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veffel, No. 432, mounting an 18 and a 12pounder, commanded by an Ensign de Vaiffean, with 5 seamen, a lieutenant, and 26 grenadiers of the 36th regiment of the line, some of whom, with 2 feamen, escaped in her boat during the runningfight, which the continued for a quarter of au hour with her stern-gun and musketry. The Archer had part of her rigging cut, but no one materially hurt on either fide. The Archer and Griffin afterwards captured a dogger, a schuyt, and two Blankenberg fishing-boats, which the prifoners report to be part of a convoy, which, with a prame of 16 guns, and 5 or 6 gun-vetfels, escaped under the land in the dark; fome,

I understand, laden with provifions and ftores. The schuyt has gin, and the fishing-boats timbers and knees for boats; each veffel had 3 or 4 foldiers on-board. Lieur. Sheriff, of the Archer, has done every thing I could poffibly with or expect from his zeal; and Lieut. Payne, of this ship, who commanded the boat and party afiifting the Archer, executed that service with his ufual alacrity; and the Commander of the Griffin has my thanks for the share he bore in bringing off the latter vessels, which was effected under a very heavy fire from the shore, to which they were as clofe as poffible. I have the honour to be, &c. E. W. C. R. OWEN.

PRESENTATION OF COLOURS TO THE QUEEN'S ROYAL VOLUNTEERS.

Wednesday, Jan. 4.

The splendid and interesting spectacle which was this day displayed at Ranelagh fully answered the expectation which had been formed of it. Its effect was greatly heightened by the eafe and adroitness with which the Queen's Royal Volunteers performed their part of the ceremony, together with the great regularity observed in all the other proceedings of the day. At 9 o'clock the Westminster Cavalry mustered in Hyde-park: their accoutrements were in excellent order, their horfes in high coudition, and they exhibited a very ftriking military arpearance: they then proceeded to Ranelagh, to take the different stations which had been appointed for them. A party of them were stationed at the end of Ranelagh-lane, close to the Green, and at the beginning of it, and others patroled the road leading from Ranelagh to Buckingham-gate, The corps being thus judicionfly difpofed, no large body of people could affemble, or carriages accumulate, to obftruct the general arrangements. The St. Margaret and St. John's Volunteers afsembled at an early hour in Westminster-hall, and thence proceeded to Ranelagh-green. A detachment of them formed a line across the green, to keep the doors free from the preffure of curious intruders; another party was stationed to examine perfons on foot, as they paffed, to afcertain if they had tickets, and to prevent those who were not fo fortunate from paffing the line, A fmall detachment was pofted at the carriage-gate leading into the gardens, to prevent any perfon paling that way, and to keep a clear peff ge for the Royal carriages. At a quarter past 12, the trumpet announced the arrival of the Courtly party in three of his Majesty's carriages. They were preceded by two Noblemen's carriages, and followed by five. When they reached the gate leading into the garden, which it was neceffary for them to pafs through, Major Rolleston rode before them uncovered, and ushered

