Account of the Proceedings of the Proprietors of N the account we gave in our laft of the To the Honourable the Court of Directors, for affairs of the United Company of Merchants of England, trading to the Eaft-Indies. I GENTLEMEN, T was agreed at the laft General Court of Proprietors, that I should have a few days B to confider and determine, concerning the terms upon which I would accept of the requeft of the preceeding Generrl court of Proprietors, to take upon me the direction of their affairs in Bengal. Although I thought I had fufficiently explained myself on that head, at the time the propofal was made: yet as there feemed to be a difpofition in many of the gentlemen of the Court, for whom I have the highest respect, that a reconciliation should take place between Mr Sulivan and me, so that this gentleman might still conduct the affairs at home; and that I might, nevertheless, venture, without fear of my reputation, abroad; I thought the refpect which was due to thofe Proprietors, the duty I owe to myself, and the regard I fhall ever feel for the intereft of the company, all called upon me, in the ftrongeft manner, once more to revolve in my mind, the poffibility of fuch an union, confiftent with the fervices I would endeavour to render the company, and confiftent with that attention which is due to my own honour. This I have endea C D E voured to do in the cooleft and most difpaffio- not accept the fervice. But, in cafe the Pro- CLIVE, After this declaration, the friends of Lord Clive were active in his behalf, and left nothing unattempted to fecure an interest in the new direction; the old direction, in the mean time, published a relation of all that had paffed in Bengal, with a view, no doubt, to quiet the minds of the Proprietors of ftock, many of whom had given all up for loft in that fettlement, and had placed their only hope in Lord Clive to retrieve their affairs. The first part of this relation differs in nothing material from that we have already inferted, p. 145; what follows is a continuation of that account, and both may be confidered as equally authentic: On account of the hoftilities already mentioned against several of the company's fettle ments committed by Coffim Aly, it was determined to declare war againft him, and to reftore the former Nabob Meer Jaffer, to the Subahfhip, upon his entering into a new treaty War was accordingly with the company. declared, and an advantageous treaty was concluded, the most material articles whereof are a confirmation of his former treaty, and also of the provinces of Burdwan, Nidnapoor, and Chittagong, granted by the late Nabob Coffi Aly, engaging to give thirty lacks of rupees to defray the expences and lofs accruing to the reimburse the amount of private perfons loffes. company from the war, and engaging also to Meer Jaffer let out a few days after to join the army under Major Adams, which was then on its march towards Moorfhedabad. The first action which happened, was on the 16th of July, oppofite to Cutwa, on the Coffimbuxar fide of the river. The Major having croffed came up with a large body of the enemy's the army the night before, in the morning troops, who were strongly pofted to oppofe his progress to the city; and having attacked them, they were routed, after a small refiftance, and with an inconfiderable lofs on our fide. A detached party, under the command of captain Long, at the fame time poffeffed themselves of the fort of Cutwa, on the fother fide of the river; and all the artillery they had there, as well as what they had brought into the field, fell into our hands. In this action Mabomed Tuckey Caron, who it is faid, commanded the aitack on Mr Amyatt's party, was mortally wounded, and died a few days after. The good effects of this fuccefs were difplayed in the eafy conqueft that followed of the with a trifling oppofition. Here the Major city of Moor fbedabad, which the army entered eftablished and proclaimed the Nabob Meer Jaffier in due form, and halted fome days to refresh the army. On the 28th of July, the Major continued his march towards Mongbeer; and on the ad of Auguft being arrived near a place called Sooty, at the head of the Caffimbuxar river, a very obftinate engagement enfued with a numerous army of the enemy's best troops and artillery, who there occupied a very frong and advanta geous poft. The ftand that they made was refolute and uncommon for troops of this country, having closely engaged our forces for no less than four hours: however by the in tre. The GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE VOL. XXXIV. 