mounting to a declaration from this affembly, that, in the fettlement of minifters, no regard is due to any clafs or order of men, but to the patron alone; that in all time coming, patronage, in its moft unlimited and rigorous exercife, is to be fupported; and, in particular, that the fentiments of the gentlemen of landed property in Scotland, however confiderable or refpectable, will be more regarded than thofe of the meaneft of the people: A declaration at all times impolitic, as well as unjust, and, in this age of prevailing licentiousness and difrefpect to religion, highly inexpedient and dangerous. 3. Becaufe, as was obferved in the reasons of diffent in the cafe of Fenwick, we are convinced, that measures of this kind have a direct and manifest tendency to alienate the minds of our countrymen from the established church, to deftroy the refpect and influence of the parochial clergy, and to render them incapable alike to pro:note the intereft of our holy religion, and to diffufe among the people the principles of loyalty and affection to government. 4. Because the great defign of the fettlement of ministers being to promote the edification of the people committed to their charge, we think it effentially neceffary, that, before the fettlement of a prefentee is appointed by the church, there fhould be fome probable ground to hope, that this important end will be accomplished; but, in this cafe, we are fully convinced, from the evidence laid before the aflembly, that there is no profpect of usefulness to Mr Affleck in the parith of Carfphairn; and we could not have juftified ourselves to our own minds, if, in fuch circumstances, we had not, in this conftitutional manner, expreffed our disapprobation of, and diffent from, the sentence appointing his.fettlement. These are the fentiments which we entertain concerning this decifion; and we mention them with the greater confidence, that, in the divifion of the affembly, it was carried by a majority of only two votes, [74 voted Reverfe, and 72 Affirm, the fentence of the prefbytery]. We think ourfelves called upon by our duty to God and to our country, to en ter our diffent; and, while we ftate thefe reafons, it is our earnest prayer to the Supreme King and Head of the Church, that none of all the evils which we apprehend may arife from the fentence which the affembly have pronounced.. Saturday, June 2. The affembly refumed the confideration of the report of the committee appointed to confider Mr Lawfon's difcourfes; and having heard the opinions of feveral members of the affembly who were prefent at the different meetings of the committee, and having alfo heard Mr Lawton himself, they agreed to the report of the committee; which is of the following tenor., " Edinburgh, May 31. 1781. The committee report, That having heard three of Mr Lawson's difcourfes, and a letter of his to the prefbytery of Auchterarder, in anfwer to a queftion of the prefbytery's put to him refpecting his communica ting, they found in the difcourfes fuch proofs of incapacity, and in the letter fuch a fpirit, as in their unanimous opinion fully juftified the fentence of the prefbytery refufing to grant him a li. cence." Upon which the affembly affirmed the fentence of the prefbytery of Auchterarder refufing to grant Mr Lawfon a licence. Against this judgement Mr Cowan minifter at Gladefmuir dif fented. Mr Lawfon has been ten years before the prefbytery of Auchterarder, and fix of these before the assembly. The affembly next confidered an appeal from a fentence of the fynod of Fife, at the inftance of the magiftrates and town-council of Newburgh. In this cafe, there are two claiming the right of patronage; the prefbytery have fuftained one of the prefentations; an appeal was taken to a distant synod, and the question turned, whether the appeal was right or wrong, in regard there was a meeting of fynod within eight days of the meeting of the prefbytery who pronounced the judgement. The affembly found that it was a proper appeal, and remitted the caufe back to the fynod, to take in, and judge of the appeal. A petition of Meff. Thomfon and Fernie, minifters at Dunfermline, was then read. It fets forth, That the minister of the chapel of eafe at Dunfermline has been in ufe of baptizing the children of perfons in the parish of Dunfermline and the children of others lately come to it, or formerly