them into it. As the first of the Royal carriages was paffing through the gateway, the horfes became restive for some time, till one of the St. Margaret and St. John's Volunteers feized the bridles, and led them along. The Royal retinue having reached the entrance at the Weft fide of the Rotunda, Major Rolleston alighted from his horse, and handed the Countess of Harrington and her attendants from their 'carriages. In the firit were Miss Vernon, Mifs Coleman, and Miss Digby, maids of honour to ber Majefty; in the second, the Vice Chamberlain and Mr. Vincent; and in the third, Lady Harrington and her daughter, Lady Anna-Maria Stanhope, Lady Cardigan, and Lady Aylesbury, two ladies of the Queen's bedchamber. The company having all quitted their carriages, Lady Harrington was conducted to her box by the Vice Chamberlain, and followed by her attendants, in the fame manner as the Queen would have been. Her Ladyfhip was dreffed in a black pelice, and a scarlet safh. Her head-dress was a rich velvet hat, highly decorated, and with four very elegant coquelicot feathers. Her Ladyship also wote an antique necklace of great value, and a fine cameo of his Majesty, being a large beautiful onyx, fet as a medalion, which was presented to her by her Majefty a few days ago, as a memorial of the event. Lady Anna-Matia Stanhope appeared in a dress of white fatin, ornamented with pearls. The company in the Rotunda affembled as spectators were numerous, and added to the splendour of the scene. Ranelaglı has feldom exhibited to distinguished a difplay of beauty, elegance, and fashion. On the arrival of the Counters in the box fitted up for her reception, the two regiments of the Queen's Royal Volunteers, un4 der the command of Lord Hobart, having taken their stations two hours before, prefented arms, with the bands playing. As foon as the corps had shouldered arms, two pair of colours were wroduced, and placed on each side of the Royal box. The Kug's

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expreffing his firm opinion, that the meritorious conduct of the Volunteers would Ioon render the country impregnable.

Lord Caftlereagh, the Attorney General, and Mr. Yorke, opposed the arguments of Mr. Windham; and the Resolutions were patsed.

In a Committee of Supply, feveral fums were voted for Irish and English mifcellaneous services.

H. OF LORDS.

December 13..

The Bank Restriction Bill was poffed, after some obfervations from Lord Grenville,

which were answered by Lord Hawkesbury.

In the Commons, the fame day, Mr. Yorke stated the object of the Volunteer Exemption Bill to be, to remove the inconvenience of Ormers not understanding former acts, which required returns to be made on the ift of November. He afterwards brought up a clause for providing for the families of Volunteers, on actual fervice out of their district, during their abfence, in the fame manner as the families of Militia-men.

(To be continued.)

INTELLIGENCE OF IMPORTANCE FROM THE LONDON GAZETTES.

Admiralty-office, Jan. 3. Letter fom Commodore Hood to Sir Evan Nepean, Bart.

Centaur, off Guadaloupe, Nov. 6, 1803. Sir, I have the honour to inclose, for the information of the Lords Commiffioners of the Admiralty, the copy of a letter I received from Capt. Graves, of his Majesty's ship Blenheim, giving an account of the capture of a privateer, by the boats of that hip, in-Fort-Royal Bay, Martinique. The capture of two more of the enemy's privateers is fet forth in a letter from Capt. Younghusband, of the Ofprey. The brave and handfome conduct of Lieut. Hender

fon, and those in the boats under his command, is truly meritorious; and I trust fuch difplay of tha gallantry of our officers and men will foon make these Piccaroons repent their temerity. On the 26th ult. between Tobago and Grenada, the Centaur, after a chase of 7 hours, captured the Vigilante fchooner privateer, of 2 guns, and 40 men, well armed with musketry: the capture of this vessel is particularly for tunate, as she has, from her fuperior failing and management, done much injury to the trade. I have also the fatisfaction to acquaint you of the recapture of the brig Earl St. Vincent, from Dublin, bound to Barbadoes, and a Sweedish schooner, by his Majesty's floop St. Lucia; they had been captured 3 days before by the L'Harmonie privateer, of Martinique, and who only efcaped the vigilance of Capt. Shipley, by throwing her guns overboard, and fawing down her gunwales.

SAM. HOOD.

Blenbeim, off Martinique, Sept. 16. Sir, Yesterday at 2 P. M. I discovered a fmall schooner privateer, apparently just returned from her croize, and endeavouring to get into Port Royal. It being nearly calm, I directed Lieut. Furber, of his Majetty's ship Blenheim, under my command, to take the pinnace, Licut. Campbell the barge, and to eut her off; the was rowing with her sweeps, but the boats nevertheless came up with her in about an hour and a half, and, in a most spirited manner, under the fire of grape and muf

ketry, boarded and carried her. I am happy to add, that no lives were loft; the enemy had one man wounded. She is called the Fortunée, mounts 2 carriage. guns, and had 29-men on-board.

