Annals of George the third from his accession ... to the victory of Trafalgar

Front matter

QHkWi m M bi U Es ERfiBfe; bl THE THIRD. tfje Cfrir&, FBOM HIS MAJESTY'S ACCESSION TO THE THRONE, TO THE UNPARELLELED VICTORY OP TRAFALGAR, in 1805. IN TWO VOLUMES. By WILLIAM GREEN, A. M. History is Philosophy, teaching by example. BOLINC BROKE. VOL. I. LONDON : PRINTED FOR S. TIPPER, 37, LEADENHALL-STREET. By J. D. Dewick, Aldersgate-street 1S08. preface* ±T is with unfeigned diffidence, that the writer of these volumes presents them to the notice of an enlightened Public ; w ithout a wish to detract from the well-earned fame of some of his predecessors, he cannot how ever be blind to their foibles : antipathy, credulity, and partiality, successively deform the eloquence of even our best modern His torians. A scrupulous attention, therefore, to candor and fidelity, forms one and perhaps the only merit of the following pages.

The Author's next object was to give an interest ingdetail of those glorious events which have distinguished the present Reign, on a, scale more concise, less expensive, and he trusts equally as faithful, as the voluminous minuteness of preceeding Historians : how far he has succeeded, is left to the decission of an impartial and discerning Public. ®corge tbe €ijir&.

Book I. From His Accession To The Commencement Of American Hostilities

1HE proper study of mankind, is man; the page of history is therefore his most instructive study: it is calculated not only to amuse the mind, but to warm, enliven, and invigorate its noblest powers. Besides, the advantages to be derived from the study of general history, may, with peculiar propriety, be applied to that of England. We there meet with pub lic and private events and deeds, which suffer vol. I, B not not by comparison with the most splendid annals of ancient Greece and Rome: we there see, on a review of this vast theatre, an illus trious line of heroes, of sages, and of patriots, many of them splendid living examples, still active and eminent performers. Previous to entering upon the history of the present reign, a sketch of the cabinet, and also of the court of the prince of Wales, will, we presume, form no improper introduction to the Annals of George III.

Mr. secretary Pitt, though for some time no favourite with his aged sovereign, had at length acquired his esteem and confidence; and, notwithstanding the duke of Newcastle's influence at court, the secretary was the chief steersman of the state. The duke and his friends, on no cordial terms with the minister, rather acquiesced, than were pleased with his authority. In the mean time, the prince's counsellors were undermin ing the interest of Mr. Pitt, and reviving the influence of the Tories. The earl of Bute took the lead in this subordinate court, and the advice and instruction, which the prince received from his lordship, are supposed to have been unfriendly to the constitutional liberties ties of the people, and in consequence inimical to the true interests of his sovereign. Few princes ever ascended a throne with greater eclat, or under happier auspices*, than did his present majesty.

Upon the death of his royal and popular father, Frederic prince of Wales, he became heir apparent to the crown of his grandfather, and on the first intimation of that good king's death, Mr. Pitt, then se cretary of state, immediately repaired to Kew, the residence of the prince, and informed him of the important event. On his royal highness's arrival in town, he repaired to Carlton House, where the privy * At the head of a vigorous and popular administration, presided a minister, illustrious by the splendor of his talents, and the magnanimity of his conduct. By his su perior ascendency, party spirit and parliamentary opposition were no more; and, notwithstanding the long conti nuance of a continental war, the most complicated and extensive, the internal state of the kingdom was not only perfectly tranquil, but eminently prosperous and flourishing.

The vast extension of commerce and manufacture enabled her to support the immense expence with a facility unprecedented and astonishing, and her more recent operations, in almost every part of the globe, had been brilliantly successful. B 2 council council was then sitting; and upon his intro duction to the council chamber, he thus ad dressed its members: < The loss the nation and * I have suffered by the death of the king my « grandfather, would have been severely felt at « any time; but coming at so critical a junc • ture, and so unexpectedly, it is by many cir e cumstances augmented; and the weight now ' fallen upon me, is. much encreased; I feel e my own insufficiency to support it as I wish; ' but, animated by the tenderest affection for ' this my native country, and depending on ' the advice, experience, and abilities of your ' lordships, the support and assistance of every ' honest man, I enter with chearfulness on the * arduous undertaking, and shall make it the ' business of my life to promote, in every ' thing, the glory and happiness of these king * doms; to preserve and strengthen the con- ' stitution, both in church and state; and, as ' I mount the throne in the midst of an ex- * pensive, but just and necessary war, I shall * endeavour to prosecute it in a manner, the ' most likely to bring about an honourable « and lasting peace, in concert with my allies."

