Page:Substance of the speech of His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence, in the House of Lords.djvu/68

 Permit me, my Lords, to make some few additional remarks. Since the year 1788, at which period I trust I have proved that the British West India capital amounted to 70,000,000l. sterling, great political events have happened. Early in the year 1793, war took place between this country and France; and by the characteristic bravery and active exertions of our army and navy, the islands of Martinique, St. Lucia, and Tobago, have been conquered from the French; the island of Trinidad from the Spaniards; and the settlements of Demarara and Essequibo from the Dutch. Hence our additional wealth and splendour in the West Indies; and hence that unbounded influence which commands the peace of our settlements, and protects them from the introduction of that political phrenzy that has outraged and convulsed the civilized society of Europe.

I cannot give your Lordships a more clear or demonstrative proof, than that the trade in 1796 required 350,230, tons, navigated by 24,000 seamen.