1 the river Charante, which, he said, was very practicable. as to Fort Fouras, it might have been carried by ftorm, as, to the best of his knowledge, it was a weak one, having only one platform of twenty-four embrafures towards the water-fide, as he could difcern by his glafs; that as it was on a peninsula, it might have been at tacked on both fides, while the fhips lay before it; that Capt. Chad offered to batter it with his fhip, and that he propofed a feint towards Rochelle and the ifle of Rhé during the landing and attack. The Colonel was then ordered to withdraw. Adm. K- -s was then examined. He affirmed, That Fort Fouras could not be annoyed or battered by the hips; for that the bomb-veffels could not come nearer than three miles, and that none of their mortars would throw a bomb more than two miles and three quarters. He added, that the little veffel in which he went to reconnoitre the fort, was a-ground five times in the hour. The Generals read fome inftructions which had been given them by Sir John Lr, and the board then adjourned to Tuesday the 15th. On the 15th, a meffage was received from Sir J-n L-r by a Colonel of the guards, acquainting the board, that the inftructions which had been read on Monday, as given by him to the Generals, were given, not as commands, but as advice, and were founded on the knowledge which he had acquired by experience and long fervice; which the Generals acknowledged. The board then examined Col. Čke. He faid, That he was confirmed in the opinion he had given in to the c-n-1 before he went on the expedition, by the engineer, commandant, and a fisherman. he took at the ifle of Aix, all of whom he was very particular with. He drew, he said, with his pencil before the engineer, that part of Rochefort which was the weakest when he was there; and the engineer confirmed, that there had been no alteration fince; and that the dry ditch could not be overflowed, by reafon of the inequality of the ground. He added, that the pilot on board the Magnanime offered to pilot them into About three o'clock, the inquiry be. ing ended, Lord G. S. made a fhort fpeech, fignifying, that the most difagreeable thing, next to being tried himfelf, was that of being appointed to fit on an inquiry into the conduct of gen. tlemen whofe courage and fidelity had been fo often tried. Sir J. M. then thanked the board for their candour and indulgence, and concluded with the fol lowing fpeech. "I am confcious of having done my utmoft to the best of my judgment, for his Majefty's fervice, in the conduct of this expedition; and I have fubmitted myfelf voluntarily and readily to this examination. I defire no favour or partiality; and I know I fhall have the most exact juftice, in the report this Honourable board will make. "I apprehend, that an inquiry into the whole conduct of an expedition, without any accufation formed, or any charge laid, is a proceeding not quite common; and however free from guilt a man may feel himself, there are few who can ftand fo ftrict an examination. "There is nothing but the high opi. nion I have both of the juftice and candour of this board, could make me ea. fy in fuch a fituation. I therefore hope you will be indulgent to my errors; but I defire no mercy for guilt, or known disobedience; and with these fentiments I fubmit myfelf to the court." Among feveral papers produced before the board, the following lift is faid to have been given in of the number of the French forces, and where ftationed; 119,000 in Germany. 25,000 in America and their islands. 10,000 on the fea-coaft of France, from St 29,000 in the garrisons and interior parts of France next the empire, and from Calais down to Provence. 187,000 On the G's doubting the authori ty of this lift, and from whence it could be received; he was anfwered, From our fpies in F; and that he, with the the Admirals H- and K, was prefent at a private c―with both the Sat Lord H-'s house before he went out; and then he knew and was inform ed of this and feveral other particulars, relative to the hopes for fuccefs of the expedition they were going on. 66 Capt. Chriftopher Barents, a Dutch trader, homeward bound from St Euftatia, gives the following account, in a letter from Dover, Nov. 2. By my two former, of Oct. 22. & 29. I acquainted you that I had been plundered by two English pirates. On the 30th a privateer having come into this port, I went on board her, with my pilot and two of my feamen, and understood that The was one of our plunderers. Having told the captain, that I wanted to speak with him in private, he laid hold of an iron bar, and used my people very roughly. I made a fhift to get into a boat; but the captain and his brother purfued me with drawn cutlaffes, and would have infallibly murdered me, if fome of my crew had not come to my relief. Being got clear of them, I ran, all bloody as I was, to the mayor of the town, and informed him of my ill u fage. Next morning I went to the Downs, and related my cafe to Adm. Smith, the