The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-03-30
OUR CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY.
An Instructive Lecture by Mr.. George Tick
nor Curtis-Amcrica's Independence.


George Ticlnor Curtis lcctured on Tuesday
cYcning in Association Hall on American Con-
stitu,ioual History" or rather that part Of such
history covering the negotiation Of the treaty Of
peace which recognized the independence Of
our country at the close % the revolutionary
war. He said: The disastrous administration Of
Lord Worthwhile carried on the American war
in submission to the will Of the King aud the
temper Of the majority Of the people of Eng
land, but against his own Observation-Disclosures
In March. 1882. and he was succeeded by the
Wing leader. the Marquis OF Buckingham who
only accepted Office on the conditions dictated
by himself. Peace with the Americans. and the
acknowledgment Of their Independence not to
be bar to the attainment of that object" What
ever hopes were formed on either side Of the
Atlantic from his administration were destined
to bo blasted through the action OF the King
in placing Lord Shelburne. an element
Of disscntion. in the Cabinet, The King
Sencnc Gf R%cr mot and erd &
sympathized with him. The Marquis Of
Rockingham had held the seals Of once but
three months when he died. In that time IT.
reconcilahle difficulties and Iealousies arose be-
tween Charles james Fox aud Lord shelbarne,
Mr.. Fox. on MAY %. 1882. procured the
EdSP9n Gra aStG by hc the AGENT S"' rSn
dufng the negotiations with pr. Franklin in
Paris. TO propose the independence OF Amer
ro G g of i general treaty. LORD S Shei
hurne. however had not yet given up the
t ti former asllcsance. and SO construed
that minute rs rrWtc4lly to antagonlze N
intcrsst = T., M1 IS l%msdieiely upon the
and their Wing friends retired from, oiflre.
upon the negotiation Of treaty with England.
the principal points to be considered and ar,
ranged were III" territorial limits OF the United
/ States the fisheries, the suhQ~t q debts and
couil-caiIOns, the navigation ~ IN" Miss --lppi.
/ and tho eva uation of the country 10y thn Brit
/ ish troops. They wor" -'ttlrd II the form "i
provi-D nal articles adopted in Paris, Ny. 30.
- anl tac ir,tol those article fe,4r,d n
emit That preliminary treaty OF peace lrit me
oommerria. rruuous Of the two countries
Parliament did not assemble that year n7s2l
| until Dec. .. Meantime Lord Sh"luurii" Gu
dcaVorcl 20 strengthen himself by an alliance
with tho two opposing parties represented by
| FoX Nh, irador Of Tho Whi-s Ills attempts
both would do all thHt lly IA thor power To
mako the treaty di-tlsteiul L. Ne nation.
/ practically aNoWcd the terms oi th" provisional
treaty Is approved by the King although mat
/ traufy had not then been fully consummatei.
OuJun. u. 1883. the provisional articles with
bt,i0ir. ptiiemcni Mr. Fox and Lor1 North
fuim,i "a coalition against the peace, That was
q great mistake Of Fox life. Lord Shclburue
resigned in co17'lu nee oi the opposition \
young man destined 20 snhselu"nt great inpor-
,Ulne ia history, Was lcii fnrHlime virtually at
tue bead oi sac admin STATION. Although h. was
B.. "a twrLf,-lgur years old. hc was then Cham
second -.u tho great Lord Chatham.
Tne resignation of l.orl sAcburne was fol-
lowed by a min .rt.tiu int"rrrguum from Feb.
a 10 AprN ,. MA il putlird'-lpro.ntmrnt WIS
felt when It hc 'au' SHOWN that no commrrcinl
r 5,- MIX ' tae Tn $, ics "Nr X 'wshca
to en"ourng such an arrnngrn l'nt upun " raj