it could be got, it may perhaps appear rather furprifing, as otherwife, that our markets have been kept from running higher, at particular times, or on the whole, than they have done; for they have frequently been lower, and perhaps are fo, even at prefent, on feveral kinds, than at the places of growth, of the very corn we ourselves are confuming."

And the following vindication of the magiftrates was published in the papers of the 17th.

TH

'HE Lord Provost and Magiftrates of Edinburgh, and Gentlemen joined with them, as a committee for providing the poor and working inha bitants of this city and liberties with meal below the market-price, during the present and late dearth and scarcity, have employed their time and attention chiefly to that matter, for thefe nine months paft and it is with pleasure they reflect, that by the early and gemerous contribution of fome perfons of distinction, and of the citizens and in habitants; and by the advice and affiftance from time to time given them by thofe gentlemen in the city who are dealers in grain, and without whofe affiftance they could not poffibly have carried their scheme into execution; they have been enabled to make a comfortable provifion for all those whofe circumftances intitled them to partake of the charity, in a more effectual manner than perhaps moft other places in Britain; and even to extend that charity greatly beyond what was at first propofed or intended.

They have accepted of the truft, and confider the obligation upon them to discharge it as ftill fubfifting, while the prices of grain continue as they prefently are; and though, by the good providence of God, there is at prefent the profpect of a plentiful crop, fo that the dearth must be of a very fhort duration, they are nevertheless determined, by all the means in their power, to bring fuch fupplies to the market as muft effectually reduce the prefent prices.

When their bufinefs is done, their tranfactions and minutes fhall be open to

every person who pleafes to inspect them; and the public will have an account of what money has been contributed; an abstract of all the purchases they have made, and from whom; and of the fales; whence they can beft judge how far their expectations have been anfwered.

They cannot, however, omit taking notice of feveral fcandalous and inju rious reports, that of late have been moft maliciously and induftrioufly propagated, with a view to excite fedition in the minds of the inhabitants; amongft-qthers, That the Rt Hon the Lord Bracco had given several hundred bolls of oatmeal to be fold out to the poor at a low price, which had been fold out by them at a much higher; and that thofe reports had even reached diftant parts of the country, where they could not be contradicted. They do therefore thus publicly affirm, That no meal, or other grain whatever, was given by, or bought from his Lordship for this purpose; though that Noble Lord very generously contributed in money, with the other inhabitants, for the general provifion of the poor of this city.

The Lord Provoft and Magiftrates, being at the fame time determined to bring to justice every person whom they fhall discover as the author of the forefaid falfe and injurious reports, or of writing or fending feveral anonymous letters, that of late have been delivered to them and fome gentlemen in town, and incendiary libels that have been pa fted up in different places of this city, containing menaces and threatenings defructive of the public peace and tranquillity; they do therefore promise a reward of fifty pounds Sterling to any perfon who fhall difcover the author of the forefaid injurious reports, or the author or perfen who wrote or fent the forefaid letters, or who wrote or pafted up the forefaid incendiary libels; to be paid, upon conviction of the offender, by the city-treafurer of Edinburgh.

In the evening of Aug. 26. a woman, decently dreffed, went into the house of a poor workman in Edinburgh, and begged leave of the miftrefs to make a 4 B 2

little

little tea for herself and a child which fhe had in her arms. This humble re queft was readily granted. After the ftranger had drank the tea, and laid the child to fleep in a bed, fhe intreated the mistress of the houfe to take care of the infant till the fhould return from the carrier's quarters, who had fome of her cloaths. 1 The good woman accepted the truft; but the ftranger never return ed. On examination, there was found in the bed, tied up in a napkin, four changes of fhirts, caps, frocks, &c. for the child, all in good order, and the two letters following, both figned Mary Watfon "To the Honourable Minifters and Magiftrates of Edinburgh. Gentlemen, I do this fore against my will; but my husband being preffed, I have fold all that I had to maintain this child and myfelf, the times being bad, and myfelf and child in a bad ftate of health. I beg your protection of this dear infant for Chrift's fake; and as foon as I get money from my husband, or fall into a ny bread, upon honour I will come and take him out. He is just twelve months old. His name is James Watson. My neceflity, Gentlemen, and your goodnefs, I hope, will pardon my boldnefs. I recommend him to God's care and yours, who fhall pray for your health, and profperity to the good town of Edinburgh. Gentlemen, your very humble fervant. P. S. Gentlemen, I was afraid to expofe my dear child to lay it on the ftreet, fo I took this opportunity to leave him in this houfe.". "To the Landlord or Landlady of the house. Landlord, Forgive this trouble, and be fo good as to deliver this child, and this Jetter, to the Honourable Minifters or Magiftrates. I have no more to gratify you but this fhilling, which I changed; pray take the remains, and I pray God to bless you, for I can do no better It is fore against my will to leave my child, but Providence has proved very crofs. He is a very good-natured child. Please take the trouble to tell any body that gets the care of my dear child, to fet a drink of milk or water by the bedfide, and when he cries in the night, give him a little of it, and he will fall afcep

