CHAPTER XXX.

{GEORGE III. 1814–1818}

Parliamentary Measures..... Campaign of Lord Wellington..... The Allies enter Paris; Napoleon dethroned, &c. Treaty of Peace..... Honours conferred on Wellington, &c. Visit of the Allied Sovereigns..... Congress of Vienna..... Campaign in America, &c. Treaty of Peace with America, &c.Meeting of Parliament..... Return of Napoleon from Elba..... Trial by Jury, &c. War resolved on; Financial Measures..... Prorogation of Parliament..... Congress of Vienna..... Affairs of France..... Battle of Waterloo..... Capture of Paris..... Surrender of Napoleon, &c. Return of Louis XVIII. to Paris..... Britain gains Possession of the Island of Ceylon..... East India Affairs..... Meeting of Parliament..... Debates on the Treaties..... Financial Statements..... Royal Marriages..... Various Motions..... Prorogation of Parliament..... Riots, &c. Expedition to Algiers..... Meeting of Parliament..... Measures of Economy..... Restrictions on Public Liberty..... Committee on the Poor Laws, &c. Prorogation of Parliament..... Riots at Manchester, &c. Death of the Princess Charlotte.

PARLIAMENTARY MEASURES.

{A.D. 1814}

The legislative measures of parliament, when it met in the month of March, are of little historical importance. The budget was laid before the commons on the 30th of July, and the whole amount of supplies exceeded £75,600,000. The session was closed on the 30th of July by the prince regent in person. Nor did the autumnal session present any matter of historical interest. It was opened on the 8th of November by a speech again delivered by the regent in person, and on the 2nd of December the houses adjourned till the 9th of February, 1815. But in the meantime events of the greatest importance took place on the continent which demand attention.

CAMPAIGN OF LORD WELLINGTON.

The last act of the drama was played during this year with great rapidity. At the commencement of this year the progress of Lord Wellington was retarded by the state of the weather, but as soon as it became favourable he broke up his cantonments, resolving to penetrate as far as possible into the interior of France. He first cleared the ground on his right wing by driving the enemy eastward, and by pushing forward his centre with a corresponding movement, after which he prepared with his left wing, under Sir John Hope, to invest Bayonne. Marshal Beresford was also detached with two divisions to occupy Bordeaux, the mayor and inhabitants of which, on his arrival, of their own accord, proclaimed Louis XVIII. Lord Wellington himself, with the main army, advanced to Vig Bigorre, while Soult retreated to some good positions at Tarbes, and then to Toulouse. Soult arrived at Toulouse on the 24th of March, and on the 27th Wellington was close to him in front of that city. Between them lay the deep and rapid river Garonne, and it was not till the 9th of April that Wellington was enabled to get the allied army to the right bank of that stream. On the 10th of April was fought the bloody battle of Toulouse, in which Wellington was again victorious. Soult was driven from his entrenched camp on the eastern side of the city of Toulouse with a terrible loss: the victors also suffered severely. Soult evacuated Toulouse on the 11th of April, retiring by Castlenaudry to Carcassonne. He left behind him in the town 1,600 wounded men, and three generals, besides artillery and ammunition, all of which were taken by the allies, Wellington entered the city on the 12th, when a deputation waited on him, requesting him to receive the key of the good and loyal city in the name of King Louis XVIII. The battle of Toulouse was the last real battle that Wellington had to fight during this campaign. Four days after Soult’s defeat, indeed, and when the allies were in possession of the city, and the French were flying from it, General Thouvenot, who commanded in Bayonne, chose to make a desperate sortie on the allies in their cantonments, while the troops were all buried in sleep, but though he succeeded in cutting off many, he was repulsed with an equal loss. In the meantime the English Colonel Cooke and the French Colonel St, Simon arrived from Paris with the news that the allies had entered the French capital; that a provisional government had been established in the name of Louis XVIII.; and that Napoleon had abdicated at Fontainbleau, on the 4th of April. These officers were despatched from Wellington’s head-quarters to those of Marshal Soult, and after some negociation a friendly convention was signed, and a line of demarcation drawn between the two armies. This convention was signed on the 18th of April, and on the 21st Lord Wellington, by general orders, congratulated his army on the near prospect of the termination of their toils and dangers, and thanked them for their valour in the field, and for their conciliating conduct towards the inhabitants of the country.

THE ALLIES ENTER PARIS; NAPOLEON DETHRONED, ETC.

At length the “world-tyrant” was humbled. Equitable terms of peace had been recently proposed to Napoleon by the confederated princes on the Rhine, where they were assembled in great force, but they were rejected by him with disdain. The confederated princes had collected their armies on the Rhine after Napoleon’s disastrous retreat from Moscow, resolved either to restrain his insatiate ambition, or to hurl him from his throne. There were three armies arrayed against him. Bernadotte, crown prince of Sweden, menaced him from the north; Blucher with a Prussian army from the east; and Schwartzenberg, with the grand army from the mountains of Bohemia, on the south. In the whole they numbered about 500,000 men, and Napoleon by fresh conscriptions was enabled to face them with an army of 300,000. He had recently gained victories over the Prussians at Lutzen, and the Russians at Bautzen, and these victories seem to have led him on to ruin. He calculated upon victory still, and therefore, when his generals advised him to retreat at once to the Rhine, he refused, and bade them obey his commands. He marched to Dresden, recently taken by Schwartzenberg, and victory again waited on his steps; his enemies were routed with the loss of their cannon and 20,000 prisoners. But this victory was counterbalanced by the capture of the whole force of Vandamme by the Russians and Prussians, and by the defeats of Oudinot by the Prince of Sweden at Buelow; and of Macdonald at Katzbach. Napoleon now retreated to Leipsic, whither he was followed by the Russians, Prussians, and Austrians. In the plains of Leipsic was fought the battle of nations, in which God gave the victory to the allies. This battle lasted from the 14th to the 19th of October, 1813, and it ended with the terrible loss of 80,000 men on the side of Napoleon, and 50,000 of the allies. The French fled towards Erfurt, and finding no refuge there, continued their flight to Mentz and the Rhine. As he hastened towards the Rhine his path was intercepted by an army of Bavarians, who had taken up their position at Hanau; but he routed them, and then established his troops on the Rhine, the allies encamping opposite, and occupying Frankfort as their head-quarters. After the battle of Leipsic, Europe gained her freedom, and seeing every nation taking up arms against him, Napoleon sued for peace. He was offered France, with the Rhine for its boundary, but he rejected this dominion as too limited for his sway. War continued; and in January, 1814, the allies crossed the Rhine, and invaded France. Thus menaced, the entire male population of France was summoned to arms, 30,000 of the national guard of Paris were put in motion, and the last resources of France called into action. Napoleon was defeated by the Austrian and Prussian forces at Brienne, in which battle he lost many cannon and prisoners. Peace on equitable terms was again offered him, but peace was again refused: he resolved to conquer or perish. Victory again waited on his arms at Champaubert, where the Prussians had arrived in their onward march to Paris, and he subsequently gained a victory over the Prussians at Montmirail, and also over the Austrians at Montereau. After the battle of Montmirail, a last effort was made to bring him to terms with the allies, but he refused to sheathe his sword. He gained a victory over the Russians at Craonne, but his loss was so great that it was tantamount to defeat. The Russians retreated to Laon, where they united with the Prussians, and where, three days after, they routed and destroyed the French division of forces under Marmont. Hope now fled, and Napoleon sought peace on any terms. But it was now too late: the allies had recently agreed to drive him from his throne as a ruler dangerous to the peace of the world. His own subjects moreover, were now conspiring against him. Paris, Bordeaux, and other cities, were sending upwards shouts for the return of the reign of the Bourbons. Rendered desperate, Napoleon now turned to combat with the Austrians under Schwartzenberg at Arcis; but after a faint struggle his troops retreated. In the meantime the Russians and Prussians were hastening onwards to Paris. It was on the 27th of March that the Parisians heard the sound of war approach their gates. Marmont, Mortier, and Joseph Buonaparte placed themselves with some forces in and around the city for its defence; but on the 30th they were driven from their positions, and then Paris was delivered into the hands of the Russians and Prussians. When Napoleon heard of the fall of Paris he was hastening to its relief, and astounded at the news he returned to Fontainbleau. He still clung to hope, and talked of vindicating his rights by the sword, but his marshals refused to support him, and some hinted that he was no longer emperor. Then his proud spirit was humbled, and he drew up a declaration, which stated that as he was the sole obstacle to the peace of France, he was willing to resign his crown, and leave her shores, if the succession of his son and the regency of the empress were ensured by the allied sovereigns. But this could not be: his unconditional abdication was demanded, and as there was no alternative, he signed a treaty on the 11th of April, which declared him and his descendants to have forfeited the throne of France for ever. By this treaty the island of Elba was assigned to him in full sovereignty, and on the 20th of April he departed with four hundred of his guard to lord it over this island instead of a world. Thus expired the dynasty of Napoleon: a dynasty founded in blood, and which, therefore, by the immutable law of the Ruler of the universe, was doomed to perish. Before Napoleon signed his abdication, the senate, hitherto obsequiously submissive to him, had decreed that he had forfeited the throne of France, and had created a provisional government, charged with the office of re-establishing the functions and administration of the state. The installation of this provisional government was signalized by an address to the French armies, in which they were told that they were no longer the soldiers of Napoleon, that the senate and all France had released them from their oath. Subsequently it was resolved by the senate that the Bourbon dynasty should be restored; and Louis XVIII. soon after arrived from England, whither he had been residing in rural retirement, and made his solemn entry into Paris. A definitive treaty of peace was signed at Paris between Louis and the allies on the 30th of May and peace was again restored to the distracted world.

