fairs, and to give his assistance in saving his country. If ever there was a moment when this house should shew to the country, to Europe, and to the world, that they are deluded by no party spirit, actuated by no paltry scramble for places, influenced by no mean, or mercenary motives, it surely is the present. In the increased power of France, and her restless spirit of agandizement, there is sufficient cause of alarm, and still more in the greater degree of ambition and animosity recently erinced by the Chief Consul. In my mind, his conduct towards Swisserland alone, betrays unequivocal demonstrations of perfidy, and a glaring lust of dominion. Still, however, I must think, whatever generous indignation this may excite, that just cause for renewing the war has arisen. Peace should, if possible, be maintained. The effects of war are, in every instance, calamitous; but still we should be ready to meet, by a resolute resistance, the first act of aggression on the part of France. On this principle I vote for a large peace establishment. It is said, indeed, that Bonaparte is not desirous to hazard an attempt against us, because he has every thing to gain and nothing to lose. But are we such strangers to the workings of mortified pride, in the bosom of such a man, as to think he will not risk every thing to gratify it. The motives which urge him to aspire at universal empire, are tore imperious in his case than they could be in that of the Bourbons. They had fumerous means of supporting their power: but with him there is a kind of physical necessity for carrying on projects of conquest; for it is only by persuading the French that he aims at making them masters of the world, that he can expect them to continue his slaves. But where, except in England, is there an object worthy of his ambition? Russia is his tool; Prussia is bis vassal; Turkey is in his toils; Germany is at his disposal; Italy is his property; Holland is under his command; Spain is at his beck; and Portugal crouches beneath his feet: nay, all the positions he takes, under pretence of commerce, are aimed, not at commercial improvement but at our destruction; witness St. Domingo, where he resigns the interior, and seizes and fortifies the sea-ports. Our commerce he knows to be the soul of our navy, the main engine of our safety. This, therefore, it is his great object to cripple and destroy. But on the subject of commerce he is, at the same time, so ignorant, that were he to set about transporting it to France, it would be as he conveyed busts and marbles from Italy, by means of his bayonets. There may, indeed, be in the volume of his heart, a marginal note for the king of Etruria; but the text runs upon the destruction of this Country. It is the object of his morning prayer, and of his evening orisons, whether these be addressed to Mahomet, to Jupiter, or to Christ, to the goddess of battles or the goddess of reason. Mr. Sheridan then noticed the attack on ministers by Lord Temple and his friends, and considered their opposition and dislike as highly unreasonable and capricious. It reminded him of one of Martial's epigrams, Non amo te Zebide, nec possum dicere quare, Hoc tantum possum dicere, non amo te. I do not like you, Doctor Fell, Mr. Sheridan concluded his speech, which was distinguished for solidity of argument, splendor of elocution, and brilliancy of wit, with expressing his wish that every Briton, from looking at the actual situation of France, would be induced heartily to unite in defence of our own constitution. On the 10th of December, in the Committee of Ways and Means, the Chancellor of the financial situation of the country, of the Exchequer entered into a full view rapid increase of the revenue, it had befirst premising, that in consequence of the come necessary to apply to parliament to authorize the appropriation of the redundance. In the last session he had taken credit for £.4,500,000 as the growing proto the 5th April, 1803. duce of the Consolidated Fund for one year, On the 5th October, 1802, only half a year, £.3,800,000 had actually been realized. The taxes proposed last year, he had stated to be duce of the first quarter had amounted to likely to produce four millions. The pro£1,170,000. He then stated the Sur PLIES as follows, viz. NAVY, 50,000 men, ordinary, extraordinary buildings, &c........ ARMY, 130,000 men, extra ordinaries, &c....... Ordnance Corn Bounties £.6,669,578 7,500,000 787,947 524,573 1,000,000 363,339 16,845,237 Of the supplies, £.5,805,573, were merely of a temporary nature. As for the permanent charges, they ought to be provided out of a permanent fund. In order to this no financial operation would be necessary this year, except funding six or eight millions of Exchequer Bills, or if that could not be done, raising a loan to that amount. The produce of the old permanent taxes, for the year ending October 10, 1802, was £.15,483,724, double what it had been in 1792; of the new, £.11,345,364-total, £.26,829,088. The official value of British manufactures exported in 1801 was £.24,475,000, in 1802 £.27,897,297, but the real value in 1802 was forty-two millions, and in the present year will be not Less than fifty. Mr. Addington then proceeded to observe, that our trade upheld the trade of Europe. We had the start of other countries; and he doubted not should maintain our superiority; he felt no fear of rivalry. "Indeed," he added, "when I look to the country in every view it holds out, I do not see any cause for serious apprehension. When I see our revenue, manufactures, and commerce rapidly increasing, and from substantial causes; an army perfectly adequate to our security; a fleet capable of meeting the navy of Europe; a militia of 90,000 men, and a body of armed yeomanry besides: when i regard the bold and manly spirit of the nation; the people cemented in loyalty and affection, a few excepted, numerous in a tavern but few in the Strand-1 have good grounds for anticipating the highest prosperity. When I see the people possessing all these advantages, disposed to use them, not for wars or objects of aggrandizement, but for justice and the maintenance of peace; not for the prosecution of visionary schemes, but for purposes of solid happiness, it must be a subject not only of delight to me, but of admiration to the world." In the HOUSE OF LORDS, on the 15th of December, an unsuccessful attempt was made by Lord Spencer, supported by Lords Carlisle and Grenville, to prevent the passing of the Malt Duty Bill, on the ground that sufficient information as to the state of the country, to justify their voting the means of providing for a large establishment, had not been given by ministers. The arguments employed on both sides differed little from those employed in the Lower House. The circumstance, in the course of the debate, which particu larly deserves notice, was the declaration of ministers, that Napper Tandy had not been set at liberty in consequence of any application from Bonaparte, but in conse quence of important discoveries which he had himself made. An act has been passed during the present Session, which reflects the highest credit on his majesty's government; we mean the act for appointing commissioners to investigate the irregularities and abuses which have prevailed in the different departments of the naval service, and to devise the most effectual means of correct ing and preventing them in future. It cannot be doubted, that the great and only object of this measure was the public good; and therefore, whatever objections might arise to particular provisions of the act, its principle, it might fairly have been expected, would meet with the general concurrence of parliament. It was opposed, however, we are happy to say ineffectually, by Lord Temple, Mr. Canning, Dr. Lawrence, and some others, in the House of Commons; and by the Duke of Clarence, and a few more noble Lords in the House of Peers. On the 29th of December, both Houses of Parliament adjourned to the 3d of February. REMARKABLE EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1802. JANUARY. 2. Accounts received of the surrender of Ternante to the British, on the 21st of June. 4. Both Houses of Parliament met, after a short adjournment, and further adjourned to the 14th. 14. Parliament met pursuant to adjourn ment, and adjourned again to the 19th. 15. Six of the mutineers of Admiral Campbell's squadron executed at Portsmouth, pursuant to their sentence. 17. Advice received of a Convention having been concluded at Madrid, by which the reversion of the sovereignty of Parma was made over to France. 19. Both Houses of Parliament again met, and adjourned to the 2d of February. Five more mutineers executed at Portsmouth, pursuant to their sentence. 26. The new Constitution of the Cisalpine, or Italian Republic, settled by the Consulta at Lyons, and Bonaparte appointed Prodent of that State. 27. The Earl of Clare, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, died. 28. Joseph Wall, Esq. formerly Governor of Goree, executed at the Old Bailey, after having received several respites, for the murder of Serjeant Armstrong, who died in consequence of a punishment inflicted upon him in the year 1782. FEBRUARY. 1. Advice received of several of the Beys of Egypt having been treacherously assassinated by order of the Turkish Commanders. 2. Parliament met, pursuant to adjournment, and proceeded to the dispatch of bu siness, 3. Official accounts received of a successful rebellion having taken place in the French island of Guadaloupe. 5. A French fleet, with a great number of troops on board, arrived at St. Domingo from Brest, and after much opposition effected a landing, and drove the black army into the interior. 9. Mr. Abbot chosen speaker of the House of Commons. 15. Advice received of the capture of the French frigate La Chiffonne, of 42 guns, by his Majesty's ship La Sybelle, Captain Adam. 23. A Treaty of Peace concluded between the French Republic and the Regency of Tunis. MARCH. 27. A Definitive Treaty of Peace between Great Britain on the one part, and France, Spain, and Holland on the other, signed at Amiens, APRIL. 