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HISTORY OF EUROPE.

1816.

CHAP. I.

Opening of the Session of Parliament.-Debates on the Address, and on the Treaties concluded with Foreign Powers in 1815.-Motion for the production of the "Christian Treaty."-Financial Exposition by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

THE peace of Europe being once again established, and the attention of speculative, as well as of active men among us being released, in some measure, from the contemplation of external affairs, the opening of parliament was this year expected by the people of England with a well-grounded confidence, that the wisdom of the legislative bodies would be immediately directed to the repair and alleviation of those dilapidations and distresses which had been inflicted upon the revenue, and upon a very large part of the population of the empire, in consequence of the unequalled exertions to which our country had been so long exposed. Deliberations of such a nature, begun during the last session, had been at once forgotten and dismissed in the tumult of that momentary and almost miraculous revolution, which had expelled the French king from the throne to which he had so lately been restored, and replaced, amidst the combustible mate

rials of a too military nation, that firebrand which had before been plucked from its position by the united strength of Russia, Germany; and England. The people were prepared to congratulate the government, by the mouths of their representatives, upon the happy termination, to which a just, because a necessary, war had in so brief a space been conducted; but they were chiefly anxious to see the parliament re-assembled, by reason of the hopes which they built on the issue of those interrupted investigations, which had for their object the improvement of our domestic revenue and polity-more particularly, the relief of those classes of the community, to whose share, as was universally felt and regretted, an unequal pressure of the national burden had fallen. That the public expectation was not disappointed, will be seen in the history of the busy and laborious session which ensued.

Parliament assembled on the 1st of

House of Lords by the Marquis of Huntly. This nobleman, after commenting in general terms on the splendid state of our external relations, went on to state that the country, in the course of its long and arduous contest, had been subjected to many heavy burdens and privations-that these it would be the business of the Prince Regent's ministers to alleviate as far as circumstances would allow

February, and the speech was delivered by commission. The principal to pic was very naturally the splendid nature of the public exertions of Great Britain in the preceding year, and the happy prospect of a permanent peace among the continental nations, arising out of the speedy and glorious success with which these exertions had been crowned. The commercial treaty concluded with the United States of America, and the results of the war in Cey--and that he had no doubt in this lon, and on the continent of India, were mentioned as affording additional cause for congratulation. His Royal Highness had given orders, that copies of the different treaties should be laid before parliament, and confidently trusted that their stipulations would receive unmingled approbation. The convulsions which had agitated the European states had been such, as it would be seen, that measures of precaution of no ordinary character had been deemed indispensable by the allies. In these measures, from a sense of their justice and sound policy, his Royal Highness had concurred, and he had no doubt that parliament, regarding them in the same view, would willingly lend their co-operation for carrying them into effect. The speech concluded with expressions of gratitude for that wisdom and firmness of the British parliament and people, to which, under providence, his Royal Highness considered himself as indebted for all the advantages with which his counsels and arms had been crowned; of his resolution to preserve, by the justice and moderation of his conduct, the high character which the country had every where obtained-and of hope that the same internal union and confidence which had enabled us to surmount so many dangers, might still continue to strengthen our prosperity, and prolong the tranquillity of Eu

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as in all other respects, whatever persons in their situation could do for the public benefit would be done by them. Parliament, likewise, would, he trusted, unite its endeavours with those of the Prince and his ministers to promote the welfare of the agricultural and commercial classes of the community, that so, if possible, there might not remain one heavy heart in the British dominions. Lord Calthorp, in seconding the address, enlarged upon the liberal and unselfish character of the measures which the allies had adopted. "These," said he, " had not been directed by any narrow views of local interests; they had proceeded on the largest scale, and aimed at the most extensive objects. This," continued he, "was a sort of pledge that proper caution would be observed in providing for the future tranquillity of Europe. He was induced to cherish this hope the more from the spirit of forbearance which, in a peculiar manner, had characterized the counsels, and even the armies of our own country, changing, as it were, those who usually were the instruments of vengeance into guardians of liberty and repose; as if it had been intended to show the country, that our moderation in peace was as unrivalled as had been our perseverance in war.”

These sentiments were not shared and expressed by the usual supporters of administration alone. Lord Grenville, as he had approved the vigorous

measures adopted by government in the preceding year, so now he cordially congratulated them upon the happy successes to which these measures had led." It gives me sincere pleasure," said he, "to find, that there is not a single word in the speech from the throne which does not meet with my most hearty concurrence; and I trust that the address which has been moved in consequence of it, will meet the unanimous approbation of this House. Under such circumstances, I should think it scarcely necessary to trouble your lordships, did I not feel that it was a duty incumbent upon us all to express our joy and gratitude to Providence, that the new war, in which we were so unexpectedly and so unwillingly involved, and the result of which for some time, and to some minds, appeared so doubtful, has terminated in a success unexampled in the annals of the world. Such a triumph cannot fail to excite the most vivid emotions of joy and gratitude in my breast; joy, that the calamities of war, at which we all shuddered, have been concluded gratitude, that the blessings of peace, for which we all panted, have been secured. Those blessings, I trust, we shall continue to enjoy; and, in the hope that every measure will be adopted to procure their continuance, it is my ardent wish that this address should meet with the undivided assent of your lordships. I can no less refrain from the expression of my satisfaction at the great leading feature of the situation of our country; I allude to the means by which the peace, at which I rejoice, has been obtained; it has been restored to us by what, I confess, always appeared to me the most probable mode, both of its restoration and continuance-the re-establishment of that government in France which by commotion had been overthrown, and by violence was excluded. These are the two main points upon

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which we are called this night to come to a vote; and I should have been wanting in justice to my own feelings, if I had not so far obtruded myself upon the notice of the House (however unnecessarily with reference to the decision), as to request its attention to the sentiments I have just expressed."

The Marquis of Lansdown was equally cordial in his congratulations; but he expressed some anxiety, that, by concurring with the very general terms of the address, he might not be supposed to give any opinion with respect to papers not yet laid before par liament. Lord Liverpool relieved his lordship from any idea of this nature; and, with the exception of Lord Holland alone, (who asserted that the restoration of King Louis had been unwarrantably effected by means of foreign arms, and that, therefore, the whole of the measures which had terminated in that event were worthy of condemnation, not applause from the British senate), the address was unanimously agreed to-a rare and plea sing omen of harmony in the public deliberations.

In the Lower House the address was moved by Sir Thomas Dyke Ackland, who, in a speech of much eloquence, enlarged upon the same topics to which allusion has already been made; and his motion was seconded by Mr Methuen. Mr Brande rose to move an amendment, but prefaced his motion with many expres sions of regret, that he should feel compelled to disturb, even in appearance, the unanimity of the assembly; adding, that if, indeed, the speech from the throne had avowed the wishes and intention of government to relieve by every possible means the distressed state of the country, with the same disinterestedness wherewith the friends of government had in their own persons stated that intention, he should

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