TREATY OF PEACE.

The treaty of peace and amity signed at Paris, secured to France its boundaries as they existed in January, 1792. The contracting parties agreed that Holland should have an increase of territory; that the lesser German states should be independent, and united by a Germanic federal league; that Switzerland should enjoy its independence under the government of its own choice; and that Italy, beyond the limits of the Austrian dominions, which were to be restored, should be composed of sovereign independent states. France recovered her colonies from England, with the exception of Tobago, St. Lucie, and the Isle of France with its dependencies. Malta was to be retained by England, which country had recently obtained the Cape of Good Hope by a separate treaty with Holland. French Guiana was restored by Portugal, and the rights of France of fishery on the bank of Newfoundland were all to be restored as they were by the peace of 1783. As a proof of their sincerity in the repeated declarations they had made, that they meant no ill to France—that they waged war only against Napoleon, the allies agreed that their armies should evacuate France, and that all the French prisoners should be restored. This treaty was considered final as regards France; but there were other affairs of an extensive and complicated nature still to be settled, the greater part of Europe requiring reorganization, and her past misfortunes demanding some preconcerted defences for the future—and it was therefore agreed in a separate article that all the powers engaged in the late war should send plenipotentiaries to a congress to be held at Vienna, for the object of completing the pacific dispositions of the treaty of Paris, and of preventing the recurrence of such a war as that in which they had for so many years been engaged, and by which the countries of Europe had been desolated.

HONOURS CONFERRED ON WELLINGTON, ETC.

The news of the important events which had taken place in Fiance arrived while the spring session of the British parliament was sitting. Loud acclamations were heard from every part of the house when Lord Castlereagh, who had been our negociator at Paris, appeared again in the house; but louder and longer still were the shouts of applause, when the great general, who had recently been raised to a dukedom, took his seat among them. A splendid provision was settled on him by parliament. In addition to a former grant of £100,000 the chancellor of the exchequer moved a farther vote of £300,000 for the purchase of an estate for him, but at the suggestion of Whitbread and Mr. Pousonby, two leading members of opposition, it was increased to £400,000. Moreover, the house of commons conferred on his grace the unprecedented distinction of sending a deputation to offer him its thanks, as well as congratulations on his return to his own country. The duke acknowledged this compliment in person on the 1st of July, on which occasion he was greeted by all the members with enthusiasm, and addressed by the speaker in an appropriate and animated speech. Nor were the duke’s companions forgotten. Grants and peerages were bestowed on Sir Thomas Graham, Sir William Beresford, Sir Rowland Hill, Sir John Hope, and Sir Stapleton Cotton. But there was one name omitted in this list which gave general dissatisfaction in the country—the name of “Picton,” by whose sword the British troops were led to the victorious assault of Ciudad Rodrigo; by whose daring hand the British standard was planted on the castle of Badajoz; whose battalions, when the usurper of the Spanish throne was driven to his last stand at Vittoria, filled the centre of that formidable line, before which the troops of France fled in dismay; and by whose skill, prudence, and valour, exerted in a critical hour, the enemy was foiled in his desperate attempt to break through the barrier of the Pyrenees. Picton received the thanks of the house for his valorous conduct for the seventh time; but that was all, his services were left unrewarded.

VISIT OF THE ALLIED SOVEREIGNS.

As soon as the allied sovereigns had imagined their work was completed in Paris, the Emperor of Russia with his sister, and the King of Prussia with his two sons, came to England on a visit to the prince regent. They were accompanied by a numerous body of counts, barons, dukes, princes, marshals, and generals, among whom were Blucher, and Platoff the Hettman of the Cossacks. The reception given these distinguished visitors was both honourable and flattering; such continuous shows, spectacles, and fêtes were given in honour of their visit as London never before witnessed.

CONGRESS OF VIENNA.

The congress of Vienna was opened on the 1st of November. There were present at this assembly the Emperors of Russia and Austria; the Kings of Prussia, Denmark, Bavaria, and Wurtemburg; the Elector of Hesse: the Grand-duke of Baden; the Dukes of Saxe Weimar, Brunswick, Nassau, Coburg, and several other places. The principal ambassadors and ministers were—from the pope, Cardinal Gonsalvi; from Austria, Prince Metternich; from Russia, Prince Rasumoosky, with Counts Stakelburg and Nesselrode; from Great Britain, Lord Castlereagh and the Duke of Wellington; from Prussia, Prince Hardenburg and Von Humboldt; from France, Talleyrand and Dalburg; from Spain, Don Labrador; from Portugal, Counts Palmella and Lobo da Silveria; from the Netherlands and Nassau, Spoen and Gagern; from Denmark, Bernstorf; from Sweden, Lowenheim; from Sardinia, St. Marsan, &c., &c. One of the first acts of congress was to recognise a new regal title annexed to the British crown, that of Elector of Hanover not being considered suitable to existing circumstances, or to the sixth article of the treaty of Paris respecting the independence of the German states and their federal union. In accordance with the new title annexed to the British crown, a general diet assembled in Germany on the 15th of December, which was opened by the Duke of Cambridge, and which agreed to the plan of a new constitution founded on a representative system. In the same month a protocol from congress announced to the astonished Genoese that their republic would be incorporated with the territories of the king of Sardinia. The fate of its old rival, Venice, was similar; the whole of Lombardy with its fine capital, Milan, was subjected to the leaden yoke of Austria. Of all the sovereigns by right of French conquest Murat, King of Naples, alone was permitted to hold his acquisitions undisturbed.

CAMPAIGN IN AMERICA, ETC.

On the 7th of January the president of congress presented copies of letters which had passed between Lord Castlereagh and Mr. Monroe, in which the former proposed to appoint commissioners to treat about terms of peace, either at London or Gottenburg. The appointed place of meeting was Gottenburg; but the negociations were removed to Ghent, and they did not commence till the following August. In the meantime war continued. Early in February the American general, Wilkinson, moved his head-quarters to Bridlington and Platsburg; and he subsequently attacked a post commanded by Major Hancock, but was repulsed with considerable loss. In the month of May Sir James Yeo and General Drummond reduced the fort of Oswego, on the Lake Ontario, an achievement which was chiefly serviceable by retarding the equipment of the enemy’s armament on that water. Soon after this, however, the Americans became the assailants. General Brown, crossing the Niagara, compelled the garrison of Fort Erie to surrender prisoners of war; and then attacked the British lines at Chippawa, and compelled General Riall to retreat on Fort George. This officer, however, being re-enforced by some troops under General Drummond, returned, and compelled the enemy to take refuge under the cannon of Fort Erie. About this time the British government, on the dethronement of Napoleon, having resolved to prosecute the contest with increased vigour, a numerous fleet arrived in the St. Lawrence with 14,000 of the brave troops that had fought in the Peninsula. Sir George Prévost commanded them, and in the month of September he entered the American territory, and advanced against Platsburg, on Lake Champlain, in conjunction with a flotilla under Captain Dordnie of the navy. This expedition, however, resulted disastrously, and Sir George Prevost was recalled to answer charges preferred against him by Sir James Yeo; but he did not live to await his trial. Success, however, attended the British arms in other quarters. During this year Admiral Cochrane destroyed the Baltimore flotilla in the Patuxent; General Ross captured and set fire to the city of Washington, after having encountered and defeated an army of 9,000 Americans; General Pilkington reduced Moose Island, and two others, in the bay of Passamaquoddy; and the English frigate “Phobe” captured the United States’ frigate “Essex,” off Valparaiso, on the western coast of South America. On the other hand, a British sloop of war was captured by the American sloop “Wasp;” and an expedition, under Admiral Cochrane and Sir E. Pakenham, against New Orleans failed, after a severe rencontre with the American troops who defended the city. The final event of the war was the capture of Fort Bowyer, by the British, in the Gulf of Mexico. But before this event took place, a treaty of peace and amity had been signed at Ghent, which was afterwards ratified by both governments.

