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ed fresh provisions; and notthstanding this appearance of the irvy, they arrived in port without occasioning any serious mischief, d they did not lose a single man that disease during the whole

yage.

On the 25th of March, 1795, the ips anchored in Valparaiso bay. The governor, on being made acuainted with the occasion of their rrival, so far from expressing any ealousy or uneasiness, received them n a friendly manner, and gave diections for their being accommolated with every assistance that the place would afford. Don Amb. Higgins de Vallener, the president and captain-general of the province of Chili, likewise honoured the commanders with an invitation to St. Jago de Chili, the capital.

Not being able to obtain a new mainmast at Valparaiso, the voyagers repaired the sprung mast as well as circumstances would admit. The mainyard was likewise discovered to be sprung. On account of these defects, and of the southern winter season being far advanced, captain Vancouver did not think it prudent to navigate near the coast towards Cape Horn. The survey of this part was therefore not attempted.

The ships left Valparaiso on the 6th of May. After having sailed round Cape Horn, a search was made for Isle Grand, said to be in 45 30 S. latitude, but without success. July 3, they anchored at St. Helena. I had the inexpressible happiness (says captain Vancouver) of seeing all my officers and men return to a British settlement, after an absence from England of more than four years and a quarter, perfectly well in health, and with

constitutions apparently unimpaired by the extremely laborious service. in which they had been so long employed, and to which without a murmur they had, at all times, and in all climates, uniformly submitted with great zeal and alacrity.' The Chatham being much smaller than the Discovery, and not so well able to encounter the roughness of awinter's passage round Cape Horn, her crew had not fared so well: but she did not, in the course of the whole voyage, lose a single man, either in consequence of ill health, or from any accident whatever.'

A scarcity of rain, for three successive years, had caused great mischiefand want at St. Helena. Several of the bread-fruit plants, which had been left by captain Bligh, on his return from the South Seas, had fallen to decay.-While the ships remained here, a Dutch East Indiaman, not knowing that we had commenced hostilities against them, stood into the bay, and captain Vancouver sent his boats and took possession of her as a prize.

The remaining part of the voyage contains little that is peculiar, or worthy of remark.

In October (1795) both the vessels arrived safely in the Thames, after an absence of four years and a half.

The labours of this voyage have much lessened the grounds of reasonable hope that any navigable water-communication exists, between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, through the continent of America:

but that they are, as conclusive as possible,' will not, by many, be readily admitted. Whatever contempt may be shewn for closet discoveries, they have certainly some

support

support, while there remain openings without any ascertained termination, for the indulgence of speculative fancies concerning a N. W. passage. It may likewise be argued that, as the river Columbia and Port des Français were passed by captain Vancouver, if not without being noticed, without being thought worthy of examination, so might other openings equally have escaped observation; and this may seem the more probable, as the entrances both into Columbia river and Port de Français are so narrow, that at a very moderate distance from the land, their appearance would be too inconsiderable to attract notice. The river Columbia was found navigable, and appeared to continue so, at the most advanced station to which it was explored; and several navigable branches, or rivers, which fell into it, were seen; for the examination of which there was no opportunity. That this river may have communication with some of the lakes already known, is not very improbable. The natives reported that it extended to a great distance inland. There is, however, very lit tle prospect, even if a depth of water sufficient should be found to continue, that it would be practicable for ships to navigate upwards, against so strong and constant a current.

The arm of the sea within Cross Sound, named Lynn Canal, though not navigable for large ships, had

4

the appearance of continuing m farther navigable for small resse. which, with the circumstance its situation, ('approaching neare captain Vancouver observes, 'E those interior waters of the cott nent, which are said to be kack to the traders and travellers fre the opposite side of America, the we had found the waters of the North Pacific penetrate in any fo mer instance,') makes it an objer: of consideration. In the mention ef unexamined openings, Port St. Francisco must not be omitted; and this, if we may judge from the account given in the narrative, is not among the least promising.

The strongest circumstances & gainst the probability of a comms nication by water, through North America, is the following, noticed in the concluding paragraph of captain Vancouver's account:

In all the parts of the continent on which we landed, we no where found any roads or paths through the woods, indicating the Indians on the coast having any intercourse with the natives of the interior part of the country, nor were there any articles of the Canadian or Hudson's-bay traders found amongst the people with whom we met, on any part of the continent or external sea shores of this extensive country.'

On the whole, we must be allowed to repeat, that the prospect is considerably lessened, but, that it is by no means yet proved that a N. W. passage does not exist,

THE

THE

CONTENTS.

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

CHAP. I.

Reflections on the Treaty of Campo Formio.-Notwithstanding the Suspen-
sion of Hostilities between France and Austria.-The Maritime Power of
Great Britain confirmed andincreased.-The British Ministry, however,
renew their Negociations for Peace.-An Official Note, for this Purpose,
sent to the French Minister for Foreign Affairs.-The Answer to this.-
Reply of the British Ministry to that Answer.-The Directory insist on
a definitive and separate Treaty of Peace with England.-Ministers ap-
pointed for the Negociation, by the Directory on the Part of France.-
Their Instructions.-Lord Malmesbury the Commissioner for Negociation
on the Part of England, arrives at Lisle-His Proposals for Peace.-
Previous Requisitions of the French Commissioners.-Declined by Lord
Malmesbury-Farther and preremptory Demands of the French Com-
missioners.Which, however, they endeavour to soften.-The British
Plenipotentiary requires from the French the whole of their Plan for Pa-
cification at once.-Application by the French Plenipotentiaries, for this
Purpose, to the Directory.-Procrastination on the Part of the Directory.
Charge of Insincerity and Procrastination against the British Ministry.
-Remonstrances by Lord Malmesbury.-His Lordship authorized to
treat only on the Principle of reciprocal Compensation -Last Conference
between Lord Malmesbury and the French Commissioners.-The Nego-
ciation broken off.-Lord Malmesbury returns to London.-Reflections 1

CHA P. II.

