Permit us to affure your Majefty, that your faithful Commons, excited by zeal for the Proteftant cause and the liberties of Europe, do, with moft unfeigned joy, humbly offer their congratulations to your Majefty on the late fignal fuccefs in Germany; and that they will vigorously and effectually enable your Majefty to improve the happy turn of affairs there, and in particular to fupport your good ally the King of Pruffia, in fuch a manner as the magnanimity and unexampled efforts of that great prince, in defence of the religious and civil liberties of Europe, deferve and require. We should be wanting to ourselves, and to those we reprefent, not to acknowledge, with all dutiful gratitude, your Majesty's paternal and seasonable care for the interior tranquillity and fafety of your subjects, in having been graciously pleafed to recommend to us, to do our part for maintaining the laws and lawful authority, against that spirit of diforder which has fhewn itself amongft the lower people in fome parts of the kingdom; and we will not fail, in due time, to take into our most serious confideration the propereft methods for difcouraging and fuppreffing fuch abuses, and for preventing the caufes of the like mischiefs hereafter.

The KING's Anfwer.

Gentlemen, I return you my thanks for your dutiful and affectionate addrefs; and for this unanimous mark of your zeal for the honour of my crown, and the fupport of the common caufe, and particularly of my good brother and ally the King of Pruffia. You may depend on my constant endeavours for the fafety and welfare of my kingdoms, and for the preservation of the liberties of Eu

rope.

IRELAND.

The votes of the Commons of Ireland bear, that, on the 1ft of November, Mr John Bourke, from the committee appointed to inspect the public accounts of the nation, reported to the house the refolutions of that committee, which were read, and are as follows.

Refolved, That it is the opinion of this
VOL. XIX.

Refolved, nem. con. That the granting of penfions upon the civil establishment of this kingdom, to perfons who do not refide in it, is a prejudice to it.

That the increase of civil penfions for many years paft, is a grievance to the nation, and demands redress.

-That the granting of penfions for a long term of years, is an alienation of fo much of the public revenue, and an injury to the crown, and to this kingdom.

the public revenue in penfions, is an im-That the granting of fo much of provident difpofition of the revenue, an injury to the crown, and detrimental to the public.

do attend his Grace the Lord Lieutenant That the houfe, with its fpeaker, with the faid refolutions, and defire his Grace will be pleafed to lay the fame before his Majefty, as the fenfe of this houfe.

SCOTLAND.

The commiffion of the general affembly met at Edinburgh, Nov. 16. Upon an overture from the fynod of Lothian and Tweeddale, That in regard the late tax on windows bears hard upon many minifters of this church, the 4 T commiffion

commiffion would take this matter into confideration, and take fuch steps as to them should seem moft proper, in order to obtain relief; a committee of twentyfix ministers and three ruling elders were named, to take the most prudent meafures, and make fuch applications as be most proper and expedient, in order, by an explanation of the law, to obtain the relief defired; provided that no expence in making fuch application be laid upon the public funds of the church, without the authority of a fubfequent meeting of the commiffion, or of the general affembly. [377.]

may

Next day, upon a motion from the fame fynod, the commiffion unanimoufly agreed, that, in respect of the prefent fituation of affairs in this nation, a day of folemn fafting, humiliation, and prayer, fhould be observed in all the church. es in Scotland, upon fuch day as the King fhall be pleased to appoint; and remitted to the Moderator to write to the secretary of ftate and Lord Cathcart, that they may reprefent to his Majefty the commiffion's humble and earneft defire of having the royal authority interpofed, for the obfervance of any day his Majefty fhall think fit to name.P. S. By a royal proclamation, dated Dec. 6. Thursday the 16th of February is to be obferved in Scotland, and Fri day the 17th in England and Ireland, as a fast.

