"the magnanimity, which your Royal "The consciousness of my innocence has "Highness has so eminently displayed" supported me through my long, severe, "under circumstances so trying, and dur-" and unmerited trials; your approbation "ing a persecution of so long a duration; "of my conduct under them is a reward "these, while they demand an expression" for all my sufferings. "of our unbounded applause, cannot fail "to excite in us a confident hope, that un"der the sway of your illustrious and be"loved Daughter, our children will enjoy "all the benefits of so bright an example; " and we humbly beg permission most un"feignedly to assure your Royal Highness, "that, as well for the sake of our country, "as from a sense of justice and of duty, we "shall always feel, and be ready to give "proof of the most anxious solicitude for "your Royal Highness's health, prosperity, " and happiness. "The Address was then delivered to "Her Royal Highness, who read the fol"lowing answer :— "I shall not lose any opportunity "I may be permitted to enjoy, of en"couraging the talents and virtues of "my dear daughter, the Princess Char"lotte; and I shall impress upon her "mind my full sense of the obligation "conferred upon me by this spontaneous "act of your justice and generosity. "She will therein clearly perceive the "value of that free Constitution, which, in "the natural course of events, it will be "her high destiny to preside over, and her "sacred duty to maintain, which allows no one to sink under oppression; and "she will ever be bound to the City of "London in ties proportioned to the "strength of that filial attachment I have "I thank you for, your loyal and affec-had the happiness uniformly to expe❝tionate Address. It is to me the greatest "consolation to learn, that during so 66 rience from her. "Be assured, that the cordial and conmany years of unmerited persecution," vincing proof you have thus given "notwithstanding the active and perse-" of your solicitude for my prosperity "vering dissemination of the most deli-" and happiness, will be cherished in "berate calumnies against me, the kind" grateful remembrance by me to the "and favourable sentiments with which "they did me the honour to approach me 46 on my arrival in this country, have un"dergone neither diminution nor change" considered by posterity as a proud me latest moment of my life; and the "distinguished proceeding adopted by the "first city of this great empire, will be "morial of my vindicated honour. 66 with great propriety, feeling, and dig"Her Royal Highness read the answer "nity; and some particular passages, upon which any comment would be unsentiment and emphasis.Immedinecessary, were marked with peculiar "ately after the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs 66 " in the hearts of the Citizens of London. "The sense of indignation and ab"horrence you express against the foul "and detestable conspiracy which by per"jured and suborned traducers has been "carried on against my life and honour, is "worthy of you, and most gratifying to It must be duly appreciated by had kissed Her Royal Highness's hand, "every branch of that illustrious House "and while the Livery were pressing for"ward to enjoy the same honour, she "with which I am so closely connected by seemed slightly agitated; but she al"blood and marriage; the personal wel-"most instantaneously recovered herself, " and exclaimed, 'I beg, Gentlemen, that you may not hurry: you will have "plenty of time.' Mr. Alderman Wood "remained in conversation a considerable 66 me. "fare of every one of whom must have "been affected by the success of such atro"cious machinations, 66 66 "time with Her Royal Highness; noticing "groans and expressions of disapprobation "to the Princess the most prominent cha-" were uttered, but no act of violence or "racters as they had the honour of kissing" impropriety was committed. It next "her hand. The apartment in which" proceeded to Charing-cross, through the "Her Royal Highness received the depu-"Strand, Fleet-street, Ludgate-hill, St. "tation of the Livery was so very close "Paul's Church-yard, to Guildhall, where to the Gardens, where thousands were "the ceremony concluded, amidst loud assembled, that many persons near the "and reiterated cheers. Upon the "windows could see Her Royal High-"whole, considering the multitude assemness's person distinctly.- -After the "bled, we never witnessed a spectacle "departure of the Livery, Her Royal" conducted with more propriety, attend"Highness condescendingly went to both. "ed with less ill consequences, for we did the doors, accompanied by her atten- "not hear of a single accident or occur"dants, and courtesied to the assembled rence to lessen the heartfelt pleasure.” "multitude. Her Royal Highness after- Thus, I think, my friend, this matter "wards presented herself from the balcony may be looked upon as settled. The Ad-, "on the first floor, where she was also dress of the City of London expressed the "received with great acclamations, and full and clear sense of the nation. In the "after remaining there a short time, she shouts of the people, upon this occasion, "retired to her private apartments, and the guilty, the base, the cowardly, the "had a select party to dine.--The car- unmanly, the detestable Conspirators might "riages of the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs read the sentence which honesty passed were drawn round into the Duke of upon them. I wonder how the wretches Kent's yard, where his Lordship and looked at each other, if any two of them "his friends took their seats, and return-happened to be together when they heard ed to town in the same order they had "come.—Mr. Alderman Wood was, as "before, drawn by the populace, and was greeted by the exulting shouts of the 66 spectators, who lined the roads and "filled the windows as he passed. 