CHAP. LVI. 1784. Other busines. 22nd. This was, in effect, the last struggle made by the opposition. The supplies, which had been impeded for some short period, were finally granted; and the mutiny bill, notwithstanding some delays and some menaces, passed before the time when the former act would expire. Slight debates on minor points, such as Sawbridge's annual reform motion, and a bill for preventing bribery at elections, shewed that both sides of 22nd and 23rd. the House expected a speedy dissolution, although it was strenuously deprecated by the opposition. It could not, therefore, be termed a surprise, when his Majesty, Prorogation in a short speech, prorogued the session; announcing of Parliament. that he felt it his duty to the constitution and to the country to recur, as speedily as possible, to the sense of his people, by calling a new Parliament. A proclamation to that effect appeared on the following day. 66 66 expresses his opinion of these transactions in ample terms. "Mr. Pitt had, for several weeks previous to its dissolution, continued in office in direct opposition "to the majority of the House of Commons. I looked upon this proceeding as "establishing a dangerous precedent; for, though the House could not be justi"fied in censuring a minister who had done no act that was censurable, yet it "is to be dreaded that the precedent thus set, of continuing a minister in his 66 place in opposition to a majority of the House of Commons, may hereafter be "resorted to by the Crown on occasions less justifiable. The numberless ad"dresses, however, which were presented to the King against the coalition ministry, sufficiently shewed the sense of the people to be with Mr. Pitt. It was not so much the prerogative of the Crown which kept Mr. Pitt in his place, and set the House of Commons at defiance, as it was the sense of the "nation; which, on this occasion, was in direct contradiction to the sense of the "House of Commons." He wrote a letter to Mr. Pitt, fully expressing these sentiments, and adds, "I had mentioned to Mr. Pitt, a little time before, the rescind'ing of these resolutions of the House of Commons, as the first business which "ought to be brought forward in the new Parliament; and he seemed at that "time wholly to agree with me in the propriety of the measure; but he changed his mind, or was overruled by men more inclined to exalt the prerogative of "the Crown than to listen to the voice of the people, for nothing of the kind was ever mentioned in the House of Commons." With all due respect to the Reverend Prelate, and without recurring to the causes he has assigned, it appears that Mr. Pitt acted most correctly. The votes in question did not, like those on the Middlesex election which were rescinded, affect any general public right; when they had passed, they had done their office; and neither their existence nor their revocation could be made a precedent by any party for any available purpose. A repeal of them would have looked like a puerile triumph: left as they are, they form only an historical fact; but, beyond what was personal in carrying them, do not afford matter for a single comment. 24th. and dissolution 25th. CHAPTER THE FIFTY-SEVENTH. 1784. Importance of the late contest.-Effect of the anti-ministerial majority.-State of the House of Lords.-Firmness of the King.-Conduct of the Prince of Wales-on the attempt at union of parties.-Public opinion.-Addresses to Mr. Pitt.-Freedom of London presented to him.-His conduct. -Observations on the dissolution of Parliament.-Failure of the opposition party at the elections.-Contest for Westminster-scrutiny granted.- Return to the precept.-Meeting of Parliament.-King's speech.-Address of the Lords -of the Commons.-Mr. Burke moves an address and representation.--Motion on the Westminster election.—Mr. Fox-Mr. Pitt.-Motion negatived.-Observations of Mr. Adam-Mr. Pitt.---Mr. Fox's petition.-Other petitions.Counsel heard.-State of finances.-The budget.-Privilege of franking letters restrained.- Extent of smuggling.Commutation Act.-Hovering Act.-Purchases of tea by the East India Company.- Arrear of the Civil List.Affairs of the East India Company.-Temporary relief.— Mr. Pitt moves to bring in his bill for better government of India. Observations of Mr. Fox.-Bill brought in. Motion for its going into a committee opposed.-Speeches of Mr. Francis-Mr. Pitt-Mr. Fox-Mr. Dundas.-Expressions imputed to Lord Thurlow.-Bill passes.-Substance of its enactments.-Observations.-Motion against Sir Elijah Impey-and Mr. Hastings.-Restoration of forfeited estates. in Scotland-moved by Mr. Dundas-supported by the opposition members-opposed by the Lord Chancellorpassed. Prorogation. test. CHAP. LVII. 1784. rial majority. THE records of history would be searched in vain for a parallel to the contest between the King and the House of Commons, which has been thus minutely related; a contest conducted with so much zeal, and Importance of terminated without violence. A majority of the House, the late conwithout any ground of complaint, except their dislike of the minister the King had chosen, maintained a conflict with the Crown which lasted three months, to the utter obstruction of important and truly urgent business. The pecuniary accounts of the late war, the state of finances, the revival of trade and renewal of commercial connexions, the prevention of contraband dealing, which had now risen to an enormous height, the interests of Ireland, matters of internal and colonial policy; and, not least of all, the great and overwhelming subject of India; all