I am, &c.

Commodore Hood, Sc.

THOS. GRAVES.

Sloop Osprey, off Martinique, Oc8. 3г. Sir, I beg leave to acquaint you, that on the 26th instant I discovered a fufpicious fail under the land of Trinidad, and immediately chased; but on arriving within about 4 miles of her it fell calm, and, as I was now convinced she was an enemy's privateer, from the number of sweeps she was rowing, and having no chance of coming up to her in the Ofprey, I sent three boats to attack her, under the command of Lieut. Robert Henderson; the cutter in which he was rowing much faster than the other boats, he, without waiting to be joined by them, in the most brave and determined manner, and under a heavy fire. from the guns and musketry of the schooner, boarded and captured the French schooner privateer La Resource, mounting four 4pounders, and having on-board 43 men, two of whom were killed and twelve wounded. Lieut. Henderson, with 3 feamen, are flightly wounded, and I dangeronfly; the cutter had only 17 feamen in her, who all behaved with the utmost bravery. I have further to inform you, that, having put Lieut. Collier and 16 men onboard the prize, he the next day chased and captured La Mimi French schooner privateer of i gun and 21 men.

I am, &c. GEO. YOUNGHUSBAND.

Admiralty-office, Jan. 7. Letter from Capt. Owen, to Lord Keith, dated Immortalité, at anchor on the edge of the Bank de Baas, Boulogne, S. E. half S. 4 or 5 miles, Wednesday, Jan 4, 1804.

My Lord, Having last night reinforced the crew of the Archer with fome men from this ship, and pushed her in closeshore, she was fortunate enough to fali-in with and capture the French lugger gun

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veffel, No. 432, mounting an 18 and a 12pounder, commanded by an Enfign de Vaiffean, with 5 feamen, a lieutenant, and 26 grenadiers of the 36th regiment of the line, some of whom, with 2 feamen, escaped in her boat during the runningfight, which the continued for a quarter of au hour with her stern-gun aud musketry. The Archer had part of her rigging cut, but no one materially hurt on either fide. The Archer and Griffin afterwards captured a dogger, a schuyt, and two Blankenberg fishing-boats, which the prifoners report to be part of a convoy, which, with a prame of 16 guns, and 5 or 6 gun-velfels, escaped under the land in the dark; fome,

I understand, laden with provifions and ftores. The schuyt has gin, and the fishing-boats timbers and knees for boats; each veffel had 3 or 4 foldiers on-board. Lieur. Sheriff, of the Archer, has done every thing I could poffibly with or expect from his zeal; and Lieut. Payne, of this ship, who commanded the boat and party affifting the Archer, executed that service with his ufual alacri'y; and the Commander of the Griffin has my thanks for the share he bore in bringing off the latter vessels, which was effected under a very heavy fire from the shore, to which they were as clofe as poffible. I have the honour to be, &c. E. W. C. R. OWEN..

PRESENTATION OF COLOURS TO THE QUEEN'S ROYAL VOLUNTEERS.

Wednesday, Jan. 4.

