Imágenes de página
PDF
ePub

Hiftorical Chronicle, Jan. 1774.

Of. 14.

THE Alarm Frigate of 36 guns, having

caft anchor before Algiers, the commanding officer Capt. Scott delivered letters to the Conful of his nation, in which he demands, that the boats and chaloupes belonging to English fhips fhall have the power of retaining Chriftian flaves who have escaped, as well as the fhips; that they should reftore five Portugueze, who had eight years fince been taken out of an English fhip; and make fatisfaction for an infult offered by the Commandant at Bonn to an English Officer. These propofals have not been well received; the Dey looks on them as coming from the Conful, and fays he fhall always continue a friend to the English, provided their affairs are no longer directed by this Conful. In the mean time, the Conful is gone on board the above ship.

Other letters add, that the inhabitants are most furiously enraged against the English Merchants there; they attacked feveral English taverns and coffee-houses, fo that no Englishman dare attempt to walk in the public ftreets without being infulted by the mob.

The Alarm Frigate is fince arrived at Portsmouth, with the Conful an board, See the cause of this misunderstanding fully stated, vol. xliii.

Dec. 16,

The fpirit of duelling feems to take its rife from the licentioufnefs of the prefent times, and to prevail from the peer to the private foldier, two of which fought this day at Clonmell in Ireland for 40 minutes. They first began by difcharging a cafe of piftols at each other, which not taking effect, they had recourse to their broad-fwords, when one of them, having received 12 wounds in his head and body, and exhaufted with the lofs of blood, gave out. The other received eight wounds, feveral of them dangerous.

Dec. 23.

The barbarous cuftom of murdering as well as robbing travellers, which used to be peculiar to France and foreign countries, feems to gain ground in England. This dayMr.Bird, of Stonehoufe, in Gloueefterfhire, was fet upon by a villain, who firft knocked him down, broke his arm, and afterwards cut his threat; but, hav ing miffed his wind-pipe, he is likely to recover. The villain, however, touched with remorse, ran away without robbing him, and has fince been taken, and confelled the fact. About the Came time, a gentleman coming acrofs Steppey fields, was attacked by fix ruffians, who robbed him of a confiderable fum of money, and then moft inhumanly murdered him. Three of the villains have fince been taken, and committed to different prifons, Several other robberies, attended with

murders, have been committed in the course of the month, most of them in the country. Dec. 27.

A fquadron of Ruffian men of war, commanded by Admiral Gregg, an Englith Lieut. in the British navy, having anchored off Portfmouth, above 50 artificers belonging to the dock-yard were employ ed in repairing the fame, while the naval commanders and neighbouring gentlemen vied with each other in elegantly entertaining the Ruffian Commander.

Some complaints, it is faid, have been made to the British Minifter at Conftantinople of the partiality fhewn to the Ruffians, as a breach of the terms of neutrality: who answered, that whenever the fhips belonging to the Porte fhould put to the British harbour for fuccour, they fhould meet with the fame kind reception. Dec. 28.

Some Custom-houfe officers at Dover, belonging to the Excife-boat, having made a confiderable feizure of run brandy on board a smuggling veflel off that hai bour, were detected in landing a part of the cargo for their own ufe. They had referved 25 tubs of the best brandy, and entered 300 at the Custom-house.

Paul Amfinck, of London, Merchant, was appointed Agent for the Hanfe Towns of Lubeck, Bremen, and Hamburgh.

Dec. 29.

The Queen has been pleafed to appoint the Earl of Guildford to be her Majesty's Treasurer and Receiver-General, in the tom of Andrew Stone, Efq; deceafed. Dec. 30.

The following perions of diftinction afted the play of The Provok'd Husband, or A Journey to London, at the Earl of Effex's country feat at Cafhioberry Park, Hertfordshire, viz. Col. St. John, Lady Eflex, Mr. St. John, Mrs. St. John, Lady Elizabeth Capel, Mr. Storer, Lord Waldegrave's fon, Master Onflow, Lord Malden, Mr. Carnac, the Earl of Eflex, &c. with the entertainment of High Lite below Stairs. There were prefent Lord and Lady North, Lord and Lady Hyde, Lord March, &c. &c.

The following is the account of Mr. Powell's journey to York as given by himself:

"I fet out from Hicks's-hall, London, on the 29th of November, 1773, about twenty minutes past twelve o'clock in the morning, for a wager of 100 guineas, which I was to perform in fix days, by going to York, and returning to the above place. I got to Stamford about nine o'clock in the evening of that day.

