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a^— — a— ■caei u ■■ i «* » u w^ 
 
 TftF. 
 
 LIFE 
 
 O F 
 
 LORD GEORGE GORDON. 
 
 Sfttt 
 
 f Price Three Shillings and Sixpence.) 
 

 
TH E 
 
 
 LIFE 
 
 F 
 
 LORD GEORGE GORDON: 
 
 WITH 
 
 A PHILOSOPHICAL REVIEW 
 
 POLITICAL CONDUCT, 
 
 y ROBERT WATSON, M. D, 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR H. D. SYMONDS, PATERNOSTER-ROW ; AND 
 D» I. EATON, NEWGATE-STREET* 
 
 '795- 
 
 CntmD at Stationers gwtt, 
 

 
 
 
THE 
 
 LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 LORD GEORGE GORDON* 
 
 ¥ ORD GEORGE GORDON, whether we reflea on 
 the eccentricity of his character, or on the vicifii- 
 £udes of fortune which he experienced, was undoubtedly 
 one of the moll extraordinary perfons of the age. But, 
 as a celebrated writer has juftty obferved, the lives of few 
 men deferve to be tranfmitted to pofterity j and did not 
 gratitude for a departed friend added to a ftrong impulfe t,o> 
 refcue injured virtue from the revengeful attacks of mi- 
 ni (ferial hire-lings, urge me on, I mould have fubmitted 
 to the misfortune with calm refignation, and filently re- 
 greted his death with the patience of philofophy, as the 
 common lot of human nature; fuch were my feelings for 
 the lo's of my departed friend ; but fo implacable is the 
 rage ol his oppreflbrs, that it purfues him even beyond the 
 grave. They continue to libel a man whom they could 
 not corrupt, and confcious of their injuflice and barbarity 
 
 B 
 
2 LIFE OF LORD G. CORDTV.C. 
 
 'towards him, bafely and cowardly endeavour to avert ceil* 
 fure from themfelves, by reflecting obloquy on the memo- 
 ry of one who can no longer defend himfelf. He has fal- 
 len a martyr to cruel and fanguinary laws, or at leaft to 
 the mercilefs fentence of lawyers ; — but the veil of preju- 
 dice is about to be removed, and pofterity will judge be- 
 tween them. There lies a tribunal whence there can be 
 no appeal, and where there will be neither threats nor 
 promifes to pervert the judgment. 
 
 Lord George, the youhgeft fon of Cofmo, late Duke of 
 Gordon, was born in Upper Grofvenor Street, London, 
 on the 26th of December, 1751, a few months after the 
 death of his lather. His mother, who was fiftsr to the 
 prefent Earl of Aberdeen, retired, foon after his birth, to 
 the North of Scotland, where he received the rudiments 
 of his education, and from thence he was removed to 
 Eaton, to complete his fludies. During his flay at fchool, 
 he gave many proofs of a rifing genius, and gained the 
 good opinion of his mailer, and the affection of his com- 
 panions* 
 
 Tis a melancholy truth, that the nobility of every 
 country eternally violate the laws of nature to fuppoit 
 ariftocratic pride, thereby facrificing the interefl of the 
 younger children : and this prejudice has been particu- 
 larly fatal to North Britain. It has caufc-d that great in- 
 equality of property, and that blind attachment to Chiefs 
 and Leaders, which difgrace the eighteenth century. It 
 has degraded humanity, and funk us beneath the level of 
 the brute creation ; but like every other unnatural fyf- 
 tern it will finally produce effetls contrary to its ori- 
 ginal deftination; from injuflice and oppreflion, harmo- 
 ny and order willarife; and from tyranny and ufurp- 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDSN. ft 
 
 atfon, will fpring liberty and equality. Truth like a ra- 
 pid torrent, increaies as it rolls along — the Defpots of 
 the Earth perceive the change, they dread their fate and 
 tremble. 
 
 To keep up a tyrannical government, whofe principle 
 had been conqueil, which had fpread calamity and destruc- 
 tion over the European world, amongft an innumerable 
 variety ofunjuft laws, fatal to the inteieftsof us all, it was 
 found necelTary to cherifh the infernal, unnatural princi- 
 ple of primogeniture, to bequeath the landed property to 
 the eldeif fori, yho, unwilling to diftribute the fmallcft 
 part of kis own monopoly, is obliged to cringe at the 
 levees of miniflers and kings, fri order to procure places 
 and penfions for hia younger brothers ;_ thus they are 
 compelled to flatter the elder, the elder the minifter, and 
 the minifter the prince, which acccounts tor that vile 
 fertility to crowns, and tyranny over. the. poor which has 
 ever characterised th&fe whom the world moil improperly 
 call great men. The labourer 3 and the mechanic divide 
 theii fubftance equally among ft their children, but the 
 pampered noble, to fupport the honour of his family, 
 gives life to a race of beggars, who, to avoid a pruon mud 
 facrifice their ientimenti and independence, and become- 
 a burthen on their country.- 
 
 As Lord George's mother and tutors belonged to this 
 privileged calf, it is fo much the more meritorious in him 
 to have avoided their prejudices. Educated in all the 
 luxury and profligate extravagance of a court, and accuf- 
 torned to be treated upon an equality with his brother, he 
 was at once launched out into 'the world, with an annuity 
 of 500I. wr-ilfl the Duke poiTefles more than 20,oaol. a 
 year. During his infancy the Duchefs married the pre- 
 sent General Morris, then a iubaltern in the army, but^. 
 
 B z 
 
£ LIFE OF LORD G. CORDON, 
 
 in confequence of the Gordon intereft, foon after placed 
 at the head of a regiment; upon nominating the officers* 
 the late king, who was Lord George's g'Hi-father, appoint- 
 ed him an Enfign whilft in petticoats : (juft and merito- 
 rious promotion !) thus to. indulge an overgrown family, a, 
 child in leading firings is at once dubbed an officer, the 
 hard earnings of the poor are prodigally fquandered to gra-? 
 tify his premature paffions, and the brave fo.ldier, covered 
 with fears, in confequence of the noble infant's, early com- 
 roiffion, is obliged to fubmit to his orders ; it is thus that 
 inerit is rewarded in Grea,t Britain, and this is one of the 
 excellencies emanating from that glorious Conftiiution, 
 which the fapient oracular Judge Afhu.rft holds up as the 
 Oiirror of perfection, and the Phaenix of furruunding 
 nations. The family howevei judging it impolitic to have 
 two fons in the army, left it mould be too great an en- 
 croachment, altered the royal plan, and without con. 
 fulling his Lordfliip's inclination, got him appointed a, 
 miufrrpman, before he had a will of his own,. 
 
 Soon aiter this appointment, his father in law went out 
 with his regiment to America, and, as the {hip to which 
 Xord George belonged, was ftationed on the American 
 coaft, he had an occafion of making the tour of that con- 
 tinent, and there he had an opportunity of indulging that 
 natural prediliction. for equality, and fimplicity of man- 
 ners, which diftinguifhed his fubfequent life. It was im- 
 pofiible for a young man of a virtuous, ardent dijpofition, 
 dike his, to view contentment and chearfulnefs aro.uncl 
 iiim, without admiring it, and irnpofiible for him to ad- 
 mire it without attempting to inculcate the practice. He 
 foon perceived that in prooortion as one man is exalted, 
 others are deprefled, and that the jfeafon why the majority 
 are fo wretched, is, becaufe a few revel in Juxury, while 
 the many perifh through want. The facie happinefs and. 
 
"LIFE OF LORD G. CORDON. 3 
 
 equality did not prevail in America, till a f ter the glorums 
 revolution, to prevent which, it was the ftupid, wicked 
 policy of B itain, as much as it now is to prevent the 
 revolution in France; but priefls and kings were baffled 
 in their unlawful, barbarous purpofes ; Virtue and Liber- 
 ty triumphed, and on the other fide of the Atlantic, thofe 
 vices and miferies which every where furround palaces 
 and courts, are little known. There, man is rewarded in 
 proportion to his talents and his virtues, taxes are lew, 
 hunger and want totally unknown. 
 
 From that happy land, where the facred flame of Free- 
 dom, aided by reaion, was making rapid prcgrefs every- 
 day, Lord George paffed to the Well Indies, and after viT.u 
 inn; moft of the other iflands, re Tided about fix months 
 rn Jamaica. Enthufiaftically fond of freedom, he foon be- 
 came difgufted with the innumerable fcenes of barbarity 
 which every where prefented themlelvts ; he faw with. 
 difguft, and he felt with abhorrence the bloody treatment 
 of the Negroes, and refolved to exert all his power and abi- 
 lities in order to improve their condition. A feeling mind 
 could not behold, without indignant emotions, thedoating 
 wife feparated from her affeftionate huflband, and deliver- 
 ed up to the brutal rage of an European monfter, merely 
 becaufe fhe had the misfortune to pleafe ; — youth, in all 
 the bloom of innocence, torn trom the paternal embrace, 
 and invoking death as the only relief — and all this to Tup- 
 port ufurpers and monopolies with a long lift of all grafp^ 
 ing mifcreants, the ferrile tools of a wicked government, 
 who, after being covered with crimes in the old world, 
 obtain a patent to pra&iie them in the new. This fyflern 
 of vice and corruption violates every law of nature : 
 Confining in a corporation of licenced butchers, dealing 
 ia human flcfh, by their example and influence, con- 
 
6 LIFE OF LORD G. GORDOV.' 
 
 laminating- our morals and difgracing the character oft 
 human nature. 
 
 Before the commencement of the American- war Lord 
 George had nfen to the rank of Lieutenant, and, by a hu- 
 mane canduft and obliging difpomipn, had acquired great 
 popularity among the feamen. Hi was the Jailors' friend. 
 — But what procured him the efteem of the Navy, pro* 
 duced a contrary efTeft at the Admiralty, wiere, inffead 
 o-f humanity, and manly independence, the cruelefi dis- 
 cipline, and a fawning fyc hophancy to thofe in power, 
 were the furell paflports to preferment. Parti/ from a dif- 
 agreement with Lord Sandwich, then at the head of the 
 Admiralty, and paitly from a, refolution never to imbrue 
 his hands in the blood of men Struggling for freedom, he 
 lefigned his coramiffion j trampled his cockade under foot, 
 and retired in difguft to his native Country. Soon after 
 his quitting the fervice he made the tcur of Scotland, and 
 palled a Summer in the Hebrides, not in coliecrng Shells, 
 or in meafuring mountains, but in aSSociating with the 
 people, and making comparifons between man in a rude, 
 and man m a civilized State. He wore the«r drefs, talked 
 their language enquired into their wrongs, and by his 
 gentle manners and attachment to their rural mode of life 
 became a gre2t favourite with the Highlanders. He was 
 then in the bloom of youth, fond of mufic and dancing, 
 of a modeSt, unaffuming demeanour, and his actions weie 
 uniformly regulated by the ftrittevt rules of propriety, 
 few vifitants were ever received with more attention in 
 the Highlands, none were evermore beloved; the na- 
 tives were wont to thank heaven for a man, who had re- 
 solution to oppofe the ulurpations of the crown, and for- 
 titude to refift the vices of the age. 
 
 In the year 1774 he was advifed to obtain a feat in Par- 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. f 
 
 tiarnent, and would have been returned from Scotland, hut 
 Owing to fome political arrangements which had takeri 
 place in she Scorch Boroughs, he declined theElefiion, 
 and was chofen to reprefent the Borough of Luggerfliail, 
 tho' he had never feen one of the Eleclors. This pre- 
 dilection in his favour did not arife from any good opini- 
 on thevmicht have had of hisrrorals or abilities, for their 
 faculties are fo ilupified by. the immoderate quantity ot 
 animal food and fpirmious liquors* with which they in. 
 dulge themfelves, that fcarce an idea of liberty is to be 
 found in a corporation, but it was owing to that infamous 
 habitual practice of felling their votes to the highefl bid- 
 der, that he was elected. The privilege ot appointing 
 the Legiflature being thus un^uftly placed in the hands of 
 ■a few, the Minifter who can extort zs many taxes as he 
 plcafes, ccnftantly keeps a majority in pay — -the iritereil of 
 the people is rarely or never confulted, they are always 
 duped, their own money is ufed as an engine in forging 
 their chains ; and if they talk of reform, or inveigh againft 
 corruption, out comes a firebrand proclamation, charging 
 them with diHoyalty and fedinon. Spies and Informers 
 are let loofe upon them as fo many ferocious beafls, and 
 iinprifonment, pillory, and tranfportation fucceed. This 
 piclure is not exaggerated, the times alas! are the bell: 
 proof of w T hat I fay, our fkuation becomes more and more 
 gloomy every day, nor is there a ray of hope, till the peo- 
 ple re-affume their original importance, and. infifi: en their 
 right to fair and equal reprefentation. Unfortunately, 
 fmce the revolution of 1688, which may be laid to have 
 been ftifled in its cradle, Great Britain has been cruelly 
 diflra£i.ed by two factions, commonly called Whigs and 
 Tories, or the Oppofition and Miniflry, both of them 
 equally indifferent about the happinefs of the people ; 
 both equally anxious for perfonai power and emolument. 
 
$ LIFE OF LORD C. GORDON* 
 
 The Miniffry continually incroaching upon the liberties 
 of the citizens, increafing the taxes and defending their 
 own corruptions by deluhve pretexts of flate policy ; — ' 
 W'hilft the Opposition are eternally bawling about liberty; 
 Vut alas ! liberty is with them an empty found — their 1'ole 
 ©bje£t being to procure places and penfions, to get poffef- 
 fionof the fpoil : Hence a fpinted wi iter has juftly ob- 
 ferved, that " the lap fe of more than a century, and the 
 '* accumulation of national grievances, have at length. 
 ** opened the eyes ol a deluded people ; they perceive 
 *' that juftice is not to be expected from either party ; 
 ** that the whole of the conteft is, which of two parties 
 ** of pubiic fwindrlers (hall engrofs the whole of the plun- 
 4t der to itfelf."* It is cuflomary for young men who 
 are not in the pay of admin 'titration to range tbemfelvcri 
 immediately under the barmers of the oppoGtion, but 
 Lord George had too much forefight not to perceive their 
 r-nfiduous defigns, and too much integrity to be actuated 
 hy mercenary or ambitious motives, Confcious that re- 
 form can oiiginate folely in the people, feeling the im- 
 Xsoffjbihty that a corrupt body fhouid ever reform itfell, 
 Be occupied a middle fpace and oppofed both with equal 
 courage and perfeveience. 
 
 To ate his own language, " In the Houfe of Com- 
 **" mons he had every day to reply, firfl to Lord North and 
 •* the Ministerial party ; and then to Mr. Fox and Mr. 
 *' Burke, who ufed in thofc days to make a great deal of 
 " noife in favour of petitions for the redrefs of griev- 
 *' ances. I always doubted, continued he, their fincerity 
 " in thofe windy harangues. I thought they were no 
 *'' real friends to the people. I fufpected all along that 
 ** they were only making horfes of Mr. Wyvill and the 
 
 * Ycrkc's Letter to Froft, 
 
 d 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON 7 . 9 
 
 *' Yorkfh'uemen to ride into office upon, and to compaTs 
 %i the winning-po{ls of the political race ground." This 
 line of conduct excited furprife both in the people, to 
 whom it was new, and in thofe {hallow Politicians 
 who are dazzled with high-founding names, and fine turn- 
 ed periods. It was above their comprehension, and will 
 never be fufficiently eftimated till the reign of par*y is at 
 an end. Surprifed by fuch condu:t, the people were ac- 
 cuftomed to fay, that " there were three parties in the* 
 country, whilft he ha 1 a feat in Parliament, v ; z. the Min- 
 iflry, the Oppofition, and Lord George Gordon.'' — When 
 the Cabinet of St. James decla'ed war againll America, a 
 war which like the prefent has fullied the character of 
 Enton^, and winch they were obliged to abandon wilh 
 difgrace, after incurring a debt which we cannot d;fcharge 4 
 and taxes which we are impoverished to pav, Lord George 
 oppofed them with a firmnefs which does honour to his 
 memorv ; he uniformly deprecated a fyilem ot blood and. 
 compared his Majefty's Council to " plague, peililence 
 and Jlarvation." 
 
 In the year 1778, when the Britifh troops were hardL 
 preffed by the Americans, and when it had been repeated- 
 ly proved that the fons of freedom were an over match, 
 for mercenary foldiers, who are prevailed on to butcher; 
 their fellow creatures for fouv-pence a day, government, 
 not from a liberality of fentiment or a t derating fpirit, 
 but from the hopes of fbengthening their partv, and as a 
 reward for their attachment to arbitrary pofrer, propofed 
 to the leaders of the Catholics to repeal the ftatutes enact- 
 ed againil them ; provided they would contribute to fup- 
 port the American war by entering into the fleets and 
 armies. — This propofal was embraced with enthnfiafm ; — 
 an addrefs was immediately prefented to the King with 
 an offer of their lives and fortunes. They confequently 
 
 C 
 
lb LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. 
 
 met wuh a moll gracious reception at Court ; the BVtJ 
 for repealing the penal Aatutes in force againft them, was 
 hurried through the Houfe — the Army and Navy found 
 new fupplies-, and the Cabinet new vigour for profecu- 
 ting an unhappy civil war. 
 
 It has ever been our opinion that religion when fupport- 
 '«d by the ftate is inconfiflent with liberty, the degree cf 
 danger being juft in proportion to the influence ol the Cler- 
 gy, for " turn a chriftian fociety into an eflablifhed church, 
 *' and it is no longer a voluntary aflembly for the wdrfhip 
 '*' of God ; it is a powerful corporation, full of fucli 
 " fentittients, andpaftions, as ufaally diftinguifh thofe bo- 
 * l dies ; a dread of innovation, an attachment to abufes, 
 %i a propenfity to tyranny and cppreffion. — Tcthis alliance 
 ■" of chriftianity with civil power, is it owing that eccle- 
 " fi iftycal hiflory prefents a chaos of crimes."" But of 
 all eftablifhments none ha Ve been more fatal to the human 
 fpecies than the church of Rome — even Robertfon, a 
 keen advocate f©r monarchical government, and of courfc 
 no enemy to churches, allows, that it is •* a church which 
 *' its warmed friends muff admit, profefles many doctrines 
 '• which are a contradiction to reafon and a fcandal to re- 
 " ligion — A church, whofe fundamental principles pre- 
 u pare and break the mind, for political fervitude — A re- 
 " ligion whofe very fpirit, as well as practice, is perfecu- 
 *' tingj. fangninary and encroaching."! 
 
 To wha'evsr caufe however we attribute the relaxation 
 of feverity in government towards the Englifh Catholics, 
 at the time above mentioned, the nation was greatly alarm- 
 ed"; particularly the Prefbyterians, who whatever enthufiaf- 
 tic religious notions they may enteitain, have uniformly 
 eppofed the ufurpations of the church. It was by men 
 
 * Halt on the Freedom of the Picfs. i RQbcrifon'i Hiftory «£ Scotland, 
 
LITE O? LORD C. CORDON. tl 
 
 of this pcrfuafion that the Stuarts were expelled from 
 Great Britain, a certain portion of our rights regained, and 
 fomething, fimilar to. a government ot law, eftablifhed, up- 
 on the ruins of defpotifm ; but fince the reftoration, they 
 have been fufpecled of repnbiicsnifm, the fimplicity of 
 their manners openly ridiculed, and rheir remonftrance s 
 treated with contempt. They could not conceive why 
 any partiality fnould be (hewn to the advocates of paffive 
 obedience, in preference to the Diffenters, and they con- 
 fuited Lord Georp-e who had been fciidtlv educated in th» 
 dofi rines ot Calvinifm. Numerous affociations were im- 
 mediately formed throughout North Britain, to check the 
 catholic influence beyond the Tweed. Lord Gecrge was 
 appointed their Prefident, and nothing but petitions and 
 affociations were to be feen from John o'Groat'sto Ber- 
 wick. Government thought proper to receive them with* 
 a ftudied neglecl, and Parliament palled from, their. peti= 
 tionsto the order of the day. 
 
 The Scotch have- long been a much injured people 
 Their mufic, which is ail of the melancholy kind, their, 
 plaintive tone of voice, their thoughtful countenances. 
 are undeniable proofs of the ajTertion. The Union may 
 he laid to have fealed their political death: for tho'acom- 
 raon ir.tereil might to unite the whole Ifiand^ yet no fu«h 
 thing has vet taken pl?.c^. It was an Union framed and 
 contrived by a few unprincipled Nob'es, without the con- 
 fentof the people,, and, as might, be- expected was well cal- 
 culated to pleaf? and promote the intereifed views of the 
 great, hut "o render the poor more miferable. Nevenhe- 
 1-efs, they are in general a hardy lace of men, better edu- 
 cated than any nation in Europe, and tho' not fufiicientlv 
 enlightened to perceive, or not bold enough to arknow. 
 ledge the caufe of their misfortunes, and to piufue the 
 
 C 2 
 
12 LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON, 
 
 means of procu-ing redrefs, vet they differ (rem 'the Eng-* 
 hfh in tlv^ Placemen and Penfioncrs excepted, allagree- 
 inr 'hat fhey are oppreffed. Men under fuch circumftan- 
 ces, when their p.iflions are roufed iiro action, geneially 
 ■proceed with perfevering courage. They remember the 
 bloody executions of the Stuarts, and their imagination, 
 figured fomething more bloody (till — When they under-* 
 flood that their petitions were (Jig hied, they flew to arms, 
 in the beginning o f 1779, pulled down the chapels, an I 
 obtained by force what the government had refufed to juf. 
 tice. The Miniilry, confeious of theii wedenefs, and 
 atraid to drive a brave people to defpair, did not venture 
 to proceed farther, and upon application from Lord George 
 allured them that the act would not be extended to North 
 Britain. By this means, peace was reltored to a diffract- 
 ed country, which always combines Popery with arbitrary 
 power, and a general infurreftion was prevented. When 
 the Englifh Diffenters, with their numerous adheients 4 
 faw, that the Scotch, by their unanimity, had been fuc- 
 cefsful, thvy became more bold, formed focieties, all over 
 England, and the London AfTociation fent the following 
 letter to Lord George Gordon ; 
 
 " My Lord, 
 ** It was unanimoufly refolved, at a very numerous and 
 *' refpeftable meeting of the Proteitant Affociation, held 
 *s this evening, that an immediate application fhould be 
 *' mace to your Lordfhip, requesting you to become the 
 *< Prefident of this Affociation. — When we reflect on that 
 * l noble zeal for the Proteitant intereft, which has fo emi- 
 *' nently djfttnguifhed your Lordfhip's parliamentary con- 
 *' du£t, and on the happy fuccefs of the fpirited oppofiti. 
 " on made by our Proteitant brethren in Scotland againft 
 'f Popery, we are animated to hope that your Lordfhip 
 * will not refufe the Prefidentfhip of the Proteitant Af* 
 
tlFE O? LORD C. CCRDONT. 1$ 
 
 *' fociation in Englard. — Inclofed your Lordfinip will re- 
 '■' ceive a copy of rhe Appeal, which we have pub Killed 
 •* to the people of Great Britain on t His interefting a-ul 
 " important lubjefl: : and we cannot conceive any rea- 
 " fon a England and Scotland are united, why the Papiils 
 If fhould be ent'tleci to greater privileges and iavour in 
 " England, than in the other part or the kingdom of 
 " Great Britain, — Your Lordfhip being Prefident of the 
 " numerous Societies tor fupporting the Proteftant iiite- 
 11 reft in Scotland, we hope, that under your Lordihip's 
 B aufpices, as Prefident of the united AiTociations of 
 " England and Scotland, fuch wife and timely meafures 
 " might be adopted, as would lend to prefer ve our civil 
 " and religious liberties from the incroaehments of Po» 
 *? pery; and torm a national bulwark for the defence of 
 •-* the Proteftant fucceffion in the illuftrious Houfe of 
 *' Hanover. 
 
 " I am, my Lord, 
 
 ** with the greater!; refpeel, your Lordfliip's 
 " very humble Servant, 
 
 " JAMES PIS HER, Sec." 
 London, Nov. 12, 1779. 
 
 At the next general meeting the following anfwer was, 
 returned by Lord George : 
 
 « To Mr. JAMES FISHER, 
 
 " Secretary to the Prcteftant Affociation, 
 *« Sir, 
 " I had the honor to receive your letter of the isthy 
 •* communicating to me the unanimous requeft of the Pro- 
 *' teftant Affociation to become their Prefident, and en- 
 " doling a copy of their Appeal to the People of Great 
 *' Biitain, it confequen.ee of the encouragement lately gi- 
 *' ven by Parliament to Popery in England. — I have not 
 
14 tIFE OF LORD G. CORDON",' 
 
 ** the vanity to imagine myfelf fuflicientiy qualified to flip* 
 •* port the dignity of fo exalted a flation as Prefideat ; bufc 
 44 you may a{Jur© the gentlemen of the Affc. jiation that 
 * c they may command my utmoft exertion- <or the "rotef- 
 ** tant lntereir, till a more able and deferring Prefklent ii 
 '* pointed cut.— .-The Fop i lb. AS. being introduced in a 
 '* thin houfe, at the end of a felHon, and palled without a 
 •' public debate, the people of England had certainly no 
 " fair opportunity given them to difcover its da ger ,s 
 •' tendency-*— the mifchief was done befote their ever, were 
 ** opened. It was not io with Scotland — Parliament did 
 " not venture to take fuch liberty with the people o.. iat 
 •' country. When the Scotch were apprifed of the de- 
 *' figns of government, the evil tendency of a Popifh Act 
 •* was difcerned by all ranks of people. Their oppofuioa 
 " to it was firm, fpirited, «nd conftituiional. Th°ir fuc- 
 ** cefs too was complete, for thofe who had undertaken, ta 
 *' introduce the Popifh A61 into Scotland, abandoned their 
 " caine with fhame and difgrace. As the appeal Irom the 
 " Aflbciation gives no account of the private proceedings 
 * of government with the Papifls, before their act was. 
 •* brought into Parliament, I think it a duty I owe the 
 *' public to fubmit to their confederation the following af- 
 ** lertions, which appear in the fir ft edition of the Merao^ 
 *'rial of the Roman Catholics, printed and fold by J. P^ 
 ** Cochian, Duke-Street, Grofvenoi -Square : viz, 
 
 " Firft, That one of his majefly's judges in Scotland, 
 w previous to any application from the Papifls for a relax-. 
 *' ation of the penal laws, made an overture to Bifhop 
 '-* Hay, head of the Roman Catholic Clergy in Edinburgh, 
 " to know the fentiments of the Papifls in Scotland with 
 ** refpefct to the American wai. Secondly, Thar, the Pa- 
 " pifts in Scotland embraced that opportunity with joy. to 
 ** declare their attachment to their king, and their readu 
 
LIFE OF LORD C. GORDO!*. j£ 
 
 *' nets to ferve both with their lives and fortunes. Third- 
 •' ly, That after Bifhop Hay's letter on that fubjeti was 
 '* communicated to government, the affair was male 
 *' known to the Engliih Papifts. Fourthly, That their 
 *' fentiments being the fame with the Papifts in Scotland, 
 •' they entered into the fame views. Fifthly,. That aa 
 •' affe&ionate addrefs was prefented to his Majefty, in the 
 *' name of the whole, and approved of by his majefty- 
 44 Sixthly, That fo encouraged, the Englifh Papifts appli- 
 •* ed to Parliament for a relaxation of foine ot the penaJ 
 •' ftatutes. Seventhly, That the repeal granted byParlia* 
 •' ment was an unhooked for event. Eightly, That the 
 " repeal in England hadfolely originated from the Scotch 1 
 " Papifts. Ninthly, That his Majefty's officers had giver* 
 " the Scotch Papifts repeated affuranees, both i:i public 
 " and private, that whatever was then granted to the Ea- 
 *' glifh Papifts, fhould, the very next fefiion of parliament. 
 " be extended to Scotland. — Thefe, and other aflertions, 
 *' ftated in the fame Memorial, alarmed me exceedingly; 
 ■ but none more fo, than to fee with what eagernefs and 
 *' joy the Papifts were willing to contribute thew mite in 
 " fupport ot an unhappy civil war, againft the ProtefLa.-Jis 
 " in America. It was very natural and politic in Bifhop 
 " Kay and the Popifh Clergy, to take every poffibie ad van- 
 *' tage of the encouragement they met with, to propagate 
 *' the doclrines of their religion ; but it will be verv diffi» 
 " cult to juftify the treatment which the Scotch Catholics 
 M afterwards met with from Government; for they cer- 
 M tainly were entitled to equal favour with the Ena-Ufa 
 *' Papifts, as the repeal of the penal laws in England hsui 
 " folely originated from the fecret negociation ot the 
 " treaty with the Scotch Judge, 
 
 " I have every reafon to hope the grand obje5b of our 
 ** Affociatioa wiJl be obtained ; tor I believe the Petitions. 
 
10 LIFE OF LORIJ C. GORDO' 
 
 •* of the Proteftants throughout England will be very mu 
 *■ fnerous and fp-rited, as foon as your Appeal is generally 1 
 *' difpcrfed ; but, if the AlTociation are under any appre- 
 *' henfions of the Petitions of the Efiglifti being neglected 
 *• bv Parliament, I can take the liberty of foliciting a cora- 
 " peerance of the people of Scotland, whole fupport 
 •* might prove of effectual f'ovice to the caufe at the pre- 
 •' fent criffs. — I trull i hat coolnels and temper in the 
 •' proceedings of the Affbciation will foon demon/Irate to 
 ,4 the Roman Catholics that We are far from being p'oireff- 
 " ed of a peffecutifig difpofttion ; 2nd I hope the a*ten- 
 ** tion of Parliament to the Petitions ol Engli'fhraen will 
 *' be fo very refpeclful and prudent, as not to raife the 
 * c apprehenfions of the lower claries of the people. Had 
 *' the addreMes ol the provincial Synods in Scotland been 
 " duly refpecled, and attended to, the houfes and chapels 
 " of the Scotch Papifb would never have fuffered by the 
 V refemmem of an enraged populace. — The Roman Catho- 
 "lies muff know as well as we do, that Popery when en- 
 •' courajBred bv Government, has aIwa^s been danjerous to 
 *' the liberties of the people ; and fince they themfelves 
 •* have been fo candid in their memorial as to acknowledge 
 *' that the repeal ot the penal laws again!! them was an un- 
 *' looked for event, and that their application to Parua- 
 *' ment was in confequence of the encouragement they 
 *' met with, and not from z.w; ievere execution of the 
 " penal laws, I really think they cannot in their confer* 
 •' ences blame the Proeflants in applying to Parliament 
 " for a complete reftoration of thofe ftatute's which pre- 
 
 * ved their liberties from the Jaft revolution to the pre- 
 *' fent ill-omened era. — It will give me great happinefs, in 
 •' compliance with your reqtielr, to unite' the Allocations 
 
 * 01 England and Scotland, and to obtain, by our conititu- 
 ■■ tional exertions, the repeal of a Popifh A&, fo pernici. 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. CORDON. fj 
 
 *' ous in its tendency to the civil and religious liberties 
 *' of thefe kingdoms. 
 
 " I am, Sir, with the greatefl refpecl, 
 
 " your moft obedient and humble Servant, 
 Wdbeck-Street, Nov. 19. " C GORDON.' 8 
 
 Soon after the receipt of this anfwer, they drew up a 
 petition to Parliament, and the Prefident, at the head ot the 
 committee, waited upon Lord North requefting him to 
 prefent and fuppoit it : which the latter declining, it was 
 refolved that Lord George Ihould immediately apply to 
 the Scotch for adi fiance, and that the petition fhould lie 
 Open for fignatures. In the mean time, they took care: 
 to flrengthen their party by awakening the paffions of the 
 people and opening a correfponcrence with all the popu- 
 lous towns in Great Britain artd Ireland. Government, 
 as well as the Catholics were alarmed : and Lord Petre in 
 the name of the latter, endeavoured to gain over Lord 
 George to his caufe, by alluring him, *" that the Petiti- 
 oners were a mean fet of people : that it was owing to 
 him that they had become of confequence: that if he 
 would withdraw, they would foon dwindle away: that his 
 abilities and induflry would give weight to any party: that 
 the Roman Catholics had a great regard for him and wifh- 
 fcd him to be informed on the fubjeft; and that it had 
 been determined at a late confultation in Paris, that they 
 were fafe in taking the new oath of allegiance;" and in-< 
 treated him, " if he would not withdraw from the A fib- 
 citation, to ufe his influence to poftpone presenting the 
 petitions, and not to move for a repeal of the bill for five 
 years ; — and then, at that period, to move for a repeal pro* 
 iuded he thought they had made an improper ufe of it.'* 
 \To which Lord George replied, " that however mean 
 
 letter from Lord George to the Speaker of the Houfe of Commons. 
 
