HISTORY OF EUROPE vd 
The definitive treaty was signed in 
March, and ratified in June, In 
the month of August, France took 
upon herself to regulate and new 
model the several states of Europe. 
So early as the month of August, 
she set about new modelling the 
German empire. Our ministers 
viewed this scene too with the 
greatest indifference. The inter- 
ests of another old and faithful 
ally, the prince of Orange, were 
also sacrificed at the peace of Ami- 
ens. It was understood however, 
and the noble marquis (Cornwallis) 
who had concluded that peace, had 
risen in his place and asked with an 
honest warmth, ‘Could any man 
suppose that a full indemnity was 
not intended for the prince of 
Orange?” And yet his rights have 
been sacrificed. If any fears or 
alarm can now be entertained of 
the incapacity of this country to 
combat France, they were owing to 
the censurable and criminal con- 
duct of the king’s servants, who had 
dismantled the fleet and disbanded 
‘the army, before they had any cer- 
tain demonstrations of sincere and 
permanent peace on the part of 
France. ** Another part of his ma- 
_ Jesty’s speech has my sincere appro- 
bation; I mean that part which 
recommends an augmentation of 
our forces. This was certainly not 
very pacific, but it shews that 
ministers at length see the necessity 
of vigor and watchfulness when op- 
posed to an able and an active 
government.” On the retrospect of 
affairs he could not heip expres- 
sing astonishment at the absurd 
conduct of ministers, ‘* We have 
now obtained peace, and yet, in- 
_ stead of the boasted reductions and 
savings which we were taught to 
‘on the part of France. 
expect, we were now to havea con- 
siderable augmentation. In the 
late encroachments on Switzerland, 
they did not think it proper to in- 
terfere, but now they find out that 
it is necessary to be watchful of the 
conduct of France. In order to 
expect any real good, we must 
have a total change of men and 
measures. In the madness of mi-+ 
nisters for a hollow peace, they 
sent out orders to abandon all our 
conquests. It was reported, how- 
ever, at present, that orders had 
been sent out to retain such of our 
conquests as had not been already 
ceded: he feared those orders would 
not arrive at the Cape of Good Hope 
early enough to answer the end pro- 
posed ;~ but the country has still 
the happiness of possessing Malta, 
whose commanding interest in the 
Mediterranean is too great to be 
abandoned by a wise and vigorous 
government. From all those con- 
siderations, he could not but state 
that he had no confidence in the 
present administration, Instead of 
watching the operations of France 
with an eager solicitude, they had 
been aiding her against this country, 
Their policy was something similar 
to that of our ancestors, who gave 
bribes to the Saxons and Danes, to 
desist from the invasion of the coun~ 
try. Those bribes they applied to 
the purchase of ships and ammuni- 
tion, and subjugated the country, 
In this manner we had surrendered 
Martinique, &c, as a bonus not to 
violate the peace. Let Malta be 
added to this bribe, and the price 
will be complete. We shall they 
perhaps experience a similar attack 
The war 
was now coming to our own doors, 
and no man could be absurd enough 
B4 $e) 
