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subjects, maintain and extend our possessions and acquisitions, and annoy the enemy.

the utmost importance to the security of our colonies in North America, and to the extension of the commerce and navigation of my subjects.

"As in all my measures I have nothing in view but the security and felicity of my dominions, the support of my allies, and the restoring of the public tranquillity, II trust in the Divine Providence to give a happy issue to our farther operations.

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

"I cannot sufficiently thank you for your unanimity and dispatch, in providing for the expences of my civil government, and the honour and dignity of the crown: and I think myself as much obliged to you, for the prudent use which, in framing that provision, you have made of my consent to leave my own hereditary revenues to such disposition of parliament as might best conduce to the utility and satisfaction of the public, as for what more immediately concerns myself.

"In making my acknowledgments for the large and extensive supplies which you have granted me this session, I am at a loss whether most to applaud your cheerfulness in giving or your wisdom in proportioning them to the extraordinary occasions of the public, notwithstanding those uncommon burthens, which I heartily regret. No care shall be wanting on my part to see them duly applied to the national ends for which you intended

them.

"My Lords and Gentlemen, "The expiration of this parliament now drawing very near, I will forthwith give the necessary orders for calling a new one. But I cannot take my leave of you, without returning my thanks for the many eminent proofs you have given of your fidelity and affection to my family and government, and of your zeal for this happy and excellent constitution.

"May God Almighty grant continuance to these successes! The use which propose to make of them is to secure and promote the welfare of my kingdoms, and to carry on the war with vigour, in order to procure to them the blessings of Peace, on safe and honourable conditions always ready to hearken. for me and my allies, to which I have been

entire confidence, rely on the good dis"Firm in these resolutions I do, with positions of my faithful subjects in the make no doubt but they will thereby dechoice of their representatives; and I which have been so cordially and univermonstrate the sincerity of those assurances sally given me, in the loyal, affectionate, and unanimous, addresses of my people."

On the following day the parliament was dissolved.

PAPERS RELATING TO MR. SECRE

TARY PITT'S NEGOCIATION for Peace
BETWEEN ENGLAND AND FRANCE IN
THE YEAR 1761.*] As the following

* "One of the most interesting and important transactions of this year, was the negociation for peace between Great Britain and France. In consequence of the desire expressed by the court of Versailles, M. de Bussy was received in London, and Hans Stanley at

Paris, as ministers. After some delay, the That the conquests made on each side should principles were fully arranged. These were, be considered as the property of the conquerors, and either retained or exchanged according to their value: certain periods were also fixed, though not without great discussions, at which the effect of this stipulation was to begin: and it was agreed, that all arrangements between the two crowns should be conclusive, indepen dent of the fate of the congress then expected to take place at Augsbourg.

"During this parliament the flame of war was kindled, by the injurious encroachments and usurpations of our enemies; and therefore it became just and ministers; but there is no room to believe that "These proposals were made by the French necessary on our part. In the prosecu- they were even yet sincere in the wish for tion of it you have given such support to peace. They entertained great hopes of inmy royal grandfather and myself, and ducing Spain to engage in the quarrel, and such assistance to our allies, as have ma- therefore ostentatiously submitted to make bu nifested your public-spirited concern for miliating attempts at conciliation, judging this the honour of the nation, and the main- to be the most certain mode of alarming the tenance of its undoubted rights and pos-nister to prevent the conclusion of peace with court of Madrid, and inducing the Spanish misessions, and been attended with glorious Great Britain, by an early avowal of hostility. successes, and great acquisitions in various Spain had declared that France was sufficiently parts of the world, particularly in the en- humbled, but must not be ruined; and theretire reduction of Canada; a conquest of fore every appearance of immoderate conces

Papers throw great light on the Proceedings of the first Session of the New Parlament, it is thought proper to introduce them in this place:

COPIES OF THE DECLARATIONS, LETTERS, AND MEMORIALS, WHICH PASSED BETWEEN ENGLAND AND FRANCE, IN THE NEGOCIATION FOR PEACE IN THE YEAR 1761.

tannic Majesties.

sioned and must still necessarily result from the war which has been kindled for some years past, would think themselves wanting to the duties of humanity, and ́ particularly regardless of the interest they take in the preservation and welfare of their respective kingdoms and subjects, if they neglected to use proper measures towards checking the progress of this cruel pestilence, and to contribute towards the re-establishment of public tranquillity. It is with this view, and in order to ascertain

DECLARATION of their Prussian and Bri- the sincerity of their intentions in this respect, that their aforesaid majesties have resolved to make the following declaration:

Their Britannic and Prussian majesties, touched with compassion when they reflect on the evils which have been occa

sion could not fail of exciting great emotion. The British ministry did not entertain sanguine hopes of a successful issue of the negociation, as after it had commenced, the expedition against Belleisle was undertaken.

