propagated among the sepoys, that it was the wish of the British government to convert them by forcible means to Christianity, and which was said to have been strengthened by an attempt to change the sepoy turban into something resembling the helmet of the European light infantry. CHA P. LXXVII. 1806. SOME discussions arose at home between the Lord Minto appointed .company and the government, respecting the pro- governorposal for recalling sir George Barlow, and appoint- general. ing the earl of Lauderdale to the government of India; but the court of directors, when his lordship declined to urge his pretensions, acquiesced in the appointment of lord Minto to that high office. THE period was now approaching at which the Illness of British nation was to be deprived of one of its Mr. Fox; brightest ornaments. Mr. Fox, who, on his accession to office, was labouring under indisposition, had been disabled during the summer from attending to public business: the rapid progress of his disease, a dropsy, baffled all the applications of medical skill, and he expired on the 13th of Sep- His death. tember, in the 57th year of his age. The public regret for his loss subdued for a time the conflicting prejudices of party, and an unanimous homage was paid to those great and amiable qualities which won the cordial affection of his friends, and the generous admiration of his adversaries. As a senator, he was distinguished alike for the comprehensiveness of his views, the liberality of his principles, the persuasive and convincing force of his eloquence; as a minister of state, he displayed in the management of public affairs the same noble simplicity which characterised his conduct in private. life; and he had sense and spirit to prefer the direct course of English plain dealing to the specious professions, the cautious wiles, the timid unworthy chicanery, the sinister reservations, and the over-reaching craft, which are but too commonly regarded as the perfection of modern diplomacy. Though 1806. CHAP. Though the sincere advocate of peace, he uniformLXXVII. ly deprecated the purchase of that blessing by the slightest sacrifice of national honour; his firm adherence to the principles of the constitution was no less conspicuous than his zeal for the cause of liberty; and he vindicated the rights of the people as the surest basis of the strength and prosperity of his country. Consequent changes in On the death of this lamented statesman some the cabinet. new arrangements became necessary among the members of administration. Lord Howick was appointed secretary for foreign affairs; Mr. Thomas Grenville succeeded him as first lord of the admiralty; Mr. Tierney became president of the board of control, to which the former gentleman had been appointed on the nomination of lord Minto to the government of India; lord Sidmouth was president of the council in the room of earl Fitzwilliam, who retired in ill health; and the vacant office of privy seal was assigned to lord Holland. These changes were rather unexpectedly followed by a dissolution of parliament; but this appeal to the people procured for ministers no great accession of strength in the house of commons. CHAP. LXXVIII. - Meeting of parliament. - King's speech. - Discussions on LXXVIII. 1806. parliament. THE new parliament assembled on the 15th of CHA P. December, and was opened on the 19th by commission. The speech alluded to the recent negociations with France, and stated that his majesty's Meeting of endeavours for the restoration of general tranquillity King's had been disappointed by the ambition and injustice speech. of the enemy, who had re-kindled a most calamitous war in Europe. In reference to Prussia, it was observed, that the resolution at length adopted by that power of resisting the system of aggrandisement which threatened Germany with subjugation, had 1806. CHAP. had not been previously concerted with his majesty, LXXVIII. nor had any satisfaction been offered for the aggressions which had placed the two countries, (Great Britain and Prussia) in a state of mutual hostility; yet his majesty had not hesitated to adopt the measures best calculated to unite their councils and interests against the common enemy; but unhappily the rapid course of events had raised insurmountable difficulties against the execution of that purpose. Great satisfaction was expressed, that under a complication of disasters, and in the most trying circumstances, the good faith of the allies remained unshaken. The conduct of the king of Sweden had been distinguished by the most honourable firmness; and the happy union subsisting between Great Britain and Russia had been cemented by reciprocal proofs of attachment and confidence. In the debates which ensued, Mr. Canning severely animadverted on the foreign policy of ministers; but the addresses passed without a division, and after unanimous votes of thanks to the brave men who conquered at Maida, parliament adjourned for the holidays. 1807. Discussions on the late negoci France. On the 2d of January, lord Grenville called the attention of the peers to the papers laid before them respecting the late negociation with France; ation with and after an elaborate exposition of the course pursued by government, moved an address to his majesty, testifying regret that his pacific endeavours should have been frustrated, and assuring him of cordial support and assistance in any future measures, either for the restoration of peace or the prosecution of war. A similar motion was made in the house of commons by lord Howick on the 5th, and after very animated debates, the consequent addresses were carried in both houses. On this occasion Mr. Canning expressed his regret that ministers had suffered a negociation, of which the unsuccessful termination was to be foreseen even in its Observ ations of Mr. Canning. earliest LXXVIII. 1807. earliest stage, to be protracted by the artifices of CHA P. the enemy, for his advantage alone, and to the infinite detriment of this country. He rejoiced in the good understanding which we had maintained with Russia, but lamented that the existence of such an union had not been more openly manifested. Was it notorious, he asked, that England and Russia acted in concert? was not the direct contrary more than suspected? Was any inducement held out for Prussia to apply to them for counsel and assistance? In the declaration published by the court of Berlin in October 1816, it was said, in reference to the period when Prussia was goaded by France into measures which led immediately to war, that "two negociations were at that time carried on at Paris, one with Russia, the other with the English ministry; in both which the intentions of France against Prussia were abundantly manifested. An alliance lost half its value when it was not avowed in the eyes of the world. "Separately in term, but substantially in concert," was a form of treaty which had all the disadvantages of combination, without any of the advantages for which combination was most to be prized. How could that concert be effectual which was known to none but the parties who concealed it, and to the enemy who stipulated for its concealment in order that he might deny it, and which presented to all other nations no other appearance than that of disunion of counsels, and diversity of objects? Mr. Canning then adverted to the question concerning the policy or impolicy of a rupture with Prussia for the sake of Hanover. Prussia had, in the first instance, accepted the transfer of that electorate from France, on the condition that the possession should not be considered as valid until a general peace should be concluded, or until the consent of the king of Great Britain should be obtained. Bonaparte acquiesced for a time; but VOL. VI. N no |