pressed for consideration, and all were disregarded for mere questions of personal ambition. A majority of the House of Effect of the Commons alone, when resisted by the King, counter- anti-ministe acted in the Lords, and not supported by the people, formed an extremely narrow and insecure basis for raising a superstructure suited to the views of ambition; and the leaders of opposition must have felt more anger and mortification than astonishment, when they found the triumphant band of adherents which had carried Mr. Fox's India bill by more than two to one, and had shouted derision on the announcement of Mr. Pitt as Chancellor of the Exchequer, reduced, on a night of great expectation, in a debate of vital importance, to a majority of one only, when three hundred and eighty one members were present. In fact, they might have obstructed public business; they could obtain an address or a representation to the Throne, but could not give effect to any legislative general measure. Had they refused the supplies, they would have withheld the claims of the public creditor; had they prevented the mutiny bill, they would have placed the army on the footing of an ungoverned mob, with arms in their hands, inadequate to restrain, but very able to produce, alarm, distress, and confusion. From such measures even the intrepidity of Mr. Fox would have CHAP. 1781. 1st March. 5th. State of the shrunk, had they been seriously suggested; or if he and a few more had the courage to make the attempt, it was not probable that considerate and loyal men would have continued their adherence. Both proceedings were intimated and threatened; but a difinitive effort was never ventured. Mr. Fox, when moving his address for removal of ministers, said, "why, it had "been asked, were the supplies not withheld? The "reason on which he had hitherto voted for the sup"plies might appear a paradox; he had not sufficient "confidence in the ministers of the day to withhold "the supplies. This, he had always maintained, was "a weapon given to the House for the advantage "of the community at large. Were they certain that "such a vote could bring back the servants of the "Crown to constitutional ground, and re-establish "the consequence and importance of the House, he "would willingly proceed to that extent; but, if the "measure were resisted, into what difficulty did it "plunge them? what infinite and irreparable confusion "would it not occasion in the country?" And, afterward, when the postponement of the mutiny bill was proposed, Mr. Fox, although he professed that power over a standing army ought not to be entrusted to a minister whom the House had declared unworthy of its confidence, would not reject it altogether; but its duration might be limited to a month or two; at all events, there would be sufficient time, as the present act would not expire in less than three weeks*, to prevent any dangerous consequences. With all this explanation, he had a majority of nine only†; and probably a little indiscretion, in any part of his speech, would have decided the question against him. As no bill of public interest or importance was transmitted from the lower to the upper House, and as no motion on public affairs originated in the Lords, except one which has already been mentioned, no other * Viz. on the 25th of March. 171 to 162; and see also Tomline's Life of Pitt, vol. i. p. 300, 313, et passim. debate occurred in which the feelings and temper of the peers were particularly disclosed; yet it was perfectly known that the majority of that body would not have concurred with the predominant party in the House of Commons. Consequently very little public business was transmitted to them. Before the recess, they had passed bills for the land-tax and malt duty; but, from that time until within a few days of the dissolution, only two public general acts were sent up to the Lords; and they were not of a nature to call forth any discussion*. CHAP. LVII. 1784. the King. 12th January. In all his acts and declarations, the King had shewn Firmness of his determination to support the ministry he had appointed; and if it was sought to conquer him by hostile speeches, addresses, and remonstrances, Lord North, at least, had enjoyed sufficient intercourse with the Sovereign to be sure that his firmness was not so to be broken down. It is now ascertained, by the letters of the King himself, that he viewed the probable expulsion of Mr. Pitt from office, and the re-instatement of his adversaries, with undissembled horror. On the first divisions against the minister, the King, in a letter to him, treated his opponents as desperate men, and as a faction whom he was prepared to resist, and maintain the struggle to the last period of his life. "If they in the end succeed," his Majesty said, "my line is a "clear one, and to which I have fortitude to submitt.' If this last phrase could be deemed ambiguous or equivocal, it was fully explained on the day Lord Effingham made his motion. The King then said, "Should not "the Lords stand boldly forth, this constitution must "soon be changed; for if the two only remaining pri"vileges of the Crown are infringed, that of negativ"ing bills which have passed both Houses of Parliament, and that of naming the ministers to be employed, "I cannot but feel, as far as regards my person, that I can be no longer of utility to this country, nor can "with honour remain in this island." From this ex 66 66 tax. * One related to the postage of letters from Ireland; the other to the receipt Tomline's Life of Mr. Pitt, vol. i. p. 28. 4th Feb. |