"November 30, fet aut from Stamford about five in the morning, and got to Doncaster about twelve at night. “December 1, set out from Doncafter

about

40

HISTORICAL CHRONICLE.

about five in the morning, and got to York at half past two in the afternoon. Departed from York about fix the fame afternoon, and got to Ferrybridge about ten that night.

"December 2, fet out from Ferrybridge at five in the morning, and got to Grantham about twelve at night.

"December 3, fet out from Grantham at fix in the morning, and got to the Cock at Eaton about eleven at night.

"December 4, fet out from Eaton, the 6th and last day, about four in the morning, and arrived at Hicks's-hall about half an hour paft fix in the evening."

What renders this exploit ftill more amazing is, that Mr. Powell fet out in a very indifferent ftate of health, being compelled, from a pain in his fide, to wear a trengthening plaifter all the way. His appetite was moreover very indifferent, the accounts in the Papers being extremely erroneous, and generally misreprefented; for his most frequent beverage was either fmall beer or water; and the refreshment he moft admired was tea and toaft and butter.

SATURDAY, JAN. 1.

Being New Year's-day, the fame was obferved at Court as a high festival. The Ode for the new year, compofed by Wm. Whitehead, Efq; Poet Laureat, was performed before their Majefties, in the great council chamber, St. James's, which fee P. 37.

The distemper among the horned cattle is again broke out in feveral parts of Weft Flanders, a few districts of which, namely, Courtray, Furnes, Bruges, and Ipres, annually fupply their neighbours with 60 or 70,000 head of black cattle, of which Lifle alone confumes 12 or 14,000. Several infected cattle have already been killed, and it is feared the contagion will become general.

Sunday 2.

A challenge having been conveyed from Sir Edward Newnham, by Mr. James Napper Tandy, to Mr. Alderman Geale, of Dublin, the fame was accepted; and the combatants met this day at the place appointed, when Sir Edward snap. ped his pistol feveral times, but it would not go off. The Alderman still referving his fire, and Sir Edward calling for more powder, the feconds interpofed, and an amicable end was put to the quarrel without bloodshed.

Tuesday 4.

There is a relation from Leeds, in Yorkshire, of a man at Saddleworth, who, having been taken ill fome time ago, to appearance died; but the apothecary who attended him thought he could difcern fome fymptoms of remaining life, which encouraged his friends to use means for his recovery. He remained, however,

in this ftate of torpitude for more than fix weeks, but is now in perfect health. Saturday 8.

His Majefty has been pleased to prefent Henry Chaytor, D. L. to the vicarage of Catterick, in Yorkihire, void by the refignation of Theophilus Lindfey, A. M. the last incumbent.

As the gunner of the True Briton Indiaman, lying in the Downs, was making cartridges, &c. near a fire, a fpark flew out, and fet them on fire, which inftantly communicated itself to the bulk-head, next to the powder-room, wherein were 126 barrels of powder, befides rum; but it was extinguished by the activity of the failors, without further damage.-There' were on board her at that time a great number of people from Deal, and 80 foldiers; the is fince failed on her voyage.

This evening the Fair Penitent, with High Life below Stairs, was performed at Winterflow house, the feat of the Hon.. Stephen Fox, Efq. The principal parts were performed by the Hon. Mr. Fox, Mr. Charles Fox, Lady Mary Fox, Lord Pembroke, Mifs Herbert, Sir Thomas Tancred, the Hon. Mr. Fitzpatrick, &c. -The above feat was unhappily confumed next day by a fire, but a great part of the. furniture was preserved.

Tuesday 11.

The King has been pleased to grant unto Robert Chester, of the Inner Temple, Efq; the office of Collector or Receiver of the perpetual yearly tenths of all dignities, offices, benefices, and promotions fpiritual whatfoever, granted to the corpora tion of the governors of the bounty of Queen Anne, for the augmentation of the maintenance of the poor clergy, in the room of Thomas Parry, Efq; deceased. Thursday 13.

His Majefty, attended by his Grace the Duke of Ancafter, and the Earl of Pomfret, went in ftate to the House of Peers, and opened the feffions of parliament with the following most gracions fpeech from the throne:

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"The unusual length of the last feffion of parliament made me defirous of giving you as long a recefs as the public fervice would admit. I have, therefore, beeu glad to find myself under no neceffity of calling you from your refpective counties at an earlier feafon; and I doubt not but you are now met together, in the best difpofition for applying yourfelves to the dispatch of the public bufinefs..

