The Times (28th February 1794), commenting thereon says—"The new Penny Post Office is likely to prove such a very great accommodation to the public, that the only wonder is, it has been so long neglected. Instead of the numbers of deliveries, and the hours of despatch varying in different parts of the town, as at present, there will be six deliveries each day in all parts of the town; by which means a person living at Mary-le-Bonne may send letters to, or receive letters from, Limehouse, a distance of seven miles, five times a day.... Persons putting in letters by nine in the morning, at the distance of ten miles from the chief Penny Post Office, and later, at less distant parts, may receive answers from London the same afternoon."
The Revolution in France still continued, as did then emigration, for a return was made of the number of emigrés, who had been brought off from Toulon by the British Fleet, and this report avers that they numbered 14,877 men, women, and children. No wonder, then, at the passing of the Alien Act.
The French Revolution, no doubt, stirred up the discontented, and disaffected, in England: the perusal of Paine's "Rights of Man" in no ways tended to soothe a rebellious feeling, and the mob, on several occasions, was very riotous. Societies, like the "Corresponding Society" and the "Society for Constitutional Information," were founded in London, and the Government, feeling itself strong enough, was determined to strike a blow and crush them: so, on the 12th May, the King sent a message to Parliament, saying, that "having received information that the seditious practices, which have been for some time carried on by certain societies in different parts of the country, have lately been pursued with increased activity and boldness," &c.... he "has given directions for seizing the books and papers of the said societies in London, which papers have been seized accordingly, and these books and papers appear to contain matter of the greatest importance." He directed them to be laid before Parliament for consideration, so that they might take "measures thereupon, as may appear to be necessary, for effectually guarding against the further prosecution of these dangerous designs."
John Thelwall (political lecturer), Daniel Adams, and Thomas Hardy were taken into custody. The latter two were examined before the Privy Council on the 13th, the former on the 14th, on which date a Royal Messenger went to Earl Stanhope's house, and arrested his lordship's private secretary, the Rev. Jeremiah Joyce. A famous agitator, the Rev. John Horne Tooke, was also taken. Their trials took place in October, November, and December 1794, and ended in the acquittal of the prisoners, after which the Government abandoned similar prosecutions.
But a patriotic feeling was abroad, more than enough to counterbalance these turbulent spirits. The vast majority of the population was loyal, and volunteers hastened to band together for the defence of their country. One or two instances will suffice. "On the 17th April the Court of Common Council of the City of London agreed to open a subscription for raising, and disciplining, a regiment of infantry and a troop of cavalry for the defence of the city, to be called the 'Loyal London Volunteers.'"—"Rutland Volunteers Troops of Cavalry. On the 5th instant, 154 men and horses, consisting of the high sheriff, the noblemen, gentlemen, and yeomen, who intend forming this corps, met at Oakham.... Uniform, French gray and buff. Every person who belongs to this corps binds himself, under £50 penalty, to attend when called upon."—Times, 21st April. These two instances shew the wide range the volunteers' movement—then in its very infancy—took.
The feeling, however, of the nation was not altogether unanimous in favour of war. There was then, as now, a peace party. On 6th March Mr. Whitbread moved an address to the King, strongly disapproving of the policy of the Government, and of their conduct, not only preceding, but succeeding the war. The Earl of Guildford did the same in the Lords, but in both Houses the motions were negatived by large majorities. Nothing daunted by this, on 30th May, the Duke of Bedford, in the House of Lords, reviewed the causes which led to the war, and also the foreign policy of the Government, ending by moving fourteen resolutions, of which the most material were the two following:—"That it appeared expedient to that House, that it should recommend to His Majesty to adopt such measures as might lead to a negotiation for peace."
Or that, "if His Majesty, in his wisdom, thought it advisable still to prosecute the war, that he would be most graciously pleased to state what the object of it was."
After a debate, which lasted till half-past one o'clock, it was adjourned till the following Monday.
In the Commons, Fox took the same tone, winding up with—"The advantages we had gained by sea and land were favourable for the negotiation of a peace, as they served as so many funds to induce the enemy to treat; and, should we fail, we should thereby justify our pacific intentions to the world." He concluded by moving resolutions similar to those of the Duke of Bedford. The result was—For the previous question, 208; for Mr. Fox's resolutions, 55—majority, 153. And no more was heard of the Duke of Bedford's resolutions.
The next, and last, great incident was, Lord Howe's great naval victory over the French off the coast of Ushant, on "the glorious first of June." Two 80 and five 74 gun ships were the substantial fruits of this victory, although "Le Vengeur," one of the 74's, sunk soon after capture, drowning some 300 men. No one knows the French loss in this battle, but we do know, that on board the prizes taken there were found 1200 dead bodies. Our total loss was 904. The news travelled very fast, for that day; Sir Roger Curtis, Howe's first captain, arrived at the Admiralty with despatches on the evening of the 10th June.