After fo many demonftrative proofs of the weak, rafh, and ignorant, of the ruinous and difgrace ful conduct of the framers of the peace, it was afked whether a coincidence of opinion amongst members, however diftinguithed by dif ferent party connections, in their judgment upon it, deferved the name of an unnatural alliance? and whether it was not more to be wondered, how there could poffibly exift two opinions in the Houfe concerning it? Was it from the character of the noble lord, who had taken the lead in this bufinefs, that the nation was to be taught to confider it as a mere conteft for power?-a character, which if it had any blemish to foil its eminent virtues, it was that of receding from those places where his abilities and integrity might effentially promote the interefts of his country. Was it not neceffary, in order to preferve the reputation and character of the nation from eternal difgrace, that parliament fhould express their utter difapprobation of a treaty, which rather deferved the name of an ignominious capitulation of the glory and eflential interefts of a powerful country? Was it not their uty to lay before the throne their humble fenfe of the misconduct of minifters, who had fo fhamefully abufed his Majefty's confidence? Was it not alfo their duty to fhew thofe very mi nifters that they had forfeit d the confidence of parliament by a criminal abufe of the truft repofed in them? It was not denied that this coincidence of opinion might poffibly lead to fome future permanent connection. If. as it was reafonable to expect, the difmiffion of his Majefty's prefent minifters fhould be the confequence of the cenfure of that Houle, it was atked where another adminiftration could be formed, fufficiently poffeffed of the confidence of the people, and of parliament, to undertake the di. rection of the affairs of the empire at fo arduous a conjuncture with vigour and effect, without a coalition of parties? Had not the nation already fnffered enough of evil from the weakness and impotence of government? and was it not a flagitious attempt, to endeavour to roufe the prejudices, and inflame the minds of the people against a measure, fo neceffary to heal its divifions, and to enfure the advantages of firm and permanent counfels? Thofe who were at all converfant in the hiftory of this ifland, must know, that fuch coalitions had frequently become neceffary; and that, from the very nature of our conftitution, which giving rife to various political parties, they fometimes became fo equally balanced, as to preclude the poffibility of a permanent adminiftration, except by their union. Such had been the cafe in the year 1757, when the country was as much diftracted by violent parties as it had ever been before or fince. What was done then? Men of all parties faw the neceffity of uniting. The feveral factions forgot their animofities, and out of different fets of men an adminiftration was formed that carried this cation to an unrivalled pitch of glory. Such coalitions did not imply any inconfiftency of conduct or defertion of principle. Perfons differing in opinion on fpeculative political fubjects, might yet be honeftly [4]3 and by the Earl of Pembroke.-" To return our thanks to his Majefty "for the communication of the "preliminary articles of peace, and and firmly united in the executive conduct of government? Private friendship and conformity of fentiment was undoubtedly the best bafis of political connection. But where," for having put a ftop to the calathe nature of the cafe required a "mities of war by a peace, which deviation from this rule, public cha- "being concluded, we niuft confiracters, fo far from being culpable, " der as binding, and not to be indeferved the highest praife for fa- "fringed without a violation of the crificing private refentments and "national faith. perfonal animofities at the altar of public fafety. "To affure his Majesty, that we "feel in the ftrongest manner the That the very perfons who had "obligation of affording every refo invidiously brought forward thefe "lief that can alleviate the dif objections, did not give them any "treffes of thofe deferving fubje&s credit, was clear, because they "who have expofed their lives themselves had formed a junction "and fortunes for the fupport of in every respect equally liable to “Great Britain, and at the fame the fame exceptions. The only "time, that we cannot help ladifference was, that the coalition menting the neceffity which bids now cenfured confifted of the firftus fubfcribe to articles, which, and principal characters in both "confidering the relative fituation parties, and therefore was the moft "of the belligerent powers, we likely to answer the purpose of "muft regard as inadequate to our commanding the confidence of the "juft expectations, and derogatory nation, and putting an end to our "to the honour and dignity of divifions, by forming a firm and "Great Britain." effective adminiftration; whereas the other, being made out of the fhreds and fragments of all