make a furrender of their charters and municipal documents. Provinces
which poffeffed a right of taxing themselves, renounced that right and their

ftates together; and the parliaments were annihilated as well as the pro-

vincial ftates. All fees and taxes to the court of Rome for ever abolished

Some obfervations on the precipitancy, with which fixteen laws of the utmot

moment were hurried through in one night; as well as on the bad effect of

paffing laws by acclamation. Nobility and clergy in the provinces highly

difcontented with the conduct of their delegates on the 4th of Auguft, in mak-

ing fuch vaft facrifices without their confent. Several members of the

affembly likewife repent their own conceffions, and become equally dissatisfied.

Landed proprietaries at length take up arms in their own defence, and re-

prefs the barbarous ravages of the peasantry. King appoints a new minif-

try, with the approbation of the affembly. Diftreffed ftate of the public,

through the failure of the taxes. Loans attempted and fail. Scheme of pa-

triotic contributions adopted.

CHÁ P. II.

King and queen fend their gold and filver plate to the mint. Patriotic dona-
tions incapable of relieving the neceffities of the ftate. Extraordinary tax
decreed, under the name of a patriotic contribution, by which each man was
to contribute one fourth of his annual revenue to the exigencies of the ftate.
Loud complaints and violent animofities excited by this partial tax.
barraffments and difficulties which the national affembly experienced in fram-
ing the new declaration of rights. Great debates upon the propriety or
inexpedience of adopting the measure. Declaration at length paffed and pro-
mulgated. Saying of Mirabeau upon the subject. Affembly divided into a
number of fections or committees, to each of which is affigned fome specified
part of the new conftitution, on which it is to make a report. Grand
queftion arifes, What share of authority it was fitting the king should pos

Jefs in the new legislature? This operates like a touchftone in trying every

man's principles, and compelling him to an open avowal of them. Affembly

arranged, face to face, in two great hoftile divifions, apparently equal

in ftrength and numbers. Violent contests enfue, and are fo long con-

tinued, that the people without, and at length the whole nation, become

parties in them. State of the parties within and without, who thus di-

vided the affembly and the nation. King's veto, or negative, with respect

to the paffing of laws, one of the subjects most violently and generally agi-

tated. Populace of Paris interfere openly in the question of the veto

while the crowds in the galleries of the affembly become fo daringly auda-

cious, as by bootings and revilings to endeavour to drown the voices, and by

infults and menaces to deter from giving their votes all thofe members whe

Supported the rights of the crown. Long lifts of members who were marked

for profcription, and deftined to be victims to the vengeance of the people,

published in Paris, and diftributed through every part of the kingdom. Po-

pular fermentation in Paris rifen nearly to its highest pitch. The notorious

N 4

St.

3. Huruge, attempts to have the king, the dauphin, and the national assem-

bly, brought to Paris; but by the Spirited exertions of La Fayette, Bailly
and the Hotel de Ville, the leaders are committed to prison, and the fedition
quelled Heavy complaints made to the affembly by feveral of its members
of thofe treasonable attempts against the freedom of the king, as well as of
that body itfelf; and likewife of the lifts of profcription which were pub-
lifhed, and of the incendiary letters by which they were continually menaced
with deftruction; but Mirabeau with bis faction turn the whole complaint
into ridicule. Numberless charges of fuppofed plots and confpiracies now
made against the royalists; which effectually answer one purpose, in exciting
a general alarm and ferment through the nation. The Parifians, in parti-
cular, become again dangerously outrageous, and every thing bears the fame
afpect as in the preceding months of June and July. In this ftate of affairs,
the king, ever wishing to preferve or restore tranquillity, fends Neckar with
propofal to the affembly, declaring that he would be contented with a

fufpenfive veto, whofe operation fhould not last longer than one or two legif-

latures. This propofal received with fatisfaction; and it was decreed,

that the royal fufpenfion fhould continue during two legiflatures. Great de-

bates on the question, whether the national affembly fhould be compofed of one

or two chambers. Question at length carried for a fingle chamber by a pro-

digious majority. Members obliged to procure certificates how they had

given their votes, to preferve their houfes and families from deftruction.

Affembly decree, that the legislative body shall be renewed every two years

by elections. Receive a letter from the king, containing his objections to

certain parts of fome of the new laws, which occafions much discontent in

the affembly. King obliged to give his fanction fimply, and without comment,

to the laws in question. Things tending faft to an extraordinary crifis both

in Paris and Verfailles. Afembly, however, confirm the hereditary fuc-

saffron of the crown; and declare the king's perfon facred and inviolable.

Arrival of the regiment of Flanders at Verfailles, the caufe or pretence of

the enfuing mischiefs. Entertainment given by the officers of the king's life

guards to thofe of the new corps, productive of much licentiousness and folly.

