ns, was
the means by which he was hurled from his throne.

DISPUTES WITH AMERICA.

The orders in council described above gave rise to much irritation in
the United States. Another unfortunate subject of dispute also rose
between the two countries: an American vessel was seized by Captain
Humphries, because the commandant refused to admit a search for some
deserters which were supposed to be on board. In consequence of this a
proclamation was issued by the president, ordering all British ships
of war to quit the harbours of the United States. Satisfaction for the
outrage was demanded of Great Britain; and although the British ministry
expressed their readiness to make reparation for the act of unauthorized
aggression which had been committed; disavowed the conduct of Admiral
Berkley, under whose orders Captain Humphries had acted; and sent a
special envoy to America, with overtures of conciliation, as will be
seen in a future page, the breach was not healed.

MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.

{A.D. 1808}

Parliament met on the 31st of January, when the speech, which was
delivered by commission, dwelt at great length upon foreign affairs, and
mentioned nearly every country in Europe as in a state of hostility
to England. Some light was thrown by it upon the system conceived by
Napoleon for uniting all the navies of Europe against us: it was shown
that he had counted upon obtaining the fleets of Portugal and Denmark;
and regret was expressed that, in the latter case, we had been compelled
to resort to force. The Hostility of Russia was attributed to the
military successes and machinations of France. Allusion was made to the
differences existing between England and the United States of America.
Greater exertions were inculcated, and the determination was announced
of never yielding to pretensions inconsistent with the maritime rights
of Great Britain. Commerce, notwithstanding Napoleon's Berlin and Milan
decrees, was still in a flourishing state; for the produce of the taxes
and duties was considered to demand his majesty's congratulation to
parliament. The speech concluded with asserting that the sole object of
the war was to attain a lasting and honourable peace; that there never
was a more just and national war waged than the present; that the eyes
of all Europe and the world were fixed upon the British parliament; that
his majesty felt confident that they would display the characteristic
spirit of the British na