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hauled off, out of the enemy's fhot. The next day they fell down the river, about five or fix leagues, and kept a Moorish battery or fort fo clofe on board, that they fired feveral fhot at them; but with fo little judgment, that they overreached their topmaft, and did them not the leaft damage. The fhips are now at the entrance of the river, without provifions; and they have already loft two of their number which ran afhore, and were immediately fecured by the Moors. There were feveral ladies, natives of the country, whom the Moors took prifoners, and will not release them without a confiderable ranfom for each feparately. The amount of the money, &c. Mr Drake is faid to have fecured on board, is computed at 30 lack.

Three or four days after the taking of Calcutta, the nabob iffued forth a declaration, that all the Armenians, English Chriftians of any denomination, and the common ufual inhabitants of Calcutta, might return to the town, and that no harm fhould be done them. But the day before yesterday, having received advice, that the English fhips were making fome ftir, he ordered that every individual fhould quit the fpot within three days, and fignified that he would cut off the nofes and ears of fuch as paid not due regard to his orders. He has already fent 200 pioneers to raze the town to the ground. Caffembuzar has met with the fame fate, as has alfo Daha, and some other places; having wrote to the governor of Madrafs, that no English fabject fhould hereafter settle in Bengal. Last night about 400 fouls came over to us here, inhabitants of Calcutta, either Europeans, or countrypeople, amongst whom were captains of fhips, fupercargoes, or officers in em. ployments, foldiers, &c. The day before yesterday, the nabob fent us Mr Watts, late chief of Caffembuzar, and his furgeon, and exacted from us a receipt, that they were in good order and well condition on delivery.

You may imagine, my dear Sir, that, during thefe tranfaétions, we were not a little uneafy, as he demanded from us, by frequent applications, forces, am

munition, &c. to act against the English; and had affured us, that on our non-compliance he would divert the ftream of his prefent purposes against us, and we fhould be the fenfible mark of his revenge. He, however, took our cafe into his confideration; we having represented to him ftrenuously, that we were in want of troops, and their neceffary fupply, and other arguments, much in the fame ftrain. But the nabob, no wife fatisfied with these excufes, and accuting us of fiding with the English, on his return from Calcutta, proceeded to Hughley, a Moorish town, fituated from hence about a league diftant, and fent us thence an embaffy, well escorted, infifting on the immediate mulet or payment of eleven lack (123,750 1. Sterling,) between the Dutch and us. After many pro's and con's the Dutch paid down four lacks and an half, and we three lacks. But not complying thus with his whole demand, we were ftill fearful of what might enfue; and therefore we all withdrew to the fort, refolved to defend ourfelves to the utmost, urged and enforced to do fo by the late example of their cruelty to the English, fo recent to our recollection. But happily our fears were groundless. The nabob fet out the next day for his fort at Moxoudavat, to the entire pleasure and fatisfaction of every one, as he is the worst of neighbours. The country-people hereabout call the Europeans banchots, i. e. cowards and poltroons.

An account of the lofs of the Doddington Indiaman. Taken from the journal of Mr E van Jones, late chief mate of that pip.

May 27. 1755. Sailed from St Jago, with the Pelham, Houghton, and Stretham, and left the Edgecote riding there.

28. Finding that we failed better than the other fhips, parted from them in the night, by steering a different course, and had a pleafant paffage until we made Cape le Gullas; from whence we took a fresh departure July 6. We run to the eastward, in lat. 35 1 half and 36 deg. S. until July 16. when, by the medium of fix journals, we made 12 deg.

50 min.

50 min. east longitude from Le Gullas. Being that day, by obfervation, in lat. 35 deg. S. dirty fqually weather, the wind from S. S. W. to S. S. E. with a large fea, Capt. Sampfon ordered the courfe to be altered from E. to E. N. E. We ran on that courfe from five to feven knots per hour, with courfes and treble-reefed maintopfail, and doublereefed foretopfail; at midnight had 70 miles on the board. About a quarter before one in the morning, the fhip ftruck, and in lefs than twenty minutes was entirely wrecked.

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It was a dark and ftormy night; and the only warning we had of our danger was calling out," Breakers a-head and to leeward.'

The helm was immediately put alee; but before the came quite head to wind, fhe ftruck lightly, and then stronger; at which time the fea broke directly into her forward, ftove the boats, and washed a good many people overboard.

Al

though we ufed our best endeavours to get her about, it was to no purpose, the fea breaking all over her; and fhe ftruck fo hard, that the mainmast went away by the board, and the rest of the mafts foon followed. We could fee no land.

The fhip continued lifting and ftriking with every fea, till unfortunately fhe at laft laid down on her starboard fide, and foon parted; every sea driving fome part of her away.

