ANNUAL REGISTER, 1758,
76
From the Eafl Indies we have this year heard nothing remarkable. It do^ not feem that the French, notwithilanding the great llruggle they made to fend out a ftrcng ar- mament under General Lally, have been in a condition to enterprife any thing. It is faid, and probably with good foundation, that the grcateft part of that force was d»vindled away wiihiicknefs during the voyage. Our naval force was exerted with fpirit and effcfl in the Mediterranean. The French found that the poffefTion of Minorca could not drive us from the do- minion of the Mediterranean, where Admiral Oftorn gave the enemies maritime ftrength fuch blows, as they muil long feel, and which merited him the greatefl of all honours, to be joined with the conquerors of Louiibourg, in the tlianks of the reprefentacive body of their country. But as thefe, although very important, are de- tached affairs, we imagined it better to give them in our Chronicle ; as they could not fo well come into the body of this work without in- terrupting the feries we propoie to carry on.
The coming year feems big with great events. In Germany the atfairs of the rival powers of PruiTia and Auilria, appear to be more nearly balanced than at any time fince the beginning of the war. Their force is as great as ever, and their anlmofity is no- way lefiened. Great fteps arc taken to aflemble powerful armies
on the Rhine; whilll Great Bri- tain has fcnt out two confiderabie armaments, one to the Weft In- dies, the other to Africa; the fucccfs of which muft go a great v/ay towards determining the IflTue of the war. Other great prepara- tions are alfo making on the part of Great Britain. In the mean time, the Dutch, enraged at the captures of their ihips, make com- plaints ; and threaten armaments. The death of the Princefs of Orange, which happened at a molt critical junfture, adds more perplexity to affairs in that quarter. If we look to the fouthward, the clouds feem gathering there alfo. The imminent death of the King of Spain, will be an event fruitful of troubles. In this aifair the King of Sardinia, the houfe of Auihia, and the houfe of Bour- bon, will find themfelves concern- ed; to fay noiiilng of the marlcirr. powers. In a word, the iiame c. war threatens to fpread in ever part of Europe. What re\'olutio;.s in politics ti;efe things will makt-, what new connexions they wi create, what (.Id they will dii- folve, what changes they will create in the fortunes ot the prefent belli- gerent powers, or what difpoutiun to peace or war they may produce, will be the fubjecl of cur hl volume.
If the reader Ihould perceive many faults and inaccuracies in this work, let him remember the difad vantages we labour under. Our accounts are uken from the
hides, bees-wp.x, tlephnnts teeth, cotton, gold diift, negro Haves, odrich feathers, ambergris, indigr, and civet.
At pielent we are obliged to buy all otir gum fcnega of the Dutch, who purchale ir from the French ; and they fet what price they pleafe on it. But as the trade to Africa is now open, by this importa:it acquifition, the price of this vahible drug, which is lb much u led in ftveial of our manufawlures, will be much reduced.
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