King’s Speech.--Debates on the impending War.--Speeches of Barré and Lord Barrington.--Imprudent Declaration of the Latter.--Opposition of Wilkes to the system of Pressing.--Curious Conduct of Sir Walter Blacket.--Motion for Papers on the Falkland Islands, in both Houses, rejected.--News from Spain.--Alleged want of Preparation of England.--Intemperance of Charles Fox and the Duke of Richmond.--Lord Chatham attacks the Administration in the House of Lords.--Preparations for War.--Lord Mansfield delivers a Copy of his Determination in Woodfall’s Trial.--Remarkable Scene.--Members of the Lower ejected from the Upper House.--Debate on Lord Mansfield’s Paper.--Abruptly Terminated.--Why not Resumed.--Debate on the Ejection of the Commons.--Duel between Governor Johnstone and Lord George Sackville.--Instance of Scotch Nationality.--Resignation of Lord Weymouth.--Observations on his Character and Conduct.--Opinion of Francés the French Resident.--Downfall of the Duc de Choiseul.--Its Causes.--The Duc D’Aiguillon and the Parliament of Bretagne.--Persecution of La Chalotais.--Treachery of the Prince of Condé.--The Duc retires to Chanteloup in Touraine. 1770. The King’s speech to both Houses affected firmness, though it betrayed a want of it; for, though it blustered, and called the Falkland Islands _the possession_ of his Crown, and promised not only to support the just rights and interests of his people, but went so far as to say he would not disarm till convinced of the sincerity of other powers (meaning France); yet, by imputing the seizure of the Isle to the Governor of Buenos Ayres, as if not authorized by the Crown of Spain, it openly presented an excuse which the King of Spain might make, if he would be so good as to condescend so far. Nor could the suspicion dropped against the sincerity of France avail much; they knew our Court too well to misinterpret our real disposition. As the Opposition was more in doubt what part the Ministers did actually intend to take, and as Mr. Grenville’s death prevented the appearance of the Lords Temple, Chatham, and Lyttelton, little was said in either House, except a few words by Lord Rockingham and the Duke of Richmond, the former of whom seemed rather to approve war, as did the complexion of both Houses. Lord North spoke prudently, but confessing he did not think the Falkland Islands an adequate occasion of war. Colonel Barré attacked the Ministers on their neglect (and, indeed, the lapse of a year since the first advice of Spain’s hostile intentions was the great blemish of the business); they had, he said, wasted three years in hunting down a wretched scribbler, (Wilkes,) while all the world knew that Gibraltar and Ireland were defenceless (a most indiscreet avowal at the eve of a war!) He did not know who advised in military matters, yet he knew who did _not_, though so very proper; but that person, (Conway,) he heard,