LONDON: Printed by T. Burton, No. 31, Little Queen-ftreet, for the Proprietors of Dodfley's Annual Regifter, W.OTRIDGE AND SON; R. FAULDER; J. CUTHELL; OGILVY AND SON; PREFACE. E VEN in the hiftory of the present war, fo novel in both its origin and conduct, the year 1796 is particularly interesting to every fubject of the British empire. The fpirit of innovation, imported into this country, from France, became ftrong, rampant, and daring. The established order of affairs was loudly threatened. Outrage, in a quarter that ought to be held the most facred from violence, was actually begun: multitudes of men appeared ready to precipitate themselves into anarchy and rebellion. In fuch circumftances, the British government deemed it neceffary to take ftrong measures of prevention. On the conduct of administration the nation was divided, according as they were, more or lefs, forcibly ftruck with the dangers to be apprehended from popular encroachments on the one hand, or those of the executive VOL. XXXVIII, government A government on the other. The apprehenfions of both parties were abundantly justified by experience. It was fcarcely poffible, that, in fuch a fhock, the balance of our conftitution fhould not, in fome degree, be fhaken, and bent a little, for a time, towards one fide or other. The candour and indulgence with which we have treated the oppofite opinions on this important, delicate, and tender subject, we wish to be confidered, by our readers, as a pledge of that perfect impartiality and freedom from all party fpirit, by which we wish this work to be distinguished. As it extends to many years back, fo we hope it will be continued, and find acceptation in the world, for many years to come. It is not for any party, or temporary humour, or paffion, that we felect and record the tranfactions and events of the paffing years, but for our countrymen, and all men, in all times and circumftances, Though we are rather inclined to be of opinion with those who think the measures of administration, to which we have now alluded, were compelled by the dangers and exigencies of the times, we are neither unconcerned, nor unalarmed, at whatever feems to impose restraint on civil or political freedom. On a due balance between prerogative and liberty has the British conftitution been fupported. When either of these has preponderated many evils have been suffered. But there is fomething in the genius, manners, habits, and character of the English nation, different from, and paramount to, laws and forms, that, amidst all the deviations of the conftitution, has constantly brought it back to its true fpirit. The fame principles which have enabled England, by the immenfity of its refources, to ftand unfhaken in the midst of the difafters that befel the coalition, and to display greater and greater energy, in proportion to increafing difficulties, will, we doubt not, fave the state from the disastrous consequences which too often flow even from precedents founded in temporary expediency. In tracing the movements of armies, the revolutions of states, the political intrigues, diffentions, and contests, which mark the year 1796, we have exerted our usual industry, not only in delineating objects, according to their respective magnitude and importance, but in reducing them within the wonted limits of our Annual History of Europe. Το |