The splendid and interesting spectacle which was this day difplayed at Ranelagh fully answered the expectation which had been formed of it. Its effect was greatly heightened by the eafe and adroitness with which the Queen's Rayal Volunteers performed their part of the ceremony, together with the great regularity observed in all the other proceedings of the day. At 9 o'clock the Westminster Cavalry mustered in Hyde-park: their accoutrements were in excellent order, their horfes in high coudition, and they exhibited a very ftriking military arpearance: they then proceeded to Ranelagh, to take the different stations which had been appointed for them. A party of them were stationed at the end of Ranelagh-lane, close to the Green, and at the beginning of it, and others patroled the road leading from Ranelagh to Buckingham-gate. The corps being thus judicioufly difpofed, no large body of people could affemble, or carriages accumulate, to obstruct the general arrangements. The St. Margaret and St. John's Volunteers afsembled at an early hour in Westminster-hall, and thence proceeded to Ranelagh-green. A detachment of them formed a line across the green, to keep the doors free from the preffure of curious intruders; another party was stationed to examine perfons on foot, as they paffed, to afcertain if they had tickets, and to prevent those who were not fo fortunate from paffing the line, A forall detachment was poited at the carriage-gate leading into the gardens, to prevent any perfon paffiug that way, and to keep a clear peff ge for the Royal carriages. At a quarter past 12, the trumpet announced the arrival of the Courtly party in three of his Majesty's carriages. They were preceded by two Noblemen's carriages, and followed by five. When they reached the gate leading into the garden, which it was neceffary for them to pafs through, Major Rolleston rode before them uncovered, and uthered

them into it. As the first of the Royal carriages was paffing through the gateway, the horfes became restive for some time, till one of the St. Margaret and St. John's Volunteers seized the bridles, and led them along. The Royal retinue having reached the entrance at the Weft fide of the Rotunda, Major Rolleston alighted from his horse, and handed the Countess of Harrington and her attendants from their 'carriages. In the firit were Miss Vernon, Miss Coleman, and Miss Digby, maids of honour to her Majesty; in the second, the Vice Chamberlain and Mr. Vincent; and in the third, Lady Harrington and her daughter, Lady Anna-Maria Stanhope, Lady Cardigan, and Lady Aylesbury, two ladies of the Queen's bedchamber. The company having all quitted their carriages, Lady Harrington was conducted to her box by the Vice Chamberlain, and followed by her attendants, in the fame manner as the Queen would have been. Her Ladyship was dreffed in a black pelice, and a scarlet safh. Her head-drefs was a rich velvet hat, highly decorated, and with four very elegant coquelicot feathers. Her Ladyship also wote an antique necklace of great value, and a fine cameo of his Majesty, being a large beautiful onyx, fet as a medalion, which was presented to her by her Majesty a few days ago, as a memorial of the event. Lady Anna-Matia Stanhope appeared in a dress of white fatin, ornamented with pearls. The company in the Rotunda affembled as spectators were numerous, and added to the fplendour of the scene. Ranelagh has feldom exhibited fo diftinguished a difplay of beauty, elegance, and fashion. On the arrival of the Counters in the box fitted up for her reception, the two regiments of the Queen's Royal Volunteers, un der the command of Lord Hobart, having taken their stations two hours before, prefented arms, with the bands playing. As foon as the corps had shouldered arms, two pair of colours were introduced, and p'aced on each fide of the Royal box. The Kug's

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King's colours of each regiment was a plain Union Standard; but the county or regimental 'colour, which has been defigned and Executed by the Princesses, was a fupe.b piece of needle work. The ground was a rich purple fiük, and in the centre of the colour were her Majesty's arms, embroidered and furrounded with sprigs of variegated colours and designs. At the lower corners were the letters C. R.; and under the coat of arms were the words Queen's Royal Volunteers" Prayers were read by the Rev. Weeden Batler; after which the Duke of York's band quitted their fitu tion before Lady Harrington's box, and went to affift at the orcheftra. At this period the Coronation Anthem was sung by Incledon, Sule, and a full chorus, the boys from Westninsterabbey attending. The colours were removed from Lady Harrington's box to the put pit; when the Rev. Mr. More delivered an animated and appropria e discourse, from Nehemiah iv. 9: "Nevertheless we made, our prayer unto our God, and fet a watch against them day and night." At the front of Lady Harrington's box were affembled Lord Hobart, General Burrard, Lord Amherst, the Right Hon. Ms. Secretary Yorke, and feveral Gentral Officers. When the Difcourse was concluded, Mr. Butler stood ready, by the colours, to read the Corfecration Prayer (p. 34); a copy of which had been preyioufly presented to the Countess of Harrington; but, from fome momentary ipadvertence in the very zealous and respectable conductors of this interesting bufiness, no fignal having been given to Mr. Butler, the colours were taken back to their former station; and the officers from each batalion, who were to receive them, were ordered by Lord Hobart to place themfeives before Lady Harrington. The Chamberlain then defcended from the box, and gave the colours to Major Roleston, who was in the box with her Ladyship, and on his knees held them by a piece of purple ribband, which tied them together, two and two. Her Majefly's reprefentative then delivered the following address: "Gentlemen, Her Majesty having been gracioufly pleased to confer upon me the honour of presenting to you these colours, I am anxious to exprefs how highly. I am flattered by this difinguished mark of the Queen's favour. At a time of all others the most awful, when our country is threatened with the unprovoked attack of a moft implacable enemy, and when you have evinced your readiness to stand forward in the defence of every thing that is moft dear to us all; what can be more guatifying, or more honourable to you, than being peculiarly diftinguished by her Majesty, and receiving your colours from her? Animated as your hearts must be by gratitude to the Queen, in addition to

