Charles Townshend, who had taken no part hitherto, and who had followed Mr. Pitt into a system built on the ruin of Mr. Fox, said, to the surprise of everybody, that he had intended to second Fox, but was content too. He congratulated the House on obtaining these grounds for their proceedings by Mr. Fox’s means. His brother, offended at this wonderful declaration, told him, if he had been present the first day, he would not have wanted those grounds. Charles appealed to the House, if first, second, or third day, they had been so fully explained. Pitt, still more provoked, said, with the utmost contempt, and with the most marked accent, no man of common sense or common integrity could say this matter had been opened on any other foundation—yet he wished Charles Townshend joy that his conscience was made easy. But how did it appear that the King was so misinformed? “May I,” added Pitt, “fall when I refuse pity to such a suit as Mr. Keppel’s, justifying a man who lies in captivity and the shadow of death! I thank God, I feel something more than popularity; I feel justice!” The Message, he owned, had been disorderly, and he was under correction for it, yet it was strict truth. For this attack, it went to the very veracity of a man: but he did not, like Fox and Townshend, go upon hearsay. For his part, if his country were safe that day twelvemonth, he should pray that Mr. Fox might be in his place, nor would he use those miserable arts that are employed to prop a wretched station. He congratulated the House on that act of necessary justice. His equal wish was, that Mr. Byng might live or die to the satisfaction of the nation.
Fox, sneering and insulting, said, he was glad Mr. Pitt had heard commendations of him from Mr. Charles Townshend[80]—indeed they had a little ruffled Mr. Pitt’s temper. By his wishing to continue in the Administration for a twelvemonth, he seemed to think he could save this country. For himself, he had not been driven out; he had had reasons for retiring. Since, had he obstructed any public measure? Had he, totidem verbis, proposed some questions that had been opposed last year, they would have been opposed again: he had chosen rather to retire; and in the distressed situation of his country, would not oppose; unless he saw measures carried on destructive to England, or distressful to his Majesty. His own consistence should be literal, lest afterwards he should not have parts enough to show it was substantial—indeed, he had never understood a Court.
The Speaker observed, that two-thirds of what both had said, was nothing to the question. Pitt replied, that he was surprised at being coupled with Mr. Fox, who had spoken five times, he but once—yet Fox had not been suppressed. “Could I,” said he, “sit silent under the accusation of misinforming the King?” The Speaker vindicated himself, talked of his unbiassed impartiality and integrity; and the Bill passed, Cornwall dividing the House with 22 more against 153; and it was sent to the Lords.
FOOTNOTES:
[76] Indeed they could not with much consistence condemn him of neglect, after they had previously and unanimously voted the following resolution, which was their 25th:
“The Court are of opinion, that while the Ramillies (the Admiral’s own ship) was firing in going down, the Trident and ships immediately ahead of the Ramillies proved an impediment to the Ramillies continuing to go down.”
It was proved, too, beyond contradiction, that he could not foresee that the French fleet would not stay for him, as they remained with their sails aback to the mast; and that he must have been up with them in ten or fifteen minutes, if the impediment had not happened from the Trident and Princess Louisa.
[77] I do not mean to say that none of the Judges on the Court-Martial had really been convinced that by the severity of the law they could not acquit the Admiral, though they thought him guilty of only a momentary error of judgment.
[78] I say, powerful man, not man in power, for Lord Hardwicke, Lord Anson, the Duke of Newcastle, &c., were not then in place—but them Geary must have meant, for he could not fear disobliging Mr. Pitt and Lord Temple by speaking out, when it was his silence that prejudiced them. It was plain Geary thought, what happened so soon afterwards, that the command of the Admiralty would still be in Lord Anson.
[79] [Lord Hardwicke. Lord Anson had married his daughter. It must, however, be admitted, that our author’s language in this passage is as obscure as his reasoning is unfair and inconclusive.—E.]