commanding officer there. He received me with great civility; and having heard my complaint, he fent an officer with me to Dover, with an order to the mayor to caufe the captain of the privateer and all his crew to be arrested. Juft as we were returning, the captain himself came into the Downs, in order to compromise the matter. He owned that they were his people who robbed me, and offered to repay me fix times the value. Upon my rejecting his propofal, he was forthwith arrefted, and carried on board the Admiral; where, after being examined, he was put in i rons. The Admiral told me, he wished I would leave the affair to him, intreated me not to come to any agree ment with the man, affuring me he would make an example of fuch a pirate, and advised me to ftay at Dover till I heard further from him: and he fent an officer to take the captain's brother into cuftody, and bring him prifon er to the Downs with all the crew. It is probable the captain will be hanged; and advertisements are put up at every corner of the ftreets, promifing 51. reward for every one of the crew that fhall be apprehended. The other privateer who boarded and robbed me, can be at no great diftance; and the Admiral, to whom I described him, has fent two armed floops in queft of him, who it is hoped will come up with him." A lieutenant of the Tartar's prize privateer was committed to Briftol gaol, Nov. 25. for taking thirty-five dollars and a piece of gold from on board a Spanifh fhip on the high feas. Information having been given to the Lords of the Admiralty, that, under colour of commiffions granted by them to privateers, divers acts of piracy had been committed, as well on neutral as on Britifh fhips; their Lordships, by an advertisement of Nov. 18. promise a reward of 100 l. unto or among fuch perfon or perfons as fhall difcover any fuch acts, committed or to be committed during this prefent war with France; and that every person who fhall be intitled to the whole or any part of fuch reward, fhall alfo, upon request, have a protection from being impreffed for a year. On the 25th of November, five members of the marine fociety, attended by their fecretary, waited on Mr Juftice Fielding, with a filver anchor, as a prefent from the fociety, on which is the following infcription. Round the ring, For the fervice of our country. On one fide of the ftock, The Marine Society was inflituted in London on the 22d of July 1756; and within twelve months completely fitted out, for the fervice of the royal navy, 1911 men and 1580 boys. the other fide, Prefented by the Marine Society to John Fielding, Efq; as a token of their juft fenfe of bis great fervices in promoting their defign. On The Prefident of the Royal Society, the Speaker of the house of Commons, and others appointed by act of parliament to examine the merits of fuch as apply for the reward for discovering the longitude, met at the admiralty, Nov. 28. to confider of further improvements made the poor have rifen on account of the high price of corn. made by Mr Harrison, in the elabo. rate machine invented by him [xi. 598.], and in part already approved by them, and for which a certain fum has been adjudged to him. * About the end of October, as fome labourers were digging up the roots of a parcel of large trees which had been felled in Eaton coppice, near Leomin fter, Herefordshire, one of the men difcovered a small earthen pot, covered on the top with a plate of lead, in which were about 160 pieces of gold and filver coin, fome of them King John's. As fome colliers were lately finking a new pit on Gateshead moor, near Newcaftle, they found the entire skeleton of a man of a gigantic fize, in a bed of ftiff clay, about seven feet from the fur. face. Near the fkeleton were found three fmall pieces of very ancient coin. The perfon, when living, muft have been near eight feet high. The bones, laid compact, measured feven feet eight inches; and they must have lain there many hundred years. A great mob affembled at Manchester, Nov. 13. and pulled down two mills in the neighbourhood. The foldiers fired; and four of the mob were killed, and feveral wounded; upon which the reft retired precipitately. Alfo at Newcastle, Staffordshire, Liverpool, and other places, * By the acts 12° Anna, feff. 2. cap. 15. and 26° Geo. II. cap. 25. feveral perfons are appointed commiffioners for the difcovery of the longitude at sea, and for judging of all propofals and improvements relating to it. In cafe any method proposed for making fuch discovery fhall ap pear to them feasible, they are impowered to direct experiments to be made of it, and to order any fum not exceeding 2000 l. to be paid for making them. The first discoverer of any fuch method is to get a reward, greater or less, according to the nearness to which it determines the longitude; if to one degree, or fixty geographical miles, 10,000 l.; if to two thirds of that diftance, 15,000l. and if to a half of it, 20,000l. the fame reward which is offered for discovering a north-weft paffage through Hudson's freights to the western and fouthern ocean of America [vii. 215] Any propofal for discovering the longitude, which the commiffioners fhall think of confiderable ufe to the public, though not of fo great ufe as is aforementioned, will intitle the author to fuch less reward as they fhall think reafonable. [x. 379. xviii. 