Riots in Cold Bath Fields-Disturbances arising from the dearness of Bread-A Negotiation is opened with France- Admiral Sir Hyde Parker and Lord Nel- son proceed on the Expedition against the Danes-Position and arrangements of the Naval Combatants-Enthusiasm of the Inhabitants of Copenhagen-Heroic Exploits of Saumarez, Cochrane, Nel- son, &c.-Affairs of Portugal-Internal Indisposition of George III.-Demeanor of Napoleon towards Lord Whitworth- His Allegations against England-As- sassination of Pichegru-Banishment of Moreau-Execution of the duke D'Eng- hien-Changes in the English Ministry, -Capture of Four Spanish Frigates- Elevation of Buonaparte to the Throne of France-Naval Operations-Rise and Progress of a New Coalition-Buona, parte takes the Command of the Army- State of his Forces-Narrative of his Rapid and Masterly Movements--Com- Indisposition of Mr. Pitt-His Death- Honors paid to his Memory-His Po- litical and Moral Character-Change of Administration-Conduct of the new Ministry Mr. Windham's Militia Bill- Parliamentary proceedings on the Slave Trade-Trial and Acquittal of Lord Melville-Proposals to Mr. Fox for the Assassination of Buonaparte, and the consequent renewal of Negotiations be- tween the French and English Govern- ments-Treaty of Buonaparte with the Russian Ambassador-Conclusion of the Treaty of Presberg between France and Austria-Naval Operations-Pro- Hostile demonstrations of Prussia towards England-Annexation of Hanover to her Dominions-Effects of her Insin- cerity-Declaration of War between France and Prussia-Occurrences of the Campaign-Treachery and imbe- cility of the Prussians-Battle of Aver- stadt-Arrival of Buonaparte at Berlin, from whence he issues his Memorable Decree-Hostilities between Turkey and Russia-Arrival of an English Fleet in the Dardanelles-Internal and Ex- ternal Arrangements of the Emperor of France-Naval Operations-Expedition to the Cape of Good Hope-Capture and Recapture of Buenos Ayres-Pros- perity of the United States of America- Their Disputes with Spain and Eng- land-Indian Affairs-Death of Mr. Meeting of the new Parliament-Report of the Commissioners of Military enquiry on the Delinquencies of General De- lancy and Alexander Davison-Trial, Conviction, and Punishment of the latter -Final Abolition of the Slave Trade- Dismissal of the Coalition Ministry- A Review of its Character, and of the state of Parties-Dissatisfaction of the People-A Clamour prevails that "the Church is in danger"-Expedition to Constantinople-Its disastrous Failure- Arrival of an English Squadron on the Coast of Egypt-Advance of the Army, and their ultimate Retreat and Evacua- tion of the Country-Important Events in South America-Services of Sir Samuel Auchmuty-Arrival of General Whitelock-Disgraceful and Disastrous Attack on Buenos Ayres-Trial of the Treaty of Tilsit-Conditions of that mark-Protracted Negotiations An English Fleet and Army are sent into the Baltic-Bombardment of Copen- hagen-Surrender of the Danish Fleet--- Evacuation of Zealand-Opinions of Po- litical Partisans on the subject of the Expedition-Designs of Buonaparte on Spain and Portugal-Invasion of the latter Country-Lord Strangford's Mis- sion-Escape of the Court of Portugal to their Brazilian Empire-Affairs of St. Domingo-Capture of Curacoa- Overtures of Prince Starhremberg to the Court of England-Their Rejection-- British Declaration-Decrees of Buona- parte against our Commerce-Retalia- tory measures-Conduct of the Ameri- cans-Debates and Discussions on the Orders in Council-Remarkable Speech of Sir Francis Burdett on the Militia Law-Delinquency of Sir Home Pop- ham-Destruction of the Dutch Naval Force in the East Indies--Exploits of Sir Edwar Pellew-Signature of a Con- vention between England and Sweden-- Invasion of Holstein by the French- -Fruitless Expedition of Sir John Moore -Eccentricities of the King of Sweden CHAP. XLIX. Capture of Scylla by the French-Treaty Buonaparte creates a new Nobility- Affairs of Spain-Conspiracy of the Escurial-Secret Treaty of Fontaine- bleau for the Partition of Portugal- The French treacherously seize on the Frontier Fortresses-Alarm of the Spanish Court-Tumults at Arranguez HISTORY OF THE WAR. INTRODUCTION. Sketch of the State of France immediately previous to the Commencement of the Revolution. IN tracing the annals of Europe during the eventful period of the last twentyfive years, the first attention of the historian is naturally directed to the origin and progress of that momentous revolution, which in its immediate effects, and in its remoter consequences, has so materially contributed to decide the fate of nations, and to influence the happiness of mankind. It will be necessary therefore at the commencement of the present work, to enter into a preliminary examination of the internal situation of France immediately previous to the actual commencement of revolutionary measures: to detail the grievances and oppressions by which the dissatisfaction of the people was exeited, and to expatiate as fully as is consistent with the limits of an Introduction, on the moral influence of the manners of the court, and the writings of pretended philosophers. The immediate and most effective causes of the revolution must be referred to the distresses of the people, and the embarassments of the government, occasioned by the enormous expences of the war in which France supported the independence of the American colonies. The profligacy of the court; the dissentions of the clergy; the gradual progress of general intelligence; the dissemination of revolutionary princi ples occasioned by the American contest, and the long-established oppressions to which the mass of the people were subjected; all contributed to the same effect, but in a subordinate degree. It was not till the court and the ministers were reduced to the most desperate expedients of finance, and compelled to court the favour, while they insulted the distresses of the nation, that the latent dissatisfaction of the people. was excited to activity, and terminated in the fury of revolutionary enthusiasm. When the unhappy contest occurred between Great Britain and her colonies, it was conceived by the court of France, that a favourable occasion was now presented of avenging the late inglorious war, and destroying the effects of the peace of 1763. The capture of Burgoyne was accordingly regarded as a propitious opportunity for the declaration of hostilities;: and the descendant of so many absolute monarchs did not regard it as impolitic, or unjust, to acknowledge and assist the exertions of a people struggling for independence. M. de Vergennes directed the department of foreign affairs with acknowledged ability. M. de Sartine restored the navy; while Neckar, a foreigner, a protestant, and a banker, in whose favour so many prejudices were resigned, and of whose talents. |