protest against their conduct being drawn into a precedent. Mr. Hutchinson was soon afterwards appointed governor of the province; but the subject of the assembly's removal continued to afford matter of dispute in the remonstrances of the house at the beginning of every session.

CHAP. XIII.

GEORGE III. (CONTINUED.)-1770.

Opening of parliament-King's speech-Supplies voted-Adjournment on account of the affairs of Spain-Parliament meets again-Satisfactory adjustment with Spain- Changes in the ministry-Great seal given to judge Bathurst-Hostility between the two houses of parliament from exclusion of strangers -Proceedings regarding the borough of Shoreham-Attempts made to carry popular motions in parliament, but fail-Proceedings leading to the publication of parliamentary debatesTriumph of Wilkes, &c.-Embankment of the river, and building of the Adelphi-Stability of ministers-Death of lord Halifax, and consequent changes-Plague at Moscow-Troubles in Poland-Attempt on the king-Approaching fate of the country -Affairs of Germany and Sweden-Contest between the king of France and the parliaments-Domestic affairs of EnglandEducation of the heir apparent-Pursuits of the king-Meeting of parliament-Naval arrangements-Debates on the subject of subscription to the thirty-nine articles-Nullum Tempus bill regarding the church rejected-Royal marriage act-Bill to relieve dissenters from subscription rejected by the lordsDr. Nowell's sermon-Motion for abolishing the anniversary of king Charles's martyrdom rejected-East Indian affairs-Lord Clive's conduct. A select committee formed-Custom of peine forte et dure abolished-Parliament rises-Amount of supplies and national debt-Misfortunes of the queen of Denmark— Death of the princess dowager-Revolution of Sweden- Partition of Poland-Alderman Townshend's action against the collector of the land-tax-Lord Hillsborough resigns-SucIceeded by lord Dartmouth-Other changes-State of British commerce, &c.-Meeting of parliament - Affairs of the East India company-Adjournment of the house.

THE king opened parliament on the thirteenth of November, by a speech from the throne, informing the houses, that owing to an act of the governor of Buenos Ayres, in seizing by force one of his possessions, the honor of his crown and security of his people's rights were deeply affected: he then stated the measures hitherto pursued, and called on them for advice and assistance. The addresses of both houses contained a hearty approbation of the steps taken by his majesty, and assurances of their effectual support: supplies for the augmentation of the army and navy were cheerfully voted;

and the increase of the land-tax from three to four shillings in the pound was carried with no great opposition.

As suspicions of the sincerity of the Spanish government had greatly increased in the minds of the British ministers before Christmas, it was deemed advisable to adjourn parliament to the latter end of January, in order to allow time for the development of circumstances, and enable the cabinet to come to a decision on the grand question of peace or war. There is no doubt but that the king of Spain was willing to run the hazard of a contest on this occasion, or that he sent a proposal to his christian majesty, inviting his co-operation: but Madame du Barry's friends had by this time gained such an ascendency over Louis XV., as to procure the dismissal of his great warminister Choiseul. Thus vanished every hope which the Spanish monarch might have entertained of assistance from France.

Lord North was now enabled to meet parliament with more confidence, having accomplished the object for which the recess had been so unusually protracted. When the commons assembled on the twenty-second, he informed them that the Spanish ambassador had that morning signed a declaration, with which his majesty was satisfied, and which should be laid before the house: similar information was imparted to the lords by the earl of Rochford, who had just succeeded lord Weymouth in the office of secretary of state for the southern department. The latter nobleman, it was understood, resigned his seals in consequence of his disapprobation of the Spanish negociations, as injurious to the honor of Great Britain: but the condition of eventual restitution not being publicly known, it afforded no ground of objection; and when the evacuation of the islands took place about three years afterwards, the circumstances of this prior transaction being almost forgotten, it passed off with slight animadversion.*

On this subject Mr. Adolphus observes, that the island was, in consequence of the arrangement made, surrendered in the most honorable manner to the British forces in September, 1771: but as the nature and value of the possession was now thoroughly understood, it was in less than two years completely evacuated. This circumstance has led to an insinuation that the abandonment was stipulated by secret articles; but this was not the fact: the British forces left their flag flying, and large sheets of lead fixed up, with engraved inscriptions, proclaiming to all nations that Falkland's islands were the sole right and property of the king of Great Britain. It is true indeed that the intention of