 D 
 
l8 L!FE OF LORD C. GORDON. 
 
 thofe concerned in the Proteftant AfTociation s m?ght apj 
 pear to his Lordfhip, he believed there were many among 
 them, who a£led from principle, as he did himfelf ; and- 
 that though he had been mifintormed refpefting his abili- 
 ties, which were but moderate, and could be of little ufe 
 to any party, yet he could aflure him, that there were men 
 of the firft abilities in Europe amongft thrm-'-That his 
 withdrawing from the Englifh Pioteftants, (which he would 
 not do) might be of no fervice to his Lordftup's views; 
 for heated as mens minds were upon the fubje£i, there 
 would probably fprirtg upfomeWat Tyler, or a Maffanello, 
 who would not have patience with government; and 
 might very poflibly chufe, Irora motives of ambition, to 
 embroil the nation in a cSvil war. That he was alarme4 
 at the refolution of the Council at Paris, which could not 
 be accounted for otherwife than by difpenfation from the 
 Pope — That it was probable he might not be in Parlia- 
 ment at the end of five years, and that he* was indifpenfi- 
 bly bound to do his duty whilfl he had a feat therein.'* 
 The converlation lafted feveral hours, and when Lord Pe- 
 tre, finding that nothing could make him deviate from 
 what he thought was right, faid, in retiring, that " he was 
 afraid riots might happen on prefenting the Petition.''* 
 
 Soon after this interview with Lord Petre, Lord George 
 waited upon Mr. Burke, with whom he was then intimate- 
 ly acquainted, and whom he confidered as the pailiamen- 
 tary agent of the Roman Catholics ; but when Mr. Burke 
 underftood that Lord Petre's negotiation was broke off, 
 the friendihip of many years was facrificed in an inftant, 
 and no familiarity ever alter fub filled between them. 
 
 Matters Were now drawingto a crifis. All the great towns 
 fent deputations to -London: the people expecled fomc- 
 ihing dceifive to happen, and thought liberty was aboat 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON*. 1$ 
 
 *0 be eftablifhed on a folid bafis, or to receive its death 
 blow. 
 
 Lord George went to St. James's, and after procuring 
 an audience with his Majefty, bolted the doer very delibe- 
 rately, and in a foiemn tone reminded him, that " the 
 houfe of Stuart had been banifhed from the Throne for 
 encouraging Popery and arbitrary power ; and requested 
 that he would order his minifters to fupport the Proteftant 
 Petitions. ** The King replied, " I have taken no part in 
 the late bill ; Parliament did it." Lord George defired 
 him to recolleft " that he had taken a part, and a very 
 capital part too, by giving his royal affent to it :" and add- 
 ed, " it would appear that the private correfpondence be- 
 tween one of his Majefty's Judges and the popifh Bifbfcp, 
 had been carried on, for the diabolical purpofe of of arm- 
 ing the Papifts againft the Colonies in America ; — and net 
 from any enlightened views of the legifiature, as was falfe- 
 Ly and bafeiy trumpeted forth by the orators in both 
 houfes of Parliament, and by the Parfons in theirpulpits." 
 His Majefly declared, that "• he had not. been privy to 
 any fecrei traufac"tion of that nature." Lord George men- 
 tioned the Judge's name, and faid "the judges are the mir- 
 ror by which the King's image is reflecled." The King 
 evaded giving a, direct anfwer, faid " he was a Proteftant," 
 and enquired particulaily refpecYing his relations in Scot- 
 land. Lord George thankgd the King, and obferved, as 
 " he had no requell to make, nor any favor to alk for him-, 
 felf, he hoped his Majefty would excufe him for returning 
 to the queftion, which he had not an-fwereciv viz. whether 
 he would or would not direct h.is confidential ferva.nts, to. 
 fupport the Petition ?" The King replied, "• I am no way 
 pledged in the bufinefs." Lord George afked, " if from 
 that eicpreftion he was to undeiftaud, that he declined 
 fpcaking to Lord North 0:1 the fubje£l ?" The King bow- 
 
 D 2 
 
20 , LIFE OF LORD G. CORDON,. 
 
 ed his affent feveral times without fpeaking a word, on 
 which Lord George retired from the Cabinet. Several 
 other interviews took place, but nothing material was af- 
 fecled. His integrity was aiTailed in various ways, bribes^ 
 threats and promifes were alternately made ufe of; and 
 Lord North, a tew days prior to the riots, waited upon 
 him in Welbeck-Street, and, after much couitly addrefs, 
 laid " he had a meflTage to communicate from his Majef- 
 ty," and propofed his acceptance of a " large fum of mo- 
 ney, and a leading fituation in parliament, provided he 
 would defert the Affoeiations." Lord George replied, 
 that " he was much obliged to his Majefly for his gracious 
 intention, but that he would neither accept of a fum of 
 money, nor have any connection with Government, whilfl 
 Lord North was Minifter, or fuch arbitrary meafurcs 
 were purfued." 
 
 Signatures to the petition were at this period multiply- 
 ing very fait, the people were greatly diffatisfied, and upoa 
 the 29th of May it was almofl unanin oufly refolved 
 that they mould meet in a body in St. George's Fields. 
 Upon the 2d of June, a vaft crowd of people aiTembled 8 
 dreffed in their beft cloths, with blue cockadss and colours 
 flying, and the words "NO POPERY " infcribed on their 
 hats. Lord George arranged them in four divifions and 
 took up his flation in the centre of the Scotch, who were 
 diftinguifhed by martial mufic : and after haranguing them 
 and recommending good order and firmneis, he repaired 
 to the Houfe of Commons, followed by more than Sixty- 
 Thoufand men. The whole city was amazed, the houfe 
 tops were covered with fpettators and every perfon waited 
 the event with anxious expectation. They arrived in good 
 order at the houfe, and Lord George moved to have the 
 bill repealed immediately, and was feconded by Alderman 
 Bull fupported by feveral other members. Mr. Burke 
 
llf E OF LORD G. GORDO::. \ 
 
 Had the miniitry endeavoured to reflet odium upon the 
 Petitioners, by reprefenting them as " the refufe of the 
 people, and a contemptible minority." To which Lor4 
 George replied, that " they were fufficiently numerous to 
 line the way from St. James' 's to W hitch The Com. 
 
 mons, perceiving th^mfeives thus befictjed, vifhed to avoid 
 the dTgrace of being forced, and propofed to adjourn the 
 Houfe, but Lord George preffed them to proceed. The 
 people became clamorous, vocifi rating " repeal, repeal," 
 upon which Lord Ceorge went to the gallery that looks 
 into the lobby and addrefied them : — read the Coronation 
 Oath, and declared " he was of opinion that his Majefty 
 had violated it, and was in the fame predicament with 
 James II. after the abdication,' — entreated them to be 
 firm, mentioned the cenduci of the Scotch, and informed 
 them that "the rainiftrv propofed calling on the military, 
 but it was too rafii a flep to be hazarded, befides the military 
 were generally difaffe&ed " 
 
 In the mean time, a croud of vagabonds mingled then}? 
 felves with the peaceable citizens, treated the members 
 very roughly, and infulted the peers. The bilhops had 
 their hats and wigs pulled off, aud feveral, after being drag-. 
 ged from their^carriages, with difficulty fayed their lives. 
 The populace called upon Lord George to know whether 
 they mould go home ; but he cautioufly waved the que-f- 
 tion, and told them that " probably the fefuons would 
 foon break up and their petition be loll }or ever.'''— At 
 length tne guards arrived ; when the petitioners retired 
 peaceably, tho' diuatisfied, and the fenate was relieved 
 from a truly perilous fituation. But the mob foon after 
 aiTembled in various parts of the town, and demolifhed the 
 catholic chapels, after burning every thing they contain- 
 ed. For many days, a dreadful vengeance threatened the 
 guilty city, the magiflrates, as is ufual in times of d; 
 
fl2 LIFE OF LORD G. GOR&OV.' 
 
 were feeble and inaflive, and every thing was at the dif~ 
 pofal of force ; the great Law-Lords who had been long 
 vfed to pronounce the moll cruel fentences on their un- 
 fortunate fellow creatures, were menaced with juft retri-. 
 bu'ion, and thole obnoxious to the people, were obliged; 
 to confult their fdjetv in Right, and a, certain great Per/on. 
 sge is fald to have prepared for quitting England. All, 
 the prifons were pulled down and their inhabitants fet at 
 liberty, Lord George was carried in triumph by the. mul- 
 titude, and nothing prefented itfeM to the ajlonifhed fpec- 
 tator but devouring flames. It is certain, that fy t who af- 
 terwards dragged a painful exigence, in a loathfome Gaol v 
 might have then overturned the government, and founded 
 a conftitution agreeable to the wi!hes and true intereft of 
 the Deople — a hundred thoufano men were ready to exe- 
 cute his orders, and miniflers trembled for their perfonal 
 fdfety. The unprincipled lawlefs banditti, who commen- 
 ced the riots, were mifcreants fet on foot by French agents 
 for at that time, France was governed by a perfidious Hng % 
 Lord George was an enemy to plunder and devaluation, 
 he was fhocked with the violence of their proceedings ; 
 and thofe exceffes which government afterwards laid to his 
 charge, undoubtedly faved them from deftruclion ; for 
 the timepous and thofe unaccuftomed to revolutionary 
 movements, withdrew, whiift adminiftration had time to 
 recover from their panic, and to rally their defponding 
 forces. I have already observed that the rioters proceed- 
 ed from excefs to excefs, without order or defcgn, nor 
 were the Miniftry anxious to flop them in the beginning — 
 they hate all popular aflemblies, and hoped to prevent 
 them in future by difgufling the people with their pro- 
 ceedings. They fucceeded in part, and fince the year 
 1780 they have governed as they pleafe, — but they had 
 nearly carried their deception too far, for before the con- 
 
LIFE OF LORD C. COKDOW. 2% 
 
 cluilon, fomethtng more ferious than individual refent- 
 ment was intended. It is fuppofed that whoever is mafter 
 of the bank and the tower, will foon become mailer of the 
 city, and whoever is mrtfter of the city will foon be maf- 
 ter of Great Britain ; with this belief, a plan was laid to 
 feize them both, and 10 bring the matter at once to a cri- 
 lis. But before this daring projeel could be put in exe- 
 cution, the military, feconded by the militia, fired upon 
 the people, a dreadful carnage enfued ; they were obliged 
 to yield to fuperior force and their hopes were entirely 
 fru ft rated. 
 
 Lord George was in confeqaence of this defeat, imme- 
 diately arretted and conveyed to the tower, by a large de- 
 tachment of horfe, under a charge of high treafon. The 
 Secretary to the Aflbciation was lilce.vife taken up, but in 
 confequence of information which he gave, he was foon 
 after difcharged, and is fufpefted to have obtained even 
 fomethtng more than his Jiberty. The Committee fled, of 
 remained inactive and peace was reltored to the city, 
 whilft He fullered a rigorous imprifonment for eight 
 months, constantly guarded by men with drawn f words — * 
 all his letters were opened and even pen ink and paper 
 Were denied him. For feveral months none of his friends 
 could be admitted to him, without an order from the Se- 
 cretary of State, and afterwards ft was necelTary to obtain 
 permiffion from the Governor of the tower ; but not- 
 withftanding the injunctions of the cabinet, he found 
 means to elude their vigilance. A gentleman in the tower, 
 whom it is not fafe to name, offered him his fervice, and 
 Was the faithful bearer of his conefpondence. By him 
 lie learnt that a majority of the Englifh were interefted in 
 his fate, and that the Scots were unanimous in his favour. 
 His connexions were watched with an inquifitorial eye,. 
 feveral were confined for correfponding with him, before 
 
24 LIFE OF LORD C. CORDON". 
 
 they fuppofed it to be dangerous, and amon^ the reft a 
 celebrated Republican ?,t Dundee, where the tree of li- 
 beity has been lately planted. After fome months con- 
 finement, they began to relax a little from their rigour 
 and he was allowed to take an ailing on the ramparts eve- 
 ry day. — In his walk he happened to !al! in with Citizen 
 Laurens who had been prefident of the Coiigrefs in Ame- 
 rica, and who, on his way to Holland, in quality of Minif- 
 ter Plenipotentiary had been taken prifonei by the Eng- 
 lish — A converfation on the ftate of public affairs imme- 
 diately took place. The circurnftance reached St. James's 
 and Laurens was deprived of the little liberty he before 
 enjoyed. A gloomy filence had fucceeded Lord George's 
 imprlfonment, whilft fufpicion and anxiety xvere vifible 
 in every countenance. The politics of both hemifpheres 
 depended on his acquittal, and Britain Was more agitated 
 about his fate, than regenerated France has late/y been 
 about the lives of his cruel perfecutors, the perjured 
 Louis, or the abandoned Antoinette, 
 
 At length the 5th of February arrived, when he was 
 conveyed from the Tower to the Court of King's Bench. 
 The flret ts were lined with Coaches and the crowd was 
 immenfe. Kenvon and F.ifkine were his principal coun- 
 sel. He entered the Hall elegantly and appropriately dref- 
 fed in a fuit of black velvet : his deportment was firm and 
 undaunted, and as a proof of the tranquillity of his mind, 
 in challenging the Jury, he objected, with apleafant fmiles 
 to a rope maker, " becaufe he was interefted by profeffion." 
 The trial continued during twenty hours, and much legal 
 ability was difp fayed on both fides. Lord Mansfield in 
 fummoning up the evidence, inge?iiouJIypaRc6. over what 
 wasmoft favourable to the Prifoner, when Lord George 
 perceiving the artifice immediately reprimanded him. The 
 Jury withdrew and in about half an hour returned with a, 
 veidia— NOT GUILTY, 
 
LIFE Ot LORD G. GORDON. 95 
 
 There is reafon to believe that a^miniftration vveie dif-» 
 pleafed with the verdict, for tho' it would have been dan- 
 gerous to have punilhcd him, for what the pe pie thought 
 a virtue, yet it would have gratified their vanity to have 
 fent him a pardon, and to have appeared aftuated by hu- 
 manity in the opinion of thofe who were unacquainted 
 with the real motives of their aclions; Be that as it may 
 univerfal joy fucceedcd, exprefles were fent to the moil 
 dirtant parts of the nation, and illuminations and bonfires 
 announced the joyful news. Wherever he went the ling* 
 ing of bells announced his arlival, and deputations came 
 to meet him with the freedom of their cities, Fiis corref- 
 pondence extended over every quarter of the Globe, and 
 few plans of reform were undertaken wi hout his advice. 
 The Proteflant AiTbciation unanimoufly approved his con- 
 duct, and in teftimony of the regard and refpecr. in which 
 they held him. I fhall fubjoin their addrefs upon his 
 acquittal. 
 
 To the Right Hon. LORD GEORGE GORDON, 
 
 THE ADDRESS OF 
 
 THE PROTESTANT ASSOCIATION. 
 " My Lord, 
 " Called upon bv the diftates of duty and gratitude, 
 <! and in juftice towards curfelves, and to the fentimenU 
 • ot affeftionate attachment , and unfeigned veneration, 
 " which fill the hearts of the whole body of the Proteflant 
 " Aflbciation ; it is with inexpreflible pleafure, that we 
 " prefent to your Lordihip our moil fintere and cordial 
 " congratulations, upon the happy ifTue of your irupor- 
 M tant trial. 
 
 " We magnify the divine goodnefs, which enabled you 
 •| to meet your trial with fuch manly fortitude and intre* 
 
 £ 
 
£*? LIJE OF LORD G. GORDON. 
 
 ** pidity, and to go through it with fuch aftonifhing calm- 
 " nei> and compofure of mind, and fuch amazing attention 
 " and recollection, as appeared in the lafl period of that 
 " arTefting fcene. 
 
 " Ha- ing, yonr Lordfliip maybe allured, fhared deeply 
 " in ail your pains and anxieties, we now rejoice in the 
 " unfliaken virtue of an honeft and intelligent Jury of 
 •' Englifhmen, who put an end to the hardfhips of your 
 ** Lordfhips confinement, and delivered you from all the 
 " dangers of a profecution, terrible to the pureft inno- 
 *' cence. 
 
 " The joy we feel derives a particular relifh from this, 
 st that it is not confined to us, or to the body which we 
 "reprefent; but is univerfal among all ranks and orders 
 '* of people. The general Satisfaction which your Lord- 
 *• fhip's honourable acquittal has given, is as remarkable as 
 " the vifibie anxiety for your fafety, which manifefted it- 
 *' felt in every place while your life was in jeopardy. No- 
 " thing but prudent difcretion, and a well-judged refpe£l 
 st for your Lordfliip, prevailed upon your friends to abftain. 
 11 fiom the ufual public demonftrations of joy; that they 
 ' might not, in this in fiance, be confounded with the un- 
 •' raly effefts of a turbulent licentioufnefs, which has too 
 " often affronted decency, and interrupted the quiet of 
 " thee cities, upon occafions of pretended popularity, to 
 " which the prefent bears no refemblance. 
 
 " We were witnefles to your Lordfhip's uniform, order-' 
 " ly, loyal, and constitutional deportment, in the charac- 
 *' tei by which, in condcfcenfion to our requeli, you be- 
 " came related to the Proteftant Aflbciation, when you 
 •' nobly flood forth in the Proteftant caufe, and put your- 
 *' felt at our head. "We had abundant proofs not only 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. CORDON. &f 
 
 u among ourfclve?, but in the whole tenor of /our Lord* 
 *' (hip's pubiic conducl, of an uncorrupt integrity of heart 
 * 4 and purity of intentions. We perceived among the 
 " leading features oi your character, fuch a drift, regard 
 ** to the bonds o£ conscience, and the obligations of virtue, 
 " morality, and religion, as at this day makes an honour- 
 44 able diftinftion in your fuperior rank and flation of life. 
 44 We were fully perfuaded, by every thing that fell under 
 " our obfervaPon, of your Lordihip's fleady regard for the 
 " true i rite re ft and welfare of your country ,, of your firm 
 44 attachment to the principles of the glorious Revolution 
 w and our happy confhtution, of your zeal for the Protef- 
 * 4 tant intereft, and the Proteftant fucceflion to the Crown 
 44 in the illuftrious family upon the Throne ; which, when 
 44 maintained in that infeparable union, that the fundamen- 
 44 tal laws of the kingdom have joined them, we confider, 
 *' as our fathers betore us did, to be, under God, the great 
 "■ bulwark of the civil and religious rights and liberties of 
 " thefe nations. 
 
 44 With fuch impreffions upon, our. minds,, we could not 
 * 4 but be, and we always were confident of your Lordfhip's 
 44 innocence; and that no accufation that could be brought 
 •* againft you, would be fupported with truth and fair; 
 " evidence,. 
 
 44 We have undoubted proof that the late horrible ou.t- 
 44 rages, in the guilt of which it has been unjuftly attempt- 
 44 ed to involve your Lprdfhip, were begun by the Papilts., 
 44 to throw an odium on the Proteftant Aflociation: and 
 44 we doubt not but they were confummated, in the dread- 
 44 ful extent of devaluation, to which they proceeded, bv 
 •*■ larking incendiaries, fet on by the fpies and emilTaries of 
 14 our national enemies. It is to us a g^ eat comfort, that 
 44 uot one Protefknt Petitioner of forty four thoufand, was. 
 
 Ea 
 
28 LIFE OF LORD G. CORDON,' 
 
 Ci apprehended, tried, convicled, executed , or killed among 
 " the rioters ; while under everyone of thefe predica- 
 " ments Papifts are to be found. So lar God, in his pro- 
 " vidence, appeared to wipe away all fufpicion from the 
 " Proteilant Aff ciation, and to plead your Lordfhip's 
 " cai'fe, by a finking and almofl miraculous fact of pub- 
 " lie notoriety. 
 
 " We are happy in the reflection, that nothing jn our 
 '* power was omitted to turn to e.Tect t^e means of fup- 
 *' porting thejuftice of your Lordfhip's cafe, In this we 
 " a£ied from ihe hear*. We owed it to your Lordfhip, 
 " to ourfelves, and to the honour of the c^ufe we are en- 
 " gaged in. We alfo think ourfelves greatly obliged tq 
 " tiiofe who had the more immediate charge of your de- 
 ".fence, for the r ?eal and affiduity ; and to the many 
 *' honourable and worthy perfons, of eve.y lank and ila-» 
 " |ion, who, from a regard to jufliee and humanity, ge- 
 " neroufly and voluntarily flood forth, to give into:mation 
 * 4 and evidence of iafts material to your justification ; a 
 " multitude of which came to light in a very furprifing 
 ' manner, 
 
 " But to God himfelf we afcribe all the glory of your 
 " Lordfhip's deliverance; and we hope we may, without 
 " enthufiafm, confide: - ir as a fignal mark of his protection 
 44 and appearance for the caule of truth, and a gracious, 
 '• anfwev to the many fervent prayers which were put up 
 ** in behalf of your Lordfhip, and are now fucceeded by 
 " thankfgivings and praifes, for the great falvation the Al» 
 '* mighty has wrought for ycu by his own hand. 
 
 " The fame gracious God who covered your head in 
 ** the day of danger, is able amply to repay whatever is 
 " done or fuffered in his fervice. We trufl your Lord- 
 *' fhip will never think you can ferve a better maflcr. It 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. ? (j 
 
 <l is our efcrfteft wHh th.it he te'ery honour you to be an 
 t* eminent inflrument in his hand, 6f advancing "his eaufe 
 •'* and interefl in the wbrW-t-df promoting the re J advan- 
 " tage of your conrtrv — and the general bapoinefs of 
 " mankind. Encour?ged by the promifng pittites or 
 " your early years, we p'eafe ourfelves with the flattering 
 *' cxpeftat'on, that your Lordfhip will ever efteem i; 
 ** nobleft ambiiion, the trueft grea'nefs, and the brj >h;e i. 
 *' character, to fhine as a good man, a good citizen, a fin- 
 *• cere chriitian, and a real patriot. 
 
 " Pardpn us, my Lord, if we intereft ourfelves, in the 
 
 " war me ft manner, in your Lordflrp's future happinefs 
 
 " and honor. We can with the mod folimn truth fay 
 
 !* " the vows of God are upon us" on your account ; and 
 
 " we (hall ever " ren l&c praifes to him, becaufe he has 
 
 I' delivered your foul from death :" Our confidence a!fo 
 
 " is, that he will at all times " deliver your feet horn fal- 
 
 " ling," that yqu may ** walk before Cod in the light of 
 
 " the living," May the richeft bleflings of providence 
 
 " and grace be your portion and inheritance ! and may the 
 
 !' Divine Goodnefs never forfake your noble Famd\ and 
 
 ''Relations, wiiofe feeder f\ mpathy and affecl'on have 
 
 " been fo anxioufly employed, to foften your diftrefs and 
 
 " extricate you from danger ! Let not any further fervice 
 
 " we can do be unacceptable to your Lordfhip; and per- 
 
 " mit us to affile you, thit hotting ft LI he wanting in our 
 
 *' power, to alleviate your fufTerings, or lighten yourbur- 
 
 ".dens. 
 
 " By order of the Committee, 
 
 Lyons Inn, Feb. 17, 178*. "JOSHUA BANGS, Sec."- 
 
 To which his Lordlhip returned the following anfwer : 
 
 " Gentlemen, 
 "I have the livelieft Ifenfe of the Divine mercy, by 
 
3^ LIFE OP LORD G. GORDON.' 
 
 " which I enjoy the happinefs of meeting you again in 
 " fucli agreeable Circumftances. Nothing can efface from 
 *' my mind the obligations I owe vou for your fteady 
 ** friendfhip, and the laborious fervice you fo chearfully 
 " went through tor my fake, when by my fituation in P:i- 
 44 fon, I was unable to do any thing for my own fafety 
 " and proteiiion. I am aifo exceedingly fenfible of the 
 " humanity and zeal of all thofe who any ways co.-ope« 
 *' rated with your exertions in my behalf, 
 
 " I have great reafon to be thankful to God for the fup^ 
 " port he afforded me during my long confinement, and 
 " that He did not for fake me in the moil awful moment* 
 " of my life. 
 
 " Whatever the neceflities of a profecution fuch as I" 
 " have undergone, may have required from the Conduce 
 *' tors of it, 1 peifuade myfelf, that no one who knows 
 M me can fufpect, I had any concern in thofe execrable 
 44 doings with which it has been attempted to conneft me. 
 t; None can regret or abhor them more than I do. Had 
 " not the Court very ha; fhly denied me the opportunity 1 
 " trufted to, and which I was informed could not be refa- 
 " fed me, to fay a word for my life, I fiiould before tha-t 
 44 upright and manly Jury, in whofe hands it was, have 
 " called the Great God to witnefs, that I was as innocent 
 " as any of themfelves of thofe difgraceful outrages, which 
 " from my very heart I deteft, and the idea of which* 
 41 fhocks my principles as well as my feelings. Whoever 
 " were the authors or promoters of fuch infernal plots, I 
 ** rejoice exceedingly, that the Proteftant Affociation are 
 ** pure from the flain. 
 
 44 1 highly value the favourable opinion you fo obligingly 
 " entertain of me ; and the engaging manner in which you 
 " take fuch an interefl in my welfare, is an additional tie 
 
LIFE OF LORD C. GORDON. ql 
 
 u upon me to purfue fuch a conJucl as may not iorfeit the 
 " efteem of any good man. 
 
 " Accept, Gentlemen, of my warmefl thanks for your 
 " affectionate congratulations. Tire good wifhes \ou ex- 
 " prefs for my Family and Relations, to whole tender 
 * fympathy I am fo much indebted, you may believe gives 
 ** me particular pleafure. 
 
 M There needs nothing more than my own experience, 
 " to give me the fulleft confidence in \our generous good 
 ■" will. I feel the weight of gratitude you lay upon me; 
 " and if any thing I have done, or fuffered, can be a pledge 
 " for my future life, I hope you will never have caufe to 
 " withdraw your regard, or repent of your kindnefs. 
 
 " G. GORDON." 
 
 Welbeck Street, Feb. ij 1781. 
 
 Few events in the annals of Britain have excited more 
 attention than the riots of 1780, and perhaps none are in- 
 volved in greater darknefs. Many Advocates for reform, 
 from a dread of anarchy and plunder, have decided too 
 rafhly, on the fubje:t, and as the Newfpapers are either in 
 the pay of adminiftration, or under the influence of factious 
 Partizans,.no pains have been fpared to blacken his Char- 
 acter, an J to expofehhn to popular contempt and hatred thro* 
 the medium of prejudice. They in part fuccceded.for an ho- 
 ned individual hasno chance in contending with aphalanx 
 of Placemen, Penfioners, and Expectants ; fecret fervice 
 money is profuleh icattered to calumniate virtue: And 
 hence the true Patriot is often facriticed to the joint ef- 
 forts of malice and corruption. 
 
 On the fifth of September 1781, Lord George at the fe- 
 licitation of a refpeclable body of the Livery of London 
 was nominated a Candidate for the City, and the ailociati- 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDorf* 
 
 rr.i to the number of four thoufand promifed hin their in* 
 icreft and fuppor: Inftantly everv Min^llerial tool was in 
 motion, bribes, threats, and pemifes were Iavifhed- 
 in urofufion — a meeting of Loid George's Friends were 
 fummoned at the Pauls Head Tavern CateatOn-ftreet, into 
 which Alderman Wooidridge and a number of King and 
 Confutation men intruded themfeives. The Alderman be- 
 gan an indecent harangue faying he ' would fruflrate all 
 Lord George Gordon's bufinefs for lhat night j" and } afnft- 
 ed by his mercenaries, turned every thing into cenfufion, 
 threw down the tables and candles and broke thegiaiTes &c. 
 Lord George, from motives of delicacy was anient : the 
 Lord Mayor was fent for, but the riot was fo great as en- 
 duced his Friends to adjourn. Next morning the follow- 
 ing note was received irom the Lord Mayor. 
 
 " The Lord Mayor prefents his Compliments to Lord 
 " George Goidon, and begs leave to allure his Lordihip, 
 " that he heard, with infinite concern, that there was fome 
 "difrr r pect (hewn to Lord George at the meeting at the 
 " Pauls Head laft night, by fome perfons who were in the 
 " irstereitof the Lord Mayor. Mr. Alderman Turner and 
 5t another Gentleman waited on his Lordm-ip and his Corn- 
 V rnittcelaft night at tt.e Pauls Head (and were there in- 
 "" formed thru his Lord (hip was gorej to exprefs the Lord 
 
 . i-or's difapprobation hi the ilrongeil terms of fuch 
 " improper conduft. 
 
 " Lord George as well as the Lord Mayor muft be ex- 
 " tremeiy fenfible that- great caution fhould be obferved to 
 " reflram the indifcretion of fome zealous friends. 
 
 " Manfion '-■'.. J . 7 ucj 'day Morning. 
 
 " Lord George will escufe the hurry in which this ir 
 " wrote." 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON'. gg 
 
 Lord George immediately returned the following an- 
 
 fwer : 
 
 " My Lord, 
 
 " I have juft now had the honour to receive your Lord- 
 
 *' {hip's very obliging note, and afTure your Lordfhip I 
 
 "am forry you mould feel the fmallefl concern at any 
 
 " thing that was faid, laft night at the Pauls Head, by per- 
 
 " fons whom you fuppofe in your intereft. 
 
 " I have had the honour to receive great civilities from 
 " your Lordfhip on different occafions : and I know your 
 *' politenefs and gentlemanlike manners too weli, to 
 *' fuppofe for an inftant, that any thing dtfingenious or un- 
 *' worthy could at all meet with your approbation. 
 
 *' As no apology was neceffa y from vour Lordfhip, I 
 " have the pleafure to regard your Lordfhip's note, as a 
 *' frefh infbnce of your attention and general good wifhes 
 *' towards me. 
 
 " I am forry that Mr. Alderman Turner and another 
 ■" gentleman had the unneceffary trouble of waiting upon 
 '* me, and the wonhy Committee who are fo kind as to 
 " conduct the bufinefs of my ele&ion. I a^ree with your 
 !t Lordfhip, that it is my duty as Prefident of the Proteft- 
 " ant AlTociation, as well as your Lordfhip's duty as a 
 "• Lord Mavor of the Proteftant Matropolis, toobferve the 
 ** greatcft caution, and to reftrain indifcretion inourfelves 
 M as well as in others — I have the honoi to be. 
 
 " My Lord 
 " Your Lordfhip's mofi obedient and 
 " Humble Servant 
 II dbeck-ftreet, Tuefday morning. " G. GORDON." 
 
 The Committee made an appeal to the public and after 
 ftating the matter, as related above, concluded in thefe 
 words •- 
 
 F 
 
31 LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON* 
 
 " This, Gentlemen, is the fimple un^orned fa£t ; ho* 
 " thing is exaggerated, nothing is fet down in malices 
 " This appeal is made to you, that youfmay enquire who 
 " were the authors, abettors, or inftruments in this attack 
 " on your fafcred liberties. This you are called upon to do 
 " immediately : this riot may be a prelude to a repetition 
 " of the juflly execrated bufinefs of Brentford. — 3alf and 
 «' M' Quirk may be flill alive. 
 
 " Which of the candidates thefe riotous gentlemen are 
 " friends to, it is your bufinefs to difcover. The Lord 
 " Mayor and his friends have difclaimed all connection 
 M with them : and you have a rig;ht, and ought to demand 
 " a clear and decided proof ot innocence from one or the 
 " other, for both cannot be innocent. 
 
 "The Alan, who dared thus violate the laws of hrs 
 
 4 country, and infult the dcareft liberties of his fellow 
 
 " citizens, has but fmall pretenfions to your fufFrages, and 
 
 *' gives you every reafon to expect, that he may prove a 
 
 " deftroyer, not a guardian of your dear bought privilege?. 
 
 " But, gentlemen what mull we think of the man, Lord 
 " George Gordon, thus attacked ? His enemies tacitly 
 *' tell you, that they have not a fingle thing they can ob- 
 " je£l againft him. — To your judgments they would have 
 " appealed, had they any accufations to have brought 
 " againft him. Happy for the man who is fuch a char- 
 " after, that the keen eye ot envy can difcover no failing? 
 " happy ! happy ! will that city be, who has fuch a man 
 •* to reprefent them in Parliament I" 
 
 They who have attended to the late riots at Birming- 
 ham, Cambridge, and Manchefter, &c. will have little dif- 
 ficulty in deciding who were the infligators of the diftur- 
 bance id Cateaton-ftreet. Minifterial hirelings are per- 
 fectly verfed in the aits of loyalty; well knowing the pro*. 
 
LITE OF LORD G. GORDON. 35 
 
 p^r moments for infuking fuch peaceable and well difpo- 
 feci citizens as act inimically to their views. Thefe heroes 
 arrogantly boaft their ebulitions of loyalty, with the cry of 
 King and Conjlitution, and down with Republicans, as an 
 aooloow for the rood criminal and dcfpcratc exceffes, but 
 thev may find themfelves miflaken, for the day feems to he 
 fall approaching when they will have to account to an in- 
 jured public, for their u/urpau 3*>S, their delufions, and their 
 crimes ., 
 
 Elections in London, winch may be called thegrandThe- 
 atre oi bribery and corruption, are attended with great ex- 
 pence, and his fortune Was bat very moderate : five thou- 
 fand pounds which had been accumulated, during his mi- 
 nority, and conGderab-le fumsthat had been collected for 
 him in different places were expended on his trial, or in 
 diiTeminating patriotic publications. The whole weight 
 of government was p/aced in the oppefke fcale, his friends 
 were infulted and his perfon was in danger. From thefe 
 circumftances he declined (landing the poll ; but he did 
 not defili from oppofing adminiiiration ; a change of fcr- 
 vants was not fufficient to impofe upon his judgment, and 
 in confequence of an application from the Committee the 
 Secretary of State wrote him the following Note. 
 
 " Lord Shelburne prefents his compliments to Lord 
 i; George Gordon, and ihall be very glad of the honor of 
 " receiving his Lordlhip, whh the Gentlemen of the De- 
 " putation from the Committee of the Proteftant AfTocia* 
 " tion, next Wednefdav morning at half pad eleven. 
 
 " Shelburne Hoztje, Sat u- day June 1 178.2." 
 