every other noble fentiment that has guided you from the moment of the first offer of your fervices, it would not only be fuperfluous, but prefumptuous in me, to add any thing upon the occafion, than the expreffion of every fervent with for your success in the event of the enemy carrying his threats into execution; confident that no power, however strenuously exerted, will ever wrest these colours from you, while there is yet left a man in your corps to defend them." To which Lord Hobart replied in the following words: "Madam, In the name of the corps which I have the honour to command, I am to convey our humble and gratefol acknowledgements for the distinguishid favour with which her Majesty has been pleased to honour us upon. the prefent occafion: and, encouraged by fo flattering an inftance of ber Majesty's condefcenfion, I am the more confident in expreffing a full perfuafion that thofe fentiments which originally called forth our fervices will uniformly govern our conduct, so long as it shall be her Majesty's pleasure to permit their continuance. Stimulated to the discharge of our duty by the most powerful motives that can influence the mind of man. the protection of every thing that is dear to us in provate life, and every thing that is valuable in public eftimatior, our religion, our laws, our liberty, and our King; I can venture to affure her Majefty, that the expectation she may have formed of our exertions shall not be disappointed. And, if the day should come, when his Majesty, actuated by that valour for which his Family has ever been confpicuous, and by that affection which he has always manifested towards his people, shall think fit to share their dangers; if that anxious and animating period thould arrive; then, may these colours, the gift of our most gracious Queen, prove a shield to guard and defend the sacred perfon of our beloved Sovereign against any hazard to which it may be exposed by the defperate efforts of an inordinate and deftructive ambition." Major Rolleston now untied the rabband, and gave the golden cord which supported the taffels into her Ladyship's hand, and she gradually let the colours descend to the entigns, who were on their kores ready to receive them: they then arofe and went to prefent them to their regiments, who received them with prefented arms, while the band played "God fave the King." After which Meffis. Incleyon, Sale, &c. with a full chorus, fong "God fave the King." The regiments did not match pait her Ladyship; this part of the ceremony was rendered impracticable, from the concourse of fpectators. Immediately on the Countess receiving the royal falute, the, with her attendants, returned in the fame manner as they came. The reguments marched four deep to Lord Hobart's

bart's, and lodged their colours. They quitted them as they received them, with presented arms, officers saluting, &c after which they were dismisf d. The Earl of Harrington, Lord Hobart, and feveral General Officers, dined with the Officers of the Queen's Royal Volunteers, at the British Coffee-house, and spent the day in the most convivial manner. A number of loyal and patriotic toasts were given; and nothing was omitted, that could animate the mind to perfeverance in the glorious caufe.

DOCKS, CANALS, &c.

