Volume I Part 2 (1/2)
The year
1770
proved one of much political interest. The queen was under the necessity of retiring a little from the apparent part she had taken in the affairs of state; nevertheless, she was equally active; but, from policy, did not appear so. Another plan to deceive the people being deemed necessary, invitations for splendid parties were given, in order to a.s.sume an appearance of confidence and quietness, which her majesty could not, and did not, possess.
In this year, Lord Chatham publicly avowed his sentiments in these words: ”Infuse a portion of health into the const.i.tution, to enable it to bear its infirmities.” Previous to making this remark, his lords.h.i.+p, of course, was well acquainted with the causes of the then present distresses of the country, as well as the sources from whence those causes originated. But one generous patriot is not sufficient to put a host of antagonists to flight. The earl's measures were too mild to be heeded by the minions of the queen then in power; his intention being ”to persuade and soften, not to irritate and offend.” We may infer that, had he been merely a ”party man,” he would naturally concur in any enterprise likely to create a bustle without risk to himself; but, upon examination, he appears to have loved the cause of independence, and was willing to support it by every personal sacrifice.
About this time, the Duke of Grafton resigned his office of First Lord of the Treasury, in which he was succeeded by that disgrace to his country, Lord North, who then commenced his long and disastrous administration. Dr. Wilmot was a friendly preceptor to this n.o.bleman, while at the university; but it was frequently a matter of regret to the worthy doctor, that his lords.h.i.+p had not imbibed those patriotic principles which he had so strongly endeavoured to inculcate; and he has been known to observe, that Lord North's administration called for the most painful animadversions, inasmuch as he advocated the enaction of laws of the most arbitrary character.
Mr. Wilkes, previous to the meeting of the Commons in January, was not only acquitted, but had damages, to a large amount, awarded him; and the king expressed a desire, that such damages should be paid out of his privy purse. The Earl of Halifax, who signed the warrant for his committal to the Tower in 1763, was finally so disappointed that he offered his resignation, though he afterwards accepted the privy seal.
It was during this year, that the celebrated ”Letters of Junius” first appeared. These compositions were distinguished as well by the force and elegance of their style as by the violence of their attacks on individuals. The first of these letters was printed in the ”Public Advertiser,” of December the 19th, and addressed to the king, animadverting on all the errors of his reign, and speaking of his ministers in terms of equal contempt and abhorrence. An attempt was made to suppress this letter by the strong arm of the law; but the effort proved abortive, as the jury _acquitted_ the printer, who was the person prosecuted. Junius (though under a feigned name) was the most competent person to speak fully upon political subjects. He had long been the bosom friend of the king, and spent all his leisure time at court. No one, therefore, could better judge of the state of public affairs than himself, and his sense of duty to the nation animated him to plead for the long-estranged rights of the people; indeed, upon many occasions, he displayed such an heroic firmness, such an invincible love of truth, and such an unconquerable sense of honor, that he permitted his talents to be exercised freely in the cause of public justice, and subscribed his _addenda_ under an envelope, rather than injure his prince, or leave the interests of his countrymen to the risk of fortuitous circ.u.mstances.
We know of whom we speak, and therefore feel authorized to a.s.sert, that in his character were concentrated the steady friend of the prince as well as of the people.
Numerous disquisitions have been written to prove the ident.i.ty of Junius; but, in spite of many arguments to the contrary, we recognize him in the person of the Rev. JAMES WILMOT, D.D., Rector of Barton-on-the-Heath, and Aulcester, Warwicks.h.i.+re, and one of his majesty's justices of the peace for that county.
Dr. Wilmot was born in 1720, and, during his stay at the university, became intimately acquainted with Dr. Johnson, Lord Archer, and Lord Plymouth, as well as Lord North, who was then entered at Trinity College. From these gentlemen, the doctor imbibed his political opinions, and was introduced to the first society in the kingdom. At the age of thirty, Dr. Wilmot was confidently entrusted with the most _secret affairs of state_, and was also the bosom friend of the Prince of Wales, afterwards George the Third, who at that time was under the entire tutorage of Lord Bute. To this n.o.bleman, Dr. Wilmot had an inveterate hatred, for he despised the selfish principles of Toryism. As soon as the Princess of Mecklenburgh (the late Queen Charlotte) arrived in this country in 1761, Dr. Wilmot was introduced, as the _especial friend_ of the king, and this will at once account for his being chosen to perform the second marriage-ceremony of their majesties at Kew palace, as before related.
