tion of the land-tax, and to make certain one hundred and six and one hundred and regulations respecting ecclesiastical prop erty, and the property devised for lives and for long terms, was also carried into a law.

five; and, when the question was put for agreeing to the address, the ministry had in their favor only one hundred and seven UNION WITH IRELAND PROPOSED.against one hundred and five voices. The PROCEEDINGS THEREON. address was reported two days afterwards, 1799.-ON the twenty-second of January when Sir Lawrence Parsons strenuously opthe following important message was de- posed its being received, and, after a violent livered by secretary Dundas: "His majesty debate, his motion was carried by a majority is persuaded, that the unremitting industry of one hundred and eleven to one hundred with which our enemies persevere in their and six voices. The exultation of the Irish avowed design of effecting the separation of metropolis at the defeat of the ministry was Ireland from this kingdom, cannot fail to unbounded: the unionists were insulted and engage the particular attention of parlia- calumniated by every possible mode of atment; and his majesty recommends it to tack; and the chief speaker of opposition this house to consider of the most effectual acquired a sudden and extraordinary increase means of finally defeating this design, by of popularity. The vehement enthusiasm disposing the parliaments of both kingdoms of the capital, nevertheless, did not extend to provide, in a manner which they shall to the nation at large; the weight of the judge most expedient, for settling such a landed interest was in favor of the measure; complete and final adjustment as may best and Cork, the second city of the kingdom, tend to improve and perpetuate a connex- and the commercial towns in general, ion essential to their common security, and though greatly agitated and divided, were, consolidate the strength, power, and re- upon the whole, rather friendly than hostile sources of the British empire." This mes- to it.

sage was taken into discussion on the fol- On the thirty-first of January the subject lowing day, when Dundas moved an address, was again brought under consideration by importing that the house would proceed, Pitt, who said that, when he proposed to the with all due dispatch, to the consideration house to fix that day for the further conof the several interests recommended to sideration of his majesty's message, he intheir serious attention. dulged a hope that the result of a similar The chancellor of the exchequer contend- communication to the parliament of Ireland ed that a permanent connexion between would have opened a more favorable prosBritain and Ireland was essential to the true pect than at present existed of the speedy interests of both countries, and that, unless accomplishment of the measure then in conthe existing connexion should be improved, templation: he had, however, been disapthere was, he had strong reason to believe, pointed by the proceedings of the Irish great risk of a separation. house of commons. He admitted that the

The same day on which the message on parliament of Ireland possessed the power the Union was delivered to the British to accept or reject a proposition of this nasenate, the session of the Irish parliament ture; a power which he by no means meant commenced at Dublin; and a speech on this to dispute; but he felt it his duty to express occasion was made by the lord-lieutenant, his general outline of the plan, which, in his which concluded with a hope that the par- estimation, would tend to insure the safety liaments in both kingdoms would be dis- and the happiness of the two kingdoms. posed to provide the most effectual means Should parliament be of opinion that it was of maintaining and improving a connexion calculated to produce mutual advantages, he essential to their common security; and should propose it, in order to its being reof consolidating, as far as possible, into one corded on the journals, leaving the rejection firm and lasting fabric, the strength, the or adoption of the plan to the future consid power, and the resources of the British em- eration of the legislature of Ireland. Pitt pire. The address in the house of peers was remarked that the union with Scotland was opposed chiefly by the lords Powerscourt as much opposed, and by nearly the same and Bellamont, who severally moved amend- arguments, prejudices, and misconceptions; ments, expressive of their disapprobation of creating the same alarms as had recently a legislative union with Great Britain. On taken place in respect to Ireland: yet, could the first division the numbers were forty-six any man now doubt of the advantages which to nineteen, and on the last thirty-five to Scotland had derived from it? One of the seventeen, in favor of the court. But in the greatest impediments to the prosperity of house of commons, after a debate of twenty Ireland was the want of industry and the hours, the contest was so close, that only a want of capital, which were only to be supmajority of one appeared against the amend-plied by blending more closely with that ment; the numbers being, on the division country the industry and capital of this. In

