XXXVII. 1787. CHAP patch; referving to themfelves the conftitutional rights of supplying more heads, after they had gone through the whole. Mr. Pitt proposed they fhould separate and analyze the charges, fince the accufation confifted of a diffuse and complicated mass; of many allegations which had not been fubftantiated, and of many facts which could not be confidered as criminal; that thus each part fhould be tried by its diftinct and individual merits. Mr. Burke and Mr. Sheridan coincided with the minifter; and his plan was adopted. Mr. Haftings now made, through Major Scott, an application to the house, that if they refolved there was ground for impeachment, they would vote that he should be brought to trial: he trusted that the house of commons would not fuffer his name to be branded upon their records, without allowing him at the fame time the only legal means of effacing the ftigma.. The comons im ren Haftings A committee was formed to prepare articles of impeachment against Warren Haftings, efq. and empowered to fend for perfons, papers, and records. The committee confifted of Mr. Burke, Mr. Fox, Mr. Sheridan, Mr. Pelham, fir James Erskine, Mr. Windham, Mr. St. John, Mr. Francis, fir Gilbert Elliot, fir Grey Cooper, Mr. Frederic Montague, Mr. Wellbore Ellis, general Burgoyne, colonel North, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Grey, Mr. An. ftruther, Mr. Adam, Mr. Dudley Long, and lord Maitland. On the 20th of May, Mr. Edmund Burke went peach War in the name of the house of commons, and of all at the bar of the commons of Great Britain, to the bar of the the house of houfe of lords, and impeached Mr. Haftings of high crimes and misdemeanors; and acquainted peers. the XXXVIL 1787. the lords, that the commons would, with all con- CHAP. venient speed, exhibit articles against him, and make good the fame. The articles were eight in number: the charge of Cheyt Sing, the Begums, charges of Farruckahad, the contracts, Fizulla Khan, the prefents, the revenues, and misdemeanors in Oude. At the inftance of Mr. Burke, Mr. Haftings was taken into custody by the fergeant at arms; and being immediately conducted to the bar of the houfe of lords, was delivered to the gentleman ufher of the black rod. Upon the motion of the lord chancellor he was admitted to bail, himself in 20,000l. and two fureties, Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Sumner, in 10,000l. each, and was ordered to deliver in an answer to the articles of impeachment in one month from that time, or upon the second day of the next feffion of parlia ment *. On the 20th of April the financial accounts and Supplies. arrangements of the year were brought forward. The minister opened the fubject, by testifying the high fatisfaction that he felt, and which he doubted not the house would fhare, when he laid before them fuch an account of our finances, as would Favourable justify his former statements, reasonings, and predictions. The public fervices were to be provided for without additional impofts, although a very bad season in the West Indies had caused a defalcation in the customs to the amount of 350,000l. See Annual Register for 1787; British and foreign hiftory, p. 148. On ftate of the finances. CHAP. 1787. Mr. Dundas brings forward the financial tish India. On the 7th of May, Mr. Dundas, as prefident of the board of controul, brought forward the financial ftate of British India. He conceived it (he faid) highly improper that any part of the empire fhould be in the receipt of a revenue of five state of Bri- millions, and maintain an army of feventy or eighty thousand men, without its being known to the house of commons how that revenue was difburfed, and why fuch an establishment was fupported. The debt in India amounted to nine millions, the revenue of the last year afforded a furplus of 1,800,000l., and the company would be able to discharge their debt in this country in the year 1790. Having clearly and concifely ftated thefe facts and opinions, Mr. Dundas moved refolutions refpecting the revenues of India; these were carried without a divifion. Promifing alect of affairs. On the 30th of May his majesty prorogued parlia ment with a speech, expreffing his entire approbation of the zeal and affiduity with which the houses applied themselves to the important objects recommended to their attention at the commencement of the feffion, and returning his majesty's particular thanks for the proofs which they had given of affection for his perfon, family, and government. Satisfied as he was with the affurances which he received of the continuance, among foreign powers, of general tranquillity, he greatly regretted the internal diffenfions among the fates of the united provinces. He rejoiced at the progress made in * the reduction of the national debt; and at the measures adopted by Parliament for carrying into effect XXXVIL 1787. effect the commercial treaty with France, and for CHAP fimplifying the revenue; he trufted the fame patriotic difpofitions would be exerted in their several counties, in promoting industry and good order; the furest sources of private and public prosperity. CHAP. XXXVIII. a Affairs of Holland.-Ruinous effects of the war with Britain. -Complaints against the Stadtholder.-Charge concerning the inaction of the fleets.-Objects of the aristocratic party at the end of the war.-They put arms into the hands of the multitude.-Effects of this measure.—Beginning of democratic party.-Both the aristocratic and democratic parties agree in hoftility to the house of Orange.—Advantages which they possessed over the Stadtholderian party.— They are fupported by the monied men-and fectaries.— Circumftances favourable to the prince. He is commander of the army and fleet.-Civil power and authority.-He is governor-general of the Eaft and Weft India companies.His hereditary posessions.-Several provinces favourable to his cause.-Friendship and affinity with Pruffia.-Adverse faction trufts to the protection of France.-They deprive the prince of the command of the Hague.-The Orange family leave the Hague.-Temperate remonftrances of Prufiadifregarded by the faction,-who abfolve the troops from their oath of fidelity.-Meeting of the States of Holland and Weft Friezeland,-violence of-Remonftrance of the prince.-Frederic William fends his prime minister as ambaffador to the States of Holland.-Firm memorial of Conduct of France.-encourages the faction.-Rebellion commences at Hattem.-The infurgents are defeated.Conciliatory interpofition of Prussia-and of Britain-unavailing.-Joint mediation of Pruffia and France.-Different views of these powers.-Alarming power of the democratic party-is exerted in levelling innovation-defeated in an attempt to fufpend the office of Stadtholder.They try a new fabrication of votes.-The armed burghers are employed as inftruments of revolution.-Fury of a revolutionary mob.-The States General avow themselves fup porters |