When lord Rochford was removed to the southern department, his seals were given to the earl of Sandwich; but the latter being soon afterwards placed at the head of the admiralty in the room of Sir Edward Hawke, lord Halifax was made northern secretary, the privy seal being given to the earl of Suffolk the great seal was now taken out of commission, and given to judge Bathurst, Mr. de Grey being appointed chief justice of the common pleas: some other changes took place about the same time; and several of the late Mr. Grenville's friends were introduced into office, by which the ministry gained a considerable accession of talent. It was at this juncture that Mr. Thurlow was appointed attorneygeneral, and Mr. Wedderburne solicitor-general to the queen.

The proceedings of parliament this session afford but few subjects of general interest: before the recess a great animosity had been created between the lords and commons, which was begun by the former, who excluded all strangers from their debates, and extended this prohibition even to the commons, except when a deputation should come with a bill; and even they were allowed to remain no longer than was absolutely necessary: the commons retaliated; and a sullen hostility between the two houses subsisted during the session.

A select committee, appointed according to Mr. Grenville's bill, for determining a contested election for the borough of Shoreham, brought to light at this time a disgusting scene of corruption. Hugh Roberts, the returning officer, had declared a candidate duly elected, who had only thirty-seven votes in his favor, to the prejudice of a rival who had eighty-seven. In his defence before the committee he disclosed the following facts in exculpation of such apparent partiality. The majority of the freemen had formed themselves into a society, which they named 'a christian club;' assuming that appellation as an ostensible pretext for piety and charity, but in reality as a cover to their venality and corruption: some few charitable acts were occasionally performed to accredit their profession; but the money received from their representatives was distributed among these hypocritical confederates for their private advantage utterly precluding all the other freemen from any retaining this unimportant possession was renounced by Great Britain, and the Spanish minister was so apprised pending the negociation but there was no secret article on the subject; nor was the place ever surrendered to Spain.'-Hist. of England, vol. i. p. 422. note.

5 He died on the thirteenth of November, 1770.

beneficial exercise of their elective franchise, they bound themselves by a solemn oath to mutual fidelity; and added legal instruments, with large penalties, to secure their associates in this illegal engagement: they then without any remorse took the oaths against bribery and corruption, after having sold the borough to the highest bidder, by means of a secret committee, the members of which, under pretended scruples of conscience, declined to exercise their right of voting. The returning officer had himself belonged to this club; but having taken umbrage at some of their proceedings, he determined to thwart their future schemes. Being aware of their principles and practice, he ascertained that a large sum of money had been distributed among eighty-one of the majority these therefore he considered as disqualified, and omitted them in his return: but his defence not appearing sufficient to exculpate him from the assumption of illegal authority, he was called to the bar of the house, and there reprimanded by the speaker. The facts of the case however being proved, a bill was brought in, and carried, by which eighty-one freemen of Shoreham were disfranchised; and the right of electing members for that borough was extended to all freeholders in the rape of Bramber, who held tenements of the annual value of forty shillings.

Several attempts were made by the opposition to introduce popular laws, and raise popular questions. The duke of Richmond moved the upper house to reverse its resolution of not impeaching, directly or indirectly, the judgment of the commons in the Middlesex election; lord Chatham moved for an address to the king, praying him to dissolve the parliament; and alderman Sawbridge, in the lower house, made a motion to shorten the duration of parliaments: all these efforts failed of success; but the alderman renewed his motion every session till his death.

The disposition which still prevailed to oppose the proceedings of the legislature, led at this time to a remarkable contest, by which the liberty of the press was much extended. Up to this period it had been held, that to publish the debates of either house of parliament was a breach of privilege; and though the publishers of newspapers had endeavored to evade the prohibition; yet the speeches of members had been given in a very garbled, unsatisfactory form, during the intervals of parliament; assigned to fictitious personages; sometimes even written for them by professed authors, and containing very few sentiments of the real speakers. The extent