HISTORY! OF SEVUROP E 
and manufactures, and the termin- 
ation of the disturbances which had 
agitated Treland, he cordially agreed 
in his majesty’s gracious wishes to 
preserve the peace, while, at the 
same time, he was convinced that 
the house must be impressed with 
the necessity of keeping a vigilant 
eye upon the continent, and being 
always in a state of preparation ; 
for his part, he did not think, at the 
present time, that it was adviseable 
for us to interfere much in the af- 
fairs of the continent, without the 
concert of other powers. He con- 
cluded by expressing his confidence 
that his majesty’s ministers would 
conduct themselves in relation to 
continental affairs, with firmness 
and moderation; and that if peace be 
not tenable on those grounds, they 
will have the hearty concurrence 
and united strength of the whole 
empire for their support, should war 
be the necessary alternative. He 
then moved an humble address to his 
majesty, in the language of the 
speech. 
The hon. Mr. Curzon seconded 
the address, which was moyed. He 
could not but view, with the greatest 
satisfaction, the internal situation of 
the country, both in respect to its 
trade, manufactures, and domestic 
tranquillity, as also to its abundant 
harvest. With reference to its foreign 
relations, the importance of pre- 
serving peace, if it could be done 
with honour, was sufficiently obyi- 
ous. The acquisitions of France 
upon the continent, and her extend- 
ed line of maritime frontier, di- 
rectly opposite our eastern coasts, 
required a much stronger defensive 
system, on our part, than was ever 
before deemed necessary. He con- 
cluded by declaring, that he per- 
9 
fectly coincided in the sentiments 
expressed by the-honourable mover. 
Mr. Cartwright agreed with the 
honourable moyer, in thinking the 
maintenance of peace desirable ; 
and that the best means of preserv- 
ing to the country its blessings were, 
to shew ourselves prepared for the 
extremity of war; considering the 
present conduct of France, the root- 
ed enmity of its ruler to thiscountry, 
the pains he has taken to irritate the 
feelings of the nation, and to degrade 
its character abroad. Although he 
was fully sensible of the calamities 
of war, and the sacrifices which its 
renewal would call for, still it was 
necessary that vigorous defensive 
preparations should be made for the 
security of the state. He could not 
help expressing his surprize at mi- 
nisters having so suddenly disarmed 
the country, and reduced all our 
establishments. ‘This was a course 
diametrically opposite to the prac- 
tice of former ministers, who pro- 
portioned their reductions to those 
adopted by the enemy. We dis- 
mantled our ships and dischar: ved 
our men, with the same ac tivity 
that the French have increased 
theirs. However adviseable this 
might be, merely on the ground of 
economy, it was somewhat unac- 
countable on the ground of policy. 
After lamenting the tate of Switzer- 
land, which however he conceived 
that we had no power to remedy, he 
concluded by expressing his concern 
that those great talents which had 
so long with :stood the tide of French 
principles, and upheld the dignity 
and honour cf this country, were 
not now more actively employed in 
its defence. 
Sir John Wrottesley, notwith- 
standing the respect he felt for the 
gentlemen 