You will, I am perfuaded, agree with me, in regretting, that the peace, fo long expected, and to very defirable, is not yet effected between Ruffia and the Porte; but it is with real fatisfaction I can repeat, that other foreign powers continue till to have the fame paeific difpof

HISTORICAL CHRONICLE.

tions with myfelf. I can have no other with than to fee the general tranquillity restored; for the establishment, and subfequent prefervation of which, no endeayours of mine, consistent with the honour of my crown, and the interests of my people, fhall ever be wanting.

In this ftate of foreign affairs, you will have full leisure to attend to the improvement of our internal and domestic fituation; and to the profecution of meafures more immediately refpecting the prefervation and advancement of the revenue and commerce of the kingdom, Among the objects which, in this view, will come under your confideration, none can better deferve your attention, than the flate of the gold coin, which I must recommend to you in a more particular manner, as well on account of its very high importance, as of the peculiar advantages which the prefent time affords, for executing, with success, such measures as you may find expedient to adopt with refpect to this great national concern.

"The degree of diminution which that coin had actually fuffered, and the very rapid progrefs which the mifchief was daily making, were truly alarming. It is with much fatisfaction that I have feen the evil in a great measure checked, by the regulations made in the last fellion of parliament. I truft, however, that you will not stop here, nor think that you have difcharged your duty, either to your country or your fellow-fubjects, without ufing your belt endeavours for putting the gold coin upon fuch a footing, as may not only compleatly remove the prefent grievance, but render the credit and commerce of the kingdom fufficiently fecure from being again expofed to the like danger.

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons, "I have ordered the proper estimates for the current year to be laid before you; and rely on your readinefs to grant me fuch fupplies as fhall be found requifite in the prefent fituation of affairs.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"The experience I have had of your paft conduct leaves me no room to doubt either of your zeal or prudence, in your endeavours to promote the welfare of your country. You will not fuffer any parts of the public fervice to efcape your attention; but, various and extenfive as those are, you will be careful to felect, for your immediate deliberation, fuch of them as fhall appear to be most important: and you can propofe no meafures, that will ferve either to fecure or advance the happinefs and profperity of my people, in which you may not always depend on my moft hearty concurrence."

Lord Guernsey moved for the address, and was feconded by Mr. St. John, who dwelt particularly on the very fingular GENT. MAG. Jan. 1774.

41

benefits the act for amending the gold coin had produced by raising the exchange in our favour with every country in Europe, especially with Amfterdam, a circumftance not known. for many years. He alfo expatiated largely on the speech from the throne, fo far as it recommended the further confideration of so momentous a business to parliament, observing, that, as a standard between man and man, and as immediately and effentially con‐ nected with our trade and revenue, it was of the highest confequence to our trading and commercial interests.

Mr. P t, in aufwer, faid, that whatever high opinion that gentleman might pleafe to entertain of the act in question, he by no means approved of its being brought in fo late in the feffion, nor of its injurious effects in relation to a fet of men (though bankers), who only held other people's cath, but who were obliged to pay it back at a different itandard, and at a very confiderable loss.

Lord North replied, that the ruinous state of the gold coin fhewed the neceflity there was to put it under fome regulation, to prevent the many contequences which might be justly dreaded from the evil complained of. He was glad, he faid, to find, that those who could best bear the lofs, and were gainers by the fituation which occafioned it, were thofe who felt it moft feverely; that, if a tax had been laid to make good the deficiency, it would have put the nation at large to a very high expence, and opened a door for very grofs impolitions, as was the cafe in King William's time, when, on a notice of a similar kind, relative to the filver coin, the nation had been put to an expence of two millions and a half; but that, in the prefent inttance, the expence had fallen where it could be best borne; and that, if any further regulations should become neceffary, it would be trining, and therefore, he believed, be chearfully made good by the public.

This morning, at eleven o'clock, commiffions pafled the great feal, empowering his Excellency Simon Earl Harcourt, his Majesty's Lieutenant-Governor and General Governor of Ireland, to give the royal allent to the ftamp and annuity bills, without any alteration being made therein; and, as foon as they were fealed, they were dispatched by a meflenger, as were duplicates by another, the one by the way of Holyhead, and the other by that of Port Patrick in Scotland.-The times at which payments are to be made into the treasury, by thofe perions who shall become fubfcribers to the Irish annuities, are extended to the following periods: first payment of 20 per cent. on or before the ift of March, 1774; fecond payment of 40 per cent. on or before the ft of June, 1774; third payment, to compleat

42

HISTORICAL

compleat the fubfcription, on or before the 24th of July, 1774. Notwithttanding thefe alterations, the annuities are to commence from the 25th of December last,as at first intended, and, in confequence of which, we hear large fums have been already fubfcribed at the treasury.

