utraged every
sentiment of religion, justice, and humanity; and as the effect of
principles which started by dissolving all the bonds of society, and
which, relying on fanciful theories, rejected not only the experience
of past ages, but likewise the sacred instructions of revelation. Pitt
stated that the British government had from the commencement adopted
a system of neutrality; that they had declined taking any part in the
internal affairs of France; and that in return for a declaration made to
that effect the French had entered into a positive contract to abstain
from those very deeds by which they had since provoked the indignation
of the country. In a paper, he said, which was then on the table, they
had disclaimed all views of conquest; had given assurances of friendship
to all neutral nations, and had protested that they entertained no idea
of interfering with the government of other countries. But what, he
asked, had been the conduct of the French? They had annexed Savoy
to their dominions, had rendered the Netherlands a province; and had
exhibited a resolution to pursue the same course wherever they could
carry their arms. As an illustration of the sentiments and designs
of the French rulers, he read a letter from one of them, which was
addressed to the friends of liberty in the different sea-ports of
France, and which was written only four days after M. Chauvelin had
complained to Lord Grenville that a harsh construction had been put by
the British ministry on the conduct of France, and professed the warmest
friendship for Great Britain. In this letter there was the following
passage;--"The king and his parliament mean to make war against us. Will
the English republicans suffer it? Already these free men show their
discontent and the repugnance they have to bear arms against their
brothers, the French. Well! we will fly to their succour--we will make
a descent on the island--we will lodge there fifty thousand caps of
liberty--we will plant there the sacred tree--we will stretch our arms
to our republican brethren, and the tyranny of their government shall
soon be destroyed." Under all these circumstances Pitt declared that war
was preferable to a peace which could not be consistent either with the
internal tranquillity or external safety of England, and he moved an
address to his majesty to that effect. The motion was seconded by Lord
Beauchamp and supported by Windham, the latter of whom said that we must
go