o ANNUAL REGISTER, 
~ ° 
daring ambition of this second Alex- 
ander, who aimed at the conquest 
of the entire world. France had 
gained by the peace: like the spell 
of a magician, it immediately open- 
ed to her the obstructed passages to 
the West Indies, Africa, and Asia; 
to every region to which otherwise 
she could net have made her way. 
After a variety of argument in sup- 
port of his former opinions, he con- 
cluded, by vindicating the fidelity 
of Austria in her engagements with 
this country. 
The chancellor of the exchequer 
vindicated the conduct of adminis- 
tration from those charges of want 
of vigour and energy, which were 
so often brought against them, Dur- 
ing the war, there was no want of 
. vigour in conducting it with energy 
and success. There were some 
gentlemen who were in the habit of 
making exaggerated statements, and 
using language tending to war,— 
Others, on the contrary, seemed to 
be ready to make any sacrifices for 
the maintenance of peace, Ministers 
would not fellow the advice of 
either, but adopt a middl¢ course, 
which should be at the same time 
firm and moderate. 
Sir James Pulteney supported 
the conduct of the matin 
Lord Hawkesbury, Mr. Canning, 
and Mr. Bragge, each made a few 
observations. 
The chancellor of the exchequer, 
in reply to a question of Mr.Elhot’s, 
said, the saving in consequence of. 
peace, might be 25 millions ster- 
ling annually, 
The report was then agreed to, 
and the address was presented to 
his majesty by the whole house, on 
the following day ; when his majesty 
returned a most gracious answer. 
18058. 
Having thus given at considerable 
length, the debates which took place 
in both houses of parliament on the 
king’s speech, and the consequent 
address; our readers will thereby 
have been enabled, to form a more 
perfect opinion, of what the sense of 
the imperial representation was 
upon public affairs at this crisis, 
than from any statement we could 
possibly pretend to give. With the 
exception of Mr, “Pitt, all those 
characters to whom the public were 
taught to look up in the moment 
of danger and peril, for counsel and 
direction, had elaborately given 
their opinions; and a singular. and 
unusual coincidence to the tenor of 
the proposed address, appeared for 
a moment to assimilate and unite 
the jarring elements, of which it 
was well known those assemblies 
were composed. But in fact, it 
was far otherwise. Never did par- 
ty round and collect itself more 
strongly, or determine with more 
decision on the conduct it meant to 
pursue, than at this moment; and 
even in the assent, given by those 
who notoriously ditiered trom ad- 
ministration, to the address, were 
the grounds and motives of the most, 
determined oppesition , laid bare, 
and exposed to public view. Inthe 
speech from the throne, govern- 
ment, all at once dropping that tone 
of contidence in the good disposi- 
tions of the present ruler of France 
towards this country, to the sur- 
prize and dismay ofa people, who 
had too eagerly depended on the 
assurances of Mr, Addington and 
his colleagues, that we were in 
possession of, and might enjoy in 
undisturbed tranquility, the ** bles- 
sings of pceace;” had announced 
the necessity of warlike preparation, 
wW 