The fame day, Nov. 17. upon a complaint by the callers of Mr John Douglas at Kenmore, to be minifter of Jedburgh, against the prefbytery of Jedburgh, for not executing the fentence of the laft affembly [265], parties were heard, and a reprefentation from that prefbytery, containing their reafons for not executing the fentence, was read. After reafoning, the commiffion, without a vote, concurred with the call to Mr Douglas, and authorised the callers to profecute the call in the commiflion's name, as well as their own, before the prefbytery of Dunkeld, and other judicatures competent. The members from the prefbytery of Jedburgh protefted for liberty to complain of this fentence to the enfuing affembly.

Our readers will remember, that when Jedburgh parish became vacant, in September 1755, the elders entered into an affociation to ftand by one another in the election of a minister, and that there was a numerous fubfcription of the parishioners in favour of Mr Thomas Bofton minifter of Oxnam to be their minifter; that a prefentation to that benefice was granted by the King in favour of Mr John Bonar minifter of Cockpen, but that this gentleman chofe rather to go to Perth, upon getting a call from that borough; and that foon after a royal prefentation was given to Mr Douglas [xviii. 247, 8. 567.].- After the fentence of laft affembly [265.], the callers of Mr Boston, defpairing of fuccefs before the judicatures, fet on foot a fubfcription for building a meeting-house. The house is now built, and Mr Boston has got, and has accepted a call to be minifter there.

P. S. On this fubject the following letter appeared in the Edinburgh Journal of Dec. 8. dated, Jedburgh, Dec. 7.

This day Mr Thomas Bofton gave in to the prefbytery of Jedburgh, a demiffion of his charge as minifter of Oxnam: and though the prefbytery rejected his demiffion, it is affured, that on Friday next he is to be admitted minifter to the town and parish of Jedburgh, in the diffenting way, by Mr Roderick Mackenzie, who it is reported is fhortly to be fettled in the fame way, in a diffenting congregation at Nigg [xviii. 245.] in Rofshire. What this novelty in the church of Scotland will iffue in, God only knows. But that the presbytery of Jedburgh are no wife acceffory thereto, no more need be offered in their : vindication, than the following excerpt from a petition and representation by them to the commiffion in November laft, reclaiming against a fentence of the former commiffion, appointing them to admit Mr Douglas minifter of Jedburgh.- The commiffion have ordered the prefbytery to proceed in the tranfportation of Mr Douglas, according to the rules of the church; when all the rules of the church forbid it. They must tranfmit the prefentation, and the few fubfcriptions

fubfcriptions for the prefentee, under the name of a call from the parish; when the whole parifh, except five, are openly declaring against him. They cannot make out a process of tranfportation, without reafons to fupport it; when they cannot find one for it, and all the reafon in the world against it. When he comes to be admitted, he muft make a folemn declaration of his ftedfaft adherence, not only to the doc. trine and worship, but the whole difcipline of the church of Scotland, as founded on and agreeable to the word of God; when it is evident he could never come there but by the breach or neglect of fome of the most important articles of it: That zeal for the glory of God, love to Jefus Chrift, and a defire of faving fouls, are his chief motives and inducements, and not worldly defigns and interefts; when, to fay the thing in the fofteft terms, no body will believe him: And that he has had no undue hand, either by himself or others, in procuring his tranfportation; when all the world fees it is owing allenarly to his abfolute acceptance of and refolute adherence to his prefentation. He muft after all this be gravely afked, Whether he clofes with this call, and is willing to take the pastoral charge of that people? and they must be afked, Whether they receive and fubmit to him as their minifter and if they will permit, it muft be taken for granted they do; when all present know they do not. But this

is not all: This muft all be done in the

name of our Lord Jefus Chrift; folemn addresses must be made for his bleffing on his own ordinance, and his bleffing on him whom he has thus fet over that congregation; and he folemnly admonifhed to feed the flock of God, over which the Holy Ghost hath made him overfeer. What will profane fcoffers fay, and what will ferious Chriftians think of fuch proceedings?"

