trary magiftrates, be necessary in any government, it proceeds from fome fault in the conftitution. The uncertainty of crimes hath facrificed more victims to fecret tyranny, than have ever fuffered by public and folemn cruelty. though evident to the meaneft capacity, yet, by a combination of circumftances, are only known to a few thinking men in every nation, and in every age, but opinions, worthy only of the defpo. tifm of Afia, and paffions, armed with power and authority, have, What are, in general, the progenerally, by infenfible, and fome- per punishment for crimes? Is the times by violent impreffions on the punishment of death really useful, timid credulity of men, effaced or neceffary for the fafety, or good thofe fimple ideas, which perhaps order of fociety? Are tortures conftituted the firft philofophy of and torments confiftent with juf infant fociety. Happily the phi- tice, or do they answer with jus end lofophy of the prefent enlightened age feems again to conduct us to the fame principles, and with that degree of certainty, which is obtained by a rational examination, and repeated experience. The opinion, that every member of fociety has a right to do any thing, that is not contrary to the laws, without fearing any other inconveniences, than thofe which are the natural confequences of the action itself, is a political dogma, which fhould be defended by the laws, inculcated by the magiftrates, and believed by the people; a facred dogma, without which there can be no lawful fociety, a juft recompence for our facrifice of that univerfal liberty of action, common to all fenfible beings, and only limited by our naturalpow ers. By this principle, our minds become free, active, and vigorous; by this alone we are infpired with that virtue which knows no fear, fo different from that pliant prudence, worthy of thofe only who can bear a precarious exiftence.I do not know of any exception to this general axiom, that Every member of Society should know when he is criminal, and when innocent. If cenfors, and, in general, arbis pofed by the laws? Which is the beft method of preventing crimes? Are the fame punishments equally ufeful at all times? What influence have they on manners? Thefe problems fhould be folved with that geometrical precifion, which the mift of fophiftry, the feduction of eloquence, and the timidity of doubt are unable to refift. If I have no other merit than that of having firft prefented to my country, with a greater degree of evidence, what other nations have written, and are beginning to practife, I fhall account myfelf for. tunate; but if, by fupporting the rights of mankind, and of invinci ble truth, I fhall contribute to fave from the agonies of death one unfortunate victim of tyranny, or of ignorance, equally fatal; his bleffing and tears of tranfport, will be a fufficient confolation to me for the contempt of all mankind." We with that the extent of our plan could admit of our giving more extracts from this favourite writer; his unbounded philanthropy, and the eloquence and tendernefs which which he pleads the cause of humanity, muft àlways procure him the most favourable reception.'. General afpect of affairs. Prefent appearances pacific. Some ancient caufes Strict attention of the government of Sweden to prevent luxury. An im- CHA P. III. Ancient State of affairs in Poland. Original causes of the late difputes. Y uni n union of the kingdom of Poland and the great duchy of Lithuania. The kingdom modelled into a republic, upon the death of Sigifmuud Auguftus. The first diet of the republic. A perpetual peace agreed upon between the CHA P. IV. The caufes affigned for the great fuperiority which the Roman Catholics in Poland have acquired over the Greeks and Proteftants. Account of Sigif mund the third. Treaty of Oliva. Edit against the Arians." Conftitu- tion of 1717. Oppreffion of the Diffidents in confequence of it. Confti tution of 1736. Confederacies formed by the Diffident nobles. Declaration of the Empress of Ruffia in their favour. Of the King of Pruffia, &c. Malecontents. The diet meets : fome of the members arrested by the Ruffians. A commiffion appointed finally to fettle the affairs of the Diffidents. Spain. Meafures relative to the expulfion of the Jefuits; the causes that Of Corfica; its ancient ftate; granted by a Pope to the republic of Pifa conquered by the Genoefe; oppreffive and impolitic government of it. The Corficans offer to fubmit themselves to the Turks. The beginning of the prefent traubles in that ifland; the Prince of Wirtemberg, with an imperial army, compels the malecontents to fubmit. The troubles begin again. Thea- dore proclaimed king. French army fubdue the island; but upon their de- parture the malecontents renew the war with more fury than ever. Paf- chal Paoli declared general of the Corficans; he drives the Genoefe to the fortified towns upon the coafts; and establishes a regular government. The Great diftrees of the poor, from the high prices of provifions; riots and for their immediate trial. A proclamation against forestalling; the parliament prorogued; an embargo laid on fhips loaded with wheat. The fate of the Eaft-India Company; great difputes between the mem- bers of it; their affairs become a fubject of general difcuffion Meffage from the miniftry to the court of India directors; a great increase of di- vidend carried by a numerous majority of proprietors. The parliament CHAP VIII. [39 A bill of indemnity for those concerned in the late embargo, brought in; CHRONICLE. Births for the year 1767 Marriages 44 [46* Principal Promotions Deaths APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. Proteft against the fcinding the East-India dividend f180 Abstract of the trial of William Guest for high treason, in filing, impairing, c. the current coin of this kingdom Copy of a letter of her imperial majesty of all the Ruffias, to his excellency count Wolodimer Orlow, director of the academy of Sciences at Peters- An account of the last honours paid to his royal highness the Duke of York, at Ceremonial of the private interment of his late royal highness the Duke of York and Albany, in the royal vault in king Henry the VIIth's chapel [204 Some particulars of the life of his late royal highness the Duke of York [207 A narrative of the extraordinary diftreffes which were suffered at fea, by the furviving part of the crew of the brig Sally, captam Tabry, bound from Y 2 An account of all the public debts, at the receipt of his majesty's exchequer Standing out Jan. 5, 1767 (being old Chriftmas day) with the annual intereft or other charges payable for the fame His majesty's most gracious speech to both houses of parliament, on Thursday the 2nd day of July, 1767 His majesty's most gracious fpeech to both houses of parliament, on Tuesday the The humble address to his majesty, of the right hon. the lord mayor, aldermen, and commons of the city of London, in common council assembled, presented the 11th of November, 1767, on the happy occafion of the birth of a prince together with their condolence on the death of his royal highness the duke of York; and his majesty's most gracious anfwer His excellency George lord viscount Townshend, lord lieutenant-general, and general governor of Ireland, his speech to both houses of parliament at Dublin, on Tuesday the 20th day of October, 1767, with their addresses of Sir Philip Sidney, with a comparison between him and the cele- |