ships before a formal declaration of war; although in that case hostilities had already begun in America. "But now," he said, "in a time of the most profound peace between the two states, allied by treaty, friendship and common interest, without any hostile appearance or preparation on the part of Holland; in the midst of the most perfect security and confidence, as well upon the faith of subsisting treaties, as under the universal and established customs current among and acknowledged by every civilized nation on the face of the earth; upon an uncertainty at the best, and so far as appears upon the most shameful pretext imaginable; what has been the decision of the British Cabinet? To seize all Dutch ships, whether of private or public property; whether under commercial protection or driven in by stress of weather. And what next?—it may be supposed to compel justice withheld; to procure satisfaction for some insult; to indemnify our own subjects; and to retain the property thus seized and withheld, till the object, whatever it might be, should be attained. By no means:—but to the disgrace of the country, to the total dishonour of its councils, and in direct violation of all laws, whether of nations, of nature, of public honour, or private faith, the ships and cargoes are seized, not to be detained, but confiscated, for the joint advantage of the captors and the state; and what is worse than all, a commandment is given to render the municipal tribunals the instrument of legalizing an act, which is equally repugnant to every law now existing in the written codes, current, or of authority, throughout Europe."[1]
Before concluding his speech Shelburne adverted to the state of affairs in America, which he described as "the native offspring of ministerial ignorance, obstinacy and want of principle"; and in England, where the immediate object of the Ministers was, he said, to increase the influence of the Crown and the power of the sovereign. Their policy, he declared, was conceived in ambition; it
- ↑ As to the general practice in Europe at this time, see Marten's Law of Nations, b. viii. ch. ii. s. v.
