The History of Great Britain from the Death of George II. to the Coronation of George IV.

Portugal-Surprise of Valencia d'Alcantara
by General Burgoyne-Another more decisive
blow struck by the same General and Colonel
Lee at Villa Velha-The Spaniards forced to
retreat to their own Frontiers-Triumphs of
Great Britain at Sea-Descent on the Island
of Martinico-Surrender of the Island-Sub-
mission of the Grenades, St. Lucia, St. Vin-
cent, and other dependent Isles-Armament
destined against the Havannah, its Harbour
described-Siege of the Moro-The Moro
stormed and carried by assault-Operations
against the Town, and its Surrender-Impor-
tance of this Conquest-Capture of the Her-
mione, a Spanish Register-ship-Invasion of
the Philippines designed-Celerity of the
Preparations made for it at Madras-Arrival
of the Squadron at Manilla-The Town taken
by Storm, but saved from a justly merited Pil-
lage-The Galleon from Manilla to Acapulco
taken-The only exception to the Universal
Success of the British Arms, the Failure of a
private Expedition against Buenos Ayres-
Summary of the Disasters sustained by Spain
during her short Concern in the War-
France involved in the like Calamities--At-
tempt to burn the British Squadron in the
Bay of Basque-Newfoundland taken and re-
taken-A Negotiation the only resource of the
House of Bourbon.

CHAP. V.

Causes and Effects of the sincere Dispositions

of all Parties towards Peace-Motives of Na-

tional Policy for encouraging Pacific Propo-

sals-Want of perfect Harmony in the Cabi-

net-Changes in Administration-Dukes of

Bedford and Nivernois employed in the Ne-

gotiation-Difference between this and the

Treaty in 1761-Conduct of the Courts with

Respect to their German Allies-Change in

the Behaviour of the British Ministry towards

the King of Prussia justified-France guided

by the same alteration of Circumstances; and

the Peace of Germany restored-The Article

relating to Portugal very easily settled-Cir-

cumstance which facilitated the Adjustment

of Great Britain's direct Concerns-Extent

of her Acquisitions in North America by this

Treaty-Terms annexed to the Surrender of

St. Pierre and Miquelon-Spain's Renuncia-

tion of her Pretensions to the Fishery-Ar-

rangement respecting the French West India

Islands-The Havannah restored on very mo-

derate Terms-Cession and Exchange of the

other Conquests in Africa, the East Indies,

and Europe-Sacrifice made by France to the

honour of Great Britain, in suppressing the

old Claim on Account of Prizes before the

Declaration of War-Preliminaries signed by

the British and French Ministers at Fontain-

bleau-Disputes concerning the Articles of

the Peace-Coalition between the Duke of

Newcastle's and Mr. Pitt's Adherents-Meet-

ing of Parliament-Conflict in the House of

Commons-The Security of our Colonies-

Majority in Favour of the Address-Arrival
of three Cherokee Chiefs in England. . .

CHAP. VI.

Philosophical Survey of Europe at the Close of

the War-State of Russia-Of Denmark-Of

Sweden-The King of Prussia and the Em-

press-Internal Distractions of France-Si-

tuation of Spain; and Security of Great Bri-

tain-Multiplied Concerns of the English

Government-Plan of Economy pursued by

the Ministers-Scheme of the Supplies-Pro-

posed System of Finance censured by the

Opposition-Instructions and Petitions of the

City of London against the Cyder Tax-Earl

of Bute's Resignation-His Majesty's Speech

at the Close of the Session-Some Account of

Mr. Wilkes, and of the Libel entitled the

"North Briton"-Wilkes's Commitment to

the Tower-Writ of Habeas Corpus for bring-

ing Wilkes before the Court of Common Pleas
-He is remanded to the Tower-His second

