The Annual Register, Or, A View of the History, Politics, and Literature for ...

Cor-

the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Univerfities reformed by the Emperor.
Allots Schools for the education of foldiers children. Measures for ren-
dering the city of Trieste a great commercial Emporium. Emperor lends
four millions of florins to the merchants of that city. Suppreffion of
religious boufe in the Austrian Dominions. Ecclefiaftics in the Auftrian
Netherlands difcharged from all foreign jurifdiction. Imperial refcript,
difclaiming all fubordination, in fecular affairs, to the Holy See. Sup-
preffion of religious houfes in the Duchy of Milan, Alarm at Rome.
respondence between the Pope and the Emperor. Journey of the Sovereign
Pontiff, Fius the Sixth, from Rome to Vienna. Received with great ho-
nours by the Emperor and Court; but fails in the objects of bis journey.
Returns to Rome. Reform of the religious orders continued ; and extended
to the Hierarchy and fecular Clergy, as well as to the Regulars, Com-
miffion for adminiftering the fequeftered eftates; the produce defined to
public purposes. Obfervations and ftrictures of foreigners on fome of these
tranfactions.

CHAP. II.

Trou-

Retrospective view continued. State of the great powers on the borders of Europe
and Afia. Ottoman Empire. Numerous fources of difcord with Ruffia. Suc-
cessful endeavours of the captain bafbarw, notwithstanding the unfavourable
State of public affairs, to quell rebellion and restore order. He refcues the
Morea from the Albanians; punishes the authors, and puts an end to the
diforders on the coafts of Afia; prevents the intended extermination of
the Greeks. Porte, after much conteft, fubmits to the receiving Rufian
confuls in the provinces of Moldavia, Wallachia, and Beffarabia.
bles in the Crimea. Tartar Khan accepts a commiffion in the Ruffian
Service. Dreadful conflagrations in Conflantinople. Forty thousand
boufes defroyed. Grand Vizir depofed, and fucceeded by Feian Mehemet,
a man of parts and ability. Ruffian Khan depofed by the discontented
Tartars, and a new one elected, who is privately supported by the Porte.
Great differences between the two empires on that account: Long truce
between the Porte and the court of Vienna on the point of expiring, which
involves the former in new difficulties on that fide. Divan fit eight days
debating on the question of a war with Ruffia. Pacific refolutions adopted
through the influence of the captain bashaw, grand vizir, and mufti.
Popularity of the grand fignior, and the firmness of his minifters, prevent
any dangerous effect from the violent ferment of the people, who are cla-
mourous for war; and whofe paffions are not less agitated by the pacific
conduct of the court, than by the contemplation of their ruined city. Em-
peror openly avows his determination of fupporting the claims of Ruffia, as
well as his own. Strong memorials presented, and harsh demands made,
by the courts of Petersburgh and Vienna, towards the clofe of the year
1782. Hofpodar of Wallachia ftrangled. Excellent conduct of the grand
"Egnior with respect to the perfecution carried on by the Armenian patri-
arch. Vaft preparations for war on all fides in the year 1783. Treaty.
between the Porte and Spain. New Khan of the Tartars expelled by the

Ruffians

Ruffians. Former Khan abdicates his throne, and afsigns bis dominion and

country to the empress of Ruffia; who iffues a manifefto affigning the causes

for ber annexing the Crimea, Cuban, and isle of Taman 10 her empire.—-

Manifefto from the Porte in anfwer. Notwithstanding the immenfe prepa-

rations and immediate appearances of war, negociations for a peace are

carried on at Conftantinople under the mediation of France. In the height

of the troubles the navigation of the Danube is opened to the emperor, two

of whofe ships are rece:ved at Belgrade, and profecute their voyage to the

Black Sea. Ottoman difficulties and enemies multiplying on all fides. Ap-

pearances on the fide of Venice. Troubles in Egypt. Perfians attack Baf-

fora. Prince Heraclius invades Natolia. Treaty of commerce between

Ruffia and the Porte is followed by a new treaty of accommodation between

the two empires, which is concluded at Conftantinople in the beginning of the

year 1784. Accommodation with the emperor. Spanish expedition against

Algiers. Earthquakes in Calabria and Sicily.