 In compliance with Lord Shelburne's letter, the Gentle- 
 men of the Deputation waited on his Lordfhip at the time 
 appointed, and were received with great affability and po* 
 litencfs. The Deputation opened the bufinefs by h 
 
3*> LIFE OF LORD G. GORDONf. 
 
 that the)' waited on his Lordfhip, as one of his Majeity*"a. 
 principal Secretaries of State, to folicit his intereft for the* 
 repeal of the late aft in favor of popery — that unlefs it- 
 were repealed, it would operate more fpeedily than mini- 
 ffers were awa'e of to the fubverfion of the State and the> 
 ruin of the nation — that the whole was a piece of State- 
 Policy to court the a.ffiflance of the Papifts in profecuting 
 certain meafures : — and added, that Poperv was fo inimical 
 to the public tranquility, in the eye of the law, tha 1 *' if 
 " even the King were to be reconciled to it, he would for- 
 *' feit his Crown, and his fubjecls would be abfolved from 
 *' their allegiance :" that they were bold r.o affirm the 
 word of God denounces a Wo agaioft the contrivers of 
 fuch political fchemes, and "therefore fliall the ftrength; 
 cc of Pharaoh be their lhame, and their truft in the fhadoui- 
 ** of Egypt their confufion."*- 
 
 Lord Sheiburne commended them for their vigilance- 
 in the bell; interefts of their country, and expreiTed his. 
 firm belief in the rectitude of their views and intentions^. 
 He faid his affections to the Protectant Religion were firm- 
 ly rooted, and his prejudices again ft popery particularly 
 ftrong — that the Catholics however had made no bad ufe? 
 of the indulgence granted them in this country— and that 
 he fhould not confent to the paffing fuch an aft foi Scot- 
 land, but that the reft of the Cabinet were not pledged. 
 After a long converfaticn of this nature, in which mucb^ 
 fliuffling and cajoling were oppofed to the moll earneft in-, 
 treaties and remonftrances, the Deputation were obliged 
 to retire without having obtained his Lordfhip's promifQ 
 to vote tor a repeal of the A&, or to adopt any fpecific; 
 meafure for a redrefs of grievances. 
 
 In the latter end of 1782, Lord George vilited Paris, 
 
 * Ifaiah, chap. so. x, 2> 3« 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON". 37 
 
 $nd was fenfibly ftruck with the effefts of defpotifm and 
 the ravages of war, then vifible throughout that city. 
 Nothing was to be feen in the moil fertile country of Eu- 
 rope but lofty palaces or wretched hovels : the golden 
 mean was totally unknown. The unfeeling Noble and the 
 haughty Prelate, wbortS we now fee counting the fign- 
 pofls of London, would fcarce deign to call a look upon 
 the Peafant and Manufacturer, trudging in the mire; and 
 yet, unconfeious of the rod that ocpreiTed them, they 
 were as much attached to the grind Monarque, and to the 
 various Orders in Church and State, as if their misfor- 
 tunes, had not been owing to their ufurpations and their 
 crimes. But the times are altered; for the people, who 
 were cenfidered as an inferior fpecies of animals, fince 
 they became confeious of their importance, have alionifh- 
 ed the world with the truth of their philofophy, and the 
 valour of their arms, and taught the Defpots of the Earth 
 what it is to infult the dignity of man. 
 
 Lord George was introduced to Maria Antionette, and 
 into all the fajiiionable circles of Paris ; but their hypo- 
 cricy and deceit hurt his feelings — -his imagination was 
 not enraptured with Burke's Celeftial Viilon, nor could 
 he be comfortable whilft millions around hirn were un- 
 happy. He was naturally an enemy to flattery and in- 
 trigue ; and education had rendered the worfhip of images 
 peculiarly obnoxious to him. The Philofopher contem T 
 plates with forrov>% the degradation of human nature 
 and looks down with an eye of pity upon the errors and 
 fufKnngs of deluded man ; but he was not fatisfied with 
 filent clifapprobation ; whatever appeared hurtful to virtue 
 and humanity, became fit objects of his oppofition. The 
 vices of the Fiench Clergy, whofe dov/nfal, o\xx great men 
 fo pathetically regret, could not efcape his obfervation, 
 and the evil ufe they made of their ill-gotten power, con= 
 
38 LIFE OF LORD C. GORDON. 
 
 firmed him in his averfion againft church eftablifhment:*.. 
 Far from being dazzled with the trappings of defpotifro 
 which he was wont to compare to the zvkitcd Sepulchre^ 
 or from being reconciled, through habit, to the outrages, 
 which the Church of Rome are continually offering to. 
 Nature, he returned to Britain, more firmly refclved than, 
 ever to profecute the plan of general reform. 
 
 During the American war, when an invafion was threat-* 
 cned by the Court of Fran.ce> whole ufurpations, our 
 immaculate Minifter, ever at variance with rcafon and 
 confiflency, is now fo anxious to reftore, a number of 
 Fencible Regiments were raifed in Scotland, on the ex* 
 prefs condition that they fhould never quit their own 
 country except in cafe of an invafion of England, and 
 that they mould be difcharged upon the r-efloration of 
 peace. Towards the conclufion of the war, the Athol 
 Highlanders were, by flow degrees, marched to Portf- 
 mcuth, under the pretence of immediate danger, but in re*. 
 ahty, to fell them to the Eaft-India Company. What 
 happened on that occafion is well known to the pub* 
 lie. 
 
 Rich men,* whatever their crimes may be, inflead of 
 a halter, generally obtain a coronet; and this explains 
 why thefe dealers in human flefh, thefe violaters of the 
 Rights of Man were never brought to condign punifiV 
 ment. 
 
 His iVIajeity's changing his principal fervants, contrary 
 to the fenfe of a great majority of theHoufe »f Commons, 
 was conhdered, even by Anjlocrates, as a dangerous 
 itretch of prerogative, and an encroachment on their own 
 privileges. This induced Lord George, who attended 
 
 * Vide the Trials of Lord Cl iv e, Hastings, &c. 
 
II^S OF LOUD G. GO^DCN. 23 
 
 'he Whig Club, at the Shakefpeare, when Mr. Fox became 
 a candidate for Weflminfter, in April 1784 to give him 
 every affiftance in his power; he mounted the huflinas, 
 cxpofed the infignificant character and contemptible talents 
 of Sir Cecil Wray, the Minifterial Candidate and procu- 
 red no lefs than five hundred of his friends to vote for Mr, 
 To::, whereby he turned the fcale in his favour, and ren- 
 dered the defigns of government abortive. Neverthelefs, 
 the exertions of Lord George, however wclljntended, gave 
 umbrage to a number of his mo ft independant friends, 
 who considered Mr. Fox as warped by party, and neither 
 calculated by nature or habit to extricate a finking na- 
 tion from impending ruin. They had given orders for an 
 elegant carriage, voted him for his fervices in the public 
 caufe, which was immediately countermanded, in confe- 
 rence of the part he took in ibis eleftion ; but whoever 
 attends to the motives that influenced his aftions, will 
 eafily perceive that his conducl was ftriftly honourable. 
 and his interference a duty : and from his obferving. 
 when it was moved in the Houi'e of Commons, " that the 
 mimfhy had loft the confidence of the people," that there 
 ought to be added by way of amendment, " that the oppo- 
 fition had not found it," we have an additional proof how- 
 little he was actuated by party motives. We (hall find, iu 
 the following Memoirs, a flriking inflance of Mr. Fox's 
 ingratitude, and an infallible criterion whereby to form a 
 judgement refpefting the politics of the Man of the Pea- 
 
 pu*. 
 
 Since the American war, rhe Britifh Cabinet has deemed 
 more anxious to confer titles and emoluments upon the 
 friends of Defpotifm than to lefTen the exceffive burdens 
 of the poor, which that war had accumulated on them. 
 Titled Anjlocrates were rewarded, with enormous penfi- 
 
 * Aa Epithet bellowed on Mr. Fox, by party fcribblers, 
 
4b LIFE 0? LORD G. GORDO^. 
 
 oris, merely becaufe they had fuppoited minifters, or covuei 
 trace their defcent from the baitard offspring of a profli- 
 gate King. Sinecure places were increafed in due pro- 
 portion with public diftrefs, and the rich fhared, among 
 themfelves, what fhould have been devoted to the relief 
 of a Differing people. To fupport this profufion of the 
 public money, invention was racked in order to difcover 
 new taxes, which doubled the price of provifions, crowd- 
 ed our ftreets with beggars, and brought thoufands to an 
 untimely end. — Amongft many Others, amounting almort 
 to a prohibition, a new tax was propefedon Linens, Cottons 
 and Scotch gauze. "When that fpirit of difcontent which 
 has osea long fmoothered, but never extinguished, broke 
 forth a new, a variety of Letters palTed between Lord 
 George, Mr. Pitt, and the Manufacturers and the follow*, 
 ing is a part of the Correfpondence. 
 
 To Mr. PITT, 
 First Lord of the Treasury. 
 ** Lord George Gordon prefents his compliments to Mr, 
 " PiU. He has jufl received frefh inftruclions from Glaf- 
 ** gow, againil the tax on Linens and Cottons. Ala-ming* 
 " fymptnms are breaking out. The following extracts of 
 '" intelligence will advertile Mr. Pitt of the fituation of 
 " government : " We are forry to inform your LordCiip 
 " that if the new tax paiTes into a iaw, it will not be in 
 " the power of the civil magiftracy, in different places of 
 " Scotland to keep the peace ; as they are already affem- 
 " bled in different places, and purpofing to do as Ireland 
 *•* has done; your Lordihip will take the trouble to re- 
 *' queft your brother, the Duke of Gordon, to go to Mr, 
 •■ Pitt, and inform him of the dreadful profpeft we have 
 " of mobs and tumults from the working people in this 
 " country." — Thefe letters are dated July 22. 
 
 " Lord George Gordon is extremely forry to have oc* 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. CORDON* 41 
 
 * { cafion to addrefs the prime Minifter in fo fhort and ab- 
 " rupt a manner. The nature of the fubje£l and the tick" 
 *' lifh ftate of the peace of thefe kingdoms ; mull apolo- 
 *' gize for it. The Duke of Gordon being gone to Gor- 
 " don Caflle, the tafk has neceflarily devolved on Lord 
 u George. — Lord George has the honor to return Mr. 
 " Pitt many thanks for his polite and immediate reply to 
 " his laft Rote on this fubjecl ; though the anfwer, indeed, 
 •' was not decifive. Lord George hopes to hear again 
 *' from Mr. Pitt, before he goes out this night. 
 
 " Welbeckjlreet, Tuejday, July 22." 
 
 •• To LORD GEORGE GORDON. 
 
 *' Mr. Pitt prefents his compliments to Lord George 
 u Gordon, and is much obliged to his Lordfhip for the 
 " honor of his note. Mr. Pitt has reafon to believe that 
 " the Lord Advocate has fent to Glafgow all the informa- 
 51 tion that can be necefTary^ and has therefore nothing to 
 " trouble his Lordfhip with on the fuljeft. 
 
 " Downing. Jlreet, Tuefday night, July 27." 
 
 'Tranquillity and induftry immediately took place in 
 Glafgow and Paifley upon the Miniftrv's giving up their 
 favourite tax, and the following addrefs was tranfmitted 
 to Lord George. 
 
 " May it pie afe your Lcrdjlnp, 
 ** We, the repielentatives of the journeymen weavers 
 " in Paiflev, humbly beg leave to return your Lordfhip 
 * 5 our moil grateful acknowledgements for your ready en- 
 • s deavours to prevent the tax upon filk, gauze, &c. which 
 '* would fo materially have injured thefe branches of ma- 
 " nufa&ure, by which fo many thoufands, of both fexes, 
 " in this town, and the adjacent country, obtain a com- 
 •' fortable livelihood. 
 
 " We alfo beg leave to inform your Lordfhip, tfotf as 
 
 G 
 
42 LITE Of LORD C. CORDON*. 
 
 - " we are not an incorporated body, but a Committee ap- 
 " pointed for the fpccial purpofe of ufing fuch legal and 
 €i conftitutional mea is, as were in our power, of oppofmg 
 *' the tax which is now fettled, our exigence as a commit- 
 *' tee, is no longer necefTaiy, and we are this day didulved. 
 
 11 We remain, with the great eft ref^ecT: and efleem,yo;:r 
 " Lordfhip's mod obliged and humble fervants. 
 
 " Signed in our name, and by our appointment. 
 
 "ANDREW SIMM, Preses/ 7 
 *'■ Paifley Augujl 6tli 1784. 
 
 Commerce had not fufHcientiy raifed her drooping hear 1 , 
 nor had the wounds inflicled on humanity, bv an obflinatc 
 degraded adminiftration, ceafed to bleed, when new plans 
 were devifed to inflict additional fetters on an opprefled 
 Nation. Genius languished in defpair ! Induftry compelled 
 to fupport, by her exertions, luxury and extravagance, or to 
 fee k an af\ luni in the hofpitable regions of America : an 
 almofl univerfal difcontent prevailed, and an entire depo- 
 pulation feemed to threaten the North of Scotland, when 
 the Britifh Cabinet, either to amufe the people with affected 
 genero/tly, or to impofe upon the highlander?, by ceafino- 
 to perfecute their chiefs, refolved to reftore the eftates for- 
 feited in 174,5, to their original owners. Lord George 
 immediately protefted againft the meafure, and wrote a pe- 
 tition to the Houfe of Lords, in which, amongft a variety 
 of arguments, he obferves, " that the people groaned mod 
 " bitterly under a heavy burden of taxes, heavier and grea- 
 M ter than in any former reign, and that it became the Le- 
 ' giflature to relieve their immediate wants rather than to 
 *' confer emoluments upon men, who had abandoned their 
 " own country on account of their attachment to arbitra- 
 " ry power, and had Tin ce lavifhed their blood and treafure 
 " in fighting for the Defpots of Europe. That his own 
 * difaffecuvn to Ui* Majefty's different admin titrations, for 
 
LIFE OF LORD C. GORDON. 43 
 
 •' thefe ten }ears paft, arofe from his fincere abhorrence of 
 " their principles, their politics, and their practices, fo- 
 '* reign and domeflic — and that he could not now take the 
 " oaths to government, with a clear conscience, as the law 
 " ftands, even to fave his life. — And, that as none of thefe 
 " expatriated Nobles had ever dillingnilhcd fchernfelves in 
 " the caufe of freedom, the people had reafon to fufpefr, 
 f ' that both their changing their allegiance from the Houfe 
 ''• of Stuart, and the unexpected favour fhewn them by 
 " the court, were owing to adminillration's adopting ihofe 
 " tyrannical principles for which the chiels had been ex. 
 " pelled from Britain." 
 
 It is not my bufmefs at pre fe tit, to inveftigate the motives 
 that produced the above meafure, perhaps the miniftry 
 thought thole who had fupported the ufurpations of the 
 Stuarts th.e bell qualified to funport the encroachments of 
 any future reign, or perhaps it took its otigin from that 
 fecret foreign influence, whiefl feems for fome time paft 
 to have influenced th.e Britiih council.— ?It could not be 
 from that benign principle of yielding pardon to a preju- 
 diced Brother, tor a!a^ ! future generations will fhed a fym- 
 pathetic tear, over the hi (lory of thefe times which have 
 produced inch unexampled inftanee* of cruelty and re- 
 venge. Lord George's conduct mufl however excite irn- 
 pariial pr.iile. The highland chiefs were his near relati- 
 ons, and his family connections were all difpleafjd \v\di 
 h'.$ proceedings; but neither the ties of blood, nor the 
 more powerful fpripgs of intereft were capable of infuien. 
 cing his actions-, when he thought the liberty and happi- 
 nefs ot h;s country were concerned. 
 
 As the revival of learning in Europe is principally afcri- 
 bed to the <*rt of printing, fo may the partial revival of li- 
 berty be afcribed to the reformation ; for the moment the 
 
 G 2 
 
44 LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. 
 
 chain was weakened, that conne&ed Church and State, it- 
 was eafy to prognofticate the fhock that defpotifm would 
 receive. The progrefs of freedom to be fure was flow, 
 but it was certain. The new Republics of Switzerland, 
 Holland, Geneva &c. not only rivalled, but furpaffed 
 Greece and Rome ; for juft in proportion to the degree 
 of republicanifm in any country, have the people been 
 profpeious and happy, and this accounts why the govern- 
 ment of Britain, when compared to feme of thofe on the 
 Continent appears even mild and g<?ntle. Were it prac- 
 ticable to introduce the pure reprefentative fyflem, wars 
 and bloodfhed would be impoflible, for the interefts of the 
 many would naturally incline them to peace and equality ; 
 and to fubdue a free people, could only be effected by ex- 
 termination, which, till the prefent ceftruclive crufade 
 againit the liberties of France, has been always deemed 
 a wild chimera, 
 
 As Kings have a fort of fympathetic feeling, or rather a 
 common intereft in fupporting each another, it cannot be 
 doubted that the fame principle prevails in a higher de- 
 gree between the people : the Dutch Patriots therefore, 
 who confider princes, as ravenous wolves, entered into 
 the war, in favour of American liberty, with a decree of 
 enthufiafm not very peculiar to their climate, whilft the 
 Stadtholder complied with the greateft reluclance— experi- 
 ence had taught him what neither France nor Spain fore- 
 saw — it taught him to dread the contagion of liberty.; 
 The citizens who think they have an intereft feparate, 
 from the Stadtholder, attributed all their defeats and mif- 
 carriages to his councils, whilft he was continually thwart- 
 ing their mealures and accufing them of negligence and 
 imprudence, which increased that fufpicion and miftruft 
 which now feem to threaten his deftru&ion. 
 
 From America, the French foldiers tranfplanted the 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON.' 45 
 
 Tree of Liberty into the centre of their own country, and 
 the Court of Verfailles, to avert the ftorm at home, was 
 endeavouring to fow the feeds ot difcord between the 
 United States: the fwords of Britons were flill reeking 
 with the blood of their inurdered brethren; and the 
 Dutch were contending with the Stadtholder, about who 
 fhould pay the expences ot the war; when the Emperor 
 of Germany, in the true Imperial {tile, took advantage of 
 their diflentions and menaced to deprive the Dutch of the 
 Navigation of the Scheldt: he marched numerous armies 
 to the frontiers of Holland, and was continually intriguing 
 with the Court of Verfailles. Proteftantifm and Popery 
 were in Lord George's opinion, fynonymous. with Liberty 
 and arbitrary Power, and he naturally conceived, that the 
 Emperor's views were fecretly direcled again ft the bap- 
 pi nefs of an independent nation — he trembled for the pro- 
 teftant intereft, and as Prefident of the Aflbciation, he 
 founded the toe fin, and endeavoured to renew thofe ties 
 of fraternity between the people, which, for many years 
 pall, had degenerated into compacts, fubfidies, and pro c ta- 
 rnations, between the princes who reign over them. 
 
 Upon the 8th of November, Lord George had a long 
 conference with the Dutch Ambafiador ; and upon the 
 10th, it was propofed that the Prefident with the Dutch 
 Conful at the head of the AfTcciation, fhould accompany 
 him to St James's as a proof of their affectionate regard; 
 but this propofal, from prudential motives, was rejected. 
 In the morning of the 10th, Lord George d re fled himfelf 
 in the Dutch uniform — he flung a large belt over his 
 flioulder, in which he placed a Highland broad fword, 
 that had oppofed with fuccefs the ufurpatious of the See 
 of Rome ; and thus accoutred, he went to the guard room, 
 and prevailed upon the 3d regiment to mount the Dutch 
 cockade, When the Ambaffador approached, he drew 
 
46 LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. 
 
 his rufly fword, and faluted him, declaring, " that he 
 would protect, to the utmoft oi his power, the Dutch and 
 their interefts ;" the guards refted their fire-locks, and 
 fignified their attachment to the Proteftant caufe. Imme«. 
 diateiv on the Levee breaking up, he had another inter- 
 view with the AmbafTador, and an exprefs was difpatched 
 to the States General, acquainting them with the acquifi- 
 tion or the Proteftant AfTociation. Lord George in the- 
 mean time fent memorials to the different States of £u-. 
 rope, addreffed the protectants of every denomination^ 
 and entered into the following correfpondence with Mr, 
 Pitt. 
 
 To Mr. PITT, FirftLord of the Treafury. 
 " Sir, 
 *' Several hundred feamen have addreffed me to day, 
 " many of them lately arrived from India, came in coach- 
 " es : acting lieutenants, mates, and midfhipmen of the 
 " Royal Navy are among them. — The following is a copy 
 " of the generality of their addreffes ;'* 
 
 " To the Right Hon. LORD GEORGE GORDON, 
 " Prefident of the Proteftant Affociation. 
 " May it pie afe your Lordjhip, 
 ** We, the Seamen whofe names are underwritten, are 
 " able, willing, and ready, to ferve the United Protefiant 
 " States of Holland, againft the King of the Romans,, 
 " and a!! their Popifh enemies. And your Petitioners will 
 ".ever pray for Lord George Gordon. — Signed, Edward 
 " Robinfon, and thirty- four other feamen, at the Kettle 
 "Drum, Radcliffe-Highway, November 17th, 1784." 
 
 n Several Officers of distinction, in the land fervice, 
 " have alfo applied to me, and offered their fcrvices to 
 *' the States General, particularly a field officer in the 
 " Connecticut line, in the Province of Mafjaihufets, and 
 
Life of lord g. cordon. 47 
 
 " an officer who has lately left the Irifh Brigade of France 
 •* who wifhed to enter into ferv;ce more agreeable and 
 " congenial to his fentiments and principles. Many of 
 ■ the Guards have requefted to go volunteers — fome 
 " Athol Highlanders are on their way to town, who I 
 " make no doubt, will engage in the good Proteflant caufe 
 " of their High MightinefTes. I acquaint you as Prime 
 " Minifter, with thefe matters, that you may convince 
 " Baron Van Lynden, of the general good difpoiltion of 
 " the people of thefe realms, to comply with his Excel- 
 " lency's requeft, and to renew again their old friendship 
 *' with Holland, upon the righteous and lolid foundation 
 *' of the proteflant intereft. 
 
 I am, Sir, with all due refpect, 
 
 " Your humble Servant, 
 Wdbeck-Jtreei, Nov. 17, 1784. " G. GORDON." 
 
 " To Mr. PITT, Firft Lord of the Treafury. 
 " Sir, 
 " Captain Rawlinfon, of Shad well, has juft been with 
 " me, and made me a very noble offer ot the Frigate 
 " Prince William, of 26 guns, tocruife again ft the Imperial 
 " merchantmen, and all the enemies of the United States. 
 " Several Artillery. men are preparing an addrefs alio to 
 -- make offer of their fervices: More than a thousand 
 " Seamen, with a full proportion of rnaflers, mates, guu- 
 " ners, and carpenters, have already figned their requsfti 
 ** to be employed in the fame juft caufe. 
 
 " I am happy to acquaint you, Sir, as Prime Minifter, 
 *' with thefe good fvmptoms of the love and affeftion ot 
 " the people of thefe kingdoms, for their old proteflant 
 " friends in their preient critical fuuation with the popifh 
 M powers. I am, Sir, with al! due refpeft, 
 
 " Your humble Servant, 
 Wdbcck-Jlrcct, Nov, 18, 1784. « : G. GORDON/ 
 
48 LIFE OF LORD G. GORDOtfi 
 
 Upon the igtb, Mr. Pitt wrote him the foHowing 
 letter : 
 
 " My Lord, 
 
 ** I have hitherto returned no an Twer to the letters 1 
 M received from your LordhVp on the 17th, and 18th in* 
 " ftant, becaufe I did not think it my duty to enter into a 
 *' correfpondence with your Lordlhip on the fubjeft. But 
 •* having been informed that manv Seamen have been in- 
 " duced to quit their occupation, in the expe£tation of be- 
 " ing employed to ferve againfl the Emperor, I think it 
 ** my duty to remind you, that whatever fleps you have 
 ** taken, have been without the fmalleft degree of author 
 " rity or countenance from his majefty's Miniflers, and 
 *' that it is for your Lordfhip to confider what confequen- 
 M ces may be expected from them. 
 
 " I am, my Lord; 
 41 Your Lordfhip's obedient humble Servant, 
 Downing-/! reef, 26 minutes pajl one " \V. PITT.'* 
 
 o'clock, P. M. Nov. 19, 1784. 
 
 Upon the receipt of the above Lord George replied. 
 
 " To Mr. PITT, Firft Lord of the Treafury. 
 " Sir, 
 " 1 received your letter of to day, juft now. It was ve- 
 " ry rude in you not to anfwer my two letters fooner. — • 
 " I am glad to hear you fay, that many Seamen have been 
 " induced to quit their occupation, in expectation of be- 
 " ing employed againft the Emperor. This (hews the* 
 ** Seamen's hearts are warm towards the States of Holland, 
 •' and that they wifh to lend a hand to am ft them againft 
 " their enemies. As foon as you and the reft of his Majef- 
 41 ty's Minifters are pleafed to authorize and countenance 
 M thefe honeft endeavours of the feamen to fupport thefe 
 " Protefhnt States, I will make propofals to the Dutch 
 11 AmbafTador, and to the States of Holland, to take them 
 
LIFE OF LORD C. GORDON. 49 
 
 *" into immediate pay. The confequences may fall on the 
 " heads of the King's fervants, if they advife their Sove- 
 *' reign to take a part againft the Proteftant Intereft. 
 " I am, Sir, 
 
 *' Your humble Servant, 
 Welbeckpect, Nov. 19, 1784. " G. GORDON." 
 
 AddrefTes from every quarter poured in approving his 
 Fpirited conduct. The Proteftant Volunteer corps of 
 Ireland, voted him their thanks, and among the foremoflt 
 appeared the Wicklow Forefters. 
 
 "To the Right Hon, LORD GEORGE GORDON. 
 
 81 My Lord, 
 ** I was abfent from home when your Lordfhip's letter 
 " arrived, or fhould foonei have acknowledged the honor 
 *' of receiving it. It flatters the good intentions of the 
 ■* Wicklow Forefters not a little, to meet the approbation 
 " of a Nobleman of fuch truly found conftitutional prin- 
 *' ciples as are well known to animate your Loidfhip. I 
 11 muft requeft that you will receive the warm^ft acknow- 
 *' ledgements of thofe defcen lents from early Englifh 
 " Settlers I have the honor ot commanding:, tor thejuil 
 44 light in which you wifh to place them, and the marked 
 " attention you have honoured them with ; and that your 
 *' Lordfhip will believe me to be, with the higheft refpect 
 *' for the Proteftant Affociaticn, 
 
 Your Lordfhip's moft obedient 
 
 " and faithful humble fervant, 
 
 •* SAMUEL HAYES. 
 " Colonel of the Wicklow Forefters." 
 Avondale, November 14th, 1784. 
 
 The attention of the whole nation was fixed upon his 
 Lordfhip's proceedings, and the Cabinet were ferioufly 
 alarmed ; for however they might Hand affected to the 
 
 H 
 
$& LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON? 
 
 Politics of the Continent, they did not choofe to e 
 the hero of 1780. — Upon the 19th a vaft croud of Sailors 
 went to the Queens Houfe, demanded employment, and 
 Ih< we ; e\ ident marks of difcontent; but upon Lord Syd- 
 ney promifi rg to redrefs their greivances, they departed 
 without committing any afts of violence. — At this time 
 B. Wilfon, Lord George's acling Lieutenant, at the Kettle 
 Drum, was taken into cuflod^ and conveyed to Lord Syd- 
 ney's office, where he underwent a ft rift examination, 
 bat was foon difcharged and lent with a verbal meflage to 
 his Lordfhip. Lord George returned for anfwer, that 
 11 if Loid Sydney had any bufinefs with him he muif. 
 " write a letter, as verbal meflages were uncertain." No 
 time was now to be loii, the Sailors and part of the army 
 were forming themfelves into numerous bodies, and his 
 'effy's niinifters were in imminent danger. 
 
 Vigorous meafures were inftantly taken to fecure the 
 peace of the city — the Forts were fhut, and a legion of 
 f pies and informers were lent off to Wapping to circulate 
 a report amongft the Sailors that Lord George had taken 
 ntage of their fimplicity and afterwards betrayed them. 
 Men, who groan under a feries or misfortunes, exceflive 
 jmpofitions,or a long continued chain of wrongs, become 
 at length diffident and fufpicious ; the remembrance of 
 the pad makes them dread the future. His enemies be- 
 gan firft by infinuating doubts and probabilities, but when 
 the paffions of their audience leemed fufficiently roufed, 
 they openly accufed him of treachery and duplicity ; and 
 propqfed to avenge themselves of the injuries received by 
 pull in ^ down his houfe, and punifliing the offender. This 
 proportion was inflantaneoufly embraced. A friend who 
 could not prevent their defigns, haftened to Welbeck- 
 Sreet, with the information. His fervants left the houfe, 
 the neighbours began to remove their moil valuable fur- 
 
LIFE OF LORD C. GORDON, 3 1 
 
 iiiture, and dreadful consequences were expe&ed ; but a 
 mind, confcious of integrity, is not eafily fhaken, he ii- 
 mained unmoved in the midft of danger, arid fat dawn to 
 breakfaft with the gieateil compofure. At the hour pro- 
 pofed, an immenfe croud appeared, the ftreets were filled 
 with their numbers, and all was tumult and contufion. — 
 Arrived at his houle, they knocked at the flreet-door, arid 
 in a vehement tone of voice, threatened that vengeance,, 
 which difappoimment on the one hand, and treachery *6a 
 the other, naturally infpiie : he opened it with aphiloftii 
 phic indifference, and immediately a profound liience fuc- 
 ceeded — he addreiled them in cool, but manly langu 
 expatiated on the arbitrary, perfidious m«?alures, which, 
 Mini Hers had purfued, and allured tliem I : had ever 
 
 been the friend of the people, and the advocate of th&' 
 ppprefled — In an inftant the populace caught the flame, 
 he was interrupted with burlis of applaufe, and the air 
 refounded with fl outs of GORDON and LIBERTY ! 
 and when he had concluded his harangue, they afke i him 
 if they might go and " pull down Mr. Pitt's houfe:' : * — ■■ 
 he made a low how and withdrew* They however retired 
 in peace, and thus his Lordihip enjoyed the fausfaction' 
 of fruflrating the wicked plan of his enemies. The effecl; 
 his fpeech produced, clearly proves how much he poiTeff- 
 ed the art of pleaflng the people, nor do Greece or Rome 
 
 * The friends of Government fhould be extremely ca itiou: in eroDloy-* 
 ing thfir Church an - When men who have been long opprefi« 
 
 ed get arms into their hands, they gerie tally turn them agatnft theAutl:ors 
 of their misfortunes. Melanthon, the friend and companion of Luther, 
 was once employed by the See of Home, to ti .fie the Reformation in its 
 birth. In the Wed of England, a penftoner of the Court, lately ens 
 a few unlettered men to burn tlie Effigy ot Thomas Pains, for a banel of 
 Porter — when they had accorjjpliihedthi^ heroic exploit, they afke d his 
 honour, " if he had any more Bifhops to burn :" and it is fu 
 would have willingly paid them, and cei tain other gveat menj the h 
 taityrdom, for a very fmall quantity indeed, 
 
 H 2' 
 
52 LfFE OF LORD G. GORDON. 
 
 furnifh us with a nobler inftance of perfuafive eloquence 
 than is here difplayed. A few days after the above tri- 
 umph, he re~eived the following letter from a Count 
 O'Rourke, Knight of the Holy Roman Eagle, and late a 
 Pield Officer in the Imperial fervice. 
 
 To the R.ght Hon. LORD GEORGE GORDON. 
 
 " My Lord Gordon, 
 
 " I fhall be glad to know what motives, or what inte=. 
 " reft \ou can have, in being fo vehement again ft the an- 
 " cient Catholic religion ? Has your Lovdlhip forgot that 
 " you are fprung from anceflors who thought that way of 
 " thinking right; and that at this moment your aunt pro- 
 " fefles it in all its original forms ? 1 hat which was the 
 <f religion of your family, at fo late a period as in the 
 '* time of your grandfather, fhould not be fo reviled by 
 * : you. Give me leave to afk what religion it is that you 
 *' profefs, which recommends perfecution? Surely not 
 " the Proteftantl 1 acknowledge that I am, and a/1 my 
 " forefathers were Roman Catholics. — My family can 
 " boafl of antiquity before that of the Gordons — well 
 *' known to the Britifh Court, well known to all the Courts 
 " of Europe. I am at prefent the chief of that family^ 
 " and. as I before obferved, profefs the fame way of think- 
 " ing that they did in matters of religion — but I am not for 
 " perfecution — men of iate, of both religions, have got a 
 " more liberal way of thinking; toleration has diffufed it- 
 ** felf over the world, andfhewed men the foly of falling 
 " out about religion, and that it is not any particular 
 " mode of worfhip that will open the road to heaven.— 
 " What became of your Lordfhip that you did not fhare 
 " or partake of that blefling P Did you envelope yourfelf 
 " in fo great a degree of enthufiafm, as to prevent its ap« 
 " proaching you ? 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON £$ 
 
 " In former times, no wars were carried on, no difaf- 
 " feftion to government, in fh ;rt, no plot, i ho* ever fo 
 *' wicked, but had as its covering the fecurity of religion. 
 " The interefl. of the eftablifhed Church has been, and 
 *' you intend (hall again be your foundation for tumults, 
 " riots, murder-:, burnings, &c. &c. hmilar to thofe of 
 4* 1780. — Jake care, my Lord, hearken to rny advice, de* 
 •* fiil from your late conduct; let every man go to hea- 
 " ven in his own way ; his Majelly ha-* not more loyal 
 " or better fubje as in his kingdom tl:an the Catholics: 
 " they have committed no outiage, they have not diflurb- 
 " ed the public peace, nor attempted to deflroy the Go- 
 " vernment of this country, when at war with many great 
 " powers. Forget that odious word " Papijl" which you 
 " fo frequently make ufe of, when fpeaking ot the Roman 
 " Catholics ; but fhould it endeavour to foam up, take a 
 4< draught of warm water, and walh it down again. 
 
