Star.
London, England, 1803-08-29 00:00:00

SECRET HISTORY OF THB SUSWtUIOSOJ HANOVER TO

THE FRENCH.

IV A PRIVATI LETTER TROD AN OF/ICil Or DISTINCTION IN
TNA IAN,ARMT, LATELY DISRANDED.
Nara/With Augua 20.
'am The feelings are ton painful for expreffian,
with which every loyal and true hearted Hanoverian
now contemplates the theme and ruin of his country.
We blame equally the irrefolute weaknefs of our Go-
vernment, and the people's failure to aid and infpi.
rit its efforts, while preparation and refittauce were
not too late.
Early in the prefent year, there was a general fur-
picion of difagreement between France and England,
Such as could not terminate but in war. Before the
middle of March lag, the Cabinet Council of the
Hanoverian Government received information from
the Kirin of Gite•r BRITAIN, that the French Ru-
lers meditated an invafion of the EleCtorate. And
his Majelly, at the fame time, authorized and exci-
ted his Eleeloral Minillers to adopt, without delay,
every means of vigorous and prudent defence. We
were not without powers of defence equal to the
magnitude of the danger. But the adminiftration
was not formed of materials to bring thole powers
into the neceffary arrangement and aCtion. The firth
Cabinet Militia,. was Count KILMANIROGI, a man
indolent,, polite, humane, convivial, valiant to he-
roans in words againft the French, but who placed
his perfcßion as a Minifter rather in affidnities, flat-
teries, and lubmillinns grateful to the Hanoverian
Minilter, and the Secretary at the Court of London,
than in a watchful energetic difcharge of the proper
duties of his office.
Mr. Vow Lettrite, the fecond Minifler, had the
charge of communicating to the Kiwo the willies of
his Eleftoral fubjeds, and of conveying to the Ha-
noverian Government the immediate orders of his
Sovereign. His duty was, to be in attendance at
(the Britilh Court. He was the nephew of a former
lira Minifter ; was, in his earlier political career,
ambaffador, for force time, at the Court of Berlin,
and acquired there a paflion for the civil and mili-
tary inititutions peculiar to Pruffla, which has been
the guiding principle of his conduit ever fence be
was employed in the internal government of this
country. He is plain in his manners, without fplen-
, did talents or fad feienee, of honeß intentions, but
haughty to his inferiors—to his Superiors fubmiffive
even to fervility.
Vow AexiMALD, the Third Minifler, though an
able lawyer, was deficient in the talents, temper, and
political prudence which his place in the Cabinet
teemed obvioully to demand. He came into this
• country without fortune. His marriage with the
daughter of a Minifter railed him in official employ-
' ment. He had amaired confiderable wealth. He
was not underftood to eft, in the Cabinet, any other
than a fubmitfive feeoadary part. A man of there
qualities was neceffarily unpopular.
Vow DER DEIREN, the Fourth Minifter, had the
charafter of an honeft, laborious man, of mean Ca-
pacity. He was not hated by the people ; nor did
he, like the others, flee the country at the approach
of the French.
The indulltious Mr. Vow GROTE became a Cabi-
net Minifter only when the Rom was jult burfting
over our heads. He had not grown in the confidence
and efteem of his country by his conduit in the ma-
nagement of the Luneburgh (alt-works.
But there were, in oftenfible rank, our chief Ca-
binet Minifters • the principal effative power was in
the hands of the Privy Cuunfellor Vow Ruoior.—
Vow RVOLOF is a bold and crafty man, with abili-
ties whicit might claim dillinetion, if not fmothered
in Self-conceit. or if aided in their curare by fairer
moral reputation. He had ellablifhed hits afeendency
over the minds of the other Cabinet Minifters, by the
force of his talents, and the mallerly art of his al-
drefs. In law, and in the prattice of the affairs of
the Diet at Ratifbon, he is confummately fkilful. In
politics he is but a child. He was overwhelmed with
debts by the extravagant expence of his living. By
his collards, the fears, expeetations, and vigilance of
the Government were, fpite of every warning, lulled
to Deep, till the frafon for ufeful alarm and prepare
tion had fatally palled. He fled from the hatred and
vengeance of his country, when the French entered
its confines. The other Minißers were the attendants
rather than companions of his flight. The threats
of popular iniignation prevented his retreat to Lau-
enburg. He took refuge for a time under the pro-
tation of the fmali garrifon of Ratzcburg. After an
interview with Field.Marfhal WAL1401:11111, on the
tomb of Enthissrisove (the famous German fool),
he retired with the other Miniflers to a left derv-
rous exile in a foreign land.
However free from enormous guilt, howeyer Su-
perior to the lowa meannefs incapacity. t was
not puiflible that Miniftere like there (koala have that
forefight, that union, that viligance, that energy of
counfel and exertion, that influence of perfuation
and efteem over the minds of their fellow-country-
men, which the exigencies of the feafon moll forci-
bly required.
Even after the Rises of GILA? BRITAIN had
warned his Hanoverian Miniflers of the probability
of an invafion of the country from France, they re-
mained obitinately incredulous of their danger. Mr.
Cnunfellor RODEOS infilled. that he had much better
information. Not one of the Cabinet would be per-
loaded, that it was in the chat-alter of Bo TR to
violate that fecurity and independence of the German
Empire, which he had pretended to confecrate from
every attack. They evinced as much real or pre-
tended ignorance of the genuine Spirit of French po-
licy, as if 'that had belonged only to Tome fabulous
age, or to fame region not yet certainly difeovered.
While the French army was advancing to the fron-
tiers of the Dutch Provinces, when dettination
againft Hanover was already known throughout
Europe. Mr. Rumor Rill contrived to petfuade the
Cabinet, that all the world but himfelf wait in pal-
pable error.
A meeting of the States in the dillria of Calen-
burg, in the beginning of May, prefented an Addrefs
to the Government, intimaling their alarm for a
French invafion, their zeal for the freedom of their
country, a eir forwardneft to meet any attack from
abroad, with all the force of the diftrift that could
be muttered in arms. Root .l r. thus preffesi, at left
ceafed to deny the poffibility of an attempt from
France. Endeavours were then ufed, to interei the
Court of crlia in the protation oldie freedool cif