2. Orders received at the several King's parts to pay off a number of ships of war, in consequence of the peace. 5. The Minister agreed for a Loan of £.25,000,000 for the service of the year. Lord Kenyon died at Bath, and was succeeded as Lord Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench, by Sir Edward Law, now Lord Ellenborough. The Concordat, for re-establishing the forms of religion in France, presented to the Legislative Body of that country, and agreed to. 15. An insurrection of a black corps took place at Dominica, which, however, was quelled. 18. Accounts received that the black army in St. Domingo, continued to oppose a vigorous resistance to the French troops. 24. The London Gazette announced the formal accession of the Courts of Denmark and Sweden to the Convention between Great Britain and Russia; in consequence of which, the system of armed neutrality in the North was completely abandoned and annulled. 29. Peace proclaimed throughout the metropolis, with the accustomed ceremony and pomp. At night a general illumination took place. MAY. 11. Bonaparte elected First Consul for ten years, in addition to the seven years CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 13. for which he was elected; and a decree passed for submitting to the people the propriety of electing him Consul for life. 13. Long debates took place in both Houses of Parliament, on the subject of the Definitive Treaty. 17. The French Legislature unanimously sanctioned the Definitive Treaty between Great Britain and France. 18. The Tribunate and Legislative Body of France adopted the projet for establishing a Legion of Honour. 24. A Treaty concluded between France and the Prince of Orange. 28. Accounts received, that, after much desperate fighting, and extensive conflagrations in St. Domingo, a parley had been entered into between Leclerc and Toussaint. JUNE. 1. A General Thanksgiving for the restoration of peace took place throughout the United Kingdom. 4. The King of Sardinia voluntarily abdicated his throne in favour of his brother, the Duke D'Aost. 7. The Turkish rebel Passwan Oglou defeated a body of the Grand Seignior's troops. 8. The Batavian Legislature adopted the projet of a law for permitting the importation of British merchandize into the ports of Holland, on paying the ordinary duties. 12. An interview took place at Memel, between the Emperor of Russia and the King of Prussia. 15. Official accounts received from St. Domingo of Toussaint having concluded a treaty with the French. 26. The foundation stone of the London Docks at Wapping laid by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. 27. Advice received of a formidable in surrection, which had taken place in the French island of Guadaloupe. 23. His Majesty went in state to the House of Peers, and prorogued the Parliament with a speech from the throne. 29. The Parliament of the United Kingdom dissolved by a Proclamation from the King in Council. The London Gazette announced the accession of the Ottoman Porte to the Treaty of Amiens, and of that of the Court of Sweden to the Treaty concluded at Petersburgh, between England and Russia. .92. A part of the works carrying on at the new West India Docks gave way, and inundated the unfinished canals; ten or twelve of the workmen employed in which were unhappily drowned. 27. Lord Hawkesbury made a communication to a Deputation of the Turkey Company, which removed all apprehensions in the merchants respecting the affairs of the Ottoman Empire. AUGUST. 4. Bonaparte formally invested with the Consulship for life, by the several Constitated Authorities, after the votes of the people in favour of the measure had been declared. 5. An Organic Senatus Consultum of the Senate of France empowered Bonaparte to name his successor, and made several alterations in the Constitution of the Republic, all tending to strengthen the power of the Consular Chief. 8. A French squadron arrived before Algiers, and obtained reparation of the Dey, of certain injuries sustained by France from that power. 10. General Lasnes, the French Ambassador to the Court of Portugal, left Lisbon in consequence of the Minister of Police having insisted upon examining a part of his baggage. - The Doge of the Ligurian Republic solemnly invested with supreme authority at Genoa, agreeably to the forms of the new Constitution of that country. 12. The Dutch Legislature decreed an amnesty for all offences connected with the Revolution in Holland. 14. In consequence of the business of the German indemnities, a body of Austrian troops stopped a Bavarian corps, which was on its march to take possession of Passau, of which place the former, at the same time, possessed themselves 15. A splendid fete celebrated at Paris, in honour of the re-establishment of religious worship in France. 16. The new Parliament, which was appointed to meet on the 31st inst. further prorogued to the 5th October. 20. The circulation of English Newspapers prohibited in France. 