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contest which he had to conduct for the liberties of the world, he was firm but not arrogant,--calm and considerate,-seldom betrayed into boasting, but never sinking into despondency. He saw that the unhappy circumstan ces of Europe would compel England to become for a time a great military nation; but he was also aware that so serious a change must, in the present state of society, be attempted with caution, and with as small a deduction as possible from the comforts of civil life. He knew that the British army under its illustrious commander, must on all occasions cover itself with glory; that discipline and experience would add to its triumphs, and diffuse a military spirit throughout the nation; and that the application of the resources of the country to the prosecution of the war, could never be difficult, when seconded by the enthusiasm of the people. In the oppressed state of the continent,-in the personal character of the chief who had usurped a controul over its destinies, his penetration discovered the chances of that general spirit of resistance which was afterwards to re-establish the independence and secure the repose of Europe.

The measures of commercial violence to which the enemy resorted, were answered by Mr Perceval with the same firmness which he displayed on all other occasions; and notwithstanding the clamour which was raised on this subject, posterity will perhaps discover no other fault in the measures adopted by this great man, than that they were of a character somewhat above the feelings and temper of the age in which he lived. That the orders in council produced commercial distress, although to a much less degree than has been generally supposed, may be admitted by the admirers of this eminent person, without detract ing in any way from his reputation. Let it be recollected, however, that

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the measures were unquestionably just; that they had been provoked by the law. less violence of the enemy; that neutrals, by acquiescence, had made themselves parties to the outrage, and that it concerned the national honour (a point which is dearer than all others to a virtuous and high-minded man,) to repel the aggression. A portion of the community was, no doubt, exposed to severe suffering; and some of the lower orders not only made violent complaints, but proceeded to acts little short of rebellion. The people of Rome, in the most dreadful extremity of the republic, would not have acted thus when the question was about avenging the insults of an enemy; and perhaps it would be well, not for the memory of Mr Perceval, but for the national character, if a veil could be drawn over these disgraceful

scenes.

Even the more respectable advocates of catholic emancipation may have been induced by recent events to applaud the sagacity of this great minister, who at all times shewed a firm resolution to concede nothing to violence and disaffection. Those who imagined that in the refusal of Mr Perceval at once to concede the catholic claims, they had found an apology for the bitterest reproaches, may be somewhat more moderate in their censures when they reflect, that the impolicy of his views on this subject has never yet been proved by the only unerring test in political affairs, the test of experience.

If Mr Perceval's public virtues commanded the admiration of his country, his private character secured him the love of all who had the happiness of knowing him.-Mild, affable, sincere, a tender husband, an affectionate parent, a kind and faithful friend, it may, perhaps, with more truth be said of him than of other any great name in history, that he possess

ed all the virtues which are at once the ornament and solace of private life. Never, perhaps, was there so rare an union of the qualities which inspire respect, with those which create affection for the individual; and it

was

the

singular fortune of this great and good man, that his enemies vied with his friends in the panegyrics which they pronounced on his spotless and amiable character.

CHAP. VI.

Mr Stuart

State of the Administration after the Death of Mr Perceval, Wortley's Motion in the House of Commons for an Address to the Prince Regent on this Subject. The Prince entrusts the Marquis Wellesley with Powers to form a new Administration. Publication of the Statement of the Causes which had induced the Marquis to retire from Office. Failure of the Negociation, and Resignation by Marquis Wellesley of his Powers. Discussions in Parliament on this Subject. to form an Administration, but fails. ment. The Colleagues of the late Mr

THE death of Mr Perceval threw the country into the utmost consternation; and as a very high opinion was entertained of his talents, a belief prevailed that his colleagues could not, without some accession of strength, continue to conduct the affairs of government. That this opinion was ill-founded subsequent events have very clearly demonstrated; but the ministers themselves, whether from a feeling of modesty, which is not always a proof of slender talent, or from a wish to gratify the supposed inclinations of the people, seemed anxiously to desire that accession of strength of which they were believed to stand in need.

In fixing on the quarter to which they should apply for assistance, they could not long hesitate; with the leaders of opposition, who had declared so lately, that they differed with ministers on every point of policy, it was impossible that they could coalesce, and their views were too sincere and honourable to permit them to make an attempt, which they knew well must have proved unsuccessful. They naturally looked for support, therefore,

Lord Moira is entrusted with Powers Debates and Explanations in ParliaPerceval are confirmed in Power.

to some men of distinguished abilities who had once formed part of the administration; and who, although removed by untoward circumstances, still maintained a general conformity of political sentiments. Overtures were accordingly made by Lord Liverpool to Marquis Wellesley and Mr Canning; and the terms proposed by him were such as the honour of both parties demanded. He stated, in his communication to them, that the Prince Regent, although determined to continue his administration on its present basis, was desirous of strengthening it by the aid of such persons as agreed most nearly and generally in the principles on which public affairs had been conducted; that, with this view, his royal highness naturally looked to Lord Wellesley and Mr Canning; that the arrangements should be made honourable and satisfactory to them; that the friends of both should be included; and that while he (Lord Liverpool) should be placed at the head of the treasury, Lord Castlereagh should retain the situation which he then held, both in the government and