{GEORGE III. 1814–1818}

TREATY OF PEACE WITH AMERICA, ETC.

The treaty of Ghent was negociated on the part of America by Messrs. Adams, Bayard, Clay, Russel, and Gallatin; and of Great Britain by Lord Gambier, Mr. Goulburn, and Dr. Adams. On the grand cause of the war, and the primary object of dispute—the right of search, the treaty was wholly silent: the Americans tacitly abandoning their resistance to the maritime claims of England. The treaty restored conquests on both sides, and concluded a settlement of boundaries on the Canadian frontier, to be afterwards adjusted. Both parties bound themselves to do their utmost in abolishing the slave-trade—yet America is the land of slaves unto this day. The Indians were to be restored to the rights and possessions which they held in 1812. During the interval of the actual conclusion of this treaty and the circulation of the intelligence thereof, a sea-fight took place between the “President,” one of the largest American frigates, and the “Endymion,” a British frigate, commanded by Captain Hope: the “President” was captured.

MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.

{A.D. 1815}

The British parliament reassembled on the 9th of February. The first measure brought under notice was the state of the corn-laws. Mr. Frederic Robinson proposed that no wheat should be imported while the price of a quarter remained under eighty shillings in the United Kingdom; but that it might be introduced from the British territories in North America when the price was sixty-seven shillings. He argued that it was highly impolitic to depend on foreign supplies; and that the greatest encouragement ought to be given to the production of such a quantity of corn as would preclude famine and the necessity of importation. This argument was forcibly controverted by Mr. Baring, who alleged that the practice of importation was not inimical to the progress of agriculture; that the accommodation of general consumers ought to be consulted before the interests of landlords; and that the suggested standard was improperly calculated on the supposed continuance of the present expenses of the latter class. Numerous petitions from the manufacturing and commercial towns were presented against any alterations in the corn-laws, but the bill passed both houses. When it was passed, the corporation of London addressed the prince regent, in hopes that he would withhold his assent from a measure so generally disliked by the nation, but it received his sanction. From that day to this the corn-law question has been a source of constant clamour and discontent. The ferment which the bill occasioned was great: the mob attacked the houses of its supporters, and the military were obliged to be called in to the aid of the civil power before the riots could be quelled: two individuals were shot by the soldiers.

RETURN OF NAPOLEON FROM. ELBA.

While England was thus agitated an event took place which compromised the peace of Europe; this was the return of Napoleon from his insular kingdom to repossess himself of his old French empire. A message from the prince regent was delivered to each house on the 6th of April, communicating this information, and stating that his royal highness had been induced to give directions for the immediate augmentation of our land and sea forces, and to lose no time in communicating with our allies, for the purpose of forming such a concert as might effectually provide for the general and permanent security of Europe. The address in the house of lords passed without a division, but in the commons Mr. Whitbread moved an amendment expressly recommending the preservation of peace. He was under the impression that the address covertly pledged the house to war, but others of his party thought not, and his amendment was lost by a majority of two hundred and twenty against thirty-seven.

TRIAL BY JURY, ETC.

In the beginning of this session an important act was passed for extending the trial by jury to Scotland. Its provisions differed from those of the English law, and the granting such a trial was made optional in each case with the judges; but the lord chancellor, by whom the bill was introduced, expressed a hope that at no distant period the principle of the bill would receive a further extension. At a later date a bill was passed for the continuance of the restriction of cash-payments by the Bank of England till the 5th of July, 1816.

WAR RESOLVED ON; FINANCIAL MEASURES.

The question of peace or war was discussed at the latter end of May in consequence of a message from the throne. In the lords Earl Grey urged the necessity of a pacific policy, while Lord Grenville advocated war. In the commons Mr. Grattan came forward, and with vehement and eloquent indignation declaimed against the despoiler of Europe, and advocated the most energetic measures to hurl him from his usurped throne. War was resolved on by both lords and commons, and the latter granted the necessary supplies. And this they did munificently; no less a sum than £90,000,000 was voted for the public service. Out of this sum £9,000,000 was to be paid in subsidies to our allies, they still requiring the gold of England to urge them onwards to action. In order to meet the expenditure the unjust and inquisitorial income-tax was continued, and £42,000,000 were obtained by loan. The Irish proportion of the supplies was £9,760,814; the rest was furnished from the inexhaustible sources of Great Britain.

PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.

Parliament was prorogued on the 11th of July by a speech from the throne, in which the prince regent, after recapitulating the events which led to the glorious termination of the war—for the war, as will be seen, had terminated—trusted that there would be no relaxation in the exertions necessary to establish the permanent peace and security of Europe.

CONGRESS OF VIENNA.

The Congress of Vienna continued its sitting at the commencement of this year. The result of the deliberations of the allied sovereigns may be thus briefly stated:—The King of Prussia obtained the electorate of Saxony, Swedish Pornerania, and a great portion of the territory between the Rhine and the Meuse; Russia obtained the grand duchy of Warsaw under the name of the kingdom of Poland; Austria, as before related, recovered Lombardy, etc.; Tuscany was given to the Archduke Ferdinand; Genoa was bestowed upon the King of Sardinia; Parma and Placentia were ratified to the ex-empress Maria Louisa; the foreign policy of the German states was submitted to the decision of a federal diet, under the control of Austria and Prussia; Sweden acquired Norway at the expense of Denmark; England was gratified by the acquisition of Heligoland, the Cape of Good Hope, the Isle of France, the Ionian Islands, Malta, and all the colonies won during the war; and Holland and Belgium were confirmed as the kingdom of the Netherlands, under the House of Orange. The allied sovereigns were thus engaged in parcelling out the world, when Talleyrand informed them that the prisoner of Elba had returned to France, and was again seated on the throne of the Bourbons.

AFFAIRS OF FRANCE.

Although Napoleon consented to retire to the island of Elba over which he was to rule, it was never his intention to remain there. No sooner had he arrived, in fact, than he commenced his intrigues, in order to effect a return to France and empire. Under the plea of nonnecessity he dismissed his few troops, and these joined their old regiments for the purpose of preparing the general mind to receive back the emperor, who had so often led them on to victory. All these regiments were, in fact, almost to a man in his favour; the tri-coloured cockade was preserved in their knapsacks, and his memory in their hearts. These sentiments were reported to Napoleon; and on the 27th of February he embarked in a brig of war, followed by six light barks, and, stealing cautiously over the Mediterranean, arrived on the 1st of March at Camres. He had with him one thousand soldiers, and his three generals, Bertrand, Drouet, and Cambronne. With these he proceeded onwards to Paris; and during several days he marched without meeting any forces. On the 7th of March, however, a body of seven hundred men presented themselves at the defile of Vizille, near Grenoble; and the officer in command threatened to fire on his party. But Napoleon was not afraid of being shot by Frenchmen. Advancing alone, and throwing open his riding coat, he remarked:—“Soldiers, it is I! Look upon me! If there is a man amongst you who would slay his emperor, he comes with uncovered breast to offer himself to his weapon!” Instead of the sound of musketry the loud shout of “Long live the emperor!” rent the air; and, hoisting the same standard with his own troops all marched together upon Grenoble. They were soon after joined by Colonel Labédoyère, at the head of the seventh regiment; and Ney was the next to join his ranks. Ney had been sent by the French government to check his progress; and he had boasted that he would bring Napoleon to Paris in an iron cage: but no sooner had he reached Auxerre than he declared the Bourbon cause hopeless, and at the head of 14,000 men joined his old emperor’s standard. Finally, with the exception of Marmont, Macdonald, and some other marshals, all the army deserted the cause of the Bourbons. Louis fled from, and Napoleon entered Paris in triumph.

