minds of all, both within and with out the walls of parliament, were very generally decided; yet the actual period of its termination, was completely suspended, and he proceeded, in confidence and security, to provide for the exi

gencies of the war, on systems of defence and finance, sufficiently novel, at least, to cause the strongest difference of opinion in, and a very unusual protraction of; the ses sion of parliament.

N 3

СНАР.

2

a proportion to the whole of our force. A war that should be completely defensive, would, in his opinion, be both dishonorable and ruinous. He wished to establish it as a principle, that whatever is necessary for the defence or the hoDour of the country, either in men or money, must be obtained." The chancellor of the exchequer, agreed in this sentiment, and id, that a considerable defensive force was at present necessary, on account of the extensive preparations of the enemy: the time might come when circumstances would point out the necessity of giving the war a more offensive character, and in such a case, he had no doubt, but the population and spirit of the country would furnish the Reans of supporting it with honor. For the present, he thought it best to direct the attention of the county, principally to the means of delence against the vast preparations of the enemy; for this purpose, he reied, not only on the militia, but on the yeomanry and volunteers also, as a subsidiary force, in aid of the regular army. The resolutions were then agreed

to.

On the 13th of June, the chancellor of the exchequer brought orward the budget: he considered it unnecessary to make many preminary observations, as the house bad already pledged itself to support his majesty in the present war. There were certain war-taxcs, which he should propose, that would expire six months after the definitive treaty. He proposed to rase by an increase on the customs, duties on sugar, exports, cotton, and fonnage, above two millions annu

tax

ally, and by new duties on the excise of tea, wine, spirits, and malt, he calculated on six millions more He then presented a plan of a upon property and income; the nett produce of which he estimated at 4,700,000!. making in the whole twelve millions, seven hundred thousand pounds annually for war taxes, to expire six months after a peace. Congratulating the country on the terms of the loan, and the steady operation of the sinking fund, he declared the intention of government to carry on the present war with considerable exertions; but with all possible economy.— He concluded, by expressing his hope, that the exertions of the present war, would secure the com plete salvation of this country.

When the report was brought up the next day, lord Folkestone took the opportunity of objecting, not to the taxes themselves, but to the proposed application of them, which, to him, appeared to be for carrying on merely a defensive war.

Nothing farther occurred in either house worthy our notice, until the 17th, when a message from his majesty was brought up by lord Hawkesbury, to the house, informing them of his majesty having earnestly wished, to respect the neutrality of the Batavian republic; but that he felt himself compelled by the conduct of France (who refused to acknowledge its neutrality) to order letters of marque and reprisal to issue against that power and its subjects.

On the 18th, the chancellor of the exchequer, communicated a message from his majesty, acquainting the commons, that for the defence and security of the country, N 4

against

inst the avowed designs of the beny, bis majesty conceived it necessary, that a large additional erce should be forthwith raised and assembled. Addresses of thanks cre voted to his majesty for both these me sages.

On the 20th, lord Hobart, in the house of lords, stated the outline of the plan, which ministers had conceived necessary for increasing the military defence of the country; which was by raising 40,000 men for England, and 10,000 for Ireland, to be officered from the halfpay list, and from the fencible officers, and which was to serve as an army of reserve, to assist the regulars and militia. The men were to be raised by ballot.

The duke of Clarence could not approve of the outline which had been so sketched out; he warmly approved of the militia system, but wished that any new force to be raised, should be not merely for defensive operations, but general service; he expressed the fullest confidence in the resources of the country, being sufficient to repel invas on. After making these observations, he concluded by supporting the address.

The earl of Caernarvon, coincided with his royal highness, that it would be extreme folly to make a war, which we ourselves had rushed irto, a mere defensive war. He condemned the system et ballet, a being, in his opinion, mere a species of tax for raising money, than a measure for raising men; and the money levied under it, was raised in a manner more oppressive and ejectionable than any other tax, and by no means comparable to the system of rai

sing men by bounty. Having dwelt at considerable length upon this topic, his lordship concluded by declaring, that he saw more danger to the country from the hands in which its government was placed, than from the malice and rancour of its avowed enemies.

The earl of Suffolk recommended, as the wisest measure for the military defence of the country, a central army of reserve, under one of our best generals, which should be at all times ready to proceed rapidly to whatever district should be attacked.

The earl of Moira declared, that in the defence of the country he should draw his sword with equal pleasure, as a private yeoman, as if he had been honored with the command of an army. He did not wish to oppose any plan that ministers might think necessary for the defence of the country, on the contrary, he thought no time should be lost for discussing and adopting measures for increasing the military force of the country. He must, however, agree with the noble lords, who had already spoken, in recommending offensive rather than defensive war. He lamented much the present state of Europe, when the nations who were formerly friendly and disposed to an alliance with us, were now crushed by the power of France, and compelled to become our enemies. A mere defensive war, he must repeat, was absolute defeat and ruin, and the greatest bungler that ever handled a foil would certainly, at some time of another hit the best swordsman who should stand entirely on the defensive. His Lordship then in a strain of most animated and impressive

impressive eloquence, called upon the spirit of the British nation to rise, superior to the dangers which await it; and concluded, by cordally supporting the address. Lord Mulgrave complimented, in the highest terms, the patriotic, the manly, the soldier-like speech of the noble earl. He appeared to tonk the plan proposed by miusters, likely to be efficacious, and expressed the highest confidence in the strength and resources of the

country.

Lord Grenville declared, that it was not his intention to give any Opposition to the plan proposed, being fully convinced that some plan was absolutely necessary. He was astonished, however, that miasters had not sooner thought of some such expedient. The enemy had taken an advantage of our realsness, and had already, by the conquest of Hanover, struck a blow, which this country must feel most severely. Ministers ought to have reseen that blow, and guarded gainst it. He was of opinion, hat a mere defensive war, hardly deserved either the name of dePeace, or of war; but was as dan& rous and degrading a condition, any country could be placed in. As to the odium of recommending tompulsory measures, should they be necessary, that was an odium which he was content and proud to

Mare.

After some observations from other noble lords, the address was Fed unanimously.

On the 20th of June, in the kouse of commons,

The secretary at war, presented the plan of government, for raising an additional force, both for the

defence of the country and for of fensive operations. Our preparations, he said, must not only be referred to the strength and resources, possessed by the enemy for our annoyance; but to the singular character of that man, who wields, despotically, the immense power of France. The implacable animosity of the first consul to this country, had been so clearly evinced, and his threats of sacrificing fleet after fleet, and army after army, to accomplish the ruin of this country, were so recent, that it was undoubtedly necessary for us to make preparations suitable to the power and the malignity of our enemy. The force that government proposed to raise as an army of reserve, was 50,000 men, 34,000 of which were for England, 10,000 for Ireland, and 6000 for Scotland. Those men, though raised by ballot, as were the militia, would differ from them in this: that their services were, during the war, to extend to Great Britain, Ireland, and the islands in the channel. They would have another advantage of the militia, in being commanded by slicers of experience from the line, from the half-pay list, and those who had already served, either in the East Indies, or as fencible officers. After stating that the ballot was to fall on those men between eighteen and forty-five, he proposed his first resolution, which was, that an army of reserve of 50,000 men, should be forthwith raised.

Mr. Windham, opposed the measure, as tending, in his opinion, to cut up by the roots the present system of recruiting for the regular army. Hethen expressed his disapprobation

of