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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.
LONDON:
PUBLISHED BY JONES & COMPANY, TEMI❜LE OF THE MUSES, (LATE LACKINGTON'S,)
FINSBURY SQUARE.
1829.
CONTENTS
CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND.
CHAP. I.
GEORGE III.
Effects of the late King's partiality to his native
Dominions-Circumstances attending the Ac-
cession of the new Sovereign-His Majesty's
first Speech to both Houses of Parliament-
Addresses of the Lords and Commons-Sup-
ply voted-Establishment of the Civil List-
Sums granted for the Support of the German
Confederacy-Subsidy to Prussia-Vote of
Compensation to the Provinces in North
America for their strenuous Efforts-Ballot for
Militia productive of a dreadful riot at Hex-
ham-Loan of twelve millions-Violent outcry
against the New Duty on Beer-Bad conse-
quences of the opposition to the Compulsive
Clause in the new Act of insolvency-King's
Speech for making the Judges independent of
the demise of the Crown-Ready Concur-
rence of both Houses in so Patriotic a Propo-
sal-Arthur Onslow, Speaker of the House
of Commons for thirty-three years, retires→
Two remarkable points in his Majesty's Fare.
well Speech to the Parliament-Advantage-
ous Position of the French in their Winter
Cantonments-Prince Ferdinand's extensive
Plan of Attack-Fritzlar and several Maga-
zines taken-General Sporken's rapid Pro-
gress on the side of Saxony-First Check in
this extraordinary career of Success-Steps
taken by Marshal Broglio to drive the Allies
out of Hesse-Defeat of the troops under the
Hereditary Prince-The King's Sentiments
on the proper use of Conquests.
CHAP. II.
Page
Circumstances which led to the proposal of a
Congress at Augsburg-Plausible Reasons for
previously setting on foot a distinct Negotia-
tion at London and Paris-Mr. Pitt unfavour-
able to a Peace-Secret intrigues of the
French Ministry at the Court of Madrid-Dif-
ficulties about the mutual retaining of Posses-
sions Survey of hostile operations during
the Suspension of the Treaty-Expedition
against Belleisle-The Negotiation resumed
-Remarks on the two main Points of Dispute
-Inflexibility of the English Secretary-
Some account of the Family Compact-Can-
did Inquiries on which Side the chief blame
lay-The Treaty finally broken off.
CHAP 11I.
......
Proofs of the King's Exemption from personal
or political Prejudices-His Majesty's Choice
of a Consort, the Princess Charlotte of Meck-
lenburgh-Embassy sent to make the Demand
of her Most Serene Highness; with an Ac-
count of her Voyage-Her Journey to Lon-
don, her Reception and Nuptials-Prepara-
tions made for the Coronation of their Majes
ties-Entertainment given to the Royal Fami-
1
6
ly at Guildhall-Some rising Clouds in the
political Hemisphere-The Spanish Ambassa-
dor's Explanation not deemed satisfactory-
Orders sent to the Earl of Bristol at Madrid
-His Excellency's Despatches in Reply-
Warm Debates in the Cabinet on Mr. Pitt's
Proposal to attack Spain without farther De-
lay-His Resolution, with the President's
Answer-His Interview with the King, on re-
signing the Seals of his office-Lord Temple's
Resignation-Violent Conflict between the
Admirer's and the Censurer's of Mr. Pitt's
Conduct_sanctioned by the Abbé Raynal-
Farther Instructions sent by the New Secre-
tary of State to the British Ambassador at
Madrid-Steps taken by the Ministry-Meet-
ing of the New Parliament-His Majesty's
Speech-Message to the Queen; and the
Dowry granted her in case she should sur-
vive his Majesty-Repeal of the compelling
Clause in the Insolvent Act-Alacrity of the
Commons in providing for the service of the
ensuing Year-Debate on the Expediency of
the German War-Severe Remarks on the
Alliances entered into with some of the con-
tinental Powers-Ingenious Defence set up
by the Advocates for the German War-Re-
sult of this political Controversy-Effect of
the English Ambassador's Remonstrances at
the Court of Madrid-His Conjectures on the
Causes of a sudden Revolution in the Spanish
Councils-Propriety of his Conduct in so deli-
cate 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 Re
futation of it.
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 caused a Tu-
mult in London-Amendments of the Militia
Laws-An Act for Registering of Parish Chil-
dren-Bill for the Extension of the Duke of
Bridgewater's Canals-Account of Harrison's
Time-piece and Irwin's Marine-chair-Addi-
tion to the former Grants of the Commons-
His Majesty's Message on the imminent Dan-
ger 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 immediately taken by her Suc-
cessor, Peter III.-Deposition and Death of
Peter III.-Prudent Policy of the Empress
Catherine II.-Sketch of the Prussian Opera-
tions 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 Confederacy-Memorial pre-
sented to the Court of Lisbon by the Ministers
10
of France and Spain-Reply, followed by a
Declaration of War-Immediate and effectual
Assistance afforded by Great Britain-Lord
Tyrawly 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 Conse-
quences 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 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-
19
31
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.
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.
CHAP. VIII.
37
47
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