As the larboard fide and quarter was now the only place above water, all those who could, got there; fhe ftill kept driving towards the breakers, and the fea was covered with her wreck. As Capt. Sampfon fat with me on the quarter, he faid he had pricked off that day at noon, and judged himself ninety leagues from the land, and imagined this to be fome unknown rock, where poffibly the Dolphin was loft. We expected every minute to be washed off by the fea; and Capt. Sampfon bid us all farewell, and hoped we should meet again in the next world. Soon after we were all washed off; and in a little while, ten of us met on fome ragged rocks, and crept clofe together to keep ourfelves warm. The leverity of the

ry

weather, and our melancholy fituation, made us wifh impatiently for the day. But when the light came, it gave us ve little comfort; for we found ourselves on a barren ifland or rock, about two leagues from the main, which is laid down in the India Pilot in lat. 33. 30. and called Chaos.

By a good obfervation with Hadley's quadrant, it lies in 34 deg. S. lat. and Davis's quadrant in 33. 44. We were joined by fome more who had been caft afhore, many of them miferably bruised against the rocks. Of 270 fouls who were aboard, only 23 were faved, viz. Evan Jones, chief mate; John Collett, zd; William Webb, 3d; Samuel Powell, 5th; Richard Topping, carpenter; John Yedts, midshipman; Neil Bothwell, Nathaniel Chriftholm, quartermafters, eight feamen, three captain's fervants, one furgeon's ditto, and three matroffes.

We remained seven months on this miferable place, fubfifting on fish, and eggs of fea-fowls, with what provifions we found drove afhore from the wreck. During that time the carpenter built a large boat, which we rigged like a floop, and called her the Happy Deliverance. While on the ifland we made an attempt to get provifions from the main, by going over there in a small boat; but the natives drove us away, and one Bothwell loft his life on the expedition. We found on the island the remains of two wrecks; one feemed to be a Dutch fhip, the other an Englifh; the latter leaft decayed, and by the iron-work feemed to have been much less than the Doddington. It plainly appeared by pieces of glafs, and other things, that fome unfortunate people had lived on that place; and we could fee the remains of a habitation, by the ftones being regularly laid one on another. were very healthy while on the island, notwithstanding the great hardships and fatigues we fuffered by hunger and hard labour. The 18th day of February 1756, we completed our boat, and failed for Delagoa; but were fo long on the paffage, by currents fetting to the fouthward, that it was two months before

We

we

we arrived at that place. Unhappily ven him in writing. The answers were there was a cheft of treafure drove a- read, and ordered to be inrolled in the fhore from the wreck, which the officers journals of the court. Mr Pitt's was wanted to preferve for the proprietors, in these words. and the people to divide; which occafioned great difputes, and was at laft divided in fpite of the officers. This, with a long paffage, and fcarcity of provifions, made our condition worfe than when we were on the ifland. A bifcuit fold for two dollars, and every man had only an ounce and a half of falt pork a-day.

When we got to Delagoa, we found there the Rofe galley, Capt. Chandler, belonging to Bombay, who gave us a paffage to Madagafcar; where we found the Carnarvon, Capt. Norton Hutchinfon, bound to Madrafs, who took us all on board. We fold the floop to Capt. Chandler for 500 rupees; but he was feized at Bombay for the proprietors. Mr Powell came there in her. All the reft went to Madraís in the Carnarvon, except Mr Collett, Gilbert Chain, Henry Sharp, and Leicester, a matrofs, who died of fevers on board the Rofe galley. Mr Collett loft his wife in the fhip. After fhe ftruck, he went down, and brought her upon deck in his arms; but the fhip falling down at that time on her broadfide, and the decks falling in, he was feparated from her, and never faw her after wards, until fome days after we were on the island, when Mr Jones and he faw her body; but Mr Collett did not know it, though Mr Jones did, and had it buried without his knowledge. Mr Jones took all the money and effects from the people when he got on board the Rofe galley, and fecured them for the proprietors.

ENGLAND.

At a common council of the city of London, held at Guildhall, June 15. Sir Thomas Harrifon, the chamberlain, acquainted the court, that he had wait ed on the Rt Hon. William Pitt and Henry Bilfon Legge, Efqs, on the 24th of May, and prefented them with the freedom of the city in gold boxes [256.]; and he delivered the anfwers of thofe gentlemen, which they had gi

"Give me leave, Sir, to request the favour of you, to prefent, in the most expreffive terms, to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of the city of London, the high fenfe I have. of the diftinguished honour they have been pleafed to do me, in conferring on me the freedom of the city.

