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OF

GREAT BRITAIN,

FROM

THE DEATH OF GEORGE II.

TO THE

CORONATION OF GEORGE IV.

DESIGNED AS A

CONTINUATION OF HUME AND SMOLLETT.

BY J. R. MILLER.

PHILADELPHIA:

PUBLISHED BY THOMAS DAVIS,

171 MARKET STREET.

1844.

HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY

GIFT OF

BERNARD BERENSON

CONTENTS TO MILLER.

CHAP. I.

GEORGE III.

the German War-Severe Remarks on the Alli
ances entered into with some of the continental
Powers-Ingenious Defence set up by the Advo

cates for the German War-Result of this political

Controversy-Effect of the English Ambassador's

Remonstrances at the Court of Madrid-His Con-

jectures on the Causes of a sudden Revolution in

the Spanish Councils-Propriety of his Conduct in

so delicate a Conjuncture-A clear and categorical

Explanation at length insisted upon-General

Wall's Letter-Manifesto delivered by the Count

de Fuentes, and Lord Egremont's Refutation of it 20

CHAP. IV.

War declared against Spain-Debate in the Lords-

Protest on a Motion for withdrawing the Troops

from Germany-Popularity of this Protest-Duty

on Beer and Ale causes a Tumult in London-

Amendments of the Militia Laws-An Act for

Registering of Parish Children-Bill for the Exten-

sion of the Duke of Bridgewater's Canals-Account

of Harrison's time-piece and Irwin's Marine-chair

-Addition to the former Grants of the Commons

-His Majesty's Message on the imminent Danger

of Portugal-The Session closed with a Speech

from the Throne-Extraordinary Change in the

King of Prussia's Situation, occasioned by the

Death of the Empress of Russia-Steps immedi-

ately taken by her Successor, Peter III.-Deposition

and Death of Peter III.-Prudent Policy of the

Empress Catherine II.-Sketch of the Prussian

Operations during the remainder of the Campaign

Victory obtained by the Allies at Graebenstein

-This Action a Prelude to Enterprises in which

Gottingen and Cassel were recovered, and the

French almost totally driven out of Hesse-State

of Portugal when threatened by the Bourbon Con.

federacy-Memorial presented to the Court of Lis-

bon by the Ministers of France and Spain-Reply,

followed by a declaration of War-Immediate and

effectual Assistance afforded by Great Britain-

Lord Tyrawley dissatisfied with the Portuguese

Ministry, and recalled-Plan of the Campaign-

Progress of the Spanish Army under the Marquis

de Sarria-Almeida taken, and a considerable part

of the Province of Beira overrun by Spanish

Troops-Good Consequences of the Count de la

Lippe's Arrival in Portugal-Surprise of Valencia

d'Alcantara by General Burgoyne-Another more

decisive blow struck by the same General and Colo-

nel 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-Submission of the

Grenades, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and other depend-

ent Isles-Armament destined against the Havan-

nah, its Harbor described-Siege of the Moro-

The Moro stormed and carried by assault-Opera-

tions against the Town, and its Surrender-Im-

portance of this Conquest-Capture of the Her-

mione, a Spanish Register-ship-Invasion of the

Philippines designed - Celerity of the Prepara-

tions made for it at Madras-Arrival of the Squad.

ron at Manilla-The Town taken by Storm, but

saved from a justly merited Pillage-The Galleon

from Manilla to Acapulco taken-The only excep

tion 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-Attempt

to burn the British Squadron in the Bay of Basque

-Newfoundland taken and retaken-A Negotia

tion the only resource of the House of Bourbon 39

CHAP. V.

CHAP. VII.

ties 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 operations against the Indians,
and Peace with them-Impolitic Suppression of
the commercial Intercourse between the British
and Spanish Plantations, and between the Ameri-
can Colonies and the French Islands-Colonists
refuse Compensation for the Stamp Duties-State
of the British Logwood-cutters in the Bay of Hon-
duras-French atone for outrage at Turks Island
-Progress of American Stamp Act through both
Houses-Prevention of Smuggling - Purchase of
the Sovereignty of the Isle of Man-A Regency
Bill recommended by his Majesty-New Adminis
tration formed by the Duke of Cumberland..... 83
CHAP. VIII.

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 Empress-Internal

Distractions of France-Situation of Spain; and

Security of Great Britain-Multiplied Concerns of

the English Government-Plan of Economy pur-

sued by the Ministers-Scheme of the Supplies-

Proposed System of Finance censured by the Oppo-

sition-Instructions and Petitions of the city of

London against the Cider 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 bringing 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 War-

rant-Validity of the Plea of Privilege allowed in

Cases of Libels-Attempts to bring about a Coali-

tion of Parties - Promotions occasioned by Lord

Egremont'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-De-

bate on the adjourned consideration of his Ma-

jesty's Message-Pitt's Speech on the Surrender of

Privilege-Other Arguments in support of Parlia.

mentary Privilege-The Resolution, "That Privi-

lege does not extend to Libels," carried in the Com-

mons, and concurred in by the Lords--Concurrence

of the Lords in other Resolutions of the Lower

House concerning the Libel-The Sheriff's obstruct.

ed in burning the North Briton-Duel between

Martin and Wilkes-The King's Message on the

Marriage of the Princess 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 Commons to ascer

tain the State of Wilkes's Health-His Letter

from Paris deemed nugatory, and he himself found

guilty of a Contempt of the Authority of Parlia-

ment-Convicted of being the Author of the con-

demned Libel, and expelled-His "Essay on Wo.

men" laid before the House of Lords, who proceed

against him for a Breach of Privilege, while he is

indicted in the Courts below for Blasphemy-The

Ministry very hard pushed in the Debate on Gene-

ral Warrants-New Plan of National Supplies-

Resolutions concerning the American Trade-Bill

for restraining Abuses and Frauds in the Practice

of Franking-Observations on General Conway's

Dismission

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