NAVAL OPERATIONS.
The naval operations of England this year were various, though no very important results accrued therefrom. The small island of Goree on the western coast of Africa surrendered to Sir Charles Hamilton; and the British captured the Dutch island of Curaçoa. A squadron was sent under Sir Edward Pellew to the peninsula of Quiberon; but all that was done was to destroy some brigs, sloops, gun-boats, and a few trading vessels. This armament proceeded to the coast of Spain to destroy the arsenal and the shipping at Ferrol; but it was attended with the same ill-success. The land forces accompanying it under Sir James Pulteney then joined to those of Sir Ralph Abercrombie, who, with the Mediterranean fleet under Lord Keith, was to make an attack upon Cadiz, and to capture or destroy the Spanish fleet. But this enterprise was given up as impracticable; and soon after General Pulteney was sent to Lisbon for the defence of Portugal, now threatened by Spain; and General Abercrombie received information that his troops were to be employed in Egypt. The year, however, was now far spent, and it was the middle of December before the armament arrived as far as Malta.
MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.
In the midst of these foreign reverses—for such many of the events may be termed—the scarcity of grain still continued in England. The national spirit was greatly depressed by these circumstances, and notwithstanding the hand of charity was active in the alleviation of distress, several riots took place throughout the kingdom. London was much agitated: but the Lord Mayor, Mr. Combe, by the aid of volunteers, succeeded in repressing the commotion without bloodshed. In order to obtain relief, the city of London and other places petitioned the King to convene parliament; and it assembled in the month of October, and passed in rapid succession a number of acts, granting bounties on the importation of foreign corn, enjoining the baking of mixed and inferior flour, &c. The distillation of spirits from grain was also suspended. But the hand of private charity did more good than all this legislation: it was opened wide, and the sufferings of the poor were thereby greatly alleviated.
MOTIONS FOR PEACE, ETC.
On the 1st of December, after sundry attacks on the foreign policy of the ministers, Sheridan moved for an address to his Majesty, praying him to enter into a separate négociation with France, for a speedy and honourable peace. This was negatived; and on the 4th of December, Mr. T. Jones moved another address, imploring his Majesty to dismiss his present ministers; but this was likewise rejected. The supplies voted were for three lunar months only; 120,000 men were granted for the service of the navy, from the 1st of January to the 1st of April, 1801. The king closed the session of parliament on the last day of the year. His majesty said that the time fixed for the commencement of the union of Great Britain and Ireland necessarily terminated their proceedings, and that the Imperial Parliament—as the united parliament was to be denominated—was appointed to meet on the 22nd of January, 1801. Before he retired, his majesty ordered the chancellor to read a proclamation, declaring that the individuals who composed the expiring parliament, should be members on the part of Great Britain, of the New or Imperial Parliament.