[Attempt against the life of the King of England.]

importation of the raw materials that were used in their manufactures; also exempting them and their workmen from the payment of taxes, and every personal impost. On these conditions they were obliged to continue for a specified number of years in the kingdom, but at the expiration of that term, they were at liberty to depart themselves, and to remove their property wherever they chose. The king and his ministry were no less disposed to favour the native protestants, as far as was consistent with the well being and security of the national church: indulgences were likewise extended this year to the peasants, who long had been grievously oppressed; they were relieved from various arbitrary exactions, both of labour and money, and their condition was in general meliorated. The great objects which the mild and benevolent Louis pursued were, the improvement of the strength and productiveness of his kingdom, the alleviation of oppressions interwoven with the government, as it had descended to him from his ancestors, and the extension of the blessings of liberty to his people.

The most remarkable domestic occurrence of the year was an attempt, originating in frenzy, that fortunately answered no other purpose, than to demonstrate the warm affection with which a happy, feeling, and grateful people regarded their sovereign. On Wednesday, the 2d of August, his majesty came to town to the levee; as he was alighting from his carriage at the garden gate of St. James's palace opposite to the Duke of Marlborough's wall, a woman, decently dressed, presented to the king a paper folded up in the form of a petition; his majesty stooping to receive it, felt at his stomach a thrust, which passed between his coat and waistcoat; drawing back, he said, "What does the woman mean?" At that instant a yeoman of the guards laying hold of her arm, observed something fall from her hand, and called out, "Tis a knife!" The king said, "I am not hurt; take care of the woman, do not hurt her." Much affected by the attempt, his majesty said, in a voice expressive of tender feelings, "I am sure I have not deserved such treatment from any of my subjects!" On opening the paper, when he entered the royal apartments, he found written: "To the king's most excellent majesty ?" the usual head to petitions; but nothing more. The woman was immediately taken into custody, and carried to the guard chamber. Being questioned how she could make such a wicked and daring attempt; her answer was, "That when she was brought before proper persons, she would give her reasons." From the hour of twelve to five she remained in a chamber to which she was conducted, but would not answer one word to any perIn the evening, after the levee was broken up, she was examined by the ministers, the law officers of the crown, and several magistrates. Her replies, claiming the crown as her property, and threatening the nation with bloodshed for many ages if her right was denied, indicated an insanity, which from appearances, examination and subsequent inquiry was soon discovered to be real: her name proved to be Margaret Nichol

son.

It was imagined by many, that disappointment of her own, or some near connexion, concerning a place under government, had contributed to her insanity, and given her disordered fancy such a direction; but when her history was traced, it was found to have no relation to either the court or government. After a short consultation, it was resolved that she should be sent to Bethlehem hospital, where she has been confined ever since.

VOL. VIII.-8

[Sentiments of the people on that occasion.]

Most providential it was, that this wretched creature made use of her left hand, her other presenting the petition; and that its position was such, that she could only aim obliquely. Had her right hand been employed, which, where she stood, could have struck directly, dismal might the consequence have been. Even with the aim which she took, the happiness of the nation, in the safety of its revered monarch, was highly indebted to our king's presence of mind. Had his majesty been thrown into confusion by a danger so unexpected, the fatal deed might have been perpetrated, before the attempt was perceived. Next to his magnanimity, the considerate humanity of the sovereign shone most evidently conspicuous. His benevolent injunction to abstain from hurting a person who had compassed against him so atrocious an act, most probably saved the assassin from the summary and immediate vengeance of his surrounding subjects. Similar conduct in similar circumstances, this history has still to record, concerning the same exalted character. nately for their feelings, neither her majesty nor any of the royal offspring were present. The intelligence of the danger was accompanied by the certain information that it was escaped. The report of the aim excited horror and indignant resentment through the nation, until the state of the perpetrator's mind was made generally known, and the dreadful impression of the calamity threatened, yielded to delight that it had threatened, in vain. The exquisite pleasure that results from terrible and impending evil avoided, poured itself in addresses of ardent and heartfelt loyalty from every quarter of the kingdom. His subjects before knew that they loved and revered their king; but now only felt the full force of these affections, when the impression present to their minds was the imminent danger of their object.

Fortu

CHAPTER XXXVII.

