In the summer of `1806,
Napoleon was firmly in power. In July he created the “Confederation of the
Rhine”, which placed the German states under French auspices. On August 6th
Archduke Charles laid aside the title of head of the “Holy Roman Empire”, only
retaining the emperorship of Austria.
After leaving Bath (July 22), the Austens visited Clifton before moving on to
Aldestrop, the home of Mrs. Austen’s cousin Reverend Thomas Leigh. This was part
of the estate where the younger Mr. James-Henry Leigh and his family lived.
Meanwhile, Frank married Mary Gibson at Ramsgate (July 24). In early August the
Adlestrop family went to Stoneleigh Abby. In mid August they visited the Coopers
at Hamstall Ridware, for five weeks.
On September 2, news arrived in England from Italy. Back in January 1806,
7,000 British troops had joined 14,000 Russians in the Mediterranean. After
receiving news of Napoleon’s string of victories, the Russians withdrew to
Corfu. On July 1st Major General Sir John Stuart, without orders, landed in
Italy, intent upon making a raid. . On July 4, the French advanced against them
at Maida. Despite being outnumbered (7000 to 5000) the steady British line, and
reverse slope tactics threw off repeated attacks. However, Stuart lacked the
resources to continue the campaign and withdrew to Sicily. Although it was a
relatively minor engagement, and changed little strategically, it was a major
psychological victory for the British. The legend of French invincibility was
broken. It also validated the new tactics the British were adopting – something
not lost upon the future Duke of Wellington.
Elsewhere, British military fortunes had not gone so well. In September news
arrived from Buenos Ayres. Sir Home Popham had gathered a force of units
“borrowed” from the Cape of Good Hope and St. Helena, landed and captured that
city in June. Resistance was disorganised and the viceroy fled with treasury.
Popham tried to impose an oath of loyalty, but the citizens refused. He also
seized the treasury, worth about one million dollars. However, the enemy rallied
and in August Buenos Aires was recaptured, and General Beresford surrendered. In
the interval, the British government severely criticised the irregularity of
Popham’s actions, but banked the gold to great cheers from the mob. In October,
a relief force was sent out from Britain, and gained most of their objectives
within a month. However, Buenos Aires held out and the attackers found
themselves engaged in costly street fighting and finally had to negotiate an
evacuation.
Enclosed in a letter from 1807, in Jane’s handwriting, was a brief poem,
Meanwhile, major developments were taking place on the Continent. On October
14, news arrived of Prussia’s mobilisation, and their demand that all French
troops withdraw from Germany. Although, Britain had been suspicious of Prussia’s
real intentions, many hoped that Prussia’s Army would live up to their
reputation. These hopes were soon dashed, for on that same day the armies
collided at the Battles of Jena and Auerstadt. The Prussian armies were
completely routed and collapsed, along with any organised will to resist.
Stories filtered back of Prussian fortresses surrendering to single cavalry
squadrons. Berlin was occupied.
During that October the Austens called at Steventon, joining Frank, waiting
his next assignment, and his wife Mary. Mary was nearing confinement during a
difficult pregnancy, complete with fainting spells. They then all took lodgings
at Southampton. Jane found this new situation called on her to deal with more
visitors than she preferred, ”Our acquaintance increase too fast. He [Frank]
was recognised lately by Admiral Bertie, and a few days since arrived the
Admiral and his daughter Catherine to wait upon us.” Some modern
commentators have surmised JA was also at this time depressed by their reduced
circumstances and her various bereavements.
On November 21, Napoleon issued his Berlin Decree, creating “The Continental
System”, a blockade of Great Britain and the closure of the Continent to British
Trade. For a brief time England’s commercial interests despaired, but soon
rallied. When Prussia joined and closed her ports, the Royal Navy retaliated,
and soon seized 3000 vessels. Early in 1807, Britain countered with a series of
Orders-in-Council. At first they authorised the seizure of any neutral vessel
sailing between ports closed to the British. Later this was modified to only
apply to those carrying goods between French territories. The close of the
Continental trade hurt England, but she was able to diversify her markets.
