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{{short description|Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1804}}
{{short description|Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1804}}
{{about|Henry Addington, the Viscount Sidmouth}}
{{about|Henry Addington, the Viscount Sidmouth}}
{{More footnotes needed|date=November 2020}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
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| term_start8 = 1 January 1801
| term_start8 = 1 January 1801
| term_end8 = 10 February 1801
| term_end8 = 10 February 1801
| monarch8 = [[George III]]
| primeminister8 = [[William Pitt the Younger|William Pitt]]
| predecessor8 = ''Office established''
| predecessor8 = ''Office established''
| successor8 = [[John Freeman-Mitford, 1st Baron Redesdale|Sir John Mitford]]
| successor8 = [[John Freeman-Mitford, 1st Baron Redesdale|Sir John Mitford]]
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| term_start9 = 8 June 1789
| term_start9 = 8 June 1789
| term_end9 = 31 January 1800
| term_end9 = 31 January 1800
| monarch9 = [[George III]]
| primeminister9 = [[William Pitt the Younger|William Pitt]]
| predecessor9 = [[William Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville|William Grenville]]
| predecessor9 = [[William Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville|William Grenville]]
| successor9 = ''Office abolished''
| successor9 = ''Office abolished''
| office10 = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br>for [[Devizes (UK Parliament constituency)|Devizes]]
| office10 = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br />for [[Devizes (UK Parliament constituency)|Devizes]]
| term_start10 = 1784
| term_start10 = 1784
| term_end10 = 1805
| term_end10 = 1805
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| party = [[Tories (British political party)|Tory]] ({{wt|en|Addingtonian}})
| party = [[Tories (British political party)|Tory]] ({{wt|en|Addingtonian}})
| spouse = {{plainlist}}
| spouse = {{plainlist}}
*{{marriage|Ursula Hammond|19 September 1781|28 June 1811|reason=died}}
* {{marriage|[[Ursula Addington|Ursula Hammond]]|19 September 1781|28 June 1811|reason=died}}
*{{marriage|Marianne Townsend<br>|1823}}
* {{marriage|Marianne Townsend|1823}}
{{endplainlist}}
{{endplainlist}}
| children = 8 (by Hammond)
| children = 8 (by Hammond)
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| footnotes = {{notelist}}
| footnotes = {{notelist}}
}}
}}
'''Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth''', {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|PC}} (30 May 1757{{spaced ndash}}15 February 1844) was a [[British Tory]] statesman who served as [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]] from 1801 to 1804.
'''Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth''', {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|PC}} (30 May 1757{{spaced ndash}}15 February 1844) was a [[British Tory]] statesman who served as [[prime minister of the United Kingdom]] from 1801 to 1804 and as [[Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)|Speaker of the House of Commons]] from 1789 to 1801.


Addington is best known for obtaining the [[Treaty of Amiens]] in 1802, an unfavourable peace with [[First French Empire|Napoleonic France]] which marked the end of the [[War of the Second Coalition|Second Coalition]] during the [[French Revolutionary Wars]]. When that treaty broke down he resumed the war, but he was without allies and conducted relatively weak defensive hostilities, ahead of what would become the [[War of the Third Coalition]]. He was forced from office in favour of [[William Pitt the Younger]], who had preceded Addington as Prime Minister. Addington is also known for his reactionary crackdown on advocates of democratic reforms during a ten-year spell as [[Home Secretary]] from 1812 to 1822. He is the longest continuously serving holder of that office since it was created in 1782.
Addington is best known for obtaining the [[Treaty of Amiens]] in 1802, an unfavourable peace with [[First French Empire|Napoleonic France]] which marked the end of the [[War of the Second Coalition|Second Coalition]] during the [[French Revolutionary Wars]]. When that treaty broke down, Addington resumed the war without allies. He conducted relatively weak defensive hostilities, ahead of what would become the [[War of the Third Coalition]]. He was forced from office in favour of [[William Pitt the Younger]], who had preceded Addington as Prime Minister. Addington is also known for his [[reactionary]] crackdown on advocates of [[democratic reform]]s during a ten-year spell as [[Home Secretary]] from 1812 to 1822. He is the longest continuously serving holder of that office since it was created in 1782.


==Family==
== Early life (1757–1784) ==
Henry Addington was the son of [[Anthony Addington]], [[Pitt the Elder]]'s physician; and Mary Addington, the daughter of the Rev. Haviland John Hiley, headmaster of [[Reading School]]. As a consequence of his father's position, Addington was a childhood friend of [[William Pitt the Younger]]. Addington studied at [[Reading School]], [[Winchester College|Winchester]], and [[Brasenose College, Oxford]], and then studied law at [[Lincoln's Inn]].
===Family===
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2023}}
Henry Addington was born 30 May 1757 in [[Holborn]], [[Middlesex]] as the eldest son and fourth child of the physician [[Anthony Addington|Dr. Anthony Addington]] and his wife Mary Addington, the daughter of the Rev. Haviland John Hiley, headmaster of [[Reading School]].<ref name=":0"/> His father was a man of modest means, but came to great prestige as the personal physician of high ranking politicians and officials in the country. Among his notable patients include [[George III of the United Kingdom|King George III]] and the [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham]]. As Pitt’s personal physician, it was he who prescribed a bottle of [[port wine]] daily to cure Pitt's gout.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Henry Addington, Viscount Sidmouth (1757-1844) |url=http://www.historyhome.co.uk/pms/addingto.htm |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=www.historyhome.co.uk}}</ref> As a consequence of his father's position and connection with one of the leading politicians in country, the young Addington became acquainted with Pitt’s son, William and so was the childhood friend of [[William Pitt the Younger]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Henry Addington, Viscount Sidmouth (1757-1844) |url=http://www.historyhome.co.uk/pms/addingto.htm |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=www.historyhome.co.uk}}</ref>


He married [[Ursula Addington|Ursula Mary Hammond]] in 1791; she brought an income of £1,000 a year into the marriage. The couple had eight children, of whom six survived to adulthood. Ursula Addington died in 1823. Afterwards, he married a widow, Marianne Townsend, daughter of [[William Scott, 1st Baron Stowell]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Parker |first1=Robert J. |title=British Prime Ministers |date=2013 |publisher=Amberley Publishing |isbn=978-1445610214 |page=44 |url=https://archive.org/details/britishprimemini0000park_m3s3/page/44/mode/1up}}</ref>
=== Education ===
Young Addington began his formal studies at [[Reading School]], where his maternal grandfather was the headmaster and later at the age of five he also attended the [[Cheam School]], where he remained for six years. From there, he entered [[Winchester College]] as a commoner in 1771, where he took residence and position as a private pupil of Goodenough. At Winchester, he formed a long-term friendship with [[George Huntingford]], who would later become the warden of the college and the [[Bishop of Gloucester]], a proof of the high character which he bore at the college.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cookson |first=J. E. |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/150 |title=Addington, Henry, first Viscount Sidmouth (1757–1844), prime minister |date=2004-09-23 |publisher=Oxford University Press |series=Oxford Dictionary of National Biography}}</ref> At the age of sixteen, Addington gained entry to [[Brasenose College, Oxford]], where his life appeared to have been studious and where he committed to learning.


==Political career==
While at Brasenose he took on the degree of [[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]] and at Oxford he acquired a taste for writing English verses and an interest in [[English literature|literature]], in which he occasionally indulged in later life, though without much success. In 1779, he won the chancellor’s prize medal for the best English essay and was immediately admitted to the University’s prestigious [[Vinerian Scholarship|Vinerian scholarships]] in 1780.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cookson |first=J. E. |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/150 |title=Addington, Henry, first Viscount Sidmouth (1757–1844), prime minister |date=2004-09-23 |publisher=Oxford University Press |series=Oxford Dictionary of National Biography}}</ref> Upon leaving the university, he turned to the study of law and to become a person of that profession. Addington’ law studies led to further studying law at [[Lincoln's Inn]] where he would be later admitted to. He married Ursula Mary Hammond in 1781; she brought an income of £1,000 a year into the marriage. The couple had eight children, of whom six survived to adulthood. Ursula Addington died in 1811; in 1823 Addington married a widow, Marianne Townsend, daughter of [[William Scott, 1st Baron Stowell]].
He was elected to the [[House of Commons of Great Britain|House of Commons]] in 1784 as one of the Members of Parliament for [[Devizes (UK Parliament constituency)|Devizes]], and became [[Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)|Speaker of the House of Commons]] in 1789. In March 1801, [[William Pitt the Younger]] resigned from office, ostensibly over the refusal of King [[George III]] to remove some of the existing political restrictions on Roman Catholics in Ireland ([[Catholic Emancipation]]), but poor health, failure in war, economic collapse, alarming levels of [[social unrest]] due to [[famine]], and irreconcilable divisions within the Cabinet also played a role. Both Pitt and the King insisted that Addington take over as Prime Minister, despite his own objections, and his failed attempts to reconcile the King and Pitt.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}


