Pitt has at
last positively declined the admission of Fox into Administration. I
have heard it said that he had, and that he had not, both seemingly
from good authority, but in truth I forgot to enquire from the
only quarter that could inform. The Duke of Portland is greatly
distressed by Fox's conduct--if he were to be desired, he might
become more desperate.--Lord Loughborough is more vigorous in his
opinion of the matter. There seems at present no probability of his
accepting the Great Seal. It would be a situation of uncertainty,
his acceptance would be reprobated, and he would involve himself in
much more trouble and difficulty than at present; yet I do not see
how Government can go on without a considerable addition of force.
It seems to me, however, agreed among the better part of us in
Opposition not to distress or obstruct Government by opposition at
this time. The business is too serious. Jacobinism had lately slid
rapidly through many parts of the country. Emissaries of all sorts
and in great numbers have been very busy, and at a great expence.
I believe that I mentioned in a late letter that the Chief of
the Propaganda was here.--Rotombeau,[291] the most execrable of
wretches, is here, and bragged that with his own hand he had murdered
the Lamballe and 38 persons in one day. Many Frenchmen landed upon
different parts of our coast with arms. Some imported them regularly
and paid duty for them. Several men landed even near Ipswich with
Fire-locks, Side-arms, and a dagger. The officer commanding took them
from them, and the Mayor ordered them to be stored. The numbers in
London were very great--a very considerable number of persons there,
and especially in the Borough, were in concert with them. However
wild it may appear, the Plan was to surprize the Tower and to deliver
the hundred thousand muskets in the Armoury to the people, who they
supposed would follow them. The number who have associated in the
several clubs is said to consist of many thousands. Government had
notice that an attack would be made on Sat. the 1st Decr. All the
night of Friday Artillery and Artillery-men were marching to the
Tower from Woolwich, and before day-break it was well-guarded. All
this I know and not from friends of Government. The Tower has since
been much strengthened; the gates fortified, the Ditch cleansed,
and a considerable body of men is now there. All the Cavalry and
Regulars within a hundred miles of London, were brought to its close
neighbourhood.
[Sidenote: FOX'S MISCHIEVOUS SPEECHES.]
The country was of course alarmed, the shopkeepers at Lewes proposed
Association in favour of the Constitution, the same disposition
seems to have arisen at the same time in different parts of England.
Finding it likely to run, I have been very active in giving it a
direction. It appeared to me that nothing could be more advantageous
than arranging the minds of the people under a good Principle,
while they were in a ferment, and when once committed by their
signature, it was likely they would be strenuous for measures which I
endeavoured to make their own, as much as possible. Every division of
this county is forming Associations to support the Civil Power, and
declaring in favour of a Government by King, Lords and Commons. The
spirit is going through the whole kingdom. The Jacobins seem to be
totally crushed and dismayed. Many French fled to the Ports to secure
a passage. Whether C. Fox's speeches will revive them, I do not yet
know, but they certainly will encourage many of the miscreants within
the country. I do not know whether I mentioned to you the great
facility with which several people, even in this county, talk of the
foolish expence of maintaining a royal family. Association, giving an
opportunity to such an immense proportion of the people to shew their
attachment to the Constitution, has an excellent effect, and I have
no doubt that the French Devils on the excellent appearance of things
will give up their machinations. On the late explosion Rotombeau made
an attempt to fly--he was told he would be safer in London. He is
well _spied_--he sees four hundred persons in a day. I believe he is
now gone.
I came here on Sunday to attend a great meeting of Associations
(which I had promoted) on Monday. I intended to return, but on
Tuesday I wrote to the D. of Portland & to Lord Loughborough, and
told them I was so disgusted with Fox's conduct that I thought they
would agree with me, that I had better remain at Sheffield Place till
Parliament meets for business after Christmas. That I was sure a
very small number of members indeed would follow him in his present
career. That, as a well-wisher to the tranquility and safety of the
country, I need not be apprehensive of any mischief, except what may
arise from the language he holds, which cannot be prevented. That
I do not like to seem separate from men with whom I have zealously
acted ten out of the thirteen years of my political life.
(_Continued by the Hon. Maria Holroyd._)
My Lord's Speech, taken from the Diary--he rose immediately after
Mr. Fox's motion for an Embassy to France. "It is impossible to
be silent. Are we then in that deplorable situation? Are we the
vilest and most contemptible of nations? Are we to be the first to
acknowledge, and cringe to these cut-throats and robbers, who have
not the recommendation of being able to controul their own Banditti?