The young sovereign then took the necessary sary oaths, and was proclaimed king amidst an immense concourse of his subjects, whose joyful acclamations exceeded all description. The people of the three kingdoms, happy to see the throne filled by a prince born and edu cated a Briton, and of course free from foreign predilections, were naturally lavish in their addresses of congratulation, all vying with each other in professions of affection and loyalty to their new sovereign, and at the same time ex pressive of a due sense of the national loss in the death of the good old king. After his majesty's accession, his first care was to assemble the parliament, and his speech from the throne gave general satisfaction. As soon as he retired from the house, ' the com mons immediately proceeded to business, and instead of the civil list revenues (the establish ment of the two preceding reigns,) they voted a clear annual incor^e of eight hundred thou sand pounds for the maintainance of his ma jesty's household and civil list, and for the support of the royal dignity : they also granted the supplies, amounting to nineteen millions. 1761.

This liberality was speedily repaid by augmenting the salaries of the judges, and B 3 making making them independent of the crown, a measure considered as a great accession to civil liberty; and also by other grants and favours*, which originating in royal beneficence, were appreciated, as they deserved, by a grateful people. The public business concluded, his majesty went to the house, and having signed such bills as were ready, closed the session by a speech from the throne. Soon after, on the lQth of May, parliament was dissolved, and writs issued for the election of a new one -\-. Most of the ministry kept their places ; but the earl of Bute, whom the king had known from his infancy, succeeded lord Holderness as se- * A bill was introduced, and received the sanction of the legislature, for the relief of insolvent debtors. f Mr. Onslow, who, with the highest honor and repu tation, had filled the chair, as speaker of the house of commons, for 33 years, now bending under the weight of age and infirmities, declared his intention to retire : the thanks of the commons were unanimously voted for his long and faithful services ; and they also addressed his ma jesty, beseeching him to confer some testimony of his royal favour on one, whose eminent services entitled him to such distinction.

The king expressed his approbation of his conduct, and granted the applauded senator a pension of per annum for his own life and that of his son. cretary cretary of state; and Legge, chancellor of the exchequer, an able financier, and disinterested friend of his country, was dismissed on the day of the dissolution, and succeeded by lord Bar rington; and Charles Townsend his lordship, as secretary of war. Mr. Pitt continued prin cipal secretary, and his influence, as usual, in administration. Prior to the prorogation of parliament, arrived the disagreeable intelligence of an out rageous riot at Hexham, in Northumberland, in consequence of the expiration of the three years service prescribed by the militia actj and the new ballot then about to take place. A numerous body of colliers and provincials, armed with clubs, and other offensive weapons, endeavoured to force their way into the town hall, where the magistrates were assembled, but being prevented by a corps of the Yorkshire militia, they proceeded to other acts of outrage, which for some time were patiently endured.

After the fruitless reading of the riot act, the militia repelled, by a general discharge, the ag gression of the rioters, who had previously killed one officer and a private. A dispersion ensued, and besides those immediately shot, B 4 many AJsNALS OF GEORGE III. many died of their wounds. Several of the rioters were apprehended, but only one of them suffered. The principal incidents of this years conti nental campaign were inconsiderable and un decisive. Marshal Broglio, reinforced, marched from Cassel, to join a body of troops under prince Soubise. General Sporken, posted on the banks of the Dimel, on the approach of the allied army, attempted a retreat, but did not effect it without considerable loss. Broglio having joined Soubise, marched forward to prince Ferdinand, who was posted on the Lippe.