 " I had the honour of being a Captain in a Scotch 
 M Regiment, in the French ferviee ; in it were men of 
 '* different religions, yet we lived like friends, not fuffer- 
 " ing the difference of religion to create feuds and difTen- 
 * f tions among us. Lord Lewis Drummond commanded 
 '* that Regiment— it would have been fortunate for you 
 " had you pafTed a few years in it ; it might have given 
 *' you a more liberal way of thinking, and kept you out of 
 c ' a vail deal of trouble ; it is not too late to mend; and 
 ** when your Lord (hip pleafes to call on me I fhull be 
 •' happy to enlarge on the fubjecl with you : and perhaps 
 " if you are not predetermined, 1 may be able to convince 
 4 - you that you are wrong. 
 
 *' I have the honor to be, 
 " Your Lordfhips molt, obedient 
 " Humble fervant, 
 
 CROUilKR. 
 
^4 LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. 
 
 P. S, I 8w.ll he glad to know who this officer of the. 
 €i Iriih Brigade is, that you fo pompoufly mention in- 
 " your letter to Mr. Pitt ; if he has quitted that brave 
 *■ Corps with the approbation of his Commanders, and 
 " with the character of a man of honour, and is fo in reality , 
 -* 1 am fure you can have no influence over him to make 
 " him jj>in in jour pieient fchemes. I mud alfo remark 
 " that when you fpeak of the Emperor, you mould obferve 
 '* the refpeet due to fp great a public, and fo illuflrious ^ 
 " ;:nvate CharaQer." 
 
 Lord George fent the following replv. 
 
 Jl dscckjlreet, Nov. 29, 1704. 
 •' Sir, 
 *' Your letter dated 24th was not delivered'at my houfe; 
 " till yefterday 28th. 
 
 *' In reply to it, give me leave to inform you that as^ 
 " Prefident of the Proteffant Affociation I am anfwerable 
 «' to my conftituents for my vyatchtulnefs and fidelity in 
 *' difcharging the important truft they have repofed in 
 6S me ; I am alfo anfwerable to the Government and the. 
 l ' Ma^iftrates, if I, in any degree, tranfgtefs the laws of 
 *' the land ; but I am no way refponfible for my public 
 ?' conduct to you, or any other private individual. — You 
 " will therefore excufe me, for declining the offer you 
 C4 make me of calling upon you to enlarge on thefubjecU 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 ii Your moft obedient, 
 
 44 humble fervant, 
 
 «' G. GORDON.'* 
 
 ^'AMonfieur, Monfieur O'Rcurk 
 *' foi-difant Count O'Rourke. 
 
 "} 
 
 Lord George had good fenfe and difcretion enough to. 
 treat the above with that contempt which it defer ved. 
 
E OF LORD G. GORP £5 
 
 O'Rourke, like his unfortunate anceftors bid wand 
 from Court to Court, ever ready to y ; iis prowefs in 
 
 fupport ©f the infallibility or' the Pope, and the divine 
 .rights of Kings, and now he appear:, the Quixotic Cham 
 of the Roman Emperor — How unfortunate that this K 
 
 t has not furvived the French Revolution — how he 
 mull b plauded the chivalry 01 Sin !•;>■, and how his 
 
 fword would have leaped from its fcabbard to avenge the 
 death of a perjured Kingj and an abandoned guilty Qiieeii • 
 J3ut M . contempt the conduct of fuch delude 
 
 may exci*. e, it is not eafy to avoid their revengeful tip; 
 nations : Enthufiafm and fanatifm are unacquainted with 
 prudence, added to which the Count, like other adventu- 
 rers, hoped to procure preferment, en the Continc 
 provoking his refentrnent and palling him to the 1 
 The latter however had, penetration to perceive the 
 and the good fortune to efcape it. When the i 
 had failed in ridding them of a man, who has 
 fliled, the "avowed enemy of Church and King,"' they 
 attempted another method it ill more congenial to their 
 feelings. 
 
 The Holy Fiflierman of Rome, who holds tl -sol 
 
 Paradife in one hand, and the gates of Hell in another; 
 who confidently pretends to be the Servant of Servants, 
 whiLft he arrogates to himfelf a diipenfing power over ihe 
 lives and properties of men — this fpiritual Tyrant, \. 
 profeffiona! practice is ever todevife new crimes, difpat 
 two faithful Jefaits, of the tiue genuine flamp, provided 
 with a pardon for all crimes, paft, prefent, and to come, 
 and on condition that they would aQTaffinate the Prefident 
 of the ProteCant Aflbciation. Thefe fiends, who cove, 
 the darkeftand moil dangerous defigns, with an bypociitical. 
 fanftitv, took up their lodgings near Wclbcck-ftrect — but 
 notwithstanding the fecrecy of the Church, he was inform- 
 
£5 LlfrE O? LORD C. GORDOtf, 
 
 ed that his death had been refolved upon in the Valic&n ! 
 he was therefore confequently upon his guard, conflantly 
 attended by a friend, and very particular in his diet. 
 
 At this period he happened to fall fick, and was under 
 the directions of his Phyficians, when thefe Monfters at- 
 tempted to execute their orders. They fent a via! filled 
 with a certain liquid, to which wefe affixed lnflruclions 
 apparently written by his apothecary, with the flriclefl 
 injunctions to take it immediately.— As it was brought by 
 a ftranger who haflily departed, it created fufpicion, and 
 at the verv moment he was about to fwallow the draught 
 he hefitated, and fent for the apothecary : the impofuion 
 was detected, the medicine analyzed, and found to contain 
 the moll deadly poifon. Thefe are the arms which his 
 Holinefs employs to deflrovunfufpecling men, who oppofe 
 the intereils of Popery, and it is to reinftate his adherents 
 that Britons are now in arms — but the genius of liberty is 
 victorious, and will baffle all the united efforts of Priefts 
 and Tyrants. 
 
 In the mean time the Emperor entered into a Negocia- 
 tion with the Dutch — From the temper of the times, and 
 the various intereils, which connect the different States of 
 Europe, with Holland, the war muft of henvife have become 
 general. The people required an interval of repofe. 
 An unjuft and bloody conteft had left Minifters little to 
 beflow upon Contractors, &c. which induced the different 
 Cabinets for once to be moderate and pacific* Haw kef- 
 bury and Pitt can heft tell what effeci Lord George's inter- 
 
 * Tli 
 
 The Kings in the interior cf Africa, annually maVe war upon one anow 
 ther by mutual agreement, and fell whatever Prifoners tbey take, to our 
 Merchants for Slaves ; which inhuman traffic conftitutcs the principal oart 
 of their revewue. Would it not feem, from the increafe of t.ixcs, the nu- 
 merous preferments, penfioiis, and finecure places, which follow every wary 
 that fomething fimilac was undcrllood iu Europe ? 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON.' £7 
 
 terenee had upon their conduct. But as the Emperor was 
 fati fled to let the Navigation of the Scheldt, remain as it 
 had been before, whereby his fubjects are ftiil deprived 
 of the right to navigate their own river, upon receiving a 
 large fum of money, which, inftead of dividing, among 
 the people who had fuftained the burdens of his ruinous 
 vifionarv Campaigns, he profufely lavifhed in other bar- 
 barous fcheraes of aggrandizement, and unbounded ex- 
 pence, fo that we mull infer that thehappincfs of his fub- 
 jects formed no part of his universal plan. 
 
 When it was found equally impracticable to fcerrify Or 
 corrupt Lord George, Miniffry endeavoured to lefien 
 his influence by detaching his family from him. The 
 evil genius of difeord began to throw his malignant 
 fhafts and they reached even to the Banks of the 
 Spey. Places and Penfions were heaped upon his relations ; 
 the Duke and Duchcfs became the principal favorites at 
 St. James's; Lord William was made Lord High Admiral, 
 and Ranger of Hyde Park ; his uncle, Commander in 
 Chief in Scotland, his fitters Penfioners of the Court, and 
 every mark of attention was fhewn to every branch of the 
 famiiyi Men of weak minds are eafily feduced : I mail 
 not therefore decide whether they confidered thefe lucra- 
 tive employments, to which they have no claim, as the 
 reward of their fupe'rior merit, or as the price of their 
 brothers difgrace. The fcheme however was eu, political as 
 it was immoral, and fucceeded beyond the mOfl fanguine 
 expectation of the Cabinet. It is well known that interefl 
 is the primum mebile which aftuates our JSoblefle, the ties 
 of blood and the pleafant remembrance of juvenile years 
 have no effeff upon them, the nobler fentiments of the 
 mind have given way to the mod grovelling paffions, and 
 interefl: fuperledes every other confideration. 
 
 I 
 
5$ LirE OP LOkD G. GORDOW 
 
 As Lord George was of a contemplative and feriouS 
 turn of mind, he delighted in the fociety of the people 
 commonly called Quakers. This happy portion of the 
 human race, are exempt fiom the vain parage and foolifh 
 pretenfions of other men : — they live together in the 
 flri£teft bonds of amity and love — unpra£tifed in deceit, 
 they hate the very idea of deception, and look upon one 
 another as children of the fame Father. Vice and intem- 
 perance are far banifhed from their gates, and their hofpi- 
 table board is ever open to the poor. Virtue and induftry 
 are the only marks of diftin&ion amongft them : and Li« 
 berty and Equality, which Reeves and his gang of Inqui- 
 fitors fo much dread, prevail in their full extent. Repub- 
 licans in their lives and conversation, they enjoy all the 
 bleffings ot a well regulated fociety, luxury and want be- 
 ing equally unknown to them. They have no Priefts, and 
 yet they are virtuous, they have no poor rates, and yet 
 we fee none of them fupplicating in the flreets for bread : 
 they have no haughty NoblcfTe, and of courfe no foolifh 
 pretenfions, founded on the fuppofed merit of their ancef- 
 tors. *' The free is befl known by its fruit," and for a cen- 
 tury back not one of them has been convicled of any ca- 
 pital offence. Oh! peaceful and happy people, how ex. 
 cellent you Ihine in the opinion of all good men! — When 
 I compare your aflions with thofe of bloody fe&aries, I 
 am loft in admiration, and almoft perfuaded to be a Qua- 
 ker. Would mankind, like you, form their laws upon 
 the bafis of juftice and humanity, iniquity and mifery 
 would be banifhed from the Earth, and the fum which a 
 fingle Defpot fquanders upon his pleafures among ft pan- 
 dars and proftitutes, would be more than fuflicient to de- 
 fray the whole expences of a rational, virtuous Govern* 
 vent. 
 
 The Golden Age would then revivCj 
 Each mau would be a Brother; 
 
LIFE OF LOE:D G. CORDON. ££ 
 
 In harmony we all would live, 
 And (hare the Earth together. 
 
 Every one would then have an eafy competence, and 
 enjoy in calm repofe, under his own fig-tree, the things 
 which nature defigned, and which fhe had provided in 
 abundance tor us all. 
 
 But though Lord George was fond of their eafy man- 
 ners and fimp/icity of life, he thought their patient fub- 
 miflion to arbitrary power,* unnatural, and extremely 
 improper in the prefent ftate of fociety : — he always 
 maintained, and his opinion was founded on clofe obfer- 
 vation, that we ought to confider ourfelves as furroun ded 
 by wolves, ever ready to devour us, and fhould therefore 
 remain upon the watch, — equally prepared to repel any 
 ©vert attack, or infjduous fecret defign. Thefe were the 
 motives that prevented him from joining their community, 
 but though he cannot be. ranked among their members, 
 he always courted their fociety— nor did they defert him 
 in his diftrefs; they vififed him in ficknefs and captivity, 
 and to his dying moments he mentioned their morals and 
 benevolence in terms of the warmeft affection. 
 
 When the Miniftry hadlaid a tax on Scotch Deftilleries 
 
 * It was a maxim among Quakers, when you ftrike them on one cheek, 
 to prefent the other alfo ; and they literally repaid good for evil — but du- 
 ring t he American war, a great number, who took up arms in the caufe of 
 liberty, have feparated themfelves from their brethren, and are known by 
 the name of fighting Quakers. They are lei's au.uere in their maimers : 
 and though they carefully avoid giving offence, and praftife BDtverfal be. 
 nevolence and good. will toward all men, yet they have vefolved to t fift 
 • ppi efliOn. 
 
 During my intereourfe with the world, I haxe become acquainted with 
 a gieat number of this peifuafion ; from the Lcg'flator, to the no lefs ufe- 
 ful Mechanic, and I never knew one whom 1 cannot recommend as an ex- 
 cellent Patriot, and an honell man. 
 
 12 
 
6o " LIFE DT LORD G. GORDON. 
 
 almofl amounting to a prohibition, and when their favo* 
 lite fyfrem of Excife, like the ancient police of Paris, was 
 about to be extended to our mod fecret retirements, Lord 
 George wrote circular Letters to all the towns in Great 
 Britain, which by their petitions and remonftrances^ 
 compelled the miniftry to modify and alter their darling 
 fcheme. He oppofed, with various fuccefs, the tax on 
 Windows, Candles, Stamps, Poflage, Sec. ; and tho' the 
 effects were not equal to his wifhes, vet they muff be 
 confidered as a powerful check upon the encroaching fpi- 
 rit of the minifter ; and as the moft difmterefled ftruggles. 
 of a virtuous man in fupport of an expiring country. 
 
 He was the iirft to oppofe with firmnefs and conftancy^ 
 the S.bop tax : he fumrnoned meetings in various parts of 
 the country, and difiributed hand-bills through the city 
 reprobating its partiality and injuftice — but as weak na* 
 rents idolize their own children, however vicious or de« 
 cripid they may be, fo was our fcholaftic Minifter inve- 
 terately attached to this favorite offspring of his inventive 
 genius. Lord George began at Bond-ftreet, and went 
 along to the city, prevailing upon the people to (hut their 
 fiiops, and put up long polls with black crape and this 
 infeription : " Thisjhop to be let, Enquire of Billy Pitt" 
 This perfeverance gave uneafinefs to the Cabinet, and? 
 they were obliged ot length to grant to fear, what they 
 had fo obftinately and fo long refuted to juflice. 
 
 Our Minifter who owes his elevation and his fortune 
 to the people, never pays the leaft attention to their inte- 
 refts, and yet he has the vanity to affeft popularity — his Levee 
 Gentlemen tell him, that he is the idol of the people, and he 
 is fometimes weak enough to believe it ; but when he re- 
 ilefts on the mifchiefs he has done, and liftens to the hollow 
 murmurs of growing difcontent, a gloomy melancholy preys 
 
LIFE OF LORD C. CORDON. 6* 
 
 upon his mind, and he is compelled to feek a refuge in the 
 conviviality of Dundas, and to bury reflection in bumpers 
 of Champaigne.* But as there are moments when the juice 
 of the grape cannot give relief, he ftarts fuddenly at a 
 fhadow, is difturbed in his deep, by frightful dreams, and 
 feems to dread he knows n r >t what. Hence the mvriad.s 
 of Alarmifts he has engaged in his pay. In winter 1785-6 
 Lord George went for the lafi time to Scotland, t» 
 attend the election of a member of Parliament for Aber- 
 deenfhire ; where the Duke of Gordon and his Farnilf 
 connections have very extenfive pofleffions. It is necef- 
 farv to obftrve, that the very fernblance of a free choice 
 is moflly done away in North Britain. Formerly the 
 proprietors of land appointed one part of the Legiflature 
 vhilft. the Royal Boroughs returned the reft; but owing 
 to the oppreflive laws of primogeniture, the land has moflly 
 fallen into the hands of .Peers and a few overgrown indi- 
 viduals, who retain the property and confer the fuperiority 
 upon fome of their dependents. In confequence of thefe 
 fictitious titles, the Peers, who, by the aft of union, have 
 no votes, are generally fuccefsful in returning the Members 
 to Parliament, and the ffiiall poiTefTors, who, of all the 
 landed Proprietors, are. the moft uleful, become m«re cy- 
 phers in a political fenfe. The *wo Candidates were Mr; 
 
 * It is faid that Mr. Dundas initiated Mf. Pitt ia the myftciies of 
 Bacchui — and the copious draughts he can fwailow do no fmall credit to the 
 docile ftatefman. I fhall ncv»r trouble myftlf about the lives of prirate 
 individuals ; but when a prime Minifter, and a Secretary of Stale, hava 
 the indecent infolrnce to come daggering to the Houfe of .Commons, and 
 •with an authoritative tone, proclaim war againft 25 millions of men, my 
 blood boiis with indignation, and I turn with abhorrence from the wretchj 
 who has been the caufc of bringing my bleeding Country to the brink of 
 deftru&ion and llrewing the plains ol Flanders with the carcafes of theflai.i. 
 The mangled corps of many thoufands of out Countrymen, yet lie unburiel 
 jn the fields ot battle, and their ghofts join the plaintive cries of widows 
 and children in demanding a fpeeay vengeance on the authors of the war. 
 
<2 LIFE OF LORD C. GORDON. 
 
 Fcrgufon, fupported by the Duke of Gordon, and the Mfc 
 sifterial interelt, and Mr. Skene, of Skene, fupported by- 
 Lord Fife, and the oppofmon. When Lord George, who, 
 had been made a nominal Baron upon his Bi others Eftate 
 wus on his way to the town-hall, the Streets were fo crowd- 
 ed, from curiofiiy to ke him, that it was with much dif- 
 ficulty that he c.uld enter. There is an oath which the 
 Electors are obliged to take, by which they fwear, in the- 
 Hioft folemn manner, that they have both the property and, 
 fuperiority of the "lands k.r which they vote — As they are- 
 merely Parchment gentry, fuch an oath muft appear perjury 
 among fober men ; but the Lawyers have found out a falvo. 
 ior their confciences ; and lew, who are foohfli enough to, 
 adorn themfeives with falfe colours, will be very fcrupu* 
 lous about words. Lord George never intended to take 
 an oath which his conscience could not approve^ but as 
 fuch a conduct was not expecled by thofe who pay little 
 attention to moral duties themfeives, Mr. Charles Gordon, 
 the Dukes agent, (though the very perfon who made out 
 his titles fur him) officioufly began to raife objections— r 
 Lord George, in great good humour, compared him to 
 *' a Tavlor, who cut out a fuit of Cloaths for him, and af- 
 ** terwards began to pick holes in it." — Having railed a 
 laugh agar aft .Air. Charles, he concluded with iaying $ " he 
 " lhould::ot dwell upon the mean artifice that had been prac- 
 " tifed, leaf! a juilly incenfed people might execute their 
 •* vengeance in a particular way." Mr. Charles took the 
 hint, and fat down in confufion. As foon as Lord George 
 found that his Friend had carried the Election, he gave or-. 
 ders to a Milliner to get ready a. thoufand Cockades to. 
 diftribute among the people; but the Magi Urates interfered; 
 and lie was prevailed upon to countermand the orders. 
 In the evening however the City was fuper.bly illuminated, 
 and the air refounded with acclamations of "Gordon and 
 
LliE OF LORD G. CORDOST. 6$ 
 
 Liberty." The Students of Kings College caught the 
 flame, ard fent him the following Letter. 
 
 M The Students of Kind's College beg leave to prefent 
 V their molt refpeelful compliments to Lord George 
 *' Cordon ; and congratulate him upon his arrival in 
 "*' Aberdeen. — They view wi;h fatisfa&ion and pride the 
 •' noble fl niggles he has made in favour of freedom, and 
 " as a teftimony of their efteem and regard would be h rpp* 
 *' to accompany his Lordfhip in their uniform, when he 
 " thinks proper to leave town. 
 
 V Signed, &c." 
 
 The Profeflbrs, who look up to the " Loaves and Fijkes" 
 were alarmed, threatened the Students, and, by their influ- 
 ence prevented them from making the intended vifit. 
 
 The arrogance and felf fufficiency of thefe fictitious.' 
 Barons at the Election, gave rife to a number of Afibciati- 
 «ns for ftriking them off the Roll — -and, after much ex- 
 pence and labour, they have partly fucceeded. — I grant, as 
 matters nowftand, it is very immaterial who elect, the Scotefc 
 Members, but as the inquiry opened the eves of a number 
 of fmall proprietors, and brought to light a long feries of 
 bribery and corruption, it muft prove favourable to the 
 prosjrefs of liberty. 
 
 Lord George parted Leveral weeks in the North, and vifited 
 a great numberot his Friends, butdid lot choofeto approach 
 Gordon Ca'Me, becai f. t! e Duehefs, fmceihe had received 
 •the elegant Carriage from the Prince ot Wales, had meanly 
 endeavoured to afperfe his Character* and ruin his repu- 
 tation in the opinion of the people ; but the Sans Culottes 
 every where leceived htm with open arms, and flocked to 
 fee liim as the Champion of Liberty. In his return to 
 London, he was ihewn every mark of attention, and it 
 
64 LIFE OF LORD G. GORDOST. 
 
 clearly appeared, that the Minifterial libellers did not esi 
 prefs the opinion of the Nation. 
 
 St. Andre, a Member of the prefent National Conven- 
 tion, ha^ very properly obferved, that man either from 
 nature, or habit, is fo fond of power that if yon invert him 
 \viih unlimited authority to day, he will become a rogue 
 to-morrow, and the obfervation appea s founded in expe- 
 rience : for no fooner had the i\.mericans thrown off the 
 defpotifm of Britain, than a few ambitious individuals 
 endeavoured to retain the dominion themfelves. In fun- 
 port of this prbj eel they received every poflible affiftance 
 from the Court of Verfailles, and had not learning* been 
 more general, and the principles of liberty better under* 
 flood than in the days of our Fathers, American heroifm 
 would have been difplayed in vain. Lord George had a 
 private Correfpondence with the American agents at Paris, 
 and from him he learnt that Mr. Adams, AmbaiTador at 
 the Court of London, was the principal actor in this Li- 
 berticide Plot. He immediately conveyed the information 
 to Laurens, Franklin, &c. &c. the letters that paffed be- 
 tween them, on that occafion, are both curious and inte- 
 refting. In one of them he obferves, that " he faw their 
 '* ambitious defigns in endeavouring to fubvert the fepub- 
 " lican Government, by railing up an Emperor and Senate 
 *' like that of Rome, dependant on France, upon the ruins 
 " of the betrayed Commonwealth, under the aufpices of 
 " the Wajhington Convention" But as Lord George 
 
 * Arthur Young not only recommends the abolition of Sunday Schools 
 and the liberty of the Piefs, but fays the poor fhould not be taught to read, 
 left they fhould read fuch dangerous boaks as Mr. Paine 's. A more i»- 
 famcus doftiine ne*er came from the Ciiair of St. Peter, nor was there ever 
 a groffer infult offered to the feelings of 3 Nation. It is fcarce necefTary to 
 obferve, that fo congenial is this do£h ine to the defigns of adminiftration, 
 that it has procured Mr. Ypuvg the lucrative appointment of Secretary t<» 
 the boa:d of Agriculture. 
 
117E OF LORD G. GORDON. 63 
 
 tnought that too much publicity coul 1 no: be given to 2.1 
 -jffair, in which the happinefs of millions was involved, 
 he fent the following letter to the Secretary of State. 
 
 «« To the MARQUIS of CARMARTHEN 
 •« My Lord, 
 " Mr. Tufts, an American gentleman now in London, 
 1 is pofrefledoi undeniable intelligence, that John A Jams, 
 11 Ff'-j. who is received by the King as Ambafiador from 
 " the United States of America, has his (alary paid hitn 
 " quarterly by Corrite d'Adiiemar, the French ambaffa- 
 " dor. I thought it my duty to acquaint your Lordfhip 
 fl with Mr. Tufts iniormaticn to me, for the immediate 
 •* information of his Majefty's Council and Government, 
 "* that you may beware of Mr. Adams 
 
 " I have the honor to be, fee; 
 
 " G. GORDON." 
 
 Wdbcck-Jlreet, April o.qth, 1786. 
 
 The Secretary of State returned the following laconic 
 anfwef, 
 
 " Lord Carmarthen prefents his compliments to Lord 
 " George Gordon, and returns his Lordfhip thanks for 
 " the note he received from him yefterday. 
 
 " Monday night, May iji." 
 
 T® difcovcr a plot and to defeat it, are often the fame 
 thing; and the Court of France either changed their 
 means of attack, or abandoned their defigns altogether. 
 Lord George had both the penetration to unravel their 
 intrigues, and the courage to expofe them ; nor was it the 
 jirft time that he had fuccefsfully contributed to fecure 
 the liberty of the new World, upon a folid foundation. 
 
 Mr. Adams and fome others in America, have been long 
 fufpeaedby difcerning men— they certainly were ufeful 
 
 K 
 
L!FE OF LORD C. GORDON'. 
 
 (lifting the waf; but in our degenerate days, in Britain^ 
 there arc thoufands ready to pull down aav fySem, pro- 
 vided it f'urniffies them with a ladder, on which to mount 
 ir.io office thernfelves- 
 
 The cle'fgv, ever ready to profit by the error-, or mil- 
 fortunes of the human race, in the dark ages, when thfi 
 mind, weakened and enervated by ftfperftitioh', rVad ufurp- 
 cd an almo.ft unlimiifed power, over the temporal affr.irr, 
 of men. Their decrees were founded on the maxims of 
 Councils; and they regalated their judgements, noon that 
 confuted and unintelligible jargon, called the Canon La\^. 
 At firft theyaffefled to recommend a brotherly agreement, 
 but by degfeeti chicanry and deceit, with exceffive exacti- 
 ons, characterized their decifions : and contrary to the 
 exprefs authority of the gbfpel', which ihev pretended to 
 revere, they claimed a right to have their fentences en- 
 forced by the civil power : whereby in cafe of non-com- 
 pliance, the mnft innocent might be banifhed for life, or 
 iraprifoned among the vilcft criminals. 
 
 On the Reformation, the Churches of Canterbury and 
 York-, which had hitherto been devoted flaves to the See 
 of Rome, found means to retain their authority; and not- 
 withstanding their protections to the contrary, have 
 clearly demotiflrated that their Kingdom is of (his zocrld. 
 The Court feemed to countenance the imposition, and in- 
 deed as matters now {land, it would be madnefs to fup- 
 pofe that the one will ever fenoufly attempt to reform 
 the other. In the reign of Charles the firft,* the Legif- 
 hLire were indu-ed to abolifh thefe prerogatives altoge- 
 ther, but they obtained full force again, when civil and 
 ecclefiaftical tyranny overfprcad this unhappy land, upoa 
 fche reft-oration; and have been cxerciled ever fince, with 
 
 * 16 Ch. t. C. 27. 
 
Lli'EOF I.OKD G. GORDON', £ / 
 
 more or lefs feveri'ty, as tlsc caprice or inleieft ol the 
 clergy and the C — n dircfted. 
 
 Lord George, for a long time, regulajrly attend) 
 the lectures of the Rev, Mr. Wilfon, a gentleman whole 
 morals and abilities were m high repute anjODj* the Dif- 
 fenters, and daring their acquaintance he had contra&ed a 
 very great efteem tor him. Mr. W'.lfbn fell fickj and 
 in his dying moments was attended by Lord George — as 
 he had made no Will, a difpute arofe about his property, 
 and it was neceflary that Loid George's depofition Ihould 
 be taken : he ofTeied to appear before a Civil magiftratc, 
 but objected to an Ecclefiaftic, partly frorn a conscientious 
 non-conlormity, and partly from political motive;;. The 
 Archbiihop of Canterbury was greatly alarmed at this 
 conduft; his authority was hence queftioned : ii he 
 declined the conteit, the precedent was dangerous, and 
 his revenues would be diminiihed : if he attempted to 
 force compliance, it was likely to give rife to an enquiry 
 that might turn out eventually not very favorable to the 
 Church. He wiihed therefore to comprorhife the matter, 
 and propofed attending Lord George at his own hbufe in 
 Welbeck-flreet ; but his Lord (hip was neither to be gain- 
 ed by threats nor promifes, as his main delign was to make 
 it a national queftion. After many fruitlefs endeavours 
 either to terrify or {both him, he was excommunicated in 
 the Church of St. Mary la Bonne, in May, 1786. He 
 Jaughed at their proceedings, protefted againfl their 
 legality, and fraaitly obferved, that " to expel him from 
 ** afociety to which he never belonged, was an abfurdity 
 ** worthy of an Arch-Bifnop." 
 
 As the excommunication had no efTecl in reclaiming 
 him, they wilted to have their fentence enforced by the 
 ciyil power, and threatened to apply for the Writ dc Ex- 
 
 K fi 
 
68 LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON 
 
 cumviunicuto Capiendo * Lord George on this obierved 
 that he was a Scotchman, adhering to the religion of his 
 countiy, and the penal Statutes, annexed to ecclefialUcal 
 cenfures were abolifhed in North Britain, it was both cruel 
 j?nd illegal to punifh him v/ithout a trial by jury, with im- 
 prifonment or bamfhment, for declining fubjcclion to an 
 ecclefialiical tyrant. — It was contrary to the precepts of 
 the chriftian religion, to juftice, and humanity, and would 
 render the condition of Britons, if in daily terror of the 
 holy inquijilion, more deplorable than that ot their Indian 
 Slaves. 
 
 The Scotch and the DifTenters began to con fide r it in ^ 
 ferious point of view, and the Archbifhop dreaded to put 
 his threats in execution : but as it is a maxim among 
 
 * The EcclefiafUcal Court has not yet velinqtiifhcd its perfecting fpirit 
 ■ — the fame pei fevering difpofuion is ft ill to be found among tne Holy 
 Brethren; but they chufe the objecls of their vengeance v/iih peculiar 
 •orudence. 
 
 The Rev. John Roe, minifier at Calverton, has for a long time pall, and 
 ftill continues to many under the aft of Toleration. The Certificates are 
 fubfci ibed by the parues ai\d recorded in the Regifters of the fociety ; 
 they piovidefor their own poor, and none cf them are a burden to the 
 public. In the year 1787, Mrs. Bufh, one of his difeiplcs, was carried 
 before the Juftices of the Peace for the County of Nottingham, and com- 
 mitted for eleven weeks to the Houfe of Coireftion on account of her 
 piegnancy. Mrs. Bufh, with Mrs. Roe, the Minifter's wife, though fhe 
 had been married ever fince the year 1780, were next ptefented, by the 
 Church Wardens, to the Chapter of the Collegiate Church of the BlefTed 
 Virgin Mary, lor having feveral baftard children. The Chapter ifTued 
 their procefs of citation, but neither of them appearing, they were pro- 
 nounced contumacious and excommunicated. The refentment of the 
 Church was not yet appealed; for upon the 20th of January, 1787,1116 
 Lord Aichbtfhop of Yoik, decreed two letters to the King, " imploring 
 " his Majefty, in order to curb and repiefs their malice, according to the 
 " cu.lom laudably obferved within this realm, that his Majefty would 
 " command their bodies to be taken and imprifoned ; that fo thofe whom 
 i l the fear of Goidoes not reftrain from evil, the feverity of the law may 
 ** at length reprefs." 
 
 His Majefty, in confequence of this notification from the Archbifhopj 
 
Lll Z OF LORD G. CORDON. 69 
 
 Pi iefts never to forgive tliofe wh . queflion their authority 
 perhaps Lord George's triumph contributed, in agreat de- 
 gree, to accelerate his deftruction. 
 
 About this time the French bejan to Blew fymptoms of 
 rejG fiance again ft the rod that fcouvged them, and fronjeoa- 
 
 yiclion that the lux ;ry of Court was incompatible with 
 the happinefs of the people, they fyftematically oppofed 
 all its meafures. As no government can be firmly efta- 
 blimed, which has not Ubtriy and equality ior its bafts, the 
 pabine|s of Europe, for more than a century paft, have 
 been wading deeper and deeper into an ocean ot boundless 
 debt ; and it has been judged excellent policy to boroy 
 immenfe fums, from the monied men, at an exorbitant 
 intereft. This plan, at the cxpence of the public gooJ, has 
 united the rich to the crown — but however politic it might 
 have been in the beginning, they certainly went beyond 
 their depth ; for it taught the great body of the people 
 that they had an iqterell feparate from both : and the taxes 
 have become fo intolerable, that a general bankruptcy is 
 reckoned inevitable, whilll the combinations among the 
 
 ifTued two Writs of Excummur.icato Capiendo againft thele women in 1787 ; 
 and they were thereupon '.aken and committed to the gaol for the County 
 of Nottingham ; tt ill refu>ing to fubmit to the Spiritual Court in the mat- 
 ter of the marriage ceremony, claiming their right of marriage, as Protec- 
 tant DifTcntei 3, under the acl of 1 deration, and an exemption from all 
 ccclefialtical cenfurcs for their no»-conformity. Mr. Courtenay endea- 
 voured to bring the unhappy fituation of thefe women before the houfe 
 of Commons on the 26th of April, laft Seflion\; but tho' the imprifon- 
 mentofa Royal pair has fhook the Empire to its very foundations, the 
 much more cruel imprifonment of two honeft and reipcftable perfons ex- 
 cited nojpity in the breafts of our Legislators. The Houfe poftponed it to 
 another fefTion ; and they, with their children, ftil) continue to languifh in 
 the Gaolaf Nottingham. Had thefe pretended crimes been committed by 
 any of the Privileged Oideis, the Church would have remained in 
 filence ; but alas ! they can neither boail of royal or noble blood. Such 
 partial feverity may be agreeable to (he dogmas of the Church, but it is 
 contrary to the grand principles of juftice and humanity. 
 
yo LltZ OF LO?vD G. GORDOW. 
 
 priviledged orders and the increanng extravagance of thft 
 r ; ch feetn only calculated to accelerate the evil day of re- 
 tribution. 
 