192 trepidity, and good conduct of Major Adams, and the remarkable bravery of the officers and men the enemy fuftained a total defeat. The lofs on our fide was chly of fix officers and 40 Europeans, and 292 Seapoys and black-horfe killed and wounded. On the fide of the enemy, a great number were killed and wounded, "A 23 pieces of cennon, and about 150 boats laden with military and other ftores, taken: among these laft were found all the artillery, and most of the Patna detachment's ftores; and within fome days after the action, between Go and 7 of the men who were taken prifoners at Patra, and had been engaged by foul mans and fair to ferve the enemy's guns, returned to their colours, Immediarely after this battle the Major advanced with the army nearto Rajamaul; about three or four miles from which place the enemy had thrown up à ftrong entrenchment from the hills to the river, and for the forcing of which, it was judged moft proper for ensuring the fafety of the troops, to carry on regular approaches. Every thing having been accordingly prepared, the works were begun upon the 29th of Auguft, and continued till the 5th of September, when the Major refolved upon an affault, which was executed with very little lofs, and their whole works in our poffeffion that morning. This fuccefs we have great reafon to believe, will be decifive of the fate of the war as the enemy feemed to repofe their chief confidence in the ftrength of thefe works, B of their deliverance on the Major's nearer approach towards Patna; that officer was allo endeavouring to effect fo defirable an event. The Governor adds as Meffrs. Ellis and Hay take notice of the death of captain Turner only, it was prefumed that all the reft were well. Governor Vanfittart afterwards advifes the rednction of Mong beer on the 11th of October by the Major, without the lofs of one man before the town. Governor Vanfittart further acquaints the Court of Directors, in a letter dated the 8th of October, 1763, that if the war fhould not be brought to a fuccefsful end, he will stay in Bengal till the following year at all risks; although it is the opinion of the phyficians he is very incapable of going through another hot feafon; but if the troubles fhould be fo far quieted that he can leave the company's poffeflions in fafety, he hopes to be in London about September next. The Court of Directors having a due fenfe of the gallant behaviour and great fervices of Major Carnac, as noticed in the before-mentiConed advices, have unanimoufly agreed eo reftore him to the command of the company's forces in Bengal. This account was not without its effect: Many of the stockholders became less anxious about Lord Clive's departure for Bengal, as they thought his prefence there was lefs neceffary: The Houfe Lift prevailed againft and now by the lofs of them are deprived of D that of the Proprietors, and all thoughts of all fupplies of provifion from the province of Bengal, which is entirely fecured to us. Major Adams, in his letters, where he gives an account of his feveral engagements with the enemy, has given juft praifes to Major Carnac, Major Knox, and other officers who have diftinguished themfelves, as well as to the officers and troops in general for their gallant be- E haviour. To Major Carnac, he afcribes particular merit, for the vigorous attack which he led against the main body of the enemy in the general action of the fecond of Auguft, and which made the first impreffion, contributing thereby in great meafure to the victory we had obtained. The fame juftice is due to Major Adams, which he has done to the officers and troops under his command, and the highest praife is due to him from the company for his good conduct in this campaign, which has been attended with extraordinary difficu!ties and fatigues on account of the rainy feafon and the badness of the roads; and in which, by his ability in forming the plans of attack in fuch manner as to take every advantage the fituation of the enemy admitted, he has infured the fuccefs of his operations with the fmalleft lofs of men poffiole; and to which most valuable qualification, he adds a coolnels and intrepidity unfhaken in the midst of action. Governor Vanfittart, after the clote of the foregoing advices, writes, that as the friends of the gentlemen prifoners with the late Nabob, Coffin Aly, would be anxious to have a certain account of them, he tranfmitted the copy of a letter to Major Adams from Melis. Ellis and Hay, dated at Patna, the 4th of October last, mentioning that the number of pritoners was 49, who were taking meatures for the purchase F bis lordship's going abroad feemed to be laid afide. But the important queftion, whether Mr Sullivan fhould or should not continue in the lead of the company's affairs, remained ftill undecided, and depended upon the choice that the directors fhould make of their chairman. Upon holding up hands, it was faid, a majority appeared for Mr Sullivan; but a ballot being demanded, the iffue was, that Mr Rous took the chair in his ftead. It is remarkable, that, notwithstanding the forces in the fruggle were fo nearly equal, yet the rejection of Mr Sullivan from the chair had fo great an influence in favour of the Company's affairs, in the general opinion, that their frock rose upon it, as the papers affirmed, very confiderably. Mr Sullivan, after he was difplaced from the chair, was with difficulty perfuaded not to fell out his frock, fo as to difqualify himfelf for fitting in the direction: If he had gone out, it is faid, five other gentlemen of great worth and probity, would have gone out with him, who will now affit their fellow proprietors in this critical fituation with their Gadvice. The warmth of all parties is now happily abated; Lord Clive is preparing to go to