The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 06
History
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 06
United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources
"To defend the dominions, and to maintain the rights of this country,
was on my part the sole cause, and is the object of the war. Peace is
the earnest wish of my heart, but I have too firm a reliance on the
spirit and resources of the nation, the powerful assistance of my
Parliament, and _the protection of a just and all ruling Providence_,
to accept it upon any other terms or conditions than such as may
consist with the honor and dignity of my Crown, and the permanent
interest and security of my people."
We all know very well what his meaning is when he mentions "the honor
and dignity of his Crown, and the permanent interest and security of
his people." Could the Minister who composed this speech expect that
anybody would believe him when he said, that the constant aim of all
his counsels had been to bring back the Americans to the happiness and
liberty they formerly enjoyed?
The whole of this speech is in a strain, which leaves no room to doubt
that the cabinet of St James is yet resolved to persevere in the war
to the last extremity, and to insist still upon the return of America
to British obedience, and upon the rupture of the treaty with France,
as preliminaries to the Congress at Vienna. Thus the two Imperial
Courts will find themselves trifled with by the British. It is not to
be supposed that either will be the voluntary bubble of such trickish
policy. The Empress of Russia is supposed to be as sagacious as she is
spirited; yet she seems to have given some attention to the pacific
professions of the English. If she could see herself intentionally
deceived, she will not probably be very patient.
The Emperor, in his late journey through Holland, made himself the
object of the esteem and admiration of all; affable and familiar, as a
great sovereign can ever allow himself to be with dignity, he gave to
many persons unequivocal intimations of his sentiments upon public
affairs. Patriotism seemed to be the object which he wished to
distinguish. Whoever espoused with zeal the honor and interest of his
own country, was sure of some mark of his approbation; whoever
appeared to countenance another country in preference to his own,
found some symptom of his dislike; even the ladies, French or Dutch,
who had any of the English modes in their dress, received from his
Majesty some intimation of his disapprobation of their taste.
Everybody here, since his departure, is confident of his entire
detestation of the principles on which the English have conducted this
war, and of his determination to take no part in it, in their favor.
His sentiments concerning America are inferred from a very singular
anecdote, which is so well attested, that it may not be improper to
mention to Congress.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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