BOOK genius, suddenly emanating from the earl of XV. Chatham. Dr. Drummond, archbishop of York, 1773. and decisive measures, This disposition was nothing mollified by the candid representation of governor Melville, who, repeating in his dispatches to lord Hillsborough the substance of a conference recently held by him with the chiefs of the Caribbs, acknowledges, "that they had behaved themselves at all times very quietly under his government till the present dispute arose; and that they cleared themselves very satisfactorily from the several charges adduced against them as proofs of disaffection to his majesty's government." As to the accusation of obstructing the surveys of the commissioners, they said, "they did not believe it was the king himself, but those that were their enemies, and had interest to be against them, that wanted to sell or buy their lands without their own consent, and which the king would not do, if he knew they were desirous of remaining quiet and good subjects." A great force was now ordered from America for this service, to which the naval commander on the Leeward Islands station was directed to give every assistance in his power. The Caribbs being by anticipation reduced, the earl of Hillsborough's instructions to the governor, in a letter separate and secret, were, "that if neither lenity nor force shall effect such a submission as shall consist with the public safety, they shall be conveyed in transports to some unfrequented part of the coast of Africa, or to some desert island adjacent thereto"-in that forlorn and destitute situ. ation, no doubt miserably to perish. The war, however, proved in a most extraordinary and unexpected degree fatal and disastrous, as well from the extreme unhealthiness of the climate as the undaunted bravery with which the Caribbs, in a crisis so dreadful, defended their native rights. Lieutenant-general Trapaud, whose regiment was employed at St. Vincent's, on the subsequent discussion of this business in the house of com XV. having in a virulent speech stigmatized the dis- BOOK senting ministers, as men of close ambition, lord~~ mons, read in evidence to the house, certain advices received by him from the island. His latest letter, dated November 14, 1773, says, "The mortality among the men is very great, owing to the heavy and continual rains. The poor Caribbs have been ill used: they act with great caution, and the woods are so thick, that they knock our men down with the greatest security to themselves, as it is impossible we can see them. We have only been able to penetrate four miles into the country. God knows how this pretty expedition will end. All we hope for is, that the promoters and contrivers of it will be brought to a speedy and severe account." From the general tenor of the evidence, particularly that of governor Gore, who left the Grenades in 1765, it appeared that they were "a quiet and well-disposed people." He said that " he had heard the planters 1773. envied them their lands;" and being asked if he could specify any individual, he named one Alexander, afterwards president of the assembly, whose infamous conduct excited the most indignant animadversion from the members who patronized the inquiry. The affectation of lenity and humanity so disgustingly conspicuous in the letters of lord Hillsborough, and the ostentation with which the Caribbs were promised, as the adopted subjects of his majesty, protection and favor, in reward of their 1 cheerful obedience to his majesty's commands, were severely satirized by colonel Barré, who declared, that the miserable dilemma to which these unhappy people were in the issue reduced, reminded him of a European officer, who, marauding in the woods, with some friendly Indians for an escort, being surprized by the enemy, expressed his apprehension of being scalped. "To prevent this," said one of his faithful protectors, " I will scalp you myself." Such was the kindness and indulgence which the Caribbs of St. Vincent had received from the protecting favor of Britain. : XV. BOOK Chatham said, "this was judging uncharitably, and whoever brought such a charge against them without proof, DEFAMED." Here he paused; tion for an but feeling the workings of a generous and indig 1773. Second mo enlargement of the toleration act. nant enthusiasm, he thus proceeded: "The dissenting ministers are represented as men of close ambition-they are so, my lords; and their ambition is to keep close to the college of fishermen, not of cardinals; and to the doctrine of inspired apostles, not to the decrees of interested and aspiring bishops. They contend for a spiritual creed and spiritual worship: we have a Calvinistic creed, a popish liturgy, and an Arminian clergy. The reformation has laid open the scriptures to all: let not the bishops shut them again. Laws in support of ecclesiastical power are pleaded, for which it would shock humanity to execute. It is said that religious sects have done great mischief when they were not kept under restraint ; but history affords no proof that sects have ever been mischievous, when they were not oppressed and persecuted by the ruling church." In corroboration of the remarks of this illustrious statesman it may be observed, that the English liturgy is well known to be taken chiefly from the catho lic mass-book, although this does not at all detract from its great and acknowledged merit as a devotional composition; but its origin is too evidently discernible in the authoritative papal XV. form of absolution, the vain and perpetual repeti- BOOK tion of the Gloria Patri, and the solemn invocations of the TRINITY, "which," says the great 1773. reformer Luther, " is a word of strange sound, and of mere human invention. It were better to call Almighty God, God than TRINITY." And Calvin still more explicitly declares, "I like not this prayer, ‘O holy, blessed, and glorious TRINITY!' it savors of barbarism. The word TRINITY is unintelligible, profane, grounded upon no testimony of God's word-the POPISH God, unknown to the prophets and apostles." It is remarkable, that the greatest men whom this country has produced, Locke, Newton, Clarke, &c. have concurred in the rejection of this dogma of the popular and orthodox creed. An end was at length put to the session, which had now continued more than seven months, by a speech from the throne, in which his majesty expressed to the two houses his high approbation of the zeal, assiduity, and perseverance with which they had applied themselves to the very important business which had been recommended to their attention. This may be considered as the most brilliant æra of lord North's administration. Supported by vast parliamentary majorities, and the general concurrence of the nation, he had carried into complete effect a plan of government and reform XV. BOOK for India, the vigor of which was apparent, while experience only could prove its deficiency in wis1773. dom. With respect to America, every thing might be hoped from that disposition to conciliation which was known to characterize the nobleman who now presided over that departinent. There appeared a fair prospect of permanent peace abroad; and those disturbances which had so long prevailed at home, seemed gradually subsiding into a tranquillity which the nation had rarely, and for very short intervals, known since the commencement of the present reign. There yet remained at the extremity of the western horizon a dark cloud, which, however slightly noticed by the generality of persons, seemed, to the more discerning, to bode a distant but DREADFUL TEMPEST. END OF THE FIFTH VOLUME. Printed by B. M'Millan, } : |