HISTGRY OF EUROPE. 
procured for the catholics, their 
subordinate grievances might be re- 
dressed by a constant succession of 
measures for their benefit, and 
their affections might be conciliated 
and their attachment to Mugland 
increased, by a fair participation of 
all the honours, distinctions and 
emoluments, which by law were 
opento them, A visible as well as 
areal change in their domestic go- 
yernment mig/it be eifected. Theirop- 
pressors might be banished from the 
castle, or coldly received there when 
they appeared. The inferior tyrants 
who had flogged them and _ perse- 
ented them, might be struck with 
ignominy out of thelists of the ma- 
gistracy. The chancellor who had, 
wantonly and without provocation, 
insulted their religion and aspersed 
their morals, might be dismissed 
from his office with disgrace. If to 
these means of conciliation, was added 
a frank and unreserved disclosure of 
the insuperable obstacle to theimme- 
diate gratification of their hopes, 
it was fair to suppose that the ca- 
tholics, though disappointed in 
_ their expectations of complete and 
_ immediate emancipation, would not 
rashly discard their friends, nor lose 
confidence in their fidelity. Mr. 
Fox, accordingly, made no scruple 
of avowing to such catholics as con- 
sulted him on the subject, that in his 
Opinion it was impracticable for 
them at that moment to carry the 
question of emancipation, aud he 
therefore advised them not to bring 
it forward ; asthe discussion of it 
in such circumstances could not 
possibly lead to any good, ¢ but 
might do them harm in future, by 
the ill will and irritation it would 
naturally produce on both sides. 
lie added at the same time, that if 
they should determine after all to 
25 
bring forward their petition, they 
might, at all times and in all situa- 
tions, depend on his voice and in- 
fluence in support of it. The candor 
and openness of this declaration,from 
one so zealously attached to their 
interest, and so well known to them 
for the frankness and fairness of his 
character, had the effect upon the 
catholics that was to be expected. 
They were satisfied with Mr. Fox’s 
assurances, and resolved to abide by 
his advice. 
The plan of the new ministry 
being at length arranged, it was sub- 
mitted to the king on the 3ist. of 
January ; andon the following day 
lord Grenville had an audience of 
his majesty ; at which it was under_ 
stood, that no exceptions were 
made by the king toany of the pro. 
posed appointments, but that diffi- 
culties of a most serious nature 
arose about the governnent of the 
army, which threatened to put an 
entire stop to thenew arrangements, 
A paper it seems, was read to his 
majesty by lord Grenville, contain- 
ing some of the plans of his new mi- 
nisters, and some account of the 
measures they proposed to recom. 
mend to him, in which it was hinted 
that certain changes might be ne. 
cessary in the army; and lord 
Grenville having admitted when 
questioned with respect to the nature 
of these changes, that they related 
to the department of the army un- 
der the superintendance of the duke 
of York, his majesty is said to 
have objected, that the army had 
been kept distinct from the other 
branches of the administration since 
the time of the first duke of Cumber. 
land, and had been considered es un- 
der the immediate control of the king, 
through the commanderin chief, with- 
outany right of interference on the 
part 