Are we to league with them, to act in concert with them? How soon
they may be invited here, he should not then attempt to guess--or
to say how soon our gaols may be filled with the most respectable
persons of the Nation, for the purpose of murdering them in cold
blood without a trial--or how soon the most amiable of our women and
of the highest ranks may lie on straw crowded in the most loathsome
gaols, as in France, with the lowest dregs of the people, faultless
however, except that their fathers, husbands, or sons may have
ventured to maintain the constitution; he should leave to others more
able than he was to detail the mischiefs of the monstrous proposition
that had been made. He was too much agitated to attempt it. He was
almost ashamed of the enthusiasm he had hitherto felt in favour of
the Right Honourable Mover. It is true he had made much enquiry, but
he hoped other country gentlemen would communicate what they knew
of the state of the country. In respect to war, he believed every
man wished to avert it. That the surest means of avoiding it would
be by vigorous preparation for it, and if it could not be avoided,
that it would be better policy to meet it, than wait for it. That the
Disturbers of the World when they had over-run other nations, envying
and dreading our prosperity, would not fail with double force to
visit us. His Lordship concluded with some observations on the late
measures, and told the Ministers, that although he commended their
promptness and vigour, yet he could not approve their unjustifiable
interpretation of the word--Insurrection. They would have done much
better if they had acknowledged that, in consequence of some uncommon
danger which impended, they had for the public good laid themselves
under the necessity of applying to the Legislature for indemnity, but
that he had not objected to the Address or supported the Amendment,
because he would not seem to countenance the many mischievous
principles and suggestions which had been heard in that House the
last two days from the Mover of the Amendment."
[290] On Saturday, December 15, Fox moved that an address be
presented to his Majesty, "that a minister may be sent to Paris
to treat with those persons who exercise provisionally the
functions of executive government in France." The motion was
negatived without a division.
[291] "Some of the very worst of the French murderers on the 10th
of August and beginning of September have been here, particularly
one _Rotundo_, who was a principal performer in the massacres
of the prisoners on the 2nd and 3rd of September. He was one of
the executioners of Madame de Lamballe, of which I understand he
boasted when in England, for I hear he is gone back" (_Life and
Letters of Sir Gilbert Elliot_, vol. ii. p. 91). It is difficult
to trace the foundation for the statement. One Petit Mamin was
accused of having boasted that he had killed the princess; but he
denied having made the boast, and proved, to the satisfaction of
the jury, that he was not in Paris at the time (Mortimer-Ternaux,
_Histoire de la Terreur_, 1792-94, vol. iii. pp. 632, 633).
In Lescure's _Vie de la Princesse de Lamballe_ (pp. 426-428)
the names of the murderers are given as Charlat and Grison. M.
Feuillet de Conches (_Louis XVI., Marie Antoinette, et Madame
Elisabeth_, vol. vi. p. 316) says that Gonchon was the name of
the man who first struck down the princess.
611.
_To Lord Sheffield._
Lausanne, Dec. 14th, 1792.
*Our little storm has now completely subsided, and we are again
spectators, though anxious spectators, of the general tempest that
invades or threatens almost every country of Europe. Our troops
are every day disbanding and returning home, and the greatest part
of the French have evacuated the neighbourhood of Geneva. Monsieur
Barthelemy,[292] whom you have seen secretary in London, is most
courteously entertained, as ambassador, by the Helvetic body. He is
now at Berne, where a Diet will speedily be convened; the language
on both sides is now pacific, and even friendly, and some hopes are
given of a provision for the officers of the Swiss guards who have
survived the Massacres of Paris.
[292] François, Marquis de Barthélemy (1750-1830), concluded
three treaties at Basle in 1795--with Prussia, the United
Provinces, and Spain. He was a member of the Directory; but,
suspected for his moderation, was sent, first to Cayenne, then to
Sinnamari. Thence he escaped to England. He assisted in drawing
up the charter at the restoration of Louis XVIII.
January 1st, 1793.
[Sidenote: REVOLUTION AT GENEVA.]