"I have ever been zealoufly devoted to the fupport of the liberty, trade, and profperity of that great and respectable body; and I am now proud and happy to have fuch caufe to add the fentiments of trueft gratitude for fo generous a mark of their favour, and for fo unmerited an approbation of my infufficient endeavours to carry into effect the most gracious intentions and paternal care of his Majefty, for the preservation and happiness of his people."

And Mr Legge's in thefe.

"Give me leave, Sir, to beg the favour of you to return my fincereft thanks to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of the city of London, for having admitted me to the freedom of their corporation.

"So eminent a mark of diftinction, derived from the moft refpectable city in Europe, and to which fo few have ever received the honour of admiffion, cannot but fill my heart with the highest fenfe of gratitude and regard; and though it far exceeds the bare merit of meaning well, which is all I have to plead, muft prove a ftrong incentive to thofe whom his Majefty fhall hereafter think fit to employ, to exert, with equal zeal, much greater abilities in the fervice of their country.

"I hope every part of my future conduct, confiftently with that which I have hitherto endeavoured to hold, will fhew my firm attachment to the rights and privileges of my fellow-fubjects, as well as to his Majefty, and his illuftrious family, upon whofe eftablishment the maintenance of thofe rights and privileges does fo effentially depend."

The freedoms were finely written by

Mr

Mr Jofeph Champion, each on a fheet of vellum, beautifully ornamented round the margin by Mr Charles Gardner, with the city-arms on the top, the Lord Mayor's on the right fide, and the Chamberlain's on the left; and the city-arms were ingraven on the lid of each box. The cost of the boxes and freedoms amounted to 2511. 13 s.

Great quantities of grain have been imported. From the 8th to the 17th of June inclufive, upwards of 14,000 quarters of wheat were entered at the cu

ftomhouse of London. Mean while the populace continue to be tumultuous in feveral places, on account of the high prices.

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In the gazette of June 18. the following notice was given. War-office, June 18. 1757. In purfuance of the powers vefted in the King by the prefent act for recruiting his Majefty's land-forces and marines [62.], I do hereby give notice that the faid act is fufpended. By his Majesty's command, BARRING

TON."

Letters from Portsmouth bear, that Vice-Adm. Bofcawen, in the Royal George, Capt. Buckle, failed thence for the bay, June 24. with the Royal Sovereign, Capt. Boys; the Namur, Capt. Denis ;. the Chichefter, Capt. Willet; the Torbay, Capt. Keppel; and the Medway, Capt. Proby.

According to letters from the fame place of June 30. about twenty-five Weft-Indiamen are failed under convoy of Com. Moore. His fquadron is faid to confift of the Cambridge of 80 guns, the Devonshire and Buckingham, of 70 each, the Prince Frederick and Trident, of 64 each, the Norwich, of 50, and the Amazon of zo. The Norwich did not fail with the fleet, but was to follow. The royal affent was given, by commiflion, June 28. to the following bills. An act for granting to his Majefty feveral rates and duties upon indentures, leafes, bonds, and other deeds, and upon news-papers, advertifements, and almanacks, and upon licences for retailing wine, and upon coals exported to foreign parts; and for applying, from a certain time, the fums of money ariling from the furplus of the duties on licences for retailing fpirituous liquors, and for raifing the fum of three

millions by annuities, to be charged on the faid rates, duties, and fums of money; and for ma king perpetual an act 2o Geo. II. intitled, An act for the better regulation of attornies and folicitors; and for enlarging the time for filing affidavits of the execution of contracts of clerks to attornies and folicitors, and also the time for payment of the duties omitted to be paid for the indentures and contracts of clerks and apprentices. [301.]

An act for enabling his Majefty to raise the fum of one million for the ufes and purposes therein mentioned.

An act for granting to his Majefty certain fums of money out of the finking fund, and applying certain monies remaining in the exchequer, and fion of parliament for the pay of the troops of the favings out of the monies granted in this fefHanover, for the fervice of the year 1757; and for further appropriating the fupplies granted in this feffion of parliament; and for relief of Claud Johnfon, with refpect to a bond entered into by him, for fecuring the duties on tobacco imported by George Buchanan and William Hamilton.

An act for allowing a further bounty on veffels employed in the white herring fishery, for giving liberty to alter the prefent form and fize of the nets ufed in the faid fishery, and for other purty of 30s. per tun, granted by the act 23° Geo. If. pofes therein mentioned.- By this act, the boun[xii. 177.] for fourteen years, and continued for three years longer by an act 28° Geo. li. on vefels employed in the white herring fijnery, is aug mented to 50 s. per tun; liberty is given to ufe fuch like quantity of netting in whole be carried on board nets as are best adapted to the fifheries, fo as the each bufs as the firft-mentioned act directs; and the regulation in the act 29° Geo. II. that the staves of all barrels in which white herrings and wet least half an inch in thickness [xviii. 270.], is dewhite fish, in Scotland, fhall be packed, fhall be at clared not to extend to barrels used in the white herring fisheries.

