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CHAP. XIII.

Remarks on the naval War between Great Britain and America-Example of the Force of Words in deciding the Opinion of many People on this Subject The American Vessels, though called Frigates, much larger, and superior in Force to our Frigates-Apprehensions lest even the French might be animated by the American naval Triumphs-These Apprehensions apparently realized in the Instance of an Action on the Coast of Africa between an English and a French Frigate, which terminates in a drawn Battle-The Intelligence of this Engagement almost immediately followed by that of the Capture of the Java by the Constitution-In this Instance, as in the former ones, the American Ship manauvred with more Skill than the English Frigate-The British Captains on the American Coast roused by these Defeats-Challenge from the Shannon to the Chesapeake-Battle between them-Most glorious VictoryThe Boxer captured-Naval Enterprise on the Coast of Spain.

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CHAP. XIV.

Remarks on the Peninsular War, so far as it has been advantageous to the Con stitution and Character of the British Army-the Objections to that War, and the Prejudice entertained by many against Lord Wellington, gradually removed by his Successes-the Effect of our Victories in the Peninsula on the Nations of the Continent--the Knowledge that our Operations there were regarded with great Interest by them-stimulated our Officers and Men to great Exertions-Remarks on the Events and Transactions of the Peninsular Revolution and War, so far as they are likely to affect the Character of the Spanish and Portuguese Governments and People-Probability that the Portuguese will be more benefited by them than the Spaniards-radical Faul's of the Spanish Character, which will prevent them from reaping equal Advantages their individual and national Pride-Nature and Effects of that Pride-does not lead to active and heroic Exertion, but is satisfied wib itself their suspicious and jealous Character-in consequence of these they are averse to bearty Co-operation with the British, and suspicious of our Views and Designs-the Portuguese, though in most respects inferior to the Spanish, yet free from their individual and national Pride, and therefore more likely to improve by the Evens of the Revolution and Contest-likewise better disposed towards the British-Consideration of the Effects likely to be produced by the Intermixture of the Portuguese and British Soldiery-in the first place, on the Portuguese Soldiery; and secondly, through them, on the Mass of the Nation-General Conclusion, that Good must be derived to the Governments and People of the Peninsula, whatever be the Result of the War-but most Good to the Portuguese

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CHAP.

CHAP. XV.

Determination of Ministers to carry on the War in the Peninsula with more Vigour, and on a more extended Scale, in consequence either of Lord Wellington's Representations, or of Lord Wellesley's Attack on them in Parliament-The Campaign very late in commencing-Causes of thisLord Wellington forms a most judicious and comprehensive Plan for carrying it on-which requires much preliminary Deliberation-puts his Army on the best Footing before he begins-Reasons which induced him to expect more decided success this Campaign than in the former ones-Division of his Army and its Force-Strength and Position of the French Armies -a vigorous Resistance expected-rapid Movements of the British-the Enemy abandon all their strong Positions-Lord Wellington crosses the Elro-comes up with the French main Army, under Joseph Bonaparte, at Vittoria-decisive Victory there--Honours conferred on Lord Wellington-most of the French retire from the Peninsula-Sir John Murray disgracefully unsuccessful

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CHAP. XVI.

Remarks on the first Events of the Campaign in the Peninsula-Soult takes the Command of the French Army-his high military Character-Observations on the Effects produced on the British Soldiers by taking Places by StormThe Siege of St. Sebastian and Blockade of Pampeluna commenced-First Operations against St. Sebastian-Soult determines to relieve this Fortress and Pampeluna-Preparations of Lord Wellington to frustrate bis Designs Battle of the Pyrenees-Attack of the Enemy on the British right Wing and Centre-on their left Wing-the Enemy defeated at all Points-Lord Wellington becomes the Assailant-the Enemy driven back-Soult's Procla mation to his Soldiers-the Battles of Vittoria and of the Pyrenees compared -the latter both more glorious and more important in its Consequences-Siege of St. Sebastian recommenced-the Town taken by Assault-Gallantry of the British Troops-falsely accused of Outrage-Soult's second Allempt to relieve St. Sebastian defeated 295

CHAP. XVII.

Affairs in the North-east of Spain-Difficulties and Obstacles in the Way of Lord William Bentinck's Operations from the Composition of the Army which be commanded-from the Backwardness of the Spaniards-and from the Force of the Enemy, and the Character of their General-He advances against Tarragona, but is obliged to retreat-He returns to Sicily, and General Clinton takes the Command-Lord Wellington resolves to cross the Bidassoa, and establish himself securely and permanently in France-bis Movements and Operations for that Purpose-attacks the Positions of Soult-gal

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tant Behaviour of the Andalusian Army on this Occasion-Remarks on the Bebaviour of the Spanish Troops on different Occasions-Lord Wellington takes up a Position between the Nive and the Adour, while Soult retires into bis intrenched Camp before Bayonne-the Blockade of Pampeluna committed solely to the Spaniards-Surrender of that Place-Lord Wellington fortifies the Passes of the Pyrenees-crosses the Nive, and commands the Navigation of the Adour-desperate Attack on him by Soult, who is repulsed, and quits bis intrenched Camp-Reflections on the Termination of the peninsular War 308

CHAP. XVIII.