The prince, apprised of his intentions, took a strong position, and effec tual measures of securing a retreat, should it be found necessary. The marquis of Granby was exposed to the first assault, and, after a se vere contest, Broglio was repulsed; but the next day the engagement was renewed. The prince, though inferior in numbers, by supe rior generalship gained a partial, but not a de cisive victory. Soon after Broglio dispatched Soubise to besiege Munster, while himself took the rout to Hanover and Brunswick. Prince Ferdinand, aware of Broglio's intentions, tions, sent the hereditary prince to protect Munster, which he effected, and also compelled Soubise to retire. Broglio, in the mean time, was making rapid advances in Lower Saxony: he attacked, and, after a siege of five davs, took the city of Wolfenbuttle, and pro ceeded to Brunswick.

The skill and activity, however, of the hereditary prince, prevented further depredations, saved his father's capital, and obliged Broglio to evacuate Wolfenbuttle. This year the king of Prussia, who in all preceding campaigns had exhibited such hero ism and military talents, remained perfectly in active. On the part of Austria, their principal atchievement was the surprise of the town and garrison of Schweidnitz by general Loudohn, with the capture of 3000 prisoners, an immense quantity of artillery, and a large magazine of corn. This was a most severe stroke to the king of Prussia, who concludes a letter to general Zastrow, by telling him, that he might now say, what Francis the First of France said to his mother after the battle of Pavia: ' We ' have lost all but our honor.' By this unex pected event, added to the capture of Colberg by the Russian and Swedish fleet, the campaign of of 1761 was, on the whole, unfavourable to Prussia.

Several successful expeditions took place in the East and West Indies. Major Carnac, in the East, with 20,000 natives, supported by 500 English, routed an army of 80,000 and 200 French, commanded by the mogul in per son, who was taken prisoner. Prior to this, Jaffier, who had been appointed nabob of Ben gal by lord Clive, was deposed, and succeeded by his son-in-law, Coffim. The important fortress of Pondicherry, the last of the French possessions in the east, surrendered to colonel Coote and admiral Stevens. In the west, the operations against the French continued under general Monckton, lord Rollo and sir James Douglas. The island of Dominique, important from its situation between the islands of Martinique and Guadaloupe, was added to the brilliant list of British conquest of this year: Belleisle also, on the coast of France, submitted to the armament of commodore Keppel and general Hodgson; and North America was made perfectly secure by a peace with the Cherokees.

After a series of hostilities for upwards of five five years, the most lavish and destructive, a prospect of accommodation arose from a de claration of the belligerent powers, intimating a desire of negociation. The court of Ver sailles, in particular, seemed eager for the ter mination of a war, which was found burden some and disastrous. Mutual declarations were agreed upon, and Augsburg selected for the seat of discussion. It was also proposed to adjust the claims between England and France, respecting America, separately, in London and Paris. Commissioners accordingly were appointed: Hans Stanley was sent to France, and M. de Bussy was deputed to England. But the court of Versailles, then in secret alliance with Spain, insisted upon terms* inadmissible by the British ministry, so that the intended congress at Augsburg never took place.

The count de Fuentes, the Spanish ambassador, vindicated the conduct of the court of Versailles, but the English minister, * Britain would neither agree to the proposed neutrality in Germany, nor to the restitution of prizes. France in sisted on these two points, and thus the negociation proved jibortive. aware aware of the views of the two courts, and dis satisfied with the ultimate offers, broke off the negociation. In the course of the summer his majesty, both for public and private considerations, de clared his intention of demanding in marriage the princess Charlotte Sophia of Mecklenburgh Strelitz, the present virtuous queen consort of the British isles. The royal proposals were accepted: earl Harcourt signed the nuptial contract, and the princess was accordingly con ducted, with due honors, to St. James's on the 8th of September: on the same auspicious evening the nuptials were celebrated, and on the 22d their majesties were crowned at West minster Abbey.