Speech at the Bar of the Court-Mr. Wilkes's
Case considered under three heads by Lord
Chief Justice Pratt-Commitment not illegal
-The Specification of Passages in the Libel
not necessary in the Warrant-Validity of the
Plea of Privilege allowed in Cases of Libels
-Attempts to bring about a Coalition of Par-
ties-Promotions occasioned by Lord Egre-
mont's Death-King's Speech at the Meeting
of Parliament-Message about Wilkes to the
House of Commons-The North Briton voted
a Libel-Wilkes's Complaint of a Breach of
Privilege-Debate on the adjourned consid-
eration of his Majesty's Message-Pitt's
Speech on the Surrender of Privilege-Other
Arguments in support of Parliamentary Pri-
vilege-The Resolution, "That Privilege does
not extend to Libels," carried in the Com-
mons, and concurred in by the Lords-Con-
currence of the Lords in other Resolutions of
the Lower House concerning the Libel-The
Sheriffs obstructed in burning the North Bri-
ton-Duel between Martin and Wilkes--The
King's Message on the Marriage of the Prin-
cess Augusta to the Hereditary Prince (now
Duke) of Brunswick-Verdict obtained by
Wilkes in the court of Common Pleas-Lord
Chief Justice's Opinion on the Illegality of
General Warrants-Proceedings of the Com-
mons to ascertain the State of Wilkes's
Health-His Letter from Paris deemed nuga-
tory, and he himself found guilty of a Con-
tempt of the Authority of Parliament-Con-

victed of being the Author of the condemned
Libel, and expelled-His " Essay on Women"

laid before the House of Lords, who proceed

against him for a Breach of Privilege, while

he is indicted in the Courts below for Blas-

phemy-The Ministry very hard pushed in the

Debate on General Warrants-New Plan of

National Supplies-Resolutions concerning

the American Trade-Bill for restraining

Abuses and Frauds in the Practice of Frank.

ing-Observations on General Conway's Dis

mission.

CHAP. VII.

Page

Inquiry into the Causes of the Renewal of Hos-

tilities with the Savage tribes of America-

Extent of the Governments of Quebec, of

East and West Florida-Incitements to War

on the Part of the Indians-Military Opera.

tions against the Indians, and Peace with

them-Impolitic Suppression of the commer-

cial Intercourse between the British and

Spanish Plantations, and between the Ameri-

can Colonies and the French Islands-Colo-

nists refuse Compensation for the Stamp Du-

ties-State of the British Logwood-cutters in

the Bay of Honduras-French atone for out-

rage at Turks Islands-Progress of American

Stamp Act through both Houses-Prevention

of Smuggling-Purchase of the Sovereignty

of the Isle of Man-A Regency Bill recom-

mended by his Majesty-New Administration

formed by the Duke of Cumberland. . . . . . 47

CHAP. VIII.

Mir Cossim's Endeavours to shake off the India

Company's yoke-Military Operations which

effected the entire Conquest of Bengal-Ap-

pointment and departure of a select Com-

mittee for Bengal-Treaty concluded by Lord

Clive with the Nabob of Oude-Violent Pro-

ceedings against the Stamp Act in North

America-Debates and Proceedings in Eng-

land as to right of Taxing the Colonies

Causes of a sudden Change in the Ministry.. 53

CHAP. IX.

Alarming Scarcity of Provisions-Dispute be

tween the Proprietors and the Directors of

the East India Company-Substance of the

King's Speech at the Meeting of Parliament

-Bill of Indemnity-Reduction of the Land-

tax carried against the Minister-The India

Company's Right to Territorial Acquisitions

debated-Proposals of the Company accepted

-Bill for regulating India Dividends-Duties

laid on certain Imports from Great Britain to

America; and measures taken to restrain the

turbulent Spirit of the Assembly of New-York

-Some Changes in the Great Offices of the

State-The Ministry strongly opposed on the

Nullum Tempus Bill-Corporation of Oxford

reprimanded for Venality-Popularity in Ire-

land of the Octennial Bill. . .

CHAP. X.

