148 | 
méans to conclude, in the course of 
2795, with some of the most con- 
siderable members of the confede- 
racy ; whose dereliction of it, at 
the beginning of the preceding 
vear, was not even suspected, and 
the apprehension of which would 
have appeared chimerical. 
It was in the midst of the triumphs 
of France over all its enemies, and 
while the potentates of Europe were 
beginning to hesitate concerning 
the measures proper to be pursued, 
that the parliament of Great Bri- 
tain, resumed its annual sessions 1 
they were opened by the king on 
the thirteenth day of December ; the 
royal speech insisted on the necessity 
of a vigcrous continuation of the 
war, and on the rapid decline of the 
resources of France. Holland ter. 
rified at the dangers that threatened 
it, had sought to obviate them by 
negotiation for peace with the 
French government; but this was 
not to be confided in, and its enmity 
to Great Britain, in particular, ren- 
dered every attempt at a reconcilia. 
tion disgracetul and impracticable : 
the most effe¢tual means had, there- 
fore, been used for the augmenta- 
tion of the national force; and the 
operations of the next campaigns 
would be concerted with due care, 
in conjunction with those powers 
that were convinced of the neces- 
sity of a&ting with the utmost vi- 
gour, ‘The acceptance of the crown 
of Corsica was mentioned, together 
with the treaty of amity and com. 
merce with America, and the mar. 
riage of the prince of Wales with 
the princess of Brunswick. The 
commons were exhorted to make 
‘an ample and timely provision for 
the public service; the flourishing 
state of commerce, credit, and pub- 
lic resources, was strongly asserted ; 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1795, 
and the prospect held out, that, by 
resolution and perseverance, secu 
rity would be obtained at home, and 
Europe. delivered from the dangers 
to which it was exposed. 
In the house of lords, the ad- 
dress was moved by lord Camden, 
and seconded by lord Besborough : 
they warmly insisted on the prose- 
cution of the war, and that the ill. 
success of the last campaign render- 
ed negotiations for peace unseascn. 
able, as the enemy would require 
concessions too dishonourable to be 
granted, ‘The situation of France, 
compared to that of England, was 
far more critical, from its destitu. 
tion of the many resources re- 
maining to this country. Never 
had the strength of Great Britain 
been so powerfully exerted; the 
revenue was particularly flourishing, 
and the forces by land and sea had 
at'no period displayed a more formi- 
dable appearance. 
They were opposed by the earl 
of Guildford, who in strong terms, 
reprobated the continuance of the 
war, and alleged its impoliey, from 
the incessant disasters it produced to 
the country, which was in a much 
worse situation than when it com- 
menced. The object, proposed by 
ministers, was as distant as at that 
time; and the allies, who were to 
assist in its accomplishment, a¢ted as 
if they rather permitted than wanted 
the aid of this country. Our en- 
gagements tied us to them, more 
than them to us, and were framed 
for the purposes of their ambition, 
Holland had been sacrificed to it, 
and, without a peace, was utterly 
undone; France, it was clear, could, 
neither be conquered nor dictated to 
by the confederacy; to represent 
that country, as labouring under 
heavier calamities than, England, 
was 
