likewise, the greater part of the rich
province of Bundelcund, the whole of Cuttack in Orissa, and the most
valuable territory in Guzerat, with ports which were before accessible
to our mortal enemy, France. Finally, they gave to the company a
stronger frontier in the Deccan, and to our allies, the Nizan and the
Peishwa, an important accession of strength. Subsequently a war ensued
with Holkar; but his forces were rapidly dispersed by General Wellesley,
and peace again prevailed in India; and in 1805 the victorious general
returned to Europe.

MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.

Parliament reassembled on the 22nd of November. In his speech, the
king enlarged upon the successes in the West Indies, and upon the
early suppression of the Irish insurrection. He alluded, also, to the
conclusion of a friendly convention with Sweden, for the purpose of
adjusting certain differences about maritime rights, arising out of an
article in an old treaty concluded by Charles II. Mention was made of
the measures adopted for a vigorous prosecution of the war; and his
majesty declared, in reference to the menaces of an invasion, that as
he and his people were embarked in a common cause, it was his
determination, should occasion arise, to share their exertions and
dangers in defence of the constitution. The usual addresses were agreed
to without a division, and without opposition; and the houses occupied
themselves up to the Christmas holidays with passing acts to continue
the Habeas Corpus Act, and the prolongation of martial law in Ireland,
and to grant certain exemptions in favour of the volunteers of Great
Britain. The regular force proposed for the public service amounted
to 167,000 men the embodied militia of Great Britain and Ireland,
were 110,000, and the volunteer corps about 400,000. According to the
statement of Lord Castle-reagh, indeed, the effective force of this
country, in rank and file, amounted to 615,000 men, or reckoning the
non-commissioned officers, 700,000. The number of ships of war, amounted
to four hundred and sixty-nine.

CHAPTER XXVI.

{GEORGE III. 1804--1807}

His Majesty's Indisposition..... Change in the Ministry:
Pitt Resumes Office..... The Slave-Trade Question.....
Additional Force Act..... Debate on the Corn Laws..... The
Budget: Parliament Prorogued..... Affairs of France:
Napoleon created Emperor..... Naval Affairs..... Coalition
between Pitt and Addington..... Meet