Mr. Pitt, who by his abilities had raised the nation from the abyss of despair to its then greatness and glory, and had prosecuted the war with a spirit and success unparalleled by former ministers, saw with secret indignation the extreme partiality of Spain towards France, notwithstanding her professions of neutrality ; and he was soon confirmed in his opinion by the discovery of a private treaty between the two two courts, called the Family Compact*. This confederacy, which might have alarmed a mi nister of less spirit than Pitt possessed, only made him more firm and peremptory in the late negotiation, and he now meditated a blow, which in all probability would have intimidated Spain into an immediate renunciation of her alliance. The secretary proposed in the cabinet, that as Spain had, in several cases of capture, abused her neutrality, by favouring the French, a fleet should immediately sail for the Spanish coasts, to enforce the requisi tion of absolute neutrality; and in case the Spanish ministry refused to give a satisfactory account of the object of her armaments, and disclaim all intention of co-operating with the French, that they should attempt to intercept the plate fleet, their chief resource, then on its passage from America.

The able minister very justly observed, ' That this was the time for • * It was stipulated in tins treaty, that the contracting parties should treat the enemy of one as the foe of the other, with the exception of the case of a German war car ried on by the French 5 though even dien, the Spanish court should take part with them, if a maritime power should be engaged in the contest. * humbling r. 'humbling the whole house of Bourbon, and « that if the opportunity was neglected, it « might never be recovered.' In the projects of genius and magnanimity there is often a sublimity of sentiment, which transcends the comprehension of ordinary minds, and appals, rather than animates, the requisite efforts. This spirited proposal was, however, overuled in the cabinet, either from a conviction of its impropriety, or with greater probability, to get rid of a member, who, by his popularity and late brilliant successes, had acquired such an ascendency both in parliament and in the cabi net, as had in a great measure obscured the hereditary influence of some of the most ancient, wealthy, and powerful families in the kingdom.

In short, this wise and salutary advice was rejected by every other member of the council, save lord Temple: in consequence they both resigned, his lordship as keeper of the privy seal, and Mr. Pitt * as principal secretary of state. The * The motive for the secretary's resignation is thus stated in general terms in his letter to the town-clerk of London. ' A difference of opinion," says the able commoner. The abilities of the retiring minister did not pass unrewarded. On the official appointment of the earl of Egremont as his successor, his majesty, as a mark of his royal favor, and in consideration of the ex-minister's eminent ser vices, settled upon the patriotic commoner a pension of a year for three lives, and also raised Mrs. Pitt (himself refusing the of fered dignity) to the title of baroness Chatham.

A pension deservedly bestowed — a title hon orably acquired, and most honorably given. But an incredible degree of popular discontent took place on the removal of a minister, whose abilities and integrity had so justly gained him the voice and confidence of the nation. The interest of the earl of Bute, on the remoner, ' with regard to the measures to be taken against ' Spain, of the highest importance to the honor of the ' crown, and to the essential national interests (and this ' founded on what Spain had already done, not on what ' that court may further intend to do,) was the cause of ' my resigning the seals. Lord Temple and I submitted, ' in writing, and signed by us, our most humble sentiments ' to his majesty, which being over-ruled by the united opi ' nion of the king's servants, I resigned the seals, in order ' not to remain responsible for measures which I was no £ longer allowed to guide.' signation signation of Mr. Pitt, seemed to gather strength.

This nobleman, who had a considerable share in superintending the education ofthe king, had no doubt acquired an ascend ency in the mind of his royal pupil. In the beginning of November, the first parliament of the present king assembled, and chose sir John Cust for their speaker. The commons were liberal in their supplies; they voted 70,000 seamen and marines, and an augmentation of the military: the different sums amounted to 18,300,000 pounds. To provide for the inte rest, new duties were imposed on windows and spirits. A provision was also made for the queen, in case she should survive the king. They granted her majesty an annual jointure of one hundred thousand pounds, and Somer set-house, afterwards exchanged for Bucking ham-house, for her town, and the Lodge at Richmond for her summer residence.

The close of the last year's campaign left the affairs of Europe, both military and poli tical, in a very interesting situation. Theun-< successful attempts for peace served only to in crease the animosities of the belligerent powers. Mr. Pitt's opinion respecting the court court of Spain, was now verified by the recall of our ambassador, the earl of Bristol, who, unable to gain a categorical answer, ' whether * the court of Madrid intended to join the ' foes of his Britannic majesty, or to depart in • any respect from the rules of neutrality,* withdrew without taking leave, and soon after war was declared against Spain. A. D. 1762. The Bourbon confederacy, sensible of the natural connection between Portugal and England, and of the momentous advantages accruing to Britain from their com mercial intercourse, and also alive to the feeble situation of Portugal, reduced by the late dreadful earthquakes and the recent conspi racy, resolved, with more policy than humanity, to wound Britain at the expence of that distressed kingdom.

