very occasion, though sure of exhibiting their
numerical weakness at every division, Fox and his friends attacked
the war measures of government. On the vote for augmenting the navy
to 85,000 men, they agreed with ministers, but when it was proposed to
raise the regular army to 60,000, they renewed their opposition with all
their vigour. At a subsequent date, the 17th of February, the Marquess
of Lansdowne moved an address to "represent to his majesty the extreme
improbability of conquering France; that the dismemberment of France, if
attainable, would augment the strength of the powers most to be
dreaded; that opinions cannot be controlled by arms; that experience has
demonstrated the futility of every attempt to interfere in the internal
government of France, even if the justice were problematical; and that
we must incur the keenest reproaches, if we encouraged further revolts
in a country where we had been unable to save those who put confidence
in us from extermination and ruin--therefore to implore his majesty to
declare, without delay, his disposition to make peace upon such just,
disinterested, and liberal terms as were calculated to render the peace
lasting, and that he would signify this intention to his allies, that
a stop might be put to the effusion of human blood." This motion was
seconded by the Duke of Grafton, but it was negatived by one hundred and
three against thirteen. Every effort of the opposition, indeed, to stem
the tide of war proved fruitless. It was resolved to carry it on with
vigour; and, to meet the extraordinary exertions, a loan of L11,000,000
was voted by parliament, and some new taxes granted.

THE MILITIA AUGMENTED, ETC.

On the 6th of March Pitt moved for an augmentation of the militia, and
for the levy of a volunteer force of horse and foot; intimating that the
chances of war might expose Britain to an invasion. During the debate
which followed this motion, Fox and his party taunted ministers with
having produced such a prospect by their war measures; and strong
objections were taken to a requisition circulated by ministers, and to
a subscription entered into by country gentlemen and others, for the
purpose of providing arms and other necessaries for the volunteer corps.
Sheridan moved "That it was dangerous and unconstitutional for the
people of this country to make any loan of money to the crown without
consent of parliament;" but the previous question was carried by a
large