Annual Register

though evident to the meanest capacity, yet, by a combination of circumstances, are only known to a few thinking men in every nation, and in every age. But apinions, worthy only of the defpotifm of Afia, and paffions, armed with power and authority, have, generally by infenfible and fometimes by violent impreffions on the timid credulity of men, effaced thofe fimple ideas, which perhaps conftituted the first philofophy of infant fociety. Happily the philofophy of the prefent enlightened age feems again to conduct us to the fame principles, and with that degree of certainty, which is obtained by a rational examination, and repeated experience.

The opinion, that every member of fociety has a right to do any thing, that is not contrary to the laws, without fearing any other inconveniences, than thofe which are the natural confequences of the action itself, is a political dogma, which should be defended by the laws, inculcated by the magiAtrates, and believed by the people; a facred dogma, without which there can be no lawful fociety; a juft recompence for our facrifice of that univerfal liberty of action, com.. mon to all fenfible beings, and only limited by our natural powers. By this principle, our minds become free, active, and vigorous; by this alone we are infpired with that virtue which knows no fear, fo different from that pliant prudence, worthy of thofe only who can bear a precarious existence.

I do not know of any exception to this general axiom, that Every member of fociety should know when he is criminal, and when innocent. If cenfors, and, in general, arbi

trary magiftrates, be neceffary in any government, it proceeds from fome fault in the conftitution. The uncertainty of crimes hath facrificed more victims to fecret tyranny, than have ever fuffered by public and folemn cruelty.

What are, in general, the proper punishments for crimes? Is the punishment of death really useful, or neceffary for the fafety, or good order of fociety? Are tortures and torments confiftent with justice, or do they answer the end propofed by the laws? Which is the best method of preventing crimes ? Are the fame punishments equally ufeful at all times? What influ "ence have they on manners? 1 hefe problems fhould be folved,with that geometrical precision, which the mift of fophiftry, the feduction of eloquence, and the timidity of doubt are unable to refist.

If I have no other merit than that of having first prefented to my country, with a greater degree of evidence, what other nations have written, and are beginning to practife, I fhall account myself fortunate; but if, by fupporting the rights of mankind, and of invincible truth, I thall contribute to fave from the agonies of death one unfortunate victim of tyranny, or of ignorance, equally fatal; his blefsing and tears of tranfport will be a fufficient confolation to me for the contempt of all mankind.”

We with that the extent of our plan could admit of our giving more extracts from this favourite writer; his unbounded philanthropy, and the eloquence and tendernefs with which he pleads the caufe of humanity, muft always procure him the most favpurable reception.

THE

CONTENTS.

History of EUROPE.

CHAP. I.

General afpect of affairs. Prefent appearances pacific. Some antient caufes of contention removed. France. Halland. General ftate of the North. Germany. Italy. Expulfion of the Jefuits from Naples and Parma. The intereft of the court of Rome declining in Italy. Portugal. Scarcity of corn. Friendly intercourse subsisting between the learned.

CHAP. H.

Strict attention of the government of Sweden to prevent luxury. An important law made for enlarging the liberty of the press in that kingdom. Denmark. Great preparations, making in Ruffia to obferve the tranfit of the planet Venus over the fun: The Empress writes a letter upon that Jubject to the academy at Petersburg. Deputies from all the provinces of the empire are fummoned to Moscow, to form a new code of laws. State of affairs in Turkey. Encouragement given by the Grand Seignior, to introduce the art of printing in his dominions. The piratical states of Barbary refuse to pay the ancient tribute to the Porte. An infurrection in the province of Montenero.

CHA P. III.

State of affairs in Poland. Original eaufes of the late difputes. Ancient ftate of that country. Converfion to the Chriftian religion. Acceffion of the great datchy of Lithuania and other provinces to the kingdom of Poland. Antient ftate of the conftitution, of religion, &c. RemarkVOL. X.

able

able law paffed by Sigifmund Auguflus, in favour of Chriftians of all denominations. Final union of the kingdom of Poland and the great dutchy of Lithuania. The kingdom modelled into a republic, upon the death of igifmund Auguftus. The firft diet of the republic. A perpetual peace agreed upon between the Diffidents. The original meaning of that [12

term.

CHA P. IV.

The caufes affigned for the great fuperiority which the Roman Catholics in Poland have acquired over the Greeks and Proteftants. Account of Sigifmund the third. Treaty of Oliva. Edit against the Arians. Conftitution of 1717. Opp effion of the Diffidents in confequence of it. Confitution of 736. Confederacies formed by the Diffident nobles. Declaration of the Empress of Ruffia in their favour. Of the King of Pruffia, &c. Malecontents. I be diet meets; fome of the members arrested by the Ruffians. A commiffion appointed finally to fettle the affairs of the Diffidents.

