1803

BOOK II. of commons on the general defence of the country, Mr. Windham had taken occasion to express CHAP. XXV. himself in terms of great asperity and contempt towards the volunteer corps of the country, whom, on one occasion, the honourable gentleman termed, the depositaries of panic. To obviate any supposition that the house concurred in these reproachful and calumnious sentiments towards those brave and loyal defenders of the state, Mr. Sheridan, on the 10th of August, moved the thanks of the house "to the volunteer and yeomanry corps of Great Britain, for the zeal and. promptitude with which they had associated for the defence of the country. He also moved,

"that a return of the different volunteer corps be laid before the house, in order that they may be handed down to posterity, by being entered on the journals." After an animated debate, continued for many hours, both these motions were adopted unanimously.

The last business of importance in this session, was a motion on the state of Ireland, by Mr. Hutchinson, who moved, that an address be presented to his majesty, praying him to give such information to the house as had been received respecting the late rebellious outrages in Ireland, and the present state of that kingdom. This motion was opposed by administration, principally on the ground of the lateness of the session, and the danger of making a premature disclosure of circumstances, which it might be important to conceal. Mr. Hutchinson, in the conclusion of his reply, said, if the house would not redress the grievances of Ireland, and conciliate its inhabitants, it would be humanity to annihilate it. The motion, after a long debate, was negatived without a division.

On the following day, the 12th of August, this long and momentous session of parliament was closed by a speech from the throne; on which occasion, his majesty expressed his satisfaction at the energy and promptitude which had been displayed in providing for the defence of the country, and for the vigorous prosecution of the war; assuring the house at the same time, that as strict a regard would be paid to economy in the public expenditure as was consistent with the exertions necessary to frustrate the designs and weaken the power of the enemy. "Justly sensible," said his majesty," of the state of pre-eminence in which it has pleased the Almighty to support us, for so many ages, among the nations of Europe, I rely with confidence, that under the continuance of his divine protection, the exertions of my brave and loyal subjects will prove to the enemy and to the world, that an attempt to subvert the independence, or impair the power of this united kingdom, will terminate in the disgrace and ruin of those by whom it may be made, and that my people will find an ample

reward for all their sacrifices, in an undisturbed enjoyment of that freedom and security, which, by their patriotism and their valour, they will have preserved to themselves and their posterity."

At a crisis when every class of his majesty's subjects was animated to the highest degree by a spirit of military ardour; when the possessions of the crown, and the rights and privileges of the people, were threatened by a formidable and enterprising invader; and when the very existence of the country was thought to be in danger, it could not be imagined that the heir apparent to the throne could remain in a state of inactivity, insensible alike to the calls of patriotism and of glory. Feeling such a situation to be derogatory to his character and repugnant to his duty, as the first subject of the realm, his royal highness addressed a letter to the prime minister, urging upon him the propriety of investing him with an efficient military rank, and of placing him in a situation where his example might contribute to excite the loyal energies of the nation, and where his participation in the honours and dangers which awaited the brave defenders of the country, might keep those energies in vigorous activity. In reply to this application, he was informed, "that the king's opinion being fixed, he desired that no further mention should be made to him on the subject." This answer, however, was considered so unsatisfactory by the prince, that he addressed to his royal parent the following letter:

"SIR,

TO THE KING.

"A correspondence has taken place between Mr. Addington and myself, on a subject which deeply involves my honour and character. The answer which I have received from that gentleman, and the communication which he has made to the house of commons, leave me no hope but in an appeal to the justice of your majesty. I make that appeal with confidence, because I feel that you are my natural advocate, and with the sanguine hope that the ears of an affectionate father may still be opened to the supplications of a dutiful son.

"I ask to be allowed to display the best energies of my character; to shed the last drop of my blood in support of your majesty's person, crown, and dignity; for this is not a war for empire, glory, or dominion, but for existence. In this contest, the lowest and humblest of your majesty's subjects have been called on; it would, therefore, little become me, who am the first, and who stand at the very foot-stool of the throne, to remain a tame, an idle, and life. less spectator of the mischiefs which threaten us, unconscious of the dangers which surround us, and indifferent to the consequences which may follow.-Hanover is lostEngland is menaced with invasion-Ireland is in rebellionEurope is at the foot of France. At such a moment, the Prince of Wales, yielding to none of your servants in zeal and devotion to none of your subjects in duty-to none of your children in tenderness and affection, presumes to approach you, and again to repeat those offers which he has already made through your majesty's ministers. A feeling of honest ambition; a sense of what I owe to myself and to my family; and, above all, the fear of sinking in the

estimation of that gallant army, which may be the support of your majesty's crown, and my best hope hereafter, command me to persevere, and to assure your majesty, with all humility and respect, that, conscious of the justice of my claim, no human power can ever induce me to relinquish it.