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in the House of Commons-Questions were immediately put by Lord Wellesley and Mr Canning as to the opinions of the ministers respecting the catholic question and the war in the peninsula. Lord Liverpool answered, that the opinions of the cabinet on these subjects remained unaltered; that the ministers were not aware of any means by which they could extend the scale of warlike operations, but that it was the wish of the government to make the greatest efforts in the cause of Spain which the resources of the country would permit. He added, that the members of the cabinet were, with a few exceptions, to remain; that the distribution of offices should be left open for future arrangement, and be regulated for the honour of all parties; and that no principle of exclusion was intended, although it had not been thought fit to make any direct proposal to the members of opposition-Lord Wellesley took an opportunity in the course of these communications of expressing an earnest. desire to be relieved from the task of leading, as it is called, in the House of Lords; and he declared, that although no engagement subsisted betwixt him and Mr Canning, he would not, under the present circumstances, accept of office, unless a fair proposal were made to that gentleman.-The result of this first effort, and of the mutual explanations which ensued, was, that Lord Wellesley and Mr Canning both positively declined to form part of the administration, assigning as their reason, the avowed sentiments of ministers on the catholic question. Lord Wellesley added, that the considerations which had induced him to resign in the month of February last, had acquired additional force since that time, and would present an insuperable obstacle to his acceptance of any situation in the ministry. He complained, that while Mr Perceval lived his opi

nions had not been allowed sufficient weight in the cabinet; that his sentiments had always been in favour of more extended operations in the peninsula; and that although Lord Liverpool had alluded to recent circumstances which might render it practicable to comply so far with his views, he saw no reason to believe that they would be well executed by the ministers. He expressed a firm conviction, also, that no administration adequate to the crisis could be formed without admitting some of those persons commonly designated as the opposition, whose accession to power would alone satisfy the wishes of the country. That it appeared to him from the recent deliberations of parliament, that such an union was still practicable; that a cabinet might be formed " on an intermediary principle respecting the Roman catholic claims," equally secured against the dangers of instant and unqualified concession and those of inconsiderate peremptory exclusion; and that the entire resources of the empire might be applied to the great objects of the war, with the general consent, on a full understanding of the real exigencies of the crisis; while concord and union at home would secure ultimate and permanent success abroad.

Lord Liverpool having been dissatisfied with the interpretation which had been put upon his sentiments as to the catholic question in Lord Wellesley's answer, addressed to him an explanatory letter, in which he solemnly protested against the inference, that it was or ever had been his opinion, that under no circumstances it would be possible to make any alteration on the laws respecting the Roman catholics. He added, that he had expressly declared his sentiments to this effect in parliament. But the state of the opinions and feelings of the Roman catholics at this time, rendered it, in his judgment, dangerous to take any

steps; and, in such circumstances, he had thought it right to resist any parliamentary proceeding on the subject, which could produce nothing but alarm among the protestants on the one hand, and delusive hopes among the catholics on the other. This explana. tion, however, produced no effect on the Marquis Wellesley, who still maintained, that his interpretation of Lord Liverpool's sentiments had been correct, since no indication had been given as to the time or circumstances in which any alteration of the system of policy pursued towards the catholics could be expected, while the very con sideration of the question was denied to parliament, and not permitted to any other authority. He considered the sentiments of the ministers on the catholic question to be perfectly pure and honest; but while he gave them credit for sincerity, he lamented the erroneous foundation and dangerous tendency of their opinions. He concluded, by declaring that his objections to the system pursued in the peninsula at the time of his resignation applied to the whole of our permanent arrangements, both in Portugal and Spain, which, in his opinion, should have been corrected and extended, not only with a view to the advantageous use. of such means as were then possessed in that quarter, but even of such extraneous aids as events in other quarters might place at the disposal of government. The discussion here terminated; and the Marquis Wellesley and Mr Canning persisted in their refusal to support the administration.

The progress of this negociation soon became known to the public; and as a strong desire was felt to see the administration settled on a proper basis, a motion was brought forward in the House of Commons by Mr Stuart Wortley, that an address should be presented to his royal highness the

Prince Regent, praying that he would be pleased to take such measures as might enable him, in the circumstances of the country, to form a strong and efficient government. The grounds upon which this interference of parliament with the royal prerogative was justified, were the following:-That an administration was about to be formed which no disinterested man thought adequate to the exigencies of the times; that it was better at once to resist the formation of such a ministry, than to look on while the arrangements were going forward, and afterwards to commence a systematic opposition to it; that a distinct intimation of public opinion might at once lead to the formation of a government in which the country could place confidence; that the motion did not pledge parliament to the support of all the measures of any government how efficient soever, but that, at this crisis of affairs, an efficient government, possessing the full confidence of the people, was absolutely required; that the government, as it stood, did not possess that confidence; and that all had not been yet done to form an efficient administration; That the of fers already made to the Marquis Wellesley and Mr Canning had been perfectly inadmissible; that it was idle to attempt to form a strong administration, unless something were proposed to conciliate the catholics; and that the abandonment of that great question ought never to have been proposed as a preliminary condition; That it was an object of the highest importance, in the state of public affairs, to have a government formed on a liberal basis, calculated to comprehend the talents and influence of the country, and to promote its security and honour; That the motion before the House involved no unconstitutional in. terference with the prerogative of the crown; that it is not only the pro

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