But the faithful king of Portugal, though strongly importuned by the hostile courts, regardless alike of their promises and menaces, firmly persevered in his alliance with Britain. Accordingly 8000 troops, with a large supply of stores and a fine train of artil lery, were shipped for Portugal. The British navy guarded her coasts, and parliament voted a million for its support. vol. 1. c Notwith- Notwithstanding these confederate foes, success still attended the British arms by sea and land, and she alone seemed to balance the power of Europe. The island of Martinique, a valuable French settlement, yielded to the irresistible exertions of a Rodney and 3 Monckton. This conquest was succeeded by the surrender of Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vin cent, and other inconsiderable islands, which form a chain from Hispaniola almost to the continent of South America.

An expedition also took place this year for the reduction ot the Havannah, the capital of Cuba. Sir George Pocock commanded the naval, and lord Albe marle the land forces. The admiral, for the sake of expedition, passed through the dan gerous and narrow straits of Baham; and, by great care and exertion, navigated his fleet, of 800 sail, within sight of the Havannah. Many and obstinate difficulties attended this arduous undertaking; several brave fellows fell a sacrifice to heat, thirst, and fatigue; but British valour, the rich prize that lay before them, and above all, the disgrace of returning unsuccessful, roused them to exertions almost incredible. On On the 3d of July some successful mines were sprung, and a trifling, though scarcely practicable breach made in the wall. An as sault, however, was determined upon, and the troops, mounting with unparalleled intrepidity, drove the enemy from their ramparts, and, after a short but sanguinary contest, the Spa niards were compelled to lay down their arms, and petition for quarter.

A capitulation succeeded such heroic exertions, and so lucrative a conquest united all the advantages that can possibly be atchieved in war*. It was equal to the most splendid naval victory, and, in point of pecuniary advantages, little in ferior to three millions sterling. The capture of a Spanish register ship, the Hermione, from Lima to Cadiz, added almost another million to our valuable conquests. In the east, Manila, the opulent capital of * After the British troops had, without intermission, bombarded the enemy's works, a violent storm drove our fleet to sea: this induced the governor, the archbishop of the Philippines, to declare, that an angel had gone forth from the Lord to destroy the English, as he did the host of Sinnachrip. But the eastern prelate was soon fatally con vinced how presumptuous and unavailing was his pro phecy. c 1 the the Philippine islands, was reduced by admiral Cornish and general sir William Draper; but through motives of humanity, the command ers accepted, for themselves and their com rades, the ransom of four millions of dollars, in lieu of their more splendid expectations*.

During the siege another capital prize, the Santa Trinidad, valued at a million and a half of dollars, was captured by the Panther man of war and the Argo frigate. The Spanish arms were not more successful in Europe: upon their arrival on the frontiers of Portugal, where they had been some time encamped, they divided into three separate bodies, in order to penetrate by three different routs. Their first attempt was the siege of Miranda; but the accidental explosion of a magazine of powder, by injuring the fortifica tions, afforded easy access to the enemy. Elated with this success, more the effect of accident than their valour, the Spaniards continued their rout to Braganza and Chaves, both * As the East India company had liberally contributed to the demands of the expedition, one third of the spoils devolved, by agreement, on that body ; and they also un dertook the government of the captured island. which which surrendered without the labours of a siege.

They then endeavoured to penetrate to Oporto, but were foiled by the precautions taken to guard the passes of the mountainous province belonging to that city. They were more successful at Almeida; which, however after a much better defence than was expected^ capitulated. In their attempts on Valencia, they received a severe check. General Burgoyne had the principal share in this gallant action. After passing the Tagus in the night, the general reached Alcantara at dawn of day, and attack ing, with great resolution, the enemy posted in its vicinity, and unsuspicious of danger, routed them with very inconsiderable loss *. The brave and successful career Burgoyne had so fortunately begun, lieut. colonel Lee most * We must not pass unnoticed the gallant exploit of a British serjeant, who commanded a small party, not more than ten in number, of Burgoyne's light horse > he attacked and defeated a Spanish subaltern, at the head of twenty-six dragoons, killed eight, made the remainder prisoners, and took all the horses, which were afterwards sold, and the money, by order of the general, distributed among them, as a reward for their gallantry. c 3 happily happily concluded: he was ordered, with a British detachment, to ford the Tagus in the night, and attack the Spanish camp at Villa- Velba.

