LONDON: Printed by T. Burton, No. 31, Little Queen-treet, for the Proprietors of Dodfley's Annual Regifter, W.OTRIDGE AND SON; R.FAULDER; J.CUTHELL; OGILVY AND SON; E. JEFFERY; AND VERNOR AND HOOD. PREFACE. VEN in the history of the present war, so novel in EVEN both its origin and conduct, the year 1796 is particularly interefting to every fubject of the British empire. The spirit of innovation, imported into this country, from France, became strong, 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 such circumstances, the British government deēmed it necessary to take strong measures of prevention. On the conduct of administration the nation was divided, according as they were, more or less, forcibly strutk with the dangers to be apprehended from popular encroachments on the one hand, or those of the executive VOL. XXXVIII. A government |