Mr. Pitt's enlarged views on the relation between this country and France.Perceives that peace and amicable intercourse is the interest of both countries. -Thinks past enmity not an unsurmountable bar to permanent reconciliation. -Projects a commercial intercourse, to be mutually beneficial by a reciprocal exchange of surplus for supply.-Seeks the best assistance, and employs the most skilful agents.--Principle and details of the treaty-Meeting of parliament and the king's speech.-Treaty submitted to parliament.-Mr. Fox and his coadjutors oppose the treaty.-Arguments.-France the unalterable enemy of Great Britain.-Mutual interest can never eradicate that sentiment.-Every commercial connexion with France has been injurious to Britain. For the treaty denied that there is any unalterable enmity between France and this country.-Not always enemies.-The repeated discomfiture of France, warring against the navy of England, at length taught her the policy of peace. The treaty supported by a great majority.-Convention with Spain. -Consolidation of the customs.-Application of the dissenters for the repeal of the test act.-Number and respectability of the dissenters as a body.-Distinguished talents of some of their leaders.-Dissenters favourable to Mr. Pitt, and thence expect his support of their application.-Previous steps to prepossess the public in their favour.-Mr. Beaufoy demonstrates their zeal for liberty and the present establishment.-Lord North, a moderate tory, opposes their application, as inimical to the church.-Mr. Pitt opposes it on the grounds of political expediency.-The test no infringement of toleration, merely a condition of admissibility to certain offices of trust.-Eminent dissenters had avowed themselves desirous of subverting the church;-therefore not expedient to extend their power.-Application rejected.-Bill for the relief of insolvent debtors.-Lord Rawdon's enlightened and liberal policy.-Bill negatived.-Inquiry about Scotch peerages.-Magnanimous sacrifice by the prince of Wales of splendour to justice.-Situation of his highness.-Satisfactory adjustments.Proceedings respecting Mr. Hastings.-Writings in his defence.-The nation long averse to his impeachment.-Hasting's cause generally popular.-Eloquence gives a turn to public opinion.-Celebrated speech of Mr. Sheridan on the Begum charge.-Its effects on the house of commons and the public.Singular instance of its impression on a literary defender of Mr. Hastings,-A committee appointed to prepare articles of impeachment. The commons impeach Warren Hastings at the bar of the house of lords.-Supplies.-Favoura ble state of the finances.-Mr. Dundas brings forward the financial state of British India.-Promising aspect of affairs.

HISTORY recorded that France and England had been usually jealous, and often hostile: statesmen on both sides acted upon an assumption, that rivalry and enmity were unavoidable consequences of their situation; and, therefore, that the chief objects of external policy to both, were reciprocal suspicion, and provision for probable enmity. The bold and soaring genius of Pitt was not to be trammelled by precedent: he investigated principle, and combining generalization with the experience of political systems and events, easily traced effects, either good or bad, to their causes; and could discover in what cases and circumstances, continuance, or change of plan, or of practice, was expedient or unwise. The sagacity of this minister analyzed the history and spirit of the wars which had been carried on between Britain and France, since trade and navigation became so much the objects of European pursuits: and saw that they had commonly arisen from a desire on the side of France

[Views of Mr. Pitt on the relation between Britain and France.]