Hanover. They were vain. PrufGalin adheres to
the crafty policy of the Great FREDERICK, but has
utterly tallen from the grandeur of his views, and
from his generoftty of military effort. Pruflia, al.
ready won to favour the defigns of the FIRST Cow•
SVL, met every folicfration with fcornful coldnefs.—
The Hanoverian Minifters were reduced to decide
between unprepared oppofition, and a fubmiflion
without one effort of refiftance. With fcarce 13,000
men, they refolved manfully to refift thewholc ftrength
of France.

V And yet, ir, at the head of that 13,ciao men there
bad been a General of ardent patrintifm, bold talents
and military Ikill, the refolution might have been
left ridiculous—hut, with every relpeft for the cha-
rafter of Field Marfhal WaziannEN Gr. mane -4, it is
impoffible to claim for him the reputation of a man
fit to command the armies of his country in any great
crisis of its fate. His birth was, on one fide, royal.
He is nearly allied to the Family of his Sovereign.
In the Seven Years War he ferved as Colonel of a
Regiment under Prince FERDINAND of Brunfwick.—
He obtained Coon after the Hanoverian Regiment
of Life Guards, and was fent Ambalfador to the Im-
perial Court at Vienna. From that Court he return
ed to Hanover not long before the Revolution in
France. In 1793, he was, with Come reluflance on
' the part of Field Marfhal FR RITAC, honoured with
a command in the Hanoverian army. In 1794, after
the Doke of Young retreat. he fupplanted FREITAG.
and was exalted to the chief command. His fira
ads, after the fubfequent death of Fitsurac, are laid
to have difappointed the jut' hopes of many a gallant
grey haired officer, by the unespe&ed arbitrary reduc-
tion of two old regiments, of which the foldiers were
incorporated in other regiments. His other innova-
tions on the military fyflem of Hanover, are Paid to
have reduced the army of the Eleflorate into a con-
dition fo diforderly and ineffeelire, that, ‘%hr.n the
moment of danger arrived, the troops were utterly
unfit to take the field without the advantage of a
new organization. Such arrangements by the Com-
mander in Chief excited the generardifcontent of the
foldiery. Frequent defertions enfued. The promo-
tion of a Mr. Von Lows to the injury, in particular,
of a Lieutenant Colonel S TAvan Noa sr, an exeellent
officer, who then left the fervice, provoked a very
general diffatisfallion of the'officers. Military me-
rit was dircouraged, while thofe were the moft ra-
pidly promoted who were the meaneft in an un.offi-
eer-like fervility to the Commander in Chief. The
adminidration of the Chancery of War was, at the
fame time, intruded to men whom the army could view
only with abhorrence and contempt. By the negli-
gence of the Chancery,
amount, due from England, are underflood to have
been, contrary to the Kinct's intention, withheld
from the army, till, by the events of the French in•
ration, they are loft for ever.
In the beginning of May the Cabinet began its
preparations. An attempt was made to raife the
people in a mars againft the French. The people
univerfally refufed to obey the call. Every City,
every commonalty, with a boldnefs of condemna-
tion again!! the Government, with ftriking timidity
towards the French. with a cold blooded indifference
in regard to their country's independence. protefied
again([ the demanded levy. The Minifters, the Field
Marfhal. could not refill the general voice. They
wilted to avoid the appearance of yielding ; and they
gave out that the propofal fora /mar astfp bad been
