General England advances to Quetta-Victory by General Nott over the

Affghans at Gonine-Ghuznee abandoned by the Affghans, and de-

stroyed by General Nott-Another Victory gained by General Nott-

He effects a Junction with General Pollock at Cabul

CHAPTER XI.

[243

CHINA-Departure of the British squadron from Hong-Kong to Amoy

Account of the Fortifications of Amoy--Attack upon the City and suc-

cessful result-Proclamation by Sir Henry Pottinger-Arrival of the

Armament at Chusan-Ting-hae taken by the British-Expedition pro-

ceeds to Ningpo-Description of the city of Chinghae-Taking of

Chinghae by assault-Taking of Ningpo-Chinese fortify the banks of

the Canton river-Sir H. Pottinger returns to Canton-Attempt of the

Chinese to retake Ningpo-Rout of the Chinese at Tse-kee-Ningpo

evacuated by the British-Capture of Chapoo-Description of the city

of Chapoo-Subsequent operations of the British squadron-It enters

the Yang-tze river-Elepoo appointed High Commissioner-Arrival of

the Armament at Chin-keang-foo-Description of the city-Attack

upon Chin-keang-foo-Taking of it by assault-The Squadron sails to

Nankin-Description of Nankin-Suspension of hostilities-Negotia-

tions for peace between the Chinese Commissioners and Sir Henry Pot-

tinger-Terms of the Treaty-Report from the Chinese Commissioner

to the Emperor

CHAPTER XII.

[264

FRANCE.-Resolutions of the Parisian Editors of Newspapers on the occa-

sion of the conviction of M. Dupoty-Speech from the Throne at the

opening of the French Chambers-Election of President and Vice-Presi-

dents-Addresses presented to the King on the Jour de l'an-Replies of

the King-Debates in the Two Chambers on the Address-Question of

right of Search in the case of the Slave-Trade-Dispute with Spain on

point of Etiquette-Speech of M. Guizot in the Chamber of Peers, re-

specting the relations of France with Spain-Speech of M. Guizot in

the Chamber of Deputies, relating to the Affairs of the East-Melan-

choly Death of the Duke of Orleans-Funeral Procession-Question on

the choice of a Regent-Extraordinary Session of the French Chambers

convoked-Affecting Speech of the King-Election of President-Re-

gency Bill proposed by Ministers-Discussion thereon-Ministerial

Speech of M. Thiers-Dreadful Accident on the Paris and Versailles Rail-

way-Regency Bill carried-Prorogation of the French Chambers (279

CHAPTER XIII.

SPAIN.-Opening of the Spanish Cortes-Speech of the Regent-Election

of Presidents and Vice-Presidents-Discussion on the Address in the

Senate-Discussion in the Chamber of Deputies-Insurrection at Barce-

lona-Combat between the Troops of the Garrison and the National

Guard-Suspension of the sittings of Cortes-Arrival of Espartero at

Barcelona-Negotiations on the part of the Junta--Bombardment of

the Town-Surrender by the Insurgents-Proclamation by General

Van Halen-Execution of Carcana, Leader of the Insurgents-Fine

levied upon the City. PORTUGAL.-Municipal Elections at Lisbon-

Triumphant result for Ministers-Revolt at Oporto, and Declaration in

favour of the Charter, by Senhor Costa Cabral and others-Revolt

spreads to Lisbon-Ministers resign-The Court resolves to adopt tha

Charter-Public rejoicings-New Ministry formed, including Costa

Cabral-Opening of the Portuguese Cortes-Royal Speech. PRUSSIA.-

Ordinance by the King of Prussia, convening a General Assembly of

Committees from the Provinces-Meeting of the Assembly-Delibera-

tions of the Body. BAVARIA.-Inauguration of the Valhalla, by the

King of Bavaria-Its object, and origin of the Name

CHAPTER XIV.

[295

UNITED STATES.-Annual Message of President to Congress - Corre-

spondence between Lord Palmerston, Lord Aberdeen, and Mr. Steven-

son, respecting the right of Search-Presentment of the Grand Jury of

Philadelphia against N. Biddle and others for Conspiracy-Case of the

brig Creole, and Mutiny of Slaves on board-The British Government

determines to send out Lord Ashburton to America as a special Ambas-

sador-Repudiation of State Debts-The President vetoes two Tariff

Bills-Report of the Senate condemning the conduct of the Presi-

dent-Protest of the President-Treaty respecting the North Western

Boundary signed at Washington-Its provisions-Public Entertain-

ment given to Lord Ashburton at New York-Correspondence be-

tween Lord Ashburton and Mr. Webster-President's Message to

Congress

[306

CHAPTER XV.

CANADA. Principles of Lord Sydenham's Administration-Different po-

litical Parties in Canada- Sir Charles Bagot appointed as Successor to

Lord Sydenham-Opening of the second Session of the United Parlia-

ment by the Governor-Attempt to conciliate the Lower Canada French

by the offer of office to Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Lafontaine-They accept

office, and have to undergo an Election-Address of Mr. Lafontaine-

Dangerous illness of Sir Charles Bagot-Prorogation of Parliament-

Sir Charles Bagot leaves Canada, and dies soon after his return to

England-Question of Canadian Corn Duties-Letter of Lord Stanley

to the Governor on the subject-Bill passed in the Colonial Legisla-

ture. THE MARQUESAS, AND SOCIETY ISLANDS, IN THE PACIFIC.-

Short Narrative of the intercourse between these Islands and Great

Britain-Correspondence between Queen Pomare and Mr. Canning and

Lord Palmerston-A French Frigate appears off Tahiti-Demand made

by him of redress-Letter of Queen Pomare to Queen Victoria, and

Answer of Lord Palmerston-The Tahitian Government is taken under

French protection by Admiral Dupetit Thouars-PROJET DE LOI rela-

tive to the Marquesas proposed by the Minister of Marine to the French

Chamber

[332

THE

ANNUAL REGISTER,

FOR THE YEAR

1842.

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

CHAPTER I.

General Observations on the state of the country and position of the Government at the commencement of the year 1842-Secession of the Duke of Buckingham from the Cabinet-Parliament opened on the 3rd of February by the Queen in person-Presence of the King of Prussia on the occasion-Her Majesty's Speech from the ThroneAddress moved in the House of Lords by the Marquess of Abercorn, seconded by the Earl of Dalhousie-Speeches of Viscount Melbourne, Duke of Wellington, Lord Brougham, Earl Fitzwilliam, Duke of Buckingham, and other Peers-Address carried unanimously-Debate in the House of Commons-Address moved by the Earl of March, seconded by Mr. Beckett-Speeches of Mr. Ewart, Lord John Russell, Sir Robert Peel, Mr. Villiers, and Mr. Escott - General allusion to the Corn-laws-Statement of Sir R. Peel respecting his Financial Measures-Address carried without a division.

THE

commencement of the

year 1842 found the Conservative Administration occupying a position of great apparent strength, commanding large majorities in both Houses of Parliament. At the same time, when viewed with regard to the actual condition of the country, and to the terms on which he had succeeded to office, the tenure of Sir Robert Peel's power could hardly be pronounced VOL. LXXXIV.

so secure as a mere reference to his Parliamentary strength would, under other circumstances, have appeared to indicate. A revenue, which had now for several years exhibited the alarming symptom of an annual deficiency, with an expenditure which our warlike operations in the East were at the same time tending to increase ; excitement and agitation at home, widely diffused on the subject of the [B]