ledging its independence, and entering into the most advantageous commercial relations with it. Lord North continued silent, and, though pointedly questioned on the subject, he still retained his taciturnity for some time. Sir George Saville, however, was not to be thus put off, and North was compelled to make the humiliating confession that he had heard such a report, but that, as it was not official, he could not affirm or deny it.
On this, a tempest of indignation and abuse burst forth. Wilkes was particularly lively with his sarcasms, and with his eulogiums of American wisdom and prowess. The duke of Richmond, in the upper house, read the declaration of independence, and asked ministers whether they meant to subscribe to the language of that document, that the king was a tyrant, and the other charges against Englishmen and English institutions. He declared that after what had taken place in France, the Americans would reject the bills of lord North with scorn, and would attribute them only to the knowledge of the French alliance. He charged ministers with having sent persons over to Paris to endeavour to tamper with Franklin and Deane, and that the only consequence had been that Franklin had warned congress that some such paltry and insincere measures would be offered them, only to amuse and delude them; and that since the treaty with France they ought not to listen to them, or treat with Great Britain in any manner. Lords Temple and Shelburne still protested against any recognition of the independence of America. After all the tempest of objurgation, both the bills passed without a division; and, on the 12th of March, James Luttrell moved that, should the commissioners find that the continuance in office of any particular ministry was an obstruction to the work of conciliation, at the instance of the American congress, such ministers should be dismissed. This was the utmost insult which could be offered to North and his luckless administration, yet it received thirty-five votes. The king gave his assent to these bills, and North managed to carry a resolution for a loan of six millions, for the continuation of the war, if necessary.
These unfortunate affairs precipitated the resignation of lord George Germaine. His proud and impetuous temper had occasioned the resignation already of Sir Guy Carleton and of the two Howes. All complained that they could not obtain the necessary reinforcements and supplies from him as the colonial minister; and his tart and insolent replies to these complaints produced the retirement of all these three commanders. He was already charged with having been the luckless projector of Burgoyne's disastrous expedition. Sir Henry Clinton was named the successor to the command of the forces in America, in the place of Sir William Howe. The punishment of North for the policy which, in the face of all the genius and ability of the country, had thus virtually lost America, was every day falling more crushingly upon him. On the 13th of March the marquis de Noailles, the French ambassador in London, and the uncle of La Fayette's wife, handed to lord Weymouth a note formally announcing the treaty of friendship and commerce betwixt France and America. On the 17th it was the bitter duty of lord North to read this remarkable document to the house of commons. The affected right to make such a treaty with the colonies of another nation, and the professions of goodwill, notwithstanding such an interference, amounted to the keenest irony, if not downright insult. The announcement was to this effect:—
"The United States of North America, who are in full possession of independence, as pronounced by them on the 4th of July, 1776, having proposed to the king of France to consolidate, by a formal convention, the connection to be established between the two nations, the respective plenipotentiaries have signed a treaty of friendship and commerce, designed to serve as a foundation for their mutual good correspondence. His majesty, the French king, being resolved to cultivate the present good understanding betwixt France and Great Britain by every means compatible with his dignity, and the good of his subjects, thinks it necessary to make his proceedings known to the court of London, and to declare at the same time that the contracting parties have paid great attention not to stipulate any exclusive advantages in favour of the French nation; and that the United States have reserved the liberty of treating with every nation whatsoever upon the same footing of equality and reciprocity. In making this communication to the court of London, the king is firmly persuaded it will find therein new proofs of his majesty's constant and sincere disposition for peace; and that his Britannic majesty, animated by the same friendly sentiments, will equally avoid everything that may alter their good harmony, and that he will particularly take effectual measures to prevent the commerce between his (French) majesty's subjects and the United States of America being interrupted; and to cause all usages received between commercial nations to be, in this respect, observed, and all those rules which can be said to subsist between the two courts of France and Great Britain. In this just confidence, the undersigned ambassador thinks it superfluous to acquaint the British minister, that the king, his master, being determined to protect effectually the lawful commerce of his subjects, and to maintain the dignity of his flag, has, in consequence, taken effectual measures, in concert with the Thirteen United and Independent States of America."
The reading of this French note aroused at once the old feeling of enmity betwixt France and England. If there was a strong resentment against the Americans before, it now became tenfold. The war became popular with all, except the extreme opposition. Lord North moved an appropriate address to the king; the opposition moved as an amendment to it, that his majesty should dismiss the ministers. Loyal addresses from both houses were, however, carried by large majorities. In the debate in the commons, governor Pownall declared that the Americans would not listen to any treaty with us, except on the basis of being remunerated for all the expenses and damages of the war; and that as paying them in money was impossible, we must cede to them Canada, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland. This, he said, he knew would be insisted on by congress! To such a pitch was the spirit of the Americans elated by the treaty with France. In the lords, there was a high debate on the condition of the navy, which lord Sandwich declared was double in strength and number of ships to what it had been half a century before. There was also a stiff debate in the commons on the mischievous effects