your

again. Pray God to blefs you and family. Your humble fervant.' The child is taken into the poor-house. There was a great take of herring this harveft in the Forth.

In order to improve the quality of our tarred wool, the trustees for improving manufactures, &c. published premiums, in March last, to be given for fuch wool of hearing 1757. No lefs quantity than three packs, each pack weighing at leaft twelve ftones, could compete. There were four premiums for each of the counties of Air, Berwick, Dum fries, and Edinburgh: for the greatest quantity of beft wool, or the highest premium, 1ol.; the next, 51.; the third, 31.; and the fourth, or lowest, 21.: the competition to be at the fhire-towns of thefe counties refpectively, on the 28th of July laft; and each parcel competing to be the property of one perfon, and the produce of his farm or grounds in the fame fhire with the place of competition. The competitions were held accordingly; and the gainers names, and the quantity of wool produced by each, were inferted in the Edinburgh papers of Sept. 29. by an order of the truftees, as follows, viz.In Ber wickshire, John Heriot tenant of Lady. kirk and Sheels, in the parish of Ladykirk, 36 ftones, 101., William Stevenfon, tenant of Homebyres, in the parish of Home, 55 ft. 51.; and William Ber tram tenant of Cranfhaws, in the parish of Cranfhaws, 36 ft. 31. -In Dumfriesshire, Meff. Harrison and Lazonby at Glendinning in Efkdale, in the parish of Wefterkirk, 65 ft. 101.—In Edin burghshire, John Murray tenant of Fairniherft, in the parish of Stowe, 39 ft. 101.; and James Torance farmer of Weft Crichton, in the parish of Crichton, 36 ft. 5 1.- No wool was produced for the prizes in Airfhire.-Thefe are the first premiums given on tarred wool, and they are to be continued.

In our autumn circuit-courts, no one perfon was found guilty of a capital crime.

About the middle of September, draughts from the regiments in Scotland failed from Greenock for Cork, in order to go to America.

Captures,

Captures, &c. by British men of war, &c.

Taken from the London Gazette.

the Southampton, Capt. Gilchrift: L'E

and 2 fix pounders, and 245 men, taken, off Breft, Sept. 12. after an engagement of about 35 minutes. The killed and wounded on board the prize are fuppofed to be about 60. Her first and fecond captains, lieutenants, and moft of her officers, were killed before the ftruck. Capt. Gilchrift had his fecond lieutenant and 19 men killed, and 28 wounded; among the latter, all the officers, except himself, but not very dangeroufly. The Southampton, with her prize, put into Falmouth, to land the prifoners, and repair her damages.

Taken from other papers, &c.

By the Speedwell, Capt Bond: La Surprife, Bodequet, from Rochfort for Louisburg, carried into Portsmouth.

By the Ifis, Capt. Wheeler: The Escorboucle, a French frigate of 16 guns and 110 men, fent out as a spy, carried into Guernsey, Sept. 8.

By the King of Pruffia, Macaffee: A French fhip with Turkifh paflengers and cargo, ranfomed for 300 Turkifh chequins; and La Maurice, of 12 guns, from Zieda for Marseilles, valued at 225,000 French livres, carried into Candia.

By whom taken not mentioned: The Quatre Amis, from Cape François for Bourdeaux; and the Fanny, Gardiner, retaken; both carried into New York; and the Verchilds, Randall, from New England for the Leeward iflands, retaken, carried into Antigua. [The rest are deferred.]

Captures, &c. by the French. THE Penfylvania, Lyon, from Philadelphia for London, carried into St Maloes. The Anna-Maria of London, Hampton, carried into Malta.

The Prince George, Willis, from Virginia for Briftol, carried into Morlaix.

The Prince of Orange, Jackfon, from Rhode Inland for London, carried into Bayonne.

The Swallow of Bristol, Bond, from Teneriffe for Barbadoes; and the Elifabeth, Bartlet, from Newfoundland for Portugal; both carried into Vigo.