Napoleon resumed the reigns of empire in the midst of the loud acclamations of the Parisians; though there were many who preserved an ominous silence. All, however, seemed to go well; for at an extraordinary assembly in the Champ de Mai of the electoral colleges, a new constitution was sworn to by the emperor and men of all parties. But there was a storm arising in the horizon which was to shatter his throne into pieces for ever. All Europe was preparing to crush his newly risen power. Britain, Russia, Austria, Prussia, and Holland entered into a treaty, binding themselves to support the house of Bourbon; to preserve inviolate the treaty of Paris; to bring into the field 150,000 men each; and not to lay down their arms until Napoleon was for ever crushed.

THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO.

Napoleon saw the storm arising, and prepared to ward off its fury. France became an immense camp. Armies were dispatched towards Belgium, Lorraine, Franche Comte, the Alps, and the Pyrenees. The head-quarters of the grand army were at Laon, from whence communications were preserved with Valenciennes, Mauberge, Lisle, and the armies assembled on the Moselle. Napoleon joined that section of the army destined to enter Belgium, his design being to “measure himself with Wellington.” The army raised for this project consisted of about 125,000 men and three hundred and fifty pieces of cannon. Against this force Wellington could only oppose 76,000 men, not one half of which were British, and but some eighty-four pieces of cannon. The duke’s head-quarters were at Brussels; and on his left, in and around Namur, lay Marshal Blucher, with about 80,000 men and two hundred cannon. Napoleon commenced operations by crossing the Sombre and taking Charleroi, which was garrisoned by Prussians. This accomplished, Napoleon hastened towards Brussels, resolving to strike a signal blow against the British. The Duke of Wellington was at a ball when intelligence arrived of this movement; and he gave orders for every man to repair to his post. At first the English took up their position at Quatre Bras; but tidings having arrived that Napoleon had again defeated the Prussians at Ligny, the Duke fell back with his army to the position of Waterloo. It was at the dawn of the 18th of June that Napoleon discerned the British on the heights of Waterloo; and in the exuberance of his joy he exclaimed, “Ah! I have these English!” The position taken up by the duke was in front of the village of Waterloo, and crossed the high roads from Charleroi and Nivelles. It had its right thrown back to a ravine near Merke-Braine, and its left extended to a height above the hamlet of Ter la Haye; in front of the right centre the troops occupied the house and gardens of Hougomont, which covered the return of that flank; and in front of the left centre they occupied the farm of La Haye Sainte. By his left the duke communicated with Blucher at Havre, who promised to support him with one or more corps if necessary. In the rear of the British centre was the farm of Monte St. Jean, and a little further behind a village of the same name. While stationed at Quatre Bras a partial engagement had taken place between the two armies—Ney commanding the French—and Wellington had lost 2.380 in wounded, and three hundred and fifty in killed: his force united in the position at Waterloo, therefore, was not 73,000 men, 21,000 of whom were Belgian and Nassau troops, mostly of an inferior quality. Napoleon had lost many in his conflicts with the Prussians at Charleroi and Ligny, and with the British at Quatre Bras. He had also despatched 32,000 men, under Grouchy, to follow the Prussians, and to prevent their joining the English, so that his army was reduced to about 78,000 men when the battle of Waterloo commenced. But his troops were veterans almost to a man, and there were at least 100,000 soldiers of the same quality behind them in France. He collected his army on a range of heights in front of the British position, and not above a mile from it. His right was in advance of Planchenois, and his left rested on the Genappe road, while his rear was skirted by thick woods. On the morning of the 18th, when Napoleon mounted his horse to survey Wellington’s position, he could see but few troops, and he was induced to fancy that the British general had made a retreat. “Wellington never exhibits his troops,” said General Foy; “but if he is yonder, I must warn your majesty that the English infantry in close fighting are very demons.” Soult added his warning to that of Foy; but, nevertheless, Napoleon commenced the battle confident of victory. It was shortly after ten o’clock on the Sabbath-day—a day sacred to devotion and rest—that a stir was observed along the French lines, and especially near the farm of Rossome, where Napoleon stood with his celebrated old guard. The post of Hougoumont, on the right of Wellington’s centre, was first attacked, which post was occupied by General Byng’s brigade of guards: but the attack was vain; the post was maintained, notwithstanding the desperate and repeated efforts of large bodies of the enemy to obtain possession. This first attack was accompanied by a heavy cannonade on the whole line of the British; which was answered from Wellington’s cannon, and which committed a fearful havoc among the French columns, which successively attacked the post of Hougoumont. The object of Wellington was to maintain his positions till the arrival of some Prussian corps; and the object of Napoleon was to crush him before Blucher could send a single battalion to his support. Hence it was that he repeated his attacks with heavy columns of infantry, with a numerous and brilliant cavalry, and with his formidable artillery. But from every charge his columns returned shattered and thinned. Scarcely a gleam of success dawned upon Napoleon during the whole day. In one of their attacks, indeed, the farm-house of La Haye Sainte was carried by the French; but it was not till the German legion which defended it had perished to a man. Thus affairs stood when Napoleon ordered his cavalry to charge the British infantry in squadrons and in masses—to charge home, and to find a passage through their glittering bayonets. Their efforts were determined, but they all proved fruitless; the British infantry formed in squares, and the best of his horsemen bit the dust. Still Napoleon’s cry was “Forward!” thus goading them on to destruction. Their overthrow was hastened by a charge of British cavalry, which had hitherto been very little more than a spectator of the battle. Seizing the moment favourable for the charge, Wellington called up Lord Ernest Somerset’s brigade of heavy cavalry, consisting of the life-guards, the royal horse-guards, and the first dragoon-guards, and directed them to charge the already crippled cavalry of Napoleon. These regiments proved irresistible; horses and men fell on every hand; and the French cuirassiers, whose breastplates had glittered in so many battles and victories, were completely destroyed. When Lord Ernest Somerset’s brigade returned from their charge, they brought with them about two thousand prisoners, and an imperial eagle. By this time, about seven o’clock in the evening, every part of the French army, except the guards, who had been kept as a reserve had been engaged, repulsed, and beaten. The British loss in killed and wounded had also been immense; but they had not lost a single position, and they were yet full of heart and confidence in their leader. It was evident, indeed, that even if no Prussians should arrive Napoleon would be defeated. At this critical moment, however, a numerous body of men was seen in the distance; and anxiety was depicted in the faces of both Napoleon and Wellington. Napoleon hoped it might be Grouchy, and Wellington hoped it might be Blucher. Onwards the moving mass came, and it proved to be the Prussians under Blucher: he had left a body of men to confront Grouchy, and hastened to support Wellington, As soon as the French generals discovered who the new comers were, they advised Napoleon to retreat; but although his defeat was now morally certain, his cry was still, “Forward!” Calling forward his guard, he bade them make a desperate effort on the British left centre, near the farm of La Haye Sainte. This guard advanced in two massy columns, leaving four battalions of the old guard in reserve, near to the spot where Napoleon sat on his horse, rigid as a statue, watching their motions. They moved on resolutely under a destructive fire from the British position; and when within fifty yards from the British line they attempted to deploy. The close fire upon them, however, was too terrible to admit of this movement; their flanks were enclosed by some of our guards; they got mixed together in a mass; and in that mass they were broken and slaughtered, or compelled to hasten down the hill in irretrievable confusion. The grand army of Napoleon never again stood to face its enemies; it was in fact destroyed, for “all the rest of the work was headlong, unresisted pursuit, slaughter of fugitives who had entirely lost their military formation, and capture of prisoners, artillery, and spoils.” As the imperial guards reeled from the British position, and just as Blucher joined in person with a corps of his army to the left of the British line, Wellington moved forward his whole line of infantry, supported by the cavalry and artillery, and swept all before him. At every point the attack succeeded. The French fled in the utmost confusion; Napoleon himself setting them the example; and one hundred and fifty pieces of cannon, with all their ammunition, fell into the hands of the conquerors. Wellington and Marshal Blucher met at a farm-house, called Maison Rouge; and here the duke gave orders for his troops to halt, and left the task of pursuit to the Prussians. Blucher declared that he would follow up the French with his last horse and his last man; and he instantly started off with two Prussian corps in pursuit of them. The fugitives dispersed all over the country; but the Prussians did fearful execution upon them, knocking them down in heaps like cattle: at one place eight hundred of them were thus dispatched. Many of the French ran across fields and into woods, where numbers were afterwards found dead or grievously wounded. As for the high-road it resembled the sea-shore after some fearful shipwreck—cannon, caissons, carriages, baggage, arms, and wreck of every kind were picked up by the pursuers. One of the first hauls, indeed, which Blucher made, was sixty pieces of cannon belonging to the imperial guard; and with these were captured carriages, baggage, &c., belonging to Napoleon himself. The retreat, in a word, was most disastrous; the French did not cease flying until they had passed all their frontier fortresses; and then they dispersed all over the country, selling their arms and their horses, and running to their homes. In the battle and in the retreat the French had lost thirty thousand men in killed and wounded; and, what was more fatal to them, by this event their spirits were broken, and they could not again take the field. The loss on the part of the allies was also immense; the British and the Hanoverians alone having 2,432 killed, and 9,528 wounded, in which number there were more than six hundred officers. Among the slain were Generals Picton, Sir William Ponsonby, Lieutenant-colonel the Honourable Sir Alexander Gordon, and Colonel de Lancy, Wellington’s quarter-master general. Among the wounded, the Earl of Uxbridge, General Cooke, General Halkett, General Barnes, General Baron Allen, Lieutenant-colonel Lord Fitzroy Somerset, and the Prince of Orange. Of Wellington’s staff, indeed, there was scarcely an officer who did not receive a wound. Such was the battle of Waterloo: the victory was gained at a great price; but by it this long and terrible war, which had desolated hearths and firesides and the fair face of nature for many a long year, was finished. So fearful was the scene after the battle that the Duke of Wellington, forgetting the exultation of victory, exclaimed, as he viewed it in the bright moonlight night which succeeded, “My heart is almost broken by the terrible loss I have sustained of my old friends and companions, and my poor soldiers.” Such a sentiment does honour to humanity.