A few days ago, the houfe of Mr. Cater, at Bell-bar, in Hertfordshire, was burnt to the ground, together with all the outhoufes. Mr. Cater, his wife, two children, and a maid-fervant, perished in the flames. It is fuppofed to have happened by the foods reaching fome linie, great quantity of which happened to be in the houfe where the fire broke out.

riday 14.

This day the House of Peers waited on his Majefty with an addrefs of thanks for his most gracious fpeech, and received the following most gracious anfwer:

"I thank you for this loyal addrefs. Nothing can give me greater fatisfaction than thefe affurances of your duty and affection.

"You may always depend on my hearty concurrence in every meature that contributes to the improvement of commerce, and the true intereft and profperity of my people."

Three cuftom-houfe officers have lately been committed to the Compter, for entering the house of Mr. Partridge, at the Bell-inn in Friday-street, in fearch of uncuftomed goods, without producing their warrant. They have ince been admitted to bail; but threaten a profecu. tion for falfe imprisonment in a superior

court.

About one o'clock this morning two men, genteelly dreffed, and armed with piftols, went, in a poft-chaife and four, to the houfe of Mr. L

r, an el derly gentleman, near Hoxton, and, after forcibly entering the house, bound him hand and foot, then forced his daughter, a young lady, into the chaife, and drove off with her as fast as poffible.

Saturday 15.

An exprefs arrived at Portsmouth, with orders relative to the accommodation of the fick failors in the Ruffian fleet. It is very remarkable, that though the RufGans are a hardy people, and that the climate of this country is many degrees warmer than that of their own, yet many more of them ficken on board here than is ufual at home. Since the fleet has been at Portsmouth, many have died, and the hofpital near Gofport is full of their fick.

This day the Speaker of the Houfe of Commons, attended by fuch members as are of his Majefty's privy council, waited upon his Majeffy with their addrefs, to which his Majefty returned the following

anfwer:

"Gentlemen,

"I thank you for this very loyal and

CHRONICLE.

dutiful addrefs. I fee, with the highest fatisfaction, the continuance of your affection to me, and of your zeal for the public fervice. You may be affured, that it is the invariable object, and the conftant case of my life, to promote the happinefs, and to deferve the confidence, of my people." Monday 17.

Was held a general court, by adjourn ment, of the proprietors of Eaft India ftock, for the purpofe of taking into confideration the inftructions prepared by the court of directors, and thofe prepared by a committee of proprietors, as both now amended. This double set of instructions had been read and canvassed over and over again, had been framed with the niceft care, examined and approved by the ablet counfel; and yet, after all, neither the one nor the other was thought perfect; ipfomuch that Mr. Hurlock, many years a director, frankly declared he liked neither.

Governor Johnstone, however, congratulated the proprietors on coming at last to a point, and moved, "that it is the opinion of the general court, that both fets of inftructions fhould go to a general ballot." He then proceeded to fhew the deferts in the Director's inftructions, and to recommend thofe of the committee of proprietors, patronized and improved by his noble friend, the Duke of Richmond.

Mr. Rous feconded the Governor in his motion, though he differed from him, by preferring the directors fet of inftructions to that of the committee of proprietors. In this he was fupported by Mr. Wombwell, who hopel, that, however individuals of the first connections in the

kingdom might patronize instructions that militated against the late act, the majority of the proprietors would testify a due regard to the orphan, the widow, and the aged, who must all be sufferers, should the Company fet themselves up in oppofition to government.

He was anfwered by Mr. Creighton, who charged the gentleman who spoke laft, as a principal instrument in bringing upon those, for whom he now fo feelingly pleads, all thofe diftreffes which he is now zealous to avert.

Mr. Adair, in a spirited manner, Nated the great advantages to be expected from a due attention to the instructions drawn up by the committee; and then, with a clearness that enforced conviction, proceeded to fhew the manifeft inconfiftencies that rendered the other ufelefs.

Mr. Woodhoufe was for inftructions that might fafely be carried into execution, not fuch as were likely to clash with the act, and to require the conftant interpofition of lawyers to decide.

The Duke of Richmond observed, that the gentleman who spoke last, mind

[ocr errors]

HISTORICAL CHRONICLE.

ed the expediency of inftructions, not the legality of them; but that, if the law was on their fide, none need fear to carry them into execution.

