and, in consequence of this principle, the practice of nations had limited such right of reparation to three articles:-1st. The restitution of the vessels;-2d. A full indemnification for the losses sustained by the parties injured;and, 3d. A satisfaction to the Sovereign for the insult offered to his flag. In order to prevent all misconception of the nature and extent of the satisfaction thus required, Mr. Fitzherbert added, that if his Catholic Majesty would consent to make a declaration in his name, bearing in substance, that he had determined to offer to his Britannic Majesty, a just and suitable satisfaction for the insult offered to his flag such offer, joined to a promise of making restitution of the captured vessels, and to indemnify the proprietors, would be regarded by his Britannic Majesty as constituting in itself the satisfaction demanded; and his Majesty would accept of it as such by a counter-declaration on his part.

In the terms of accommodation here proposed, there was nothing injurious to the feelings, or offensive to the dignity, of the King of Spain. But as the Court of Madrid entertained hopes of interesting the French government, on whom it had formally called to fulfil the conditions of the memorable treaty concluded at Paris in 1761, and known by the denomination of THE FAMILY COMPACT;

it returned an evasive reply to the demands of the British government. The National Assembly of France, however, who were, in fact, the virtual sovereigns of that country, did not find it expedient to go to war with England, at this particular juncture; and, although they resolved to fulfil, and to renew, the existing treaties with Spain, and decreed that the navy should be increased to forty-five ships of the line, they afforded no encouragement to his Catholic Majesty to persevere in his resistance to the claims of justice. Accordingly, before their decree had passed, the Spanish government, well convinced that they had little to expect from the assistance of their old ally, consented to the terms originally proposed by the British minister; and a declaration, and counter-declaration, in strict conformity therewith, were signed by the Count de Florida Blanca and Mr. Fitzherbert, on the 24th of July. And, on the 28th of October following, this dispute was brought to a happy termination, by a formal convention; by which every thing was placed on the same footing on which it stood previous to the capture of the British vessels at Nootka Sound. The full liberty of trade on the North-west coasts of America, and the right of fishing in the Pacific Ocean, and in the South Sea, were acknowledged and confirmed to Great Britain. Both nations were

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restricted from establishing any settlement nearer to Cape Horn than the most southerly of the existing Spanish settlements. England consented to restrict her subjects from carrying on any illicit trade with the Spanish colonies;-reparation was made to the individuals who had suffered by the hostile acts of Spain; and it was finally agreed, that, in the event of any future difference, no act of hostility should be committed, but that it should be referred to the respective Courts, to be amicably settled.

The news of this accommodation reached England in November, where it occasioned a lively sensation of joy.The city of London thought it of sufficient importance to form the subject of a congratulatory address to the King,

and the minister had the satisfaction of asserting the disputed rights of the country, and of vindicating her insulted honour, without the necessity of recurring to measures which must have essentially interfered with his favourite plans of the improvement of the revenue, and the reduction of the national debt.

CHAPTER XV.

Proceedings of the National Assembly of France-Declare the old Laws to be in force until new Laws shall be enacted-Dissent of the People from such Declaration— The will of the People, or rather the will of the Parisian populace, becomes the law of the Nation-Riots ensueHopes raised by Neckar's promises dissipated-Distresses of the Country-Enormous deficit-Assignats issued on the security of the Estates of the Church, which are ordered to be sold-Offer of the Clergy to supply the sum required rejected by the Assembly-The Public compelled to receive Assignats at par-Titles and Armorial Bearings suppressed on the motions of Charles de Lameth and Matthew de Montmorenci-Conquerors of the Bastille rewarded by the Assembly, but resign the honours proposed to be conferred on them—A Deputation to the Assembly from all the nations of the Earth-Anacharsis Clootz, a Prussian vagabond, orator of the DeputationFavourably received by the Assembly-Curious Anecdote of this Deputation-The King resolves to put himself at the head of the Revolution-Communicates his resolution to the Assembly-Weakness and inefficacy of this Attempt Robespierre becomes conspicuous- Marat excites the People to Rebellion-Seditious language of Camille Desmoulins-Proposal of Mr. Malouet, for prosecuting these Libels, first adopted, and afterwards defeated Amnesty passed for all Revolutionary Crimes

Motions for a similar Amnesty, for all persons accused of opposing the Revolution, rejected-Tumult in the Assembly excited by a Speech of the President de FrondevilleThe President prints his Speech-Is imprisoned in his own House, by order of the Assembly-Reflections on this Transaction-The Duke of Orleans, at the Instigation of his Mistress, sends a Challenge to M. de Frondeville, but dares not meet him-Neckar, alarmed for his safety, flies from the Capital, and leaves the Kingdom-Opening of the new Parliament of England-The King's Speech— Debates on the Convention with Spain, which is censured by Mr. Fox-Supported by Mr. Pitt-Mr. Pitt proposes means for defraying the Expenses of the late ArmamentMr. Burke's Motion respecting the Impeachment of Mr. Hastings-Mr. Pitt's Speech-He defends the Rights and Privileges of Parliament-Contends that an Impeachment by the Commons is not abated by a dissolution-Examines the Question on the grounds of Precedent-Of the practice of Parliament, and of Judicial Decisions, and the Opinions of eminent Lawyers-Animadversions on the mode of Prosecution by Impeachment, and on the Judicial Power exercised by the House of Commons-The House resolve, by a great majority, to proceed with the Impeachment of Mr. Hastings-Mr. Burke proposes to limit the Prosecution to one more Charge-Remarks on his Speech-Motion for putting a stop to all further Proceedings rejected, and Mr. Burke's motion carried-War in India-Reprobated by Mr. Fox-Defended by Mr. PittApproved by the House Mr. Wilberforce moves the Abolition of the Slave Trade-Mr, Pitt's Speech in favour of the motion Arguments in defence of the TradeMotion rejected by a considerable majority-Philanthropic spirit of the Age-Laudable in its Principle, though mistaken in its Application-Repeal of certain Penalties, and Disabilities, to which Papists were subjected by the