CHA P. III.

[21

Recapitulation of the proceedings in parliament relative to the affairs of the

Eaft India company. Two Indian committees appointed by the Houfe of

Commons in 1781. Objects of the select committee. Objects of the fecret

committee. The King's approbation of their proceedings. Reports of the

Secret committee brought to the house April 1782. Account of Mr. Dundas's

Speech on that occafion. Lays three sets of refolutions on the table: Firft fet,

relative to the general misconduct of the company's affairs-poftponed:--

Second fet, relative to the conduct of the prefidency of Madras-voted:-

Third fet, containing criminal charges against Sir Thomas Rumbold—voted.

Bill of pains and penalties. Proceeding therein. Bill loft. Confideration

of the first fet of refolutions refumed. Refolution against Mr. Haftings

voted. Conduct of the court of proprietors on that occafion. Proceedings of

the select committee. Refolutions voted. Vote against Sir Elijah Impey.—

King's Speeches at the clofing and opening of the fessions.
[45

CHA P. IV.

Meeting of parliament towards the clofe of the year 1783. King's Speech.-

Addreffes voted unanimously. Two India bills brought in by Mr. Fox.-

Subftance of the bill for vesting the affairs of the company in commissioners.

Subftance of the bill for the better government of the territorial posses-

fions. Debates on the bills. Objections and replies-1ft. of charters-

plea of neceffity - magnitude of abuses — state of finances
- - company's

government in India — independent powers-allies and dependents·

ritorial poffeffions-abufes curable-court of proprietors-court of directors

-minifters of the crown. 2d Objection. The dangerous powers and

influence created by the bills. Answer to this objection. First India bill

carried up to the House of Lords, Rumours of the king's diflike of the bill.

ter

Majority

Majority against the minifters in the boufe of lords. Motions in the house of commons, relative to the reports of the king's disapprobation of the bills; and to the diffolution of parliament. Bill rejected by the lords. Minifters

removed.

[58

CHA P. V.

Measures adopted by the majority in the boufe of commons to prevent the diffolution of parliament-defer the third reading of the land tax bill. ConverJation relative to the refignation of Earl Temple. Refolution of the committee on the fate of the nation to address the king. Favourable anfwer from the king. Refolutions of the committee refpecting the acceptance of India bonds and the Duchy of Lancaster. Short adjournment during the Christmas bolidays. State of parties at the meeting of the house. Debate on refuming the committee on the state of the nation. Refolutions of the committee, respecting the issuing of public money not appropriated by acts of parliament for deferring the fecond reading of the mutiny bill-for the appointment of minifters that enjoyed the confidence of the house-of censure on the appointment of the present minifters. Bill brought in by Mr. Pitt, for the better government of the India company. Debate on the comparative merits of Mr. Pitt's and Mr. Fox's India bills. Mr. Pitt's bill rejected. Notice by Mr. Fox of bringing in a new bill.

CH A P. VI.

[72

Refolution moved against the miniftry by lord Charles Spencer. Union of parties called for. Difficulties ftated by the leaders of each party. The minifter called on to give information relative to the defign of dissolving parliament-be refufes. Motion intended to be made thereon, but deferred. Minifter again interrogated refpecting the diffolution-bis anfwer. Motion to obftruct the diffolution. Minifter's reafons for continuing in office. Ridicu lous accufation of the late miniftry of bribery. Causes of the indecifion of both parties. Meeting of members at the St. Alban's tavern to effect an union-their addrefs to both parties, and the answers—their motions in the House of Commons for forming a new miniftry, ordered to be laid before the king. Motion of the St. Alban's affociation against the exclufion of either party in forming a new miniftry carried in the House of Cominons. Difinterested conduct of lord North. New expedient for effecting an union— caufes of its failure-mifchievous confequences of thofe measures. His majefty's refufal to dismiss his ministers- -debate thereon. Proceedings in the Houfe of Lords. Address to the king from the Commons, on the refolutions laid before him, and his Majesty's answer. Addrefs to the King for the removal of his minifters, and his Majesty's answer thereto. Reprefentation to the King on the fate of public affairs. Prorogation and diffolution of parliament.

[82

CHAP.

CHA P. VII.