CAPTURE OF PARIS.—SURRENDER OF NAPOLEON, ETC.

The first man that carried the news of the disaster to Paris was Napoleon himself. Leaving his brother Jerome on the frontier to try if he could rally some of the remains of his army, he flew to the capital, where he arrived on the night of the 20th. It is evident that he still calculated upon the devotion of the _corps législatif_ to his cause; but he soon discovered that he had forfeited their affection. Had he been victorious they would, doubtless, still have fawned upon him; but now he was thoroughly beaten, they demanded his abdication. Both chambers declared that there was but one man between France and peace; and Napoleon found himself compelled to sign his second abdication. He did this in favour of his son; but the chambers refused to pronounce his son emperor, and formed a temporary government for the purpose of conducting the administration. In the meantime the allies had been marching towards Paris. They were opposed by French troops at St. Cloud, Issy, and Mendon, but no successful opposition could be made; and Blucher prepared to take a terrible revenge on Paris for the calamities brought on suffering Europe. His vengeance, however, was averted. On the 3rd of July Massena, commander-in-chief of the French forces, signed a capitulation with the allies, by which it was agreed that Louis XVIII. should be restored to his throne; that the French troops should evacuate Paris; and that Paris should be garrisoned by the allied armies Thus deserted, Napoleon resolved to retire from France. A frigate was waiting at Rochefort to convey him to America; but the English cruisers were hovering about the port, and he found escape impossible. In this extremity he presented himself with his suite on board the English ship, Bellerophon, from whence he wrote a letter, asking the prince regent’s protection. He imagined that he would be allowed to reside in England in a private capacity; but his known restless ambition precluded the possibility of this favour being extended to him. Taught by experience that his ambition was irrepressible, an order was given to convey him to St. Helena; and soon afterwards he was conveyed to that rock which was destined to be his retreat, his restraint, and for a time his tomb. The dream of his ambition had passed away for ever.

“Fame is the shade of immortality, And in itself a shadow; soon as caught Contemn’d, it shrinks to nothing in the grasp.” —Young

{GEORGE III. 1814–1818}

RETURN OF LOUIS XVIII. TO PARIS.

Louis XVIII. returned to his capital on the 8th of July. It was not, however, until the 7th of October that the two French chambers, corresponding with the British parliament were assembled. At that time a treaty or convention of the allies was formally announced, and on the 20th of November it received the final signature of the contracting powers. By this treaty—seven French fortresses were to be occupied by 150,000 of the allied troops at the expense of France for a period not exceeding five years, and France was to pay 700,000,000 francs as an indemnity. Among the concessions made, was that of the Ionian Islands being declared independent, under the protection of England. On their part, the allies engaged to employ their united forces on any future occasion, should the same revolutionary principles which supported the usurpation of Napoleon under other forms again disturb France, and menace the repose of other states. This was planting an iron foot upon the neck of rebellion, but it was the only means of securing the peace of Europe. The French government and the nation at large felt the bitterness of the terms: but, conscious of their justice, they submitted to them without a murmur. On the re-establishment of the kingly government in France, measures were taken for the punishment of those who had been most active in the late rebellion. Among those who were punished with death was the celebrated Marshal Ney: “he had sown the wind, and he reaped the whirlwind.”

BRITAIN GAINS POSSESSION OF THE ISLAND OF CEYLON.

During this eventful year the sovereignty of Great Britain was extended over the island of Ceylon. The King of Candy, who possessed the interior, by his atrocities, compelled the inhabitants to throw off his yoke. Early in the year, General Brownrigg, the governor cf the British possessions on the coast, issued a proclamation declaring that he made war on the tyrant alone, and that protection would be afforded to his oppressed subjects. He penetrated to the capital amidst the acclamations of the inhabitants; the king-was delivered into his hands; and a treaty was concluded by which the British authority was established in the whole island, the rights and immunities of the chiefs being secured: torture and mutilation were abolished, and no sentence of death was to be executed without a warrant from the British governor. Thus this fine and fruitful island was added to “Britain’s wide domain.”

EAST INDIA AFFAIRS.

In the East Indies some disputes took place this year between the British government and the state of Nepaul, respecting boundaries. Dispute was followed by hostility, and a force of 30,000 men was ordered by the governor-general, Lord Moira, to penetrate that mountainous and intricate country. Several gallant but unsuccessful attempts were made upon the fort of Kalunga, in one of which General Gillespie the commander, was slain. The fort, however, was finally evacuated by its garrison; but a series of warlike operations was continued for several months with great bravery on both sides, and with various success. The final result of the war, however, was favourable to the British. After a campaign of great difficulty, the whole country from Kemaoon to the Sutlej was ceded to the British company.

MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.

{A.D. 1816}

Parliament assembled on the 1st of February, when, in consequence of the indisposition of the prince regent, it was opened by commission. The speech congratulated the two houses upon the successes obtained by his majesty’s arms with those of his allies, and expressed a hope that it would be followed by the lasting repose and security of Europe, The prince regent lamented the heavy pressure which the late extraordinary exertions had produced upon the country; but he assured the houses that they might rely on every disposition on his part to concur in such measures of economy as might be found consistent with the interest of the country, and with that station which it occupied in Europe. The address was agreed to in the lords _nem. con._, and in the commons an amendment, moved by Mr. Brand, censuring ministers for the length of the late prorogation, which had caused delay in public affairs of importance, was negatived by ninety against twenty-three.

DEBATES ON THE TREATIES.

