CHAP. XXI. 1770. circumstances, even a mere punctilio, might produce events which it was more prudent for nations, delicate in the point of honour, to avoid than to incur. Mr. Walpole was directed, after deprecating, in the King's name, a measure which of necessity must give alarm, to demand a final resolution on the subject. On his mentioning, at a subsequent interview, that England July 11th. would send two or three frigates into the Archipelago, the French minister gave reason to believe that his project would be abandoned, observing that it was useless, and might become dangerous. This specious behaviour appears to have been only a part of a deceptive system; for Choiseul afterward informed Mr. Walpole, that, before the countermand could be communicated, the frigates had sailed; which was not so: but it soon became known that the Oct. 3rd. French had accomplished their undertaking at Tunis, and, consequently, that there was no longer a justifiable pretext for armed vessels of theirs approaching the scene of action. Toward the close of the year Choiseul was removed from his post of prime minister, Dec. with marks of disapprobation and disgrace, and was succeeded by the Duke d'Aiguillon. 2nd Dec. 1772. British naval The King of England, bound by treaties with both the contending powers, refused to permit the undue interference of a foreign nation, or an armament, for the purpose of dictating a mode of pacification. Early in the late session of parliament, measures were adopted for putting the navy on a respectable Augmentaestablishment; twenty thousand men were voted for tion of the the service of the year; and, although the delicacy of force. the crisis forbade the ministry to disclose the real motive of their preparations, it did not escape the penetration of opposition, who observed, that while the King's speech breathed sentiments of peace, the measures of his servants indicated nothing but hostility *. The Duke d'Aiguillon, the successor of Choiseul, Parliamentary History, vol. xvii. p. 538; Debrett's Debates, vol. vi. pp. 301 to 314; also respecting the war, Euvres du Roi de Prusse, vol. iv. ; Life of the Empress Catherine, vol. ii. c. v. vi. and vii.; Eton's Survey of the Turkish Empire, c. v. CHAP. French mi nister eager for war. 1773. The King averse. at Brest. a man of specious manners, but of an insincere and intriguing character, was anxious to engage in the contest, and essayed every art to make the British court regard his proceedings with indifference. In a 28th March, council at Versailles, he announced a demand made by Sweden for certain succours stipulated by France, on the plea, that her independency was threatened by a joint attack from Russia and Denmark: the King, and many members of the cabinet, were averse from hostility, as other great nations would also interfere, and a general war would probably ensue: they proposed a supply in money; but d'Aiguillon, asserting that Sweden insisted on an armed succour, said a fleet of fourteen sail might be equipped in a month; England would not oppose, and Holland would assist in the measure. Louis XV. was displeased at the prospect of hostilities; but the members of the council who had declared their sentiments did not venture further to oppose the minister, and orders were disPreparations patched to Brest for arming twelve ships of the line and two frigates, manned with seven thousand sailors. In an interview with Lord Stormont, the British ambassador, d'Aiguillon dwelt on the ambitious views of Russia, her demands on the Porte, and her aiming to reign despotically in the north, by regulating the government of Sweden, and making war on that kingdom in concert with Denmark; France, he said, was bound, by every tie of interest and honour, to support Sweden, if attacked. Lord Stormont answered, much would depend on the mode to be adopted; for, although the King wished to avoid whatever could disturb the harmony subsisting between the two courts; a French flect in the Baltic would draw a British fleet there also. The duke, dissatisfied at this intimation, observed, that England backed every friendly profession with a declaration, insisting that France should renounce her honour by abandoning an ancient ally threatened with destruction; a requisition with which he could never comply. Lord Stormont replied, that France might give other succours; but the entry of two fleets into the Baltic, would in effect be no more 30th Mar. 1773. Conference of Lord Stormont with the French minister. beneficial than a neutrality: this declaration was carefully qualified, by observing, he had never said the British would attack the French fleet, but he could not be responsible for contingencies arising from the presence of two squadrons in the same sea. His lordship made these observations with a perfect knowledge that all the assertions of the French minister were untrue, and all his professions deceptive. Sweden had no desire to see foreign troops in the country where a recent revolution, effected by the King against the aristocracy, had implanted alarm and jealousy in the minds of many; but was anxious for a pecuniary supply, which would have been beneficial to all. They would have been glad to see a French fleet in the Baltic to control and overawe that of Russia; but d'Aiguillon insisted that it should be used only to convey the troops. CHAP. 1773. In his efforts for war, the French minister was supported, of course, by the party who agreed with him, and insidiously aided by some who envied and wished to supplant him. They rejoiced in his dilemma. "His honour is