THE ANNUAL REGISTER, OR A VIEW OF THE HISTORY, POLITICS, AND LITERATURE, For the YEAR 1798. THE SECOND EDITION. LONDON: Printed by R. Wilks, No. 89, Chancery-lane, For the Proprietors of Dodsley's Annual Register, W. OTRIDGE & SON; R. FAULDER; CUTHELL & MARTIN; OGILVY ALLEN, & Co.; E. JEFFERY; AND VERNOR, HOOD, & SHARPE. 番 1806. PREFACE. IT has been justly observed, that the most extensive and inveterate wars have generally been those, not of ambition, but of opinion. In our days, a new principle of war has arisen, much more extensive in its influence and effects than any difference of opinion on any subject: for, never yet was there any doctrine, whether merely speculative or religious, so general, as a love of property and a disposition to plunder. The trouble, which this new principle occasions to the annalist, will readily be perceived by our readers, in perusing the History of Europe; comprehending, also, the effects of European principles, passions, and projects, in Asia, Africa, and America, and their re-action on our quarter of the world. It is not an easy matter to arrange, into any tolerable order or shape, so great a variety of counsels and actions, going on at the same time in so many dif ferent parts of the globe; to give to each its just position and proportion; and, on the whole, to form a picture that may not be over-loaded and confused, but such as may be contemplated without distraction, and with some degree of both pleasure and advantage. The candid a 2 |