==Prime Minister<span class="anchor" id="Premiership"></span><!-- linked from redirects [[Premiership of Henry Addington]], [[Prime ministership of Henry Addington]] -->==
== Early political career (1784–1789)==
=== Member of Parliament ===
In 1783, Addington who was attending law school at the time, left the profession to engage in politics. His childhood friendship with the son of his father's former patient, the young William Pitt, who had been elected to Parliament three years previously, now convinced him to leave studying law to pursue a political career.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CO 42/152/068 - Autograph Letter from Selkirk to Lord Viscount Sidmouth |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/37612_wna_co_co_42_152_68 |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=Warfare in North America, c. 1756-1815}}</ref> This relationship enabled Addington to gain notable support and obtain a seat in [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]]. After an year campaigning for a parliamentary seat in [[Devonshire]], he was elected to the [[House of Commons of Great Britain|House of Commons]] in 1784 as one of the Members of Parliament for [[Devizes (UK Parliament constituency)|Devizes]].<ref name="Evans 34–43">{{Citation |last=Evans |first=Eric J. |title=Pitt, Party and Monarchy |date=2002-11-01 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9780203435724-5 |work=William Pitt the Younger |pages=34–43 |access-date=2023-12-13 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-203-43572-4}}</ref>

=== House of Commons ===
The following year, after an brief tumultuous constitutional crisis which saw the downfall of the [[Whigs (British political party)|Whig]] [[Fox-North Coalition|Fox-North government]], the King appointed young William Pitt as the new [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]].<ref name=":1" /> The new ministry and Pitt himself had very little personal support within the House.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth {{!}} Napoleonic Wars, Tory leader, Speaker of House {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-Addington-1st-Viscount-Sidmouth |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> Addington soon became one of the new government's warmest and most sympathetic supporters and remained supportive of it even after it suffered an vote of no confidence. However, during the [[1784 British general election|1784 general election]], the [[Tories (British political party)|Tory Party]] under Pitt won a landslide victory against Whig opposition and gained a large majority of 280 seats in the Commons.<ref name="Evans 34–43"/>

Pitt became aware of the importance of his friendship with Addington and endeavoured to excite the ambitions of his friend. In 1786, Addington was invited to second the address in Commons, but declined as he hardly spoke during sessions in parliament.<ref name="Pitt, William">{{Citation |title=Pitt, William |date=2011-10-31 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/benz/9780199773787.article.b00142819 |work=Benezit Dictionary of Artists |access-date=2023-12-13 |publisher=Oxford University Press}}</ref> He devoted much of his time to committees on parliamentary affairs and to learning the practices and procedures of Parliament and the Commons. Addington's character and temperament, garnered him universal esteem and his friendship with the Prime Minister Pitt further enhanced his importance and goodwill.<ref name="Pitt, William"/>

== Speaker of the House of Commons (1789–1801) ==
=== Election ===
His relationship with Pitt and his character in Parliament became a useful tool in his rapid political ascension. The importance of this came through the influence of Pitt as prime minister and the high regards he was held by, when Addington was procured to be moved to became [[Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)|Speaker of the House of Commons]] in 1789 without much opposition and run unopposed during his election. He was an suitable candidate for the position and immediately fitted into the role of Speaker during the following, during which he served in three parliamentary sessions for 11 years.

In the new parliamentary session and soon after his election as Speaker, the annual salary of the speaker, which up to that point had been from fluctuating sources, was around at about £6,000l per year. A proposal was to be made Addington, four years into his tenure, in 1793 that he should enter the government as a secretary of state, but he preferred to keep the speakership. During his time as the Commons Speaker, Addington proffered to spend his spend his vacations in domestic solitude and enjoyment at [[Woodley, Berkshire|Woodley]], an estate he bought in the neighbourhood of [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]].

=== Trial of Warren Hastings ===
In 1795, much of Addington time was spend on the [[Impeachment of Warren Hastings]], the former [[Governor-General of India]], over allegations of misconduct, destructive policies and political instability.<ref name="Rudd 2011 26–55">{{Citation |last=Rudd |first=Andrew |title=Edmund Burke and the Trial of Warren Hastings |date=2011 |url=https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230306004_2 |work=Sympathy and India in British Literature, 1770–1830 |pages=26–55 |editor-last=Rudd |editor-first=Andrew |access-date=2023-12-13 |series=Palgrave Studies in the Enlightenment, Romanticism and Cultures of Print |place=London |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan UK |language=en |doi=10.1057/9780230306004_2 |isbn=978-0-230-30600-4}}</ref> These allegations made by both officials and rivals of Hastings to a great extent, which was further exacerbated by his handling of the colonial government’s India and conflicts with [[Mysore]] .<ref name="Rudd 2011 26–55"/> During the [[Third Anglo-Mysore War]] from 1789 to 1792, which saw British control over [[Madras]] nearly end with [[Hyder Ali]] marching his forces into British-held territory and personal accumulation of wealth by Hastings during tenure.

These accusations forced Hastings to resign and return to [[England]] with immediate effect to face the subsequent impeachment trial.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Duman |first=Daniel |date=1973 |title=A Social and Occupational Analysis of the English Judiciary: 1770-1790 and 1855-1875 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/845100 |journal=The American Journal of Legal History |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=353–364 |doi=10.2307/845100 |issn=0002-9319}}</ref> The trial was a public sensation, as it garnered public attention to trial of that kind, with both opposition and support in favour of the impeachment. Hastings, whose accusers included Whig politicians [[Charles James Fox]], [[Edmund Burke]] and colonial official [[Philip Francis (politician)|Philip Francis]], became the leading voice of justice to face Hastings.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Duman |first=Daniel |date=1973 |title=A Social and Occupational Analysis of the English Judiciary: 1770-1790 and 1855-1875 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/845100 |journal=The American Journal of Legal History |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=353–364 |doi=10.2307/845100 |issn=0002-9319}}</ref> While the Tories, seeking to undermine the trial against the Whig opposition, supporter for the [[acquit]]tal of Hastings. This sparked heavy debate and tense controversy on whether Hastings was guilty of the charges or not.

The trial dragged for nearly seven years without an future end, but the trial was chaired by the Tory dominated House of Lords and the House of Commons finally delivered an [[verdict]] under [[Lord High Chancellor]] [[Lord Loughborough]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://academic.oup.com/book/35372/chapter-abstract/301231550? |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=academic.oup.com}}</ref> The trial ended when Hastings was declared acquitted of his charges and not guilty by a [[majority vote]], which was a small significant triumph over the Whigs, causing frustration to both Fix and Burke over the verdict. In connection with the trial and eventual verdict, Addington as the Speaker concurred in new constitutional maxim in 1790, that an impeachment is not abated by a dissolution.<ref name="Rudd 2011 26–55"/>

=== French Revolution ===
During the beginning of the 1780s, saw Europe experiencing three long decade-long period of war and political turmoil with the occurring of the [[French Revolution]] in 14 July 1789<ref name="Cole 1965 37–81">{{Citation |last=Cole |first=G. D. H. |title=Great Britain and the French Revolution |date=1965 |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-86219-1_3 |work=British Working Class Movements: Select Documents 1789–1875 |pages=37–81 |editor-last=Cole |editor-first=G. D. H. |access-date=2023-12-13 |place=London |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan UK |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-1-349-86219-1_3 |isbn=978-1-349-86219-1 |last2=Filson |first2=A. W. |editor2-last=Filson |editor2-first=A. W.}}</ref> The deep political instability and social unrest, the hierarchical structure and economic downturn turned into a large-scale revolutionary reaction, to what was perceived as a violation of the [[rights of man]] and [[liberty]].<ref name="Macleod 2007 689–709">{{Cite journal |last=Macleod |first=Emma Vincent |date=2007 |title=British Attitudes to the French Revolution |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/20175117 |journal=The Historical Journal |volume=50 |issue=3 |pages=689–709 |issn=0018-246X}}</ref> As [[France]] was a [[absolute monarchy]], it became a largely criticised and hated institution, viewed as against the virtues of a democratic state. With the beginning of the revolution in 1789, led to five years of political collapse which ultimately saw King [[Louis XVI of France|Louis XVI]] being executed and the ancient French monarchy being abolished by 1793, after which France was soon established as a republic.<ref name="Macleod 2007 689–709"/>

The aftermath of the chaos unveiling in France, saw the radical ideas of the revolution being feared by all European governments; especially the monarchies of Europe, as threatening.<ref>{{Cite web |title=British Foreign Policy, 1689-1790 {{!}} Karl Schweizer |url=https://www.gale.com/intl/essays/karl-schweizer-british-foreign-policy-1689-1790-origins-aims-dynamics |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=www.gale.com |language=en}}</ref> As the impact of the revolution began to be widespread, European countries declared war against the new republic with Britain playing a key role, leading to the [[War of the First Coalition]] in 1792.<ref name="Cole 1965 37–81"/> The spread of revolutionary fervour to Britain in the early 1790s, led to fears over a similar incidents occurring within the [[British Isles]] and the government under William Pitt introduced harsh measures to contain such ideals from gaining influence and affecting the minds of the British populace.<ref name="Cole 1965 37–81"/> Such measures were opposed by the Whig opposition, like [[Charles James Fox]], who viewed them as an assault on the [[freedom of expression|rights of expression]] [[freedom of speech]].