for ever lost," they said, "if he does "not support Sweden; his power is lost if he does." The vigorous language used by Lord Stormont pro- 4th April. duced some effect; the preparation at Brest was coun- Armament at termanded: but still the French, hoping to elude the tinued. vigilance of the British government, directed an armament of twelve or thirteen sail of the line to be New one at equipped at Toulon, under pretence of exercising the sailors; and the order for seven thousand men at Brest was not retracted. Brest discon Toulon, In announcing this information, Lord Stormont Preparations suggested the propriety of vigorous and immediate in England. preparations, without secrecy or affected ostentation; great celerity, steadiness, and activity on our part, might be the most efficient means of preserving the public tranquillity, and prevent the French from beginning that which, if once begun, they would, at all events and every hazard, endeavour to carry through. This prudent advice being consonant to the judgment 7th April. of the cabinet, the Ambassador was instructed to CHAP. 1773. 6th April. Second con ference of the British ambassador with the nister. declare, that if France stirred an oar, England would immediately bend her sails: and that no proposal could be admissible, tending to lead Great Britain to connive at France sending a fleet into the Baltic or Mediterranean. Before the receipt of these instructions, d'Aiguillon avowed to Lord Stormont the intended armament at Toulon, but declared it was only equipped for evolutions. After much discussion, Lord Stormont obFrench mi- served, that although he had not, in his former discourse, mentioned the Mediterranean, yet his arguments respecting the Baltic applied with equal force to that sea; and asked the Duke if he seriously meant the fleet for evolutions alone? D'Aiguillon replied, he indeed intended it so, but it might possibly be employed in assisting Sweden, and angrily asked, What! do you intend to shut us up within our own ports, and to control us everywhere? The sea, he added, was free, and they would, if they pleased, send a fleet into the Mediterranean; we might send one also, and, if it went only to perform evolutions, no harm would 7th April. 14th. Memorial to the French court. ensue. 66 To all this vehemence, which denoted rather the agitation of fear than the warmth of true courage, Lord Stormont opposed calm firmness and undisturbed magnanimity. "I am entrusted," he said, "with the representation of a great nation, too conscious of its strength to boast of it, too careful of its own dignity "to bend before anything that carries with it the "smallest appearance of menace or arrogance; acting, "not from feverish jealousy, but upon calm, steady "principles of honour. In one word, were the con"sequence to be a thirty years' war,-if you arm, we 66 arm." Convinced of the hostile disposition of the French minister, and apprehensive he did not truly represent to his Sovereign the sentiments of the British court, Lord Stormont suggested the propriety of delivering to him a memorial, which must be submitted to the King; he also announced, that the Toulon squadron would be ready for sea by the end of May, and re commended an immediate armament as the best means of preserving peace. In both particulars this advice was promptly followed. CHAP. XXI. 1773. French de 18th. In the mean time, another council was held at 12th April. Versailles, in which d'Aiguillon faithfully reported terred from the sentiments of the British minister; and, in con- hostilities. sequence of their unanimous determination, Lord Stor- 20th. mont was soon informed that the Toulon squadron was either disarmed or considerably reduced. In making this communication, the duke negligently said, orders had been issued to suspend the armament and the sailors countermanded; two frigates only would be sent to the Archipelago, and three ships of the line to Brest: and in a short time the preparations on both Preparations sides were discontinued*. mutually suspended. Lord Stor Thus, by a timely exertion of resolution and 30th. vigour, tempered with moderation, Great Britain not only avoided the calamities of war, but effectually served the cause of her ally, and facilitated the peace, which was in the next year concluded between Russia and the Portet. Lord Stormont received, as he well Conduct of merited, the warm approbation of his Sovereign and mont highly his ministers, who declared that his conduct did honour approved. to his country, and consequently to himself. To all the artifices which had been employed, he had opposed what he justly thought stronger weapons, sincerity, firmness, and temper. The progress of this affair occasioned no great sensation in England. The faction in the city was reduced by divisions to the lowest ebb. Its leaders 16th Feb. attempted to interest the public by recurring to general topics of legislation, and therefore, on the motion of alderman Oliver, the court of aldermen resolved, Resolutions “That a frequent appeal to the constituent part of the passed by the people, by short parliaments, was their undoubted don respect"right, and the only means by which a real repre"sentation could be enjoyed and maintained." 66 city of Lon ing the dura tion of parA liament. From private information; letters and minutes taken on the occasion, and documents in the State Paper office. The British fleet was, in June, assembled at Portsmouth: on the 22nd the King went to view this grand national bulwark, and endeared himself to every one by his affability and bounty. 11th Mar. |