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his majesty's government, against the officer who commanded his forces in Egypt, and against the British army in that quarter. The paper cannot be considered as the publication of a private individual; it has been avowed, and indeed bears evidence upon the face of it, that it is the official report of an accredited agent, published by the authority of a government to which it was addressed, who thereby have given it their express sanction.

This report had been published a very short time, when another indignity was offered to this country in the communication of the first consul of France to the legis lative body. In this communication he presumes to affirm, in the character of chief magistrate of that country," that Great Britain cannot singly contend against the power of France;" an assertion as unfounded as it is indecent, disproved by the events of many wars, and by none more than by those of the war which has been recently concluded. Such an assertion, advanced in the most solemn official act of a government, and thereby meant to be avowed to all the powers of Europe, can be considered in no other light than as a defiance publicly offered to his ma jesty, and to a brave and powerful people,who are both willing and able to defend his just rights, and those of their country, against every insult and aggression.

The conduct of the first consul to his majesty's ambassador, at his audience, in presence of the ministers of most of the sovereigns and states of Europe, furnishes another instance of provocation on the part of the French government, which it would be improper not to notice on the present occasion; and the subsequent explanation of this

transaction may be considered as having the effect of aggravating instead of palliating the affront.

At the very time when his ma. jesty was demanding satisfaction and explanation on some of the points above-mentioned, the French minister at Hamburg endeavoured to obtain the insertion in a Hamburg paper of a most gross and opprobrious libel against his majesty; and when difficulties were made respecting the insertion of it, he availed himself of his official character of minister of the French republic to require the publication of it, by order of his government, in the Gazette of the Senate of that town. With this requisition, so made, the senate of Hamburg were induced to comply; and thus has the independence of that town been violated, and a free state made the instrument, by the menace of the French government, of propagating throughout Europe, upon their authority, the most of fensive and unfounded calumnies against his majesty and his govern ment. His majesty might add to this list of indignities, the requisition which the French government have repeatedly urged, that the laws and constitution of his country should be changed relative to the liberty of the press. His majesty might likewise add the calls which the French government have, on several occasions, made upon him to violate the laws of hospi tality, with respect to persons who had found an asylum within his dominions, and against whose con◄ duct no charge whatever has, at any time, been substantiated. It is impossible to reflect on these different proceedings, and the course which the French government have thought proper to adopt respecting them, without the thorough con

viction

that treaty, and to the spirit of peace itself, his majesty will not avail himself of these circum

viction that they are not the effect of accident; but that they form a part of a system which has been adopted for the purpose of degrad-stances, to demand in compensa

ing, vilifying, and insulting his majesty and his government.

Under all these insults and provocations, his majesty, not without a due sense of his dignity, has proceeded with every degree of temper and moderation to obtain satisfaction and redress, while he has neglected no means, consistent with his honour and the safety of his dominions, to induce the government of France to concede to him what is, in his judgement, absolute ly necessary for the future tranquillity of Europe. His efforts in this respect have proved abortive, and he has therefore judged it ne cessary to order his ambassador to leave Paris. In having recourse to this proceeding, it has been his majesty's object to put an end to the fruitless discussions which have too long subsisted between the two governments, and to close a period of suspense peculiarly injurious to the subjects of his majesty.

But though the provocations which his majesty has received might entitle him to larger claims

than those which he has advanced, yet, anxious to prevent calamities which might thus be extended to every part of Europe, he is still willing, as far as is consistent with his own honour, and the interests of his people, to afford every facility to any just and honourable arrangement, by which such evils may be averted. He has, therefore, no difficulty in declaring to all Europe, that, notwithstanding all the changes which have taken place since the treaty of peace, notwithstanding the extension of the power of France, in repugnance to

tion all that he is entitled to re quire, but will be ready to concur, even now, in an arrangement by which satisfaction shall be given to him, for the indignities which have been offered to his crown, and to his people, and substantial security afforded against further encroach ments on the part of France.