However military offensives against the French state proved unsuccessful as the first coalition, the subsequent [[War of the Second Coalition|second coalition]] along with the [[War of the Third Coalition|third coalition]] were defeated outright by France on its own. Despite these setbacks, the British government continued its effort to fight the French and its allies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=British Foreign Policy, 1689-1790 {{!}} Karl Schweizer |url=https://www.gale.com/intl/essays/karl-schweizer-british-foreign-policy-1689-1790-origins-aims-dynamics |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=www.gale.com |language=en}}</ref> Addington, as one of the strongest supporters of the Pitt government’s policies, promoted patriotic efforts to defend British values, protect the interests of the European balance of power and saw the French Revolution as undoing the fundamental foundations of traditional European government.

Excited by war sentiment, he took an active part in measures in Parliament to continue the war in Europe and helping to form small militias. As Speaker and advisor, he suggested that the government increase voluntary conscription, raise revenue for the war and even granted a sum of £2,000 as funds. Addington mustered a sufficient cavalry force under his command during the war near his home in Woodley.

=== Catholic emancipation ===
The issue of equal rights and treatment of Catholics in both [[Great Britain]] and especially in [[Ireland]], became a heated argument among politicians of the time. While more liberal MPs supported the idea, in granting the same rights as to [[religious tolerance|practice one’s religion]] or entrance into civil and public service, a majority of mostly conservative members opposed it. The issue of ill-treatment of [[Irish Catholics]] led to [[Irish Rebellion of 1798|an rebellion]] against the British government in 1797 and resulted in Ireland becoming a member of the [[United Kingdom]] by the [[Act of Union 1800]]. Addington, who as a moderate member of the Tory Party, agreed with Pitt as to the necessity of the union with Ireland, but did not approve of policies as to give concessions by which the government hoped to make the union a measure to heal broken relations.

During a tense debate in Parliament on 12 February 1799, he made a considerable speech of in support of the project, but said that ‘if he had to choose between the re-enactment of the popery laws and [[catholic emancipation]], coupled with [[parliamentary reform]], as the means of restoring tranquillity to Ireland, he should give the preference to the former.’ In January 1801, [[George III of the United Kingdom|King George III]], who was a devout [[Anglican]] [[Protestant]], openly expressed his dissatisfaction with the plan of catholic relief and wrote to Addington, to whom he had shown much favour, saying that he wished that Addington ‘would from himself open Pitt's eyes on the danger’ of agitating the Catholic question. Addington tried to convince Pitt to abandon the idea of Catholic emancipation in favour of refocusing British military efforts abroad. In the end, Addington did what he could and Pitt refused to consider abandoning the project.

In March 1801, [[William Pitt the Younger]] resigned from office, ostensibly over the refusal of King [[George III]] to remove some of the existing political restrictions on Roman Catholics in Ireland ([[Catholic Emancipation]]), but poor health, failure in war, economic collapse, alarming levels of social unrest due to famine, and irreconcilable divisions within the Cabinet also played a role. Both Pitt and the King insisted that Addington take over as Prime Minister, despite his own objections, and his failed attempts to reconcile the King and Pitt.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

==Prime Minister (1801–1804)<span class="anchor" id="Premiership"></span><!-- linked from redirects [[Premiership of Henry Addington]], [[Prime ministership of Henry Addington]] -->==
=== Appointment and cabinet ===
{{further|Addington ministry}}
{{further|Addington ministry}}
When Pitt suddenly tendered his resignation in March, immediate candidates to succeed him as prime minister, were not many. Pitt’s ultimate and chosen successor had been Addington himself, who had been consulted before on the matter in 1797, but it is now more urgent that he succeed Pitt in his role. Pitt was confident in Addington and suggested to the King that he should appoint him. The King then sent for Addington and asked him to take responsibility of forming [[Addington ministry|a new government]]. ‘Where,’ he asked, ‘am I to turn for support if you do not stand by me?’ Addington thought of himself to be unready for the role and at once consulted Pitt. Pitt reassured that he has both his and his allies’ support and entreated him to accept the charge, declaring that he ‘saw nothing but ruin’ if he refused.

With this new found confidence, Addington accordingly set to forming a new ministry. However members of the former cabinet, who agreed with Pitt on catholic emancipation and several prominent MPs, opposed his ascension. Among them were [[Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis]], [[Robert Stewart, 2nd Marquess of Londonderry|Lord Castlereagh]] and [[George Canning]], refused to serve under Addington, forcing him to call on the rear ranks of the old cabinet to form the front-benches of his new ministry. The actual change in government transition and Addington’s appointment was delayed when the King fell ill. Addington had resigned as speaker and Pitt remained as de facto prime minister in caretaker capacity.

Pitt's allies took advantage of the situation by believing that Addington looked upon himself as a mere locum tenens as to Pitt, whose position regarding the catholic question was changed by the assurance which he gave to the King that he would not press on matter ever again during His Majesty's lifetime. Pitt did not conceal his belief to once again return to office as prime minister if the opportunity is presented to him if the new government collapsed. Without Pitt’s authority, his supporters have urged Addington to refuse office in his favour. Addington naturally refused requests that implied his inferiority and subordination by attempting to take a more strong approach towards leadership. On 14 March, The King recovered from his brief illness as to conduct transact process and Addington return to [[10 Downing Street]] as the new Prime Minister and [[First Lord of the Treasury]].

=== Foreign policy ===
==== War in Europe ====
{{see also|United Kingdom in the Napoleonic Wars}}
{{see also|United Kingdom in the Napoleonic Wars}}
Foreign policy was the centrepiece of his term in office. Some historians have been highly critical and said that it was ignorant and indifferent to Britain's greatest needs. However, Thomas Goldsmith argues that Addington and his [[Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs|Foreign Secretary]] [[Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool|Lord Hawkesbury]] conducted a logical, consistent and eurocentric balance-of-power policy, rooted in rules and assumptions governing their conduct, rather than a chaotic free-for-all approach.{{sfn|Goldsmith|2016}} It is also important that during the first year of his premiership, Addington knew that the cost of the war in Europe would be fatal for Britain financially and militarily as a string of defeats suffered by the allies against the [[First French Republic]] during both the [[War of the First Coalition|first]] and [[War of the Second Coalition|second]] coalitions, both ending in failure.<ref name="The War of the Second Coalition">{{Cite web |title=The War of the Second Coalition |url=https://www.thenapoleonicwars.net/war-second-coalition-overview |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=napoleonicwars |language=en}}</ref>
Foreign policy was the centrepiece of his term in office. Some historians have been highly critical and said that it was ignorant and indifferent to Britain's greatest needs. However, Thomas Goldsmith argues that Addington and Hawkesbury conducted a logical, consistent and [[eurocentric]] [[Balance of power (international relations)|balance-of-power]] policy, rooted in rules and assumptions governing their conduct, rather than a chaotic free-for-all approach.{{sfn|Goldsmith|2016}}


Addington's domestic reforms doubled the efficiency of the [[income tax]]. In foreign affairs, he secured the [[Treaty of Amiens]] in 1802. While the treaty's terms were the bare minimum that the British government could accept, [[Napoleon]] Bonaparte would not have agreed to any terms more favourable to the British, and the British government had reached a state of financial collapse from war expenditure, the loss of Continental markets for British goods and two successive failed harvests that had led to widespread famine and social unrest, rendering peace a necessity.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}
The [[War of the Second Coalition]] which began in 1798 had seen Britain alongside [[Austria]], [[Prussia]], [[Russia]] and the [[Ottoman Empire]] fighting France to dismantle its new government and restore the monarchy to cease the widespread influence and unrest brought with the [[French Revolution]] back in 1782. However, the allies suffered immense casualties and heavy defeats, as France triumphed in the face of overwhelming odds.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Schroeder |first=Paul W. |date=1987 |title=The Collapse of the Second Coalition |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/1879727 |journal=The Journal of Modern History |volume=59 |issue=2 |pages=244–290 |issn=0022-2801}}</ref> The French armies, particularly under the [[Corsicans|Corsican]]-born French general [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] won stunning victories against both the Austrians and the Russians in [[Italy]] and the [[Rhineland]] with further campaigns under Napoleon’s command in the [[Middle East]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mark |first=Harrison W. |title=War of the Second Coalition |url=https://www.worldhistory.org/War_of_the_Second_Coalition/ |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=World History Encyclopedia |language=en}}</ref> This lasted until 1801, when one of the Coalition’s major members, Austria, made peace with France after two major defeats at [[Battle of Marengo|Marengo]] and [[Battle of Hohenlinden|Hohenlinden]] at the [[Treaty of Lunéville]]. This was followed by separate treaties signed by other major allies with France following Lunéville.<ref name="The War of the Second Coalition"/>


This left Britain, the sole remaining member of the Coalition in Europe; urged by both public opinion, Whig opposition and financial crisis, the Addington government prioritised peace as the main foreign policy initiative of the new government. Negotiations began with Foreign Secretary, Lord Hawkesbury who contacted the French government on possible options for peace. While the terms of peace were the bare minimum that the British government could accept, [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] would not agree to any terms that are more favourable to the British, and the British government was forced to reach a state of financial collapse from war expenditure, the loss of Continental markets for British goods and two successive failed harvests that had led to widespread famine and social unrest, rendering peace a necessity.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}The government, now under Bonapartist control agreed to the proposal with Napoleon’s brother, [[Joseph Bonaparte]] acting as one of the key diplomats in the peace negotiations. However this was delayed till next year, during which the negotiations would come to a conclusion.