the present state of things also, and while debates on the subject, Pitt's resolutions Ireland remained a separate kingdom, no were carried by large majorities. On the reasonable person would affirm that full con- fourteenth of February, the report of the cessions could be made to the Catholics committee was brought up, when it was orwithout endangering the state, and shaking dered that a message be sent to the lords, the constitution of Ireland to its centre. At requesting a conference respecting the means the conclusion of a very able speech, he of perpetuating and improving the connexion proposed a series of resolutions, and moved between the two kingdoms. that the house resolve itself into a commit- The subject had previously been introtee to discuss the same. duced into the house of peers by a message The plan proposed that the two islands from the king, delivered by lord Grenville. should be united into one kingdom, by the The address in answer to this message was name of "the United Kingdom of Great voted unanimously by the house, which then Britain and Ireland;" that the succession adjourned. From this period the business to the crown should be limited and settled remained dormant in the upper house till as at present; that the united kingdom the eighteenth of February, when the messhould be represented in one and the same sage from the commons was delivered by parliament, and that such a number of lords earl Temple. A conference accordingly and commons as shall be hereafter agreed taking place in the painted chamber, the upon shall sit and vote on the part of Ire- lords deputed on this occasion soon returned land; that the churches of England and with a copy of the resolutions moved by the Ireland be preserved as now by law estab- house of commons. On the nineteenth of lished; that the king's subjects in Ireland March, their lordships having been summonbe entitled to the same privileges, in respect ed, lord Grenville moved that the house do of trade and navigation, with those of Great agree with the same; and this motion, Britain, subject to certain regulations, to be though strenuously opposed, was agreed to agreed upon previously to the union, and without a division.

regulated from time to time by the united On the eleventh of April, the house havparliament; that the charge arising from ing been again summoned, lord Grenville the payment of the interest, or sinking fund moved an address to the throne, which was for the reduction of the principal, of the also carried without a division; but a prodebt incurred in either kingdom before the test was signed against it by the lords Holunion, shall continue to be separately de- land, Thanet, and King. A committee was frayed by Great Britain and Ireland re- then named, consisting of lord Grenville, spectively; that, for a number of years to lord Minto, lord Auckland, and the bishop be limited, the future ordinary expenses of of Llandaff, to draw up an address conthe united kingdom in peace or war should formable to the motion; which having been be defrayed by Great Britain and Ireland effected, the commons, in a second conferjointly, according to such proportions as ence on the following day, were invited to shall be established by the respective par- join in the same, and to agree that it should liaments previously to the union; and that be presented to his majesty as the address all laws in force at the time of the union, of both houses of parliament, which was acand all the courts of civil or ecclesiastical cordingly done in the most solemn manner. jurisdiction within the respective kingdoms, In Ireland the further consideration of shall remain as now by law established the bill was postponed till the first of Auwithin the same, subject only to such alter- gust. It was, however, manifest that the ations or regulations, from time to time, as court were determined to persevere; and circumstances appear to the parliament of the lord-lieutenant, on the termination of the united kingdom to require. the session, announced that a joint address

Sheridan avowed his utter disapprobation of the two houses of parliament of Great of the measure, and stated his intention of Britain had been laid before his majesty, acmoving two resolutions, declaring that no companied by resolutions proposing and remeasures could have a tendency to improve commending a complete and entire union and perpetuate the ties of amity, which had between Great Britain and Ireland; and he not for their basis the fair and free approba- further declared that his majesty, as the tion of the parliaments of the two countries; common farther of his people, must look and that whoever should endeavor to obtain forward with earnest anxiety to the moment such approbation, by employing the influ- when, in conformity to the sentiments, ence of government, was an enemy to his wishes, and real interests of his subjects in majesty and the constitution. The house both kingdoms, they may all be inseparably divided on the question of the speaker's united in the full enjoyment of the blessings leaving the chair; ayes, one hundred and of a free constitution.

forty, noes fifteen; and, after some further Wilberforce's annual motion for the abo

lition of the slave trade, had in this session union and concert so happily established to encounter an additional opposition, arising between them, would enable him to employ, from the existence of a negro army in St. to the greatest advantage, the powerful Domingo, and the efforts made to propagate means intrusted to him by parliament, for democratical principles through the West establishing, on permanent grounds, the India islands. It was consequently nega-security and honor of this country, and the tived by a majority of eighty-four to fifty- liberty and independence of Europe. On four. this occasion he also expressed his satisfacParliament was prorogued on the twelfth tion in seeing that internal tranquillity was of July, 1799, when his majesty was pleas- in some degree restored to Ireland, the uled to declare that the decision and energy timate security of which could alone be inwhich distinguished the councils of his ally, sured by its intimate and entire union with the emperor of Russia, and the intimate Great Britain.