66 those shouts. Their feelings were to be envied by those only who, for some odious offence, are pelted in the pillory. The sentiments of the Address and of the Answer are worthy of the parties and of the occasion; but, I am particularly pleased with that passage in Her Royal Highness's Answer, wherein she so judiciously and so feelingly refers to the support that she has thus received from the people's possessing rights under a free Constitution. And, as I observed to you in my last Letter, her Daughter cannot fail here to receive a lesson, that may be most benefi Had the people possessed no political rights; had they had no right to assemble and to express their opinions in this public way, the Princess could not have received this mark of their good will, "this proud memorial of her vindicated "honour." Upon the arrival of the carriage of the "Lord Mayor at Park-lane, he ordered it "to turn up, in defiance of the cries to "Carlton House,' which burst from all quarters-he was followed by the two "Sheriffs; and in his retreat encountered "the strongest marks o f.indignation from "the crowd, who groaned, hissed, and 61 pelted his carriage, and that of the She-cial to herself as well as to the country.. "riffs, with mud, as long as they were in "view.The remaining part of the "procession, at the head of which was "Mr. Alderman Woo 's carriage, pro"ceeded down Piccadilly, cheered as they "went, and saluted by all who passed, with the most mark ed respect. The "streets were lined with Gentlemen's car"riages, from the win dows of which the inmates waved their handkerchiefs, and gave other demonstrations of pleasure. "As Alderman Wood 's carriage passed "the house of Sir Francis Burdett, three "cheers were given honour of the wor-bin; as a man who wishes to destroy all "thy Baronet, for the 1 art he had taken "in the vindication of Her Royal HighThe Procession then pursued the "line of St. James's-street into Pall-mall, "where, on passing Carlin House, which "they did with unusua speed, some 66 ❝ness. Neither will it escape either Mother or Daughter, that those who have taken the most active part in the defence of the former, are such as are called Jacobins. Mr. Wood, by the base hirelings of the press, has long been represented as a Jaco government and all law. The Princess Charlotte will not fail to bear in mind, that they were the friends of freedom and of parliamentary reform, amongst whom her injured Mother found zealous and successful supporters, which all the horde, who live upon corruption, were either leagued | Majesty to his people will be read by every against, or were careful to keep aloof. I am your faithful friend, Bolley, Wednesday, 14th April, 1813. Wм. COBBETT. Englishman with sentiments of delight.What should induce any Englishman to feel delight at any thing which such a King can say to a people? What has he to tell them, except that, having lately been a province of France, his states are now become a province of Russia; and that they, SUMMARY OF POLITICS. his subjects, who, a few months ago, were NORTHERN WAR. PEACE. -The fighting for France and the Continental Syssuccesses of the Russians have, at last, pro- tem, are now to fight against France and duced the effect of inducing the King of the Continental System? - That the Prussia openly to join them by a treaty of means of Napoleon have been very much alliance, and, at the same moment, to de- crippled there can be no doubt, and it may clare war against France. Thus are be impossible for him so far to recruit his these two powers once more pitted against means, as to be able to re-enter Russia in Buonaparte, who, on his side, appears to the course of a single campaign; but, on be making dreadful preparations for reco- the other hand, we see that he has been vering the influence he has lost, and for making enormous exertions to this end, and chastising these his late allies.- -In taking there is no doubt. that he will return to the a view of the state of the war on the conti- combat with an immense army.. We nent, we will not notice the particulars of have, during the last twenty years, seen that mass of falsehoods which is contained enough to convince us, that the French are in the divers proclamations and state-papers a people not to give up easily any object of that have appeared within these four or five their ambition. Napoleon is ambitious months. According to these, each party is enough; but he is not more ambitious than in the right; each has been ill used; each other Frenchmen. The enthusiasm of the has ground of complaint against its adver- Revolution; that is to say, the enthusiasm sary. There is, indeed, hardly a word of of liberty, against which our Government truth in the whole of their stories, and they so long warred in vain, does certainly no are all unworthy of any particular atten- longer exist; but, still it is the same peotion.But, on the conduct of the several ple, increased in population, enriched by powers we may remark; and may be able, new sources of industry, and accustomed perhaps, to form something like a correct to conquer. When I consider this, I think opinion as to what will be the result of the that this is the moment to offer Napoleon next campaign. The origin of this reasonable terms of peace, lest, by any acNorthern war was, the refusal of the Em-cident, he should recover his lost ground peror of Russia to fulfil the Treaty of Tilsil, in which he stipulated to adopt the Continental system; that is to say, to shut English commerce out of all the ports under his command. No matter what was the cause of this refusal: the refusal was certainly the cause of the war.-————— -The terrible measure of burning Moscow, and the severities of the Russian winter, turned the tide of that war against Napoleon; and, it is not to be at all wondered at, that Prussia has swum with that tide. In fact, the King of Prussia is a mere shuttle-cock between the two Emperors.He is, and he must be, on the side of him who has possession of his dominions.