GODLEIAN

2 APR 1959

LIBRARY

PRE F A C E.

Tis with pleasure that we introduce to the public the Second Volume of the New Annual Register, and it increases our fatisfaction that we have been able to complete it in a reasonable Time. We truft, that it will not be found to be published fo early as to be chargeable with having been executed in a hafty or indigested manner. On the contrary, we hope that the marks of our attention and affiduity will be rent in every part of the undertaking: and indeed, confidering the favourable Reception we have met with, we should be very blameable if we remitted in our activity and diligence,

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The British and Foreign History, which is fo uncommonly interefting at this important crifis, will, we are perfuaded, recommend itfelf by the impartiality and care wherewith it is written. The Occurrences will ftrongly difplay the skill and bravery of our naval officers; and in the Public Papers, among which the reports of the commiffioners of accounts. hold a distinguishing rank, nothing material is.

omitted,

We have been enabled to add another head to the Miscellaneous Part; which part we mean hereafter to diverfify and improve, as circumstances shall admit. The whole of this divifion of our work again reflects, by its fulness and variety, fignal honour on the productions of the year.

There is no vanity in saying, that the Accounts of Domestic and Foreign Literature, are not inferior to what they were before. The fcientific form in which the view of the Annual Domestic Literature is drawn up, will enable the reader to see the true state of the feveral branches of knowledge in this country; and in time, may suggest many useful reflections to inquifitive and philofophical minds.

The Introduction is the beginning of a defign,, which, if it should be executed as it ought to be, cannot fail of affording instruction and entertainment.

Upon the whole, we flatter ourselves, that the New Annual Regifter, for 1781, will not disappoint either the Politician, the Scholar, or the Gentleman.

CONTENT S.

A SHORT View of the State of Knowledge, Literature, and Tafte,

in this Country, from the Death of Queen Anne to the Death of King

George the Second

BRITISH AND FOREIGN HISTORY.

CHA P. I.

Meet-

Obfervations on the State of Affairs at the Clofe of the Year 1780.

ing of the New Parliament. Debates on the Election of a New Speaker.

Speech from the Throne. Addresses moved for in both Houses, and Debates

thereupon.

3

CHA P. II.

Proceedings of the Houfe of Peers relative to a Challenge fent by the Earl of

Pomfret to the Duke of Grafton. Debates in the House of Commons on

the Bill for continuing the Sufpenfion of the Habeas Corpus Act, with re-

fpect to Perfons accused of High Treafon, either in America, or on the

High Seas. Complaint exhibited by Lord Mahon of a Violiation of the Law

of Nations by the English at the Dutch land of St. Martin.
Debate on

the Navy Eftimates. Supplies granted to his Majefty.

Papers made in the Houfe of Peers by the Duke of Bolton.

CHA P. III.

Motion for Naval

17.

Troops

Debate on a Motion for a Vote of Thanks to the late Speaker of the Houfe of

Commons. Debate on a Motion for an Account to be laid before the House

of the Number of Forces under the Command of Sir Henry Clinton.

voted for the Service of the current Year. Debate on a Motion for a Vote

of Thanks to Sir Henry Clinton and Earl Cornwallis. Other Parliamen-

tary Tranfactions. Recefs.

A 3

28

CHAP..

CHA P. IV.

Unfuccessful Attempt of the French to make themselves Mafters of the Ifle of

Jerfey. Capture of the lands of St. Eustatius, St. Martin, Saba, and

other Dutch Settlements. Rigorous Treatment of the Inhabitants of St. Eu-

fatius. Memorials and Remonftrances occafioned by that Tranfaction. The

United Provinces ill prepared for War at the Commencement of Hoftilities.

Diffatisfaction in Holland on Account of the Duke of Brunswick. Memo-

rial prefented to the States-General by Mr. John Adams, in order to pro-

cure an Alliance between Holland and the American Congrefs. Orders, if

fued by the Court of Great Britain, refpecting the Freedom of Navigation

in the Baltic.

35

CHAP. V.

American Affairs. Difcontent of fome of the American Troops, and Revolt of

the Penfylvania Line. Ineffectual Attempts of Sir Henry Clinton to induce

them to join the royal Standard. Refolution of a Committee of the Con-

grefs relative to the Treatment of American Prifoners. Defeat of the Bri-

tih Troops under Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton by the Americans under Gene-

ral Morgan. Military Operations after that Event. Lord Cornwallis

marches through North Carolina. Large Quantities of American Stores

destroyed by Arnold. Wilmington taken Poffeffion of by the King's Troops.

Defeat of General Greene by Lord Cornwallis at Guildford. Other mili-

tary Tranfactions.

42

CHA P. VI.

Petitions prefented to the Houfe of Commons, from the Weft India Planters

and Merchants, on Behalf of the Inhabitants of Jamaica and Barbadoes,

who had fuftained great Loffes by the late dreadful Hurricanes. Relief

granted by Parliament to the Sufferers in thofe Inlands. Mellage from his

Majefy to both Houses of Parlament on Occafion of the Commencement of

Hofiilities with Holland. Debate on the royal Meffage in the Honfe of

Commons. Debate on the fame Subject in the House of Peers.

50

CHA P. VII.

Eaft India Affairs. Difcontents occafioned in India by the Establishment of

the Supreme Court of Judicature at Calcutta, and by the extenfive Jurif

diction affumed by the Judges of that Court.

The Directors of the Eaft