General Election-View of Wilkes's Conduct

and Adventures since his Flight from Justice

-Violent Opposition to the Port-duties in

America-Acts of the Convention-Debate-

Wakes's Petition to the Commons; and his

Appeal to the Lords on a Writ of Error-In-

stitution of the Royal Academy-Debate on

the American Affairs-Civil List Debt-Hear-

ing of Wilkes's alleged Grievances-Succes-

sive Expulsions of Mr. Wilkes-War with

Hyder Alley in the East Indies-Non-impor-

tation Agreement, and other Proceedings

in America-Desertions from Ministry-

Changes that followed-Endeavours of the

Opposition to aggravate Discontent-London

Remonstrance, and his Majesty's Answer-

Grenville's Bill for regulating the Proceed.

ings on controverted Elections-Partial Re-

peal of the American Port duties-Affray be

tween the Townsmen of Boston and the

Troops.

CHAP. XI.

Page

Another Remonstrance from the City of Lon-

don; with the King's Answer, and Beckford's

Reply-View of Wilkes's political Career—

Dispute with Spain relative to Falkland Is-

lands-Proceedings of the Commons against

Printers; and Commitment of the Lord May-

or, and of Alderman Oliver to the Tower-

Bill for disfranchising the Members of the

Christian Club at New Shoreham-More Re-

monstrances to the Throne from the City of

London-Unsuccessful Attempts to enlarge

religious Liberty-Act for restraining the

future Marriages of the Royal Family-Caro-

lina Matilda falls a Victim to the Intrigues of

the Queen Dowager of Denmark-Changes in

the British Ministry-Committee of Secrecy

-The Embarrassments of the East India

Company-Charges brought against Lord

Clive; his Acquittal; and Suicide-Bill for

Management of the East India Company's

Affairs-Summary of other Proceedings of

the Sessions-Expedition against the Caribbs

in St. Vincent-Alarming Events in America

-Measures adopted by Parliament for main-

taining the Authority of Great Britain over

the Colonies-Proceedings of the General

Congress at Philadelphia-The Sense of

the Nation taken, by dissolving the Parlia-

ment at this Juncture-Dr. Franklin's Con-

ciliatory Plan-Petition of the City of Lon-

don-State of Affairs in America-Battle of

Lexington-Battle of Bunker's Hill-Meeting

and Proceedings of Congress-General Wash-

ington appointed Commander-in-chief-His

Character--Expedition to Canada--Forts

taken--Quebec besieged-General Montgo-

mery defeated and killed..

CHAP. XII.

Fatal Effects of the War-Meeting of Parlia-

ment-Defection of the Duke of Grafton and

General Conway from the Ministry-Intro-

duction of foreign Troops-Prohibitory Bill-

Changes in the Ministry-Affairs of Ireland-

Debates on foreign Troops-Conclusion of the

Session-Boston evacuated by the British-

Siege of Quebec raised-Americans defeated

on the Lakes-Unsuccessful Attempt upon

Charlestown-Preparations against New-

York-Declaration of Independence-Ameri-

cans defeated at Long-Island-New-York

taken-Americans retreat into the Jerseys

and over the Delaware-Rhode-Island re-

duced-General Lee made Prisoner-Hes

sians cut off at Trenton-British defeated at

Princeton....

CHAP. XIII.

State of Great Britain in the Summer of 1776-

Meeting of Parliament-Debate on the Pro-

clamation of the American Commissioners-

Secession of the Minority-Habeas Corpus

Act suspended-Fire in Portsmouth Dock

Yard-Shameful Profusion of Ministers-De-

bates on the Augmentation of the Civil List-

Address of the Speaker, Sir F. Norton to the

King-Censured by ministry-Dispute with

Holland-Campaign in America-Action on

the Brandywine-Philadelphia taken-Battle

of German Town-American Forts taken-

Progress of General Burgoyne-Ticonderoga

evacuated-British repulsed at Fort Schuyler

--Defeat of Colonel Baum-Actions at Still-

water, &c.-Surrender of Burgoyne-Con-

clusion of the Campaign. .

CHAP. XIV.

Page

Meeting of the British Parliament-Debates on

the Address-News arrives of Burgoyne's De-

feat-Debates on that Subject-Lord North's

conciliatory Bills-Alliance between France

and America-Debates on the French War-

Ways and Means-Address for a War with

France-Death and Character of Lord Cha-

tham-Relief to the Trade of Ireland-To the

Roman Catholics-Toulon squadron sails for

America-Termination of the Session-Trans

actions of the Royal Commissioners in Ameri-

ca-Arrival of D'Estaing-Philadelphia eva-

cuated-Ambassador from France to Ameri-

ca-Attempt on Rhode-Island-Expedition

against East Florida-Savannah taken by the

British-Naval preparations--Engagement

between Keppel and D'Orvilliers-Trial of

Keppel Trial of Sir H. Palliser.