==== Treaty of Amiens ====
{{Further information|Treaty of Amiens}}
Peace negotiations were largely entrusted to the cabinet’s youngest member, Addington's Foreign Secretary Lord Hawkesbury, who immediately reopened communications with the French emissary for prisoners of war [[Louis Guillaume Otto]].<ref name="Rose 1900 331–335">{{Cite journal |last=Rose |first=J. Holland |date=1900 |title=The Secret Articles of the Treaty of Amiens |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/548459 |journal=The English Historical Review |volume=15 |issue=58 |pages=331–335 |issn=0013-8266}}</ref> The French commissary, who was in London, sent new peace proposals to Napoleon, who was now the [[First Consul]] of France, to whom he had made his earlier proposals.<ref name="historytoday.com">{{Cite web |title=The Treaty of Amiens {{!}} History Today |url=https://www.historytoday.com/archive/months-past/treaty-amiens |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=www.historytoday.com}}</ref> Hawkesbury stated that the British government wanted to re-open discussions on terms for a possible peace settlement eventually and Otto, under detailed instructions First Consul Bonaparte, engaged in negotiations with Hawkesbury in mid-1801.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Peace of Amiens |url=https://www.napoleon.org/en/history-of-the-two-empires/timelines/the-peace-of-amiens/ |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=napoleon.org |language=en-US}}</ref> Hawkesbury and the rest of the Addington government was dissatisfied with the process of discussions with Otto and the government in turn sent diplomat [[Anthony Merry]] to [[Paris]] to open a second line of communications with the French foreign minister, [[Talleyrand]]. By mid-September, negotiations progressed to the point that Hawkesbury and Otto officially met to draft the preliminary agreement.<ref name="historytoday.com"/>

On 30 September, they signed the preliminary agreement in London, which was published the next day.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Peace of Amiens, 1802 |url=https://www.thenapoleonicwars.net/peace-of-amiens-overview |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=napoleonicwars |language=en}}</ref> The terms of the agreement required Britain to restore French colonial possessions which the British had captured during the previous war in 1794, the evacuation of [[Malta]] and withdrawal from the rest of occupied [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean ports]].<ref name="Rose 1900 331–335"/> Malta eventually restored to the [[Order of St. John]] after British forces left and it’s sovereignty was to be guaranteed by one or more powers, which would be determined at the final discussions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Peace of Amiens, 1802 |url=https://www.thenapoleonicwars.net/peace-of-amiens-overview |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=napoleonicwars |language=en}}</ref> Under the terms of the treaty, the French were to restore [[Egypt]] to Ottoman control, withdraw from most of the Italian peninsula and agree to recognise Portuguese sovereignty.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Peace of Amiens, 1802 |url=https://www.thenapoleonicwars.net/peace-of-amiens-overview |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=napoleonicwars |language=en}}</ref> Britain was, in turn, recognise the newly established [[Seven Islands Republic]] in the [[Ionian Sea]] and that both sides be allowed access to trade outposts on the [[Cape of Good Hope]].<ref name="Rose 1900 331–335"/>

The declaration of the signing of the Treaty was met with joy and relief across Europe with celebrations of peace by publishing of pamphlets, poems, and odes in [[French language|French]], [[English language|English]], [[German language|German]] and other languages. In theatres, actors depicted signing of the treaty at dinners, vaudeville, and during on stage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=treaty of Amiens |url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095408499 |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=Oxford Reference |language=en |doi=10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095408499}}</ref> In Britain, although it did not gain all that was expected, the treaty was highly popular and celebrations ranged from illuminations and fireworks to one of political triumph. The Whig opposition, which long campaigned for peace, finally rejoiced and approved the government proposals by 276 to 20 in the [[House of Commons]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Peace of Amiens, 1802 |url=https://www.thenapoleonicwars.net/peace-of-amiens-overview |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=napoleonicwars |language=en}}</ref>

==== Neutral League and Denmark ====
During the war against Revolutionary France, the Baltic nations of [[Russia]], [[Prussia]] and [[Denmark-Norway]] formed an non-combatant alliance to protect [[Neutral country|neutral shipping]] and trade interests of countries against British [[Royal Navy]]. This was the [[Second League of Armed Neutrality]] and was in response to the Royal Navy seizing merchant ships in search of French [[contraband]] and stopping sending supplies to mainland France during the war. Countries saw this as an violation of trading rights and against the sovereignty of the respective nations whose trade was commercially damaged due to this. In order to avoid further conflict, a neutral league of non-combatant countries were first formed during the [[American Revolution]] and later was revived by Tzar [[Paul I of Russia]].

Newly revived alliance still had the same goal to stop British interference in with their shipping and resist if ships were boarded to search for contraband, military supplies or cargo. However unlike the [[First League of Armed Neutrality]] was less successful.
The Second League was intended to protect each countries’ neutral shipping rights against possible Royal Navy's wartime naval policy of unlimited seizing of neutral shipping for French contraband, in an attempt to cut off trading vital supplies to the First French Republic. However, the British government considered it a form of an alliance with France and was anxious that Denmark will ally itself the country. The British government, cautious to preserve good relations to keep Russian goodwill and after diplomatic discussions broke down between Britain and Denmark, that the Addington’s war cabinet openly considered attacking Denmark and destroying parts of its fleet.

On 2 April 1801, a large fleet of Royal Navy ships under Admiral [[Horatio Nelson]] blockaded the Danish capital of [[Copenhagen]]. However, in order to break the blockade, Dutch commanders tried to attack the British fleet which ended in the [[Battle of Copenhagen (1801)|Battle of Copenhagen]] and forcing Denmark to withdraw from the League. Britain captured Danish territories in the [[West Indies]] between March 1801 and April 1802. The attack on Denmark, led to Prussia retaliating against the British by invading Hanover in April 1801 as a way to provoking the British into a war. However that year, Tzar Paul was assassinated in March and his son [[Alexander I of Russia|Alexander I]] ascended to the throne as the [[Tsar of Russia]]. Alexander, who favoured cordial relations with Britain, led to the policy being changed in Russia and the dissolution of alliance as a result. Russia would be a major potential ally later in the Wars against Napoleonic France.

==== Colonial agenda ====
During Addington’s premiership, colonial matters were of small importance to the government and its focus largely laid on foreign affairs abroad and domestic reforms at home. British expansion during this period was largely halted due to constant disruption of war in mainland Europe and was overshadowed by it ever since the end of the Second Coalition in 1801. However, Britain did expand some of its borders in the Indian subcontinent during a dispute with [[Maratha Confederacy]].

Internal strife was brewing in country for a time and saw rapid decline during the past decades under the rise of British rule. As quarrels among powerful chiefs grew as each one vied for power and influence in court. In 1801, the Peshwa, the head of government at the capital city of [[Poona]] and the chiefs of [[Baroda]], [[Gwalior]], [[Indore]], and [[Nagpur]] engaged in a internal struggle and [[Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley|Lord Mornington]], the [[Governor-General of India]] had offered a subsidiary treaty to the both Peshwa and chief Scindia of Gwalior, but [[Nana Fadnavis]] strongly refused. In October 1802, a rebellion spurred under [[Yashwantrao Holkar]], the ruler of Indore]] and leading Peshwa [[Baji Rao II]] and Scindia to gather their forces. Their combined armies were defeated by Holkar at the [[Battle of Poona]] and Baji Rao fled to British protection.

In December of the same year, the [[Treaty of Bassein]] was concluded with the [[British East India Company]], ceding Maratha territory for maintaining a subsidiary force and agreeing to treaty with no other power. After the treat was concluded, the British force of around 53,000 men were sent under the command of Lieutenant General [[Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington|Arthur Wellesley]], the future Duke of Wellington and General [[Gerard Lake]]. British forces crossed into Maratha territory from the [[Deccan Plateau]] and [[Bundelkhand]] and quickly won decisive victories such as at [[Battle of Assaye|Assaye]], [[Battle of Delhi|Delhi]] and [[Battle of Laswari|Laswari]]. The war was ended when the chiefs were finally defeated one by one and was concluded with signing of multiple treaties with each chieftain ceding their respective territories. In the end, Britain gained territories from [[Hisar]]{{disambiguation needed|date=December 2023}} to [[Bundi]] and severely weakened the Marathas.

