CHAPTER THE SIXTIETH. 1786-1787. Commercial views of England and France.-Plenipotentiaries Conappointed, and a commercial treaty concluded. vention with Spain.—Political feeling.-The treaty with France much scrutinized.- Reflections cast on Mr. Eden.Attack on the King by a mad woman.- Death of the Princess Amelia.-Meeting of Parliament.-Address in the House of Lords.-Address moved in the lower House. -Speech of Mr. Fox.-Mr. Pitt.-The Treaties discussed. Conference.-Debate in the House of Lords.-Regulations in the revenue.—Consolidation of duties moved by Mr. Pitt-highly approved by Mr. Burke-Sir Grey Cooper.Bill passed.-Farming of the post-horse duties.---Regulation of lotteries.-Debts of the Prince of Wales.-State of the Prince. Observations on his expenses.-Arrears of the duchy of Cornwall.-Pecuniary distress of the Prince.-His retrenchment.-His reported marriage.-Mention in Parliament of the Prince's embarrassments.-Motion of Alderman Newnham.-The Prince's supposed marriage adverted to by Mr. Rolle.-Explicitly denied by Mr. Fox.- Message from the King.-Supply voted.-Mr. Beaufoy's motion on the test and corporation laws.-Proceedings of the Dissenters. Speech of Mr. Beaufoy.-Lord North.— Mr. Pitt. Mr. Fox.-Sir William Dolben.- Motion lost.— Observations.Attempts to improve the condition of criminals. --- Change of the place of execution in London. -Transportation to New South Wales. - Close of the session. CHAP. LX. 1786. Commercial France. Two arrangements, arising out of the restored peace and friendly feeling between this country and her late antagonists on the continent, were effected at this period, portending, as it was hoped, a lasting views of amity to the contracting parties; a commercial treaty England and with France, and a convention with Spain, relating to the evacuation of some territories on the Mosquito shore. That two neighbouring and highly-civilized communities, each possessing natural productions and manufactured luxuries, wanted, or at least much desired, by the other, should find mutual advantage in commercial intercourse, seems to be a proposition so evident, that, far from wondering at the formation of such a connexion, astonishment would rather be excited that benefits so obvious should be overlooked, and that pride and misdirected selfishness should so long have prevented two discerning nations from securing them. But where rivalry has subsisted for many generations, where jealousy in each of aggrandizement in the other has become a ruling principle, and where colonial interests and compacts with other nations interpose difficulties, much consideration is necessary in planning, and much address in perfecting, treaties in which a fair reciprocity of benefit may be expected. Since the restoration of peace, the French government had been anxious to form useful commercial establishments, and to commence or renew connexions with foreign countries. Attempts were made to establish a new East India Company; treaties were concluded with Russia; and, if judicious enterprize had not been restrained by the distressed state of the finances, and the growing, although as yet slightly noticed, operations of faction, there is no reason to doubt that political wisdom would have been displayed in many more improvements in the political state of the country. A commercial intercourse with Great Britain, con- Plenipoformably to the eighteenth article of the treaty of tentiaries peace, having been resolved on, M. De Reyneval and Mr. Eden were appointed plenipotentiaries to conduct appointed; CHAP. 1786. and a com mercial treaty concluded, Sep. 26th. July 14th. with Spain. the negotiation. By their judicious activity, a treaty was concluded; its basis was the discontinuance of prohibitions and prohibitory duties, so as to secure solid advantages to the industry of each nation, and put an end to contraband trade, which was equally injurious to the revenue, to legitimate commerce, and to public morals. The subjects of the contracting parties were free to import, in their own vessels, into the European dominions of each other, every kind of merchandize not particularly prohibited. They and their families might reside, either as householders or lodgers, free from every restraint with respect to religion, and from any exaction under the name of headmoney, or argent du chef, and under no other obligation than that of duly conforming to the laws. They might travel throughout the country, and depart from it, without licences or passports; buy all lawful kinds of merchandize from manufacturers or others, and freely dispose of their own goods in warehouses or elsewhere, only paying the same imposts as the inhabitants of the place, or those established by this treaty. The wines of France were to be admitted into England, subject to the same duties as those of Portugal, and the existing rates on vinegar, brandy, and oil of olives, were to be reduced. A moderate ad valorem charge was made on beer, hardware, cutlery, cabinet ware, turnery, and all works of iron, steel, copper, and brass; cotton and woollen