CHAP. XV.

111

..... 126

Alarm from the appearance of the Combined

Fleet off the Coast-Irish Volunteers-Pro-

ceedings of the Irish Parliament-Depreda-

tious of Paul Jones-Takes the Serapis-En-

gagement between the Quebec and Surveil

lante-Secret Enmity between the States-

General and the English Cabinet-Meeting

of Parliament-Debates on the Address-

Debates on Irish Affairs-On Expenses of

the War-Associations and Petitions from

York, &c.-Mr. Burke's Plan of Economical

Regulation-Progress of Mr. Burke's Bill-

Celebrated Vote on the Influence of the

Crown-Riots in London-Siege of Gibraltar

Page

-Admiral Langara defeated by Rodney--
Charlestown taken-Impolitic Proceedings of
the English in Carolina-Americans rally—
Gates defeated-Distresses of Americans-
Arrival of Rochambeau-Defection of Gen-
eral Arnold-André executed as a Spy. . . . 147

CHAP. XVII.

Causes which produced a Rupture with Hol-

land-Armed Neutrality-Count Byland's

Squadron taken-Capture of Mr. Laurens-

Declaration of War-Affairs of East Indies-

Mr. Cornwall chosen Speaker-Dutch War

-India affairs-Burke's Reform Bill-Petition

of Delegates from Counties-Bill to repeal

the Marriage Act-Motion on American War

-Session concluded-Attack upon Jersey-

Siege of Gibraltar-Capture of St. Eustatia
-Campaign in America-Revolt of Pennsyl-
vania Line-Arnold's expedition to Virginia
-General Greene appointed to the command
in Carolina-Tarleton defeated by Morgan-
Masterly Retreat of the Americans-Battle of
Guilford-Lord Cornwallis proceeds to Virgi-
nia-Operations in Virginia-Capture of Lord
Cornwallis-Expedition of Commodore John-
stone-Operations in the West Indies-Toba-
go taken-St. Eustatia Convoy_taken-East
Indies-Hyder Ally defeated-Cheyt Sing-
Engagement with the Dutch-Combined
Fleets in the Channel.....

CHAP. XVIII.

Decline of Lord North's influence-Session of

Parliament-King's Speech-Motion against

offensive War with America-Petitions

against the War-Misconduct of Admiralty-

General Conway's Motion against the War-

Dissolution of the Ministry-New Ministry-

Popular Measures-Affairs of Ireland-Re-

form Bills-Minorca taken-French Fleet in

the West Indies defeated by Rodney-Misfor-

tunes of West India Fleet-Bahamas taken by

the Spaniards-Defeat of Spaniards at Gib-

raltar-New Administration.

CHAP. XIX.

Motives for a general Peace-Preliminaries

Signed with America-With France, Spain,

&c.-Meeting of Parliament-Debates on the

Peace-Resolutions carried against Ministry

-Lord Shelburne resigns-Coalition Ministry

-Bill preventing appeals from Ireland-India

Affairs-Pitt's Motion on the Subject of a Par-

liamentary Reform-The Quakers petition the

House of Commons against the Slave Trade

-Fox introduces his India Bill-A second

Bill for the internal Government of the Bri-

tish Dominions in India-The Bill lost in the

House of Peers-Contest between the Crown

and Commons-The Conduct of the High

Bailiff of Westminster in refusing to return

Fox brought before the House of Commons-

Pitt's India Bill-The Commutation Tax-Bill

for the Restoration of the Estates forfeited in

Scotland in 1715 and 1745, passed.

CHAP. XX.

....

