having taken some preliminary measures with a view to publishing in French and Dutch, have not yet thought it prudent to add to the number of Tracts in German. Various opportunities have been embraced for forwarding copies of your Tracts to different individuals on the Continent, many of them highly estimable from their religious and benevo lent characters; and your Committee hope that many of these will be ranked amongst their correspondents. Consistently with that respect which is at all times due to the constituted authorities of the country, your Committee presented to His Royal Highness the Prince Regent än Address, at the same time requesting his acceptanée of a set of the Society's publications. These were delivered into the hands of Lord Sidmouth, by a deputation from the Committee, and he promised to take an early opportunity of presenting them to His Royal Highness. The intended journey of Mr. Clarkson to Aix-la-chapelle being made known to the Committee, an Address was prepared to the Congress about to assemble at that place, which your Committee have the satisfaction to learn was circulated agreeably to their wishes. On the same occasion, an Address to the Emperor of Russia was presented to him with a copy of the Tracts. These were favourably received. The Emperor condescendingly replied to the Address of the Committee. His answer was sent to England by the Rev. Lewis Way. The proceedings of the Allied Sovereigns at the Congress, and their declaration, afford the pleasing hope that their influence will be exerted to preserve the peace which has been so happily restored to Europe. The amount of Subscriptions and Donations, ending June 14, 1 10731. 16s. 1d. Between two and three hundred new Subscribers are reported since last year. Additional Auxiliary Societies have been established within the year at Worcester, Frome, and Dundee; and a Ladies' Association at Lymington, Hants. The progress of the Societies previously established, which have reported to your Committee, is encouraging; and some of them have been actively engaged in pursuing the objects of the Society. A Society in communication with your Committee has been established at Glasgow, from whose zealous and active co-operation your Committee anticipate the greatest assistance in this work. This Society has circulated some thousands of your publications, besides several editions of Tracts of their own selection, and an excellent Address adapted for general circulation. The accounts from America continue to give a favourable statement of the progress of Peace Societies, upwards of twenty being now formed on that continent. The Massachuset's Society in the year 1818 had distributed upwards of 8000 Tracts, and had received an accession of 246 new Members. The Society at New York had also circulated some thousands of Tracts, and is reported to be in a state of progressive increase. Besides these efforts, different individuals have exerted themselves with activity in the distribution of pamphlets. One individual, a mechanic in the State of New York, has published at his own expence 14,000 copies of the Friend of Peace, and 2,500 copies of the Solemn Review of the Custom of War. Your Committee have continued to derive support from the Editors of different periodical publications and newspapers, who have occasionally inserted articles favourable to their views. To the Editor of the Bath and Cheltenham Gazette they feel particularly indebted for his able and valuable services, and the zeal with which he has espoused the cause of the Society, The Herald of Peace, which was announced in the last Report, was published on the 1st of January, 1819, and has proved, as the Committee had anticipated, a most valuable auxiliary. To the Editor the Committee acknowledge their warmest obligations. The thanks of the Committee are also due to the Editor of the British Magazine for the services which he has rendered to the Society in that valuable miscellany. To his Royal Highness, George, Prince of Wales, Regent of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, &c. &c. &c. MAY IT PLEASE YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS, AMONGST the various benevolent institutions which distinguish this enlightened age, and which exalt the moral character of our native country, the Society established for the Promotion of Permanent and Universal Peace is one, which, however humble its efforts, and however distant its prospects, at least contemplates objects of vast importance to the happiness and welfare of the human race. Composed as it is of various classes and sects, the good-will which it cherishes is intended to unite in firmer bonds of concord the families of the earth. The active members of this Society are deeply impressed with the necessity and wisdom of moving along in the quiet path of unostentatious labour; and it is their earnest desire that no other fruits or signs of their exertions, may appear, than an increase of virtuous and peaceable dispositions in the community. They would not, therefore assume to themselves so much importance, nor venture upon so public an act as that of addressing your Royal Highness, had it not been intimated that the objects of the Society were, in some degree, liable to misrepresentation. But having prescribed to themselves a path of exertion entirely governed by the peaceable principles of the Gospel, and altogether unconnected with every political discussion, they entertain a conviction that such principles and labours, under such a safeguard, will effectually shield them from any reasonable imputation of disloyalty. And they are further strengthened in this conviction, by the persuasion that their humble efforts to promote so benevolent an object as universal Peace, are only in conformity with the enlightened spirit of the times, and in unison with the solemn and united declaration of men moving in the most exalted sphere of human elevation. Persuaded also that the alliance, lately entered into upon the continent of Europe, was prompted by the purest Christian motives, they are assured that the benevolent views of your Royal Highness are perfectly consonant to the language and spirit of that ever-memorable, and may it prove also, sacred and perpetual league. Such, Sir, are their sincere convictions, and such is the object which they have at heart-an object, which they could not conceal from your Royal Highness, consistently with those feelings of respect, duty, and submission, by which they are bound to your Royal Highness's person and Government. Presuming, therefore, that your Royal Highness would graciously extend your countenance to exertions, that would have a tendency to promote the true glory and happiness of your paternal dominions, the Society for the Promotion of Permanent and Universal Peace are emboldened to present this humble Address, and to request that your Royal Highness, will be graciously pleased to accept a volume of their Tracts and Reports. Signed by order of the Committee, 16, Earl Street, Sept. 17, 1818. ROBERT MARSDEN, Chairman. To his Imperial Majesty, Alexander, Emperor of all the Russias, &c. &c. &c. MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY, THE world has lately seen great and singular events-the awful destruction of human life, and the wide diffusion of human blessings. It has seen a Christian Emperor, in the hour of victory, proclaiming the principles of Peace-a league of Christian Monarchs united in the same views-and the establishment of societies in the Old World and in the New; each in its humble and its limited sphere, aiming to carry those principles into effect. Penetrated with admiration, and with gratitude to the Author of all good, for this auspicious view of events, the Society established in London for the promotion of permanent and universal Peace, naturally turns its attention to those human instruments to whom the Almighty has given the power, and whose will, we trust, he has also influenced, to promote, in their high stations, his own cause in the earth. We are, therefore, eniboldened to seek the countenance and support of a Monarch, whose professed opinions favour this glorious object, and whose actions happily confirm the sincerity of those professions. Deign, therefore, Sir, to accept the heartfelt acknowledgments of this Society, for the part which your Majesty has taken in the cause of suffering humanity; and permit me to present to your Majesty, in their name, a set of the Tracts which they have published, with a view to promote the object of permanent and universal Peace. These will best explain the principles on which their exertions are founded, and the progress which they have already made. Signed, (on behalf of the Committee) 16, Earl Street, Blackfriars, London, Sept. 17, 1818. |