A circ.u.mstance of rather a singular nature occurred to Dr. Wilmot, in the year 1765, inasmuch as it was the _immediate_ cause of the bold and decisive line of conduct which he afterwards adopted. It was simply this: the doctor received an anonymous letter, requesting an interview with the writer in Kensington Gardens. The letter was written in Latin, and sealed, the impression of which was a Medusa's head. The doctor at first paid no attention to it; but during the week he received four similar requests, written by the same hand; and, upon the receipt of the last, Dr. Wilmot provided himself with a brace of pocket pistols, and proceeded to the gardens at the hour appointed. The doctor felt much surprised when he was accosted by--_Lord Bute!_ who immediately suggested that Dr. Wilmot should a.s.sist the administration, as _her majesty_ had entire confidence in him! The doctor briefly declined, and very soon afterwards commenced his political career. Thus the German princess always endeavoured to inveigle the friends of the people.
Lord Chatham had been introduced to Dr. Wilmot by the Duke of c.u.mberland; and it was from these a.s.sociations with the court and the members of the several administrations, that the doctor became so competent to write his unparalleled ”Letters of Junius.”
We here subjoin an incontrovertible _proof_ of Dr. Wilmot's being the author of the work alluded to:
[Ill.u.s.tration]
This is a fac-simile of the doctor's hand-writing, and must for ever set at rest the long-disputed question of ”Who is the author of Junius?”
The people were really in need of the advocacy of a writer like Junius, for their burdens at this time were of the most grievous magnitude.
Although the country was not in danger from foreign enemies, in order to give posts of command, honor, and emolument, to the employed sycophants at court, our navy was increased, nominal situations were provided; while all the means to pay for such services were again ordered to be drawn _from the people_!
1771
was productive of little else than hara.s.sing distresses to the poor labourer and mechanic. At this period, it was not unusual to tear the husband from the wife, and the parent from the child, and immure them within the damp and noisome walls of a prison, to prevent any interposition on the part of the suffering mult.i.tudes. Yes, countrymen, such tyranny was practised to ensure the _secrecy of truth_, and to destroy the wishes of a monarch, who was rendered incompetent to act for himself.
Various struggles were made this year to curb the power of the judges, particularly in cases relating to the _liberty of the press_, and also to destroy the power vested in the Attorney-General of prosecuting _ex-officio_, without the intervention of a grand jury, or the forms observed by courts of law in other cases. But the boroughmongers and minions of the queen were too powerful for the liberal party in the House of Commons, and the chains of slavery were, consequently, rivetted afresh.
A question of great importance also occurred this year respecting the privileges of the House of Commons. It had become the practice of newspaper writers to take the liberty, not before ventured upon, of printing the speeches of the members, under their respective names; some of which in the whole, and others in essential parts, were spurious productions, and, in any case, contrary to the standing orders of the House. A complaint on this ground having been made by a member against two of the printers, an order was issued for their attendance, with which they refused to comply; a second order was given with no better success. At length, one of the printers being taken into custody under the authority of the speaker's warrant, he was carried before the celebrated Alderman John Wilkes, who, regarding the caption as illegal, not only discharged the man, but bound him over to prosecute his captor, for a.s.sault and false imprisonment. Two more printers, being apprehended and carried before Alderman Wilkes and the Lord Mayor, Crosby, were, in like manner, discharged. The indignation of the House was then directed against the city magistrates, and various measures adopted towards them.
The contest finally terminated in favor of the printers, who have ever since continued to publish the proceedings of parliament, and the speeches of the members, without obstacle.
In this year, the marriage of the Duke of c.u.mberland with Mrs. Horton took place. The king appeared electrified when the matter was communicated to him, and declared that he never would forgive his royal brother's conduct, who, being informed of his majesty's sentiments, thus wrote to him: ”Sire, my welfare will ensure your own; you cannot condemn an affair there is a _precedent for, even in your own person_!”--alluding to his majesty's marriage with Hannah Lightfoot. His majesty was _compelled_ to acknowledge this marriage, from the Duke of c.u.mberland having made a confidant of Colonel Luttrell, brother of Mrs.
Horton, with regard to several important state secrets which had occurred in the years 1759, 1760, 1761, 1762, and 1763.
This Duke of c.u.mberland also imbibed the _family complaint of_ BIGAMY; for he had been married, about twelve months previous, to a daughter of Dr. Wilmot, who, of course, remonstrated against such unjust treatment.
The king solemnly a.s.sured Dr. Wilmot that he might rely upon his humanity and honor. The doctor paused, and had the courage to say, in reply, ”I have once before relied upon the promises of your majesty!
But”--”Hus.h.!.+ hus.h.!.+” said the king, interrupting him, ”I know what you are going to say; but do not disturb me with wills and retrospection of past _irreparable injury_.”