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8] ANNUAL REGISTER FOR THE YEAR 1772. [9
fect the general state of public affairs. It opens indeed to public view, such scenes as it would ever be the interest of crowned heads to keep concealed from common eyes. Denmark is at present surrounded by dangerous neighbours, and the times are critical for a weak government.
The present politicks of Germany and the north, are inexplicable to those who are not in the secret. The three great powers, whose jarring interests have been reconciled, by their joint views of immediate advantage in the division of Poland, are possessed of so mighty a force, that there scarce seems a possibility, even of impeding, much less of preventing, the full completion of those designs which they have already avowed. Peace seems to be nearly concluded between Russia and the Porte ; but if it had been otherwise, as the latter was totally incapable of defending itself against the former, without any other interference, what alliance could now be formed, that could counterballance the joint weight of Austria and Prussia thrown into the scale. We notwithstanding see each of these powers making every preparation for war, that it could do, if already attacked by a superior enemy. They stand ready armed at all points with their swords drawn, as if they were amazed at what they had already done, and were not determined what to do next; as if they apprehended danger from without, which they would prevent by carrying it to others; but were jealous and afraid of each other.
Other parts of the northern politicks are equally mysterious. Nothing could be more contrary to the interest and policy of Russia, than the change of government in Sweden; yet the empress congratulates the king with the greatest sincerity upon the happy event; and is fully satisfied with the share, which it is believed, her faithful friend and ally the king of Prussia had in that revolution. Sweden and Denmark are preparing for war with the greatest diligence by sea and land; yet they give mutual assurances of friendship, and of the strictest intentions to preserve a good neighborhood. France, is in avowed opposition to the partition of Poland, and is supposed to have, almost, an unbounded influence on the king of Sweden; while that prince is upon the most intimate terms with his uncle, who is a principal in the partition. It would appear to those who are not politicians, that the present communion of friendship and interest between Russia and Prussia, would infallibly prevent any serious falling out between the former and Sweden, at least, till those affairs were finally adjusted, in which the interests of the partitioning powers were equally concerned; we see notwithstanding, that the empress of Russia has collected troops from all quarters, and even withdrawn the greater part of those who seemed necessarily stationed in Poland and Lithuania, in order to form a considerable army on the frontiers of Sweden.
The extraordinary incidents of the present year, have not been wholly confined to Europe. There have been considerable disturbances in several parts of south America. The vast multitudes of Africans in the colonies have begun to make considerable efforts towards recovering 
recovering, in the boundless forests of America, that freedom which they were not capable of preserving in their own. Common oppressions, unite all nations, and colours, in one common interest; and we now see the long-haried, copper-coloured American, cordially join with the black, woolly-headed negro, in a resistance to the oppressors of mankind.
A most alarming insurrection of the negroes, in the Dutch colony of Surinam, has for several months involved the inhabitants in the greatest terror and distress, and endangered the possession of their extensive and valuable settlements in that quarter. The insurgents, had not only provided themselves effectually with arms and ammunition, but acquired such a knowledge from the instructions or example of their masters, in the use of them, that they have defeated the soldiers and militia in several engagements; and having taken their cannon, have set an example of managing artillery, before unknown among negroes. Ships and troops have been sent from Holland to quell this insurrection; and no doubt can be formed but they will succeed, in defeating the negroes, and in either driving them farther into the woods, or in dispersing them entirely; the seeds of the evil will however remain; the country, is too extensive to admit of their entire destruction, and they will be received, if not protected, among the various nations of Indians. 
An insurrection in the Brasils, was still greater consequence, and seemed to have threatened the existence of the Portugueze power it that part of the world. The first appearance of this insurrection was in the neighbourhood of St. Joseph of Maragnon, where the negro and Indian slaves, in the month of May last, having in the evening, and at night, suddenly seized all the arms and ammunition which they could meet with at the plantations where they were employed, assembled in a body, to the number of three thousand, and marched the next day to attack that for and town. A soldier who had escaped from them the preceding night, fortunately arrived time enough in the morning, to alarm the town and the garrison. Instead of waiting to be attacked, they marched out, to the number of 800 men, to oppose them, and took possession of an advantageous piece of ground, through which their enemies must necessarily pass in their approach to the town. The rebels, who were marching in great haste and disorder, were startled at this sight, and the foremost having suddenly halted till the rest came up, a short consultation was held, the result of which was, their attacking the Portugueze immediately in a body, which they did with great resolution, having reserved the fire of the few arms they were possessed of, till they discharged them full in their faces, after which they fell on with swords, clubs, and such other weapons as they had been able to procure, with great fury. The superiority of arms and discipline, prevailed, as usual, over number; the Portugueze having kept up a continued platoon fire, and by some judicious motions almost entirely surrounded them, the insurgents were routed with a considerable slaughter, and a great number of them were taken prisoners. 
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---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-11 07:58:37 f to be switched to "s" in most of the words, indents to be removed ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-11 14:30:31