ANNUAL REGISTER, OR A VIEW OF THE HISTORY, POLITICS, AND LITERATUR E, For the YEAR 1779. THE FOURTH EDITION. LONDON: Printed (by Affignment from the Executors of the late Mr. JAMES 1802. Knight and Compton, Printers, Middle Street, Cloth Fair. PREFACE. THE HE Year of which we treat presented the moft awful appearance of public affairs which this country had perhaps, beheld for many ages. All antient fystems of policy, relative to any scheme of equality or balance of power, seemed forgotten in Europe. Friends and allies were no more with respect to us. On the contrary, whether it proceeded from our fault, or whether it was merely our misfortune, mankind feemed to wait, with an aspect which at best bespoke indifference, for the event of that ruin which was expected to burst upon us. It has happened, fortunately, that the expected evil and danger were lefs dreadful in the encounter than in the diftant appearance. The great combination of the Houfe of Bourbon with the American Colonies, was far from producing all those effects which were undoubtedly expected. If our own fucceffes were not great, and rather negative than direct in their nature, our loffes, however confiderable, 1 |