proposal of exchanging Gibraltar for Guadaloupe might be accepted, and that in consideration of the above cession and of West Florida being kept by Spain, the Island of Trinidad should be ceded to his Majesty."[1] On the same day however the news arrived of the signature of the Preliminaries with the United States, and the question of the terms to be asked from Spain and France was again reopened by the warlike section of the Cabinet represented by Richmond and Keppel. Thus the only result of the decisions of the Cabinet before the meeting of Parliament was the rejection of the propositions of Rayneval. The latter however remained in England with M. de Vergennes, awaiting the final decision of the Government. They were meanwhile the guests of Shelburne at Bowood, and during their stay made acquaintance with Jeremy Bentham, who characteristically condemned them both as extraordinarily ignorant persons.[2]
On the 5th of December Parliament met, and only one pacification could be announced. "Finding it indispensable to an entire and cordial reconciliation with the Colonies, I did not hesitate," the King said in his speech, "to go the full length of the powers vested in me, and offered to declare them Free and Independent states, by an article to be inserted in the treaty of peace. Provisional articles are agreed upon, to take effect whenever terms of peace shall be finally settled with the Court of France. In thus admitting their separation from the Crown of these kingdoms, I have sacrificed every consideration of my own, to the wishes and opinions of my people. I make it my humble and earnest prayer to Almighty God, that Great Britain may not feel the evils which might result from so great a dismemberment of the Empire; and that America may be free from those calamities, which have formerly proved in the mother country how essential the Monarchy is to the enjoyment of constitutional liberty. Religion, Language, Interest, Affections, may, and I hope will
