Ferdinand of Brunswick, were cited as instances where the national bounty would be unexceptionably bestowed. In answer, the peculiar merits of Lord Chatham were urged; and it was sarcastically suggested that the possessors of sinecure places without merit should deduct from their emoluments the provision proposed for the family of so illustrious an ornament to the British name. In consequence of some observations by the Lord Chancellor, the whole political conduct of the deceased Earl came under review, and was by some strenuously censured, as the source of all the subsequent disasters of the country; by some partially defended, as founded on integrity, prosecuted with vigour, but occasionally deficient in consistency and wisdom; by others it was extolled in all its parts, as the prodigious effort of a superior genius, who had forced his way at a critical emergency, raised the spirits of a desponding nation, given energy to vacillating counsels, and raised the country to unrivalled glory. The supposed errors in his conduct were ascribed to the rancour of party, and to that unextinguishable spirit of envy which ought to have died with its object*. The bill passed†. 66 66 The principal speakers in this debate were the Lord Chancellor, the Dukes of Richmond and Chandos, Earls of Abingdon, Radnor, Shelburne, and Camden, Lords Lyttelton and Ravensworth. A character of this illustrious statesman, equally remote from the extremes of adulation and censure, is given by Lord John Russell. "He was endowed with qualities to captivate a nation and sub"due a popular assembly. Bold and unhesitating on the part he was to take on every public question; he was the master of a loud and harmonious voice, a "commanding eye, an unrivalled energy, but, at the same time, propriety of language, and a light of imagination which flashed from him with brilliant splendour, and was gone, ere any one could pronounce that the speaker was "fanciful or digressive. Upon every important subject, he appealed to some common and inspiring sentiment: the feelings of national honour, disgust at "political corruption, the care of popular liberty, contempt of artifice, or hatred "of oppression. But, provided the topic were animating and effective, he cared "little whether it were one on which a wise patriot could honestly dilate; a vulgar prejudice served his turn as well as an ancient and useful privilege; he countenanced every prevailing delusion; and hurried the nation to war, not as a necessary evil, but as an honourable choice. Above all, he loved to nourish the popular jealousy of France; and it was upon his means of gratifying this "feeling that he seemed to build his hopes of future power. Ever ready to be "the mouth-picce of the cry or clamour of the House, he could be as incon"sistent as the multitude itself: in his earlier days, when reproached with his change of opinion, he pleaded honest conviction of his error; after he had acquired authority, he faced down his accusers with a glare of his eye, and the † 42 to 11. 66 64 66 CHAP. XXXIII. 1778. CHAP. XXXIII. 1778. him by the 20th and 26th May. 25th May. 6th June. A short protest is on the journals, signed by four peers*. The posthumous compliments to Lord Chatham Honours paid were not confined to the Houses of Parliament, which he had adorned, instructed, and dignified by his eloquence: the Common Council of London petitioned the House of Commons and the throne for the honour of receiving his remains, and interring them in the cathedral of St. Paul's, thus rendering the noblest edifice in the British dominions the depository of one among the noblest subjects of the empire. These petitions were unsuccessful; orders having already been given for the interment in Westminster Abbey. They also petitioned for notice to attend his funeral in their gowns; but, taking offence at some point of conduct in the Lord Chamberlain, rescinded the resolution. They erected, however, a monument to his memory in Guildhall. The body, having laid in state two days in the painted chamber, was interred with great solemnity; but the ceremony was thinly attended†. 7th and 8th June. His funeral. 8th April. Debate re Duke of motion. The debate, interrupted by the illness of Lord Chasumed on the tham, was resumed the ensuing day. The contest was maintained between two chiefs of the leading parties in opposition; the Earl of Shelburne, and the Duke of Richmond. The Earl, cordially adopting the principles of Lord Chatham, that from the moment when Great Britain acknowledged the sovereignty or independency of America, her sun was set, and that a war with France was unavoidable, censured the arguments "hardihood of his denial. Nor, although he assumed a tone of virtue superior "to his age, was he more scrupulous than others in political intrigue; but his object was higher. Instead of bartering his conscience for a large salary, or a share of patronage, he aimed at undivided power, the fame of a great orator, "to be the fear of every cabal, and the admiration of a whole people." Memoirs of the Affairs of Europe, vol. ii. p. 195. For observations on the character of Lord Chatham, far less able and less candid, see Grattans's Memoirs, vol. i. p. 234. The Lord Chancellor (Bathurst), the Duke of Chandos, the Archbishop of York (Markham), and Lord Paget. + Lord Chatham's funeral, Gibbon observes, was meanly attended, and government ingeniously contrived to secure the double odium of suffering the thing to be done, and of doing it with an ill grace. Miscellaneous Works, vol. i. p. 538. The other particulars are taken from the Debates; Appendix to the Chronicle in the Annual Register for 1778; and the Chatham Correspondence, vol. iv. p. 629, where the various inscriptions on monuments to his memory are recorded. tending to inspire despondency: Great Britain had means sufficient, both in population and finance, to resist America, France, and Spain, united. The Duke of Richmond fully acceded to our ability to cope with France and Spain; but America must be our ally, or at least neuter; he was for an immediate concession in independency: both agreed in condemning the conduct of ministers, but they did not interfere in the the debate, either to vindicate themselves or deliver an opinion: the motion was negatived*. CHAP. XXXIII. 