Remarks on the Russian Campaign of 1812-unfounded Opinion that the Disasters of Bonaparte were owing either solely to the Opposition of the Russians, and the Rigour of the Climate, or solely to the Mistakes and Obstinacy of Bonaparte-both these Classes of Causes operated to his Discomfiture-they ought therefore to be considered conjointly-View of the first Class of Causes dependent on Russia: first, the Constitution of the Russian Army; the Cossacks -in the second place, the Character of the Russian Generals and OfficersBonaparte, by making War on the Commerce of Russia, made War against their Interests-in the third place, the Plan of the Campaign adopted by the Russian Government-in the fourth place, the Character of the Russian Peasantry-their Conduct contrasted with that of the German Peasantry, in the former French Wars-in the fifth place, the Character of the Emperor Alexander-lastly, the Nature of the Country and Climate-all these Causes strengthened by the Obstinacy of Bonaparte

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CHAP. XIX.

Bonaparte in Paris at the Beginning of 1813-Meeting of the Legislative Body-his Speech to them-introduces it by adverting to the Retreat of the British in Spain after the Battle of Salamanca-the Colouring he gives to his Disasters in the Russian Campaign-inveighs against England -the whole Complexion of the Speech warlike-Exposé of the French Empire in 1813-Population-Agriculture-Marine-Commerce-Remarks on it-Great Efforts of Bonaparte to begin the Campaign of 1813 -collects a large Force on the Banks of the Elbe-The Empress appointed Regent-He leaves Paris for the Army-Preparations and Movements of the Russians-Proclamation of the Emperor Alexander on entering Prussia -The King of Prussia joins him-Saxony entered by the Allies-Proclamation to the Saxons-State of Saxony, and its Monarch-The Crown Prince of Sweden-Remarks on the Treaty between him and BritainDenmark attempts to make Peace-Louis XVIIIth's Address to the People of France

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CHAP.

CHAP. XX.

The Russians spread themselves over the north-west of Germany-enter Humburgh Joy of the Inhabitants at their Liberation-their Joy of short Continuance-the French advance against it-distressed State of this City-Great Britain lends no Assistance--the Crown Prince refuses to send Swedish Troops to defend it-the Danes at first defend it, and afterwards suffer it to be taken by the French-Position of the grand Allied Armies-and of the French Armies--Bonaparte's Object in the Campaign -is at first successful-the Allies retire from the Saale, and concentrate their Forces on the Elster-they determine to attack the French-Movements for that Purpose Battle of Lutzen-the Allies remain Masters of the Field, but afterwards retreat-the French advance to Dresden-prepare to attack the Allies at Bautzen-dreadful Battle there-the Allies again retreat the French occupy great Part of Silesia-Armistice concluded

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CHAP. XXI.

Prolongation of the Armistice-Proclamation of the King of Prussia on the Subject-Congress proposed to be held at Prague-Terms of Peace proposed by the Emperor of Austria-rejected by Bonaparte-thé Austrian Declaration of War-long concealed from the French Nation-Correspondence between the French and Austrian Ministers-Remarks on it — Facts established by it-first, that Austria reluctantly engaged in the War against Russia-secondly, that she rejoiced at the Disasters of that Warand lastly, that the French Minister was the Dupe of the Austrian-Immense Force assembled against Bonaparte --Means by which they endeavoured to shake his Power-Address of the Crown Prince-Moreau joins the Allies-the Battle of Dresden-Death of Moreau

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CHAP. XXII.

Position and Strength of the contending Armies-Campaign in SilesiaBattle of the Katzbuch-French completely defeated-Blucher's Address to his Soldiers on their Victory-Battle between the Crown Prince and Oudinot-the latter completely defeated- Ney sent to take the Command-attacks the Prussians the Crown Prince comes up to their Assistance-Ney defeated at the Battle of Juterboch-Bonaparte's critical Situation-harassed by the regular Advance and Retreat of the Allies -his Communication with France intercepted-Brief Account of the War on the Side of Italy-and in Mecklenburgh-Bonaparte still obstinately clings to Dresden-Remarks on his Conduct-Extraordinary Meeting of the French Senate-Fresh Conscriptions called for-Bonaparte at length leaves Dresden-The Allies completely between him and France-Retrospect of the Events in the Month of September.

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360

CHAP.

CHAP. XXIII.

Battle of Leipsic-the French completely defeated-Defection of their Allies during the Battle-Bonaparte's Account of the Battle- Retreat of the French to the Rhine-defeated again at Hanau-Bonaparte's Arrival at Paris-his Proceedings there-Consequences of the Battle of LeipsicConfederation of the Rhine dissolved-Holland liberates herself, and invites back the Prince of Orange-Exertions of the British Ministry at this Crisis-Parliament meets-Speech of the Prince Regent, and its Proceedings-Movements of the Crown Prince-He liberates Hanover-marches against Davoust-The Danes separate from the French-The Crown Prince overruns Holstein and Sleswic-Peace with Denmark-Capitulation of Dresden-Declaration of the Allies on crossing the Rhine-Bonaparte's Address to the Legislative Body-War in America

369

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Prince Regent's Speech to both Houses of Parliament, Nov. 30, 1812
Letter from the Princess of Wales to the Prince Regent

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Report of the Privy Council to the Prince Regent, respecting the
Wales

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Report of the Commissioners to the King, on the same Subject

(192)

Letter of the Princess to the King

(195)

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Message from His Majesty to the Princess of Wales

(ibid.)

Letters of the Princess of Wales to the King, including Letters from and to the

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President Maddison's Message to the Senate, &c. of America

(224)

Armistice between France and the Allied Powers

(229)

Convention between His Britannic Majesty and the Emperor of the Russias
Convention between His Britannic Majesty and the King of Prussia
Convention between His Britannic Majesty and the Emperor of Austria
Prince Regent's Letter to Lord Wellington

(230)

(232) (253) (234) Prayer

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