33% 
of peace, whenever it could be effected on jutt 
and fuitable terms for himfelf and his allies, 
That from this gracious communication, they 
were led to hope for a fpeedy determination to 
this moft difaftrous conteft; but that with fur- 
prife and forrow they have now reafon to appre- 
hend that three months were fuffered to elapfe 
before any fteps were taken towards a negocia- 
tion, or any overtures made by his majeity’s 
fervants. 
“¢ With equal furprife and concern, they have 
obferved, when a fair and open conduc was fo 
peculiarly incumbent on his majefty’s minifters, 
confidering the prejudices and fufpicions which 
their previous condu‘t muft have excited in the 
minds of the French, that, inflead of aéting in 
that open and manly manner, which became the 
wifdom, the chara¢ter, and dignity of the Britith 
nation, they adopted a mode of proceeding, cal- 
culated rather to excite fufpicion, than to in{pire 
confidence in the enemy. Every. expreffion 
which might be conftrued into an acknowledge- 
ment of the French Republic, or even an allu- 
fion to its forms, was ftudioufly avoided, and the 
minifter through whom this overture was made, 
Was, in a moft unprecedented manner, inftructed 
to declare, that he had no authority to enter into 
any negociation or difcuffion relative to the ob- 
jects of the propofed treaty. 
“ That it is with pain we reflect that the 
alacrityy of his majefty’s minifters, in apparently 
breaking off this negociation, as well as the 
ftrange and unufual manner in which it was an- 
nounced to the minifters of the various powers 
of Europe, affords a very unfavourable comment 
on their reluftance in entering upon it, and is 
calculated to make the moit injurious impreffion 
refpeting their fincertty, on the people of 
France. 
“ On a review of fo many inftances of grofs 
and flagrant mifconduét, proceeding from the 
fame pernicious principles, and directed with 
incorrigible obftinacy to the fame mifchievous 
ends, we deem ourfelves bound, in duty to his 
majefty and to our conftituents, to declare, that 
we fee norational hope of redeeming the affairs 
of the kingdom, but by the adoption of a fyjtem 
radically and fundamentally diferent from that 
which has produced our prefent calamities. 
« Unlefs his majefty’s minifters fhall, from 
areal conviction of paft errors, appear inclined 
to regulate their conduét upon fuch a fyftem, 
we can neither give any credit to the fincerity of 
their profeffions of a with for peace, nor. repofe 
any confidence in them for conducting a nego- 
ciation to a profperous iffue. Odious as they 
are toan enemy who with fill to believe them 
fecretly to cherifh thofe unprincipled and chi- 
merical projects which they have been compelled 
in public to difavow, contemptible in the eyes of 
all Europe, from the difplay of infincerity which 
has marked their conduét, our only hope refts 
on his majefty’s royal wifdom, and unqueftioned 
affection. for his people, that he will be gracioufly 
pleafed to adopt maxims of policy more. fuited 
to the ccumftances of the times than thofe by 
which his mgefty’s minifters appear to have 
Mr. Fox's celebrated Motion. 
[ May 
been governed, and to direét his fervants to take 
meafures, which, by differing effentially, as well 
in their tendency as in the principle upon which 
they are founded, from thofe which have hitherto 
marked their condu€t, may give this coun 
fome reafonable hope, at no very diftant period, 
of the eitablifhment of a peace, fuitable to the 
,Interefts of Great Britain, and likely to preferve 
the tranquillity of Europe.’ 
Cur limits wiil not permit us to enter 
into an account of the debate on this long 
motion, which, on a divifion, was rejeét- 
ed; the numbers being, for it, 42, and 
againgt it, 216. 
The fame day, a fimilar motion was 
made in the Houfe of Peers, by the earl 
of Guilford, when, on a divifion, there 
appeared, 
Age H! 79 110 
Proxies >" =: 3a 
Noes “7 saaeie was 
Prexies .- <4.2 } 
“On the 12th, a motion was made for 
the third reading of the Landed Colla- 
teral Succeffion Bill. After fome debate, 
the Houfe divided, when the numbers 
being egual, fifty-four on each fide, the 
Speaker decided the queition in favour 
of the bill. Mr. Pitt, however, agreed 
to withdraw the bill, and to confider of 
fome other tax. 
‘On the 16th, was a debate in the 
Houfe of Peers, on a bill in favour of the 
Quakers, by which, their folemn af- 
firmation was to be admitted in criminal 
as well as in civil cafes. The bill was 
eppofed by the archbithop of Canter- 
bury, and the bifhop of Rochefter ; and, 
after fome debate, was rejeéted. 
On the 19th, the king went in flate to 
the Houfe of Peers, and delivered the 
following fpeech from the throne : 
6 My Lords and Gentlemen, 
‘¢ The public Bufinefs‘being now concluded, 
I think it preper to clofe this Seffion, and at 
the fame time to acquaint you with my intention 
of giving immediate dire€tions for calling a New 
Parliament. 
‘ The objeéts which have engaged your at- 
tention during the piefent feffion, have been of 
peculiar importance; and the meafures which 
you have adopted, have manifefted your conti- 
nued regard to the Safety and Welfare of my 
People. 
¢ The happieft effects have been experienced 
from the provifions which you have made for 
repreffing Sedition and Civil Tumult, and for 
reitraining the progrefs of Principles fubverfive © 
of all eftablifhed Government. 
«© The difficulties arifing to my Subjects 
from the high price of Corn, have formed a 
principal object of your deliberation; and your 
affiduity in inveftigating that fubje&t, has ftrong'y 
proved 
