CHAP. LXVII. 1790. August. Of Holland. July. October 2. government had contracted with Spain: that the King should be desired to order his ambassador to negotiate with the ministers of the Catholic King, in order to strengthen, by a national treaty, those ties which were useful to both countries, and to fix, with precision and clearness, such stipulations as might not be entirely conformable to the views of general peace, and to the principles of justice, which should always be the policy of the French; and that, on a consideration of the armaments of the different nations of Europe, and their progressive increase, and of the security of the French colonies and commerce, the King should be desired to order into commission forty-five ships of the line, with a proportionable number of frigates and small vessels. Discussions and communications followed, in which the French always professed their desire of peace, yet always continued arming, and sent out three frigates to Tobago; while England, professing always the utmost good-will toward France, insisted that her proceedings in the matter in dispute were so consistent with justice and the law of nations, that France could not arm in the cause without a manifest disregard of both. At one period, the French, as if engaged in some private negotiation, or watching the current of | events, intermitted the correspondence for nearly a month, and, at last, the silence was feebly and evasively justified. In this period, the States-general of the United Provinces promptly manifested their disposition to fulfil the conditions of their alliance with this country, by earnestly and liberally advancing their preparations for our assistance. The squadron of six sail of the line and four frigates, which had before been fitted out, sailed for Portsmouth, under the command of Admiral Kingsbergen; and orders were given, and funds provided, for arming six additional ships, if necessary. Another cause of difference, arising from the unsion of Spain. justifiable conduct of a Spanish officer toward the captain of a British West Indiaman, in the gulph of Florida, was speedily and properly adjusted. The ship Trelawney planters, commanded by Captain Macdonald, was boarded and seized by Don Juan Vincente Yanez, commanding the frigate Nuestra Senora del Rosario, and, without the colour of a pretence, the British captain was put in the bilboes, in a scorching sun, and treated with so much cruelty, that even the Spanish crew compassionated and used their utmost endeavours to alleviate his sufferings. On this subject, immediate satisfaction was afforded; for the Spanish minister stated, that Yanez, on his arrival at Cadiz, had, on his own relation of the affair, in a dispatch to the minister of the marine, been immediately put under an arrest, and ordered to undergo the judgment of a court martial. CHAP. LXVII. 1790. In this interval, Mr. Fitzherbert, still imagining Cautious prothat he perceived a hostile disposition in the Spanish Mr. Fitzherceedings of minister, sent letters to Gibraltar, and to the consuls bert. in the Spanish ports, recommending the continuance of measures of precaution; yet, in a fortnight, the Differences difficulties attending the final arrangement were sur- arranged. mounted, and a pacific convention was signed and 28th. ratified. By this treaty, Spain agreed to restore the disputed Convention. buildings and tract of land, and to make reparation for all subsequent acts of violence*. The right of navigating and fishing in the Pacific ocean, and of landing and making settlements for carrying on commerce, was equally secured to both nations; but, as British subjects were not to make the navigation and fishery a pretext for carrying on an illicit trade with the Spanish settlements, they must not approach within ten sea leagues of any part of the coast occupied by the Spaniards. The subjects of both countries had equal liberty to trade at Nootka, and in all parts of the North-west coast of America and the islands adjacent, situated to the northward of the territories already occupied by Spain. No settlement to be made by either nation on the east or west coasts of South America to the southward of those already effected by * This reparation was afterward fixed at two hundred and ten thousand dollars, beside the restitutions. CHAP. LXVII. 