The trustees for promoting manufactures, &c. in Scotland, having publifh. ed prizes to be given on the different kinds of fine linen cloth under mention

ed, for the year 1757; the prize for the best piece of each kind being 10l.;

whereof 8 1. to the manufacturer, being the proprietor of the cloth, and 2 1. to the workman, whether apprentice, journeyman, or mafter; the competition was held Nov. 2. and the prizes were adjudged as follows; of which notice was given in the Edinburgh news-papers, by an order of the trustees, dated Nov. 18. [xviii. 568]; viz.

A piece of broad sheeting, belonging to John and Walter Biggar manufacturers at the Siennes near Edinburgh, woven by John Niven, and bleached by John Miller at Grays green.

A piece of holland, belonging to John and Walter Biggar manufacturers at Siennes near Edinburgh, woven by Robert Dalgleish, and bleached by Mr Neilfon at Roflin.

A piece of damask linen for table-cloths, belonging to Robert Barbour and company of Silver Craig factory, Glafgow, woven by Charles Gilfilland and William Penny, and bleached by John Miller at Gray's-green.

A piece of diaper linen for table-cloths, belonging to William Cheap linen-manufacturer in Edinburgh, woven by Alexander Stewart and Alexander Ramfay, and bleached by Hector Turnbull, for William Sandeman and company, at Luncarty. And

A piece of thin or clear plain lawn, belonging to Nicolas Daffauville caroline-weaver at Picardy, woven by Jacque Charlette, and bleached by John Miller at Gray's-green.

There was but one piece of thick or long plain lawn prefented at the competition, which being judged neither fufficient for fabrick or colour, the prize for this kind of linen was not gained.

A mealmonger in Stirling having lately refufed to fell out meal to the inhabitants, though he had a quantity on hand, the magiftrates ordered him to expofe it to fale immediately, and faw their order put in execution. Another mealmonger in the fame town, was detected in ufing falfe weights; for which he was put on the pillory.

P. S. The nine new-raised highland companies failed from Greenock for Corke, Dec. 1. 4 T 2 Captures,

ried into Plymouth; and the Hopewell, from Corke for Antigua, fent into Bristol; both re

taken.

By the Thistle of Liverpool, Foster : La Jeune Anna, of 350 tuns, 8 nine-pounders, 2 fourpounders, and 49 men, from Bourdeaux for Martinico.

By the Duke William: The Young Peter, from Rochelle for Nantz, fent into Dover.

By the Hefter of New York: The Legere and the Debonnaire, from Hifpaniola for Bourdeaux, esteemed the richest prizes taken in America this war, carried into New York, Oct. 2.

By the Phoenix of Jerfey: A new frigate from Dunkirk for Breft, having only four guns mounted, but ports for 16, and 46 men, carried into Jerfey.

By the Briftol galley letter of marque: The Nancy, Pool, from Newfoundland, retaken, carried into Bristol.

By the Olborne, Johnson: A Dutch fnow from Marfeilles for Havre-de-grace; and the St Famille, from Sufa for Marfeilles; the former carried into Gibraltar, and the latter ranfomed.

By the Revenge, Carey: The Juno, Lefley, from Georgia for London, retaken, carried into Guernsey.

By the Harlequin of New York, Doran, and the King Henderick of Rhode Island, Tomkins: Le Triumphant, of 8 guns and 35 men; Le St Francis, of 10 guns and 40 men; and Les Quatres Amies, of 12 men; all from Martinico for Bourdeaux, taken Aug. 20.

By the Matty of Glasgow, Douglas, from St Chriftopher's for London: A French fnow from Martinico for Bourdeaux.

By whom taken not mentioned: L'Hereux Rencontre, and the Content, from St Domingo, and le Comte de Provence, from St Louis, all for Bourdeaux; carried into Providence,

Captures, &c. by the French.

