The oppressions of the French in the Belgian provinces, and in particular their military conscriptions, excited a formidable insurrection against their authority, which pervaded five departments during the autumn, and was not quelled without much bloodshed. The Ottoman Porte declared war in September against the French republic, on account of its invasion of Egypt, and formed an alliance with Russia. Paul, the new sovereign of that vast empire, in whose character passion greatly predominated over policy, had surpassed all other potentates in the openness of his declarations of hostility to the French revolution, and had signified his intention of marching an army to the borders of France, and undertaking the restoration of the Bourbons. He had also declared himself protector and grand-master of the order of Malta, though its connections had hitherto been solely with Roman-catholic sovereigns; and on every occasion he displayed his detestation of French principles, and his attachment to all the ancient form and ceremonial of society. Such zeal, joined with so much power, therefore caused him to be regarded as an important accession to the antigallican association; and his co-operation was secured by a subsidy stipulated in a treaty concluded in December between him and the King of Great Britain. The haughtiness and disregard of national rights which now characterized the proceedings of the French government was near involving it in a quarrel with the United States of America, Deputies having been sent to France from the States for the purpose of accom. modating the subisting differences, they were treated with so much arrogance, and demands were advanced so unjust in their nature, that preparations were made on their part for a spirited assertion of their independent dignity. Commissions for reprisals by sea were issued, resolutions were passed for equipping ships of war; the military establishment was augmented, and the supreme command was vested in General Washington. The island of St. Domingo was totally evacuated by the English troops in May; and near the end of the year, by the French; and the negro chief, Toussaint l'Ouverture, remained possessed of the principal authority. In November, the island of Minorca surrendered, with scarcely any resistance, to a British force commanded by General C. Stuart. In the same month, the Isle of Gozo, near Malta, capitulated to a detachment of Admiral Nelson's squadron. The autumnal session of parliament opened on November 20th, with a royal speech, in which the victory of the Nile, and the suppression of the Irish rebellion, were alluded to as subjects of national gratitude; and the wisdom and magnanimity displayed by the Emperor of Russia, with the decision and vigour of the Ottoman Porte, were mentioned as examples to encourage other states in adopting a line of conduct which experience had shewn to be alone consistent with security and honour. The usual addresses were carried without opposition, though remarks were made on the confidence with which the success of a new confederation against the enemy seemed to be anticipated. On the introduction of the statement of public expenditure, in which the supplies requisite for the ensuing year were estimated at 29,272,000l. the minister brought forward a new plan for raising a considerable part of them within the year, which was that of an income tax; and he proposed a series of resolutions relative to it, which passed three readings in the House of Commons before the close of the year. A. D. 1799. YEAR OF GEORGE III. 39 & 40. PARLIAMENT 3 & 4. New Discussion on the Income Tax-Suspension of Habeas Corpus continued. Message respecting an Union with Ireland, and Plan for that Purpose. Abolition of the Slave Trade negatived.. Confederacy against France. Arrival of the Russians under Suwarof in Moravia. - War declared by France against the Emperor of Austria ·Campaign in Switzerland and Italy. - French defeated at Novi Russians retire to their own Country. - Naples recovered from the French. Sanguinary Executions of the Revolutionists there. Tuscany recovered; and Genoa the sole remaining Possession of the French Expedition of the English and Russians to North Holland. - Capture of the Dutch Fleet at the Texel.Duke of York takes the Command of the Land Forces. Various Actions, and final Relinquishment of the Project. Surinam reduced by the English. Buonaparte's Invasion of Syria, and unsuccessful Siege of Acre. Defeats a Turkish Army in Egypt. He returns to France - Party Contentions there, terminating in the Dissolution of the existing Constitution. Formation of a new Constitution. — Buonaparte nominated First Consul. War renewed with Tippoo. Seringapatam taken by General Harris; Death of Tippoo, and Extinction of the Mysore Kingdom. - Autumnal Session of Parlia ment. Royal Speech, and Bill for extending the voluntary Service of the Militia.-Death of the Pope. THE parliamentary year began with further discussions of that important measure of finance, the income tax. Mr. Pitt's proposed resolutions were, in substance, that the augmentation of the assessed taxes should be repealed, and in its place a duty of ten per cent. upon income should be substituted, to commence with incomes above 60l. a year, but in a reduced ratio from that sum to 2007.; the return of income by individuals to be according to their own statement, but liable to checks by surveyors if there were reason to suspect deficiency. He calculated the national income at 102 millions, which would produce a tax of 10 millions. A bill being framed upon these principles, various objections were made to it in its passage through the two Houses, but it was carried by great majorities, and after several amendments, passed into a law. A motion for a bill to continue the suspension of the habeas corpus act was brought in by Mr. Pitt in December, and though opposed in both Houses as a measure of which the necessity had ceased, it was carried through by great majorities early in January. The most interesting subject introduced to parliament during this session was the legislative union of Ireland with Great Britain. On January 22d a message was received from his Majesty by both Houses, which recommended to each the consideration of the most effectual means to defeat the design of our enemies to promote a separation between the two kingdoms, by settling such a complete and final adjustment, as might perpetuate a connection essential for their common security, and consolidate the power and resources of the British empire. A motion for taking this message into consideration being carried in the House of Commons, Mr. Pitt, on January 31st, after expatiating upon the necessity of an intimate connection between the two countries, and the advantages which Ireland would derive from an union, proceeded to state certain resolutions for the basis of such a measure. These were, that the two islands should be united into one kingdom by the name of the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,❞—that the succession to the crown should be limited and settled as at present that the United Kingdom should be represented by one common parliament, in which a number of Lords and Commons to be hereafter agreed on should have a seat on the part of Ireland that the churches of England and Ireland be preserved as now by law established that the King's subjects of Ireland be entitled to the same privileges in point of trade and navigation with those of Great - Britain (to this resolution were annexed several articles relative to equality of duties, countervailing duties, &c.) -that the charge for the payment of the interest of the debt of each kingdom before the union shall continue to be paid by Great Britain and Ireland separately, but that the future ordinary expences of the United Kingdom shall be defrayed by them jointly, according to proportions to be established by the parliament of each kingdom as agreed upon previously to the unionthat all laws in force at the time of the union, and all the Courts civil and ecclesiastical in each kingdom, shall remain as now established, subject only to such alterations as from circumstances may seem requisite to the united parliament. A motion being then made for submitting these propositions to a committee of the whole House, it was carried on a division by 140 votes to 15. After considerable debates, the resolutions, with some amendments, were agreed to, and sent up to the House of Peers, where they underwent a farther discussion. The conclusion was, that a joint address to the King was voted by each House, presenting these resolutions as those which appeared to them best calculated for a basis of the desired settlement between the two kingdoms. Mr. Wilberforce's annual motion for the abolition of the slave trade had in this session to encounter an additional opposition, arising from the existence of a negro army in St. Domingo, and the efforts made to propagate democratical principles through the West Indian Islands. It was therefore negatived by a majority of 34 to 54. This year was rendered memorable on the continent of Europe by the efforts of a new confederacy against the power of France. A congress had been sitting during the whole of the last year at Rastadt, for the purpose of finally settling the perplexed affairs of Germany, and giving a lasting peace to the empire; and after tedious discussions, there appeared a prospect of a speedy agreement between the French plenipotentiaries and those of the German powers; when the approach of a |