After long debates, the question was called for, and carried in the affirmative, one only diffenting voice. The Directors then appointed Monday, the 24th inftant, to take the fenfe of the proprietors which fet of inftructions to prefer.

Sunday 16.

A fire broke out at a carpenter's, in Wych-street, which it foon burnt to the ground, together with a great quantity of timber. It alfo burnt down two or three adjoining houses, and damaged many ethers, The hotler belonging to the Angel inn, in removing the horfes during the fire, received fo terrible a kick from one of them, that it killed him on the spot. This fire, after it was thought to be extinguished, broke out afresh next day, and burnt with as much violence as

ever.

[ocr errors]

Monday 17.

The feffions at the Old Bailey, which began on Wednesday, the 12th inftant, ended, when eleven capital convicts reocived fentence of death, viz. John Ofburn, otherwife Hobfon, for house breaking; William Frankland (tried upon the black act), for fhooting at Justice Miller, in the execution of his office, at Hammersmith, (fee vol.xliii.p.616.); his defence was infanity, which did not avail him, though he was strongly recommended by the jury for mercy; Robert Symmons and James Bishop, for a highway robbery; Thomas Alcombe, for theep-ftealing; Thomas Clift, for housebreaking; Joshua Cofter and Peeling Herne, for robbing the Rev. Mr. Trebeck, at Hanwell; William Bryant, for murder; James Banning, for privately tealing; Dennis Currin, for ftealing, in the house of George Corfield, the Rofe alchoufe, in Curfitor-street, four banknotes, value 390l. and Alice Walker, for returning from transportation.

18.

Turfday as the anniversary This day being kept as the anniversary of her Majesty's birth-day, there was a very numerous and fplendid appearance of the Nobility, Foreign Minifters, and other perfons of diftinction at court, to compliment their Majesties on the occafion,

Wednesday 19.

The House of Commons agreed to the report of the refolution for granting a fupply to his Majefty, and ordered a call of the Houfe on the 15th of February: The Speaker to write circular letters to all the Members, to acquaint them therewith; informing them, that thofe that did not attend, otherwife than by leave of the Houfe, fhould be taken into the custody of the Houfe. This' order for calling ver the Houfe, was on the motion of Al

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

43

derman Sawbridge, on which day he will make a motion for thortening the duration? of parliaments.

This morning Robert Johnson, for uttering and publishing as true, a forged and counterfeit draft for 221, 10s, knowing it. to be forged, with intent to defraud Mr. Cappock, at the Grecian Coffee-house, was, pursuant to his fentence, executed at Tyburn. An order was received at Newgate last night from the Secretary of State's Office, to repite the execution of Robert Leigh, for forging an acceptance upon a draft for 8471. 10s, with intention to defraud Meffrs. Gines and Atkinson, Bankers, of Lombard-ltreet, for 8 days. At the trial of this man, Mr. Ryland, a Merchant of eminence, gave the following teftimony: "With regard to the forgery now before the Court, from any thing I know of his hand, I think him as incapable of forgery as a ploughman, or an infant, and for this plain reason, it was his intereft, and I am fure his incli-. nation, to write a better character than he did, a more flowing agreeable mercantile character; he took pains, as my partner was diffatisfied with the aukward hand he wrote, and endeavoured to mend it, but to no purpose, I believe any Gentleman. who is acquainted with hand writing, would, from an infpection of his hand, be of opinion that he is not the man that is able to perform a forgery; he appears. to me, who fat at the defk with him many months, incapable of what I fhould call an imitative power in writing, fo that L am afraid, if he is jutly chargeable with. this crime, it is in connection with other perfons; and when he is drunk, I am told, he is liable to be impofed on by any body."

This evening was buried at Corfcombe, in Dorfetfhire, Thomas Holles, Efq; of that place. This gentleman was formed on the fevere and exalted plan of antient Greece, in whom was united the humaneand disinterested virtue of Brutus, with. the active and determined fpirit of Sid-. ney; illustrious in his manner of using an ample fortune, not by spending it in the parade of life, which he defpited, but by affifting the deferving, and encouraging the Arts and Sciences, which he promoted with zeal and affection, knowing the love of them leads to moral and intellectual beauty; was a warm and strenuous advo-. cate in the cause of public liberty and virtue, and for the rights of human nature and private confcience. His humanity and generofity were not confined to the fmall spot of his own country; he fought for merit in every part of the globe, confidering himself as a citizen of the world,. but concealed his acts of munificence, being contented with the consciousness of having done well. Pofterity will look up with admiration to this great Man, who, like Milton, is not fufficiently known by

« AnteriorContinuar »