Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/489

] prudence, sagacity and lofty spirit of patriotism which belonged to the commander-in-chief.

In England, large majorities in both houses of Parliament supported the ministry in all their violent proceedings; and although a small majority, including several men of distinguished talents, who trembled for the fate of British liberty if the court should succeed in establishing its claims against the colonists, vigorously opposed the measures of the administration, yet the great body of the people seemed to be in favor of the war; and the ill success of the Americans, in the campaign of 1776, led them to think that it would speedily be brought to a close.

But, amidst all the popularity of their warlike operations, the difficulties of the ministry soon began to multiply. In consequence of hostilities with the American provinces, the British West India Islands experienced a scarcity of the necessaries of life. About the time when the West India fleet was ready to set sail, under convoy, on its homeward voyage, it was discovered that the negroes of Jamaica meditated an insurrection. By means of the draughts to complete the army in America, the military force in that island had been weakened; and the ships of war were detained to assist in suppressing the negroes. By this delay, the Americans gained time for equipping their privateers. After the fleet sailed, it was dispersed by stormy weather; and many of the ships, richly laden, fell into the hands of the American cruisers, who were permitted, as stated above, to sell their prizes in the ports of France, both in Europe and in the West Indies.

This unfriendly conduct of France was so openly manifested, that it could no longer be winked at, and it drew forth a remonstrance from the British cabinet. The remonstrance received the answer usual in such cases, but the traffic in British prizes was still carried on, though not quite so openly, in the French ports in Europe; and it was evident, that both France and Spain were in a state of active preparation for war. The British ministry could no longer shut their eyes against the gathering storm, and began to prepare for it. About the middle of October, 1776. they put sixteen additional ships into commission, and made every exertion to man them.

On the 21st of October, Parliament met, and was opened by a speech from the throne, in which his majesty stated, that it would have given him much satisfaction if he had been able to inform them that the disturbances in the revolted colonies were at an end, and that the people of America, recovering from their delusion, had returned to their duty; but so mutinous and determined was the spirit of their leaders,that they had openly abjured and renounced all connection and communication with the mother country, and had rejected every conciliatory proposition. Much mischief, he said, would accrue, not only to the commerce of Great Britain, but to the generals system of Europe, if this rebellion were suffered to take root. The conduct of the colonists would convince every one of the necessity of the measures