Claims of the Emperor upon Holland. Unfortunate fituation of the affairs of
the Republic through the violence of parties and internal diffenfion. Conti-
nual attempts by the republican faction to abridge the Stadtholder's power,
and attacks upon the duke of Brunswick. That prince refigns his great of
fices, and quits the country. Interference of the king of Prussia in behalf of
the Prince Stadtholder. France obtains an unbounded influence in the af-
fairs of the republic. Plenipotentiaries fent to Bruffels to accommodate the
differences with the Emperor. Austrian troops take poffeffion of Old Lillo,
and commit other violations of the territorial rights of the republic. France
accepts the office of mediation between Holland and the Emperor. Difpute
occafioned by a Flemish boatman on the Schelde. Emperor's ultimatum pṛe-

fented at Bruffels. Three new and extraordinary demands added to the

former ultimatum. Appearances of an immediate rupture at the commence-

ment of the autumn 174. Declaration by the Emperor's minifter, that the

firft foot fired upon the Schelde should be confidered as a declaration of war.

Some account of the nature of the claims, and of the reafons and arguments

offered on both fides; with a particular regard to the dispute relative to the

Scheluc. State of the claim upon Maestricht. Imperial vessel fired at and

Stopped unor the Schelde Imperial ambaffador recalled from the Hague,

and the conferences broken up at Brussels. Preparations for war on both

fides. Exertions of public spirit by individuals in Holland. States apply

to France for a general: Count de Maillebois deputed to that appointment.

Endeavours to prevent or divert the form. French monarch expoflulates

with the Emperor. Dyke broken by the Dutch near Lillo, and the country

laid under water. Inflexibility of the Emperor with respect to the Schelde.

Ruffia takes a decided part in favour of the Emperor's claims. Jealousy

excited by the confederacy of these two great powers. Political caufes which

rendered it particularly incumbent on France and Pruffia to protect Holland.

Prince Henry of Prufia's vifit to the court of Versailles. Porte attentive to

the fate of affairs in Europe, and in readiness to profit of any occafion of ad-

vantage which might be offered. Movements and preparations in France.

General difpofition of that nation with respect to the war. Disadvantages

to which the Emperor would be exposed in the prosecution of a war in the

Low Countries. Doubtful and critical ftate of public affairs in Europe at

the clofe of the year 1784.
[100

CHA P. VIII.

Unexpelled fource of jealousy and difcord opened in Germany. Scheme for

the exchange of Bavaria for the Austrian Netherlands. Seafon ill chofen

for fuch a measure. Empress of Ruffia writes to the Prince of Deux Ponts

upon the fubject; who peremptorily refufes a compliance, and acquainis

the

the court of Berlin with the proposal. King of Prussia remonßrates with
the court of Petersburgh on the subject. Emprefs's anfwer. Conduct of the
courts of Vienna and Munich. States of Bavaria alarmed. Satisfaction
given by the elector not seemed fufficiently explicit. Great diffatisfaction
excited in Hungary by the late schemes of reform. Rebellion of the peasants
in she mountainous borders of Tranfylvania and Wallachia. Savage cruel-
sies committed on the nobility. Peasants defeated, reduced, and Horiah,
their mock king, publicly executed. Vigilance of the Prussian monarch, and
efficacious measures purjued by him, for preventing any innovation in the
Germanic conflitution and system of policy. Treaty of union and confedera-
tion, for maintaining the indivifibility of the empire, and the rights of the
Germanic body, in general and particular, figned at Berlin on the 23d of

July 1785; the principal parties being the king of Pruffia, the elector of

Brunf-wick Lunenburgh, and the elector of Saxony. Measures pursued by

the court of Vienna to prevent or to counteract the new league prove ineffec-

tive. King of Prufia's expofition of the causes and motives which led to

the new German confederation, generally approved by the neighbouring

powers. The appearances of immediate war in Germany seem to be su-

perfeded by a more moderate difpofition, and the questions upon the exchange

of Bavaria are fuffered to die away without farther explanation or dis-

cuffion. The form of war being diverted from the Low Countries, by the

great importance of the political queftions which unexpectedly arose and roere

agitated in Germany, the republic of Holland thereby gained time to provide

the more effectually for the worst that might happen, as well as for endea