The Anfon, Stroude, and the Peter and Paul, Songfter, privateers of Corke, carried into Rochelle. The John and Robert, Benton, from Newcaftle for Petersburg; the Rowland and Jane, Sterrer; the Helen, Clarke, and the Mary and Betty, Brifcol, the two laft of Whitehaven, from the Baltic; all carried into Bergen.

The Prince George, Maclelland, from Belfast for Barbadoes; the Good Hope, Bray, from Gambia; the Hawke, Warner, from Rhode

does; all carried into Martinico.

The Henrietta and Louifa, Holladay, from St Kitts for South Carolina, carried into Guardaloupe.

The Friendship, Caldwall, from Virginia; the Young James, Bafs, from Dublin; the Peggy and Molly, Martin; the Charming Molly, Oram, from Pifcataqua; and the Prince George, Galafpy, from Boston; all thefe for Antigua; the Succefs, Harvey; the Serellon, Lindsay; the Two Friends, Hammond; and the Jones; all thefe from Africa; the -, Shores, from Pifcataqua; the, Williams, from Salem; the Difmore, from Marblehead; the, Mountforth, from New London; the Expedition, Smallwood; the John, Brigs; and the Williams, Galt, the last three from Virgi nia; all these for the Leeward Iflands; the Lovely Mellora, Hogin, from Limerick for Barbadoes; the Fortune, Cutts, from Pifcataqua for St Kitts; and the Hodfon, Hodfon, from Barbadoes for Virginia; all carried into Guardaloupe and Martinico.This article is taken from the London papers of Sept. 29.; but feveral of the hips in it have been inferted in our former lifts.

"

The Merry Catharina, from New York for Amsterdam, taken, and loft carrying into Dunkirk.

The Cudluck fnow, Jenkin, from the Gold coaft, in an engagement with a privatees, Sept. 2. blew up, and all on board perifhed.

Taken, but ranfomed: The Colbert, Forrefter, from Gottenburg for Holy Ifland, for 220 guineas; the Glafgow of Glasgow, Morris, from Clyde for Koningfberg, for 160 l.; and the Brothers, Andrews, from Virginia for Ayr. "

Taken, but whither carried not mentioned: The Fanny, Barnes, for South Carolina; the James and Anne, Thompson, from London for Poole; the Endeavour, Hammond, from London for Madeira; the Polly, Robinson, the Ceres, Rindge, and the Samuel, Warner, from Pifcataqua for Antigua; the Lily of Dundee, Rofs, from Alexandria for Smyrna; and the Shark privateer of London; the last taken in the bay of Biscay, by a French man of war of 60 guns.

Fifchamp, July 6. I was taken July 3. The fame evening we were landed at this place, fix leagues to the eastward of Havre-de-grace, and the next day were put in prifon, (I and my men all together), the only one they have here for felons and rogues of all kinds. I am forry, that we both live and lie worfe than the hogs do in England. We lie on flint pavement, and`

have but a pound of straw each man to spread under us, and nothing but the roof of the houfe and heavens to cover us. Qur living is moft miferably bad: we have nothing but bread allowed for breakfast, and at dinner a quarter of a pound of beef a-man, boiled all to pieces for foup, and fome multy cyder to drink; at fupper we have bread, water, and green kail boiled up together." Letter from Capt. Clark of the Exeter.

"Alicant, June 29. The Telemachus, a frigate of Marfeilles, was attacked and taken the 19th, under the cannon of Morayra, by an Englifh frigate, the Experiment, Capt. Strahan. The engagement, though fhort, was very bloody. On board the French fhip 35 men were killed and 123 wounded. Capt. Strahan, not knowing what to do with fo great a number of prifoners, put them on board a fnow of this port, which he met with at fea, and landed the wounded here the 24th in the evening. The whole town was feized with compaffion and horror at the fight of them. Not one of them had, had their wounds dreffed, and all had been tripped, not even excepting the captain, whose bravery intitled him to better ufage. Those who cfcaped the fate of arms, were perifhing with hunger and thirft: and for twen ty-f -four hours before they were brought in, they had not the leaft fuftenance; because the Spanish captain, who was forced to take them into his hip, had fcarce any provifions left, and the Englith gave him none for the fubfiftence of these prifoners." Paris Gazette, July 30.

