PRINTED FOR W. OTRIDGE AND SON; LONGMAN, HURST, REES AND ORME

CLARKE AND SONS; B. CROSBY; J. BELL; R. FAULDER AND SON;
CUTHELL AND MARTIN; OGILVY AND SON; R. LEA; J. NUNN;

J. WALKER; LACKINGTON, ALLEN, AND CO.; E. JEFFERY;
VERNOR, HOOD, AND SHARPE; J. ASPERNE; AND

P. AND W. WYNNE;

By J. WRIGHT, St. John's Square, Clerkenwell.

PREFACE.

IN presenting a new volume of the Annual Register

to the public, we approach it with a confidence resulting from the kind protection that public continues to extend to us, and from the conviction, with which we are impressed, that in it will be found the same accuracy of research, fidelity of narration, and variety of entertainment, which distinguish those by which it is preceded.

The year, of which we are the historians, has been marked by the most important events, the results of which must bear very materially upon the condition and views of a great portion of mankind. To the most material of those, in themselves, and in their probable consequences to mankind and to society, we have bestowed a marked attention, and have developed the causes which led to them, from sources of the most authentic information. To the fresh aggressions of France, which raised a new coalition against her; to the different negociations which preceded the war on the continent; and to the details of the disastrous campaign, which terminated in the plains of Moravia; à more than ordinary care has been ap plied, and we trust the detail will well repay the curiosity of the reader.

If to record the successes of the French upon the continent have proved a task equally irksome and disagreeable, it has been far otherwise when the exploits, of the British navy, within the present year, have passed us in review. By them, the proud threatenings

of

of our bitterest and most powerful enemy have been proved as vain as impotent; and we exulted in re-tracing the steps which led to the most splendid victory, ever obtained upon the ocean. On the favourite service of Britain, its management at home, and its transactions in every part of the globe, we have of course expatiated in the fullest manner our limits would afford.

The investigation of Indian affairs, the importance of which is every hour becoming more obvious, has employed our best exertions, and will, we are convinced, be found well worthy of perusal.

To the domestic politics of the British empire we have, as usual, devoted the greatest care, and we trust the mode in which they have been treated, will be found to have been dictated by a spirit of truth and impartiality.

The miscellaneous part of the work, and the selections of which it is in a great measure composed, have been attended to with the utmost care; and the lover of biography, poetry, natural philosophy, and antiquity, together with the mere annalist, will all find here, subject matter, connected with their several pursuits, drawn from the best sources of literature, which have appeared within the period, treated of in this volume.

Upon the whole, we hope this fruit of our labours will be found not only rich with instruction and entertainment, but be considered so faithful a depositary of passing events, that it may serve the future historian as his best book of reference hereafter, and his richest fund of materials.

ANNUAL REGISTER,

For the YEAR 1805.

THE

HISTORY

OF

EUROPE.

CHAP. I.

Opening of the Session of Parliament-Substance of his Majesty's SpeechAddress moved for in the House of Lords, by Lord Elliot-Seconded by Lord Gwydir-Debate-Address ried unanimously-Moved in the Commons by the Hon. Mr. Dillon-Debate-Mr. Fox-Mr. Pitt-Mr. Windham.-Agreed to without further Opposition-Presented to the King-Inquiry into the Causes of the late Mahratta War-Mr. Francis' Motion agreed to, thereon.-Supplies moved for and granted-Spanish Papers laid before the House-Army Estimates-Debate thereon-Resolutions put and agreed to.