"Choiseul conducted the business with great art and address: he contrived to impress on Mr. Stanley's mind, the necessity of keeping the extent of the proposed compensations an entire secret, not only from the ministers of the allies of England, but even from M. de Bussy himself; and, after much debate, agreed that France should make a specific proposal of compensa. tions: which proposal although in some respects liberal, could not form the basis of an honourable treaty, as many claims of France were exorbitant, and presumptuous. In India, particularly, it was proposed that Great Britain should resign valuable and extensive conquests, without an equivalent, and merely in compliance with a principle of policy, not of law or justice, dictated by an enemy. The requisition for the restitution of prizes, although recommended by some shew of moderation, was, in fact, equally arrogant, as it affected to make a distinction between the French nation and individuals composing it, and concluded with a clamorous appeal to the law of nations, and an assertion that the arguments advanced on the part of France were unanswerable. The articles respecting the conquests made from the king of Prussia were no less insidious and presumptuous; if the congress of Augsbourg failed of producing an immediate pacification, that monarch must, in all probability, have been crushed by the powerful combination of his enemies, an event which France knew Great Britain would not permit.

"It is very doubtful if the proposals could have been so modified as to produce a good system of pacification: but perhaps the French minister had previously secured the co-operation of Spain, and even planned the treaty which was afterwards carried into effect, and the operations which resulted from the alliance. This conjecture is rendered more probable by

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That they are ready to send plenipotentiaries to any place which shall be the delivery of another memorial on the affairs of Spain, in which the French king, more than equivocally, intimated the hostile disposition of the court of Madrid, and required, as the means of securing a solid peace-1. The restoration of some captures made during the war. 2. The privilege for the Spanish nation to fish on the banks of Newfoundland; and 3. The demolition of the English settlements in Honduras. Such proceedings sufficiently evinced that France was not desirous of peace: but to aggravate the impropriety of the previous demands, a third memorial was delivered, stating the consent of the empress queen to a separate pacification between France and England, provided she might retain possession of the countries conquered from Prussia, and none of the auxiliaries in alliance with Hanover should join with Frederick.

"Mr. Pitt resolutely declared, both in conversation and writing, that the King would not suffer the differences with Spain to be blended in the disputes then under discussion; a further mention of them, he said, would be considered an affront to his Majesty's dignity, and incompatible with the sincerity of the negociation, and he returned the memorials relating to Spain and Prussia, as totally inadmissible. He afterwards answered the French propositions, and insisted on terms more consistent, perhaps, with the situation in which this country stood from the advantages of conquest, than with the pacific sentiments which were supposed to give rise to the treaty. If France had acceded to them, she surrendered all sources of wealth and political importance in America, Africa, and Asia.` The demolition of Dunkirk was peremptorily demanded, as the price of liberty to fish on the banks of Newfoundland; and that permission was rendered less valuable by a refusal to cede Cape Breton. Belleisle was offered as an equivalent for Minorca. Guada loupe and Marigalante were to be restored, but as the minister refused to part with Senegal or Goree, the difficulty of obtaining negroes would have rendered the French West India islands of

judged most convenient, in order to treat, in conjunction, concerning a general and firm peace, with those whom the belligerent powers shall think proper to authorize on their side, towards the accomplishment of so salutary an end.

I certify that the above declaration is the same which was dispatched to me by the earl of Holdernesse and the baron Kniphauzen, in the name, and on the part of their Britannic and Prussian majesties. Given at the castle of Ryswick, this 25th of November, 1759.

(Signed) L. D. de BRUNSWICK. DECLARATION of his Most Christian Majesty.

The pacific dispositions which the kings of England and Prussia expressed the last year, and which are conformable to the sentiments of all the belligerent powers, having met with some difficulties which have proved obstacles to their success, the courts of France, Vienna, Petersburg, Stockholm, and Warsaw, have unanimously agreed to invite those of London and Berlin, to the renewal of a negociation so expedient for the welfare of mankind, and which ought to interest all the powers at war in the cause of humanity. With this view, and in order to proceed towards the re-establishment of peace, they propose the meeting of a congress, at which they think it will be convenient to admit, with the plenipotentiaries of the principal belligerent powers, no other than

little value. Canada was to be retained, but the limits were not accurately defined. The question concerning conquests in India, was left to the discussion of the English and French East India Companies. The restitution of prizes was refused; and the King would continue, as an auxiliary, to assist the king of Prussia in the recovery of Silesia.