“From on board the Experiment, off Malaga, June 27. I have escaped unhurt from, I believe, the hottest engagement that has happened in the Streights during this war. On the 19th, in our way to Leghorn, off Alicant, we fell in with a French fhip, into which, after very little ceremony, we fired our broadfide. Upon which he ran directly on board us, and lay alongfide us so close for an hour and half, that the could not run her guns out. Nor were we, on our part, much better off, for we could only bring three of our guns to bear: however, we made fhift to ply them fo closely, that, after discharging 40 ninepounders, and as many double-headed thot, fome of which went through her, and a general volley of all the mufkets we had on board, they quited their quarters, and were for running down below: upon which we immédiately boarded them, armed with ten-feet pikes, piftols, and pole-axes, and before they could quit the deck, killed be tween So and go of them outright, and wounded 150 more.As we are bound to Gibraltar,

we have put the men adhore at Alicant. On board

the Experiment, of 20 marines, the ferjeant and four private cu were killed and eight wounded; of 133 failors, three were killed and feven wounded." [380.]

To the account of the capture of the Terrible privateer [10], the following particulars may be added, furnished by the furvivors of the unfortunate crew, lately arrived in England. After the French got poffeffion of our hip, they threw overboard not only the dead which lay on

There

the deck, but those alfo who had only lost a leg; fo that none of the wounded were faved but fuch as had legs to ftand upright, or were but flightly wounded. We were then all removed on board the enemy's fhip, and clofely confined to the hold, which was almost full of cafks, the remainder of that day, and the fucceeding night, without a breath of air, or drop of water to drink. was crying out, and begging for air and water, but without effect; fome were crying out for others to urine in their fhoes, but that disagreeable liquor was exhausted from their bodies. In the night there were fuch calamitous speeches and lamentations, that the human heart cannot conceive, the lips utter, nor rhetoric describe. One Daddy Pullen, unable to bear mifery longer, had got his knife from his pocket, with intent to cut his throat; but being unable to unclafp it, gave it to another for that purpofe; who, being young and healthy, threw it behind the butts. In the morning when we were ordered on deck, twenty-feven were found dead, fuffocated for want of air and liquor; many others were obliged to be carried upon the deck, incapable of speech for an hour or two; and feven or eight others died in the hofpital at St Maloes,"

The Con

Capt. Hugh Moodie, late of the Concord of Ayr, with his mate and three of his crew, arrived at Ayr from Bristol, Aug, 29. cord was carried to Marfeilles [xviii, 57.1.], and the mafter with eight of the crew to Rochelle, where they arrived Oct. 18. 1756, and were imprifoned in the grand tower. Twenty fix of the British prifoners, among whom was part of the Copcord's crew, afterwards made their escape in the night, by a rope, from the grand tower, which ftands on the fea-fide. Three were difabled in defcending; and the reft, with much difficulty, got on board a small veffel that lay in the road, in which there were only four hands. This vessel they manned, and put to fea; but when not above fix leagues out, were forced back, and arrived in Rochelle road next morning. They were ta ken on board a man of war then in the road. The captain fympathized with their distress, ordered them provifions, and fire to dry their cloaths, and, when they were fent afhore, recommended to the commiffary not to maltreat them on account of their late attempt. They were, for form's fake, thrown into a dungeon, but carried next day to the prifon, and treated as the other prifoners there. Letter from Ayr.

MARRIAGES.

Aug. 29. AT London, John Granger, Efq; of Charles-ftreet, married to Mifs Maria Wentworth, of Queen-fquare, with a fortune of 5000 1. and an eftate of 300l. a-year.

Sept. 8. At Caftle-Leod, Rofshire, John Lumifden of Cufhnic, Efq; to Mifs Aunie Forbes, fecond daughter of Capt. John Forbes of New.

9. Lord Vifc. Bolingbicke, to Lady Diana Spencer, eldest daughter of the Duke of Marlborough.

26. At Edinburgh, John Macdouall of Logan, Efq;

Efq; to Mifs Nelly Puchan, daughter of George Buchan of Kello, Efq;

Aug.26. At Bicefter, Yorkshire, in the 107th year of his age, Mr Thomas Pilkington. He retained his fenfes to the laft.

28. At Bath, David Hartley, M. D. Fellow of the Royal Society. [viii. 70.]

28. Ar Vienna, aged 52, Lewis William John Maximilian, Count of Oftein, and of the Holy empire, a Lieutenant-General in the Imperial fervice, and counsellor of ftate. He was brother to the Elector of Mentz.

