HISTORY OF EUROPE. 
animprudent and hasty step, and 
that chance is utterly lost. He 
could not at present enter into 
a detail of particulars: He had no 
hesitation, however, in declaring, 
that the disposition of his majesty’s 
ministers went beyond the purpose 
'of the motion before them; and, 
that in consequence of dispatches 
received from his Imperial majesty, 
who had refused to negociate for 
peace, but in conjunction with 
Great Britain, a confidential person 
was to be sent, from this country to 
. Vienna, with instructions to enable 
the emperor to conduct farther ne- 
_gociations, in concert with his al- 
ies. He, therefore, hoped that 
Mr. Pollen would withdraw his 
motion, rather than persevere in a 
measure which would tend to defeat 
the end which it proposed. 
Colonel Porter disavowed all 
confidence in ministers. The chan- 
cellor. of the exchequer had come 
to the house with a flourishing de- 
' scription of the state of the finances3. 
and in a few weeks thereafter, we 
were found to bein a situation little 
short of bankruptcy, At allevents, 
the present motion could. do no 
_ harm ; it should, therefore, have 
his support. 
Mr. Addington had flattered him- 
selé that, after what had passed, Mr. 
- Pollen would have withdrawn his 
) motion. This motion, he observed, 
__was founded on two grounds, stated 
in a French paper : first, the origin 
_ of the war, which was attributed to 
_, the British ministry ; secondly, the 
"insincerity of the British govern- 
7 ment in its overtures for peace. 
_ He made a variety of obs¢rvations, 
_ _tending to shew, that ministers were 
dragged into the war against their 
wills; and, also, that they had not’ 
neglected any feasible opportunities 
[r73 
or means of pacification. If we 
were to make any application for 
peace, he said, in our present cire 
cumstances, the enemy might sup- 
pose, that we were driven to it by: 
the recent occurrences at the bank. 
It had been asked, what had been 
gained by the war? This was an 
improper question, as it was a war 
of defence: but, we had retained 
our character, atchieved great con- 
quests, and made a discovery of 
easy means of preserving internal 
tranquillity. We had nearly de- 
stroyed the marine of France, and 
given a severe blow to that of 
Spain, We had,in a great degree, 
quashed those dangerous princi- 
ples that were abroad, and secured 
our honour, our liberty, and, he 
trusted, our constitution. These 
were some of the-advantages we: 
had gained by the war: and, on 
these grounds, he would vote against: 
the motion, and move the order of 
the day. 
Mr. Eox thought,as he knew the 
country also thought, that peace 
was the only means of averting our 
impending ruin. But what does 
the minister, who has had so large 
a share im producing your present 
calamities, propose to you to-night? 
That you should still ‘repose your 
confidence in him: still confide in 
‘those councils which have been so 
fatal. Itseemed, Mr.. Hammond, 
of whose abilities he had no doubt, 
was going to Vienna, and, on this, 
the minister expected them to stop 
at once, in the performance of their 
duty. 
says the minister, in conjunction with 
the emperor, and Buonaparte isto be 
negociator for peace with us both. 
Do not put me under difficulties, by 
youruntimely interference. Tothat, , 
az a general -principle, Mr. Fox- 
had 
We are now to negociate,. 