217.], Monf. Rene Briffon, fecond captain of the Prince de Soubise privateer, who had his liberty at Waltham, Hampshire, on parole, and on a bond of 80 1. gi. ven by a gentleman of Portsmouth that he fhould duly obferve it, ran away, Sept. 11. and got to Dunkirk. But upon a remonstrance made to the minifter of the marine in France, an order was immediately given, figned by the King's own hand, to fend him back to England; which was accordingly done, and he was committed to Porchefter caftle, Nov. 28. [550.] Major Grant, aid-de-camp to the King of Pruffia, arrived at St James's, Nov. 28. from the Pruffian army in Saxony, with letters to the King, which he had the honour to deliver to his Majefty in a private audience. Gaz. P. S. An advertisement, dated Whiteball, Treasury-chambers, Dec. 1. is pu blished in the gazette, bearing, That whereas adhering to the King's enemies, by giving them aid or comfort, within his realm or elsewhere, is high treason, and the concealment thereof is mifprifion of treafon; and whereas the Lords of the Treasury have received information, that a loan for that purpofe is at this time negotiating in this kingdom; their Lordships therefore promise a reward of 200 1. to any perfon, by whose difcovery any fubject of his Majefty, or any perfon refiding within this realm, fhall be convicted of lending or procu ring to be lent, or of fubfcribing, foliin coin or bullion, or by bill of exchange, citing, or contracting for, or remitting, or any other means whatsoever, any fum of money for the purpose aforefaid; to be paid on the conviction of every fuch offender, their Lordships having given directions for the immediate profecution of offenders. The parliament was, by proclamation, fummoned to meet on Tuesday Nov. 15.; but, by an order of council of Nov. 9. it was prorogued to Thurfday Dec. 1. -P. S. It met accordingly on the 1ft of December. The King's speech and the addreffes follow. The The KING's Speech, Dec. 1. IT T would have given me the greateft pleafure, to have acquainted you, at the opening of this feffion, that our fuccefs in carrying on the war had been equal to the juftice of our caufe, and the extent and vigour of the measures formed for that purpose. I have the firmeft confidence, that the fpirit and bravery of this nation, fo renowned in all times, and which have formerly furmounted fo many difficulties, are not to be abated by fome difappointments. Thefe, I truft, by the bleffing of God, and your zeal and afdour for my honour, and the welfare of your country, may be retrieved. It is my fixed refolution, to apply my utmost efforts for the fecurity of my kingdoms, and for the recovery and protection of the poffeffions and rights of my crown and fubjects in America, and elsewhere; as well by the strongest exertion of our naval force, as by all other methods. Another great object which I have at heart, is the preservation of the Proteftant religion, and the liberties of Europe; and, in that view, to adhere to, and encourage my allies. For this caufe, I fhall decline no inconveniencies; and in this caufe, I ear neftly defire your hearty concurrence, and vigorous affiftance. The late fig nal fuccefs in Germany has given a happy turn to affairs, which it is incumbent upon us to improve; and, in this critical conjuncture, the eyes of all Europe are upon you. In particular, I must recommend it to you, that my good brother and ally, the King of Pruffia, may be fupported in fuch a manner, as his magnanimity and active zeal for the common cause deserve. Gentlemen of the house of Commons, It gives me the utmoft concern, that the large fupplies which you have already granted for carrying on the war, have not produced all the good effects we had reason to hope for: But I have fo great a reliance on your wisdom, as not to doubt of your perfeverance. I only defire fuch fupplies as fhall be ne ceffary for the public fervice; and, to My Lords, and Gentlemen, I have had fuch ample experience of the loyalty and good affections of my faithful fubjects toward me, my family, I am confident they are not to be fhaken. and government, in all circumftances, that But I cannot avoid taking notice of that fpirit of diforder, which has fhewn itfome parts of the kingdom. felf amongst the common people, in Let me recommend it to you to do your part in difcouraging and fuppreffing fuch abufes, and for maintaining the laws, and lawful authority. If any thing fhall be found wanting, to explain or enforce what may have been mifunderftood, or mifreprefented, I am perfuaded it will not escape your attention. defence of all that is dear to