bed 
delusive expectation of permanent tranquillity, we 
ventured to offer it as our opinion, that a Peace ne- 
gociated in a tone of submission, and concluded on 
terms of manifest inferiority, with an ambitious and 
overbearing neighbour, was not likely to be of long 
continuance. Our opinion was grounded on the ex- 
perience of all history, and on the very first axioms 
_ of political wisdom. We claim from it no merit of 
extraordinary foresight, but the higher merit, because 
it is more rare, of delivering, in opposition to the ge- 
neral wishes and prevailing prejudices of our coun- 
try, a sincere and honest opinion, upon a pointvof the 
highest importance to the public welfare. The same 
spirit will, we trust, be found to obtain, throughout 
every part of the present publication; and will not 
cease to animate it, so long as the endeavours of those 
to whom its conduct is entrusted, shall continue to 
prove acceptable to the public. 
In speaking of the transactions of the year, of 
which this volume treats, the task has indeed been 
less difficult, because no difference can be entertained 
by any candid and dispassionate man with respect to 
the character and principles of the public enemy ; 
whose aggression constitutes, as we have already 
stated, the prominent feature of our present narra- 
tive: nor can any subject of the British empire, or 
any friend to the principles of liberty and, justice, 
whatever be his country, ayoid partaking in that sa- 
|  tisfaction 