parties, had proved deftitute of every requifite that could entitle it to fupport. Such were the arguments urged on both fides the Houfe in fupport of their respective motions. The debate lafted till near eight o'clock in the morning, when on a divifion there appeared for the amendments 224, against then 208; fo that the minifters loft the question in the Houfe of Commons by a majority of fixteen. In the Houfe of Lords, the following addrefs was moved by the Farl of Carlife, in lieu of that which had been originally propofed The original addrefs was fup ported by the Marquis of Carmarthen, Lord Hawke, the Dukes of Chandos and Grafton, Lord Grantham, Lord Howe, the Earl of Shelburne, and the lord chancellor. The fpeakers on the other fide were the Lords Walfingham, Dudley, Townshend, Keppel, King, Stormont, Sackville, and Loughborough, the laft of whom diftinguifhed himself by a most brilliant difplay of eloquence. The arguments were nearly the fame with thofe made ufe of in the lower House, and, on the divifion, the amendment was negatived by 72 against 59. On the 21ft, the day Feb. 21ft. fixed for taking into further further confideration the articles of peace, Lord John Cavendish moved the four following refolutions: ift. To affure his Majefty that "his faithful Commons, in confi"deration of the public faith fo"lemnly pledged,' would inviola"bly fuftain and preferve the peace "agreed upon by the provifional "articles and preliminary treaties." 2dly. "That the Houfe, deeply "affected by his Majefty's paternal care, at all times difplayed to his people, would use their utmost en"deavours to improve the bleffings "of peace." 3dly. "That his Majefty's ac"knowledgment of the indepen"dence of America was in perfect compliance with the neceflity of "the times, and in conformity with "the fenfe of parliament." 4thly." That the conceffions granted to the adverfaries of "Great Britain were greater than "they were entitled to, either from "the actual state of their respective "poffefkons, or from their compa"rative ftrength." The two first refolutions were a greed to without any oppofition.On the third a fhort debate took place, occafioned by doubts having arifen in the minds of feveral members, refpecting the nature of the power vefted in the King, by which he had acknowledged the independence of the United States. It was demanded, whether it was done by virtue of his royal prerogative, or by powers granted by ftatute; and, if the latter, by what statute? In answer to these questions, the gentlemen of the long robe were unanimoufly of opinion, that the ftatute paffed last year, to enable the King to make a peace or truce with the colonies in North America, any law, ftatute, matter, or thing to the contrary notwithstanding, gave him full power to recognize their independence; tho' fuch words had not been inferted in the act, for reafons fufficiently obvious. Other members, who agreed with them in opinion as far as it refpected the acknowledgment of independence, did not think the ftatute in question granted him any authority to cede to them any part of the province of Canada and Nova Scotia. With respect to the powers of the prerogative, Mr. Wallace and Mr. Lee maintained that the King could not abdicate a part of his fovereignty, or declare any number of his fubjects free from obedience to the laws in being. The contrary was afferted by the attorney general; and each party pledged h mfelf, if the matter thould come regularly into difcuffion, to make good his opinion. A challenge to the fame effect had paffed in the House of Peers between Lord Loughborough and the Lord Chancellor. С НА Р. VIII. - Lord Shelburne's refignation, and chancellor of exchequer's declaration on what account be continued to hold his office-Minifterial interregnum-mischiefs ree fulting therefrom-conjectures on the caufes.-Addrefs to his Majfty for the fame reftrictions to be obferved, previous to the 5th of April, refpecing granting penfions, as are directed by an act of last feffion, fubjequent to that time.Debate thereon.-Account of penfions granted.-Animadverfions on them. Mr. Coke's notice of his intention to more an address on the unfettled ftate of the ministry—its effecis—unsuccessful.— Makes his motion-received with approbation. Minifters attempt to exculpate themselves-anfwered.-Coalition abufed; and an addition, to its difadvantage, propojed to the addrefs.— his attack repell d, with great dexterity, by Mr. Fox.- Allefions having been made, in the debate, to fecret advisers of the crown, a genileman alluded to avows and juftifies his conduct.—hely.—Address prefented. —nfver.—Mr. Pitt refigns-queftioned refpecting any new arrangement being made-his anfwer-not fatisfactory.-Larl of Surrey's motion on the occafion-objections to it-withdrawn-He pr pofes another, which is better approved; it is, however, poftponed.-Report to the disadva tage of the coalition party-disclaimed by Lord North -Fresh invectives against the coalition - Heads of justification infifted on by that party — Negotiation age in opened to form an administrationfucceeds.