 The facility with which any nation r^Ues money is juft 
 in proportion to the liberty it enjoys, and of courfe thp 
 refource^ of Verfailles were moftiy exhaufted, whillfc to 
 gratify the ambition of a luxurious Court demands followed 
 demands ;'but as credit is the child of opinion, the moment 
 any government is difcovered to be verging to decay, it h 
 folly to attempt to borrow : no man chutes to worfhip the. 
 Jetting Jun. The human mind was advancing to maturity, 
 and yet Maria Antoinette, to the difgrace of her fex, had 
 lecourfe to the mod ralh unjuilifiable means to gratify her 
 lul'ts and inordinate palhons — (he employed her pimps and 
 fecret agents to procure her money, and the Baflileor ba- 
 nifhment was the confequence of a refufal. Among the 
 number of her victims the ill-fated Caglioif.ro.* was com- 
 mitted to the former. The energy of the Parifiansincreaf- 
 cd with their misfortunes, and the fear of driving them tq 
 difpair, by fo many cruel examples, procured his releafe- 
 ment, but his property was detained, and the implacable 
 refentment of the Queen baniflied him from France. 
 Upon his arrival in England he contracted an acquaintance 
 with Lord George which produced the fallowing paragraphs 
 in the Public Advertifer, 
 
 Public Advertiser, Auguft 22d. 1786. 
 
 '* Mr. Barthelemy, who conducts the affairs of France in 
 *• the abfence of Comte Dazimer, having fent Mr. Da- 
 " ragon with a mefTage to Comte de Caglioftro, in Sloane- 
 
 * Caglioftro retired to Rome, where his acquaintance with Lord George 
 proved fatal to him. He was condemned to death, by an Ecclefiaflica! 
 Court, for having broached fome doflrines contrary to the mother Church 
 — the fentence was afterwards changed into perpetual impriionment ; and 
 he mult languifh in a Caftlc until death pu;s a period to his days, unlcf$ 
 
LlTS OF LORD C. CORDON. 
 
 4 ' ftreet, intimating that he had received orders from the 
 " Court of Verfzillej to communicate to Co:n:e de Cagli- 
 " oftro that he had now per million to return to France. 
 " Yeftsrday morning the Coote, accompanied by Lord 
 (< George Gordon and Mr. Bcrgerct de Frov.Ville, wastetl 
 " upon Mr. Bartheiemv at the hotel of France, in Prcca- 
 " dilly, for ai cclaireiiTemer.t upon tfoe ;V.b:e:t of ihi'Smef- 
 t: fage from the Court of France, delivered by Mr, Bar- 
 " thelemy, rela'ive to the permiffiori granted to Ccmte de 
 " Caglioll o to re:urn to Paris. Mr. Bartheiemv, the 
 " Comte de Cambife, and Mr. Daragon, feemed nitre h 
 " furprifed to fee Comte Caglioflro arrive in Lord George 
 " Gordon's Coach, with his Lordihip and Mr. Frouville, 
 " and having expreiTed their defire that the Comte de Car- 
 " iioitro alone fliould f peak with ?vlr.Bauhe!emv, they were 
 " in-formed that Lord George Gordon and Mr. Bergeret 
 " de Frouville were thei eon purpefe to attend their friend, 
 •' and- that the Comte de Caglioflro would riot difpenfe 
 " with Lord George Gordon's abfence from the confer- 
 44 ence. Will any friend to liberty blame Comte dc 
 " Caglioflro, after ten months imprifonment in a dungeon 
 " for having his friends near him, when inudious prop >fali 
 " are made to him by the faction of Breteud ; and the 
 " fuppcrters of the Bauille ? men who have already been 
 * c his defiru&ion, and, after his innocence was declared by 
 '* the Parliament of Paris, embezzled a great part of his 
 w fortune, and exiled him from France. Mr. Barthdemy, 
 M (feeing the determination of the Comte's friends) then 
 •* read the letter from Mr. Breteuil ; but upon the Comte 
 ** de Caglioflro defiringa copy, Mr. Baithelemy refufed it. 
 " A great deal ot coverfation thenenlued upon the fubjec\ 
 " which, in all probability will give rife to a full repre- 
 
 the Sans Culottes fhould fortunately reliere him. It is generally believed 
 i'n France, that the Tope gave private orders to ftraagte him. 
 
?a Life of lord c. cordon. 
 
 4 * fentstion to the Kin^ of France, who ;s certain!}' 
 " much irnpofed on. The O teen s party is dill violent 
 " again ft Comte de Caglioflro, the friend of mankind i 
 " and de Breteuil, le Sieur de Latfney,* Titcn, de Bruni- 
 " eres, Maine, Chefhon, Bartrfelemy, arid Daajmer, are the 
 " mere lnftrutnents of that faction, The honour of the 
 " King of France the juftice and judgment of the Parlia- 
 " ment of Paris, the good faith of the citizens, and the 
 ai good name of the nation, are ill attainted by the pillage 
 " and detention of the property of Count de Caglioflro. 
 " The thoufands of good citizens, whofe acclamations 
 "* fhook the Baflile upon the declaration of his innocence, 
 " might very poffibly give rife to his exile, by ihcreafing 
 '" the jealoufy and fear or an arbitrary government. But 
 *' why detain the fortune of a flranger, after his innocence 
 *' is declared ? This is a very bafe proceeding indeed, 
 " M. de Breteuil, and brings contempt and reproach upon 
 ** all concerned in it. 
 
 Public Advertiser, Auguft 24th. 1786*. 
 
 " Comte de Caglioflro has declared he will hold no in- 
 81 terCourfe with any of Le Sieur Breteuil'smeffengersfrom 
 «' France, except in the prefence of L6rd George Gordon. 
 '• The gang of French fpies in London, who are linked with 
 «' Monfieur de Merand, the Sieurs Baifhelemy, Dazimer. 
 " Cambife, and the Queen's Baflile party at Paiis, are try- 
 " ing the moft infiduous arts to entrap the Comte and Com- 
 •• teffe, have the effrontery and audacioufnefs to perfecute 
 " them publicly, and vilify their characters even in this 
 
 * The fate of the Queen is well known. Le Sieur de Launey was go. 
 vernoi of th£ Baflile — at the expiefs defire of the Court, he deceived the Pa- 
 triots and afterwards put them to death in cold blood ; but was at length 
 obliged to yield to republican valour, and his head was carried in triumph 
 through the City, upon the immortal 14th July, 7789. D"e Breteuil 1*5 chief 
 advifer of the Allies in the pi efent war, &c. 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. ^3 
 
 14 free country, where thefe noble (hangers are come to feek 
 * c protection in the arms of a generous people. The friend- 
 " fhip and benevolence of Comte de Caglioftro, in advifing 
 " the poor Prince Louis dc Rohan to be upon his guard again!! 
 " the ComteflTe de Valois, and the intrigues of the Queen's 
 *' faction, (who ill 11 feek the destruction of that noble 
 " Prince) has brought upon the Comte and his amiable 
 " Comteife the hateful revenge and perfidious cruelties of a 
 " tyrannical Government. The ftory of the diamonds has 
 " never been properly explained to the public in France. 
 tl It would difcover too much of the bafe arts practifed to 
 " deftroy Prince Louis, and involve in guilt perfons not fafe 
 " to name in an arbitrary kingdom." 
 
 The injured of every country have a moral right to com- 
 plain — in Britain it has always been the boaft of our fathers, 
 that there were no restraints upon the liberty of the prefs, 
 or of fpeech, except thofe which decency requires ; but 
 alas ! tempora tnutantur, et nos mutamur in illis — the bed in- 
 tentions are now perverted and abufed — truth has been 
 deemed a libel ; and the virtuous man who is defirous to in- 
 struct his fellow citizens, muft either expofe himfelf to all 
 the feverity of a new and terrible inquijition, or mourn in 
 filence the progrefs of defpotic power. Time and circum- 
 stances regulate the decrees of our Courts, and what is reck- 
 oned patriotifm to-day, may be conftrued into a crime to- 
 morrow. # 
 
 * «* The difcietiort of a Judge is the law of Tyrants ; it is always unknown: 
 * f it is different in different men ; it is cafual, and depends upon conftitution, tem- 
 " per, and paffion. In the beft, it is oftentimes caprice; in the worrt, it is every 
 1* \ice. Tolly, and pailion to which humaji nature is liable." — Lord Camden's 
 Aigumentt in Doe -v. Kerfey. Whether we are arrived at that deplorable fituation 
 which Camaen fo forcibly defcribes, I Ihrill leave the reader to determine. About 
 twelve years ago, Pitt and Richmond addreffed the Volunteers of Ireland, and fc« 
 claimed much about independence, liberty, ana reform ; the people were nreafe 
 
/4 LltE OP LORD C. GORDON. 
 
 When the above paragraphs appeared, they excited hef 
 other emotions than thofe of pity for an unfortunate indivi- 
 dual ; the people of England were not fufficiently degraded 
 to look up with blind fuperftition to a throne fupported by 
 ufurpations, and whofe edicts were fealed with captivity 
 and blood. Maria Antoinette was then an object of abhor- 
 rence ; neither her morals nor intrigues were fuited to the 
 Englim genius. As the politics of Courts generally depend 
 upon the whim of a miflrefs, or the ambition of a favourite, 
 it is difficult to account for the fud'den change that took place ; 
 but a recommendation from Verfailles has heretofore been 
 reckoned fure preferment at St. James's : perhaps a mutual 
 fupport was judged ne'eeffary to crufh the growing demo- 
 cratic fpirit ; or perhaps it proceeded from that Chriftian 
 difpofition of forgiving their enemies, and doing good to thofe 
 ivho had defpitefullyufed them. Be that as it may, the Com-*- 
 mercial Treaty was an offspring of this dark, but prolific 
 intercourfe. When detached pieces of this famous Treaty 
 firft made their appearance, Lord George reprobated it both 
 in the newfpapers and in hand-bills, obferving a that fe- 
 " crecy was a proof of guilt ; and that inftead of affording a 
 X( market tor our manufactures, it was defigned as a cloak 
 " for tranfplanting the principles of Verfailles to England." 
 He wrote Mr. Pitt feveral letters un the fubject, but re- 
 ceiving no fatisfa&ory anfvver, he went to his houfe in 
 Downing-ftreet, upon the 2d November, 1786, and told 
 him, <c if he did not produce a true copy of the Treaty in 
 
 enough to believe therri fincere, and raifed them to places of the higheft truft and 
 emolument. They-, however, no fooncr began to talle the nvects of office, than, 
 their tone was changed into loyalty, chutch, arid Ling. The republication of the 
 fame pamphlet which Drought them into place, has fent Holt to Newgate for two 
 years. When it was ofeferVed by his Counfel, that the above-mentioned ftatefmen 
 were the original authors and publilhers, and that what was reckoned a virtue in 
 1782, could not be deemed a ciime now ; the Judge replied, with a great deal of 
 f.Mgfnid, " the times Kg, ulcered." See Holt's Vindication, 3vo. 2s. 6d. 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. 75 
 
 " the French language, as MefTrs. Rayneval and Eden had 
 *( figned it, he fhould have the abflracls, with the letters of 
 " Pitt, and Elliot, put into the hands of Guy Faux, 
 " and burnt in different parts pf London and Weftminfter." 
 Lord George, and burning, were founds not agreeable to 
 the Minifler, and the Treaty was immediately given up. 
 They who have attended to the politics of the prefent reign 
 can belt, tell if Lord George miftook the fpirit of the times. 
 If the Cabinet really had the good of the people at heart, 
 why violate the Treaty in 1793* wnen ** was about to be 
 ufeful to us ? Does the commerce of a Nation depend upon 
 the pageantry of a King ? Or are the interests of millions 
 to be facrificed to the capriee6 of a Court ? Banifh the de- 
 lufion!* 
 
 Lord George likewife wrote a variety of papers upon 
 finance} and diftributed them amongft the Jews in England 
 and Holland — he knew that as long as Minifters could bor- 
 row with facility, the war fyftem would never ceafe ; what 
 they cannot accomplifli by valour, they will attempt to 
 achieve by gold, and his defign was to (hew the incapacity 
 of them all to pay ; every government in Europe (in his opi- 
 nion) being on the eve of bankruptcy. He maintained 
 that " the gold and filver in England did not exceed twenty 
 " millions fterling, and as there were more than two hun- 
 ° dred millions of paper in circulation amongft us, admit- 
 
 |* In July, 17S9, when the Royalifts had bought up ;ill the provifions, and 
 caufed a great famine in Fiance, the National A (Terribly applied to oui' Cabinet for 
 20,000 facks of corn ; and they were refufed them under the pretence of occafioning 
 a fcarcity at home. In 1793-4-5, ¥ ^68 thoufands of our Spitalfield weavers are 
 obliged to live upon raiu cabbage and root%. and when above two millions of our 
 countivmcn are reduced to the greateft pofTible diftiefs, our Miniftry are tranfport- 
 ing our provifions every day to the Continent. To folve this apparent inconfi(tency, 
 it is only ncceffa.y to obfer-ve, that the firft reqirft was made by the fwinijh multi- 
 tude, and the laft is defigncd to fupport a gang of foreign ruffians} fighting agatofi 
 the liberties of mankind. 
 
 L2 
 
76 LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. 
 
 " ting, for the fake of hypothefis, that tie different banks 
 " poffeffed all the bullion in the nation, it was clear they 
 ** could not pay two (hillings in the pound." I am not able 
 to determine if his calculations be correct; but as they have 
 never been refuted, it mull be allowed that paper is ex- 
 tremely precarious : for all the banks, not even excepting 
 that of England, have launched into the regions of fpecula- 
 tion ; and we have experienced the misfortunes that the 
 country adventurers have brought upon the public. In 
 France the national faith is pledged for their aflignats ; in 
 England we have little more to depend on than the probity 
 of individuals. The profits of commerce are uncertain, and 
 the contracts of Courts ftill more fo ; but the wealth of a 
 Republic confifts in the number of its inhabitants, and the 
 fecurity they can give, the whole territory they poffefs.* 
 
 Lord George, who was conftitutionally religious, had ac- 
 quired a ferious, contemplative turn of thinking, and 
 though he abhorred the detectable ufurpation of Cromwell, 
 he admired the means by which he depofed the defpotic 
 Stuarts. He believed that religion has a very great influ- 
 ence upon the actions of men, and was ever firmly per- 
 fuaded that nothing operates fo powerfully on the minds of 
 the people, as the hopes and fears of future rewards and 
 punifhments.t He was well verfed in the hiftory of the 
 Protectorship ; his language, his manners, and cufloms 
 were ftrongly tainted with the characteristics of thac age. 
 He always talked refpedtfully of the Commonwealth, re- 
 gretted the Reftoration, and feerned to have our republican 
 anceftors conitantiy in his view* 
 
 * Sec Smith's Wealth of Nations, 
 
 ■f The conduft of the modern French does not prove his ignorance of human 
 nature : if they have renounced the worfhip of images and monlters, they ftjll adore 
 j-eafon and virtue. 
 
LIFE OF LORD G, GORDON. 77 
 
 He had long entertained ferious doubts concerning the 
 truths of Chriftianity, and obferved " that its profeUbrs 
 *' were both z\ variance with revelation and reafon ; whilft 
 u the Jews literally adhered to the laws of Mofes." He 
 embraced Judaifm. Had he, like many others, merely de- 
 clinea vendance at places of public 'vorfhip, or tacitly 
 favoured the religion of Nature, it would have occafioncd 
 no furprife ; but it was furely matter of wonder to fee a 
 man of his genius and information attach himfelf to a 
 fyftem fo fatal to his defjgns, and more intricate than that 
 which he had renounced : nor is there a limilar example in 
 Great Britain, fince the days of the eccentric Montague. 
 To this unreafonable and imprudent flep muft be attributed 
 his future degradation ; for it was literally ligning his poli- 
 tical death. Nothing could have given greater fatisfaclion 
 at St. James's, nor have tended more to eftrange the affec- 
 tion of the people. A thoufand idle ftories were trumpeted 
 up, and all the minilterial engines fet in motion. He who 
 had equally braved the threats and allurements of Courts, 
 was reprefented by fome as hypocritical, turbulent, and 
 ambitious ; whilft others imputed his converfion to mental 
 derangement. 
 
 The Jews have been the outcafts of fociety for more than 
 two tn^ufand years, nor is there a Chriltian nation that 
 has not fpoited with their blood. Perfecution never makes 
 profelvies ; and inftead of renouncing their prejudices, they 
 have become more and more rivetted to them. They are a 
 feparate fociety, and bound by their laws to intermarry 
 among themfeivss. Exclufion has fixed them in a (late of 
 warfare with the whole world, and this accounts for their 
 apparent felfiih difpofition. Refi(b.nce to oppreffion is the 
 firft law of nature, the remedy of man againft tyrants j and 
 whilft the jews are harafled with cruel impofitionsy they 
 Will endeavour to evade them by cunning and deceit. What 
 
73 LIFE OP LORD G. GORDON. 
 
 at firft was the effect of injuftice, appears to be natural, and 
 thus the oppreiiion of tyrants {tamps the character of a whole 
 people. Misfortune is pictured in their countenance, and 
 for many ages there has not been a fingle example of fublime 
 genius among the brethren. The glorious revolution of 
 France has at laft reltored to them their long ufurped rights ; 
 and, without the fpirit of prophecy, we will venture to pre- 
 dict, that before half a century elapfes, the dininction be- 
 tween Jews and Believers will be totally forgotten in that 
 fortunate land. Priefts may talk about miracles, r.nd fana- 
 tics may continue to count their beads ; but till the reign 
 of liberty and equality, agreeably with their true principles, 
 is eftablifhed on the earth, that millenium will be looked 
 for in vain. 
 
 Nature defigned all mankind to live as brethren ; but, 
 according to the modern vocabulary, even the word patriot- 
 ifm indicates a contracted mind. To improve the powers 
 of mind and body, it is neceffary that man mould be tranf- 
 planted from foil to foil, and intermarry with people of dif- 
 ferent latitudes. Our legiilators have been very attentive to 
 improve their breed of horfes and of hounds, and the vege- 
 table kingdom alfo derives advantages from tranfmutation : 
 without this happy change, our apples would become crabs, 
 and our wheat would degenerate into rye. Shall man, then, 
 be excepted from this univerfal law of nature ? And mail 
 we ftupidly approve what we dare not put in practice r 
 Shall monks and friars (till continue to infult our judgment 
 with impunity, by talking of natural enemies, and rival 
 nations? And fhali our Univerfities dare to teach any other 
 emulation than that of feience and philanthropy ? it has 
 been my lot to be educated in the fchool of prejudice, where 
 we are taught to defpife our neighbours, and to rejoice in 
 their murder and deftruclion ; to concenter all the gifts of 
 yature wfchin ourfelvcs ; but thanks to Heaven, the clouds 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. CORDON. 99 
 
 of fuperftition are pafling away— the pedagogues of tyrants 
 mav again attempt to preach paflive obedience, or to clank 
 the chains of defpotifm in my ears ; but my refolution is 
 taken, and they mall never make me act unworthy of a 
 man. The die is cafr, and if we cannot conquer, for my 
 own part at leaft, I will bequeath to pofterity an example 
 how they ought to die. 
 
 Lord George had long endeavoured to roufe the drooping 
 fpirit of his countrymen to a fenfe of their danger ; but their 
 ancient courage had deferted them — the defcendants of thofe 
 who had repelled with fuccefs the all-conquering arms of 
 Rome, and driven with difgrace both the Danes and Saxons 
 from their rocky mores, have degenerated into penfioners, 
 excifemen, and mercenary foldiers. A nation whom fteel 
 could never fubdue, has fallen a Sacrifice to cruel laws. 
 Their tame fubmiffion, and flavifh dependence on men in 
 power, had foured his temper, and men in this ftate oi 
 mind, from fympathy, generally love to aflbciate with 
 victims of persecution. When we meet with difappoint- 
 ment in this world, we are apt to look up for confolation 
 in another. Perhaps he hoped to give celebrity to his fa- 
 vourite fcheme of finance by embracing Judaifm ; per- 
 haps he expected to have led back the Ifraelites to their 
 fathers land \ for I have heard him frequently repeat the 
 following prophecy : " Behold the days come, faith the 
 " Lord, that I will raife unto David a righteous branch, 
 " and they (hall no more fay, the Lord liveth, which 
 " brought up the children of Ifrael out of the land of 
 " Egypt ; but the Lord liveth, which brought up, and 
 ** which led the feed of the houfe of Ifrael out of the North 
 " Country, and from all countries whither I had driven 
 Cl them ; and they lhall dwell in their own land." Perhaps 
 his conviction arofe from internal evidence ; or perhaps he 
 ehofe rather to be confidered as the leader of mc'^wf, than 
 
8© LIFE OF LORD G. GORDOW. 
 
 the humble difciple of Jcfus. But whether ore or alt of 
 thefe motives had any influence upon his conduct, I mult 
 confefs, though I have talked a thoufand times with him 
 upon the fubjeel:, I was never able to difcover. I am cer- 
 tain it did not anfwer his expectations, and have many rea- 
 fons for fuppofing that if he had been releafed from his 
 dungeon, the fame motives that made him alter his religion 
 would have been powerful enough to have operated a fecond 
 change. 
 
 It was no fooner imiverfally believed that he had em- 
 braced Judaifm, than the Courts of Verfailles and London 
 determined to profecute him ; the one, for the paragraphs 
 on the Bafr.ile, and the other for the pamphlet on Botany 
 Bay. 
 
 On his trial he intended to have employed his coufin Mr. 
 Erfkine, who had acquired great eclat by his defence of 
 him, in 1780 ; but this illuftrious champion of the liberty 
 of the prefs had previoufly received a general retaining fee, 
 ou the part of the Crown. Diftruiling the profeflion, he 
 refolved, therefore, to plead his own caufe. His defence 
 was bold and manly; he declared that the Botany Bay peti- 
 tion was written with a view to call the attention of the 
 people to the rigour of our penal code ; and as what he had 
 advanced was not only agreeable to fcriptare> but had met 
 with the approbation of the wifefc men in all ages, it was 
 irnpoffible to cor.flrue it into a crime. 
 
 He prayed the Court to put off the profecution which had 
 been inftituted againft him by the Queen of France, until 
 he could fu mmon the Duke of Dorfet, who had been Am- 
 ballador at Paris, and Mrs. Fitzherbert, &c. as exculpatory 
 evidence ; but though he had a fair and unqueftionable right 
 to this delay, a delay which had feldom, if ever, been re- 
 fvjfed to the vilelt criminal, his requeft was rejected. As 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. 8l 
 
 the decifions of our Courts are generally directed by prece- 
 dent, the public will eafily perceive that the injury he fuf- 
 tained by this refufal, was fatal to the liberties of his country. 
 The Attorney General opened the cafe by a long exordium 
 on the virtues of the " mojlhigh, mighty, and puiffant Maria 
 " Antoinette, a great and illujhious princcjs, eminently dijlin- 
 *' S u i/^ c ^ an< ^ rcnowne ^ f or h er voifdom, prudence, jujiice, 
 '.' clemency, chaftity, and every other royal virtue" To this 
 rhapfody of technical nonfenfe, Lord George replied, with 
 a fmile, that " every body knew that the Queen of France 
 " was a very convenient lady." I will not infult common fenfe 
 by repeating the venal jargon of crown lawyers. Lord. 
 George's defence, refting merely on the merits of unfophif-r 
 ticated truths, availed nothing, and the Jury brought is 
 a verdict Guilty, 
 
 Lord George bowed refpeclfully to the Court, and re- 
 tired; though he had experienced a great alteration in the 
 difpolition of the people towards him, fince his converfion 
 to Judaifm, it was full doubtful if Government would judge 
 it prudent to punilh him ; and this accounts for the very ex- 
 traordinary circumftance of his being permitted to withdraw 
 without bail, after a verdict of guilt had been pronounced 
 againft him. Thinking it dangerous to continue in Eng- 
 land, and being advifed to avoid, ifpoflible, the ftorm, he 
 refolved to go te Holland ; but no fooner was his departure 
 known, than the officers ofju/licc flew to his houfe in Wel- 
 beck-ftreet, and though his fervants offered them the keys, 
 they broke open the doors, deftroyed his furniture, and 
 committed every defperate outrage. 
 
 Upon his arrival in Holland he was immediately furround- 
 ed by all the principal Revolutionifts : both Dutch and 
 foreigners crowded to fee him ; fome from curiofity, and 
 others from his profefling principles congenial to their own. 
 
 M 
 
.82 LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. 
 
 But the Court of Versailles perceiving that his ftay in Hol- 
 land would prove fatal to their criminal defigns, command- 
 ed their AmbatTador, the Marquis de Verne, to endeavour 
 to bribe the magiftrates of Amfterdam, and prevail upon 
 them to order Lord George to quit their territory in twenty- 
 four hours, Money prevailed- — the ancient fpirit of Bel 1 - 
 gium was no more : commerce had contracted, corrupted 
 the channels of patriotifm. There was a time when no 
 agent of defpotifm dared to have made fuch a bafe propofal; 
 but, alas ! Dutch patriotifm is of late degenerated into a 
 phlegmatic ftupidity, only to be roufed by the advantages 
 oi mercenary calculation : they .determine upon every thing 
 according to the quantity of gold and filver it is likely to 
 produce. 
 
 Every liberty is now to be bought and fold upon the Ex- 
 change of Amfterdam ; and the conquerors of Philip the 
 Second,. and of the fanatics of Madrid, have themfelves been 
 .conquered by the all-powerful corrupter, the gold of van- 
 quished uiftant colonies ! but the fpirit fleepeth, it is not 
 dead — Belgia fhall revive, and participate in the general 
 happy regeneration that is now preparing for us ail ! 
 
 In the moment of his fetting off, the Burgomafter vifited 
 him in apparent confufion, regretted the neceffity of his 
 departure, and propofed Antwerp as a convenient and fafe 
 retreat. Lord George knew the fate he had to expect in 
 the dominions of the iimperor, and prudently declined : he 
 was afterwards aflured that this pretended friendfhip of the 
 ] omafter was a ftate manoeuvre ; for a guard was pre- 
 pared to feize him the moment he mould reach the Auftrian 
 & ethdrlandk, and to convey him to the interior of Germany. 
 There he would have furfered every torture which rage and 
 d;i;ij jciinted an hi; ion could inflict, or he would have been 
 - d by the fateilites of German defpotifm. 
 
 I 
 
LIFE OF LORD G." GORDON. 83 
 
 The magift rates of Amfterdam,at the requeft of his friends, 
 fent a guard with him to Harwich, where he arrived upon the 
 22dof July, 1787. He retired incog, to Birmingham, and he 
 Tefided at the houfe of a Jew, difguifed by a long-beard and a 
 broad fliacled hat, after the Poliih lafhicn. He ftri6tly adhered 
 to the religious ceremonies of his new brethren, underwent 
 the holy operation of circumcijion, and was called by the 
 name of Ifrael Abraham George Gordon \ but though he was 
 much admired by many of his affociates, and looked upon by 
 fome as a fecond Afofes, he was not allowed to enjoy repofe; 
 for his landlord, like another Judas, betrayed him for thirty 
 ■pieces ofjilvcr, and he was apprehended by Macmanus on 
 the 7th of December, and conducted a prifoner to London,, 
 Upon the 28th of January, 1788, he was brought up to the 
 Court of King's Bench, when he was fentenced to an im- 
 prifonment in Newgate for the fpace of five years, and at 
 the expiration of which to pay a fine of 500I. and to find 
 fecurities for his good behaviour for fourteen years, him- 
 felf in io,oool. and two fureties in 2500I. each. 
 
 He was accordingly conveyed to Newgate, and lodged 
 among the common felons, confined in a cold gloomy apart- 
 ment, fecured with bolts and iron bars, where the fun can 
 never penetrate, and where, fo humid is the atmofphere, 
 that you breathe with difficulty, and the (tones are thence 
 covered with a green cruft. There, as a patriotic writer* 
 eloquently defcribes, on one fide, fenfibility fheds a benig- 
 nant, unavailing tear over hundreds of young unhappy fe- 
 males, many the deferted victims of brutal luft, caft for 
 tranfportation, fome for feven years, fome for fourteen, 
 and others for their natural life ; loft to fociety, cut off thus 
 early from the enjoyments of the world, blafpheming their' 
 
 * So; Pigott's Treachery r.o Crirr::, or the Syftem of Courts,- 
 
 Mi 
 
$4- LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. 
 
 God, piercing the very walls with their fhrieks, and im- 
 precating curfes on their mercilefs, unrelenting perfecutors. 
 On another, we behold a band of ferocious felons, render- 
 ed cruel from oppreflion, facrificed to want, ignorance, and 
 temptation, clafhing their chains, and grinding their teeth 
 in anguifh, refentment, and defpair. In one melancholy 
 fecluded fpot, we behold the folitary dungeon, where the 
 patient Sacrifice, condemned to die, in calm resignation 
 awaits the dire execution of inexorable law. In another 
 quarter, we view numberiefs infolvent debtors, groaning 
 in hopelefs mifery, abandoned to the caprice and malice 
 ot relentlefs, difappointed creditors. 
 
 In this wretched abode, innocence itfelf can find no re- 
 pofe, for day and night there is one continued noife ; and 
 groans, intermixed with ribaldry and blafphemy, aggravate 
 the horrors of the difmal fcene. The vi&ims of cruel laws 
 are there condemned to exift upon bread and water ; to lie, 
 without cloathing, on the damp (lone floor, crammed to- 
 gether like a herd of fwine. How often have they been 
 heard to curfe their fate, and implore their unhappy com- 
 panions to put a period to their days ! Did our legiflators 
 witnefs their diftrefs, even they would feel compaflion ; but, 
 alas ! they never viiit the manfions of woe which they them- 
 felves have raifed. Gambling, dillipation, and nocturnal 
 orgies engrofs their time, till they become callous to huma- 
 nity, make no distinction between misfortune and vice, and 
 finifh their career without having once known the luxury 
 (the only luxury with which they are unacquainted] of 
 doing good. 
 
 Soon after his imprifbnment, the cabinet, either affect- 
 ing to appear lenient, or judging it politic to foothe his 
 friends, lignified, through the medium of his brother, that 
 *he royal clemency would be extended to him, provided he 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON'. 8^ 
 
 made a public recantation of his opinions, and promifed to 
 remain quiet in futuje; but he fcouted the injiditms f 
 Jhl, and replied, with honeil indignation, that " to iue for 
 " pardon was a confeilion of guilt ; that his public con- 
 " duct fhould never difgrace the principles he hadefpoufed; 
 " and that the tender mercies of the wicked were crue^ies." 
 
 Though confined to a dungeon, his mind was not inac- 
 tive : if kings and prieits were determined to perfecute him, 
 he was refolved, on his part, never to ceafe from expofing 
 their follies and their crimes ; the conteft proved unequal, 
 and it was eafy to forefee that it would never terminate but 
 with the life of the noble democrat. 
 
 In the year 17 88, when the facred flame of liberty, which 
 is one day deftined to illumine the world, was making rapid 
 progrefs in France, and when the arbitrary edicts of Louis, 
 like the late decilicns of our courts ofjujlice, were found in- 
 effectual to reftrain the democratic rage, the infamous Ca- 
 lonne, like his brother P***, refolved to transfer the public 
 attention from the errors of his administration, to the falfe 
 glory of foreign conquefts. Fomenting a civil war in Hol- 
 land, he reminds me of the pickpocket, who, when in 
 danger of detection, pointed at a harmlefs paffenger, and 
 exclaimed ii jhp the thief:''' The bait, however, had a 
 temporarv efFe ct ; and, whilit the balance of fate feemed to 
 hang in dubious fufpenfe, it was refolved that Pitt fhould 
 promife every fupport to the Stadtholder, whilft the Court 
 of Verfailles, playing a fimilar game, alternately buoyed up 
 and depreffed the hopes of the difafFccled Dutch. There 
 never was a ferious intention of going to war in either ca- 
 binet, but it was politic to divert the public mind, and as 
 fome plaufible pretext was necefTary to juftify a public rob- 
 bery, this was deemed an excellent plea for an armament, 
 
S6 LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. 
 
 and frelfi taxes; a glorious opportunity of providing for 
 beggarly ctiufins and unprincipled dependents. * 
 
 Lord George was a rational, but inveterate enemy to 
 Courts \ he had coolly and difpaffionately examined their 
 proceedings, and found them always at variance with their 
 declarations. Though they affect to pay deference to reli- 
 gion, and make virtue and morality their conftant theme, 
 yet they treat them with contempt behind the curtain ; and 
 thofe very wretches who lately pretended to take up arms 
 in fuppori of the Catholic religion, in la Vendee ; but, in 
 reality, to re-inftate themfelves in their former ufurpations, 
 at the expenfe of every thing virtuous and good, heretofore 
 declaied, when in company with fome of our devout peers, 
 who are now canting about the impiety of -the French., 
 " that religion was an excellent impofition for enflaving the 
 '* people ; but that they themfelves believed there was no 
 a GodS'f Such pious declarations have been peculiar to 
 th» privileged orders in eveiy age: and fuch were the mo- 
 tives that induced Lord George to fufpect every thing that 
 took its origin in Courts. He was wont to fay, that " the 
 " beft piool of the good fenfe of his countrymen, was their 
 " felling their King for a groat ;'' and he gave it as Ills opi- 
 nion, 'that before the end of the prefent century, " the whole 
 " corps of ***** jockics would not fetch half that money.'.' 
 
