vl PREFACE. 



in particular, is said to be much incensed against 

 the excuses and tergiversations of France; and where 

 the stronger power is reduced to plead an impossibility 

 of fulfilling her engagements, the weaker power can 

 scarcely avoid a forced submission. 



The King of Wurtemburgh has found it necessary 

 to dissolve the assembly of his states, in consequence 

 of their refusal to confirm a constitution proposed to 

 them by his Majesty ; and he took into his own hands 

 the administration of the finances for the years 1817 

 and 1818. 



The duchy of Saxe Weimar seems to have been the 

 only German state which has hitherto declared its 

 adhesion to the true principles of a free constitution ; 

 and a proposition moved by the reigning Duke to the 

 diet of the empire sitting at Frankfort was formally 

 placed under the guaranty of the German Confedera- 

 tion by a vote given by Austria, and afterwards con- 

 curred in by the other powers. 



A speech delivered by the president Mr. Monroe to 

 the American Congress, on the second of December, 

 announced that the revenue arising from imports and 

 tonnage, with that from the sale of the public lands, 

 would be fully adequate to the support of the civil 

 government, of the military and naval establishment, 

 and of the payment of the pubUc debt, without the 

 aid of- internal taxes; for which reason the President 

 recommended their repeal to the Congress. It Avas 

 perhaps scarcely expected, that so soon after a Avar, 

 the national balance would appear in a condition which 

 would admit of so favourable a statement. 



CONTENTS. 



