PREFACE. A ject of pinitely greater confideration, Α greater S the happiness of Mankind is an object of than the recording of those shining events, which from their nature are fo deftructive to it, we could have wished that the present year had been less fruitful in the production of hiftorical materials: this unhappily is not the cafe. The War that has broke out between the great Empires of Ruffia and Turky has opened a new, and it may be feared, in its confequences, an extenfive field for Hiftory. The Invasion of the Ifland of Corfica has also, from the bravery of its defenders, been productive of remarkable events; and, from the motives that influ-' ence their conduct, is an object deferving confideration. The unhappy disturbances in our Colonies, as well as those which have happened at home, are matters of such importance to us; as demand our utmost attention. A new War which has broke out in the Eaft Indies, is alfo an object of great confideration. To thefe particulars we have paid our utmost attention, and hope we have A given fuch an account of them, as will prove fatisfactory to our Readers. The Compilers of a work of this nature have fome particular difficulties to encoun ter. While on one hand we are attentive to the felecting of materials, and reftrained by the limits affigned to the different parts; on the other we are anxious for fear of omitting fuch things as our Readers may wifh to fee preferved. A due fenfe of the obligations we are under to the Public is, however, fuperior to every other confide-' ration; and as the prefent year has been uncommonly productive of remarkable events that do not properly come within the line of Hiftory, the Chronicle and its Appendix have, on that account, been extended to an unufual length. In this, as in every thing else, we hope our endeavours will meet with the fame indulgence which we have fo long experienced THE THE ANNUAL REGISTER, For the YEAR 1768. THE HISTORY OF EURO P E. CHAP. I. Rupture between the two great empires of the Eaft and North. Invafion of the island of Corfica by the French, in confequence of a treaty concluded with the Republic of Genoa, by which that island is ceded to the French King. Different opinions of the importance of Corfica, and some obfervations on the conduct of the neighbouring powers. Seizure of the Pope's territories in France and Italy. The ftri&t union fubfifting between the Princes of the Bourbon line becomes more formidable from the conjunction of the Houfe of Auftria and Court of Portugal. Deplorable state of Poland. Some obfervations on the state and conduct of the great belligerant porers in the North. Germany. |