[17

Spain. Meafures relative to the expulfion of the Jefuits; the caufes that are affigned for that proceeding. The boufes of that fociety in every part of Spain feized by the king's troops; the members arrefted, and their effects Jequefiered. The King of Spain's ordinance against the fociety. The JeJuits transported to Civita Vecchia; but are not Juffered to be landed; from thence they are carried to Corfica. The Jefuits in Mexico, and all the other Spanish colonies, arrefted, and their property Jeized. Similar meafures purfued in Naples and Sicily. [27

CHAP. VI.

Of Cerfica; its ancient ftate granted by a pope to the republic of Pifa: conquered by the Genoeje: oppreffive and impolitic government of it. The Coricans offer to fubmit themselves to the Turks. The beginning of the prefent troubles in that ifland; the Prince of Wirtemberg with an imperial army compels the malecontents to fubmit. The troubles begin again. Theodere proclaimed king. French army fubdue the island; but upon their departure the malecontents renew the war with more fury than ever. Fafcal Paoli aeclared general of the Corficans he drives the Genoefe to the fortified towns upon the coafts; and establishes a regular government. The conqueft of the island of Capraja.

СНАР. VII.

[34

Great difireffes of the poor from the high prices of provifions; riots and tumults thereupon; Jeveral of the rioters taken; fpecial commifions issued for their immediate trial. A proclamation against forefalling; the parliament prorogued; an embargo laid on fhipsloaded with wheat. The

ftate

State of the East India company; great difputes between the members of it; their affairs become a fubject of general difcuffion. Meffage from the miniftry to the court of India directors; a great increase of dividend carried by a numerous mejority of proprietors. The parliament meet; notice taken in the Speech from the throne, of the neceffity that occafioned the late exertion of authority for the preferuation of the public safety. [39

CHAP. VIII.

A bill of indemnity for thofe concerned in the late embargo, brought in; great debates thereon; the bill paffed. The bill for reftraining all acts of the affembly of New York, brought in, and paffed. Land-tax reduced to three Jhillings in the pound. Great debates upon India affairs; proposals made by the company for an accommodation with government; the proposals accepted, and a bill paffed for that purpofe. Bill for regulating India dividends; great debates thereon; the bill paffes, and the house breaks up. [44 CHRONICLE.

[*46

APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. Proteft against the refcinding the East India dividend.

[180

Tranflation of his Catholic majesty's ordinance for the banishment of the Jefuits.

[185

Abstract of the trial of William Guest for high-treason, in filing, impairing, &c. the current coin of this kingdom.

An authentic narrative of the many horrid cruelties inflicted by Elizabeth Brownrigg upon her poor apprentice girls.

[190

[197

Copy of a letter of her imperial majesty of all the Ruffias, to his excellency count Wolodimer Orlow, director of the academy of Sciences at Peterf

burg.

[200

Copy of a letter from M. Ramousky, of the imperial academy of Sciences at Peterburg, to Mr. Short of the royal fociety of London.

ibid.

A curious account of the great eruption of Mount Vesuvius, on the
October, 1767.

An account of the last honours paid to his royal highness the duke
at Monaco in Italy.
Ceremonial of the private interment of his late royal highness
of York and Albany, in the royal vault in king Henry the VIIth's

204

chapel. Some particulars of the life of his late royal highness the duke of York.

A narrative of the extraordinary diftreffes which we suffered at fea, by the furviving part of the crew of the brig Sally, captain Tabry, bound from Philadelphia to Hifpaniola.

Y 2

[211

Oliver

19th of

[201

of York,

[203 the duke

Oliver Cromwell's fpeech to the members of the tong parliament, when be turned them out of the house.

[212

An account of all the public debts, at the receipt of his majesty's exchequer, Standing out Jan. 5, 1767, (being old Chriflmas-day), with the annual intereft or other charges payable for the fame.

Supplies granted by parliament, for the year 1767.

Ways and means for raifing the above Supply.

STATE PAPERS.

[214 1216

221

His majefty's most gracious speech to both boufes of parliament, on Thursday the 2d day of July, 1767.

1230

ibid.

His majesty's most gracious speech to both houses of parliament, on Tuesday the 24th of November, 1767; with the bumble addresses of both boufes upon the occafion, and his majesty's most gracious anfwers. The bumble addrefs to his majefly, of the right bon. the lord mayor, aldermen, and commons of the city of London, în common council affembled, prefented the 11th of November, 176, on the happy occafion of the birth of a prince; together with their condolence on the death of his royal highnefs the duke of York; and his majesty's most gracious anfwer. [234 His excellency George lord viscount Townfbend, lord lieutenant general, and ge•neral governor of Ireland, his fpeech to both boufes of parliament at Dublin, on Tuesday the 20th day of O&tober, 1767, with their addrefjes on the occafion, &c.

CHARACTER S.

(235

General character of the Welf, as it was in the time of Henry the fecond.

Character of the Englif and Normans.

of Harold.