- -The Duke of Bassano gives a pretty good description and history of the conduct of Prussia from the out-set of the French Revolution to the present day; and, really, when one does, consider what that conduct has been, one cannot help smiling to hear the Morning Chronicle say, that the proclamation of his Prussian -It was in the North, in which case, we may be - something formidable in the minds of some and lishments? These are the arguments against peace so long as France remains what she now is; and, hence it is concluded, that we ought to persevere in the war, until the power of France be so reduced as to make peace a measure of safety; for, if we never succeed in reducing the power of France, we shall be no worse off than we should be in making a peace with her now, seeing that such a peace must end in our subjugation.Supposing all this to be true, and some part of it is true, what have those to answer for who began the war, and who, by refusing repeatedly to make peace, have, at last, reduced us to such a dilemma? They went to war on the pretence of preventing the French from partaking with the Dutch in the navigation of the river Scheldt; and what has been the result?However, the grand question is, what is to be done now? Ought we to offer to negotiate, or not, at this moment? Or, ought we to run the risk of another campaign, and to take other chances of reducing the power of France before we negotiate? I think we ought to negotiate if we can; that we ought to see what we are able to do by negotiation, since we have been able to do nothing by war. would, for my part, give up all our conquests, I would leave Sicily, Spain, and Portugal to defend themselves; for, after all, leave them we must; I would disband nine-tenths of the army; I would keep up, in good order, a moderate fleet; I would give up the pretended right of impressing people on board the ships of America; I would put arms into the hands of the people of Great Britain and Ireland; I would reform the Parliament; I would reduce the taxes; and then I would set France at defiance. Those who are not prepared to do this; those who are not prepared for doing all these things, must be content with a continuation of the war; for, without reform, and a reduction of taxes at home, it appears to me clear as day-light, that it would be impossible for this country to maintain itself in peace against the overgrowing power of France. France must be reduced by war, or we must make such reforms as to enable us to exist in peace. One of these two must take place, or this nation must fall under the power of France. This is my opinion, and I should be glad to hear any one seriously maintain the contrary. I should be glad to hear what those have to say, who cry out for peace, and who are silent upon the subject of reform at home.I have seen petitions for am persuaded, at last, come, if the independence of this kingdom is to be preserved. -There are people weak enough to believe, that, if the Whigs were in power, we might hope for peace. But, did any man ever hear the Whigs talk of a reform in parliament? Yes, formerly they did; but the moment they were in possession of jects. They are now full as much the ene- peace; but I have never noticed them as being worthy of great attention; because I know that no real peace can be made unless it be accompanied with reform; because I know, that, until England be made a different place to live in from what it now is, there can be no real peace with France, possessed of all her present power. Those, therefore, who oppose reform, are per-power they ceased to talk upon such sub fectly consistent in being opposed to peace with France at this time; and, as both the great political factions are opposed to reform, they ought both to be opposed to peace. The Morning Chronicle, which, in general, speaks the sentiments of the Whigs, is often reproving the Ministers for not entering into negotiations for peace. But, will Mr. Perry undertake to shew any one benefit with which peace, without the previous reduction of the power of France, would be attended? A peace would, at once, open all the ports and harbours of France; it would bring out the French ships; it would, in a short time, create a French navy. It would give Napoleon the time and the means to make himself formidable by sea. We must, therefore, keep up our navy to nearly its present amount of force. The army we must also keep up; for he need not disband a single battalion. What saving, therefore, would peace bring us? If it produced no saving of expense, it would, of course, not reduce the taxes; and, if it did not reduce the taxes, who, with such a prospect before him, would remain in England if he could quit it? Who that had ten thousand pounds would remain here to pay, in one way or another, one-half of the interest of it to the Government, and that, too, without the most distant prospect of alleviation? The nation, under such circumstances, must dwindle into a state of feebleness that would naturally prepare way for utter subjugation. To reduce the taxes without reducing the army; indeed without disband-turers, and upon all those who suffer from ing the army, it is nonsense to talk of; to the war, to see the matter in this light.— disband the army without putting arms They feel the evils of war; the masters are into the hands of the people would be to in- ruined and the journeymen are starved by That is enough: they look no vite invasion; and, to put arms into the the war. hands of the people, without giving them a further: they ask for peace. But, they do share in the concern by the means of a Par- not reflect on the causes of peace being reliamentary Reform, would be madness.- fused; they do not ask themselves how No: as Major Cartwright has long ago con- peace is to be got; they do not take time to inquire into the consequences of peace as tended, and long ago proved, the only sure defence is in an armed people, represented things now stand with regard to the relain parliament by persons chosen by that po- tive power of the two countries. If they pulation. His scheme is, that the duty of did, they would soon discover, that peace arms-bearing and the right of voting should is not to be had without a parliamentary go hand in hand: and to this we must, I reform, or without a reduction of the power the -Now is the moment to offer peace. Napoleon is so situated as to make him lend an ear to such an offer; but, unless you can prevail upon him to give up two-thirds of his power, which is not very likely, it is useless to make peace, if you be not, at the same time, prepared to make a reform at home. should be very the manufac glad, if I could prevail upon |