HISTORY: GE BUROPE 
of Europe, they might reasonably 
hope for the co-operation of 
some of its greater powers: and a 
representation which was, at this 
period, made by the English minis- 
ter, at the Hague, to his govern- 
ment, of the dissatisfaction and 
anxiety manifested by the inhabi- 
tants of the united provinces, at the 
conduct of France, with respect to 
Switzerland, and on the delay of the 
former power in removing her troops 
fiom the Dutch territories, not- 
withstanding its being an infraction 
of the most solemn treaties, and the 
most forma! and positive assurances 
that they shouldinmediately be re+ 
moved, might possibly have had due 
weight in this determination.— 
If the administration of the 
Batavian republic were  deter- 
mined to oppose, to the utmost of 
their power, this arbitrary and op- 
“pressive species of exaction,™ it cer- 
tainly gave a peculiar propricty to 
the rescinding those orders sent out 
for the restoration of the Cape and 
the other Dutch colonies, which, 
in the hands of their present posses- 
sors, might prove the best pledge 
for the independence of the parent 
country, or afford the means of 
formidably annoying France, did she 
continue still to refuse it. However 
sound the policy which dictated this 
fine of conduct, the want of firm- 
ness and vigour, which prevailed in 
the British councils, prevented that 
prompt execution which alone could 
give it effect.— Accordingly, we 
have seen the fruitless mission to 
Switzerland, and the equally inef- 
fectual remonstrance to the French 
“gourt, (the united effect of delay 
251 
and indecision), afford only cause. 
of fresh triumph to the first consul 
matter of pity, perhaps not un- 
mixed with contempt to the rest of 
Europe: and thus wasan opportunity 
lost, of restoring the credit and cha- 
racter of the British name, which 
the events of the last nine months 
had tarnished, and despoiled of its 
native lustre. 
In the interim, without once ad- 
verting to the inevitable consequen- 
ces of protracted interference; to 
the inaction of every foreign power; 
the lateness and severity of the sea- 
son, and the proximity of a powers 
ful French army, the united effects 
of which must have reduced Switz- 
erland to subjugation beyond the 
hope of deliverance; the English 
government had taken the decided 
step of retaining her conquests, 
which under circumstances not at 
allimprobable, might prove an act 
of the most serious ageression; and 
had also commenced military pre- 
parations (for the third time since 
the preliminaries of London) ona 
scale and extent proportioned to an 
approaching contest. The receipt - 
ot Mr. Moore’s dispatch, however, 
from Constance, cooled all this ar- 
dour; and the system of submission 
and acquiescence under insult, 
when solely directed towards Bri- 
tain, was reverted to with an eager- 
ness calculated to make atonement 
for the short period of its suspension, 
This transient gleam of spirit, had 
notwithstanding, the effect of dispos- 
ing the first consul to treatGreat Bri- 
tain with some portion of that diplo- 
matic respect, hitherto most unac- 
countably delayed; & which greatly 
.* Dated 29th October, 1202, “Vide State Papers, No, 22, Official Correspon- 
. ace, 
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tended 
