The Parliamentary Register; Containing an Account of the Most Interesting Speeches and Motions; Accurate Copies of All the Protests, and of the Most R (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1793 edition. Excerpt: ... was evident fhe had been out in her calculations; for fhe had difcovered that the people of England were not to be feparated from their King, and that they were at all times ready to arm, when fummoned by the facred obligation of treaties, and a regard to the honour and character of their country. When His Majefty's Miniflers refufed to make the recognition of the French Republic a preliminary to negociation, the Executive Council of France adopted a meafure which, of itfelf, might be confidered as a complete rupture of all negociation, and tantamount to a declaration of war; for an order was immediately iffued, contrary to the law of nations, and to the faith of treaties, for ftopping all the Britifh fhips in the ports of France. Here His Majcfty might have conlidered his dignity fo far attacked as to juftify a determination on his part not to liften to any offer of negociation, fhort of an apology and reparation, for fo outrageous an act; but his love for peace ftiH prevailed, and would not fuffer him to renounce any chance for the continuance of it. To this end it was that Lord Auckland, the Englifh Ambaffador at the Plague, having difpatched advice home that General Dumourier, Oimmander in Chief of the French armies in the Netherlands, had fent to him to propofe a perfonal conference with him (Lord Auckland) at a certain time and place, for the purpofe of refuming the negociation, and trying to avert the calamity of a war, His Majefly refolved to give his Ambaffador leave to attend the conference. From this ftep on the part of France, and the King's readinefs to co-operate in the happy work of reftoring peace to Europe, it might well have been expected that the period of a general pacification was at no great diftar.ee. But how would...