Bengal, with full power to establish the Company's factory on the firmest foundation. * Mr Sullivan's being elected into the direction, depended upon a very nice question, whether HMs Drummond, Lady to the Archbishop of York, could be confidered as a flockholder in ber eron right, and ballot accordingly. This quel tion was determined in the negative, and Mrs Drummond's ballot, which was for the Proprietor's Lift, rejected; the want of robich oniy, left a majority for Mr Sullivan, S IX inhabitants of Kamtfchatka, who went to fea in the year 1759, returned about the beginning of the prefent year. The account they give of their expedition is, that having directed their courfe N. E. after feveral months navigation they difcovered 16 iflands, fome large and fome fmail, which were inhabited by people fuppofed to be the Eskimaux, becaufe in their form and manners they refemble the Americans on the North of the iver St Laurence in Canada. These voyagers made a kind of map of two of thefe iflands, where they lived fome time, which is fent to Mofcow, to be preserved among the archives of that country. THURSDAY, March 18, The first flone was laid or a new bridge over the Avon in Bristol city. SATURDAY 31. A B Charks Singleton Dorrington was executed at York for the nighway. He had barricadoed the door of his cell in fuch a manner that it was more than two hours before the goaler could force it. His reafon for it was, That C life was fweet, and every hour precious. The feaf Id for fixing his Majesty's ftatue at the Royal Exchange was ftruck. Two remarks have been made; one, that his majesty holds his fceptre in the wrong hand; the other, that the ftatuary has inclined him too much towards the Scorch walk. SUNDAY, April 1. The great folar eclipfe was obferved at Edinburgo with great diftinetnels. The sky was remarkably clear; and the eclipse began 9. greateft obfcuration 13 9 m. 24 end II 53 During the eclipfe the thermometer fell 17! deg. Being expofed to the fun before the eclipfe began, it rofe from 65 to 73; at the time of the greateft obfcuration it fell to 55; and at the end of the eclipfe it rofe to 61. At Ipfwich, the eclipfe continued annular about 15 seconds, h m beginning 9 8 33 4 The planet Venus was vifite, but none of the other fars, the eclipfe to digets. end At Derby it was obferved by Mr Burdett, with a fpiral micrometer of his own invention. [a little cloudy]. h. m. 1, beginning 9 0 39 II 48 9 Quantity eclipfed 10 deg. 11 18. His time was regulated the fame day by equal altitude of the fun on the infallible horizon of ftill water. TUESDAY 3 The Archduke Jofeph of Auftria was this day crown'd King of the Romans at Frankfort, with great ceremony, Whole oxen were roafted in the fireets and given to the populace, and medals and money thrown among them to the amount of 150,000 crowns. His R. H. the D. of York arrived at Legborne from Florence, and was received by the governor and English factory with the honours due to his high ank; and after having visited all the places of note, entertained the gover nor, factory, and principal nobility, his highnefs took the diverfion cf hunting in the wood of Refario, where the governor had prepared a moft magnificent entertainment under a large tent. On the 6th his highnefs fet out for Piza, and on the 9th returned to Florence.. WEDNESDAY, 4. The court of Brunfwick, with the hereditary Princess from Englaad, arrived at Wolfenbuttle, and was received with acclamations, D'and every demonftration of joy; the road for three miles before her royal highness approached the city, was lined with all the companies of tradefmen, militia and guards. Flowers were fat ered before her by young maidens in the drefs of fhepherdeffes, & from her defcending from het coach to the foot of the great flair cafe, the Audents in full chorus fung odes in honour of the royal pair; baving breakfafted and vifited whatever was curious in the city, they returned in the afternoon to Brunfzwick. E Three or four dark spots were obferved near F the funs lower limb, which if not in the tun itself, are fuppofed to be from the rugged or mountainous edge of the moon. At Liverpool, the obfervations made by Mr Fergujon, feem more to be depended upon, as taken by an adjusted clock to equal time, beginning 8 59 middle 10 end 21 50 451 apparent time, begin 8 55 end 47 At the greateft obfcuration the fun was here began 9 5 44 10 24 30 11 54 20 G H The thanks of the fociety of arts were given to Lord Southwell for communicating a piece of handker hief made by fome American In dians of a weed called filke graft, the fabrick of which was very much admir'd. THURSDAY 5. Two of the prifoners condemned at Maidfone aflizes. (fee p. 144.) were executed at Pernendon Heath. The attendance of the clergyman was difpenfed with during their confinement after condemnation, on account of a contareous diftemper raging in that g ༤ His majefty gave the royal affent to A bill for granting a certain fum out of the finking fund for the fervice of the year 1764. for granting certain duties on goods in the British colonies for the fupport of government, and for encouraging the trade to the fugar colonies. By this act a duty of 17. 25. 