manufactures, including hosiery, sadlery, gauzes, made up millinery, porcelain, earthenware, and pottery; and on plate-glass and glass-ware in general. Provision was made for giving the best effect to these stipulations, and the interference of either nation in hostilities in which the other might be engaged, by equipping privateers, or other means, was distinctly renounced*. A convention was concluded with Spain, founded on the fifth article of the treaty† of peace, in pursuance The treaty at large is to be seen in the Journals and Debates, the Annual Registers, and various other publications; also Macpherson's Annals of Commerce, vol. iv. p 112. et seqq. + See Chapter 49, vol. iii. p. 448. of which the British settlers were to evacuate all parts of the main-land of America under the sovereignty of Spain. Some jealously entertained by this power rendered a definite arrangement indispensable; and it was therefore concluded that the British settlers, scattered along the Mosquito shore and on the adjacent islands, should abandon their possessions. The King of Spain added to the district allowed to the logwood-cutters, on the Bay of Honduras, the tract of land extending from the river Balize, south to the river Sibun; and confirmed to them the right of cutting and shipping dye woods, mahogany, and all other kinds of wood, and every spontaneous production of the soil. He gave them also a small island on the coast called Cayo Casina, or St. George's Key; but they were restrained from erecting fortifications, and from planting sugar and other articles of colonial produce*. CHAP. LX. 1786. treaties. France much scrutinized. cast on As it was not foreseen that this convention could Public feeling much affect the general interests of the nation, or form on these the foundation of future disputes, it was little heeded, and produced no powerful animadversion. The French That with treaty, on the contrary, was attacked in every manner which the alarm of commercial cupidity, or the ingenuity of party spirit could devise. Mr. Eden's nomination, as negotiator, occasioned some personal attacks. Reflections He had been the firm friend of the opposition party, Mr. Eden. and styled the father of the coalition; by them he had been created a privy-counsellor, and appointed one of the joint vice-treasurers of Ireland; and he was now remarked to be the first who had seceded from that phalanx. Mr. Powys, in a committee of supply, had April 5th. noticed the creation of an envoy extraordinary, as an affront to the Duke of Dorset, our ambassador in France; but Mr. Pitt, in answer, referred to precedents, and the peculiar qualifications of Mr. Eden. While the negotiation was in progress, unsparing efforts were made to create disgust in the public mind. The prejudices entertained against France were ap See the convention, in the Journals, Debates, and Annual Registers; also Macpherson's Annals of Commerce, vol. iv. p. 111. CHAP. 1786. Attack on the woman. pealed to; the new treaty was considered as a violation of our engagements with other powers; the navigation, revenue, and even the morals of the people, were supposed to be endangered; and it was attempted to be proved that every trade and manufacture extended to France would, in England, if not utterly ruined, be materially injured. If these efforts were intended to produce a feeling like that which was excited on the Irish propositions, it failed entirely, as the prevalent sentiments were those of satisfaction and hope. 66 It is necessary, in this place, to mention two incidents which occurred during the recess. The first was an attempt to assassinate the King. As his Ma2nd Angust. jesty descended from his carriage to enter the palace at St. James's, a woman, of respectable appearance, tendered a paper, and, as he extended his arm to receive it, made a blow at him with a knife, which she held in her other hand. The King, stepping back, evaded the assault; and, as she attempted to renew it, she was seized, disarmed, and secured. As the agitation was very considerable, the King's first thought was to protect the assailant from violence. "I am not hurt," he exclaimed; "take care of the poor woman; do not hurt her." She was examined before the privy council, where her insanity was evident; but that a hasty conclusion might not be formed, she was detained in custody of a messenger four days, and her case investigated by eminent medical practitioners. It appeared that her name was Margaret Nicholson, a single woman, who maintained herself decently by needle-work. Her immediate delusion was, that she was entitled to the crown of England, and this error was mixed up with others of a prophetic character. She was transferred to Bethlehem hospital, where, after nearly forty years, she expired, without ever recovering her mental faculties. The loyalty and sensibility of the nation produced numerous affectionate addresses from all parts, which were reiterated by both Houses of Parliament. Death of the Shortly afterward, her Royal Highness the Princess Amelia, daughter of George the Second, died at an |
