PREFACE. IN presenting a new volume of the Annual Register to the public, we approach it with a confidence resulting from the kind protection that public continues to extend to us, and from the conviction, with which we are impressed, that in it will be found the same accuracy of research, fidelity of narration, and variety of entertainment, which distinguish those by which it is preceded. The year, of which we are the historians, has been marked by the most important events, the results of which must bear very materially upon the condition and views of a great portion of mankind. To the most material of those, in themselves, and in their probable consequences to mankind and to society, we have bestowed a marked attention, and have developed the causes which led to them, from sources of the most authentic information. To the fresh aggressions of France, which raised a new coalition against her; to the different negociations which preceded the war on the continent; and to the details of the disastrous campaign, which terminated in the plains of Moravia; a more than ordinary care has been applied, and we trust the detail will well repay the curiosity of the reader. If to record the successes of the French upon the continent have proved a task equally irksome and disagreeable, it has been far otherwise when the exploits of the British navy, within the present year, have passed us in review. By them, the proud threatenings of of our bitterest and most powerful enemy have bee proved as vain as impotent; and we exulted in re-tra cing the steps which led to the most splendid victory ever obtained upon the ocean. On the favourite se vice of Britain, its management at home, and its trans actions in every part of the globe, we have of cours expatiated in the fullest manner our limits woul afford. The investigation of Indian affairs, the importanc of which is every hour becoming more obvious, ha employed our best exertions, and will, we are con vinced, be found well worthy of perusal. To the domestic politics of the British empire w have, as usual, devoted the greatest care, and we trus the mode in which they have been treated, will b found to have been dictated by a spirit of truth and impartiality. The miscellaneous part of the work, and the selec tions of which it is in a great measure composed, hav been attended to with the utmost care; and the love of biography, poetry, natural philosophy, and anti quity, together with the mere annalist, will all find here, subject matter, connected with their severa pursuits, drawn from the best sources of literature which have appeared within the period, treated o in this volume. Upon the whole, we hope this fruit of our labour will be found not only rich with instruction and entertainment, but be considered so faithful a deposi tary of passing events, that it may serve the future historian as his best book of reference hereafter, and hi richest fund of materials. Opening of the Session of Parliament-Substance of his Majesty's SpeechAddress moved for in the House of Lords, by Lord Elliot-Seconded by Lord Guydir-Debate-Address carried unanimously-Moved in the Commons by the Hon. Mr. Dillon-Debate-Mr. Fox-Mr. Pitt-Mr. Windham.-Agreed to without further Opposition-Presented to the King-Inquiry into the Causes of the late Mahratta War-Mr. Francis's Motion agreed to, thereon.-Supplies moved for and granted-Spanish Papers laid before the House Army Estimates-Debate thereon-Resolutions put and agreed to. TH HE session of parliament for the present year commenced unusually late. It was not till the 15th of January that his majesty went in state to the house of peers, where the commons attending, and the usual formalities having been complied with, the king was pleased to deliver a most gracious speech from the throne.* Vol XLII. After announcing to his lords and commons, assembled in parliament, the continued and eager exertions of the enemy, since the last session, for the invasion of the British dominions, his majesty congratulated them upon the skill and, intrepidity of his navy, the formidable state of the army and militia, the unabated zeal and improved discipline of a * Vide "State Papers," p. 605. vast vast volunteer force, and the general ardour manifested by every class of his subjects, which, in their united effect, had completely checked, and had been abundantly sufficient to deter him from so desperate and hopeless an enterprise. But, while such was the actual state of affairs, it must be remembered, that the security of the country had arisen from the prompt and resolute determinations of the government, and which to preserve in their full vigour, must not be relaxed, even for a moment. His majesty then poceeded to state that the conduct of the court of Spain, under the direct influence of French councils, had been such, as to compel him to take decisive measures to guard against hostility from that quart, at the same time that every effort had been made by him to avert the calamities of war with a country so circumstanced. The refusal, however, of satisfactory explanations on the part of that power, had obliged the English minister to depart from Madrid, and war had since been declared by Spain against this kingdom; -all the papers respecting which event should speedily be laid before parliament. His majesty next adverted to the general conduct of the French government towards the continent, as being recently marked by every species of outrage, and the most unequivocal determination of that power to violate every principle of public law or civilized usage, which impeded the career of the present ruler of France, towards an uncontrolled predominance in Europe, if not to universal dominion.-That he had lately received a communication from that government, containing professions of a pacific ten dency, to which, however, his ma jesty had been pleased to reply onl in general terms, expressive of h wish for the restoration of the bles sings of peace to the afflicted world but declining any more particula explanations, without previous com munications with those powers t whom he was engaged in confider tial intercourse and connection with a view to that important ot ject; and especially with the empe ror of Russia, who had given th strongest proofs of the most dig nified sentiment, and of the stronges interest in the independence an happiness of Europe. To the commons, his majesty ex pressed his sorrow for the addit oual burdens he was forced to impos upon them, at the same time that h expressed his conviction in the willingness to support him in th present arduous but necessary con test; and to both houses his ma jesty expressed, generally, his con viction that their most strenuou efforts would not be wanting to en able him to prosecute the war wit vigour, and thereby conduce, in th most effectual manner, to its term nation by a safe and honourabl peace. After his majesty and the com mons had withdrawn, and a copy the speech having been read by th lord chancellor,-Lord Elliot move an address in answer, which, how ever, he did not think it necessar to enforce, otherwise than by slight review of the different topic to which it adverted. He appeare to doubt the sincerity of the Frenc government in the late overtures fo negociation, and observed, with prid that the presumptuous bosat mac at the commencement of the wa that this country was no longer ab |