insults of the Spanish court had become so notorious that even Lord Bute confessed they could be no longer concealed. Thus came by constraint, and without dignity, and what is worse than both, above three months after the opportunity had elapsed, that declaration of war, sneaking, and as it were by stealth, which Mr. Pitt would have issued with eclat ip the prior month of September. EPITOME OF Mr. PITT'S ADMINISTRATION. MDCCLVII. THE Hanoverians and Hessians were sent home, and a well-regulated militia established; by which the enemy saw that we were so far from wanting foreign troops to protect us, that we could afford to send the national troops abroad. The foundations were laid of the subsequent conquests. Fleets and armies were sent to Asia, Africa, and America. MDCCLVIII, Shipping destroyed at St. Malo. Bason and Shipping destroyed at Cherburg. Louisbourgh, and the isles of Cape Breton and St. John's, taken. · Fort Frontenac taken. Fort Du Quesne taken. Fort and island of Goree taken. Massulipatam taken. D'Ache's fleet defeated. French army defeated at Crevelt. French fleet under Du Quesne taken by admiral Osborne. French fleet drove ashore at Rochefort by Sir Edward Hawke. MDCCLIX. Guadaloupe, Marie Galante, Desirade, &c. taken. Siege of Madras raised. Surat taken. Niagara taken. Shipping destroyed at Havre. French fleet under De la Clue taken by admiral Boscawen. Ticonderoga taken. Crown Point taken. Quebec taken. Complete defeat of the French fleet in Quibe ron Bay. French army defeated at Minden. MDCCLX. Thurot killed, and his three frigates taken. Montreal taken, and all Canada. Frigates, stages, and stores destroyed in Cha leur Bay. Dumet taken. MDCCLXI. Pondicherry taken, and all the French power in India destroyed. Belleisle taken. French army defeated at Fellinghausen. MDCCLXII. Martinico taken, and with it the islands of Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent. And The Havannah taken: though after Mr. Pitt's resignation, yet in consequence of his plans. To these conquests must be added the annihilation of the French marine, commerce, and credit; the loss to France of the following ships of war, which composed nine tenths of her royal navy: FRENCH KING'S SHIPS TAKEN OR DESTROYED. Fourty-four of the line, viz.-Four of 84; eleven of 74; two of 70; seventeen of 64; two of 60; two of 56; one of 54; and five of 50. Sixty-one frigates, viz.-Four of 44; two of 40; eighteen of 36; two of 34; fifteen of 32; one of 30; one of 28; two of 26; eight of 24; two of 22; six of 20. Twenty-six sloops of war, viz.-One of 18; nine of 16; six of 14; two of 12; one of 10; seven of 8. Besides the advantages derived from all these conquests and captures, Mr. Pitt left the late thirteen British colonies in North America in perfect security and happiness; every inhabitant there glowing with the warmest affection to the parent country. At home all was animation and industry. Riches and glory flowed in from every quarter. "Gods! what a golden scene was this, Of public fame, of private bliss *." Ode by H. Seymour, Esq. late M. P. for Evesham. CHAPTER XXI. Situation of Great Britain at the end of Mr. Pitt's Administration.-Conduct, corruption, and management of the House of Commons.—Farther particulars concerning Mr. Pitt's resignation.— And of the Princess of Brunswick.-Union of Lord Bute with Lord Bath and Mr. Fox.-Mr. Grenville wishes to be made Speaker.-Mr. Fox has the management of the House of Commons.—State of the Civil List.—Mr. Pitt desires all the papers relative to Spain to be laid before Parliament He supports the motion of a supply for Portugal.— Regards measures more than men.-Lord Tyrawley sent to Lisbon.-Jealousy of the Commercial Interest. THE situation of Great Britain, at the end of Mr. Pitt's administration, might not be improperly compared to that of Rome at the end of the commonwealth. The Roman empire extended from Britain to Media; and the British dominions included North America, and a great part of the Mogul empire, with many islands and colonies in Europe, America, Africa, and Asia. |