30. At Chelfea college, the Rev. Mr William Young, late of Chillingham, Dorfetfhire, editor of Hedericus's lexicon, and author of the New English and Latin dictionary [xviii. 471.]. He was reputed one of the belt Greek fcholars in England. And that he was a mere scholar, and as honeft as he was learned, may appear from the true character of him drawn by the late Mr Fielding, under the appellation of Parfon Adams, in the hiftory of Jofeph Andrews. Lond. Chron.

31. At London, Sir Samuel Gower, reckoned the greatest manufacturer of fail-cloth in England. Sept. At Marseilles, aged 110 years and 6 days, Dame Magdalene Savernin, wife of M. Pellet, a tradefman. She retained the ufe of all her fenfes to the last.

2. At Dublin, Lady-dowager Caftlecomer. 4. At Greenock, of a fever, Mr John Rae, minister of the abbey-parish in Paisley.

5. At his father's houfe in Berkshire, Thomas Penn, Efq; fon of Thomas Penn, Efq; proprie tor of Penfylvania.

7. At Dublin, aged 81, Henry Crawford, Efq; formerly a captain of dragoons. He ferved in part of K. William's, and in all Q. Anne's wars. At Edinburgh, Sir John Foulis.

12. At Gurock, Dame Frances Stirling, wife of Sir Archibald Stewart of Castlemilk.

In Holland, where he lately arrived in a Dutch ship from the East Indies, Patrick Heron, Efq; His father was member for the stewartry of Kirkcudbright in feveral parliaments.

14. At his feat in the county of Antrim, Ireland, of an apoplexy, Clotworthy Skeffington, Earl of Maffareene, an Irish Peer. His Lordship is fucceeded in title and cftate, by his fon, a

minor.

15. At London, John Ellis, Efq; Keeper of the lions in the tower.

15. At Ulverstone, Lancashire, Mr Richard

Ford, an iron mafter. He was largely concerned in feveral iron-works in that county, and in Scotland; and was the first who carried on that bufmefs with any fuccefs in Scotland.

15. At Bristol, aged upwards of 70, Dr Chamberlayne, Dean of Bristol, and chaplain in ordinary to his Majefty.

15. At Quarrelton, Mr. George Houston of Johnfton.

16. At London, a bachelor, Savage Moftyn, Efq; Vice-Admiral of the Blue, and member for Weobly.

16. At Newcastle, aged near 100, Mr Richard Wailes.

18. Near Greenwich, aged 77, Edward Falkingham; Efq; late Comptroller of the Navy.

At Dublin, aged ro, Mrs Anne Tifdall. She was born in Coventry, and went to Ireland in Cromwell's time.

23. At Kilmore, Ireland, Dr Joseph Story, Bishop of Kilmore.

P. S. 0. 5. At her houfe of Lochland, Perth fhire, in the 834 year of her age, the Lady-dow ager Monzie, widow of Lord Monzie, and mo ther of Patrick Campbell, Efq; lately decea fed [438.]. She was fifter to the Lord JusticeClerk.

8. At Edinburgh, Lady Schaw, widow of Sir John Schaw of Greenock The only iflue of the marriage was the mother of the prefent Lord Cathcart. Lady Schaw was eldest daughter of Lord Prefident Dalrymple.

PREFER MEN T S

Taken from the London Gazette. The King has been pleased, Sept. 13. to appoint Hans Stanley, Efq; to be one of the Commiffioners of the Admiralty, in the room of Vice-Adm. Weft, deceafed].

Taken from other popers.

Anthony Malone, Efq; Chancellor of the Exchequer; Meff. R. Malone and Morris, Judges, in the room of Meff. Ward and Haffet, who have refigned; Mr Edward Malone, Prime Serjeant; and Mr Perry, Attorney-General, all in Ireland.

John Bristow, Efq; Steward to the Duke of Newcastle, Keeper of the lions in the tower, in the room of John Ellis, Efq; deccafed.

Sir Charles Afgill, Alderman of Candlewick ward, Lord Mayor of London.

George Nelfon, Efq; Alderman of Alderfgate ward, and Francis Gofling, Efq; Alderman of Farringdon without, Sherif's of London and Middiefex.

John Rutter, Major of the regiment of carabin neers, Dejean's, in the room of Maj. Killigrew, deceased.

William Cowley, a Captain in Handafyd's foot, in the room of Capt. Richard Ridley, who has refigned.

Commanders of men of war: Capt. Schomberg, of the Diana, of 36 guns; and Capt. Hankerion, of the Richmond.

The