ANNUAL REGISTER, OR GENERAL REPOSITORY OF HISTORY, POLITICS, AND LITERATURE, For the YEAR 1786. TO WHICH IS PREFIXED, The HISTORY of KNOWLEDGE, LEARNING, and TASTE, in GREAT BRITAIN, during the Reign of HENRY the SEVENTH, from the Year 1485 to 1509. LONDON, Printed for G. G. J. and J. ROBINSON, Pater-noster-Row. MDCCLXXXVII, PREFACE: T HE farther we proceed in our undertaking, the less occafion there is either to enlarge on its nature, or on the manner in which it is conducted. In both these respects we have had the fatisfaction of receiving the approbation of the Public; and we trust, that a similar approbation will attend the present volume. Not to mention that it hath been prepared for the press with a care equal to what has formerly been displayed, we shall beg leave to observe, that one or two parts which, in the last year, were perhaps rather too excrefcent, are now reduced to their due compass and proportion: at the same time, it is hoped, that no department of the work will be found defective. A season of general peace doth not exhibit such striking scenes as when the world is involved in the tumults and devastations of war. But it affords matters equally momentous, and which are more delightful to philosophic minds, and the friends of humanity. The Parliamentary History of Great Britain and Ireland, which comprehends such a variety of political, civil, and commercial concerns, must ever be a very important object: and Europe, in its most tranquil state, will always be productive of events that give scope to speculation. It is devoutly to be wished, that the nations of the earth could continue to be united in the bonds of peace; but fuch a happy fituation of things is rather to be defired than expected. There is a ferment in the minds of men which seems to prognosticate fresh disturbances, and which perhaps may end in great revolutions. It is not our business to prophesy; but we cannot avoid expreffing our apprehenfions, that the commotions in Holland will not blow over so lightly as some politicians are ready to imagine. The Literary Part of our work will explain the State of Knowledge, Science and Taste in the year 1786; and it is a pleasure to find that, amidst a number of infignificant publications, there are fo many which can be spoken of with applause. Those who depreciate the learning of the present times, are not acquainted with the subject. In the department of Domestic Literature, we have fresh obligations to the gentleman who hath voluntarily communicated to us the articles that relate to Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, and Medicine. On the whole, we present the Seventh Volume of the New Annual Register to our readers, with the agreeable hope, that they will derive from it both instruction and entertainment. Such a hope hath always animated our endeavours, and it will continue to invigorate our future exertions. CON i THE History of Knowledge, Learning, and Tafta in Great Britain, Page Second Sefion of the Irish Parliament. Meeting of Congress. Eleven Com- mercial Propofitions. Their Reception. Parliamentary Reform. Taventy Propofitions. Their Discussion. Rejected with Indignation. Parliament Infurrections in the South of Ireland. Different Causes to which they were afcribed. Violences committed against the Clergy of both Religions, Dissentions of the United Provinces. Institution of the Volunteers. Rife of a democratical Party. Conduct of the Citizens of Utrecht. Stadtholder retires from the Hague. Treaties with the Emperor and France, Meeting of Parliament. Speech fromthe Throne. Address. Alteration of the Mutiny Bill. Duke of Richmond's Fortifications rejected. Bill for regulat- ing the Militia. Mr. Marsham's Election Bill. Lord Mahon's bill, 61 Bill for establishing & Sinking Fund. Civil Lift Bill. Wine Excise Bill. Bill of Crown Lands. Mr. Wilberforce's Bill. Fisheries. Complaint Mr. Francis's India Bill. Bill of Mr. Dundas, relative to the Political Government. Bill for amending the Judicature. Bill of East India Impeachment of Mr. Hastings. Motion for Papers. Maratta Papers re- fused. Debate on the Dehli Papers. Production of the Charges. Mr. Hastings beard at the Bar of the House of Commons. Witnesses examined. The Speech of the Right Hon. Charles Wolfran Cornwall, Speaker of the His Majesty's Sprech to bo: Houses of Parliament, on Wednesday, July 11, |