THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND. GEORGE THE THIRD. CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIRST. 1771-1774. View of the war between Russia and the Porte.-Commencement of hostilities.-Successes of Russia.-Destruction of the Turkish fleet.-Jealousy of France.-Congress at Fokshiani.-Preparations of France.-Augmentation of the British naval force.-French minister eager for war.-The King averse.-Preparations at Brest.-Conference of Lord Stormont with the French minister.-Armament at Brest discontinued. New one at Toulon.-Preparations in England.-Second conference of the British ambassador with the French minister.-France deterred from hostilities.Preparations mutually suspended.-Peace between Russia and the Porte.-Transactions of the city of London.Resolutions respecting the duration of Parliament.-Address and remonstrance to the King.-Ineffectual efforts to revive the popularity of Mr. Wilkes.-He moves an address to the King, which is negatived.-Libels the lord mayor.-And is unsuccessful as candidate to succeed him. -State of Ireland. -Meeting of Parliament.-The house surrounded by a mob.-Opposition to, and protest against the address.--Resignation of Mr. Ponsonby.-Proceedings in the ensuing session.-Addresses opposed.-Amended money bill rejected.-Alterations in the establishment of revenue officers.-Hearts of Steel.-Loan negotiated.— Prorogation of Parliament.-Lord Townshend recalled.— Succeeded by Lord Harcourt.-Affairs of America.—Contest of the New England assembly with the governor.-Taxation of revenue officers.-Address--Remonstrance— and prorogation of the assembly.-Progress of opposition. Influence in the assembly.-Perverse use of the press. Dependent state of the judges.-Governors prohibited from receiving presents.-Proceedings of the assembly.-Legislature removed back to Boston.-Tumultuous state of that town.-Revenue officers insulted.—The schooner Gaspee burned. Report of the intention to fix the salaries of the judges. Town meeting.-Corresponding committees appointed. Observations on them.--Declaration of rights.— Address to the people.—Meeting of the legislature.—They deny the legislative authority of Parliament.-Transactions respecting the salaries of judges.-The Governor assents to the act-but refuses to assent to a further grant.-Activity of the corresponding committees.-Publication of letters from Governors Hutchinson and Bernard.-Proceedings of the assembly. They petition the King to remove the governor and lieutenant-governor. Effect of the publication in America.-Effect of the act for exporting tea duty-free.— Proceedings at Boston.-Arrival of a ship.-Body meeting. Other ships arrive. Their cargoes thrown into the sea.Proceedings in other provinces.--Impeachment of the chief justice. His letter.-Assembly dissolved.-Proceedings in England on the petition.-Account of the letters, and means used to obtain them.-Duel between Mr. Whateley and Mr. Temple.-Petition heard before the Privy Council.-Speech of Mr. Wedderburne.-Decision of the Privy Council.-Dr. Franklin dismissed from the Post-office.Observations.-Bill in Chancery filed against Dr. Franklin. Examination of his conduct. 66 CHAP. XXI. 1773. speech at the close of the session. In his speech, at the close of the session of parliament, the King mentioned the affairs of the continent in these terms: " the continuance of the war between 1st July, "Russia and the Porte, with both of whom I am closely connected in friendship, although under no engagement to either, gives me great concern. But, "from the pacific disposition of other powers, I have reason to hope that these troubles will extend no "further. I shall persevere in my earnest endeavours "to preserve the general tranquillity of Europe; at "the same time it shall be the constant object of my "care to be sufficiently prepared against any event "which may affect the honour, safety, or interest of "my kingdoms." 66 tilities be and the Porte. Hostilities between these two powers, as already Commencehas been mentioned*, commenced in 1769: their first spring may probably be found in the intriguing tween Russia genius of Choiseul, who fomented disturbances in Poland, for the purpose of reserving to his cabinet the power of interfering, when a favourable occasion should present itself. By the exertions of the French minister, a party was fostered, called the Confederation of Bar, who, uniting religion with patriotism, maintained open rebellion against the authority of King Stanislaus Augustus. They frequently solicited the assistance of the Turks, but without effect, till, in October 1768, Prince Galitzin, in pursuing a party of Poles, not only entered the Turkish dominions, but burned the small town of Balta. Irritated by this violation of territory, and instigated by the interested representations of France, the Sultan imprisoned, in the seven towers, Osbrekow, the Empress's minister, which occasioned the commencement of a war, and drew forth the first display of the mighty energies of the Russian empire. The contest was conducted with great animosity, but generally favourably to the Russians; they overran Wallachia and Moldavia; and the Empress having adopted the novel and bold measure of sending a fleet into the Mediterranean, the Turkish marine was effectually * Chap. xiv. CHAP. Destruction of the TurkJealousy of ish fleet. France. Congress at destroyed in the harbour of Chesme, on the coast of Natolia. France beheld these events with jealousy and alarm: she had encouraged the commencement of hostilities, in the hope of reducing the power of Russia, and was proportionally irritated at finding them tend to the aggrandizement of the Empress, and disgrace of the Turks. The Russian naval power was regarded with peculiar malevolence; and the French cabinet made several efforts to assist the Grand Sultan, which were always overawed by the resolution of the British ministry, and the formidable state of the British fleet. In August, 1772, a pacificatory congress was ineffectually held at Fokshiani; and probably the French influence was still exerted in preventing the Turks from acceding to terms humiliating to them and advantageous to their opponent. From an early period of the war, expectations were formed that France would interfere, and rumours prevailed of armaments preparing in her ports. M. de Choiseul always professed a determined system of neuPreparations trality; but still considerable maritime preparations of France. were made, particularly at Toulon, and all means attempted to lull the suspicions or elude the vigilance of the British ministry. 1770. July 6th. The cause of arming was said by Choiseul to be nothing more than an intended expedition to Tunis. This thin veil did not conceal the truth from the British ministry; and, by their instruction, Mr. Walpole observed that the armament at Toulon was extended far beyond what was necessary for such a purpose, and that sending two ships, as was proposed, into the Archipelago, at the moment when the Russian and Turkish fleets were expected to meet, was more likely to retard than to promote the pacification of Europe. Giving every credit to the French King and his minister for sincerity, it was obvious that, in these narrow seas, when two hostile fleets were met, that of a third power might be drawn in to take a part, contrary to the inclinations of its sovereign. Unforeseen |