Meeting of Parliament-Westminster Scrutiny
resumed by the Commons-Parliamentary
Reform-The Shop Tax-The Hawkers' and
Pedlars' Tax-both unjust and oppressive-
The Irish Commercial Propositions passed
the Commons-carried to the Lords-amend-
ed by the Lords-returned to the Commons-
finally passed-Reflections on the system of
Commercial Intercourse held out by the Irish
Propositions-Plan of Fortifications submitted
to the House of Commons-Proposal of a
Sinking Fund-Bill passed-The Civil List in
Arrears-Burke commences his Charges
against Warren Hastings-Attempt to assas-
sinate the King by Margaret Nicholson--
Treaty of Commerce with France signed-A
Convention with Spain respecting the British
Settlements on the Mosquito Shore, and the

164

179

186

Coast of Honduras-Consideration of the
French Commercial Treaty-Embarrassed
Circumstances of the Prince of Wales-Has-
tings' Impeachment resumed by the Com-
mons-Interference of the Courts of London
and Berlin in the Affairs of Holland-Meet-
ing of Parliament-The East India Declara-
tory Act-Hastings' Trial-A Bill to regulate
the Transportation of Slaves passed-The

King's Indisposition-Disputes on the Mode

of Establishing a Regency-Notification of

the King's recovery-Parliament regularly

opened The Shop Tax repealed-Test and

Corporation Acts-African Slave Trade-Pro-

rogation of Parliament.

CHAP. XXI.

Page

. 196

Meeting of Parliament-Burke's first Phillippic
against France-The Sentiments of Fox and
Sheridan on the same Subject-Opposition to
the Motion for Repeal of the Test and Cor-
poration Acts-A Reform in Parliament
moved by Mr. Flood-and withdrawn-State
of Settlements in India-Royal Message an-
nounces a Rupture with Spain-The Dispute
settled, and a Convention signed-War com-
menced in India-To defray the Expenses of
the Spanish Armament the Minister proposes
seizing the unclaimed Dividends in the Bank
-Violently opposed-Compromised-Ques-
tion whether Impeachments abate or not by
a Dissolution of Parliament-Bill in favour of
the Catholics passed-Bill for settling the
Rights of Juries in cases of Libel-The Slave

Trade-The Establishment of the Sierra Le-

ona Company-Bill for the better Govern-

ment of Canada- Burke's Invective against

the French Revolution-Answered by Fox

-Terminates in a Breach of Friendship-

Rupture with Russia-Grounds of the Quar-

rel-The French Revolution divides the Na-

tion into Parties-Birmingham thrown into

a Ferment by an inflammatory and sediti-
ous Hand-bill-Dr. Priestley's House, &c.

destroyed.

CHAP. XXII.

207

Meeting of Parliament-Flattering Picture
of the Finances of the Country-Marriage of

the Duke of York-Motion for Abolition of

the Slave Trade-Gradual Abolition carried

in the House of Commons-Opposed and de-

layed in the House of Lords-Westminster

Police Bill passes-New Forest Bill, intro-

duced by the Ministry, rejected-Mr. Rose,

charged with Mal-practices in Office, acquit

ted-Libel Bill passes-Bill in Favour of the

Scottish Episcopalians, passes-The London

Corresponding Society, and the Society of

the Friends of the People instituted, to ob-

tain a Parliamentary Reform-Notice of a

Motion for a Reform in the Representation,

alarms Ministers-Royal Proclamation against

Seditious Writings-Statement of the Rev-

enues of India-Indian War against Tippoo

Saib-Sues for Peace-Granted-Terms. ... 215

CHAP. XXIII.

Dr. Price's Sermon on the Love of our Coun-

try, before the Revolution Society-Address
of Congratulation to the National Assen bly
of France from the Society-Burke's cele-
brated Pamphlet well received by the Tory
Faction-Answered by Thomas Paine-Ef
fects produced by the publication of the
Rights of Man-Official Complaint by the
French Ambassador-The King of the French
solicits the friendly Offices of his Britannic
Majesty to preserve the Peace of Europe-
Declined by the British Cabinet-Manifestos
against France-Deposition of the King of
the French-The British Ambassador leaves
Paris-Multitudes of French Priests arrive in
England-National Convention of France
constituted-Dr. Priestley and Thomas Pains
chosen Members-Address of English Society
at Paris to the National Convention-The