only to arcertain the number of the fighting men in
the country. The people derided alike their autho
rity and their pretences. To mire recruits for the
troops of the line was the next refource ; z too men
were propofed to be added to every regiment of in-
fantry. The recruits, undifciplined, unclad, unarm-
ed, as yet fit only to introduce confulion into a regu.
oar army. were heftily added to the troops of the line.
WALMODIN. feting how impeded an army he had
to ma with, fhrunk from the impotence of command;
and the Duke of Carssaitscx, a name much dearer
to the (oldiers, was induced to affume his place.—
There were a generous gallantry and rafhnefs in this
condo& of that illuftrious Prince. He haftened to
Nienburg, the place filed for his head quarters. Not
3000 troops were there affembled. With every ex-
ertion, he could not mufter more than aOOO difciplin-
ed troops. The ref *ere raw recruits, in whom
there was no confidence to be placed in a war of
boas, or in the field of general combat. With the
hereditary courage of his family, he was fill willing
to rifle the loft effort of a battle. He made the necef-
fary difpnfitions for an engagement, in 'the night be.
tween the ad and 3d of June. I (peak here of events
of which I was an eye withers. His ardour was again
frustrated. The Minifters had fent a deputation to
treat with General Moa Tr BR. VON Boca, Von Bit a-
am, and BRANDI{ accepted. with Come hefitation,
the Convention which the French General chofe to
didate. It was figaed at Suhlingen, on the 3d of
June. The ignominy and the uncertainty of its con
ditinns are but too well known. It difarmed our
oppolition to the French, ;nd delivered us up, bouncla
itito their hands.
The Duke of CAMBRIDC a immediately relinquills-
ed a command, in which no glorious military deed
was now to be atchieved. 'Wazatopsit pot himfelf
again at the head of the army, as it was no longer
to he led againft an enemy. In its retreat to the
Elbe, it was ineumbered with the new levied and
undifciplined re:ruits. It march was in extreme con.
fufion ; many remonarances against the pretence of
inch an undifciplined rabble were made, befote the
General could be perfuaded to difmifs them.
Orders to provide for the fufienance of the troops
beyond the Elbe had (carrel,' been given when they
paired that river. They formed then, in all, a body
of between t 3,000 and ta,ooo men, incumbered with
their baggage. Victuals for the men were, however,
obtained with difficulty ; but of ftrage for the hones,
there was a miferable want.

Beyond the Elbe, the head quarters were at Latien•
Lag; the hapital, at Molln. The artillery and the
cavalry occupied feparate camps: el'he light dra-
goons and the infantry were feveridly chfperfed
through certain villages. The whale military force
was held together in one ailemhlage, not necetlary
for any defeufive ufe, and inconvenient equally to
the men themfehes, and to the inhabitants of the
difitie. The French did not, far the prefent, ap-
proach nearer, than that si fmall detachment of
twenty.fix men occupied Artlenburg, within about
fix days after we had paffed tlii Elbe. It was evgn
then eafy to difcern, that the treaty of Suhlingen
was of mach too brittle a texture. ' Yet the regular

meafures of refiaance. if it fhould not be ratified,
were by tome finality, delayed. The territory
of Lauenberg could not yield fubfiftence even to our
(mall army. Money was not to be found. Yet we
remained inert and unproviding. as if in expeeta.
tion that we fhould be fed with quails and nianna
from Heaven.