19 jaid on foreign clay'd fugars [inftead of 5s.] indigo 6d. a lb. [2d.] coffee 21. 195. gd. per Cwt. Madeira wine 71. per ton; Port and Spanifh wines Ics, a ton; wrought filks, Bengals, and fluffs mix'd with flk er herba 25. a piece. Callicoes 21, 64, a-piece; Cambricks 35. French 194 The GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, VOL. XXXIV. French lawns 3s. coffee and piemento of the growth of the British colonies; coffee 7s. a Cwt. piemento 24. 15 foreign mol-ffes and fyrrups 3. a gallon, [inftead of 6d.] which was feldom paid. Thefe duties are all to be paid into the Exchequer, and referved for deiring the charges of protecting the British colonies in America. By a letter in the vimfiordom Gazette, there is an account of great revolutions in India, and emong the reft. hat Com ly Caron has nude himflf master of Bengal. This, how is at present a soredited, end thought to be inferted to ferme a turn; but it deferves notice, that Mr Maguire, just arrived from that fettlement, and 3d in council, was refused to be examined concerning the true fate of affairs when he left the place, by the court of directors, 10 against 8. The house of farmer Dicker near Bofing foke awas robbed of cash to the amount of 400%. by 4wo men, who finding only an old woman fervant in the house, tied her hands, blinded her eves, gagg'd her, and drew her up by a cord to the bacon-rack; then lock'd the cons, and Tominiag'd every drawer in the house nil they found the money, with which they made off unifcovered. MONDAY 9. A B An old way of robbing was revived in the Poultry, by a boy in a balcer's baket, who Patcu'd off the hats of feveral gentlemen be- F to e he was detected. The third gentleman he had fo terved was told where his hat was, by a perfon from a window who obferved the fratevem, and could not help Lughing at it. Norborne Berkley's claim of peerage as Baron of Botetourt, was confirmed, and his lordship received the compliments of the nobility on that occafion, Several thou ́aru journeymen filk-weavers wird on his majzy with a petition reprefecting the mifcrable condition of the fix manutaétory from the clandeftige imporation et Frea b fills, and praving relief.-A large bo k of French patterns has fince been frizet, containing feveral thoufind patterns, from 5. a-yard to 5 which were privately handed about to the mercers by French emillanes. TUESDAY 10. The jury of annoyance for Weiminfier vifi G Η ted feveral places where provifions are fold by weight and measure, and destroyed the meafures that were short, and the weights that were too light, a laudable example at this time of exraordinary dearth. WEDNESDAY 11. Came on the election of directors of the Eaft India company, (fee p. 142) when the houfe lift prevailed, having eight out of that lift elected, to four out of the other; the remainder being in both lifs. The fociety of arts adjudged the first premium of so guineas for the best landscape, to Mr Barratt from Dublin; the fecond of 25, to Mr Bord of Birmingham; and the third of 15, to Mr Steuart of London. FRIDAY 13. At a court of directors of the Eaf-India company, Thomas Rus, Efq; was elected chairman, and Henry Crabb Keulton, deputy, on which Mr Sullivan and four of his friends withdrew from court. (See p. 192.) Two ftallions were lately pu chafed for Lerd Northumberland, and cof 5co guineas each in Arabia. They were brought to eppo, traveled from thence to Scandarcon, from thence were fhiped fr Marseilles; from Marfelles they travelled through France, and arrived at his lordship's fables this day. SATURDAY 14. A terrible fire broke out at Mr Nafb's in St James's Square, which inftantly confumed that houfe, and damaged two others. The fire fpread to faft that fix perfons perished in the flames. Mr Bourne's new machine for travelling the roads was tried against a common broad-wheeled waggon, but did not anfwer, the common waggon going as eafy with four horfes, as the new one with eight. The weight carried was five ton befides the carriage. The wheels of this waggon are 14 inches; the fore wheels go within the hind wheels, and are to fhallow as to turn under the bed of the wagon. The Leominster Rage waggon has thefe wheels. MONDAY 16. This day his Serene Highness the Prince Stadtholder was publickly examined in the tene s of the Refo med Religion, in order to his receiving the Holy Communion at Eafer. His Serene Highne's gave univerfal fatisfaction to the numerous affembly prefent, and his knowledge and prefence of mind during a two hours examinat on, was univerfally admired. TUESDAY 17. Prince Aurfperg arrived at St James's to notify to his majesty the election of a King of the Romans. The houfe of lords in Ireland, appointed a cominter to take into confideration the ftate of the public charities in that kingdom in or der to their being more properly applied, a laudable example, and worthy imitation. WEDNESDAY 18 The magif rates of Edinburgh, with the committee of the convention of royal boroughs roughs caufed a reprefentation to be drawn up in order to be prefented to his majesty in council; that his majesty would be graciously pleafed to revoke the licence given to the recruiting officers of the Scotch