12 
therefore be made out very strongly 
to him, before he could consent to 
engage ina military war, in prefer- 
ence to a commercial one: he 
thought that the house could not so 
far have forgotten the event of the 
Jast ten vears war, as to wish a re- 
newal of it: that was a war too car- 
ried on with the co-operation of 
several German princes, and which 
in its commencement afforded some 
hope of success, but yet that war 
might be described, 
“ Spe lata, eventu tristia.” 
He must for ever repeat, that the 
only reasons which could justity us 
In wishing to change a state of peace 
for war, would be either our self- 
preservation, or what is equally dear 
to us, the preservation of ourhonor. 
Hlad. France either injured the one 
or the other? One gentleman has 
said, that since the signing of the 
definitive treaty, France has not ap- 
peared to entertain sentiments con- 
formable to our interests or wishes. 
Did any man suppose that when we 
had made peace with the first con- 
sul of France, he was immediately 
to become our friend, and that he 
would have a great consideration for 
our interests? Those who made 
the peace expressed a very different 
sentiment, and allowed that * Eu- 
rope was in a very unsatisfactory 
state.” No man more regretted 
than himself the agerandizement of 
France, nor wished more sincerely 
that it had been prevented ; but at 
the same time he considered this ag- 
grandizement as one of the gre: atest 
agerayations of the conduct of the 
lite ministers. But if we were 
content to make peace when we ac- 
knowledged Europe to be im an un- 
satisfactory situation, we certainly 
would not be justified in going to 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 
1803. 
war, merely because it continued in 
the same situation. Knowing the 
fact, sceing it, and statingit, we were. 
content to make peace; and if we 
are to feel our national honor much 
hurt by any infringement. of the 
peace, we must on the other. hand 
be as cautious not to give offence, as 
we are resolute not to receive any. 
Leaving this ‘ unsatisfactory state 
of Europe” out of the question, he 
would ask what insults had France 
offered to this country, or what in- 
fractions she had committed of the 
treaty of Amiens? He really thought, 
that if we were so little influenced 
by considerations of justice and po- 
licy, as to.be resolved upon the re- 
commencement of war, we should 
find it difficult to get a pretext for it. 
As to the disposition of the people 
of this country, without pretending 
to be a better judge than other gen- 
tlemen, yet it was his opinion that 
there never was a time when the cry 
for war was less the sense of the peo- 
ple of England, than at the present 
moment. A supposed cry of the 
people of England was set up, which 
in fact only proceeded from a coali- 
tion of newspapers, who probably 
wished for war, as the means of sel- 
ling more of their paren Mankind 
had been sacrificed to the interest of 
princes and parties, but dreadful 
indeed would be the state of a coun- 
try, if nations were to be driven inta 
war, merely to serve the private in- 
terests of publishers of newspapers, 
This would be one of the most base 
and ignoble causes for which twa 
countries ever went towar. ‘There 
was another description of persons 
who gained by war; namely, those 
who by money bargains, stock-job- 
bing, loans, contracts, and other 
means which war affords, accumu- 
late 
