PREFACE.

In submitting to the Public the New ANNUAL Register for the Year 1804, Mr. STOCKDALE,

the proprietor, feels it incumbent upon him to state the principles on which it is his intention that a work of so much importance shall in future

be conducted. At all times, it is the duty of the historian to record events with fidelity, and to state with impartiality the measures which are carried into execution, and, as far as they can be distinctly ascertained, the motives which led to their adoption. Not merely in compliance with the wishes of the proprietor, but in conformity to his own inclination, the editor of the Historical Department has endeavoured to preserve throughout the most temperate and unbiassed impartiality. It remains with the Public to decide, whether he has succeeded in the accomplishment of this design.

With respect to the promise made in the Preface
to the preceding Volume, relative to a complete and
authentic Narrative of the late Transactions in India,
it is presumed that, in the present REGISTER, it will
appear to have been faithfully performed.

The proprietor also entertains a confident hope,
that the care with which the literary and every
other department of this work has been executed,
will merit an increase of that general circulation
with which the NEW ANNUAL REGISTER has al-
ways been distinguished.

Piccadilly,
December 31, 1805.

CONTENTS.

CONTENTS.

THE History of Knowledge, Literature, and Taste, in Great Britain,

during the Reign of King William III. Part I.

page i.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN HISTORY.

CHA P. I.

Retrospective Observations on some of the Principal Occurrences of the

preceding Year-Principle and Character of the present War-Offen-

sive and defensive Operations-First hostile Proceedings of the Enemy

-Character and Extent of the Conspiracy of Colonel Despard, and

of the Rebellion in Ireland-Financial Measures of Government—

State of Purties, and Causes of Party Dissensions-Gradual Secession

of Mr. Pilt from the Support of Mr. Addington's Administration-

Negotiation for Mr. Pill's Return to Office-Causes of the failure of

these Negoliations-Session of Parliament 1803-4-Address on His

Majesty's Speech-India Bonds --Bank Restriction Bill-Curates'

Relief Bill Re-enactment of Martial Law, and Suspension of the

Habeas Corpus Act, in Ireland-Debates on the Army Estimates, and

the general Defence of the Country-Bill for the Regulation of Volun

teer Exemptions.

a 4

3

CHAP.

CHAP. II.

The Object of the Motion for the Rejection of the Middlesex Petition-

Debate on this Subject-Debates on the Bill to consolidate the Volun-

teer Acts-Observations on the Volunteer System-His Majesty's Indis-

position-and Recovery

37

CHA P. III.

Irish Affairs-Restriction on the Issues of Cash by the Bank of Ireland

-State of the Circulation and Exchange of Ireland-Irish Duties--

Insurrection in Ireland-Message from His Majesty relative to the

Offer of the Irish Militia to serve in Great Britain-Debates on the

Address moved by Mr. Secretary Yorke-Bill to enable His Majesty lo

accept of the Offer of the Irish Militia-Irish Militia Augmentation

Bill-Payment of the Salaries at Par of the Irish Ministers-Irish

Linen Trade-Irish Budget-Charge against Mr. Justice Fox-Dis-

cussion relative to the Discharge of the Duties of the Irish Chancellor

of the Exchequer—Irish Spirits Bill-Irish Loan

63

CHAP. IV.

Motions relative to the War in Ceylon, and in India-Debate on Mr.

Pitt's Motion respecting the State of the Naval Force-Marine Society

Fishery Bill-Remuneration granted to the Officers and Men for the

Capture of the Enemy's Ships at Toulon-Motion for the Dates of the

Dispatches sent to India, relative to the Resumption of Hostilities—

Debates on Mr. Fox's Motion respecting the Defence of the Nation-

Suspension of the Army of Reserve Act-Remuneration to the Holders

of the Loyalty Loan-Additional Estimates for the Army, and for

Miscellaneous Services-Budget

93

CHAP. VI.

Discussion relative to the Corn Laws-Mr. Whitbread's Motion to pass

a Vote of Censure upon the Conduct of the Lord Advocate of Scotland

-Discharge of the Arrears of the Civil List, and a permanent annual

Addition to the same-Resolutions of the Committee on the Middlesex

Election-Parliamentary Aid granted to the Civil Establishment at

Sierra Leone-Annual Statement of Accounts relating to the Affairs

of India-Resolutions moved by the Chancellor of the Exchequer re-

specting the Finances of the Country-Prorogation of Parliament-

General Remarks on the Proceedings of the House during the Ses-

sion

168

CHAP. VII.

State of Parties previously to the Change'in Administration--New Mi-

nistry-Character of Mr. Addington's Administration-Events aris-

ing from the Prosecution of the War-Capture of Goree by the Enemy

-Recapture of that Settlement-Surrender of Surinam-Continuance

of the System of Blockade-Movements in the Enemy's Ports indica-

tive of Invasion-Preparatory Measures to meet this Event―Admiral

Lord Keith's Attack upon a Part of the Enemy's Flotilla in the Bay

of Boulogne-Relaxation of the Blockade of the Elbe and the Weser-

Capture of the Spanish Frigates-Observations on this Event-Appoint-

ment of Lord Leveson Gower Ambassador to the Court of Petersburgh

-Indications of an approaching Rupture between France and the

Courts of Petersburgh and Stockholm-Causes of political Dissension

between these Powers-Prospect of a continental Alliance-Corre-

spondence between Lord Redesdale and the Earl of Fingall-Observa-

tions on the Subjects of this Correspondence

186

CHAP. VIII.

War in India--Immediate Cause of Hostilities-System of Policy for

merly pursued by the Marquis Cornwallis adopted by the Governor-

General-The Embarrassments of the Peishwah favourable to the Pro-

secution of this System--Alliance between the British Government and

the Peishwah-Proceedings of Dowlut Ruo Scindiah in consequence

of the Conclusion of this Alliance-Scindiah's Views of Encroach-

ment upon the Peishwah's Authority-Proceedings and Views of the

Rajah of Berar-Statement of the Foundation of the Pretensions of

Scindiah and the Rajah of Berar to the Supreme Authority in the

Marhatia