Volume I Part 4 (1/2)
During this year, the brave General Was.h.i.+ngton struck that decisive blow which afterwards gave liberty to his countrymen. He kept General Clinton at New York, in constant alarm; and then suddenly appeared before York Town in full force, and obtained a grand victory over Lord Cornwallis, who was there with his army. The American war consequently became more unpopular than ever, and shortly after the meeting of parliament, in March,
1782,
a resolution was moved, and _pa.s.sed without a division_, declaring that the House of Commons would consider as enemies to his majesty and the country all who should advise the prosecution of offensive war in North America!
Shortly after, Lord North resigned, and the Marquis of Rockingham was placed at the head of the new administration. Amongst the promotions at this time, was _Mr. Dunning!_ who, at _her majesty's request_, was created Baron Ashburton, and also Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
A treaty of peace was now entered into with General Was.h.i.+ngton, and Sir Guy Carleton was deputed to conduct the happy affair.
In the beginning of July, the unexpected death of the Marquis of Rockingham threw the whole cabinet into extreme disorder; and another resignation of ministers took place, on which occasion Mr. Pitt was const.i.tuted ”Chancellor of the Exchequer,” _although only twenty-three years of age_! Lord Shelburne accepted the office of premier, at the request of the king, which gave great offence to Mr. Fox and the Duke of Portland, who resigned. The country was little benefitted by this change, as the money required for the service of the year was more than twenty-four millions, of which thirteen had to be raised by loans.
In November, the provisional articles of peace were signed at Paris between the Commissioners of England and those of the United States.
The Shelburne party were obliged to retire in
1783,
having, by their arbitrary measures, drawn upon themselves general displeasure throughout the country.
Much surprise was created at the unexpected coalition of Lord North and Mr. Fox, which was the natural result of the pressing case of the prince, to whom the queen had confidentially entrusted his father's breach of the law, in the solemnization of his marriage with herself.
The queen, in fact, used the prince's influence to prevail upon Mr. Fox to join Lord North, as he was well informed upon all the circ.u.mstances of the king's first marriage. Although the political sentiments of these gentlemen were opposed, it was represented as a safe line of conduct, to ensure the tranquillity of the kingdom. Thus, again, was every portion of truth sacrificed to the WILL of the _queen_.
This year, the king agreed that the heir-apparent should receive fifty thousand pounds per annum, and sixty thousand pounds to equip him suitably to his dignity. In the mean time, it became a public fact, that the prince had so deeply involved himself in debt as to be mean enough to resort, through the medium of others, to borrow money (of various amounts) of his tradespeople!
Before the conclusion of the year, the _Whig and Tory_ ministry were ejected, to the entire satisfaction of nearly every individual in the nation, who despised such an unholy alliance of opposite principles.
Mr. Pitt was now made ”First Lord of the Treasury,” which was a change very satisfactory to her majesty, as, from the youth of the new ”premier,” she augured her likely influence over the political hemisphere to be increased. It was well known that her majesty did not like any of the prince's a.s.sociates, more especially Messrs. Fox and Sheridan. Mr. Burke was not supposed to be so informed upon all subjects; and, though much in the necessary confidence of the prince, the queen presumed it was chiefly in procuring pecuniary accommodations.
It was not until an after period, that the _whole truth_ was stated to her by the prince.
New taxes alone could furnish means for the immense additional annuities now imposed upon the country; and thus were sums for every succeeding year's demand increased.
At this period, the Prince of Wales and his next brother were a.s.sociated in dissipation of every kind. Their love of gaming was proverbial, and their excess of indulgence in voluptuousness soon exhausted the income allowed them by the country. Their caprices were various, but those of the prince was most strikingly evinced in his abruptly declining his engagements with the celebrated Mrs. Robinson. His usual plan was, when fascinated by the appearance of a new object, to exert every nerve to possess it. Presents, accompanied by the highest eulogiums, and protestations of eternal love and constancy, were always pressed upon the acceptance of the intended victim; and thus, by apparent devotion and unconquerable pa.s.sion, many were the delusions he practised, and the outrages he committed, upon the unsuspecting virtue of woman.
Had a plebeian committed but _one_ act similar to those in which the prince was so frequently the princ.i.p.al character, his _life_ must have atoned for his fault, and a dest.i.tute family, in consequence, been plunged into distraction. But, because the prince was of such high-reputed family, he must, forsooth, be accounted a _n.o.ble-minded gentleman_; and, instead of exposition and punishment, the venal and hired press of the day launched out into the most fulsome eulogiums of his _graceful, all-attracting elegance of style and manners_, without even speaking of the _infamy_ of his amours, intrigues, and debaucheries! Some writers, alas! are so fearful of speaking the truth, lest they should offend the _side they have espoused_, or the inclinations and political principles of those by whom they are likely to be read, that they almost persuade themselves there is a sort of _impropriety_ in presenting facts in their proper colours! But is it not beneath the dignity of the press to act in so cowardly a manner?
In the year
1784,
(notwithstanding the dreadfully enormous weight of the ”national debt,”
borrowed by the ministers upon nominal annuities, for which large interest was given) the king was again solicited to a.s.sist the prince, in order that his debts might be discharged. This request was refused, and Messrs. Fox and Sheridan advocated the subject to no purpose.
During this year, much public display of talent was made in the House.
Mr. Pitt was now fully and entirely in her majesty's ”confidence,” and he well knew if ”the system” were to be continued, war must be carried on, and oppression would increase rather than decrease. While engaged in a private interview with the queen, upon various state subjects, Mr.
Pitt submitted his opinion upon the extravagance and improper pursuits of the prince, adding, ”I much fear, your majesty, in his delirium of debauchery, _some expressions may escape him, to the injury of the crown_!” ”No,” answered the queen, ”he is too well aware of the _consequences to himself_, if that transpired; so on that point I can rely upon him.” ”Is your majesty aware,” said Mr. Pitt, ”that at this time the prince is engrossed by a fair beauty? and I believe, from good authority I may say, intends to marry her! He is now so much embarra.s.sed, that, at the suggestion of his trusty friend, Sheridan, he borrows large amounts from a Jew, who resides in town, and gives his bonds for much larger amounts than he receives; by this means, he is actually involved in debt to the amount of above a million of money; and the interest and princ.i.p.al must, some day, be _honourably_ discharged, or else he must never ascend the throne; as the dishonour would cause him eternal disgrace, if not an abdication.” Truly, this was a fine picture of England's future monarch!
In the year
1785,