belonging to the different fectaries in it, without any certificate of their moral character given in to us or our kirk-feffion; and the children of perfons not refiding in the parish, without a line from their parith minifter; has folemnized marriages; and has administered the Lord's fupper without fubmitting the moral moral characters of the communicants in the parish to the judgement of our kirk feffion, and employing elders belonging to other parishes to ferve at the tables. This the petitioners think inconfiftent with the conftitution of the church, and the act of affembly conftituting that chapel of ease. The affembly unanimouily difmiffed the petition as incompetent. Monday, June 4. A reference from the fynod of Lothian and Tweeddale, and regulations drawn up by the prefby tery of Edinburgh, on the subject of irregular marriages, were taken into confideration. Thefe regulations were enacted by the prefbytery in confequence of a recommendation from the fynod, occafioned by complaints having been made to them of fome irregularities that were practifed in folemnizing marriages, in and about Edinburgh. The molt material of the regulations are, That no marriage shall be celebrated without a certificate be produced from the feffion-clerk, that the banns have been regulary proclaimed; and every certificate must bear the names, defignations, and places of abode of the parties; that when the parties refide in different parishes, certificates must be had from each parish; that no perfon fhall be confidered a refidenter, till he fhall have refided fix weeks in the parish; that no feffionclerk fhall grant a certificate, till he have evidence, for which he fhall be anfwer. able, that the party has refided fix weeks in the parish, that he is unmarried, and that he is not within the forbidden de grees of confanguinity. The ministers of the prefbytery of Edinburgh agree to adhere ftrictly to the foregoing regulations; and the prefbytery enacts and ordains accordingly. Thefe regulations the fynod fubmitted to the allembly, apprehending they would have greater weight, if eftablifhed by the fupreme authority of this church. The affembly remitted the matter to the confideration of a committee, and appointed them to make their report to next affembly. All caufes brought before the affembly, and not determined by them, were referred to the commiffion, to be taken up in the order they are marked on the affembly roll. The affembly was concluded in the ufual manner, and the next affembly is appointed to be held in the fame place upon Thursday, May 23. 1782. gua. Wen Indiaman, carried into Portfmouth; By the Tarleton of Glafgow, and the O- By the Sarah, Goulborn, Lewtas: Two prizes, carried into Montferrat. The Balgrove, from Clyde for Jamaica, By a Drogheda privateer: A large Dutch packet, from Nantz for Bofton, carried into By the Gull: The St Anna Marie, carried By the James, Fisher, from the Leeward By the Betty, Wilfon, on her paffage to for Amfterdam. By the York, of Jerfey: La Laboureuse, Genaamd Negotie, from Demerary for Mid- MAR C MARRIAGE. May. At London, John Henderson, Efq; member of parliament for Dyfart, &c. and fon of Sir Robert Henderfon, Bt, to Mifs Robertfon, daughter of Gen. Robertfon, Governor of New York, BIRTH. May 21. At Belton-house, Mrs Hay of Belton, of a fon and heir. DEATH S. May 2. At London, Lady Charlotte Percy, only daughter of Earl Percy. 3. At London, in the 104th year of her age, Mrs Carlton, fenior. 6. At Abercairny, Lady Dowager Rollo, daughter of James Moray, Efq; of Abercair ny. 6. At Kensington, Hugh Vaughan, Efq; aged 101. 7. At Edinburgh, Mrs Margaret Boyd, daughter of the Hon. Mr Thomas Boyd, Advocate, uncle to the late Earl of Kilmarnock. ton. 8. At Champfleurie, Mrs Johnston of Strai 9. At Englefield Green, near Staines, in the 61d year of his age, William De Gray, Lord Walfingham. His Lordship was created a Baron in 1780, on his refignation of the Chief Jufticeship of the court of common pleas. 10. At Edinburgh, Capt. Thomas Nairne, late of the Eaft-India- Company's fervice. At Port-Glasgow, Mrs Ritchie, widow of Duncan Ritchie, fmith in that town, aged 110 years and upwards. 11. At Dublin. in the 66th year of his age, William Crofbie, Earl of Glandere, &c. a privy counfellor of Ireland. He has left iffue one fon and three daughters. 