and is supported by Mr. Crawford, Mr. Danby Seymour, and Sir Charles

Wood-Various Amendments are proposed, but without success, and the

Bill is passed-It is carried through the House of Lords, after some un-

favourable Remarks from Lord Ellenborough-Debates in the House of

Lords on the Development of the Resources of India-The Marquis of

Tweeddale presents a Petition from Manchester in favour of encouraging

the Growth of Cotton-Remarks of Lord Harris, Lord Brougham, Lord

Ellenborough, and Lord De Grey and Ripon The Earl of Shaftesbury

moves an Address to the Crown in favour of promoting the Cultivation

of Cotton and the execution of Public Works-His Speech-Observations

of Lord Lyveden, the Marquis of Clanricarde, and the Duke of Argyll—

Lord Overstone moves the previous Question, which is agreed to.

CHAPTER VII.

[128

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES-Law of Bankruptcy and Insolvency-Progress

of the Attorney-General's Bill for the Consolidation of this branch of the

Law in both Houses-Important alterations made in the Select Committee

of the House of Lords-The Law Lords are much divided in respect to

some provisions of the Bill-An Amendment is carried by Lord Chelms-

ford against the opinion of the Government-Some of the alterations

meet with disfavour in the House of Commons, and the further progress

of the Bill becomes doubtful-Controversy between the two Houses-

The Lords persist in retaining certain Amendments which the Commons

disapprove of The Government ultimately makes a concession to save the

Bill, and the Measure becomes Law-Consolidation of the Criminal Law-

Seven Bills are introduced by the Law Officers of the Crown, founded on

the Report of the Criminal Law Commission, to amend and consolidate

the Statutes relating to Indictable Offences—The Bills are referred to a

Select Committee in the House of Commons, and are eventually passed-

Further progress in the purgation of the Statute Book by the Repeal of

Obsolete Acts.-MARRIAGE WITH A DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER-A new

Bill to legalize these Unions is introduced by Mr. M. Milnes-Mr. Walpole

enters a Protest against the Principle of the Measure-Upon the Second

Reading being moved, Mr. Hunt moves an Amendment, and a Debate

takes place Speeches of Mr. Denman, Mr. Whiteside, Sir M. Peto, Mr.

Pease, and other Members-The Amendment is affirmed, on a division, by

179 to 172, and the Bill is dropped.-Other Law Reforms-Alteration in

the Law Regulating the Making of Wills by British Subjects Abroad-

Two Bills, proposed by Lord Kingsdown and the Attorney-General, are

enacted for this purpose.-POST OFFICE SAVINGS' BANKS-A measure for

affording increased security and convenience to depositors in Savings'

Banks through the medium of the Post Office, is proposed by the Chan-

cellor of the Exchequer-The Bill meets with general support, but is

opposed by Lord Monteagle in the House of Lords-It is passed into a

Law.-NATIONAL EDUCATION-The Report of the Royal Commissioners

on this subject is presented to Parliament, and occasions much interest-

The Earl of Shaftesbury, in the House of Lords, takes exception to part

of the Report containing animadversions on the Ragged Schools-His

Speech-He is answered by the Duke of Newcastle, who vindicates the

Report, and refers at some length to the evidence taken on the subject—

A general Debate on the Recommendations of the Report takes place in

the House of Commons, on the motion of Sir John Pakington-He enters

fully into the subject, and is followed by Mr. Henley, Mr. Lowe, and other

Members-On moving the Vote for Irish Education, Mr. Cardwell explains

the results of the System, and the Intentions of the Government-A

Resolution, directed against the Irish National System, is moved by Mr.

Isaac Butt-Observations of Mr. Lefroy, Mr. McEvoy, Mr. Cardwell, Sir

Hugh Cairns, Mr. Moore O'Ferrall, Lord John Russell, Mr. Monsell, and

Sir George Lewis-Mr. Butt's Resolution is negatived by a large majority

-Revision of the Liturgy-Lord Ebury presents a Petition in favour of

this object, and offers some Remarks—The Bishop of London, in answer,

refers to the subject of Subscription to the Articles, and Revision of the

Liturgy The Business of the Session being concluded, the Prorogation

takes place by Commission on the 6th of August-The Royal Speech-

Results of the Session

CHAPTER VIII.

[148

FRANCE-Opening of the French Chambers, and Speech of the mperor

Address of the Senate in answer-Speech of Prince Napoleon-State of

French Finances-M. Achille Fould made Minister of Finance-His Re-

port to the Emperor-Letter from the Emperor to the Minister of State-

Speech of M. Fould in the Senate in defence of his Financial Measures.