"It might be easily proved that these terms were no less injudicious than immoderate. The equitable end of war is not the political annihiJation of an enemy, but the termination of disputes, and the securing of an honourable and permanent peace. Neither of these objects could have been attained by this pacification; and France, however reduced in finance, could not be expected to receive such disgrace ful conditions, while she had yet the means of prolonging a contest, which might produce a change in her favour, but could hardly reduce her to a more deplorable state of necessity. "The minister, therefore, did not act with his usual wisdom in giving his opponent the advantage of complaining that his haughtiness rendered the treaty impracticable; and he furmished Spain with some pretence for the con

those of their allies. If the kings of Eng. land and Prussia adopt this measure, his most Christian majesty, the empress queen, the empress of Russia, the king of Sweden, and the king of Poland elector of Saxony, propose the town of Augsburg, as the place of congress, which they only point out as a town within the reach of all the parties interested, which by its situation seems to suit the convenience of all the states, and they will not oppose the choice of any other town in Germany, which their Britannic and Prussian majesties may deem more convenient.

empress

His most Christian majesty, the queen, the empress of Russia, and the kings of Sweden and Poland, declare farther, that they have made choice of plenipotentiaries, to whom they will commit their interests at the congress, in expectation that the king of England, the king of Prussia, and their allies, will speedily make choice of their respective ministers, that the negociation may not be retarded.

The sincerity of this declaration, which the courts of France, Vienna, Petersburg, Stockholm, and Warsaw, have out of regard to the general good, determined to make to the courts of London and Berlin, gives them to hope that their Britannic and Prussian majesties will signify, by a speedy answer, their sentiments on a subject so essential to the peace and welfare of Europe. By order and in the name of his most Christian majesty.

(Signed) The Duke de CHOISeul.

duct she resolved to adopt. The minister from that country avowed the offensive memoral delivered by M. de Bussy, and Spanish gold began to be coined on the frontier towns for the benefit of France.

"Yet as matters were not ripe for an open rupture, the farce of negociation was continued: an ultimatum was delivered from the court of France, replying to the propositions of England; and memorials were sent respecting the prizes; which, with the dubions conduct of Spain, necessarily occasioned some delays. M. de Choiseul amused Mr. Stanley with equivocal declarations, and even induced him to believe that the introduction of Spanish affairs was not a voluntary act, but extorted by the exigencies of his situation. At length the famous treaty, called the Family Compact, was secretly signed, and although it was not ratified, and the conditions unknown, yet Mr. Stanley received obscure intelligence on the subject, which he communicated to Mr. Pitt. The French ultimatum was peremptorily rejected; the negociation abruptly terminated, and M. de Bussy and Mr. Stanley returned to their respective courts." Adolphus,

LETTER from the Duke de Choiseul to Mr. Pitt.

Sir; the king my master, acting in conformity with the sentiments of his allies, in order, if possible, to procure the reestablishment of a general peace, has authorised me to transmit to your excellency the Memorial hereto annexed, which solely concerns the interests of France and England, with respect to the particular war between the two crowns. The king has reason to hope, that the sincere manner in which he proposes to treat with his Britannic majesty will banish all mistrust in the course of the negociation if it takes place, and will induce his Britannic majesty to make the king acquainted with his real sentiments, whether with regard to the continuance of war, or with respect to the conclusion of peace, as well as in relation to the principles on which they ought to proceed, in order to procure this blessing to the two nations.

I will add, that I am likewise authorised to assure your excellency, that in relation to the war in which the king of Prussia is concerned, the allies of the king my mas. ter are determined to treat of their interests in the future congress, with the same frankness and sincerity, of which I can give your excellency assurance on the part of France; and that, so as not to depart from what is due to their dignity, their situation, and the demands of justice, they will bring with them to the negociation, all the acquiescence, which their humanity dictates for the general good of Eu

rope.

The king, my master, and his allies, do not doubt but that they shall find the heart of his Britannic majesty and his allies, impressed with the same sentiments. I esteem it a happiness that my office makes me the instrument of conveying such favourable sentiments, which give me an opportunity of assuring your excellency, with what distinguished consideration I have the honour to be, &c.

MEMORIAL of the Christian King.

The most Christian king wishes that the separate peace of France with England could be united with the general peace of Europe, which his majesty most sincerely desires to establish; but as the nature of the objects which have occasioned the war between France and England, is totally foreign from the disputes in Germany, his most Christian majesty has thought it

necessary to agree with his Britannic majesty on the principal articles which may form the basis of their separate negociations, in order to accelerate as much as possible the general conclusion of the peace.