of equalling, and even surpassing, Britain on her peculiar element. He considered the event, as well as the origin: every endeavour of our neighbour to triumph by sea had diminished the riches and power which she sought to increase by a contest: both her commerce and naval force had been uniformly reduced by the very wars, through which she attempted their extension. The resources of Britain had risen in proportion to the power which she was compelled to combat ; and all the confederacies which her rival could form, were incapable of depriving this island of her maritime pre-eminence; hence it was evident, that no state which sought opulence and strength, through commercial efforts, acted wisely in provoking to conflict the mistress of the ocean, who could so effectually destroy the trade of her foes: it was, therefore, the interest of France to desist from that hostile policy which had so much obstructed the improvements of her immense resources. Peace with France was no less beneficial to Britain, which had so far consulted her advantage, as to abstain from offensive hostility against her neighbour: within the period of great commercial enterprise in northern and western Europe, England had never gone to war, but to repel aggression, direct or circuitous. Concord being the mutual interest of the parties, Mr. Pitt conceived the noble design of changing the contentious system of policy which had so long prevailed; and the execution, though difficult, he had solid reasons not to believe impracticable. That hereditary enmity was not an unsurmountable obstacle to reconciliation and close alliance, was clearly demonstrated from the former and recent relations between France and Spain, and between France and Austria. Those powers, which had been the constant enemies of France throughout the seventeenth century, and one of them during more than one half of the eighteenth, were now her fastest friends; why might not permanent amity be established between Britain and her former rival? The most effectual means of inducing the two countries to pursue objects so conducive to their mutual benefit, he thought, would be a commercial intercourse, which should reciprocally increase the value of productive labour. The minister derived his knowledge and philosophy from the purest sources; he sought information, either particular or general, wherever it was to be found authentic and important: and was peculiarly happy in arranging details, and, from either masses or systems, selecting and applying what was best fitted for his purpose. Political economy and commercial science he learned from Smith: he agreed with that illustrious writer in his estimate of the reciprocal advantage that might accrue to industrious and skilful nations, from an unfettered trade, which should stipulate their respective efforts. Before he formed his scheme for promoting an intercourse between the two chief nations of the world, he made himself thoroughly acquainted with the state of facts, the actual productions, and the probable resources of the respective countries. The *minister possessed that ability and skill in choosing coadjutors, which results from a thorough comprehension of characters, and a nice discernment of the appropriate talents and knowledge, dispositions and conduct peculiarly adapted to any specific end. For commercial informa tion and science, especially the history and actual state of modern trade, no man exceeded Lord Hawkesbury: from that able statesman he derived very important assistance in preparing his scheme. Greatly did he also profit by Mr. Eden, whose acuteness and conversancy with every sub

[Mr. Eden sent to Paris. Principle and details of the treaty.]

ject of commerce and diplomatic experience, rendered him a most valuable auxiliary in digesting and composing the plan at home, and the ablest agent for negotiating and concluding an advantageous agreement with France. Eden accordingly repaired to Paris; where he conducted and completed the desired arrangement with the ministers of Louis.

The treaty in question established reciprocal liberty of commerce between the two countries. The subjects of each power were to navigate and resort to the dominions of the other, without any disturbance or question, except for transgressing the laws. The prohibitory duties in each kingdom, by enhancing the price, had reciprocally discouraged the sale of their principal commodities; these were now modified to the satisfaction of both by a tariff. The wines of France to be imported into England, were subjected to no higher duty than the productions of Portugal; the duties on brandies and various other articles were to be lowered in proportion; and the commodities of Britain were to be equally favoured in France. On the same basis of reciprocity were the articles respecting disputes between the mercantile, maritime, or other subjects of the two countries, and various details of civil, commercial, and political intercourse were to be adjusted. In whatever related to the lading and unlading of ships, the safety of merchandise, goods, and effects, the succession to personal estates, as well as the protection of individuals, their personal liberty, and the administration of justice, the subjects of the two contracting parties were to enjoy in their respective dominions the same privileges, liberties, and rights, as the nation or nations most highly favoured by each. Should, hereafter, through inadvertency or otherwise, any infractions, or contraventions of the treaty be committed on either side, the friendship and good understanding should not immediately thereupon be interrupted; but this treaty should subsist in all its force, and proper remedies should be procured for removing the inconveniences, as likewise for the reparation of injuries. If the subjects of either kingdom should be found guilty, they only should be punished and severely chastised. The relative commercial condition and resources, on which Mr. Pitt grounded his conclusions, he generalized into concise propositions. At first sight it appeared, that France had the advantage in the gift of soil and climate, and in the amount of her natural produce; while Britain was on her part confessedly superior in her manufactures and artificial productions. This was their relative condition, and was the precise ground on which he imagined that a valuable correspondence and connexion might be established. Having each her own distinct staples; each that which the other wanted, and no clashing in the grand outlines of their respective riches; they were like two great traders in different branches, and might enter into a traffic mutually beneficial. The respective princes reserved to themselves the right of revising this treaty after the term of twelve years, to propose and make such alterations as the times and circumstances should have rendered proper or necessary for the commercial interests of their subjects. This revision should be completed in the space of a year, after which the present treaty should be of no effect; but in that event the good harmony and friendly correspondence between the two nations should not suffer the least diminution.

In a treaty formed on the basis of reciprocal freedom of trade, the advantage to the contracting parties was, and necessarily must be, in the