 Lord George wrote feveral letters to Admiral Kingfber- 
 gen, who commanded the Dutch fleet at Portfmouth, def- 
 
 * During the American war, Lord George ufed to refidc frequently at the Mar- 
 qui j of 'Rockingham's, who afft&cd to be the people's friend. Upon his being 
 a; -.pointed Fame Minifier, Lord Geo;ge reminded him of his promife, and fa id the 
 be! 1 : w,'V of ferv'mg the people, was to leffen their taxes, and aboliih the fmecure 
 places — the Marquis hefitated ; and, upon Lord George's pre fling the matter, re- 
 plied, that " the iiihole fyjlcm •was^Jo corrupt, that without bribery and fecret firvtce 
 tf&tiey, it was imfqjjiblc to cart y on tit buftntfs of Government for a Jingle day" 
 
 * See Stanhope's Speech in the Houle of Lords, Feb. z}, i?94- 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. CORDON. 87 
 
 tined to act, in conjunction with the Englifh, againfl 
 France, explaining the motives of the armament, and af- 
 furing him that nothing was more foreign to the intention 
 of the diu'erent cabinets, than war; he intreated the Dutch 
 to fettle their difference without the interference of trea- 
 cherous allies; and infinuated that the Prince of Orange 
 himfell was nothing more than the fecret agent of their 
 enemies — that every thing refpe&ing Holland was all fy 
 determined between the Courts of London and Veriaillcs ; 
 and that nothing remained for the Dutch, but to return 
 home with a good grace. 
 
 Thefe letters were communicated to the States General, 
 and the Dutch Ambafiador at London ; and afl 
 confutations, the Admiral left England apparen ' i 
 fied. The Dutch AmbafTador's lady Waited upon Lord 
 George in Newgate, thanked him for the information he 
 had given, and allured him that they had pronted by his 
 advice. Calonne, partly from the increafing commotions 
 at home, and partly from his intrigues being difcovered in 
 Holland, left the Reyclutionifts in a moft princely manner, to 
 iliift for themfelves ; and Pitt enjoyed in fecret tiiumph his 
 too fuccefsful manoeuvre, in furnifhing matter for the cof- 
 fee-houfe politicians, and providing for his minions, at the 
 expenfe of the nation. 
 
 He addreffed a memorial to the friends of liberty, in 
 which he expofes the cruelty and jefuitical defigns of hi.s 
 enemies, and prophetically foretels the royal cm fade against 
 the liberties of man. He deplores the wretched htuation 
 of a well-meaning, but deluded people, and allures them, 
 that without virtue and refolution on their part, the iron 
 age of defpotifm was about to re-commence its reign ; he 
 .declares that he will never abandon the caufe .of freedom, 
 nor flatter the vices of men in power; " though he had 
 (t been, for a long time, peifecuted, and hunted like a 
 
SS LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. 
 
 f* partridge on the mountains, by the particular command 
 " oY the houfc of Hanover , and was now fhut up among 
 *' thieves and murderers in Newgate." This conduct, con- 
 tinued he, had made his name and defires known almoft 
 over the whole world, and opened a correfpondence with 
 focieties and individuals, entertaining the fame views, in 
 the furrounding nations ; and by the mutual interchanges 
 of publications, free thoughts, and eiTays upon the civil and 
 religious fettlements of various governments, and the ge- 
 neral candour and inquiry after truth, which prevails 
 among the people, he had been made acquainted with 
 the fentiments of many virtuous and well-intentioned Re- 
 volutionifts of every denomination. He had constantly 
 exerted the influence which this perfeverance and public 
 fituation had procured, in Europe, Afia, Africa, and 
 Ameiica, wherever his correfpondence had required it ; 
 and although this influence was of fuch a nature, that it had 
 not yet been in his power to ferve, or even feenre himfelf 
 and his friends, at all times, from infults and per fecut ions, 
 yet it had often been anxioufly fought for, by many, in 
 their diftreffes, from different countries, and was ftiil 
 dreaded by their proud rulers, who knew very well that no 
 confederation on earth could prevail on him to fupport the 
 cruelties and tyranny of any civil and religious eftablifh- 
 ments, Baftiles, or Inquifitions. And it was a confolation 
 to reflect, that among many encouraging inftances where 
 this influence had already been applied by him, with fuccefs, 
 againft oppreffion and injuftice, the American war might be 
 enumerated: the relief of the' Athol Highlanders at Portf- 
 rnouih — the fubverfion of the falfe Patriots in Holland — 
 the increafmg oppolition to the payment of tythes to the 
 clergy — and the recent declaration of war againft the Em- 
 prefs of RuiTia by the Sublime Porte, &c. &c. In all 
 which cafes, the fecret leaders of the parties are both deter- 
 
LITE OF LORD G. GORDON. 89 
 
 mined and refolved, neither to be bought off nor intimi- 
 dated. He concluded by alluring them, in the energetic 
 language of truth, that liberty was proscribed from the ca- 
 binets of Europe, that an old alliance had been renewed 
 between church and ftate, and that xhe'ir filaves were about 
 to deluge the world with blood. 
 
 Ever fince his confinement in Newgate, he had been vifit- 
 ed by Britons of every defcription, and by foreigners from 
 every quarter of the globe ; the Jeivs looked upon him as a 
 fecond Afofes, and fondly hoped he was defigned by Provi- 
 dence to lead them back to their fathers' land .* but though 
 he was liberal to others of a different way of thinking, and 
 freely allociated with infidels of every denomination, pro- 
 vided their religious tenets did not interfere with civil liber- 
 ty, yet, as he conformed to all the outward ceremonies of 
 the ancient fathers himfelf, he expected the fame conformity 
 from thofe who profefTed a (imilar faith. This practice, to 
 which he invariably adhered, induced him to refufe admit- 
 tance to all thofe Jews, who, in compliance with the mo- 
 dern cuftoms, fhaved their beards and uncovered their 
 heads. 
 
 Though I am no apologift for religious fe&aries, I can 
 admire confiftency. When certain prelates, whilft they 
 pretend to be the minificrs ef peace, exceed even tyrants in 
 their fanguinary and deftrudtive counfels, the mind revolts 
 with horror from fuch an infamous fraternity ; but when 
 we fee men, in defiance of cuftom, act up to their profef- 
 fion, from a confeioufnefs of right, though contrary to 
 their worldly intereft, although we may be flow to approve, 
 we mould not be hafty to condemn. To thofe who confider 
 the Bible as the only revealed religion, this conduct will 
 appear confident \ nor will the philofopher be ever able to 
 reconcile the practice of churchmen, in deviating from what 
 they affcel to value more than gold or Jilver, until h^difco- 
 
 N 
 
go LIFE 0*F LORD G. GORDON. 
 
 ver that the grand object of their defires is the pofieffion ef 
 wealth. 
 
 In a political fenfc, however, Lord George's compliance 
 with the laws of Mofes proved fatal to his intcreft — the 
 rich Jews faw him no more — and as he had demonfl rated 
 that their cuftoms were contrary to the law and the prophets, 
 they, in revenge, adopted the miniflerial cant of infanity, 
 phrenzy, he. The Polifh and Turkiih Jews (till came to 
 fee him in great numbers ; but, as they have little or no 
 education, their prejudices are ftrong, and their informa- 
 tion extremely local. They, in general, underftand barter, 
 and excel in. feparating and refining metals ; but, with few 
 exceptions, they ftudioufly avoid all political fubje&s, 
 and conclude their arguments with the favourite topic 
 " money." 
 
 Nothing is more certain than that the Almighty defigned 
 mankind to live comfortably and happy ; to have peopled 
 the world without furnifhing provisions for its inhabitants, 
 would argue the greateft cruelty : yet ever fince the begin- 
 ning of time, man has groaned under the heavieft oppref- 
 fions; and the earth, inllead of furnifhing the comforts of 
 life, feemed to have produced little elfe than crimes and 
 mifery. The fufTerings of the human race had almoft ex- 
 hausted his patience, and taught him to look upon his fel- 
 low-creatures as beafts of prey, lnftead of relieving the 
 dittrefTed, and fraternifing with the ftranger, the very ideas 
 of humanity were extinguished, and the mod ferocious ava- 
 rice became their ruling paffion. To what lhall we impute 
 this favage barbarity r Shall we accufe Nature ? No ; we 
 will never arraign the majefty of Heaven. It was owing 
 to the coalition of church and State, which feized the 
 productions of the foil, and impofed upon the under- 
 Handing to fuch a degree, that millions believed they 
 were ordained by Providence to administer to the luxuries 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON* qi 
 
 of thofe who have ever delighted in blood and flaughter, and 
 ftained the earth with human gore. 
 
 Eut upon the immortal 14th of July, I/89, a day which 
 gave new life to man, the pillars of fuperitition were fhakcn 
 by the capture of the Baftile, and the thunderbolt of reafon 
 hurled defpotifm from its throne. Man, after ages of pro- 
 fcription, was reftored to his original importance in the 
 fcale of beings. The prifoners were freed from their 
 fhackles, and the day of univerlal redemption feemed to be 
 at hand. The glad tidings flew like lightning from pole to 
 pole, and the moft diftant nations participated in the joyful 
 event. Even the folitary tenants in Newgate feemed to 
 forget their misfortunes, apd anticipated in imagination 
 the approaching millennium. Nothing could have given 
 greater fatisfa&ion to Lord George, who was fuffering all 
 the horrors of a goal, for his a: tack upon the Baftile. It 
 was likewife a preliminary ftep to the overthrow of that 
 imperious woman, to whofe intrigues, in part, he had 
 fallen a victim ; it was more, it was a ftep to univerfal 
 emancipation : he therefore fent the following petition to 
 the National Aflembly : 
 
 '* To the National Afjembly of France. 
 *f The Petition of Lord George Gordon, 
 " Humbly fheweth, 
 " That a fentence of two years imprifonment among the 
 ie felons and tranfported convidls in Newgate, with a fine 
 " of five hundred pounds fterling, and fifteen thoufand 
 " pounds fecurity for fourteen years to come, have been 
 I' paffed upon your petitioner, for a publication in favour 
 " of liberty in France, in which the name of the Queen, 
 " le Comte de Breteuil, and le Marquis de Launey were 
 " mentioned, as a party fupporting arbitrary power, latres, 
 *« de cachet, and the Baftile. 
 
 Na 
 
$| LIFE OP LORD G. GORDON.? 
 
 " That this publication was made with a view to fuccour. 
 " the opprefTed, and from the beft information, which he 
 "received from feveral of the nobility and gentlemen- of 
 " France, who were irr London at the time of the publica- 
 " tion, who requeued your petitioner's afliitance in the 
 *' the caufe of freedom. 
 
 " That your petitioner has received great fatisfa&ion ia 
 " the midft of his fufferings, in finding that the good peo- 
 W pie of France have hitherto fucceeded in their endeavours 
 u to regenerate their constitution ; and he prays to the Al- 
 «* mighty to crown your patriotic exertions with liberty and 
 f e peace. 
 
 " The requeft, therefore, of your petitioner, is, that 
 
 te your mod honourable AfTembly, in your wifdom and 
 
 " fympathy, *will apply to the Court of London to relieve 
 
 " your petitioner from the above-mentioned fentence and 
 
 Ci imprifonment. 
 
 *« G. GORDON." 
 
 Felons' Side, Newgate Prtfort) 
 
 London, July 23, 1789. 
 
 Liberty owes much to the firft AiTembly of France; and 
 when compared to moft governments in Europe, they 
 appear to be more than mortals \ yet, as mother church had 
 found means to infufe her deadly poifon into the body poli- 
 tic, fome of the old leaven now and then predominated. 
 That men fhould fometimes foar above the prejudices of the 
 age, and at other times facrifice juftice and humanity to 
 etiquette ; that they fhould, in one jnftance, break the 
 chains of defpotifm ; and, in another, rivet them more 
 firmly than ever, may appear to perfons not in the habit of 
 reflection, unaccountable and Strange \ but it is nothing elfe 
 than a natural Struggle between fuperftition and reafon, 
 between felf-intereft and univerfal good : and that the Na- 
 tional AfTembly were frequently fettered in their proceed-* 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. CORDON. 93 
 
 ings, by thefe contending paflions, will appear undeniable 
 from Gregoire's reply : 
 
 " Paris, 1\th February, 1790. 
 «» Sir, 
 
 f< Annexed you will find the opinion of the Committee 
 *< of Reports of the National Afiembly. I have been un- 
 " able to anfwer you fooner, becaufe at the time you wrote 
 " to the AiTembly, and when I was one of its fecretaries, it 
 " Could not take cognizance of any particular buliriefs, and 
 '• had not then appointed a Committee of Reports. Your 
 " papers, in the mean time, were depofited among the 
 " archives. M. le Prefident having received your lait let- 
 " ter, and communicated it to the prefent acting Commiitee 
 " of Reports, of which I am preiident, the Committee 
 " ordered your former letters to be produced, and upon the 
 11 examination of them, which one of its Members has 
 " made, the Committee, upon his report, have determined 
 " that as you are a foreigner, and detained in the prifoiis of 
 " England, it would be improper to deliberate upon the 
 «.' fubject. Be allured, Sir, that I have greatly intereft'ed 
 " myfclf in your requeft, and that I am fincerely grieved, 
 << as well as the gentlemen of the Committee of Reports, 
 " at our inability to fcrve you. 
 
 " Believe me, with the rnoft finccre attachment, 
 " Sir, 
 " Your very humble and very obedient fervant, 
 
 « GREGOIRE." 
 
 " Sir, 
 ** The Committee of Reports of the National ATembly 
 H having taken into confideration your laft letter, and thofe 
 " of prior date, which you have addrefled to the Alfembly, 
 " were of opinion that there was no ground for deliberating; 
 f? on your requcft : and that being a foreigner, and detained 
 
94 HFE OF LORD G. GORDON. 
 
 f in the prifons of England, you fhould apply for redrefs 
 P to the tribunal of that kingdom, that is able to afford ft 
 << to you. 
 
 t( I have the honour to be, Sir, 
 *t Yours, &c. 
 
 f« GREGOIRE." 
 
 i*ord George Gordon, in the prifan 
 
 of Newgate, in England* 
 J > aris ) Feb. 24, 1790, 
 
 Upon the receipt of the above, Lord George immediately 
 returned the following anfwer : 
 
 *' To Mr, Prejidcnt Gregoire, and the Members of the Com- 
 " mittee of Reports of the National Jjfembly> at Paris. 
 
 " Gentjemen, 
 '* I had the honour to receive your letter, containing the 
 V report of the Committee, dated the 24th of February, 
 " under the new great feal of the nation ; and it is my duty 
 <c to acknowledge with grautude the condefcenfion which 
 u the National AfTembly have fhewn, by receiving my pe- 
 " tition, and referring it, even in the midft of their mod 
 *' important deliberations, to the examination and opinion 
 " of your Committee. This attention and politenefs of the 
 ** National AfTembly will never be effaced from my memory. 
 *' I petitioned with confidence in their friendihip, and you 
 *' have anfwered me in terms of affection. The very obli- 
 4< g m g exprefT;ons which accompany your report, perfuade 
 " me of the particular good wifhes of the members of your 
 u Committee, and induce me to believe that you will con- 
 lt fider wjth candour the remarks which I prefume to make 
 M on your report, and then communicate them to the Nar 
 •* tional AiTembly. 
 
 " Your Committee, you inform me, having taken cog- 
 ** nizance of my petition, were of opinion that they hail no 
 
LIFE OF LORD O. OORDONi 95 
 
 " room to deliberate, becaufe I am a ftranger, and detained 
 11 in an Englifh prifon. 
 
 "What, Gentlemen! are the powers of France dimi- 
 " nifhed under the National Aflembly and the new conlti- 
 *? tution r Has the arm of your Monarch become withered 
 " in the department of foreign affairs^ in the very moment 
 " of regeneration ? 
 
 " Would not the Marquis de la Luzerne, the prefenfc 
 u French AmbaiTador, obey the commands of the King and 
 " your Aiilmbly, to folicit the Court of London to releafe 
 " me, on your behalf, as willingly and with as much pro- 
 " priety as M. Barthelemy, at the fuit of M. de Breteuil 
 " and the Baftile partifans, applied to the Court of London 
 " to imprifon me ? Or is the Duke of Gordon's brother 
 " intended to be made an example to the Courts of Europe 
 " of the want of power in the National Aflembly to {hew 
 " mercy and deliverance, by the fame medium of the Court 
 (c of London, through which M. de Breteuil had intereft to 
 ** epprefs and perfecute ? But perhaps the Court of London 
 " do not acknowledge the powers of the National Aflembly 
 #< and the new conftitution, in the official line of the corps 
 " diplomatique ! Perhaps M. Barthelemy may (till conti- 
 " nue to be the Charge d'Affaires of the Breteuil and Po* 
 /{ lignac parties ! And if this be the cafe, which I have 
 ** too much reafon to apprehend, I muft ftiil refign myfelf 
 " to fufFer with patience ! We have heard, indeed, of the 
 " Duke of Orleans taking the civic oath in London, to be 
 " true and faithful to your Aflembly ; but we have not yet 
 " been inforn.ed either of the Marquis de la Luzerne or 
 " M. Barthelemy taking the civic oath, receiving their new 
 li credentials, or being ceremonially introduced to announce 
 ■' your new conftitution and powers to the King of Eng- 
 il land. They remain here as yet, unhappily for me, ap- 
 *' pointed, connected, and inftrucled by the Miniller that 
 
§5 LIFE OF LOIVD G. GORDON. 
 
 ** exifted when tyranny was in its full force in your 
 country. 
 
 * c The King and Queen of France, now that they are both 
 fo fincercly attached to the National jdjjembty, and have Jo 
 jcicmnly declared their intentions to educate the Dauphin In 
 the principles of the new conJtltutloKy ought not to be fuf- 
 pecled of (till favouring and protecting the meafiires of 
 M. de Breteuil, in a fecret manner* through the media- 
 tion of his inftruments at the Court of London. It would 
 be ungenerous in me to infmuate fuch fufpicions againlt 
 their Majeities — I do not deli re to awaken frelfi alarms 
 in the minds of your Aflernbly ; but I remonftrate with 
 that lincerity and ingenuoufnefs which the injuries I have 
 received from the Court of Verfailles, under the admini- 
 stration of M. de Breteuil, entitle me to make ufe of. 
 
 " It ftill remains with the National AfTembly to do me 
 the in (lice to endeavour to relieve me. The ears of Eu- 
 rope are fixed upon your proceedings in this cafe, and let 
 it not be faid that you have deferted your friend in his 
 calamity, and turned aWay your eyes from his petition* 
 You now fleep in fefety in your beds, free from the ter- 
 rors of the Baltile, and the lettrcs de cachet, to difturb 
 you ; and can you, without emotion, fuffer me to be 
 locked up with murderers and tranfports in Newgate, foi 
 two years to come, and fc* pay a fine of five hundred 
 pounds fterli-ng, and find fecurity for fifteen thoufand 
 pounds for fourteen years, in con fequence of the orders 
 of- Mi de Breteuil to M. Bartheletny, to profecute me 
 for my exertions againfl: his cruel exercife of thole en- 
 gines of dtfpotifm, in the caiife of one of your prefent 
 members, the Prince Louis de Rohan \ 
 
 "The report of your Committee, by the affectionate 
 manner in which, it has been communicated, gives ine a 
 fair opportunity to fay much more ; but I wiih rather to 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. 97 
 
 i: refrain, and fupprefs many of the arguments which might 
 *' be advanced in fupport of my caufe. I truft entirely to 
 " the difcretion of the National Affembly. 
 
 " I am not now addrefling myfelf to the feelings of the 
 " good people of Paris, upon this very delicate fubjeel ; I 
 " am only appealing to the equity and integrity of their 
 *' new governors. I hope, therefore, Gentlemen, that 
 *' you will accept this memorial as a frefh token of my re- 
 " fpedt for the National Affembly, of my wifhes for the 
 iC tranquillity of the ftate, and of my consideration for the 
 *' character of Frenchmen. 
 
 " Believe me, Mr. Prefident, and Meflieurs the. Mem- 
 *' bers of the Committee of Reports, with the mod fincere 
 '" attachment, 
 
 " Your moCc humble and molt obedient fervant, 
 Newgate Prifon, « G. GOR-D'ON." 
 
 London, March, 1790. 
 
 The republican members of the Affembly were- very much 
 (truck with this rcmonftrance ; they detailed his bufferings 
 in all the patriotic journals, and Pigott, the philanthropill, 
 wrote a pamphlet in his favour. . 
 
 As it is an etiquette amongft the Courts of Europe to re- 
 ceive nothing officially in time of peace, from a foreign 
 country, unlefs it come from the executive power, Lord 
 George was advifed by his Parifian correfpondents, to re- 
 quell Louis, under the title of the reftorer of liberty, to 
 apply to the Court of London in his favour. They affured 
 him that matters fhould be fo arranged in Paris, that Louis 
 could not refufe his fandtion : and " if the King of Great 
 " Britain mould refufe to let him at liberty, it would fill t 
 *< ferve the common caufc, by making the fountain of mercy 
 " itfelf fufpccJed.^ In confequence of this advice, Lord 
 George wrote to Louis, who received his petition with af- 
 
 o 
 
<j3 LiYE OF LORD G. GORDON. 
 
 Jfefted joy, and promifed immediate relief: afterwards^ 
 however, he had feveral conferences with Lord Gowcr, his 
 Britannic Majefty's Minifter at Yerfailles, on the fubject, 
 and it was agreed that he fhould not be liberated. But as 
 Louis was under more reftraint than the Britifh monarch, 
 it became neceflary to make a formal application at St, 
 James's ; and to acquaint Lord George, by his Ambaffa- 
 dor, with his extreme forrow, that his requeft had not fuc- 
 ceeded. Such pitiful fhuiKing would difgrace a gang of 
 pickpockets ; and yet to fuch pitiful mufflers did Lord 
 George fall a victim ! 
 
 In the foregoing Memoirs it has appeared, that Erfkine 
 owes his fuccefs, in a great meafure, to his defence of Lord 
 George ; and Fox was undoubtedly obliged to him for his 
 exertions at the Weft n.i niter Election ; but in the year 
 1791, when Luxford, one of the oppufition fcribblers, 
 wrote a libel on the government of France, the politics of 
 the party appeared in their proper light ; which produced 
 the following letter from Lord George to the Speaker of the 
 Houfe of Commons : 
 
 « Sir, 
 " The ticklifh (late of the pre fa having become the fub- 
 '" ject of parliamentary interference, with a view to reduce 
 tl the matter to foine degree of certainty, we may prefume 
 *' that the moment is now come when it may be permitted 
 <* to ufe the privilege, in moderation, to write our fenti- 
 w ments en the late debate } and to help the further difcuf- 
 tl lion of the merits or demerits of the bill in agitation. 
 
 **. The various cafes, decifions, and reports on the fub- 
 '« jedt of libels, are fo contradictory to each other, and al- 
 <l mod all of thero to equity and juftice, that they fuificient- 
 t( ly prove the necefiity of a fpecific law, clear and well de- 
 <* fined, to fecure the liberty of the prefs. 
 
 5 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. CORDON. 99 
 
 €t But what fccurlty to the prefs, what fpecific, clear, 
 " and well-defined lav/ can be expected from the motion 
 ** lately carried in the Hoiife cf Commons ? Mr. Fox fup- 
 w ported it upon one principle, and Mr. Erfkine feconded 
 *' it upon a direct contrary one. One strgtied from parti- 
 u cular to general propofiticns ; the other lrom general to 
 " particular ; which will render it impoffitile to form a bill 
 " to juftify both their opinions, and fatisfy both fides of the 
 ** houfe. The decree on the mu!at;o.s lately pa fifed at 
 " Paris, and which has given fuch univerfal difguft, both 
 tf to the blacks and to the whites, is a fcafonable example 
 '* to your honourable members, to avoid ::ny thing of a 
 " double controverfivil Janus-faced meafurc on the do£lrine 
 '< of libels. 
 
 " Mr. Fox was in fact the only member who ftated any 
 <( fpecific grievance. He founded all his arguments on the 
 u cafe of Luxford, the proceedings againft whom he con- 
 * : demned, as mojl inordinately fever e \ and of courfe, we 
 << may fuppofe, as he was one of the members ordered to 
 *' prepare and bring in the bill, that he has drawn it up in 
 '* fuch a manner as to prevent llmilar moji inordinately fevers 
 u proceedings againft any other citizen, which will be a 
 ** direct, though tacit condemnation of the laws, as of late 
 " executed ; and unlefs Mr. Fox has {o prepared the bill, 
 *'' he will do nothing to relieve and redrefs the grievance 
 ** upon which his argument,, on the cafe of Luxford, is 
 *' founded. 
 
 " Mr. Erikine, on the contrary, approved and fupported- 
 *' the whole proceedings againft Luxford ; and avowed 
 " that if he himfelf were promoted, at prefent, to be a 
 <c Judge in the Court of King's Bench, he would be bound 
 " to accede to all the precedents, and to adminifter the law 
 " in the fame manner in which it was adminiftered by Lord 
 ** Mansfield and the prefent Judges > as ftriclly congenial to 
 
 O2 
 
ICO LIFE OF LORD 0. GORDON. 
 
 ?.' the principles of the conftitu'iion, however inclination on 
 i( common fenfe might lead him to think othcrwife. 
 
 " This illuftrious orator was pleafed alfo to communicate 
 " to the houfe, his prefcripiion to his patients labouring 
 <( under the difeafe of libels : he often (he faid) advifed his 
 " clients to take a dofc of laudanum, ratlxr than to profecutc ; 
 tc to take no notice of the libel, to Jhive to get the better of 
 * l their feelings, and to let the /lander die avjay.'' And per- 
 " haps it may be afcribed to the very accommodating virtue 
 " of this laudanum, that he has been enabled to expunge 
 (C and get the better of his own fenatcrial memory, in the 
 <c cafe of Lard George Gordon ; for, in his character of bar- 
 " ri/Ier, he is always obliged to remember to be againjl him : 
 Ci as he faid himfelf to an attorney who applied to him oa 
 f the profecution of the Queen of France commencing 
 <c againft his Lordfhip, that he had, for a long time pajl, re- 
 €( ccived a general retaining fee on the fart of the King againjl 
 il Gordon ; and that his appearance againjl his Lordfhip, in 
 '* that very caiife for which the attorney ivifhed his fupport 3 
 Ci would be a proof of it — and fo in truth it happened. 
 
 " A general retaining fee from the Crown to a barrifter, 
 '• cannot, however, be fuppofed to operate fo unconftitu- 
 " tionally as to injure the memory of an honourable member 
 '•' of the Houfe of Commons. Symptoms of fo rgetfulnefs 
 '-' in a barrifter, on certain cafes of libels, may appear very 
 *-.< ftrong ; but then it would be a molt falfe, wicked, fcan- 
 " dalous, and malicious libel againft \\\c fenator, to connect-, 
 " or endeavour to connect the laudanum dofe of a general 
 *■' retaining fee, and the aforefaid ftrong fymptoms of for- 
 " getfulnefs, together in hisperfon, either by id ef, fcilicet, 
 4i or other the moft diftant inuendoes. It furely then v. ..s 
 u nothing elfe but the opiate draughts which lie fo often ad- 
 *.' minifters to his clients to kill flander, to get the better of 
 ii their feelings, and prevent their noticing any thing diCr 
 
LIFE OF LORD C. GORDON, lOl 
 
 t( agreeable, that have a little blotted Mr. Erfldne's note- 
 " book on this famous profecution. 
 
 " The honourable member put the houfe in mind that 
 Cl be had been acquainted with the bar of the Court of King's 
 " Bench for thirteen years \ and he could fay, in truth, that 
 " the officers who reprefent the Crown, conduced themfelacs 
 " during that period, with moderation. So good a charac- 
 c < ter of the officers who reprefent the Crown, given by fo 
 cc worthy and learned a brother, would indeed be of great 
 *' value to them, if any truft could be placed on his memo- 
 " ry ; bu 1 ", al re was the boaficd moderation of the 
 
 <c Crown officer v hen this eloquent orator himfelf was 
 *' pleading in favour cf Lord George Gordon, in 1781, and 
 " declared that his noble client was watched by wicked men, 
 f € for purpojes of vengeance, and that the Crown had totally 
 il failed in giving his behaviour fuch a context as could ju/lify 
 '* in the mind of any reafonable man, the conclufion they wiJhecL 
 i e to ejlablifh. And did he not add, perfonally addreffing 
 <£ himfelf to the Attorney General, I say, by God, that 
 " man is a ruffian.* But the fame unlucky dofe of 
 " laudanum, which has fo entirely obliterated the cafe of the 
 * c French libel in 1787 from his notes, has undoubtedly ope- 
 " rated very powerfully in letting the flander of the ruffian- 
 '* like conduct of the officers of the Crown die away alfo 
 " from his recollection and future notice. 
 
 " Mr. Erfkine, however, is not to be marked alone fer 
 " the treachery of his memory, in the cafe of Lord George 
 *' Gordon ; for the fafhionable torpedo of his laudanum 
 f feems to have extended itfelf in the Houfe of Commons, 
 f c and benumbed the memories of all the other cafe-reciters 
 f who fpoke upon the fubject. It may therefore be efteem- 
 *' ed falutary, to jog and revive their memories a little, b/ 
 
 5?e Mr. Erfkine's Speech, in puroey's State Trials. 
 
j C 2 LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. 
 
 " a moderate and conflitutional exercife of the pen, left * 
 " general lethargy towards equal rights on libels fhould take 
 M root among the Englifh members, through the increafing 
 *' influence of Mr. Erfkine's opium, which, like the venom 
 *' of the bite cf the Italian tarantula fpider, feems already to 
 *' have thrown feveral learned gentlemen from Scotland into 
 fl fuch a criiis of heavinefs, on the dodtrine of libels, that 
 " all the routine of dancing and drinking at the Duchefs of 
 " Gordon's could not agitate their memories, or awaken 
 " their feelings to the fituation of their countryman in 
 M Newgate. 
 
 " Mr. M'Donald, the Attorney General, entered like- 
 M wife into the cafe of Luxford, now in the King's Bench 
 I' prifon, and fyftematically juftified ail the proceedings 
 <c againft him ; and objected to the Houfe going into a 
 " grand Committee of Juftice, as that would induce the 
 '« people to believe that the conduct of the executive power 
 << and the judges, were cenfurable in the cafe of Luxford,, 
 {* In the feventy cafes of indictments for libels, in the laft 
 << thirty years, which Mr. M* Donald enumerated, to prove 
 i* the lenity of the executive power, he only juft let one 
 <l very lenient fentence efcape his memory, viz. five years: 
 ** Imprijonment among the felons, in Newgate x a fine cf five 
 <' hundred pounds, and fecurities for fifteen ihoufand pounds 
 *■■<■ more, jor fourteen years to come! ! / hfiraggling cafe, of 
 <' fuch 1 u 1 1 e note at St. James's, might eafily be overlooked, 
 i( in the enumeration of feventy i indictments, by any ftrag- 
 6i K' cin K harrifter who had not been fee'd in that very caufe ; 
 " but Mr. M'Donald and Mr. Eifkine had both the honour 
 *' of being touched npen this occafion, by the Crown, 
 " through the organ of the Solicitor of the Treafury ; and 
 " f up per ted the prgfecution in open court before Judge 
 « Bullcr, 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. IG3 
 
 et Mr. Pitt too, following the path pointed out to him 
 <c by the Attorney General, objected to a grand Committee 
 " of Juftice, and juftified the proceedings againfl Luxford, 
 " as his libel feemed calculated to fow the feeds of difcord 
 " between this country and France, upon the fame grounds 
 " that Sir Richard Pepper Arden profecuted Lord George 
 " Gordon. But the Chancellor of the Exchequer, although 
 " he paid the fees of this profecution, had entirely forgot 
 " that any fuch parallel cafe with Luxford's exilied : the 
 " laudanum ftill triumphed, and the unanimity was prefer- 
 " ved, by hinting at Luxford's pardon, and by preventing 
 " the introduction of the Newgate cafe to the confideration 
 il of the Houfe. He willingly confented to Mr. Fox's 
 " Jim pie motion for leave to bring in a bill, but merely on 
 " the principle, that the matter to be agitated in that bill 
 u was not to reflect upon the laws, nor the prefent practice 
 " and deciiions of the Courts. 
 
 " And Mr. Jekyll's congratulations on the apparent una-* 
 u nimity of the Houfe, muft certainly have alluded merely to 
 " the Jimplc motion of the day, for the perfons appointed to 
 11 prepare the bill, were as oppofite from unanimity in their 
 «' principles, as it is poffible to be. 
 