The best method to accomplish the end proposed, is to remove those intricacies which might prove obstacles to its success. In the business of peace the disputes of nations concerning their reciprocal conquests, the different opinions with respect to the utility of particular conquests, and the compensations for restitutions, generally form matter of embarrassment at a negociation of peace. As it is natural for each nation, with regard to these different points, to endeavour the acquisition of all possible advantages, interest and distrust occasion oppositions and produce delays. To obviate these inconveniencies and to testify the sincerity of his proceedings in the course of the negociation of peace with England, the most Christian king proposes to agree with his Britannic majesty, that with respect to the particular war of France and England, the two crowns shall remain in possession of what they have conquered from each other, and that the situation in which they shall stand on the 1st of September, in the year 1761 in the East Indies, on the 1st of July in the same year, in the West Indies and in Africa; and on the 1st of May following in Europe; shall be the position which shall serve as a basis to the treaty which may be negociated between the two powers. Which shews that the most Christian king, in order to set an example of humanity, and to contribute to the reestablishment of the general tranquillity, will make a sacrifice of those restitutions which he has a right to claim, at the same time that he will maintain those acquisitions which he has gained from England during the course of the war.

Nevertheless as his Britannic majesty may think that the periods proposed of the 1st of September, July, and May, are either too near or too distant for the interests of the British crown, or that his Britannic majesty may judge it proper to make compensation for the whole, or for part of the reciprocal conquests of the two crowns, the most Christian king will readily enter into negociation with his Britannic majesty in relation to these two objects, when he shall know his sentiments concerning them; the principal view of his most Christian majesty being to testify not

contrary to all expectation this misfortune should be unavoidable) with the cordiality and efficacy of a sincere and faithful ally.

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London, 8th April, 1761. Sir; The King my master has authorised me to transmit to your excellency, with all the dispatch which was found possible, the Memorial hereto annexed, in answer to that of the 26th of the last month, made by the order, and in the name of his most Christian majesty, solely concerning the interests of England and France, relative to the particular war between the two crowns, which was accompanied by a letter from your excellency of the same date, transmitted to me by M. the Prince Galitzin.

His Majesty has published his real sentiments, with regard to the salutary business of peace, with the sincerity which his Christian majesty desires, and of which he himself set the example; the King my master, on his part, desires nothing more than, by the sincerity of his conduct, to remove all distrust in the course of nego

ciation.

I will likewise acquaint your excellency, that the King learnt with great satisfaction, that your excellency was authorized to give assurance that, in relation to the war which concerns the king of Prussia, the allies of his most Christian majesty are determined to treat with the same openness and sincerity as the court of France, and that they will bring with them, to the negociation at the future congress, all the acquiescence which their unanimity dictates for the general good of Europe.

I must add that, with regard to the war which concerns the king of Prussia, as well as with respect to the other allies of the King my master, his Majesty, always constant in fulfilling the engagements of his crown with the most scrupulous exactness, can never fail to support their respective interests, whether in the course of the negociation, (which may God prosper) or in the continuance of the war, (if [VOL. XV.]

As to what remains, it is superfluous to mention to what degree his Majesty wishes for this speedy establishment of the general peace in Germany, after the distinguished proof his Majesty has given, in so readily consenting to the proposition of so distant a place as the town of Augsburg for the meeting of the congress.

tions of the King my master for the reSuch are the sincere and upright intenestablishment of the public tranquillity. I think myself happy in having the charge of conveying such sentiments, and of having an opportunity of assuring your excellency of the distinguished regard with which I have the honour to be, &c.

The

(Signed) W. PITT. MEMORIAL of his Britannic Majesty, of the 8th of April, 1761.

His Britannic majesty, equally desirous with the most Christian king, that the separate peace of England and France could be united with the general peace, for which the King of Great Britain is so sincerely interested, that, in regard to this point, he even means that the contests which might arise between the two crowns concerning their particular differences, should not occasion the least delay to the speedy conclusion of so salutary a work as the general peace of Germany; and his Britannic majesty is the more confirmed in this sentiment, dictated by humanity towards so many nations, that he feels in all its extent the proposition which the most Christian king establishes as a fundamental principle; that the nature of the objects which have occasioned the war between England and France, is totally foreign from the disputes in Germany.

In consequence of this incontestible principle, the King of Great Britain entirely adopts the sentiment of his most Christian majesty, that it is necessary to agree between the two crowns on some principal articles, which may form the basis of their particular negociations, in order the more to accelerate the conclusion of a general peace.

The King of Great Britain equally agrees in general to the proposition which the most Christian king has made with an openness, in which his Britannic majesty will concur throughout the course of the negociation; that is to say, that, in ¡ [3 U]

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