On the 9th of February Mr. Brougham moved for a copy of the treaty concluded at Paris, and designated by the title of “the Holy Alliance.” By this document, the three potentates by whom it was signed—the sovereigns of Austria, Russia, and Prussia—declared their resolution to take for their guide the precepts of the Christian religion, both in their domestic administration and foreign relations. Mr. Brougham observed, that there was something so singular in the wording of this document as to warrant jealousy of their designs. He could not imagine that it referred to objects merely spiritual, for the partition of Poland had been prefaced by similar language, and the proclamation of the Empress Catherine, which concluded that fatal tragedy, was couched in nearly the same terms. Lord Castlereagh vindicated the motives of the confederated sovereigns, and stated that the prince regent—whose accession to this alliance was prevented by the forms of the British constitution—expressed his satisfaction in its tendency. He opposed the production of the document, because it was contrary to the practice of parliament to call for copies of treaties to which this country was no party.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

From an abstract of the net produce of the revenue in the years ending the 5th of January, 1815, and the 5th of January, 1816, the amount appeared to be £66,443,802, showing an excess of £1,013,821 over that of the preceding year. But notwithstanding this excess the chancellor of the exchequer announced his intention of proposing an income-tax of five per cent., there being no mode, he observed, less oppressive, or so economical. With a view of gaining over the great mass of the people, he declared himself ready to exempt all incomes under £150 per annum, and farms paying less than that sum in rent. But the people were not thus to be bribed. Such a storm of opposition was raised against it by the nation at large that when a motion for the continuance of the income-tax was made, it was negatived by two hundred and thirty-eight against two hundred and thirty one. Thus defeated, the chancellor of the exchequer had recourse to a loan; and this loan was increased by £2,000,000, by the voluntary relinquishment of the war-tax on malt, which tax was relinquished in order to afford some relief to the agriculturists, who were at this time labouring under great distress. In bringing forward the budget on the 27th of May, the chancellor of the exchequer announced that the surplus of the preceding year’s grants in hand amounted to £5,663,755. The supplies for the year were estimated at £39,400,000, and the ways and means to meet them as deficient about £2,500,000; which deficiency was made up by a loan of £3,000,000, obtained from the directors of the Bank of England, at three per cent. The amount of the army estimates provoked a long and vehement discussion; but ministers were successful in their favourite object of maintaining a large standing army, their principal argument being that the situation of the continent rendered such a measure necessary. The number voted was 176,615 men, including 30,000 stationed in France; and a vote of 33,000 men for the navy was also agreed to, after a violent debate. Out of the large military force voted 25,000 men were to be stationed in Ireland, in order to keep that country in awe. The necessity of such a force naturally excited some surprise, and led to some animadversions on the measures of the existing cabinet. But no cabinet: which has ever existed can fairly be charged with all the evils and the abuses which have plagued that country. Generally speaking, these evils and abuses have arisen from the Irish people themselves, their factious spirit having elicited the severe laws enacted to preserve peace. Mr. Peel, who had lately commenced his political career, justly ascribed the disturbances in Ireland to a systematic violation of all laws, which loudly called for the introduction of a military force. The general routine of motions for inquiry into the state of Ireland, and the repeal of Catholic disabilities were followed by their usual results; but a measure of some importance—the consolidation of the British and Irish exchequers—was effected in the course of this session. A bill was also passed for a new silver coinage.

ROYAL MARRIAGES.

A message from the prince regent to both houses on the 14th of March, announced the marriage contract of his daughter, the Princess Charlotte Augusta, with his serene highness, Prince Leopold of Saxe Cobourg. An annual sum of £60,000 was voted to them during their joint lives, the whole to be continued, should the prince die first, and £50,000 to him should he be the survivor; £60,000 were also granted by way of outfit. The nuptials were celebrated on the 2nd of May; the nation partaking in the joy, not only from the lively interest which the people took in the personal character of the princess, but from the circumstance that she united herself with the object of her own choice. Two months after the marriage of the Princess Charlotte, another marriage took place, between the Princess Mary, fourth daughter of his majesty, and the Duke of Gloucester, her cousin. Their establishments were formed on a scale which rendered a further application to the public purse unnecessary.

VARIOUS MOTIONS.

During this session, Mr. Tierney moved the abolition of the office of secretary of state for the department of war and the colonies, which was lost by a great majority. A proposition that the expenditure of the civil list should not exceed the revenue, &c., was also rejected. A bill relative to the registry and regulation of slaves, which had been introduced by Mr. Wilberforce towards the close of the last session, became the subject of warm debates, in consequence of an insurrection which had taken place at Barbadoes. A petition from the merchants of Bristol deprecated the measure, as disclosing a spirit of interference with the local legislation of the colonies; and on the suggestion of Lord Castlereagh, Mr. Wilberforce postponed his motion, and moved for papers on the subject. Mr. Palmer, who argued that the insurrection arose from expectations among the slaves of entire emancipation, fostered by the proposed registry-bill, moved an amendment to the effect that the colonial authorities should be recommended to promote the moral and religious improvement, as well as the comfort and happiness of the negroes: this amendment was carried.

PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.

Parliament was prorogued on the 2nd of July. The speech of the prince regent expressed regret at the distresses suffered by many classes of his majesty’s subjects; but which it was hoped would be found to have arisen from causes of a temporary nature.

RIOTS, ETC.

The general distress felt at this period arose from the expensive war in which England had been so long-engaged. As the year, advanced, the calamities of an inclement season and a deficient harvest were added to a general stagnation of trade and commerce. The consequence of all this was a sudden rise in the price of the necessaries of life, which was combined with a reduction of wages and want of employment among the poor. Distress engendered discontent; and, unfortunately, there were mischievous characters abroad, who availed themselves of the irritated feelings of the people to stir them up to sedition. Serious tumults took place in the counties of Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridge, and various other parts of the kingdom; and in the Isle of Ely an organized insurrection broke out which was not suppressed without great difficulty. Some of the rioters were taken, and twenty-four were found guilty, of whom five suffered the extremity of the law. The metropolis had continued tranquil until nearly the close of the year, but at length the distress felt goaded the multitude on to seditious acts. Two meetings were convened in Spa-fields by some of the mob-orators, to petition the regent for a reform of abuses; and a vast concourse of rabble attended which on the second occasion led to a serious riot. Mr. Henry Hunt figured as the principal demagogue; but though his language was seditious and inflammatory, he had the prudence to withdraw before the consequences of his harangue were manifested. Like Gash-ford, however, he had stirred up mischief, though he retired before it was committed. A band of his more desperate associates, who had attended him with a tri-coloured flag, and other symbols of a revolutionary nature, endeavoured to lead the mob into the city. Some few followed their standard; and on their march they broke into the shop of a gunsmith, on Snowhill to obtain arms, and a young man, named Watson, there shot a gentleman who offered some resistance. Seizing all the arms they could find in that and other shops, they proceeded to the Royal Exchange, when the lord mayor and aldermen, after vainly exhorting them to disperse, boldly secured some of the most forward, and shut the gates against the remainder. The mob fired, but without effect, over the gates on the magistrates; but a strong body of troops having been quickly marched into the city, the rioters were finally overpowered, and compelled to disperse. Some examples were made of the ringleaders; but the greatest criminal, Watson, effected his escape to America. The vigilance of government was by these events excited; and, after experience of this danger, every popular meeting in the vicinity of the metropolis was watched by large bodies of the military and special constables.

EXPEDITION TO ALGIERS.