This banquet occafions a violent ferment both at Paris and Verfailles. Nu-

merous army of women, after plundering the torn house, and supplying

themfelves with arms and artillery, march from Paris to Verfailles. Are

followed by unnumbered bands of ruffians. And not long after by La

Fayette, at the head of a confiderable army of the national guards. Events

of the 5th and 6th of October. King and royal family led captive to

Paris. Tumult in Paris, and the murder of a baker, foon after the arrival

of the national affembly, occafion the greatest alarm and apprehenfion in that

body. Severe decree paffed, by which the magiftrates are empowered to pro-

claim martial law, and to proceed to the laft extremities in repreffing the fu-

ture outrages of the mob. La Fayette procures the Duke of Orleans' departure

to England.

[27

СНАР.

CHAP.

Effects of the tranfactions in France upon the minds of the people of Great-
Britain. General difpofition in their favour at the commencement of the
revolution. Various political speculations thereon. The evils which followed
forefeen by more accurate obfervers, and particularly foretold in the celebrated
work of Mr. Burke. The interest which the French leaders had in in-
volving the furrounding ftates in the fame diftractions. Their attempts, and
the effects of them, particularly in Great-Britain and Ireland. Meeting of
parliament. Speech from the throne. Addrefs voted in both boufes without
debate. Act of indemnity relative to the order of council for stopping the
exportation of corn. Military estimates animadverted upon by Sir Grey
Cooper, Mr. Marfham, and Mr. Fox; and defended by Mr. Grenville and
Mr. Pitt. Some expreffions of Mr. Fox, applauding the French revolution,
and the conduct of the French army on that occafion, cenfured by Col. Phipps.
The fame fubject taken up by Mr. Burke. His speech upon the spirit and
confequences of that event, and bis regret at differing in opinion from Mr.
Fox. His opinion concerning the conduct of the French army, and con-
cerning the comparifen between the French revolution, and the revolution of
1688. His Speech received with general applause. Mr. Fox, in reply, la
ments the difference of opinion between them. His encomium upon Mr.
Burke. Explains his own fentiments refpecting the French revolution. Pro-
felles his political principles. His opinion of the revolution of 1688. His
apology for the excelles of the French patriots. Mr. Sheridan's Speech upon
the fame occafion. Declares his entire difference of opinion from Mr. Burke.
Defends the French revolution. Apologizes for its exceffes. Charges Mr.
Burke with being an advocate for defpotifm. Compliments the marquis de
la Fayette, and other French patriots. His opinion of the revolution of 1688.
Mr. Pitt, and other members, rife to express their obligations and gratitude
to Mr. Burke for the fentiments he had expreffed during the debate. [62

CHA P. IV.

The diffenters encouraged, by the fmall majority by which the motion for the
repeal of the teft and corporation act was rejected the last feffion, to renew
their application. Steps taken by them to fupport it. Alarm of the friends
of the established church. Mr. Fox's speech upon moving for the repeal. His
general principles of toleration. His opinion of the impolicy and injuftice of
the teft laws. Argues from the merits of the diffenters. Urges the example
of France. Cenfures the conduct of the bishop of St. David's. Concludes
with declaring his determination to fupport the question he had brought for-
ward upon every future occafion. Motion oppofed by Mr. Pitt. He objects
to its extent, and the principles on which it was fupported. Is of opinion it.
might affect the fecurity of the church. He confiders the test acts as proper

reftraints

restraints on the prerogative of the crown. Animadverts on the attempts of

the diffenters to influence members of parliament. Thinks it would be dan-

gerous to trust them with power. And that tests, the feverity of which could

be occafionally mitigated, were neceffary to enable government to ward off

danger in cafes of neceffity. Mr. Burke concurs with Mr. Fox in his prin-

ciples of toleration; but thinks the diffenters, at the present moment, not in-

titled to indulgence. Charges them with factious and dangerous practices,

and reads various papers in fupport of his charge. Suggests the propriety of

a new teft, and of a committee to enquire into their recent conduct. Mr.

Fox's motion rejected by a majority of 294 to 105. Motion by Mr. Flood

for a reform in parliament. States the inadequacy of the prefent mode of

reprefentation. Propofes one hundred additional members to be chofen by re-

fident boufekeepers. His arguments to prove the neceffity of a reform. An-

fwers objections. The motion oppofed by Mr. Wyndham. He afferts, that

the houfe of commons, as at prefent conftituted, is adequate for all beneficial

purposes. Anfwers the objections relative to the American war. Deprecates

innovations founded upon theories. Objects to the time as dangerous. Mr.

Pitt objects to the motion as ill-timed. Sir James Johnstone's objections.

