Report Of The Proceedings Of The British Parliament.

constitutional act does not permit it Jo consent to any alienation of that which , a «> - cordingto the existing laws , constitutes the territory of the Republic ' That it is impossible his Majesty ' s ministers could have misunderstood this declaration ; for in the note , signed Do wning-street , there were these words : ' To a demand such as this is added an express declaration , that no proposal contrary to it will be made , or even listened to . ' That six months after this , bis Majesty ' s ministers again made overtures of Peace , but in so ungenerous a wanner , that doubts might have been reasonably entertained of their sincerityand after a

va-, lie ' y of trifling disputes , unworthy a great nation , when the happiness of millions was depending , his Majesty ' s ministers demanded , and made , as their sine qua . tion , those very terms which , before they began the negociation , they knew would not be made , or . even listened to . That under these circumstances , this House humbly and roost earnestly entreats his Majesty to enter into an immediate negociation , upon such terms as France is likely to listen and accede to , and in such manner , and through the medium of such men , as shall leave no room ' to doubt the pacific intentions of his Majesty , and this House begs leave humbly to assure his

Majesty that it entertains no doubt of the success of such negociation , and it feels confident , that after his Majesty shall have been graciously pleased to restore to his subjects the blessings of Peace , such retrenchments and wise regulations may be adopted by the Legislature , as will relieve the people from their burthens , remove every cause of complaint of their being unequally represented ; restore to the people their ancient , venerable , and free constitution , and thereby re-establish public confidence , and ensure to his Majesty the affection of his subjects , and the glorvprosperityand happiness of his future reign .

, , Lord Grenville moved , that the Clerk should read the Address of the House to the King on the joth of December . ¦ The Clerk read the Address , which was the answer to the King ' s message , announcing the rupture of the negociation for Peace ; lamenting that the negociation had been broken off , by the peremotory refusal of the French Government

to treat , except upon a basis evidently inadmissible ! The Duke of Norfolk then rose , and said , that ministers had reduced the country and themselves to such a situation , that they could not make peace with honour and advantage to the country , and this might be the reason why they were unwilling to enter into a discussion on the present question . His Grace observed , that circumstances had very materially changed since the 30 th of December , and , therefore , their Lordships were at liberty to change the opinion they then held ; since that period the French had completely reduced Italy ; since that period an .

event , still 1 : ore unfortunate , had laken place , the Bank of England had stopped payment , and our means of carrying on the war had received as severe a shock as the Fmperor ' s hopes of success . Had ministers negociated when the allies were . at Valenciennes , Belgium might not only have been restored tothe Emperor , but very advantageous terms of peace might have been obtained . His . Grace concluded by voting for the motion . Lord M-rton opposed the motion . He argued that ministers had done every thing in their power to cbtain peace ; and asked if it was wished the British Go- '

vernment should sue for peace from the French Directory ? The Marquis of Lansdowne felt it Ms duty to support the Motion . He complained that the Address to the King voted on the 30 th of December , which Lord Grenville considered to be a full answer to the present motion , was brought on with - indecent precipitancy in the House . When we considered the calamities of the times , it was peculiarly proper to adopt the present Motion , because peace alone could restore the country to its former condition . Peace he sincerely wished for , and he did not care who made it . The present ministers could notindeedmake

, , peace with honour to themselves ; but what was their affair ? Sometimes it was asked , how shall we make Peace ? To this he would answer , if ministers did not Jinow how to make peace , they should resign their situations . The Earl of Oxford said , as an Address to the King had been read in answer to Iiis motion , he would in reply , read some extracts from a most noble and generous jpeech of the King on the 5 th of December , 17 S 2 . His . Lordship here read ei-