12. At Edinburgh, Rachel Maule, daughter of the late Mr Harry Maule, writer to the fignet, and fpoufe to Dr William Bruce of Cowden. 14. At London, Lt-Gen. William Amherft, (brother to Lord Amherft), Adjutant. General of his Majefty's forces, Colonel of the 32d regiment of foot, and Governor of St John's, Newfoundland. 16 At Cromarty, Mrs Macleod, dowager of Geaneas. 17. At Edinburgh, in the 76th year of his age, Mr Alexander Murray, printer. 17. At Aberdeen, Mr Alexander Thomfon, bookfeller in that city. 18. At Elgin, Alexander Brodie of Windyhills, Efq; in the 80th year of his age. 18. At Aberdeen, the Rt Rev. Mr George Innes, a dignified clergyman of the Epifco Pal church of Scotland. 18 At Inveresk, Lady Amilia Halket, widow of Sir Peter Halket of Pitfirren. 18. At Aberdeen, the wife of Mr Lamb. She dropped down on the street as she was coming from market, and furvived only a few hours, after being carried home. 18. At Aberdeen, Mr George Allan, baker. He dropped down dead while fitting at fupper with his family. 18 At London, aged 81, William Aislabie, Efq: member of parliament for Rippon in Yorkshire, and one of the auditors of the imprefs. 19. At his houfe in Fifeshire, David Bruce, Efq; of Kinloch. 19. Mr George Henderson merchant in Edinburgh. 20 At London, Mrs Thomas, wife of Mr Thomas, lottery-office keeper in Fleet Street. Her death was occafioned by her cap and hair taking fire as the leaned her head upon her hand; and though the maidfervant gave her immediate affiftance, by throwing water to extinguish the flames, the was fo much fcorched as to be deprived of her fenfes the next day, in which condition the continued till the died. At Whitbeck, near Whitehaven, in Cumberland, Richard Harrison, well known by the name of Teakettle Harrison, many years a guide over the fands: the fame day died alío his wife, and his daughter-in-law; their bodies were all interred the day following; and the next day, his fon alfo died. Such an inftance of mortality in one house is very remarkable, as the parties, till attacked by this ficknefs, feemed of hale and ftrong conftitutions. 22 At his houfe in Rofs-fhire, Murdo Mackenzie, Etq; of Ardrofs. 22. At Kensington, the Earl of Mornington, of the kingdom of Ireland. 24. At Castlebank, near Lanark, Mrs Bannatyne, of Castlebank. 24. At Rofehall, near Dumfries, Mr George Mackenzie of Netherwood. 25. Mrs Margaret Robertfon, wife of Mr Alexander Bruce merchant in Edinburgh. PREFERMENTS. From the London Gazette. The King has been pleased, May 5. to prefent Mr Henry Blair to the parish of Stony Kirk, in the fhire of Wigton, vacant by the death of Mr John Hunter. 12. to recommend to the dean and chapter of Winchefter, Brownlow, to be elected Bithop of that fee, void by the death of Dr John Thomas. 26. to prefent Mr William Garvie to the nited parishes of Dupplin and Aberdalgie, in the hire of Perth, vacant by the death of Mr Thomas Rankine. War-office, War-office, May 5. Independent Company of foot: Lieut. Athol Douglas, of 77th foot, is appointed to be Captain. Independent Company of foot: Lieut. Francis Fuller, of 36th foot, to be Captain. War-office, May 8. rft foot, ift bat. Capt. Oliver Nicolls to be Major, vice Abraham Nickfon; and Lieut. William Oliver Grace to be Captain, vice Oliver Nicolls. 35th foot: Brev.-Maj. William Chefter, of 69th foot, to be Major, vice John Gillan. 69th foot: Capt.-Lieut. John Kerr to be Captain, vice William Chefter; and Lieut. Arthur Rofs, of 35th foot, to be CaptainLieutenant, vice John Kerr. 86th foot: Lieut. John Monkton, to be Captain, vice Horace Churchill. 96th foot: Lieut. Charles Lade, to be Captain, vice George Reynolds. Lieut. Henry St George Cole, of 66th foot, to be Captain of an Independent Company of foot. Lieut. Alexander Howe, of 36th foot, to be Captain of an Independent Company of foot. Lieut. William Afhe, of 17th foot, to be Captain of an Independent Company of foot. War-office, May 19. 4th foot: Lieut. Nathaniel Kane to be Captain of one of the Additional Companies, vice John Cramond, Independent Company of foot: Lieut. George Freer, of 17th foot, to be Captain. Independent Company of foot: Lieut. James Fenwick, of ad foot, to be Captain. Commiffion figned by his Majefty for the Army & in Ireland. 32d foot: Maj-Gen. Ralph Earl of Rofs to be Colonel, vice Lt-Gen. William Amherft, deceafed. War-office, May 26. ad dragoon guards, Capt Robert Hewetfon, of 21 dragoons, to be Captain of a troop, vice Cathcart Taylor. 