ITALY Retirement of the French Squadron from Gaeta-Reasons given in

the Moniteur for this step-Capitulation of Gaeta-The British Govern-

ment refuses to recognize the Ambassador of the ex-King of Naples-

Meeting of the First Parliament of Italy-Royal Speech-Victor Em-

manuel declared King of Italy-Protest on behalf of the Pope by Cardinal

Antonelli-Recognition of the new Kingdom of Italy by Great Britain

and France-Death of Count Cavour-New Ministry formed under Baron

Ricasoli-His Speech in explanation of their Policy-Questions of Venice

and Rome-Unsettled state of the Neapolitan Territory

CHAPTER IX.

[166

AUSTRIA AND HUNGARY.-Imperial Ordinance creating a new Reichsrath—

New Council of State-Promulgation of Provincial Statutes-Circular

with respect to Hungary-Opening of the Reichsrath and Speech of the

Emperor-Address of the Upper House-Speeches of M. Deak and Count

Andrassey in the Hungarian Diet-Address of the Diet rejected by the

Emperor Second Address and Imperial Rescript-Excitement in the

Hungarian Diet-Address in Answer drawn up by M. Deak-Baron Vay

resigns the Chancellorship of Hungary-Dissolution by the Emperor of

the Diet-Resolution not to pay Taxes-Hungary placed under a Mili-

tary Dictatorship.

RUSSIA.-Manifesto of the Emperor Alexander, declaring the Emancipation

of Serfs

[192

MEXICO. Withdrawal of the British Legation from Mexico-Causes which

led to this-Sir C. Wyke sent on a Special Mission to the Mexican Go-

vernment Deplorable State of the Country-Convention between Great

Britain, France, and Spain, for a Military Expedition to Mexico-Arrival

of the Spanish Squadron at Vera Cruz, and Surrender of the Town-

Despatches of Earl Russell on the subject of the Internal Government

of Mexico.

CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.-Causes which led to the Secession of the South

-Mr. Crittenden's Proposal for a Compromise-South Carolina declares

her Independence-Seizure of the United States' Arsenals-Message of

President Buchanan to Congress-Firing of the First Shot-Population

according to the Census-Fort Sumpter and its Garrison-Mr. Cobb

elected President of the Confederate Congress-Mr. Jefferson Davis

elected President of the Confederate States-His Address-Inaugural

Address of President Lincoln-Attack upon, and Surrender of, Fort

Sumpter-Proclamations of President Lincoln and President Davis-

Opposition of Maryland to the March of Federal Troops through its

Territory-Message of President Davis to the Confederate Congress—

Active measures taken by the contending Parties-Kentucky declares

for Neutrality-Resolution of the South not to allow Cotton to be ex-

ported from the Northern Ports-Proclamations of the Queen of Great

Britain and Emperor of the French enforcing Neutrality-Position of

the Federal Army-Question of Runaway Slaves

CHAPTER XI.

[213

CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA, CONTINUED-Proclamation of the Confederate

General Beauregard-Harper's Ferry abandoned by the Confederates—

The Confederate Cabinet-Battle of Bull's Run-Success of the Con-

federates at Springfield-Measures with regard to Slaves-Proclamation

of President Lincoln-Landing of Federal Troops on the Coast of South

Carolina-Resignation of General Scott-Seizure of Passengers on board

the British Mail Steamer Trent-Preparation for War by Great Britain-

Surrender of the Passengers-Message of President Davis to the Con-

federate Congress-Message of President Lincoln to the Federal Congress

-Operations of the Federal Marine Force during the War

[243

ANNUAL REGISTER,

FOR THE YEAR

1861.

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

CHAPTER I.

STATE OF THE COUNTRY at the Commencement of the Year 1861Parliament is Opened by the Queen in Person on the 5th of February -Her Majesty's Speech-The Address is moved in the House of Lords by the Earl of Sefton, seconded by Lord Lismore-The Earl of Derby enters fully into the various topics included in the Royal Speech, especially into the policy of this country in regard to ItalyHe is answered by Earl Granville-The Address is agreed to-It is moved in the House of Commons by Sir T. E. Colebrooke, and seconded by Mr. Paget-An Amendment on the subject of Parliamentary Reform is moved by Mr. White-Mr. Disraeli descants at some length on the State of Italy and the conduct of the British Government in relation thereto-Lord John Russell vindicates the policy of Her Majesty's Ministers-He adds some observations on Parliamentary Reform-Mr. Bright discusses the latter subject at some length, and expresses regret at the omission of the topic from the Ministerial Programme-Mr. White's Amendment being negatived, the Address is carried without a Division-On the Report of the Address, Mr. Seymour Fitzgerald renews the debate on Italian Affairs-Lord John Russell again justifies the policy of non-interference pursued by the Cabinet DEFECTS OF PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE Committees moved for by the Ministers in both Houses to inquire into means of expediting the public business in Parliament Mr. Horsman moves an Amendment to the Motion in the House of Commons—Mr. Disraeli expresses his dissent from the Amendment, and Lord Palmerston's Motion is carried-Committees are appointed-Result of their inquiries-MILITARY OPERATIONS IN CHINA-Lord Herbert of Lea, VOL. CIII. [B]