Amidst the warfare in which we are now engaged for our prefervation and existence as a Nation, it is a matter of exultation and felf-confidence to reflect, that the moft confiderable and most important of our public works fuffer, comparatively fpeaking, but little interruption. A fcarcity of hands will naturally rather retard the completion of them; and fuch materials as are wanted must be purchased at an increafed price, particularly the articles of timber and bricks.

THE WEST INDIA DOCKS, occupying a furface of 30 acres for unloading all vessels coming from the West India Ilands and Colontes, have been completed fome time fince, and there is now fufficient accommodation in the fubftantial and extenfive ftacks of warehouses for fuch merchants as wish to bond or to house their commodi

ties within the walls, unexposed to fire or plunder, as no lights are fuffered at any time, nor any perfon allowed to remain onboard, or within the walls after dark. The excavation of the dock for loading, which is to occupy 24 acres, is proceeding in with great spirit. In the mean while, it is highly gratifying to the fubfcribers, and encou Taging to thefe grand national undertakings, to find that the profits warrant a dividend of 10 per cent. on the fums already fubfcribed, and which the fubfcribers have begun to receive.

THE LONDON DOCKS, forming in Wapping, for the accommodation of thipping bringing wines, spirits, rice, and tobacco, and for the while trade of the port (West and East India shipping excepted) of fuch as choose to avail themselves thereof, are in a very advanced state of forwardness; and there is every reafon to believe that the Dock for Imports will be ready'to receive veffels in the course of the ensuing Summer. Immense warehouses are form ing; and, in particular, a most stupendous ftack for houfing bonded tobaccos, which Government are to rent, befides giving every encouragement in their power to the concern, with a view to the security and increase of the public revenue, and to the fafety and difpatch of the property of the merchant.

GENT. MAG. January, 1804.

THE EAST INDIA Dock, for the use of the East India tapping exclusively, is as yet in a state of infancy. The Dock Company have purchased Meffrs. Perry's and Wells's Wet Dock, for the purpose of forming part of the Dock for loading outwards; and the Dock for unloading is excavating with all poffible dispatch, on a fite or marth above, and is to occupy a furface of about 18 acres, and likely to be completed in the Spring of next year. The capital subscribed is 200,000l. There are 13 Directors, of which four must always be Directors of the East India Company.

COMMERCIAL ROAD. In addition to these immenfe accoromodations to trade, a wide road, called the Commercial Road, is nearly paved and finished, commencing at the North-west corner of the West India Dock, and consing out into Whitechapel near Aldgate. This road has been used fince the opening of the West India Dock, and the tolls received weekly from 7ol. to Sol. and are daily increasing; and, with the profits of houses and lands purchased by the trust and let, will very shortly yield the subscribers their limited 10 per cent. pro fit on the capital of 50,000ol. fubfcribed. The road is intended to be carried on to the East India Dock, and to communicate with the London Dock.

THE GRAND JUNCTION CANAL, a concern of immenfe importance to the commerce of the country, is now pretty well known to the publick. They have lately experienced some impediment from the drought during the Summer; but, on the other hand, it has enabled them to repair and cleanse the bottom in some parts where it wanted. The fum fubfcribed for this concern is about 1,350,000l.; and, when the tunnel and aqueduct at Blisworth are completed, which, it is expected, will be so at the end of this year, this immenfe un dertaking will be confidered as quite complete, and well supplied with water, without interruption; then the subscribers will begin to look forward for a gradual and rapid increase of their Dividends, which, there can be no manner of doubt, will very amply remunerate them for their long patience and spirit of perfeverance in affitting a work of this national confequence.

What a splendid contrast do these proud facts furnish to the condition of our Enemy! France is driven to acts of unqualified robbery to collect the momentary means for carrying on the war; her army is unpaid, and held to its obedience by the hope of plunder; her commerce is annihilated: the has now no trade but that of murder and rapine: while in England, the confidence and the wealth of the people are fach, that, after every facufice which the fafety of the empire demands, we find millions embarked in commercial fpeculations.

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