In early February (1807) the bloody but indecisive Battle of Eylau, was
fought between the French and Russians. It was a victory for the latter, but
they were unable to follow up their victory. On February 17, a British squadron
under Admiral Duckworth forced the passage of the Dardenelles, but had to
retreat in March with the loss of two ships. In March the British occupied
Alexandria and held it until September when Turkish military pressure led them
to withdraw.
In February the Austens moved into a larger home on Castle Square
(Southampton) with a pleasant garden, a short walk from city wall which afforded
a view of Isle of Wight (Fanny Price’s “the Island” in Mansfield Park).
In March the British government fell. The Whigs had had noble intentions but
had mismanaged the war, dispersing resources into far too many minor side-shows.
Lord Grenville was talented, but he lacked breadth of vision, as well as being
unable to focus on the key to the nation’s problems. The Duke of Portland led
the Tories. While he did have the ability to reconcile differences, it did not
always extend to his ministers, who were largely old Pittites.
Frank had long hoped for, and been promised, command of a frigate (which
represented his best chance to capture prizes). On March 23, he was given
command of St. Albans (64, 1764 Blackwall) then fitting out at Sheerness.
His assignment was convoy duty to South Africa, China and the East Indies.
Getting her ready for sea kept him away from home and he missed birth of his
first child, Mary-Jane. The St. Albans left Sheerness May 21, arriving at
Spithead a few days later. He may have been able to attend Mary-Jane’s
christening on the end of the month. . Frank then spent a month at home before
sailing for the Cape on June 30.
Charles also had good news. Since 1804 he had been on Right of Search Duty
off the coast of the United States, ensuring neutral countries (like the US)
were not trading with France. While stationed in Bermuda, he met the Chief
Justice, Mr. James Christie Esten, and his sister in law, Miss Frances
Fitzwilliam Palmer. They became engaged in the spring of 1806, and married on
that island on May 19, 1807. However, it would be four years before they were
able to come to England. In April, James Tilson, one of Henry’s Oxfordshire
Militia friends joined his partnership. and they moved their office to Covent
Gardens.
That summer England learned that on June 14, the Russians had been defeated
at the Battle of Friedland. This loss, plus increasing bitterness felt over the
paltry financial aid coming from Britain, led the Russians to make peace with
Napoleon. The Tsar and the Emperor met on a raft in the middle of the Neiman
River and signed the Treaty of Tilst. (July 7).
To the ill news coming from the Continent, the stifling heat of the summer
added to the nation’s discomfort. It was so hot that haymakers working in
Buckinghamshire fainted. There were also rumours that the successful French Army
might turn their attention back to England.
At the end of July, Admiral Lord Gambier anchored off the Skaw, Denmark. The
Government, fearing the French might seize the Dutch navy for their own use, had
sent an offer to the Francophile Crown Prince. The British offered to “rent” the
Danish navy for the duration of the war at £100,000 a year. This was rejected,
largely because nearby France was a far greater danger. On the morning of August
16 British troops landed, overcame limited opposition and reached the outskirts
of Copenhagen. On the evening of September 2, the fleet began a three-day
bombardment of the city, compelling the Danes to surrender. The British gained
fifteen battleships and thirty smaller vessels. While some in the Opposition
decried this interference with a nominally non-hostile nation, most in England
applauded the operation.
During August the Coopers visited Southampton. After they left Mrs. Austen
and her daughters went to visit Edward at the Chawton Great House, James brought
his family as well. (Edward had inherited property in Steventon and Godmersham
as well.) On September 11 the Austen ladies, plus Edward and his family,
returned to Southampton.
ON SIR HOME POPHAM'S SENTENCE, APRIL 1807.
On September 13, Prime Minister Fox died. During the
previous month he had undergone two operations for dropsy. Despite his doctor’s
protests he had continued to attend the House of Commons. Although he had not
gained peace, he had at least gained time for England. His last speech had been
against the slave trade. The opposing vested interests failed to unite and the
resolution abolishing that practice was carried by both Houses and gained Royal
Assent on May 1, 1807.
Of a Ministry
pitiful, angry, mean,
A gallant commander the victim is seen.
For
promptitude, vigour, success, does he stand
Condemn'd to receive a severe
reprimand!
To his foes I could wish a resemblance in fate:
That they,
too, may suffer themselves, soon or late,
The injustice they warrant. But
vain is my spite,
They cannot so suffer who never do
right.
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