1790. Observations. Spain; both nations might land and erect temporary huts for purposes connected with their fisheries; and, should an infraction of this convention occur, no violence was to be committed, but representations to be made for the purpose of amicable adjustment*. Thus honourably was terminated a dispute so apparently pregnant with disastrous consequences. The rights of the British crown were firmly vindicated, and the wrongs of British subjects amply redressed. It is not to be maintained, that the trade or territory which formed the object of discussion was, in money, worth the expense it occasioned†; but, if such an argument could be generally applied, the duty of maintaining national rights would be at an end. Νο external possession, no claim of a commercial nature, is worth the cost of hostile maintenance; but miserable indeed must be the condition of that country which will not arm and combat to extremity, rather than submit to arbitrary restraint, or wanton spoliation. The nation which can basely surrender its outworks, may reasonably tremble for its citadelt. See "Strictures" on the Spanish Declaration, and Letters on the present Dispute with Spain, under the signature Verus. Many writers and speakers have expressed their sentiments on this point See particularly Macpherson's Annals of Commerce, vol. iv. p. 200. It may be mentioned here, that in 1795 this territory was formally taken possession of by Lieutenant Pierce, of the British navy, and received the name of King George's Sound. I have consulted generally the histories and periodical works relating to the period, but have principally followed one before referred to, "A Narrative of the Negotiations occasioned by the Dispute between En"gland and Spain in the year 1790." This book is not published by any bookseller, nor does the name of any author or compiler appear; but from the exactness with which official documents are referred to, it seems to have been prepared by order of government for the information of foreign courts. CHAPTER THE SIXTY-EIGHTH. 1789-1790. War of Russia and Austria against the Turks.-State of the Emperor.-Death of the Sultan Abdoul Hamed-first measures of his successor.-Junction of the Austrians and Russians-battle of Rimnick.--Progress of Marshal Loudon.-Siege and capture of Belgrade-further successes-armistice.-War between Russia and Sweden-sea fight off Bornholm-engagements by land and sea.-Ill success of the Swedes-turn in their affairs. Peace with Russia.-Struggle in the Netherlands-proceedings of the Emperor--resistance-increasing troubles of the Emperor-Hungary -his concessions-and death.-Accession of Leopold the Second. -Intrigues of Prussia.-Prudent and conciliatory conduct of Leopold--he quiets troubles and arranges disputes.-Affairs of France-state of the National Assembly -influence of the Jacobin club-emigration-proceedings of the Chatelet-the National Assembly in Paris-famine —riots-law against tumults—extent of changes-new division of the kingdom-abolition of the Parliaments-new tribunals -sale of judicial appointments prohibited-lettres de cachet abolished-other reforms in criminal laws-hereditary titles, armorial bearings, and liveries forbidden -declaration of the King -the red book-civil list--other retrenchments of prerogative--property of the clergy seized -suppression of monasteries-frequent riots in the departments-general toleration-further beneficial reformsother proceedings - procession of the human race---confederation-observations-the fédérés - finances-assignats issued-decline of Necker's influence-his retreat. CHAP. LXVIII. FROM a war which was threatened and prepared for, but never begun, we turn to one, conducted with great fury and prodigious desolation; that which was War of Russia waged by Russia and Austria against the Turks. Had 1789. and Austria against the Turks. State of the 1759. April 7th. Death of the hostilities between England and Spain taken place, all Europe would probably have been involved; but those which did exist, occasioned no forwardness to participate or interfere. However they might be affected by its ultimate results, and every kingdom in Europe must be affected in some degree by the dismemberment or annihilation of any considerable state, England, France, and Spain did not appear as parties or mediators, but awaited the course of events to regulate their conduct. Broken in health, irritated and dispirited by ill success in his late campaign, Joseph retired to Vienna, calculating the gain of a few fortresses against the cost of a year's warfare and the sacrifice of thirty thousand men, who had fallen in desultory conflicts, and forty thousand swept away by pestilence and disease. Flattery imputed the blame to Lacy; and the Marshal, either from a generous unwillingness to add to the afflictions of his sovereign, or from a high refinement in the art of a courtier, appeared to acquiesce; but the Emperor could not deceive himself; he had reaped neither advantage nor popularity from his exertions; he had submitted, even with frivolous minuteness, to the wants and difficulties which beset the common soldiers, without acquiring their love or their respect; and, at last, his pride could only find a feeble solace by referring the cause of his misadventures to the tardiness of the Russians. No relaxation took place in the efforts to prosecute hostilities; and the success of the ensuing campaign was not diminished, if it was not caused, by the absence of the Emperor. To the great misfortune of the Turks, First measures the Sultan Abdoul Hamed died, and his successor, Selim the Third, gave an unfavourable omen of his future measures, by displacing from the command of his armies the brave and enterprizing Grand Vizier, and appointing in his stead the Pacha of Widdin, a of his successor. |