His majesty has thus distinctly and unreservedly stated the reasons of those proceedings to which he has found himself compelled to resort. He is actuated by no disposition to interfere in the internal concerns of any other state; by no projects of conquest and aggrandisement; but solely by a sense of what is due to the honour of his crown, and the interests of his people, and by an anxious desire to obstruct the further progress of a system, which, if not resisted, may prove fatal to every part of the civilised world.

HOUSE OF LORDS. Aug. 12. Address of the Commons to the King.

His majesty having taken his seat on the throne, the gentleman usher of the black rod was desired to require the attendance of the speaker of the house of commons. The speaker attended accordingly, and read the following address:

"Most Gracious Sovereign, "Your majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the knights, citizens, and burgesses of the united kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, in parliament assembled, have at length completed the supplies granted to your majesty for the service of the present year-a pe(G4),

riod

riod memorable for the events which it has produced, and awful for those which may be yet to

come.

"In granting those supplies, your majesty's faithful commons have considered that a crisis with outexample, demanded unexampled efforts; and by resolving to raise, annually, a large proportion of the supplies for the current year, so long as the war endures, they have given to all the world a solemn pledge of their inflexible determination to render the public credit unassailable.

"They have also proceeded to revise the system of your majesty's permanent revenue. By consoli dating the duties in each of its principal branches, they have simplified its operations, and, at the same time, they have endeavoured to render its pressure less burthensome by regulating its mode of collection.

"The commercial interests of this country, to which our attention was called by your majesty's gracious commands at the commencement of the present session, have been maturely considered; and measures have been taken for affording material accommodations and facilities to mercantile transactions, by rendering our principal ports free for all nations to import, deposit, and re-export their merchandise, without toll or tax, unless voluntarily brought into our own market for home consumption.

"Nor have we forgotten to bestow our earnest and serious thoughts upon the safety and efficacy of our church establishment in every part of the united king dom. Upon this subject, as comprehending all that consecrates our rational hopes, morals, and policy,

we have deliberated with peculiar care and anxiety; and we presume to believe, that the important laws which have been passed in aid of our church establishment, will materially strengthen and gradually extend its influence through succeed. ing ages.

"But, sire, these were cares and objects belonging to times of peace. Wise, politic, and desirable, as they might be, nevertheless, called upon now by your majesty's commands, we have without hesitation turned all our thoughts and efforts to meet the renewal of war, per. suaded that your majesty's paternal care preserved to us the blessings of peace so long as they could be retained with safety and honour, and confident that since they have been openly attacked, and the justice of our cause has been made manifest to the world, our appeal to arms will not be in vain.

"This war we see and know to be a war of no ordinary character. We feel that our religion, laws, and liberties, and existence as a nation, are put to the issue, and we have prepared for the contest accordingly. Besides the supplies of money, we have augmented, beyond all former example, every species of military force known in this country-we have met rebellion with prompt and necessary laws: and, for the defence of a sovereign endeared to us by long experience of his royal virtues, and commanding not an allegiance alone, but our hearts and affections-the whole nation has risen in arms.

"May then the God of our fathers go forth with us to battle, and bless our cause, and establish with victory that throne which we revere as the bulwark of our liberties! and so shall other nations at length learn, that a free, valiant,

and

and united people is unconquerable, and able to set lasting bounds to an empire of violence, perfidy, and unrelenting ambition.

GOVERNMENT PROCLAMATION.

By his Honour Lieutenant-General Francis Dundas, Colonel of his Majesty's Scotch Brigade, Governor of Carrickfergus, in Ireland, Lieutenant-Governor, Acting-Governor, and Commander-in-Chief of his Majesty's Castle, Town, and Settlement of the Cape of Good Hope, in South Africa, and of the Territories and Dependencies thereof, and Ordinary and Vice-Admirul of the same.

