those adversaries have been more than doubled, both in number and in strength. Nations which were then firmly united with us in a common cause, have been alienated, and converted into enemies; those which before were neutral, have, by imprudent, unjust, and violent measures, been thrown into the arms of France; and, as if it were not sufficient to have exasperated all Europe against us, we have by our rash and inconsiderate proceedings, and particularly by the impolitic tenor of the late Orders in Council, given rise to a spirit of animosity between this country and America, the consequences of which cannot fail to be highly injurious and dangerous to both. That the alienation of our continental allies may, in a great degree, be attributed to the extraordinary successes of Bonaparte, may readily be admitted; but the final extinction of all friendly intercourse, and the present hostility between this country and the principal Northern Powers, is the unhappy result of our own misconduct and violence;

and even those successes which have overthrown every continental barrier against the ambition of Bonaparte, may fairly be attributed to the manifest indisposition and neglect, on the part of the British Ministry, to avail themselves of the opportunity afforded by the offer. of Austria, in the month of April, 1807, for terminating hostilities, and preventing the further ravages of war.

How far it is probable that after the repeated overtures for negotiation made, either directly or indirectly to this country by the present Ruler of France, he may be inclined to renew such an application it is difficult to say. Having so frequently declared in the face of Europe his willingness to enter upon a negotiation, and having solicited the mediation of other powers for that purpose, it is possible that he may expect that the next offer should origiNor can it be contended that such a manifestation can, under due

nate with us.

precautions, be derogatory to the honour

of any country; for if such an idea were universally to prevail, all wars must be interminable. On the contrary, the frequent rejection of the propositions made to us, now calls upon us to be the first to make a pacific advance. In the eyes of the rest of the world, which has so long suffered under the calamities of war, such a measure, instead of being degrading, would appear highly honourable to this country, and one of the leading members of His Majesty's present administration, has asserted in specific terms," that at any time when ne"gotiation is desirable, he cannot con"ceive that any delicacy as to which "party should make the proposal ought

to stand in the way." It is easy, however, to foresee, that against any proceeding of this nature, it will be loudly asserted, that this is not the time for pacific overtures; an observation which the

* Mr. Canning's speech on the negotiation with France in 1806.

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supporters of the war system have been equally ready to make, ever since its commencement, whenever such overtures have been proposed. According to their ideas the most improper time to enter on negotiations, is always that in which they appear to be the most loudly called for by the country, and the most strongly recommended by every consideration of expediency, of propriety, and of interest. In opposition, however, to these sentiments, it may with great confidence be observed, that the present is, of all others, the most proper time to enter upon pacific discussions. To say nothing of the operation of the war, as it affects the condition of different classes of our fellow subjects, we cannot fail to observe that a new scene is now opening upon us. An essential change has taken place in the general aspect and affairs of Europe. We now for the first time find ourselves engaged in a war without an ally who can render us the least assistance, or rather, who will not be an ad

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ditional incumbrance and expense to us; and have to enter upon an untried contest, perfectly novel to the history of this country, which has long been accustomed to carry on its warfare rather by the means of its allies than by its own physical resources and military strength. Besides our European foes, it seems not improbable that a short time may give us another beyond the Atlantic; and with the increase of our enemies we may reasonably apprehend the diminution of our trade, and the defalcation of our public revenue. This then seems of all others to be the period at which we ought to pause. Whether or not we are to plunge into such a new and unexampled contest, may yet, perhaps, rest in some degree on our own decision; and certainly a more awful subject was never proposed. to the deliberation of any country.→ That any negotiation which might be opened would terminate in the establishment of peace cannot indeed be positively asserted; but at all events it would enable