10th dragoons: Capt-Lieut. Francis Gregory, of 19th dragoons, to be CaptainLieutenant, vice Harry Portal. 19th dragoons: Lieut. John Hare, of 6th dragoons, to be Captain-Lieutenant, vice Francis Gregory. 21ft dragoons: Capt-Lieut. Harry Portal, of roth dragoons, to be Captain of a troop, vice Robert Hewetfon. ift foot guards: Capt. Charles Whitworth, to be Captain of a company, vice John Woodford. Dr Thomas Clerk to be Phyfician to the Forces in North America, under the command of Sir Henry Clinton. Patrick Connor, late Afistant Surgeon to the hofpital at St Vincent's, to be Apothe cary to the hospitals in the Leeward islands. Prices of grain at Haddington, June 8. May 14. 1781. 3 per cent. Bank red. 57 3 4ths. Navy and Vic. Bills, 11 7 8ths per cent. May 29. South Sea Old Ann. 57 1 half. 6 2 I 14 3 per cent. Bank red. 57 5 8ths a 3 4ths. 3 per cent. Conf. 58 1 half a 5 8ths. 4 per cent. New 1777, 73 3 4ths. India Bonds, 9 s. a 11 s. Pr. Navy and Vict. Bills, 111 half per cent. Long Annuities, 17 5 16ths a 3 8ths. 3 per cent. Scrip. 59 18th. 4 per cent. ditto, 75 1 half. Omnium, 8 1 half a 3 4ths. Ann. 1778, 12 3 4ths. Lottery Tickets, 131. 55. States of ZEALAND on the war with Britain 281. Petition of WEST-INDIA MERCHANTS to the King 283. Account of MICHEL SCHUPPACH, the Mountain-Doctor 286. Account of the BLACKBIRD 288. With a plate. PARLIAMENT. Lords on the increase of Roman Catholics: Speeches of Earl Fer xers and the Bishop of Chester 289. Commons on the duty on paper: Speech of Ld North 190. On the contractors bill : Speeches of Lds Beauchamp and Nugent, Sir G. Yonge, MI Powys, and Col Onflow 292 Mr Rosewarne and Ld North 293. Bill for difqualifying revenue-officers from voting at elections 293. Mr Minchin's motion on the navy 193.: Speeches, of Sir G Yonge 294. Sir C. Bunbury, Mr Penton, and Adm. Keppel 295. Sir H. Pallifer and Mr Burke 296. Col. Roberts, Adm. Keppel, Mr Dempster, Sir H. Pallifer, Mr B. Gafcoigne, and Mr Burke 297. Division 298. Reward of INGRATITUDE. 298. NT S. AMERICA. Cornwallis's thanks to the army 298. His letter to Dr Webster ib. American account of Guildford battle 299* Fort Pocotaligo taken 301. Arnold's account of operations in Virginia 301. Capt. Beckwith takes fome prifoners at Elifabethtown 303, Col. Delancy's expedition ib. Comparative value of continental currency fettled 304. A rebel-mail captured: Letter from Oliver Wolcott 304. Gen. Wafhington on public fervice ib. Letter to Dr Witherspoon 356 WEST INDIES. St Bartholomew furrenders 306. Hood's engagement with Le Grafs 306, 7. A great fire in Dominica 307 A hurricane at Hifpaniola ib. Diftreffed fi tuation of the inhabitants at Musquito fhore ib. Capt. Moutray tried ib. POETRY. Ode on the death of a young lady 308. The Poet, an ode ib. Epigram addreffed to a bungling epitaph-maker ib. HISTORICAL AFFAIRS, Foreign 309. 317. England 317. 327. Scotland 327, LISTS, Captures, Marriages, Births, &c. 319. Extract from the registers of their Noble Mightinees the States of Zealand, 22d January 1781. T Heir Noble Mightineffes, before they give their opinion with regard to the publication of the placarts containing of fenfive and defenfive orders against the English, cannot avoid premifing fome particulars which concern the conduct of the States of Zealand, in fuch a conjuncture of time, which will justify them in the eyes of the unprejudiced world, as well as to pofterity; for which end their Noble Mightineffes muft call to remembrance, how they, from the beginning of the present hoftilities betwixt the crowns of France and Great Britain, VOL. XLIII. made ufe of their utmoft endeavours (confiftent with the ties they were under) to preferve the tranquillity and welfare of the State, in the midft of the troubles amongst their neighbours. Their Noble Mightineffes apprehend, that when one ftate wishes to maintain an uninterrupted neutrality with their neighbours at war, they ought to put themfelves in fuch a state of defence, as to cause the neutrality to be refpected, or at proper occafions be able to yield fome condefcenfions to the different pretenfions of the powers at war: That as the Republic, in the prefent ftate of affairs, had been deficient in the firft of thefe, their Noble Mightineffes judged that it would be neceffary to adopt the fecond, and find means, out of regard to an an Na cient |