With the return of peace I have relapsed into my former indolence;
but now awakening, after a fortnight's slumber, I have little or
nothing to add, with regard to the internal state of this country,
only the revolution of Geneva has already taken place, as I
announced, but sooner than I expected. The Swiss troops had no sooner
evacuated the place, than the _Egaliseurs_, as they are called,
assembled in arms; and as no resistance was made, no blood was shed
on the occasion. They seized the gates, disarmed the garrison,
imprisoned the magistrates, imparted the rights of citizens to all
the rabble of the town and country, and proclaimed a _national_
convention, which has not yet met. They are all for a pure and
absolute Democracy; but wish to remain a small independent state,
whilst others aspire to become a part of the republic of France; and
as the latter, though less numerous, are more violent and absurd than
their adversaries, it is highly probable that they will succeed.
The Citizens of the best families and fortunes have retired from
Geneva into the Pays de Vaud, but the French methods of recalling
or proscribing emigrants will soon be adopted. You must have
observed, that Savoy has now become _le Department du Mont Blanc_. I
cannot satisfy myself whether the mass of the people is pleased or
displeased with the change; but my noble scenery is clouded by the
democratical aspect of twelve leagues of the opposite coast, which
every morning obtrude themselves on my view. I here conclude the
first part of the history of our Alpine troubles, and now consider
myself as disengaged from all promises of periodical writing. Upon
the whole, I kept it beyond our expectation; nor do I think that you
have been sufficiently astonished by the wonderful effort of the
triple dispatch.
You must now succeed to my task, and I shall expect, during the
winter, a regular political journal of the events of your greater
world. You are on the theatre, and may often be behind the scenes.
You can always see, and may sometimes foresee. My own choice has
indeed transported me into a foreign land; but I am truly attached,
from interest and inclination, to my native country; and even as a
Citizen of the World, I wish the stability and happiness of England,
the sole great refuge of mankind against the opposite mischiefs of
despotism and Democracy. I was indeed alarmed, and the more so, as I
saw that you were not without apprehension; but I now glory in the
triumph of reason and genuine patriotism, which seems to pervade the
country; nor do I dislike some mixture of popular enthusiasm, which
may be requisite to encounter our mad or wicked enemies with equal
arms.
The behaviour of* Fox *rather afflicts than surprises me. You may
remember what I told you last year at Lausanne, when you attempted
his defence, that his inmost soul was deeply tinged with Democracy.
Such wild opinions cannot easily be reconciled with his excellent
understanding, but ''tis true 'tis pity, and pity 'tis, 'tis true.'
He will surely ruin himself in the opinion of the wise and good men
of his party. You have now crushed the daring subverters of the
Constitution, but I now fear the moderate well-meaners--reformers.
Do not, I beseech you, tamper with Parliamentary representation. The
present House of Commons forms in _practice_ a body of Gentlemen who
must always sympathize with the interest and opinions of the people,
and the slightest innovation launches you without rudder or compass
on a dark and dangerous ocean of Theoretical experiment. On this
subject I am indeed serious.
Upon the whole, I like the beginning of '93 better than the end
of '92. The illusion seems to break away throughout Europe. I
think England and Switzerland are safe. Brabant adheres to the old
constitution. The Germans are disgusted with the rapine and insolence
of their deliverers. The Pope is resolved to head his armies, and
the Lazzaroni of Naples have presented St. Januarius with a gold
fuzee, to fire on the Brigands Français. So much for politics, which
till now never had such possession of my mind. Next post I will write
about myself and my own designs. Alas, your poor eyes! make the Maria
write; I will speedily answer her. My Lady is still dumb. The German
posts are now slow and irregular. You had better write by the way of
France, under cover, directed to _Le Citoyen Rebours, à Pontarlier,
France_. Adieu.*
Ever yours,
G.
612.
_To Lord Sheffield._
Lausanne, Jan. 6th, 1793.
[Sidenote: OF HIMSELF AND HIS OWN PLANS.]
*There was formerly a time when our correspondence was a painful
discussion of my private affairs; a vexatious repetition of losses,
of disappointments, of sales, &c. These affairs are now decently
arranged: but public cares have now succeeded to private anxiety, and
our whole attention is lately turned from Lenborough and Beriton, to
the political state of France and of Europe. From these politics,
however, one letter shall be free, while I talk of myself and of my
own plans; a subject most interesting to a friend, and only to a
friend.