 " The deliverance of Mr. Luxford feems to have been the 
 u burthen of that day's debate ; and if it be procured by an 
 * s addrefs to the throne from the Houfe of Commons, or by 
 " any other means, I mall be very happy to hear of it ; but 
 " fUll, if the Houfe folicits for a pardon, his accepting it 
 " will be a confeflion of his crime. And unlefs the prin- 
 " ciple of that profecution is adhered to by Mr. Fox, in the 
 " bill he has prepared, as inordinately J evere and unjufiifiable , 
 u with a view to what mail in future be the law and prac- 
 <c tice, (which is directly contrary tg Mr. Erikine's view of 
 u the fubjecl) nothing at all will be added by the bill to- 
 " wards the better fecuring the liberty of the prefs. The 
 
104- LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON". 
 
 "pardon of an individual, firft involved, and then partially 
 *' picked out again by Mr. Fox's party, after the people's 
 " expectation has been fo long in labour to bring forth a 
 " f-ublic good, "would be too ridiculous a mouje to fatisfy 
 *' the eagernefs and cravings of our political gollips ; and it 
 " might be looked upon by fome, who, with Mr. Burke, 
 *• regard the blue and buff" reformers in the light of a faction, 
 " only as a fort of compounding of a public caufe for a pcr- 
 " fonal Interefl. This unfeemly conduct of the matter, to 
 " ufe Mr. Fox's own hmile, would be reducing the grand 
 " object of the bill, firjl, from a giant to a man ; and after- 
 M wards, from a pigmy ic a ncn-cnlity I 
 
 " But as all manner of fubtlety, fraud, and tricking, is 
 * c mean, and utterly beneath men of fenfe and probity, we 
 
 " have a right to expect better things from the honourable 
 
 " members of the Houfe cf Commons. 
 
 " King Solomon truly obferved, that chad files caufe the 
 6( ointment of the apothecary to fend forth a /linking favour ; fa 
 " doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wifdom and 
 "honour. A partial Infolveht aft, to releafe only the blue 
 tc and buff bankrupts, would be an abominably ill-fcented 
 *' dead fly in the proceedings of the whole Houfe of Commons 
 " In England, in Parliament ailembled ; fo doth the late 
 " little folly of making fifh of one man, and flefh of ano- 
 *' ther ; of reviving Mr. Luxford from the immurement of 
 <( the King's Bench prifon, and faying the burying fervice 
 " over Lord George Gordon in Newgate, for fimilar libels, 
 ** caufe the fpeeches of the reputed wife and honourable 
 " Meftrs. Fox and Erfkine, to fend forth a very finking fa-^ 
 " vour cf partial; 't\\ 
 
 li I am. Sir, your humble fervanr, 
 
 " G. GORDON/ 1 
 Kezvgaie Prifon, 1 7 9 1 . 
 
 i 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. IO5 
 
 Luxford obtained a pardon through the medium of the 
 Oppofition ; and the other libellers, unconnected with 
 party, were fuffered to remain in gaol. Experience has 
 proved that the bill produced no good effect ; and ' 3 tem- 
 porifing conduit of the Commons has induced Minifters 
 to increafe their feverity beyond all former example ; for 
 during the lait twelve mon'.hs a greater number have been 
 profecuted for flate offences, than for twenty years before ; 
 nay, even than when Star-chamber tyranny was in full 
 force. 
 
 It has ever been the privilege of Courts to make laws for 
 others, which they themfelves difregard — Whilft every thing 
 that is immoral was praclifed by the great, the Cabinet 
 iffued a proclamation, enjoining a ftricl: obfervance of 
 God's holy law. To give efFecl: to any reformation, exam- 
 ple muft accompany precept; but at the very time that 
 the poor were fined and perfecuted for their Sunday amufe- 
 ments, the rich were allowed to indulge themfelves in 
 all the luxuries of the feafon. Routs, gaming, brothels. 
 and profane concerts are the Sunday amufements amongft 
 our betters. 
 
 Lord George, however, expecting that the Bench would 
 pay fome obedience to the proclamation, advifed Ifabella 
 Stewart, who was under a profecution for theft, to take 
 advantage of the circumftance, and plead it in mitigation of 
 her puniihment. Before fentence of death was parted upon 
 her, flie appeared perfectly compofed, and made the follow- 
 ing pointed remarks : " That his Majefty's gracious procla- 
 ** mation, as they termed it, which had been read in all 
 M the courts of jutlice, for preventing and puniihing vice 
 " and immorality, recommended the obfervance of God's 
 " holy law ; and in this law it is exprefsly written, that/*/- 
 
 P 
 
lo6 lipe OP LORtf G. Gordo:,. 
 
 " all manner of trcfpafs, whether it be for ox, for afs, forfheep, 
 "for raiment, or for any manner of I 'ft thing, which another 
 *' challengeth to be his> the caufe of both parties f hall come be- 
 - "fore the judges, and whom the judges foall condemn, hefhall 
 il pay double unto his neighbour — we therefore injijl, that 
 « c according to the law ofGcd, and his Majefty's proclama- 
 44 tion, our offences require us to pay double unto our neigh- 
 " bour ; and not to forfeit our lives, nor be doomed to 
 " tranfportation to Botany Bay. We intreat the Court to 
 f< remember^ that cafes of life and banilhment are infinitely 
 " fuperior to cafes of property only \ and hope you will 
 " weigh thefe things in your minds, before the dreadful 
 * e words that are intended to decide our fate, are pro- 
 ** nounced upon us." The judges were ffartlcd at this new 
 method of defence, but fliewed no mercy ; and the fatal 
 fentence of death was pronounced upon her.* 
 
 * Asa proof of the equity of mr court; of j'ufiice, I fhail fubjoin the following' 
 well kno.'.r. facte : — Knight and Duncombe, t>vo members of the Houlc of C 
 mons, were expelled for having forged indorfements on Exchequer Lills : DO 
 corrfefletT the 1 chKrgeJ and his friar? of the ho :ued Vo-foiti h& 
 
 fund founds ! lam not informed what was the amount oi Knight's pluodec, or 
 that of feveral others who were concerned. The Commons, in ,• it oi , 
 
 patted a L ill to line Duncombe in half of hiscfiate. By the fta ait he 
 
 ihoivd have fuffercd death. The bill for his fine was rejected in th't Boufe oY i.or-ds 
 by the calling vote of the Duke of Leeds, and Duncombe was difr.iLcd with his 
 four hundred thai fund founds in his fcrket. 
 
 A workman in London was apprehended by a prefs-gang ; his w'ife and child 
 were turned into the ftreet by their landlord. Within a few days afcer, (he was deli- 
 vered of a fecond child in a garret ; on her recovery, fhe was driven to the ftreets as 
 i common beggar : fhe went into a fhop, and attempted to carry off a fmall piece 
 oflir.cn; ihe was feized, tried, and condemned to be hanged. In her defence Ihe 
 foid that ihe had lived credit ibly ard happy > till a prefs-gang robbed her of her huf- 
 Lv i, and in him, of all means to fi if arid her family; and that in 
 
 attempting to clothe her new-born inftttit fhe perhaps did wrong, as ihe did not, at 
 that time, knr.w what Ihe did. The parilh officers and other witneffes bore tcfti- 
 rnony to the truth of her avtrment, but all to no purpofc ; fhe was ordered for 
 Tyburn. Th huigrian d-*gg-d ha fucking inflgnl from ha breafl, ivhen br jhaimd 
 
J.IFE OF LORD Q. CORDON'. fOJ 
 
 In future ages it will be matter of furprife that the people 
 mould have been fo long impokd upon by hypocritical 
 monkiih iarces. State/nun and priejh have been always 
 wrangling about jujiice, humanity, religion, &c. and no 
 clafs of men have ever praclifed them lefs. 
 
 Lord George bore his confinement with uncommon forti- 
 tude ; he was never heard to complain. Regular in his 
 diet, and enjoying a good if ate of health, he commonly rofe 
 about eight o'clock in the morning, snd went to bed at 
 eleven at night: at breakfaft he read the newfpapers, and 
 then wrote his letters, or fent paragraphs to the public 
 papers. About twelve, he generally faw company ; they 
 were frequently fo numerous as to prevent their fitting 
 down, and the room often remained crowded till nine at 
 night. When he had no vifitors, which was but feldom, he 
 played on the violin, or amufed himfelf with playing at ball 
 with the other prifoners till two, when he commonly fat 
 down to dinner ; he had feldom lefs than fix or eight at 
 table, they were compofed of all ranks, and ranged as 
 chance directed ; the Jew and the Gentile, the legifla<or 
 and the labouring mechanic, the officer and the foldier, all 
 fhared alike : liberty and equality were enjoyed in their full 
 extent, as far as Newgate would allow. The dinner was 
 plain and fimple, confiding of one or two courfes : tho 
 liquor porter, or table beer, with fometimes a glafs of wine. 
 He drank nothing but porter ; he dined on meat and fifh 
 alternately ; this was not owing to any religious motives, 
 but becaufe he conceived a regular rotation moft conducive 
 
 the cord about her neck. On the 13th May, i77~> Sir William Meredith men- 
 tioned this horrid ci.eumftance in the Houfe or" Commonc — " Never," fr»id he, 
 " was there a fouler murder committed againft the law, ;'i. >.i\:hat of this woman by 
 «' the law." Vide Political Progrefs. 
 
 A thoufand other inftances might be produced, wherein il would appear rh^R 
 riche- never fail to give protection, while poverty alone is r-...ivoncJ a fli 
 
 ?2 
 
108 LIFE OF LORD C. GORDON, 
 
 to health. After dinner, the converfation generally turned 
 upon politics, and though he fpoke very little himfelf, he 
 excelled in the art of engaging others in warm debate. This 
 enabled him to ftudy the paflions, and to difcover the weak 
 or ftrong fide of an argument, without appearing to be in- 
 terested. About fix o'clock he drank tea, and afterwards 
 eat a little fallad, and fmoked his pipe before he went to 
 bed. 
 
 A bag-piper attended him every fortnight, and he had 
 often a large concert of mufic, and parties of dancing. He 
 was partial to the Scots tunes, with Ca ira, and the Mar- 
 fcllloh march. He was allowed to be an excellent judge 
 both of inftrumental and vocal mulic, and could perform 
 himfelf on feveral inftruments. 
 
 Kis rr.uficians were, for the moft part, the Duke of 
 York's band, and other perfons about the Court, whom it 
 is not fafe to name. They came fometimes in their uni- 
 form, and fometimes in difguife \ but on all occafions, I 
 have remarked them to deliver their fentiments on the pre- 
 fent administration with great freedom. He had the great- 
 eft evennefs of temper, was very modefl in his difcourfc, 
 and argued rather to obtain information, than to fhew his 
 fuperiority. He fpoke the French, Italian, and German 
 languages with great fluency, and could accommodate him- 
 felf to men in every fphere of life. He was eafy of accefs, 
 and no man had the art of receiving the poor with a better 
 grace ; though he could not always grant their requeft, they 
 never went away dilfatisfied. He was very pundlual in his 
 dealings, and attentive to what the world call trifles ; equally 
 as exa£l about a farthing as a hundred guineas. He had 
 his affairs fo arranged, and his papers fo placed, that he 
 could find them in the dark. 
 
 Amongft a thoufand things injurious to his character, it 
 has gone abroad that he kept two Jewiih hand-maids with 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. IO9 
 
 him night and day — nothing could be more falfe. He in- 
 deed kept two maid-fervants, one of whom was a Jewefs, 
 and the other a Chriitian ; but they regularly left the prifon 
 at nine o'clock at night, and returned at eight in the morn- 
 ing. To banifh care, and relieve his mind from difagree- 
 able fubjects, he was wont to fpend an hour every day in 
 fporting with his fervants ; and this he never failed to do, 
 whatever company might be prefent. One day, when the 
 Duke of York was there, with fome of the courtiers, he 
 walked up to his maids, and began to talk on indifferent 
 fubjecls ; there was a turkey roafling at the fire, and as the 
 Duke faw the cook employed in ccnverfation, he very 
 obligingly turned it, and fhewed that he underftood the 
 bufinefs of the kitchen as well as the achievements of war. 
 
 Lord George conformed very ftriclly to the rites of the 
 Jewifh church ; he faded when the prophets enjoin failing, 
 mourned when they mourned, and rejoiced when they re- 
 joiced. Talking freely with him one day on the fubjecl of 
 religion, I hinted how fatal his opinions on that fubject, 
 had been to his intereft ; he replied, " that no liberal man 
 " would advife him to act contrary to his confeience — that 
 l< he, like others, was liable to be wrong ; but that he was 
 u open to conviction — he concluded with faying, very em- 
 " phatically, that a wije man alters his opinion often, but a 
 "fool never. 1 ' 
 
 No man was more beloved by his fellow prifoners than 
 Lord George ; he divided his fubftance with thofe who had 
 no money, and did every thing in his power to alleviate 
 their diftrefs. Lie clothed the naked, and fed the hungry ; 
 but his fortune was inadequate to relieve all their wants. 
 
 About this time a Mr. King, of ftreet, waited upon 
 
 Lord George, and told him that he was in a declining ftate 
 of health, and expected foon to pay the debt of nature ; but 
 that he could not go down to the grave in peace, unlofs he 
 
HO LIFE OF LORD G. GORDOK. 
 
 obtained his forgivenefs — He faid that he had been long 
 employed as a Jpy by Adminiftration, and that when Lord 
 George lived in Welbeck-ftreet, he had apartments in the 
 oppofite houfe,on purpofe to watch his motions: that he took 
 down the name of every perfon that called upon his Lord- 
 fhip, and followed him wherever he went ; when Lord 
 George walked on foot, he followed him on foot, and when 
 he took a coach, he did the fame. He marked the places 
 where he called; and if there were any public meetings, lie 
 took care to procure admittance, and fent the proceedings 
 regularly to the Secretary of State's office. He added, that 
 ever fince the acceflion of the family of Brunfwick, there 
 had been a great number of fpies in the pay of Govern- 
 ment ; but that they had been more than trebled during the 
 prefent reign. He faid that after the expulfion of the Je- 
 fuits, (a religious order, without virtue or morality) from 
 the Continent, a fhoal of them were penfioned in England, 
 to pry into the fecrets of individuals, and betray the confi- 
 dence of the people. 
 
 Upon Lord George's obferving that they were in general, 
 men of family and education, and furely would not fubmit 
 to fuch defpicable employments, he rejoined, that there was 
 fcarce a cofFee-houfe in London, or family of di(lin6lion, 
 where there was not, at leaft, one belonging to the frater- 
 nity. That their favourite maxim was, M / am made all 
 *' things to all men, that I might by all means, fave fome" 
 That no employment was too, mean for a Jefuit, who at 
 the nod of the fupenor of his order, puts on the mafk, and 
 acls his part with the fame eafe, whether it be in the circle 
 of the polite, the fociety of the learned, or in the corner of 
 a fmoaking club. 
 
 There was a time when Britons would have fpurned the 
 fociety of an informer, when virtue and probity only were 
 refpeded ; our fathers gloried in an open, manly conduct, 
 
t.TFE OF LORD G. CORDON. IH 
 
 find nobly rejected the appearance of every thing that was 
 mean ; but how degenerated is their offspring ! Spies and 
 intriguers infinuat^ themfelves into our clofets, fufpicion 
 and miflruft divide the deareft friends } mufcadins and pup- 
 pies give the ton to our manners, and honourable poverty is 
 reckoned a difgrace. The truly virtuous are chafed from 
 fociety, and honefty is laughed to fcorn. 
 
 In addition to a crowd of Jefuits, who have corrupted our 
 morals and vitiated our youth, we arc pefled with above ten 
 thoufand priefts from France, the very dregs of the human 
 race, the fvvorn enemies of liberty : the confequence was 
 natural — our armies no longer dare to meet an enemy in the 
 field, but cowardly endeavour to purchafe conqucft with 
 gold. We have leagued ourfelves with the defpots of Ger- 
 many, and vowed deftrudtion to a gallant nation ; we have 
 publicly countenanced an agent from the Pope ; and com- 
 pelled our foldiers to bow to graven images in Flanders.* 
 
 Whilft the French were forming a conftitution which, 
 juflly excited the furprife of the univerfe, their late tyrant 
 affe&ed much fatisfaClion, and was eager to fvvear, ort the 
 altar of liberty, an inviolable attachment to the people, at 
 the very in ft ant he was plotting their deftrucYion. i\ great 
 variety of fchemes were planned by his agents to murder the 
 Jacobins, and fecure the leading members of the Aflembly; 
 but as none of them fucceeded, Louis, with his wife and 
 family, partly by deceiving, and partly by bribing his 
 
 * To give the reader a proper idea of our allies, I Ihall fubjoin a fhort lilt of their 
 camp equipage, and I Vie arms with which they propofe to extirpate twenty-five 
 millions of republicans: viz. I. The head of St. Charles Borromu. a. 
 fluffs, found in the Ihrine of St. Dennis. 3. PjpJrs to prove that the relics of St. 
 Vincent are genuine. 4. A tooth of the lower jaw of St. Vincent. 5. A bit of 
 the head and the hair of St. Guignelo'. 6* A piece of the robe of the Holy- 
 Virgin. 7. Apiece of the fiock of the infant Jefus. 8. The fkull of St. S - 
 baftian. 9. The gridiron of St. Laurence. 10. A piece of the rruccKofs. it. 
 Two phials of the milk ol the molt Holy Virgin, &c. i<c. 
 
112 LIFE OF LORD G. CORDON. 
 
 guards, efeaped the vigilance of his keepers, and fet off to 
 join the corifpirators on the banks of the Rhine. The pa- 
 triots of Yarcnncs flopped the fugitive traitor, and carried 
 him back, amidft the triumph of furrounding multitudes. 
 Inilead of appearing anxious for the fate of the confpirators, 
 he entered the palace with the cold indifference of a mon- 
 fler, and demanded " if his /upper was ready V" This was 
 a moment of importance to Republicans ; the contefl was 
 between prejudice and reafon ; and Gregoire, one of the 
 (launched patriots in exery ftage of the Revolution, wrote 
 as follows to Lord George : 
 
 " My Lord, 
 
 " I have been, my Lord, a very long time without an- 
 ** fwering your letter, from April 9th, 1790, becaufe I 
 '* had no good news to give you about the intention of the 
 u National Affembly. You may have feen your letter to 
 " the Committee printed in many of our patriotic journals. 
 M I think you are now free. Tell me what is your prefent 
 " fituation. I wi(h you as much happinefs as you can wifh 
 ** yourfelf. 
 
 " What is the impreflion the flight and arreflation of 
 " Louis XVI. has made upon your Engliih minds r What 
 *' do you think the confequence may be of that event ? Is 
 " the true liberty very near to begin her reign in the three 
 " realms ? As for me, my whole life fhall be fpent in 
 «■< eilabii filing and promoting it in France, and in all the 
 "■ world. 
 
 « GREGOIRE." 
 
 National JJJ'embly, 
 Paris, \th July y 1 7 9 1 . 
 
 Upon the 23d of Auguft, Lord George returned a very 
 long letter to the Prefident, of which the following is an 
 abilraa : 
 
LIFE OF LORD Q. GORDON. II3 
 
 *' To Monf Gregoire, Prefdcnt of the Committee of Reports 
 " of the National Jflembly. 
 "Sir, 
 <c I received your letter, and perceiving that it furnifhed 
 " matter for deep reflection and deliberation, I enclofed 
 " copies of it to M. de Nagell, the Dutch Ambalfador here, 
 " and to Admiral Kinfbergen, the commander of the Dutch 
 '* fleet at Amfterdam, whofe anfwers I have fince received. 
 '* I alfo printed it in the Public Advertifer of London, that 
 " the good people of England, by remarking the date of it, 
 f and looking for my anfwer, might obferve that I was above 
 " taking any advantage over my profecutor, by giving a 
 " hafty or revengeful advice to the National Aflemblyjwheri 
 " Paris was in a ferment, on his being firft arretted and 
 il brought back as a high flate criminal for trial. I, how- 
 " ever, fent a friend of mine, about a month ago, Mr. 
 <( Louis Courfiaux, to tell you that I would anfwer your 
 t( letter in a fhort time, and have only delayed it till the 
 " different pailions excited in the minds of the people of 
 " Paris, by the event of the King's flight and arreftation, 
 " are fubfided, or ought to be fubfided, into a calm and 
 " ferious deliberation, fuitable to the judicial proceedings 
 " of fo great a nation, upon the charges of high treafon, 
 '* and perjury, exhibited againit their King and the rebels, 
 a The King has now been long a prifoner under thefe hei- 
 " nous and infamous accufations, and it is time for the 
 " people to exercife their fovereignty, in judgment and 
 " juftice to the nation, the law, and the culprit, if the pre- 
 il fent Alfembly have any regard for promoting and efla- 
 " bli filing domeflic tranquillity or character in their proceeci- 
 " ings, as their country and capital are now in immediate 
 " and growing danger, from the monftronj exigence of 
 " two fovereigns. It is new near eight weeks fmce you 
 " required my opinion as to the conferences of thofe 
 
H4 LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. 
 
 " events, and [ have refrained hitherto on account of the 
 " delicacy and importance of the fubje£l. 
 
 <■ You are quite miilaken in thinking that I am now 
 < c free : my prefent fituation is among the felons in New- 
 U gate, where I am to remain, if it pleafe God to fpare 
 '* my life, one year and a half more, and to pay a fine of 
 <£ five hundred louis-d'ors, and to give fecurity for fifteen 
 *' thoufand louis-d'ors, for fourteen years to come, for 
 ** having wrote a few lines in the Public Advertifer, againft 
 " M. de Breteuil, the Baftile, and the French government 
 *' in the year 1786. I petitioned the King of France, a 
 11 year ago, under his title of reftorer of liberty, to make 
 "' an application, through the organ of his Ambaflador, M. 
 li de la Luzerne, to the Court of London, for my deliver- 
 *' ance. The keeper of the feals of France, M. de Cece ; 
 M the Archbifhop of Bourdeaux ; M. de Guiton, captain of 
 *' dragoons; M. de JelTe ; M. de la Bertinaye, captain of 
 et cavalry ; my brother, the Duke of Gordon ; Sufanna, 
 * c Countefs of Weftmoreland, my filter, and all my family 
 ** were pleafed to compromife themfelves in that petition to 
 Ci the King of France. The King, being advifed to it by 
 tc the keeper of the feals, wrote himfelf to his worthy con- 
 « £ fident, M. de la Luzerne, and he acquainted me, by let- 
 *' ter, laft February, that he had proceeded according to the 
 <' directions of his Court, with the Minillry of his Britannic 
 " Majefty, and was pleafed to add, like a courtier, that he 
 *' was forry to fay the anfwer was not favourable to my 
 * wifhes. The Miniftry of his Britannic Majefty alfo 
 f* feem to have been in an underltanding with the King of 
 *« France, through the organ of Lord Gower, that he was 
 il not fincere in figning the letter for my deliverance; but 
 * 6 a£led with the fame treacherous duplicity towards me, 
 <c that he has pra€tifed upon the National AfTembly. 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. 1 1 5 
 
 * c I am accounted by my enemies as one that is gone 
 <c down to the pit, that is walled up alive in his grave, 
 ** where I am become as one of the fhows of London, for 
 " Grangers and foreigners to ftare at ; yet I will not know- 
 ** ingly do them an injuftice. 
 
 " You aflc of me, what is the impreflion the flight and 
 w arreftation of Louis XVI. has made upon our Englifh 
 *' minds r I will tell you. We confider his flight as an 
 " abdication of the throne, in the manner of our tyrant 
 " James II. and fuppofed that you would either have filled 
 " up the vacancy, if you intended to re-eftablifh monarchy, 
 " upon the finful fcheme the Englifh fell into at that time, 
 " of making a ftranger, a foreigner, a Prince of Orange, 
 " a King over them ; or if you preferred a Republic to 
 " Monarchy, on account of the exemplary diminifhing, 
 *' oppreflions, and diffractions, both at home and abroad, 
 " that England has experienced fince the reftoration ot 
 " Charles II. and the revolution fettlement of William, 
 '* who to be fure was fet up as a King ; but not by God. 
 " We imagined that you would have declared your inde- 
 " pendence of Louis XVI. upon the model of the United 
 " States of America, throwing ofF the houfe of Hanover. 
 " But the arreftation of your traitor changed the fimilarity 
 " of his fituation with that of James II. in his flight ; and 
 c< his bringing back to Paris, puts him now exactly in the 
 " predicament of Charles I. when brought back from Wind- 
 " for to London, for high treafon and perjury. 
 
 u The arreftation of a King is no childrens* play ; and 
 " fo you will find it, if you do not immediately juftify your* 
 " felves in the eyes of the world. 
 
 " To refift the national guards, as the traitor did by his 
 " rebel huflars at Varennes, is a mortal and deadly overt 
 " act of levying war within the realm. The univerfality of 
 4* the defign of the infurredlion, with the avowed purpofe 
 
 0^2 
 
Il6 LIPE OF LORD G. GORDON. 
 
 f* to pull down the National Aflembly, and bring back the 
 <« refra&ory priefts and nobles, made it a rebellion againft 
 < c the ftate, a general defiance of the National Aflembly, 
 u and an infolent invafion of the fovereign authority of the 
 " people. 
 
 " If La Fayette, like another General Monk, can ac- 
 fi complifh his reftoration, you may expect the fame exe- 
 t* cutions and confiscations which were commenced on the 
 " reftoration of the perfidious Charles II. againft that band 
 " of patriots, who thought that liberty could not be too 
 " dearly bought, though at the expenfe of roval blood, to 
 " be revived againft the National Aflembly, as well as 
 f againft every man or woman concerned, directly or indi- 
 M redtty, in the arreftation. 
 
 " Are you, my dear friend Gregoire, Rochefoucauld, 
 " Biron, Roberfpierre, Condorcet, and the other patriots 
 " in the Aflembly, with the brave citizens of Clermont- 
 " Ferrand, to be delivered over to thefe horrid executions ? 
 *' And are you to become the atoning facrifices to be offered 
 " up in confequence of the decree of the inviolability and 
 <c facrednefs of traitors r Is the grace of God to be attri- 
 " buted to the backfliding Bourbon r And are the action*; 
 * l of the regenerated fpirits of Frenchmen to be ftigmatifed 
 " as the works and inftigation of the Devil ? No, my 
 '* friend ; I have a better opinion of you and your com- 
 ".patriots. They have fworn to live free, or bravely die ; 
 •' and JfcOu have nobly exhorted the good people in your 
 " diocefc, to be buried in the fmoaking wrecks of their 
 ii country, rather than ever return to their former flavery. 
 ■' Fear not the faces of the perfidious nullities ! For even 
 << by the young men (hall this great multitude of Kings, 
 " gathered together againft France, like Bcnhadad and his 
 *' holt of thirty-two kings, warring againft Ifrael in Sama- 
 <( ria, be delivered into thine hands, if they d^re to come up 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. . II7 
 
 y and befiege Paris ! But beware, thou and thy compa- 
 " triots, that you do not fall irfto the fin of Ahab, left your 
 " lives ihall go for his life, and your people for his people. 
 
 " Are the Jews too in France to be deftroyed, becaufe 
 *' the Pope, that man of fin, his pretended holinefs of 
 " Rome, has dared to point them out by name for defola- 
 il tion and maffacre, in his late bull addreffed to the re- 
 " fradtory priefts and rebels in France, to whom he gives 
 " his fafety and apoftolic benediction, and denominates 
 " thofe enemies of the National Affembly, his dearly be- 
 *' loved fons, and his well-beloved children r Is the rage 
 f* of the prefumptuous fpiritual tyrant roufed alfc againft 
 " this long oppreffed people, becaufe the Affembly has 
 *' fhewed them favour ? The Jews in France were indeed 
 ii foon penetrated with admiration and refpe£t, on behold- 
 <c ing the multiplied acts of juftice which proceeded from 
 (< your Affembly, and they depofited in the midft of you 
 " the folemn teftimony of their patrictifm and devotednefs; 
 " their folemn oath to facrifice, in every inftance, their 
 u lives and fortunes for the public good. One (ole obje& 
 il rules and animates all their thoughts, — the good of their 
 *' country, and a defi-re of dedicating to it all their firength. 
 " In that refpedt, they will not vield to any inhabitants of 
 " France ; they w ill difpute the palm with all the citizens, 
 " for zeal, courage, and patriotifm. Their exaltation to 
 iC titizenfliip is yet but like a dream ; the fharpened fvvord 
 " of deftruclion will be brought forth for their certain 
 *' (laughter, if the army of Conde ever reaches Paris. 
 <£ Fealts and fabbaths, and mufic and dancing are enjoyed 
 ',' under the Alfembly ; but the Seine will become as a river 
 " of Babylon, by their weeping and affliction, if they return 
 « c any more to their late tafk-mafters, the lords of Egypt. 
 " Corn, oil, wine, and fait are become plentyand cheap under 
 " the new government ; but fcarcity and intolerable taxes will 
 
IlS LIFE Of LORD O. GORDON'. 
 
 '* come in again hand in hand with the dominion of pride* 
 €i Fruits of goodly trees, and a cheerful bio v. ing of trumpets 
 " on the new year, under the AfTembly of the Nation ; but 
 ce mourning and black nefs. like the faff of the fifth month, 
 " if the old perfecutors, and worfhippers of the Pope, re- 
 " turn to the government. 
 
 •" What is the impreflion which thefe heinous and infa- 
 " mous charges againft the King have made upon your 
 *' French minds r Is embracery yet attempted to influence 
 ■" the AfTembly ? A kingdom like yours, divided againft 
 " itfelf, will foon be brought to defolation ; and a King 
 " divided from his honour, is not worthy to be efteemed as 
 " the chief of the citizens. What are the AfTembly about ? 
 " What is liberty ? What is it to be free r M. de Lolme 
 " has anfvvered in a few words : to live in ajlate where the 
 " lavjs are equal for all, and Jure to be executed, is to be free." 
 " This date of freedom is what the AfTembly have long 
 ** talked about, and promifed to twenty-five millions of 
 " people : but if they now daftardly and partially proceed 
 t( againft fubalterns and poftillions for high treafon and per- 
 *< jury, and let the high ftate criminal efcape, their reprefen- 
 " tation of the eighty-three departments degenerates at 
 " once into the grofTeft abufe of their conflituents, and every 
 (l fuppofed requifite of appointment and powers, primary 
 " alTemblies, and all that eletlive apparatus, becomes 3. 
 u matter of mere amufement, without ufe or fignification 
 '* to the nation ; and a certain means of prolonging anarchy, 
 " confufion, and the King's mifery and fuffering. 
 
 " Believe me, they are not fwords with fcabbards that 
 " will determine a civil war. But on this fubject I fhall 
 " make ufe of the very words of Lord Mansfield, a great 
 " favourite with George IJL which he pronounced in the 
 " Upper Houfe of Parliament, when conciliatory meafures 
 *' were propofed for the Americans ; and when our friends 
 
T.IFE OF LORD G. GORDON. II9 
 
 c( Hancock, Franklin, &c. were profcribed as traitors and 
 " rebels in the rdyal manifeftoes ; his fentence was, addref- 
 " ling himfelf to the Lords and Bilhops, you have poffid 
 "the n ; ar.d if you do not k'll thcm } they will kill you. 
 
 " Yoii aik me, is the true liberty very near to begin her 
 " reign in the three realms ? We have eating and drink- 
 " ing clubs, as Lord Fitzgibbon has denominated them. 
 " A certain reftlefs faction, who have no regard for any 
 " fyftem ot" government or morals, that excludes th 
 " power, and who will (loop to any artifice to raiie them- 
 " felves into places of truft and emolument, by deceiving a 
 <( good, but credulous people, are fufpecled to be the con- 
 *' trivers, promoters, and leaders of thefe eating and drink- 
 w ing focieties, who are themfelves ignorant of their mailer's 
 " defign. A toait from the chair, to the immortal and 
 iC glorious memory of King William (rifum tencatis) fets 
 " bounds to all their ideas of pure and unadulterated royalty; 
 '* and the nine huzzas that accompany it, promote fuch a 
 " draught of political fentiment, and fuch a heavy charge 
 <{ of glaiTes, that all regenerating operations and reforma- 
 " tion work is foon after drowned and overwhelmed in 
 li bawdy fongs and noife, or evaporated in fmoke and dul- 
 ** nefs, and an adjournment, Jine die, or till next year, or 
 " till it pleafe his grace, or my lord, or the honourable 
 '* member, to call his tools of the faction together again. 
 
 " Very early in this reign, after an inglorious peace was 
 " patched up with France, and a yielding difpofition was 
 il intimated with reflect to the future government of Ca- 
 " nada, Edmund Burke w r as ftationed as a fpecies of lord 
 " ordinary, chancellor, or prefident over the whigs in the 
 " Marquis of Rockingham's connection, to be his private 
 " fecretary, and to lead him in the way he was wifhed to 
 
 ci be led. The Rev. O'Burne was alfo quartered, 
 
 « fome time after, upon the fsmilies and followers of the 
 
120 LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON'. 
 
 il Dukes of Portland and Devonshire, to be private fecre- 
 " tary, Szc. to their administration. Richard Brinfley 
 *' Sheridan was next brought forward upon the political 
 
 " ftagc, as a kind of manager, drefler, and prompter to the 
 " lefs diftinguifhed actors in the blue and buff uniform , 
 " and the other apparent or expecting party is fo heavily 
 " cowed and hag-ridden in another ihape, though more un- 
 l< fortunatelv and indifiblublv for themfelves, that the Go- 
 " vernment and the Miniftry have little now to fear for 
 (i their prefenl fettled and underftood fyftem of politics, 
 <; from fuch leaders of the people. The late affair of burning 
 11 the meeting-houfes at Birmingham, by a mob crying out 
 u for church and ki?ig y and down with the protejiant diJJ'cnters, 
 < c was by fome regarded as the beginning of troubles, and 
 £c as an excitement and revival of reformation work in the 
 " land ; and as a dawn of hope for the relief of the diifen- 
 " ters from undue tefts and tythes \ but it feems now to be 
 " all amicably negociated between the adverfe parties ; the 
 " deluded rioters are kept for trial, and addreffes of thanks 
 " to the miniftry are preparing by the Birmingham manu- 
 " facturers. 
 