1778. Adjournment King's speech. Notwithstanding the length and activity of the ses- 2nd July. sion, motions were ineffectually made in both Houses to of Parliament. prevent an adjournment. The King returned thanks for their zeal in supporting the honour of his crown, and their attention to the real interests of his subjects, in the wise, just, and humane laws which had resulted from their deliberations. His desire to preserve the tranquillity of Europe had been uniform and sincere; the faith of treaties and the law of nations his rule of conduct, and his constant care to give no just cause of offence to any foreign power; "let that power, by "whom this tranquillity shall be disturbed," he said, answer to their subjects, and to the world, for all the "fatal consequences of war." He trusted the experienced valour and dicipline of his fleets and armies, and the loyal and united ardour of the nation, armed and animated in the defence of every thing dear to them, would defeat all enterprises of the enemy, and convince them how dangerous it was to provoke the spirit and strength of Great Britain. He had no other wish or object but to deserve the confidence of Parliament, and the affections of his people. 66 † 50 to 33. CHAPTER THE THIRTY-FOURTH. - 1778. Expeditions from Philadelphia.-State of the British armyand of that under Washington.-Treachery of Congress toward Burgoyne's army.-Drafts of the conciliatory bills sent to Congress.-Their resolutions.-Effects of the measure-Arrival of the French treaty.-Its effect.-La Fayette's expedition to Barren-hill.-Sir William Howe recalled. Superb festival, called Mischianza.--Arrival of the Commissioners. - Passport refused to their Secretary. Terms proposed by them to Congress.—Answer.—Explanatory letter of the Commissioners.--Pretended offers of bribes. Discussions respecting Governor Johnstone.Manifesto of the Commissioners.-Resolutions.-And counter-manifesto of Congress.-Evacuation of Philadelphia.— Severities exercised against loyalists.-Judicious retreat of Sir Henry Clinton.-Action at Monmouth-court-house.— British army go to New York.-Disgrace of General Lee. -Sailing of the Toulon squadron under D'Estaing. —Pursued by Byron.--The French arrive at the Chesapeak.-Expedition against Rhode Island.-Actions at sea.-The Americans repulsed at Rhode Island.-Lord Howe resigns the fleet to Admiral Gambier.-Expedition to Buzzard's Bay. -Surprise of Colonel Baylor.-Attack on Egg Harbour.— Pulaski's legion cut to pieces.-Reduction of Georgia.— Destruction of Wyoming.-And other settlements.--Disappointments of Byron. - D'Estaing sails to the West Indies.- Capture of Saint Pierre and Miquelon. — The French take Dominica.-The English Saint Lucie.—Indignation of the Americans against D'Estaing. His proclamation to the Canadians.-Washington refuses to co-operate in attacking Canada.-Hatred of the Americans toward the French. CHAP. XXXIV. 1778. delphia. WHILE they remained in winter quarters at Philadelphia, the British army confined their efforts to foraging parties; one, under Colonel Mawhood, made a successful excursion to New Jersey, and defeated superior Expeditions detachments of Americans with great loss. Colonel from PhilaAbercrombie and Major Simcoe surprised a portion of American baggage, and returned without disaster, March.. though their co-operation was not so complete as was originally projected. Major Maitland and Captain Henry of the navy, destroyed a quanty of stores and 7th May. forty-four American vessels, which had escaped up the Delaware after the capture of Mud Island. 4th May. British army. These unimportant exploits, however gallant and State of the well conducted, were insufficient to atone for the want of some capital enterprize during the long winter The army exhibited a contrast of immoderate luxury, and excessive misery. Gaming was carried to a ruinous extent; and the grave, staid inhabitants of Philadelphia, were shocked and insulted by some young officers, who introduced into their sober families females of exceptionable character. The vigilance of General Washington, and the extreme severity with which he punished the peasantry for attempting to bring provisions to market, occasioned continual scarcity of necessaries; and the inhabitants, offended by the dissipation of the army, and the pressure of calamity occasioned by their presence, became inimical to the British government. Individuals avowedly friendly to Congress were, through negligence, allowed to reside in the city; and by conveying intelligence to the enemy of intended movements, enabled them to impede supplies, and harass small foraging parties. army. Before he retired to Valley Forge, General Wash- American ington found himself beset with difficulties and as- The Conway sailed by vexations, which in a mind less firm and cabal. patriotic would have produced disgust or despair. While he was laboriously promoting the cause of his country, balancing the relative difficulties of enterprize and delay, and awaiting the result of events and accidents, a combination against him was formed in the army, and not without favourers and supporters in |