CHAPTER XXXI.

Affairs of Egypt-Capture of Jaffa-Siege of Acre-Gallant Defence-The French raise the Siege and return from Syria to Egypt-Tippoo Saib, at the instigation of Buonaparte, concerts measures against the India Company, who declare war in consequence-Seringapatam taken by General Harris; Death of Tippoo-Partition of the Mysore Territory-Buonaparte returns to France-Naples proclaimed a Republic-The Austrian and French Forces take the Field-Encounters on the RhineCampaign in Italy and Switzerland-Retreat of the Russians under SuworowExpedition to North Holland-Capture of Surinam-Party Contentions in France -The Directory overthrown, and Buonaparte nominated First Consul-He proposes a Negotiation for Peace, which is rejected by the British Government-Meeting of Parliament-Debate on Buonaparte's Pacific Overture-Subsidiary TreatiesFinance-Subsidy to the Emperor-Union with Ireland completed-Scarcity of Corn-Attempt on the King's Life.

AFFAIRS OF EGYPT.-CAPTURE OF

JAFFA.

therefore resolved to attack the Turks in the first instance, in the hopes of subduing them BUONAPARTE, being separated from France, before they could receive assistance from by the total defeat of the French fleet at other quarters. He accordingly made preAboukir, exerted himself to secure the af- parations for an expedition against Acre, and fection of the Egyptians by flattering their sent his train of artillery, destined for the religious prejudices; by recalling their an- siege, by sea. The army, in four divisions, cient greatness, and asserting that he wish- under the command of Kleber, Bon, Regnier, ed to restore them to their pristine grandeur; and Lannes, proceeded to El-Arisch, where by professions of regard for his ally, the an action was fought, in which the French grand seignior; and by pretending that the were successful. They then moved forward invasion of Egypt, and the expulsion of the to Jaffa, anciently called Joppa, a seaport beys, were measures which merited or had town on the coast of Palestine, which was obtained his assent. These arts, however, carried by assault, with great loss, after a failed to produce the desired effect, and his vigorous defence. Numbers of the garrison arms alone could insure the obedience which were put to the sword; but the greater part he courted, or avert the danger which he having taken refuge in the mosques, and dreaded. An insurrection at Cairo had near-implored mercy from the French, their lives ly proved fatal to his cause; and some hun- were spared. dreds of the French, including general Du- Being encumbered with nearly four thoupuis, their commander, were killed before it sand prisoners, from the care and maintecould be suppressed: a much larger number nance of which, it is said, Buonaparte found of the insurgents of course perished, and it necessary to relieve himself, he ordered not a few afterwards fell by the hands of the them to be marched to a rising ground near executioner; for Buonaparte, wherever he Jaffa, where volleys of musketry and grapewent, treated all who opposed him as traitors shot were played upon them by a division of and rebels. Various skirmishes and some French infantry, and such of the Turks as sharp actions took place between the inva- were not killed by the shot were put to death ders and the Mamelukes, under the com- by the bayonet (1). The accumulation of mand of the beys, in different parts of the unburied bodies occasioned the visitation of country, particularly in Upper Egypt, in all the plague, by which a great number of the of which the superior discipline and tactics French soldiers were soon infected, the hosof the French baffled the rude courage and pitals crowded, and the medical staff embardesultory attacks of their opponents. It rassed. In this crisis Buonaparte found an could not, however, be supposed that the apothecary who consented to administer Porte would leave them in quiet possession poison to the sick. A sufficient quantity of of a portion of her territory, or that England opium was accordingly mixed with pleasant would make no effort to wrest it from their food, of which the unsuspecting victims hands: Buonaparte was aware that if an freely partook; and in a few hours five hunarmy was sent from Europe to attack him dred and eighty soldiers, who had suffered on one side, while a Turkish force from Asia so much for the tyrants of their country, assailed him on the other, he might not be thus miserably perished (2). able to extricate himself from the difficulties with which he would be surrounded, and hel

