Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/79

Rh opponents in Parliament or the famishing people outside more repression. So bills were brought in and carried to "provide for the safety and preservation of his Majesty's person and Government against treasonable and seditious practices and attempts," and "for the prevention of seditious meetings." The causes of the troubles were dwelt upon by the opposition, and especially by Grey, who, on the loth of March, 1796, on moving for a committee on the state of the nation, called attention to the fact that in three years the national debt had been increased by £77,000,000, whilst the total amount borrowed for the American war was only £63,000,000. The resolution was negatived by 207 to 45; and on the 19th of May Parliament was dissolved by a speech from the throne, which referred to the happy effects experienced from the provisions adopted for suppressing sedition and restraining the progress of principles subversive of all established government.

The new House of Commons, which met on the 6th of October, differed little in character from the last one. Whatever might be the feeling amongst the mass of the people, the classes who held possession of the electoral power were still filled with terror of French principles and hatred of French rulers. The opposition numbers were slightly increased, and additions were made to it of two members who were to be heard of afterwards, one as a solid and important leader, the other beginning as a declamatory agitator, and ending as a deserter from the Radical party. These were and. The test of party strength was applied on a motion by Fox, condemning the advance by ministers of £1,200,000 to the Emperor of Germany, on account of the war, without the consent of Parliament. To this resolution, which declared that by this act ministers had acted contrary to the trust reposed in them, and had violated the constitutional privileges of the House, an amendment was carried by 285 to 81. Some negotiations which had been opened having failed, the war was continued. Its effects upon the finances of the country were felt with