"Allow me to say, sir, that I am bound to adopt this line of conduct by every motive dear to me as a man, and sacred to me as a prince. Ought I not to come forward in a moment of uxexampled difficulty and danger? Ought I not to share in the glory of victory, when I have every thing to lose by defeat? The highest places in your majesty's service are filled by the younger branches of the royal family; to me alone no place is assigned. I am not thought worthy to be even the junior major-general of your army. If I could submit in silence to such indignities, I should, indeed, deserve such treatment, and prove, to the satisfaction of your enemies, and my own, that I am entirely incapable of those exertions, which my birth and the circumstances of the times peculiarly call for. Standing so near the throne, when I am debased, the cause of royalty is wounded; I cannot sink in public opinion, without the participation of your majesty in my degradation. Therefore every motive of private feeling, and of public duty, induce me to implore your majesty to review your decision, and to place me in that situation which my birth, the duties of my station, the example of my predecessors, and the expectations of the people of England, entitle me to claim.

"Should I be disappointed in the hope I have formed, should this last appeal to the justice of my sovereign, and the affection of my father, fail of success, I shall lament in silent submission his determination; but Europe, the world, and posterity, must judge between us.

"I have done my duty; my conscience acquits me; my reason tells me that I was perfectly justified in the request which I have made, because no reasonable arguments have ever been adduced in answer to my pretensions. The precedents in our history are in my favour; but if they were not, the times in which we live, and especially the exigencies of the present moment, require us to become an example to our posterity.

"No other cause of refusal has or can be assigned, except that it was the will of your majesty. To that will and pleasure I bow with every degree of humility and resignation; but I can never cease to complain of the severity which has been exercised against me, and the injustice which I have suffered, till I cease to exist. I have the honour to subscribe myself,

"With all possible devotion,

Your majesty's

"Most dutiful and affectionate

"Son and subject,

"Windsor, 7th August.

"MY DEAR SON, "Though I applaud your zeal and spirit, of which, I trust, no one can suppose any of my family wanting, yet, considering the repeated declarations I have made of my determination on your former applications to the same pur pose, I had flattered myself to have heard no farther on the subject. Should the implacable cnemy so far succeed as to land, you will have an opportunity of shewing your zeal at the head of your regiment. It will be the duty of every man to stand forward on such an occasion: and I shall certainly think it mine to set an example in defence of every thing that is dear to me and my people. I ever remain, my "Your most affectionate father,

dear son,

The prince, in an animated, but dutiful reply to his royal parent, said-" Allow me, Sir, to recall to your recollection, the expressions you were graciously pleased to use, when I solicited a foreign service upon my first coming into the army. They were, Sir, that your majesty did not see the opportunity for it; but if any thing were to arise at home, I ought to be "the first and foremost." "In this," continues the prince, "I agree most perfectly with your majesty. I ought to be the first and foremost. It is the place which my birth assigns me-which Europe

-which the English nation expects me to fill, and which the former assurances of your majesty might naturally have led me to hope I should oecupy." Having received no reply to this second letter, the prince repeated his application, through the medium of his royal brother, the Duke of York, commander-in-chief of the British army, by whom he was informed, "that before the prince was appointed to the command of the 10th light dragoons, the king caused it to be fully explained to him what his sentiments were with respect to a Prince of Wales entering into the army, and the public grounds upon which he could never admit of the prince considering it a profession, or of his being promoted in the service." The prince, in reply, positively "denied that any condition or stipulation of the nature alluded to by the Duke of York, had been made when he came into the army." However that might be, the resolution to withhold from the prince all military promotion, was inflexibly adhered to; and his royal highness was doomed to remain in his comparatively humble station of colonel of a regiment of horse.