Amendment rejected-Speeches of M. Billault, M. Dumon, and M. Odillon

Barrot on question of third Paragraph-Demand for Secret Ballot-Nar-

row Escape of Ministers from Defeat-Whole Address carried by a large

Majority-Presentation of Address to the King-Discussion in the Cham-

ber of Deputies on the State of the Law as regarded religious Bodies in

France-Speeches of M. Thiers, M. Dupin, M. Berryer, and M. Lamartine-

Debate on the Arming of the Fortifications round Paris-Speeches of

General Leydet, M. Arago, M. Lamartine, and M. Thiers-Prorogation of

the French Chambers-War in Algeria-Abd-El-Kader-Shocking Atro-

city committed by a French Officer in suffocating a Kabyle Tribe in a

Cavern-Disasters suffered by the French Troops-Destruction of Colonel

Montagnac and upwards of Four Hundred Soldiers at Djemma-Ghazaouat

-General Bourjolly compelled to retreat-Death of Colonel Berthier-

Effect of these Disasters in France-Indiscreet Letter of Marshal Bugeaud

-Surrender of Two Hundred French Troops to the Arabs-Embarkation

of Marshal Bugeaud for Africa-Further Operations in Algeria-Resigna-

tion by Marshal Soult of the Office of Minister of War-New Appoint-

ments-Opening of the New Session of the French Chambers-Royal

Speech

[237

CHAPTER X.

SPAIN.-Capture and Execution of Zurbano-Abdication by Don Carlos of

all claims to the Spanish Throne, in favour of his Son-Manifesto of

the Prince of the Asturias-Farewell Address by Don Carlos to the

Spanish Nation-Session of the Cortes closed by Queen Isabella-Disturb-

ances at Madrid and in Catalonia-Opening of a new Session of the Cortes

-Speech from the Throne-Election of a President and Vice-President,

in the Chamber of Deputies-Rumoured approaching marriage of the

Queen. PORTUGAL.-Royal Speech on the closing of the Session of the

Chambers. ITALY.-Insurrection in the Roman States-Seditious Manifest

circulated in the Legantine States-Revolt at Remini-Conflict with the

Military near Faenza-Sanguinary Contest at Ravenna-The Insurgents

compelled to fly to the Mountains-They cross the Frontiers into Tuscany,

and are allowed to embark at Leghorn for Marseilles. HOLLAND.-Open-

ing of the States General-Speech from the King

CHAPTER XI.

[260

UNITED STATES.-Adoption by Congress of "Joint Resolutions" for the An-

nexation of Texas-Termination of the Presidency of Mr. Tyler-Install-

ation of Mr. Polk, the New President—His inaugural Address-Cabinet

formed by the New President-Question of the Oregon Territory, and

Probabilities of a War with Great Britain-Diplomatic Correspondence on

the Subject of the Oregon Question between British and American Pleni-

potentiaries Speech delivered by Mr. Webster at Boston

[273

CHAPTER XII.

Commencement of the first Session of the New Congress-Appointment of

Speaker of the House of Representatives-Message of the President-Dis-

cussion in the Senate on the Oregon Question-Warlike Speech of Gene-

ral Cass-Speeches of Messrs. Manquin, Allen, Archer, Niles, Crittenden,

Webster, and others-Joint resolution proposed by Mr. Allen for termina-

tion of Oregon Convention-Bill introduced by Mr. Douglass-Resolutions

of Mr. Winthrop, Mr. Douglass, and Mr. Bowlin-Bills relating to the

Annexation of Texas adopted by Congress

CHAPTER XIII.

304

INDIA. Railroads in India-Despatch relating to the Subject transmitted

by the Court of Directors to the Governor-General-State of the Punjaub

-Threatening aspect of Affairs-Arrival of Sir Henry Hardinge at Um-

ballah-Narrative of subsequent Operations by him until the 13th of De-

cember-Passage of the Sutlej on that day by the Sikh Army-Proclama-

tion by the Governor-General-The Siks take up a position at Ferozeshah

-Advance of Sir Hugh Gough to Moodkee-Battle of Moodkee-Sub-

sequent Operations-Junction effected with Sir John Littler's Troops-

Camp of the Sikhs at Ferozeshah attacked and stormed by the Anglo-

Indian Army-Loss sustained in the Battle-Brief Narrative of Events

by Sir Henry Hardinge-Reflections on the Results of the Battles of

Moodkee and Ferozeshah. SCINDE.-Campaign of Sir Charles Napier

against the Mountain Tribe north of Shikarpoor-Successful Termination

of the War

[328

CHAPTER XIV.

CANADA. Prorogation of the Provincial Parliament by the Governor-Gene-

ral-His Speech on the occasion-Destructive Fires at Quebec in the

months of May and June-Lord Metcalfe is compelled by ill health to re-

turn to England-His Farewell Address-Lord Cathcart appointed Gover-

nor-General ad interim. NEW ZEALAND.-The Sessions of the Legislative

Council opened by Governor Fitzroy-His Speech on the occasion-Dis-

turbances by the Natives-The Town of Kororarika taken by them and

plundered-Disastrous repulse of British Troops, while attempting to carry

Heke's Camp-Recall of Captain Fitzroy and appointment of Captain

Grey as Governor. SYDNEY.-Speech of the Governor, Sir George Gipps,

on opening the Legislative Session. SANDWICH ISLANDS.-Royal Speech at

the opening of a Sandwich Parliament

[345

HISTORY.

State of Public Affairs at the commencement of the Year-General Prosperity of the Country and improvement of the Revenue-Great increase of Railway Undertakings-Stability of Sir R. Peel's Government-Prospects of the Corn Law Question-Opening of Parliament by the Queen in person, on the 4th of February-Speech from the Throne The Address in the House of Lords is moved by the Marquis Camden, and seconded by Lord Glenlyon-Speeches of the Marquis of Normanby, the Earl of Hardwick, Lord Brougham, the Marquis of Lansdowne, and Lord Aberdeen—The Address is agreed to nem. con.-In the House of Commons it is moved by Mr. Charteris, and seconded by Mr. Thomas Baring, who refers in decided terms to the improved Prosperity of the Commercial Classes--Lord John Russell declares his intention to Vote for the Address, but animadverts with some censure upon several points referred to by the preceding Speakers, especially the Affair of Tahiti, and the Condition of Ireland-Mr. Gladstone enters into an Explanation of the Causes which had led to his withdrawal from the Cabinet-Sir R. Peel vindicates the Proceedings of Government in answer to the animadversions of Lord John Russell-Speeches of Sir C. Napier, Mr. Plumptre, Mr. Wyse, Mr. Bellew, Mr. Villiers, Mr. Sheil, Sir James Graham, Mr. Shaw, Lord Palmerston, Sir R. Inglis, Lord Howick, and other MembersThe Address is carried unanimously.

THE

HE commencement of the year 1845 may be described as presenting, upon the whole, a more than usually tranquil and prosperous aspect of public affairs. Vol. LXXXVII.

The harvest of the preceding autumn had been a productive one, trade was brisk, the manufacturing classes well employed, and the abundance of capital was [B]