An act for the better ordering of the militiaforces in the feveral counties of that part of G. Britain called England.

captors of prizes, with refpect to the bringing and An act for the relief and encouragement of the landing prize-goods in this kingdom.

An act more effectually to prevent the spreading of the distemper now raging amongst the horned cattle in this kingdom.

improvement of the fpawn and fry of fish in the An act for the more effectual prefervation and river of Thames and waters of Medway, and for the better regulating the fishery thereof.

An act for the more effectual punishment of perfons who fhall attain, or attempt to attain, poffeffion of goods or money by falfe or untrue pretences, for preventing the unlawful pawning of goods, for the eafy redemption of goods pawned, and for preventing gaming in public houfes by journeymen, labourers, fervants, and apprentices.

An act to render more effectual the feveral laws now in being, for the amendment and pre

fervation

fervation of the public highways and turnpikeroads of this kingdom.

An act to explain and amend an act 18° Geo. II. to prevent the misbehaviour of the drivers of carts in the streets in London, Westminster, and the limits of the weekly bills of mortality, and for other purposes in this act mentioned.

An act to indemnify perfons who have been guilty of the unlawful importing, landing, or running of prohibited, uncustomed, or other goods or merchandise, upon certain terms therein men

tioned.

An act to enable the commiffioners for building Westminster bridge, to widen the street or avenue leading from Cock fpur ftreet, to the paffage in Spring Garden near St James's park.

An act for building a bridge or bridges crofs the river of Thames, from a certain place in Old Brentford, in the parish of Ealing in the county of Middlesex, known by the name of Smith or Smith's hill, to the oppofite fhore in the county of Surry.

An act for enlarging the times for the first meetings of commiffioners or truftees for putting in execution certain acts of this session of parliament.

An act for enlarging the times limited for executing and performing feveral provifions, powers,

and directions, in certain acts of this feffion of parliament. By this act, any thing required or authorifed to be done, by any act of this feffion, on or before the day on which fuch act shall have paffed, is required and authorised to be done on or before the fourteenth day after the day of passing the act. To bills relating to a market in Southwark, Bedford level, draining grounds in the counties of Huntingdon, Cambridge, and Norfolk, regulations in the city of Bath, five road-bills, and fix private

bills.

P. S. On the 4th of July the King made the following speech to both houfes of parliament.

My Lords, and Gentlemen,

I have had no other view, but to vindicate the just rights of my crown and fubjects from the most injurious incroachments; to preserve tranquillity, as far as the circumstances of things might admit; and to prevent our true friends, and the liberties of Europe, from being oppreffed or endangered by any unprovoked and unnatural conjunc

tion.

Gentlemen of the boufe of Commons, I thank you for the large fupplies which you have fo chearfully and unanimoufly given me. It affords me great pleasure, that the frugal use made of the confidence repofed in me the latt year, has been an inducement to you to renew the fame; and you may be affured, that it fhall be applied only to the purposes for which it was intended.

I fhall be particularly attentive to reduce all unneceffary expences, in order the better to provide for the great and requifite fervices of the war.

My Lords, and Gentlemen,

I have nothing to defire of you, but what is equally effential to your own intereft, and to my fervice. Let it be your conftant endeavour to promote harmony and good agreement amongst my faithful fubjects; that, by our union at home, we may be the better able to repel and fruftrate abroad, the dangerous defigns of the enemies of my crown.

Then the Lord Keeper, by his Ma

After fo long and diligent an atten

Fter fo long and diligent an atten- jefty's command, prorogued the parlia

dance upon the public bufinefs, it is time that I should give you fome recefs. But I cannot put an end to the feffion, without expreffing my entire fa. tisfaction in the many proofs I have received of your zeal and affection for my perfon and government, and for your unfeigned concern for my honour and real fupport.

ment.

IRELAND.

On the 19th of May the work for carrying on the inland navigation of the ri ver Shannon, was begun at Athlone, by a great number of hands; and 1000 men are to be employed in that work all this fummer. [xvii. 511.610.]

Letters from Dublin, of June 7. bear, The fuccour and preservation of that the King had given 20,000l. to my dominions in America have been my buy corn for the poor of Ireland, which conftant care. And, next to the fecu- was then hourly expected; and that the rity of my kingdoms, they fhall con- Duke of Bedford, Lord Lieutenant, had tinue to be my great and principal ob- loaded three fhips with grain for that ject and I have taken fuch measures, kingdom; one for Belfaft, one for Deras, I truft, by the bleffing of God, may ry, and one for fome other port, the effectually difappoint the defigns of my grain purchafed low, and to be fold at enemies in thofe parts.

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