78

Ch. 2.

1761

Interference of France in Spanish affairs.

Pitt is offended.

DE BUSSY'S PROPOSITIONS.

putting an end to a futile negotiation. On the 15th of July, De Bussy, the French envoy, presented to the Secretary of State two papers; the one contained a draft of the articles for the proposed treaty as above enumerated; the other document purported to be a statement of certain claims which the Catholic King preferred upon the government of Great Britain, and urged the settlement of these claims concurrently with the conclusion of the treaty then pending, and as a guarantee for its stability.

This interference in matters which exclusively concerned the relations between England and another Court, and in the presence too of the ambassador of that Court, was sufficiently significant of the connection which had taken place between France and Spain, and of insult intended to be offered to England by the new Alliance.

A proceeding so insolent, was sure to receive its merited treatment at the hands of Mr. Pitt. He returned the offensive paper, informing the Frenchman, that his government must not "presume to intermeddle" in the disputes between Great Britain and Spain; and peremptorily forbade him to introduce such a topic into the negotiation of peace between the two Crowns. At the same time, he instructed the Earl of Bristol, the ambassador at Madrid, to inform that Court, that their claims could not be for a moment entertained on the representation of France; to demand a disavowal of De Bussy's conduct, and likewise an

THE FAMILY COMPACT.

explanation of the armaments preparing in the Spanish ports. Wall, the Spanish minister, admitted, but in soothing and deprecatory terms, that he had authorised the interposition of France in the matter of the Spanish claims; and added a great many pacific assurances, which effectually imposed upon the credulous Bristol. A few days after the Family Compact was signed.

By this famous treaty, the Crowns of France The Family Compact. and Spain entered into a perpetual alliance, for the mutual defence and guarantee of their respective dominions. Peace and war were to be made by common consent; and the same commercial privileges were to be enjoyed by the subjects of both Crowns. There were several other articles, all tending to create the closest connection that could exist between independent sovereignties. It was stipulated, that none but princes of the house of Bourbon should be admitted to this alliance; and in accordance with this provision, the privilege of acceding to it was reserved to the King of The Two Sicilies, and the infant Duke of Parma. It was agreed that the treaty should not take effect until after the termination of the existing war. Such a Compact was sufficiently formidable to all the Powers of Europe; but it contained one provision, the aim of which could not be misunderstood. Spain. was not to be obliged to aid France by arms, except in case of invasion, or her being engaged in war with a maritime power.

Pitt has been censured, as if his intolerable

SPANISH AFFAIRS.

arrogance had revolted the French government, and driven them to seek a new alliance. No doubt the tone of the great minister's diplomacy was haughty and uncompromising, like that which he assumed in the senate, in the council, and sometimes even in the closet of royalty itself. His peremptory demands might have precipitated, they certainly did not suggest those engagements, into which the Court of France now entered. The Family Compact was simply the consummation of that policy which France had steadily pursued for a long series of years, and which this country had resisted with arms more than half a century before. The futility of that resistance had been acknowledged by a peace, which Pitt had declared should not be his model for the treaty which he was prepared to negotiate.

Still it must be admitted, that except by war no attempt had ever been made by this country to avert the alliance between France and Spain. Five years before, Sir Benjamin Keene, the able and experienced ambassador at Madrid, had reported to Pitt the extreme irritation of that proud and sensitive Court, at the ill treatment she had received from England. And it is certain that many of her complaints were well founded. They referred chiefly to violations of her flag during the war with France, and for which England did not afford prompt reparation: to breaches of her fiscal laws by British traders, in carrying on a contraband traffic with the colonies, and which England took

POLICY OF PITT.

no pains to repress. The Spanish government had also preferred a claim founded on an article in the treaty of Utrecht, to fish on the banks of Newfoundland; and long conferences had taken place both at London and Madrid upon this point, but evidently with little care on the part of the former Court to bring it to a determination. Yet all these matters were capable of ready adjustment; and without regard to motives of particular policy, should have been fairly entertained by virtue of those broad rules of right and justice, which are as obligatory on governments as they are on individuals. But the resentment of Spain was no longer formidable; and, according to a state-morality, sometimes as short-sighted, as it is always ignoble, her remonstrances were therefore disregarded.

Ch. 2.

1761

81

policy of Pitt.

Having made his decision, Pitt took prompt Rigorous measures for the renewal of hostilities. He dismissed the French envoy, and recalled Mr. Hans Stanly. He then assembled the Council, and urged an immediate declaration of war against Spain. But the reluctant and hesitating support which he had received from his colleagues ever since the commencement of the new reign, now became open opposition. They saw only the boldness of his policy; and boldness ever appears temerity in the eyes of ordinary men. It was possible, they urged, that Spain might yet be conciliated, and detached from her new alliance. Bristol believed that her intentions were pacific. Such is the tone which weaker minds assume when

82

Ch. 2.

1761

Retirement of Pitt.

HIS RESIGNATION.

they dare not look inevitable danger in the face. It was in vain that Pitt endeavoured to convince the Butes and the Newcastles. His brother-in-law, Lord Temple, alone supported him, and accordingly he closed the deliberations of the third council, which had assembled to debate his proposition, by announcing in his lofty style, that he held himself accountable to the People who had called him to power, and that he would not be responsible for measures which he could no longer control.

A few days afterwards, Pitt resigned the seals of office. Thus, after a duration of four years, was terminated the most splendid and successful administration that had ever directed the fortunes of Great Britain. I say the administration was at an end; for though Temple was the only minister who accompanied the secretary in his retirement, the whole genius and policy of the government began and ended with Pitt. All the other members of the cabinet were merely officers of state, who were required to concern themselves only with the routine business of their respective departments. If Pitt condescended to acquaint his colleagues with his measures after they had been matured and decided upon, it was as much as he did, or as they expected.

any

But after all, did the policy of the great statesman confer substantial benefit upon his country? For that is the question which the historian, far removed from contemporary passion and prejudice, must consider and endeavour to determine.