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THE

ANNUAL REGISTER,

OR A VIEW OF THE

HISTORY,

POLITICS,

AND

LITERATUR E,

For the YEAR 1786.

LONDON:

Printed for J. DODSLEY, in Pall-Mall, 1788.

TIBKYBA MBTIC

PREFACE.

C

NONSIDERING the very long acquaintance which we have so happily maintained with the Public, a Preface to our Twenty-eighth Volume seems a very unneceffary ceremony. Even acknowledgments of kindness and profeffions of gratitude become tiresome by a continued repetition; and yet, if cuftom has rendered fuch an introduction neceffary, and it is expected that we should say something upon the fubject, how can we poffibly refrain from the genuine expreffion of our fentiments, under the ftrong impreffions which the liberal and unvarying favour of that Public, through to long a courfe of years, has indelibly ftamped uponus? The proper manifeftation, however, of our gratitude, will be in act and not in words; in ung our utmoft exertions ftill to preferve the Annual Register in that style of reputation and character, which has hitherto procured it fuch marked diftinction and fo unlimited a patronage.

As the year of which we treat did not fuperabound in political events of great general importance, and was happily free from the dazzling brilliance of military exploits, thefe circumftances

8

afforded

afforded us an opportunity, which we gladly embraced, of completing our retrofpect of fuch matters of confideration, as the excefs and urgency of matter in late bufy years, had neceffarily occafioned our poftponing. Of thefe, the public affairs of ourfifter ifland and kingdom, not only claimed the firft place from our mutual relation and interest, but demanded it on the account of fuperior importance to all others. We have likewise brought into view no small share of curious and interesting matter from the transactions of foreign nations, which feemed hitherto to have been overlooked. Spain, in particular, has, through the great improvements which for fome time have been taking place in that kingdom, afforded a most pleasing and fertile field for retrofpect. Nor have other countries, apparently more fterile, been by any means unproductive. In the bufinefs of the prefent year, the exceedingly complicated affairs of Holland, prefented fo alarming an afpect, and indicated confequences by which the interefts and even fecurity of this country might have been fo deeply affected, that their difcuffion neceffarily required our utmost care and most serious attention.

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THE

ANNUAL REGISTER,

For the YEAR 1786.

THE

HISTORY

O F

EUROPE.

CHA P. I.

Ireland. Retrospective view of the internal fate of affairs in that country. Attempt to reform the conftitution, by fhortening the duration of parliaments. Mutiny bill paffed. Meetings of the Irish volunteers to obtain a parliamentary reform. Ineffectual attempt to induce them to difband. Bill for effecting a parliamentary reform-rejected by a great majority; and reJolution thereupon. Addrefs to his majesty on that fubject. Counter-address. Another bill prefented, and rejected. Propofition for the relief of the Roman catholics. Petition of the delegates conveyed to Mr. Pitt. Mr. Pitt's anfiver. Difunion among the volunteers, on the fubject of the Roman catholics. Lord Charlemont thanked by the city of Dublin for his conduct. Steps taken by government to prevent the meeting of the delegates. Letter from the Attorney General to the sheriffs of Dublin. High fheriff of the county of Dublin profecuted,fined, and imprisoned; others also profecuted. Meetings of delegates nevertheless held. Another bill prefented, and rejected. Dif treffes of the manufacturers of Dublin. Committee appointed for their relief. Mr. Gardener's plan-rejected by a very great majority. Violent ferment amongst the people. Outrages of the mob, who are difperfed by the military. Bill for reftricting the liberty of the prefs. Petitions against. Modified, and paffed. Non-importation agreements entered into. Precautions to prevent enormities. Lord Lieutenant incurs popular odium, and is openly infulted. Commercial arrangement between Great Britain and Ireland. A fet of refolutions prefented to the house of commons in Ireland; agreed to; tranfmitted

VOL. XXVIII.

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