XXXVIII. CHAP. friendly mediation; but his interpofition was extremely difagreeable to the revolutionary faction, 1787. which could not ftand the award of an impartialumpire. The court of London was confident that the internal strength of the conftitutional party, feconded by the king of Pruffia, was perfectly adequate to the adjustment of difputes, and the refumption of conftitutional rights, if France did not interfere with an armed force. Dignity, justice, and policy, called from his majefty explicit avowals *, that he would not remain a quiet fpectator of fuch forcible interference. In thefe circumstances, the chief object of British policy, concerning Holland, was to watch the movements of the court of VerThe king of failles. A meffage from his chriftian majesty announced to our king, that he had determined to afford to the ftates of Holland the affittance which they had requested. Such an intimation demanded only one line of conduct; our king accordingly declared to France, that if fhe interpofed forcibly, and he gave France in timates an intention of affifting the ftates of Holland. Our king declares he will forc bly oppofe fuch Britain fhould take an active part; and he inter ference; and prepares an ar mament. immediate directions for augmenting his fleet and army. A powerful armament was equipped with uncommon expedition: a decifive and grand tone, worthy of mighty power fupporting confcious juf tice, produced the desired effect; and France madę no hoftile effort to fupport the revolutionary facher delign; tion. The energetic vigour of the British cabinet being fo fuccefsfully exerted towards the formi France thereupon relinquishes See his majesty's fpeech, November 27, 1787. State Papers. dable XXXVIII. 1787. and the duke of Brunswic torious. dable ally of the ftates of Holland, the duke of CHAP. Brunswic proceeded in a rapid career of victory. The hidden friends of the house of Orange now publicly declared themfelves: the revolutionists, however, ftill entertaining hopes France would is comnot yield, threw themselves into Amfterdain, pletely vicand refolved to ftand a fiege; but finding their expectations entirely vanished, they at length entered into a capitulation; the conftitutional party proved completely triumphant, and the stadtholder Restoration was restored to all his rights and dignities. The of the stadtdifcuffion which arofe between Britain and France terminated amicably, after his christian majesty had declared, that in intimating a design of active interpofition in the affairs of Holland, he had never intended forcible efforts *. Such was the refult of the disputes in the United Provinces, and the measures which Britain adopted refpecting the contefts. This was the first occafion that difplayed the genius and energy of Pitt in foreign policy, and procured him general admiration abroad and at home. Oppofition as warmly and loudly praised his conduct, as the rest of the nation: indeed it is difficult to conceive that two opinions could be formed on the fubject by any Briton who at once valued and understood the interefts of his country. The interference was requifite, to prevent fuch an aggrandizement of France, as must See correfpondence between the refpective ministers of Britain and France on this fubject, in the State Papers of October 1787. holder. Great and praifes of the British unanimous cabinet. XXXVIII. 1787. CHAP endanger this country. The means were vigour of tone, feconded by powerful preparation, the most successful inftruments which a mighty nation can employ for averting aggreffion, either direct or circuitous. CHAP. XXXIX. Meeting of parliament.—Unanimous approbation of the conduct of ministry respecting Holland.—Bishop of Landaff's Speech on British interference in continental affairs.—Subfidiary treaty with the landgrave of Heffe Caffel.-Plan for the defence of the West Indies.-Complaints of a partial promotion of flag officers.-Minifters contend that the complaint is unfounded.--Declaratory law for explaining certain parts of Mr. Pitt's Eaft India bill.-Origin of the doubts from which this measure proceeded.-Regiments ordered by government to India, to be paid and fubfifted at the expence of the company.—Question by Mr. Pitt's bill; had government that power? denied by the directors and by oppofition in parliament.-Arguments for and against.— Paffed into a law.-Extenfion of the mutiny bill.- Bill against the fmuggled exportation of wool-passed into a law. -Commencement of an inquiry concerning negro flavery.— State of facts.-General and special objections to negro slavery. -Impugned as contrary to chriftianity, as well as juftice and humanity.-Pious and benevolent enthusiasm in favour of the negroes.-Mr. Wilberforce-character, talents, and laudable zeal-oppofite arguments.-Slavery an evil great or fmall, according to the fentiments and circumftances of the fufferers.-The condition of the African negroes is meliorated by becoming flaves to British mafters.-Slaves in our plantations generally happy.-If Britain abolish flavery, other European ftates will enjoy the benefits.—Great capitals are embarked on the public faith guaranteeing this trade.-An ample fource of private opulence, and public revenue.-Petitions for and against the abolition of the flavetrade. The privy council inftitutes an inquiry into the details and alleged cruelties of the flave-trade.-Sir William Dolben's motion for regulating the transportation of negroes. С НА Р. 1787. Meeting of negroes-paffed into a law.-Mr. Pitt's bill for the relief and recompence of the American loyalifts.—Commencement of Haftings's trial.—Speech of Mr. Burke.—Motion for the impeachment of fir Elijah Impey-negatived.—Mr. Grenville's bill for improving his father's law refpecting contefted elections.—Supplies.-Flourishing state of commerce and finance. PARLIAMENT affembled on the 27th of Novem ber; and his majesty's speech exhibited to the houses an outline of the policy which he had adoptParliament. ed concerning Holland. He had endeavoured by his good offices to restore tranquillity between the contending parties, but found his efforts unavailing: he also discovered a defire of forcible interference on the part of France; he expreffed to his christian majesty his determination to counter-act any fuch intention, and had armed for that purpofe; but the fuccefs of the Pruffian troops had re-established the lawful government in Holland; an explanation had taken place between his majesty and the king of France, which had terniinated amicably, and both parties had agreed to difarm. The neceffary preparations had produced extraordinary expences, for which he doubted not his faithful commons would provide, and alfo adopt proper means for the defence of his diftant dominions. He rejoiced at the flourishing state of commerce and the revenue, and the zeal and unaninity which his fubjects demonftrated during the late expectation of war. From the difpofitions which were then manifefted, in any future emergency, he should depend on a promptness and vigour of |