Predominancy of the Republican Party in France.-Influence of this on
Peace with Austria, and War with England.-Avowed Design of the
Republic to invade, and even conquer England.-Approved and applauded
VOL. XL.

Kk

by

by all Parties.-Emissaries employed by the French, in different Cont

to sow the Seeds of Discontent, and Revolt from their respective Gear

ments -Interference of the French in the Affairs of Switzerland.-Fres

Troops enter into the Province of Basle.-French Party in Switzerland-

And Malcontents in all the different Cantons.-Preparations of the Frenc

Republic for the Invasion of Switzerland.—Conjectures concerning the N-

tives that were at the Bottom of these.-Divisions among the CastA). —

Popular Decree of the Supreme Council of Berne.-Admitting the privat

Towns and Districts into a Participation of the Legislature.—This Pres

dent adopted by Five other Cantons.-Yet Jealousies still prevail, and Dis

tractions.-Solemn Oath taken by the Five United Cantons to defend the

Country to the last Extremity.-Yet a Number of French Partizans, con

in the Senate of Berne.-In which a Majority declares for entering inte

friendly Negociation, and making Concessions to the French.-Heroic Patre

otism of Steiguer.-Adopted by all the noble Youth of Berne.—Yet the

Mode of Treaty and Concession still pursued by the Supreme Council.—Ar

fices of the French General, Le Brune.-Negociations between the Sam

and French.-Who insist on a Revolution in the Swiss Government.—k-

dignation of the People of Switzerland.-The Senate of Berne send Not

to the Swiss General that he was at Liberty to attack the Enemy.-T

cherous Correspondence of certain French Partizans with the French Ge

ral.-Who surprizes the Swiss Army in the Night.-Perfidious Practi

of Le Brune. The Cities of Fribourg and Solcure fall into the Handy

the French.-The Retreat of the Swiss Army.—Which makes some resolte

Stands.-Orders issued by the Government of Berne for a general Rising 4

the People-Obeyed.-Consequences of that Rising.-The armed Multina
dissolve the established, and appoint a provisional Government.— Decisive
Battle between the Swiss and French. -Surrender of Perne

CHAP. III.

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16

of

of the Multitude.-Preparations for an Invasion of England. Mean
and atrocious Artifices of the French Rulers for exasperating the People
of France against the English.--Excite their Rage against this Nation

to the highest Pitch of Madness. -Other Objects for occupying the pub-

lic Mind in France besides the projected Invasion of England

lutionizing Policy and Power of the French Republic exercised in Italy

as well as Switzerland.-The Humiliation of the Pope followed by far-

ther Degradation.-Reduced to the Necessity of imposing the most grie-

vous Taxes.-Divisions and Distractions in his remaining Dominions.-

Illness of the Pope.-Who is relieved from immediate Danger of Death.

But has the Mortification to discover that he is by no means popular

among his Subjects.-Among whom the Spirit of Sedition and Revolt

waxes every Day stronger and stronger.-Numbers withdraw from Rome

through an Apprehension of popular Violence.-Terror of the Court of

Rome.-Situation of Rome compared with that of Paris before the Re

volution.-The Court of Rome compelled to have recourse to Measures the

most odious.--And which accelerate the Fall of the Papal Authority and

Influence.-Bold Speculations aiming not at a Reform but a total Sup-

pression of the papal Government.-Joseph Buonaparte, Ambassador, at

Rome, from the French Republic.-His peremptory Demands submitted

to by the Pope with great Resignation.-An Insurrection of the revolu-

tionary Party in Rome.-Fired on by the Military of the Pope, even in

the Court of the French Ambassador's Palace. In this Affray, the

French General Duphot killed.-This used as a Pretext for the farther

Interference of the French Republic.-A French Army enters Rome.-

Overthrow of the Papal Government, and Substitution of a Republic in

its stead

Leparture of the Pope from Rome to Sienna.-Extortions and Depreda
tions committed by the principal French Officers excite Insurrections among
the Romans-These quelled, but not without Bloodshed.-The sacrilegi
ous Conduct of the French held in Abhorrence by the Romans.-Organi-
zation of the new Roman Republic, on the French Plan.-And Dissemi-
nation of French Principles throughout the Roman Territory.-The chief
Command of the Military at Rome transferred to General Le Brune.-
Striking Contrast between the moral Characters and Deportment of the
superior and the inferior French Officers.-Causes of this.-Ecclesiasti-
cal Festivals suppressed.-Restrictions on foreign Merchandize.-Ar-
rangements of the new Government, for the gradual Introduction of a
more equal Division of Property among the Citizens.-Prudent Acquie-
scence in these, on the Part of the Roman Grandees and Romans.-Scheme
of the Nobles, in the Parts of Italy subjected to the French, jor wreaking
their Vengeance, on Account of their Depression.-Adopted by some of
the noble Families of Rome. But frustrated by the Republicans.-
Character of the Romans at the Period of the r. cent Revolution --Ees
gan to be changed by that Event.-Conspiracy and Insurrection of

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