21. A serious riot took place at Greenland Dock, in consequence of the shipwrights insisting upon an advance of wages, and which was not quelled until the military had been called in by the magistrates, 22. Lord St. Vincent, accompanied by Captain Markham, Mr. Garthshore, and Mr. Marsden, set out upon a visit to the several Dock-yards, where his Lordship made several necessary regulations, and corrected numerous abuses. 27. The new Docks at Blackwall opened in presence of the principal Officers of State. 29. Accounts received that some new disturbances had broke out in St. Domin 5. The Helvetic Government declared their acceptance of the armed mediation of Bonaparte. 6. The island of Tobago delivered up to France, pursuant to the Treaty of Amiens. 14. The majority of the Extraordinary Deputation of the German Empire voted for the adoption of a new plan of indemnities presented by Russia aud France. 24. Several of the principal. cities in Switzerland garrisoned by French troops. 26. A shock of an earthquake happened at Constantinople. 30. The Diet of Schwitz abandoned all intention of further resistance, and dissolved itself. Thus terminated the Helvetic insurrection. NOVEMBER. 1. The French took possession of the Duchy of Parma and its dependencies. 6. General Andreossi the Ambassador from the French Republic, arrived in London. 14. Lord Whitworth, Ambassador to France, and his suite, arrived at Paris. 16. Colonel Despard, and between thirty and forty persons of the lowest order, some of them soldiers of the Foot Guards, taken into custody on a charge of high treason. Both Houses of Parliament met pursuant to his Majesty's Proclamation. 18. The Swiss Deputies arrived at Paris, to arrange the Constitution of Helvetia, The Right Honourable THOMAS STEELE, and JOHN HILEY ADDINGTON, are ap pointed Paymasters General of his Ma jesty's Forces. On the 19th instant, WILLIAM ADAIR JACKSON, Esq. was chosen one of the Directors of the East India Company. The unpleasant intelligence has been received of a mutiny having broke out on board his Majesty's ship Gibraltar, of 84 guns, on her passage from the Streights to Malta, in company with the Triumph, Superb, and Dragou, of 74 each. The mu tineers, it seems, succeeded in possessing themselves of the ship, and during their momentary success, ran her under the sterns of the other vessels, cheering them, in the hope that their several crews would join in the revolt. Happily, however, their expectations were completely disappointed. The mutineers finding their intentions entirely fail, became panic struck, and, in consequence, were subdued with very little difficulty by their officers, assisted by the marines, who are stated to have conducted themselves with the greatest gallantry on the occasion. The ringleaders of the mutiny were immediately secured, and three of them were hanged on the 19th ult. A few more, we understand, were expected to suffer the same fate. It is added, that subordination had been completely restored on board the Gibraltar, and that the spirit of mutiny had not, in the slightest degree, infected any of the other ships. His Majesty's Special Commission, for the trial of the prisoners in custody for treasonable practices, was opened on the 20th, at the Sessions House, Newington, before Lord Ellenborough, and seven other commissioners. A most respectable jury was sworn in, who, after hearing an able charge from the Lord Chief Justice, retired; and at half past Eight in the evening, returned a true bill for High Treasou, against Colonel Despard and twelve others. The weather during the present month has been unusually violent, and in consequence of it, many vessels have been lost. Among them is the East India Company's ship, Hindustan, which on the 11th inst. was wrecked near Margate. Seventeen of the crew perished. There was specie on board to the amount of £70,000. There have been considerable fluctuations in the Stocks during the present month. The three per cent. consols are now about 70, and omnium at a discount of about 5 per cent. OBITUARY. To the Editor of the Christian Observer. TWELVE years after the death of my eldest son, and seven years after the death of my daughter, that gracious Being, whose ways are all directed by perfect wisdom and righteousness, saw fit to call hence another of my sons, about a year after he had entered upon the ministerial office. He had given a preference to the ministry from his early youth; and, when a boy, had often expressed a desire of labouring as a missionary amongst the heathen. When he was eleven years of age, he wrote a short sermon on those words of the Apostle, So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God, Rom. viii. 8. This text was his own choice, and was explained in the manner which, I believe, is agreeable to its true meaning. He had been accustomed, by the direction of his master, under whose tuition he then was, to write down what he could remember of one of the sermons which he heard at Church; and this excellent custom had, no |