=== Domestic policy ===
==== Economy ====
During Addington’s tenure, the cost of the war which lasted a decade, saw the country’s national debt doubling that of the total GDP of the nation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gatrell |first=Vic |date=2014-11-06 |title=In These Times: Living in Britain Through Napoleon’s Wars, 1793-1815 by Jenny Uglow – review |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/nov/06/in-these-times-living-in-britain-through-napoleons-wars-1793-1815-jenny-uglow-review |access-date=2023-12-16 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The debt was over £28 million which was a large sum that could hardly be paid off in time and would need sufficient taxation and revenue for it be fully paid.<ref name="Silberling 1924 214–233">{{Cite journal |last=Silberling |first=Norman J. |date=1924 |title=Financial and Monetary Policy of Great Britain During the Napoleonic Wars |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/1884011 |journal=The Quarterly Journal of Economics |volume=38 |issue=2 |pages=214–233 |doi=10.2307/1884011 |issn=0033-5533}}</ref> Addington, knew that it would be his responsibility to manage the countries finances which was heavily in deficit after the end of the war in 1802.<ref name="Bordo">{{Citation |last=Bordo |first=Michael D. |title=British and French Finance During the Napoleonic Wars |date=November 1990 |url=https://www.nber.org/papers/w3517 |type=Working Paper |access-date=2023-12-16 |series=Working Paper Series |doi=10.3386/w3517 |last2=White |first2=Eugene N.}}</ref> Before Addington became Prime Minister, Britain was forced off the gold standard and endure a sustained inflation, as for wars which lasted for comparable length during its duration, but through monopoly over trade and colonial expansion made by Britain led to financing the war without falling into large scale bankruptcy.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gatrell |first=Vic |date=2014-11-06 |title=In These Times: Living in Britain Through Napoleon’s Wars, 1793-1815 by Jenny Uglow – review |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/nov/06/in-these-times-living-in-britain-through-napoleons-wars-1793-1815-jenny-uglow-review |access-date=2023-12-16 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

This was apparently achieved with the government smoothing taxation, credibility in managing macroeconomics and because of longstanding records of maintaining special convertibility through which the country has access to the inflation tax.<ref name="Rostow 1942 13–23">{{Cite journal |last=Rostow |first=W. W. |date=1942 |title=Adjustments and Maladjustments after the Napoleonic Wars |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/1815095 |journal=The American Economic Review |volume=32 |issue=1 |pages=13–23 |issn=0002-8282}}</ref> Addington government pushed efforts to double down on taxation and revenue raising, by issuing new legislation by an increasing [[income tax]]es and furthering [[land tax]] in order raise annuities.<ref name="Bordo 1991 303–316">{{Cite journal |last=Bordo |first=Michael D. |last2=White |first2=Eugene N. |date=1991 |title=A Tale of Two Currencies: British and French Finance During the Napoleonic Wars |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2122576 |journal=The Journal of Economic History |volume=51 |issue=2 |pages=303–316 |issn=0022-0507}}</ref> One of the many notable policies on the economy under the Addington’s ministry was the introduction of [[excise]]s and [[duties]] on agricultural commodities, food and mechanics.<ref name="Bordo 1991 303–316"/> This saw more than five taxation acts passed in Parliament over the first two years from 1801 to 1803 and this included duties on food such as [[sugar]], [[raisins]], [[Alcohol (drug)|spirits]], [[pepper]], [[timber]], [[tea]] and [[wheat]].<ref name="Silberling 1924 214–233"/> Household taxes included duties on owning [[horses]] with the [[Duty on Horses Act 1801]] and additional duties on [[postage]], [[paper]] and [[scaleboard|scale-boards]].<ref name="Bordo 1991 303–316"/>

The hard taxation were bitterly opposed by many of the public and led to unrest among the poor as conditions worsened after peace was achieved with France. However, the country’s fortunes turned around for good when Britain began financially recovering with inflation largely decreasing quicker than expected. The government was able to pay off the debt of £28 million, in time before war could be resumed, which saw rapid economic growth and development between 1802-1804.<ref name="Bordo"/> This largely succeeded turning the British economy around and by 1804, the government repealed some, of not many of the legislation on duties and excises that were passed to ease taxation. Addington's other economic reforms were to decrease the efficiency of the [[income tax]], lowering regulations on exports from the [[East India Company]] and duties on certain on food and postage.<ref name="Rostow 1942 13–23"/>

==== Social reforms ====
Addington was heavily preoccupied with foreign affairs at first and did not had any clues on domestic affairs. However, after the signing of the [[Treaty of Amiens]] in 1802, Addington lend his attention to internal matters.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Evans |first=Tanya |date=2011 |title=The Politics of Domestic Authority in Britain since 1800, edited by Lucy Delap, Ben Griffin, and Abigail Williams |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2979/victorianstudies.53.3.570 |journal=Victorian Studies |volume=53 |issue=3 |pages=570–572 |doi=10.2979/victorianstudies.53.3.570 |issn=0042-5222}}</ref> In domestic politics the Addington government was largely focused on the economy and national defence, these did not include major policies, but it did passed legislation to improve and develop social reforms.<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Kingdom - The Napoleonic Wars {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/United-Kingdom/The-Napoleonic-Wars |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> These included some important and significant measures up to that time, which were considered monumental during that period.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gatrell |first=Vic |date=2014-11-06 |title=In These Times: Living in Britain Through Napoleon’s Wars, 1793-1815 by Jenny Uglow – review |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/nov/06/in-these-times-living-in-britain-through-napoleons-wars-1793-1815-jenny-uglow-review |access-date=2023-12-16 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

In 1802, the government passed the [[Health and Morals of Apprentices Act 1802]], which was propane promoted in Parliament by [[Sir Robert Peel, 1st Baronet]] who become concerned about the state of livings standards among workers and the poor after in 1784 a "malignant fever" outbreak at one of his cotton mills, which he blamed on 'gross mismanagement' by his subordinates.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Evans |first=Tanya |date=2011 |title=The Politics of Domestic Authority in Britain since 1800, edited by Lucy Delap, Ben Griffin, and Abigail Williams |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2979/victorianstudies.53.3.570 |journal=Victorian Studies |volume=53 |issue=3 |pages=570–572 |doi=10.2979/victorianstudies.53.3.570 |issn=0042-5222}}</ref> The act was designed to improve conditions for [[apprentice]]s working in [[cotton mills]] and factories. The act required cotton mills and factories be properly ventilated and cleansed with basic requirements on cleanliness and apprentices in these areas to be given education and attend religious services at least once a month. It also required apprentices and workers to be provided with clothing and working hours be limited to no more than 12 twelve hours and not allowed to work at night.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-05-31 |title=Social and Political Change: Britain 1800-present |url=https://www.history.org.uk/student/resource/3192/social-and-political-change-britain-1800-present |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=The Historical Association |language=en}}</ref>

In 1803, the government also passed the [[Passenger Vessels Act 1803|Passenger Vessels Act]], which was one of the first of many laws which regulated transportation of [[immigration|immigrants]] and provide protection [[emigration|emigrants]] on boarding ships from exploitation by transport companies.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-05-31 |title=Social and Political Change: Britain 1800-present |url=https://www.history.org.uk/student/resource/3192/social-and-political-change-britain-1800-present |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=The Historical Association |language=en}}</ref>The act aimed to improve conditions on much needed hygiene, food necessities and necessary comfort for passengers travelling to North America. Under this act, which was established out of humanitarian pretences, but the more practical cause was the need to raise the cost of passage to prevent many from leaving the country.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Simms |first=Brendan |date=1998 |editor-last=Blanning |editor-first=T. C. W. |editor2-last=Esdaile |editor2-first=Charles J. |editor3-last=Ehrman |editor3-first=John |editor4-last=Mackesy |editor4-first=Piers |editor5-last=Muir |editor5-first=Rory |title=Britain and Napoleon |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2639908 |journal=The Historical Journal |volume=41 |issue=3 |pages=885–894 |issn=0018-246X}}</ref>Landlords feared the emigration of tenants, which would leave them without rent, heavily lobbied for legislation whereas the cost of travel to Canada for £3-4 being raised rob £10.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Simms |first=Brendan |date=1998 |editor-last=Blanning |editor-first=T. C. W. |editor2-last=Esdaile |editor2-first=Charles J. |editor3-last=Ehrman |editor3-first=John |editor4-last=Mackesy |editor4-first=Piers |editor5-last=Muir |editor5-first=Rory |title=Britain and Napoleon |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2639908 |journal=The Historical Journal |volume=41 |issue=3 |pages=885–894 |issn=0018-246X}}</ref>

==== Legal legislation ====
Under Addington’s government legislative reforms included in law enforcement and criminal offences. Most notably, during his tenure in office, his government passed policies to deport criminals and offenders to penal colonies under British rule, which was later increased successive government to include all forms of offences and crimes. Most convicts were transported to penal colonies in [[New South Wales]] to work [[manual labor]] and establishing settlements in the area.

Apart from punishment, the government also passed legislative acts to ban people from acting as [[public notaries]]] without gaining legal authority from court. This was in the form of the [[Public Notaries Act 1801]]. Under the act, a person cannot be allowed to become a public notary "unless such person shall have been duly sworn, admitted, and enrolled" and required notaries to serve seven years as an apprentice before his appointment. The appointee also have to present detailed penalties for dishonesty in regard to qualifications for the position. However, it did not applied to public notaries working within [[religious organisation|religious organisations]].

The government also passed a bill proposed by the [[Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales]] [[Lord Ellenborough]], who wished to clarify laws relating to [[abortion]],although it was not clearly defined in [[common law]] at the time. In 1803, the bill was passed as the [[Malicious Shooting or Stabbing Act 1803]], under the act it became an offence for a person to perform an abortion and the punishment for attempting to perform a post quickening abortion was the [[death penalty]] and or in some cases was [[penal transportation|transportation]]] to a [[penal colony]] for fourteen years. It also provided punishment for harming people by malicious shooting, attempting to discharge firearms, stabbing, cutting, wounding, poisoning, maiming, disfiguring, and disabling under national law.

