marked by a more universal mourning; and the year concluded with every expression of regret and commiseration from a people actuated by a congenial sentiment. In the rest of Europe little has occurred to disturb the general tranquillity. By an official note from the allied courts presented to the Duke de Richelieu, notice was given of their intention considerably to re duce the army by which France was occupied, reckoning from the first of April of the current year; and there is reason to expect that a similar diminution will take place, till the French nation is entirely relieved from the load under which it has long laboured. Spain has partaken in some degree of the disorders which, from the time of the king's return, has kept her in agitation. In January, the cry of the constitution was raised in the city of Valencia, said to have been in consequence of a tax on coals. The vigour of General Elio, however, soon brought it to a close. In Barcelona a much more dangerous conspiracy was planned in the beginning of April, of which the Generals Lacy and Milans were the leaders. The captain-general of the province, having obtained timely notice of the plot, put the troops in motion, and a few hours were sufficient to restore tranquillity. Lacy, who was taken prisoner, was condemned by a court-martial, and was sent as a captive to Majorca, where an attempt to escape from his guard was the cause of his death. The Brazilian government, now identified with that of Portugal, during the course of the last year had sent an army to take possession of the Spanish terri tory tory of Montevideo. The courts of Austria, Great Britain, Prussia, Russia, and France, on being informed of this singular transaction, addressed a strong memorial to the government of Portugal and Brazil, in which they informed his most Faithful Majesty that it was impossible for them to look upon the aggression committed against Spain in any other light than as an act of hostility. In the mean time an insurrection broke out at Pernambuco, a province of Brazil, which assumed a serious aspect, being chiefly encouraged among the officers of Olinda and Recife. A battle, however, in which the royal forces entirely defeated the insurgents, soon put an end to the insurrection; and the result of the application of the European courts has not yet been given to the public. Some time after, Portugal itself was threatened with a revolution, the purpose of which was to estab. lish a government for that country, independent of South America. Its principal promoters were the Lieutenant-general Gomez Freres de Andrade, and the Baron d'Eben; but before all the preparations had been made, the whole plot was discovered, and an arrest took place of the persons concerned. The very slow procedure of the German states, and the apparent reluctance of several of the members to join in establishing the principles of free government, has thrown back to another year the general result of their deliberations; nor does it yet appear how soon a desirable conclusion can be brought to effect. Financial difficulties occur in several of the states; and till they are settled, it seems in vain to expect a satisfactory solution of their embroiled affairs. Prussia, in particular, is said to be much incensed against The King of Wurtemburgh has found it necessary to dissolve the assembly of his states, in consequence of their refusal to confirm a constitution proposed to them by his Majesty; and he took into his own hands the administration of the finances for the years 1817 The duchy of Saxe Weimar seems to have been the only German state which has hitherto declared its adhesion to the true principles of a free constitution; and a proposition moved by the reigning Duke to the A speech delivered by the president Mr. Monroe to the American Congress, on the second of December, announced that the revenue arising from imports and tonnage, with that from the sale of the public lands, The Prince Regent's Speech.-Insults offered him.-His Message to both Houses of Parliament.-Taken into Consideration by the Houses of Lords and Commons, and a Secret Committee appointed in each.-Report from Singular Circumstance respecting the Committee of the Lords.-Bill for the Suspension of the Habeas Corpus, moved by Lord Sidmouth in the House of Lords.-Debates. -Protest.-Lord Castlereagh in the House of Commons moves for Bills, for the more effectually preventing Seditious Meetings and Assemblies; for the better prevention and punishment of attempts to seduce persons in his Majesty's forces by Sea and Land from their allegiance; and for making perpetual parts of an act, for the safety and preservation of his Majesty's person and government, including those of the Prince Regent.- Debates. Different Clauses of the Seditious Meetings Act gone through.- War Salaries of the Secretaries of the Admiralty.-Motion respecting the Lords of the Admiralty-Motion for a Committee on the Public Income and Expenditure, by Lord Castlereagh.-First Report of the Committee.-Bills for abolishing the Offices of Justices in Eyre, and for a Compensation for Civil Services.-Pass both Houses.-Irish Peace preservation Bill, [35 Continuance of Irish Insurrection Act.-Mr. Wilberforce's Motion for an Address to the Prince Regent relative to the Foreign Slave Trade.-Par- Domestic Events.-Course of the Year.-Double suspension of the Habeas Corpus.-Celebration of the Queen's and Prince Regent's Birth-Days.- France. Decree respecting Slaves introduced in the Colonies.-Negociations with the Allied Powers.-Ordinance concerning the Debts of the City of Paris.-Disturbances at Lyons.-Royal Ordinances for the creation of Majorats.-Election for the Chamber of Deputies, and Royal Speech.- Project of a Law for the Press.-Law for the establishment_of_Re- Spain.-Disturbance in Valencia.-Edict prohibiting Books.-Conspiracy in Barcelona.-Castanos and his Accomplices condemned.-Papal Bull re- specting the Properly of the Church in Spain.- Queen of Etruria.-Decree relative to the Culture of Tobacco in the Havannah.-Abolition of the Slave Trade-Portugal.-Irruption of its Army into Montevideo.-Part taken by the Allied Powers.-Defection of Pernambuco, and its Reduction.- |