Monthly Chronicle.

FOREIGN EVENTS.

FRANCE -Nothing of general interest since the recent conspiracy, (which now seems almost forgotten,) having lately occurred among our rival neighbours, we proceed to a quarter, which has recently afforded abundant supply of political debate to our journalists, namely,

North America. — By different arrivals during the last month, we learn that GEN. JACKSON, the commander of the Republican forces, had taken forcible possession of Pensacola, the capital of West Florida, under the plea that the Seminole Indians, who inhabit the flat country on the rivers Apalachicola and Flint, were not prevented by the Spaniards from committing outrages upon the territory of the United States, and that therefore he felt himself justified in taking possession of Pensacola, to be retained until Spain shall be able "to furnish military strength to enforce existing treaties." This pretext seems to be admitted or rejected as the political bias of each writer inclines. The Spanish governor formally declares that the Indians were never supported, on any occasion, in hostilities against the United States. The advantages which this capital possesses are numerous and important; it would make them masters of the whole trade carried on from Cuba and the Mexican gulf, complete their frontier to the south, and furnish them with supplies of an important article, namely, live Oak, which, in Georgia and Carolina, is now, we understand, nearly exhausted. Added to these temptations, say one party, there is another in the total inability of Spain to enter into a war to defend them. These considerations have doubtless prompted the following alarming remark from the Editor of a paper, well known as uuder the patronage of government: "Unquestionably the operations of America in that quarter ought not to be viewed with indifference. Spain is the country which would be least affected with regard to National interests by the loss of the Floridas." Independent, however, of any other consideration, there is, enough to excite a peculiar interest here, in the fact, (and a melancholy fact it is,) that two Englishmen, Armbrister and Arbuthnott, should have been executed for alledged crimes against the United States. They were accused of supplying the Indians with implements of war, and of being spies upon the Americans.

Spain. An important document has been presented by the King of Spain to the Allied Powers, with a view to obtain their mediation relative to the state of North America. His Catholic Majesty, it states, is ready to concede every thing that could justify the inhabitants in taking up arms; he is willing to give the Creoles equal rights with European Spaniards as to admissibility to all employments; and he is willing to allow the South American provinces a free trade with Europe. Such a conciliatory tone should put an end to all further hos

tilities.

South America. The news from this quarter since our last has proved less favourable to the patriots than before. The Spanish GENERAL Osonis is gathering strength again, while his antagonist ST. MERLIN had not lately been heard of.

East Indies. The war here should seem to be nearly concluded. The official details to the 12tli of April, state that the Pindarees are unable to take the field, and most of their chiefs have submitted to the terms of the conqueror, the Peishwa excepted, whose resistance must speedily yield to the power of his antagonists.

Italy.-A' very severe ordinance has been just issued at Milan, relative to the press. The following are the priucipal articles :-No book can appear without the permission of the Censure, even catalogues must be examined; a special commission must be obtained to reprint books already published in the Austrian monarchy. Dedications cannot be admitted to the Censure, unless they are provided with the authorization of the persons to whom the books are dedicated. No subject of his Majesty the Emperor and King can have a book printed in a foreign country, without having submitted it to the Austrian Censure. Turkey.-Baron Stroganoff was insulted two days ago by a Turk, whom he met on the promenade; he complained to the Reis-effendi in an energetic note, and was promised justice by that officer. Two days afterwards the Vizier sent him notice that the offender was in prison, and waited the punishment which the Ambassador wished tô be inflicted, promising at the same time that his head should be cut off. The minister requested his liberation, which was accordingly granted. On the following day a severe order was published by the Cadi, on the respect due to foreign Ambassadors and persons under their protection.

China.-Letters from Pekin of the 7th Nov. 1817, announce that the missions to China had been recently exposed to a furious persecution. About 400 Christians of the capital had been arrested and tortured in a manner. Many had not been able to support the persecution, and abandoned the faith. The richest Christian in the city and even of the province had courageously renounced his property and bis family, and had delivered bimself up as a slave to a Mahometau rather than abjuré Kis religion. The persecution! seems to have ceased all on a sudden, and the persecutors to have returned to milder sentiments. This trial has only served to fortify the faith of the believers.

Spain.-Madrid, July 9, 1818.-Public distrust and dissatisfaction increase, for indeed nobody is secure in their own hoasês, such is the system of the Government and the preponderance of the Inquisition. Montero, Urbanejaḥ, and Zulnega, belonging to the Spanish guards; Col. Gomez Labrador; Preb. Bilches, a native of the River Piata, and a mechanist belonging to this city, of the name of Comitre, were all seized and shut up in the inquisition of this place between the hours of twelve and one of the night of the 24th ult. On the 18th, Com. Farguer; Don Guerrero, Licentiate, M. Cavallero Vivalta, a printer; Reyes, a watchmaker; Duqnid aud Duplessis, dyers, were also confined in the inquisition of Saragossa. The seizure of their property has been extremely severe; nothing these victims possessed has been saved: Even their wearing apparel was given in charge to the stewards of the Holy Tribunal. The whole crime of these prisoners is, that they are accused of being free-masons.

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The Rev. Preb. Bilchis had demanded of Ferdinand VII. a compliance with the resolutions of the Secretary of State to the Pope. Cardinal Gonsalvi, in order that the inquisition might be led to moderate its violent proceedings. The Pope disregarded the wise and energetic exposition of the old and venerable Prebendary; and it is said that on the margin of it he wrote the following Spanish proverb: Con el Rey y ld Inquisicion, Chiton. With the King and Inquisition, hush!

THE NORTHERN STAR.

No. 17.-For OCTOBER, 1818.

Topography, Picturesque Scenery, Local History, &c.

[Under this head the Editors earnestly solicit Drawings and Sketches of Ruins and other interesting places, with accompanying information.— Histories of Manufactures, new Inventions, and mechanical Improvements, as included under the same department, are also very respectfully entreated.] ·

REVOLUTION-HOUSE, WHITTINGTON.

-Forsan et hæc olim meminisse juvabit. VIRG.

THE Revolution-House at Whittington is a small cottage, remarkable for nothing in its external appearance; and calculated only to excite an interest in the mind of the spectator, from the circumstances connected with it, and the glorious event to which those circumstances ultimately led. This bumble and unostentatious building is endeared to every Englishman who visits it as the spot where that glorious revolution was planned which forms one of the most celebrated epochs in British history; which was brought about by the spirited and unremitting exertions of a few patriotic individuals, who embarked their lives and fortunes in it; and which eventually paved the way for the accession of the illustrious House of Hanover to the throne of these realis. Unable to bear the tyrannical measures of James the Second, and the destruction of the protestant religion, a few worthies, whose names will be ever dear to the lovers of British freedom, in the year 1688 met each other on Whittington-Moor, for the express purpose of devising some means for rescuing their country from the double slavery with which it was threatened. The person upon whom they fixed their hopes was William Prince of Orange, who had, from his earliest entrance into public life, been immersed in enterprizes and political intrigues. This prince now clearly saw that James had lost the affection of his subjects, and was on the eve of losing something upon which he placed a much higher value. He obtained regular information of the discontents which prevailed throughout the kingdom; and, by appearing to discourage, still further increased them, hoping at length to dispossess James of the crown, and place it upon his own brow. His claims were strengthened by the union which he had formed with Mary, the eldest daughter of James, and it was a fortunate circumstance for him, that the wishes of the principal nobility coincided with the projects of his own ambition.

Ten years previously to this, in the reign of Charles II., the Earl of Danby had been accused of high treason by the House of Commons, on a charge

VOL. III.

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