-Lift of the new min ftry.-dis firft objects. Difficulties obftructing a commercial intercourfe with the States of America.-Steps taken to remove them.--Loan of travelce mil ions brought forward-objected to - justified. Mr. Fitt's motion for a reform of the parliamentary reprefentation debate thereon-divifion-left by a majority of 144.-Earl Shelburne condemns the loan.-Refolutions propofed for the conduct of future loans.—I he loan juflified, and former minifiry blamed.--Propofed refolutions difcuffed and rejected.-Duke of Richmond's motion refpecting danger to be apprehended from putting the great jeal in commiffion to the judges-beads of his ftecch, which embraces further obje&s-Motion objected to-widhdrawn.-- Another prop fed-debated—negatived-Animadverfions on the original motion. Meffage recommending a Separate eftablishment for the Prince of Wales-50,000!. fettled on him-and 60,ocol voted as a temporary aid. -Heads of the bill for regulating certain offices in the exchequer.--Claufe offered to exempt Lord Thurlow from its operation-debated-agreed to-rej &ted on the report by a majority of 8.-Close of the fiffim.-Speech.Left India affairs left unfettled. - IN confequence of the cenfure paffed on the peace by the refolutions of the Houfe of Commons on the 21st of February, the Earl of Shelburne quitted his office of firft commiffioner of the treafury, and the chancellor of the exchequer declared publicly in the Houfe, -- that he only held his place till a fucceffor thould be appointed to fill it. A minifterial interregnum enfued, which lafted till the beginning of April; during which time the kingdom remained in a fate of great diforder; without any refponfible government at home, the 1 the finances neglected, the military eftablishments unreduced, and the negotiations with foreign powers, which the critical conjuncture of affairs rendered peculiarly important, entirely at a ftand. Various caufes were affigned for the extraordinary delay in the appointment of a new administration. Those who wished to shift all blame from the court, alledged, that the chief obftacle arofe from the mutual jealoufy which ftill fubfifted between the newly-allied parties, and the difficulties they found in adjufting their feveral pretenfions. Others have fuppofed, that the interval was employed in private intrigues with the individuals of different parties, and in an attempt to form an adminiftration independent of the great leading connections.— Others again did not hesitate to affert, that on the failure of this attempt, the influence poffeffed by the lord high chancellor, whofe difmiffion was a point infifted on by the coalition, was the principal cause that retarded the new arrangement. Whether any, or which of these causes, really operated, we cannot venture to pronounce. We give them as topics of public converfation at the time, and as matters frequently alluded to in the debates in parliament. On the 6th of March, an addrefs was ordered to be prefented to his Majefty, to befeech his Majefty, "that the fame reftrictions "might be obferved in refpect to any pention he might be advised "to grant antecedent to the fifth day of April following, as, by an "act of the laft fellion, are thence"forth ftrictly and abfolutely pre"fcribed." In the converfation that took place on this motion, it was ftre nuously urged on one fide, that though, for reafons which were deemed fufficient at the time, the operation of the act had been postponed till the 5th April 1783; yet it was generally understood, that the fpirit of the act was binding on the King's minifters from the day on which it was brought into the houfe; and that the noble marquis, under whofe adminiftration it paffed, had declared this to have been his opinion. The chancellor of the exchequer was therefore called on to inform the Houfe whether there was any foundation for the rumour which prevailed, and on which the motion had been grounded, that a great variety of penfions had been lately granted to a very confiderable amount. In answer to this queftion, the minifter firft obferved, that he could not fubfcribe to the doctrine he had just heard; that the fpirit of the act was binding on him before the time fixed by the exprefs letter of the law. The object of the act was to take away a power, which the crown had otherwife an undoubted legal right to exercise; but by limiting its reftrictive operation to a future fixed period, the fpirit of the law rather tended to fanction the intermediate exercise of that power. He then entered into a detail and vindication of the different penfions that had been lately, or were then in the course of being granted. The firft, he faid, was a penfion of 3cool. to the lord chancellor, to whom a grant in reversion had alfo been given of a tellership of the exchequer, in confequence of a former promife given him by the King. The propriety of making a permanent provifion for this great law officer had been at all times fo univer |