The piratical state of Barbary had for ages infested the commerce of the Mediterranean, and subjected Christians to the most dreadful slavery. No check had been given them in their career, although during the late war the fears of the barbarians had induced them to respect the British flag. The renewed freedom of commerce, however, after the peace, tempted the three principal states of Tunis, Tripoli, and Algiers to augment the number of their corsairs; and the ferocious system of depredation which they carried on against the vessels of nations in alliance or under the protection of Great Britain, rendered it imperative on the mistress of the ocean to vindicate her honour. For this purpose Lord Exmouth, at this time commanding in the Mediterranean, was instructed to demand security from these piratical states for the commerce of the Ionian Islands; to negociate a peace for Naples and Sardinia; and, if possible, to obtain a general abolition of Christian slavery. His lordship proceeded first to Algiers, where he obtained the release of all Ionian captives, and the ratification of a pacific treaty for Naples and Sicily: the former nation paying a ransom of five hundred dollars, and the latter three hundred dollars per head for their redeemed slaves. His lordship then proceeded to Tunis and Tripoli, the deys of which places appeared disposed to accede to any terms. Lord Exmouth proposed a treaty, for ever prohibiting the making of Christian slaves, and that such prisoners as might be taken in war should be treated according to the practice of civilized Europe. These stipulations were agreed to and the treaties signed. In the meantime he had received instructions to claim from Algiers the privilege of selling and refitting privateers in its port. On his return to that place upon this mission, he took the opportunity of pressing on that state the abolition of Christian slavery; but his request was haughtily refused, and when his lordship was returning to the fleet he was insulted by the crowd, and narrowly escaped assassination. As Lord Exmouth had not received definite instructions from the admiralty, he did not think himself justified in proceeding to extremities; and he therefore agreed that the dey should appoint an ambassador, who might proceed first to Constantinople, for the purpose of gaining the sanction of the Ottoman Porte, and thence to London, to treat on his proposal. His lordship then returned to England; but before he reached its shores, accounts arrived, which determined government at once to exact satisfaction for the past and security for the future. On the 21st of May the dey had ordered the British consul, Mr. Macdonald, to be confined, and all the English vessels in Oran to be seized. The Algerines likewise murdered the crews of several Italian vessels under the British flag, that were engaged in the coral-fishery at Bona. Thus braved, ministers resolved to punish the Algerines, and to enforce obedience on the common enemies of the civilized world. Lord Exmouth received instructions to complete his work; and he sailed on the 28th of July, in the “Queen Charlotte” of 110 guns, with four other ships of the line, five frigates, with sloops, bomb-vessels, &c., for that purpose. With this fleet he arrived at Gibraltar on the 9th of August, where he met with a Dutch squadron of five frigates and a corvette, commanded by Vice-admiral Von Capellem, who, on learning the object of the expedition, solicited and obtained leave to assist in the enterprise. The Algerines expected this attack, and had been preparing for it by the removal of every article of value, and by strengthening their already formidable fortifications. The city of Algiers is built on the declivity of a hill, in a triangular shape; the base being the sea-front, which rises directly from the water, and is about a mile in length. It was strongly defended by batteries rising one above another, and along a tongue of land, which defends the entrance into the inner part of the harbour, and also the approach to it, was a range of strong batteries, which our ships were obliged to pass, to take their station near the town, for the purpose of bombarding it. In the whole, the city was defended by about one thousand pieces of ordnance. During a conversation with Captain Brisbane, Lord Nelson had named twenty-five ships of the line as the force requisite to attack Algiers, but Lord Exmouth was satisfied he could accomplish the enterprise with the small fleet above described. He arrived off Algiers on the 27th of August; and all proposals for conciliation, and all demands for the relief of the British consul being ineffectual, the fleet passed the batteries and commenced their appointed work. The “Queen Charlotte” led the attack, and she answered to the guns of the batteries with a broadside which swept off’ about five hundred men from the crowded mole, soldiers and spectators. Before the battle became general, the “Queen Charlotte” had demolished the fortifications on the mole; then drawing her broadside more to the northward, she soon brought down the tower of the light-house. Gun after gun fell from the batteries, and the last of them was dismounted just as the artillerymen were in the act of discharging it. The battle had not long commenced when the enemy’s flotilla of gim-boats advanced with daring courage to board the “Queen Charlotte,” which by this time was seconded by the “Leander;” but as soon as they were discovered in the midst of the smoke, a few guns from both these ships sent thirty-three of the Algerine gun-boats to the bottom. The cannonade, which was of the most awful description, had continued for an hour without producing any signs of submission, and then Lord Exmouth determined to destroy the enemy’s ships. This was effected by throwing laboratory torches and carcass-shells on board of the nearest frigates, which, taking fire, communicated the flames to the rest, until they were burnt to the water’s edge. The bombardment continued, with little intermission, till nearly eleven: the Algerines fighting all the time with the utmost fury and desperation. About ten it was deemed advisable to take a large offing during the night. It was extremely dark: but the darkness was illuminated by a violent storm of lightning accompanied with thunder, and by the incessant fire of the batteries. The firing ceased about half-past eleven, and Lord Exmouth collected in his cabin all the wounded that could safely be moved to join with him and his officers in thanksgiving to the Almighty for their victory and preservation. The work was indeed effected: at the dawn of the returning day the city and harbour of Algiers exhibited a shattered heap of ruins. In the conflict, the loss of the Algerines amounted to about 7,000: the British had 128 killed, and 690 wounded, and the Dutch, who nobly aided in this enterprise, thirteen killed and fifty-two wounded. The dey was now humbled. Lord Exmouth now repeated with effect the proposals which had been before rejected, and the result of the victory was, that the dey agreed to abolish Christian slavery; to deliver up all the slaves in his dominion, of whatever nation they might be; to return all the money received for the redemption of slaves since the commencement of the present year; and to make reparation, and a public apology to the British consul for the wrongs and indignities to which he had been subjected. Before Lord Exmouth quitted the bay of Algiers every Christian prisoner was set at liberty, and the dey had refunded 382,500 dollars to the governments of Naples and Sardinia. The squadron quitted the bay on the 3rd of September, with the conscious satisfaction of having rescued the British character from the imputation of tamely permitting the atrocities which these piratical states had so long exercised against the weaker powers, and with the proud consciousness that every man had done his duty. Lord Exmouth, who was twice slightly wounded in the action, was raised from the dignity of baron to that of Viscount, and a considerable promotion likewise took place among the officers who had so nobly participated in the chastisement of the barbarian foe of the Christian world.

MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.

{A.D. 1817}

Parliament was opened by the prince regent in person. The chief topics of his speech were the continued assurances of amity received from foreign powers; the recent victory at Algiers; and the still existing deficiency in the revenue. He concluded thus:—“In considering our internal situation, you will, I doubt not, feel a just indignation at the attempts which have been made to take advantage of the distress of the country for the purpose of exciting a spirit of sedition and violence. I am too well convinced of the loyalty and good sense of the great body of his majesty’s subjects, to believe them capable of being perverted by the arts which are employed to seduce them; but I am determined to omit no precautions for preserving the public peace, and for counteracting the designs of the disaffected. I rely with the utmost confidence, also, on your cordial support, and co-operation, in upholding a system of law and government from which we have derived inestimable advantages; which has enabled us to conclude, with unexampled glory, a contest whereon depended the best interests of mankind, and which has been hitherto felt by ourselves, as it is acknowledged by other nations, to be the most perfect that had fallen to the lot of any people.”

The prince regent had good reason to complain of the turbulent spirit displayed by the factions: for on his way to the house he had been assailed with tumultuous expressions of disapprobation; and on his return from it, he was assailed by missiles of every description, and the glass of his carriage was broken by what was supposed to be two balls from an air-gun, aimed at his person. This outrage was communicated to the lords by Lord Sidmouth; and a conference was held with the house of commons, at which a joint address, congratulating his royal highness on his escape, was agreed upon. The consideration of the usual address in answer to the speech was postponed till the following day, when Earl Grey moved in the lords an amendment, chiefly for the purpose of expressing an opinion that the prince regent was under a delusion respecting the degree and probable duration of the pressure on the resources of the country. He declared this to be much more extensive in its operations, more severe in its effects, more deep and general in its causes, and more difficult to be removed, than that which had prevailed at the termination of former wars. Added to this declaration in the amendment, was a profession of regret that the prince regent should not have been sooner advised to adopt measures of rigid economy and retrenchment, especially with respect to our military establishments; and a resolution that the house should go immediately into a committee on the state of the nation. This amendment, however, was negatived without a division; and a similar one moved in the commons was rejected by two hundred and sixty-four against one hundred and twelve.

{GEORGE III. 1814–1818}

MEASURES OF ECONOMY.

On the 7th of February a communication was made by Lord Castlereagh from the prince regent, stating that out of sympathy to a suffering people he had determined upon a cession of £50,000 per annum of that part of his income which related to his personal expenses, during the continuance of the existing distress. At the same time his lordship communicated the intention of ministers to dispense with one-tenth of their official incomes, while the necessities of the state should require such a sacrifice. Lord Camden, also, one of the tellers of the exchequer, relinquished, _pro tempore_, the whole of his large profits with the exception of £2,500, the regulated income of the other tellers. On the reduced scale the expenditure of the year was estimated at £6,500,000 less than that of the preceding year, and a further saving of upwards of £1,000,000 was calculated upon for the year 1818. On the same day that Lord Castlereagh made the above communication to the house, he moved for the appointment of a committee of inquiry respecting the income and expenditure of the state. The first report of this committee was made on the 5th of May, when Mr. Davies Gilbert stated that, in recommending the suppression of certain offices, it was at the same time necessary that his majesty should be enabled to reward meritorious persons, by the power of granting pensions according to merit and length of service. A bill, entitled “the Civil Services Compensation Bill,” was accordingly introduced, with another for abolishing the offices of wardens and justices in Eyre, both of which passed the houses with very little opposition. About the time this bill passed Mr. Abbott resigned the speakership, and was created Lord Colchester, with a pension of £4000 to himself and his immediate successor. He was succeeded by Mr. Charles Manners Sutton, eldest son of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

RESTRICTIONS ON PUBLIC LIBERTY.