SIEGE OF ACRE-GALLANT DEFENCE.
BUONAPARTE then marched at the head of

nis troops for Acre, which at this moment lieutenant Wright, who commanded the contained within its walls two men, who, seamen-pioneers, notwithstanding he receivwith the romantic heroism of the days of ed two shots in his right arm as he advanced, chivalry, united all the knowledge apper- entered the mine with the pike-men, and taining to the modern art of war-Sir W. proceeded to the bottom of it, where he veriSidney Smith, a British naval officer of dis- fied its direction, and destroyed all that could tinguished enterprise, and colonel Phillip- be destroyed in its present state. peaux, an emigrant officer of engineers. The Samaritan Arabs having made incurAfter rescuing his friend, Sir Sidney, from sions even into the French camp, Buonabondage in the Temple, and restoring him to parte proceeded against them in person; liberty at the hazard of his life, Phillippeaux and he found Kleber's division, consisting of accompanied him in a small squadron to two thousand Frenchmen, who had previwhich he had been appointed, and, after ously been detached as a corps of observacruising with him in the Levant, had em- tion, fighting at the foot of Mount Tabor, barked for Syria to afford assistance to the and nearly encircled by a large body of Pacha. On the thirtieth of March, 1799, horse, which he obliged to retire behind the the trenches were opened, about one hun-mount, where a great number were drowndred and fifty fathoms from the wall; and ed in the river Jordan.

soon after the enemy advanced to storm the Buonaparte hastened to return to the camp fortress. It was soon discovered, however, before Acre, and the invaders at length comthat a ditch of fifteen feet was to be passed, pleted the mine destined to destroy the tower, while the counterscarp was almost untouch- which had so long withstood all their efforts; ed; and the breach, which was not large, but, although one of the angles was carried had been effected upwards of six feet above away, the breach remained as difficult of acthe level of the works. Notwithstanding cess as before. About this period the garthese obstacles a body of grenadiers descend-rison sustained the loss of Phillippeaux, who ed into the ditch, and attempted to scale the died of a fever, contracted by want of rest, wall; but nothing could be achieved. The and extraordinary exertion. On the first garrison was at first seized with terror, and of May, after many hours' heavy cannonade many of the Turkish soldiers ran towards from thirty pieces of artillery, brought by the harbor; but no sooner did they discover the enemy from Jaffa, a fourth attempt was that the opening in the wall was several feet made; but the Tigre, moored on one side, above the rubbish, than they returned to the and the Theseus on the other, flanked the charge, and showered down stones, grenades, town walls; and the gun-boats, launches, and combustibles upon the assailants, who and other row-boats, continued to flank the were obliged to retire, after losing two adju- enemy's trenches to their great annoyance, tants-general, and a great number of men. till at length they were obliged to desist This event afforded so much encouragement from the attack. Notwithstanding their to the troops of the pacha, that they made a various repulses the enemy continued to sally, in which they killed several of the be- batter in breach with progressive success, siegers. In the interim the English squadron and made nine several attempts to storm, discovered, in the neighborhood of Mount but had as often been beaten back. The Carmel, a corvette and nine sail of gun- garrison had long been in expectation of a boats, laden with artillery and ammunition, reinforcement, under Hassan Bey, who had intended to assist in the reduction of Acre, originally received orders to advance against seven of which, containing all the battering Alexandria, but was afterwards directed to train, were captured; and this fortunate in-proceed to the relief of Acre: it was not, cident contributed greatly to save the city. however, till the fifty-first day of the siege At this period of the siege Ghezzar Oglou, that this fleet made its appearance. The apthe pacha, dispersed his firmauns among the proach of so much additional strength was Naplouzians, as well as into the towns in the the signal to Buonaparte for a vigorous asSaid, requesting the true believers to rise sault, in hopes to get possession of the town and overwhelm the infidels. The British before the reinforcement could disembark; squadron, which had been driven from the and on the night of the eighth of May he unsheltered anchorage of St. Jean d'Acre by succeeded in making a lodgment in the the equinoxial gales, had no sooner resumed second story of the north-east tower. Dayits station than another sortie was determin- light on the ninth showed the French standed upon, for the purpose of destroying a ard unfurled on the outer angle; and at mine made by the enemy below the tower. this most critical point of the contest Hassan In this operation, the British marines and Bey's troops were still in their boats, not seamen were to force their way into the having advanced more than half-way tomine, while the Turkish troops attacked the wards the shore. Sir Sidney Smith, whose enemy's trenches on the right and left. The energy and talents gave effect to every opesally took place just before daylight; and ration, landed the crews of the gun-boats on