The Emperor of Russia, in conjunction with the Emperor of Austria, the King of Prussia, and the Crown Prince of Sweden, have nobly and successfully imitated and seconded the efforts of Britain for restoring the independence of Europe. The tyranny of France has at last roused the talents and energies of the Continent;-the sovereigns of which, forgetting their mutual suspicions and jealousies, have united in the common cause; while the people, goaded almost to madness by the oppression which they have so long borne, have come forth, as one man, to chase away their tyrants. These causes, assisted in their operation by such an insane obstinacy, on the part of Bonaparte, as utterly destroyed his military resources, and rendered useless his. military talents, produced the battle of Leipsic,and by means of it, we trust, the bberation of Europe. If the allied powers continue united moderate, and firm, the grand object they have in view must be accomplished: -if they fail, the fault will be entirely their own.

The domestic events of 1813, though of little interest or importance when compared with those which we have noticed in most other periods, would have been deemed of considerable magnitude. The alteration in the plan of finance by Mr. Vansittart, we have endeavoured to explain in a clear and satisfactory manner; while, on the questions respecting the Princess of Wales and the renewal of the Charter of the East India Company, our principal object has been to give a candid and impartial

statement.

- London, 26 March, 1814.

CON

CONTENTS.

HE History of Knowledge, Literature, Taste, and Science, in Great Britain, during the Reign of George III.

page i.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN HISTORY.

СНАР. І.

Introduction Forms used in assembling the new Parliament-Choice of a Speaker-Abridgement of the Prince Regent's Speech -Debate on Lord Longford's Motion of an Address on the Prince's Speech-Debate on Lord Clive's Motion on the same Subject-Mr. Creevey's Motion, on the Report of the Address being brought up-Motions of Thanks to Lord Wellington in both Houses-Motion for a Monument to General Le Marchant - Motion relative to the Gold Coin-Debate on Lord Folkestone's Motion on the German Legion-Prince Regent's Message for pecuniary Aid to the Russians, and Debates thereon-Petitions presented by Sir Francis Burdett from Prisoners in Ichester Gaol

CHAP. II.

3

Bishop of Norwich's Observations on some Anti-catholic Petitions-Mr. Whitbread's Notice respecting Peace-Debates on the Vice-chancellor's Bill-on Sir Samuel Romilly's Motion for a Repeal of certain Laws--on Earl Bathurst's Motion for an Address to the Prince Regent on the American War-on Sir Francis Burdett's Motion for a Bill to provide against any Interruption of the Royal Authority-Mr. Cochrane Johnstone's Notice of a Motion respecting the Princess of Wales-Debates on the Catholic Claims-The Speaker's Address to Sir Stapleton Cotton, and the Answer -Debates on the Catholic Claims continued

a 3

29

CHAP.

CHAP. III.

The Speaker's Notice of a Letter from Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, which is read-Mr. Whitbread's Observations on it-Debates on Mr. C. Johnstone's Motion-Petition of Sir J. and Lady Douglas-Declarations of Lord Ellenborough and the other Law Lords-Debates on Mr. Whitbread's Assertions with Regard to the Evidence of Mrs. Lisleon Mr. C. Johnstone's Motion on the Petition of the Douglases-on Mr. Whitbread's Motion respecting the Earl of Moira

66

CHAP. IV.

Debate on the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Notice respecting the Finances of the Country-on the Army Estimates on Mr. Giddy's Motion respecting Copy-Rights of Books-Mr. Whitbread on the Exchange of Prisonerson Lewis XVIII's Address to the People of France-Debate on the Marquis of Wellesley's Motion for a Committee to inquire into the Campaign in the Peninsula

97

CHAP. V.

Debates on the Mutiny Bill-on Lord Castlereagh's Resolutions on the Re newal of the East India Company's Charter-On the Finances of the Country-Examinations of Mr. Warren Hastings and Lord Teignmouth on the Affairs of the East India Company-Debate on the Ways and Means-Mr. Lockhart's Motion on the Bankrupt Laws-Debate on the Marquis of Wellesley's Motion on renewing the East Indian CharterSir William Scott's Motion for the Regulation of Ecclesiastical CourtsMr. Wharton's on Westminster Improvements-Mr. Rose's on Apprenticeship Laws-Mr. Smith's on the Trinity Acts-Debate on Lord Darnley's Motion on the Naval Administration-Important Appeal Cause and Decision-Civil List 117

CHAP. VI.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer's Motion respecting Mr. Palmer's Claims -Another Debate on the same Subject-Mr. Ponsonby on Foreign Rela tions-Petition from the Church of Scotland for an Extension of Religious Liberty, presented by Lord Castlereagh-Petition from Manchester, complaining of illegal Imprisonments, presented by Lord CochraneLord Grey on the Swedish Treaty-on Sir W. Scott's Bill for a Reform in the Ecclesiastical Courts-Debates in the House of Lords on the Swedish Treaty-in the House of Commons on the same Subject 161

CHAP. VII.