Mr. Fox fupports the motion, and anfwers the objection of its being ill-

timed. Mr. Burke in reply. Other speakers on both fides the queftion.

The motion agreed to be withdrawn.

[71

crown.

Motion by Mr. Montagu for increafing the falary of the Speaker of the house
of commons. He ftates his prefent emoluments, argues upon their infuffi-
ciency, and propofes that they should be advanced to £5,000 per annum.
Motion oppofed by Mr. Huffey, as tending to increase the influence of the
Supported by Mr. Marsham and other gentlemen. Amendment pro-
pofed in the committee that the falary fhould be £.6000 per annum,
and carried by a large majority. India budget opened by Mr. Dundas.
Comparative statement of the revenues and charges in India. Flourishing
ftate of the company's affairs in general. Doubts expressed by Mr. Huffey.
Speech of Mr. Francis upon the affairs of India. Proofs of the com-
pany's diftrefs. Obfervations on the duty on falt. Remarks on the letter of
Lord Cornwallis. Mr. Devaynes in reply to Mr. Francis. Mr. Dundas
alerts the falfhood of Mr. Francis's fatement. Refolutions paffed by the
Committee. Sir J. R. Miller's account of the proceedings of the committee on
weights and measures, to be inferted entire in the article of useful projects.
Petitions prefented for the repeal of the tobacco excife act. Motion upon
that fubject by Mr. Sheridan, afferts that the act had endangered the

foreign trade, encouraged fmuggling, and laid the manufacturer under infuper-

able hardships. Mr. Pitt in reply. Sir Grey Cooper, Mr. Wyndham, and

Mr. Fox, for the motion. Rejected by a majority of 191 to 147. Bill

paffed to explain and amend the tobacco act. Claufe to grant trial by juries

rejected. Budget for the year 1790. Flourishing state of the finances and

growing

growing profperity of the country. Remarks on the budget by Mr. Sheridan.
Melage from the king to both houses of parliament relative to the difputes
with Spain. Addresses voted unanimously. Motions for papers and debates
thereon. Vote of credit for a million. Committee on American claims.
Cafe of Mr. Penn. Compenfation voted for the lofjes of his family. Penfion
granted to Dr. Willis. Amendment of the tontine act.
Account of pro-
ceedings relative to the flave trade. Proceedings relative to the trial of
Mr. Haftings. Speech from the throne. Parliament prorogued. Summary
of the proceedings of the Irish parliament.

CHA P. VI.

[82

Proceedings of the national affembly after the new law had established fome
order and fecurity in Paris. Apply closely to the vast mass of public buf-
nefs upon their hands. Political annihilation of the two first orders of the
state. New laws for regulating elections. Appellation of active citizens,
to whom applied. Much trouble ftill with the provinces, to bring them to a
furrender of their peculiar rights and privileges. France at length divided
into eighty-three departments, and the term Province expunged from the
language. Creation and organization of municipalities. Letters de cachet
abolished. Gabelle, and others of the most obnoxious taxes, abolished. Affem-
bly enter into the intricate business of finance; augment the pay of the army;
and establish a new bank. Grand fcheme for feizing the eftates of the clergy,
and offering them as a prefent to the nation, to ferve as a fund and fecu-
rity for the difcharge of the public debts, and to answer other important
purposes. Some difficulties and obftructions, which appear in the way of car-
rying this fcheme into execution, are far out-balanced by the vast advantages
which it is capable of producing. Decree paffed, which declares all the
ecclefiaftical eftates to be at the difpofal of the nation. Stipends allotted for
the maintenance of parish priests, &c. Difcontents rife to the highest pitch
amongst the clergy, many of the bishops, and nearly all the chapters in the
kingdom, protest against the decree. Combination of the canons, and endea-
vours ufed at Rome to draw the maledictions of the church upon the national
affembly. Great prudence and address displayed by the assembly in its tranf-
actions with the court of Rome. Sovereign pontiff feems to be fatisfied with
their proteftations. France fwarms with publications of every fort, in
profe and in verfe, against the national affembly, its proceedings and defigns.
Several of the parliaments attempt to be troublesome, and protest against the
decrees of the affembly; but having loft all influence with the people, are
obliged to fubmit reluctantly to their fate. Parliament of Bourdeaux con-
tinues longer in a state of turbulence than any of the others, and endeavours
to excite an infrrection in the fouth. Stories of plots and confpiracies necef-
fary to keep the minds of the people in conftant agitation. Various accuja-
tions against the king's minifters, and a greater number against the aristocrates
in general. Animofities fo violent between the remaining nobles in the af
fembly, and the democratical leaders, that frequent duels are the confequence.

2

Nation,