The American Encyclopedia of History, Biography and Travel: Comprising Ancient and Modern History: the Biography of Eminent Men of Europe and America, and the Lives of Distinguished Travelers.Prescott, Thomas H.
History
The American Encyclopedia of History, Biography and Travel: Comprising Ancient and Modern History: the Biography of Eminent Men of Europe and America, and the Lives of Distinguished Travelers.
Prescott, Thomas H.
Biography; World history
Early in 1813, he opened a campaign in northern Germany, where the
emperor of Russia, now joined by the king of Prussia and various minor
powers, appeared in the open field against him. After various
successes on both sides, an armistice was agreed to on the 1st of
June, and Bonaparte was offered peace on condition of restoring only
that part of his dominions which he had acquired since 1805. Inspired
with an overweening confidence in his resources and military genius,
he refused these terms, and lost all. In August, when the armistice
was at an end, his father-in-law, the emperor of Austria, joined the
allies, whose forces now numbered 500,000 men, while an army of
300,000 was the largest which Napoleon could at present bring into the
field. Henceforth he might be considered as overpowered by numbers. By
steady, though cautious movements, the allies advanced to France,
driving him reluctantly before them, and increasing their own force as
the various states became emancipated by their presence. At the close
of 1813, they rested upon the frontiers of France, while Lord
Wellington, after two successful campaigns in Spain, had advanced in
like manner to the Pyrenees.
HOME AFFAIRS――WAR WITH AMERICA.
Some changes had in the meantime taken place in the British
administration. On the 11th of May, 1812, the premier, Mr. Perceval,
was shot in the lobby of the House of Commons, by a man named
Bellingham, whom some private losses had rendered insane. Lords
Liverpool and Castlereagh then became the ministerial leaders in the
two Houses of Parliament, but were quickly voted down by a majority of
four, upon a motion made by Mr. Stuart Wortley, afterwards Lord
Wharncliffe. The ministry was finally rendered satisfactory to
Parliament by the admission of Earl Harrowby as president of the
council, Mr. Vansittart as chancellor of the exchequer, and Lord
Sidmouth (formerly premier while Mr. Addington) as secretary for the
home department; Lord Liverpool continuing as premier, and Lord
Castlereagh as foreign and war secretary.
Notwithstanding the successes which were at this period brightening
the prospects of Britain, the regent and his ministers did not enjoy
much popularity. The regent himself did not possess those domestic
virtues which are esteemed by the British people, and he had excited
much disapprobation by the steps which he took for fixing a criminal
charge upon his consort. The general discontents were increased by the
effects of the orders in council, for prohibiting the commerce of
neutral states. Vast multitudes of working people were thrown idle by
the stagnation of manufactures, and manifested their feelings in
commotion and riot. The middle classes expressed their dissatisfaction
by clamors for parliamentary reform.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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