=== Military policy ===
By early 1803, Britain's financial and diplomatic positions had recovered sufficiently to allow Addington to declare war on France, when it became clear that the French would not allow a settlement for the defences of Malta that would have been secure enough to fend off a French invasion that appeared imminent.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}
By early 1803, Britain's financial and diplomatic positions had recovered sufficiently to allow Addington to declare war on France, when it became clear that the French would not allow a settlement for the defences of Malta that would have been secure enough to fend off a French invasion that appeared imminent.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}


At the time and ever since, Addington has been criticised for his lacklustre conduct of the war and his defensive posture. However, without allies, Britain's options were limited to defence. He increased the forces, provided a tax base that could finance an enlarged war and seized several French possessions. To gain allies, Addington cultivated better relations with Russia,{{sfn|Feldbæk|1978}} Austria, and [[Prussia]], which later culminated in the [[Third Coalition]] shortly after he left office. Addington also strengthened British defences against a French invasion through the building of [[Martello tower]]s on the [[Southern England|south coast]] and the raising of more than 600,000 men at arms.{{sfn|Hall|1988}}
At the time and ever since, Addington has been criticised for his lacklustre conduct of the war and his defensive posture. However, without allies, Britain's options were limited to defence. He increased the forces, provided a tax base that could finance an enlarged war and seized several French possessions. To gain allies, Addington cultivated better relations with the [[Russian Empire]],{{sfn|Feldbæk|1978}} the [[Austrian Empire]], and the [[Kingdom of Prussia]]. These relations culminated in the [[Third Coalition]] shortly after Addington left office. Addington also strengthened British defences against a French invasion through the building of [[Martello tower]]s on the [[Southern England|south coast]] and the raising of more than 600,000 men at arms.{{sfn|Hall|1988}}

In 1802 a factory Act was passed that reduced the work of women and children in factories and mills to 12 hours, illegalised night-work, required a certain amount of education for apprentices “and gave power to magistrates to appoint visitors to children apprenticed by poor-law guardians."<ref>Conservative social and industrial reform: A record of Conservative legislation between 1800 and 1974 by Charles E, Bellairs, P.9</ref>


===Foundling Hospital===
=== Foundling Hospital ===
In 1802, Addington accepted an honorary position as vice-president for life on the Court of Governors of London's [[Foundling Hospital]] for abandoned babies.
In 1802, Addington accepted an honorary position as vice-president for life on the Court of Governors of London's [[Foundling Hospital]] for abandoned babies.


===Loss of office===
=== Loss of office ===
[[File:Britannia-between-Death-and-the-Doctors-Gillray.jpeg|thumb|upright=1.2|In ''Britannia between Death and the Doctor's'' (1804), [[James Gillray]] caricatured Pitt as a doctor kicking Addington (the previous doctor) out of Britannia's sickroom.]]
[[File:Britannia-between-Death-and-the-Doctors-Gillray.jpeg|thumb|upright=1.2|In ''Britannia between Death and the Doctor's'' (1804), [[James Gillray]] caricatured Pitt as a doctor kicking Addington (the previous doctor) out of Britannia's sickroom.]]
Although the King stood by him, it was not enough, because Addington did not have a strong enough hold on both Houses of Parliament. By May 1804, partisan criticism of Addington's war policies provided the pretext for a parliamentary putsch by the three major factions ([[William Wyndham Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville|Grenvillites]], [[Charles James Fox|Foxites]], and Pittites), who had decided that they should replace Addington's ministry. Addington's greatest failing was his inability to manage a parliamentary majority by cultivating the loyal support of MPs beyond his own circle and the friends of the King. That, combined with his mediocre speaking ability, left him vulnerable to Pitt's mastery of parliamentary management and his unparallelled oratory skills. Pitt's parliamentary assault against Addington in March 1804 led to the slimming of his parliamentary majority to the point that defeat in the House of Commons was imminent.{{sfn|McCahill|1987}}
Although the King stood by him, it was not enough, because Addington did not have a strong enough hold on both Houses of Parliament. By May 1804, partisan criticism of Addington's war policies provided the pretext for a parliamentary putsch by the three major factions ([[William Wyndham Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville|Grenvillites]], [[Charles James Fox|Foxites]], and Pittites), who had decided that they should replace Addington's ministry. Addington's greatest failing was his inability to manage a parliamentary majority by cultivating the loyal support of MPs beyond his own circle and the friends of the King. That, combined with his mediocre speaking ability, left him vulnerable to Pitt's mastery of parliamentary management and his unparallelled oratory skills. Pitt's parliamentary assault against Addington in March 1804 led to the slimming of his parliamentary majority to the point that defeat in the House of Commons was imminent.{{sfn|McCahill|1987}}


==Lord President and Lord Privy Seal==
== Post-premiership (1804–1812) ==
Addington remained an important political figure because he had gained a large following of MPs who supported him loyally in the Commons. He was reconciled with Pitt in December 1804, with the help of [[Lord Hawkesbury]] as an intermediary. As a result, Pitt arranged for him to join the Cabinet as [[Lord President of the Council]] in January 1805. Pitt insisted for Addington to accept a [[peerage]] to avoid the inconvenience of them sitting together in the Commons. Addington was created [[Viscount Sidmouth]], of [[Sidmouth]] in the [[Devon|County of Devon]] on 12 January 1805.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=15770 |date=12 January 1805 |page=46}}</ref>
===Lord President and Lord Privy Seal===
Addington remained an important political figure because he had gained a large following of MPs who supported him loyally in the Commons. He was reconciled with Pitt in December 1804, with the help of [[Lord Hawkesbury]] as an intermediary. As a result, Pitt arranged for him to join the Cabinet as [[Lord President of the Council]] in January 1805 but insisted for Addington to accept a [[peerage]] to avoid the inconvenience of them sitting together in the Commons and Addington was created [[Viscount Sidmouth]], of [[Sidmouth]] in the [[Devon|County of Devon]] on 12 January 1805.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=15770 |date=12 January 1805 |page=46}}</ref>


In return for the support of the government by Addington's loyal supporters, Pitt agreed to include Addington's colleague the [[Earl of Buckinghamshire]] as [[Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster]] with a promise to elevate him to the first vacancy of a more senior position in the Cabinet. However, when [[Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville|Melville]] resigned as [[First Lord of the Admiralty]] in July 1805, Pitt broke his promise by having [[Sir Charles Middleton]] appointed instead of Buckinghamshire. As a result of the betrayal, Addington and Buckinghamshire resigned and took all of their supporters into opposition. Addington was appointed [[Lord Privy Seal]] in 1806 in the [[Ministry of All the Talents]] that succeeded Pitt. Later that year he returned to the position of Lord President to 1807. His resignation, in opposition to a limited measure of Catholic Emancipation, which the Cabinet was considering despite the opposition of [[King George III]], precipitated the fall of the Talents Ministry.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}
In return for the support of the government by Addington's loyal supporters, Pitt agreed to include [[Robert Hobart, 4th Earl of Buckinghamshire]], Addington's colleague, as [[Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster]] with a promise to elevate him to the first vacancy of a more senior position in the Cabinet. However, when [[Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville|Melville]] resigned as [[First Lord of the Admiralty]] in July 1805, Pitt broke his promise by having [[Sir Charles Middleton]] appointed instead of Buckinghamshire. As a result of the betrayal, Addington and Buckinghamshire resigned and took all of their supporters into opposition. Addington was appointed [[Lord Privy Seal]] in 1806 in the [[Ministry of All the Talents]] that succeeded Pitt. Later that year he returned to the position of Lord President to 1807. His resignation precipitated the fall of the Talents Ministry. Addington was opposed to a limited measure of Catholic Emancipation, which the Cabinet was considering despite the opposition of [[King George III]].{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}


==Home Secretary (1812–1822)==
==Home Secretary==
He returned to government again as Lord President in March 1812, and, in June of the same year, became [[Home Secretary]]. As Home Secretary, Addington countered revolutionary opposition, being responsible for the temporary [[Habeas Corpus Suspension Act 1817|suspension]] of ''[[habeas corpus]]'' in 1817 and the passage of the [[Six Acts]] in 1819. His tenure also saw the [[Peterloo Massacre]] of 1819. He left office in 1822, succeeded as Home Secretary by Sir [[Robert Peel]], but Addington remained in the Cabinet as [[Minister without portfolio (United Kingdom)|Minister without Portfolio]] for the next two years, opposing, along with the [[Duke of Wellington]], other members of Cabinet, and [[King George IV]], British recognition of the South American republics. He remained active in the [[House of Lords]] for the next few years, making his final speech in opposition to Catholic Emancipation in 1829 and casting his final vote against the [[Reform Act 1832]].
He returned to government again as Lord President in March 1812, and, in June of the same year, became [[Home Secretary]]. As Home Secretary, Addington countered revolutionary opposition, being responsible for the temporary [[Habeas Corpus Suspension Act 1817|suspension]] of ''[[habeas corpus]]'' in 1817 and the passage of the [[Six Acts]] in 1819. His tenure also saw the [[Peterloo Massacre]] of 1819. He left office in 1822, succeeded as Home Secretary by Sir [[Robert Peel]].
Addington remained in the Cabinet as [[Minister without portfolio (United Kingdom)|Minister without Portfolio]] for the next two years, opposing, along with [[Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington]], other members of Cabinet, and [[King George IV]], British recognition of the South American republics. He remained active in the [[House of Lords]] for the next few years, making his final speech in opposition to Catholic Emancipation in 1829 and casting his final vote against the [[Reform Act 1832]].