On the 3rd of February a message was communicated to both houses, announcing that the prince-regent had ordered the production of papers which contained an account of certain meetings and combinations held in various parts of the country, tending to disturb public tranquillity, to alienate the affection of the people from his majesty’s person and government, and to overthrow the whole frame of the laws and constitution. His royal highness recommended these papers to the immediate consideration of parliament; and they were accordingly referred by each house to a secret committee. It was expected that coercive measures would be adopted; but in the face of this a mob, headed by Henry Hunt and others, met in Spa-fields on the 10th of February, under the pretext of petitioning for parliamentary reform. The reports of the secret committees were presented on the 18th of February; and, on their recommendation, stringent acts were passed to correct the evil. The first consequence of these reports was the apprehension of the elder Watson, Preston, Hooper, and Keene, who were committed to the Tower on a charge of high-treason; a reward of five hundred pounds was also offered for the apprehension of a man named Thistlewood; and he was also taken and lodged with his associates. The measures adopted by parliament for the security of the public peace, were the suspension of the _Habeas Corpus_ Act until the 1st of July next; an extension of the act of 1795, for the security of the king’s person, to that of the regent; the revival of an act of 1795 against corresponding societies; and a reenactment of that regarding the seduction of soldiers and sailors from their allegiance. Petitions were presented against these restrictions on public liberty, and they were opposed in every stage by the opposition; but they were carried in both houses by large majorities. Although these acts appeared to infringe on the public liberty, yet they were effectual in saving the country from violence and bloodshed, if not from the horrors of anarchy. Powerful measures are required for the restraint of hydraheaded faction. The suspension of the Habeas Corpus struck an unexpected blow against the hopes and plans of the apostles of reform; and Mr. William Cobbett, who at this period figured as one of the most ardent reformers, deemed it prudent to retire to America, promising, however, to return as soon as England should be again under the protection of her constitution, and in the meantime to transmit his weekly register from the land of his voluntary exile.

On the assembling of the peers after the Easter recess, it was ordered, on the motion of Lord Grey, that a copy of the circular-letter recently addressed by the secretary of state for the home department to the lord-lieutenants of counties, relative to seditious or blasphemous publications, be laid before the house. In this document Lord Sidmouth had stated, as it was of the greatest importance to prevent, if possible, the circulation of the blasphemous and seditious pamphlets and writings then distributed in great numbers through the country, he had thought it his duty to consult the law-officers of the crown, whether a person found selling, or in any other way publishing such writings, might be brought immediately before a justice of peace by warrant to answer for his conduct; and the law-officers had given their opinion to the effect, that a justice of the peace might issue his warrant for the apprehension of a person charged before him, on oath, with the publication of such libels, and compel him to give bail to answer such charge. Under these circumstances the attention of the lord-lieutenants was earnestly called to the subject; and they were requested to notify such opinion to the chairman of the quarter-sessions, in order that magistrates might be led to act upon it. When this circular was produced Lord Grey addressed their lordships in a speech, in which he contended against the principle that a justice of the peace might be called on by any common informer to decide what was, or what was not a libel, and to commit or hold to bail, on his sole judgment, the accused party. His lordship argued that such a specific intimation to magistrates regarding the mode in which they were to construe the law, even supposing the law itself to be clear and undisputed, was a high offence against the constitution. He moved for the production of a case that had been submitted to the law-officers; but it was negatived on a division by a majority of seventy-five against nineteen. A similar motion was made in the commons by Sir Samuel Romilly, and a similar decision given. As towards the close of the session the spirit of disaffection throughout the country was not subdued, a further suspension of the _Habeas Corpus_ Act to the 1st of March, 1818, was carried by a large majority.

COMMITTEE ON THE POOR-LAWS, ETC.

During this session a committee on the poor-laws, with Mr. Sturges Bourne for its chairman, was appointed. This committee made its report in July; but not much new light was thrown upon the subject, as the object of the members seemed to be that of neutralizing every topic as much as possible; probably from ministerial instructions, as the cabinet were averse to making experiments. On the 9th of July Mr. Wilberforce moved for an address to the prince regent, submitting in dutiful, but urgent terms, the expression of our continued solicitude for the universal and final abolition of the slave-trade amongst the European powers, which was agreed to _nem. con_. On the same evening a discussion of considerable interest took place upon a series of resolutions on finance, which had been brought forward by Mr. Tierney; and after a debate of great length the previous question was carried upon each of these resolutions, and counter resolutions, moved by Mr. Grant, adopted in their stead. The last important debate of the session took place in the commons on a motion made by Mr. Brougham, for an inquiry into the state of the nation; a motion introduced chiefly for the purpose of enabling the mover, as the organ of opposition in the lower house to enter a protest, in detail, against the whole of the acts and proceedings of ministers. In exposing the false system on which parliament had long legislated on the subject of commerce, Mr. Brougham remarked:—“The period is now arrived when, the war being closed and prodigious changes having taken place throughout the world, it becomes absolutely necessary to enter on a careful but fearless revision of our whole commercial system, that we may be enabled safely, yet promptly, to eradicate those faults which the lapse of time has occasioned or displayed; to retrace our steps where we shall find that they have deviated from the line of true policy; to adjust and accommodate our laws to the alteration of circumstances; to abandon many prejudices, alike antiquated and senseless, unsuited to the advanced age in which we live, and unworthy of that sound judgment which distinguishes this nation.” The motion was negatived without a division.

PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.

Parliament was prorogued on the 12th of July. In his speech the prince regent expressed regret at the king’s continued indisposition; glanced at the subjects which had been considered during the session; and noticed the prospect of an abundant harvest, not only in this country, but on the continent, from which he anticipated an improvement in the commercial relations of this and other countries.

RIOTS AT MANCHESTER, ETC.

In the last report of the secret committee of the house of commons, mention was made of disturbances which had been experienced at Manchester. These disturbances appear to have been of an extraordinary description. A large body of men, calling themselves friends of parliamentary reform, and urged by the resolution of despair, determined to proceed to London to explain their distress to the regent in person. Each individual provided himself with a blanket and a small stock of provisions. On the day of their departure they met near St. Peter’s church; and such crowds assembled around them that the magistrates thought it expedient to call out the military. The principal instigators of the mob were arrested; but, nevertheless, a considerable number set out on their mission to London. More than five hundred proceeded as far as Macclesfield, where a troop of yeomanry was stationed to provide against contingencies. All, however, remained quiet; and this “Blanketeering Expedition” penetrated into Staffordshire, where it ended; the poor creatures who composed it being obliged to give it up from exhaustion and the want of sustenance. But these riots had at least one effect, it filled the prisons throughout the country with objects of suspicion or of crime. Many of these were as arbitrarily released by the authorities as they had been committed; but the more prominent leaders were either detained in custody, or sent, for greater security, to the metropolis. The trial of the prisoners in the Tower was commenced in the month of June; but Watson, the first tried, being acquitted by the jury, the other cases were abandoned. The prisoners captured in the riots which took place in the northern and midland counties were tried at Derby by a special commission, and twenty-three received sentence of death; three of them only, however, suffered the extreme penalty of the law. The last prosecution was that of a man named Hone, for some political parodies on the Litany and other parts of our church-service. He was tried for a blasphemous libel; but he was acquitted, chiefly on the ground that his parodies were political, and hence not blasphemous; and the public sympathized with the demagogue by raising a subscription, in order to reimburse him for his expenses, and to reward him for the trouble and fatigue which he had undergone in the prosecution. Hone seems to have profited by the lesson he had received; for he withdrew from the disgraceful career which he had commenced, and engaged in literary pursuits more worthy of a rational and thinking being, and of a good citizen of the world.

DEATH OF THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE.

The close of this year was marked by an event that filled the nation with mourning; this was the death of the idolized hope of a free nation, the Princess Charlotte: she whose looks of health and gladdening smiles had been long hailed by the nation with heartfelt satisfaction by her future subjects, expired on the 6th of November, after giving birth to a still-born child. The indications of sorrow on this event becoming known were unusually general and sincere. The civic procession and entertainment on the Lord Mayor’s Day was abandoned; public entertainments were suspended; and on the 19th, the day of her interment, every shop was closed, and funeral sermons were preached in churches and chapels to large and attentive congregations. The day of her funeral was one of voluntary humiliation, and of sorrowful meditation on the instability of human happiness. Brief as were the days of this good princess, she had not lived in vain; her life was a bright illustration of piety and virtue. “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to the earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.”