Debates on Mr. Swan's Motion respecting the Hellestone Election-on Lord A. Hamilton's Motion for the Liberation of Crogan-on Mr. Creevey's Sentence for a Libel-on Mr. Wynne's Motion respecting the Orange Lodges-on Lord Boringdon's Bill for General Vaccination on the Vote of Credit-Mr. Whitbread's Motion to purchase Mr. Hargrave's Library -Debates on Lord Cochrane's Resolutions respecting the Hardships of British Seamen-Motion of Thanks to Lord Wellington for the Victory al_Vittoria, in the House of Lords, and also in the House of Commons

180

CHAP. VIII.

Necessity and Importance of taking a retrospective View of the Events of 1812-Moral and political Change produced on the Continent of Europe during that Year-Great political Changes always attended with moral Changes-instances in the French Revolution—Sketch of the Causes of that Event, preparatory to the Sketch of the Causes of the Overthrow of the French Power-The French rendered almost invincible-by the Spirit of National Independence-by absurd yet enthusiastic Ideas of Liberty -by the Development and proper Application of political and military Talent-by their Love of Glory-Causes of the Decline of the Power of Bonaparte-Oppression of the conquered Countries-anti-commercial System-Hatred of England-Character of his Armies destroyed in Spain -His mad Obstinacy in the Russian War

200

CHAP. IX.

Exertions of Britain in the Cause of Europe not confined to Spain-Her pecuniary Assistance-Consequences of that great Increase of the National Debt-This however not so great as it appears to be-First, because the Value of Money is much decreased-Secondly, because the Population is more numerous; and lastly, on account of our Improvements in Machinery, and increased Capital and Industry-Taxation nevertheless nearly reached its highest Point-Necessity of lightening the Burdens of the State admitted by the Chancellor of the Exchequer-His Plan of Finance-Principle of it not incompatible with the Principles of the Sinking Fund-Its Advantages-Objections to it-Present Trade, &c. of Great Britain

212

СНАР. Х.

Great Importance and Difficulty of the Question respecting the Justice and Policy of the East Indian Monopoly-Views of it taken by different Classes

of People-by the Merchants and Manufacturers--by the religious Part of the Community-by the Friends of Civilization and Knowledge-Collateral Topis respecting opening thee Trade to the Out Ports-and respecting the China Trade first considered-Remarks on the American Ted Trade-Misconception on that Point-Grand and primary Subject considered -Objections to a free Trade-as injurious to the East India Company-to the Merchants and Manufacturers-to the Country at large-and to the Natives of the East Indies-these Objections considered-Remarks on the Con duct of Government with respect to the Renewal of the Charter-Concluding Observations

224

CHAP. XI.

Transactions respecting the Princess of Wales-possess both a political and a moral Interest-First Communication to the Prince in 1805- Warrant for Investigation, May 1806-Report of the Commissioners-acquit the Princess of the criminal Charges--but not entirely of the others Letters of the Princess to the King, August 12 and 17-Abstract of her Letter of October, in which she enters into a full and minute Examination of alt the Evidence-complains of the Substance of the Proceeding, and the unfair and indecorous Conduct of the Commissioners, in not letting her know immediately the Result of the Report-Remarks on the Testimony of Lady Douglas-on Cole's Deposition respecting Sir Sidney Smith-and Mr. Lawrence-on the Evidence respecting Captain Manby--Conclusion of the Letter--Delay in admitting her to the Royal Presence-her Remonstrance on the Cause of it-Change of Ministers-New Ministry completely avow her Innocence-Her Letter to the Prince, January 1813Proceedings on it-Her Letter to the Speaker-Addresses to her—Conduct of Ministers, Opposition, &c. on this Occasion

238

CHAP. XII.

Miscellaneous Topics connected with the Domestic History of Great Britain during the Year 1813-Appointment of a Vice Chancellor-alleged Necessity for it, on account of the arduous Duties of the Chancellor-Business of Chancery not increased since Lord Harwicke's Time-Increase in the Number of Bankruptcies-Sir Samuel Romilly's Proposal for putting these under the Vice-Chancellor-Revenue of the Chancellor-Remarks on the Fund from which the Vice-Chancellor is paid-Rejection of the Catholic Bill-Hardships of the Catholics-their absurd and intemperate Conduct on the Occasion-Proposed Appeal to the Cortes of Spain-Remarks on the Institution or Renewal of the Orange Lodges-very properly discountenanced by Ministers-Debates in Parliament respecting the Conduct of the war in Spain-Abstract of Lord Wellesley's Opinion on this Head-The Prince Regent's Speech-Proposed Alteration in the Corn Laws considered

253

CHAP.