397 398 ibid 399 400 405 409 418 420 422 Prussian Edict, concerning the so-called Continental System, &c. of the Spanish Regency, against the Archbishop of Nicea States and St. Petersburgh 433 436 437 439 441 442 443 444 450 451 452 CHARACTERS. Character of Gustavus Adolphus, late King of Sweden 454 457 458 462 MANNERS CUSTOMS, &c. OF NATIONS AND CLASSES OF PEOPLE. Account of the Parsees 465 468 474 477 482 NATURAL HISTORY. Account of the Balæna Mysticetus, or Great Northern or Greenland Whale 487 490 492 493 ibid. . USEFUL PROJECTS AND IMPROVEMENTS, 496 Mongolfier's Process for making White Lead 497 ibid. MISCELLANIES. An Account of the dreadful Accident which happened at Felling Colliery, near Sunderland, on May 25, 1812. Description of Drontheim in Norway 502 508 512 518 532 536 537 538 ibid. 539 . POETRY. 541 Carmen Triumphale, by Robert Southey, Esq. 548 551 THE ANNUAL REGISTER, For the Year 1813. GENERAL HISTORY. CHAPTER 1. Petitions presented to Parliament.-Declaration of the Prince Regent respecting the Origin and Causes of the War with America, and Discussions on the Subject in both Houses.- Proceedings on the Bill for appointing a Vice-Chancellor.- Debates on Sir Samuel Romilly's Bill respecting private Stealing in Shops, fc. and on his Bills for taking away Corruption of Blood, and for altering the Punishment for High Treason. N the meeting of parliament thrown open, all those, on the after the recess, February 2, other hand, who were enjoying the tables were immediately crowd- profits, either directly or remotely, ed with petitions relative to the from the existing state of things, two great subjects which were ex- equally concurred in opposing the pected to receive their final dis- principle of alteration. Nothing cussion in this session; the renewal could be more simple than the of the East India charter, and the motives, or more uniform than the claimsoftheRoman Catholics. With strain of argument, on each side. respect to the first, it was merely The Roman Catholic question, a contest between differentlocal or though agitated upon the whole particular interests; and whilst all with great uniformity of language those places and bodies which were and reasoning, was more varied in at present excluded from the bene- its objects and principles. To the fits of East Indian commerce join. obvious interests of the individuals ed in requesting that the monopoly of that communion in freeing might be abolished, and the trade themselves from degrading reVol. LV. [B] strictions, and obtaining access to its conduct had been in favour of power and emolument, was added France. The causes which proa zeal in supporting the fundamen- duced the revocation of the orders tal maxims of equality of rights in council were next noticed, with among all citizens, and of the en- the precipitate declaration of war tire separation of religious from on the part of the United States, political concerns, which operated and their refusal to consent to a upon many, independently of per- cessation of hostilities. The presonal motives. On the other hand, liminary condition proposed by to the natural reluctance of the them for an armistice, was then members of an establishment to adverted to, namely, the abandonresign any of their prerogatives, ment by Great Britain of her right was subjoined that feeling of sus- of search for the purpose of taking picion and aversion towards the Ro- British seamen from American man Catholic religion, which will merchant vessels; and reasons were perhaps never be eradicated from given why it could not be acquiesthe British public; and which has ced in. In fine, after an exposion various occasions united in op- tion of the circumstances which position to it those who have dif- preceded and have followed the fered the most widely from one declaration of war by the United another. As a part of parliamen- States, bis Royal Highness explitary history, it will suffice at pre- citly declares, that he can never sent to have noticed the period acknowledge any blockade to be at which petitioning on these im- illegal, which has been duly notiportant national topics, especially fied, and is supported by an adethe latter, became general. The quate force, merely upon the reşults will form the matter of fu- ground of its extent, or because ture chapters. the ports or coasts blockaded are On the 3rd of February, lord not at the same time invested by Castlereagh presented to the House land: that he can never admit, of Commons the papers relative to that neutral trade with Great Brithe discussions with America on tain can be constituted a public the subject of the French decrees, crime, the commission of which and the orders of council, together can expose the ships of any power with a declaration from the Prince to be denationalized : that he can Regent relative to the causes and never admit that Great Britain can origin of the war with America. be debarred of just and necessary This state paper, which was of retaliation, through the fear of considerable length, began with a eventually affecting the interest of retrospective view ofthe successive a neutral: that he can never ad. steps taken by the ruler of France mit that in the exercise of the in his project of ruining the power undoubtedand bitherto undisputed of Great Britain, as the great ob- right of searching neutral "merstacle to his ambitious designs. chant vessels in time of war, the It proceeded to review the mea- impressment of British seamen, sures taken by the American go when found therein, oan be deeme vernment with respect to both belo ed any violation of a neutral flag : ligerents, and'to show how partial nor that taking such seamen from |