Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1846-02-25

adopt hostile measures in which she
frned by the Duke of Marlborough and other
leading characters; while. on the other hand, the
French king Louis the XIV. had long been ac-
cus.omcd to arms. The consequence was, tina.
Of the thirteen years and half Of this reign, the
very large proportion of eleven years occu-
pied in the continent of Europe. The
objects were still more aggressive than before.
viz: to humble the Bourbons, and to deprive
Philip Of tho crown of Spain: but they signally
failed Of success. Thus were incurred fruittcss
expenses, exceeding 81 J millions in oans and
6A more in taxes. At tho establishment, of ponce,
by tho treaty of Utrecht, April IL, l7l3, tho
National Debt ascer.ained to be more than
tripled, and to have reached 81 millions. Tho
loss of life in this destructive contest was at least
100000 men on tho part of the British, and
100000 on that of tho Continental powers. The
advantages derived by England were rather those
! of empty glory than Of substantial value, and i'll
compensated for lavish waste Of men and
money.
The introd ucton Of the House of Hanover to
tho British throne affords pleasing retro
spcct; tho reign of George |. from l7l4 to 1927.
being honorably distinguished by tho prevalence
Of peace. Tho death Of Louis XIV. of France
and the moderate dispositions of Sir Robert Wal
pole and cardinal Fleury the English and French
ministers, had much influence in subduing tho
spirit of national animosity. Tho rebellion in
Scotland, in l7l5, excited by the young Pre.en-
war declared by Spain in l7ls. chiefly in the
support of the Same cause, wcre speedily termin-
a,cd. These were tho only exceptions to the
pacific character Of tho reign, and both of them
appear TO have been principally defensive on the
part Of The British monarch. The Public Debt,
however, diminished only 10 the small extcn!
of two millions; this fair and ample opportunity
| for its material reduction being lost, through
great extravaganza and corruption.
George IL. succeeded TO tho crown in 1877, and
for twelve years adhered to system of peace;
which was thus enjoyed for total period of
twenty-siX years, with scarcely any int rmission.
During the tranquil part of his reign, 81 millions
moro paid off to the public creditors, reduc-
ing tho National Debt to 46a millions.
The Spaniards. about this time, harassiny tho
British West India Colonies, open rupture
with Spain at length broke out in 1879, the iII-cf
fects of which were very dispropor,ionate to the
occasion. 1t was speedily followed by general
continental war, on the question of the succession
to the crown of Austria; in which Great Britain,
though n remote, and by 4 necessary
party, became unhappily involved, through her
conncxion, with Hanover. Tho contest lasted
for nine years, and added 3la millions TO tho
British debt, while l51 millions moro were raised
bv taxes Tho ,otal loss of life is said have
been 24O.O00 men. But what was tho result of
all this fighting, destruction, and expense The
grand hard Ca rned reward was that all parties
agreed to restore thelr conquests, and to resume,
nearly possible, the position they had occu-
pied before hostiIities began; the King of Great
Britain even sending hostages, as securities for
his faithful performance of tho contract.
The treaty of Aix-a- chnpee was concluded,
April 80, l74S. Its conditions, however, were
hastily adopted and iIl-defned. SO that the war
still continued to prevail in both the Indies, with
but little abatement. In Europe it suspen-
ded for about eight years. and enabled the Brit
ish Government to liquda,e three millions of tho
Public Debt, reducing it 10 IS millions sterling
In 1856, this partial peace was broken by gen.
eral hostilitics tho Continent of Europe; the
chief cause being the disputes between the diff
ferent powers, about their Colonies; but especinl
ly between England and France, relating to No
vascoIla; or, as it was sarcascally saln, ION ac-
count Of few acres of snow" This is usually
termed. from its duration, the seven years war:
and Notwithstanding the trivial nature of the OBJ
iec,. it appears 10 have occnsloned the several
beIligerents the monstrous and shameful sacrifice
Of $50, 600 lives. To Great Britain alone, for,
"such worthy Cor unworthy cause it was d.
structve of about 100000 men; besides nfc,ng
expense of 35 millions in direc: taxation; and
nearly doubling her debt, by increasing it from
rs to l46a millions. Frederic ii. king Of Prus-
sio, tho active ally of England in this
and if he merits the epithet Of Great it is rather
due to him in a bad sense, the furious disturb.
of Europe, than in any rcspec. rs the true ben-
efactor of his country. or the frcnd of mankind.
George Ill. began his reign in 1850. during
the continuance OF this severe struggle; and soon
found that England we'll as the rest of Europe,
was weary Of war and taxes. This general feel
ing led to tho treaty of Paris, February 10, 1863.
The whole period Of warfare in tho Colonies.
comprising the two general contests, and tho time
of peace in Europe, which did not extend to the
Indies, will be found to amount to twenty four
years.
Great Britain now enjoyed respite Of peace
for twelve years. which, if devoid of the events
of war. was free also from its calamities. aud
conduced largely various ways to the public
welfare. In this interval the government was en-
abed to pay off l0a millions of the debt.
At length jealousics gradually arose between
the mother country and tho North American
Colonies. The imposition of taxes on the Amer
! leans was attempted BY the British Government.