us, as well Nothing can be fo conducive to the as union and harmony amongst ourselves, as for reducing our enemies to reason, The LORDS Addrefs, Dec. 2. Moft Gracious Sovereign, loyal fubjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in parliament affembled, beg leave to return your Majefty our humble thanks for your most gracious fpeech from the throne. The concern which you are pleased to exprefs for the disappointments that have unhappily attended fome of the measures formed by your Majefty, this year, for carrying on the juft war in which we are engaged, is a fresh mark of your paternal regard for the welfare of your people, and for the glory of this kingdom. The teftimony which your Majefty has, at the fame time, given to the fpirit and bravery of this nation, and to the ardent zeal of your parliament to retrieve thefe misfortunes, is a proof of the juftice done by your royal mind to our principles and fentiments, and the greateft encouragement to perfevere in them. Affected, therefore, as we are with thefe events, we are not difcouraged; but but we fincerely promise your Majefty our hearty concurrence, and moft vigorous affiftance, in accomplishing, under the protection of the divine providence, your wife and gracious intentions for our defence and fafety at home, and for recovering and securing the rights and poffeffions of your crown and fubjects in America, and elsewhere; particularly by the utmost exertion of that essential part of our ftrength, your naval force. The prefervation of the Proteftant religion, and the liberties of Europe, are objects never to be forgotten by us. Of this pure religion, and these invaluable liberties, Great Britain has, in all times, been a principal bulwark; and cannot fail to continue fo under your Majefty's aufpicious reign. As the late fignal fuccefs in Germany fills us with unfeigned joy, fo it animates our hopes to fee this glorious cause revive; and we do with equal thankfulness and fatisfaction acknowledge your Majefty's generous declaration, that for the fake of it you will de cline no inconveniencies. To defend your Majefty against all your enemies, to fupport your honour and real interefts, and to ftrengthen your hands, are our indifpenfable duty. It fhall also be our endeavour, to improve this fuccefs to the most useful purposes; and to exert ourselves in fupporting your good ally the King of Pruffia, whofe magnanimity and unexampled firmnefs are fo evident to all the world, and of fuch great utility to the common caufe. We have feen, with the utmoft ab. horrence, that spirit of disorder and riot which has fhewn itfelf of late amongft the common people. We are fenfible that it is inconfiftent with all govern ment, and neceffary to be reformed and fuppreffed. Nothing fhall be wanting on our part for this falutary purpose, and to enforce and add ftrength to the laws and lawful authority, on which the liberty and property of the meaneft as well as of the chief of your fubjects depend. Your Majefty's kind admonition of the neceffity of union and harmony among ourfelves, is highly worthy the common father of your people We will always have it before our eyes. And we give your Majefty the strongest affurances, that our loyalty and good affections to your Majefty, and your royal family, of which we have on all occafions given real proofs, are never to be shaken or diminifhed. The prefervation of your facred perfon, the ftability of your government, and the continuance of the Proteftant fucceffion in your illuftrious house, will ever be most dear to us, and effential to the happiness of all your people. The KING's Answer. My Lords, Nothing could poffibly give me greater fatisfaction than this very du tiful and affectionate addrefs. I hearti ly thank you for it; and make no doubt, but the zeal and vigour which you fo feasonably exprefs in this critical conjuncture, will have the best effects both at home and abroad. The COMMONS Address, Dec. 3. loyal fubjects, the Commons of G. Britain in parliament affembled, return your Majefty our humble thanks for your moft gracious fpeech from the throne. We beg leave to affure your Majefty, that this houfe fees, with the deepest concern, the fuccefs of your Majesty's arms fo unequal to the juftice of your caufe, and to the extent and vigour of the measures formed for that purpose. Your faithful Commons firmly rely, that as your Majefty, in your royal jufticé, has endeavoured to trace the cau fes of paft difappointments, your Majefty will also, in your high wisdom, o pen better hopes of future prosperities, by invigorating our enterprises, and animating the attempts of the British arms: And in this confidence, they will chearfully fupport your Majefty in the utmoft efforts for the fecurity of your kingdoms, and for the recovery and protection of the poffeffions and rights of your crown and fubjects in America, and elsewhere; as well by the strongest exertion of your Majefty's naval force, as by all other adequate methods. |