s toward England..... Meeting of Parliament.....
Censures on Rodney and Hauffman..... debate on the Navy.....
Motions of Sir James Lowther for Peace, &c.

{A.D. 1781}

NOTICE OF THE RUPTURE WITH HOLLAND.

On the 25th of January Lord North delivered a message from the king, in
which his majesty acquainted the house, that during the recess he had
been compelled to direct letters of marque and general reprisal to be
issued against the States General of the United Provinces. A copy of the
manifesto and sundry other papers were laid before the house, in order
that the members might be fully acquainted with the causes and motives
of his majesty in directing these letters. Having delivered his message,
Lord North moved, "That an address be presented to his majesty, assuring
him that the house would, with a firm and determined resolution, support
the just and necessary war against Holland, for the maintenance of the
honour of his crown, and the lights and interests of his people." This
motion was opposed by the opposition, Burke taking the lead in the
debate. In his speech, Burke declared that ministers had been in fault
rather than the Dutch, and that the paper found in the box of the
captured American packet, was nothing more than a project or draft of a
treaty, which possibly the Dutch would never have completed. So far
as they knew, he said, it might be merely a "speculative essay," or
a "contemplative prospect;" and therefore it was no justifiable or
assignable ground for going to war with them. These were arguments,
however, for party purposes; opposition conceived that the declaration
of war between England and Holland was setting the seal to Lord North's
political embarrassments, and therefore they adopted this line of
argument in order to suit their own views. It was, indeed, notorious
that government had strenuously endeavoured to avoid an open rupture
with Holland, and that it was not till the British honour was at
stake that war was declared. But ministers were in no danger from the
arguments of opposition on this question. A majority of nearly two to
one agreed with Lord North and the manifesto, and exclaimed against the
insolence, the selfishness, and the ingratitude of the States General.
In the house of lords, also, the address was carried by a large
majority; but two protests were recorded by the dissentient peers
against this new war "with the ancient and natural allies of the
kingdom."