==Residences and land==
==Residences and land==
[[File:Mortlake, St Mary the Virgin's church, memorial for Henry Addington.jpg|thumb|Memorial in Mortlake]]
[[File:Mortlake, St Mary the Virgin's church, memorial for Henry Addington.jpg|thumb|Memorial in Mortlake]]
Addington maintained homes at Upottery, [[Devon]] and [[Bulmershe Court]], in what is now the [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]] suburb of [[Woodley, Berkshire|Woodley]], but moved to the [[White Lodge]] in [[Richmond Park]] when he became Prime Minister. However, he maintained links with Woodley and the Reading area as commander of the Woodley Yeomanry Cavalry and High Steward of Reading. He also donated to the town of Reading the {{Convert | 4 | acre | spell = in}} of land that is today the site of the [[Royal Berkshire Hospital]], and his name is commemorated in the town's Sidmouth Street and Addington Road as well as in Sidmouth Street in Devizes and Addington Special School in Woodley, Reading.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}} In Devizes he paid for the new [[Market Cross, Devizes|Market Cross]], designed by [[James Wyatt]], that was constructed in 1814.<ref>Durman, Richard. ''Classical Buildings of Wiltshire & Bath: A Palladian Quest''. Millstream, 2000. p.166</ref>
Addington maintained homes at [[Upottery]], Devon and [[Bulmershe Court]], in what is now the [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]] suburb of [[Woodley, Berkshire|Woodley]], but moved to the [[White Lodge]] in [[Richmond Park]] when he became Prime Minister. However, he maintained links with Woodley and the Reading area as commander of the Woodley Yeomanry Cavalry and High Steward of Reading. He also donated to the town of Reading the {{Convert | 4 | acre | spell = in}} of land that is today the site of the [[Royal Berkshire Hospital]], and his name is commemorated in the town's Sidmouth Street and Addington Road as well as in Sidmouth Street in Devizes and Addington Special School in Woodley, Reading.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}} In Devizes he paid for the new [[Market Cross, Devizes|Market Cross]], designed by [[James Wyatt]], that was constructed in 1814.<ref>Durman, Richard. ''Classical Buildings of Wiltshire & Bath: A Palladian Quest''. Millstream, 2000. p.166</ref>


As Speaker of the House of Commons, from 1795 he had a residence in the [[Palace of Westminster]], to the north-east of the House of Commons.{{sfn|Cooke|1987|page=186}}
As Speaker of the House of Commons, from 1795 he had a residence in the [[Palace of Westminster]], to the north-east of the House of Commons.{{sfn|Cooke|1987|page=186}}


==Death==
==Death==
Addington died in London on 15 February 1844 at the age of 86, from [[influenza]], and was buried in the churchyard at [[St Mary the Virgin, Mortlake]] on [[Mortlake High Street]], now in Greater London.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=First Viscount Sidmouth |url=http://www.napoleon-empire.com/personalities/addington.php |website=Napoleon & Empire |access-date=9 April 2016}}</ref>
Addington died in London on 15 February 1844 at the age of 86, from [[influenza]], and was buried in the churchyard at [[St Mary the Virgin, Mortlake]] on [[Mortlake High Street]], now in Greater London.<ref>{{cite web |title=First Viscount Sidmouth |url=http://www.napoleon-empire.com/personalities/addington.php |website=Napoleon & Empire |access-date=9 April 2016}}</ref>


==Arms==
==Arms==
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| title = The Anglo‐Russian Rapprochement of 1801: A prelude to the peace of Amiens
| title = The Anglo-Russian Rapprochement of 1801: A prelude to the peace of Amiens
| journal = [[Scandinavian Journal of History]]
| journal = [[Scandinavian Journal of History]]
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| doi = 10.1111/j.1468-2281.1988.tb01069.x
}}
}}
* {{cite DNB |wstitle=Addington, Henry (1757-1844) |display=Addington, Henry (1757–1844)|last=Hunt|first=William |author-link=William Hunt (priest)|volume=01}}
* {{cite DNB |wstitle=Addington, Henry (1757-1844) |display=Addington, Henry (1757–1844)|last=Hunt|first=William |author-link=William Hunt (priest)|volume=01}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)|Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom]]|years=1801}}
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Revision as of 11:20, 11 July 2024

This article is about Henry Addington, the Viscount Sidmouth. For other uses, see Henry Addington (disambiguation).

The Right Honourable
The Viscount Sidmouth
PC
Portrait by William Beechey, c. 1803
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
In office
17 March 1801 – 10 May 1804
MonarchGeorge III
Preceded byWilliam Pitt the Younger
Succeeded byWilliam Pitt the Younger
Ministerial offices
Home Secretary
In office
11 June 1812 – 17 January 1822
Prime MinisterThe Earl of Liverpool
Preceded byRichard Ryder
Succeeded byRobert Peel
Lord President of the Council
In office
8 April 1812 – 11 June 1812
Prime Minister
Preceded byThe Earl Camden
Succeeded byThe Earl of Harrowby
In office
8 October 1806 – 26 March 1807
Prime MinisterThe Lord Grenville
Preceded byThe Earl Fitzwilliam
Succeeded byThe Earl Camden
In office
14 January 1805 – 10 July 1805
Prime MinisterWilliam Pitt the Younger
Preceded byThe Duke of Portland
Succeeded byThe Earl Camden
Lord Privy Seal
In office
5 February 1806 – 15 October 1806
Prime MinisterThe Lord Grenville
Preceded byThe Earl of Westmorland
Succeeded byThe Lord Holland
Chancellor of the Exchequer
In office
14 March 1801 – 10 May 1804
Prime MinisterHimself
Preceded byWilliam Pitt the Younger
Succeeded byWilliam Pitt the Younger
Leader of the House of Commons
In office
17 March 1801 – 10 May 1804
Prime MinisterHimself
Preceded byWilliam Pitt the Younger
Succeeded byWilliam Pitt the Younger
Speaker of the House of Commons
of the United Kingdom[a]
In office
1 January 1801 – 10 February 1801
MonarchGeorge III
Prime MinisterWilliam Pitt
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded bySir John Mitford
Speaker of the House of Commons
of Great Britain
In office
8 June 1789 – 31 January 1800
MonarchGeorge III
Prime MinisterWilliam Pitt
Preceded byWilliam Grenville
Succeeded byOffice abolished
Member of Parliament
for Devizes
In office
1784–1805
Preceded byHenry Jones
Succeeded byThomas Grimston Estcourt
Personal details
Born(1757-05-30)30 May 1757
Holborn, Middlesex, England
Died15 February 1844(1844-02-15) (aged 86)
White Lodge, Surrey, England
Resting placeSt Mary the Virgin, Mortlake
Political partyTory (Addingtonian)
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1781; died 1811)​
Marianne Townsend
​
(m. 1823)​
Children8 (by Hammond)
ParentAnthony Addington (father)
Relatives
Bildung
Alma materBrasenose College, Oxford
Cabinet§ Cabinet
SignatureCursive signature in ink
  1. ^ Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom from the Act of Union in January 1801.

Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth, PC (30 May 1757 – 15 February 1844) was a British Tory statesman who served as prime minister of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1804 and as Speaker of the House of Commons from 1789 to 1801.

Addington is best known for obtaining the Treaty of Amiens in 1802, an unfavourable peace with Napoleonic France which marked the end of the Second Coalition during the French Revolutionary Wars. When that treaty broke down, Addington resumed the war without allies. He conducted relatively weak defensive hostilities, ahead of what would become the War of the Third Coalition. He was forced from office in favour of William Pitt the Younger, who had preceded Addington as Prime Minister. Addington is also known for his reactionary crackdown on advocates of democratic reforms during a ten-year spell as Home Secretary from 1812 to 1822. He is the longest continuously serving holder of that office since it was created in 1782.

Family

Henry Addington was the son of Anthony Addington, Pitt the Elder's physician; and Mary Addington, the daughter of the Rev. Haviland John Hiley, headmaster of Reading School. As a consequence of his father's position, Addington was a childhood friend of William Pitt the Younger. Addington studied at Reading School, Winchester, and Brasenose College, Oxford, and then studied law at Lincoln's Inn.

