by Sir Philip Francis 1740-1818

Desperate Measures

Sir Philip Francis told the House of Commons that it must not let ministers manufacture crises as an excuse for grabbing more power.

1794

King George III 1760-1820

Introduction

In 1794, Great Britain was braced for an invasion by neighbouring France, and King George III, as hereditary Elector of Hanover, decided that the situation warranted stationing Hanoverian troops in Britain. Sir Philip Francis, among others, demanded to know why the Commons had not been consulted, and was told that in desperate times His Majesty’s Government can take desperate measures.

by Sir Philip Francis 1740-1818

abridged

BUT, if that be taken for granted, as it is much too generally, what follows? What have the Ministers of the crown to do but to excite or create a foreign quarrel, which is always at their command, and then they justify upon the case. They may bring any foreign force they will into this kingdom, because it is time of war; that is, they may make the time and the occasion when they will.

A base, corrupt, and abject people, when once they are properly frighted, when once they are sufficiently alarmed, will submit to any thing for the sake of being defended. The English nation will be threatened with a French invasion, and instead of being called upon to defend themselves, will be told that they may be perfectly quiet, for the King has subsidized an army of Germans, and will take care to protect them without giving them any further trouble. — I trust that Englishmen will look a little to the conclusion of this doctrine, before it be too late.

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Précis

In 1794, Sir Philip Francis rose in the House of Commons to demand that King George III explain his unilateral decision to bring German troops to England. The plea that a French invasion was imminent did not impress him: Governments, he said, can always create some panic as a cloak for conditioning the public to ever greater compliance.

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

George III expected a French invasion. He brought over troops from Hanover. Philip Francis did not approve.

See if you can include one or more of these words in your answer.

ICricitise. IIEngland. IIIThreat.

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