On the z4tb of June, k was known that the Flan
Cousin. had refuted to ratify the Convention; that
the army of Morrie& was in rapid march againft
us; that additional troops were advancing to join
that army from Holland. The General then at
length conceived a tranfient fcheme of obflinate re.
fulance. But regular batteries were not erected.
There was nothing more than an incenfiderable in. ,
trenchment thrown up at the left wing. The whole
number of the troops did not exceed 11,000 ; but
there were, for the moment, inflamed with the Lold.
ell Ardour of honour, patriotifm, and courage.—
The local ciretunflances of the fcene were exceed.
ingly in their favour: and never has a fairer oppor-
tunity been 1011, of atchieving, with a handful c:
men, the moll admirable enterprifes of defenfiv:
valour. Had Marfhal WALsionts been Ready in
his refolutions of refillance, had be taken the men.
lures the moll necefrary to fatisfy the troops that he
was indeed fincere, had he (corned all advances
to ignominious treaty ; there was nothing which
might not have been hoped from the confcious
valour that then roofed his troops to a&lon. The
fubfequent negociatimw, and their difhononrable
Prue, are known. He had in the mean time loft
the confidence of his troops. They thought that
they were barely betrayed. They taw with uncon.
tmulable indignation, that no- meafures were taken
to prevent the French from moving freely In vcflels '
upon the Elbe. On the night of the ad of July, the
difcontents arofe to mutiny in the camp of the ca.
valry. The Hoife Lifi Guards, the Bulow's regi.
ment of horfe, and the life regiment, joined in the
revolt. It was with difficulty appealed by the fide.
lity of the other troops, and by the refolutton of the
gallant and much-eßeemed Prince of Scuwatrzt.
suaa. Marlhal WALMODIII haftened from his bead.
quarters at the news of the inforration. Ere be
appeared before the mutinous troops their rebellion
had ceakd.

The neat moment, the mutineers reffeßed, with
indignant thame, on their error. It was regarded
with horror by the tall of the army. Had the whole
troops been led. next day, to battle, it is not to be
doubted but they would have fought with ren-fbld
refolution and intrepidity. General Watmones
only took oceafion from the mutiny to agree to
new convention on di(honourab}e terms. His army
bad no choice. But their fenfe of the difltoeour of
the tranfaftion was weU ezpreffed in the words of
a gallant officer to Colonel Von Lows, chief of the
fluff Now, Sir, you may make yourfelf eafy,
• fine you know that your crazy bones will not be
• crake.' by a cannon-ball."
'thus fell the independence of Hanover. A Go•
vernment, not pofitively bad, yet feeble, irrefoltar
and incapable to roufe the energies, or coinm
the confidence of the people ; a General without
heroic cptalities o; eminent military experience;
a people, cold, mf th. and indifferent to the pro.
(creation of their own liberties ; could not cos.
mend. nor deferve a better fate. If the 70006
and the Government of 'Britain (hall fail to take warn.
ing by our example, how (hall they efenpe our dif•
grace and our misfortunes

LONDON.

MONDAY, AUGUST 19.

PIMP OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT 43NS OVLOOC s
3P'r Cast Rodusds 54353 54t3 Per Can- Crier*ls S 4 f 41.
OTI2OIIIIII, I # diL
DUBLIN, AUGUST 14...3 Per Cert. S 9
Conde of Exchs sage —Dviblia co Leaks t s s

Our letters from Dublin inform that the Bps
cial Commiffion for trying the Rebels was opened
there on Wedneklay !all. The proceedings will be
found under the proper head.
Letters from St. Peter!burgh of the 2oth ult. Rater
that a fquadron of five fail of the line was out, with
Cadets on board exercifing ; and that a there time be.
fore 28 fail had been out, bat had returned to port.
Five fail of two-deckers were then lying of this Mole•
head,ready forfailing ; so or t s more had their failstun
bent, and the remaining flips, iodating all the three.
deckers, were enrigged. Thee letters add, that the
general opinion was, that the Emperor wilbed
avoid taking a part in the war, though it was &Milt
that would hardly be poffible ; Net that be is decidedly
friendly to Britain, and if forced.to take aelative parer
it will be againft France. At a review of the trooper
at Peteniburgh, on the anniterfaryofthefoandaiiosof
that city, where all the Foreign Minifters attended, the
Emperor paid particular refped to Sir join, B,Wile.
air, our Ambafador, while, on the cemetery, be ow
than once &tinned General Hanovvittar the trench
Amba &dor, in a manner which drew particular as
tension, and could not be the etre& of chance.
A letter from an Officer in the Hanovetia' n Anne,
given in another part of this Paper, holds out a lb&
ing warning to influence the prefent condo!! of l!ki•
Som. It breathes a (pit it of acrimony, which let
&could have witted to fupprefs. The dilbanded fol•
diers are now willing to throw the blame on the ?die
ni tiers, on the General, on any one, indeed, but thew
(elves.

Saturday afternoon the report WU revived, that
General MOREAU had declared againft Boaataart,
hut with the following additions; that he had *Eta•
ally hoifted the Royal Standard, and that he bad
been joined by a great part of the army. We need
not, however, dwell on a Rory which had no foto•
dation in truth. Whatever maybe the difpolition of
hloite•ti, he has hitherto kept himfelf quiet, and we
can fee no end likely to be anfwered by falwicating
fuch rumours, but expo(ing a man to premature
danger, who otherwife may have the power of rm.
Bering important (mkt, to 41e magi)", and to di!
world,