He married Ursula Mary Hammond in 1791; she brought an income of £1,000 a year into the marriage. The couple had eight children, of whom six survived to adulthood. Ursula Addington died in 1823. Afterwards, he married a widow, Marianne Townsend, daughter of William Scott, 1st Baron Stowell.[1]

Political career

He was elected to the House of Commons in 1784 as one of the Members of Parliament for Devizes, and became Speaker of the House of Commons in 1789. In March 1801, William Pitt the Younger resigned from office, ostensibly over the refusal of King George III to remove some of the existing political restrictions on Roman Catholics in Ireland (Catholic Emancipation), but poor health, failure in war, economic collapse, alarming levels of social unrest due to famine, and irreconcilable divisions within the Cabinet also played a role. Both Pitt and the King insisted that Addington take over as Prime Minister, despite his own objections, and his failed attempts to reconcile the King and Pitt.[citation needed]

Prime Minister

Further information: Addington ministry
See also: United Kingdom in the Napoleonic Wars

Foreign policy was the centrepiece of his term in office. Some historians have been highly critical and said that it was ignorant and indifferent to Britain's greatest needs. However, Thomas Goldsmith argues that Addington and Hawkesbury conducted a logical, consistent and eurocentric balance-of-power policy, rooted in rules and assumptions governing their conduct, rather than a chaotic free-for-all approach.[2]

Addington's domestic reforms doubled the efficiency of the income tax. In foreign affairs, he secured the Treaty of Amiens in 1802. While the treaty's terms were the bare minimum that the British government could accept, Napoleon Bonaparte would not have agreed to any terms more favourable to the British, and the British government had reached a state of financial collapse from war expenditure, the loss of Continental markets for British goods and two successive failed harvests that had led to widespread famine and social unrest, rendering peace a necessity.[citation needed]

By early 1803, Britain's financial and diplomatic positions had recovered sufficiently to allow Addington to declare war on France, when it became clear that the French would not allow a settlement for the defences of Malta that would have been secure enough to fend off a French invasion that appeared imminent.[citation needed]

At the time and ever since, Addington has been criticised for his lacklustre conduct of the war and his defensive posture. However, without allies, Britain's options were limited to defence. He increased the forces, provided a tax base that could finance an enlarged war and seized several French possessions. To gain allies, Addington cultivated better relations with the Russian Empire,[3] the Austrian Empire, and the Kingdom of Prussia. These relations culminated in the Third Coalition shortly after Addington left office. Addington also strengthened British defences against a French invasion through the building of Martello towers on the south coast and the raising of more than 600,000 men at arms.[4]

Foundling Hospital

In 1802, Addington accepted an honorary position as vice-president for life on the Court of Governors of London's Foundling Hospital for abandoned babies.

Loss of office

In Britannia between Death and the Doctor's (1804), James Gillray caricatured Pitt as a doctor kicking Addington (the previous doctor) out of Britannia's sickroom.

Although the King stood by him, it was not enough, because Addington did not have a strong enough hold on both Houses of Parliament. By May 1804, partisan criticism of Addington's war policies provided the pretext for a parliamentary putsch by the three major factions (Grenvillites, Foxites, and Pittites), who had decided that they should replace Addington's ministry. Addington's greatest failing was his inability to manage a parliamentary majority by cultivating the loyal support of MPs beyond his own circle and the friends of the King. That, combined with his mediocre speaking ability, left him vulnerable to Pitt's mastery of parliamentary management and his unparallelled oratory skills. Pitt's parliamentary assault against Addington in March 1804 led to the slimming of his parliamentary majority to the point that defeat in the House of Commons was imminent.[5]

Lord President and Lord Privy Seal

Addington remained an important political figure because he had gained a large following of MPs who supported him loyally in the Commons. He was reconciled with Pitt in December 1804, with the help of Lord Hawkesbury as an intermediary. As a result, Pitt arranged for him to join the Cabinet as Lord President of the Council in January 1805. Pitt insisted for Addington to accept a peerage to avoid the inconvenience of them sitting together in the Commons. Addington was created Viscount Sidmouth, of Sidmouth in the County of Devon on 12 January 1805.[6]

In return for the support of the government by Addington's loyal supporters, Pitt agreed to include Robert Hobart, 4th Earl of Buckinghamshire, Addington's colleague, as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster with a promise to elevate him to the first vacancy of a more senior position in the Cabinet. However, when Melville resigned as First Lord of the Admiralty in July 1805, Pitt broke his promise by having Sir Charles Middleton appointed instead of Buckinghamshire. As a result of the betrayal, Addington and Buckinghamshire resigned and took all of their supporters into opposition. Addington was appointed Lord Privy Seal in 1806 in the Ministry of All the Talents that succeeded Pitt. Later that year he returned to the position of Lord President to 1807. His resignation precipitated the fall of the Talents Ministry. Addington was opposed to a limited measure of Catholic Emancipation, which the Cabinet was considering despite the opposition of King George III.[citation needed]

Home Secretary

He returned to government again as Lord President in March 1812, and, in June of the same year, became Home Secretary. As Home Secretary, Addington countered revolutionary opposition, being responsible for the temporary suspension of habeas corpus in 1817 and the passage of the Six Acts in 1819. His tenure also saw the Peterloo Massacre of 1819. He left office in 1822, succeeded as Home Secretary by Sir Robert Peel.

Addington remained in the Cabinet as Minister without Portfolio for the next two years, opposing, along with Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, other members of Cabinet, and King George IV, British recognition of the South American republics. He remained active in the House of Lords for the next few years, making his final speech in opposition to Catholic Emancipation in 1829 and casting his final vote against the Reform Act 1832.

Residences and land

Memorial in Mortlake

Addington maintained homes at Upottery, Devon and Bulmershe Court, in what is now the Reading suburb of Woodley, but moved to the White Lodge in Richmond Park when he became Prime Minister. However, he maintained links with Woodley and the Reading area as commander of the Woodley Yeomanry Cavalry and High Steward of Reading. He also donated to the town of Reading the four acres (1.6 ha) of land that is today the site of the Royal Berkshire Hospital, and his name is commemorated in the town's Sidmouth Street and Addington Road as well as in Sidmouth Street in Devizes and Addington Special School in Woodley, Reading.[citation needed] In Devizes he paid for the new Market Cross, designed by James Wyatt, that was constructed in 1814.[7]

As Speaker of the House of Commons, from 1795 he had a residence in the Palace of Westminster, to the north-east of the House of Commons.[8]

Death

Addington died in London on 15 February 1844 at the age of 86, from influenza, and was buried in the churchyard at St Mary the Virgin, Mortlake on Mortlake High Street, now in Greater London.[9]

Arms

Coat of arms of Henry Addington, Viscount Sidmouth
Crest
A Cat-a-mountain sejant guardant Proper bezanty the dexter forepaw resting on an inescutcheon Azure charged with a Mace erect surmounted with a Regal Crown Or within a Bordure engrailed Argent
Escutcheon
Per pale Ermine and Erminés a Chevron charged with five Lozenges counterchanged between three Fleurs-de-lis Or
Supporters
On either side a Stag the dexter Erminés the sinister Ermine both attired and gorged with a Chain pendant therefrom a Key all Or
Motto
Libertas sub rege pio (Liberty under a pious King)

Cabinet

This section is transcluded from Addington ministry. (edit | history)
Portfolio Minister Took office Left office Party
(head of ministry)17 March 1801 (1801-03-17)10 May 1804 (1804-05-10) Tory
Lord ChancellorContinued14 April 1801 (1801-04-14) Independent
14 April 1801 (1801-04-14)Continued Tory
Lord President of the CouncilContinued30 July 1801 (1801-07-30) Independent
30 July 1801 (1801-07-30)Continued Tory
Lord Privy SealContinuedContinued Tory
Secretary of State for the Home DepartmentContinued30 July 1801 (1801-07-30) Tory
30 July 1801 (1801-07-30)17 August 1803 (1803-08-17) Tory
17 August 1803 (1803-08-17)12 May 1804 (1804-05-12) Tory
Secretary of State for Foreign AffairsContinued14 May 1804 (1804-05-14) Tory
Secretary of State for War and the Colonies17 March 1801 (1801-03-17)12 May 1804 (1804-05-12) Tory
First Lord of the AdmiraltyContinued1804 (1804) Whig
Master-General of the OrdnanceJune 1801 (1801-06)Continued Independent
President of the Board of TradeContinued7 June 1804 (1804-06-07) Independent
President of the Board of ControlMay 1801 (1801-05)July 1802 (1802-07) Tory
July 1802 (1802-07)Continued Tory

Notes

  1. ^ Parker, Robert J. (2013). British Prime Ministers. Amberley Publishing. p. 44. ISBN 978-1445610214.
  2. ^ Goldsmith 2016.
  3. ^ Feldbæk 1978.
  4. ^ Hall 1988.
  5. ^ McCahill 1987.
  6. ^ "No. 15770". The London Gazette. 12 January 1805. p. 46.
  7. ^ Durman, Richard. Classical Buildings of Wiltshire & Bath: A Palladian Quest. Millstream, 2000. p.166
  8. ^ Cooke 1987, p. 186.
  9. ^ "First Viscount Sidmouth". Napoleon & Empire. Retrieved 9 April 2016.

References

Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Devizes
1784–1800
With: Sir James Tylney-Long 1784–1788
Joshua Smith 1788–1800 		Acts of Union 1800
Parliament of the United Kingdom
New parliament Member of Parliament for Devizes
1801–1805
Served alongside: Joshua Smith 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Speaker of the House of Commons of Great Britain
1789–1800 		Acts of Union 1800
First Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom
1801 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
17 March 1801 – 10 May 1804 		Succeeded by
First Lord of the Treasury
1801–1804
Chancellor of the Exchequer
1801–1804
Leader of the House of Commons
1801–1804
Preceded by Lord President of the Council
1805 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Lord Privy Seal
1806 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Lord President of the Council
1806–1807 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Lord President of the Council
1812 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Home Secretary
1812–1822 		Succeeded by
Honorary titles
Preceded by Senior Privy Counsellor
1839–1844 		Succeeded by
Peerage of the United Kingdom
New creation Viscount Sidmouth
1805–1844 		Succeeded by
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