regiment in the Dutch fervice, to levy men in Scotland on account of the fcarcity of hands for the neceffary purposes of agriculture & manufactures. THURSDAY 19 Orders were received at Portsmouth for the fhipwrights and caulkers to work extra in order to fit all the fhips in ordinary for fervice. His majefty gave the royal aflent as follows: To a bili to raise money by exchequer loans. to eftablish the Bank con rat. to charge certain annuities on the finking funt, &c. to export rice from Georgia and Carolina to the American colonies, on paying British duty. to enable his majefty to allow the importatian of Irish provifions. -to encourage the manufactory of cambrick in England. to encourage the whole fishery on the American coats. and in Greenland. - to veft Senegal in the African company. to a bounty on the importation of hemp from America. A B their commerce with Great Britain, call for my hearty approbation. Your regard to public credit, in discharging a part of the heavy debt contracted and unprovided for during the late war, without impofing on this kingdom the by then of any new taxes is particularly pleafi g to me. from the tender concern which I feel for my people. My Lords, and Gentlemen, It is he proper employment of this feafon of tranquillity, to confider of the most effectual means for perie&tong thofe works of peace, and plans of public urility, which have been fo wifely and happily begun. Y u I recommend there important objects to your confideration during the receis. may depend upon my conflant endeavours for the fuccefs of there good purpcfes, as I thill ever efterm it my tree glory, to employ that power with which the conftitution hath entrufted me. in promoting your real interefts, Cand lafting happiness. to restrain the currency of paper-money D in the colonies. to exclude bankrupts from privilege of parliament. -to regulate the postage. And -to feveral other public and private bills. After which his majelly was pleaf d to put an end to the feffion by the following fpeech: My Lords and Gentlemen, I Cannot put an end to this feffion of parliament without returning you my thanks for the prudent and falutary measures which you have taken to extend the commerce, and fecure the happinets of my kingiems. E The affurances which I have received of the pacific difpofition of the feveral powers with whom we were lately at war, and of their re- F folution to adhere inviolably to the terms of the late treaty, promife the continuance of and the firm and temperate expeace abroad ; ertion of your authority, joined to the conttitutional and public fprited conduct which you have manifefted on every orcaft during the prefent feilion, will, I truft, establish at home dur obedience to the laws, reverence to the iegillators and domeftic union. Gentlemen of the House of Commons, G I thank you for the fupplies which you have foc earfully and unanimoutly granted. The ample provifion you have made for the feveral fervices recommended to you, and efpectaily for maintaini -g my A et in a refpectable Hare, will I am confident, preferve to this nation is H proper weight and influence, and give Arength and fecurity to all my dominions. The wife regulations which have been eftablished to augment the public revenues, to unite the interests of the most distant poffeli ons of my crown, and to encourage and fecure In the courie of this fifions 175 publicke and private bitis received the royal affent. SATURDAY 21. The account fent to court by Major Adamt, commander in ca ef of his muler v's forces in Bengal, of the military tranfact as in thi Country, was published in the Gazette of this day, but as it differs in nothing material from the account published by the Et India company. p. 191. our readers will excuse the repetition. Some labourers, in pulling down an old' houfe in Little Drury lane, found concealed in a wall a quantity or old filver and copper coins, fome of which were very fair. MONDAY 23. The lord-mayor, a.dermen, and heriffs. with their ladies, went in proceffion to St Bride's, accorcia: to annual tulem, and heard a fermon prea hed by the Bp of St Haph, when the report of the fate of the city hofpitals was read:efore the governors by which it appeared that 3371 patients had been cured and difparged out of St. Barth fomero's, 6853 our of St Thomas's, 129 out of tethlem, and 336 vagrants relieved and ditcharged out of Bridezo:ll Some cuftom-houfe officers went on board a Kentia hoy, loaded with corn, where they found half a ton of t-a, which they feizet, & put the broad arrow upon the vellel, which is forfeited. Being the anniversary of St George, the patron of England, the fame was oblerved at court as a high festival., SUNDAY 22. A legacy of 200, left to the poor of the town of Dryer by the 'a e Earl Hardwire, was this day diftributed by the magifra v, 3greeable to his lordship's directions. His lordthip was a native of the place. A chap er of the muf noble order of the garter was held at St fim's, who, his majetty was pleafed to fill up the vacancies therein, by electing his Serin Hi Fredric reigning Duke of Wachobar lus, and the Rt Hon. the Earl of Hallifax, in the room of the Ears Grawudit and W. so |