He executed his commission with spirit and success ; numbers of the officers, at tempting to rally the troops, lost their lives; their cannon were spiked, their magazines de stroyed, and much valuable plunder fell into the hands of the assailants; and the safety of Portugal was principally indebted to these two gallant actions. The Spaniards, chagrined at their ill success, destitute of magazines, and forage for their cavalry, embarrased by the late heavy rains, and in possession of no strong post, that promised them security in the winter, re-entered their own country. At the close of the last campaign in Ger many, the king of Prussia's dominions were left entirely at the mercy of his enemies: his forces were much reduced, and his efforts had gradually declined ; but the unexpected death of his northern enemy, Elizabeth, empress of Russia, produced an agreeable change in his affairs.

Peter, her successor, was the friend and admirer of the Prussian hero. An immediate armistice took place, and a treaty of pacification fication and alliance followed. The Prussian monarch did not fail to profit by this favourable turn of fortune; he successfully attacked the Imperialists under count Daun; but the intelligence of a revolution in the Russian em pire, clouded his sanguine prospects. Peter had commenced his reign with a spirit of innovation ill suited with the prejudices of his sub jects; and though some of his regulations were judicious, others were imprudent and precipitate. Having disgusted the army and clergy, and made himself generally unpopular, he was assailed by a conspiracy of the nobles, in con cert with his wife. This artful and intriguing female persuaded the senate, the army, and people, to depose her husband, and swear al legiance to her.

Peter, unable to escape into Germany, was thrown into prison: death, without any breach of charity we may pro nounce it premature, soon released him from the horrors of confinement, and deprived the Prussian monarch of a firm and zealous ally. Catharine, his consort and successor, recalled her troops from the Prussian service; but though she had publicly reprobated the peace which the czar had made, so far pursued his c 4 plan, IH. plan, as not to recommence hostilities. This sudden change, from a friendly alliance to a cold neutrality, made a visible alteration in the affairs of the Prussian monarch. He, how ever, gained some advantages over count Daun, and, after a long and vigorous defence, obliged the Austrians to surrender Schweidnitz, and, in consequence, the evacuation of all Silesia.

This important advantage enabled his ma jesty to send a reinforcement to prince Henry in Saxony. Some spirited skirmishes had taken place, chiefly to the disadvantage of the prince, but he now retrieved his affairs by a decisive victory at Freyberg. A body of Prussians afterwards entered Bohemia, and carried on, to a great extent, the works of ravage and de vastation. The allies were equally successful in the northern and southern parts of Europe. Prince Ferdinand still maintained his superiority ; he defeated prince Soubise and d'Estrees, succes sors to Broglio, who had been superseded, at Grabenstein, on the frontiers of Hesse; and before the enemy had time to recover, they were driven from their strong post at Hom burgh, by a British detachment commanded by the the marquis of Granby and Lord Cavendish ; and soon after the allies secured every impor tant place on the southern frontiers of Hesse.

Considerable disunion prevailed at this time in the British cabinet. The duke of Newcas tle, first lord of the treasury, and nominally prime minister, could not brook the prepon derating influence of the earl of Bute. Be sides personal competition and disagreement in politics, they differed on the mode of prosecuting the German war, and the subsidy to be advanced to the king of Prussia. The duke accordingly resigned, and was succeeded by the earl of Bute, and Mr. Grenville his lord ship, as secretary of state. This change in the political hemisphere gave rise to a bitter paper war, between the friends of the two noble men, and contributed to revive that party spirit, which had so happily laid dormant during the unanimous administration of Mr. Pitt. The duke possessed no eminent abilities, but his brother, Henry Pelham, was the scholar and statesman.