THE Stretham, Wells, the Little Pompey, Seward, and the Diamond, Rings, all from Pifcataqua for the Leeward iflands; the Sally, Coffon, from Barbadoes for Virginia; the Charming Nancy, Beates, from New York for St Kitts; the Prince George, Lear, from Pifcata qua, and the Matty, from New England, both for St Kitts; and the fhips of Capts Humphreys, from Boston, Mackey, from Philadelphia, and Strachan, from Ireland; these three for Antigua;

all carried into Martinico.

The Dragon, Bampfield, from Briftol for St Kitts; and the Peggy, Wilfon, and the Carlisle, Owen, both from Africa for the Leeward iflands, with flaves; all carried into Guardaloupe.

The Cato, Remick, from Hull for Jamaica, carried into Zant.

The Dolphin of Marblehead, from Corunna, and the Lark, a Swedish fhip, from London, both for Lifbon, carried into Havre-de-grace.

The Cambridge of Ely, from Dyfart for Campvere, with coals, taken Nov. 21. off Buchan nefs, the crew taken out, and the ship pillaged and burnt.

The Hankinfon, Dodgfon, for Lancaster; the Dorothy, Addifon, for Whitehaven; and the Mary-Anne, Myles, for Dublin; all from Peterfburg; the Rowland and Jane, Stores, from Riga for Chefter; all carried into Bergen. The Mattadore, Camphin, from Amsterdam for New York, carried into Norway.

The Royal George, Stevens, from Falmouth for Genoa; the Charming Betty, Dubal, from Newcastle, the Nelly, Roach, and the Buns, thefe three for Gibraltar; the Nancy, Macauliffe, and the Otter, Miller, from Placentia; all carried into Cadiz.

The Earl of Loudon, Erfkine, from Virginia for Glafgow; and the Caffandra, Smith, from Glafgow for Virginia; both fent to Cape Breton. The William, Wilfon, from Whitehaven, was taken at the fame time, but given back to the

three crews.

The Norwich of Yarmouth, Pye, from Milford for Yarmouth; the Swift, James, from Neath for London; the Hannah, Coates, from Maryland for London; and the St Andrew, Randall, from Plymouth for Exeter and Portsmouth; all carried into Dunkirk.

The Unity, Bell, from Philadelphia for Jamaica; and the Hampton, Dashwood, from Jamaica for London; both carried into Hifpaniola." The Matty, Douglas, from St Kitts for London, carried into Breft.

The Mercy, Bafs, from North Carolina, but laft from Dartmouth, for London, carried into Boulogne.

The Thomas, Smith, from London for Bo fton, carried into Bourdeaux.

The Figuera Packet, Pulling, from Gibraltar for London, taken by a French frigate, the cargo taken out, and the ship burnt.

Taken, but ranfomed: The Three Brothers, Smith, from Milford for Yarmouth, for 340 guineas; the Helen of Bamff, Duffus, for 360 l.; the Lovely Cruiser, Therden, from Milford for London, for 300 guineas; and the Prudent Hannah, Vofs, from Amsterdam for Rhode Iland, for 700 l.

Taken, but whither carried not mentioned The Providence, Henderfon; the Lovely Jane, Fofter, from Belfast for Jamaica; and the Cyprus, Macreon, from London for St Kitts.

The Dorset privateer of Pool, of 28 carriageguns and 210 men, Penny, was taken Oct. 24. by the Melampe privateer, (the fame that was afterwards taken by the Tartar), after an engagement of three hours. She was twice boarded, had her main and fore mafts shot away, and between 70 and 80 men killed or wounded. As the received a large fhot under water, and it was. thought she would foon fink, the French, after taking out her crew, except fix that concealed themfelves below, fet her adrift. About the beginning of November the came on fhore on the black rocks near Girvan, on the weft coaft of Scotland, with the fix men on board. She was in fo bad a fituation, that it was thought she would go to pieces,

MARRIAGE