 *} The treaty of commerce with France is greatly in fa- 
 <l vour of England, in point of trade and manufactures ; 
 " but then M. de Breteuil and the other cunning devifers of 
 " that treaty, faw that fome bait of this advantageous fort 
 f( in worldly concerns, was neceffary, as the main defign of 
 " that treaty always was, to import an immenfe number of 
 " foreigners, of the principles and politics of M. de Bre- 
 <c tt-cil, into England, to incorporate into all our rnanu-* 
 " fa&uring towns and fea-ports, and to propagate their ar^ 
 " bitrary principles by law, as they do at this day. This 
 " French treaty, now fully co-operating with our excife 
 " laws, which for fome years palt have been gradually ad-. 
 ' ; vancing to that itate of perfection in which the revenue* 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. CORDON. 121 
 
 u of Portugal are colle&ed, ferve together to prevent the 
 " people of our fea-pors and manufacturing towns from 
 " even thinking about the true liberty being very near to 
 " begin her reign in the three realms. The generality of 
 " the foreigners at prefent in England deteft your AiTembly 
 " and politics, and are exerting every art in their power to 
 " effect a counter-revolution, and to harden the hearts of 
 " our miniftry againfl: revolution principles. But all thefe 
 " means of keeping the Englishmen in fubjection, and 
 " preferving the domeftie tranquillity, feem not to avail in 
 " that full extent it may be defired; for fear has certainly 
 ** taken hold of fome very great perfonages in this kingdom, 
 " on the fubjecl of the prefent intercourfe with France ; 
 " our fea ports and manufacturing towns being now as le- 
 u gaily laid open, by the articles of the treaty of commerce, 
 il to your friends and followers, as they were at firft to M. 
 tl de Breteuil's fpies, informers, and refractory priefts. 
 M Nothing, however, more than whifpers and murmurs, 
 4< have been heard as yet ; and Dublin, Madrid, or L/ifbon, 
 '.' are not watched by a more ready and loyal police. If 
 " two or three little French milliners are feen charting in the 
 " ftreet, with national ribbons; or if half a dozen jolly 
 " Englidimen order a dinner at a tavern, with the moft 
 " harmlefs appearance, the Chefalier Sampfon Wright, 
 li our governor of police, is immediately ordered to be 
 il prepared, with the whole civil power; and the non- 
 " commin'ioned officers of the life-guards, dragoons, and 
 *i foot-guards and horfe-guards, are all immediatelyafiembled 
 il in the orderly room at Whitehall, to receive their orders. 
 " This alarm in the government, and fuch hoftile ar- 
 " rangements as if fome enemy had landed, when nothing 
 " is to be feen by vulgar eyes, is unaccountable as yet to 
 <4 the public ; but certainly the ministry have their private 
 * c reafons for it. Some ugly fymptoms appear at St. 
 
 R 
 
122 LIFE OF LORD G, GORDON. 
 
 " James's ; yet I hardly think that Mr. Pitt will attempt 
 " to fafcinate and embrace them, as accomplices with the 
 iC German Princes, in a meretricious crufade againft the 
 *.{ National AfTembly, and the whole fyllem of morality in 
 " Europe. But you mull be upon your guard ; for M. del 
 " Campo, the Ambaifador from Spain, lives at Windfor, 
 (i where his Majefty refides, and is fuppofed, from his 
 " intimacy and frequent conferences upon bufinefs, to be 
 *' his moll confidential advifer for foreign affairs, at this crifis f 
 
 " A crowd of Jefuits are pouring in upon us ; they are 
 t( countenanced at Court, and unlefs the torrent is flopped, 
 " the rifing generation will be ruined in their morals and 
 *.' education, 
 
 *' The a<5ls made in favour of liberty, from 1638 to 
 c( X650, are totally difregarded. No member of parlia- 
 " ment dares ever be heard pleading upon any thing then 
 " transacted as an unexceptionable precedent. No court of 
 " juftice will ground a lingle decifion upon a parliamentary 
 "•deed -of • that period. But the acts of the perfidious 
 " Charles II. however oppofite fome of them to the prin- 
 i( ciples of the revolution, are now in high fafhicn, in full 
 "force, and in daily ufe ; whilft the acts of our national 
 " covenanting times, fo perfectly agreeable to the principles 
 '.' of the peoples' liberties, are expunged and forgotten. If 
 " we confider the neglect; of this period, at the fettlement 
 " of William as a King, in a political light, we have rear 
 ** fon enough to lament and mourn that the three realms 
 ft did not profit, as they might have profited by the endea- 
 (l vour of my grandfather,* and fome of the mod upright 
 " and enlightened patriots that ever adorned our country, 
 li to fecure to themfelyes and polterity the enjoyment of 
 ff civil liberty. 
 
 • The Duke of Gordon oppofed both William and the Union, and defended the 
 Caftlc of Edinburgh againft him to the laft extremity. 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. 123 
 
 tc I think it my duty to let you know that there is a very 
 " great difference between Scotland and the other two 
 ** realms, with refpecl to their opinion of the fyftem of 
 " ****** ; which is a matter the National AiTembly may 
 *' foon have occafion to deliberate upon, if troublefome 
 ** times require it. 
 
 " Experience is the heft barometer of fpeculation. Re- 
 " formation muft come from the people themfelves, and 
 *■ not from the leaders of factious cabals. The people are 
 •* only beginning to think, and to affociate ; and though 
 " the reign of liberty is not immediately to be expected 
 u here, becaufe the fons of Zeruiah are yet too ftrong, I 
 ** would not wifh you to conclude that no fort of affiftance 
 " is to be expected from thefe realms. 
 
 *' The intention you are pleafed to exprefs of fpending 
 l( your whole life in promoting and eftablifhing liberty in 
 11 France, and in all the world, gives new hope to all the 
 «' well-affected in the three realms, that they may be benefited 
 u through your Encyclopedian learning, and profound po- 
 e< lity, which are as much acknowledged here, as by the 
 *' Royal Society of Arts and Sciences at Metz, or in the 
 " Affembly of your nation ; and your undertaking the deli- 
 " verance of fuch a poor oppreffed individual as I am, and 
 " amalgamating his fituation at this awful conjuncture, 
 Ci with the general defence of the rights of the people of 
 " France, calls particularly for the moft fincere and grate- 
 li ful acknowledgments from me. May the Lord himfelf 
 " reward thee, for this kindnefs to thy fervant ! I had 
 " fainted, unlefs I had believed to fee the goodnefs of the 
 " Lord in the land of the living ; for though I walk in 
 " the valley of the fliadow of death, I will fear no evil ; for 
 " God is with us ! The Lord hear thee in the day of trou- 
 " ble ; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee, and thy 
 " Aifembly. Send thee help from the fanctuary, and ftrengthert 
 
 Ra 
 
iiif Life or lord g. cordon* 
 
 " thee out of Zion. Grant thee according to thine ©"Jrrt 
 " heart, and fulfil all thy council. We w ill rejoice in thy 
 " falvarion ; and in the name of our God ive will fct up our 
 (i banners,. Some trufl in chariots, and fome in horfes, 
 ** and fome in German princes ; but we will remember the 
 il name of the Lord our God. May the Lord blefs the 
 " Aflembly, and lead them in his righteoufnefs ; and be- 
 tl caufe of their enemies, make his way ftraight before their 
 " faces ! 
 
 " Thefe are the things that ye fhall do ; fpeak ye every 
 fl man the truth to his neighbour ; execute the judgment of 
 " truth and peace in your gates ; and let none of you ima- 
 tc gine evil in your hearts againft his neighbour ; and love 
 " no falfe oath, like that in the new conititutional charter; 
 " for all thefe are things that I hate, faith the Lord of all 
 e< the world. 
 
 " I am, my much efteemed friend, 
 
 " Thy dutiful and humble fervant, 
 
 «« G. GORDON. 1 ' 
 
 Felons* Side, tiewgate Prifon, 
 
 London, Aug. 23, 1 791 . 
 
 This letter, which contains a great deal of political 
 information, was tranilated into French by Gregoire, and 
 diftributed among the Jacobins, and the other popu- 
 lar focieties. Gregoire and the reft of Lord George's 
 correfpondents voted for the immediate trial of the King ; 
 but gold, and the force of prejudice prevailed over rea- 
 fon : the King, inftead of a gibbet, was mounted on a 
 throne, and the nation was once more fubjecled to a per- 
 jured tyrant* Lord George has the merit of delineating 
 La Fayette, in his proper colours, and denouncing him, 
 at a time when he was little fufpeded, even among th» 
 Jacobins thcmfelves. 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. CORDON. 11$ 
 
 iBut though the republicans were cruelly butchered in the 
 Champ de Mars, they neither forgot their rights nor their 
 duty ; they only retired to cement thzt fraternal union which 
 has ihaken fuperftition to its center, and threatens to level 
 all the fatellites of defpotifm with the duft. 
 
 Nothing can fix a more indelible ftigma on the eighteenth 
 century, (unlefs it be the prefent combination of defpots) 
 than the Have trade. Whillt individuals are harafled and 
 perfecuted for mere fpeculative opinions, our merchants 
 murder by thoufands, and our legiilators fanctify the crime. 
 This barbarous commerce, the difgrace of modern Europe, 
 has defolated the mod fertile provinces of Africa, and ex- 
 tended its baneful influence over every quarter of the globe. 
 It has, however, been constantly deprecated by the friends 
 of freedom, whom neither time nor cuftom has reconciled 
 to a fyftem of blood. A few years ago, a great majority of 
 the Britifh nation turned their attention to this horrid traffic, 
 and refolved to perfevere in procuring its total abolition. 
 
 As habit has familiarifed us with the productions of the 
 Indies, and rendered them neceflary for our comfort and 
 eafe, it was refolved to plant colonies at Sierra Leona and 
 Bulam, to cultivate fugar and other commodities peculiar 
 to the climate, by employing the inhabitants, and paying 
 them for their labour. This was reckoned neceflary, to 
 prevent any fudden rife in the price of merchandife 
 which the new fy if em might affect. In fact, the nations 
 that have no colonies of their own, always procure their 
 productions at the cheapen 1 rate; and we are fully of opinion 
 that it would be of great advantage to Britain, if we had no 
 more to do with them than we have with the continent of 
 America. Indeed, if we may judge from America, the 
 event would be equally fortunate for the Weft Indies. 
 
 Our parliament made a great parade about liberty, huma- 
 nity, &c, and a new coalition of Fox and Pitt on the fubjeci, 
 
Il6 XlFE OF LORO G. GORD^tt, 
 
 impofed upon the credulous. Lord George, who was feldom 
 deceived by the delufions of the Cabinet, wrote a letter to 
 the Houfe of Commons, in which he taxes them with trea- 
 chery and defign. " The National Aflembly," he obferved, 
 *' firft emancipated the people of colour, and then offered 
 '< to concert meafures with England for abolifhing the 
 " trade altogether. The Engliin, on the contrary, only 
 " talked about regulating the African trade ; but never fe- 
 '* rioufly intended to emancipate their flaves in the Weft 
 « c Indies. It is, in fact, the defign of the Britifh Cabinet, 
 <l that they fhould remain Haves, and breeders of flaves, 
 ** from generation to generation." This may be agreeable 
 to Englilh jurifpruder.ee ; but is it juftice ? is it liberty ? is 
 it equality ? is it walking according to the light in the con- 
 fciences of the friends of Mr. Wilberforce, the hero of the 
 abolition ? The confeientious Quakers have given an ex- 
 ample worthy of imitation ; they emancipated their own 
 (laves firft, and afterwards recommended to their neighbours 
 to go and do likewife. 
 
 In confequence of the apparent agreement amongfl the 
 Commons, the bill for the abolition of the Have trade was 
 fent to the Upper Houfe. It was neceiTary that many 
 wrtnefies mould be examined, to prove the cruelties that 
 were exercifed towards the negroes ; and Dr. Dowlin, and 
 a great number came forward, at the requeft of Mr. Wil- 
 berforce and the Committee, to aecufe Captain Kimber 
 with the wanton murder of a young girl. The Duke of 
 Clarence nobly volunteered in fupport of ilavery, and Kimber 
 was acquitted. As foon as the Committee perceived hi;? 
 Royal Highnefs and the Court party were feriou.', they had 
 neither virtue nor refolution to perform their duty ; they 
 retired behind the curtain, meanly deferted their poll, and 
 left Dowlin to be convicted of perjury. The Lords, of 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. 127 
 
 courfe, poftponed the confideration of the bill for another 
 year, and the (lave trade goes on as briflcly as ever. 
 
 Every age produces eccentric characters; and they gene- 
 rally abound in populous cities ; but amongft a great variety 
 which I have ken at Lord George's, I fhall felecl: one for 
 the amufement of my readers: 
 
 One evening a young lady from Oxford-ftreet waited 
 upon his iordlhip, and requefted the favour of a private 
 audience ; as ihe was an entire ltranger, he thought proper 
 to decline, and fignified as there were none but friends 
 prefent, that Ihe might fafely communicate what fhe had to 
 fay. After much hefitation, Ihe ailumed a folemn air, and 
 with a hollow tone of voice, laid, that fix months ago fhe 
 had conceived by the power of the Holy Ghoft, without 
 any communication with man, which had rendered her 
 very miferable and unhappy, till the night before, when the 
 angel Gabriel had appeared to her, and exhorted her to be 
 of good cheer. He announced that the end of the world 
 was at hand, as might be feen by the fulfilment of the 
 ancient prophecies ; and revealed many things hidden in the 
 womb of time, particularly refpeding France, Rome, and 
 Great Britain. He allured her that the confummation of 
 all things was at hand, and added, that the child fhe was 
 about to bring forth, was deftined to announce the glad 
 tidings of univerfal redemption, and commanded her to go 
 quickly to Lord George, and follow his advice ; upon 
 which he vanifhed in an inftant. 
 
 As Lord George feemed to avoid entering into particulars, 
 I was induced to reafon with her on the impropriety of her 
 conduct. She foon convinced me that fhe was in the way 
 in which women wifh to be ; and 1 was not a little furprifed 
 at the abilities which fhe difplayed in fupporting her ftory. 
 Upon my endeavouring to demonstrate the impoflibility of 
 her narrative, fhe quickly fhifted her ground, and obferved 
 
128 LIFE OF LORD G. CORDON - . 
 
 that the whole hiftory of revelation was equally myfterious, 
 ar.d that to queftion the po'Tibility of one miracle was to 
 undermine the whole. We faw the force of her argument 
 without being convinced ; and this immaculate virgin re- 
 tired, pitying our want of faith ; whilft we fmi'icd at her 
 miraculous conception. 
 
 About this time the Polilh Revolution, which gave the 
 Emprefs of Ruflia an opportunity to profecute her ambitious 
 defigns, made a great noile in the political circles. To 
 counteract her intentions, it was propofed to raife a fub- 
 fcription in London, in favour of the King of Poland; 
 and as few people underftood the ftate of parties in that 
 diffracted country better than Lord George, he wrote a let- 
 ter to the Committee at the London Tavern, in which he 
 demonftrates that their money would be of no ufe to the 
 caufe of freedom. He affirms that as the King of Poland, 
 under the plaufible pretext of rendering the people happy, 
 had changed the government from a republic to an here- 
 ditary monarchy, he and the Emprefs fecretly underftood 
 one another. In France, continues he, the rights of man 
 proceeded from the people to the King ; in Poland they 
 took a contrary direction. In France, the King's prero- 
 gative has been diminilhed ; in Poland it has been greatly 
 increafed — hence proceeds their divi lions at home, and 
 their want of credit abroad ; and hence Mr. Burke became 
 its patron and tutelar faint. However lingular Lord George 
 might have been in his opinions at the time, the timid, 
 pulillanimous conduct of the King, and the late ufurpations 
 cr the Emprefs, have unfortunately proved his fuggeltions 
 too well founded. 
 
 The imperious Catherine has long affefled to defend 
 the opp re fifed againft the opprefibr, that ihe may the more 
 iccurcly cruih both. She has been continually carrying 
 \sss arm* from Europe into Alia, and from Afia into Eu* 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. 129 
 
 rope ; but it is in vain that fhe flatters herfelf that the Po- 
 lonefe will quietly bear a yoke which they deteft. She 
 little knows that a grand fraternal union is already formed, 
 which will eventually hurl her from her throne, and emar»- 
 cipate the world from bondage. 
 
 Whilft Lord George was libelled by courtiers andpriefts, 
 he received an addrefs from the inhabitants of Bohemia, 
 thanking him for his exertions in the caufe of fuffering 
 humanity, condoling over his misfortunes, and praying the 
 grand Difpofer of events to preferve a life fo ufeful to 
 fociety. 
 
 During his travels in America, Lord George had formed 
 an acquaintance with Mr. Morrifon, the late Ambaffador 
 of the United States at Paris, and through his correfpon- 
 dence he learned, that neither the Senate nor Executive 
 Council in America were well inclined to the democratic 
 caufe. Mr. Morrifon, in talking of the Jacobins, obferves, 
 " that a new feet had arifen in France, who affected to 
 " defpife all religion ; but who, in fact, were more enthu- 
 " fiaftically bent on making profelytes, and more ready to 
 " lay the earth wafte with fire and fword to accomplifh their 
 " defigns, than any that had gone before them." As Lord 
 George fuppofed this information to be of much importance 
 to the caufe of liberty, he immediately communicated it to 
 Candorcer, Briffot, Marat, Roberfpierre, and Gregoire. 
 Morrifon became fufpected by the republicans, and all his 
 actions were narrowly watched. 
 
 After the 10th of Auguft, 1792, fleps were immediately 
 taken to counteract the manoeuvres of the American fenate. 
 Whatever the event may be, we will not venture to predict ; 
 but we are warranted in faying, that Lord George's com- 
 munication was the original caufe of the attempts made by 
 Genet, &c. to feparate the people from their governors, 
 
 S 
 
X3O LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. 
 
 Upon the 28th of January, 1793, wnen tne term °f his 
 imprifonment had expired, he went, accompanied by a 
 number of his friends, to the Court of King's Bench, to 
 give in the requifite fecurities. As he had been longaccuf- 
 tomed to wear his hat, he was apprehenfive of taking cold, 
 and gave orders to buy a red night-cap,* for the purpofe of 
 vpefcring in the Court ; but as it was judged politic to avoid 
 giving '(jrfeflce, he was prevailed upon to give up his defign. 
 The crowd was fo great that he entered with difficulty, and 
 as foon as the Judges had taken their feats, they ordered 
 his hat to be taken off. Upon which he very deliberately 
 bound his head round with a three-coloured handkerchief, 
 in form of a turban, and afked if the Court would permit 
 him, as counfellor for himfelf, to fay a few words ; which 
 the Court atienting to, he faid, " I directed my attorney 
 " to profecute thofe meafures for my enlargement, which 
 <l the order of the Court required. In the reading of that 
 *•* order, he informed me, firft, that five hundred pounds 
 
 * ORIGIN OF THE CAP OF LIBERTY: 
 
 The Romans originally went with their heads hare; or, in cafe of cold wea- 
 ther, covered them with their toga — At length, when enhcr old or infirm, they 
 indulged themfelves with wearing a cap. As age was then honourable, fo caps 
 became marks of dirthvftion, and as none could command rtfpect who were not 
 free, the cap, by degrees, became the badge of freedom; and when a (lave obtained 
 his liberty, he had a cap given him, which he was permitted to wear in public. 
 
 The cap is quite finable in its form, common in its texture, and was originally 
 of a whitifh colour; its being broad at the bottom, and towering up like a cone, 
 prefigures that f, eedom fiends on tike broad bafis of humanity ; it is fimple, becaufe 
 libertv is in itu'J, the mcA mining ornament of man; it hath no gilded trappings, 
 which too often mark, the livery of defpotifm ; and its rifing up to a pyramid, the 
 emblem of eternity, fignifies that it will laft for ever. It is made of wool, to de- 
 note that liberty is thj birth-right of the ihepherd, as well as of the fenator. It waa 
 originally white, the colour of the wool undved, to demonfnate that it fhould be 
 ■jr.ful'.ied by faction, and cmftaJBOd by tyranny. Iii modern times it has been 
 changed to red, as in Fnnc«, to ihew that we oseht not ro part with it, c\cn at 
 the expencr of our blood. 
 
LIFE OP LORD G. CORDON. I3I 
 
 f * were claimed of mc as a fine. That money I am now 
 " ready to pay. The Chief Juftice of this Court, Lord 
 " Kenyon, having been my counfellor and friend in the 
 "year 1781, when I was accufed by the King of high 
 tf treafon, knows very well my pecuniary c i re um (lances, 
 " amounting in the whole to an annuity of 500I. not alien- 
 u able, nor afiignable to any purpofe whatever, but merely 
 " for aliment. In fuch a cafe, it appears very ftrange, 
 " that though this annuity be not alienable nor affignable, 
 " for any purpofe whatever, through the procefs of the 
 "civil lav\s, yet the King's Attorney General has difco- 
 K vered means to firip me of it, by the criminal laws of 
 ** this Court. 
 
 tf The next demand I was required to prepare for, is 
 " that of two fureties, in two thoufand five hundred pounds 
 i( each, in addition to my own afiurance of ten thoufand 
 " pounds. Thefe alfo I have obtained, and they are now 
 " at hand — Francis Collins, Hatter ; and John Bernard^ 
 " Gent. They are men whofe characters are without re- 
 " proach ; their integrity js unimpeachable ; in their fitua- 
 " tion and circumftances, they are, and have for many 
 <l years, been fixed and eftablifhed on the fpot where they 
 " are now defcribed to refide : and their value and confidera- 
 M tion in life, their perfons, their fortunes, their liberties, 
 *' all thefe they are ready to rifque in my behalf. They 
 (t will be found, in fa6l, (unlefs the lives and liberties of 
 " mankind are to be valued or bought at the low confidera- 
 u tion of pounds, (hillings, and pence) in all refpecls; 
 " completely adequate. And as it is a mere fiction which 
 *' the Court themfelves chofe to adopt, by fuppofing me 
 " worth ten thoufand pounds, the fame ficlion, in juftice, 
 11 ought to be held good by the Court, in proportion to 
 " the fureties, unlefs the Court really intended imprifon- 
 
 S2 
 
132 LIFE OF LORD G. GORDOK. 
 
 " ment for life, when they demanded fuch excefllve and 
 " unprecedented bail. 
 
 *' I hope I have complied with the fevcreft ftridtnefs of 
 " of your fentence. Indeed I have done all that is in my 
 ** power to do, and therefore being fairly afTured of that 
 " principle of the law of England, which declares, " No 
 '* manjhall have a larger fine impofcd upon him than his clr- 
 *■* cumjlances will bear, I claim the juflice and humanity of 
 t( that law from this Court." 
 
 Here the Attorney General interpofed, and produced ail 
 affidavit, which did not at all go to impeach the characters 
 or integrity of the fureties, but merely denied their entire 
 fufficiency to juftify, to the full amount of fo large a fum 
 as the fentence demanded. Mr. Collins and Mr. Bernard 
 were then fworn, and in reply to the queftions of the At- 
 torney General, faid, that it was true their fortunes did not 
 quite amount to two thoufand five hundred pounds each ; 
 but they were well informed that it was not cuftomary to 
 juftify. 
 
 Lord George told the Court, that in the cafes of Home 
 Tooke, and other libel cafes, there was no precedent of the 
 fureties being required to juftify; and he hoped the Court 
 would not permit the Attorney General to vary the practice 
 in his cafe. Lord Kcnyon replied, " that the Court had 
 " no difcretion in the matter, but it refted entirely with the 
 " King, being the profecutor, whether to infift or not 
 " upon the justification." And on this determination he 
 was remanded to Newgate. He looked at the Judges with 
 an indignant frown, and faid, in returning, t( that he felt 
 " more for the fervile complalfance of the Court, than for 
 *' his own misfortunes.'* 
 
 The Court, contrary to* the exprefs terms of the Englifli 
 «cnlHtution, if any conftitution exifti, impofed a fine upon 
 4 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. I^g 
 
 him which he was never able to pay. In his perfon, 
 Magna Cbaria has been violated \ and what was his fate 
 
 to-day, may be ours to-morrow. If the liberty of 
 
 Britons depend upon the will of a minifter, or the ca- 
 price of a judge, farewell to freedom. Our fathers fought 
 and bled in vain. What does it avail me, whether I am 
 fent to the Baltile, in virtue of lettres de cachet^ or doomed 
 to fall a victim to difeafe in an Englifh prifon ? Why in- 
 fult my feelings with the facred name of liberty, whilft a 
 mercilefs gaoler clanks the chains of defpotifm in my ear \ 
 
 Lord George was well acquainted with the ftate of parties 
 in Ireland, and carried on a regular correfpondence with 
 them all ; and amongft others, with the tcmporljing Lord 
 Shannon. This nobleman formerly ranked high in the 
 Jivn rouge, he enjoyed a place worth 3CO0I. a, year; but 
 during the King's infanity, he deferted the minifterial 
 ftandard, upon the exprefs condition of being created a 
 Duke. When his Majefty recovered, he found himfelf with- 
 out either penfion or dukedom : in a ftate of difappointed am- 
 bition, he joined the reformers, and vigoroully fupported 
 the Catholic Convention at Dublin. No libeller in New- 
 gate was more lavifh in his abufe of the prefent Admini- 
 flration, than Lord Shannon ; and he frequently affirmed 
 that bribery and corruption were at fuch a pitch, that un- 
 lefs fome conceffions were made to the Irifh, it would be 
 impoffible to carry on the farce of Government much 
 longer. 
 
 Lord George thought proper to publifh fome of his letters 
 in the newfpapers. When they firft made their appearance 
 in print, Shannon, who was in company with Hamilton 
 Rowan, and other reformers, feemed much agitated, and 
 faid, " Lord George has hung me up." This anecdote 
 was told me by Hamilton Rowan himfelf. As Shannon 
 had great parliamentary intereft, and could be of weight to 
 
134 LIFE OF LORD C. GORDON, 
 
 any party, Administration hefitated, whether it was fafefl: 
 to profecute him, or take him into pay — they preferred the 
 latter ; and Shannon, befides fourteen thoufand pounds 
 which he received in cafh, enjoys his old finecure, and is 
 now a zealous member of the fecret committee for profe- 
 cuting thofe focieties, on whofe exertions, as he himfelf 
 has frequently faid, the liberty of his country depends. — 
 What a glorious conftitution mud ours be, when fuch 
 means are taken to fupport it! And what mud the Iriftv 
 nation feel, when their induftry is fo profufely fquandered 
 in rewarding apoflafy. 
 
 Much has been faid about infurrections and fedition, 
 fince a parcel of fchool-boys planted the tree of liberty at 
 Dundee. The Matter of the Ordnance has fortified the 
 Tower, and the train-bands of London have been fummon- 
 ed to arms. Proclamations have followed proclamations, 
 and the conftitution has been declared in danger. The 
 Lord Mayor has been dubbed a knight, for his loyalty; and 
 Pitt has gloried in the fuppreilion of thofe debating focie- 
 ties, in which he formerly himfelf difplayed his Jiudlcd ora- 
 tory. Wonders fucceeded wonders in the Cabinet, till a 
 confcioufnefs of guilt alarmed our minifters; they ftartle at 
 a fhadow, fufpedl their private agents, and feemed to 
 dread. 
 
 Early in the fummer, a deputation of failors waited upon 
 Lord George, lamented his cruel imprifonment, and pro- 
 pofed to come, to the number of feveral thoufands, and 
 liberate him by force. They fignified that they were ready 
 to revenge the injuries he had received, and plant the tree of 
 liberty on the borders of the Thames ; or, if he thought the 
 people not yet fufEciently enlightened to adopt fuch mea- 
 fures, they offered to convey him in fafety to France. 
 
 Much caution was necefiary ; it was poflible they might 
 be hired by his enemies, to lay a trap for his deftrudlion j 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. CORDON. 13$ 
 
 on the other hand, many of them were his countrymen, 
 whom he had known fince the year 1780 ; they had feen % 
 great deal of the world, and fome of them had figured in 
 the revolutions of America and France. Liberty is dearer 
 to an independent mind, than life itfelf ; and to procure by- 
 force, what had been unjuftly denied him, was extremely 
 natural. An affair, however, of fUch magnitude, was nei- 
 ther to be rafhly adopted, nor treated with indifference — he 
 therefore difpatched a faithful mcjfenger to Wapping, to 
 found their difpolitions. Matters were found in a proper 
 train, the leaders panted for a£tion, and the main body 
 wanted nothing but the fignal to advance-^- 
 
 « There is a tide in the affairs of men, 
 
 « Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune ; 
 
 *' Omitted, all the voyage of their life 
 
 m Is bound in fhallows, and in miferies." 
 
 They intreated him to give the neceffary orders for the at- 
 tack ; but from fo doing, prudential motives prevented 
 him ; feveral meffages palled between them, and at length, 
 by mutual agreement, it was poftponed. Whether the plan 
 was ultimately abandoned, or only deferred, till matters 
 were fufficiently ripe, I have not been able to learn. When 
 men think they fleep in peace, danger is often at hand. To 
 reign in fecurity, a Prince mud reign in the affections of 
 his people ; without which both foreign guards and merce- 
 nary foldiers will prove but a feeble defence. Terror has 
 been too long the order of the day ; but the blood of every 
 martyr in defence of liberty produces fifty converts to the 
 caufe : and it is as impoflible to make men loyal, by impri- 
 fonment or pillory, as it is to change the revolution of ths 
 planetary fyflem. 
 
 Many perfons came forward to bail Lord George ; but 
 as the Solicitors to the Treafury have aflumed a power to 
 take forty-eight hours of inquiring into their fuflkiency j 
 
Y36 LIVE OF LORD G. GORDOK. 
 
 the fecrct agents of government always found means to 
 frighten them with the danger of paying the fine, or the- 
 fufpicion of being difaffe&ed. To the honour of Mrs. 
 Baird, a lady from Glafgow, fhe voluntarily offered her- 
 felf as one of his bail — another was only wanting to have 
 obtained his liberty. Many finifter attempts were made to 
 diiTbade her from her refolution, but fhe remained Heady 
 to the Ia'ft ; and from regard to his memory, fhe now bears 
 his name. 
 
 Moft of his relations are wallowing in every fpecies of 
 cxcefs, and they often gamble more in one evening, than 
 would have been fufficient to have procured him his 
 liberty ; but the fcrvile tools of a corrupt Court have 
 no will of their own r Surrounded by dependents, they them- 
 felves are flaves, amongff. whom every tender feeling is fa- 
 crificed to a prepoflerous etiquette. From this charge 
 juflice demands that I mould except the Countefs of Wefl- 
 moreland, who carried on the moft afFe&ionate correfpon- 
 dence with him, till his death. It is true his death has 
 added five hundred a year to the overgrown fortune of the 
 Duke ; but if any fenfibility remain, has it added to his 
 happinefs ? And who will venture to affirm that it is an 
 honourable acquifition ? 
 
 The arrival of a public agent from the Pope, whom he 
 nftd to call " the prefumptuous fpiritual tyrant of the fouth" 
 made Lord George very uneafy ; for though he was not 
 furprifed that a Jefuit mould be a favourite at St. James's, 
 he felt for the expiring liberties of his country ; and was 
 bufy in procuring intelligence refpecling the Spital-field 
 weavers, on whofe account he was preparing an addrefs to 
 the public, for he thought it extremely unjuft, that the 
 French clergy and nobleffe fhould be liberally fupported, 
 whilil our induftrious tradefmen are fufFering ail the ex- 
 
LIFE OF LORD G. GORDON. |M 
 
 tremes of cold and hunger : but in the middle of this ho- 
 nourable career, he was arretted by the hand of death. 
 
 For feveral weeks a fever of the raoft malignant kind 
 had raged amongfl the felons in Newgate — Lord George 
 firft caught the infection, and in the courfe of a few days 
 became delirious ; he, however, recovered his fenfes for 
 fome time before his death, which happened on the tenth 
 day. 
 
 A gentleman aflced him if he chofe a minifter of any re- 
 ligion to attend him ; but he declined, faying, " that he 
 u had led fuch a life, as made him not afraid to die." — 
 About the eighth day 1 acquainted him with the execution 
 of the late Queen of France ; upon which he very empha- 
 tically faid, " that me was not the laft of the royal corps 
 '* that would fall a victim to the guillotine." A few hours 
 before his death, he repeatedly exclaimed, " O, Duke ! 
 M Duke !" and, after finging Ca ira, he bad the world an 
 eternal adieu, on the ift of November, 1793. 
 
 Thus lived and thus died Lord George Gordon, the 
 enemy of tyrants, and the friend of the opprefled ; a man 
 of the ftricleft virtue, the greateft philanthropy, and the 
 moll unfullied honour. In what I have faid, I have nei* 
 ther been ftimulated by refentment, nor reftrained by fear, 
 my bofom is equally a ftranger to both. I have written 
 what I knew, and exprefled what I feeL. 
 
 FINIS. 
 


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