Whereas the circumstances that have lately occurred might excite in the breasts of the ill-disposed part of the community opinions and designs prejudicial to the public welfare and repose; and whereas any attempts originating from such opinions and designs to interrupt the public peace, can have no other effect than to produce disorder and confusion; misery and ruin, the destruction of families, and a general desolation in the country in order to prevent, as far as possible, such direful consequences, I do hereby prohibit, in the most positive manner, on pain of prompt execution of military law, which, by virtue of the powers in me vested, I do hereby proclaim, all assemblages of armed peasants, or other inhabitants, of any description whatsoever, unless by my authority and 'commands, conveyed in the usual manner to the landrosts or other officers properly qualified to issue the same. And all the inhabitants of this settlement, bound by the oath of alle

giance they have taken to his Britannic majesty, are hereby warned of the fatal consequences that must inevitably ensue to themselves, their families, and property, by any deviation from this public, order, it being my positive resolution to enforce a strict and literal obedience to the same.

And whereas it is expedient, during the present state of the settlement, that the inhabitants in general, both of Cape Town and the country districts, should not be permitted to quit their habitations, I do further forbid all persons residing in this town from leaving the same with their families for the purpose of changing their places of abode, without my special leave and authority; and those of the country districts, without the knowledge and approbation of the respective landrosts and heemraaden.

Given under my hand and seal, at the castle of Good Hope, this 2d day of January, 1803. (Signed) FRANCIS DUNDAS.

By command of his honour the lieutenant and acting gover

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the Cape Garrison, also duly authorised by his Excellency the Commissury-General De Mist, on the Part of the Batavian Republic.

Art. I. Every thing shall be considered as remaining on the same footing that was stipulated by mutual assent this morning before the arrival of the orders of his Britannic majesty.

II. The commissary-general de Mist shall be at liberty to encamp or canton the Batavian troops in the neighbourhood of Cape Town, and to select for that purpose the most convenient position for the health, safety, and accommodation of these troops.

III. Their excellencies shall not hinder the free transport of baggage, arms, and every thing else necessary for encamping or cantoning the troops.

IV. A free communication shall be allowed with the Batavian ships, whether of war or transport, now in the bay, or which may arrive hereafter; and no impediment shall be made to the disembarkation of any treeps that may still arrive, or to their arms, ammunition, and baggage.

V. All Batavian ships, whether of war, transport, or commerce, shall have permission to prosecute their voyages, or to return to Europe, according to the orders they may have on this subject, and which the commissary-general shall deem necessary to give them.

VI. In case his excellency lieut. general Dundas should receive any orders from Europe relative to the present state of affairs, he shall communicate them to the commissary-general; and in the event of these orders leading to acts of hostility, he engages to give the commissary-generaleight days' pre

vious notice, in order that he may take such measures, either for remaining in, or leaving this colony with every person and thing under his present orders, as may be necessary, engaging himself to act reciprocally in this respect towards his excellency.

VII. The only object of the present agreement being the maintenance of good order, the commissary-general of the Batavian republic promises to do every thing that depends on him to prevent disturbances, or any act which might disturb the public peace in the district where the troops may be stationed.

VIII. To ensure the subsistence of the troops of the two nations, the lieutenant-governor shall in no manner hinder the supply of the Batavian troops, as the commis sary-general of the Batavian republic on his part will in no way interfere or prevent supplies from the interior going into Cape Town.

IX. None of these arrangements shall be interpreted at any time against the Batavian republic, or against the commissary-general, as abandoning in any shape the clear right that the peace of Amiens has given them to the cession of this colony.

X. Sending detachments to hinder any disturbances in the neighbourhood of the camp, or to constrain the Hottentots, as well as for the escort of provisions, either to the Batavian camp, or to Cape Town, shall not be considered as moving the troops from the posi tion fixed upon.

The Batavian troops shall not return to Cape Town during this agreement; neither shall the Ene glish troops take up any position out of the castle or forts which

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